Do you have big goals but feel like you’re spinning your wheels? In this episode of Business Growth University, Alan shares a clear, powerful roadmap for setting business goals that actually move the needle. You’ll learn the difference between dreams, goals, and habits, and how they all link together to build real momentum in life and business. He gives practical advice using personal examples, including his “P3 target” method, how to apply the 80/20 rule, and how identity shapes your ability to follow through. Plus, Alan shares the one tool he and his clients swear by to stay on track every quarter. If you’re serious about your success, don’t miss this one.

Resource mentioned in this episode:
https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/bgu-episode-8

How to connect with Alan?
📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com
Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

Episode highlights:

(1:20) The truth behind lasting business success
(4:47) Dreams vs. goals: what’s the difference?
(10:00) The 80/20 rule
(17:00) Examples of real-world process and results goals
(22:01) Key metrics that drive business growth
(24:00) Habits that support long-term success
(27:01) The skill you need to level up this quarter
(29:00) Identity: the final piece that holds everything together
(35:11) Outro

Is overnight success real, or is it just a myth we tell ourselves? In this powerful episode of Business Growth University, host Alan Lazaros uncovers the truth about long-term business success using the "flywheel concept" made famous by Jim Collins. You’ll learn why doing five things really well, over and over again, is far more powerful than chasing the next big idea. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, this episode will show you how to stay consistent, focused, and impactful.

How to connect with Alan?
📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com
Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(1:47) What is the flywheel concept?

(3:33) The power of consistent effort and momentum

(8:02) Compound growth: $1 to $84 million in 50 years

(14:07) The Walmart example: From 1 to 10,750 stores

(17:30) Alan’s 5-part business flywheel explained

(25:56) Why your flywheel filters the right clients

(29:15) Summer slump: stay productive and stand out

(30:11) Outro

What if your business community truly felt like home, not like walking into a wedding full of strangers? In this episode of Business Growth University, host Alan explains why your community should be built from who you are, not something you mold yourself to fit into. He uses the relatable example of an uncomfortable wedding to highlight how real communities grow around shared beliefs, not just shared spaces. Alan breaks down his own “three-by-three” belief triad, fitness, personal development, and business, to show how deep values can shape identity and connection. If you're building a business that stands for something real, this episode will challenge and inspire you to lead with clarity and authenticity.

Download the resource on Building Community:
https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/bgu-episode-6/

How to connect with Alan?
📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com
Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

Episode highlights:
(0:42) Why the community should reflect you, not define you
(1:19) Recap of the Business Star framework
(1:48) The importance of community in business
(2:10) Weddings, open bars, and the discomfort of no common ground
(5:23) Identity and community in business
(6:06) The three-by-three belief triad explained
(13:35) Nine core beliefs that drive the community
(20:10) Why leadership starts with clarity and example
(21:14) Call to action: create your own belief triad worksheet

What truly sets great businesses apart from just “good” ones? In this episode, host Alan breaks down the critical pillar of client and customer delivery, the often overlooked key to lasting success. He shares powerful stories from building Next Level Podcast Solutions, working with over 100 podcasters, and producing over 6,000 episodes, all while keeping quality top-notch. If you're building a brand or scaling a service, this episode will help you rethink how well you're actually delivering value.

Download Your Episode 5 Resource - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/79056gtyh-bgu-5-dl/

How to connect with Alan?
📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com
Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:19) The Business Star: 5 pillars of business
(2:37) Customer vs. Client: Know the difference
(7:45) What is Six Sigma and why it matters
(13:00) The Gottman “bid” system explained
(16:24) Combining Six Sigma and relationships in business
(18:59) #BeTheLastMessage: Company culture of ownership
(20:22) Personal story: How Avatar blew away expectations
(22:55) Outro

Is sales really sleazy, or is that just a story we've been told? In this episode of Business Growth University, host Alan Lazaros busts the myth that sales is a shady business. Alan explains how true sales is about helping people grow, not tricking them.

Learn the real reason most online businesses fail, why alignment between branding, marketing, and sales matters, and how using the “certainty staircase” can turn strangers into loyal clients. Whether you're selling a product, an idea, or a vision for someone’s future, this episode is packed with real advice you can act on today.

