#31: How to Run a Business and Lessons in Sword Fighting
A lot of people have dreams of starting a business. One of their biggest obstacles? Money. “I gots to have cash to get this going!” you may have said at one point or another. But today’s guest is here to show you how to start a business and get it running without any kind of venture capital or loans.
He’s spent the past 14 years building six and seven-figure businesses and they’re all fully bootstrapped. His big businesses today are Live Lingua, the third largest online language school that he runs with his wife, and Twiducate, a social network with 200,000 users. Ray is also building a product I’m VERY excited about called PodcastHawk, which will help people get booked on podcast interviews.
On the personal side, Ray was born in the Phillippines, grew up in Turkey, and lives in Mexico. He’s a former US Peace Corps volunteer and a competitive sword fighter. And he’s got lots of knowledge to share, so let’s hop on in!
Highlights of this episode include:
Ray talks about his background as a professional sword fighter and how Kendo has shaped his philosophies of life. (4:38)
The two types of entrepreneurs in the world: the visionary and the person who sees a need, doesn’t find it, and builds it — and why the second route is more realistic for more people. (10:12)
Why Roy left his cushy job, joined the Peace Corps, and started a brand new business with his wife that quickly became the largest online language school. And why it’s important to build your passion instead of to follow your passion. (12:45)
The ultimate example of bootstrapping and why Ray would rather bootstrap instead of receiving money to start a business. (16:20)
Roy’s chocolate business — even though he doesn’t like chocolate — and whether running a chocolate business is like the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory. (23:40)
How Roy started a social network called Twiducate, grew to 200,000 users, and (25:37)
The exciting new business Ray is starting called Podcast Hawk, which will help podcast guests find podcasts to appear on without all the manual labor of digging around the internet and reaching out to hosts. (29:04)
Ray talks about why you shouldn’t start your own business and why most people would be happier working at a 9 to 5 job. (40:52)
The top three things everyone should do before they die, including travel, volunteer for at least one week every year, and planning your rest. (45:10)
What’s next for Ray Blakney?
Follow Ray on Facebook or shoot him a note over on LiveLingua.com or PodcastHawk.com.
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