Season 14 in the House! (S14E1)

This Week On The Blox

Welcome to The Blox, where business brains meet bold moves! This isn’t your typical business competition—here, we take a bunch of ambitious entrepreneurs, toss them into a five-day gauntlet of real-world challenges, and watch the magic (or madness) unfold. Each day kicks off with a crash course in business strategy, followed by head-to-head battles where contestants put their skills to the test. At night is when the stakes skyrocket in the Blox-Off, where the top contenders face off in high-pressure showdowns. 

So LFG! Season 14 of The Blox is officially underway, and the competition is fiercer than ever.. In this episode, watch the Bloxers hit the ground running on Day 1 as they plunge headfirst into their first mind-bending lesson. 

And today? We’re getting schooled in demand creation vs. demand harvesting—this is where the real strategy begins.

On the demand harvesting side, you’re working with customers who already know they have a problem and are ready to find a solution—Google turns those customers into leads, making it easier to close the deal, but it comes with more competition. On the flip side, demand creation is trickier. It’s about grabbing attention and getting people to realize they even need you in the first place, cutting through the noise of social media with organic and paid strategies. So, your posts need to add value, not just sell. Value posts build trust and awareness, while harvest posts are your go-to ads for conversion. But watch out for that leaky bucket—if your business lacks a solid online presence, reviews, or a user-friendly website, you'll lose customers faster than you can pour them in. The lesson? Identify and fix those holes before it’s too late.

Building Authentic Relationships on Social Media

Social media is not just a platform for endless promotions and sales pitches; it’s meant to be a space for building authentic relationships, sparking conversations, and fostering a sense of community. When you approach social media as a place to engage rather than sell, you create an environment where trust and loyalty can thrive. People don’t come to social platforms to be bombarded with ads—they come for connection, inspiration, and entertainment. By providing content that resonates with them on a deeper level, you're cultivating a relationship based on value, not just a transaction.

Applying the 80/20 Rule to Your Social Media Strategy

The 80/20 rule is key here: 80% of your posts should be focused on delivering real value to your audience—think tips, insights, behind-the-scenes content, and community-building posts. The remaining 20% can be promotional, where you actively market your product or service. This balance ensures your social media isn’t just a hard sell but rather a space where people come to learn, engage, and feel connected to your brand.

Focus on Product Development First

In the early stages of your business, profit margins shouldn’t be your primary focus. Right now, the priority is figuring out how to produce, refine, and successfully sell your product. As you grow, your repeat usage rates will improve as your product improves and customer satisfaction rises. At the same time, your cost of customer acquisition will naturally decrease, thanks to building up valuable social proof. Testimonials, ratings, reviews, and active social media engagement will contribute to creating a solid foundation of trust that attracts new customers without as much effort.

Tailoring Your Content for Each Social Media Platform 

Understanding the platform you’re using and tailoring your content accordingly is critical. What works on Instagram won’t necessarily perform on LinkedIn. Each platform has its own vibe, audience, and content preferences, so adapting your messaging to fit is essential for building a loyal following.

Using Data-Driven Metrics to Measure Success

Using data-driven metrics is vital to track your progress. Hard numbers, like cost-per-click (CPC) and customer acquisition costs (CAC) will give you clear insights into whether your marketing efforts are actually driving sales and gaining traction. It's easier to attribute success to these tangible metrics, especially when you can directly link them to your pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns and overall sales performance.

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Meet The Judges

Andrea Furtick
Andrea Furtick
Founder & CEO of AGC Toys Inc.

Andrea Furtick is a multifaceted creative force, renowned as a published author, fine artist, and toy designer. As the CEO of AGC Toys Inc., she pioneers innovative concepts in the realm of toy design, captivating audiences with her distinctive vision and craftsmanship. With a passion for storytelling and divination, Andrea is the creator of the Afro Goddess Divination Collection, a series celebrated for its spiritual depth and artistic beauty. Her work has garnered widespread acclaim, culminating in a contract with U.S. Games Systems Inc. in 2022, a testament to her enduring influence in the industry. In addition to her creative endeavors, Andrea is a dynamic keynote speaker, captivating audiences with her insights on art, spirituality, and entrepreneurship. Her engaging presentations have graced prestigious events such as The International Divination Event 2022 and the Northwestern Tarot Symposium 2022, solidifying her reputation as a thought leader in her field.

