The Tinker Show

Chief Summary Chief Phase Introduction and Business Phases Overview 0:00 Chris Cooper introduces the concept of the Chief phase in business, emphasizing its importance for gym owners. He explains the initial phases: Founder (inception and break-even), Farmer (growth and consistent income), and Tinker (investment for future security). Chris highlights the need for a plan for the future and the impo...

As a founder, you have the freedom to make decisions no one else can—but that freedom comes with risk. In this episode, I reflect on a recent conversation with Greg Glassman that reminded me of the unique privileges and paradoxes that come with building a business from scratch. Founders can give generously, preserve legacy pricing, or avoid lucrative but misaligned partnerships. But they can also...

Hey Tinkers, Today I want to talk about something that shows up right at the edge of every big, bold move: fear of impact. A lot of us reach this point in the Tinker phase where we’re ready to launch something larger—something that could actually shift the industry, change our community, or influence people at scale. But then something happens. Maybe a Facebook comment hits a nerve. Maybe someone...

In this episode, I share essential strategies for gym owners in the Tinker stage on how to lead through periods of economic uncertainty. As we face fluctuating markets, it's important to adapt your leadership approach to ensure continued growth and success. Key takeaways include: Go upmarket, not downmarket : Focus on premium clients and services that are resistant to economic changes, rather than...

What should you actually do with your life? Joseph Campbell’s answer was simple: Follow your bliss. At first, I thought that was trite—but now I see its genius. In this episode, I explore what it really means to follow your bliss and how it applies to entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses. For many in the Tinker group, their art is coaching—but they’ve stepped away from coaching as th...

Podcast Outline: The Puzzle Problem Intro (1-2 minutes): "Today, I’m going to talk about something I call 'The Puzzle Problem.' As entrepreneurs, many of us start out solving a giant puzzle when building our business. Every solution feels like we’re fitting a piece into place. We thrive on that challenge. But what happens when the puzzle is solved? For many of you, especially around the $100k NOB...

Examples in Gym Ownership Membership Promotions: First-Order Thinking: Offering a significant discount on annual memberships to boost sign-ups. Second-Order Thinking: Considering how these discounts might affect monthly revenue long-term, member commitment levels, and the perception of the gym's value. Investing in New Equipment: First-Order Thinking: Purchasing the latest fitness equipment to att...

Addition By Subtraction by Two-Brain Business

There are at least three stages - or milestones - in the Tinker Phase. They are: 1M Net Worth 1M Net owner benefit (total income) 1M in recurring income (that might be passive.) We'll start measuring these in the TwoBrain app very soon!

If you listen to your best clients and constantly seek to serve them more, they'll pull you to higher levels of service (and value.)

"What do I do with this free time?" You probably feel guilty about having free time. Or you might feel like you're supposed to be doing something. Maybe you're worried about setting a bad example for your staff, or appearing "lazy". At this stage, you're training to be a better CEO. That requires a lot of time every day. Think of yourself as a Mental Athlete. It helps!

Should you buy into an existing business and fix it? Should you start a new business from scratch? Or should you partner and earn a commission?

Leadership is a vague term, and that makes leadership strategy complex. But it doesn't have to be. Here's my process.

The Content Framework by Two-Brain Business

Podcasting Tips And Tricks by Two-Brain Business

Upgrade your communication. You owe it to yourself, your staff and your clients to be direct with others.

Ryan Hall is the fastest American marathoner. He doesn't win marathons by "playing the long game", but but focusing hard on the 200m sprint he's running now.

You Don't Need To Own It by Two-Brain Business

Read this from Naval: https://nav.al/seek-wealth

What Happens To 4 - 9ths by Two-Brain Business

The Power Of Frameworks by Two-Brain Business

Protect Your Audience, Not Your Knowledge by Two-Brain Business

Measuring Your Impact by Two-Brain Business

Be the connector, not the innovator. Inventors usually starve trying to build the perfect product. Connectors help others and profit.

The Next Mountain by Two-Brain Business