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Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast

Dave and Shannon AMA

·23 min·2 clips
Listener Jeff asks job candidates: 'How many gas stations are in the United States?'
The episode opens with Dave in Durham, New Hampshire, and Shannon in Northern California, noting the weather. They introduce the AMA format and thank sponsor Shopify. The first segment addresses listener Jeff's interview question: 'How many gas stations are in the United States?' Jeff uses this to evaluate how candidates think through problems without knowing the answer. Dave and Shannon analyze responses, highlighting the value of reasoning over correctness. Dave relates this to sales, advocating for 'telling the truth but making it fantastic.' They reveal estimates of 120,000 to 160,000 gas stations. Next, they discuss listener Todd's question: 'What would you put on a bumper sticker?' This aims to uncover personal beliefs, with Todd's example being 'explaining does not excuse it.' Dave shares his own bumper sticker about Obi-Wan Kenobi to spark political discussion. The hosts note such questions reveal core traits. After a Shopify ad break, they tackle listener Andrew's question. Andrew runs two LLCs: rental properties and a custom fabrication business. He does maintenance for rentals himself, trading time between businesses, and asks if he should bill between them. Dave and Shannon advise yes, for tracking profitability and valuation. They share an anecdote about a landlord who turned maintenance into a separate business. They emphasize documenting costs to identify underperforming properties, prepare for potential sales, and gain negotiation leverage. The episode ends by inviting more listener feedback.

As heard by us

A loose, useful conversation about questions that pull real opinions to the surface.

Business Brain episode 692 turns a simple interview question into a thoughtful talk about how people reveal themselves under pressure. Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean move from a bumper-sticker prompt to political pigeonholing and then to the way a quick answer can surface a core…

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Why you'd press play

If you like interview questions that surface a core truth fast, press play.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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