About the Guest:

Brandon White is a seasoned entrepreneur, angel investor, and host of The Brandon White Show, a top-ranked Apple podcast with over 500 episodes and 20,000 loyal listeners. An innovator in both business and podcasting, Brandon began podcasting in the 90s, a time when the medium was still emerging. He is also the author of Back of the Napkin to Business Plan in 11 Slides, a resource for aspiring entrepreneurs. Brandon’s entrepreneurial journey includes founding Trevally, weathering market crashes, and learning pivotal lessons from his mentors.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Growing Your Business with People, host Jeff Lackey sits down with Brandon White to explore leadership, innovation, and the power of simple systems in scaling businesses. Brandon shares his incredible journey, including a life-changing encounter with a Sequoia Capital investor, the challenges of startup life, and the resilience required to succeed. Together, they discuss practical insights on creating effective leadership, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), and crafting business plans that inspire and execute.

Key Takeaways:

What Makes a Leader Effective?

Leadership requires trust in your team, empowering them to do the right thing while maintaining accountability.

The Importance of SOPs:

Standard Operating Procedures are essential to scaling a business. While startups thrive on innovation, structure ensures consistency and efficiency.

Crafting a Business Plan:

A business plan doesn't need to be lengthy—focus on clarity and purpose. Brandon advocates for an 11-slide approach to effectively communicate your vision.

Resilience in Entrepreneurship:

Brandon’s journey highlights the importance of adaptability, mentorship, and self-belief, even in the face of failure or setbacks.

Notable Quotes:

"The real work begins after raising money—it completely changes the profile of your company."

"Trust your people to do the right thing; effective leadership is hands-off but accountable."

"Innovation is exciting, but SOPs are the foundation that allows you to scale sustainably."

"You don’t need 50 pages for a business plan—11 slides can communicate everything you need."