"The goal of this podcast is to help business builders learn some best practices when they go looking for their first 10, to expose the things worth doing and the things that might be dead ends and ultimately cost time and money. We should all be recycling these days, and when it comes to understanding your customers and how you talk to them, there's a ton of value that my guests have shared that is worth repeating." – Conor McCarthy.Welcome to the final episode of season 4 of The First 10 Podcast, and what a season it has been! This season, we have heard from an array of inspirational serial entrepreneurs who have created multiple businesses who kindly took the time to openly and honestly share their biggest learnings, challenges and wins with us. Helping business builders is at the heart of this podcast, and valuable golden nuggets of advice come with each new episode. So, to close off this season, we will be doing a re-cap with each of our guests to learn their top tips for someone just starting out and hoping to obtain their first ten customers. So, grab a pen and paper and let this refresher masterclass begin with our entrepreneurial experts Andy Mackin, Jakob Greenfeld, Shane Melaugh, Daniel Vassallo, Rob Walling, Dave Parker, Brian Casel, Brennan Dunn and Corey Haines.Connect with the First 10 season 4 guests: Andy Mackin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackinconsultancy Jakob Greenfeld: https://jakobgreenfeld.com/ Shane Melaugh: https://ikario.com/about/ Daniel Vassallo: https://dvassallo.com/ Rob Walling: https://robwalling.com/ Dave Parker: https://www.dkparker.com/  Brian Casel: https://briancasel.com/  Brennan Dunn: https://rightmessage.com/  Corey Haines: https://www.swipefiles.com/ Nick Loper: https://SideHustleNation.comConnect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://www.conormccarthy.me/work-with-me https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/Check out my podcast partners!Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931Otter: https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16Calendly: https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1eThis podcast was produced in partnership with podlad.com

‘’In a start-up, you can’t move slowly because your competition is not moving slowly.’’ – Rob Walling. On this bonus episode of the First 10 Podcast, I have something a little different for you. I asked Rob Walling, serial entrepreneur, investor, author, and host of the popular podcast ‘Startups for the Rest of Us’ , if I could reshare the audio from a Youtube video he posted entitled "Top 10 Avoidable Mistakes SaaS Startups Make". When I saw this video, I knew I had to share it. Its short, and stuffed with classic (and not so classic) pitfalls to avoid when building your SaaS.  Rob truly is a wealth of knowledge in building great businesses. Through his widespread books, recordings, articles, and discussions – Rob has guided thousands of start-up founders and continues to do just that through vlogs on his MicroConf  YouTube channel. I'm grateful to Rob for letting me share this content, and of course, subscribe to his YouTube channel (link below!)Grab a pen and the nearest notebook as Rob shares his no-nonsense, fluff-free guide on successfully building your start-up, revealing the top 10 avoidable mistakes SaaS start-ups make. Resources: My original episode with Rob: https://www.conormccarthy.me/podcast-episodes/finding-people-who-care-with-rob-walling The original YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jjb7fPV6PQConnect with Rob Walling:https://robwalling.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/MicroConf https://twitter.com/robwalling https://www.linkedin.com/in/robwalling/ https://microconf.com Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Check out my podcast partners!Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931Otter: https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16Calendly: https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1eProduced in partnership with podlad.com

Welcome back to the final episode of season four, and what a season it has been – but it’s not over just yet! Joining me to wrap up this serial-entrepreneur season is founder and chief side hustler of Side Hustle Nation, Nick Loper. Have you ever had the itch to get a side hustle going!? If so, you will love this episode! If you have ever researched how to start your own side business, chances are high that you’ve come across Nick’s go-to website, www.sidehustlenation.com. Through his website and books, Nick guides start-up and seasoned entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe to make extra money, amplify their power and security, and create a business they love. In this episode, Nick talks us through his impactful career throughout his college days, how he pivoted through business ventures and what it means to be expert enough when launching a business. Nick also shares his wine-ing road into the virtual assistance world, reveals his take on filtering through business ideas, and discusses whether social media is necessary when kickstarting your entrepreneurial journey. Key points throughout this episode include:An introduction to Nick Loper.Early pitching days and mastering door-to-door sales.Entering the world of internet marketing. Finding inspiration from failures and pivoting into a new career.  Standing out in a crowded space. The beginning of Side Hustle Nation. The ups and downs of an entrepreneurial journey.How curiosity is key in business and the importance of gathering feedback.Why entrepreneurs should focus on niching down.Introducing sales and marketing to first-time entrepreneurs. Do you know where your customers hang out?Overcoming imposter syndrome sirens and embracing social media.Nick’s business book recommendations.Nick’s advice for finding your first ten customers.Connect with Nick Loper:https://www.sidehustlenation.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickloper/ https://twitter.com/nloper Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:Nick Loper Books: https://www.amazon.com/Nick-Loper/e/B009N31662 The Go Giver by Bob Berg.https://thegogiver.com/ The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco. https://www.themillionairefastlane.com/Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. https://www.oliverburkeman.com/books  Check out my podcast partners!Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931Otter: https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16Calendly: https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1eProduced in partnership with podlad.com

