Big Hitters with Larry Weidel
The Automation Revolution: Scaling Business 2X with Half the Staff - Ethan King's Playbook
September 30, 2025
From Basement Startup to Business Empire: A Journey of Entrepreneurial Growth and Innovation In this episode of The Big Hitters podcast, host Larry Weidel interviews Ethan King, a successful entrepreneur who built multiple 7-8 figure brands from a $700 basement startup. Their conversation explores the intersection of art, business, automation, and personal growth across a 25-year entrepreneurial journey.
In this engaging episode, discover how Ethan King transformed a college project into a thriving enterprise, working with major brands like Marvel Studios and Coca-Cola. Learn practical strategies for leveraging AI in business growth, building valuable networks, and creating impactful content at scale. Whether you're starting a business or looking to scale your existing venture, this conversation offers actionable insights on turning creative skills into entrepreneurial success.

What You'll Learn:
- How to transform a college project into a thriving business through strategic timing and market positioning
- The power of listening to customer feedback and adapting your business model accordingly
- Why building community and joining entrepreneurial networks is crucial for business growth and learning
- How to leverage AI and automation to scale your marketing efforts without expanding your team
- The journey from nervous speaker to confident presenter, and how to become a "referable speaker"
- Why travel and diverse experiences are essential for developing business perspective and family values
- How to turn business setbacks into opportunities for innovation and growth
- The importance of maintaining cash reserves and preparing for unexpected challenges
- Why art skills and creative thinking translate into valuable business competencies
- The "Know, Like, and Trust" principle for building lasting business relationships through consistent content creation

Ethan King is a successful entrepreneur and business automation expert who has built multiple 7 and 8-figure brands from scratch, starting with just $700 in his basement. As the founder of Stuff for Greeks and Zeus' Closet, he has worked with major brands including Marvel Studios, Coca-Cola, Target, and Starbucks. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Ethan has transformed his background in fine arts into a thriving business empire, specializing in custom apparel and brand development. He is also a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and TEDx presenter, sharing his expertise in AI automation and business scaling strategies. In this episode, Ethan discusses his journey from art major to successful entrepreneur, while providing valuable insights on leveraging artificial intelligence and automation to scale businesses effectively, making this conversation essential for entrepreneurs looking to optimize their operations and marketing efforts.



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