The Journey : Podcast Edition

Scaling Profitably: A Conversation with Nate LittlewoodWhat does it take to scale a business profitably? Nate Littlewood, founder of Future Ready CFO, joins Paul Austin-Menear to share his journey from engineering to finance and how he’s helping e-commerce and CPG founders achieve sustainable growth.In this episode, Nate dives into the frameworks he uses to help clients focus on high-impact projects, including ROI analysis, bottleneck identification, and aligning skills with business needs. He also opens up about his experience with an urban gardening startup, offering candid insights into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.Whether you’re a founder, a builder, or simply curious about the intersection of finance and strategy, this conversation is packed with actionable advice.Connect with Nate:* LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanlittlewood/* Website | https://www.futurereadycfo.com/--The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post: https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-nate-littlewood Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Janna Landry started as a performer — the kind of professional who has to win an audience in seconds — and then brought those same tools into the business world. In this conversation, she breaks down what “executive presence” really is: not polish, not perfection, not a fake persona, but emotionally grounded communication that matches who you are and who you’re speaking to.We dig into her framework for communication styles, why audiences detect misalignment instantly, and how a “passion pitch” lands better than a rehearsed elevator speech. Janna also makes a strong case for humour and imperfection as trust accelerators, plus the underrated power of pauses — letting the room breathe. The episode closes with practical advice on navigating change, reframing failure, and leading with your heart while sharpening your message.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-janna-landry Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Introducing Roast the Post PodcastHiring feels broken, and the character of the job market seems very different from the picture painted by official statistics.If you’ve ever gone looking for a new job, or if you’ve been one of the people designing roles and recruiting candidates, at some point you’ve likely asked yourself… “Why isn’t this better?”We're as tired of it as you are.This isn’t a show about HR. This is a show that explores the power dynamics of hiring and organizational design in a lighthearted way, and seeks to leave you with practical advice and a fresh perspective (whether you’re looking for a job, or looking for a person to fill one).You can find the show at https://roastthepost.show. Co-hosted by Paul Austin-Menear and Jennifer Houle. Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when you blend early-internet battle scars with decades of leadership coaching? You get a brutally honest conversation about humility, timing, and why people... not processes... determine whether companies scale or stall.In this episode, Jeff Sesol shares lessons from building one of the internet’s earliest cloud platforms, navigating uncharted technical and economic territory, and ultimately refocusing his life’s work around leadership development. From first-mover mistakes to modern AI parallels, this conversation unpacks what builders often learn the hard way.If you’ve ever felt like your business is moving too fast to think clearly, this episode is your reminder to pull the chute.Additional Links :Pull the Chute PodcastJeff on LinkedInThe New Leadership Landscape, by Jeff Sesol [Book]Taking Your Business to New Heights, by Jeff Sesol [Book]The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-jeff-sesol Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when a 25-year banking veteran leaves the stability of corporate life to build a business grounded entirely in transparency, education, and human connection? In this episode, Paul speaks with Anita Bruinsma of Clarity Personal Finance about the rise of advice-only planning and why unbiased guidance matters more than ever.Anita walks through her early career, the spark that made her commit to helping people understand their finances, and the uncomfortable leap into entrepreneurship during a period of global uncertainty. She breaks down the differences between traditional financial planning and fee-only models, the growing wave of DIY investors, and why younger Canadians are bypassing banks altogether.They also explore managing focus as a business owner, learning from failure, handling mismatched client relationships, and how impostor syndrome shows up even for seasoned professionals. This candid conversation offers practical insight into building financial confidence—and building a business that aligns with your values.Show Notes :Ben Felix | PWL Capital on YouTubeAnita Bruinsma | Clarity on Your Money BlogAnita Bruinsma | The Globe and MailRob Carrick | SubstackThe Journey is your builder’s reference library.Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-anita-bruinsma Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archiveHappy holidays from all of us at Six Catalysts. This week's episode is a replay of Paul's Substack Live with Khadejah J at Story Craft on December 9, 2025. Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Paul and Jennifer Houle explore why the hiring process continues to feel broken for both candidates and organizations—and what a better system could look like. They discuss the shift toward human-centred HR, the growing need for cross-functional integration, and the hidden signals embedded inside job postings. They also dissect a real job description line-by-line, surfacing mismatches, unrealistic expectations, structural tensions, and cultural tells. The conversation closes with practical guidance for candidates trying to stand out in an increasingly competitive, ATS-dominated market.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-jennifer-houle Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Is LinkedIn quietly suppressing posts with links, especially Substack links? This episode breaks down a two-week, apples-to-apples experiment comparing impressions across posts with no links, posts linking to LinkedIn Newsletter articles, and posts linking to Substack. The findings challenge assumptions about “algorithm penalties,” highlight when and how audiences actually engage, and reveal why even on-site links may be treated unfavourably by the feed.We explore what drives LinkedIn’s incentives, what the data actually showed, and how creators can make smarter strategic decisions about when to include links—and when to avoid them entirely.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/does-linkedin-hate-substack Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

