Mark Szymanski

🛠️ Hire me to implement AI in your business: https://markszymanski.co/work-with-me 🎓 Join my community and learn how to leverage AI: https://ModernBuildersSociety.com 💡 Book a 1:1 advisory call with me: https://markszymanski.co/advisory 🎙️ About this episode with Jake Goldman Jake Goldman is the founder of 10up, the WordPress agency he scaled to about $45 million in revenue and roughly 300 people over twelve and a half years, before merging it into Fueled and stepping into a partner role. We get into how he started, why he deliberately built a company that was never about him personally, what it looks like to live through the AI transformation as a founder instead of just commenting on it, why he believes customers will keep paying agencies even as AI does more of the work, and his closing call to install one of the tools this weekend and just go try making something you didn't think you could. 🔗 Connect with Jake Goldman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobgoldman/ Fueled: https://fueled.com 10up: https://10up.com 🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski Website: https://markszymanski.co Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI X: https://mjs.link/X YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT 🎧 About this show Fueled By Progress is a long-form conversation series with builders, operators, and thinkers exploring business, technology, and what it actually takes to build a meaningful life in a modern world. If you're new here, welcome. If you've been here since episodes recorded in my car, thank you. We're still just getting warmed up 💪 🆓 Free Value - Get your AI Resource Bundle: https://markszymanski.co/ai-crash-course-resources - Full AI Crash Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1cd_ntgOuY - Claude Code Beginner's Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0nJ_8_77Yg - Follow my thinking between videos: https://mjs.link/Newsletter ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Cold open 00:41 Mark's intro 05:48 Meet Jake Goldman: how he started 10up 12:42 Scaling 10up to $45M and 300 people 18:06 Joyful UX and the developer mindset 23:50 Jake's day to day at Fueled now 25:34 Going all in on AI tooling 37:18 Why this AI shift is genuinely different 39:13 The "golden era" that minted today's web devs 45:03 Personal brand vs entity brand 49:49 Why customers still want humans accountable for code 01:20:00 Emotion, defensiveness, and the AI debate 01:32:49 Jake's advice: just go try and make something 01:34:44 Mark's closing thoughts 📃 Ethics Statement: https://markszymanski.co/policies/ethics-statement/

💡If you like how I think about business, technology, and systems on Fueled By Progress, you can find the best way to work with me or learn more at https://markszymanski.co/start This is a conversation with Josh Hall about building and selling his web design agency, transitioning to courses and community, the identity shifts that come with entrepreneurial evolution, and why being present for family is the real endgame. 🔗 Connect with Josh Hall: Web Designer Pro: https://webdesignerpro.com/ Personal Website: https://joshhall.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshhallco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshhallco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshhallco/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshHallco 🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski: Website: https://markszymanski.co Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI X: https://mjs.link/X YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT About the show: Fueled By Progress is a long-form conversation series with builders, operators, and thinkers exploring business, technology, and what it actually takes to build a meaningful life in a modern world. If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since episodes recorded in my car—thank you. We’re still just getting warmed up 💪 Host --- Mark Szymanski Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven (https://elevatedmultimedia.com) Chapters: 0:00 Cold Open 0:40 Mark's Intro 5:29 Welcome and the Freedom of Working From Home 6:18 Topics Preview: Family, Business, and Community 8:07 Josh's Origin Story: Cabinet Maker to Web Designer 10:50 How the Band Translated to Business 13:05 The Evolution of Web Design Over 15 Years 16:05 Why Websites Became the Digital Hub 19:38 The Rise of DIYers and Visual Builders 24:04 Web Designers as Digital Strategists 25:38 Selling the Agency and Going Full-Time Teaching 27:06 What It Means to Be a Community Builder at Heart 30:56 The Learn Build Teach Model 37:55 Knowing When You're Meant for More Than Service Work 43:18 Delayed Gratification and Passion Projects 49:48 What Gets You Here Won't Get You There 53:11 The Trajectory from Courses to Community 59:57 Moving from Lifetime Access to Membership 1:03:12 Staying Relevant After Leaving the Trenches 1:09:57 Identity Shifts as You Evolve 1:15:22 Content Strategy Going Forward 1:21:08 Delegating and Building Mini-Coaches 1:25:43 AI and the Future of Web Design 1:34:36 How Web Designers Should Use AI 1:40:08 Why Family Matters More Than the Business 1:44:41 Wherever You Are, Be There 1:48:03 Structuring Work Around Family 1:54:53 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Josh

