Advertise on podcast: Two guys on stuff: Entrepreneurship • Leadership • Culture

In this episode of Two Guys on Stuff, Michael Edwards and Tom Tobin go beyond tactics and talk about the real foundation of entrepreneurship: trust, relationships, and culture. Tom shares why he is “horrible at retiring,” how he has built and sold businesses over decades, and why he is now launching a new e-commerce venture with Stable Storefronts. He breaks down what the model actually is (and what it is not), how it works operationally, and who it fits best. If you are building a business, investing in a venture, or trying to find the right people to do life and work with, this one brings the principles to life. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Christmas energy 01:05 Tobin family Christmas tradition 03:18 Edwards family tradition: prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, pear pie 06:05 Why this episode: Tom’s new venture and “practice what we preach” 07:30 Trust, accountability, and building a 2AM friendship 10:10 Why founders need people who challenge them 12:10 Tom’s career arc and why he will not retire 16:05 What e-commerce really is (not hype, not magic) 18:15 What Stable Storefronts does and how the model works 21:55 Why Tom involved his family and kids in the LLC 25:05 How Amazon works: “ungating,” shelves, and trust 29:10 Logistics and returns: the customer experience advantage 31:10 The supply chain flow: warehouse, relabeling, fulfillment centers 33:45 ROI and inventory turns explained 36:10 The ideal storefront owner: who this fits and who it does not 39:20 Why culture predicts success 41:30 How to contact Tom 43:10 Closing and holiday wishes

What does it look like to actually practice what you preach as an entrepreneur? In this episode of Two Guys on Stuff, Tom Tobin interviews Michael Edwards about the real-world launch of JobblyGo™ and how the same planning, discipline, and operational rigor we teach are being applied in real time. This is not theory. It’s execution. Michael walks through how a simple business plan turns into targets, budgets, cadence, and a Q1 sprint, all while launching a new venture and preparing for 2026. Along the way, Tom and Michael break down what founders get wrong, where momentum is won or lost, and why stewardship, clarity, and consistency matter more than hype. If you are: Just getting started as an entrepreneur Turning an idea into a real business Planning for the next year with intention Trying to scale without chaos This episode is for you. Download the free One-Page 2026 Plan + Q1 Sprint Sheet: Email [email protected] or visit edwardsadvisorygroup.us If you want your plan reviewed on-air, put REVIEW in the subject line. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Two Guys on Stuff 02:10 – Turning a 2026 Plan Into a Calendar You Can Run 04:30 – Why Most Businesses Start Planning Too Late 07:15 – Planning Is Stewardship, Not Paperwork 09:20 – From Business Plan to Real Execution 11:45 – Setting 2026 Targets That Actually Matter 15:10 – Revenue, Gross Margin, and Net Income Explained 18:40 – Customer Growth and Retention Fundamentals 21:10 – Building a Simple Budget Without Guesswork 24:30 – Cadence Matters: Daily, Weekly, Monthly Rhythm 28:05 – People, Systems, and Risk Every Founder Misses 31:40 – AI, Operations, and Scaling Without Chaos 34:20 – The Q1 12-Week Sprint Framework 37:10 – Final Takeaways and Free Planning Resources 39:10 – Closing: Don’t Just Dream the Business, Build It

You can build a clear, doable plan for 2026 in one session. In this episode of Two Guys on Stuff, Michael Edwards and Tom Tobin show you how to set targets, build a simple budget, lock a weekly rhythm, and design a 12-week sprint for Q1. Perfect for founders who are just getting started or owners who want a cleaner operating cadence. What you’ll learn • How to set 2026 revenue, margin, and cash targets on one page • Simple budget math: price, COGS, contribution, break-even • A weekly operating rhythm and a scorecard you can run • People, systems, and risk — where to invest first • A Q1 12-week sprint you can start this week Free templates Get the one-page 2026 plan and the Q1 sprint sheet. Email [email protected] or visit edwardsadvisorygroup.us. Want feedback on your plan? Put “REVIEW” in your email subject line. We may review it on air and bring you on the show. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and promise 00:50 Planning as stewardship — time, cash, trust 03:20 Set 2026 targets on one page 09:45 Budget basics and unit economics 16:50 Operating rhythm and scorecard 23:40 People, systems, and risk 31:10 Q1 12-week sprint setup 36:10 Objections and quick coaching 38:10 Get the free templates 39:20 Close and next steps

