Shows
EvergrowingThe Art of Finding Good People In Business | An Interview With Serial Entrepreneur Yong-Soo ChungSummary
In this conversation, Yong-Soo Chung shares his journey into entrepreneurship, discussing her early aspirations, the importance of building a strong team, and the evolution of his businesses. He emphasizes the significance of curiosity and adaptability in his career. He talks about the creation of a personal holding company. While there are challenges with managing remote teams, Yong-Soo shares his creative hiring process. More, he touches on his experience as a content creator and how he encourages people to start today.
Takeaways
I always knew that I was going to start...
2024-12-1759 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Build Your HoldCo with Michael GirdleyE75: Michael Girdley (@girdley) needs no introduction. He's a HoldCo legend. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with Michael to discuss how he has built a successful HoldCo. We talk about Michael's "Right People, Right Structure, Right Mission" framework, which he uses to build all of his businesses. Michael shares how to find the best people, set up your business the right way, and get everyone excited about the same goal.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- PHC Organization Structure- How to Propel the Business into Gear - How...
2024-03-1340 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoBreaking Down the Personal HoldCo of Tim Stoddart of CopybloggerE74: Have you ever wondered how a person can flip their life's script from constant struggles to having a multi-million dollar business? Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a rich conversation with successful entrepreneur Tim Stoddart (@TimStodz), the proud owner of Copyblogger Media. He discusses his incredible transition from a troubled youth in Philadelphia to a sober entrepreneur with a multi-million dollar Personal HoldCo portfolio.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- How to Find Your Purpose- How to Effectively Write Online- Three Criteria for Choosing Businesses- How t...
2024-03-0631 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo8 Unconventional Truths I Learned in 8 Years of EntrepreneurshipE73: Not many know it, but a lot of aspiring business owners run the risk of making expensive mistakes that could put their goals on hold before they ever take off. So, today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) shares eight important things he learned over eight years of building three businesses from the ground up. He shares how to have an exponential growth mindset, hire carefully, know when to switch between growth and preservation modes and build a strong environment for your company. On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- Growth vs. Preservation...
2024-02-2825 min
The Bootstrapped Founder296: Yong-Soo Chung — Surviving Serial EntrepreneurshipYong-Soo Chung (@yongsoochung) is a champion of the Personal Holding Company: he owns several businesses, a media company, eCommerce, and a service provider among them. How does one stay sane with that much work in such diverse fields? He shares his survival framework and much more on the show today.I talk to Yong-Soo about hiring the right people to operate your business once it's outgrown you, if he would ever sell his money-making assets, and just how important it is to have your own distinct voice in a world full of best practices.Looking...
2024-02-2155 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Build and Sell a Startup with Andrew Gazdecki, Founder and CEO of Acquire.comE72: When is the right time to exit a business? Sounds like a simple question, but the answer... isn't as simple.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with accomplished entrepreneur Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki), the Founder and CEO of Acquire.com. Andrew discusses the strategies behind successful exits and how to position your company to be sold for the highest valuation. He also discussed how startups can be bought in as few as 30 days. On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- How to Structure Your Deals- Strategic Buyer vs. Financial Buyer- H...
2024-02-2136 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoDon't Make These Design Mistakes: How to Build Your Brand Identity with Nate KadlacE71: How do you design a personal brand that truly reflects you, stands out, and captivates your audience?Do you find yourself lost in the sea of design choices? Not sure how to align your website elements with your personal brand values?Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by talented designer, Nate Kadlac (@kadlac). Nate will guide us through the crucial elements of your personal brand identity: Logo, Font, Color, Elements & Motifs, and Visual Layout. Nate will also tell us how to make key design decisions that align with our brand values for each of...
2024-02-1441 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Get A Free PR for Your Business with Christina NicholsonE70: Who doesn't like free or cheap stuff? Imagine getting more customers without spending money. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by an expert in PR and earned media, Christina Nicholson (@ChristinaAllDay), an award-winning journalist. Christina will discuss why small businesses should start with local media and why earned media's credibility is its most powerful asset. She also discusses how to obtain free (or affordable) PR and how to pitch the media to get coverage.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- How To Do Effective PR for Free- The Power...
2024-02-0733 min
Send & Grow by SparkLoopThe Future of Newsletters: Insights & Predictions — with Yong-Soo Chung of First Class FoundersWelcome back to another episode of the Send & Grow podcast. This week, SparkLoop's Dylan Redekop chats with Yong-Soo Chung, the visionary behind First Class Founders – a cutting-edge platform designed to intertwine the creative and entrepreneurial spirits.Yong-Soo, a serial entrepreneur, has embarked on a journey from owning several businesses to launching First Class Founders. His innovative approach bridges the gap between content creation and business operation, aiming to equip the next generation of creators-turned-company founders.In this episode, Dylan & Yong-Soo discuss…The Evolution of Creators into Entrepreneurs: Why the future belongs to those who can...
2024-02-0633 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoMillion Dollar Weekend: How To Launch A Successful Business In 48 Hours with Noah Kagan, CEO of AppSumoE69: Imagine creating a million dollar business in just 48 hours. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is joined by a special guest Noah Kagan (@noahkagan), the CEO of AppSumo.com. Noah will discuss his new book "Million Dollar Weekend" and explain how he used these strategies and tactics to build AppSumo, a near 9-figure business.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- How to Validate Your Ideas- The One-Minute Business Model- The Million-Dollar Weekend Framework- How to Scale Your Business SuccessfullyDon't miss out on this one!...
2024-01-3128 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoMaster the Power of Relational Capital with Jay AbrahamE68: Ever wonder how to grow your business profits just by leveraging relationships and strategic partnerships?Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) is privileged to have a very special guest, Jay Abraham (@RealJayAbraham), the Owner of Abraham Group and America’s Highest Paid Marketing Consultant. Jay will discuss the concept of Relational Capital, one of the most powerful, yet misunderstood concepts in business. Abraham shares anecdotes and real world examples of creative partnerships where both parties benefited mutually without exchanging money.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- The 8 Different Types of Deals- How t...
2024-01-2438 min
Salary to CEO3. How To Turn Your Hobbies Into A $6.5 Million Per Year Business With Personal Holding Company Expert Yong-Soo ChungE3: What would your life look like if you could build multi-million dollar businesses around the things you love and hobbies you can’t get enough of?How much more joy would you have if you could tie your financial freedom to your personal passions.Is it even possible? And if so, how should you get started?Join host Jake Richards (@JakeMRichards) as he sits down with personal holding company expert Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung).From a humble start sleeping on an air mattress in his friend’s San Francisco apartment, to buil...
2024-01-2348 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Hire the Best Operators for Your Personal HoldCoE67: What if I told you hiring the right operator for your PHC could supercharge your business? But get it wrong, and it could all go up in flames. Even worse, it could get swiped right from under you. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But believe me, I've lived that story. I've spent the last four years taking notes, testing strategies, and refining my hiring process. On today's episode, I can finally say that I know how to hire the right operator. It's a delicate balance because you need someone who's fiercely independent, but at the same time...
