Episode # 60: Josh Bardsley - A Gen Z Entrepreneur's Guide to Long-Term Success

✍️ Episode Overview

In this eye-opening episode of the Five Core Life podcast, host Will Moore sits down with Josh Bardsley, a 26-year-old Gen Z entrepreneur who's already making waves in the business world. As the managing director of Avalanche Enterprises and a serial entrepreneur, Josh shares his journey from a college student helping his dad with social media to becoming a major shareholder in seven different businesses.

This episode is a goldmine for young entrepreneurs looking to build long-term success. Josh and Will dive deep into the challenges faced by Gen Z entrepreneurs, including the pitfalls of instant gratification, the importance of continuous learning, and the balance between hustle and personal life. They explore how Josh's early experiences, including witnessing the negative impact of a family lottery win, shaped his approach to wealth and business.

Read More: How to Become a Successful Entrepreneur

From discussing the value of real-world business experience to the importance of consistency in entrepreneurship, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for Gen Z entrepreneurs. Josh's emphasis on saving, learning, and building long-term value provides a refreshing counterpoint to the get-rich-quick mentality often promoted on social media. Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to level up your existing business, this episode offers valuable lessons on building sustainable success in today's fast-paced business world.

📖 Chapter Summaries

1. Early Entrepreneurial Journey (0:00 - 5:55) Josh recounts his start in entrepreneurship at 18, helping his father with social media for a business coaching franchise. This opportunity quickly snowballed, leading Josh to manage marketing for multiple businesses while still in college. He emphasizes the importance of education and self-learning, describing how he volunteered at seminars to gain access to valuable knowledge and mentors.

2. The Power of Real-World Business Experience (5:56 - 11:32) Josh discusses the value of learning through running actual businesses rather than focusing solely on trendy internet ventures. He shares his experience of buying businesses out of bankruptcy and the invaluable lessons learned from managing various aspects of business operations. This section highlights the importance of practical experience for Gen Z entrepreneurs.

3. Consistency and Long-Term Vision in Entrepreneurship (11:33 - 17:24) The conversation shifts to the importance of consistency in business success. Josh emphasizes the need for Gen Z entrepreneurs to focus on long-term growth rather than quick wins. He contrasts his approach with the instant gratification culture prevalent in social media, advocating for steady, sustainable business practices.

Read More About: Discipline vs Consistency

4. Balancing Business Growth and Personal Life (17:25 - 23:10) Josh reflects on the challenges of maintaining work-life balance as a young entrepreneur. He discusses his experience with Iron Man races and how pursuing interests outside of work has become crucial for his personal growth. This segment offers insights into managing the high-pressure lifestyle of a Gen Z entrepreneur and explains how to find balance in life.

5. The Importance of Relationships in Entrepreneurship (23:11 - 28:41) Will and Josh delve into the often-overlooked aspect of relationships in an entrepreneur's life. Josh candidly shares his regrets about missing out on social experiences during college due to his intense focus on business. They discuss strategies for Gen Z entrepreneurs to maintain personal relationships while pursuing business goals.

6. Financial Markets and Investment Philosophy (28:42 - 34:34) The discussion turns to the current state of financial markets, with Josh sharing his perspectives on investment strategies and market trends. This segment provides valuable insights for Gen Z entrepreneurs interested in understanding and navigating the complexities of modern financial markets.

7. Holistic Approach to Success: The Five Core Areas (34:35 - 39:07) Will introduces his concept of the Five Core Areas of life: Mindset, Career & Finances, Relationships, Physical Health, and Emotional & Mental Health. Josh reflects on his journey in balancing these areas, offering advice to fellow Gen Z entrepreneurs on achieving holistic success.

8. Key Habits for Entrepreneurial Success (39:08 - 42:47) In the final segment, Josh shares two crucial habits that have contributed to his success: always saving money and continuous learning. He emphasizes the importance of building personal capital and constantly educating oneself, providing practical tips for Gen Z entrepreneurs to implement these habits in their own lives. This segment talks about Entrepreneurial mindset in detail.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Start Early and Embrace Learning: Josh's journey began at 18, highlighting the advantage of starting young. For Gen Z entrepreneurs, this means leveraging your youthful energy to experiment, learn, and grow. Don’t wait for the ideal moment; dive in now and learn as you progress through your journey.

2. Value Real-World Experience: While internet businesses are increasingly popular, Josh underscores the invaluable lessons learned from managing tangible, local businesses. Consider starting or investing in small, local ventures to gain hands-on experience in various facets of business management, which can be incredibly insightful.