"When people are actively looking for a product like yours, and you're not marketing it, you are actually doing an act of disservice. You are starving them of something that they need, that they could use. By not marketing, you're putting a ceiling on your potential." – Corey Haines. Are you currently creating or marketing a product in the SaaS space? If so, you will love and learn so much from this week's episode with SaaS marketing expert Corey Haines. Corey is a marketer, entrepreneur, podcaster, investor, and soon to be an author who is on a mission to help people and their products, services, and content get the recognition that they truly deserve. Corey is the mastermind and creator behind the popular Swipe Files and has consulted with numerous start-ups on growth and marketing, including SavvyCal, Evercast and Holloway, to name but a few. Throughout this episode, Corey shares his go-to research methods, the importance of live customer experience feedback, marketing cheat codes, and reveals his three tried and true methods guaranteed to bring your first customers through the door. Key points throughout include:  An introduction to Corey Haines. Obtaining Swipe Well's first customers and the creation of Swipe Files. Communicating with potential buyers on social media platforms.Dripping marketing: striking the right amount of marketing ahead of product launching. The key to mapping out appropriate marketing methods.Overcoming the fear of marketing. How avoiding marketing is an act of disservice. Methods for understanding your customer's needs. The power of asking why and the benefit of running polls.Navigating through career challenges and failures. Advertising conversion: does it really work?Corey's business book recommendations.Lessons to be learned from activating a landing page. Corey's advice on obtaining your first ten customers."You do need marketing. You have to treat it as an investment, something that's going to pay dividends later." - Corey Haines. COMING SOON! Join the waitlist to get your hands on Corey's forthcoming marketing handbook Founding Marketing  HERE. We do not doubt that this book will feature on many guests’ recommended lists in future First 10 podcast episodes. "Without promotion, something terrible happens. Nothing! – PT Barnum. Connect with Corey Haines:https://www.coreyhaines.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-haines/ https://twitter.com/coreyhainesco https://www.swipefiles.com/ https://www.defaultalive.fm/ https://www.swipefiles.com/foundingmarketing Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick

Wondering how best to grow your audience or perhaps, how to fund your next trip to Ireland? If so, this week's podcast is a must-listen for you! This week, joining Conor on the show is special guest and serial entrepreneur Brennan Dunn. Brennan is the co-founder of RightMessage, a platform for online businesses to enhance their automated segmentation and website personalisation. In this episode, Brennan walks us through his fascinating leap from consulting into SaaS, launching and selling his project management tool Planscope and the accidental beginning of his thriving community, Double Your Freelancing, where he advises 50K + freelancers and agencies across the globe.Conor and Brennan unpack so much, including the secret to building with your audience, effective communication and truly understanding your customer's needs. Brennan also reveals what worked well when starting a new business from scratch. Main points throughout the discussion include: An introduction to Brennan Dunn.  The rise of an accidental business. Being personable and building connections with your customers.The practice of creating evergreen content.The art of conversational copywriting: write as you speak!Utilising the voice of customer data.Re-evaluating a career and starting a new venture from scratch.What worked well: Brennan's proven business stepping-stone.Why you should borrow an audience. The key to real-time product positioning.Communicating directly and effectively with customers.How to elevate your customer testimonials to new heights. Brennan's advice for obtaining your first ten customers. Connect Brennan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennandunn/   https://doubleyourfreelancing.com/ https://twitter.com/brennandunn https://rightmessage.com/ https://createandsell.co/ Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:https://copyhackers.com/ Book: The Brain Audit by Sean D'Souzahttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Audit-Customers-They-Dont/dp/0473175045 https://www.robfitz.com/home Check out my podcast partners!Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931Otter: https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16Calendly: https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1eProduced in partnership with podlad.com

