Idea to Startup

Today, we'll talk about the four steps I'd take if I needed to start a startup in 2025. We'll also talk about idiots. We begin by embracing the reality that both founders and customers are irrational. Then, we build out steps and a process to address this. We start with a life audit, increase our Luck Surface Area, tackle the unit economics of working with one customer, and build out a system for accountability. This is a fun episode - one of my favorites in a while. TackleboxHow to Engineer LuckA Weekly Prioritization and Audit Framework for EntrepreneursTimestamps 00:30 Intro - A Listener Email 02:59 A Note on Idiots 06:33 Part 1: Actually Make Time For A Startup 08:23 The Life Audit Exercise 11:33 The Budget Audit Exercise 12:23 Smooth Jazz 12:54 Part 2: Plan for Luck 16:38 Part 3: Focus on One Person 20:16 Part 4: A System 24:30 The End: Enthusiasm

Today is episode two of testing an idea (AI for Parenting) live on the pod. We use a second round of interviews to go deep on the actual problem we're solving for parents, pull inspiration from an AI tool in the dementia care space, and end up with a Wedge product that'll use voice notes to reduce the pain of handoffs. We also hit on one of my favorite tactics - The Pain Text. Hot Frosty is in there, too, because why not. Tacklebox Customer Interview WorkshopYou And Your Research - Richard Hamming How to Find Your Wedge 00:30 Intro 01:20 Part 1 Recap 06:00 Picking the Problem 07:44 Interviews Round Two 10:54 The Text Prompt Tactic 14:51 What are the Stakes? 15:52 Customer Interview Workshops 16:20 The Wedge 21:01 Problems and Pain 22:20 The Stakes, Part Two 23:30 What’s Next

Today is day one of testing an idea live on the pod. We talk through how to turn a big, broad idea (AI for Parenting) into something actionable, the three questions every startup must answer, and how to balance curiosity with focus. Also, we talk about both my son and trees swaying to Bruno Mars. TackleboxGranola00:30 Intro - Testing a Startup Idea Live 03:01 The Three Questions for Any Startup 04:40 Where Magic Comes From 07:44 Smooth Jazz 08:16 Who’s it For + What’ll it Help Them Do? 12:32 The Four Potential Problems 13:52 Problem Selection

A special Thanksgiving mailbag episode answering your biggest questions (plus a holiday deal for the dedicated listeners who aren't too busy with pumpkin pie). We tackle the one thing you should actually be doing with AI right now, why competition is often the best thing that could happen to your startup, and the single most important habit every founder needs to build. Plus, Derek Jeter makes a surprise appearance to ask about imposter syndrome, and we break down why choosing the right TV show might make you a better entrepreneur. Come for the smooth jazz transitions, stay for the actionable startup advice. #MuchAdoAboutStuffing Tacklebox - "muchadoaboutstuffing"ClaudeHow to Engineer LuckSlow Horses Timestamps: 00:30 Intro - The Mailbag 02:08 Question One: How to Actually Use AI Right Now 06:00 Electric Vehicle Problem Language 08:52 Question Two: Which Tactic? 14:09 Question Four: Are All The Good Ideas Taken? 19:24 The End - how to help

Today, we'll dig in on three approaches that separate how pros and amateurs build businesses. We'll talk through how pros leverage existing infrastructure, how they use anti-marketing to build trust with strangers, and how they don't leave luck and serendipity to chance - they orchestrate it. We'll do this with help from stories about Frank Sinatra, a comedian in an Uber, and a founder starting a GMAT course for people looking to score 800 (and for those people only). And, Hey Jealousy by the Gin Blossoms, for some reason. XLR8 DevTackleboxHey JealousyPut Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants To BeTimestamps 05:42 - XLR8 Dev

Most founders hope to get lucky. But luck isn't random - it can (and has to be) engineered. Today we'll break down exactly what luck is and how you can reverse engineer it. We'll help you identify Luck Gatekeepers and build your Luck Budget. You'll never think about entrepreneurial luck the same way again. PARTNER: XLR8 DevTackleboxGraham Weaver Timestamps: 00:30 How to get lucky 03:11 Story Time: Getting Press for 3Degrees 11:06 XLR8dev.com 12:32 The Five Types of Luck 15:05 Luck for a Date Planning Service 16:25 Luck Gatekeepers 17:45 Luck Routines and your Luck Budget

Today we'll dig in on productizing your customer's first step. This is the best path to building a product that generates revenue immediately so that you've got some runway and flexibility to build. We'll walk through a few examples, including a Family Operating System that came in at 3am last Thanksgiving from a listener. Tacklebox Timestamps 00:30 The Thanksgiving Startup Idea - The Family Operating System 05:24 Smooth Jazz, with an Offer 06:06 Productize the First Step 09:16 Theory + Process 11:30 Good Customers and Good Dams 13:30 A Writing Startup 17:02 The First Step for the Family Operating System

