93 Greg Smith Creating a Viable Product
Jaime Jay welcomes Greg Smith to today’s podcast. Greg is the owner of Thinkific. An online learning platform designed for entrepreneurs that Jaime is really stoked about! Listen in to learn why!
In the Beginning
Greg is a proud kiteboarding and hockey playing husband and father of one. Greg was intent on becoming a lawyer. While in law school, he created an online course as a hobby with his brother. It eventually was generating more revenue for Greg than his lawyer gig.
It was so successful for Greg that he started another course. It grew and people were wondering if he could duplicate the software for them. Everything was custom so it was easier said than done.
The Software is Born
Out of the need for software to duplicate his successful online learning courses, he and his brother developed Thinkific. Now others can create their other courses. Greg loves helping others succeed and Thinkific has provided him with the platform to do it.
“Keep moving forward until you find that perfect product, market, fit for people.” – Greg Smith
Building a Business
There is always the initial excitement of building a new business. Then there’s the dip. it’s a bit of a down period where you are questioning yourself. You are putting in a lot of effort without much return. This is the point where a lot of people quit.
Greg was lucky enough to get the right advice at the right time. He kept experimenting and moving forward until he began to see the exponential growth on the other side of the dip.
Shiny Object Syndrome
When you’re a year or a year-and-half into a new business and you’re not seeing the success yet, you want to keep the excitement going. Then you see the new shiny object and reach for it.
If you want to learn how Greg Smith avoided the pitfalls of early entrepreneurship and found success, then make sure to listen to this episode. You can also check out his links below to learn more about him. He welcomes all questions, comments, and inquiries! Don’t forget to mention you heard about Greg on Stop Riding the Pine:-)
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
The Dip by Seth Godin
Here are the highlights of my conversation with Greg Smith if you are in a hurry:
- Who is Greg Smith? (4:56)
- Greg’s Calgary story (7:43)
- Challenges as an entrepreneur (10:12)
- When is it ok to invest in marketing? (16:52)
- The most successful way to use Thinkific? (25:00)
- Greg’s Breakaway Moment? (28:56)
- Greg’s takeaway? (32:55)
Special Mentions:
(iTunes Shout Out) Peggy Sage
Thank you to Alexis Ayala, for providing the incredible editing for this episode. If you need to find an audio editor, send Alexis an email at lex@slapshotstudio.com.
Thank you to our awesome sponsor, Interview Valet, A professional concierge guest booking podcast service for hosts and guests – You be the Guest, We do the Rest! Check out their new website at InterviewValet.com.
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About Jaime Jay
Meet Jaime Jay – a man who wears many hats, and wears them all admirably. He's a master connector, an entrepreneur extraordinaire, and a published author who knows how to get things done.
Before he found his way to the business world, Jaime served his country as a brave paratrooper in the U.S. Army. But that's just the beginning of his many accomplishments.
He's the founder of the renowned Bottleneck Distant Assistant Services firm, and his book "Quit Repeating Yourself" has become a must-read for entrepreneurs everywhere.
When he's not busy building his empire, you can find him on his beloved Harley Davidson, cruising through the countryside and taking in the invigorating effects of Uitwaaien – a Dutch practice that involves facing the wind to boost health and relieve stress.
He enjoys spending his free time outside building stuff with his wife, Nikita the dog and their two kittens (for now at least) Tommy and Tater.
He is ‘over-the-moon’ happily married to his wonderful wife Sara, his amazing daughter, Jessica, who is serving our country as a United States Army soldier. Jaime and Sara are the proud grand parents of two beautiful little girls.
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Quit Repeating Yourself provides guidance for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and managers to help prevent unknown challenges from ruining their business.