2024-01-1724 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoFrom $0 to $10M ARR in Six Months: The Growth Playbook of Hunter Hammonds, Co-Founder & CEO of Assembly VenturesE66: How did Assembly Ventures, from nothing but dreams and passion, pull in a crazy $10 million in less than six months? Call it nuts. Call it ambitious. Call it a crazy result. But it happened, my friend, it happened.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down and spills the beans with Hunter Hammonds (@_hunterhammonds), the CEO and Co-Founder of Assembly Ventures. Hunter shares his business flywheel—Strategy, Execution, and Amplification. Hunter also talks about focusing on quality over mere publicity, building long-term relationships with creators, and overall operation and HoldCo structuring strategies. On today’s episode, you’l...
2024-01-1031 min
Beyond The WealthFrom Ecom Tycoon To Personal Holdco Guru: Yong-Soo Chung's Multi Million-dollar Journey Ep. 40Welcome to the Virtual Ventures Podcast, where we explore the stories of trailblazing entrepreneurs and their journeys to success! In today's episode, we have the privilege of delving into the captivating narrative of Yong-Soo Chung, a visionary entrepreneur who has transitioned from the realm of e-commerce to pioneering the concept of a personal holding company. With host Andres Sanchez at the helm, listeners are invited to embark on a fascinating exploration of Chung's entrepreneurial odyssey, delving into the intricate layers of his multi-million dollar ventures. From his insightful insights on personal holding companies to his astute strategies for hiring...
2024-01-0955 minBeyond The WealthFrom Ecom Tycoon To Personal Holdco Guru: Yong-Soo Chung's Multi Million-dollar Journey Ep. 40Welcome to the Virtual Ventures Podcast, where we explore the stories of trailblazing entrepreneurs and their journeys to success! In today's episode, we have the privilege of delving into the captivating narrative of Yong-Soo Chung, a visionary entrepreneur who has transitioned from the realm of e-commerce to pioneering the concept of a personal holding company. With host Andres Sanchez at the helm, listeners are invited to embark on a fascinating exploration of Chung's entrepreneurial odyssey, delving into the intricate layers of his multi-million dollar ventures. From his insightful insights on personal holding companies to his astute strategies for hiring...
2024-01-0955 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoI – We – They Framework: How I Scale My Personal HoldCoE65: In today's episode, I revisit and remake one of the popular episodes to date and to be honest, one of the most important concepts that all founders should know - the I – We – They Framework, which has accelerated my business growth and could do the same for yours.I'm sharing this framework that I developed to help me gain clarity on what I need to work on depending on the stage of my business. I wish that someone had taught me this framework 8 years ago when I first launched my first business. On today’s epis...
2024-01-0328 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Build and Scale Your Business: 11-Slide Business Plan with Brandon WhiteE64: In the world of startups, everyone wants that magic formula to get their business off the ground and scaling fast.But all too often, business plans end up as complicated, unwieldy documents that feel overwhelming to create and follow.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) goes behind the scenes with Brandon White (@BrandonCWhite). He generously shared his unique 11-slide business framework with us. Inspired by the simplicity of four baseline elements jotted down on a napkin, Brandon leads us through the ins and outs of his clever road map, unlocking the potential to simplify even the...
2023-12-2730 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoFrom Hobby to Personal HoldCo: How I Built My Personal Holding Company (BONUS)E63: Happy Holidays! We're taking a one-week break from our regularly scheduled programming. But, we're not leaving you high and dry this week!I was fortunate enough to be invited to my friend and fellow entreprenuer Brandon White's (@BrandonCWhite) recording studio in Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago. If you can believe it, we talked for over 2 hours! We dove deep into several topics including the inflection points of my own entrepreneurial journey. We also went into depth about Personal Holding Companies and how Brandon essentially has one himself!This episode brings actionable insights...
2023-12-202h 14
What's Working in EcommerceExclusive Reveal: How I Built Three Thriving Ecommerce Ventures with Yong-Soo ChungIn this episode of "What's Working in Ecommerce", Eagan Heath interviews Yong-Soo Chung. Yong-Soo shares his journey from cryptocurrency engineer to owning three successful ecommerce businesses: Urban EDC, Spotted by Humphrey, and Growth Jet. He discusses his unique marketing strategies, focusing on partnerships, relationships, and creating an exclusive brand experience. Yong-Soo also emphasizes the importance of high-quality design, photography, and consistent branding. He shares lessons learned in creating win-win partnerships and the significance of providing value beyond affiliate commissions. The episode also explores Yong-Soo's views on bootstrapping busine...
2023-12-1836 minWhat's Working in EcommerceExclusive Reveal: How I Built Three Thriving Ecommerce Ventures with Yong-Soo ChungIn this episode of "What's Working in Ecommerce", Eagan Heath interviews Yong-Soo Chung. Yong-Soo shares his journey from cryptocurrency engineer to owning three successful ecommerce businesses: Urban EDC, Spotted by Humphrey, and Growth Jet. He discusses his unique marketing strategies, focusing on partnerships, relationships, and creating an exclusive brand experience. Yong-Soo also emphasizes the importance of high-quality design, photography, and consistent branding. He shares lessons learned in creating win-win partnerships and the significance of providing value beyond affiliate commissions. The episode also explores Yong-Soo's views on bootstrapping busine...
2023-12-1836 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Find Your Next Million Dollar Business IdeaE62: Ever scratch your head wondering what business you should start next? Yeah, we've all been there.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) takes us on a solo flight as he unravels the simple decision-making process that led him to create his successful businesses. From his venture into startups after Wall Street to the unexpected success of Urban EDC. He shares his invaluable insights and practical advice on identifying micro and macro forces to help you succeed, validating business ideas, and creating your luck in entrepreneurship.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- Finding Your...
2023-12-1324 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoThe Art of Storytelling: How Parker Worth Went from Broke to a $22,000 Course LaunchE61: Many entrepreneurs out there who are hustling to build their online presence often hit a roadblock in their creators journey. Like, they're missing a trick that could change the game for them. Growing your audience? That's no walk in the park. So many creators end up feeling stuck.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) sits down with the amazing Parker Worth (@worth_parker), who went from being dead broke to launching a storytelling course that earned him an amazing $22,000! He shared invaluable tips and tricks that are guaranteed to skyrocket your approach to building your brand's story.
2023-12-0629 min
Social Media DecodedEntrepreneurial Journeys Unleashed: From Code to Commerce with Yong-Soo ChungWhat does it take to become an entrepreneur? Host Michelle Thames speaks with serial entrepreneur Yong-Soo Chung about how he left the corporate world to pursue his passion of entrepreneurship. Yong-Soo shares the secrets to his business success, how he scaled, and how he balances being hands-on with delegating to his team. Yong-Soo is a Serial Entrepreneur and Creator of First Class Founders, a weekly business podcast for creative entrepreneurs. Yong-Soo left his cushy 9-5 job as a Software Engineer in 2015 to launch Urban EDC, an e-commerce shop selling everyday carry gear. Then, he started an online d...
