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Yesterday, a post of mine on LinkedIn got a lot of traffic.
Additionally, six people DMed me asking for specific boring business ideas. I realized that the best place for most of you to start is at the very beginning.
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Today, I will break down the five business models I would choose if I were starting over today.
LFG. 🔥
A quick note* - To all my academy members, I apologize I didn’t get a video published this week. I had my first ever fillings in my mouth and I’ve never had mouth numbing before. My entire side of my face didn’t work. I’ve never experienced that. My wife and kids got a great laugh but it put a wrench in my recording day. Fear not, lessons will be published next week on the regular schedule.
Actual footage of me this week. 👇👇👇
Okay, here we go.
1. A Local Lead Gen Business
You knew I would start with this one. It is predictable, but it is true.
The main reason I stay so firm on local lead gen is that new technology does not change the ultimate goal. Even if AI completely changes how we run campaigns, the end result for a local brick and mortar business remains the exact same: getting customers to call or walk through the door.
I love models that are simple. There is very little administrative complexity here.
It is simple, profitable, and straightforward. Best of all, there will always be a market as long as local physical businesses exist.
AI will not replace local coffee shops, carpet vendors, lawncare companies, contractors, mechanics, dentists, or car washes.
These people need marketing services.
2. Outbound Lead Generation and Pipeline Agency
Nothing is more boring, monotonous, or valuable than an outbound pipeline agency.
The entire model is sheer repetition. Every single day, you:
Scrape targeted email lists
Send outbound email campaigns using tools like Instantly.ai
Send direct messages across LinkedIn, Instagram, and other channels
Submit inquiry requests through website contact forms
The conversion rate is low, meaning you need to reach a volume of 25,000 to 30,000 messages a month. It is an unforgiving grind.
However, it pays off because every business owner on earth wants someone who can step in and build a sales pipeline out of thin air.
3. A Business Directory
While outbound is a grind, owned assets like directories build long term leverage. I am more bullish on business directories than ever for a few clear reasons:
AI increases the demand for local citations: A massive portion of the revenue we generate for Sober Nation comes from businesses eager to get listed across directories so AI models cite them. In a weird way, AI search has helped directory businesses far more than it has hurt them. So instead of replacing directories, AEO agencies need to build citations and so my sales for directory listings has actually increased. (Life has a strange way of making us all laugh)
Directories double as media companies: Most people fail with directories because they treat them as static databases with no organic traffic. If you build content and a community around a niche, the directory monetizes itself through sponsorships.
Businesses need multi channel discovery: Everyone making the claim that AI killed SEO or directory search is mistaken. Businesses will always seek multiple platforms to stay visible. It’s not like every business in the world will suddenly stop looking for other ways to promote themselves. Directories create a legitimate alternative.
Media strategies unlock multiple revenue streams: Expanding our sponsor offerings at Sober Nation showed us how eager companies are to pay for access to an established audience.
If you want to start one, my tool directorly.app helps you build a functional directory quickly. I highly recommend you give it a try. You can check out ketaminesearch.com as an example.
4. Events Marketing Agency
Watching how Juliana grows her event brand reminded me how hungry people are for real, face to face interaction. It has really changed my perspective on events and what people are truly seeking.
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There is enormous potential in building localized event arms for existing brands. I remember Justin Welsh was doing dinner events at different cities around the world. I would love to do small events like that.
I know very little about event planning myself, which is exactly why I would hire an agency to execute the operations.
I am not talking about massive multi day conferences. I am talking about high touch, personal gatherings that function both as brand marketing and direct revenue generators.
The market demand for this service is massive.
5. Commercial Janitorial & Office Cleaning Services
Commercial cleaning is the ultimate high cash flow, low churn business. Once you secure a contract and deliver reliable work, clients rarely leave.
B2B recurring revenue: Industrial sites, medical facilities, and corporate offices all require regular cleaning, and none of them want to handle it internally.
Essential demand: Maintaining a clean workspace is non negotiable office buildings. It’s a service they MUST have.
Easy delegation: Labor for cleaning services is straightforward to hire and man