Today, we dive into the Always Work and Never Work Lists to pull out a method that's immeasurably useful for our founders: The 5-Minute List. A system that helps you turn scattered pockets of time into meaningful work - rebranding "Sand" tasks (from the Sand and Stones framework) to "Pebbles." We leverage AI to break intimidating projects down and minimize transition time to remove all friction. XLR8 DevTacklebox WorkshopsThe Midnight LibrarySand and Stones Episode of Idea to StartupDeep WorkClaude - my favorite current AIIdea to Startup Newsletter00:33 Intro - The Always Work and Never Work Lists 04:00 XLR8DEV.com 05:22 The Five Minute List Part 1: Sand and Stones 08:29 Revenge of the Sand - a Founder Story 09:25 Pebbles 12:02 Your Subconscious 13:00 Four Steps to Build Your Five Minute List 17:16 The End - Coworking

Today we talk through the three types of problems that deserve a solution. We start off with a few higher level thoughts about problems and startups - specifically around achievement incentives and how some bad early decisions usually can't be salvaged by good decisions later on. Then we talk through Hole Problems, Teleporter Problems, and Status Level Jump Problems. Tacklebox Customer Interview WorkshopGetting God at the Wrong Thing 00:40 The Types of Problems Customers Will Solve 01:00 Manhattan in 2007 05:48 Achievement Incentives 06:30 Be Careful What You’re Getting Good At 07:37 Nat Eliason - Getting Too Good at the Wrong Thing 08:21 Bad Early Decisions James Clear 09:53 Tacklebox 10:54 Problem Archetype 1: Hole Problems 14:23 Baby Quip 17:04 Problem Archetype 2: Teleporter Problems 19:19 Problem Archetype 3: Status Level Jump

Today, we talk through the Silk Sheet Problem - how to do something new and hard when your life is fairly... comfortable. We help a listener get started on their idea - an AI tutor's assistant - with three shortcuts to set their life up in a way that makes it easier to start a startup than to not. We talk through Just-In-Time Prep, Forcing Functions, and life design. This episode is meant to be a blueprint for you to take action and keep momentum. Tacklebox Customer Interview WorkshopIdea to Startup NewsletterKevin running from the furnace 00:34 Intro 03:30 The Idea: AI for Tutors 07:27 Jazz - Customer Interview Workshop 07:57 Just-In-Time Prep 11:55 Search for Hooks 14:14 The Three Step System 15:40 Forcing Function Examples 18:13 Reinforcing Markers 20:06 The End: Jump in the Ocean

Today, we talk through how to write compelling copy. We go through a few counterintuitive archetypes you can use to dramatically increase the clarity of your messaging, which will allow you to increase your conversion rate and get more people involved earlier in the process. Copywriting is an idea-testing superpower. Tacklebox Workshops 00:33 When Copy Becomes Important 02:40 Why You’re a Bad Writer 05:40 Is This Anything? 06:50 Byldd 07:55 The Big Misunderstanding 10:45 Reverse Architect Copy 13:45 The Attention Pie 15:48 Cold Emails 17:20 Write to One Person

Today, we're going to talk about one of the best things Brian has learned in 40 years of living. We'll talk through why embracing discomfort is crucial for personal growth and happiness, learn how to generate innovative ideas by adopting a "documentary approach" to life, and find out what Taco Bell has to do with prioritizing your day. Tacklebox WorkshopsThe Daniel Tiger SOP Timestamps 00:30 Intro - Discomfort Leads to Happiness 01:33 Discomfort is Front-Loaded + The Happiness Equation 07:43 Observation Number One: The Idea Comes Later 09:26 Pivoting Isn’t Linear 12:32 Observation Number Two: Fiction is Way Harder Than a Documentary 15:37 Observation Number Three: Taco Bell Prioritization 17:39 The End: Execute Through Stories

Today, we'll help you think through a deceptively tough question - are you a freelancer or an entrepreneur? Every decision you make needs to nest neatly below this core decision for your business to work, but tons of founders are either trying to do both simultaneously or think they're one when they're really the other. We clarify the difference between freelancer and entrepreneur, help you decide which will make you happier, and get you started on the path for whichever you choose. TackleboxSeth Godin ConversationKurt VonnegutNo Lunging0:30 Why Entrepreneurs are unhappy 01:14 Do you want to be a freelancer or entrepreneur? 04:12 Seth Godin Conversation 04:58 Our definition of a freelancer 07:28 Our definition of entrepreneurs 09:07 Cuban’s Definition of Entrepreneurship 11:24 BYLDD 12:25 The Restaurant Startup 15:15 Rivers and Dams 19:19 No Lunging 22:44 Don’t Pretend 23:10 How do you want to spend your days?