2023-12-0120 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoSecret to Unlocking Your High-Value NicheE60: How did a simple credit-card 'trick' post lead to massive audience growth?It all started with my X post about living in San Francisco with a $0 salary. Yeah, you heard that right - a $0 salary in one of the most expensive cities. And guess what? People lost their minds over it. My socials were a wildfire of comments, DMs, and yeah, even some haters throwing shade. Here’s the fun bit: I know exactly why that post resonated.Today, I'm diving deep into the topic of finding your niche and how it ca...
2023-11-2922 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Go Viral on Social Media with Michelle ThamesE59: What does it really take to go viral on social media?In our digital era, choosing the right platform for your business can be overwhelming. Founders face immense pressure to build a substantial online presence and audience. Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a special guest, Michelle Thames (@michellelthames), a renowned Marketing and Monetization Strategist. She is known for her influential work with giants like Toyota, Subway, and Lenovo. On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- How to Go Viral- Power of Quality Followers- Personal Brand vs. Business Brand...
2023-11-2236 min
EDGE with Brandon WhiteHow to Build a Personal Holding Company with Yong-Soo Chung Founder of First Class FoundersBuilding a personal holding company is as old as Warren Buffet and as new as AI these days. Yong-Soo shares how he grew his personal holding company to $20 million in revenue in 8 years and how you can do it too.LINKS First Class Foundershttps://firstclassfounder.com ABOUT YONG-SOO CHUNGYong-Soo is a serial entrepreneur bootstrapping his business from $0 to $20m in over 8 years. Now, he's on a mission to help founders and creators build an audience, create irresistible product offers, and grow their business sustainably. CO...
2023-11-192h 13
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo30 Lessons I Learned Growing My Podcast to 36,000 Downloads During My First YearE58: How do you get your podcast from 0 to 36,000 downloads in just a year? I did just that! Starting from scratch isn't easy, especially in the world of podcasting. I had zero listeners, a limited budget, and countless people saying I was doing it all wrong.Just to give you an idea... I spent $27,000 just on production costs!When I started my podcast journey, everyone around me had advice. Most said, "Save your money on production." But, call me crazy, I ignored them! I poured everything into 57 episodes, investing in the quality of...
2023-11-1534 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoFrom Bankruptcy to Millionaire in 2 Years: How Tibo Louis-Lucas Built and Sold TweetHunter & Taplio for Multi-MillionsE57: How did a man who declared bankruptcy turn into a multi-millionaire in just 2 years? Our guest today did just that. His incredible journey is one of resilience, innovation, and true entrepreneurial spirit.Today, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a very special guest, Tibo Louis-Lucas (@tibo_maker), the genius behind TweetHunter and Taplio. Tibo reveals the secrets behind his meteoric rise. From understanding the market pulse, and relentless iteration of his products, to tapping into the right networks, he reveals the steps he took to sell his company for multi-million dollars after declaring bankruptcy just a few years...
2023-11-0836 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow I Stacked 5 Growth Levers to Grow My Newsletter to 10,000 SubscribersE56: Growing a newsletter is no cakewalk.There's the initial phase where growth is slow, and every subscriber feels like a hard-fought battle. Not to mention, the emotional and physical toll of relentless hours, strategizing, and moments of utter despair and frustration. The market is crowded, and it's tough to stand out.How do you gain traction and grow your newsletter?In today's episode, there's no guest. It's just me (@YongSooChung) and you. It's intimate, personal, and raw. A solo flight into the heart of what it takes to make a digital business s...
2023-11-0133 min
Build In Public PodcastPersonal Holding Companies Are Going To Be The Future (feat. Yong-Soo Chung)Welcome to another episode of the Build In Public Podcast.Today's episode features serial entrepreneur Yong-Soo Chung, who has bootstrapped his Personal Holding Company to near 8-figures in annual revenue over the past 8 years.In this interview, KP and Yong-Soo covered a spectrum of topics, exploring Yong-Soo's journey and providing their insights on:● Intro (00:00)● Identifying your content niche on X/Linkedin (04:31)● Pit stops along the journey (09:48)● Conviction from experience (14:12)● Yong-Soo’s founder journey (18:02)● Balancing the operations of various diverse portfolio (36:17)● The I, We, They Framework of company building (37:49)● Letting go o...
2023-10-3150 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoFive Monetization Strategies as a Content Creator with Joe Casabona of How I Built ItE55: Many content creators struggle with building a dedicated audience and effectively monetizing their content. Despite having quality content, they often lack the strategic framework to captivate and monetize an audience in a landscape saturated with creators.So, how do you sift through the noise?On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a very special guest, Joe Casabona (@jcasabona) , the host of the popular podcast 'How I Built It.' Joe talks about his S.M.A.S.H. framework for creators, which highlights all the monetization channels a creator has at their disposal.
2023-10-2537 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHarnessing the Power of Twitter: How to Attract and Connect with Your Target Audience (BONUS)E54:Ever felt like a stranger at a party where everyone else knows each other? That's how Yong-Soo Chung felt when he first ventured onto X. Yong-Soo Chung stepped into X with 400 followers, hoping for connections and recognition. But instead, he found himself feeling isolated and alienated. Moreover, sharing personal tales became a venture fraught with vulnerability and fear of judgment.On today's bonus episode, host Joe Casabona (@jcasabona) unpacks Yong-Soo Chung's (@YongSooChung) journey, from feeling overwhelmed on X to successfully monetizing his hobbies. Not only does he share his story but offers...
2023-10-2045 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoThe Rise of Personal Holding Companies: Exploring the Future of EntrepreneurshipE53: Have you ever considered setting up a business structure that could save you taxes, protect your assets, and offer countless financial advantages?Picture this. One day, you wake up to see your bank account flooded with cash from your startup's exit. The question isn't about the money anymore; it's about what you do next. Do you jump into another startup, take a sabbatical, become an angel investor, or advise up-and-coming entrepreneurs? I've found a strategy that worked wonders for me even before I hit my jackpot - the Personal Holding Company.Today, host Yong-Soo...
2023-10-1830 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Build a Personal Brand from Scratch with Legacy Builder, Clifton SellersE52: In today's digital age, entrepreneurs need a strong personal brand. Hands down. But how do you actually go about building one? On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) has a conversation with Clifton Sellers (@LegacyBuilder__) founder of Legacy Builder, a successful ghostwriting agency. He's the unseen hand behind some of the best content on the web. Clinton will share his insights on building a personal brand from scratch, his unique onboarding process for clients, and how he has harnessed the power of AI to grow his business. On today’s episode, you’ll learn:...
2023-10-1134 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoThe Power of Leverage: The Hidden Strategy Behind the Richest People In the WorldE51: Why is it that the richest people in the world work the same hours as we do, yet they make way more money than we do? What are they doing differently? The answer lies in the concept of leverage.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) takes us on a journey to uncover the secret behind the immense wealth and success of these successful entrepreneurs and reveals how they have been using leverage differently.Get ready to discover how you might be wasting valuable leverage without even realizing it!On today’s episode, you’ll l...