3. Consistency Trumps Quick Wins: In an age where viral success stories are celebrated, remember that consistent effort over time often yields more sustainable results. Focus on building a robust foundation for your business, rather than chasing fleeting overnight success or quick wins.

4. Balanced Growth is Key: As a Gen Z entrepreneur, it's tempting to immerse yourself entirely in your business. However, Josh's experience with Iron Man races illustrates the importance of pursuing interests outside of work for personal growth, stress relief, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

5. Never Stop Learning: Make continuous education a fundamental part of your routine. Whether through books, podcasts, workshops, or seminars, always seek new knowledge and insights. This habit will help you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving business landscape and keep your skills sharp.

6. Build and Maintain Relationships: Don’t entirely sacrifice your social life for business. Cultivate and nurture meaningful relationships; they can be essential for both personal happiness and long-term business success. Building a strong network is key to personal and professional growth.

7. Develop Financial Discipline Early: Josh's habit of saving diligently, even when earnings were modest, has been crucial to his success. Start building your personal capital now, regardless of how small the contributions may seem, and cultivate financial discipline from an early stage.

8. Understand Market Dynamics: Stay informed about financial markets and investment trends. This knowledge will become increasingly valuable as your business grows and you accumulate more capital to invest, helping you make informed decisions in a fluctuating market.

9. Embrace Long-Term Thinking: Avoid the trap of seeking instant gratification. Concentrate on developing sustainable business models that can endure market fluctuations and offer long-term value and growth, ensuring resilience and stability over time.

10. Prioritize Holistic Success: Will's Five Core Areas concept emphasizes that true success involves more than just financial achievements. Aim for balance and fulfillment across all areas of life, including mindset, career, relationships, physical health, and emotional well-being. Understanding the key role of areas of life in overall success is important

11. Learn from Failures and Setbacks: Josh's story about his family’s lottery win and subsequent loss imparts a crucial lesson about the importance of earning and learning to manage wealth responsibly. Embrace failures and setbacks as opportunities to grow and improve your financial acumen. You should also listen to our podcast on personal evolution.

12. Leverage Technology Wisely: Utilize technology to automate and streamline your business processes, but avoid over-reliance on it. Balance technological solutions with human insight and real-world experience to ensure that your business remains adaptable and responsive to real-world needs.

13. Network Strategically: Participate in seminars, volunteer at industry events, and build connections with mentors. These interactions can provide invaluable guidance, open doors to new opportunities, and enhance your professional development through strategic networking.

14. Stay Adaptable: The business world is perpetually evolving. Cultivate the ability to pivot and adapt your strategies as market conditions shift. Being adaptable will help you navigate challenges and seize new opportunities effectively.

15. Give Back and Share Knowledge: As you achieve success, think about ways to support and mentor other young entrepreneurs. This not only contributes to the broader business ecosystem but also reinforces your own learning and fosters a culture of mutual growth and support.

🥇 Golden Habit

In this episode, Josh Bardsley shares two golden habits that have been crucial to his success as a Gen Z entrepreneur:

1. Always Be Saving: Josh emphasizes the importance of consistently saving money, regardless of how much you're earning. He calls this habit his "personal tax" - a percentage of income he sets aside for personal capital growth.

Why it's a Golden Habit: This habit is desirable because it builds financial security, practical as it can be implemented regardless of income level, and impactful as it creates a foundation for future investments and business growth.

2. Always Be Learning: Josh describes his commitment to continuous education, particularly through audiobooks while driving.

Why it's a Golden Habit: This habit is desirable as it fuels personal and professional growth, practical as it can be easily integrated into daily routines (like commuting), and impactful as it keeps entrepreneurs ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

These habits align primarily with the Career & Finances Core, addressing the pain point of financial instability and lack of long-term planning often experienced by young entrepreneurs.

🚀 READY PLAYER ONE?

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🫅 Bio - Josh Bardsley

Josh Bardsley is a 26-year-old serial entrepreneur and the managing director of Avalanche Enterprises. His entrepreneurial journey began at 18 when he started helping his father with social media marketing for a business coaching franchise. This early experience quickly evolved into managing marketing efforts for multiple businesses while still in college.

Known for his strategic thinking and creative approach to business, Josh has become a major shareholder in seven different companies. His expertise spans various aspects of business operations, from marketing and sales to growth strategies and financial management. Josh is particularly passionate about investing and aims to leverage his diverse business experiences to become a successful investor in the future.

Beyond his business pursuits, Josh is an avid triathlete, having competed in Iron Man races. This balance of professional ambition and personal challenges reflects his belief in holistic success and continuous self-improvement.