Tropical MBA: Entrepreneurship & Founder Lifestyle

Dan and Ian respond to a series of spicy "unpopular opinions" about entrepreneurship, employment, digital nomadism, and lifestyle design, sourced straight from Reddit.
They weigh in on whether boring businesses really win, if you can get rich working a 9-to-5, and whether meeting locals is overrated when traveling as a nomad.
LINKS:
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs (https://tropicalmba.com/resources)
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
Connect with 7+ figure founders inside DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Remote First Recruiting: Find your next best remote hire in 21 days (https://remotefirstrecruiting.com/)
CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:08) Unpopular Opinion #1: Boring Businesses Actually Win
(00:05:26) Unpopular Opinion #2: A Job Can Make You Rich
(00:11:22) Unpopular Opinion #3: Strategic Planning Is a Waste
(00:13:49) Unpopular Opinion #4: Meeting Locals is Overrated
(00:17:49) Unpopular Opinion #5: Entrepreneurship Isn’t All Sacrifice
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
“Lifestyle Business” vs “Real Business” (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/lifestyle-vs-real-business)
Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/entrepreneurial-leap-gino-wickman)
A Game of Would You Rather ft. Noah Kagan (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/would-you-rather)

We’re halfway through 2025! This episode is a raw look at what’s working, what’s not, and the experiments we’re doubling down on.
From running premium events at zero profit to building lean teams with talent from Latin America, we share the trade-offs and results behind every decision. Dan and Ian open the books on DC BLACK and DC Accelerator, plus they uncover how Remote First Recruiting quietly had one of its best quarters yet.
LINKS:
Dan’s Four Bricks presentation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZooQo760Ik&ab_channel=TropicalMBA)
Meet the world’s most generous global entrepreneurs inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
Connect with 7+ figure founders inside DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Remote First Recruiting: Find your next best remote hire in 21 days (https://remotefirstrecruiting.com/)
CHAPTERS:
(00:00:42) Can You Break a Plateau Without Spending $200K?
(00:01:45) Why Your Next Growth Phase Starts With You
(00:06:45) What Happened When Our CFO Left
(00:11:27) Why We Finally Launched a Premium Tier
(00:16:01) The Real Results of Our $5K Coaching Program
(00:22:03) Is Our Recruiting Arm About To Have Its Best Quarter Yet?
(00:28:01) We’re Going to Bangkok This October
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/easier-10x-than-2x)
Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/brick-by-brick)
90-Day Growth Plan in 10 Questions (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/90-day-growth)
The Wheel of Despair and the Paradox of Growth (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/wheel-despair-paradox-growth)

