The Futur with Chris Do

• 339 - The Truth About Niching Down - With Chris Do

  In this episode, I challenge the common belief that you need to niche down to succeed. Many creatives look at artists like Post Malone, who seamlessly transitions across genres, and assume they can do the same. But the reality is, these people mastered one thing before expanding. I discuss why copying someone’s success without understanding their journey is a mistake and why intentional practice and depth of knowledge are key. We explore the concept of the T-shaped skill set, the risks of diversifying too soon, and how social media growth favors consistency. If you’ve ever struggled with whether to specialize or go broad, this episode is for you.Timestamps:(00:00) - The problem with copying success(00:39) - Post Malone’s career evolution(02:12) - Why success leaves clues(03:35) - Finding your starting point(04:17) - The power of deep expertise(05:00) - Social media and consistency(06:15) - The restaurant analogy for niching(07:01) - Outro and call to actionCheck out The Futur:Website: https://www.thefutur.com/Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shopLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/Twitter: https://x.com/thefuturishereTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishereYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishereCheck out Chris Do:Website: https://zaap.bio/thechrisdoLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesignInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/Twitter:https://x.com/thechrisdoTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdoThreads:https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdoZaap: https://zaap.bio/thechrisdoClubhouse:https://www.clubhouse.com/@thechrisdoBehance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo

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• 338 - Build, Test, Scale, Repeat - With Hamlet Azarian

  In this episode, I’m joined by Hamlet Azarian, a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in scaling early-stage startups from ideation to success. Hamlet breaks down his data-driven approach to marketing, emphasizing the importance of multivariate testing, customer personas, and psychographics to deeply understand user needs. We discuss actionable strategies, such as rapid testing of ideas through prototypes and landing pages, and leveraging tools like Hotjar and CallRail to optimize customer engagement. Hamlet also highlights the power of focusing on progress over perfection and shares insights from his journey of building an agency with a mission to educate and empower future marketers. Whether you’re a creative professional, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about growth marketing, this episode is packed with insights to help you take your ideas to the next level.Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction to Hamlet Azarian(01:30) - Early-stage startup dynamics(03:00) - Example: Scaling Camino Financial(08:00) - Multivariate testing and audience targeting(15:00) - Understanding customer personas and psychographics(25:00) - Building marketing strategies through interviews(32:50) - Optimizing landing pages and pre-launch campaigns(38:20) - Growth mindset and startup culture(50:30) - Tools and tech stack for data-driven marketing(54:00) - Closing thoughts and action stepsCheck out today's guest, Hamlet Azarian:Hamlet's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamletazarianAzarian Growth Agency's Website: https://azariangrowthagency.com/Hamlet's Website: https://hamletazarian.com/Check out The Futur:Website: https://www.thefutur.com/Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shopLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/Twitter: https://x.com/thefuturishereTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishereYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishereCheck out Chris Do:Website: https://zaap.bio/thechrisdoLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesignInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/Twitter:

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• 337 - Empathy in Business: Nice or Necessary? - With Maria Ross

  In this episode, I sit down with Maria Ross, an author, speaker, and empathy advocate, to explore the power of empathy in leadership, branding, and creative work. We unpack the two types of empathy—cognitive and affective—and how understanding them can transform relationships, client interactions, and even pricing strategies. Maria shares insights from her books, The Empathy Edge and The Empathy Dilemma, addressing misconceptions around empathy in business. We discuss how ego and insecurity can block empathy, the dangers of "empathy hijacking," and the balance between compassion and high performance. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or creative professional, this episode is packed with practical strategies to integrate empathy into your work without burning out.Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction to Maria Ross(00:33) - Maria’s background in branding and empathy advocacy(01:49) - Why empathy matters for small teams and solopreneurs(02:14) - The business case for empathy in leadership(07:13) - Why creatives struggle with empathy(09:03) - The two types of empathy: cognitive vs. affective(13:33) - Ego and insecurity as empathy blockers(20:04) - The problem with "radical honesty" and weaponized empathy(29:07) - How to respond empathetically without "hijacking" the conversation(36:41) - The power of curiosity in empathy(40:15) - Empathy in pricing: charging based on client impact(50:13) - Leadership challenges: balancing empathy and performance(57:22) - How to build an empathetic workplace culture(59:10) - Where to find Maria and her booksCheck out today's guest, Maria Ross:Maria's book website: https://theempathydilemma.com/Maria's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariajrossMaria's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redslicemariaCheck out The Futur:Website: https://www.thefutur.com/Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shopLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/Twitter: https://x.com/thefuturishereTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishereYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishereCheck out Chris Do:Website: https://zaap.bio/thechrisdoLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesignInstagram:

