In episode 266, Lance sits down with James Jackson, the founder and president of Spotz, a company that aims to be the “Airbnb for non-overnight community spaces.” With a background in business and a passion for entrepreneurship, James has built a career around solving problems and finding innovative solutions. He brings a wealth of experience and a strong work ethic to his role at Spotz.

In this interview, James Jackson, founder and president of Spotz, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of knowing yourself and your weaknesses, being prepared for the difficulties of entrepreneurship, and leaning on your network for support. Spotz is a platform that connects people with unique and rentable community spaces, solving the problems of awareness, accessibility, and tools for hosts. James discusses the strategic approach to building both the supply and demand sides of the market, as well as the importance of efficient funding and strategic outsourcing. He encourages entrepreneurs to have perspective, trust in themselves, and be open-minded to opportunities.

To learn more about Spotz, visit the website at https://www.findspotz.com/.

0:00:00 – Intro

0:01:11- Three things every entrepreneur needs to understand

0:02:58 – Building a strong network as an entrepreneur

0:06:34 – Overview of Spotz and the problem it solves

0:08:40 – The need for a centralized platform for renting non-overnight spaces

0:09:55 – Challenges in finding and renting different kinds of venues

0:10:23 – Potential benefits for organizations with empty spaces

0:11:50 – Building both sides of the market simultaneously

0:11:58 – Challenges of building a platform without an audience yet

0:13:18 – Strategic approach to building a community of hosts

0:14:21 – Metrics for monetizing spaces and marketing to end users

0:16:02 – Encouraging gatherings and creating community post-pandemic

0:17:22 – Funding challenges and efficient spending

0:21:38 – Learning from difficult situations and outsourcing certain roles

0:26:36 – James Jackson’s entrepreneurial journey started at 15 with 47 different jobs.

0:30:48 – Advice on sustaining determination and overcoming challenges.

0:35:41 – Reflecting on personal growth and self-improvement

0:37:47 – Invitation to Entrepreneur symposium for business growth

0:37:47 – Outro