"The goal of this podcast is to help business builders learn some best practices when they go looking for their first 10, to expose the things worth doing and the things that might be dead ends and ultimately cost time and money. We should all be recycling these days, and when it comes to understanding your customers and how you talk to them, there's a ton of value that my guests have shared that is worth repeating." – Conor McCarthy. Welcome to the final episode of season 4 of The First 10...

‘’In a start-up, you can’t move slowly because your competition is not moving slowly.’’ – Rob Walling.  On this bonus episode of the First 10 Podcast, I have something a little different for you. I asked Rob Walling, serial entrepreneur, investor, author, and host of the popular podcast ‘Startups for the Rest of Us’ , if I could reshare the audio from a Youtube video he posted entitled "Top 10 Avoidable Mistakes SaaS Startups Make". When I saw this video, I knew I had to share it. Its short,...

Welcome back to the final episode of season four, and what a season it has been – but it’s not over just yet! Joining me to wrap up this serial-entrepreneur season is founder and chief side hustler of Side Hustle Nation, Nick Loper.  Have you ever had the itch to get a side hustle going!? If so, you will love this episode! If you have ever researched how to start your own side business, chances are high that you’ve come across Nick’s go-to website, www.sidehustlenation.com. Through his...

"When people are actively looking for a product like yours, and you're not marketing it, you are actually doing an act of disservice. You are starving them of something that they need, that they could use. By not marketing, you're putting a ceiling on your potential." – Corey Haines.  Are you currently creating or marketing a product in the SaaS space? If so, you will love and learn so much from this week's episode with SaaS marketing expert Corey Haines. Corey is a marketer, entrepreneur,...

Wondering how best to grow your audience or perhaps, how to fund your next trip to Ireland? If so, this week's podcast is a must-listen for you! This week, joining Conor on the show is special guest and serial entrepreneur Brennan Dunn. Brennan is the co-founder of RightMessage, a platform for online businesses to enhance their automated segmentation and website personalisation. In this episode, Brennan walks us through his fascinating leap from consulting into SaaS, launching and selling his...

This week, joining the podcast is special guest, serial entrepreneur, and the king of shiny objects, Brian Casel. Brian is the founder of Zip Message, a popular video messaging tool for async conversations, which launched at the beginning of 2021. Brian recently sold and exited some of his earlier businesses, including Audience Ops and ProcessKit. Brian firmly believes that with each business opportunity came great learnings and experiences, which he has carried forward to get him to where he...

’If I don’t understand the cost of selling the product, how to price and how to monetize it, I’m kind of screwed. Right? And that’s why 70 to 90% of startups fail, they start with that first bucket, and they don’t look at the second bucket.’’ – Dave Parker. Each week on the podcast, we are joined by inspiring business builders who openly discuss their entrepreneurial journey with us, sharing how they obtained their first customers and revealing what worked and what didn’t throughout the...

‘’The biggest risk is not can you build this? The biggest risk is that no one cares. So how do you validate that someone will care? And how do you validate that someone will be willing to pay for what you are selling?’’ – Rob Walling.  Calling all bootstrap founders! Joining us on today’s masterclass on launching and growing a business is special guest Rob Walling. Rob is an admired serial entrepreneur, investor, author, and host of the popular podcast ‘Startups for the Rest of Us’. Since...

Have you ever heard that to grow your business, you must think big? Well, what if we were to tell you that's not always the case. Joining Conor on today's episode is special guest Daniel Vassallo. Daniel is a master of taking small bets and has a fascinating story to share.  Daniel's professional career was a roaring success as he worked for the globe's largest e-commerce retailer, Amazon. However, despite the promotions, benefits, and attractive six-figure salary, Daniel decided to take the...

Are you ready to ignite an idea, fire up your business and transform your life!? If so, you will love soaking up today's episode with entrepreneur expert Shane Melaugh. Shane Melaugh has founded multiple seven-figure companies, including Thrive Themes, and is currently building his cultivating personal development community, ikario. Shane's personal story is fascinating. His mission via ikario is to share his life experiences with as many people as possible to help them break free and...

Indie makers and marketplace shakers, this episode is a must-listen for you! Joining the podcast today is the prolific innovator and creator Jakob Greenfeld. Over the last two years, Jakob has successfully launched over fifteen software products and is the host of The Business Brainstorms podcast and creator of The Opportunities newsletter.  In this episode, we learn about Jakob’s journey from becoming a physicist to testing out the road of entrepreneurship with his bootstrapped products....

