The Tropical MBA Podcast - Entrepreneurship, Travel, and Lifestyle

Join Dan for a wide-ranging conversation with Brian, the Founder and CEO of Reforge, as they dive into critical points in his remarkable journey and gained insights from his experience as the former VP of Growth at Hubspot. Brian has started multiple VC-backed companies and shares his wisdom through detailed essays on growth and user acquisition and in a new podcast, Unsolicited Feedback.
In this episode, they discuss the factors contributing to growth, what it feels like to have product-market fit, and the keys to building a durable business. They also address the unique challenges bootstrapers face when scaling their revenue to the next phase. Brian's valuable insights are essential for any business founder seeking business growth.
Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
The Newsletter (https://tropicalmba.com/subscribe)
“The DC” (https://dynamitecircle.com/join-dc/)
DC Black (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Global events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
Hire remote talent (https://remotefirstrecruiting.com/)
Find a remote job (https://dynamitejobs.com/)
Listen on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialTropicalMBA)
Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tropicalmba/)
@TropicalMBA (https://twitter.com/TropicalMBA)
@AnythingIan (https://twitter.com/AnythingIan)
Show Notes:
0:04:38 Do podcast appearances drive business value?
0:07:38 People follow people, not companies.
0:09:39 What is distribution, and why is it important?
0:10:15 The new distribution playbook
0:17:46 Explaining how the loop concept leads to compounding growth
0:19:36 Know when the buying moments happen and ensure you’re engaging until they do.
0:23:13 How important is founder talent in terms of business success?
0:24:31 Founders need to focus on the 0-1 phase.
0:27:23 “Data can mislead you from customer energy”
0:28:34 Mistakes when trying to unlock the next level of growth0:26:25 Critical customer feedback vs. nice-to-have ideas
0:30:25 That feeling when you find product-market fit
0:38:47 Do you stay or do you grow?
0:39:11 How to build a durable business
0:41:05 Retooling after raising capital
0:42:48 Taking calculated bets on the quest for growth
0:49:46 How to get the most out of on-the-job experience
0:51:28 The best content Brian’s consumed lately
Links:
Reforge (https://www.reforge.com/)
Unsolicited Feedback (https://open.spotify.com/show/7FzVEIBamWnExyJpJ2LCwF?si=f8271632cc704802)
Business Hypothesis Canvas (https://brianbalfour.com/essays/business-hypothesis-canvas-reforge)
Brian’s essays (https://brianbalfour.com/)
Brian on 20Growth (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Dh7hMhrCQhgXQd5X7d16y?si=F4izBr76RrCjxgwH8Q4znQ)
Brian on Noah Kagan Presents (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5PQZhItT41J5BR9Cqw5cTk?si=f_qU2lRPQUujmZlFZuY-DA)
Brian on Scale or Die (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Y1ks7h1hgtmE8yVAnqGQY?si=ZamZlnUFQzO947wuBdCI_w)
The Changing World Order by Ray Dalio (https://www.amazon.com/Changing-World-Order-Nations-Succeed/dp/1982160276)
Parker Conrad’s Theory of the Compound Startup (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ3DT_7jzds)
Acquired Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fj0XEuUQLUqoMZQdsLXqp?si=ef1069d9d1e04d6d)
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins, Brian Balfour
Additional episodes you might enjoy:
What Got You Here Won't Get You There (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/what-got-you-here)
Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/jay-clouse-on-memberships)
3 Simple Ways to Improve Your Business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/3-ways-improve-business)

Dan and Ian host a dynamic summer roundup episode, sharing business highlights, dissecting the "nomad's dilemma," and offering their top picks for books and podcasts of the season. Stick around for the latest community news.
Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
The Newsletter (https://tropicalmba.com/subscribe)
“The DC” (https://dynamitecircle.com/join-dc/)
DC Black (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Global events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
Hire remote talent (https://remotefirstrecruiting.com/)
Find a remote job (https://dynamitejobs.com/)
Listen on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialTropicalMBA)
Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tropicalmba/)
@TropicalMBA (https://twitter.com/TropicalMBA)
@AnythingIan (https://twitter.com/AnythingIan)
Show Notes:
0:01:54 How to have relationships back home and abroad
0:03:56 Co-locating makes everything better
0:09:51 The anti-Traction manifesto
0:12:12 How to work ON not IN your business
0:16:57 Having goals is crucial at any size
0:23:24 Why you should get serious about meetings
0:30:51 Having an audience is underpriced
0:34:12 Serendipity is underrated
0:35:21 Creating value for your customers in the long term
0:41:03 A true story about entrepreneurship
0:44:59 Our first DC Black exclusive event has launched
0:45:32 Other Community News
Links:
DC Events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
DC Black (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
The Costco episode (https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/costco)
Jeremy Giffon episode (https://www.joincolossus.com/episodes/79714195/giffon-special-situations-in-private-markets?tab=transcript)
Mutiny on the Bounty (https://www.amazon.com/Mutiny-Bounty-Novel-Charles-Nordhoff/dp/0316611689/ref=asc_df_0316611689/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312151238048&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11889139160277637423&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028287&hvtargid=pla-466732863543&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61316181079&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312151238048&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11889139160277637423&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028287&hvtargid=pla-466732863543)
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan
Additional episodes you might enjoy:
Moving Back to America... Was it Worth It? (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/personality-disorders-and-making-money-krd4l)
Mailbag: What Can Scorecards Do For You? Equity Split Dilemmas (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/how-to-create-employee-scorecards)
The Money Theory of Location And Why Employee Scorecards Are So Helpful (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/money-theory-location-employee-scorecards)
Deceptively simple ways to have a better business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/simple-ways-to-actually-improve-your-business)

