First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo

E75: Michael Girdley ( @girdley ) needs no introduction. He's a HoldCo legend. Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) sits down with Michael to discuss how he has built a successful HoldCo. We talk about Michael's "Right People, Right Structure, Right Mission" framework, which he uses to build all of his businesses. Michael shares how to find the best people, set up your busine...

E74: Have you ever wondered how a person can flip their life's script from constant struggles to having a multi-million dollar business? Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) has a rich conversation with successful entrepreneur Tim Stoddart ( @TimStodz ), the proud owner of Copyblogger Media.  He discusses his incredible transition from a troubled youth in Philadelphia to a sober entrepreneu...

E73: Not many know it, but a lot of aspiring business owners run the risk of making expensive mistakes that could put their goals on hold before they ever take off. So, today, host Yong-Soo Chung  ( @YongSooChung ) shares eight important things he learned over eight years of building three businesses from the ground up. He shares how to have an exponential growth mindset, hire carefully, know when...

E72: When is the right time to exit a business? Sounds like a simple question, but the answer... isn't as simple. Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) sits down with accomplished entrepreneur Andrew Gazdecki ( @agazdecki ), the Founder and CEO of Acquire.com.  Andrew discusses the strategies behind successful exits and how to position your company to be sold for the highest valuation. He al...

E71: How do you design a personal brand that truly reflects you, stands out, and captivates your audience? Do you find yourself lost in the sea of design choices? Not sure how to align your website elements with your personal brand values? Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) is joined by talented designer, Nate Kadlac ( @kadlac ). Nate will guide us through the crucial elements of your personal...

E70: Who doesn't like free or cheap stuff? Imagine getting more customers without spending money. Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) is joined by an expert in PR and earned media, Christina Nicholson ( @ChristinaAllDay ), an award-winning journalist.  Christina will discuss why small businesses should start with local media and why earned media's credibility is its most powerful asse...

E69: Imagine creating a million dollar business in just 48 hours.  Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) is joined by a special guest Noah Kagan ( @noahkagan ), the CEO of AppSumo.com.  Noah will discuss his new book "Million Dollar Weekend" and explain how he used these strategies and tactics to build AppSumo, a near 9-figure business. On today’s episode, you’ll learn: - How to Validat...

E68: Ever wonder how to grow your business profits just by leveraging relationships and strategic partnerships? Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) is privileged to have a very special guest, Jay Abraham ( @RealJayAbraham ), the Owner of Abraham Group and America’s Highest Paid Marketing Consultant.  Jay will discuss the concept of Relational Capital, one of the most powerful, yet misunderstood...

E67: What if I told you hiring the right operator for your PHC could supercharge your business? But get it wrong, and it could all go up in flames. Even worse, it could get swiped right from under you. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But believe me, I've lived that story. I've spent the last four years taking notes, testing strategies, and refining my hiring process. On today's episo...

E66: How did Assembly Ventures, from nothing but dreams and passion, pull in a crazy $10 million in less than six months?  Call it nuts. Call it ambitious. Call it a crazy result. But it happened, my friend, it happened. Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) sits down and spills the beans with Hunter Hammonds ( @_hunterhammonds ), the CEO and Co-Founder of Assembly Ventures. Hunter shares his bus...

E65: In today's episode, I revisit and remake one of the popular episodes to date and to be honest, one of the most important concepts that all founders should know - the I – We – They Framework, which has accelerated my business growth and could do the same for yours. I'm sharing this framework that I developed to help me gain clarity on what I need to work on depending on the stage of...

E64: In the world of startups, everyone wants that magic formula to get their business off the ground and scaling fast. But all too often, business plans end up as complicated, unwieldy documents that feel overwhelming to create and follow. Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) goes behind the scenes with Brandon White ( @BrandonCWhite ). He generously shared his unique 11-slide business framewor...

E63: Happy Holidays! We're taking a one-week break from our regularly scheduled programming. But, we're not leaving you high and dry this week! I was fortunate enough to be invited to my friend and fellow entreprenuer Brandon White's ( @BrandonCWhite ) recording studio in Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago. If you can believe it, we talked for over 2 hours! We dove deep into several topi...

