Episodes

  • Social Media Is Lying About Business Growth

    Social Media Is Lying About Business Growth
    May 18 2026
    What does real business growth actually look like? In Episode 12 of Built By Doing, David and Stan break down one of the biggest misconceptions in entrepreneurship: the idea that more revenue automatically means a healthier or more successful business. From profit margins and overhead to scaling too quickly, hiring too soon, opening multiple locations, social media comparison, and defining your own version of success, this episode explores the difference between the perception of growth and the reality behind it. They discuss: Revenue vs profit and why both matter Why growing too fast can actually hurt a business The dangers of chasing vanity metrics Opening new locations strategically Social media comparison and entrepreneurship Hiring, overhead, and scaling operations How to define your own version of success Why efficiency matters more than appearances The realities of entrepreneurship and business ownership Long-term business strategy vs short-term perception This episode is packed with practical insight for entrepreneurs, startup founders, small business owners, leadership teams, and anyone trying to scale a business while maintaining profitability, freedom, and quality of life. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, company culture, scaling strategies, startup operations, revenue growth, profit margins, or building a sustainable business, this conversation offers an honest look at what growth really means behind the scenes.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • When Is the Right Time to Expand Your Business?

    When Is the Right Time to Expand Your Business?
    May 11 2026
    What does it actually take to expand a business successfully? In Episode 11 of Built By Doing, David and Stan break down the real-world process behind expanding a company into new markets, opening additional locations, building systems, hiring teams, and scaling without losing the culture that made the business successful in the first place. With David Alan Clothing actively expanding into Columbus, Nashville, and other major metro markets, this episode gives an honest behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, risks, financial decisions, and operational systems required to grow a modern business. They discuss: How to know when your business is ready to expand The importance of systems, processes, and infrastructure Why cash flow and low overhead matter when scaling Hiring the right people and protecting company culture Expanding into new cities and testing new markets CRM systems, lead tracking, and operational visibility Why processes create freedom for business owners The balance between reinvesting into growth vs paying yourself Lessons learned from opening multiple locations Why scaling too early can hurt a business This episode is packed with practical business growth advice for entrepreneurs, small business owners, founders, operators, and anyone thinking about scaling a company, opening additional locations, or building a brand beyond one market. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, business operations, company growth, leadership, scaling strategies, franchise-style expansion, systems development, or building a sustainable business, this conversation offers an honest look at what expansion really requires behind the scenes.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Why Small Businesses Drive the American Economy

    Why Small Businesses Drive the American Economy
    May 4 2026
    Small businesses power nearly half of the American economy—but most people don’t realize just how important they are. In this episode of Built By Doing, David and Stan break down eye-opening small business statistics, entrepreneurship realities, and what it truly takes to build, grow, and sustain a business over time. From startup survival rates and small business employment numbers to the sacrifices entrepreneurs make behind the scenes, this conversation dives into the real-world challenges of business ownership, leadership, growth, hiring, timing, customer service, and scaling a company. They discuss: Why 99.9% of U.S. businesses qualify as small businesses The realities of entrepreneurship and working for yourself How small businesses contribute to GDP, jobs, and exports Why customer experience matters more than ever The balance between growth, timing, and risk-taking What separates businesses that survive from those that fail The hidden sacrifices business owners make behind the scenes Why culture, systems, and people determine long-term success Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, startup founder, marketer, freelancer, or someone thinking about starting a business, this episode offers practical insight into business growth, entrepreneurship mindset, leadership, and what it actually takes to survive in today’s economy. If you’re interested in small business statistics, entrepreneurship advice, startup growth, leadership lessons, business ownership, or how successful companies scale, this episode delivers a grounded and honest conversation about the realities of building something from the ground up.
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • The Marketing Decisions That Changed Our Business Forever

