How to Start a Business: Tips From Serial Entrepreneurs Mike and Kass Lazerow

I got to sit down with two of my favorite people, Mike and Kass, entrepreneurs, investors, and authors of the book Shoveling Shit: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur's Messy Path to Success, right in their home (which is basically a full-on operation center). These two have meant so much to my career. Mike and Kass actually introduced me to Peterson's, which led to my very first book deal. We got into the entrepreneurial mindset: why it's so hard to sell yourself even when you have something real to offer, how to build a business around what you know and who you can bring in for what you don't, and what it really looks like to lean into discomfort instead of running from it. We also talked about the power of rejection, how students can build genuine connections through curiosity, and why giving freely almost always comes back around in ways you never expect. * * * * * * * * * * Are you a parent of current or soon-to-be college student? Are you a student? Join BEST FIRST YEAR, Harlan's College Success Coaching Community for High School & College Parents (and students) Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership. Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.  Subscribe and listen to Harlan’s podcast here: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-harlan-cohen-podcast/id1531004466 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5f3901f-d7b6-4f73-b183-8a5e10c4423a/the-harlan-cohen-podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28gSjxL3CmmL6U9lpDDlCA Podbean: https://harlancohenpodcast.podbean.com/ SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE:  www.youtube.com/@HelpMeHarlan   Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/harlancohen/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@helpmeharlan?... Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/harlan.cohen/ LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/harlancohen Twitter:  https://x.com/HarlanCohen Website: https://www.HarlanCohen.com About Kass and Mike: Kass and Mike Lazerow are serial entrepreneurs and investors best known as the cofounders of Golf.com and Buddy Media, the leading social media marketing platform that sold to Salesforce for $745 million. With a lifetime of stories from decades of building businesses and helping others as investors and advisors, they are in high demand as public speakers, writers, and podcast guests.  Their journey began as friends growing up in the suburbs of the nation’s capital. They started dating after reuniting at a mutual friend’s wedding in 1996. Two years later, they did what all new couples deeply in love do- cofounded a company, Golf.com, before marrying in 1999. After selling Golf.com to Time Warner in 2006, Mike and Kass cofounded Buddy Media. And since selling Buddy Media to Salesforce in 2012, they have focused on providing capital and advice to the world’s most innovative founders. Mike and Kass live in New York City and the Hudson Valley and have three grown children (Myles, Cole, and Vivian) and two rescue dogs (Cece and Gizmo). You can order your copy of their new book Shoveling $h!t here: https://shovelingshit.com/  Check out their website here: www.kassandmike.com Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:34 Share what you do 07:12 Helping and serving others 24:05 Meeting the dogs 25:53 The story of Liquid Death 32:16 You don’t have to know everything 33:50 Working as a couple 40:16 Rejection 44:30 Anyone can start their own business 52:49 How to start a business 54:43 How to network 1:01:18 How to ask interesting questions 1:04:57 How can you help? 1:09:19 Getting comfortable on camera 1:13:50 Outro Subscribe and listen to Harlan’s podcast here: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-harlan-cohen-podcast/id1531004466 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5f3901f-d7b6-4f73-b183-8a5e10c4423a/the-harlan-cohen-podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28gSjxL3CmmL6U9lpDDlCA Podbean: https://harlancohenpodcast.podbean.com/ SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE:  www.youtube.com/@HelpMeHarlan   Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/harlancohen/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@helpmeharlan?... Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/harlan.cohen/ LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/harlancohen Twitter:  https://x.com/HarlanCohen Website: https://www.HarlanCohen.com THE HARLAN COHEN PODCAST New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen has candid conversations with top experts, and leading influencers. Guests share their greatest victories, devastating setbacks, and most valuable advice to help listeners dream big and take action. Hosted by Harlan Cohen, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker. Harlan is the founder of Best First Year, and has over 1 million books in print. His live events, books, programs, and workshops have reached millions of people and changed countless lives.