Episode Overview
In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike and Derek break down Part Two of the Cashflow Quadrant, focusing on the difficult transition from being self-employed to becoming a true business owner. They unpack leadership, systems, vision, cashflow realities, and the mindset shifts required to stop owning a job and start building a business.
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Time Stamps
0:00 Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp
0:29 Introductions and kicking off the new year
1:29 New episode formats and what’s coming in 2026
2:32 Patreon overview and why the bonus content matters
3:47 Sponsorships and supporting the next generation of trades
5:00 Episode topic: Cashflow Quadrant, Part Two
6:10 Defining self-employed vs. business owner
7:57 What a “real business” actually looks like
9:38 Can a business truly run without its owner?
12:20 Growth creates new problems at every level
15:36 Hiring, delegation, and leveraging strengths
18:05 The risks and realities of business ownership
21:13 Letting go and trusting your team
23:12 Vision, mission, and values as leadership tools
27:01 Why most self-employed owners never scale
31:17 Culture, buy-in, and decision-making frameworks
37:39 Cashflow myths, payroll pressure, and sacrifice
44:24 Patreon topics, wrap-up, and where to find the show
Details
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Hosts
Michael Nelson & Derek Foster
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Runtime
46 mins, 23 secs
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Airing Date
January 14, 2026