135ºF Podcast

A short reflection on pressure, interruptions and why entrepreneurs...especially those building with limited resources... must learn not to let challenges redefine momentum. Sometimes the real discipline is simply continuing.

Part 2: Opportunity, Emotion & DisciplineIn bootstrap entrepreneurship, not every opportunity is aligned — and not every feeling deserves funding.In Part 2 of The Journeys Within the Journey series, we unpack the hidden cost of distraction, emotional decision-making, and undisciplined growth. When money is tight and pressure is high, everything feels urgent. But urgency isn’t strategy.This episode explores how to recognize true opportunity, separate ego from execution, and build the restraint required to protect your margins, your team, and your long-term vision.Because in bootstrap, distraction often looks like opportunity — but discipline builds legacy.

The Journeys Within the Journey | A 3-Part Founder SeriesMost people think bootstrap entrepreneurship is one journey — start the business, get customers, make money, survive.But that’s not the real story.Inside every bootstrap journey are smaller, invisible journeys happening at the same time. The journey of hiring the right people. The journey of learning to train. The journey of recognizing real opportunity. The journey of managing emotion under pressure. The journey of mastering your time when you are the entire infrastructure.In this 3-part series, I break down the internal curriculum no one warns you about — the growth that has to happen inside the founder before it shows up in the business.This isn’t theory.This is lived experience — from food truck to brick-and-mortar.Bootstrap doesn’t just build revenue.It builds range.And sometimes the business grows only after you do

Before the emails. Before the kitchen. Before the meetings.Every bootstrap entrepreneur starts the day the same way — negotiating with themselves.In this episode of 135°F, Joshua breaks down the invisible work of building without investors, without a large team, and without a safety net. When you don’t have capital, your time becomes your currency. Your attention becomes your leverage. And your energy becomes your survival strategy.This is an honest conversation about the daily internal board meeting every founder faces: revenue vs. vision, urgent vs. important, survival vs. scale.If you're building from the ground up, this one is for you.

In this episode, Joshua Black discusses the myth of work-life balance and the unique challenges faced by bootstrap entrepreneurs, particularly African American founders. He highlights the structural barriers and funding gaps that affect black entrepreneurs, and redefines balance as a negotiation and rhythm. The conversation provides insight into the struggle, resilience, and intentional balance of entrepreneurs in the face of systemic challenges.TakeawaysWork-life balance is a privilegeBootstrap entrepreneurs face unique challengesChapters00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview07:19 Adding Race to the Conversation13:19 Burnout and Structural Outcome

Joshua Black shares his journey of starting a food business from scratch, beginning with a trailer and building the business from the ground up through financial struggles and resourcefulness. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to a brick and mortar, the impact of visibility and competition, and the complementary nature of a food truck and a brick and mortar, along with strategic growth strategies.TakeawaysStarting with limited resourcesBuilding a business from the ground upChallenges of a brick and mortarImpact of visibility and competitionStrategic use of food truck and brick and mortarExpansion and growth strategyChapters00:00 Starting from Scratch: The Food Truck Journey08:22 Transition to Brick and Mortar31:41 The Complementary Nature of Food Truck and Brick and Mortar

In this episode, Joshua Black discusses the topics of bags, cards, and the psychology of fees. He explores the pros and cons of credit card fees and bag fees, shedding light on the impact of these fees on businesses and customers.TakeawaysCredit Card FeesBag FeesChapters00:00 Introduction to Bags, Cards, and a Psychology of Fees

In this episode, Joshua Black discusses the strategy for small businesses to win by reframing their limits. He emphasizes the importance of highlighting what big businesses try to hide and how perceived weaknesses, when framed correctly, become behavioral advantages. The episode is divided into four segments, each exploring different aspects of reframing limitations and leveraging them as strengths.TakeawaysSmall businesses should highlight what big businesses try to hidePerceived weaknesses, when framed correctly, become behavioral advantagesChapters00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview12:56 Weaknesses Create Trust29:51 Framing Constraints as Values

The second episode of the 135 degree podcast focuses on the themes of burnout, pressure, and showing up in the context of mental and emotional survival in business. The host, Joshua Black, shares personal experiences and insights into the toll of entrepreneurship, the breaking point, and what helps him press through and survive. The episode provides valuable perspectives on the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, offering inspiration and motivation to listeners.TakeawaysMental and emotional survival in businessThe toll of entrepreneurshipChapters00:00 Burnout, Pressure, and Showing Up06:18 The Toll of Entrepreneurship15:24 Pressing Through and Survival

The inaugural episode of the 135 degrees Podcast features Joshua Black sharing his entrepreneurial journey, from the challenges of starting a business to the rebranding process and the introduction of his podcast, 135 Degrees. The conversation highlights the struggles of being a 'poorpreneur' and the goal of supporting entrepreneurs in their journey.TakeawaysStarting a business from scratchOvercoming challenges in businessChapters00:00 The Struggle of Starting a Business06:18 Introduction to 135 Degrees11:53 Supporting Entrepreneurs in Their Journey