Two Guys on Stuff is back with a practical episode for builders and founders. Michael Edwards and Tom Tobin open with a quick catch-up on new ventures, community work, and how AI is already shaping their day. Then they get down to business planning: what a plan is not, what it is, and how to use a simple two-page plan to make clear decisions, align resources, and track progress. You will learn: • The five myths that make business plans useless • The core elements of a plan you will actually use • How to set 12-week milestones you can measure • Where AI helps and where human judgment is non-negotiable Want the Starter Plan template? Comment PLAN and we’ll send the two-page version with a filled example. 01:10 Tom’s new venture and the “never retire” balance 03:05 Michael’s EDF role and life update 04:20 Quick hits: SMB outlook, inflation, and what it means for founders 06:10 A weekend “without AI” that was not 08:40 Using AI as a tool, not a crutch 10:30 Transition to the Business Plan topic 11:05 The joke that reveals a truth about planning 12:00 What a business plan is NOT 15:40 What a business plan IS 18:10 Executive Summary that fits on one page 20:40 Problem and Solution with a coffee shop example 24:30 Market and Customer basics 27:10 Business Model and simple unit economics 29:30 Go-to-Market and a quick SWOT check 33:10 Operations: org chart and roles that scale 36:00 Financial projections and break-even thinking 38:00 Milestones and metrics that keep you honest 41:00 When reality punches your plan in the face 43:10 Action step: write your two-page plan today 44:30 How to get the Starter Plan template and contact info Connect: • Michael: [email protected] | edwardsadvisorygroup.us • Tom: [email protected]

Originally recorded on November 1, 2021. We’re re-releasing one of our most popular episodes with never-before-seen video footage.Michael Edwards and Tom Tobin break down leadership lessons from favorite TV shows and connect them to real-world culture and performance.What’s inside:• The Office: loyalty, care, and the legacy you leave• Last Man Standing: core values, conviction, and humor• Ted Lasso: kindness, optimism, and the power of “Believe”• The Blacklist: resourcefulness, networks, and endgame thinking• Blue Bloods: ethics, purpose, and leading like family• Practical takeaways you can use this weekKey ideas:• Strategy sets direction. Culture decides if you get there.• Define your endgame and work it daily.• You don’t need a title to lead. Model the behavior first.Have a question or a topic for a future episode? Email [email protected]. If this helped you, share it with a friend who leads a team or is starting something new.

In this special episode of Two Guys on Stuff, we’re turning the mic around and answering real questions from our listeners. From leadership culture to entrepreneurship, we’ve heard some great feedback over our first six episodes—and today, we’re digging into the themes that keep coming up. 🔹 Why does culture always seem to beat strategy? 🔹 How do I know if I’m ready to lead? 🔹 What’s the biggest mistake first-time founders make? 🔹 And more… Plus, we revisit two fan-favorite episodes from past seasons: Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso, Michael Scott, and More Avoid These Leadership Behaviors ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Listener questions and why they matter 02:40 – Culture vs. Strategy: What wins in real life 07:55 – Are you ready to lead? Signs to look for 13:20 – Big mistake new founders make (and how to avoid it) 17:35 – Revisiting fan favorites: Ted Lasso and Michael Scott 21:50 – The feedback that hit home 26:10 – Our nugget of the week 28:30 – How to send us your questions 29:45 – Wrap-up and what’s next 🎧 Listen now and send us your question at [email protected]

In this episode of Two Guys on Stuff, we’re back with Alex Howland, Founder of Virbela, for a deeper dive into what it takes to lead in the virtual age. Recorded around the digital campfire on the Virbela Go campus, we talk about: How to scale culture in a remote-first company Navigating hypergrowth with intentional leadership The difference between hype and reality in the future of work Building community that lasts—without a physical HQ We also open with two news stories every entrepreneur should know: The SBA launches its first-ever loan program for manufacturers Local governments like Tampa, FL are expanding entrepreneur support hubs Alex doesn’t hold back. This is honest talk about the human side of leadership, the power of culture, and the mindset it takes to go from vision to velocity. 🔗 Connect with Alex & Learn More Website: https://www.virbela.com

In this special episode of Two Guys on Stuff, we sit down inside Virbela with its founder, Alex Howland, to unpack the story behind one of the most innovative platforms in remote work today. Alex shares how a background in organizational psychology led him to build a fully immersive virtual office experience—long before “metaverse” was a buzzword. We cover: ✅ The origin of Virbela and the early grant that launched it ✅ How remote work is being redefined ✅ Leading and scaling a virtual-first company ✅ What it takes to turn vision into reality Whether you’re a founder, remote leader, or just curious about what comes after Zoom—this episode will get you thinking differently about the future of work. 📍 Recorded in Alex’s actual office inside Virbela 📺 Stay tuned for Part 2, dropping next week. Check out Virbela Go at www.virbela.com/go.

In this follow-up conversation, Tom and I dive deeper with franchise experts Lori Schneider and Ralph Yarusso to explore what happens after you decide to start a franchise. We cover: Funding options The difference between owning a job and building a business Lessons learned from decades in the field Red flags, deal breakers, and how to vet opportunities What they wish more people understood before getting started Whether you’re exploring franchise ownership or already in the game, this episode is full of practical insight from two seasoned leaders who’ve built, led, and advised top-performing systems. 🎧 Listen in, take notes, and get your next nugget.

