The Fizzle Show — Heart & Hustle, Self Employment & Creative Business

Flailing around, blindly trying this and that, praying and hoping for some traction. That's how many solo entrepreneurs start out. In this episode we answer the question "what do you wish you would have known before you got started?" Listen in and save yourself years of trial and error as the three C's and some of their favorite independent entrepreneurs share their most important mistakes. Aug 23, 2013

Your business may just be another way to play with yourself.  Harnessing some team-work thoughts could be a huge multiplier for you. I was alone in my business trying to make a thing on the side. It was my effort, my reward, my isolation, my procrastination. It was lonely. My friends thought I was weird. Fast forward 5 years, I'm in a team with Corbett and Caleb and I've never been more productive, more on fire, more in tune. It was a huge shift for me, but the results speak for themselves. Does teamwork make the dream work or is that just something high school basketball coaches say? How would playing with a team (instead of yourself) make your work better? You may not need a full team or partnership to get the multipliers that come with teamwork. More on that in the episode. Aug 16, 2013

This is a gambit-rich follow up on our previous conversation about douchebaggery in business. Where that conversation covered how to do it BADLY, this one covers the tactics, tips and tweaks of "selling" GOODLY, confidently, and successfully.  None of us were comfortable with sales at first, so in this episode we show you how we found our way. Also a reader question from a lovely Scottish listener and a big tip from the best salesman I know.  For show notes go to: http://FizzleShow.com/14Aug 09, 2013

There are people who do business in ways that turn your stomach. They're willing to do unethical things, take advantage of people, and sacrifice their audience on the altars of profit and short term gains. In this episode we explore this kind of business and provide the counterpoint, complete with a mind-boggling quote from Walt Disney, some tough-love sentiment from John Gruber and advice from one of the original big bloggers to folks just starting out. Here's to the idea that we can all focus a little less on the tactics of making a buck and a little more on the art of providing real, human value. We talk about how you should determine "who the bad guy" is in your industry and how that can give you more direction, more purpose, and more focus. For show notes go to: http://FizzleShow.com/13Aug 01, 2013

You're here because you want to create a business that supports you. But there's a heavy tension you've probably experienced between a). doing something you care about, b). doing something you're good at, and c). doing something others find valuable. This conversation is about finding the balance between those three points. Corbett, Caleb and myself have felt this tension, and that's why this conversation ends up being so good. We explore this tension and share some personal stories of discovery. For show notes head to http://FizzleShow.com/12.Jul 25, 2013

This is a GOOD one. There are metrics that matter A TON in your business. However, you might be making critical errors about which ones matter and which do not.  Sailors beware: there's serious danger here. Many businesses fail because the founder is busy tracking the siren's call of pointless metrics (instead of focusing on what matters). In this episode we share how to avoid that error and take back control of your business (instead of simply reacting to whatever metric some social network throws at you). Check out the show notes at: http://FizzleShow.comJul 18, 2013

We’ve heard from thousands of entrepreneurs — the most common struggle, across the board, is staying motivated. We’re solo entrepreneurs. We burn out. We dry up. We melt down. We don't ship. Every entrepreneur must learn how to balance their own energy, how to push through when they need to (and slow down when it’s right). That’s what we dig into in this episode. Corbett has a unique (and time-tested) practice for preempting burnout. He shares this totem alongside plenty of commentary from Chase and Caleb. If you’ve ever struggled with motivation or distractions (you probably shouldn’t even be here if you haven’t) there’s loads to glean in this conversation. Be sure to visit http://fizzleShow.com/10 for shownotes (enter your email there for notifications of new episodes and posts).Jul 11, 2013

Whether you're like Chase (who can't even look at a number without getting sick) or like Caleb (who literally interprets colors as numbers) you're going to need to understand the money picture of your business. What's making money? What's losing money? What expenses are the heaviest? In this episode we discuss how to take control of your business finances based on Corbett and Caleb's hard-earned experience. uckily, Chase has a few puns and Game of Thrones reenactments (no spoilers) to keep it entertaining. We also answer a couple listener questions about recurring billing tools and SEO douchebaggery. Be sure to visit http://fizzleShow.com/ for shownotes (and enter your email there so we can send you things... so. many. things).Jul 04, 2013