What happens when you’ve optimized everything… and growth still stalls? In this episode, Dan and Ian break down a powerful distinction most founders miss: the difference between optimization (making your business run smoother) and growth (finding and testing new paths to scale). They unpack insights from Growth Levers by Matt Lerner, a framework that helped PayPal and other startups unlock massive growth and why it still applies to bootstrappers today.
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how Dan and Ian run operations in under 5 hours per week using the “Four Bricks”: financials, a measured plan, individual scorecards, and pulse meetings (aka the Daily Huddle). Plus: why growth experiments often fail, how to avoid optimization creep, and how interviewing your customers using the “Jobs to Be Done” framework can reveal the 10% that leads to 90% of your growth.
LINKS:
“Growth Levers and How to Find Them” by Matt Lerner (https://www.amazon.com/Growth-Levers-How-Find-Them/dp/173842622X)
“Scaling Up” By Verne Harnish (https://www.amazon.com/Scaling-Up-Mastering-Rockefeller-Habits/dp/0986019593/ref=sr_1_1?crid=I82ETY13E1ZJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EunjEAWizJJCnRStrVvxOJwktAGOrvzCg7v4AoNJfIU6bVKGlwoaahD13GvmODVvdHfxaCtbalOfRWgZOg5S21BtHBMaKYq62OqBxcVCNbGCvxTyjwgDSB-CCVhwxnkkdUIfFUnmjvgMdP0NNqU-7ueWn59X5uFP1GVKtTr9KukRePtfM9H9riTjX7cbPcSSX6o8FtAMy464cHeRDDiEG-HRIkkMFr6E78CM5s3og_g.lpyuAh6r5azEIrwxxEgYJiq8LPg5qtpavZ6HnojzTvo&dib_tag=se&keywords=scaling+up&qid=1751519981&s=books&sprefix=scaling+up%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C115&sr=1-1)
Daily Huddle Template (https://docs.google.com/document/d/14i_qZjKFDP_IEjiF3XHd1j41H6Vop_Cp987L41QjXOQ/edit?tab=t.0)
Company Scoreboard Template (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ArOv-eMCWIxF8Yk3ngUlAuxITgMK3GUR5E6mfw57vR4/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.3olbivi0zybz)
Individual Scorecard Template (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J_EGV0SnmhjBRRYr5GDnUGV9ULTd1Bbz9RaJQfEVAQw/edit?tab=t.0)
“Jobs to Be Done” Interview Framework (https://www.dscout.com/people-nerds/the-jobs-to-be-done-interviewing-style-understanding-who-users-are-trying-to-become)
Dan’s Four Bricks presentation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZooQo760Ik&ab_channel=TropicalMBA)
Connect with generous global entrepreneurs (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
CHAPTERS:
(00:00:13) Intro: Founders, Channels, and What’s Working in 2025
(00:01:40) Growth vs Optimization: The Lens That Changes Everything
(00:09:34) The Four Bricks: How to Run Ops in Under 5 Hours/Week
(00:18:38) Why Most Teams Avoid Growth
(00:20:32) Growth Levers: The 10% That Drives 90% of Growth
(00:28:00) Jobs to Be Done: Why Customers Really Buy
(00:33:26) Growth Sprints: How to Experiment Without Burning Out
(00:36:22) Common Mistakes That Kill Growth Early
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
“It’s easier to 10X than to 2X” + 8 Lessons from CEO Bootcamp (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/easier-10x-than-2x)
Building ‘Brick by Brick’: Goals, Plans, Scorecards, Cadence (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/brick-by-brick)
90-Day Growth Plan in 10 Questions (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/90-day-growth)
The Wheel of Despair and the Paradox of Growth (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/wheel-despair-paradox-growth)

What marketing strategies are actually working in 2025? Karla Singson shares standout tactics from a DC Mexico meetup she hosted, where 6- and 7-figure founders revealed how they’re landing clients organically through Facebook groups, trade show podcast hacks, and thoughtful LinkedIn comments (no ad spend required).
We also dive into Karla’s own playbook: how she’s built multiple businesses around authenticity, reputation, and smart delegation. She shares tips for handling sales calls, choosing offers that sell themselves, and why relationships (not reach) are her #1 growth lever.
LINKS:
Karla’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/karla.singson)
Karla’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/karlastefan/)
Karla’s Business (https://proximityoutsourcing.com/)
Dennis Yu’s “Dollar a Day” Strategy (https://dennisyu.com/category/dollar-a-day/)
Connect with generous global entrepreneurs (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
Founders getting together in Bangkok this October for DCBKK 2025 (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GFaF1Vj7I7H0f5BmGYuyoaGuEdMCo-3CkBnVDuaSwrI/edit?usp=sharing)
Read Dan’s book “Before the Exit” (https://www.amazon.com/Before-Exit-Thought-Experiments-Entrepreneurs-ebook/dp/B07BN2KD1J)
Share your story/sponsor the pod (https://forms.gle/gKZFuwReHSvg8LD48)
CHAPTERS:
(00:00:13) Intro: Affordable Marketing for Scrappy Founders
(00:01:29) Karla’s Business Portfolio: From Flowers to Facebook Funnels
(00:05:00) Why Founders Struggle to Delegate
(00:10:17) 3 Low-Cost, High-Impact Client Acquisition Channels
(00:12:59) Organic Facebook Marketing Still Works (Here’s Why)
(00:15:34) The 400% Revenue Trade Show Hack
(00:18:29) How to Capture Leads by Commenting on LinkedIn
(00:21:17) Why Most Founders Are Hesitant to Run Ads
(00:22:50) The Rise of Hyper-Authenticity
(00:26:30) Why In-Person Still Matters (But Not for the Reason You Think)
(00:27:25) The '10 Industry Friends' Strategy for Rapid Growth
(00:34:41) Why Karla Keeps a Business Portfolio (Not Just One Focus)
(00:36:30) The “Duh” Test for Business Ideas
(00:38:46) Sales Calls: What Actually Works in 2025
(00:38:54) Building Rapport That Converts (No Cringe Small Talk)
(00:41:23) Refunds, Guarantees, and the Power of Reputation
(00:42:11) Lessons from a Business Partnership Gone Wrong
(00:45:31) Why Golf Is the Best Business School
(00:48:05) Playa del Carmen as a Business Base: Pros and Cons
(00:52:37) Karla’s Love Letter to DCBKK
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
Marketing to High-Dollar Clients (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/marketing-to-high-dollar-clients)
$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/million-from-linkedin)
Niche B2B Content = Big Revenue on YouTube (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/b2b-content-youtube)
50/50 Partnerships: Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/50-50-partnerships)

