Episode 21: W42ST: Melting Pot and State of Mind in New York City with Phil O’Brien

How do entrepreneurs come up with a great business idea and find their first customers?

Today’s guest is Phil O’Brien, founder and publisher of W42ST—a hyper-local lifestyle print magazine and media brand that connects readers to the New York City experience.

Episode Highlights:

2:37 Back to Roots: Journalism first, entrepreneurialism second.
4:05 Leaving Liverpool: Choosing connection and culture of scaling NYC startups.
6:25 W42ST and Hell’s Kitchen: Why live there? Unique, different, and full of history.
10:38 Melting Pot: Creative community composed of Stonewall, Broadway, and more.
11:44 Photography Business: Communicating decision to exit and move on.
17:27 Startup Entrepreneur: Strong will to give something a go on a hunch.
20:50 Strategic Game Plan: Join the fight by finding a greenfield.
21:40 People Like You: Real people, not celebrities on cover and content inside.
22:44 Energy: Fun parts of being an entrepreneur and busy bee motivated by change.
24:05 Print Platform: Sample the menu while delivering a dying breed in a digital world.
28:41 Two Types of Customers: Reader and advertiser.
32:12 First 100 Fans: Create content, invest money, and distribute to validate idea.
33:30 Take-home and Open Rates: People get different things from different platforms.
39:10 Lessons Learned: Highest growth and hub in community.
44:03 Success: Have a smile on your face and surround yourself with people’s energy.
44:28 Moments of Doubt: Fear and delusion of rejection.
45:25 Failures: Stupidity of navigating the river of cash.
47:31 Easy and Hard Parts: Reader’s delight to advertising sales.