💡If you like how I think about business, technology, and systems on Fueled By Progress, you can find the best way to work with me or learn more at https://markszymanski.co/start A candid conversation with Kia Ghasem about building an AI automation agency at 25 years old, why most AI solutions fail to deliver ROI, the trap of YouTube-dependent lead generation, and how he's pivoting from content creation back to product and service. 🔗 Connect with Kia Ghasem: Website: https://kamexa.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kia-ghasem X: https://x.com/KiaxGhasem YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KiaGhasem 🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski: Website: https://markszymanski.co Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI X: https://mjs.link/X YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT About the show: Fueled By Progress is a long-form conversation series with builders, operators, and thinkers exploring business, technology, and what it actually takes to build a meaningful life in a modern world. If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since episodes recorded in my car—thank you. We’re still just getting warmed up 💪 Host --- Mark Szymanski Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven (https://elevatedmultimedia.com) Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:28 Welcome and Kia's Background 1:06 How Mark Found Kia on YouTube 2:00 Kia's Origin Story - Computer Science to AI 3:45 Getting Started in the AI Agency Space 5:05 The Hard Truth About Early AI Sales 6:42 Finding Solutions That Actually Bring ROI 8:00 When Will AI Agents Actually Work 9:01 Mark's Journey from WordPress to AI 10:41 Working with Overwhelmed Business Owners 13:00 Systems Thinking vs AI Hype 14:06 Personal Branding and The Ecosystem Breakdown 16:26 Building Unintentionally - YouTube, School, Agency 19:07 Why Kia Chose Agency Over Content Creation 20:00 The YouTube Lead Gen Problem 23:02 DIY, DWY, DFY Ladder Explained 24:18 Moving Toward Product 26:06 The Gap - From Uni to Agency 27:55 The 5AM Epiphany That Started Everything 28:02 Did Entrepreneurship Come Naturally 31:49 Social Media and The Comparison Trap 33:33 Content Consumption Strategy 36:01 Does YouTube Still Power the Agency 39:40 Scaling Without Being the Content Guy 41:40 Self-Awareness in Business 43:44 Problem Solving Over Sales 45:03 Team Structure - Staying Lean 46:52 Niching Into Marketing Agencies 49:01 Dealing with Unqualified Leads 52:02 N8N, Code, and Service Delivery Breakdown 57:58 When to Use No-Code vs Custom Software 1:00:03 The 35-Interview Audit Lesson 1:04:01 Three Interviews Is All You Need 1:07:01 Building Community in the AI Space 1:12:03 Will We Go Back to Anonymous Internet 1:15:53 The Future of Content - Live Streaming 1:17:46 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Kia

💡If you like how I think about business, technology, and systems on Fueled By Progress, you can find the best way to work with me or learn more at https://markszymanski.co/start Julian Galluzzo shares how dropping out of school at 13, building agencies, and embracing AI-driven development reshaped his career — and why speed, curiosity, and progress matter more than credentials. 🔗 Connect with Julian Galluzzo: Website: https://juliangalluzzo.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-galluzzo-610379173 X: https://x.com/galluzzo_julian YouTube: https://youtube.com/@galluzzojulian 🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski: Website: https://markszymanski.co Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI X: https://mjs.link/X YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT About the show: Fueled By Progress is a podcast about candid conversations with builders, creators, and curious people—focused on decisions, disciplines, and stories that move us forward. If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since episodes recorded in my car—thank you. We’re still just getting warmed up 💪 Host --- Mark Szymanski: https://markszymanski.co/links Video/Audio Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven: https://elevatedmultimedia.com Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Julian Galluzzo 4:03 From Freelancing to Running a 40-Person Agency 8:35 Why Speed Beats Perfection 13:48 How One Client Turned Into an Agency 17:23 When Building Turns Into Managing Everything 22:06 Leaving the Agency to Reclaim the Craft 24:54 Getting Fired and Accidentally Stealing an Agency 28:40 Joining Memberstack and Finding the Right Environment 33:21 Webflow vs WordPress From a Builder’s Perspective 41:14 Why WordPress Isn’t Outdated 49:00 The Moment AI Changed Everything 53:10 Building Real Apps With Claude and Gemini 59:02 Training AI to Design Better Than Humans 1:04:28 Why Knowing the Stack Still Matters 1:10:56 Is Vibe Coding Legit or Dangerous 1:18:53 Engineering Thinking vs Knowing Syntax 1:24:24 Do You Actually Want to Be the Boss 1:28:44 Would He Recommend Dropping Out of School 1:35:02 What Julian Is Actually Optimizing For 1:38:21 Where to Follow Julian’s Work