E62: Ever scratch your head wondering what business you should start next? Yeah, we've all been there. Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) takes us on a solo flight as he unravels the simple decision-making process that led him to create his successful businesses. From his venture into startups after Wall Street to the unexpected success of Urban EDC. He shares his invaluable insights and...

E61: Many entrepreneurs out there who are hustling to build their online presence often hit a roadblock in their creators journey.  Like, they're missing a trick that could change the game for them. Growing your audience? That's no walk in the park. So many creators end up feeling stuck. Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) sits down with the amazing Parker Worth ( @worth_parker ), who...

E60: How did a simple credit-card 'trick' post lead to massive audience growth? It all started with my X post about living in San Francisco with a $0 salary. Yeah, you heard that right - a $0 salary in one of the most expensive cities. And guess what? People lost their minds over it. My socials were a wildfire of comments, DMs, and yeah, even some haters throwing shade. Here’s the fun bi...

E59: What does it really take to go viral on social media? In our digital era, choosing the right platform for your business can be overwhelming. Founders face immense pressure to build a substantial online presence and audience.  Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) has a special guest, Michelle Thames ( @michellelthames ), a renowned Marketing and Monetization Strategist. She is known for her...

E58: How do you get your podcast from 0 to 36,000 downloads in just a year? I did just that! Starting from scratch isn't easy, especially in the world of podcasting. I had zero listeners, a limited budget, and countless people saying I was doing it all wrong. Just to give you an idea... I spent $27,000 just on production costs! When I started my podcast journey, everyone around me had advice....

E57: How did a man who declared bankruptcy turn into a multi-millionaire in just 2 years? Our guest today did just that. His incredible journey is one of resilience, innovation, and true entrepreneurial spirit. Today, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) has a very special guest, Tibo Louis-Lucas ( @tibo_maker ), the genius behind TweetHunter and Taplio. Tibo reveals the secrets behind his meteoric ris...

E56: Growing a newsletter is no cakewalk. There's the initial phase where growth is slow, and every subscriber feels like a hard-fought battle. Not to mention, the emotional and physical toll of relentless hours, strategizing, and moments of utter despair and frustration. The market is crowded, and it's tough to stand out. How do you gain traction and grow your newsletter? In today'...

E55: Many content creators struggle with building a dedicated audience and effectively monetizing their content. Despite having quality content, they often lack the strategic framework to captivate and monetize an audience in a landscape saturated with creators. So, how do you sift through the noise? On today's episode, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) has a very special guest, Joe Casabona (@...

E54: Ever felt like a stranger at a party where everyone else knows each other? That's how Yong-Soo Chung felt when he first ventured onto X. Yong-Soo Chung stepped into X with 400 followers, hoping for connections and recognition. But instead, he found himself feeling isolated and alienated. Moreover, sharing personal tales became a venture fraught with vulnerability and fear of judgment. On...

E53: Have you ever considered setting up a business structure that could save you taxes, protect your assets, and offer countless financial advantages? Picture this. One day, you wake up to see your bank account flooded with cash from your startup's exit. The question isn't about the money anymore; it's about what you do next. Do you jump into another startup, take a sabbatical, bec...

E52:  In today's digital age, entrepreneurs need a strong personal brand. Hands down. But how do you actually go about building one? On today's episode, host Yong-Soo ( @YongSooChung ) has a conversation with Clifton Sellers ( @LegacyBuilder__ ) founder of Legacy Builder, a successful ghostwriting agency. He's the unseen hand behind some of the best content on the web. Clinton will...

E51: Why is it that the richest people in the world work the same hours as we do, yet they make way more money than we do? What are they doing differently? The answer lies in the concept of leverage. Today, host Yong-Soo Chung ( @YongSooChung ) takes us on a journey to uncover the secret behind the immense wealth and success of these successful entrepreneurs and reveals how they have been using le...