Overcoming Fear and Unlocking Value: A Founder’s Journey from Zero to $14 Million
Capitalism.com with Ryan Daniel Moran
Release Date: 12/22/2025
Capitalism.com with Ryan Daniel Moran
In this episode, Matt shares his journey from a struggling first-time entrepreneur to selling his company, Up Launch, for over $14 million. He discusses the psychological barriers to raising prices, the importance of simplifying business processes, and the vital lessons he learned about market testing and valuation during the acquisition process. Matt also reflects on how his experience as a firefighter helped him make critical decisions quickly in business. As he embarks on his second venture, he emphasizes the importance of having the right backers and staying focused on core business...
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In this episode, we dive into the remarkable transformations of our clients who participated in a 90-day sprint inside 'The 1%'. We focused on growing audiences using viral content, converting followers into eager buyers, and using their feedback to boost sales. I usually keep these discussions within our private mentoring community, but the recent call was so fulfilling that I had to share it with you. Listen in to hear about inspiring success stories, strategic business shifts, and mental transformations. These discussions highlight individuals like Dr. Megan, who retired her husband thanks...
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In this episode, Shakil Prasla details his riveting journey from scraping together personal loans to make his first big bet, to seeing multi-million-dollar failures and ultimate success. Shakil Prasla candidly discusses his transition from e-commerce to acquiring over 30 businesses, managing a diverse portfolio of gas stations, convenience stores, and real estate. Learn how he built a system around optimizing efficiency, minimizing risk, and the importance of finding the right people for the right roles. This insightful conversation also touches on overcoming massive financial setbacks, the...
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In this episode, Ryan Deiss shares his insights on the impact of AI on business and marketing. He discusses the uncertainty surrounding the future, the shift in consumer behavior towards AI-driven results, and the steps his companies are taking to adapt. Ryan elaborates on the strategic pivot at Digital Marketer, transitioning from traditional training to leveraging AI tools trained on proprietary IP. He also provides practical advice on how businesses can audit and implement AI to improve efficiency and drive growth. Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or business owner, this episode is...
info_outlineCapitalism.com with Ryan Daniel Moran
Yep, it's true. I lost $1.5m investing with Tai Lopez and his partners at REV, which is now under investigation by the SEC. This is the story of how I lost my biggest investment. *Note* Do not use this comment section to trash Tai. If you want to talk about your personal experience that's fine, but the purpose of this podcast is to explain what happened, not dogpile. If you're interested in what I do outside of investing in *potential* ponzi schemes, you can start your road to $1m and download my free playbook at
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In this insightful episode, Carl Allen shares his expertise in business acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of targeting a core customer and the value of equity in motivating teams. He discusses his journey from Wall Street to private equity and highlights examples like Amazon's roll-up strategy. Carl provides a detailed explanation of building shareholder value, executing buyouts, and understanding buyer psychology. He also shares practical tips for entrepreneurs looking to scale through acquisitions and reflects on his personal experiences in the e-commerce space. Tune in for an...
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In this episode, Mike shares his incredible journey from running a $2 million business to scaling it to a $40 million enterprise. Alongside Ryan, they delve into the mindset shifts, challenges, and strategies that were pivotal to Mike's growth. Mike reveals his deep internal changes, the importance of belief, and how pivotal new product innovations and marketing tactics played a role in their breakout success. From leveraging Amazon to navigating thought processes, this conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs aiming to scale their businesses. CHAPTERS 00:00...
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What if your goals are too small—and your timelines too long? In this deep-dive conversation, Dr. Benjamin Hardy (author of "The Science of Scaling" and "10x Is Easier Than 2x") challenges Ryan to rethink what it really means to scale. Together they unpack why the right goal is less about certainty and more about clarity, how collapsing time transforms strategy, and why raising the floor often means cutting what feels “good enough.” They explore: Why a billion-dollar goal can be more useful than a hundred-million-dollar one How to filter distractions and find the few...
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In this episode of the Capitalism.com Podcast, Alex and I sit down to discuss the upcoming season, my trip to burning man, investing, and more. You're not going to want to miss these episodes over the next two months! If you're interested in working together, you can apply for The One Percent at https://capitalism.com/one Doing $1M+? Apply for the incubator at https://capitalism.com/inc
info_outlineCapitalism.com with Ryan Daniel Moran
If you're an entrepreneur with a sale in your future, this video will literally add millions of dollars to your bank account. Drawing from my experience of selling my business for $16 million, I discuss five key points: selling when things are good, setting terms upfront, acting experienced, treating the sale like dating, and removing yourself from the business. I also highlight common mistakes and alternative options for financial security without selling. This comprehensive guide aims to help entrepreneurs achieve life-changing exits by implementing these practical tips....
info_outlineIn this episode, Matt shares his journey from a struggling first-time entrepreneur to selling his company, Up Launch, for over $14 million. He discusses the psychological barriers to raising prices, the importance of simplifying business processes, and the vital lessons he learned about market testing and valuation during the acquisition process. Matt also reflects on how his experience as a firefighter helped him make critical decisions quickly in business. As he embarks on his second venture, he emphasizes the importance of having the right backers and staying focused on core business competencies. Tune in to learn how Matt navigated the complexities of scaling a business, negotiated a successful exit, and his strategies for future ventures.
00:00 Overcoming Pricing Fears as a First-Time Founder
00:58 The Journey to an Eight-Figure Exit
01:10 Navigating the Acquisition Process
02:09 The Reality of Earnouts and Valuation
05:58 Lessons Learned from Selling a Business
07:56 The Importance of Accurate Financials
10:47 From Fireman to Entrepreneur
13:20 The Correlation Between Pricing and Self-Worth
16:28 Investing in Business Coaching
23:01 Building a Sellable Business
28:29 The $2 Million Facebook Ad Story
29:37 Execution is Key to Success
31:23 Optimizing Business Processes
34:19 The Importance of Focus and Specialization
43:40 Lessons from a Second Venture
46:58 The Value of Strategic Partnerships
52:34 Advice for Stuck Entrepreneurs
54:26 Preparing for an Exit