Are you like the thousands we've heard from, worried and stressed about choosing a business idea? Maybe you don't think you have an idea. Or maybe you've got too many business ideas and you don't know which is best. Maybe you're stuck in analysis paralysis. In this episode we explain a simple framework that will help you take back some control and make a choice you're proud of (so at least you'll have a better answer next time to that "what is it you do again, Kelly?" cocktail party question). Be sure to visit http://fizzleShow.com/ for shownotes (and enter your email there so we can send you things like birthday party invites).Jun 27, 2013

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Is it something ANYONE can do? Or is there some special gene or jeans or personality trait you need? We dig into these questions in this one. One thing's for sure: hating your job alone won't make you an entrepreneur. Be sure to visit FizzleShow.com for shownotes (and enter your email there so we can send you things like birthday party invites).Jun 20, 2013

There’s a huge debate in the business world about “lifestyle” businesses. Is there something deep and true here? Could it completely change the direction you choose and your definitions of “wealth,” “purpose” and “happiness?” Or is it just a fad, a buzzword of the time used to sell books (and hammocks and beach-side wifi).  In this episode we. get. into it. Corbett's experience (he's been doing this for a while) and insatiable hunger for Mexican guitar music drives us onward through the big questions about what you may be taking for granted and which ball is made of rubber.  Be sure to visit http://FizzleShow.com for show notes (and enter your email there so we can send you things like love notes, party invitations and karaoke performances).  For show notes go to: http://FizzleShow.com/6Jun 13, 2013

Caleb Wojcik (one of the Fizzle Show hosts) has an intensely relatable story full of tips, tricks, track suits and lessons learned. Through his journey we discuss the path from corporate cubicle drudgery to entrepreneurial hunger to terrifying decisions and becoming a connected and successful blogger. It's a thrilling ride (even has some 2am road pushups... and did I already say track suits?). Towards the end we discuss what you can expect from the Fizzle show in coming months (and explain what the name means). Be sure to visit FizzleShow.com for shownotes (and enter your email there so we can send you things like love notes, party invitations and karaoke performances). Jun 07, 2013

As a business builder you absolutely have to learn to balance the creative stuff with the business stuff. This is something Chase Reeves is well versed in. He’s one of the hosts of the show and in this entertaining episode he shares some lessons learned as he navigated his career through media and project management stuff to reading LifeHacker.com for 10 hours a day to newborns and lay-offs and start-ups, oh my! There's much to glean from his colorful way of looking at these things. We also answer a question about one of the most important metrics for membership sites. Be sure to visit FizzleShow.com for shownotes. Enter your email there and we'll send you our Traffic Toolkit. Jun 06, 2013

Do you wonder how you’ll ever actually do the things you dream about? In this episode Corbett Barr (one of the Fizzle Show hosts) shares how he made the transition from dreaming to doing. It wasn't easy for him (wait till the bit about his panic at the Mexican border) but it completely changed his path, expanding his perspective about where he wanted to go with his career (and life).  This episode is a great introduction to Corbett, narrating how he graduated from a burnt out consultant to an electrified, successful and celebrated blogger and business builder. We also answer a couple of colorful listener questions that lead to Chase's 5 website design tips and Caleb's killer Santa Claus metaphor.  Be sure to visit http://FizzleShow.com and enter your email to get our free Traffic Toolkit.  For show notes go to: http://FizzleShow.com/3Jun 05, 2013

This episode is the second of a two-part conversation on finding your voice as a writer, video maker, speaker, blogger or anything else. How can you be yourself and create engaging, memorable and shareable content instead of copying others (and fluffing out boring, tedious ignored work)? In this second part of the conversation we explore the topic a bit more before offering a ton of tips and tricks to help you discover your authentic, engaging and easy voice. A couple interesting tidbits are Chase’s bit on what he calls “chemicals” and how finding your voice is more like eating pie than hitting a baseball. Enticing, isn’t it? But that’s not even the best part — in this episode you’ll hear Corbett’s killer karaoke skills (and his insane ability to make a late 80’s power woman band land his point for him). Inexcusable. Unmissable. We also answer a couple great listener questions, one of which inspires an answer from Corbett we all absolutely needed to hear. Go to http://FizzleShow.com for more information. For show notes go to: http://fizzleshow.com/2Jun 04, 2013