Welcome to the latest episode of Empire Builders! Today, Tommy Yionoulis is thrilled to introduce our guest, Josh Chernikoff, a seasoned entrepreneur with a rich background in education and youth enrichment programs. In this episode, Josh shares his journey from sports broadcasting to founding and scaling multiple successful businesses.

Key Points Discussed:

Introduction to Josh Chernikoff:

• Josh's transition from a sports broadcaster to an entrepreneur in the education sector.
• Founding a boutique home tutoring company in the DC area.
• Expansion into after-school enrichment programs through Flex Academies, operating in 82 schools before selling the business.

Building a Niche Market:

• Importance of understanding and dominating a niche market to create a successful, repeatable business model.
• Josh's experience in targeting schools with established enrichment cultures to effectively sell his services.

Entrepreneurial Journey:

• Challenges and successes in the education sector.
• Josh's current venture, the Ed Sales Elevation Experience, assisting education companies in generating high-quality, repeatable leads.
• Josh’s latest entrepreneurial pursuit with Overtime Athletics (OTA), a franchise providing organized sports programs for schools.

Metaphor of "Clean Windows":

• Targeting customers who already understand the value of a service.
• Josh's success by focusing on schools with established enrichment programs.

Media Exposure and Strategic Hires:

• Leveraging media exposure for business growth, as demonstrated by a significant boost from an NBC opportunity.
• The impact of strategic hires, like Mandy Eckman, in scaling the business by focusing on strengths and delegating operational responsibilities.

Scaling Businesses:

• Challenges of scaling businesses, particularly in identifying and serving the ideal client.
• Importance of having a clear, repeatable offer to streamline operations.
• Maintaining low overheads and flexible commitments, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Entrepreneurial Risks and Responsibilities:

• Discussion on the inherent risks and responsibilities of entrepreneurship.
• The impact on personal life and the need for a strong support system, especially from family.
• Tommy's experiences in giving employees entrepreneurial opportunities and the realization that true entrepreneurial spirit cannot be instilled.

Balancing Customizable Consulting and Scalable Operations:

• Struggles in balancing customizable consulting work with scalable business operations.
• The importance of knowing when to say no to short-term gains for long-term business development.

Conclusion:

Tommy and Josh conclude the episode with reflections on the ongoing journey of learning and adapting, essential for any entrepreneur aiming for sustainable success. Josh's story highlights the significance of understanding market needs, leveraging media exposure, and strategic hiring in scaling a business. Whether you're interested in the education sector, franchise operations, or entrepreneurial stories, this episode provides valuable insights and inspiration.

Tune in for an engaging discussion on entrepreneurship, scaling businesses, and achieving success in niche markets with Josh Chernikoff.

Links And Resources:

• EdSales Elevation Experience
• Josh Chernikoff on