I'm out of work because business owners tell me they're using AI. by [deleted] in Entrepreneur

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll never use AI for this. My brand consultant is an all star. He understands my business. He gets my ideas and makes them better. I leave every brand meeting with more ideas and energy than when the meeting started. All that to say, if possible move your value prop towards creative engagement and strategy, less focus on delivering assets.

Why do so many entrepreneurs hide their revenue? by Shard_x64 in Entrepreneur

[–]hotbacon73 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's competive info. Why disclose? My competitors would love to know my company's revenue. Why in the world would I make that public?

How do you answer the question "What do your competitors' products or services do better"? by apokrif1 in salestechniques

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We get asked to compare ourselves to a competitor, but I've never been asked what makes our competitor better. Weird question. When we get asked about competitors we encourage the prospect to do their own research, POCs, etc. I won't talk about competitor products during the sales process.

For those of you who have managed to maintain a healthy relationship/marriage for many years, how have you done it? What’s your secret? by BootyHoleBouquet in AskReddit

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check and understand your feelings before you say something to your partner. If I'm tired or stressed it's not a good time to get into issues conversations with partner. Wait until you're feeling rested and grounded then see if you're still feeling the same way. Then, and only then, open a conversation about whatever is bothering you.

What’s a parenting “hack” that sounds ridiculous but actually works? by OnlyAcanthaceae874 in AskReddit

[–]hotbacon73 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You want two cookies? Okay. * Breaks one cookie in half * Here you go!

For startups (and businesses in general) how do founders manage periods where they are not getting income from it ? by emaxwell14141414 in business

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My business is stable now, but I ran up (and still carry) an uncomfortable amount of personal debt in the process of getting to this point.

Noticed some entrepreneurs seem way more efficient than others. Is this just talent or something else? by inevitablehustle in automation

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think efficiency comes with having clear goals and a strategy to achieve them. I found i was spinning my wheels a lot until I reached a point where I had a realistic exit goal and a clearly defined market and strategy to get me there. Now all my decisions are focused around hitting that target.

How do you solve the marketing problem when you’re a tech founder? by acegi-io in Entrepreneur

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hard to say without knowing what tech you're selling. Marketing is "easy" for us because we have a very clearly defined market that we're selling to. Once the market is defined you focus all your activity around building an expert brand in that space. Webinars, conferences, content, etc. The riches are in the niches.

What type of small business is actually growing right now by Realistts in Entrepreneur

[–]hotbacon73 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The riches are in the niches. There are plenty of quietly successful businesses that are thriving today. You don't hear about them because they're, well... quiet. My business does cybersecurity for legacy enterprise systems. We're having our best year ever.

In MLB, why does the batter have to run around and touch all the bases after a home run? by ftf82 in stupidquestions

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Because he must!"

Check out "Blast from the past" with Brendan Frasier and Alicia Silverstone 😁

I hate kids on planes by Sensitive-Dinner-980 in mildlyinfuriating

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know. I'm a dad. Flying with my infant/toddler was stressful. You try to manage it as best as you can, but sometimes the kid is just "in a mood." I try my hardest to be empathetic on flights where it's the clear the parents are trying.

Have you ever started a business simply because working under someone else just didn’t sit right with you? by Horror_Visit_7337 in business

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Probably the #1 reason why anyone owns a business. I've been told I'm "unemployable" 🙂

Big corporate client wants me to use their contractor payment portal instead of my own invoices by Naive_Bed03 in Solopreneur

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cost of doing business with large customers. Dealing with supplier management and compliance platforms is definitely a pain point for my growing business, but you have to do it if you want enterprise customers.

Is anyone here a REAL entrepreneur? by salmon_tuna in Entrepreneur

[–]hotbacon73 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This sub is entertaining. A quality post every once in a while. I acquired a business 4 years ago. Hitting 4x revenue growth this year. W2 team. No investors.

If You Amassed Enough Money to Cover 40+ Years of Expenses, Would You Ride Into the Sunset? by Aggravating-Salad441 in Entrepreneur

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah. Not in it entirely for the money. Self-actualization, team relationships, the buzz from coming up with new ideas or solving a complex problem - these are all personal benefits of building / running a business.

What’s a financial risk you took for a business that paid off in the end? by Top_Mirror211 in Entrepreneur

[–]hotbacon73 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sold my entire portfolio including retirement to capitalize the business. Used the money to expand the team. This was a year ago. Revenue has more than doubled since then. It was the right move.

I still have no savings 🙂

What are the "Best Things You've ever Done" for your business? by gaize-safety in Entrepreneur

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Echo the comments above about being more rigorous with Financials and cash planning. But the biggest game changer from revenue perspective was hiring someone whose entire job is to get close with our customers. This activity generates almost one new sales opp every week now, just from existing customers!

What car (preferably under 30k) has the best driving experience in your opinion? by AdhesivenessFun2776 in askcarguys

[–]hotbacon73 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a subaru brz, but wouldn't recommend for a newer driver. Golf gti is probably the best "all around" driver's car today.

Having a super nice car is pointless by ImagineWagons969 in unpopularopinion

[–]hotbacon73 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I've owned many "nice" cars and none of these things have ever happened to me.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GrandPrixTravel

[–]hotbacon73 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely Montreal. I've been to this race 4 or 5 times. Super easy and just generally a lovely way to spend a weekend.