    The Marketing Decisions That Changed Our Business Forever
    Apr 27 2026
    In Episode 9 of Built By Doing, we break down one of the most misunderstood and most important parts of building a successful business: marketing, branding, advertising, and how to actually attract customers. From startup mistakes and early marketing experiments to digital advertising, brand identity, customer psychology, and long-term growth strategy, this episode gives an honest look at what business owners need to understand before spending money on marketing. We discuss: • How to market a business when you’re just starting out • The difference between branding vs marketing • Why many businesses waste money on advertising • How to identify your target audience and ideal customer • The importance of content, messaging, and visual identity • When to spend money on Google Ads, Meta Ads, Facebook, Instagram, and digital marketing • Why data analytics matter in advertising decisions • Marketing ROI, customer acquisition cost, and lifetime customer value • The truth about startup marketing budgets and ad spend • How strong branding builds trust and long-term business growth We also share behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of David Alan Clothing—including a mobile showroom Sprinter van concept, creative marketing ideas that almost changed the brand entirely, and lessons learned from trial and error. If you're an entrepreneur, startup founder, small business owner, marketer, or someone trying to grow a brand, this episode gives practical insight into how marketing actually works—and how to avoid common mistakes that slow business growth.
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Cash Flow, Stress & Staying Alive: The Reality of Early Entrepreneurship

    Cash Flow, Stress & Staying Alive: The Reality of Early Entrepreneurship
    Apr 20 2026
    In Episode 8 of Built By Doing, we dive into one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—aspects of running a business: cash flow, stress, and what it really takes to stay alive in the early stages of entrepreneurship. This episode pulls back the curtain on the reality of building a business from the ground up. From collection notices, maxed-out credit cards, and utilities being shut off to navigating reinvestment, debt, and growth, this is a raw look at the moments most entrepreneurs don’t talk about. We break down: The difference between cash flow and profit (and why it matters) How poor cash flow management can create stress—even in a growing business The importance of planning, budgeting, and projecting future cash needs When to reinvest vs when to protect your cash The hidden costs of decisions (travel, marketing, debt, and opportunity cost) How to build a cash reserve to reduce stress and make better decisions We also share real-world experiences from the early days of building the business—what went wrong, what we learned, and how those lessons shaped how we operate today. If you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or trying to grow something from nothing, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of how to manage cash, reduce stress, and stay in the game long enough to win.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Your Culture Is Your Standard: Build It Wisely

    Your Culture Is Your Standard: Build It Wisely
    Apr 13 2026
    In Episode 7, we break down one of the most important and often overlooked foundations of any successful business: culture and standards. From hiring and onboarding to daily operations and client experience, your culture isn’t just what you say, it’s what your team lives out every day. And in many cases, your lowest-performing or least-aligned team member becomes your true standard, whether you realize it or not. We dive into: Why culture starts at the top—and how leadership sets the tone The difference between culture vs. standards (and why both matter) How one misaligned team member can impact your entire business The importance of problem-solving, accountability, and caring in your team When to give people grace—and when it’s time to move on How to build a team that actually works together (not in silos) We also share real experiences from building and scaling businesses, including lessons learned from hiring mistakes, refining processes, and creating a team-first environment that drives long-term growth. If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or building a team of any kind, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, hiring, and what it really takes to scale.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Master Your Craft or Stay Stuck

    Master Your Craft or Stay Stuck
    Apr 6 2026
    In Episode 6, we dive into one of the most overlooked keys to growth—mastering your craft and staying focused on what actually moves the needle. Early on, it’s easy to chase every idea, every opportunity, and every direction. We’ve been there. Some worked, some didn’t—but over time, we realized that real progress comes from committing to your lane and getting better at what you do best. This episode breaks down: Why trying to do everything slows you down How to identify and commit to your core strength The role of experimentation in the early stages Why “figuring it out as you go” is part of the process If you’re building something—whether it’s a business, a skill, or a creative path—this conversation will help you refocus and move forward with more clarity.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • How To Make Better Business Decisions

    How To Make Better Business Decisions
    Mar 30 2026
    Let's break down the real-world tension between gut instinct and data-driven decision making in business. Through honest stories and firsthand experiences, from early financial risks and missed opportunities to current expansion plans, David & Stan explore how different decision-making styles can both succeed and fail. David shares how trusting his instincts has helped uncover opportunities ahead of the curve, while Stan highlights the importance of data, timing, and minimizing risk. They dive into the challenges of making high-stakes decisions without perfect information, the risks of acting too quickly or waiting too long, and how fear, timing, and external noise can influence outcomes. The conversation also touches on expansion strategy, networking, verifying data in today’s digital landscape, and the importance of aligning with the right partners. If you're building a business and struggling with when to trust your gut versus when to rely on data, this episode offers a candid, balanced perspective on how to navigate both.
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins