Entrepreneurs on Fire

Andrew Nikou is the Founder and Managing Partner of OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm that specializes in corporate carveouts. His firm is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, growing from a 30,000 dollar startup into a global private equity firm that turns complex corporate carveouts into successful businesses. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Success isn't something you chase, it's something you broadcast. Your internal state shapes the external opportunities that find you. 2. Focus on risk management and humility. True leadership is knowing your edge, accepting mistakes, and managing downside before chasing returns. 3. Emotional stamina is the real differentiator. Resilience through loss, uncertainty, and challenge is what keeps great leaders moving forward. Visit Andrew's website to explore OpenGate's story and investments - OpenGate Capital Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Freedom Circle - A powerful community of entrepreneurs led by JLD. Are you ready to go from idea to income in 90-days? Visit Freedom-Circle.com to learn more.

Barrett Brooks is an executive coach and former COO helping seven-figure creators grow their businesses and lead with integrity - blending strategy, psychology, and leadership to fuel sustainable success. In this episode, Barrett unpacks for the Fire Nation how mastering the inner game of leadership drives clarity, performance, and growth. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Most entrepreneurs don't lack knowledge; they resist the emotional cost of action. Success depends on mastering your inner world, not collecting more tactics. 2. Burnout isn't about overwork; it's about underusing your agency. Taking back control of your choices restores energy and clarity. 3. Notice, pause, and choose differently. Awareness of your internal reactions is the foundation for sustainable leadership and growth. Subscribe to Barrett Brooks Newsletter for practical, 5-minute weekly insights on leadership and psychology in entrepreneurship - Barrett Brooks' Website Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Freedom Circle - A powerful community of entrepreneurs led by JLD. Are you ready to go from idea to income in 90-days? Visit Freedom-Circle.com to learn more. Intuit QuickBooks - Transform your cash flow and your business. Check out QuickBooks Money Tools today. Learn more at QuickBooks.com/money. Terms apply. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc., licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

Nigel Tunnacliffe is the Co-founder and CEO of Coastline Academy, the nation's largest driving school. Coastline operates in over 2000 cities and towns, and has earned more than 130,000 5-star reviews. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Mission first, always. A powerful purpose keeps your business focused and attracts people who believe in your cause. 2. Fail fast, learn faster. The sooner you disprove your assumptions, the sooner you can pivot toward what really works. 3. Find opportunities in the ordinary. The biggest wins often hide in unsexy industries that impact millions. Check out their website to learn more about Coastline's mission to eradicate car crashes and make road safety education accessible nationwide - Coastline Driving School Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Freedom Circle - A powerful community of entrepreneurs led by JLD. Are you ready to go from idea to income in 90-days? Visit Freedom-Circle.com to learn more.

Clay is the co-founder of five kids, the host of the 6X iTunes chart-topping ThrivetimeShow.com Podcast, the 2007 Oklahoma SBA Entrepreneur of the Year, the 2002 Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year, an Amazon best-selling author, a singer song-writer and the founder of several multi-million dollar businesses. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. If you don't have a turnkey lead generation system, your business will not succeed. Automate lead flow so new customers come in without relying on your personal effort. 2. Create a culture of accountability. Systems only work when people are trained, tracked, and held responsible for results. 3. Measure what you treasure. You can't grow what you don't track. Every key metric in your business must have a measurable follow-up process. Check out the website and schedule your free 1 on 1 business growth consultation with Clay Clark - Thrive Time Show Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. NetSuite - Get the business guide, "Demystifying AI", for free, at Netsuite.com/fire. Framer - Ready to design, iterate, and publish all in one tool? Start creating for free at Framer.com/design, and use code FIRE for a free month of Framer Pro. Rules and Restrictions May Apply.

From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2022. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL's in these archive episodes are still relevant. John Pham is an entrepreneur, team builder, former aerospace engineer, and practicing orthodontist. As CEO and Co-Founder of InBrace, he is using his leaderships skills and treatment innovations developed from years of research to disrupt the orthodontic industry with an invisible, consumer-friendly solution for today's active patient. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. A lot of people think that success is a destination. Success is who you become. It is the journey that will define your success. 2. Entrepreneurship is not about offering more of the same, it is about offering something different. 3. You have to embrace what makes you different and believe in it. Learn more about InBrace on their website - InBrace Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Intuit QuickBooks - Transform your cash flow and your business. Check out QuickBooks Money Tools today. Learn more at QuickBooks.com/money. Terms apply. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc., licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.