Need a Product Launch Strategy? From Chaotic Drop to Seamless, Hype-Driven Event | Michael Dodsworth (MU Classic)
07/07/2026 | 44 mins.
#981 What if you could turn product launches into full-blown fan experiences? In this episode, host Brien Gearin sits down with Michael Dodsworth, founder of Fanfare, the LA-based SaaS company helping brands like Nike and Supreme transform chaotic product drops into seamless, hype-driven events. Michael shares his journey from early engineering days and acquisitions at Salesforce to launching his own startup solving the headaches of digital and in-person product releases. He breaks down how Fanfare helps brands manage millions of fans in real time, prevent site crashes, and turn those frenzied “drop moments” into data-rich marketing gold. Whether you’re building a SaaS company or planning your next product launch, this conversation is packed with lessons on scalability, customer feedback, and startup strategy!
(Original Air Date - 11/5/25)
What we discuss with Michael:
+ Origin story and engineering background
+ Early acquisition by Salesforce
+ Lessons from Optimizely and Ticketmaster
+ Founding Fanfare to fix chaotic product drops
+ How Fanfare improves launch experiences
+ Managing millions of fans in real time
+ Turning drop data into marketing insights
+ Challenges and lessons in raising capital
+ Importance of customer feedback and iteration
+ Future vision for experiential commerce and AI
Thank you, Michael!
Check out Fanfare at Fanfare.io.
Get The 5-Step Hype Drop Playbook.
Follow Michael on LinkedIn.
Follow Fanfare on LinkedIn.
Watch the video podcast of this episode!
To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training.
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This AI Setup Transformed His Business in Just 6 Months (Part 2/2)
06/07/2026 | 24 mins.
#980 What if the fastest way to get ahead of your competitors was already sitting in an app on your phone? In part 2 of this 2-part episode hosted by Brogan Williams, Jacques Hopkins breaks down exactly how everyday entrepreneurs can start using AI agents today, no Mac Mini or technical setup required. He walks through the three tabs of the Claude app, and makes the case that Cowork is the easiest on-ramp for non-coders who want to connect tools like Gmail and their calendar and start delegating real tasks. Jacques shares the origin story of his AI Operator Bootcamp, born from a retreat where fellow course creators were blown away by what he'd built with Rocky, and reflects on rebranding his business around AI as information becomes commoditized and transformation becomes the real product. He closes with candid advice on what he'd do differently starting out today (hint: audience first, always) and how he stays current in a space that changes by the week!
What we discuss with Jacques:
+ Claude app's three tabs: Chat, Cowork, Code
+ Cowork as the easy on-ramp for non-coders
+ Connecting Gmail and calendar via connectors
+ Natural language works even in Claude Code
+ VS Code vs. using Claude Code directly
+ Origin story of the AI Operator Bootcamp
+ Migrating clients from OpenClaw to Hermes
+ Why transformation beats information now
+ Audience-first advice for starting over
+ Using X lists to stay current on AI
Thank you, Jacques!
Check out Part 1 of this episode.
Check out Piano In 21 Days at PianoIn21Days.com.
Check out The Online Course Guy at TheOnlineCourseGuy.com.
Check out AI Operator Bootcamp at AIOperatorBootcamp.com.
Watch the video podcast of this episode!
To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training.
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This AI Setup Transformed His Business in Just 6 Months (Part 1/2)
06/07/2026 | 24 mins.
#979 What if you could run your entire business without ever writing another email, article, or line of code yourself? In part 1 of this 2-part episode hosted by Brogan Williams, Jacques Hopkins returns to reveal how AI agents have completely transformed the way he runs his online business empire. Just over a year after his last appearance, Jacques shares how he went from basic chatbot prompting to running a full AI agent — named Rocky — that handles email triage, customer support drafts, SEO content, Google Ads, and even built a custom learning platform from scratch. He breaks down the crucial difference between AI "brains" (models like Claude and GPT) and the "harnesses" that give them bodies to actually take action, and explains how his team still keeps a human review layer in the loop even as AI takes over more of the heavy lifting!
What we discuss with Jacques:
+ Piano In 21 Days origin story
+ ChatGPT bubble to power user
+ OpenClaw and the Mac Mini craze
+ Models vs. harnesses explained
+ Meet Rocky, the AI agent
+ Building a custom learning platform
+ AI-powered inbox triage system
+ Automated customer support drafts
+ Human review layer still matters
+ Overcoming AI overwhelm and fear
Thank you, Jacques!
Check out Part 2 of this episode.
Check out Piano In 21 Days at PianoIn21Days.com.
Check out The Online Course Guy at TheOnlineCourseGuy.com.
Check out AI Operator Bootcamp at AIOperatorBootcamp.com.
Watch the video podcast of this episode!
To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training.
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Building a Shopify Agency That Delivers Massive Growth for E-commerce Brands | Kurt Elster (MU Classic)
05/07/2026 | 44 mins.
#978 What if the simplest, scrappiest tactics could unlock massive success online? In this episode, host Kirsten Tyrrel chats with Kurt Elster, founder of Ethercycle and host of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, about how he built a thriving agency helping e-commerce brands scale on Shopify. Kurt shares how handwritten letters under shop doors turned into multimillion-dollar opportunities, why niching down is the key to standing out, and how building relationships and showing up consistently built his authority in the Shopify space. They also dig into the power of positioning, the psychology behind great website design, and why doing the uncomfortable things — like showing up, sharing your knowledge, and saying yes to new challenges — creates “luck” in business!
(Original Air Date - 11/4/25)
What we discuss with Kurt:
+ Building a business around Shopify
+ How handwritten letters led to clients
+ The power of niching down
+ Turning expertise into authority
+ Creating “luck” through visibility
+ Lessons from early entrepreneurship
+ Why consistency compounds success
+ Common e-commerce design mistakes
+ Importance of copy and clarity
+ Building audience before launching
Thank you, Kurt!
Check out Kurt Elster at KurtElster.com.
Check out Ethercycle at Ethercycle.com.
To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training.
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Selling to Private Equity? How to Reverse Engineer a Million-Dollar Business Exit | Nick Bradley (MU Classic)
04/07/2026 | 43 mins.
#977 What does it really take to sell your business for millions? In this episode, host Brien Gearin sits down with Nick Bradley, founder of High Value Exit — a global expert who’s helped lead 26 business exits totaling $5 billion. Nick reveals how founders can prepare their businesses for a high-value sale, what private equity buyers really look for, and why only 2 out of 10 companies ever sell. From building transfer value and mastering EBITDA to designing your company with the end in mind, this conversation is a masterclass in scaling, strategy, and smart exits for entrepreneurs aiming big!
(Original Air Date - 11/3/25)
What we discuss with Nick:
+ Nick’s $5B in business exits
+ Lessons from private equity world
+ Why only 2 of 10 companies sell
+ Designing your business with the end in mind
+ The five pillars of “Scale to Sale”
+ Reducing risk and building strong foundations
+ Understanding EBITDA and profitability
+ What makes a business attractive to buyers
+ Common pitfalls when selling a company
+ Knowing if and when you should scale
Thank you, Nick!
Check out High Value Exit at HighValueExit.com.
Follow Nick on LinkedIn.
Watch the video podcast of this episode!
To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training.
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Millionaire University is the podcast for entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and ambitious builders who want to grow a business, increase their income, and achieve financial freedom.
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