Braxton Manley is the founder Braxley Bands (a D2C Apple Watch bands company). The company started as a class project but now has scaled millions of dollars. Braxton shares his story, lessons learned, favorite resources, and much more.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:22 Origins of Braxley Bands

4:22 First customers and inflection points

07:30 DTC brand learns and restructures using Profit First

11:11 Design frameworks and philosophy

12:13 Scaling brand, facing MOQ challenges, shifted focus

14:18 E-commerce strategy and customer loyalty in marketing

17:50 Ways to drive traffic (and pitching Mark Cuban)

20:22 Riding big waves for product demand

23:30 Ways to reduce expenses and maximize revenue

25:43 Switch to Sendland for email and SMS

28:00 Hiring a fractional CMO, Tegan Gainan

28:52 Outside perspective is invaluable for growth

32:06 Adopting a flexible approach, learning from mistakes

35:49 New business of flavored mastic gum for facial structure

37:41 Soft launching under a beta brand for feedback

41:30 Braxton’s girlfriend and founder connections

43:05 Peace Love Hormones business

45:00 Shiny penny syndrome and multiple businesses

45:45 Businesses with family members

47:00 Communication frameworks to express needs

50:00 Final takeaways

Guest Links:

Braxley Bands https://braxleybands.com/

Braxton Manley X https://twitter.com/Braxtonmanley

Braxton Manley IG https://www.instagram.com/braxtonmanley/

Other Links Mentioned:

Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Agency https://oddit.co/

Social Snowball https://socialsnowball.io/

Sendlane for email and SMS https://www.sendlane.com/

Fractional CMO for ecom brands https://tegangainan.com/

Peace Love Hormones https://www.peacelovehormones.com/

Mystic Gum https://mysticgum.com/

My Links:

🧠 3-minute Newsletter: https://making-connections.beehiiv.com/

🎙️ Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mitchellcohen

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellLandon

📸 IG: https://Instagram.com/mitchelllandon

Courtney Johnson creates viral content across LinkedIn and TikTok on her personal accounts (and as a ghostwriter for others). She shares her “unhinged cheat codes” to grow a personal brand, b2b social strategies, leveraging tools/hacks to free up your time, mental models, and much more.

Timestamps:

(04:31) Leverage and income diversification

(08:10) Simplifying tasks to make everything else easier

(11:45) Art of using effective hooks in content

(13:45) Niche targeting/strategies to increase engagement

(17:17) “Problematic cheat codes” to get ahead

(20:01 ) Courtney’s ultimate cheat code for creativity and focus

(22:06) Finding your zone of genius and unfair advantages

(23:50) Shapeshifting your hotness & understanding power dynamics

(26:00) Creating niches from your unique interests

(31:35) Wealthy people & entrepreneurial cheat codes

(39:15) VA task delegation, automation, and software tools

(44:15) Favorite books and mental models

Courtney’s Links:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@courtney..johnson

Other Links Mentioned:

• Virtual assistant service https://www.timeetc.com/
• Virtual coworking https://flown.com/
• “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319
• “The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level-ebook/dp/B0026772QU/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0
• “The ONE Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan https://www.amazon.com/ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary-Results/dp/1885167776/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0
• "We Should All Be Millionaires" by Rachel Rodgers https://www.amazon.com/We-Should-All-Be-Millionaires/dp/B08CVS2G24/ref=sr_1_3

My Links:

🧠 3-minute Newsletter: https://making-connections.beehiiv.com/

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellLandon
📸 IG: https://Instagram.com/mitchelllandon

Charlie Light created the first huge parody account (@cokedupoptions) on Twitter/ X and turned it into a $40K/month content agency. Then he sold it. 

Here’s how he did it and what he’s up to now. (Recorded Oct 2023.)

Timestamps:

(00:00) Started first finance meme parody account 

(05:40) Transition to managing larger Twitter accounts

(07:01) Ghostwriting for founders 

(14:16) Trends on Twitter come and go

(19:25) Figuring out what long-term game you want to play 

(24:33) Up-and-coming writers doing content right

Charlie’s Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/charliewrich 

Website: https://solowriters.com/ 

My Links:

🧠 3-minute Newsletter: https://making-connections.beehiiv.com 

🐦 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MitchellLandon

📸 IG: https://www.Instagram.com/mitchelllandon

Dive into the journey of best-selling author Claire Isenthal who opens up about leaving a stable tech career at Google to unleash her passion for writing. 

We discuss building genuine relationships, having the courage to bet yourself, and testing passions on the side before going all in. (Recorded 11/9/2023)

Timestamps:

(04:12) Realized Google wasn't fulfilling, pursued writing instead

(07:54) Personal identity struggle

(12:15) Leaving Google 

(16:00) Mini retreats and feeling fully ALIVE

(16:55) Finding your people (conferences & writing groups)

(22:15) Mistakes in hindsight

(23:23) Friends' perspectives on challenges

(25:25) Debut novel The Rising Order

(28:00) Reminder to keep going 

Claire’s Links

Book: https://a.co/d/9tCZonJ 

Website: https://www.claireisenthal.com/ 

Newsletter: https://claireisenthal.substack.com/ 

My Links

🧠 3-minute Newsletter: https://www.making-connections.beehiiv.com 

🎙️ Podcast: https://www.podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mitchellcohen 

🐦 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MitchellLandon

📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/mitchelllandon

Cam Houser is a 4x founder who builds entrepreneurship and leadership programs. Timestamps: (00:00:00) Introducing Cam Houser (00:00:50) Origins of 3 Day Startup (00:07:00) The personal board of directors concept (00:13:00) Personal shareholder meetings (00:19:00) The significance of newsletters and communication (00:23:30) How did Cam became a lecturer at the University of Texas (00:30:00) Starting vs trying to get everything right (00:32:00) Where to find Cam Houser Cam’s Links: Website: www.camhouser.com Newsletter https://www.camhouser.com/newsletter Personal Board of Directors blog post: https://www.camhouser.com/how-to-personal-board-of-directors/ My Links: 🧠 3-minute Newsletter: making-connections.beehiiv.com 🎙️ Podcast: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mitchellcohen 🐦 Twitter: twitter.com/MitchellLandon 📸 IG: Instagram.com/mitchelllandon

Jordan Carroll is an author and content creator who helps high performers land remote jobs.

Timestamps:

(01:55) Identity challenged by others' perceptions

(03:09) Struggling with identity, seeking external validation, self-forgiveness

(07:00) Journaling exercise for self-forgiveness and understanding

(11:36) Recognizing milestones, becoming a guide, sharing knowledge

(16:28) Prioritized fun and meaningful conversations in life

(21:49) Seeking inspiration for comedy

(22:41) Improv comedy

(27:13) Authenticity creates opportunities in the creator economy

(28:56) Navigating opportunities, mentorship, experimentation

(34:54) Monthly calls are easy and fun

(38:54) Learning to listen and hold space for others

(40:02) Seeking therapy, solving life's puzzles elegantly described

(43:29) Incorporate adventure in daily activities for impact

(46:37) Expressing gratitude

Connect with Jordan:

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

My Links:

🧠 3-minute Newsletter: https://www.MitchellLandon.com/newsletter

🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@mitchellcohen

🎙️ Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mitchellcohen

🐦 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MitchellLandon

📸 IG: https://www.Instagram.com/mitchelllandon

Joel Byars is a comedian and founder of Hot Breath! Comedy Network.

A few highlights include: how to bring humor into everyday work/life, Joel helping me write a joke live, breaking down Joel's marketing strategy, and giving him feedback (which he calls therapy). And much more.

Timestamps:

(00:05:57) Humor chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, endorphins)

(00:08:28) “Humor Cliff” and daily laughs per age

(00:16:34) Approaches to big-name guest interviews (Andrew Schulz, Bo Burnham)

(00:21:22) Joke writing daily & finding material

(00:29:21) Joel helps Mitchell Write a joke live!

(00:35:36) Joke writers for big comedians (Chris Rock, Conan O’Brien)

(00:39:48) Using comedy for teaching

(00:41:12) Pattern interrupt (even using emojis)

(00:43:57) Performing comedy in strip clubs in Atlanta

(00:47:01) The moment Joel knew comedy was his calling

(00:48:54) Favorite bombing stories

(00:55:25) Comedy career turns into business (with purpose)

(00:58:05) Joe’s media channels and strategy

(01:05:06) Mitchell gives Joel strategy feedback (or maybe therapy?)

Joel’s Links:

Hot Breath! Comedy Network: https://www.youtube.com/@HotBreathPod

Joel Byars: https://www.youtube.co/@JoelByars

The Joke Doctor Interview: https://youtu.be/nj9MAv9INCY?si=bv-0BPmNcLQ5xH7-

Joel’s Website: https://www.joelbyarscomedy.com/

Joel’s Twitter: [https://twitter.com/joelbyarscomedy](https://twitter.com/joelbyarscomedy?lang=en)

Joel’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/joelbyarscomedy/

My Links:

🧠 3-minute Newsletter: https://www.MitchellLandon.com/newsletter

🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/iwJJ0__Xgno

🎙️ Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mitchellcohen

🐦 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MitchellLandon

📸 IG: https://www.Instagram.com/mitchelllandon

James Camp has been buying and growing businesses on the internet for a long time.

Per his bio, "2 Exits, 1000 failures | Buying And Operating Online Businesses & Helping Others Do The Same"

We dive into his entrepreneurial journey and actionable nuggets such as:

(00:02:32) From early blogging to selling first company at 20 years old

(00:08:32) Success in Capital Markets: It's All About Storytelling

(00:11:44) From Nightclubs to Cannabis: The Entrepreneurial Journey

(00:23:01) "Micro PE World: Flipping Small Businesses for Profit"

(00:27:33) "Starting a business with $10,000 or Less"

(00:33:18) "e-commerce vs content Sites

(00:43:21) Tips for website acquisitions

(00:49:19) AI's Impact on Search: Insights and Predictions

(01:00:11) Equity vs Cash: The Power of Strategic Bets

(01:04:45) Lessons for Building a Multi-Million Dollar Business

Guest Links & Mentions

James Camp https://twitter.com/JamesonCamp

Nano Flips https://nanoflips.com/

---LET'S CONNECT---

🧠 3-minute Newsletter: https://www.MitchellLandon.com/newsletter

🐦 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MitchellLandon

📸 IG: https://www.Instagram.com/mitchelllandon