Today is the last episode in our four-part series helping a doctor test a business idea live on the pod. We follow as they execute their Concierge MVP - teaching productivity skills to fellow physicians. We dive into the process for building a product from scratch (with no code or experience), and talk through how to navigate the fears that'll naturally pop up. Finally, we help the doctor translate the insights they pulled from the CMVP into their next steps on the business. BylddTackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterThe Perfect CoupleDavid Allen GTD workbookHow to Design and Teach WorkshopsTimestamps: 00:30 Intro - Email Team@Gettacklebox.com your concierge MVP ideas 02:30 - Recap of Episodes 1-3 in the series 05:15 - Part 1: What Do You Need, and What Do You Not Need? 06:25 - Remember Scooby Doo 09:10 - Byldd 10:18 Part 2: Your Product Should Be Tailored, Not New 12:45 Part 3: Customer Journey and Tell the Story 16:30 Part 4: How Many Customers and Should You Discount? 18:00 The Superpower: Optimism 20:08 Part 5: How It Went 23:25 The End: What’s Next?

In part three of testing a startup idea live on the pod, we dive into the Concierge MVP - a crucial step in validating a startup idea by manually solving your customer's problem. We break down the four key ingredients of a Concierge MVP and follow our doctor friend as he builds one for his productivity idea, highlighting both the process and the fears that come with it. Episode 1 in the series:Episode 2 in the seriesTackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterOne Person Landing Page Timestamps: 00:30 Intro - The Last 15% 03:41 Episodes 1 + 2 recap 07:02 Smooth Jazz 07:30 The Concierge MVP 08:56 The Four Ingredients of the CMVP 10:17 Ingredient One: Pick Your Frank 13:01 Ingredient Two: Find, and Convince, More Franks 15:30 The Landing Page 16:35 Champions and Risk 18:19 Ingredient Three: The Wedge

Today is Part 2 of starting a startup live on the pod. We focus on finding and engaging potential customers through Brute Force Customer Acquisition and dig in on value creation using the Delta 4 framework. The entrepreneur we're helping experiences an epiphany about what his doctor customers truly need, challenging his initial assumptions and forcing him to pivot his approach. TackleboxBylddIdea to Startup NewsletterDelta Four 00:30 Intro - Last Week’s Episode 04:18 Brute Force Customer Acquisition + The Five Startup Steps 09:37 The best brute force acquisition I’ve seen 10:49 Doctor Customer Acquisition 12:44 Hunting Delta 4 16:00 The Hunch

Today, we'll start a startup live on the pod. A listener wrote in with an idea in the shifting healthcare space and we pursue it over the next few episodes. We start from square one, digging into what's actually valuable about the idea with the 90% Wrong Principle, using the Four Question framework to pull out assumptions, and finally judging the viability of early customers with the Committed vs. Interested Test. It's a fun start to a series where we'll build a business in real-time. 90% WrongHow to Live an Asymmetric LifeTackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup Bot00:25 Intro - Starting a Startup Idea Live 02:02 The Idea - Healthcare is changing 05:58 Smooth Jazz 06:30 90% Wrong 07:52 Scary and Hard 09:30 Worst First 10:51 The Four Story Questions 15:45 The Two hero’s 18:38 The End: I Hate Both Customers

Today we'll help you find and choose the right startup idea. We'll use a couple of frameworks to help you evaluate startup ideas you've got and find startup ideas other people miss. We talk through the Hard Startup Myth and The Hassle Premium, two mental models that'll make sure your next idea has legs. We'll also evaluate Tinder for Jobs and learn a lesson from the great Frank Prisinzano. BylddTackleboxCrispy Egg videoinstagramPersonal MBA 00:27 Intro 01:35 Are All the Good Ideas Taken? 05:15 Byldd 06:22 Tinder for Jobs 11:30 Execution vs Customer Risk 12:30 Specific Knowledge and Leverage 13:04 The Hard Idea Myth + Frank Prisinzano 17:22 The Hassle Premium

Today, we'll talk through how to identify and pursue the big, consequential ideas - what we'll call Quests. We go through how to identify them, how to wrap our arms around them, and what to do when you (inevitably) feel intimidated. We'll do it with a little help from the 90 Yard Mistake, a ghost kitchen idea, and some chronic pain interviews. Quest (drink). TackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup BotChoose Good Quests Timestamps: 00:24 Intro - Becoming a Parent 05:21 The Hard Stuff Is Easier 07:50 Smooth Jazz 08:16 How to Identify a Worthy Quest 12:44 The 90 Yard Mistake 19:06 How to Get Started - People & Success 21:40 How to Not Be Intimidated 24:16 Choose Worthy Quests

Hard problems are the only problems worth your time, but they're not always easy to find. Today, we'll talk about how to root them out. We'll dig in on decisions customers avoid and how to use those decisions to anchor early traction. We'll also talk through one of Brian's favorite current businesses - a guy who buys used cars for you. BylddTackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup Bot 0:27 Intro - Noticing What People Hate 05:00 The Car Problem 07:52 BYLDD 09:15 Solving Hard Problems 13:42 Decision Hunting 15:30 Chronic Pain 18:30 The End - Problem Hunting