No Bollocks with Matt Haycox

£1.3M a Month, 400 Ads and a Billionaire Plan: Will Brown’s Info Business Blueprint

Will Brown went from DJ to trader, to selling a basic $50 “Word doc” to building an online education business that hit £16.4M and sold to private equity, then he scaled his advisory firm BG&E (Build, Grow & Exit) to £1.3M/month while working with 741+ clients. In this episode, Will breaks down the real mechanics behind scaling an online business: hiring, paid ads, why most “info businesses” stay small, and how to build a product ladder that keeps clients longer (instead of losing them after a few months). They also cover the hard realities of platform dependence, what Will still gets wrong, and why ambition without balance can wreck you. If you sell knowledge online, coaching, courses, programs, masterminds, training, consulting, this is a blueprint on scaling revenue, retention, and operations without making your business fragile. Timestamps: 0:00 - Coming Up  0:16 - Intro  0:42 - Who is Will Brown?  2:38 - DJ to Trader to Info Millionaire  6:22 - Building the first business from scratch (the $50 “Word doc” start) 8:11 - Hiring, running ads, and hitting a million  15:37 - What came after the exit  17:56 - The new consulting business and first clients  19:34 - Scaling past a million a month: what changes 24:45 - Who Will learns from (and why it worked)  29:34 - The fitness coach problem: £250 CPA + the 7-month drop-off  31:43 - Product ladder: keep clients longer  34:30 - Why most online education businesses stay small 37:28 - Free time, investing, and the billionaire goal  40:39 - Can this playbook work in any niche?  43:11 - The danger of relying on one platform  48:34 - What Will gets wrong (and why balance is hard)  51:01 - Is networking bullshit?  53:47 - Final thoughts  Follow William: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willia_mbrown/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-brown-01a310182/ Website: https://buildgrowandexit.com/? ======================== Connect with Matt Haycox, No BS Business Podcast Host & 8-Figure Entrepreneur. I’m Matt Haycox, entrepreneur, investor, and your straight-talking guide to building a business that actually works. I’ve raised over £750M, built (and rebuilt) 8-figure companies, and learned the hard way what it really takes to win. On No Bollocks with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bollocks to bring you raw conversations with 7–8 figure founders, investors, and experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the scars to prove it. No hype, no theory, just actionable strategies you can use today to start, grow, and scale your business. Whether you’re stuck in your 9–5, building your side hustle, or trying to hit your first £100k month, this is your go-to podcast for entrepreneur tips, startup growth strategies, raising capital, building a personal brand, and avoiding the costly mistakes most founders make. 📩 Get Matt’s free business newsletter for weekly strategies, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes lessons → https://nobollockswithmatthaycox.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/ [https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/] ▶ YouTube – No Bollocks Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIxli0O3OlefTxUPgPbESg] ▶ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedi... [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-haycox/]

Fired From David Lloyd to 6-Figures: The Fitness Business Built on Ads

The fitness coaching space is saturated — which means you either niche down or you disappear. In this episode, Matt Haycox sits down with Chris Wright, an online transformation coach best known for helping men over 30 lose the dad bod, get a six-pack, and stay lean without living like a monk. Chris breaks down the real business behind the results: how getting fired pushed him online, why mentors accelerated his growth, how he hires and scales, and why his client acquisition is now driven mainly by paid ads and Instagram. They also get into the unsexy truth most coaches avoid: how long clients actually stay (Chris says around 7 months on average), what happens after the first transformation, and why retention depends on giving people a new goal once they’ve “arrived.” Timestamps: 0:00 - Coming Up 0:16 - Intro 0:47 - Dubai vs Bali: where’s better for business? 7:32 - Getting fired → going online 10:59 - Using mentors to grow faster 13:45 - Hiring, scaling & paid ads (what actually works)  18:34 - Going all in on Instagram 25:05 - Why niching down is non-negotiable 27:54 - How long clients really stay (7 months average)  29:59 - What happens after 7 months (maintenance vs new goals)  32:01 - The future of the business 33:16 - Final thoughts + where to find Chris If you’re a coach, founder, or anyone building a personal brand business, this is a practical breakdown of niching, marketing, ads, retention, and scaling. Follow Chris: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_fitlab/ Website: https://fitlabcoaching.co.uk/lean365-programme/ ======================== Connect with Matt Haycox, No BS Business Podcast Host & 8-Figure Entrepreneur. I’m Matt Haycox, entrepreneur, investor, and your straight-talking guide to building a business that actually works. I’ve raised over £750M, built (and rebuilt) 8-figure companies, and learned the hard way what it really takes to win. On No Bollocks with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bollocks to bring you raw conversations with 7–8 figure founders, investors, and experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the scars to prove it. No hype, no theory, just actionable strategies you can use today to start, grow, and scale your business. Whether you’re stuck in your 9–5, building your side hustle, or trying to hit your first £100k month, this is your go-to podcast for entrepreneur tips, startup growth strategies, raising capital, building a personal brand, and avoiding the costly mistakes most founders make. 📩 Get Matt’s free business newsletter for weekly strategies, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes lessons → https://nobollockswithmatthaycox.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/ [https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/] ▶ YouTube – No Bollocks Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIxli0O3OlefTxUPgPbESg] ▶ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedi... [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-haycox/]

