Entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous. It’s lonely, painful, uncertain—and still worth it.

In this episode of Based Business, Parker McCumber sits down with Dylan Blake, founder of Dylan Blake Custom Suits, to break down the real, unfiltered truth about entrepreneurship. From door-to-door sales and failed ventures to building a luxury custom apparel brand serving high performers, Dylan shares what it actually takes to win in business.

This conversation dives deep into:

• Why entrepreneurship is brutal—but transformative
• The role of mentorship in accelerating success
• How personal adversity forges mental toughness
• Turning repeated failures into clarity and momentum
• Why looking your best directly impacts confidence and performance
• Building a premium brand through craftsmanship, experience, and trust
• Lead generation strategies that actually work for service businesses
• The long game of business growth most people quit too early to see

If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, executive, or high-performer feeling the weight of building something meaningful—this episode is for you.

Entrepreneurship will test you.
It will strip your ego.
But if you stay in the fight, it will build you into someone unrecognizable—in the best way.

⏱ Episode Chapters

00:00 The Brutal Reality of Entrepreneurship
01:43 Why Looking Your Best Changes Performance
03:02 Rapid Business Growth Explained
06:28 Mentorship and Accelerated Learning
10:27 Mental Toughness and Rejection
15:30 Purpose, Identity, and Business Building
28:12 From Failure to Custom Apparel
31:02 Preserving Craftsmanship in a Mass-Produced World
38:34 Why Most Entrepreneurs Quit Too Early
43:51 Lead Generation That Actually Works
50:26 Authentic Content vs Fake Hustle Culture
01:01:03 Final Thoughts on Success and Sacrifice

How do you keep going when life and business apply relentless pressure?
How do you stay joyful when entrepreneurship feels heavy, exhausting, or overwhelming?

In this episode of Based Business, I sit down with Courtney Hancock, author of My Diamond Within, to explore how pressure doesn’t have to break you, it can refine you.

Courtney shares her deeply personal journey through health challenges, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and faith, and how those experiences shaped her belief that we are refined by pressure, not defined by it.

This conversation is for:

• Entrepreneurs navigating burnout or self-doubt
• Leaders carrying responsibility in silence
• Parents building businesses while holding families together
• Anyone asking, “How do I find joy when life feels heavy?”

In this episode, we discuss:

• How pressure forges stronger leaders instead of breaking them
• Why joy is a choice, not a circumstance
• Finding meaning and purpose in hard seasons
• Leadership through vulnerability and resilience
• How entrepreneurs can endure without losing themselves

If you’re building something meaningful and feeling the weight of it, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and encouragement to keep moving forward.

📘 My Diamond Within is available now on Amazon.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, resilience, and principled entrepreneurship.

Unlocking Business Growth with Virtual Assistants: An In-Depth Conversation with Valentina

In this episode, we delve into the incredible potential of hiring virtual assistants to scale and enhance business efficiency. Valentina, an expert in integrating 'super who's' into entrepreneurial organizations, shares her personal journey from Moldova to the United States and how she built a successful VA placement company. We discuss the importance of focusing on responsibilities instead of tasks, overcoming fear in entrepreneurship, and the tactical steps to ensure successful VA integration. Highlighted are the strategies of generating leads, using social media for business growth, and the critical role of clear vision and intention in business scaling. This engaging conversation provides a wealth of practical insights for entrepreneurs looking to elevate their operations.

00:00 Introduction to Valentina and Her Superpower
01:14 Valentina's Journey: From Moldova to the US
03:01 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Success
06:20 The Importance of Mindset and Opportunity
11:38 Starting and Growing a Business
15:48 The Role of Virtual Assistants in Business
33:45 Empowering Teams with Responsibility
37:59 Leadership and Virtual Assistants
38:21 The Car Analogy: Business and Performance
39:47 Investing in Top Talent
42:07 Exotic Car Business Insights
44:17 Paths to Success: Multiple Avenues
45:45 YouTube Growth Strategy
49:03 Business Models and Recurring Revenue
57:10 Lead Generation and Dream 100
01:03:30 Social Media Strategies
01:13:42 The Importance of Immersion in Business
01:14:13 Qualifying Leads for Better Business
01:15:20 The Delegation Workshop: A Game Changer
01:17:29 Overcoming Perfectionism and Trust Issues
01:23:09 The Role of Virtual Assistants in Business Growth
01:40:13 Mastermind Groups and Continuous Improvement
01:47:20 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Unrelenting Pursuit: Navigating Entrepreneurship with Chance

