In this episode of Business Savages, I interview Tom Cullen, founder of Zoplo, a Gen Z opinion-sharing app. Tom candidly shares his path from a career in investment banking to launching a startup, highlighting the crucial lessons from failure that no one talks about. He opens up about the personal challenges of being an entrepreneur, the fear of quitting his stable job, and how embracing failure helped him find success. Tom also dives into his growth strategies, including leveraging humor in branding and organic growth through TikTok, as well as how personal relationships shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. This episode sheds light on what it really takes to build a successful business, emphasizing the importance of learning from failures.

Learning Takeaways:

1. Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone: Tom emphasizes that failure isn’t the end, but a critical part of the journey to success. Learn why failing first can often be the best lesson.

2. Finding Success Through Authenticity: Discover how Tom uses humor and authentic communication in his marketing to build a connection with his Gen Z audience.

3. The Fear Factor: Learn how to overcome the fear of leaving security behind and taking risks for your startup dreams.

4. Building Without Burnout: Tom shares how focusing on personal relationships and balance is key to long-term success and fulfillment in the startup world.

5. Organic Growth on a Budget: Get insights into how Tom grew his app to 76,000 downloads without a marketing budget

Homework:

1. Take Action on an Intimidating Goal:

   Identify a big goal that feels overwhelming. Break it down into small, achievable steps, and commit to taking action on the first step this week.

2. Post a Piece of Content:

   Whether it's on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok, post something you've been hesitant to share. Don't worry about perfection—focus on getting it out there.

3. Call Your Parents:

   Take time today to call your parents or someone close to you and thank them for their support. Let them know how much you appreciate their presence in your life.

4. Help a Fellow Entrepreneur:

   Find a small business or startup you admire and support them in a tangible way. Whether it’s by purchasing a product, sharing their work on social media, or offering advice, your support can make a big difference.

5. Reflect on Fear of Failure:

   Take a few minutes to write down one of your biggest fears when it comes to pursuing your goals. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Then list reasons why that fear might not be as scary as it seems.