From hating life on a Sydney construction site to building a $57K/month agency from Bali, Tom Richards—founder of PlumbElec Marketing—has lived the remote founder arc. In this episode, he shares how niching into plumbing and electrical businesses helped him scale fast, why Google Maps still dominates local SEO, and how he balances agency life with lifestyle design.
You’ll hear Tom’s take on ChatGPT use cases, the best tools for founder efficiency, and whether he’s ready to scale or keep things lean and profitable. Plus, Dan breaks down what might be the most reliable location-independent income roadmap in 2025.
LINKS:
Connect with Tom (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-richards-au/)
Daily Huddle template (http://bit.ly/4ea6MOf)
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss (https://fourhourworkweek.com/)
Share your story/sponsor the pod (https://forms.gle/gKZFuwReHSvg8LD48)
22 free resources for founders (https://tropicalmba.com/resources)
Connect with 1,000+ generous global entrepreneurs (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
Read Dan’s book “Before the Exit” (https://www.amazon.com/Before-Exit-Thought-Experiments-Entrepreneurs-ebook/dp/B07BN2KD1J)
CHAPTERS:
(00:02:18) From Plumber to Agency Founder
(00:04:07) How Tom Built His First Client Base
(00:04:58) $57K MRR and the Current Team
(00:07:23) Why Tradespeople Are the Best Clients
(00:09:51) Transitioning from Daily Huddles to Weekly Calls
(00:12:14) The Real Numbers Behind Tom’s Retainer Model
(00:13:38) Hormozi’s 1-1-1 Model in Real Life
(00:18:50) Surviving the SEO Upheaval in 2025
(00:19:25) Why Google Maps is Still Gold for Local SEO
(00:23:34) How to Use Case Studies to Supercharge Cold Outreach
(00:25:59) Should You Scale Your Agency or Stay Lean?
(00:31:31) The Most Reliable Remote Income Roadmap
(00:35:31) What Agency Life is Really Like
(00:39:28) Tom’s Favorite ChatGPT and AI Tools
(00:41:04) Bali vs Thailand: Which Is Better in 2025?
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
The Changing Landscape of SEO and the Influence Equation (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/changing-landscape-seo)
The Brutal Truth About Business Exits with Rob Walling (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/brutal-truth-about-exits)
1,000 Customers from One Channel (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/1000-customers-one-channel)
The First 1,000 Days of Running an Agency (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/1000-days-running-agency?rq=agency)