The $100 MBA Show

Of all the kinds of stress, financial stress is one of the worst. It can make entrepreneurship…not fun anymore.  Stress compounds any financial problem your business has, making it significantly worse. But dealing with tough times calmly and strategically is just one of those must-have skills for independent business people.  Easier said than done though, right?  How can you actually manage financ...

Producing content is exhausting. If you’re doing it wrong, that is. It’s Q&A Wednesday, and one listener wants to know how in the heck we manage to produce 5 podcast episodes every single week. It’s not easy, but it’s also not that stressful — because we have a system to support consistent production. And you can, too. While we’ve discussed making sure quality is your top content priority (as oppo...

You’ve gotta rank. There’s no way around it. No matter what kind of business you have, SEO is the way to grow. And the single most important factor in getting your website to the first page of Google results isn’t where you stick the keywords. It’s who’s linking to it. Backlinks are Priority One for search engine results. When trustworthy, authoritative sites link to yours, Google notices. And Goo...

Say it with me: undercutting is a garbage strategy. Trying to compete by offering the lowest price is a race to the bottom. When we’re starting out, most of us are shy about charging high prices. But done right, the high-ticket proposition is a smart way to gain real momentum for a new business. But don’t take it from me: we’ve got a special guest teacher. Tanner Chidester has built successful com...

Every game has to end — including the entrepreneurship game.  So what does winning the game look like for you? It can seem obvious, but do many people start and run businesses without a clear endgame in mind. Or they start with an endgame that’s too vague, and over the years lose sight of that ultimate mission.  Anyone can get lost in the day-to-day. Today, we’ll discuss why it’s so important to c...

You’re posting too much content. I know, sounds crazy right? But something changed.  Specifically, the algorithm Google uses to rank website pages made a major shift. While in simpler times, regularly posting content was a solid strategy for getting to Page One, that’s no longer true. Too many pages = depressed ranking. Less is seriously more now. Today, we’ll discuss how quality has completely kn...

What’s the best way to sell an online course? Should you leave it out there, open for enrollment whenever? Or should you establish a limited enrollment period with a firm end date? Does one help you sell more memberships?  Does one help your overall business plan more? It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener asking these very questions. Fortunately, we’re course creators from way back (the “$...

We’ve all seen the little encircled “TM” on the names of our favorite brands. But what does it actually mean?  More importantly, how can it help your chances of success? Depending on the nation or State you live in, a trademark can be a crucial part of protecting your company from copycats. But not always; depending on where you are in your business, it may not be worth the investment. As in the r...

Affiliate marketing: in many ways, it’s the ultimate “growth hack” for new businesses.  You essentially crowdsource sales by cutting people in on the revenue generated by their own referrals. Win-win! But is there a strategy to it?  Today’s special guest teacher certainly thinks so.  Nathan Hirsch built multiple successful companies that harnessed the power of affiliates. That includes one he grew...

Politics. Social movements. Morality. Does any of that have a role in your business? That question is on the forefront of many an entrepreneur’s mind, as protests rage across the United States and the world over issues of inequality. While it’s tempting to think we can simply keep current events out of business… …it’s just not always possible. Silence is its own statement. Depending on the issue,...

How much is too much to reinvest?  As the founder of a small business, you’re responsible for keeping your company in good financial health. You owe it to everyone on your team — and your customers — to keep the ship afloat.  That’s why so many entrepreneurs pour every possible cent of profit right back into the business. But is that sustainable? Is it smart? Today, we’ll discuss what percentage o...

PayPal: is it a must? PayPal used to dominate the cardless transaction world. Even now, it’s a popular choice for millions of consumers. But is it so popular that your small business has to offer it? Do people’s ideas about security and convenience dictate that only taking credit cards is a mistake? It all depends. It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’re helping one listener decide whether to go through the...

Onboarding: it’s not just for customers! When you make a new hire, it’s your job to set them up for wins. So much time and effort is wasted by new employees when they aren’t quite sure how things really work, or when they’re trying to find their place in a new company culture.  Here’s how to fix that. Today, we share our system for bringing new hires into the fold. With a little extra support and...