2023-10-0421 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoMastering the Art of Navigating Unexpected Change for Success with Brad Stulberg, Best-Selling AuthorE50: Let's be honest, change can be a real challenge for us entrepreneurs. It's like trying to catch a fast-moving aircraft without a ticket - it's confusing and can make you feel like you're just reacting, not steering your ship. This can lead to burnout, frustration, and missed opportunities.On today's episode, host Yong-Soo (@YongSooChung) chats with none other than the Master of Change and Best-Selling Author Brad Stulberg (@BStulberg). He shares some mind-blowing insights and frameworks to handle change like a pro in your business.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- Th...
2023-09-2737 min
Streamlined Solopreneur: Helping simplify your tech stack and escape hustleUsing Twitter to Grow Your Podcast with Yong-Soo ChungTake the 2024 Listener Survey! Imagine running a high 7-figure business with over 300,000 followers on social media, then launching a podcast. How many downloads would you expect? 100,000? 150,000? What about…10? We’ve all been there: we spend a TON of time pouring blood, sweat, and tears into a project just to have it launch to crickets. That’s exactly what happened to Yong-Soo Chung with his podcast. Despite the social following, no one cared about his show. But instead of wallowing in self-pity or shutting the show down, Yong-Soo took action. He reactivat...
2023-09-2547 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoDon't Make The Same Mistakes I Did — What I Wish I Knew About Content Creation and Personal BrandingE49: Have you ever wondered why your content isn't hitting the mark? You're putting in all the hard work, creating content day in and day out, yet it feels like you're just shouting into the wind. Frustrating, right?I get it. Because I've been there. I thought that just putting out great content would be enough to make me a success. But boy, was I wrong! I soon found myself posting into the void, while other creators seemingly effortlessly thrived. It was disheartening, to say the least.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) is taking a...
2023-09-2032 min
How to Scale a BusinessHow Yong-Soo Chung Defines the Five Growth Channels for Online BusinessYong-Soo Chung delves deep into the intricacies of scaling businesses, the power of partnerships, and the potential pitfalls of e-commerce. Drawing from personal experiences, he sheds light on the challenges he faced, from fulfillment issues to navigating the dynamic world of Twitter ads. With a unique blend of strategy and creativity, Yong-Soo offers invaluable insights that promise to reshape how we view modern e-commerce and business growth.Chapters:Links And Resources:Yong-Soo Chung on LinkedInAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to...
2023-09-1518 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoMastering the Art of Unsexy Entrepreneurship with Hold Co Owner Nick Huber, Founder of Bolt Storage & The Sweaty StartupE48: Ever wonder how an "unsexy" business could lead to mind-blowing success? What if I told you someone turned a student self-storage idea into a multi-million dollar empire? Today, Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) chats with Nick Huber (@sweatystartup), the mastermind behind the Sweaty Startup brand, the brilliant mind behind Bolt Storage, and a holding company operator. This isn't just any ordinary conversation – it's a masterclass in turning "unsexy" ideas into gold mines and transforming challenges into opportunities.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- How to Run a Holding Company- How to Levera...
2023-09-1334 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoBuilding Powerful Flywheels: Unlocking Growth Engines for Entrepreneurs in the Digital AgeE47: Have you ever wondered how some creators and entrepreneurs seem to achieve incredible results effortlessly while others struggle to gain traction? The answer lies in a concept that has revolutionized my approach to business – the Flywheel Effect.Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) dives deep into the concept of a flywheel and why every creator needs 3 types of flywheels in their business.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- Three Types of Flywheels for Creators- How to Build an Audience Growth Flywheel- How to Create Endless Amount of Conten...
2023-09-0626 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Succeed as a Creative Entrepreneur with Daren Smith, Film Producer & Author, Founder of Craftsman CreativeE46: Ever find yourself stuck in the hamster wheel of creativity, pouring your heart into your craft, but struggling to turn a profit? It's a challenge many of us face – the journey from creator to successful entrepreneur can feel like an uphill battle.Get ready as Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) chats with Daren Smith (@DarenTSmith), the founder of Craftsman Creative, a film producer and the author of "Five Figure Creators Build Six-Figure Businesses." Daren shares his incredible story of being broke to making it as a creative entrepreneur. On today’s episode, you’ll learn:...
2023-08-3032 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoWhat the Best Creators Have in Common: Attracting Audiences, Making Your Own Luck, and Building a Strong NetworkE45: Have you ever wondered what sets successful founders and creators apart from the rest? The reality is, many budding entrepreneurs grapple with uncertainty, indecision, and the fear of failure. It's like navigating a maze blindfolded. Entrepreneurship isn't a walk in the park. It's a rollercoaster ride filled with challenges, doubts, and uncertainties. Today, host Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) shares his hard-earned insights, drawn from his own experience and other creators he's studied over the past year.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:- Mastering the Entrepreneurial Mindset- The Power of Deliberate Practice and...
2023-08-2333 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoFrom Zero to 100K Subscribers: How to Grow Your Newsletter like a Pro with Newsletter Growth Expert Matt McGarryE44: Ever wonder what it takes to skyrocket your newsletter from ground zero to an audience that hangs onto your every word? Many creators struggle with picking the perfect niche, nailing the right frequency, and snagging those elusive subscribers. But don't worry. Yong-Soo Chung (@YongSooChung) spoke to Matt McGarry (@JMatthewMcgarry), a newsletter expert and the mastermind behind the growth of some of the most successful newsletters out there including The Hustle, Milk Road, 1440 Media, and The Daily Upside. He shared tons of amazing insights and strategies.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:Choosing Captivating Topics for...
2023-08-1635 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoThreads vs. Twitter: Why Meta's Latest Launch is Making Waves in the Social Media WorldE43: 'X' formerly known as Twitter, has a new rival in town.Led by Mark Zuckerberg, Threads has taken the world by storm, and while the initial rush has died down a bit, its impressive launch is worth a deeper dive.A platform where conversations feel more personal, intimate, and casual, like catching up with an old friend over coffee. That's exactly what Threads brings to the table. And believe me, it's a game-changer!On today’s episode, you’ll learn:Distinguishing Features of ThreadsSimilarities and Differences Between Other PlatformsHow to Le...
2023-08-0933 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoFuture of Newsletters with Tyler Denk, Founder & CEO at BeehiivE42: Tyler Denk is the Founder & CEO of Beehiiv, an email service provider that's taking the newsletter industry by storm. If you are a regular listener, you already know that I use Beehiiv for the First Class Founders newsletter and I am incredibly happy with it.Tyler and I spoke about:His thoughts on the future of newslettersHis role as the Growth Engineer at Morning BrewHis first venture during his college days - VentureStormWhat separates the great newsletters from the rest of the packThis is a captivating story you don't want to miss!***...
2023-08-0240 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoUnlocking the Power of the MAPS Framework: Mindset ➜ Audience ➜ Product ➜ ScalingE41: Today, I reveal how I built my business, which generated $20 million in sales with my proprietary MAPS Framework – Mindset, Audience, Product, and Scaling. It's everything I know about entrepreneurship distilled down to one simple framework which you can use to build your own business.Today, I'll cover:My MAPS Framework and its ComponentsWhy Developing a Winning Mindset is ImportantHow to Build the Right Audience For Your BusinessWhy Creating a Clear Mission at the Beginning is CrucialThis is my life's work distilled down into one powerful episode.***SPONSOR: Big tha...
