Rameel Sheikh is the former COO of Y Combinator company First Base, founder of The Bottleneck, a newsletter for CLOs, operational execs, and senior managers, and creator of Cornerstone, a vetted community of COOs, VPs, and heads of operations.

[00:00] Introduction and Rameel's background

[03:30] The Bottleneck newsletter

[05:45] Latest learning: Market running after the product

[08:30] Business bet: Content to SaaS or data information product

[11:15] Living in tier-one cities: blessing and curse

[14:30] Gratitude for family and reprioritizing life

[18:00] Challenges in balancing work, family, and health

[20:45] Wrapping up and contact information

[21:30] Discussion on project management vs. operations roles

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Rameel Sheikh here;

https://x.com/ramshe1000

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameel-sheikh/

Nik is a former healthcare entrepreneur who has transitioned into the digital space. Nik is currently exploring digital businesses and building an online audience.

[00:00] Introduction and Nik's background in healthcare

[02:45] Nik's interpretation of being a modern industrialist

[06:30] Nik's current ventures and transition to digital businesses

[10:15] Discussion on crypto mining business challenges

[14:30] Latest learning: Setting up a podcast studio and observing similarities with his sons

[17:00] Business bet: Building an audience as a future competitive advantage

[18:45] The importance of effective communication skills

[20:00] Gratitude for his wife's support in his entrepreneurial journey

[21:15] Current challenge: Balancing exploration with tangible results

[22:30] The value of curiosity and asking questions

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Nikolas Hulewsky here;

https://x.com/cofoundersnik

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-hulewsky-617b132a/

Kevin is a former technology executive for a large public hospital system, in early 2022 he acquired a textile company, and now focuses on textile sourcing, design, and distribution.

[00:00] Introduction and Kevin's background

[03:30] How Kevin acquired the business

[06:15] Latest learning: Complexities of imports

[09:30] Business bet: Leveraging changes in the textile space

[12:45] One thing everyone should know: Alternative paths to entrepreneurship

[16:00] Gratitude: The importance of a support network

[18:30] Current challenge: Updating technology infrastructure

[21:00] Discussion on HR outsourcing and PEOs

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Kevin Bibelhausen here;

https://x.com/bibelhausen

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibelhausen/

Jack is the founder of Stageglass, a technology startup building 3D design products for interior designers, architects, and renovation contractors. Jack is also the former co-founder of Stanford Barbell Club.

[00:00] Introduction and Jack's background

[02:15] Latest learning: The importance of intentional information consumption

[05:30] Business bet: Leveraging customer acquisition costs in the FF&E industry

[09:45] One thing everyone should know: The critical importance of sleep

[12:30] Gratitude: Jack's mother

[14:00] Current challenge: Achieving product-market fit

[17:30] Jack's life outside of work

[20:15] Discussion on business history and potential podcast ideas

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Jack Burlinson here;

https://x.com/jfbrly

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-burlinson/

Donald is a serial entrepreneur with a focus on staffing and service businesses. Donald is also the founder of multiple staffing and service businesses.

[00:00] Introduction and Donald's perspective on being a modern industrialist

[03:15] Donald's current business ventures

[07:30] Latest learning: Spanish language studies

[09:15] Business bet: The shift in how and where work is performed

[13:45] The importance of knowing how to sell

[16:30] Gratitude for friends and family

[18:15] Current challenge: Breaking into senior-level staffing in life sciences

[20:00] Discussion on Donald's core skill set in recruiting and staffing

[21:45] Final thoughts on taking action in entrepreneurship

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Donald Spann here;

https://x.com/DTSpann

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald2/

Rob is the co-founder and co-owner of Work Better Now, a company providing remote talent from Latin America to US-based small and mid-sized businesses. Rob is a Serial entrepreneur focused on small and mid-sized business market.