💡If you like how I think about business, technology, and systems on Fueled By Progress, you can find the best way to work with me or learn more at https://markszymanski.co/start Stephanie Hudson shares her journey from freelance web developer to FocusWP founder, including how surviving a coma taught her the critical importance of business continuity planning that most solopreneurs completely ignore. 🔗 Connect with Stephanie Hudson: Website: https://focuswp.co Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.hudson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/left-brain X: https://x.com/stepherriffic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FocusWP 🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski: Website: https://markszymanski.co Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI X: https://mjs.link/X YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT About the show: Fueled By Progress is a podcast about candid conversations with builders, creators, and curious people—focused on decisions, disciplines, and stories that move us forward. If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since episodes recorded in my car—thank you. We’re still just getting warmed up 💪 Host --- Mark Szymanski: https://markszymanski.co/links Video/Audio Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven: https://elevatedmultimedia.com Chapters: 0:00 – Introducing Stephanie Hudson 2:25 – Growing Up in the 'Burgh (High School Colors & Sports Culture) 6:55 – Stephanie's Journey: From Pittsburgh to LA to North Carolina 10:50 – Discovering the WordPress Community 13:34 – The Hidden Ecosystem Behind WordPress 18:55 – How Focus on Your Biz Facebook Group Started 22:24 – Early Web Days: Dial-Up, Dreamweaver & Tables 29:19 – Meeting Tom & Starting Focus WP 36:41 – The Visionary vs. Integrator Problem (Rocket Fuel) 42:08 – Freelancer Struggles & Imposter Syndrome 48:43 – The Niche Discussion: Service vs. Audience 54:58 – Niching Into a Service (Not Just an Industry) 1:04:50 – The Coma Story: Getting "Hit by a Bus" for Real 1:09:22 – What Is a Continuity Plan? 1:14:37 – Password Managers & 2FA: Critical Single Points of Failure 1:23:38 – Pittsburgh Pride: Heinz Ketchup & Ranch Culture 1:29:00 – Mark's Content Strategy & Daily Videos Discussion 1:39:38 – Stephanie's Community Platform Dilemma (Facebook vs. Fluent) 1:49:30 – Body Doubling & ADHD Co-Working Ideas 1:56:57 – The 3D Glasses Website & Accessibility Controversy 2:02:25 – Agency Safety Net: The New Course & Service

