The Friday Habit

In this special 200th episode of The Friday Habit , Mark and Ben reunite to celebrate a huge milestone—and to share some big news. After nearly six years as co-hosts, Ben is officially stepping away from the mic (don’t worry, he’ll still pop in from time to time). But before he goes, he’s opening up about what it really took to build, systemize, and sell his business, Knapsack. From Bro Mountain r...

In this episode of the Friday Habit, Nick McEvily shares his journey from design to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of customer interviews and the role of design in business success. He discusses his life in Mexico City, the challenges of the zero to one stage in startups, and the common pitfalls founders face in achieving product market fit. The discussion highlights the necessity of...

In this episode, Mark sits down with Russel Dubree, founder of Performance Faction and former agency owner who built and sold a multi-million dollar creative business. They talk turkey (literally), before diving into the hard-won lessons of entrepreneurship—what it means to grind, the challenges of hiring and leading a team, the highs and lows of partnerships, and what ultimately led to Russel’s d...

In this episode, Mark and Data Coach Gravy discuss the significance of data in business, exploring Paul's journey from an accidental entry into the data world to becoming a successful entrepreneur. They delve into the lessons learned from the dot-com boom, the importance of data ownership, and the challenges businesses face in managing their data across various platforms. The conversation emphasiz...

Join hosts Ben and Mark on 'The Friday Habit' as they welcome Chris Ronzio, founder and CEO of Trainual, a leading SaaS platform for small business training and onboarding. They delve into discussions about organizational charts, systems, and processes essential for business scalability. Chris shares insights from his journey, including his consulting background, the development of Trainual, and h...

In this episode of 'The Friday Habit,' Mark Labriola and Benjamin Manley are joined by Kayvon Kian, an entrepreneur, teacher, and senior advisor at McKinsey & Company, to discuss his latest book, 'What Is Wisdom?' The conversation covers various philosophical approaches from ancient thinkers such as Socrates, Nietzsche, and Hippocrates, and how their wisdom can guide business decisions. Kayvon...

In this episode of The Friday Habit , Mark sits down with Chris Tyrell, founder of Chris’s Garage Doors, to talk about the unexpected road from seminary student to successful entrepreneur. Chris shares how faith, community, and a deep sense of purpose have guided his business journey—and why giving generously has always been part of the plan. Chris opens up about how a part-time job in the garage...

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Steve Van Diest, President of Acumen’s Front Range region, to unpack the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey. From founding a thriving mattress business to launching a customizable pillow company, Steve’s path has been anything but linear. Steve candidly shares his experiences with burnout, making costly business decisions, and the...

In this episode, Patti Johnson shares her path from growing up in a small town in Oklahoma to launching a successful consulting business and becoming an author. She talks about what it really takes to start and grow a business, including the importance of research, networking, and building strong relationships instead of relying on traditional sales tactics. Patti and Mark also discuss the value o...

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, decentralization is emerging as a powerful force for change. This episode of The Friday Habit brings you a fascinating conversation with David Young, a pioneer in cloud computing and open-source technology. David shares his journey from studying ancient Greek and Latin to becoming a trailblazer in the tech industry. He offers valuable insights into the...

In this episode of The Friday Habit, hosts Mark Labriola and Benjamin Manley engage with guests Mark Ackler and Mert Esheri, exploring the intricacies of entrepreneurship, the importance of building relationships, and the lessons learned from their experiences in the startup world. They discuss the journey from idea to execution, the significance of legacy in business, and the insights shared in t...

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark Labriola and Benjamin Manley welcome Natalie Dawson, EVP and partner at Cardone Ventures, to discuss her new book 'Teamwork' and the essential strategies for building high-performance teams. The conversation covers Natalie's journey from a failed business leader to a successful entrepreneur, the importance of team alignment, practical tools for team develo...

In this episode of The Friday Habit, we welcome Eric Huberman, founder and CEO of Hawk Media. We explore Eric's entrepreneurial journey, the challenges he faced in the early stages of his career, and the strategies he employed to build a successful marketing consultancy. The conversation delves into the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of adaptability, and the value of learning from e...

In this episode of The Friday Habit, hosts Marc Labriola and Benjamin Manley engage with Youngsoo, who transitioned from a successful career in cryptocurrency software engineering to founding Urban EDC, an eight-figure e-commerce business. Youngsoo shares his journey, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, risk-taking, and audience engagement in entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenge...

In this engaging conversation, Cole Rodgers shares his journey as an entrepreneur, life coach, and speaker dedicated to helping men reach their full potential. He discusses the importance of gratitude, navigating conflict, and the challenges he faced in his early career. Cole emphasizes the role of family and personal growth in shaping identity, and he offers valuable insights on overcoming advers...

In this engaging conversation, Hugh Howey shares his journey from a book-loving youth to a successful author, discussing the challenges and sacrifices he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of passion in writing, the learning process through reading, and the unexpected success of his short story 'Wool', which transformed into a bestselling novel. Hugh also reflects on the pressures o...

In this episode of The Friday Habit, hosts Marc Labriola and Benjamin Manley engage with Joseph Fung, a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO of Yovaro. The conversation explores Joseph's entrepreneurial journey, the importance of building a high-performing culture, and the strategies for defining, sharing, and scaling company values. Joseph emphasizes the need for intentionality in culture-building and o...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Mark, Ben, and Adam delve into the world of entrepreneurship, exploring Adam's journey from aspiring doctor to successful entrepreneur with his company, Bottlekeeper. They discuss the influence of childhood environments, the importance of creativity in small towns, and the risks associated with starting a business. Adam shares insights on the initial skeptici...

In this conversation, Mark and Rebecca Leder discuss the importance of building meaningful careers through connection and leadership. Rebecca shares insights from her work with Opportunities Knock, emphasizing the need for durable skills and the challenges faced by younger generations in networking. They explore the impact of remote work on communication and the significance of the Knock Method in...

In this conversation, Judah Taub discusses the concept of 'local maximums' and how individuals and businesses can identify and overcome them. He draws parallels between personal and professional challenges and the strategies used by tech giants to innovate and improve. The discussion emphasizes the importance of creative thinking, the role of AI in decision-making, and the need for a culture that...

In this conversation, Mark and Justin Janowski explore the intersection of faith and entrepreneurship, discussing how to align business practices with personal values. Justin shares his journey from sales to coaching, emphasizing the importance of integrity, genuine connection, and effective sales strategies. They delve into the challenges of niching down, the significance of heart posture in sale...

In this episode of the Friday Habit, Mark interviews Nick Courtright, founder of Atmosphere Press, a literary hybrid publisher. They discuss Nick's journey from academia to entrepreneurship, his philosophy on writing and author rights, and the impact of the pandemic on the publishing industry. Nick shares insights on building a remote team, setting goals, and maintaining company culture while emph...

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark Labriola and Benjamin Manley discuss the journey of balancing family life while traveling and running a business remotely. They welcome James Hylvowski, an expert in franchising, who shares his extensive experience in the industry. The conversation covers the opportunities and challenges within franchising, key elements for success, and common mistakes to...

Summary Karen Gordon, CEO of SimpliFive, shares her journey as an entrepreneur and business owner. She discusses her background in telecommunications and technical training, as well as the growth and success of her first business. Karen also talks about working with her husband and the challenges they faced in understanding each other's work styles. She highlights the importance of understanding i...