The story of “The Louis and Kyle Show” is a testament to friendship, entrepreneurial spirit, and relentless curiosity. Their podcast has become an embodiment of these values, fostering a space where diverse entrepreneurial paths are explored, and meaningful connections are made.
A Friendship Forged in Innovation
The Louis and Kyle Show was born in a way few things are in the 21st century–from a newspaper ad. Kyle Bishop stumbled upon an advertisement in a stadium-wide distributed paper during a University of Alabama basketball game. This ad ultimately led Kyle to a startup event called “Startup Weekend,” where he crossed paths with Louis Shulman.
This event, a 72-hour marathon of idea generation and business creation, facilitated an easy rapport between the two, leading to Kyle inviting Louis to dinner the following week. Their first meal together was at Moes Southwest Grill. A shared affinity for entrepreneurship, books, and yes, burritos, became a cornerstone of their growing friendship.
At this first dinner, they joked that they should never start a business together. As fate would have it, the two went on to collaborate on several ventures, the first being an e-commerce website and blog, which they worked on diligently throughout the summer of 2019. However, as Louis embarked on a study abroad program and Kyle joined a fraternity, their project lost momentum.
Back on campus, Louis and Kyle reunited with a few other like-minded individuals for a weekly dinner group focused on intellectually stimulating discussions on a variety of topics.
However, when the pandemic hit, it abruptly disrupted these dinner gatherings. It was then, inspired by the communal spirit of their dinners and their shared interest in podcasts and books, that they decided to pivot. Louis and Kyle decided to harness their shared passion to continue interviewing fascinating individuals, this time in the form of a podcast.
The Birth of “The Louis and Kyle Show”
Their aim wasn’t just to have a successful podcast, but to build their network and learn from diverse people. They committed to a target of 25 episodes before evaluating the viability of their project. The podcast’s success exceeded their expectations, leading them to continue and later increase their output.
The process of publishing gradually became smoother. As their budget increased, allowing for editing costs, and relationships with PR companies began to bear fruit, more and more fascinating guests were being directed to their podcasts. This freed Louis and Kyle from the onerous task of prospecting, allowing them to focus on creating quality content.
Now, their podcast has become a lifestyle, a weekly ritual as integral to their lives as going to the gym. Taking inspiration from Andrew Warner’s book, “Stop Asking Questions,” they continue to schedule interviews, ensuring the longevity of their venture.
From Podcasting to Entrepreneurship
The podcast served as a launchpad for Louis’s full-time self-employment, leading to the inception of his company, Orbit Metrics. This consulting firm specializes in data analytics, AI enablement, and full-stack software engineering, serving a variety of businesses.
Kyle contributes to Orbit Metrics in different capacities and is actively involved in various marketing projects.
Continuous Learning and Growth
Their commitment to learning and growing has not wavered since their initial days. Louis and Kyle both acknowledge the long-lasting benefits the podcast has provided them, both personally and professionally. They apply the principles and insights gleaned from the 150 episodes to their everyday lives, making it an integral part of their shared journey. A few central themes have consistently emerged that have shaped their perspective on entrepreneurship and life.
Firstly, they underscored the tremendous benefits of enlisting a coach or therapist, having seen multiple entrepreneurs attest to the significant, sage rewards of this decision.
Next, they stressed the importance of problem-oriented thinking. They’ve observed that entrepreneurs who began their journey by identifying a problem and then seeking to solve it were typically more successful, less stressed, and found their path more enjoyable than those who started with a solution looking for a problem.
Thirdly, the duo has a deep commitment to truth and a bias-free perception of reality. This involves consistently striving to understand what is truly happening, rather than approaching situations with preconceived notions. This, they believe, is crucial in the journey to find the truth. Whether through their podcast or in their personal lives, Louis and Kyle continue to uphold these principles, demonstrating their commitment to ongoing growth and learning.
Greatest Hits
According to Louis and Kyle, the process of internalizing the lessons gleaned from their podcast is a long-term journey. The benefits and knowledge garnered from the podcast will continue to manifest throughout their lives, an indication of the profound impact this venture has had on them.
They focus on principles over transient tactics, remaining committed to their mission of creating and promoting optimistic media. Their intent is to contribute positively to the world.
Having navigated over 150 episodes, the duo’s commitment to an ethos of learning and optimism remains as robust as ever, their podcast serving as a platform for continuous growth, personal development, and positive influence. Contrary to seeking a singular defining moment or interview, Louis and Kyle strive to absorb the wealth of knowledge and wisdom shared by their diverse guests. With that said, they have gathered a few of their personal favorites for you to enjoy!
Tiago Forte – How To Build A Second Brain
Amer Barham – From ZERO To 7 Figures With eCommerce
Rishabh Jain | Founder of FERMAT
Ken Rusk | Author of Blue Collar Cash
Looking Ahead
The Louis and Kyle Show is not only a source of learning and networking, but a chronicle of two friends’ journey of curiosity, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. As their podcast continues to evolve, so do Louis and Kyle, in their mission to bring enlightening conversations to their audience and make a positive impact on the world.