⚡Want to build a business that actually works? My team at Motive11 can help—websites, systems, and strategy for modern entrepreneurs → https://motive11.com A deep, raw conversation with Spencer Forman about the real state of WordPress, the entrepreneurial mindset, the cycles of reinvention, and how to build a life and business that actually makes sense. 🔗 Connect with Spencer Forman: Website: https://spencerforman.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/spenceforman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerforman LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/spencerforman X: https://x.com/spencerforman YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WPLaunchify 🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski: Website: https://markszymanski.co Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI X: https://mjs.link/X YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT About the show: Fueled By Progress is a podcast about candid conversations with builders, creators, and curious people—focused on decisions, disciplines, and stories that move us forward. If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since episodes recorded in my car—thank you. We’re still just getting warmed up 💪 Host --- Mark Szymanski: https://markszymanski.co/links Video/Audio Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven: https://elevatedmultimedia.com Chapters: 0:00 – Introducing Spencer Forman 1:56 – Starting the Conversation 3:34 – Why Mark Started the Podcast 4:12 – Shared Entrepreneurial Energy 5:02 – The Three Stages of Life 5:43 – Reinvention vs Comfort 6:35 – Balancing Money, Ethics, and Happiness 7:16 – Comparison Is Poison 8:13 – Happiness vs Money Over a Lifetime 9:04 – Life Journeys, Setbacks, and Perspective 10:11 – Are We in a Human Reality Game? 10:36 – Finding Tribe and Identity 11:00 – Entrepreneurs as Problem Solvers 12:03 – Jumping Between Industries 12:34 – Entrepreneurs vs Employees 13:35 – Developing the Entrepreneurial Instinct 15:02 – Early Stories of Hustle 16:03 – The Pattern of Reinvention 17:11 – Seeing the Dots in Hindsight 18:57 – Why Mark Is Wired This Way 20:02 – Documenting Life and Introspection 21:03 – Journaling Through Hard Times 22:50 – Stoicism and Preparedness 24:38 – Looking Back at Hard Seasons 26:04 – Why Many Entrepreneurs Start After Crisis 28:05 – The Real Goal: Enough, Not Infinite 29:04 – The Boat Builder Parable 30:02 – Modern Wealth and Power Dynamics 31:22 – Escaping the Billion-Dollar Mindset 32:33 – What Money Actually Changes 33:26 – The Catalyst That Finally Forces Action 35:29 – Financial Illusions and True Needs 37:04 – Building the Nut First 39:49 – When the Rug Gets Pulled Out 41:06 – The Monopoly Analogy 43:03 – Why the Middle Class Got Squeezed 45:06 – Can We Fix It? 47:02 – Should Everyone Be an Entrepreneur? 48:01 – The World Needs All Roles 50:07 – How Boomers Broke the System 52:05 – The Coming Reset 53:46 – You Can’t Predict the Chaos 55:27 – Focus on What You Can Control 56:56 – Stop Worrying About What You Can’t Control 58:23 – Serenity, Stoicism, Reality 1:00:14 – Cause and Effect, Energy, Momentum 1:01:32 – WordPress Today: Problems and Potential 1:02:37 – What People Truly Need from WordPress 1:03:28 – Spencer’s Free-Call Strategy 1:04:47 – Mark’s Identity Problem: What Do You Sell? 1:05:50 – The Need for a Clear Niche 1:07:00 – Mark’s Superpowers: Data, Architecture, Systems 1:08:26 – Listening to the Market 1:10:00 – Mark’s Cycles of Obsession 1:11:09 – No Offers, No Sales Process 1:13:00 – You Can’t Sell Everything to Everyone 1:15:04 – The Value Ladder Reality Check 1:16:11 – Avoiding the Consultant Trap 1:18:02 – Reverse-Engineering the $30K Month Goal 1:20:06 – Messaging, Offers, and CTAs 1:21:40 – Reinventing When the Business Gets Heavy 1:23:10 – You Can’t Scale Doing Everything 1:25:02 – Productizing and Automating the Craft 1:26:21 – Why Mark Hasn’t Been Selling 1:28:01 – The Campfire Story of WordPress 1:29:59 – Understanding WordPress Lore 1:32:00 – The Emotional History of WordPress

⚡Want to build a business that actually works? My team at Motive11 can help—websites, systems, and strategy for modern entrepreneurs → https://motive11.com Agency founder Chris LaFay joins me to talk about growing a web business from small-town freelancing to seven figures, the power of sharing experience instead of advice, and what it really takes to scale sustainably without losing yourself. 🔗 Connect with Chris LaFay: Website: https://www.classiccity.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislafay X: https://x.com/chrisjlafay   🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski: Website: https://markszymanski.co Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI X: https://mjs.link/X YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT About the show: Fueled By Progress is a podcast about candid conversations with builders, creators, and curious people—focused on decisions, disciplines, and stories that move us forward. If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since episodes recorded in my car—thank you. We’re still just getting warmed up 💪 Host --- Mark Szymanski: https://markszymanski.co/links Video/Audio Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven: https://elevatedmultimedia.com Chapters: 0:00 Intro and why I film first conversations 1:12 Meet the guest Chris LaFay and Classic City Consulting 3:11 How we got connected through Andy Milligan 4:30 Accountability partner dynamic and daily check-ins 6:40 Experience vs advice and why stories land better 8:46 Lessons from Entrepreneurs’ Organization on sharing experiences 10:46 My learn try share motto and staying authentic 12:10 What I’m excited about now daily shorts streak hits 100 13:20 Documenting life systems and personal website roots 15:03 Chris’s background slow and steady agency growth 16:25 Content ramp up and finally starting a podcast 18:58 Framing the studio and committing to a setup 20:06 Content to drive Classic City sales the game plan 21:17 Collaborations and mini series with agency partners 22:52 The dual CTA idea and jabs before the right hook 24:05 My path agency vs creator split and tradeoffs 25:27 Chris’s origin suburbs of Atlanta and early freelancing 27:12 Pricing mindset shift charging more with confidence 29:21 Scaling to 1.3M and hard lessons on expenses 30:53 Selling to CMOs vs founders and changing rooms 33:04 College path MIS degree and real world skills 35:39 First WordPress class and stepping up to teach 37:49 From Dreamweaver to WordPress becoming the core stack 41:26 Shopify side work and where it fits 42:53 What Chris does today founder CEO head of sales 44:38 Relationship driven sales and creating a repeatable engine 48:04 Why ads waited the need for a foot in the door offer 50:14 ICP clarity B2B SaaS with complex content models 52:18 Component libraries CPTs and empowering marketing teams 54:50 How they entered B2B SaaS referrals and Slack groups 56:40 Personal sites as scratch pads and short posts 59:28 Substack vs WordPress and owning the home base 1:02:44 Personal brand ideas fractional consulting with founders 1:05:20 Building new lines of business inside existing engines 1:06:56 Community and mentorship possibilities 1:07:24 Wrap up and where to find Chris LinkedIn and Classic City

