Tropical MBA: Entrepreneurship & Founder Lifestyle

What if your systems feel broken because you’re running big-company playbooks in a small, bootstrapped business? Layla Pomper, founder of ProcessDriven, joins us to share how small teams actually build systems that work.
We cover what to prioritize before even thinking about SOPs, how to systemize without hiring an integrator, plus the AI & automation tools her audience is quietly using to move faster.
LINKS
Dive into more of Layla’s systems content (https://www.youtube.com/@LaylaPomper)
EOS Business System (https://www.eosworldwide.com/)
Meet other location-independent founders like Layla inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
CHAPTERS
(00:01:44) Today’s Guest: Layla Pomper
(00:06:18) Manage Your Mistakes
(00:13:47) Radical Simplicity in Your Systems
(00:17:53) People vs Roles
(00:22:26) Defaulting to Delegation
(00:26:59) Asking For Help & Meeting Cadences
(00:31:40) Why EOS Breaks Down For Small Teams
(00:39:31) Stop “Hiring” Software, Build the System First
(00:42:58) New Tools Worth Paying Attention To
(00:47:24) To YouTube, Or Not to YouTube?
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
[link to Doomsday Business Ideas episode]
Numbers Gone Wild: The Hidden Cost of Being Data-Driven (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/numbers-gone-wild-hidden-cost)
Financial Traps, Profit Truths, and What’s Next at TMBA (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/financial-traps-profit-truths)

Apple launched the iPod in the wake of the dot-com bubble. Airbnb launched during the 2008 recession and housing crisis. In fact, half of all the Fortune 500 companies were created during a recession or economic crisis.
With the rise of AI, sociopolitical unrest, and the post-COVID landscape, what new ideas and businesses will emerge in 2026?
This week's sponsor is Bento!
Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits
https://bentonow.com/tmba
LINKS
The Age of Disclosure (https://www.amazon.com/Age-Disclosure-Dan-Farah/dp/B0FMF29BBJ)
Daniel Salzner: Goldman-Sachs to $40K MRR AI Agency (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/danielsalzner_i-quit-my-job-10-weeks-ago-today-i-bootstrapped-activity-7402723101932670976-rcGS/)
Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire by Andrew Wilkinson (https://www.amazon.com/Never-Enough-Billionaire-Andrew-Wilkinson/dp/1637744765)
Meet location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
CHAPTERS
(00:00:13) Change = Opportunity
(00:05:36) Idea #1: Solutions to AI Worry
(00:07:59) Idea #2: Address Digital Degeneracy
(00:12:42) Idea #3: Homesteading and Doomsday Prep
(00:20:34) Idea #4: Religious Revival
(00:23:58) Idea #5: Lifespan Optimization
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-business-plan) [FREE Resource]
TMBA 539: Weathering the Storm (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/entrepreneurs-survive-economic-downturn)
TMBA 546: Adjusting to the 'New Normal' (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/jim-huffman-new-normal)

What if 90 days from now, your business was sharper, more focused, and positioned for real growth? This simple but powerful 10-question framework is designed to help you identify your biggest challenge, clarify your team’s focus, and uncover new opportunities to stand out in your market.
LINKS
90 Day Business Clarity Worksheet (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a_rGQy83JhYfmcbWhGWZredl43Ds-EAd-1gh1ulAYlg/edit?tab=t.0)
Meet location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
CHAPTERS
(00:03:29) Biggest challenge and next steps
(00:06:33) Focus
(00:08:24) Understand your customer
(00:12:45) Positioning
(00:15:55) Innovation and unique advantages
(00:21:15) Network
(00:22:57) Business model
(00:25:06) Team
(00:26:38) Cadence & leadership
(00:28:34) Bonus
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-business-plan) [FREE Resource]
Don’t Write Another Landing Page Without This Framework (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-email-funnels-playbook) [2026 Email Funnels Playbook]
These 7+ Figure Founders Refused the “Normal” Path to Wealth (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/7-figure-founders-refused-normal-path)

We’re back from a week of hanging out with rockstars in NYC. Not just figurative rockstars in the form of 25 DC BLACK members and Scott Heiferman of Meetup.com, but also literal rockstar Keith Murray of We Are Scientists.
From “friendly” acquisitions to hiring frameworks and thoughts on leadership, this is what’s top of mind for 7 and 8-figure location independent founders going into 2026.
LINKS
Meet location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Leader’s Intent Framework (https://verticalperformance.us/develop-a-leaders-intent-to-transform-your-team/)
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell (https://www.buybackyourtime.com/)
TMBA 528: The Brenwall Code (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/markbrenwall2)
CHAPTERS
(00:05:22) 7-Figures and Location Flexibility
(00:09:25) The Rise of “Friendly” Business Acquisitions
(00:14:12) What the Hell is Leadership?
(00:18:45) Buying Back Your Time with AI & Hiring
(00:22:40) Insights from Meetup.com’s Scott Heiferman
(00:28:10) Annual Planning: Working Backwards From the Goal
(00:31:25) The Crossover Between Artist and Entrepreneur
(00:39:46) Overcoming Challenges Through Innovation
(00:42:47) Rebranding “Asking for Help”
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
Don’t Write Another Landing Page Without This Framework (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-email-funnels-playbook) [2026 Email Funnels Playbook]
6-Figure Sales Expert Calls You Out (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/dont-keep-doing-this-2026) [Don’t Keep Doing This in 2026]
Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/2026-business-plan) [FREE Resource]

With so many ways to make money online, many founders and creators have lost sight of the most powerful one: email marketing. John Ainsworth, founder of Data Driven Marketing, says you’re leaving tons of money on the table if you’re not doing it well.
John is back on the pod to share his best tips and tactics on landing pages, upsells, lead magnets, and more. You might want to take some notes for this one!
LINKS
Rolodex Marketing Resource (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jRV_ncgCWAMRB7tZZtnO7x0Tn5sE46-tYkwN6paVG3A/edit?tab=t.0)
Free Email Marketing Resources (https://datadrivenmarketing.co/resources/)
John’s Podcast: The Art of Selling Online Courses (https://www.youtube.com/@john_ainsworth/videos)
Meet John and other location-independent founders inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/)
Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black)
Get 2 months of Perspective AI FREE with promo code TMBA (https://getperspective.ai/tmba)
Share your thoughts about the podcast (https://getperspective.ai/interview/tmba-feedback) [takes 2 minutes]
22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs (https://tropicalmba.com/resources)
CHAPTERS
(00:02:11) Email Marketing: A Must-Have Money Maker
(00:11:50) 15 Steps to a High-Converting Landing Page
(00:19:18) Do Webinars Still Work in 2026?
(00:24:09) What Makes a Great Lead Magnet
(00:29:09) The Power of Order Bumps and Upsells
(00:36:58) How to Use AI to Improve Your Funnels
(00:40:45) How to Make Extra Money with Trip Wires
(00:44:37) Rapid-Fire Email Tips for 2026
(00:50:49) How John is Running His 7-Figure Agency
CONNECT:
Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com
Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.
PLAYLIST:
Marketing to High-Dollar Clients (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/marketing-to-high-dollar-clients)
6-Figure Sales Expert Calls You Out (Don’t Keep Doing This in 2026) (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/dont-keep-doing-this-2026)
8 Simple Steps for Improving Your Sales Funnel (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/john-ainsworth-sales-funnel)