Entrepreneur and golf technology enthusiast, Chance, joins the show to discuss the relentless pursuit of his dreams in business. Chance dives into his journey from studying business at BYU, learning the ropes of entrepreneurship, to operating his own indoor golf simulator business and working with golf technology. He also shares valuable insights into overcoming challenges such as lead generation, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of a mentor. The conversation includes actionable strategies for young entrepreneurs and a deep dive into the importance of networking, data collection, and targeted marketing for business growth. Tune in for a motivational episode filled with entrepreneurship tips and personal anecdotes.

00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship Challenges
00:26 Chance's Journey into Golf Technology
02:16 The Influence of Family on Entrepreneurship
03:11 Educational Experiences and Early Career
05:10 Starting a Side Hustle: Indoor Golf Simulators
07:02 Marketing Strategies for Golf Simulators
12:34 Targeting Premium Clients and Networking
25:47 Joint Ventures and Business Expansion Ideas
35:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
37:54 The Beginning of My Entrepreneurial Journey
38:13 Mindset Shift: From Get Rich Quick to Providing for Family
39:02 The Entrepreneur Success Formula
39:38 Overcoming Obstacles and the Importance of a Strong Why
40:58 Lead Generation Strategies
43:26 Paid Advertising and Targeting Audiences
45:45 The Power of Networking and Relationship Building
52:59 The Importance of Data Collection and Customer Feedback
58:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Mastering E-commerce & Marketing: Lessons from a Pro

In this insightful episode, Parker McCumber dives deep into the fundamentals of e-commerce and marketing strategies with expert guest Michael. They explore the importance of understanding your audience, crafting compelling ads, and leveraging mutual experiences to build connections. Michael shares his personal experiences, including a major email marketing mistake and the lessons learned from it. They discuss the significance of the human touch in the age of AI, strategies to test and improve products, and effective leadership skills. Tune in to get valuable tips on how to stand out in the competitive e-commerce space and drive better results in your marketing efforts.

00:00 Understanding Your Audience
22:16 Connecting Through Shared Interests
23:11 Email Marketing Failures and Lessons
24:47 Differences in Marketing Strategies
27:35 Crafting Effective Ads
31:07 Leveraging AI and Fundamentals
33:48 The Future of Advertising
35:53 Learning from Old-School Advertising
37:11 Effective E-commerce Strategies
37:59 Importance of High Margins in E-commerce
39:58 Leadership Challenges and Personal Growth
41:15 Building Relationships and Effective Communication
45:16 Mission Brief and After Action Report
48:59 Final Thoughts and Social Media Presence

What if there was a simple way to go from zero sales to your first $10,000 online—without a big audience, complicated tech, or exhausting webinars?

In this episode, Parker McCumber sits down with Richmond Dinh, the creator of the Tiny Challenge framework, to break down the easiest way for beginners to build momentum, prove their value, and close high-ticket coaching or info product clients.

*Don't forget I'm donating $1 to Charity:Water for every subscriber I have on YouTube at the end of 2025! So please share this with anyone it may help!

🎯 You’ll Learn:
What a “Tiny Challenge” is and how it works
Why it’s the fastest path to your first $10K in coaching or online business
How to build your identity as an entrepreneur from Day 1
Why this framework beats webinars, VSLs, and traditional launches for beginners
How to generate leads and turn them into raving fans
Why simplicity beats genius—and how to start without overwhelm

💡 Whether you're launching your first offer or scaling into coaching, this episode shows you how to build a business by starting small and winning fast.

