Two No-Bullshit Entrepreneurs Worth Your Time & Attention

The world of entrepreneurship is polluted with so much bullshit these days thanks to social media. It’s impossible to scroll through your Facebook feed without seeing an offer for a digital course, eBook or personal mentoring (LOL) from some clown promising the world for $97, $197, $297 or some other $X97 magic number.

The problem is these “entrepreneurs” haven’t accomplished jack shit as real business owners. Their “business” is teaching other people how to start and build businesses. How fucking bizarre is that?! It’s ridiculous — that’s what it is.

In a sea of shit, filled with rented Lamborghini’s and lifestyle promo clips being filmed at rented Airbnb mansions, there are some authentic no-bullshit entrepreneurs that are worth your time and attention. Your time is valuable. In fact, it’s the most valuable asset you possess. It doesn’t matter how much money you earn, what kind of car you drive or how successful your business is. You aren’t getting any more time.

Anyone that knows me personally fully understands how much I despise the fake ass guru ass-clowns out there that pray on weak-minded people. I wanted to take a minute to highlight two entrepreneurs that I have the utmost respect for. I highly suggest you read their story and consume all of the free content they continuously pump out, day-after-day — vlogs, social media, podcasts, etc. — absorb it all.

1. Andy Frisella


Image: andyfrisella.com

I started following Andy Frisella after reading his story. He was real and raw and there was no sob story. His two main companies, Supplement Superstores and 1st Phorm are wildly successful, but it didn’t happen overnight. He didn’t discover a “secret” that turned his life around. What he did was work his fucking ass off, daily, for several years.

Imagine that novel concept. You have to WORK to see results. There are no secret formulas or shortcuts to success. You have to work, no matter what all of the fake ass clowns are spewing on social media. My dad used to say, “There is no such thing as a free lunch” all the time. From an early age he taught me that working hard was the only way and that there were no shortcuts. Frisella also credits his dad for much of his success, which is another reason I originally started to follow him. I lost my dad just over eight years ago (fuck cancer) and I wake up every single day ready to kick ass simply because I want him to be proud.

Every entrepreneur should listen to Frisella’s MFCEO Project Podcast, as it is pure value. He isn’t trying to sell you anything. He simply wants to help you. Fit it in during your downtime — your commute, while doing cardio, etc. It’s easy to find the time when you put in the effort. The podcast is available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeart Radio. No excuses — start listening.

His YouTube channel is also worth subscribing to, as his new show Frisella Factor, features him answering real questions. If you have a specific question related to business, finance, social media, success or anything else, you can submit your question here.

You can connect with him on social media via Facebook and Instagram. If you have kids, you can also check out the children’s books he has authored here.

I respect the shit out of Andy and I am confident that if you consume his content it will provide you with immense value.

2. Gary Vaynerchuk


Image: garyvaynerchuk.com

I started following Gary Vaynerchuk years ago after learning that we had a few things in common from our childhood. First, we weren’t exactly the best students, and second, we both hustled the baseball card circuit. Those were some of the best times with my dad and brothers, and it truly did teach me a lot about business at a very early age. The baseball card connection is what initially drew me to Gary, but then I realized he was real and raw. He was putting out so much value out there and not asking for a single thing in return. He pioneered the “give, give, give, give” movement that many are trying to duplicate today. The problem is, most others’ all have an agenda, so they will fail. They want to sell you some bullshit.

Gary is the co-founder and CEO of VaynerMedia and a successful investor, including investments in companies such as Twitter, Facebook, Uber and Venmo. He started working at his family’s business, Wine Library, and took that from a $4 million a year company to more than $60 million a year through e-commerce sales. He started a popular YouTube channel and leveraged the early power of AdWords and email marketing to grow the company. This is where Gary really separates himself from other entrepreneurs — he is speaking based on experience. He’s not educating based on blog posts or perceptions in the industry — he is speaking from experience and being in the trenches day-after-day.

Gary Vee’s YouTube channel is home to a lot of video content, including his vlog, DailyVee, The #AskGaryVee Show, #podSessions, rants, keynotes and original films. There is no shortage of content to consume here, and it’s all value-packed. I’ve watched his subscriber count rise from under 70,000 to more than 1.2 million today, and for good reason. His advice is honest and spot-on and his daily vlog proves that the hustle doesn’t stop when you want to dominate at everything you do. There is no bling-bling factor with Gary — and I love that. Commercial flights, Uber rides and working from sunrise to sunset — welcome to the real world of entrepreneurship.

His podcast, The GaryVee Audio Experience, is one that is well worth listening to. You have no excuses here — it’s available on every platform you could imagine: iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Overcast, iHeart Radio, Spotify, TuneIn, Acast, Castbox, and Otto Radio. Find time to listen, and you will pick up priceless bits of information every time.

Vaynerchuk is extremely active and accessible on social media. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Snapchat.He has also written five books that I highly recommend as well:

  • Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
  • The Thank You Economy
  • Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World
  • #AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur’s Take on Leadership, Social Media, and Self-Awareness
  • Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence-and How You Can, Too

I respect everything he stands for, and the fact that he busts his ass daily when he could be in “coast” mode, is further proof that he truly loves this game.

Image: PEXELS
Author
Jonathan Long is the Founder of Uber Brands, a brand development agency located in Miami, focused on building e-commerce brands in the health, fitness, lifestyle and beauty industries.