Thinking about starting your own franchise? In this episode of Two Guys on Stuff, we sit down with Lori Schneider and Ralph Yarusso of Atticus Franchise Consulting for a no-fluff, real-world conversation on what it actually takes to get started. We cover: The mindset shift from employee to owner Why franchising may (or may not) be right for you Common misconceptions and pitfalls first-time owners face What questions to ask before signing anything Lori and Ralph bring decades of experience helping leaders launch successful franchise businesses—and they don’t hold back. This is Part 1 of a two-part series that every aspiring owner should hear. 🔗 Connect with Lori and Ralph: 📧 [email protected] 📧 [email protected] 📞 720-454-4412 (Lori) 📞 303-587-6373 (Ralph) 🌐 www.atticusfranchiseconsulting.com

Thinking about starting your own franchise? In this episode of Two Guys on Stuff, we sit down with Lori Schneider and Ralph Yarusso of Atticus Franchise Consulting for a no-fluff, real-world conversation on what it actually takes to get started. We cover: The mindset shift from employee to owner Why franchising may (or may not) be right for you Common misconceptions and pitfalls first-time owners face What questions to ask before signing anything Lori and Ralph bring decades of experience helping leaders launch successful franchise businesses—and they don’t hold back. This is Part 1 of a two-part series that every aspiring owner should hear. 🔗 Connect with Lori and Ralph: 📧 [email protected] 📧 [email protected] 📞 720-454-4412 (Lori) 📞 303-587-6373 (Ralph) 🌐 www.atticusfranchiseconsulting.com

Overview Tom and I break down where to begin if you want to start a business. We keep it simple. One person. One problem. One promise. You will leave with a 7-day starter sprint, two easy templates, and a clear path to your first sales. Key takeaways Start with a real problem you can solve Choose a tiny market you can reach this week Write a one line offer and price the outcome Ask for help early. Then ask for the sale Track simple metrics. Conversations. Offers. Yes responses. Delivery. One result Tool by Friday One line offer templateI help [who] get [result] in [time] with [method]. Price: [fixed or tiered]. Start: [date]. Guarantee: [clear promise]. First five sales checklist List ten names you could helpAsk for a ten minute callShare your one line offer Ask for the sale or a specific referral Book delivery and send a simple welcome note The 7 day starter sprint Day 1: Pick one person and one problem Day 2: Do three short interviews. What hurts. What they tried. What a win looks like Day 3: Draft your one line offer. Make a simple page with a calendar link Day 4: Ask five people for feedback or a paid pilot Day 5: Write a one page delivery plan Day 6: Deliver a sample or first session Day 7: Capture one testimonial and one metric Links & Resources ⁠Human and AI Field Notes newsletter⁠ Edwards Advisory Group site: ⁠https://www.edwardsadvisorygroup.us⁠ Start here. 5 minute AI assessment: ⁠https://www.edwardsadvisorygroup.us/ai-assessment⁠ Connect with us: [email protected]@edwardsgrouptx.com Send a question or a result from your sprint. We may read it next week on air [email protected]

Overview Tom and I break down where to begin if you want to start a business. We keep it simple. One person. One problem. One promise. You will leave with a 7-day starter sprint, two easy templates, and a clear path to your first sales. Key takeaways Start with a real problem you can solve Choose a tiny market you can reach this week Write a one line offer and price the outcome Ask for help early. Then ask for the sale Track simple metrics. Conversations. Offers. Yes responses. Delivery. One result Tool by Friday One line offer templateI help [who] get [result] in [time] with [method]. Price: [fixed or tiered]. Start: [date]. Guarantee: [clear promise]. First five sales checklist List ten names you could helpAsk for a ten minute callShare your one line offer Ask for the sale or a specific referral Book delivery and send a simple welcome note The 7 day starter sprint Day 1: Pick one person and one problem Day 2: Do three short interviews. What hurts. What they tried. What a win looks like Day 3: Draft your one line offer. Make a simple page with a calendar link Day 4: Ask five people for feedback or a paid pilot Day 5: Write a one page delivery plan Day 6: Deliver a sample or first session Day 7: Capture one testimonial and one metric Links & Resources Human and AI Field Notes newsletter Edwards Advisory Group site: https://www.edwardsadvisorygroup.us Start here. 5 minute AI assessment: https://www.edwardsadvisorygroup.us/ai-assessment Connect with us: [email protected]@edwardsgrouptx.com Send a question or a result from your sprint. We may read it next week on air [email protected]

We’re back behind the mics. After a much-needed sabbatical, Michael and Tom return to reboot Two Guys on Stuff—a podcast about the human side of entrepreneurship, leadership, and culture. In this episode, we: Catch up on what’s changed and what hasn’tRecast the vision for the show Share who this podcast is for and what you can expect Introduce the “Nugget Promise”—one actionable takeaway every episode Invite you to connect, collaborate, and grow with us This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s a space to think, lead, and build with purpose. Let’s get into it.

Believe it or not, there are leadership role models on TV.  Join Michael and Tom as they discuss leadership lessons from Ted Lasso, Michael Scott, and a host of other TV characters.   What are some of your favorite leadership lessons from TV?  Leave us a message at https://anchor.fm/twoguysonstuff/message, send your list to [email protected] or text us at (830) 446-3362.