The Second Company: Turning Your First Company Into an R&D Powerhouse with Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan - 10xTalk Episode #236
Release Date: 02/26/2025
10x Talk
Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan host a LIVE, unscripted 10x Talk episode on why ambition isn’t a limited resource—it’s a capability you can develop for life. You’ll learn how alignment, free days, courage, and human connection (especially in an AI-driven world) keep Entrepreneurs energized, productive, and excited about what’s next. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode: Why ambition isn’t something you “use up,” and how treating it as a capability creates an endless flywheel of growth. The prime directives Dan and Babs use to protect alignment,...
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Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan continue their conversation on commitment, entrepreneurial freedom, and building company structure that expands creativity instead of restricting it—with a deep dive on hiring, delegation traps, and Dan’s new “Casting Not Hiring” framework. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode: The “Company vs. Job” Reality Check: Why most entrepreneurs secretly built a high-paying job—and the simple test Dan uses to tell the difference. Reverse Delegation: The silent trap where your “help” creates more work—and how to spot it fast before...
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Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan unpack why Entrepreneurs stall when they treat growth as a transaction—and how commitment (“will that builds skill”) creates transformational results. They cover lifelong learning, referability habits, and Dan’s 100-books-in-100-quarters project as a model for creating the future through commitment. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode: Transactional vs. transformational: why “provisional” commitments stall growth Will ↔ Skill flywheel: commitment builds capability; capability strengthens commitment Lifelong learning mindset:...
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Dan Sullivan and Joe Polish unpack the mindset, health, and tools that turn ambition into the master capability for exponential success. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode: Why 2x thinking keeps you stuck in busyness while 10x frees you to focus on what really matters Dan’s definition of ambition as the “master capability” that fuels all other growth The power of agency—and why Entrepreneurs fail when they give it away How Dan cut his workshops from 144 days to 12 while scaling Strategic Coach 20x+ The hidden trap of lifestyle Entrepreneurs vs. the mindset of...
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Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan explore how ambition and agency, rooted in generosity, drive lasting success. A behind-the-scenes look at their Hay House project on building authentic, impactful relationships. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode: How combining ambition with agency creates unstoppable momentum in business and life Why over-giving without boundaries leads to burnout—and how to avoid it Practical ways to deepen relationships by asking better questions and being truly useful If you’d like to join world-renowned Entrepreneurs at the next Genius Network...
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Dan Sullivan and Joe Polish dive deep into the Entrepreneurial mindset of “guesses and bets” — the essential approach to navigating an unpredictable future. They explore how risk, resilience, and values-driven decision-making shape lasting success in business and life. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode: Why Every Big Move Is Just a Guess and a Bet: Think you can predict the future? Dan reveals why even the most advanced AI and data-driven forecasts can’t eliminate the uncertainty of business. Here's how the most successful Entrepreneurs embrace risk.. The...
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Dan Sullivan and Joe Polish dive into the Entrepreneurial framework “Make it up, make it real, make it recur” and explore how true innovation is built and scaled. They also unpack the ethics of creation vs. imitation, the power of collaboration, and how to know when it’s time to walk away. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode: The 3-Part Formula That Separates Real Entrepreneurs From Wannabes: Most Entrepreneurs get stuck in the idea stage or fall into a cycle of “starting and stopping.” Dan reveals his powerful framework that helps Entrepreneurs turn ideas...
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Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan dive deep into the historic economic shift unfolding in the U.S., from reciprocal tariffs to the resurgence of American manufacturing. They explore how these changes could transform the global economy, reduce national debt, and spark a new era of entrepreneurship and growth. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode: The U.S. Was the World’s Salesman—Now It’s the Buyer: Dan and Joe discuss the historic economic shift that’s turning America into the world's most powerful customer, forcing global manufacturers to play by new...
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Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan discuss the concept of the second company—a powerful strategy for Entrepreneurs looking to expand their influence and impact beyond their primary business. Dan shares his observations from coaching over 7,000 Entrepreneurs and highlights the patterns he’s seen in those who successfully develop multiplier businesses. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode: A Second Company: The Secret to Multiplying Your Success (Why every thriving Entrepreneur needs a "second company" to amplify their impact, reduce workload, and multiply their...
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Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan engage in a deep-dive conversation about the political landscape following the inauguration. They explore Donald Trump’s impact as a political figure, his marketing genius, and his ability to mobilize a movement unlike any in modern history. Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover from Joe and Dan in this episode: What Trump Learned From the Founding Fathers, Lincoln, and Roosevelt (Discover why Dan compares Trump to the four most consequential presidents in American history—and how their lessons shaped his approach to leadership and innovation.) Why...
info_outlineJoe Polish and Dan Sullivan discuss the concept of the second company—a powerful strategy for Entrepreneurs looking to expand their influence and impact beyond their primary business. Dan shares his observations from coaching over 7,000 Entrepreneurs and highlights the patterns he’s seen in those who successfully develop multiplier businesses.
Here’s a glance at what you’ll discover in this episode:
- A Second Company: The Secret to Multiplying Your Success (Why every thriving Entrepreneur needs a "second company" to amplify their impact, reduce workload, and multiply their influence—all while staying focused on what they love most.)
- Value Creation Monopoly: The Ultimate Competitive Edge (Dan’s revolutionary concept of a "value creation monopoly"—why true dominance in your field doesn’t require cutthroat tactics but an unmatched ability to deliver transformative value.)
- Turn Ideas into Assets: The Genius of Strategic Byproducts (How Dan and Joe transform everyday Entrepreneurial efforts into high-value byproducts, creating businesses that thrive.)
- The Center of It All: Why Your First Company is Your Greatest R&D Tool (Find out how your first company can become the hub for innovation, fueling all future endeavors while keeping you in the driver’s seat of your passions.)
- Avoid the Entrepreneurial Trap of ‘More is Better’ (Why scaling too fast or chasing endless growth might sabotage your long-term vision—and how Dan and Joe keep their businesses profitable, focused, and fulfilling.)
- The Freedom Formula: Make It Up, Make It Real, Make It Recur (The powerful Entrepreneurial secret that allows you to innovate boldly, delegate effectively, and create the vision you want.)
If you’d like to join world-renowned Entrepreneurs at the next Genius Network Event or want to learn more about Genius Network, go to www.GeniusNetwork.com.