In this raw and riveting episode of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship Podcast, Susan Sly sits down with Nick Fogle, the resilient founder of Churnkey, to unpack the gritty truth of turning financial debt into entrepreneurial gold. Their conversation dives deep into the whirlwind journey from crippling student loans to groundbreaking business success, offering a masterclass in transforming burdens into opportunities.
Nick peels back the curtain on how he juggled a staggering $250k in student debt while kickstarting his law firm and, later, diving headlong into the tech world. From mowing lawns to coding innovative software, Nick’s path is anything but conventional. He shares how understanding the hard numbers and embracing creative risks propelled him from a broke lawyer to a tech maven at a publicly traded company.
Susan and Nick discuss the relentless challenges of entrepreneurship, from battling high churn rates to mastering work-life balance while raising a family. They reveal personal strategies for coping with stress, emphasizing the game-changing role of therapy and the power of investing in oneself despite financial strain.
Whether you’re buried in debt, struggling to scale your business, or need real-world wisdom, this episode is your guide to harnessing adversity. Tune in to hear how Nick’s journey of self-discovery and bold moves led him to survive and thrive, selling his company for a mid-seven-figure sum and setting the stage for his next big venture. Discover the unfiltered truths about debt, risk-taking, and the entrepreneurial spirit that refuses to quit.
Topics Discussed In This Episode
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Entrepreneurship, business lessons learned, and the impact of student loan debt.
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Overcoming student loan debt and starting a business.
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Learning new skills, debt, and career growth.
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Entrepreneurship, startups, and risk tolerance.
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Business growth, and exit strategies.
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Managing stress and learning through new business ventures.
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Proving oneself as an entrepreneur and letting go of external validation.
About Nick Fogle
Nick Fogle, the Founder and CEO of Churnkey, has an inspiring journey from a struggling attorney buried in student debt to a successful entrepreneur. Overcoming adversity, he taught himself to code while driving a shuttle bus for minimum wage and eventually rose to lead engineer at a publicly traded software company. Nick’s relentless dedication led to the creation of Wavve, a SaaS business, which he later sold for a mid-7 figure sum in 2021. Drawing from his experiences, he launched Churnkey, leveraging his expertise in retention strategies to revolutionize customer retention solutions. Nick’s remarkable story exemplifies resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Connect With Nick Fogle
LinkedIn @nickfogle
Website https://churnkey.co/
About Susan Sly
Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, sought after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Dive deep into the essence of success with Susan Sly, and redefine your entrepreneurial journey.
Connect With Susan
XÂ @Susanslylive
LinkedIn @susansly