This week, joining the podcast is special guest, serial entrepreneur, and the king of shiny objects, Brian Casel. Brian is the founder of Zip Message, a popular video messaging tool for async conversations, which launched at the beginning of 2021. Brian recently sold and exited some of his earlier businesses, including Audience Ops and ProcessKit. Brian firmly believes that with each business opportunity came great learnings and experiences, which he has carried forward to get him to where he is today. Get ready to dive into an episode filled with fascinating insights and advice as Brian brings us on his journey from freelancing to fearlessly launching and running multiple businesses. In this episode, Brian offers brilliant advice for business start-ups as he openly shares how to talk to your customers, tactics on building an audience, how to master sales calls and how to approach the awkward conversation of pricing. Key points throughout the discussion include: The leap from freelancing to building businesses.The joy of obtaining your first customer. Building an audience through networking. Mastering sales: how to get the most out of sales calls.Customer observation: learning from customer pain points. Curiosity is key: questions to ask your customers. Attracting your ideal customer base. Increasing brand awareness and speaking directly with potential customers. The benefits of asynchronous communication. How to discuss pricing with potential clients. Assessing and filtering through business ideas. Book recommendations for business builders. Brian’s advice for obtaining your first 10 customers.  ‘’I went through this long list of businesses. I would never have landed on Zip Message if I didn't learn things from Process Kit. I never would have landed on Process Kit if I didn't learn a ton from Audience Ops and Audience Ops came from what I learned from Restaurant Engine. I wouldn't have landed on those ideas unless I had gone through that experience.’’ – Brian Casel. Connect with Brian Casel:https://briancasel.com/ https://briancasel.com/podcasts https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancasel/ https://twitter.com/CasJam https://zipmessage.com/   Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:Book: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick.  http://momtestbook.com/  Book: The Cold Start Problem by Andrew Chen.https://www.coldstart.com/ Podcast partnersBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931Otter: https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16Calendly: https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1eProduced in partnership with podlad.com

’If I don’t understand the cost of selling the product, how to price and how to monetize it, I’m kind of screwed. Right? And that’s why 70 to 90% of startups fail, they start with that first bucket, and they don’t look at the second bucket.’’ – Dave Parker.Each week on the podcast, we are joined by inspiring business builders who openly discuss their entrepreneurial journey with us, sharing how they obtained their first customers and revealing what worked and what didn’t throughout the growing process. This week, listeners are in for a double treat as joining Conor on the show is tech guru and five-time founder, investor, coach, and author Dave Parker. Dave was formerly the VP of Programs at UP Global (Startup Weekend & Startup America) which Techstars purchased. So much ground gets covered in this episode. We learn how to think about value, the importance of understanding your revenue model, and how to perfect your pricing. Dave has helped numerous founders across the globe achieve startup success and is a library of knowledge when it comes to launching a viable business. Not only does Dave offer golden advice for startups, but Dave also gives us the inside scoop of what it is like to reach the finishing line of exiting and selling a company. Key points throughout the discussion include:  An introduction to Dave Parker.  The first-time founder experience. Leveraging salesforce to grow your business. The reality of striking viral co-efficient. Finding the lifetime value of a product. What is a business model?The role of maths in business.Understanding revenue models and the importance of keeping your eyes on the numbers.Scaling for exit: an insight to selling a business and why you should always seek help when selling.The advantages of knowing your market and creating competition. Establishing product market-fit and traction.Dave’s advice for obtaining your first 10 customers.Resources:https://www.fearless.fund/ Book: Trajectory: Startup – Ideation to Product/Market Fit by Dave Parker.  https://www.dkparker.com/books/ Book: Mergers & Acquisitions – From A to Z by Andrew J. Sherman  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mergers-Acquisitions-Andrew-J-Sherman/dp/0814413838 Connect with Dave Parker:https://www.dkparker.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveparker/ https://twitter.com/daveparkersea https://www.facebook.com/DKParkerLLC/  Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/Check out my podcast partners!Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931Otter: https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16Calendly: https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1eProduced in partnership with p

