In this episode, I sit down with Adam Schafer—co-founder of the Mind Pump Podcast and serial entrepreneur—for a real-talk convo on building an 8-figure brand without outside funding. We dive into how he and his partners grew a scrappy podcast into a thriving business by leading with value, staying consistent, and building community.

We chat about why bootstrapped founders often downplay their success, how to monetize after proving your value, and the key differences between business, team, and personal branding. If you've ever questioned whether your slow start is worth it—this episode is your reminder to keep going.

Click play to hear all of this and:

[03:58] How two bootstrapped entrepreneurs realized their path was the one others envied

[05:41] The mission behind Mind Pump and how they started with zero expectations

[08:18] The 3-part framework Adam used to build value before monetizing

[13:20] How they monetized their podcast after proving the market

[15:45] Navigating business with multiple partners—and still liking each other

[21:11] Why consistency and community matter more than polish at the start

Listen to Related Episodes:

• How to Build Your Personal Brand as a High-Achieving Entrepreneur
• He Built a Multimillion-Dollar Business Using THIS Content Strategy ft. Richard Ryan
• How I Built a 7-Figure Brand: A Conversation About Growth, Pivoting and Scaling

Connect With Adam Schafer:

Adam Schafer is the co-founder of the Mind Pump Podcast, a widely downloaded show aimed at demystifying fitness and health through candid, value-packed conversations. Alongside his partners, Adam has built a business empire that includes educational content, coaching, and training programs—all without external funding. He’s a straight-talking entrepreneur who values honesty, grit, and authenticity, and brings those qualities into every business decision and podcast episode.

📧 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader: https://jasminestar.com/newsletter 📧

For full show notes, visit jasminestar.com/podcast/episode556

You know that feeling when you find a platform that just works—and you never have to worry about switching? That’s been me and Showit for the past 10+ years.

I built my website with Showit because it gives me total design freedom.

If you’re ready to build a website that works FOR you—and not against you—head to JasmineStar.com/showit for a 14-day free trial + first month free when you subscribe!

Ever wonder how a 7-figure CEO plans bold business growth? I’m stepping up to the plate and sharing the exact 30-day strategy my team is using to grow—real projections, real numbers, and the behind-the-scenes of filling 20 mastermind spots at $30K each. You’ll get a front-row seat to our lead gen game plan, what’s working, and how you can use this same framework in your business. Let’s build your growth plan together—press play!

Click play to hear all of this and:

[00:01] Why projecting growth matters (even when you can’t control the outcome)

[00:55] The real reason I’m focused on “just getting to the end of June” (and why this mindset works)

[02:40] Why I’m revealing our projections publicly—accountability and transparency, baby!

[03:35] Initiative #1: Filling my favorite offer ever—the Mastermind

[05:20] Our goal: 20 members at $30K each (here’s why I’m sharing the numbers)

[06:00] Lead gen strategy #1: Segmenting our newsletter list based on income levels

[06:50] Lead gen strategy #2: Targeted podcast content with in-episode applications

[08:15] The difference between “audience” and “buyers” (and how we’re moving leads through the funnel)

Listen to Related Episodes:

• Plan Your Breakout Year: Identify Top Objectives and Build a Winning Team

📧 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader: https://jasminestar.com/newsletter 📧

For full show notes, visit jasminestar.com/podcast/episode555

Why aren’t people buying? That question woke me up at 3:30am—and by 9:00am, it showed up again during a coaching session inside Social Curator. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe the universe knew it was time to get honest about what’s really blocking your sales.

In this episode, I break down 5 powerful reasons people aren’t buying—from unclear transformations to misaligned messaging—and how to fix them. No fluff. Just real talk and practical strategies you can apply today.

If you want to turn crickets into conversions, this one’s for you.

Click play to hear all of this and:

[00:00] Why I wrote this episode at 3:30am (and what happened 6 hours later!)

[01:32] The business coaching session that changed everything

[02:32] Reason #1: The transformation isn’t clear enough

[04:17] Reason #2: Uncertainty around outcome and effort

[06:10] How to help your audience believe the outcome is possible

[07:12] Reason #3: You’re speaking in your voice—not theirs

[09:38] Why misalignment can kill conversions

[11:01] Reason #5: Confusion is killing your sales

Listen to Related Episodes:

• Do THIS to Close More Sales
• How To Increase Your Sales by Uncovering Your Dream Client’s Needs and Desires
• How To Turn Sales Objections Into Opportunities [13 min]

📧 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader: https://jasminestar.com/newsletter 📧

For full show notes, visit jasminestar.com/podcast/episode554