YouTube creator, English teacher, and CEO Lucy Bella Simkins joins Dan on the pod to share some of the behind-the-scenes challenges, strategies, and reflections on turning a passion project into one of the world’s largest language learning YouTube channels and a thriving 7-figure+ business. She also shares the challenges and pitfalls of building an operation of 15 team members capable of turning viewers into customers.
Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
The Newsletter (https://tropicalmba.com/subscribe)
“The DC” (https://dynamitecircle.com/join-dc/)
DC Black (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Global events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
Hire remote talent (https://remotefirstrecruiting.com/)
Find a remote job (https://dynamitejobs.com/)
Listen on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialTropicalMBA)
Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tropicalmba/)
@TropicalMBA (https://twitter.com/TropicalMBA)
@AnythingIan (https://twitter.com/AnythingIan)
Show Notes:
0:00:00 Intro
0:06:32 Nurturing your audience
0:08:02 Growing a course business
0:16:06 The turning point
0:22:44 Maker vs manager
0:43:07 The spreadsheet experiment
Links:
DC Events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
English with Lucy (https://www.youtube.com/@EnglishwithLucy)
Data Driven Marketing (https://datadrivenmarketing.co/blog/how-to-increase-your-revenue-by-being-data-driven/)
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan, Lucy Bella Simkins
Additional episodes you might enjoy:
What Got You Here Won't Get You There (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/what-got-you-here)
Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/jay-clouse-on-memberships)
3 Simple Ways to Improve Your Business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/3-ways-improve-business)

Summer in Barcelona comes to a close with a game of Would You Rather featuring the CEO of AppSumo, Noah Kagan. Dan challenges him to choose between distributing equity to employees or advisors, investing in “boring” businesses or tech, owning or renting a primary residence, and more.
Dan also poses a question to listeners that’s been on his mind: how long should summer vacations be?
Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
The Newsletter (https://tropicalmba.com/subscribe)
“The DC” (https://dynamitecircle.com/join-dc/)
DC Black (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Global events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
Hire remote talent (https://remotefirstrecruiting.com/)
Find a remote job (https://dynamitejobs.com/)
Listen on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialTropicalMBA)
Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tropicalmba/)
@TropicalMBA (https://twitter.com/TropicalMBA)
@AnythingIan (https://twitter.com/AnythingIan)
Show Notes:
0:00:00 Intro
0:02:23 Sports over 40
0:03:59 Vacation poll
0:08:26 Would You Rather
0:32:37 Community news
Links:
DC Events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
DC Black (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Darren’s essay (https://upstartist.tv/diaries/in-between/)
AppSumo (https://appsumo.com/)
37 Signals profit share (https://37signals.com/why-we-choose-profit/)
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan
Additional episodes you might enjoy:
What Got You Here Won't Get You There (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/what-got-you-here)
Overrated and Underrated Business Concepts with Noah Kagan (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/business-concepts-noah-kagan)
Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/jay-clouse-on-memberships)
The Europe Question (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/europe-question)

Dan flies solo this week in a 3-part episode where he circles back to a few hot topics that caught some listener’s attention over the last few months.
Back in May, Dan shared insights from a book he read called the 5 Types of People Who Will Ruin Your Life. Today he’s sharing a recent story where this came into play.
He also shares lessons from the best business book he’s read in the past 6 months (of which he reads about 3 each week). And last but not least, he reaches into the mailbag to share a story from a listener about their Mexican Fisherman Moment.
Dan & Ian’s Stuff:
The Newsletter (https://tropicalmba.com/subscribe)
“The DC” (https://dynamitecircle.com/join-dc/)
DC Black (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Global events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
Hire remote talent (https://remotefirstrecruiting.com/)
Find a remote job (https://dynamitejobs.com/)
Listen on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialTropicalMBA)
Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tropicalmba/)
@TropicalMBA (https://twitter.com/TropicalMBA)
@AnythingIan (https://twitter.com/AnythingIan)
Show Notes:
0:00:00 Intro
0:01:44 Too old for basketball
0:04:33 Personality disorders
0:11:07 Leadership
0:24:30 Mexican Fisherman
Links:
DC Events (https://dynamitecircle.com/events)
DC Black (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Language Mentoring (https://www.languagementoring.com/)
Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz (https://www.amazon.com/Clockwork-Design-Your-Business-Itself/dp/0525534016)
The Checklist Manifesto (https://www.amazon.com/The-Checklist-Manifesto-audiobook/dp/B0031Q9ZWY/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=241601530794&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003540&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9562829446745895865&hvtargid=kwd-14787969625&hydadcr=9803_10377300&keywords=the+checklist+manifesto&qid=1692177815&sr=8-1)
Scorecards (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/how-to-create-employee-scorecards)
Traction (https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Gino-Wickman-audiobook/dp/B00A9Z973M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19A7QTUHDLFXW&keywords=traction&qid=1692178108&s=audible&sprefix=tractio%2Caudible%2C231&sr=1-1)
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Tommy Griffith, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Travis Jamison, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Tynan
Additional episodes you might enjoy:
TMBA 688: Mailbag: What Can Scorecards Do For You? And Equity Split Dilemmas (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/how-to-create-employee-scorecards)
TMBA 695: The Money Theory of Location And Why Employee Scorecards Are So Helpful (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/money-theory-location-employee-scorecards)
TMBA 707: Deceptively simple ways to have a better business (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/simple-ways-to-actually-improve-your-business)
TMBA 702: Millions for Podcasts and Jay Clouse on Memberships (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/jay-clouse-on-memberships)
TMBA 689: Re-visiting Our Conversation with Seth Godin (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/seth-godin-akimbo)