⚡Want to build a business that actually works? My team at Motive11 can help—websites, systems, and strategy for modern entrepreneurs → https://motive11.com In this episode, 24-year-old agency founder Andy Milligan reveals why he ditched WordPress, built 30+ sites on Webflow + Framer, and publicly tracks every dollar of revenue.   🔗 Connect with Andy Milligan: Website: https://www.mmgdesign.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindulmilligan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmilligan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign X: https://x.com/mmg__design YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mmgdesign 🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski: Website: https://markszymanski.co Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI X: https://mjs.link/X YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT About the show: Fueled By Progress is a podcast about candid conversations with builders, creators, and curious people—focused on decisions, disciplines, and stories that move us forward. If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since episodes recorded in my car—thank you. We’re still just getting warmed up 💪 Host --- Mark Szymanski: https://markszymanski.co/links Video/Audio Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven: https://elevatedmultimedia.com Sponsor --- NitroPack: Get 10% off with code "MJS" at https://mjs.link/NitroPack Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 0:43 - Meet Andy Milligan: 24-Year-Old Making $10K+/mo (Golf Pro → Web Agency) 6:35 - From Scratch Golfer to Eating Disorder Recovery (Raw Story) 15:51 - How Personal Training & Golf Lessons Became His First Business 21:47 - Instagram Reels → $40/hr Golf Lessons (Early Hustle Exposed) 26:21 - NitroPack Ad: Make Your Site Blazing Fast (Use Code MJS for 10% Off) 27:20 - Why Daily YouTube Shorts = Therapy + Lead Gen Gold 31:26 - Identity Lags Reality: “I Still Wake Up Like the Kid Who Got Laid Off” 35:56 - Discipline = Where Your Calendar Is (Not Motivation) 44:55 - Painful Feedback = Probably True (Family vs. Internet Trolls) 50:00 - Whole Foods Diet: Meat, Eggs, Fruit, 5lbs of Potatoes (Mark’s Catalyst) 1:12:38 - Discipline Is NOT Blanket — It’s Pillar-Based 1:26:54 - Balancing Deep Relationships vs. Shallow Founder Network 1:34:39 - WordPress vs. Webflow/Framer: The REAL Builder War (No BS) 1:40:02 - “You Have to Code PHP to Customize WordPress” — Andy’s Old Myth 1:47:30 - Why Gen Z Designers Flock to Framer & AI Tools (And Fail) 1:53:31 - “Clients Don’t Care About the Tool — They Care About Leads” 1:58:24 - Don’t Switch Platforms If You’re Making Money (Mark’s Warning) 2:01:41 - Final Verdict: Tool Debates Are for Technicians, Not Founders 2:02:00 - Where to Find Andy (Agency, Podcast, LinkedIn)