‘’The biggest risk is not can you build this? The biggest risk is that no one cares. So how do you validate that someone will care? And how do you validate that someone will be willing to pay for what you are selling?’’ – Rob Walling. Calling all bootstrap founders! Joining us on today’s masterclass on launching and growing a business is special guest Rob Walling. Rob is an admired serial entrepreneur, investor, author, and host of the popular podcast ‘Startups for the Rest of Us’. Since 2005, Rob has guided thousands of startup founders through his widespread books, recordings, articles, and MicroConf discussions. In this episode, Rob kindly lends us his time to openly share his experience of finding people who care when starting and growing a business. Rob also reveals how to communicate with your customers and unpacks the magic within collecting customer feedback. This episode may seem short and sweet but trust us when we say it is stuffed with brilliant insights and actionable nuggets of advice for you to take away straight from the master of startups. Key points throughout the discussion include:  An introduction to Rob Walling.  When is the right time for building an audience? The art of selling: warm VS cold leads. Business development and the magic of customer feedback.  The early day selection process: unlocking product-market fit.Smashing sales as an introvert. The key to capturing clients and communicating effectively. Sustainable marketing in a tech-savvy world. How to avoid an unprofitable business. Book recommendations for business builders. Rob’s top two sales techniques for obtaining your first 10 customers. Why a landing page is a must!The rhythm of business growth from beginning to take-off.Connect with Rob Walling:https://robwalling.com/ https://twitter.com/robwalling https://www.linkedin.com/in/robwalling/ https://microconf.com https://www.startupsfortherestofus.com/about https://tinyseed.com/  Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:Book: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick.  http://momtestbook.com/  Book: Traction by Gabriel Weinberg. https://www.amazon.com/gp/Traction Book: How the World Sees You by Sally Hogshead. https://www.harpercollins.com/products/how-the-world-sees-youBook: Fascinate by Sally Hogshead. https://www.howtofascinate.com/store/books  Check out my podcast partners!Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931Otter:

Have you ever heard that to grow your business, you must think big? Well, what if we were to tell you that's not always the case. Joining Conor on today's episode is special guest Daniel Vassallo. Daniel is a master of taking small bets and has a fascinating story to share. Daniel's professional career was a roaring success as he worked for the globe's largest e-commerce retailer, Amazon. However, despite the promotions, benefits, and attractive six-figure salary, Daniel decided to take the bold plunge from his desirable full-time role into the unknown realm of self-employment on a mission to strike a more sustainable work-life balance. In this episode, Daniel reveals his small bets portfolio strategy, openly shares his learnings from failure, and explores the benefits of aiming for low-hanging fruit. Daniel also unpacks the randomness and unpredictability of business and reminds us how success is never a guarantee. Key points throughout the episode include: An introduction to Daniel Vassallo. Developing muscle for uncertainty.The journey of self-employment and exploring future opportunities. Daniel's inspiration generator for choosing suitable projects. The key of knowing what to pursue and what to avoid. The importance of making small bets and not over-investing. Finding work-life compatibility.Validating ideas and growing through failures. The role of randomness and chance in business. Finding inspiration amongst the wins. Converting a hobby into a stream of income.  How small wins can make a massive difference. Why analysing your customers buying patterns is vital.The steppingstones to success: why visibility and credibility are essential.  Daniel's advice on obtaining your first 10 customers.Connect with Daniel Vassallo:https://dvassallo.com/https://dvassallo.gumroad.com/https://twitter.com/dvassallo/https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielvassallo/Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:Book: Hollywood Economics by Arthur De Vany.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollywood-Economics Check out my podcast partners!Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931Otter: https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16Calendly: https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1eThis podcast was produced in partnership with podlad.com