2023-07-2639 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoLessons from 2,000+ Startup Founder Interviews with Entrepreneur Andrew Warner of MixergyE40: What would you learn if you had the chance to speak to over 2,000 startup entrepreneurs including the founders of Airbnb, Reddit, and Zapier?We are talking to Andrew Warner, the serial entrepreneur, storyteller, podcast host, and author extraordinaire. After conducting over 2,000 interviews from startup founders, Andrew recently published a book called "Stop Asking Questions!" which I read from cover to cover. I invited him on the podcast so I could… ask him a LOT of questions.During our conversation, Andrew and I spoke about his life as an entrepreneur and went into some amazing de...
2023-07-1936 min
The Matt King ShowMaking $300k/Month Working 1 Hour A Day with Yong Soo Chung | Ep 302Yong Soo Chung is an eCommerce and sustainable business expert. Yong Soo left a successful career in cryptocurrency software engineering to found his first 8-figure e-commerce business Urban EDC, a venture with an impressive social media following. He then went on to launch GrowthJet, a Climate Neutral Certified third-party logistics company. Yong Soo is passionate about sharing his experiences with other entrepreneurs so they can start companies that are both profitable and sustainable.
Powerful Moments From The Episode
00:00:00 - M.A.P.S. (Mindset, Audience, Product, Scale)
00:00:41 - Introducing Yong...
2023-07-141h 07
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo$250 Million Dollars in Sales: Colin Chung's Copywriting Secrets RevealedE39: Imagine your work has contributed to a quarter billion dollars in sales. You read that right. Quarter of a billion dollars. That’s $250 million.Today, we’re joined by Colin Chung, a copywriter who not only knows how to write amazing direct response copy, but he knows how to get the largest clients in the business.Over the last 15 years, Colin’s clients include: Agora, Jim Kwik, John Carlton, Brian Tracy, and Ava Jane’s Kitchen. He’s the unsung hero behind many of YOUR favorite brands. So, what are the key ingredients for amazing co...
2023-07-1238 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow the Top 0.1% of Newsletter Creators Are Skyrocketing Their Growth with Chenell Basilio of Growth in ReverseE38: Want to know how the top 0.1% of creators grow their newsletter? Today, we’re joined by Chenell Basilio, the creator behind Growth in Reverse.Growth in Reverse is a newsletter that deep dives into newsletter creators with over 50,000 subscribers. Chenell spends over 40 hours per week researching one creator each week.During my conversation with Chenell, she didn’t hold anything back.On today’s episode, you’ll learn:What Chenell’s Research Process Looks LikeHow to Build Your Tribe of Like-Minded CreatorsHow Chenell Has Built Her Audience Growth Flywheel5 Types of Newsletter...
2023-07-0541 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoFrom Investment Banker to Creator: The Story of How Khe Hy Carved Out His Unconventional Entrepreneurial PathE37: Khe Hy and I have A LOT in common. Khe is also the son of immigrant parents. And like me, Khe also decided to quit his Wall Street finance job to venture off into entrepreneurship. My conversation with Khe proved to be incredibly illuminating and I found his life to be a rich treasure trove of stories and life-lessons.I spoke to Khe about his journey of becoming an entrepreneur: from being one of the youngest Managing Directors at the prestigious private equity firm BlackRock managing a fund of hedge-funds to starting his own newsletter, to q...
2023-06-2853 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoSecret Recipe for a Successful Content Creator: 7 Key Lessons with Clint MurphyE36: What's it like to go from 0 to 300k+ followers in 2 years? Clint Murphy, the host and creator of The Growth Guide podcast and newsletter, did exactly that. Clint is the Chief Financial Officer at Mosaic Homes, a Real Estate Development company. But, what I’m most impressed by is Clint’s audience growth, which has skyrocketed over the past 2-3 years. Clint is a master at audience growth and lucky for you, I invited him on to this podcast to tell us all about it. This is a masterclass in personal brand growth. This is one episode you don't...
2023-06-2139 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoNewsletter Growth Secrets: Don't Make These Costly MistakesE35: Today, I am sharing my learnings growing my newsletter. I'll tell you five key lessons from my journey to getting 3,000 subscribers in just 5 months for the First Class Founders newsletter so that you don't have make costly mistakes.I'll lay out specific and actionable tips about what to look for while promoting your newsletter, how to spend your money wisely, where to spend your money wisely, and the one thing you need to have in your branding and messaging.Let's get down to business!***SPONSOR: I love using Riverside.f...
2023-06-1431 min
EDC UnlockedYong-Soo Chung, Founder of Urban EDC Supply, tells us about his journey to running one of the biggest everyday carry eCommerce brands and answers your questions on all things EDC gearThis week on EDC Unlocked we are talking to Yong-Soo Chung, Founder of Urban EDC Supply. Yong-Soo started Urban EDC Supply back in 2015 and it’s grown into the largest everyday carry eCommerce brand of its kind. It’s an EDC gear brand that Ian and I really look up to, and so we are very excited to have him on EDC Unlocked. He’s created something very unique with Urban EDC Supply, and has collaborated with some of the most impressive individuals and companies in the space, to curate a collecti...
2023-06-1256 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Build a Million Dollar Audience with Podcast Legend David Hooper of Big PodcastE34: Today's episode is a masterclass in audience building by none other than podcast legend David Hooper. He's worked with big clients including AT&T, RunDMC, Victoria's Secret, and Fedex.David and I spoke at length about how his career shaped up over the years and discussed several things, such as how living and growing up in the Music City influenced his career, the long journey from a college radio host to podcast marketing consultant, ideas and strategies to grow a big audience, which he picked up from his years in the radio and podcasting business, as...
2023-06-0735 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoSurprising Lessons From Top Creators: Insights from Jennifer Phan, Founder & CEO of PassionfrootE33: Today's guest is Jennifer Phan, Founder & CEO of Passionfroot, a platform which is aiming to become the operating system for creators.Jennifer has worked with some of the biggest creators including Arvid Kahl, Michael Houck, and Ali Abdaal.Being at the epicenter of the creator economy, she knows a thing or two about becoming a successful creator.So, what are the secrets to becoming a successful creator?Let’s find out.***SPONSOR:I love using Riverside.fm to record all interviews. Try it out 100% free he...
2023-05-3132 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoMusician to Serial Entrepreneur to LinkedIn Creator: How Sam Browne Grew His Audience 100X in 1 YearE32: Sam Browne is a musician at heart and an entrepreneur by trade. Sam is also the founder of Haro SEO, which is a search engine optimization firm that involves getting backlinks from high quality domains by helping a reporter out.Sam is also a well known LinkedIn creator who grew from 500 to 50,000 followers in just one year. He's now planning a course for entrepreneurs on LinkedIn.So how does someone who started off as a musician become an entrepreneur skilled in such diverse industries? What was the journey that took Sam from playing in...