Fueled By Progress is back. New studio, fresh clarity, same mission: candid conversations that document the journey and help us all move forward. In this solo relaunch, I share why “MJS Podcast” never fully resonated, the story behind the FBP name (and why I’m proud to bring it back), how my year reshaped my direction, and what’s coming next—guests, deeper conversations, and consistent momentum. What’s inside:Why I sunset the MJS Podcast and revived FBPThe naming story and brand decisionsA quick history of FBP (car recordings → guest era)Reworking the RSS feed + channel setupThe roadmap for upcoming episodes and guestsSubscribe & follow:Fueled By Progress on your favorite podcast app: https://fueledbyprogress.com/YouTube (Fueled By Progress): https://youtube.com/@FueledByProgress/My main channel:  https://youtube.com/@markjszymanski/Second channel (BTS / real-time updates):  https://youtube.com/@MarkSzymanski2/About the show: Fueled By Progress is a podcast about candid conversations with builders, creators, and curious people—focused on decisions, disciplines, and stories that move us forward. If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since the car recordings—thank you. We’re just getting started.

💡If you like how I think about business, technology, and systems on Fueled By Progress, you can find the best way to work with me or learn more at https://markszymanski.co/start Join me for a conversation with Nick Saraev, AI automation expert, agency owner, and content creator who scaled his service business to $72K/month. In this episode, we explore the intersection of technology, business mindset, and content creation strategy. Nick shares his journey into AI automation, revealing why focusing ruthlessly on revenue-generating activities is the key to success. We discuss the power of transparency in marketing, the value of personal branding, and practical advice on building systems that deliver demonstrable ROI for clients. Whether you're looking to transition from technical skills to entrepreneurship, scale your service business, or leverage AI automation for growth, this conversation offers actionable insights from someone who's built successful businesses in both the technical and educational spaces. Plus, Nick shares his time management philosophy that allows him to create massive amounts of content while still maintaining a thriving agency and personal life. GUEST: Nick Saraev - Website: https://nicksaraev.com/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicksaraev - Maker School: https://www.skool.com/makerschool/ - Make Money With Make.com: https://www.skool.com/makemoneywithmake/ Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction to Nick Saraev 8:35 - Conversation with Nick starts 9:04 - Nick's perspective on why transparency and authenticity will be crucial in an AI-saturated future 11:05 - Comparing our journeys from web development to exploring automation opportunities 14:11 - Nick's path from struggling with WordPress to discovering front-end and AI technologies 17:56 - The limitations of web design and why ROI-focused services are more valuable 20:18 - The generational differences between WordPress and AI/automation communities 25:12 - Why you need existing profitable processes before applying automation and AI 29:04 - How to identify automation opportunities that deliver 100x results for businesses 33:09 - Navigating criticism when sharing revenue figures and dealing with "trust fund kid" accusations 38:13 - Nick's advice on when to start teaching: "learn, achieve, then share" to build credibility 42:17 - Time management secrets: effectiveness over efficiency and the $500/hour mindset 45:00 - Being ruthless about focusing only on tasks that generate significant ROI 51:00 - Why growth solves most business problems better than optimization or hiring 56:20 - The technician vs. entrepreneur spectrum and moving beyond technical skills 59:08 - Three recurring revenue models for automation businesses explained in detail 1:01:15 - Nick's inspiring story about confidence in success and where to find his content

Join me for an enlightening conversation with Matt Medeiros, the "Podfather of WordPress" and creator of The WP Minute, as we dive deep into the world of content creation, personal branding, and playing the long game in the digital space. In this episode, Matt shares his 15+ years of experience as a digital professional and reveals why he consciously chose to build without chasing fame or algorithms. We explore: - The true value of personal branding vs. building sellable assets - Why Matt avoids the content hamster wheel of viral marketing - The importance of creating for the love of the game, not just metrics - How podcasting serves as the ultimate "dynamic resume" - The transition from WordPress to AI and what's next - Strategic insights on when to name products after yourself (and when not to) - The "blue collar digital worker" mindset - How authentic content creation leads to unexpected opportunities - Building sustainable content businesses without burnout Matt discusses his journey from running a WordPress agency to becoming a key voice in the podcasting space, his experiences with various ventures (from The Matt Report to The WP Minute to South Coast FM), and why staying "in the mix" has been his most valuable content strategy. Whether you're a content creator, entrepreneur, or someone interested in building a lasting digital presence, this conversation offers invaluable insights on creating meaningful content that stands the test of time. GUEST: Matt Medeiros - Website: https://craftedbymatt.com - WP Minute: https://thewpminute.com - Gravity Forms: https://gravity.com 

