Unfiltered Stories and Actionable Advice from 7 & 8-Figure Entrepreneurs Ever wish you could peek behind the curtain of successful businesses? Think Business with Tyler delivers raw, unscripted conversations with founders who’ve scaled through chaos—divorce, health crises, near-bankruptcies, and breakthroughs. Host Tyler Martin (Fractional CFO, 2x exit entrepreneur) cuts through the hype to uncover real strategies for profit, leadership, and resilience. Why Listen? No fluff, just results: Tactical takeaways on cash flow, hiring, and scaling from CEOs who’ve been there. Relatable struggles: Learn from failures—like the $1M deal that backfired (Connor Paddon) or the ego that almost sank a company (DJ Moore). Top-tier insights: Ranked in the top 5% of global podcasts, with guests from e-commerce, franchising, and niche industries. Who It’s For: Scaling entrepreneurs stuck at 6–7 figures. Burnt-out leaders battling cash flow or team chaos. Aspiring founders who want truth, not "get rich quick" schemes. Sample Episodes: "One Bad Deal Changed My Whole Path" – Costly contract lessons from a poker pro turned 7-figure CEO. "Leadership and Ego in Business" – How DJ Moore saved his company by firing his ego. "Building Scalable Businesses" – John Burdett’s remote-work playbook for sustainable growth. Subscribe for weekly episodes every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at ThinkBusinesswithTyler.com. Ready to think bigger?
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August 4, 20254 min
Thank You for 200+ Conversations - Tyler Martin
After 200+ episodes, I’m hitting pause on Think Business with Tyler. In this solo episode, I share why I made the decision, what I’ve learned from these conversations, and where I’m headed next. If you’ve enjoyed the stories and insights here, I’d love for you to join me on my new show, Profit & Grit, where I dive deep into the real challenges and wins of home service entrepreneurs.
Listen in for a heartfelt thank you and a look at what’s next.
My links:
www.profitandgrit.com
www.cfomadeeasy.com
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July 28, 202548 min
How Trusting the Wrong Expert Almost Sank My Company - Vince Perri
Vince Perri once brought in over $500K in a single year, and still found himself nearly broke.
After scaling a public adjusting firm during a major hurricane surge, Vince assumed his CFO, COO, and CMO had everything under control.
But the numbers weren’t adding up. Cash was disappearing, payroll was overwhelming, and his business was on the verge of collapse.
What followed was a brutal wake-up call and a full reset. Vince took ownership, overhauled his systems, and rebuilt with a focus on simplicity, structure, and financial visibility.
Now a certified business broker and exit strategist, Vince helps owners create businesses they can actually sell—or walk away from without regret.
In this hard-earned, operator-level conversation, Vince shares:
How a high-income year still led to a cash crisis
Why trusting advisors too much nearly destroyed his business
The turning point that forced him to implement Profit First
How he rebuilt using SOPs, Loom, and team accountability
Why your business isn’t healthy if you can’t leave for 30 days
His method for creating “value clarity reports” before a sale
Why recurring revenue and owner independence drive valuation
Key Lessons:Revenue Can Lie – Big income doesn’t mean you’re safeBlind Trust is a Risk – Understand your advisors or pay the priceProcess First, People Second – Don’t hire leadership without systemsOwner-Dependent = Unsellable – Build it so it runs without youInformation Should Be Timely – Late numbers aren’t helpful
Host: Tyler Martin, Think Business Podcast
Want a financial strategy that scales with your service business? Let’s talk:
📅 Book a Strategy Call
🎧 Subscribe: ThinkBusinessWithTyler.com
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July 21, 202549 min
Fired Up, Not Burned Out: How One CEO Rebuilt After Toxic Leadership - Aubrey Amatelli
Aubrey Amatelli walked away from a toxic executive role, burned out and battling workplace harassment. A year later, she bootstrapped PayRio—a fintech startup focused on cannabis and alternative medicine payments—and hit profitability without taking a salary.
As a single mom of three, Aubrey didn’t just build a company—she built a system designed to withstand chaos. No outside funding. No fluff. Just smart execution, relentless focus, and a culture her team now calls family.
She now leads one of the fastest-growing high-risk payment processors in the country, recently earning “Best Place to Work” from Cannabis Business Times.