2023-05-2432 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoFrom Pool Store Boy to Serial Entrepreneur: How Matt Giovanisci Built a Multi-Million Dollar Niche BusinessE31: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work FOREVER in the same industry where you got your first-ever job? Well, Matt Giovanisci doesn't need to imagine it. Because that is exactly what he has been doing since he was 13 years old.Over the years, Matt grew steadily within this industry and eventually ended up launching Swim University in 2006. Swim University caters to a very specific niche - homeowners with pools and hot tubs. According to their 'About' page, "Swim University has made pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners."...
2023-05-1725 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHustleGPT: The Viral ChatGPT AI Experiment That Took Twitter by Storm With Jackson FallE30: Ever since ChatGPT was released to the public, people have used it for a wide variety of interesting experiments. Today, I'm speaking to Jackson Fall, the man behind the recent success of HustleGPT.At the time of recording, Jackson's Twitter thread about HustleGPT, his unique entrepreneurial experiment with ChatGPT had nearly 16,000 retweets, 103,000 likes, and well over 22.5 million impressions. It created a sensation among founders and entrepreneurs and got noticed by CNN as well.I ended up discussing a ton of stuff with Jackson, including:- Tips and tricks to effective prompt engineering
2023-05-1039 min
Mission Driven BusinessBuilding A Business From Bootstrap To $1 Million with Yong-Soo ChungBrian chats with Yong-Soo Chung, a serial entrepreneur who founded three e-commerce companies in the span of seven years. With his latest venture, the podcast First Class Founders, Yong-Soo is on a mission to impact entrepreneurs by sharing his lessons on building sustainable businesses from bootstrap to earning more than $1 million in annual revenue. On the episode, Yong-Soo shares his three pillars for a successful business and fulfilling life. He also discusses the importance of listening to your intuition and taking advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses...
2023-05-0937 min
Lay the Course PodcastExpert Tips for Sustainable Business Growth with Yong-Soo ChungYong-Soo Chung is a serial entrepreneur bootstrapping his business from $0 to $20m in just over 8 years. Now, he's on a mission to help founders & creators build an audience, create irresistible product offers, and grow their businesses sustainably.
In this episode, you will hear:
A successful mindset behind a career shift
Clear steps to mapping your success
Yong-Soo’s journey to becoming an entrepreneur
“Every single experience you’ve had in the past shapes who you are in this present moment,” said Yong-Soo, touching on the fea...
2023-05-0437 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoSurprising Lessons Learned From Amazon's "Customer Obsession"E29: Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon, is worth $125 Billion.And, the one thing he is famously known for is his "customer obsession." In fact, Amazon strives to be 'Earth's most customer-centric company.' And yet, my own experience revealed a different side of Amazon.Today, I want to take a slight detour and talk about an incident that happened to me, which had me re-evaluating my understanding of good customer service. Particularly, since it has to do with my interactions with Amazon, which prides itself as the Earth's most customer-centric company.My run-in...
2023-05-0327 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoEAR$ Framework and Monetization Strategies for Creators with Jeremy Enns, Podcast Marketing ExpertE28: Jeremy is the Founder of Podcast Marketing Academy, which is a podcast growth and marketing company helping scrappy podcast centric brands, networks and creators punch above their weight.Today, I speak to him about the four key aspects of his excellent EAR$ framework: Exposure, Attraction, Retention, and Monetization. We also dig into how Jeremy implements them for his own content, and how you can implement them for your content.***EXCERPTS:The Power of Newsletters: "I think that's a way easier ask just because of how we treat newsletters like...
2023-04-2634 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCo10 Powerful Tools to Boost Your Newsletter GrowthE27: Three months ago, I decided to launch the First Class Founders newsletter.Problem is, I had no subscribers, no list, and, essentially, no idea what to do or, even, where to begin!Today, my newsletter has over two thousand subscribers. It has an open rate of 40% and a 10% click-through rate. In case you are wondering, yes, that IS indeed a high number. How did I achieve this? What did I do that was so effective? What's my secret sauce?Get ready to take notes because I plan to reveal all my secrets...
2023-04-1925 min
Hustling SidewaysEpisode 56: Yong-Soo Chung of Urban EDC Supply, GrowthJet, and First Class FoundersToday on Hustling Sideways, Allen Halas and Jim Love talk to former software engineer turned serial entrepreneur, Yong-Soo Chung. Since working in finance and at a crypto startup, Yong-Soo transitioned to form Urban EDC Supply, an online boutique, as well as shipping company GrowthJet, and hosts his own podcast, First Class Founders. We learn about the San Francisco-based startup culture that he entered after college, and how that ultimately pushed him to pursue his own endeavors that he was passionate about. You can follow Yong-Soo Chung on Twitter @YongSooChung and Urban EDC Supply at UrbanEDCSupply.com
2023-04-1740 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Create Your Own Luck as a Creator: Justin Gordon's Incredible Journey From Training NFL Pros to Venture Capital to Full-Time CreatorE26: Justin Gordon went from training alongside elite athletes such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees to working with an amazing community of entrepreneurs and founders as the Director of Marketing and Communication at a VC firm called Vitalize VC.He's also the creator of a popular podcast and newsletter called Just Go Grind. I spoke to Justin about his journey from the world of personal fitness to venture capital and came away with a ton of amazing insights such as the similarities between athletics and entrepreneurship, how he applies his learnings as a fitness trainer in...
2023-04-1235 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow To Turn Your Side Hustle Into a Million Dollar Business as a CreatorE25: Do you currently have a side-hustle that you enjoy building? Or, do you WISH you had a side hustle? How do you make your first million dollars from it? I'm going to tell you exactly that - how to make your first million dollars from your side-hustle.On this episode, we'll cover how to CHOOSE a suitable side-hustle, how to BUILD your side-hustle, and finally, how to MONETIZE your side-hustle.***TOPICS:What is a Side Hustle? (2:11)Your Unique Life Experiences Are a Goldmine For Information (3:42)What...
2023-04-0526 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoLife-Changing Wisdom with Arvid Kahl: From Selling a SaaS Startup to Becoming a CreatorE24: Today, we're talking to Arvid Kahl, the co-founder of FeedbackPanda, a SaaS startup that was acquired by SureSwift Capital. Arvid shares insights about selling his SaaS business, and then more importantly, his current content strategy, which he seems to be slowly building into another successful business venture, this time as a creator.On this episode, we touch upon a wide range of topics such as the shift in the economic mindset that comes with selling a business for a large sum, Arvid's content strategy, which Arvid sums up as, "adding tiny things that already fit into...
2023-03-2936 min
The Friday HabitSerial Entrepreneurship with Yong-Soo Chung part 2In part 2 of the discussion with founder and CEO Yong-Soo Chung, he shares the wisdom he’s gained from years of taking risks, making mistakes and learning from every experience. For Yong-Soo, he thrives under pressure as many successful entrepreneurs do. So instead of building his businesses as side projects, he went all in. His return on such high-risk investments continues to pay off as he pushes himself and his team each day to be better than the day before. Part of succeeding in business is being willing to make mistakes. Yong-Soo admits he’s made many along the way...
