Join me for a conversation with Nick Saraev, AI automation expert, agency owner, and content creator who scaled his service business to $72K/month.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of technology, business mindset, and content creation strategy. Nick shares his journey into AI automation, revealing why focusing ruthlessly on revenue-generating activities is the key to success.

We discuss the power of transparency in marketing, the value of personal branding, and practical advice on building systems that deliver demonstrable ROI for clients.

Whether you're looking to transition from technical skills to entrepreneurship, scale your service business, or leverage AI automation for growth, this conversation offers actionable insights from someone who's built successful businesses in both the technical and educational spaces. Plus, Nick shares his time management philosophy that allows him to create massive amounts of content while still maintaining a thriving agency and personal life.

GUEST: Nick Saraev
- Website: https://nicksaraev.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicksaraev
- Maker School: https://www.skool.com/makerschool/
- Make Money With Make.com: https://www.skool.com/makemoneywithmake/

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction to Nick Saraev
8:35 - Conversation with Nick starts
9:04 - Nick's perspective on why transparency and authenticity will be crucial in an AI-saturated future
11:05 - Comparing our journeys from web development to exploring automation opportunities
14:11 - Nick's path from struggling with WordPress to discovering front-end and AI technologies
17:56 - The limitations of web design and why ROI-focused services are more valuable
20:18 - The generational differences between WordPress and AI/automation communities
25:12 - Why you need existing profitable processes before applying automation and AI
29:04 - How to identify automation opportunities that deliver 100x results for businesses
33:09 - Navigating criticism when sharing revenue figures and dealing with "trust fund kid" accusations
38:13 - Nick's advice on when to start teaching: "learn, achieve, then share" to build credibility
42:17 - Time management secrets: effectiveness over efficiency and the $500/hour mindset
45:00 - Being ruthless about focusing only on tasks that generate significant ROI
51:00 - Why growth solves most business problems better than optimization or hiring
56:20 - The technician vs. entrepreneur spectrum and moving beyond technical skills
59:08 - Three recurring revenue models for automation businesses explained in detail
1:01:15 - Nick's inspiring story about confidence in success and where to find his content

Join me for an enlightening conversation with Matt Medeiros, the "Podfather of WordPress" and creator of The WP Minute, as we dive deep into the world of content creation, personal branding, and playing the long game in the digital space.

In this episode, Matt shares his 15+ years of experience as a digital professional and reveals why he consciously chose to build without chasing fame or algorithms. We explore:

- The true value of personal branding vs. building sellable assets
- Why Matt avoids the content hamster wheel of viral marketing
- The importance of creating for the love of the game, not just metrics
- How podcasting serves as the ultimate "dynamic resume"
- The transition from WordPress to AI and what's next
- Strategic insights on when to name products after yourself (and when not to)
- The "blue collar digital worker" mindset
- How authentic content creation leads to unexpected opportunities
- Building sustainable content businesses without burnout

Matt discusses his journey from running a WordPress agency to becoming a key voice in the podcasting space, his experiences with various ventures (from The Matt Report to The WP Minute to South Coast FM), and why staying "in the mix" has been his most valuable content strategy.

Whether you're a content creator, entrepreneur, or someone interested in building a lasting digital presence, this conversation offers invaluable insights on creating meaningful content that stands the test of time.

GUEST: Matt Medeiros
- Website: https://craftedbymatt.com
- WP Minute: https://thewpminute.com
- Gravity Forms: https://gravity.com

Welcome to the first episode of the MJS Podcast!

I'm Mark Szymanski, and in this introduction, I share why I'm starting this podcast journey to have authentic conversations with interesting minds who have mentored and influenced me. I explain my background in WordPress, digital marketing, and content creation, plus my previous podcasting experience with "Fueled by Progress."

This podcast will focus on business, technology, AI, psychology, and philosophy through raw, unedited conversations with people who are innovating in these spaces. I believe strongly in my motto "learn, try, and share," which drives this podcast's purpose.

Episodes will be released 1-2 times monthly, running about an hour each. Subscribe to join me in these valuable conversations, and find all my other content at https://mjs.bio!

More of a watcher than a listener? Me, too. Here's the video.