In this real-world, founder-to-founder episode, Aubrey shares:
Why she left a C-suite role after hitting a wall with toxic leadership
How she bootstrapped with 1099 sales reps and kept costs lean
The playbook she used to become profitable in year one
What happened when a key partnership fell apart and cost her seven figures
How she treats contractors like full-time employees to drive loyalty
The system she built to manage culture and turnover as she scales
What she’s doing to prepare for federal cannabis legalization
Key Lessons:Build Through Adversity – Your worst season can launch your best workTrust is a Growth Strategy – Aubrey hired people she already knew and built from thereRun Lean, Not Bare – Focus on profitability before scaleCulture Is Earned – Treat your people like people, not payrollPrepare for the Inevitable – Market changes are coming; build now, pivot later
Host: Tyler Martin, Think Business Podcast
Want a financial strategy that scales with your service business? Let’s talk:
📅 Book a Strategy Call
🎧 Subscribe: ThinkBusinessWithTyler.com
Follow Tyler:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
▶️ YouTube
🎵 TikTok
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July 14, 202543 min
Still Running Your Business From the Gut? Here’s the Wake-Up Call - Matt Ebert
Matt Ebert opened his first body shop with $100K in credit card debt, no formal education, and no safety net. Today, he runs Crash Champions—one of the largest collision repair companies in America, with over 600 locations across 38 states.
But Matt didn’t scale overnight. He bootstrapped for 15 years, maxed out SBA loans, stretched every dollar, and nearly lost everything trying to get past four shops. He didn’t bring on private equity to cash out—he used it to double down.
In this episode, Matt shares what it really takes to scale a gritty, blue-collar business into a national powerhouse—without losing control, culture, or clarity.
In this candid conversation, Matt reveals:
Why most businesses break at location #2 (and how he survived)
How he grew past cash flow hell and vendor delays
What he looked for in a private equity partner—and what scared him most
How he keeps culture strong at 600+ shops
Why staying founder-led gives him an edge
What he’s building toward now—and why he’s not slowing down
Key Lessons:
Survival Comes Before Scale – You can’t grow what you can’t keep alive
Think Bigger, But Know Your Numbers – Dreams need discipline
Use Capital, Don’t Depend on It – PE should be a lever, not a life raft
Don’t Rob Peter to Pay Paul – Scaling can backfire without the right team in place
Founder-Led Still Wins – When you’ve done the job, people trust your leadership
Host: Tyler Martin, Think Business Podcast
Want a financial strategy that scales with your service business? Let’s talk:
📅 Book a Strategy Call: https://calendly.com/tylermartin/strategy
🎧 Subscribe: ThinkBusinessWithTyler.com
Follow Tyler:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
▶️ YouTube
🎵 TikTok
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July 7, 202544 min
How Eric Malka Built and Sold a Luxury Brand from Scratch
Eric Malka crossed the border at 17 with no green card, no college degree, and just $100 in his pocket. Twelve years later, he sold his luxury grooming brand, The Art of Shaving, to Gillette in one of the most unexpected strategic exits of the decade.
What started with a 250-square-foot NYC shop and a few products on consignment turned into a globally recognized brand that redefined men’s grooming. But Eric didn’t just build a business—he built a playbook on grit, execution, and staying calm when everything’s on the line.
From dodging shady vendors to navigating the 2008 financial collapse mid-acquisition, Eric’s journey is proof that bootstrapped brands can still win big.
In this no-fluff, straight-shooting episode, Eric shares:
How being broke and undocumented shaped his entrepreneurial mindset
Why he started with $12K and a tiny store before chasing scale
The newspaper article that 20x’ed his revenue overnight
What happened when a key supplier tried to blackmail him for equity
How he built an entire new product line in secret
What drove his decision to sell during the Great Recession
The most common mistake he sees new founders make today
Key Lessons:
Execution is Everything – Ideas are cheap, but execution is what builds empires
Start Small, Think Big – Small, profitable wins compound fast when paired with bold vision
Don’t Chase More – Know when “enough” gives you freedom and take it
Vendors Aren’t Partners – Protect your leverage and be ready to pivot fast
Build for Pressure – Your calm under fire will define your success
Host: Tyler Martin, Think Business Podcast
Want a financial strategy that scales with your service business? Let’s talk:
📅 Book a Strategy Callhttps://calendly.com/tylermartin/strategy
🎧 Subscribe: ThinkBusinessWithTyler.com
Follow Tyler:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
▶️ YouTube
🎵 TikTok
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June 30, 202546 min
The $94,000 SBA Loan That Didn’t Go as Planned - William Holsten
William Holsten went from corporate marketer to carnival game inventor—then turned failure into a business-saving framework that’s helping founders avoid costly mistakes.