Download the worksheet: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/bgu-episode-4/

How to connect with Alan?
📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com
Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

Episode highlights:

(1:19) The real definition of sales
(3:04) Selling people, places, things, and ideas
(6:11) Amy’s transformation through belief and habits
(8:49) Sales vs. manipulation
(9:54) Harvard data on sales/marketing alignment
(13:31) Why most podcasts fail: no sales strategy
(19:22) Sales = desire > fear
(21:45) Avoid asking for “marriage” on the first sales call
(24:09) The Certainty Staircase explained
(30:18) Sales as leadership, not sleaze
(32:07) Outro

What if you built something great... and no one showed up?

In this episode of Business Growth University, Alan shares a personal story from college when he helped launch Campus Libre, a textbook marketplace for students. The project had real value and early traction, but it still failed. Why? Because just building something isn’t enough. You need strong marketing to reach the right people.

Alan breaks down what marketing really is: knowing your audience, crafting the right message, and using the right channels. He introduces the Law of Diffusion of Innovation to show how ideas spread and why it's crucial to find your early adopters. With clear examples and a no-fluff approach, Alan gives you simple steps to define your message, pick your platforms, and speak to the right people.

This episode is packed with real talk and practical advice. And yes, there’s a free digital asset linked in the show notes to help you put it all into action.

Free Assets:

• Marketing worksheet - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1awotIDRmAXe0cmTJ3AeEOacW7w2h_XW4/view?usp=sharing
• Law of Diffusion of Innovation - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GQeFBp12YdRQ0YWsKJukNpzXTX1IhX_4/view?usp=sharing

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Join the private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenextlevelnation/

How to connect with Alan?
📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com
Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(1:21) The Campus Libre story and early marketing efforts

(6:18) Why "if you build it, they won't come"

(6:49) What is the Law of Diffusion of Innovation

(9:07) Who are your early adopters

(13:36) Real-world examples of adoption

(14:19) Your message, your channels, your audience

(15:45) Free digital tool to map your marketing basics

(16:46) Outro

What if getting your brand wrong meant getting your entire business wrong?

In Episode 2 of Business Growth University, Alan Lazaros explains why your personal brand isn’t just a logo or tagline—it’s the core of your success. He shares how losing touch with who he really was held him back, and how reconnecting with his true strengths changed the game. You’ll learn a simple, powerful tool: one word and three obsessions. Alan’s word is “potential,” and his obsessions are fitness, personal development, and business. He challenges you to find your own and explains why being clear on your identity helps you stand out in a world where 137,000 businesses launch every day. With real stories, honest insights, and a free worksheet to help you do the work, this episode will push you to build your business from the inside out.

Grab the Branding Worksheet here: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/free/

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Join the private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenextlevelnation/

How to connect with Alan?
📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com
Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:05) Why your brand must reflect who you are
(2:29) Branding vs. reputation with real-world examples
(4:18) Podcast beginnings and early identity struggles
(10:06) Finding your core essence
(13:34) Wandering generality vs. meaningful specific
(14:20) One word, three obsessions explained
(18:17) The difference between vehicles and obsessions
(19:52) Coaching vs. podcasting as tools
(21:27) “True North” questions to discover your essence
(23:55) Outro

Welcome to the first episode of Business Growth University with Alan Lazaros! In this episode, Alan shares the five key areas every business owner needs to grow: branding, marketing, sales, client delivery, and community. He keeps it real about how tough business can be, and why that’s okay. You’ll learn how to build trust, stand out, deliver real value, and surround yourself with the right people. If you're serious about growing your business and want straight-up advice that works, you're in the right place. This is just the beginning.

The 5 By 3 Business Star Assessment: https://nextleveluniverse.com/businessstarfree

Next Level Dreamliner: The planner, agenda, journal, and habit tracker to rule them all. Get a copy: https://a.co/d/9fPpxEt

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Join the private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenextlevelnation/

How to connect with Alan?
📧 alan@nextleveluniverse.com (Subject: “Free Business Coaching Session”)
Follow Alan on Instagram: instagram.com/alazaros88
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/

Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:39) What BGU is and who it’s for
(6:11) Overview of the five key areas of business growth
(10:57) Marketing: message, messenger, and target
(12:31) Sales: building real relationships
(13:55) Client delivery: why results matter
(15:31) Community: the people around you and why they matter
(19:14) Final thoughts and what’s next
(19:44) Outro