LEVEL THREE: Marketing Veteran on Why Most Founders Burn Out and How to Avoid It

LEVEL 4: Video Editing CEO: From A $200 Startup... to 90 Employees

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] Starting a business with $200 is impressive. Rebuilding it three separate times after devastating setbacks is something else entirely. In this Throwback Thursday episode of The Business Game, Dave Feinman shares the lessons behind scaling his video editing business Viral Ideas into a global creative venture with more than 90 employees. From losing 80% of his revenue overnight to building systems that allow creativity to scale, Dave explains why operational complexity – not finding customers – is the real challenge of growth. If you're building a team, creating systems, or learning how to lead through increasing complexity, this conversation is full of practical advice you can apply immediately. Let's dive in with Dave Feinman: * How to scale a creative business without sacrificing quality * Why every business is only as strong as its biggest bottleneck  * Building systems that allow creativity to flourish  * Leading a global remote team  * Why founders must stop working with people and start working through people  * The leadership lesson Dave lives by: be the person you needed in your darkest moment Connect with Dave Feinman Website - https://www.viralideamarketing.com/ [https://elkridgeadvisors.com/] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-feinman-7a069255/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertindries/] The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses  High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 [https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88]  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

LEVEL SIX: Serial Entrepreneur on Why Everything in Business Is Ones and Zeros

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] Level 5: $30M-$100M  Executive Layer and Division Growth  On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Robert Indries, Managing Partner of Elkridge Advisors. Robert is an engineer turned powerhouse entrepreneur who has generated more than $500 million in business value, built a diverse parallel portfolio of companies, and successfully executed an eight-figure exit from an AI venture.   Robert’s path wasn't built on the typical "Instagram entrepreneur" fantasy. From growing up on a small Transylvanian farm to hitting absolute rock bottom, eating one Subway sandwich a day with only $100 left to his name. Robert learned the hard way that business operates on cold, hard math, not wishful thinking. Today, he looks at the world like a motherboard, designing systems with absolute redundancy so businesses can thrive entirely without him.   In this episode, Robert cracks open the playbook on Level 6 business growth, sharing why he views life and operations through a binary lens: it's either a one or a zero, there is no gray area.   Lets dive in, With Robert Indries:  * Why 96% of businesses never hit seven figures, and why true statistical wealth is actually built through careers.   * How treating business like a motherboard eliminates key-person dependencies and systemic collapse.   * How losing all his savings in a disastrous early venture completely revolutionized his rule on getting paid upfront.   * The precise criteria Robert uses before doing business with anyone, including why it must make money, make the world better, and feature people he actually likes.   * Why high-level founders focus exclusively on the upside of an investment rather than the price tag.   * Why Robert prefers stepping back as a "support character" or "tank" rather than chasing fame, finding his joy in watching his team win.   * A candid look at the emotional toll of high-stakes business, navigating internal turmoil, and taking action anyway.   Whether you’re looking to untangle your operations, transition from operator to true owner, or figure out how to scale dozens of cross-border acquisitions a year, Robert’s unfiltered, mathematical approach to business excellence will fundamentally change how you view your company.   Connect with Robert Indries Website - https://elkridgeadvisors.com/ [https://elkridgeadvisors.com/] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertindries/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertindries/]  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses  High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 [https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88]  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  #TheBusinessGame #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SystemsEngineering  #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ScalingBusiness #FounderMindset #AssetManagement Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

LEVEL ONE: Property Founder on Why He Walked Away From a $250K Career to Start From Zero

