In this powerful episode, Epaphra sits down with SSR to uncover the real foundations of successful entrepreneurship and sustainable business growth. Whether you're launching your first startup or fixing a struggling venture, this conversation is packed with real-world strategies you can apply immediately. SSR breaks down the critical mindset shifts that separate entrepreneurs from traditional businessmen, from building scalable systems and leading effective teams to creating operations that thrive even without your daily involvement. You'll learn how to transition from being just a founder to becoming a true leader. Together, Epaphra and SSR dive into why so many businesses fail and what it actually takes to scale sustainably. Discover how to design research-driven processes, develop a winning team culture, and prioritize constant innovation through R&D to stay ahead in any market. This episode is not just about working harder. It’s about working smarter. Watch till the end, take notes, and transform your approach to business leadership, systems thinking, and long-term growth. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more top-tier business insights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Epaphra TheThirdLane Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4q3YzOx6wq0qc8WtfqgGyp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorewithepaphra/ | https://www.instagram.com/thethirdlanepodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/explorewithepaphra/ SSR (Sivaraman S) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ssr.online/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/architectssr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Favourite Books: Dotcom secrets : https://amzn.to/3EfySKd The Almanak of Naval Ravikant : https://amzn.to/40UJsPL Courage to be disliked : https://amzn.to/3WGtx4O My gear for shooting this video: 🎥Sony ZVE1 Camera : https://amzn.to/3CyrSaS 🎬 Sigma 24-70mm Lens : https://amzn.to/40HhxRU 🎙 HollyLand m2 Microphone : https://amzn.to/4gktClJ 🔆Godox 100W Light : https://amzn.to/4gk7fNy 💡Godox SoftBox 32 inch:https://amzn.to/40SNLel 📽 Tripod Name :https://amzn.to/40Z0zyP WHO AM I? If we haven’t met before - I’m Epaphra, a storyteller, entrepreneur, and content creator with a passion for help create awareness to people about different opportunities. Through my videos, podcasts, and writing, I share transformative insights, practical strategies, and powerful stories to inspire you to grow, take action, and create a life filled with purpose and meaning. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00:00 Podcast Trailer 00:01:28 Entrepreneur vs. Businessman Mindset 00:06:30 Embracing the Boring Phases of Business 00:08:28 Test Match vs. T20: Business Style Comparison 00:11:08 Steve Jobs vs. Tim Cook: Leadership Lessons 00:11:50 The Internet’s Role in Modern Entrepreneurship 00:14:08 Building Real Businesses Beyond Social Media Followers 00:14:48 How to Start a Business with Minimal Investment 00:18:38 Facing an Identity Crisis as a Founder 00:28:18 Dhoni’s Mindset & How Creators Can Leverage Audiences 00:31:58 Evaluating Unconventional Career Paths 00:33:58 A Simple Framework to Assess Business Ideas 00:39:38 ADHD and Entrepreneurship: Real Talk 00:43:03 Why Focusing on One Business Really Matters 00:43:50 Managing Money as an Entrepreneur 00:46:38 Profit Separation Strategies That Work 00:48:18 How to Optimize Legal Expenses in Business 00:54:08 The Importance of Business Systems 01:05:18 Why Investing in R&D is a Game Changer 01:06:48 Netflix’s Recession Strategy: What You Can Learn 01:07:18 IBM’s R&D Approach: Legacy Lessons for Startups 01:12:00 How Operations and Systems Simplify Life 01:23:18 Open Knowledge Sharing: Building Collaborative Teams 01:30:18 Hiring Better & Retaining Top Talent 01:39:18 Talking to Employees Like a True Leader 01:42:18 Fixing Internal Team Perception Issues 01:47:50 Spotting & Navigating Bad Market Conditions 01:49:18 Setting Layered Goals for Business Growth 01:55:30 The Value of Mentorship in Entrepreneurship 01:56:28 Defining Your ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) & Pricing Strategy 01:59:18 Practical Pricing Strategies That Drive Sales 02:13:18 Avoiding Bad Advice in the Age of Fake Gurus 02:15:48 How to Begin When You Have Nothing