Starting a Business in 2026

Join Scott Hess and John Barton as they share hard-won lessons about entrepreneurship in today's world. John reflects on his year-long journey navigating commercial building permits and kitchen licensing, highlighting the costly lessons of impulsivity versus preparation. The hosts dive deep into their origin stories—from John's basement workshop in Germany to Scott's leap from corporate accounting—revealing how boom-and-bust upbringings shaped their risk tolerance as entrepreneurs.Key topics include: the importance of nailing your elevator pitch, becoming an industry expert before launching, finding competitive advantages in saturated markets, and why 2026 is actually the best time to start a business. Packed with practical advice and real-world examples, from screen printing innovations to the pitfalls of taking on investors too early.Whether you're in the early dreaming stage or ready to take the leap, this episode offers invaluable insights for aspiring business owners.🕐 Chapter Timestamps0:00 - Introduction & Kitchen Licensing Update1:14 - Learning from Mistakes: Preparation vs Impulsivity9:00 - Origin Story: Starting the Case Business17:27 - Risk Tolerance & Entrepreneurial Mindset24:00 - The Importance of Planning & Expert Knowledge37:00 - Competitive Advantage & Finding Your Niche