2023-03-2425 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoGrow Your Newsletter Fast: Secrets to Skyrocketing Your SubscribersE23: Do you already have 50-100 subscribers for your newsletter? Do your subscribers LOVE the content you’ve been putting out? Are your subscribers frequently sharing the content you send in your newsletter? And yet, if the number of subscribers for your newsletter doesn’t seem to be growing the way you thought it would and you just can’t figure out a way to grow your newsletter’s subscriber numbers, then you’ve come to the right episode of the right podcast!This is the second of a two-parter on launching and growing your own newsle...
2023-03-2224 minThe Friday HabitSerial Entrepreneurship with Yong-Soo Chung part 1Serial entrepreneur and startup coach Yong-Soo Chung isn’t afraid to take risks. Through a series of different startup experiences, failed job interviews, and the decision to move across the country despite his family’s misgivings, Yong-Soo is proud of the ecommerce and logistics companies he’s founded. He is a man with a mission, and now he enjoys helping other entrepreneurs scale their businesses for optimum growth. Yong-Soo is constantly looking for new ways to challenge himself and grow as a person of influence in his social and professional spheres. He operates from a place of no regr...
2023-03-1729 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoNewsletter Success Launch Plan: 4 Effective Strategies to Kickstart Your NewsletterE22: Emails. They seem so old-school, right? You have to first write who you are sending them to. Then you write why you're sending them. Then you write what it is all about… So boring! And yet, as of November 2021, Substack had over a million paying subscribers and the top 10 authors on Substack collectively make $20 million per year. If that alone doesn't change your perception of regular ol' email as a powerful business on its own, maybe you should stop right here. Still here? Good. Because I'm devoting the rest of the episode to telling you how you can la...
2023-03-1523 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Increase Customer Lifetime Value with Discovery and Trust EnginesE21: Having an audience doesn't necessarily translate into building your business. So how do you find your audience, then nurture them into paying customers? What about enhancing your offers to your existing customers to increase customer lifetime value? Today, we're talking about your your discovery engine, your trust engine, and last but not least, your offer value ladder: what it is, why it's so important, and how you can segment your customers with offers they simply can't refuse.By the end of this episode, you'll have a much better understanding of how to attract, nurture, and increase...
2023-03-0821 min
2X eCommerce PodcastSE8 EP05: Urban EDC Product Drop Strategy Elicits Continuous Novelty w/ Yong-Soo ChungOn today’s episode, Kunle is joined by Yong-Soo Chung, Founder of Urban Every Day Carry, a business and community supporting creative makers and designers of knives from all over the world. Inspired by the families of his high school classmates whose parents were C-level executives working in big companies and being a South Korean immigrant in a white-dominated private school, Yong-Soo was driven to start a company one day. A few years later, he built not just one but four ventures or businesses. He did not just build a money-making business but also built a c...
2023-03-071h 08
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoWhy Building an Audience Isn't How to Start Your BusinessE20: In this episode, I talk to Jim James of the UnNoticed Entrepreneur Podcast about the struggles I had during the early days of launching my first business, Urban EDC. I also discuss a mini framework for those who are just starting out that will help you grow right off the bat. Lastly, I share with you the one thing every business needs to increase loyalty with your customer base and succeed over the long haul.And of course, we end this episode with another question from our community about how to drive traffic effectively to a...
2023-03-0123 min
Rising Tide Startups7.08 – Yong-Soo Chung – GrowthjetOur special guest on Rising Tide Startups is Yong-Soo Chung.
Yong-Soo left a successful career in cryptocurrency software engineering to found his first 8-figure e-commerce business Urban EDC, a venture with an impressive social media following. He then went on to launch GrowthJet, a Climate Neutral Certified third-party logistics company. Yong-Soo is passionate about sharing his experiences with other entrepreneurs so they can start companies that are both profitable and sustainable.
Yong-Soo's website - growthjet.com
Make sure and visit our Sponsor: Podbrandmedia.com - Your company needs its own podcast and we can help!
2023-02-2328 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Grow Your Audience Through Authenticity: Kevon Cheung of Public LabE19: Kevon Cheung is the author of Find Joy in Chaos: How to Build Your Twitter Presence So Connections and Opportunities Come Find You. He's widely recognized as a thought leader in finding your voice and making meaningful connections online. Kevon has a unique framework called the PIERS framework, which he uses as a personal identity guideline for developing his online persona. He'll break down this framework which will explain why he uses a broccoli emoji as part of his online identity.***TOPICS:Why Build An Audience? (1:40)How to Survive the...
2023-02-2228 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoDebunking the Myth of Solopreneurship: Why Flying Solo Will Hurt Your BusinessE18: Today, we are debunking the myth of solopreneurship. Yes, there are a lot of benefits to being a solopreneur. But nobody talks about the downsides of solopreneurship. I'm here today to expose the truth. I know because I was also a solopreneur when I first started my own business back in 2015. But since then, I've scaled up my team and my company has grown with it.By the end of this episode, I'll show you how you can still enjoy the benefits of solopreneurship while removing the roadblocks that come with being solo. I'll explain how...
2023-02-1523 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoCollaborate To Dominate: Effective Strategies to Grow Your BusinessE17: We're talking about a growth strategy that not a lot of creators are taking advantage of to help you grow. I'll tell you what it is and how you can do it effectively to grow your audience and increase your authority at the same time. This is a powerful tactic that I'm using personally in my own e-commerce business to supercharge our growth. By the end of this episode, you'll be well-equipped with a new tool for taking your business to the next level. ***TOPICS:What is Collaboration? (2:30)...
2023-02-0818 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHarnessing the Power of Habits to Compound SuccessE16: Most of us know already that personal habits are important in our daily lives. But as a creator, how important are daily habits to master your skills? Having the right habits in place ensures that you're always moving towards accomplishing whatever you want to achieve. I'll reveal the most effective methods to form good habits and break bad ones. These are tried and true tactics that I have tested for myself. ***TOPICS:Importance of Habits (1:32)Everybody has habits. Habits are important because they become second nature. Habits compounded over a long...
2023-02-0119 min
Good Life, Great LifeEp 044: Gaining Trust from Your Consumers with Yong-Soo ChungYong-Soo Chung is a serial entrepreneur who founded an e-commerce brand called Urban EDC in 2015 from his one bedroom apartment in San Francisco after leaving his job as a Software Engineer at Ripple, a cryptocurrency startup in Silicon Valley. He then launched GrowthJet in 2019, a Climate Neutral Certified third-party logistics company, from a second floor dance studio in the Dogpatch neighborhood in San Francisco.
Now, he’s on a mission to impact one million entrepreneurs through his new venture, First Class Founders, a weekly podcast sharing his lessons on building a sustainable, bootstrapped company to 8-figures in an...
2023-01-2600 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoBuilding an Unforgettable Brand Identity: Sandy Chung of Spotted By HumphreyE15: Sandy is the Founder of Spotted By Humphrey, a dog boutique curating playful dog goods for good dogs. The shop has grown tremendously since its launch in 2018. Sandy and Humphrey were even invited down to Los Angeles for a segment on Shopify's YouTube channel. This was a professional studio set with camera crew, backstage make-up artists, and real actors and actresses on the set. Sandy's secret to growth has been building a strong brand identity. She built an audience over 150k followers across all social media channels and today, she's going to share her framework for building a...
