How I Bought a Business, Built a Global Team, and Survived Internet Hate
The Sweaty Startup
I went from running a student storage company out of college to owning 63 self-storage facilities, building a global team across five continents, and acquiring a multi-million dollar recruiting business. In this episode, I sat down with Will Smith and Niklas from Acquiring Minds to break down how I structure deals, why offshoring changed everything for my operations, and how I think about building in public, despite the hate that comes with it. We also talk through the tradeoffs of chasing internet fame vs. quietly building real businesses. This one goes deep. Grow your business: ...
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How Great Founders Build Stress Tolerance and Teams That Win
The Sweaty Startup
Alisa and I dug deep into what separates great founders from the rest. We talked about building stress tolerance like a muscle, hiring people who actually care, and the difference between delegation and abdication. We also got into the trap of chasing arbitrary net worth goals and why most entrepreneurs dramatically overshoot what they really need. This episode is full of real stories, honest takes, and a look at how I think about leadership, wealth, and building companies that last. Grow your business: Book: Newsletter: ...
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How to Make Millions as a Solo Operator Without Building a Big Team
The Sweaty Startup
In this episode, I sat down with Rod Santomassimo to talk about building a lean, profitable business without chasing scale for the sake of ego. Rod’s a master at helping solo operators punch above their weight by focusing on systems, discipline, and value. We get into why bigger isn’t always better, how to grow revenue without growing headaches, and the underrated power of operating with clarity and intention. Grow your business: Book: Newsletter: My Companies: Offshore recruiting – Cost...
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How Discipline at Home Builds Winners in Business and Life
The Sweaty Startup
Dustin Burnham and I sat down to talk about parenting, leadership, and the hard lessons that shape resilient people. We dug into what it really takes to raise kids who can think for themselves, handle stress, and create value in the world. From letting them feel real consequences to building habits that outlast trends, this one’s about long-term thinking, at home and in business. Grow your business: Book: Newsletter: My Companies: Offshore recruiting – Cost segregation – Self storage...
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How to Raise Your First Invoice, Survive Chaos, and Sell Without Being Pushy
The Sweaty Startup
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Building Lean Teams and Big Empires with Brandon Turner
The Sweaty Startup
Brandon and I dive deep into what it actually takes to build real businesses that last. We talk about hiring global talent, keeping overhead lean, scaling across multiple companies, and why most people overcomplicate everything. This conversation is packed with practical insights from two guys who have been through the fire and figured out how to win by keeping it simple and moving fast. Grow your business: Book: Newsletter: My Companies: Offshore recruiting – Cost segregation – Self...
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How I Built a Multi-Million Dollar Company by Hiring Talent in Walmart Parking Lots
The Sweaty Startup
I sat down with Shawn Nelson to talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts. We covered everything from spotting talent in the wild to shaking every tree to raise capital. I share the story of recruiting one of my best hires in a freezing Walmart parking lot and how that same mindset applies to building wealth through sweaty startups. If you're serious about business and tired of startup fantasy, this one’s worth your time. Grow your business: Book: Newsletter: My Companies: Offshore...
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Spotting Million Dollar Business Ideas Before Everyone Else
The Sweaty Startup
In this episode, I sit down with Greg Isenberg to talk about the types of businesses most people overlook. We get into sweaty startups, firewood delivery, nanny recruiting, Christmas light installs and how some of them quietly turn into million-dollar companies. I also share why I’ve spent over six figures on domains and why that’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made. If you're trying to figure out where the real opportunities are, this one will give you a blueprint. Grow your business: Book: Newsletter: My...
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AI Panic, Fatherhood, and the Truth About Modern Masculinity
The Sweaty Startup
In this episode, I sat down with Zuby to talk about the deeper side of entrepreneurship, confidence, culture, and what it means to build a meaningful life in today’s world. We got into AI hype vs reality, why the health system is failing men, the societal pressure against family, and how confidence, not intelligence, is often the key to success. If you're thinking long term about wealth, health, or raising a family, this one's worth your time. Grow your business: Book: Newsletter: My Companies: Offshore...
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The Hard Truth About Starting and Scaling a Small Business
The Sweaty Startup
I joined Rohit to break down the real path to building wealth through business. We talked about picking the right boring business, building confidence when no one gives you permission, and why consistency beats intelligence every time. This is for anyone ready to stop analyzing and start taking action. Grow your business: Book: Newsletter: My Companies: Offshore recruiting – Cost segregation – Self storage – RE development – Brokerage – Paid ads –...
info_outlineGoals are important. Yes, you should have a direction that you are rowing your boat. But I feel like the world out there right now have a bunch of people who are stuck in making goals.
This episode originally aired on Oct 14, 2020
My book, “The Sweaty Startup” is OUT!
I worked on it for 18 months.
You can buy it here:
https://amzn.to/4aWyrAF
It’s the how-to business guide I wish I had when building my first business.
Most business books have 2–3 gold nuggets total. I aimed for 2–3 per page.
This is a short, concise guide on how to:
– Pick a business idea
– Grow that business
– Out-operate your competition
Sales, hiring, management, delegation, and more — with 30+ untold stories from my own experience and people in my network on how to get rich.
Live Book Signing
I'm hosting a live book signing in Athens on May 8th at 6pm at Barnes and Noble.
RSVP here:
https://lu.ma/8m0di1yz
Beers on me afterwards at Mel’s.
Audiobook:
I recorded the audiobook myself.
Listen here:
https://amzn.to/4aWyrAF
Let me know what you think!
Buying Perks / Bulk Orders:
1 book = 1 year access to my small business community ($25/mo value)
3 books = Access to my Hiring Course ($299 value)
https://nickhuber.podia.com/hiring
5 books = Access to my Twitter/X Growth Course ($499 value)
https://nickhuber.podia.com/twitter-growth-course-100k-followers-in-10-months
10 books = Access to my Real Estate Masterclass ($2,500 value)
https://nickhuber.podia.com/realestate
40 books = I’ll do a 30-minute virtual coaching call with you or your team
75 books = Join me in Athens, GA for a round of golf at Athens Country Club.
Beer and green fee on me. Don’t play golf? We’ll swap it for dinner.
Want me to speak at your event?
Send an email to: nick@sweatystartup.com
Include proof of purchase.
Use the subject line:
“1 book”, “5 books”, or “50 books”, depending on how many you bought.
Join Shaan Puri and I for a free CEO bootcamp on May 1st, here: https://hubs.ly/Q03cWPrk0
Thanks for listening!
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Want my team and I to help sell your business? Click here: https://www.nickhuber.com/sell
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Are you an accredited investor and interested in learning more about potential deals? Fill out this form: https://www.nickhuber.com/invest
Want my free PDF on how to analyze a self-storage facility? Click here: https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03
Want to hire me as a consultant? Click here: https://sweatystartup.com/storage
Here are the links to my businesses:
Business Brokerage - https://nickhuber.com/
Personal Brand - https://sweatystartup.com/
Self Storage - https://boltstorage.com/
Bold SEO - https://boldseo.com/
Insurance - https://titanrisk.com/
Overseas Staffing - https://somewhere.com/
Tax Credit - https://taxcredithunter.com/
Cost Segregation - https://recostseg.com/
Performance Marketing - https://adrhino.com/
Pest control - https://spidexx.com/
That's all for now. Thank you again for joining me on my Sweaty Startup journey.
Onward and upward!
-Nick