[00:00] Introduction and Work Better Now's business model

[02:30] Rob's perspective on being a modern industrialist

[04:45] Latest learning: The "Who Not How" principle

[08:15] Hiring a Chief Revenue Officer and stepping back

[11:30] Business bet: Hiring a Chief Revenue Officer to accelerate growth

[13:00] One thing everyone should know: Every business owner must have an assistant

[15:15] Gratitude: Family, team, clients, and more

[17:00] Current challenge: Growing beyond referrals and organic growth

[20:00] Discussion on CEO groups and mastermind experiences

[22:00] Contact information and final thoughts

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Robert Levin here;

https://x.com/levin411

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertslevin/

Cody runs growth for a venture studio focusing on workflow tools. He also specializes in content marketing and AI-powered growth strategies.

[00:00] Introduction and Cody's role in the venture studio

[02:15] Latest learning: Enhancing AI outputs with context and brand voice

[07:30] Business bet: Building comprehensive AI-powered workflows

[11:45] The importance of understanding traditional content creation processes

[14:30] Gratitude: The value of a founder community

[17:00] Current challenge: Balancing growth and financing options

[20:15] Cody's growth stack and innovative marketing strategies

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Cody Schneider here;

https://x.com/codyschneiderxx

https://www.linkedin.com/in/codyxschneider/

Grant is the founder of Grant Bot Process Consulting.

[00:00] Introduction and Grant's perspective on being a modern industrialist

[02:15] Latest learning: Effective sales follow-up strategies

[06:30] Business bet: Automation agencies as business insurance providers

[10:45] One thing everyone should know: The power of Zapier integrations

[13:30] Gratitude for personal support during entrepreneurial journey

[15:00] Current challenge: Developing a system for auditing client businesses

[20:15] The value of persistence in personal and professional life

[21:45] Final thoughts on the importance of persistence

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Grant Hushek here;

https://x.com/granthushek

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-hushek/

Micah is the founder of Workday Ninja (formerly BGBO) and on his third business venture.

[00:00] Introduction and Micah's background

[03:15] Micah's journey from exiting his previous business to starting Workday Ninja

[06:30] Latest learning: The gap in hiring for digital operations roles

[09:45] Business bet: Creating training programs for digital operations

[11:30] One thing everyone should know: Abundant opportunities in technology

[13:15] Gratitude for family support in entrepreneurial journey

[14:30] Current challenge: Overcoming marketing and lead generation gaps

[17:45] Discussion on speaking engagements and marketing strategies

[21:00] Final thoughts on the importance of digital operations, AI, and automation

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Micah Johnson here;

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsonmicah/

Neel is the founder of MaidThis Franchise, a remote-operated local cleaning company, operated across 23 locations.

[00:00] Introduction and Neel's business background

[03:15] Neel's perspective on being a modern industrialist

[04:30] Latest learning: The art of storytelling in business

[06:45] Business bet: Investing in personal brand distribution

[09:00] One thing everyone should know: The power of reverse engineering

[11:15] Gratitude for mentors and peers in the business community

[13:00] Current challenge: Hiring and integrating an effective executive assistant

[17:30] Michael's setup with his EAs and training process

[20:45] Debate on centralized vs. global remote workforce

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Neel Parekh here;

https://x.com/NeelBParekh

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelbparekh/

Rob is the founder of The Storytellers Company. He is an experienced entrepreneur with a focus on authentic storytelling.

[00:00] Introduction and catching up

[03:15] Rob's perspective on being a modern industrialist

[07:30] Latest learning: Personal resilience and creativity

[12:45] Business bet: Authentic human storytelling in the age of AI

[19:00] The Storytellers Company: A multimedia approach to entrepreneurial stories

[23:30] The importance of relationships in business

[29:00] Current challenge: Launching a crowdfunding campaign for The Storytellers Company

[36:00] Closing thoughts on podcast consistency and production

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Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

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Connect with Rob Ryan here;

https://x.com/IAmRobRyan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robryan/