Built my first startup to 100M users & $100M revenue • Serial Entrepreneur w/ 2 exits • Actionable advice on entrepreneurship, mindset, business, and marketing.
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Joined April 2008
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I knew nothing about jewelry. But I know growth.
That's why I was able to help Emily, my advising client, grow her sales by more than 20x and grow her social media following by 50x - leading to an endless stream of warm inbound leads without spending a penny.
When Emily first approached me in 2023, I admitted to her that I knew nothing about jewelry.
I can't even spell it correctly without spellcheck.
But I know how to grow and scale businesses. And I knew I could help turn her talent into sales.
I've built products that were used by millions and generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue.
And I knew exactly how to leverage that experience to help Emily scale her business rapidly.
Here's what we've accomplished since working together:
• 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝐗:
We took Emily’s business from $10K per month to $200K months.
• 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫:
First, we grew from a handful of projects per month to 60+ sales calls monthly and being booked solid 3-4 months in advance.
Then, we narrowed that down to the 20-30 new customers per month who were guaranteed to move forward with their project.
Now she charges for an initial consultation to ensure she's not wasting her time and her last 18 clients all eagerly paid a deposit immediately to get started on their project.
• 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
We strategically grew her TikTok and IG to over 100K followers, creating an endless stream of new clients without spending a penny on advertising.
We prioritized:
• Strategic brand repositioning
• A Targeted social media strategy
• Conversion optimization to boost sales
• Raising prices while cutting unnecessary expenses
• Streamlining operations to focus on high-ROI activities
Emily recently texted me, "𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 - 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯't 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘵!"
I’ve experienced success at the highest levels, and there's nothing more rewarding than leveraging that knowledge to help entrepreneurs like Emily unlock rapid growth that they so deserve.
Thanks @buffalofoodslut for letting me share this incredible journey on your podcast. Had a blast talking all things entrepreneurship with you.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿?
📩 DM me to start our journey together or visit my website.
Know someone who could benefit?
🏷️ Tag them below!
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How to solve problems quickly & efficiently using a powerful yet misunderstood mental model:
Occam’s Razor.
Occam’s razor says that when there are multiple explanations for something…
The simplest one is usually the best.
For example:
Your engagement falls and you don’t know why.
It could be:
• The damned algorithm playing tricks on you
• Someone spam reporting you to lower your reach
• Elon’s personal vendetta against you
But the most likely reason:
Your content sucks.
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This principle applies to business too.
Let's say sales decline.
You could blame the economy, increasing competition, or your marketing.
But the simplest reason is usually the best:
Your product stopped delighting customers.
When diagnosing a problem, start with the most obvious explanation.
Avoid adding unnecessary complexity.
Occam's razor doesn't mean the simplest answer is always right.
But it's a good starting point.
Complicated solutions need more proof.
Now applying Occam's razor to your own situation takes discipline.
It's easy to dream up elaborate theories.
Stick to the basics first.
As Sherlock Holmes famously said:
"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”
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But what about when Occam’s Razor is wrong?
Yes, it’s not without flaws…
Occam's razor assumes the simplest explanation is most likely.
But complex problems often have complex solutions.
So it can overlook better answers.
People can also misapply Occam's razor by only considering simple hypotheses.
But unlikely explanations can be true too.
You’ve gotta weigh all options.
And an over reliance on Occam's razor can also cause confirmation bias.
You ignore evidence contradicting simple explanations.
This blocks finding the right solution.
----------
So to sum up:
Occam’s Razor is a powerful mental model but not without its flaws.
You can solve complex issues.
But also overlook complex (and true) solutions.
It all comes down to your power to be truly objective and not let ego get in the way.
Give it a go.
I think you’ll find it helpful.
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Darrell Lerner retweeted
The fastest way to grow on 𝕏?
Acquire a ton of followers, then tweet about how to grow on 𝕏.
I don't make the rules. That's just how it works.
Darrell Lerner retweeted
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 53 YEARS, THE KNICKS RAISE AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BANNER! 🏆
Darrell Lerner retweeted
Storytelling isn't just for writers and filmmakers.
Every business needs a narrative.
People don't buy products, they buy stories.
Darrell Lerner retweeted
Being an entrepreneur sucks.
• You're trying to build something from nothing.
• You're unsure where your next dollar will come from.
• Your first boss (you) is usually clueless.
But if it's in your blood, there's simply no alternative.
Darrell Lerner retweeted
Hooks? Algorithms? Strategies?
It all really boils down to one thing...
You're vying for people's attention.
Never lose sight of that.
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Don’t get distracted by what your competitors are doing, they only show you what they want you to see.
Darrell Lerner retweeted
First movers rarely win.
Does anyone still use:
Friendster
Netscape
AOL
Don’t be first, be better.
Darrell Lerner retweeted
As we grow older, we realize:
We are not immortal.
Live with urgency.
The clock is ticking…
Darrell Lerner retweeted
Before you make a hiring decision, ask yourself:
“Is this person essential for our mission?”
If the answer is no, don’t hire.
Darrell Lerner retweeted
Make time to clear your head of all distractions.
Sometimes the best ideas come to you when you’ve got nothing else to think about.
Darrell Lerner retweeted
Normalize building startups that give your users something they want instead of something you think they want.
Darrell Lerner retweeted
As an advisor, I urge clients to pinpoint what needs to happen to push the business forward.
Direct your attention there.
The rest is mere distraction.
Darrell Lerner retweeted
An average startup with incredible customer service will outlast an already successful business with terrible customer service.
There’s a lesson there.