The Empire Builders Podcast

The Empire Builders Podcast

Reverse engineering the success of established business empires.

#278: Down Dating – Part 2 – Doubling Down and Getting Focused
The Empire Builders Podcast
#278: Down Dating – Part 2 – Doubling Down and Getting Focused

Recent Episodes

278
Oct. 21, 2026

#278: Down Dating – Part 2 – Doubling Down and Getting Focused

Colin understood that being an entrepreneur meant developing muscles you don’t have as an “employee”. Focus, commitment, resilience… Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, word from our sponsor, whic
277
Oct. 7, 2026

#277: Down Dating – Part 1 – Created, Sold and Bought Back Again

Colin Hodge created a dating app the took off and got a lot of attention. He just did expect to buy it back after he sold it. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, a word from our sponsor, which is,
276
Sept. 30, 2026

#276: General Mills Fruit Roll-Up – Good Food Marketed as FUN!

First they tried to make a cake filling product, but figured out that healthier foods need to be fun for kids to eat them. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, a word from our sponsor, which is, well
275
Sept. 23, 2026

#275: Joray Fruit Roll-Up – Yup, They Invented It!

Have you ever heard of fruit leather? You know, that famous Syrian treat. Well, let’s learn how that became the iconic Fruit Roll-Up. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, word from our sponsor, which
274
Sept. 16, 2026

#274: Palm Pilot – Inspired By A Failed Product

Apple’s PDA device Newton was a little too ambitious. So Jeff Hawkins, did the opposite and removed capabilities to create Palm Pilot. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, a word from our sponsor, wh
273
Sept. 9, 2026

#273: BNI – Part 2 – Continuing The Growth

Dr. Misner learned that the law of reciprocity is the strongest form of connection and now “Givers Gain” is the philosophy that all the members of BNI live by. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, wo