Are you ready to ignite an idea, fire up your business and transform your life!? If so, you will love soaking up today's episode with entrepreneur expert Shane Melaugh. Shane Melaugh has founded multiple seven-figure companies, including Thrive Themes, and is currently building his cultivating personal development community, ikario.Shane's personal story is fascinating. His mission via ikario is to share his life experiences with as many people as possible to help them break free and transform their lives into beautiful success stories. In this episode, Shane openly shares how his life transitioned from constraints, struggles, and an overwhelming sense of failure to finding freedom, wonderful success, and ultimately, unlocking a better life. Throughout the discussion, Shane explores the importance of building on what already exists, reveals a brilliant tool for filtering through business ideas, and highlights why we shouldn't overlook self-care and personal development. Key points within this episode include:How to organically grow a loyal customer base.Understanding marketing techniques to reach new audiences.   The power of personal interaction when building a business. How to identify and meet your customers needs. Sell before you make it! The benefits of testing your existing audience. A brilliant tool for filtering new business ideas.Napkin Maths – how to determine the feasibility of a business plan.Becoming comfortable with saying no.The ikario story: unlocking potential through self-development. Why self-care should never be overlooked. A book recommendation for becoming a better entrepreneur. Shane's advice on obtaining your first 10 customers."Hustle and grind 24/7 till you make it is the worst way to try and make it. If you don't have rest in your life and you're not strategic about having high-intensity focus and then deep rest, you're just basically cutting yourself off at the knees because you're hampering your own ability to learn and make progress." – Shane Melaugh. Connect with Shane Melaugh:https://activegrowth.com/about/ https://activegrowth.com/podcast/https://ikario.com/about/  https://twitter.com/actigrow https://www.youtube.com/user/imimpact https://www.linkedin.com/shane-melaugh  Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:Book: So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport. https://www.calnewport.com/books/so-good/ Check out my podcast partners!Buzzsprout:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931Otter: https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16Calendly:  https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1eThis podcast was produced in partnership with podlad.com

Indie makers and marketplace shakers, this episode is a must-listen for you! Joining the podcast today is the prolific innovator and creator Jakob Greenfeld. Over the last two years, Jakob has successfully launched over fifteen software products and is the host of The Business Brainstorms podcast and creator of The Opportunities newsletter. In this episode, we learn about Jakob’s journey from becoming a physicist to testing out the road of entrepreneurship with his bootstrapped products. Jakob gives us great insight into the early days of his workings, framework, and product launching tactics. Jakob also shines a light on taking shots on goal, the importance of authenticity, sharing your origin story and how to increase your business visibility. Key points within this episode include: An introduction to Jakob Greenfeld. The importance of hooking customers with your origin story. Preparation and patience in business. Building an online audience. Market response and first product sales. The downfalls of a product launch.Why we should never underestimate newsletters.The benefits of growing a sustainable community. The power of authenticity and being personable. Increasing your online visibility.    Jakob’s advice on obtaining your first 10 customers.‘’In the long term, it all boils down to just putting your brain out there and hoping that like-minded people find you.’’ – Jakob Greenfeld. Connect with Jakob Greenfeld:https://jakobgreenfeld.com/https://twitter.com/jakobgreenfeldhttps://businessbrainstorms.com/https://indieopportunities.com/  Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.comhttps://twitter.com/TheFirst10Podhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:Book: How to be a capitalist without any capital by Nathan Latkahttps://book.nathanlatka.com/Book: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work by Michael E. Gerber  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Myth-Revisited-Small-BusinessesBook: Superfans by Pat Flynnhttps://patflynn.com/book/superfans/Trends.vc Newsletter https://trends.vc/Andrew Wilkinson – Co-founder of Tiny https://twitter.com/awilkinsonHarry Dry – The Kanye Story https://thekanyestory.com/Pieter Levels – 12 start ups in 12 months https://levels.io/12-startups-12-months/Produced in partnership with podlad.com==Check out my podcast partners!BuzzsproutOtter.aiCalendly

Welcome back to season four of The First 10 podcast. Kicking off this season’s debut episode is special guest Andy Mackin. Andy is the proud CEO of the Mackin group, based in Cork and operating globally. The Mackin group consists of two renowned companies Mackin EHS a health, safety, and environmental service provider, and Mackin Talent, a talent management solutions provider. Andy is a wealth of business knowledge and has so many fascinating stories to share, along with valuable advice and tips on succeeding in business. Andy openly shares insights from the beginning of his entrepreneurial voyage, explores the power of discipline and consistency, and reveals the importance of building and nurturing your network. Andy also breaks down the superpower that is relationships and why the value of Relationships Matters is at the core of everything his dynamic global company does. Key points within this episode include: An introduction to Andy Mackin. The voyage from the Irish Navy into entrepreneurship. Trusting business instincts and taking the leap. The key to building clientele. Becoming comfortable with business directing and networking. The vital skills of discipline and consistency in business. The importance of personal connections and business relationship management.  Expansion and growth in business. The Mackin Group company culture. The impact of gratitude and business reflection. Andy’s advice on obtaining your first 10 customers.‘’Time is a valuable commodity, but I don't think it can be shared more positively or impactfully than spending time with people.’’ – Andy Mackin.Connect with Andy Mackin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackinconsultancyhttps://twitter.com/andrewmackin   Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: https://www.first10podcast.com  https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/  Resources:Business Networking in Ireland https://bni.ie   Book recommendations:Atomic Habits by James Clear https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits Shoe Dog by Phil Knight https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shoe-Dog-Phil-KnightTwelve and a Half by Gary Vaynerchuk https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Half-  Produced in partnership with podlad.comCheck out my podcast partners!BuzzsproutOtter.aiCalendly