What started as a fun idea to support a charity carnival became Pitch Burst, a hit water balloon game that gained national attention. But behind the scenes, poor materials, refund requests, and engineering missteps nearly tanked the business.
Rather than quit, William went back to the drawing board—and created a smarter way to build and scale. He turned hard-won lessons into a repeatable system: one that’s now captured in his book Uh-Oh: Avoiding Dumb Mistakes in Business, and shared with founders across the country through his work as a SCORE mentor.
In this honest, tactical episode, William shares:
The product launch mistake that wiped out his capital
His 5-part decision tree for what to do when things go wrong
Why most “testing” isn’t nearly enough
How he sold his patent and walked away whole
The power of pre-mortems, quitting coaches, and self-assessments
Why optimism can blind entrepreneurs to early warning signs
The one question from his son that changed everything
Key Lessons:
Test Like It’s Life or Death – Real-world stress testing beats optimism every time
Decide Smarter – Use William’s five paths to respond to failure: fix, pivot, quit, accept, or ignore (spoiler: never ignore)
Learn Before You Leap – Pre-mortems and customer journey maps help avoid “uh-oh” moments before they happen
Get Out With Grace – Even struggling businesses can sell—if you structure the deal right
Mentorship Is Free—Use It – The smartest founders ask for help early and often
Host: Tyler Martin, Think Business Podcast
Want to build a business that avoids dumb mistakes? Let’s talk:
📅 Book a Strategy Call
https://calendly.com/tylermartin/strategy
🎧 Subscribe: ThinkBusinessWithTyler.com
Follow Tyler:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
▶️ YouTube
🎵 TikTok
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June 23, 202547 min
Behind the $150M Pet Empire with Michael Seitz
Michael Seitz went from dental school dropout to building a $150M+ national franchise in the pet services industry with no private equity and no shortcuts.
What started with a family grooming shop in 1977 has grown into EarthWise Pet, a multi-brand platform with over 200 brick-and-mortar and mobile locations, 1,400+ employees, and a one-of-a-kind AI-powered pet dietitian. But Michael didn’t just expand a family business; he reinvented what pet retail and service could look like at scale.
By blending deep industry expertise with bold operational moves (including acquiring 42 stores in a single day), he built a business that serves pets and empowers franchisees while keeping ownership in the hands of real operators.
In this no-fluff, tactical episode, Michael shares:
Why franchising surges during economic downturns
How he scaled without VC or PE funding
What went wrong with two major acquisitions (and how he recovered)
His “buy then flip” strategy that lowers franchisee barriers
How EarthWise uses AI to build authority, not cut costs
The make-or-break moment in founder partnerships
Why building the right team is more important than EBITDA
Key Lessons:
Grow With Purpose – Scale isn’t just about size—it’s about systems, talent, and strategic timing
Franchise the Right Way – Say no often, protect the culture, and hand-pick operators who expand
Let Go to Grow – Founders must release control and ego to evolve as leaders
Talent Is a Growth Strategy – Use M&A to bring in people, not just profits
Tech With Trust – AI should empower your customers, not replace your values
Host: Tyler Martin, Think Business Podcast
Want to build a service business that actually scales? Let’s talk:
📅 Book a Strategy Call
https://calendly.com/tylermartin/strategy
🎧 Subscribe: ThinkBusinessWithTyler.com
Follow Tyler:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
▶️ YouTube
🎵 TikTok
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June 16, 202536 min
How William Milliken Built a $2M+ Business Scooping Dog Poop
William Milliken went from digital marketing agency owner to building a multimillion-dollar business scooping dog poop, and turned it into an empire of opportunity.
What started with a $1,200 Facebook ad budget and a willingness to get dirty has grown into Swoop Scoop, a fast-scaling service company with over 2,500 weekly customers and a booming online community.
But Will didn’t just build a business; he built a playbook for blue-collar entrepreneurs. With no VC cash, no complex tech, and no fancy office, he scaled through brand power, ruthless efficiency, and relentless execution.
The result? A scalable, systemized business with franchise-level potential—and a community that’s generating nearly $1M a year on its own.