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] LEVEL 1: $0M-$1M START UP AND SURVIVAL STAGE  In this episode of The Business Game, we sit down with Matthew Nowell, founder of MPAC Property Group, RentFinder Australia, and a new building company focused on cashflow positive investments.   Matthew shares how he had a $250,000 leadership role in the mining industry before making the life-changing decision to leave it all behind at 39. He opens up about the mindset that helped him embrace uncertainty, why he believes failure is one of the greatest teachers in business, and how networking, integrity and a long-term approach have fueled the rapid growth of his business.  We also dive into the changing property investment landscape, why Matthew believes cashflow-positive investing is the future, and the lessons he's determined to pass on to his children about backing yourself and creating your own path.  Whether you're thinking about changing careers, building a business from the ground up, or looking for a fresh perspective on property investing, you don't want to miss this episode. Let’s dive in, With Matthew Nowell:  * Walking away from a high-paying career to start a business  * Why failure is essential for long-term success  * Building a business through networking and relationships  * The importance of staying true to your values  * Creating cashflow-positive property investments  * Balancing entrepreneurship with family life  * The mindset required to reinvent yourself at any stage of life    If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to The Business Game and leave us a review. New episodes every week featuring founders and business leaders sharing the lessons they've learned at every level of the game.  Connect with Matthew Nowell: Website: https://www.mpacpropertygroup.com.au/ [https://www.mpacpropertygroup.com.au/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-nowell-93a05491 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-nowell-93a05491/]    The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 [https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88]  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

LEVEL THREE: Marketing Veteran on Why Most Founders Burn Out and How to Avoid It

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] Level 3: $3-$8M DELEGATION AND EARLY LEADERSHIP  On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Phil Ohren, Founder and CEO of Intender, a growth marketing agency on a mission to make advertising useful, not annoying.  Like many founders, Phil spent years chasing growth, building teams, serving clients, and pushing for the next milestone. But behind the scenes, he found himself facing something he never expected: burnout so severe it left him with writer's block, strategy block, and a growing realisation that his identity had become tied to external validation.  In this episode, Phil shares the lessons that came from that experience, including why he believes many entrepreneurs are unknowingly people-pleasers, how learning to let go transformed his leadership, and the advice from a mentor who told him he was operating like "a genius with a thousand helpers". A mindset that simply doesn't scale.  Let’s dive in, With Phil Ohren:  • Why founder burnout often starts with seeking validation from others   • The leadership shift required to stop being the bottleneck   • Why Phil would build a CRM before writing vision and values   • The power of accountability frameworks inside growing businesses   • How being "neuro-spicy" became one of his biggest strengths as a founder   • Why curiosity is a competitive advantage in business   • The future of AI and why Phil believes robots will transform advertising   • How small, consistent wins compound into massive growth over time  Whether you're trying to scale a business, build a stronger leadership team, or avoid the mistakes that lead many founders to burnout, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest reflections from someone who's lived through it.  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses  High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 [https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88]  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

LEVEL FOUR: Global Entrepreneur on What the World's Most Successful Founders Have in Common

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] LEVEL 4: $8M - $20M GROWING PAINS AND OPERATIONAL COMPLEXITY  On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Skye Blanks, Chief Operations Officer at the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and founder of Herman Todd Consulting Group, to unpack what it really takes to grow a business beyond founder hustle and into something that can scale sustainably.  At this stage of the game, the challenge isn’t just getting customers or staying busy, it’s about building systems, delegating effectively, creating strategic partnerships, and turning a founder-dependent business into one that can operate without you in the room.  In this conversation, Skye shares how he built credibility as a young executive operating on the global stage, what small business owners consistently get wrong when they hit a growth plateau, and why the businesses that scale fastest are the ones willing to think beyond their industry, their local market, and their own four walls.  Lets dive in, with Skye Blanks:  * Why most growth plateaus are strategy problems, not market problems  * The role SOPs play in scaling without chaos  * How strategic partnerships can unlock growth faster than more marketing  * Why founders need to stop building businesses that collapse without them  * What Skye has learned from advising businesses across industries and countries  * The mindset shift from doing everything yourself to leading through trust and delegation  If you’re a founder trying to move from being the person who does everything to the person who leads a business that can grow, this episode will give you a clear look at what needs to change next.  Connect with Skye Blanks: Website: https://icsb.org/ [https://icsb.org/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/skyeblanks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/skyeblanks/]  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 [https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88]  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.