Season 4 of The First 10 Podcast will focus on serial entrepreneurs, and this episode is a short message about why. I want to shed a light on the people who have chosen the entrepreneurial path, again and again, to see what it was about them that enabled them to pivot their business, or drop a failing or undesirable business and pick up elsewhere, or spot new opportunities in a familiar space and launch products that found traction and fit a customer need. From the outside, the tenacity, drive, and imagination to start again can look like something reserved for the very few, and I hope that this season of the podcast will show you ways you can adopt a serial mindset.

A recap of some of the incredible wisdom shared by my array of guests this last season.Show NotesWork with me - https://www.conormccarthy.me/work-with-me Link for review on Apple PodcastsWebsite contact formLeave a rating for this podcast

The First 10 things I Wish I Knew are here.Like anyone who works for themselves, I have a litany of things I learned the hard way.All of them have taught me things that now are a part of my subconscious judgement when making decisions.They help me be less wrong in the future.In speaking with founders on The First 10 Podcast about how they found their first 10 customers, I have discovered that some of these mistakes and failures are universal.The only way to learn from your mistakes is to reflect on them and the only thing to do with your failures is to juice them for all they are worth.Don’t let them leave the building without picking their pockets.Here is a shortlist of 10 (more) things I’ve learned along the way that might help you improve your decision-making process and general judgment.

It’s easy to look back at our mistakes and wonder how things might have gone differently, if only. There is only so much value to be had in that mode of thinking. The moment has passed, the decisions were made and paths were taken.Here is a list of 10 things I’ve learned along the way that might help you improve your decision-making process.

Listeners are in for a treat with this final episode of the season featuring prolific freelancer Tom Hirst. Tom is a WordPress developer, business owner, author, creator, mentor, and Twitter guru. Tom has a passion for helping others get ahead by sharing his experience and learnings with people from all corners of the globe, guiding them to become better freelancers through his newsletter, courses, books, and mentorship programmes.In this jam-packed episode, Conor and Tom dive into the world of freelancing, discussing how to generate leads, pricing your work, and marketing yourself consistently. Main points covered throughout the episode include:Tom’s introduction to becoming a freelancer. Obtaining new clients through your network.How a personal website generated new leads. Discovering your unique selling point and standing out from the crowd.Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. Tapping into SEO and the importance of learning the basics. Identifying your ideal customers. Pricing your freelance services & pricing mistakes freelancers can make.How to market yourself consistently.Healthy competition – your competitor is not your enemy. Embracing social media and overcoming the fear of sharing in public.Advice on building your personal brand. Why authenticity matters.Tom’s tips for finding your first 10 customers. Connect with Tom Hirst:http://www.tomhirst.com/ http://www.tomhirst.com/products/10-steps-to-becoming-a-better-freelancer/http://www.tomhirst.com/mentorship/ http://twitter.com/tom_hirst  Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: http://www.first10podcast.com  http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:Book: Hourly Billing Is Nuts by Jonathan Starkhttps://jonathanstark.com/hbin Produced in partnership with podlad.com

