What Business Should You Start? - with Tony Whatley - EP 447
Release Date: 09/21/2026
365 Driven | Entrepreneurship
Back in the studio after a vacation to New York City and a cruise to Bermuda! Tony Whatley explains why many people avoid world travel, sharing how he overcame a scarcity mindset from growing up with limited means with help from his wife, who was raised traveling. Having visited 38 countries and 48 U.S. states, he outlines travel’s benefits: richer experiences, broader perspective, personal growth, less judgment, stronger relationships, mental resets, and creativity—illustrated by lessons from time spent in Africa and work in France and the UK. He argues waiting until retirement...
info_outline365 Driven | Entrepreneurship
What if the business idea you’re excited about could never actually give you the income, freedom, or lifestyle you want? In this solo episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, host Tony Whatley breaks down one of the most important questions every entrepreneur eventually faces: What business should I start—and is the business I’m already running actually the right one? Rather than chasing trends, getting attached to an exciting idea, or building a company that ultimately becomes another job, Tony shares a practical framework for evaluating business opportunities based on where you actually want...
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What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next level of success isn’t a lack of knowledge, opportunity, or resources—but your own ego? In this episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, host Tony Whatley sits down with Eric Oberembt, CEO of D&M Roofing and Siding and host of the Be Authentic or Get the Fck Out* podcast, for a raw conversation about overcoming adversity, building better relationships, protecting your time, and becoming the kind of leader capable of reaching the next level. Eric shares his remarkable transformation from facing a fourth felony DUI, addiction, and...
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Host Tony Whatley interviews Jesse Jackson, CEO of Mango Automotive, which scaled to over $10M revenue in its first three years and now operates eight shops across New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Jackson shares her path from environmental engineering to software product leadership, selling an automotive detail shop management app in 2021, and pivoting into brick-and-mortar auto repair due to an aging owner base and opportunity to improve customer experience (the “pink wall effect,” clean lobbies). She explains why software profitability can suffer from heavy customization, how Mango uses...
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What if the goals you’re chasing aren’t out of reach—you just haven’t trained your mind to recognize the path to them yet? In this episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, host Tony Whatley explores the power of visualization and why creating a clear picture of your future can influence the opportunities you notice, the decisions you make, and the actions you take. But this isn’t about simply wishing for success. Tony explains why visualization only becomes powerful when it’s paired with consistent action, patience, and the willingness to keep moving forward when results aren’t...
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What if the reason your business isn't growing has nothing to do with your product—and everything to do with your personal brand? In today's crowded marketplace, trust has become one of the most valuable business assets you can build. In this episode of 365 Driven, host Tony Whatley sits down with Henry Sims, personal branding strategist, marketing expert, and founder of HenrySims.com, to uncover the practical systems business owners can use to build authority, attract ideal clients, and create a brand that converts attention into revenue. Drawing from his engineering background and years...
info_outline365 Driven | Entrepreneurship
What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't the economy, your competitors, or rising costs—but your own mindset? In this solo episode of 365 Driven, host Tony Whatley challenges business owners and entrepreneurs to rethink how they view problems, success, and personal growth. Drawing from his own journey of growing up in a lower-middle-class family, working construction to pay his way through engineering school, and eventually building and selling multi-million-dollar businesses, Tony shares the mindset shifts that helped him escape scarcity thinking and create lasting...
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What if your greatest setback could become the foundation for your biggest comeback? Every entrepreneur will face adversity—but the ones who succeed are those who refuse to let failure define them. In this episode of 365 Driven, host Tony Whatley sits down with former Major League Baseball player, motivational speaker, actor, performance coach, and entrepreneur Daryl Jones. After being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals out of high school and reaching the Major Leagues, Daryl appeared to be living the dream. But career-ending injuries, personal struggles, financial hardship, and losing...
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What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't your strategy—but your mindset? Success in business isn't built on tactics alone. It's built on discipline, self-awareness, leadership, and the willingness to invest in your own growth. In this episode of 365 Driven, host Tony Whatley welcomes entrepreneur, healthcare innovator, business consultant, and leadership expert Adam Lamb. As the founder of a nationwide telemedicine company, advisor to healthcare organizations, partner in launching Life Force with Tony Robbins, and consultant to multi-million-dollar healthcare businesses,...
info_outline365 Driven | Entrepreneurship
What if the only thing standing between you and the business you've always wanted is the courage to take the first step? Many aspiring entrepreneurs spend years waiting for the perfect time, the perfect plan, or someone else's permission to start. But what if success isn't about having all the answers—it's about taking action before you feel ready? In this episode of 365 Driven, host Tony Whatley sits down with entrepreneur Frank Sell, founder and CEO of Get Shit Done Coffee, successful paintless dent repair business owner, and lifelong builder of multiple brands and businesses. From leaving...
info_outlineWhat if the business idea you’re excited about could never actually give you the income, freedom, or lifestyle you want?
In this solo episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, host Tony Whatley breaks down one of the most important questions every entrepreneur eventually faces: What business should I start—and is the business I’m already running actually the right one? Rather than chasing trends, getting attached to an exciting idea, or building a company that ultimately becomes another job, Tony shares a practical framework for evaluating business opportunities based on where you actually want to go.
Tony explains why ideas alone have very little value without execution and challenges entrepreneurs to start with the end in mind. What income are you trying to create? How much time freedom do you want? Do you eventually want to sell the company, build a family legacy, or simply replace your current expenses? Your destination should determine the business vehicle you choose.
Throughout the episode, Tony walks through how to brainstorm and evaluate business ideas using your existing skills, knowledge, resources, relationships, and interests. He also explains why entrepreneurs need to stop obsessing over revenue and instead understand profit, margins, scalability, and the basic math behind their business model. A million-dollar company means very little if there’s no profit left at the end of the year.
For established business owners, Tony offers a different challenge: Would you start your current business again today knowing what you know now? He explores profitability, time investment, scalability, industry changes, the self-employment trap, and the sunk-cost thinking that can keep entrepreneurs committed to the wrong path for too long.
Most importantly, this episode is about taking action. Your dream business may be several businesses away, but you can start building the staircase today. Instead of spending months perfecting a plan, determine which opportunity aligns with your goals, run the numbers, identify your next move, and execute.
If you’re considering starting a business, questioning the one you already own, or looking for a smarter way to evaluate your next opportunity, this episode will give you a practical framework for deciding what deserves your time, money, and energy.
Key highlights:
- How to choose the right business idea
- Why ideas are worthless without execution
- Aligning your business with your goals
- Why profit matters more than revenue
- How to test an idea with simple math
- Avoiding the self-employment trap
- When to pivot or walk away
- Turning business ideas into action
Connect with Tony Whatley:
- Website: 365driven.com
- Instagram: @365driven
- Facebook: 365 Driven