What does it take to build a marketing agency in a post-COVID, AI-accelerated world? For Reed Hansen, it started with childhood lessons in grit and ownership... and it grew into MarketSurge, an agency focused on building lead machines for small business clients. In this episode, Reed unpacks what it means to niche with intent, use automation without losing humanity, and adapt SEO strategy in an era of no-click AI search results.They talk about early missteps, sales rejection, pivoting to deeper client engagements, and how building authority—not just delivering services—is the key to long-term growth.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-reed-hansen Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when you stop hiring like a Silicon Valley VC and start hiring like someone who actually wants their company to survive?In this episode, we break down the mythology of “hire fast, fire fast” and uncover how incentive structures, investor expectations, and startup hero worship push founders into rapid-fire decisions that weaken culture, waste capital, and sabotage long-term resilience.Then we flip the script.We explore what it looks like to build a camel—a business designed for durability and stability rather than hype cycles. That means hiring slow, evaluating soft skills seriously, compensating candidates fairly for real-world tests, building multiparty hiring processes, and treating firing as a last resort instead of a reflex.You’ll walk away with a clearer sense of how to hire for humans, build teams that adapt under pressure, and create organizations that endure instead of evaporate.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/hiring-for-humans-building-the-team Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Enough with the bots. Enough with the ATS black holes. Let's hire with PEOPLE in mind. Hiring is one of the most consequential decisions any organization makes. It’s also one of the places where HR practitioners and hiring managers most often butt heads.So we decided to explore how we can get on the same page, and why it’s important.This special feature drops November 25, 2025.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Most teams think “collecting feedback” means sending a survey and glancing at the results. That’s not innovation. That’s housekeeping.In this episode, we go way deeper.We walk through the Scalable Feedback Engine: a repeatable system for fuelling innovation with real customer insight.Here’s what you’ll learn :* Why enshittification is an opportunity for you to differentiate.* How to build a culture of innovation that’s impossible to copy.* The four layers of the engine : Champion, Surveying, Insights, Communication.* The difference between baseline feedback (“How satisfied were you?”) and actionable feedback (“What would make this easier for you next time?”).* Why you should NOT build every feature customers ask for, and what to do instead.* How to run this system when you’re a 5-person team versus a 250-person org.* How to keep momentum without burning your team out.The goal isn’t to collect feedback. The goal is to turn feedback into strategic advantage.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Page : https://6catalysts.ca/the-journey-blog/media-appearances/thought-leader-unleashed/ Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Ever wonder when to stop DIY’ing and start paying for help? In this episode of The Journey : Podcast Edition, Paul dives into the tricky psychology behind spending decisions for founders and scrappy builders.From fear-driven frugality to opportunity cost, he breaks down how to treat your time as an investment portfolio. You’ll learn a practical framework for evaluating whether to “buy or DIY,” complete with a tool to calculate the real cost of your choices—including risk, learning value, and strategic leverage.Paul also explores the paradox of control, showing why holding onto everything can quietly strangle growth. The lesson? Maturing as an entrepreneur means knowing when to deploy resources, not hoard them.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archiveCompanion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/how-to-know-when-to-open-your-chequebook Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Benjamin Lappalainen—creative technologist, educator, artist, and XR lead at UKAI Projects—joins Paul Austin-Menear to talk freelancing, AI, and culture. From building screen mirroring tech at Nanoleaf to experimenting with reverse RFPs at UKAI, Benjamin shares stories of navigating pivots, teaching others, and embedding art into the future of technology.Highlights include :* Why he left aerospace engineering for tech and creativity* Lessons from Nanoleaf and building screen mirroring tools* Teaching technical literacy and running AI models locally* The risks of AI advertising and anthropomorphized systems* Ukai’s mission: “culture for what’s coming” and experimental residencies* A radical “reverse RFP” model embedding artists into companies* Practical freelancing advice on savings, networking, and wearing many hatsInteresting Links :* Ben’s Portfolio & Work : https://blap64.xyz/ * UKAI Projects : https://ukaiprojects.com/ * Cultural Technologies Lab : https://www.culturaltechnologieslab.org/ * Genetic Algorithms (Research Paper) : https://direct.mit.edu/artl/article/26/2/274/93255/The-Surprising-Creativity-of-Digital-Evolution-A * SoftLaunch (Learn Creative Technologies) : https://softlaunch.net/The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-benjamin-lappalainen Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Hana in Kyoto blends VR tech with ancient Japanese forest bathing... and wonders how to get investors to see the potential. In this AMA episode, Paul breaks down how to align vision, valuation, and vibe to attract the right kind of funding for your idea.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/ama-selling-serenity-convincing-investors Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Are these marketing models really in competition—or are they undercover lovers?In this episode, Paul explores the long-running debate between the primacy of the marketing funnel and the flywheel, showing how both can coexist and even reinforce each other. From focusing your campaigns to sustaining customer momentum, learn how to build a “funwheel” that powers growth long after the sale.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/marketing-the-flywheel-and-the-funnel Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Journey : Podcast Edition, Paul breaks down the builder’s approach to marketing analytics. Learn how to focus on what truly matters, design a measurement program that drives growth, and even create your own custom metrics to uncover insights unique to your business.Explore the coexistence of the funnel and flywheel models, understand key metrics like Conversion Rate, MER, CAC, and LTV, and hear why sometimes the most valuable data point is the one you define yourself.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/measmeasuring-the-flames-marketing-analytics-p2 Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Marketing analytics aren’t about numbers for numbers’ sake—they’re about unlocking insights you can act on. In this episode of The Journey : Podcast Edition, we explore how segmentation, data integration, and simple tools can help builders like you stand out in competitive markets. From coffee shops to startups, the lesson is the same : track what matters, not just what’s easy.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/measuring-the-flames-marketing-analytics Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