2023-01-2519 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoI / We / They Framework: 3 Simple Steps to Grow Your BusinessE14: Today, I'm sharing a framework called the 'I / We / They' framework that I developed to help me gain clarity on what I need to work depending on the stage of my business. I wish that someone had taught me this framework 7 years ago when I first became an entrepreneur.***TOPICS:I / We / They Framework (2:09)There are 3 parts to this framework: Experimental, Operational, and Scaleable, corresponding to I, We, and They respectively.Experimental Phase (2:26)The Experimental phase of your business starts with yourself. This is where the "I...
2023-01-1820 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoRag to Riches: How I Built a Successful Business from ScratchE13: I'm taking you on a personal journey of how I moved to the Bay Area 11 years ago with just one suitcase. I had no job and no place to live. So how did I bootstrap my business to where it is today?***TOPICS:First Side Hustle (2:46)My first side hustle was in freelance writing. I wrote for a popular personal finance blog. I was paid $25 per article.One Way Ticket to San Francisco (8:59)I landed in San Francisco with just 1 suitcase. I slept on the floor...
2023-01-1132 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Find, Nurture, and Grow Your AudienceE12: The creator economy has exploded. It's more important than ever to build an audience. I've built a simple 5 step framework to help you find, nurture, and grow your audience. By the end of this episode, you will know how to build your audience AND grow a loyal following through engaging content. I'll break down what type of content you need to post for which segment of your audience.***TOPICS:Find Your Voice (1:31)Find your own unique voice. You don't wanna be just another creator in a sea of content creators. This...
2023-01-0423 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoThe Hidden Advantages of Building a Podcast AudienceE11: Podcasting has seen continued growth year over year and it looks like the growth is here to stay. I'm here to tell you my top 5 reasons for why everybody should consider having a podcast whether that's for your own business or for your own personal brand.***TOPICS:Podcast Growth Statistics (1:26)Since 2006, there's been a steady rise of Americans who have listened to a podcast in the past. It's grown so much that big media companies are now spending a lot of money to produce podcast-only shows. Most Important...
2022-12-2818 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoThe Science of Luck: How to Create Your Own LuckE10: What exactly is luck? Luck is commonly defined as, "success or failure brought on by chance rather than through one's own actions." In other words, luck is a matter of chance. It's the element of unpredictability in life. And it's something that we can't control. Or can we? Some people seem to be luckier than others. Is it possible to create your own luck? The answer is yes. And today, we're building your very own "luck playbook". ***TOPICS:4 Types of Luck (2:06)There are four types of luck: blind, serendipitous, expertise, and...
2022-12-2119 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoThe Billionaire Mindset: 5 Ways Billionaires Think Differently From MillionairesE9: How do you level up from millionaire to billionaire? We discuss the 5 mindset differences between a millionaire and a billionaire. By the end, you'll have the playbook for jumping from a millionaire to a billionaire.***TOPICS:Impact Over Money (1:40)Billionaires measure their success in units of impact vs. units of money. They are motivated to hit a certain milestone whether that's feeding a billion people, in the case of motivational speaker Tony Robbins. Or Marc Lore, who is now on a mission to build a new utopian city called Telosa. Or...
2022-12-1420 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoTop Productivity Frameworks to Multiply Your TimeE8: Gather up your to-dos for the week! We'll go over the Eisenhower Matrix, finding your lead domino, timing your tasks, blocking & tackling, and last but not least, we'll discuss how you can multiply your time. Ready? ***TOPICS:Eisenhower Matrix (1:31)The Eisenhower Matrix will help sift through which tasks you're supposed to be working on so that you can make the most out of your day. The core essence of the Eisenhower Matrix is to filter through which tasks are either important or urgent so that you can prioritize your tasks.
2022-12-0722 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoHow to Create a Superstar Customer ExperienceE7: How do you create that perfect customer experience? Also, should you ever fire your customers? What about the popular saying "the customer is always right"? Plus, I introduce a simple framework for customer service that will change the way you think about customer experience.***TOPICS:Who is Your Customer? (1:36)A customer is any person or business that is paying for your product or service. Always ask yourself - Who is your customer?Airbnb's Superstar Experience (2:56) If you want to build something that’s truly viral, you ha...
2022-11-3021 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoAmazon vs. Patagonia: A Tale of Two Retail GiantsE6: What do Patagonia and Richard Branson have in common? Likewise, how about Amazon and Elon Musk? We'll compare these two companies and two remarkable billionaire entrepreneurs. I'll also discuss strategies on how to differentiate yourself when you're a bootstrapped company by referencing Seth Godin's purple cow concept. Last but not least, we'll introduce and apply the mental model of First Principles Thinking and how you can use it to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems.***TOPICS:Patagonia (1:56)Founded in 1965 originally as Chouinard Equipment, the company was an early pioneer...
2022-11-2315 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoThe Pros and Cons of Bootstrapping vs. FundraisingE5: When does it make sense for you to bootstrap your business? And when should you raise funding? We're talking about the classic question of bootstrapping vs. fundraising. After making this important decision myself, these are the main considerations that you need to know and they may not be what you think. ***TOPICS:Stakeholders Deciding Your Company's Future (1:22)Who are the decision-makers in your business? If you want full control over the future direction of your company, bootstrapping is the way to go. Ty Haney & Outdoor Voices (2:46)...
2022-11-1611 min
The Hunter Williams PodcastEpisode 214 - The Entrepreneur That Left Crypto And Built An 8 Figure Ecom Business | Yong-Soo ChungEpisode 214 - Yong-Soo ChungStrap in everyone, today we go deep into the trenches of what it looks like to bootstrap an ecommerce company with Yong-Soo Chung. Yong-Soo is the founder of Urban EDC, a premium everyday carry online retailer. He also started Growthjet.com, which is a climate neutral 3PL (third party logistics) company. Today he breaks down the method he used to scale up to 8 figures and how you can get started on a shoestring budget. Check out Yong-Soo's links below:Podcast: https://www.firstclassfounders.com/IG: https://www.i...
2022-11-1546 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoYour Secret Creative Weapon — ConstraintsE4: Constraints vs. Bottlenecks - what's the difference? Knowing the differences between these two and understanding how each of them can impact your business both positively or negatively depending on how you look at it.***TOPICS:Bottlenecks vs. Constraints Overview (0:53)Constraints allow you to create boundaries and rules in which you can unleash your creativity. Bottlenecks are found within the boundaries through constraints and they slow down your business.What is a Bottleneck? (1:48)Bottlenecks can be anything that slows down the flow of your business from input...
2022-11-0912 min
First Class Founders: Creators | Solopreneurs | Personal HoldCoSecrets of Compounding: How to Leverage Time to Grow Your BusinessE3: Time can either be your friend or an enemy depending on how you utilize it. So how can you tell if time is working for you or against you?Let's discuss the power of compounding and how important it is to have time on your side.***TOPICS:Four Types of Leverage (2:21)Labor, Capital, Code, Media. Labor and Capital requires permission. Code and Media are permission less.Time as Amplifier of Leverage (3:33)Time is the amplifier of the leverage you are currently deploying.
2022-11-0410 min