Welcome to the first episode of the MJS Podcast! I'm Mark Szymanski, and in this introduction, I share why I'm starting this podcast journey to have authentic conversations with interesting minds who have mentored and influenced me. I explain my background in WordPress, digital marketing, and content creation, plus my previous podcasting experience with "Fueled by Progress." This podcast will focus on business, technology, AI, psychology, and philosophy through raw, unedited conversations with people who are innovating in these spaces. I believe strongly in my motto "learn, try, and share," which drives this podcast's purpose. Episodes will be released 1-2 times monthly, running about an hour each. Subscribe to join me in these valuable conversations, and find all my other content at https://mjs.bio! More of a watcher than a listener? Me, too.

CT is in the 'Burgh! CT Kaupp is a Wisconsin native that has a true passion for web design and entrepreneurship. He is the owner of CT Kaupp, LLC, a full-service web design firm, and the host of the Business In Boardshorts Podcast. His approach to web design emphasizes developing strong relationships with his clients. He takes care of everything, so they can focus on running their business. CT talks about the importance of building relationships with people, why he likes podcasting, his concerns with social media, how he stays ultra productive, and much more! Watch CT's last appearance on FBP! Follow CT: Facebook  -  Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  Website Follow CT Kaupp, LLC: Facebook  -  Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  Website Follow Business In Boardshorts Podcast: Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  Website -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for listening! FBP Website: fueledbyprogress.com YouTube: Fueled By Progress Instagram: @fbpapparel

She's Back! Amanda Masters has become a fitness fanatic over the past 14 months. She went from zero exercise to now working out 5 days per week. How'd she do it? She found a few great influences on social media that positively impacted her and now she's looking to inspire others to do the same via her brand, Amanda's Inspiration. On top of that, Amanda is also an Apparel Designer for Fueled By Progress and the Co-Host of AM In The PM.  Amanda talks about her fitness journey to this point, how working out has improved her life, her goals for Amanda's Inspiration, and much more! Check out Amanda's previous FBP episode! Follow Amanda's Inspiration: Facebook  -  Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  TikTok  -  Twitter  -  YouTube  -  Website Follow AM In The PM: Facebook  -  Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  TikTok  -  YouTube  -  Website -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for listening! FBP Website: fueledbyprogress.com YouTube: Fueled By Progress Instagram: @fbpapparel

Benjamin Cartwright is back as our first repeat guest! He is a U.S. Military veteran and entrepreneur with thoughtful perspectives on the current U.S. political and economic landscape. In this second time around, Benjamin provides updates on his new venture, Stonebridge Security Consultants, which is set to launch later in 2021. SSC will provide a variety of security services to its clients across the country. A lot has happened in the world since Benjamin's first appearance, as well. He further defines his position as an anarcho-capitalist by sharing his thoughts on the new Presidential administration, human rights, and other geopolitical issues. Check out Benjamin's previous FBP episode! Connect with Benjamin & Stonebridge Security Consultants: Email  -  Facebook  -  Instagram -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for listening! FBP Website: fueledbyprogress.com YouTube: Fueled By Progress Instagram: @fbpapparel

Joe Tersak is a Pittsburgh native with a fierce passion for 2 things: self-improvement and cryptocurrency. By day, he works as an Elite Senior District Manager at ADP. By night, he is the host of Viva La Coin, his YouTube channel and brand devoted to educating others on cryptocurrency. Joe's story is something that everyone can benefit from hearing. Like many of us, he has had to struggle to find his purpose. His journey has not been easy, but it has hardened him into a relentless warrior. One of his life mottos is to "Be your own hero". In times of great hardship, we need to be able to look within to find the strength to keep going. Joe got into the crypto space in 2017. Back then, it was less developed, but many people still saw the opportunities it offered. Over the next couple of years, Joe's involvement stagnated a bit as he continued to navigate life. Then, 2020 came. He realized that a lot was about to change and he dove back into crypto, even deeper than before. Right now in 2021, as the US dollar deteriorates, we are all living through the early stages of, quite possibly, the greatest shift in global economics of all time. Educate yourself on cryptocurrency! Joe talks about his battle to find his purpose, the bargain he upholds every day, why people should care about cryptocurrency, the current state of the global economy, and much more! Follow Joe: Facebook - Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  Twitter Follow Viva La Coin: Instagram  -  Twitter  -  YouTube -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for listening! FBP Website: fueledbyprogress.com YouTube: Fueled By Progress Instagram: @fbpapparel