If a life coach and a business strategist had a baby, you would get Darrah Brustein. Darrah is a four-time founder, author, connector, and coach at Mind Your Own Business, a community for service-based business owners focused on maximising their profit and impact.  In this episode, Darrah discusses her steered transition into coaching, how to go above and beyond for clients, and building a business that does not run you. Main points covered throughout the show include:An insight into Darrah's entrepreneurial journey. The importance of existing relationships when acquiring new clients. How to build authentic, meaningful, and long-lasting relationships. Nurturing trust with your clients and demonstrating you care.Providing value to your contacts. Delivering an outstanding service and fulfilling your client's needs. The power of networking - how to create broader connections through introductions.A valuable template for winning e-mail introductions.Darrah's transition into coaching and staying true to intent. Identifying work alignment & success.Learning to trust your gut intuition. Advice for finding your first ten customers. Darrah is a prolific author and Forbes contributor and has interviewed many renowned experts, including Daniel Pink, Shaquille O'Neal, Kat Cole, Bobbi Brown, and Seth Godin, to name but a few. Connect with Darrah Brustein:http://darrah.co/http://www.linkedin.com/in/darrahbrustein/  http://www.instagram.com/darrahb/  Mind Your Business Community - https://darrah.co/myb Diving Deep with Deepak & Darrah - http://darrah.co/divingdeep  Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: http://www.first10podcast.com  http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/  Resources:Article – How to make e-mail introductions where everyone wins http://darrah.co/blog/email-intros?rq=email  Book – Super Connector by Ryan Paugh and Scott Gerber. http://www.amazon.com/Superconnector-Networking-Building-Business-Relationships-ebook/dp/B071WJVN62  Book – Give and Take by Adam Granthttp://www.adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/ Produced in partnership with podlad.com

Matt Olpinski is a successful UI + UX designer and developer who teaches thousands of freelancers how to get more clients, raise their rates, and create a better life for themselves. In this episode, Matt discusses in depth how to operate as a freelancer. Matt shares how he accidentally fell into the world of freelancing and how you can find clients through your personal network by letting people know what it is that you do. Matt also reveals how he transitioned from being a full-time freelancer to running his agency and how he built his own lively community – The Freelance Institute. Key points covered throughout the episode include:Matt’s leap into full-time freelancing.Communicating with clients and delivering value. Learning from conversations and evolving through feedback.Useful resources for operating your business. Freelance transformation - the shift from freelancing to running an agency. How to position yourself and scale your business. Finding the right people to work alongside.  How to develop and grow a thriving community.Advice on finding your first 10 customers.Unlocking the power within your personal network.Matt holds over ten years of industry experience and has worked with renowned world-class brands such as Facebook, Coca-Cola, PayPal, Porsche, and Google, to name but a few. Matt’s Freelance Institute is a community for freelancers and remote workers, where you can receive the best freelancing advice by talking directly to experienced freelancers, including Matt in a private community focused on helping you learn the business of freelancing. Connect with Matt Olpinski:http://mattolpinski.com/ http://madebymatthews.com/ http://www.linkedin.com/in/mattolpinski/ The Freelance Institute – A community for freelancers and remote workers. http://mattolpinski.com/community/  Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: http://www.first10podcast.com  http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:The Blueprint by Brendan Dunn http://brennandunn.com/http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17607204-the-blueprint  Useful business tools: A proprietary business communication platform: http://slack.com/ A visual collaboration tool:http://trello.com/ A community platform for creators:http://circle.so/ Produced in partnership with podlad.com

Robbie Swale is a leadership coach who has built a successful practice of empowering clients to unlock their potential to thrive in their career, work, and life paths. Robbie’s clients include entrepreneurs, investors, theatre directors, and even other coaches.In this episode, Robbie shares his coaching journey, discusses getting comfortable with talking about money, the importance of honesty, and how we can improve our practices from learning through conversations with others. Key points throughout the episode include:Being authentic and not compromising values. Obtaining the first 10 customers.Robbie’s professional false starts and his coaching pathway. Learning and experiencing by doing. The benefits of feeling and embracing resistance. An insight into Robbie’s enrolment process. Getting comfortable with money and learning to sell your services from the get-go.The practice of looking at the bigger picture and end goal.The key approach of honesty and simplicity.The value of referrals, the gift of a session, and planting seeds. Tips on how to develop your coaching skills. The Coach’s Journey and creating for your community. Advice for finding your first 10 coaching customers. Robbie also hosts The Coach's Journey program and podcast which is dedicated to supporting coaches to take their business to a new level, creating work that supports them to live an extraordinary life, whatever that means for them. Connect with Robbie Swale:http://www.robbieswalecoaching.com/ http://www.thecoachsjourney.com/http://www.linkedin.com/in/robbieswale http://twitter.com/RobbieSwale  Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy: http://www.first10podcast.com  http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/ Resources:War of Art by Steven Pressfieldhttp://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Winning-Creative-Battle-audio-cd/dp/1501260626 Coach Training Organisation recommended by Robbie http://www.coachesrising.com/ The First 10 Podcast is produced in partnership with podlad.com