From military service to sales enablement—Steven Werley has built, failed, and rebuilt. In this conversation, Steven opens up about the chaos of running agencies, the heavy cost of misaligned incentives, and the practices that helped him overcome impostor syndrome and self-doubt. We dig into stoicism, the Alter Ego Effect, and why documenting your journey may be the single best investment you can make.The highlight : Steven’s creation of Closable.ai, a system designed to help sales teams close more deals, capture lost revenue, and bring consistency where chaos often reigns. Along the way, we discuss how AI is changing the labour market, why SaaS may be fading, and why those who embrace AI tools today will be the ones best positioned tomorrow.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-steven-werleyOther Links* Steven Werley on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenwerley/ * Closable.ai : https://closable.ai/ * The Alter Ego Effect, by Todd Herman : https://alteregoeffect.com/ * A Handbook for New Stoics, by Massimo Pigliucci : https://www.amazon.ca/Handbook-New-Stoics-Week-Week/dp/1615195335 Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Remarketing isn’t just a digital ghost story—it’s one of the sharpest tools in your paid ads toolbox. In this episode, we break down how remarketing works, why it matters, and how to use it strategically without creeping out your audience or wasting your budget. Learn how to amplify your best content, re-engage warm leads, and make every ad dollar go further.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/stoking-the-fire-with-remarketing Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Paid ads are like fire : powerful when controlled, destructive when mismanaged. In this episode, we explore how to balance paid advertising in your marketing mix. Learn the good, the bad, and the downright ugly—and how to capture residual value by building your own audience alongside campaigns.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/feeding-the-fire-with-paid-advertising Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

When you’re strapped for cash and trying to grow, affiliate marketing offers a low-risk way to spark the fire. But is it sustainable? In this episode, Paul breaks down the affiliate model, shares his own experiences, and offers a playbook for integrating affiliates into your broader marketing mix. If you’re building from scratch and want smarter ways to scale, this one’s for you.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/sparking-the-fire-with-affiliate Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when a chef-turned-logistics-pro follows a creative itch across continents? You get Phil Bean : a dad, a blogger, and now, a self-published children’s book author. In this episode, Phil shares the highs, lows, and accidental wisdom earned from writing about restaurants, blogging from China, and figuring out how to get a rhyming book into readers’ hands (spoiler : it’s harder than it looks).In this episode, we talk about :Why blogging for strangers can build creative momentum >> The lessons hidden in failure (and failed uploads) >> Navigating AI as a writer who values craft and voice >> Why he stuck with his illustrator, even when publishers said no >> And how writing—even when imperfect—is its own reward.If you’ve ever wondered whether your creative idea is “good enough” to start, Phil has an answer : just begin.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-phil-beanConnect with Phil Bean at https://philbean.ca. Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

