The Sweaty Startup
The Sweaty Startup
Nick Huber
Want to build a successful business? Packed with the principles, strategies, and methods used to grow successful companies, The Sweaty Startup will help you make your vision a reality. Hosted by successful entrepreneur Nick Huber. Short, to the point and no fluff.
The Boring Businesses That Quietly Make Millions
Most people think entrepreneurship is about big ideas, venture capital, and building the next tech unicorn. I don't see it that way. In this conversation, I break down why almost every business ends up looking the same at scale and why chasing passion is one of the worst ways to start. I talk about how I think about opportunity, why "boring" businesses win, and how geography can be your biggest advantage. We get into what it actually takes to build something real: hiring, firing, delegating, and making tough decisions. I explain how I approach leadership, how I think about incentivizing people, and why not everyone in your company should want to be the CEO. I also share how I evaluate businesses, what I look for in underserved markets, and why simple services like cleaning, moving, or fixing things can outperform flashy startups if you execute well. At the end of the day, this isn't about ideas. It's about execution, leverage, and putting yourself in a position to win over a long period of time. Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03  
Aug 9
17 min
Why Leverage Beats Ideas and How I Build Businesses That Actually Scale
I break down how I think about leverage and why relying on one person or one income source is the fastest way to stay stuck. We get into how I structure my businesses, how I make high impact decisions, and how I use systems, hiring, and global talent to scale faster than competitors. I also share my real thoughts on AI, where it actually adds value and where it's overhyped. And toward the end, I talk about how having a family made me a better operator, forced me to focus on what actually matters, and how I think about raising my kids and building a life beyond just business.   Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03  
Jul 30
22 min
How I Built Trust, Closed Bigger Deals, and Turned Scrappy Starts Into Real Wealth
I break down the real way I approach sales, building trust by talking about what can go wrong instead of just selling upside. I share how I went from scrappy, no budget marketing to building businesses that generate serious cash, and why most entrepreneurs move too fast into holding companies without the fundamentals. We get into the three things you actually need to win, cash, network, and operational skill, and how I think about scaling, hiring, and stepping back from the day to day. Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03  
Jul 21
19 min
The Truth About Private Jets (Built on "Boring" Businesses)
In this episode, I break down the reality behind private jets and why the people who own them aren't who you think. It's not tech founders or venture backed startups. It's operators running simple, "boring" businesses like HVAC, storage, and local services. I share how those businesses create real wealth, and how that wealth translates into true freedom like being with family when it matters and turning full day trips into a few productive hours. I also walk through exactly what it costs to own a jet, how I structured the deal, and how the management works behind the scenes. And I get into my own journey of learning to fly, what changed my perspective, and why I ultimately decided to focus on building instead of being in the cockpit. Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03  
Jul 12
15 min
Stop Following Your Passion (Do This If You Actually Want to Get Rich)
In this episode, I break down why "follow your passion" is some of the worst advice in entrepreneurship and what you should be doing instead if you actually want to make money. I explain how I think about choosing businesses, why boring industries like self storage and service businesses win, and how cash flow gives you leverage to solve bigger problems. I also get into what's happening in real estate right now, why most new investors are getting it wrong, and where real opportunities are opening up as weaker players get pushed out. I share the story behind acquiring Somewhere, raising $20M, and why big opportunities are never comfortable but worth taking. And most importantly, I explain why building wealth is a long term game, not an overnight success story, and how thinking in decades instead of months changes everything. Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03
Jul 3
16 min
I Raised $30M Without Giving Up Control (How I Bought a Massive Business)
In this episode, I break down exactly how I went from running smaller businesses to acquiring a company at scale without giving up control. I share how I built my audience, why I went all in on Somewhere instead of cashing out, and how I structured a nearly $30M deal where investors got paid first but had zero decision-making power. I talk about the pressure of using other people's money, what I look for in massive opportunities, and why global hiring completely changed how I think about building companies. I also give my honest take on AI, where it's overhyped, where it's actually useful, and how I'm preparing for what's coming next. Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03  
Jun 24
23 min
Why A Players Leave and How Great Leaders Actually Build Teams
In this episode, I break down how I think about hiring A players, why I move quickly on low performers, and how I build teams that can operate without me. I talk about why most leaders overcomplicate things, how slow decisions and poor standards drive great people away, and why focusing on simple, proven execution is what actually wins in business. Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03  
Jun 15
20 min
Why Confidence Comes From Doing Hard Things Not Thinking About Them
Chris and I talked about where real confidence comes from and why you cannot fake it. I shared how doing hard things builds confidence, why networking only works after you create real value, and how most people get this backwards. We also got into leadership, why you cannot delegate too early, and my honest thoughts on AI and where it actually adds value in business today. Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03  
Jun 6
19 min
Why Taking Action Beats Networking and Overthinking in Business
Ryan and I talked about what actually separates people who build successful businesses from those who stay stuck thinking about it. We got into the mindset that drives real entrepreneurs, why urgency and action matter more than perfect planning, and how most people misunderstand networking. I shared the lesson a mentor taught me early in my career about sales being at the center of everything in business and in life. We also discussed how real opportunities come from doing the work first, building real skills, and creating value that makes people want to work with you. The conversation also touches on leadership, hiring great people in the wild, and why surrounding yourself with people who are winning is one of the fastest ways to grow. Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03  
May 28
21 min
Why Sales and Simple Service Businesses Still Win in Entrepreneurship
Austin and I talked about what entrepreneurship actually looks like when you start from nothing. I shared how my first business began by simply trading my time for money and why learning sales is the foundation of building any company. We discussed the early hustle behind Storage Squad, including chalk marketing on college campuses and hiring great people in unexpected places, along with the moment founders need to start delegating so they can focus on growth. We also got into leadership, decision making, and why removing low performers is critical to building strong teams, along with how global hiring has become one of the biggest advantages across the companies I run today. Grow your business:   https://sweatystartup.com/events   Book:   https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Startup-Doing-Boring-Things/dp/006338762X     Newsletter:   https://www.nickhuber.com/newsletter     My Companies:   Offshore recruiting – https://somewhere.com   Cost segregation – https://recostseg.com   Self storage – https://boltstorage.com   RE development – http://www.boltbuilders.com   Brokerage – https://nickhuber.com   Paid ads – https://adrhino.com   SEO – https://boldseo.com   Insurance – https://titanrisk.com   Pest control – https://spidexx.com     Sell a business:   http://nickhuber.com/sell     Buy a business:   https://www.nickhuber.com/buy     Invest with me:   http://nickhuber.com/invest     Social Profiles:   X – https://www.x.com/sweatystartup   Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sweatystartup   TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/404?fromUrl=/sweatystartup   LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup     Podcasts:   The Sweaty Startup & The Nick Huber Show   https://open.spotify.com/show/7L5zQxijU81xq4SbVYNs81     Free PDF – How to analyze a self-storage deal:   https://sweatystartup.ck.page/79046c9b03
May 19
23 min
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