Business Is F'n Hard
What I've learned building, buying, growing — and occasionally nearly breaking — businesses.
Speaking & conversations
Want me to come talk to your people?
I'd love to.
I talk about things I'm actually living — building businesses, leadership, EOS, hiring people, screwing things up, entrepreneurship and why business is f'n hard.
- Speaking
- Panels
- Podcasts
- Universities
- Entrepreneur Groups
Things I can talk about
From the businesses I'm building.
Get Out of Your Own Way
How founders create the chaos they complain about, and what I've learned about building accountability.
EOS in the Real World
Not a theoretical presentation — what using EOS inside real entrepreneurial businesses actually looks like.
Talent Is Everywhere
What building international teams has taught me about opportunity, leadership and people.
For podcast hosts
Invite Calvin on your podcast
Topics I can talk about
- Business Is F'n Hard
- Get Out of Your Own Way
- EOS in the Real World
- Talent Is Everywhere
Short bio
Calvin Smith is an entrepreneur, EOS Implementer and multi-unit franchise owner based in Northwest Arkansas. He is a founding partner at ScaleSource and Chairman of the Board of the Startup Junkie Foundation. He works with founders and leadership teams around the world, sharing practical lessons from building and operating businesses.
Past episodes
[PLACEHOLDER: supply verified past podcast episode links for hosts]
Here are 10 questions you can ask me
- 01Why do you say business is f'n hard?
- 02What has building, buying and growing businesses taught you that you couldn't learn from a book?
- 03What have you learned from nearly breaking a business?
- 04How do founders create the chaos they complain about?
- 05What does getting out of your own way look like for you?
- 06How do you build accountability without becoming a micromanager?
- 07What does EOS look like inside a real entrepreneurial business?
- 08What have hiring mistakes taught you about leadership?
- 09What has building international teams taught you about talent and opportunity?
- 10What are you still figuring out in your own businesses right now?
In the room
Real stages. Real founders. Real work.
Moments from lectures, workshops and conversations with leaders around the world.