It’s the biggest question in digital marketing: how can I get people to stop and hear me out? Today’s guest teacher, Saksham Sharda, has an answer: hear them out first. By adding fun little tools like quizzes and calculators, you’re leveraging every consumer’s favorite topic (themselves) into crucial market research. It doesn’t just get attention. It creates qualified leads — emphasis on “qualifie...

This whole “laptop on the beach” thing…it’s BS, right? Yes and no. As independent entrepreneurs, we’ve often wondered what we’re doing wrong. We see these other founders globe-hopping, working out of Parisian cafes and beachside bungalows for a few hours before getting back to the “lifestyle” of many people’s dreams. But it turns out there’s a little more to it. Today, we discuss where the marketi...

We’re all for affiliate marketing. It’s one of the best ways to monetize your expertise, content, and following. It’s a fantastic passive(ish) revenue stream, whether you’re a full-time affiliate, a side hustler, or just someone who likes to share great products with people who would benefit from them. But you can do it wrong. Way wrong. Unfortunately, many people run into some common pitfalls — ...

Market research: you’re lost without it. But some markets are easier to research than others. It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got one listener in a very niche industry, unsure of where to turn for data to analyze. When you’re blazing your own trail, intel can be hard to find. But it’s always there somewhere. Today, we’ll discuss how to get the information you need to execute a business plan, no matt...

We’ll never stop saying this: your rest is just as important to your business as your work. Like any good trainer will tell you about muscles, a business can only grow when recuperation is a priority. If you’re a full-time independent business person, it can be very tempting to work yourself into a ditch.  And that will always — always —  backfire. It’s time for some strategic relaxation. Today, w...

What can you learn from the big companies? Can any of the philosophies behind mega-companies like Disney help your small business? Yes. Robert Allen Iger climbed the ranks of the ultimate corporation, Disney, and ran the show for 15 years. In that time, he learned a few things that can help you — yes, you, the independent entrepreneur. He also screwed a few things up. Today, we’re sharing the best...

It’s a global marketplace. Charge accordingly, or you’re leaving rupees on the table. Currency localization is way more than a convenience bonus. It’s a potentially game-changing tactic that can have a serious impact on your overall revenue. Not only do different nations have different currencies; they have different economies.  The bottom line? It’s not just converting nickels to Euros. You can c...

Is Google on to something? Those nap pods and free lunches must be worth the investment, right? Can the same perk-heavy approach work for smaller businesses? Today, we’ll explore the ROI of all those “extras.” From breakroom snacks to in-house gyms, some perks have historically worked better than others. Some have even done more harm than good, when they failed to align with employees’ actual want...

This is math we’ve never had to do before. Trying to stay in the black during a pandemic involves a lot more than simple numbers. Navigating the rules, assessing the risks, and operating with one (or both) hands tied behind our backs can be overwhelming – especially when the rules vary from place to place and time to time. But we have to make these decisions, one way or another. It’s Q&A Wednesday...

What’s a formal education really worth? Since this is The $100 MBA , you might expect us to say something along the lines of “not much.” But not necessarily. There are things you can only get in college. Whether or not you need you need those things depends on your goals, your entrepreneurial vision, and your personal definition of success. Plus, not being required doesn’t make a thing not benefic...

Get on a podcast. Now. It doesn’t have to be this one. But the value of being heard on a good podcast goes way beyond the exposure and brand awareness you stand to gain. In fact, this week’s special guest teacher might argue that the networking opportunities you get are just as valuable. Or maybe even more so. Matt Johnson is a podcast marketing expert who helps other entrepreneurs get on the virt...

Digital or physical, online or brick & mortar, every business needs a few things at the start.  These are the non-negotiables, the 4 things that every single business can’t really function and thrive without. These are your first investments, literally the cost of doing business when you’re first getting started. This is where to spend your capital! Get these things covered, and don’t waste money...