In this no-fluff, highly tactical episode, Will shares:
Why he turned down 100+ franchise requests to stay in control
How he uses quarterly billing to boost retention and lifetime value
His dead-simple customer acquisition funnel that still works today
The $2/hour hiring strategy that’s beating Amazon and FedEx
How his YouTube channel adds 40+ paid community members a week
What new founders get wrong (and why logos don’t matter)
Why low-barrier service businesses might be the ultimate growth hack
Key Lessons:
Moats Matter – Even in commodity services, brand + speed = defensibility
Start Dirty, Scale Smart – The right execution makes “ugly” businesses unstoppable
Billing is a Growth Lever – Extend payment cycles, extend customer life
Team Like a Pro – Better jobs = better people = better business
Simple Wins – Keep it lean, keep it fast, and keep it focused
Host: Tyler Martin, Think Business Podcast
Want to build a service business that actually scales? Let’s talk:
📅 Book a Strategy Call
https://calendly.com/tylermartin/strategy
🎧 Subscribe: ThinkBusinessWithTyler.com
Follow Tyler:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
▶️ YouTube
🎵 TikTok
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June 9, 20251 hr 5 min
From $100 and a Bag of Powder to a Thriving Superfoods Brand - Justin Snyder
Justin Snyder went from $100 and a bag of spirulina to building an 8-figure superfoods brand—without a single dollar of outside funding.
What started with borrowed packaging and orders fulfilled from a local health shop has grown into Forest Superfoods, a thriving ecommerce business known for premium, organic supplements.
But Justin didn’t get there by following the playbook. He bet on brand integrity, lightning-fast fulfillment, and lean operations instead of flashy marketing and investor cash.
The result? A business built on trust, profitability, and purpose—with zero compromises.
In this transparent and tactical conversation, Justin shares:
How walking away from a cofounder unlocked 10x growth
Why “Cheap Superfoods” was the worst (and best) brand mistake he made
The exact moment he decided to never raise outside capital
How daily cold plunges became his personal business therapy
Why speed, simplicity, and product purity became his competitive edge
The small daily habit that keeps his company moving forward
How a trip to India sparked the idea behind Forest Superfoods
Key Lessons:
Bootstrap with Brains – Why scrappy beats sexy when building a lasting brand
Rebrand with Intention – Your name isn’t just a label, it’s a message
Ditch the VC Dream – Growth doesn’t require giving up control
Serve with Speed – Operational excellence is your marketing
Clarity Over Complexity – Great businesses are often the simplest
Host: Tyler Martin, Think Business Podcast
Ready to build something on your terms? Let’s talk:
📅 Book a Strategy Call
https://calendly.com/tylermartin/strategy
🎧 Subscribe: ThinkBusinessWithTyler.com
Follow Tyler:
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June 2, 202545 min
Turning Rock Bottom into a Business Plan - Estil Wallace
Estil Wallace went from addiction and jail to building a multimillion-dollar recovery center—by applying the same 12-step grit to entrepreneurship.
What started with 10 beds and a mission has grown into one of Arizona’s leading behavioral health agencies. But it didn’t happen by playing it safe. Estil had to stop doing $10 tasks, hand over control, and become the kind of CEO his company actually needed.
The result? Exponential growth, a rock-solid culture, and a leadership style rooted in radical ownership—not ego.
In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Estil shares:
The exact moment his team told him to stop being the bottleneck
Why clinical outcomes and cash flow are his north stars
How trying to help everyone at once led to mass client dropouts
The 2 filters every decision at Cornerstone must pass through
The one business book he reads like a textbook—not just once
How moving furniture for $8/hr taught him more than school ever did
Why recovery and business are both messy, nonlinear, and worth it
Key Lessons:
Step Back to Scale: Why the best founders eventually fire themselves from the weeds
Outcomes Over Optics: How Estil measures real success—and fixes what’s broken
Hire for Heart: Why degrees matter less than mission-alignment
Own the Mess: Leadership starts with radical responsibility
Program-Led Growth: Why service expansion beats property expansion every time
Host: Tyler Martin, Think Business Podcast
Ready to build something resilient? Let’s talk:
📅 Book a Strategy Call
https://calendly.com/tylermartin/strategy
🎧 Subscribe: ThinkBusinessWithTyler.com
Follow Tyler:
🔗 LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/thinktyler
📸 Instagram: http://instagram.com/think_tyler
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thinktylercfo
🎵 TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@thinktyler
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