Welcome back to season four of The First 10 podcast. Kicking off this season’s debut episode is special guest Andy Mackin. Andy is the proud CEO of the Mackin group, based in Cork and operating globally. The Mackin group consists of two renowned companies Mackin EHS a health, safety, and environmental service provider, and Mackin Talent, a talent management solutions provider.  Andy is a wealth of business knowledge and has so many fascinating stories to share, along with valuable advice and...

Season 4 of The First 10 Podcast will focus on serial entrepreneurs, and this episode is a short message about why.  I want to shed a light on the people who have chosen the entrepreneurial path, again and again, to see what it was about them that enabled them to pivot their business, or drop a failing or undesirable business and pick up elsewhere, or spot new opportunities in a familiar space and launch products that found traction and fit a customer need. From the outside, the tenacity,...

A recap of some of the incredible wisdom shared by my array of guests this last season. Show Notes Work with me - https://www.conormccarthy.me/work-with-me  Link for review on Apple Podcasts Website contact form Leave a rating for this podcast

The First 10 things I Wish I Knew are here. Like anyone who works for themselves, I have a litany of things I learned the hard way. All of them have taught me things that now are a part of my subconscious judgement when making decisions. They help me be less wrong in the future. In speaking with founders on The First 10 Podcast about how they found their first 10 customers, I have discovered that some of these mistakes and failures are universal. The only way to learn from your mistakes is to...

It’s easy to look back at our mistakes and wonder how things might have gone differently, if only. There is only so much value to be had in that mode of thinking. The moment has passed, the decisions were made and paths were taken. Here is a list of 10 things I’ve learned along the way that might help you improve your decision-making process.

Listeners are in for a treat with this final episode of the season featuring prolific freelancer Tom Hirst. Tom is a WordPress developer, business owner, author, creator, mentor, and Twitter guru. Tom has a passion for helping others get ahead by sharing his experience and learnings with people from all corners of the globe, guiding them to become better freelancers through his newsletter, courses, books, and mentorship programmes. In this jam-packed episode, Conor and Tom dive into the world...

If a life coach and a business strategist had a baby, you would get Darrah Brustein. Darrah is a four-time founder, author, connector, and coach at Mind Your Own Business, a community for service-based business owners focused on maximising their profit and impact.   In this episode, Darrah discusses her steered transition into coaching, how to go above and beyond for clients, and building a business that does not run you. Main points covered throughout the show include: An insight into...

Matt Olpinski is a successful UI + UX designer and developer who teaches thousands of freelancers how to get more clients, raise their rates, and create a better life for themselves.  In this episode, Matt discusses in depth how to operate as a freelancer. Matt shares how he accidentally fell into the world of freelancing and how you can find clients through your personal network by letting people know what it is that you do. Matt also reveals how he transitioned from being a full-time...

Robbie Swale is a leadership coach who has built a successful practice of empowering clients to unlock their potential to thrive in their career, work, and life paths. Robbie’s clients include entrepreneurs, investors, theatre directors, and even other coaches. In this episode, Robbie shares his coaching journey, discusses getting comfortable with talking about money, the importance of honesty, and how we can improve our practices from learning through conversations with others. Key points...

Copywriting queen Margo Aaron is a wealth of business knowledge. Margo has taught thousands of students how to sell ethically, market honestly, and how to use words to stand out and inspire action. In this jam-packed episode, Margo and Conor discuss the rollercoaster of freelancing, hard learnings, the power of relationships, and the art and science of getting people to care. Key points covered in the episode include; Margo’s business introduction and her shift into the world of...

Pete Shepherd is the 6”7’ founder of Human Periscope, co-host of The Long and the Short podcast, and a head coach of Seth Godin’s altMBA, an online leadership, and management workshop. Pete specializes in helping leaders around the globe to develop, grow and create great change by allowing them to see things they can’t.  In this episode, Pete and Conor discuss the various strands of being a freelancer, breakthrough moments throughout Pete’s early coaching career, and understanding how to...

Jay Clouse is a writer, podcaster, and entrepreneur. Jay is the creator ofFreelancing School, which provides the training and community to help people make a living freelancing. With three courses, coaching, and community support, Freelancing School has the tools to help creatives thrive as business owners.  In this episode, Jay and Conor discuss the fundamentals to help freelancers earn more and the techniques for building a business to support personal lifestyle goals. Key points covered in...

Scott Perry is Creative on Purpose's Chief Difference-Maker and author of the Amazon top-sellers Endeavor and Onward. Scott is also the head coach for Seth Godin's Creative and Freelancer Workshops. Scott has mentored and guided thousands of freelancers in helping them deliver work that is aligned with who they are and their key strengths, enhancing their own lives as well as the lives of others. In this episode, Scott shares with Conor his personal freelancing journey along with the key...