Giving founders brutally honest feedback

Sep 3, 2025 · Summarized Sep 3, 2025

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Key takeaways

Don't dismiss traditional growth channels without clear data. Evaluate previous marketing strategies thoroughly.
Print media and nostalgic business models are finding new life amid digital dominance. Focus on authenticity in service offerings.
Innovative educational models, like Alpha School, are reshaping the learning experience by utilizing technology for personalized mentorship.
Improving decision-making skills is crucial. Entrepreneurs should invest time in structuring their thought processes to avoid pitfalls.

Summary

Common Mistakes Founders Make

Sam and Shaan discuss common pitfalls entrepreneurs encounter when trying to grow their businesses. They emphasize how founders often abandon conventional channels prematurely, dismissing them because of previous unsuccessful attempts. They stress the importance of revisiting these channels, like Google ads, and using proper tracking to analyze their effectiveness. They illustrate this with a real-world example from a business called Mobile Emissions that offers at-home emissions testing for cars. When the founders sought advice on growth, they revealed they had previously run Google ads but stopped due to vague reasons, pointing out the need for clearer assessments before dismissing strategies.

Old School Business Comebacks

The conversation explores how certain old-school business models are making a comeback, like the revival of print media illustrated by The Onion reintroducing its print publication. The hosts discuss how traditional business methods can utilize modern technology and trends to appeal to contemporary audiences. Additionally, Oberweis milk delivery is highlighted as a nostalgic business that capitalizes on consumers' desire for personalized service and quality products. They see a shift where people are looking for authentic experiences rather than digital services.

Innovative Education Models

Shaan introduces the concept of alternative education, specifically discussing Alpha School, a new innovative learning institution leveraging AI for personalized education. They delve into how this school offers tailored curriculums, enabling students to receive one-on-one mentorship through technology. This model fosters a strong foundation in essential topics while also allowing students freedom to engage in life skills and activities that build well-rounded characters. They also highlight Grind Academy, a unique homeschooling solution that integrates physical training with academic education, catering specifically to student-athletes. This convergence of education and sport exemplifies how the learning experience is evolving to meet students' needs.

Improving Decision Making

The hosts wrap up by discussing the importance of improving personal judgment and decision-making processes. They clarify how many entrepreneurs often fall into traps where they avoid tackling difficult decisions, opting instead for easier paths that seem less intimidating. They posit that practicing better decision-making methods, like tracking thought processes and setting measurable goals, can lead to greater success.

Show notes

Want to start your business the right way (with less than $1k)? Get the guide: https://clickhubspot.com/wsu

Episode 741: Sam Parr ( https://x.com/theSamParr ) and Shaan Puri ( https://x.com/ShaanVP ) talk about the most common mistakes founders make and how to fix them PLUS old school businesses that are making a comeback.

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Show Notes:

(0:00) Business Traps

(21:21) The Onion selling print papers again

(31:36) Oberweis milk delivery

(39:31) Joe Lemandt and Alpha School

(1:00:05) Grind Academy home schooling facility

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Links:

• Mobile Emissions - http://mobileemissions.com/

• Purple Cow - https://tinyurl.com/mdbfksx8

• Train Hard, Win Easy - https://tinyurl.com/2raksmas

• The Triple Package - https://tinyurl.com/yebnt9nx

• The Onion - https://theonion.com/

• Colossus - https://joincolossus.com/

• Oberweis - https://www.oberweis.com/

• Mentava - https://www.mentava.com/

• The Grind Academy - https://www.grindlv.com/

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Check Out Shaan's Stuff:

• Shaan's weekly email - https://www.shaanpuri.com

• Visit https://www.somewhere.com/mfm to hire worldwide talent like Shaan and get $500 off for being an MFM listener. Hire developers, assistants, marketing pros, sales teams and more for 80% less than US equivalents.

• Mercury - Need a bank for your company? Go check out Mercury (mercury.com). Shaan uses it for all of his companies!

Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC

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Check Out Sam's Stuff:

• Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/

• Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/

• Copy That - https://copythat.com

• Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth

• Sam’s List - http://samslist.co/

My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano

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