How can sustainable startups avoid greenwashing and build real loyalty? This AMA tackles the challenge of authentic storytelling—covering certifications, crossing the adoption chasm, and avoiding the trap of discount-driven branding. Learn how to back up claims with proof, keep promises, and build trust that lasts.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/ama-being-green-without-greenwashing Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

What if your marketing system worked like a campfire—warm, continuous, and self-sustaining?In this episode, we break down the five core domains of marketing (Product, Price, Placement, Promotion, and People), explore how to build a self-reinforcing system, and unpack the power of respecting your customers’ attention. Plus : metrics that matter, the danger of doing too much at once, and an offbeat Friday-afternoon riff on marketing acronyms.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/building-the-fire-with-a-self-reinforcing Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Journey : Podcast Edition, we dig into the paradox of success—why fast-growing brands lose touch with customers and how that leads to decline. More importantly, we explore the antidote : building a Scalable Feedback Engine that preserves the voice of the customer at every stage of growth.Learn about the Scalable Feedback Engine here.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/the-paradox-of-success-why-customers Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Innovation doesn’t just happen at billion-dollar companies. In this episode of The Journey: Podcast Edition, we unpack The Innovation Heartbeat, a simple framework to keep ideas alive as your business scales.You’ll discover :* Why organizations stop innovating as they grow * The three phases of the Innovation Heartbeat * The critical role of the Internal Champion * How to grade and prioritize feedback effectively * Metrics to measure the strength of your innovation cultureThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/the-innovation-heartbeat Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when a founder who “hates sales” builds a business around helping other founders learn how to sell? This conversation with John Kennelly is essential for anyone trying to get their first dollar in the door. From his Silicon Valley background to the failures that shaped him, John opens up about what it takes to keep going—especially when you’re unsure if you’re any good at what you’re doing.Topics include :> Why cold outreach is unavoidable—and how to get better at it> The impostor syndrome trap, and how to break out of it> Why naming your offer clearly is half the battle> Validating (or invalidating!) your idea as fast as possible> How to use helping others as fuel for motivation> The power of asking better questions—in business and in lifeThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-john-kennellyThe Mom Test, by Rob Fitzpatrick : https://www.momtestbook.com/ Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Sales forecasting doesn’t have to be scary—or a wild guess. In this episode of The Journey, we break down four practical, time-series-based methods that any builder of tangible goods can start using right away. From smoothing out volatility with a moving average to modelling demand spikes for new product launches, we cover how to pick the right approach, refine your process, and manage risk when you don’t have historical data.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/holy-bleep-a-guide-to-sales-forecasting Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Should you launch with one amazing product—or hedge your bets with a few decent ones? In this AMA edition of The Journey, we help a Greek entrepreneur explore how to test a mythology-themed travel startup without burning out. From low-cost pilots to portfolio careers and storytelling strategy, this episode is packed with practical advice.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/my-big-fat-lovable-product-building Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Exceptional businesses don’t just ask for feedback—they embed it into their operations. In this episode, we dive deep into how to ask the right questions, align feedback with team purpose, and build a rhythmic Innovation Heartbeat that keeps fresh ideas flowing. Whether you run a startup or a scaling team, this guide will help you build smarter by listening better.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/survey-smarter-turn-questions-into-gold Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

When nonprofits, small businesses, and startups hit moments of transition, Katelyn McArdle is the person they call. In this episode, she joins Paul to unpack how and why she built Functional Authority LLC, her solo consulting business helping teams make better marketing and systems decisions—without becoming dependent on external help.They dive into the business fundamentals no one talks about: the mindset needed to navigate layoffs, how to test-fit client relationships through free coaching, and the critical role of project-based pricing. Katelyn also reflects on her own early missteps, and shares advice for aspiring soloists on building proof-of-concept projects before going all-in. If you’ve ever felt stuck between full-time work and wanting something more flexible, this one’s for you.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-katelyn-mcardle Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Hiring too soon can break you. Waiting too long can burn you out. In this AMA, we explore when a solo founder should scale past one. We dive into Olivier’s real-world dilemma—balancing product work, SEO, and revenue constraints—and break it down across three essential lenses: organization, product, and finances. Whether you’re building an empire or a solo practice, this one’s packed with insight.The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive | Companion post and downloads here : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/ama-i-want-to-hire-but-i-cant-afford-it Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

