The Sweaty Startup

Hosted by Nick Huber

Business Entrepreneurship

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503

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Want to build a successful business? Packed with the principles, strategies, and methods used to grow successful companies, The Sweaty Startup will help you make your vision a reality. Hosted by successful entrepreneur Nick Huber. Short, to the point and no fluff.

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60 recent

September 5, 202617 min

The Real Skills Behind Building Wealth Through Business

In this conversation with Craig, I break down the real lessons I've learned building businesses from the ground up. We talk about the early days of Storage Squad, the stress and chaos that came with scaling a hard business, and how those experiences shaped the way I think about entrepreneurship today. We dive into why sales is the most important skill in business, why execution matters more than ideas, and how I think about leverage, decision making, delegation, and finding real opportunities in "boring" businesses. I also share practical lessons on improving conversion rates, optimizing sales funnels, building trust with customers, and why most entrepreneurs are looking for complicated answers when the biggest wins usually come from mastering the basics. If you want to build wealth, become a better operator, and understand what actually drives successful companies behind the scenes, this episode is for you. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03

August 25, 202623 min

The Sweaty Startup Playbook | Execution, Hiring & Scaling Businesses

I break down the philosophy behind Sweaty Startup and why execution beats ideas every time. In this conversation, I also share lessons from building multiple companies, learning sales through repetition, scaling with international talent, and creating systems that allow businesses to grow without depending on the owner. Topics include: • Why most people overvalue business ideas • The real skill every entrepreneur needs • How Nick scales with global teams • Delegation and decision making • Building multiple companies without losing focus • The operational systems behind growth A conversation on entrepreneurship, leverage, and building businesses that last. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03

August 18, 202623 min

Why Modern Society Is Failing Men, Families, and Common Sense

In this conversation with Zuby, we talk about entrepreneurship, confidence, family, modern culture, AI, and why I believe so many people are looking at life the wrong way. I explain why optimism and self belief matter so much in business, how my parents shaped my mindset growing up, and why I think supportive families create an enormous advantage in life. We also get into the strange way modern culture treats "privilege" as something shameful instead of something parents should want to create for their children. We talk about relationships, marriage, having kids, and why so many major cities and modern cultures have become disconnected from family life. I share the story of why my wife and I left Boston, what changed when we became parents, and why I believe having children makes you grow as a person in ways nothing else can. We also dive into AI and the future of technology. I explain why I think people are massively overestimating how quickly AI will replace human beings, while also acknowledging some of the very real dangers around fake content, propaganda, and losing the ability to tell what's real online. At the core of this conversation is one belief: life is hard for everybody. The people who build meaningful lives are the ones who take responsibility, stay optimistic, build strong families, and keep moving forward anyway. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03

August 9, 202617 min

The Boring Businesses That Quietly Make Millions

Most people think entrepreneurship is about big ideas, venture capital, and building the next tech unicorn. I don't see it that way. In this conversation, I break down why almost every business ends up looking the same at scale and why chasing passion is one of the worst ways to start. I talk about how I think about opportunity, why "boring" businesses win, and how geography can be your biggest advantage. We get into what it actually takes to build something real: hiring, firing, delegating, and making tough decisions. I explain how I approach leadership, how I think about incentivizing people, and why not everyone in your company should want to be the CEO. I also share how I evaluate businesses, what I look for in underserved markets, and why simple services like cleaning, moving, or fixing things can outperform flashy startups if you execute well. At the end of the day, this isn't about ideas. It's about execution, leverage, and putting yourself in a position to win over a long period of time. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03

July 30, 202622 min

Why Leverage Beats Ideas and How I Build Businesses That Actually Scale

I break down how I think about leverage and why relying on one person or one income source is the fastest way to stay stuck. We get into how I structure my businesses, how I make high impact decisions, and how I use systems, hiring, and global talent to scale faster than competitors. I also share my real thoughts on AI, where it actually adds value and where it's overhyped. And toward the end, I talk about how having a family made me a better operator, forced me to focus on what actually matters, and how I think about raising my kids and building a life beyond just business. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03

July 21, 202619 min

How I Built Trust, Closed Bigger Deals, and Turned Scrappy Starts Into Real Wealth

I break down the real way I approach sales, building trust by talking about what can go wrong instead of just selling upside. I share how I went from scrappy, no budget marketing to building businesses that generate serious cash, and why most entrepreneurs move too fast into holding companies without the fundamentals. We get into the three things you actually need to win, cash, network, and operational skill, and how I think about scaling, hiring, and stepping back from the day to day. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03

July 12, 202615 min

The Truth About Private Jets (Built on "Boring" Businesses)

In this episode, I break down the reality behind private jets and why the people who own them aren't who you think. It's not tech founders or venture backed startups. It's operators running simple, "boring" businesses like HVAC, storage, and local services. I share how those businesses create real wealth, and how that wealth translates into true freedom like being with family when it matters and turning full day trips into a few productive hours. I also walk through exactly what it costs to own a jet, how I structured the deal, and how the management works behind the scenes. And I get into my own journey of learning to fly, what changed my perspective, and why I ultimately decided to focus on building instead of being in the cockpit. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03

July 3, 202616 min

Stop Following Your Passion (Do This If You Actually Want to Get Rich)

In this episode, I break down why "follow your passion" is some of the worst advice in entrepreneurship and what you should be doing instead if you actually want to make money. I explain how I think about choosing businesses, why boring industries like self storage and service businesses win, and how cash flow gives you leverage to solve bigger problems. I also get into what's happening in real estate right now, why most new investors are getting it wrong, and where real opportunities are opening up as weaker players get pushed out. I share the story behind acquiring Somewhere, raising $20M, and why big opportunities are never comfortable but worth taking. And most importantly, I explain why building wealth is a long term game, not an overnight success story, and how thinking in decades instead of months changes everything. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03

June 24, 202623 min

I Raised $30M Without Giving Up Control (How I Bought a Massive Business)

In this episode, I break down exactly how I went from running smaller businesses to acquiring a company at scale without giving up control. I share how I built my audience, why I went all in on Somewhere instead of cashing out, and how I structured a nearly $30M deal where investors got paid first but had zero decision-making power. I talk about the pressure of using other people's money, what I look for in massive opportunities, and why global hiring completely changed how I think about building companies. I also give my honest take on AI, where it's overhyped, where it's actually useful, and how I'm preparing for what's coming next. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03

June 15, 202620 min

Why A Players Leave and How Great Leaders Actually Build Teams

In this episode, I break down how I think about hiring A players, why I move quickly on low performers, and how I build teams that can operate without me. I talk about why most leaders overcomplicate things, how slow decisions and poor standards drive great people away, and why focusing on simple, proven execution is what actually wins in business. Grow your business: https://sweatystartup.com/events Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X Newsletter: https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter My Companies: Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com Self storage – https://boltstorage.com RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com Paid ads – https://adrhino.com SEO – https://boldseo.com Insurance – https://titanrisk.com Pest control – https://spidexx.com Sell a business: http://nickhuber.com/sell Buy a business: https://www.nickhuber.com/buy Invest with me: http://nickhuber.com/invest Social Profiles: X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup Podcasts: The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81 Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03