Jeff Fieldhouse is a Pittsburgh native with a passion for comedy and a love for all types of creative art. He is a stand-up comedian the host of The BabyFace Assassin Podcast. Alongside his girlfriend and producer Danielle Bernick, he has spent the past 2 years building up the brand. The dynamic duo has big plans for the future! The craziness of 2020 put a temporary halt on comedy, but that didn't stop Jeff's progress. He shifted his focus to podcasting and is approaching his 100th episode! Every Monday, The BabyFace Assassin Podcast shines the spotlight on a special guest. Many musicians, comedians, artists, and other creatives have been featured thus far and there are many more to come! Jeff talks about the origin of the BabyFace Assassin, his experience as a podcaster, his love for comedy, the power of optimism, the importance of self-love, and much more! Follow Jeff: Instagram  -  Twitter Follow The BabyFace Assassin Podcast: Facebook  -  Instagram  -  Twitter  -  YouTube Follow Jeff's Squad: Danielle Bernick  -  TyDanzuso  -  Sarah Holby  -  Larry Lane -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for listening! FBP Website: fueledbyprogress.com YouTube: Fueled By Progress Instagram: @fbpapparel

CT Kaupp is a Wisconsin native that has a true passion for web design and entrepreneurship. He is the owner of CT Kaupp, LLC, a full-service web design firm, and the host of the Business In Boardshorts Podcast. His approach to web design emphasizes developing strong relationships with his clients. He takes care of everything, so they can focus on running their business. CT's personal story is something everyone can learn from and be inspired by. CT worked at his father's advertising agency for several years before beginning freelance work. Shortly after, in September 2016, his father was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma (GMB) brain tumor and was called to Heaven in November 2016. Since then, CT has started up his own businesses and firmly believes his dad passed on his entrepreneurial spirit to him. A true lesson in turning tragedy into triumph. Read CT's full "My Why". CT talks about his "Why", what he's learned from running his own web design business, his thoughts on podcasting, the importance of having a skill, and much more! Follow CT: Facebook  -  Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  Website Follow CT Kaupp, LLC: Facebook  -  Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  Website Follow Business In Boardshorts Podcast: Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  Website -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for listening! FBP Website: fueledbyprogress.com YouTube: Fueled By Progress Instagram: @fbpapparel

Benjamin Cartwright is a U.S. Military veteran and entrepreneur that has lived up and down the east coast of the United States. He's also a certified sous-chef and has worked at many top-notch establishments in the past. Benjamin's new venture, Stonebridge Security Consultants, is set to launch in 2021 and will provide a variety of services to its clients across the country. Benjamin's perspective on the current U.S. political and economic landscape is thoughtful. When analyzing issues, he implements a certain blend of logic and emotion that is quite refreshing. He points out hypocrisy no matter what side it's on and always has his sights set on long-term solutions, rather than short-term "victories". Benjamin talks about his views on society & politics, his past work experiences, his new security business, and much more! Follow Benjamin & Stonebridge Security Consultants: Facebook  -  Instagram -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for listening! FBP Website: fueledbyprogress.com YouTube: Fueled By Progress Instagram: @fbpapparel

Liam Carlin is a Pittsburgh native currently working full-time at a logistics company. He graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in 2019 with a Masters in Business Administration and has plans to work for himself in the future. In mid-2020, Liam launched his first business, Carlin Fitness Systems. Initially, he offered one-on-one training sessions and workout programs. More recently, the apparel side of his business has begun to flourish and he is looking to expand into other industries such as supplements and gym ownership in the future. Liam talks about his passion for fitness, his past ACL injuries, his daily nutrition, his new business venture, and much more! Follow Liam & Carlin Fitness Systems: Instagram  -  LinkedIn  -  Twitter Check Out Liam's Friends: Shane McFarland (Videography)  -  Jordan Lee (Photography)  -  Michael Lotenero (Graphic Design)  -  Taylor Bobak (Photography) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for listening! FBP Website: fueledbyprogress.com YouTube: Fueled By Progress Instagram: @fbpapparel