There was a time when doing what you were told got you ahead.
Show up early. Stay late. Don’t question the process.
That world’s gone.
The old world rewarded obedience.
The new world demands killer instinct.
I’m not talking about being reckless or heartless. I’m talking about developing the mindset and muscle that allows you to hunt opportunities instead of waiting for them to knock.
In this week’s episode, I broke down exactly how entrepreneurs can thrive in today’s new economy — where attention, adaptability, and AI-driven creativity separate the hunters from the hunted.
From a $300 Lawn Mower to Millions in Revenue
I’ll never forget the night I told my parents I wasn’t taking the safe route.
My dad dropped his fork at the dinner table when I said, “I think I’m just going to keep mowing grass.”
He looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
Back then, all I had was a $300 Walmart weed eater and a push mower — and zero clue how to build a business. But I had a hunger that college or a corporate job couldn’t satisfy.
Fast-forward a few years, and that lawn care company grew to over $3 million in revenue. I sold it. Then I started and exited multiple businesses. And here’s what I’ve learned after two decades in the game:
“If a dyslexic college dropout can build a brand online, so can you.”
That’s not a line for applause. It’s proof. Proof that you don’t need a rich uncle, fancy investors, or a degree to make it happen. You need resourcefulness, consistency, and the right tools.
We’re What Moves America
Every time I step on stage, I look out at small business owners — movers, landscapers, contractors, cleaners, creatives, you name it — and I see the backbone of America.
You’re the ones who actually make this country work. You’re the ones who hire locally, who take the risks, who build real value.
That’s why I say:
“We’re all bootstrap entrepreneurs — we’re what moves America.”
Nobody’s coming to save us. No PR firm is knocking on our doors offering to make our brand famous. It’s on us.
And that’s exactly why this era of business is the greatest opportunity of our lifetime.
The Three Waves That Changed Everything
There have been three major technological waves that have completely changed how small businesses operate:
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Access – The internet leveled the playing field. Information that used to be locked behind gatekeepers became free. You don’t need permission anymore. You just need Wi-Fi.
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Attention – Social media gave small businesses a megaphone. You can talk directly to your customers. No middleman. No $10,000 newspaper ad.
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AI (Artificial Intelligence) – This is the wave we’re surfing now. And it’s moving fast.
I’ve been telling business owners everywhere: if you’re not using AI yet, you’re already behind. Writer’s block isn’t real anymore. Marketing bottlenecks aren’t real anymore. The excuses are gone.
AI doesn’t replace you — it multiplies you.
It’s like having a team of interns who work 24/7 and never ask for a day off. But only if you know how to train it, talk to it, and use it strategically.
That’s what I teach in The Hunter Head Game.
The Hunter Mindset
The new world doesn’t reward people who sit still and wait for leads to fall into their lap.
The hunter doesn’t wait for the phone to ring. The hunter goes out and creates demand. The hunter learns the tools. The hunter takes shots.
Most small business owners I meet have the talent and the work ethic, but they’re still playing by rules that expired a decade ago. They’re scared to show up online, afraid of judgment, or paralyzed by perfection.
You want the truth?
“Stop waiting for perfect — pull out your phone and make content.”
That 30-second video of you helping a customer, telling your story, or showing how your business works could reach more people in one day than your local networking group does in a year.
You don’t need to go viral. You just need to stay visible.
Measuring What Matters
When I talk about marketing, people love to overcomplicate it. But it’s simple — if you don’t measure, you can’t improve.
Here’s how you track cost and performance like a pro:
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CPC – Cost per Click
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CAC – Customer Acquisition Cost
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LTV – Lifetime Value of a Customer
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CPV – Cost per View
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CPM – Cost per Thousand Impressions
These numbers tell you what’s working. Most small business owners have no idea what their CAC or LTV is — and that’s why they struggle to scale.
When you understand these metrics, you stop guessing. You stop throwing money at “boosted posts” and start running real campaigns that bring measurable returns.
And please, stop hitting the boost button like it’s a slot machine. It’s not marketing — it’s gambling. Meta wins every time you do that.
Why The Hunter Head Game Exists
When I started writing The Hunter Head Game, I wanted to capture everything I’ve learned about what it takes to win in this new economy — mentally, emotionally, and tactically.
The book’s not theory. It’s built on the same strategies I use with my own businesses and clients every single day.
I used AI tools like OpenAI and Anthropic to help refine the manuscript — which I thought was fitting. I’m not scared of new technology. I leverage it.
Because here’s the truth: AI isn’t coming to take your job. It’s coming to take the job of the person who refuses to use it.
Hunters adapt. Hunters evolve. Hunters dominate.
You’re One Move Away
Every big success story starts with a single decision — a moment where someone said, I’m done waiting.
Maybe you’re there right now. Maybe you’re tired of feeling invisible. Maybe you know your business should be further along than it is.
If that’s you, then this is your moment to start playing offense again.
The future belongs to the builders, the creators, the entrepreneurs who hunt opportunity instead of waiting for permission.
The game has changed. The rules have changed. The rewards have changed.
But one thing hasn’t — the work.
It’s still about showing up, learning fast, adapting faster, and refusing to quit.
That’s what The Hunter Head Game is all about — unlocking the mindset and mechanics of modern entrepreneurship so you can lead, grow, and win in any market.
Download the free guide that accompanies this episode and I’ll walk you through how to apply these frameworks in your own business starting today.
— Coach Carroll
