For years, we hired marketing agencies who would embarrass us with cheesy and overly aggressive tactics.
So, we stopped doing it. We focused on organic growth, and in many instances it meant that we lost out on huge opportunities to well funded and better marketed competitors...
This was profoundly stupid.
Finally, we came to our senses and, infomercial style, said "there's got to be a better way".
Last year, we co-founded @doubleupgrowth with @aidanhornsby to create a growth marketing agency that focuses on marketing great product tastefully....
One of the most impactful things I've done in the past 10 years is join a business forum.
Every month, I sit in a room and pour my heart out about my business and life problems to a group of 5 other entrepreneurs.
It's the same group every time and it's 100% confidential...
I have multiple groups and do one most weeks for the past 10 years.
I've been in groups with people who run popsicle businesses, puzzle companies, woodworking shops, tech companies—you name it.
Entrepreneurs have oddly universal problems and I've learned something from everyone
We've helped one another navigate:
- Failed business partnerships
- Bankruptcies
- Divorces
- Fraud
- Health scares
- Lawsuits
- Exits
- Toxic employees
- Mental health issues
- Deaths in the family
- Issues with kids
You name it, we've dealt with it and learned as a group...
So this oil prospector dies and goes to heaven. At the gate, St. Peter reads the account of his life and tells him that he's qualified for heaven, but there was a problem
"See that crowd over there? They're all oil prospectors who've arrived before you".... 👇
"And the way things work here, you can't get in until after them. So I'm afraid this looks like a long wait for you."
"Not a problem," replies the man. "I know how to get rid of that crowd..."
So he turns towards them and shouts, "Hey, did you hear? Oil has been discovered in hell!"
And sure enough, as soon as they heard him, every single one of them ran off towards hell....