How do you make sure your customers’ voices get heard as your company grows?In this episode of The Journey, we break down how to build a Scalable Feedback Engine—a structured way to collect, analyze, and activate customer insights using the right mix of tools, processes, and people. You’ll learn how to choose survey tools, how to segment communication lists ethically, how to avoid bias in your research questions, and how to design a system that actually delivers feedback to decision-makers inside your organization.Whether you’re a scrappy startup or scaling fast, this one’s packed with real-world advice—and a killer use case to steal.Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/two-tin-cans-and-a-stringThe Paradox of Success on Medium : https://medium.com/@6catalysts/the-paradox-of-success-why-customers-fall-out-of-love-with-growing-brands-29a0bc831234The Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Running your business ≠ building your business. This episode breaks down the difference between working in vs. on the business—and why the magic happens when you do both the right way. Includes practical tips like treating your business as a product, viewing employees as internal customers, and time-segmenting your weeks for higher leverage.Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/working-on-the-business-newThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Think your idea is too new, too risky, or too expensive to test? Think again. In this episode, we dive into the Market-Maker Method—your playbook for simulating a full product launch before you ever build the real thing. Discover how to test offers, pricing, and market interest with real data from real users. This is your roadmap to high-confidence decision-making.Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/testing-ideas-the-market-maker-method-newThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Tariffs just spiked—but your margin doesn’t have to suffer. In this episode, we explore the hidden financial risks of the new US import tax regime and show you how to warehouse smart across borders. Whether you’re considering US, Canadian, or Mexican distribution, we break down the pros, cons, and cashflow impact of each model—plus a hybrid option for complex logistics. Bonus: get a free modelling tool to forecast your own numbers.Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/tariff-tantrums-minimizing-the-cashflow-newThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when you take your idea to the streets—literally? In this episode, we unpack the hands-on customer validation method that has you pitch to strangers, gather direct feedback, and test your idea without building a thing. Yes, it’s uncomfortable—but it’s also deeply rewarding. If you’ve ever wanted raw, honest input before committing time or money, this one’s for you.Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/testing-ideas-the-customer-centric-newThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Ever wish you could simulate the future to see if your idea has legs? That’s the core of The Alignment method—a collaborative exercise that imagines the world where your idea is the best option for the customer. Learn how to run it effectively with cross-functional teams, align leadership around strategic sparks, and avoid the pitfalls of groupthink. This one’s perfect for retreats, brainstorms, and early-stage product ideation.Companion Post : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/testing-ideas-the-alignment-method-newThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Journey, we dive into a surprisingly effective idea validation tactic: The Contrarian Method. Learn how to play devil’s advocate—with yourself or others—to uncover flaws, refine assumptions, and stress-test your next big idea. Includes practical steps, caveats, and notes on using AI effectively in the process.Companion Post: https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/testing-ideas-the-contrarian-method-updatedThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

In this Ask-Me-Anything episode of The Journey, Paul tackles a real question from a DTC founder in Prague building a subscription box for non-alcoholic cocktail kits.The challenge?Plenty of early interest—newsletter signups, social follows—but low conversion to first purchase.We unpack what might be going wrong (and what’s probably not), how to diagnose issues with pricing vs. traffic vs. positioning, and what to look for before making a pivot.This one’s packed with actionable advice for anyone launching something new—and wondering why interest isn’t turning into revenue.Have a burning question about building your business? Submit it here, and it might be featured on the show!Companion Post: https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/ama-cocktail-kits-for-the-sober-curiousThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Original long-form post published on March 25, 2025. This is the introduction to a four-part series on how to validate ideas (sparks of inspiration).Companion Post: https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/the-spark-is-not-the-strategyThe Journey is your builder’s reference library. Crack open the full archive here → https://6catalysts.substack.com/archive Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes, there’s just no time for reading. The Journey : Podcast Edition is coming soon, so you can keep up while you’re on the go. Podcast episodes will feature readouts of our written posts, interviews with builders just like you, and sometimes I’ll even hop up on the soapbox for a minute or two. Get full access to The Journey by Six Catalysts at 6catalysts.substack.com/subscribe