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• 336 - Risk, Failure & Growth: The Truth About Entrepreneurship - With Mike & Kass Lazerow

  In this episode, I sit down with Mike and Kass Lazerow—serial entrepreneurs, business partners, and husband-and-wife duo—to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership, and working together as a couple. We dive into their journey from launching Golf.com to selling Buddy Media to Salesforce for $745M. Mike shares his instinctive, visionary approach to business, while Kass offers sharp operational expertise, revealing the balance that has fueled their success. We talk about the myths of entrepreneurship, the importance of embracing failure, and how firing people with kindness can change lives. The conversation takes a candid turn as we explore what it means to navigate business, marriage, and parenting while staying aligned. If you've ever struggled with leadership, scaling a business, or balancing work and relationships, this episode is full of valuable insights and honest reflections.Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction (05:10) - Mike & Kass’s journey from Golf.com to Buddy Media (11:45) - The biggest myths about entrepreneurship (18:30) - Learning to embrace fear and uncertainty in business (25:55) - How Kass approaches firing people with kindness (32:40) - Navigating marriage and business: The challenges and rewards (39:15) - The importance of trusting your gut vs. making data-driven decisions (45:50) - How social media has changed entrepreneurship (52:30) - The right way to pivot when a business idea isn’t working (59:05) - Leadership lessons: Why transparency matters (1:05:40) - The mental load of running a business and parenting (1:12:15) - Shoveling Sh*t: A sneak peek at Mike & Kass’s new book Check out today's guests, Mike and Kass Lazerow:Mike and Kass' Website: https://www.kassandmike.com/Mike and Kass' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kassandmike/Mike and Kass' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassandmike/Shoveling Sh*t Website: https://shovelingshit.com/Check out The Futur:Website: https://www.thefutur.com/Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shopLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/Twitter: https://x.com/thefuturishereTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishereYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishereCheck out Chris Do:Website:

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• 335 - Vulnerability Meets Growth Strategies - With Eric Siu

  In this engaging crossover episode, I join forces with Eric Siu’s Leveling Up podcast for a thought-provoking conversation. Together, we explore the art and strategy behind building personal brands and creating authentic connections in the digital age. We dive into the intricacies of running masterminds, including their pros, cons, and the lessons learned. Eric and I discuss the value of storytelling, self-awareness, and vulnerability in establishing a meaningful online presence. Whether you're considering launching a mastermind, enhancing your personal brand, or looking to deepen your connections with your audience, this episode delivers a mix of actionable advice and honest reflections.Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction and episode setup(02:00) - Building authentic personal brands(06:30) - Vulnerability and Storytelling online(11:15) - The power of masterminds(16:50) - Structuring masterminds effectively(21:30) - Balancing personal growth with branding(27:00) - Social media strategies and engagement tips(35:20) - Long-term brand-building insights(42:00) - Overcoming criticism and self-doubt(48:15) - Closing thoughts on authenticityCheck out today's guest, Eric Siu:Eric's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericosiuEric's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericosiuSingle Grain's Website: https://www.singlegrain.com/Check out The Futur:Website: https://www.thefutur.com/Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shopLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/Twitter: https://x.com/thefuturishereTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishereYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishereCheck out Chris Do:Website: https://zaap.bio/thechrisdoLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesignInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/Twitter:https://x.com/thechrisdoTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdoThreads:

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