Introduction

In one of the episodes of Office Hours, I sat down with Bryan Eisenberg, a renowned expert in the field of online marketing and the author of “The Rice & Beans Millionaire,” a book aimed at young entrepreneurs or those looking to start their own businesses.

With over eight books on internet marketing and as one of the pioneers in the field, Bryan and his brother Jeffrey have made complex concepts easy to understand.

Our conversation centered around his latest book and the valuable insights he shared on becoming a successful entrepreneur.

With only 113 pages and a conversational storytelling format, the book can be read in just 90 minutes.

The Inspiration Behind the Book

In April 2022, Bryan was working from home when his 13-year-old son, Sammy, who plays on a collegiate baseball team, asked him if they could play catch.

After spending time training and practicing with Sammy for baseball, Bryan realized that he had been there for his son from the beginning of his baseball journey, but his children had not seen him in the early stages of building and scaling his agency.

This led him to the realization that he wanted to leave a legacy for his children and for aspiring entrepreneurs, and he began searching for a book that would provide young entrepreneurs with a comprehensive understanding of the mindset and skills needed to succeed.

When he couldn’t find such a book, he decided to write one. He noticed that success in both baseball and business comes down to mastering the fundamentals and grinding through the process, and he wants to emphasize this often-overlooked aspect of building a successful business.

Breaking It Down to Simple Things

Bryan and his brother Jeffrey have had experience working with clients like Google, helping them acquire customers and speaking to large groups of intelligent people.

However, they also focus on breaking down complex concepts for small businesses and helping them understand their main challenges and struggles. Bryan uses storytelling and reverse engineering to make complex ideas more accessible.

His earlier books were complex, but his more recent ones have become simpler. This new book is specifically targeted toward 13-year-olds and is written in a story format to hold their interest. The book is short, with each chapter taking only 2-3 minutes to read, making it easily accessible for a generation with a shorter attention span.

The focus is not on selling the physical book but on selling the investment of time required to read it. The goal is to reach a wider audience by making the book quick, simple, and enjoyable to read.

A Rule Breaker

This book fills a gap in the world of entrepreneurship by providing a fresh perspective on what it means to be an entrepreneur. The author, Bryan, debunks the notion that being a successful entrepreneur is simply about following rules, like in math or economics. He also dispels the idea that making a million dollars is out of reach for most people and only attainable through winning the lottery or luck.

Instead, he highlights how many businesses have achieved success by focusing on one thing and working hard. With the rise of the internet, it has become more accessible to make a fortune, and the concept of a million dollars has changed over time.

The book also encourages individuals to develop their skills and monetize them, even if they are not aiming for a million dollars. The economy is uncertain, and the book suggests finding ways to make more money through upskilling and selling those skills.

The Secret to Becoming a Millionaire

“He who sells to the masses lives with the kings. He who sells to the kings lives with the masses.”

The key to becoming a millionaire is to find an opportunity to sell a large volume of products or services at a small margin rather than targeting a small number of high-paying customers.

This concept may appear to contradict the idea of niche marketing, but in reality, it is about finding a balance. It is important to identify a specific niche to establish authority and trust, but it is not necessary to limit the target audience to only that niche.

In order to succeed in today’s market, it is crucial to find a good niche to gain attention, as this is the most valuable commodity. However, confusion often arises when trying to balance targeting a niche audience while still reaching a large customer base.

The First Thing is Creating Content

When Jeffrey and Bryan first began their business, they were fresh out of bankruptcy, and things were looking grim. However, they knew they had one valuable skill: communication. They began writing on early forums like the Warrior Forums and consistently created content every day.

Through persistent effort, they eventually got picked up by a larger platform and gained a wider reach. This led to speaking engagements and the opportunity to build their reputation.

The key to success is consistent hard work and a strong ethical foundation, not shortcuts or the promise of easy money.

Building a successful business is a process that takes time, just like becoming a successful athlete. It requires a consistent focus on the fundamentals and building a network of supportive people.

The Content Overload

When Bryan first started creating content, the internet was relatively new, and there wasn’t as much content available. People were eager to consume any content they could find, and it was easy to stand out.

However, today the internet is saturated with content, and it’s much harder to be noticed. The key is to create high-quality content that can cut through the noise, and the best way to do that is to start simple, using the best camera and lighting available and using editing software to improve the quality.

Although the tools and methods may have changed, the fundamentals of creating good content remain the same.

Becoming a Figurehead

A recent study has revealed that the most sought-after job today is not being a fireman or astronaut but an influencer. Having an audience is a great opportunity, but many people do not fully understand the effort and commitment required to build and maintain a community.

It’s important to provide value to that community and to understand that one’s success is closely tied to the community’s success. Building a community is harder now than it was in the past, with people on mailing lists responding to every email, but it’s still important to understand and bring value to one’s community.

Many people are attracted to the glamour of being an influencer but fail to realize the amount of work that goes into it.

The Importance of Learning and Sharing

The key to building an audience is to focus on finding people who are curious.

You do not have to be an expert in a subject to attract an audience, but if you are curious about a topic, you can share your learning journey with others.

For example, if you are curious about becoming a millionaire, you can read a book on the topic and document your progress, sharing your insights and experiences with others. This will engage people, as they will root for you and be inspired by your journey.

It’s important to be authentic and to ignore the haters, as some people may not agree with you. The key is to be true to yourself and your journey, and others will be drawn to it.

Overcoming Early Jitters

Many young adults start a business with optimism, but their friends and family members can sometimes discourage them by telling them that they will not be successful and should get a traditional job instead.

This book addresses the “crab mentality,” which refers to the tendency for people to pull others down and discourage them from achieving their goals.

It’s important to surround yourself with people who have already achieved what you want to achieve and who can serve as mentors and guides. These people will help you build your confidence and will also be honest with you if they don’t believe you have what it takes to succeed.

Ultimately, it is crucial to surround yourself with the right people who will support and encourage you on your path.

The Importance of a Mentor

The importance of finding a mentor and building a network in order to achieve success in business cannot be overemphasized.

Instead of focusing on reaching out to the top people in the industry, it’s better to start building a network by connecting with people who have access to those top individuals.

Be curious and respectful in reaching out to potential mentors and take baby steps towards progress every day.

How to Build Your Network

In order to succeed in business and in life, it is important to actively engage with and connect with other people. Building a strong network of connections is key to creating opportunities and finding valuable resources.

Top entrepreneurs understand the importance of connecting others in their network and adding value to each other. It’s not just about financial gain but also personal growth and human connection. By surrounding ourselves with people who are willing to help and engage in conversations, we open ourselves up to new opportunities that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

A Side Game of Your Own

The term J O B, which stands for Just Over Broke, is becoming more common in today’s society.

It refers to a job that pays just enough to make ends meet but does not allow for financial stability or growth. Many employers demand a significant amount of time and energy, leaving little room for personal life and well-being.

However, it is important to have control over one’s own life and future, and having the skills to make money is crucial for this. It is possible to pursue what one loves and run it like a business, resulting in greater success and fulfillment. Parents should strive to instill this mindset in their children, regardless of their circumstances.

Just Do It!

Take that first step. It’s okay if you fail. Just try something. Get out of your comfort zone. The more it feels uncomfortable, the more you’re probably going in the right direction.

If you want something different, with a little bit of discomfort today, you’ll grow tremendously.