Matt Nettleton, Host of Default Profitable: Bootstrapped Businesses Don't Need a Plan—Just Guts and Adjustments

In this milestone episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton takes a solo dive into the podcast's journey after 150 episodes, reflecting on the raw realities of bootstrapped businesses. Drawing from interviews with 143 Indianapolis entrepreneurs—from a lasagna chef turned commercial kitchen owner to a freight giant with 800 employees—Matt highlights the consistent themes of resourcefulness, trial-by-fire decisions, and the myth-busting truth that most successful ventures start without perfect plans or deep pockets. He announces an exciting pivot: expanding guest invites beyond Indy to any bootstrapped business owner nationwide, focusing on revenue-generating stories that impact economies, employees, and markets, while keeping episodes punchy at 20 minutes.

Have you ever wondered why bootstrapped founders thrive on scarcity while funded ones often flounder in bad choices? What does it take to launch without six months' savings, a flawless strategy, or even a clear grasp of what clients actually want to buy? Ever pondered how 143 real-world entrepreneurs ditched the internet checklists, embraced worthless plans that taught invaluable lessons, and pivoted from selling what they loved to what pays the bills? And why does understanding your market mean realizing your passions might not match buyer needs? M

Learn more about Matt Nettleton at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattnettleton.

Listen to more Bootstrap Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of Default Profitable, I sit down with Ashley Beck Cuellar, a sales powerhouse who's traded 17 years of slinging automotive direct mail for building her own coaching empire. We dive into the wild ride of leaving a cushy gig at Perk Marketing, the eye-opening realities of entrepreneurship, and why having an outside sales coach isn't just nice—it's a game-changer for ditching robotic pitches and selling like a real human. From outbound hustles to leveraging LinkedIn like a pro, Ashley shares the gritty details on starting, growing, and managing a sales training business without all the fluff.

Have you ever wondered why everyone assumes sales pros come with built-in coaches, only to find out most are flying solo? What does it take to bootstrap a full-cycle sales training outfit after feeding a software startup beast for years? Ever pondered how dropping flyers at local businesses or tapping "best places to work" lists can snag your first clients? And why does selling yourself feel like straight-up narcissism when you're killer at hawking everyone else's stuff?

Learn more about Ashley Beck Cuellar and Sales Spark at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-beck-cuellar.

Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of Default Profitable, I sit down with Mike Hurley, a lifelong Indianapolis resident who's turned his sales and marketing savvy into a thriving digital agency called WarmUp. We dive into his journey from side hustle to full-time venture, including the tough pivot after losing a co-founder during COVID, and how he's navigated the wild ride of entrepreneurship—balancing failures, funding, and finding profitability in a market that's got agencies on the ropes.

Ever wondered what it takes to ditch the corporate paycheck for the chaos of building your own biz, only to reinvent it mid-stream after tragedy strikes? Or how slowing down to craft killer checklists can save your sanity and scale your operations? What kind of grit turns a B2B SaaS flop into a go-to-market engineering powerhouse that's cashflow positive today? Mike shares it all, wrapping up with a humorous nod to his early days raising a "fart in the wind" round from friends and family—proof that even small bets can lead to big wins if you're willing to learn fast.

Learn more about Mike Hurley and WarmUp at https://www.linkedin.com/in/warmupmike.

Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.