Powerhouse Strategies for Success: Network, Raise Capital, Outwork Everyone

In this short No Bollocks business lesson, Matt Haycox breaks down the 3 core strategies that have driven everything he’s built, and why most entrepreneurs fail because they ignore them. This is a practical blueprint for founders who want to build a bigger network, raise finance, and stop hiding behind “work smarter” when they haven’t even done the hard work first. What you’ll learn: *  Why networking is the ultimate growth lever (relationships, partnerships, opportunities). *  How to raise capital properly (and why you only get “one bite of the cherry” when pitching). *  Why “work smarter, not harder” is incomplete, and why you must outwork & outsmart everyone else. If you’re starting a business, scaling one, or looking to raise money, this is a framework you can apply immediately. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: 3 Powerhouse Strategies 0:13 - Networking: Partnerships Beat Ego 1:09 - Raising Finance: When Capital is Required 2:25 - Outwork Everyone: Hard Work Before Smart Work 3:02 - Final Thoughts ======================== Connect with Matt Haycox, No BS Business Podcast Host & 8-Figure Entrepreneur. I’m Matt Haycox, entrepreneur, investor, and your straight-talking guide to building a business that actually works. I’ve raised over £750M, built (and rebuilt) 8-figure companies, and learned the hard way what it really takes to win. On No Bollocks with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bollocks to bring you raw conversations with 7–8 figure founders, investors, and experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the scars to prove it. No hype, no theory, just actionable strategies you can use today to start, grow, and scale your business. Whether you’re stuck in your 9–5, building your side hustle, or trying to hit your first £100k month, this is your go-to podcast for entrepreneur tips, startup growth strategies, raising capital, building a personal brand, and avoiding the costly mistakes most founders make. 📩 Get Matt’s free business newsletter for weekly strategies, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes lessons → https://nobollockswithmatthaycox.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/ [https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/] ▶ YouTube – No Bollocks Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIxli0O3OlefTxUPgPbESg] ▶ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedi... [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-haycox/]

Buy a Business Instead of Starting One: The Acquisition Playbook | Dee Ludlow

Most people think building a business means starting from scratch.  Dee Ludlow’s view: it’s often smarter to buy momentum. In this episode, Matt Haycox sits down with Dee Ludlow to unpack how business acquisitions work at the small-to-mid market level: why “buy don’t build” has exploded, what sellers actually care about (hint: it’s not only money), and how the best buyers win deals through relationship, credibility, and a clean process, not aggressive spreadsheets. They also break down common myths: the difference between cash-free / debt-free vs sensible finance structures, why many brokers don’t truly understand valuation, and how a deal gets done when you don’t want to tie up all your own cash. If you’re a founder tired of the “start from zero” grind, or you want to grow through acquisition, this is a practical, no-bollocks overview of the buy-side game. Key topics covered: *  Buy vs build: why acquisitions can be a shortcut to traction  *  Valuation reality: what businesses are really priced on  *  Seller motivation: how to win deals by understanding the human side  *  Funding structures: debt, “skin in the game,” and what banks actually require  *  Relationship-led acquisitions vs private equity-style transactions  Follow Dee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeludlow/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeludlow/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dee_ludlow/ [https://www.instagram.com/dee_ludlow/] Summit: https://summit.deeludlow.com/ [https://summit.deeludlow.com/] ======================== Connect with Matt Haycox, No BS Business Podcast Host & 8-Figure Entrepreneur. I’m Matt Haycox, entrepreneur, investor, and your straight-talking guide to building a business that actually works. I’ve raised over £750M, built (and rebuilt) 8-figure companies, and learned the hard way what it really takes to win. On No Bollocks with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bollocks to bring you raw conversations with 7–8 figure founders, investors, and experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the scars to prove it. No hype, no theory, just actionable strategies you can use today to start, grow, and scale your business. Whether you’re stuck in your 9–5, building your side hustle, or trying to hit your first £100k month, this is your go-to podcast for entrepreneur tips, startup growth strategies, raising capital, building a personal brand, and avoiding the costly mistakes most founders make. 📩 Get Matt’s free business newsletter for weekly strategies, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes lessons → https://nobollockswithmatthaycox.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/ [https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/] ▶ YouTube – No Bollocks Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIxli0O3OlefTxUPgPbESg] ▶ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedi... [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-haycox/]

In 5 Minutes: 8 Ways to Grow Your Network (Fast, Free, and Practical)

Networking isn’t about being loud. It’s about being useful, visible, and around the right people. In this short No Bollocks business lesson, Matt gives you 8 ways to grow your network that anyone can start today, regardless of business, confidence, or budget. You’ll learn how to attract opportunities through content, build goodwill by helping people already in your circle, and expand outside your niche so you meet the kind of people who create deals. This is networking for entrepreneurs who hate “networking”. Chapters: 0:00 – Intro 0:11 – 1) Do something that draws people in (content) 0:57 – 2) Help people already in your network 1:30 – 3) Surround yourself with great networkers 2:10 – 4) Say yes 2:26 – 5) Expand beyond your niche 2:58 – 6) Have something to talk about (be interesting + authentic) 3:38 – 7) Quality over quantity 3:57 – 8) Start a podcast (networking shortcut) 4:49 – Final thoughts ======================== Connect with Matt Haycox, No BS Business Podcast Host & 8-Figure Entrepreneur. I’m Matt Haycox, entrepreneur, investor, and your straight-talking guide to building a business that actually works. I’ve raised over £750M, built (and rebuilt) 8-figure companies, and learned the hard way what it really takes to win. On No Bollocks with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bollocks to bring you raw conversations with 7–8 figure founders, investors, and experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the scars to prove it. No hype, no theory, just actionable strategies you can use today to start, grow, and scale your business. Whether you’re stuck in your 9–5, building your side hustle, or trying to hit your first £100k month, this is your go-to podcast for entrepreneur tips, startup growth strategies, raising capital, building a personal brand, and avoiding the costly mistakes most founders make. 📩 Get Matt’s free business newsletter for weekly strategies, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes lessons → https://nobollockswithmatthaycox.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/ [https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/] ▶ YouTube – No Bollocks Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIxli0O3OlefTxUPgPbESg] ▶ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedi... [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-haycox/]