Jordan Welch: From YouTube Success to Starting All Over

Added: Jan 24, 2024

In this podcast episode, the host interviews Jordan Welch, a successful business YouTuber. He talks about his decision to retire from YouTube after 12 years and his plans to start a new series where he goes from broke to trying to get rich in 30 days. He also talks about his struggles with mental health and how he got married last month.

Key takeaways

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The ultimate wealth is skills and knowledge, which can help one rebuild even in the worst recession.

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Content creation should prioritize quality over quantity, allowing for creativity and time to produce the best work.

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Personal beliefs and spirituality can impact one's approach to success and fulfillment.

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Genuine connections and meaningful interactions are valuable in both personal and professional life.

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Pursuing passion and dreams should take precedence over societal pressures or traditional career paths.

Starting from Zero

Welch talks about how he started over from zero by doing Instacart, garage sailing, and reselling Christmas trees. He shares that he made around $500 and plans to use that money to start a store. He also mentions that he is documenting his journey of being an entrepreneur and sharing the story of other entrepreneurs around the world. He believes that the ultimate wealth is skills and knowledge, and that having these two things can help one rebuild even in the worst recession.

Viral Vault

Welch also talks about his education and software business, Viral Vault, which he started 5 years ago. He mentions that the business has been doing well and has a couple of thousand people subscribed to it. He explains that the business provides tools, training, and a community for people who want to start their own store. He also shares that he does not take money out of that business and keeps it back in there to help it grow.

Content Evolution

When asked about how he chooses what content to create, Welch explains that he looks at options and chooses what sounds fun for him to create. He also looks at what's getting views on YouTube and leans into that. He mentions that he has evolved his content a lot over the last two years, from sitting in his tiny apartment talking about Drop Shipping to traveling around and doing challenges to doing interviews with people. He also talks about the importance of having a style to his videos and how he enjoys doing interviews.

Interviews and Impactful Moments

Welch shares that his favorite interview was with Luke Belmar, where they were in Switzerland and the game that Luke dropped in that video was impactful. He also mentions sitting with a billionaire in Dubai and the richest man in Florida, which expanded his mind and provided him with valuable insights. He talks about the importance of building skills and knowledge to make sure that even in the worst recession, what one has is still valuable.

Challenges and Burnout

Welch shares that there are moments where it's hard to keep going, but when he weighs it up against the other things that he could be doing, he feels like he has his dream job. He talks about the dopamine rush of completing a challenging video and how he has been on a streak of successful videos. He also mentions that all his videos start slow but pick up later, and he is trying to figure out how to have more of a bomb effect when he drops a video.

Content Creation and Schedule

Jordan Welch shares his perspective on content creation and the challenges of maintaining a consistent schedule. He emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity, highlighting the need for creativity and time to produce the best work. He mentions that he spent a month working on a particular video, which would not have been possible if he had to adhere to a strict weekly posting schedule. He also discusses the impact of hitting a million subscribers and the pressure that comes with it. The conversation delves into the balance between pursuing success and finding inner peace.

Personal Life and Spirituality

The conversation shifts to Jordan Welch's personal life, including his recent marriage and his journey with spirituality. He shares that he recently started attending church and reading the Bible regularly, expressing a newfound commitment to his faith. He credits fellow creators, Jidon and Ryan Tran, for inspiring him to explore the power of Christ in his life. The discussion touches on the impact of personal beliefs on one's approach to success and fulfillment.

Miami Lifestyle and Connections

The conversation also explores the Miami lifestyle and the connections Jordan Welch has made in the city. He discusses the diverse experiences in Miami, from the party scene to the more wholesome aspects of the city. He emphasizes the importance of genuine connections and shares stories of meeting influential individuals, including an Austrian art collector and a friend who owns a solar company. The conversation highlights the value of meaningful interactions and the impact of learning from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Scams and Entrepreneurship in Miami

The conversation briefly touches on the prevalence of scams and entrepreneurship in Miami. Jordan Welch acknowledges the existence of scams in the city but refrains from sharing specific stories to avoid stepping on sensitive territory. He also mentions the presence of a vibrant entrepreneurial community in Miami, with a mix of genuine individuals and those who may overinflate their success. The conversation provides a glimpse into the complexities of navigating the business landscape in a city known for its diverse opportunities and challenges.

Interactions with Older Individuals

Jordan Welch reflects on his ability to connect with older individuals, attributing it to his upbringing and observing his mother's interactions with people from different walks of life. He emphasizes the importance of asking questions and actively listening to others, highlighting the value of genuine curiosity and engagement in conversations. The conversation underscores the impact of building meaningful relationships and learning from individuals with diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Personal Interests

The conversation briefly touches on Jordan Welch's personal interests, including cars and watches. He mentions his love for his BMW M2 competition and his collection of watches. The discussion provides a glimpse into his appreciation for quality craftsmanship and his enjoyment of certain material possessions.

Investments and Business Strategies

Welch talks about his investment strategies, including putting money into high yield savings accounts, index funds, and individual stocks. He also mentions his real estate investments, such as purchasing a house and a duplex. He emphasizes the importance of reinvesting money back into the business, whether it's through hiring new employees, investing in equipment, or traveling for business purposes.

The guest also shares his experience with selling a business, mentioning that he sold a successful e-commerce brand. He advises against over-reliance on college as a backup plan, suggesting that pursuing one's passion and dreams should take precedence. He also highlights the importance of being fully committed to one's business endeavors, rather than splitting focus between college and business.

The Decision to Go to College

The conversation shifts to the topic of college, with one of the hosts and Welch discussing the pros and cons of pursuing a college education. The host expresses his hesitation about going to college, citing his desire to focus on his business and the potential lack of commitment to a computer science degree. He also mentions the pressure to pursue a traditional career path versus following one's passion.

Welch, on the other hand, shares his experience of attending college for a brief period before dropping out to focus on his business. He emphasizes the importance of being fully committed to one's business endeavors, rather than splitting focus between college and business. He also highlights the importance of pursuing one's passion and dreams, rather than relying on college as a backup plan.

The Importance of Pursuing Passion

Welch stresses the importance of pursuing one's passion and dreams, rather than succumbing to societal pressures or pursuing a traditional career path. He encourages listeners to prioritize their aspirations and not to be swayed by external influences.

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