079: Building and Selling a $20k Business in 1 Year

The Koerner Office - Business ideas, advice & deep dives. Enabling your shiny object syndrome.

Today's episode is a deep dive into the riveting story of Bernard M. Baruch, the mastermind behind a 20 grand puzzle subscription box business. We'll uncover the principles that turned this side hustle into a successful venture in just one year. Bernard's journey isn't just about puzzles; it's a roadmap for any aspiring business owner. In the next few minutes, we'll unravel the tested principles that fueled his success—testing demand before investing, having a crystal-clear acquisition plan, and starting with minimal investment.

• Introduction
  • Welcome back to Startup Gems, where we unpack the fascinating journey of Bernard M. Baruch and his $20,000 puzzle subscription box business.
• Principle 1: Test Demand Before Investing Significantly
  • Bernard's approach to cautiously testing demand before committing substantial resources.
  • Practical tip: Conduct surveys, run pilot programs, or create minimal viable products to gauge market interest before a full launch.
• Principle 2: Have an Intended Acquisition Channel Before Starting a Business
  • Bernard's clear vision of his acquisition channel, focusing on SEO for organic growth.
  • Practical tip: Identify your primary acquisition channels early on, whether it's social media, influencers, or content marketing.
• Principle 3: Start with Minimal Investment
  • The importance of starting with a capped budget and being resourceful in building the business.
  • Practical tip: Embrace lean startup principles, prioritize essential expenses, and explore cost-effective tools and platforms.
• Universal Takeaways for Entrepreneurs
  • Recap of the universal principles: testing demand, having a clear acquisition plan, and starting with minimal investment.
  • How these principles can be applied to any business, regardless of industry.
• Conclusion
  • Wrapping up the episode with a reminder of the valuable insights gained from Bernard's journey.
  • Encouragement for listeners to apply these principles to their entrepreneurial endeavors.