Right About Now with Ryan Alford

What's up, everyone!

A few years ago, I found myself pacing in the middle of the night, wondering if I was cut out for this. Business ownership isn’t glamorous when you're sweating payroll and dodging burnout. So when I sat down with Kass and Mike Lazerow—co-founders, investors, and authors of Shoveling $h!t—it felt like therapy wrapped in a masterclass.

These two have built billion-dollar companies and still make time to pack golf balls and coach founders on the real stuff: trust, failure, resilience, and leadership.

Here’s what they taught me (and now, you) on the podcast and at their private book release party in Manhattan at the New York Stock Exchange this week that my wife, Nicole, and I attended.

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🔥 Here’s What We Hit

Start with the Shovel

Great leaders don't delegate the dirty work—they do it first. Kass and Mike built their ventures by leading with action and example, not by barking from a corner office.

Your Move: Look at your current leadership moments. Are you modeling the grit you want your team to show?

The Right Co-Founder Complements You

Their 28-year partnership works because they fill each other’s gaps. Kass runs operations. Mike builds the vision and drives sales. They don’t compete—they synchronize.

Your Move: Audit your leadership circle. Where are the gaps? Who balances your weaknesses?

Don’t Shine the Turd

Whether pitching VCs or updating the team, honesty wins. Mike learned the hard way not to gloss over bad news. Real respect comes from transparency, not spin.

Your Move: Share one thing today that you've been soft-pedaling. Say it straight.

The Go Gauge: How to Bet on Businesses

Their six-point decision filter for investments is simple: Is the product unique? Who’s buying? Can you reach them? Can you deliver it? Is there profit? And most of all, do you love the founder?

Your Move: Apply the Go Gauge to your own idea. Would you invest in it?

🤝 Connect with Kass and Mike

Pre-order Shoveling $h!t at shovelingshit.com and tap into more no-BS wisdom from two entrepreneurs who've seen it all, shoveled it all, and are still standing.

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