🎁 Grab Richmond’s book: https://richmonddinhcoaching.com/book-control

00:00 Introduction to Transformative Customer Journeys
00:21 Meet Richmond: The Challenge Expert
00:32 The Struggles of Starting an Online Business
02:10 The Concept of Tiny Challenges
03:04 Implementing Tiny Challenges for Success
06:46 Richmond's Journey from Optometrist to Entrepreneur
08:04 The Power of Making Your First Dollar
12:30 Tailoring Offers to Customer Needs
17:44 Generating Leads for Your Business
18:50 Leveraging Close Proximity for Business Growth
19:05 The Power of Reviews and Referrals
20:14 Maximizing Client Testimonials
22:09 Utilizing Facebook Groups for Lead Generation
22:58 The Effectiveness of Five-Day Challenges
26:42 Coaching Beginners to Success
30:14 The Importance of Simplicity in Business
31:55 Promoting the Tiny Challenge Book
33:55 Final Thoughts and Personal Goals

Entrepreneur Tips: Mastering Success with Tom - Real Estate, AI, and Effective Leadership

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Tom, an entrepreneur and advisor, who shares his journey from a computer science student to a successful business owner who retired at 32. Tom discusses pivotal moments such as discovering books like 'The Automatic Millionaire' and 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' that shaped his financial mindset. He delves into navigating the entrepreneurial landscape, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's 'why,' the balance of work-life integration, overcoming the fear of delegating tasks, and integrating AI into business strategies for growth. Whether you're a budding or seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable tips on building businesses, selecting impactful strategies, and scaling effectively.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:20 Tom's Journey to Entrepreneurship
01:05 The Influence of Key Books
03:47 Balancing Work and Life
06:58 Overcoming Resistance and Challenges
12:29 Steps for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
18:08 Tom's Business Ventures
22:45 The Importance of Verification in Leadership
23:14 Military-Inspired Leadership Practices
23:29 Setting Clear Expectations and Continuous Improvement
24:50 Strategies for Early Retirement and Business Success
25:21 Understanding and Utilizing Key Business Metrics
28:18 Effective Traffic and Lead Generation Techniques
38:03 Leveraging AI for Business Growth
40:17 The Future of AI in Business and Coaching
44:02 Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks

Homesteading Success: Shelby DeVore on Building a Thriving Community and Business

In this episode, Parker engages with Shelby DeVore, founder of Garden Farm Thrive, to delineate her journey from aspiring veterinarian to successful entrepreneur in the homesteading realm. Shelby shares insights on teaching women global skills like gardening, raising livestock, and food preservation while also fostering community and family engagement. They discuss her personal encounters with health scares that prompted a deeper dive into holistic, self-sustaining lifestyles, drawing parallels with Blue Zones. Shelby highlights her successful business model, leveraging summit funnels to generate consistent revenue and membership growth. They conclude with strategies for expanding her brand's impact, including thoughts on leveraging YouTube as a prelude to a potential TV show. The conversation underscores the transformative power of entrepreneurship in creating healthier, self-reliant, and connected communities.

If you want to learn more about what Shelby does, Homesteading, Eating Better, and living a homegrown life, grab a free ticket to their summit here: https://www.homegrownlivingsummit.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLCsc1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPVDkyRXV6TEM1OGpReHNJAR7mwosMbiVfBEskF7J-cxV7XxmmabvR1A3Sl6lkfGsMjN5ggYTwarracWpnyA_aem_z6_C-1ztQwhaVAOlfy2zDQ

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:26 Shelby Devore's Journey to Entrepreneurship
03:23 Challenges and Realizations in Veterinary Path
06:34 Transition to Teaching and Further Career Shifts
08:45 Starting Garden Farm Thrive
10:31 Impact Stories and Community Building
17:32 Teaching Homesteading Online
22:59 Building a Supportive Community
26:54 Personal Health Journey and Homesteading Benefits
40:54 Understanding the Cause and Risk of Recurrence
43:33 Discovering Blue Zones and Lifestyle Changes
46:08 The Benefits of Homegrown Food
47:31 Nutrient Density and the Importance of Fresh Produce
49:06 Personal Experiences with Health and Diet
54:09 Successful Business Strategies for Entrepreneurs
54:35 The Power of Summit Funnels
01:00:37 Maximizing Membership Programs
01:05:24 Exploring New Avenues for Growth
01:08:37 The Potential of YouTube for Business Expansion
01:20:25 Final Thoughts and Future Plans