Carlos Rivis
Carlos Rivis
CEO of InnovationDiscovery - San Diego, California

Carlos Rivis is a seasoned innovation expert with over 20 years of experience, guiding inventors, startups, venture studios, and Fortune 500 companies to bridge the gap between vision and execution. Specializing in turning complex ideas into actionable strategies and roadmaps, Carlos accelerates innovation by aligning the dreams of visionaries with the expertise of industry leaders. In the world of innovation, two key players emerge: visionaries who dream of futures others can't imagine but lack the strategies to bring them to life, and experts who master current technologies but struggle to envision beyond the possible. Carlos serves as the catalyst that companies need to transform visions into reality. He believes that most corporates are anchored by experts who can’t see beyond their ecosystem, while startups are led by visionaries who often believe that technology alone will guarantee success. Carlos transforms visionary concepts into market-leading solutions, focusing on execution, impact, and sustainability. His global network of innovators, investors, and industry leaders enables him to take on projects that align with his values and purpose, ensuring that every venture he engages with has the potential for real-world change. Driven by a strong personal code, Carlos operates with honesty, integrity, and respect at the core of everything he does, and he expects the same from his partners. If you're ready to push boundaries, leverage technology, and turn innovation into a powerful force for change, Carlos is the partner to help you make it happen.

Chase Curtiss
Chase Curtiss
Sway Medical

Chase Curtiss is an innovative digital health expert and clinical exercise physiologist with a strong expertise in developing mobile software solutions within the medical, sports and fitness markets. Chase has an academic and research background in biomechanics, exercise physiology and neuroscience with published research in each field. Chase has been recognized as a pioneer in the mobile health space with the first ever FDA clearance for a software only mobile medical device. He has been highlighted in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg TV, Forbes, Pando Daily, Mobihealthnews, the Grey Sheet and many other mainstream and medically focused publications. YouTube has also named Chase NextUP for his work in video instruction content reaching 30 million viewers. As an expert in the field of digital healthcare, Chase is also a regular speaker having presented for events put on by Blue Cross Blue Shield, AARP and Chase was the 2014 commencement speaker for Wichita State University.

Jenny Heins
Jenny Heins
CEO of Teal Door Realty and Founder of The Palette Collection and Palette Coffee Co.

Jenny Heins is a multifaceted entrepreneur, artist, and visionary whose career is a testament to the power of ambition and the beauty of dreams realized. Recognized as Business Elite 40 Under 40 honoree (2023) and ranking nationally in real estate, Jenny's journey is marked by her relentless pursuit of excellence and her diverse achievements in various fields Jenny is the Music & Entertainment Host of the Emmy-nominated TV show "The American Dream" and the founder of Teal Door Realty, a fast growing national real estate brokerage, she has not only achieved professional success but has also been a source of inspiration and motivation for many. Her entrepreneurial spirit is complemented by a deep passion for art and design, as evidenced by her significant presence in the New York Fashion Week 2023 and her acclaimed work as a gallery artist. Beyond her achievements in media and the arts, Jenny stands out as a prolific venture capitalist. Her keen eye for potential and commitment to fostering innovation have led her to fund and mentor countless successful startups, turning nascent ideas into thriving enterprises. This aspect of her career highlights her belief in the transformative power of entrepreneurship and her dedication to supporting the next generation of business leaders. Her ventures extend beyond the realms of entertainment and real estate. Her artistic endeavors are showcased in The Palette Collection, where fashion meets art in an expressive and unique style. Her commitment to education and empowerment is reflected in the establishment of the Heins Center for Education, which focuses on enlightening and nurturing visionary minds. In her roles as an executive business consultant, coach, and venture capitalist, Jenny demonstrates a keen ability to identify potential and foster growth, guiding aspiring entrepreneurs and businesses to achieve their fullest potential.

Mandi Makoni
Mandi Makoni
Founder of Synergy Family Services - Salt Lake City, Utah

Mandi Makoni is the Founder of Synergy Family Services, where she channels her lifelong passion for supporting both youth and adults in the community. With over 16 years of experience in various capacities, Mandi's work is deeply personal. Having been born into foster care and later adopted, she has firsthand experience of the emotional challenges and traumas that often accompany these situations. Her journey through mental health recovery and resilience, supported by her loving adoptive family, has fueled her commitment to helping others who come from hard places. In 2017, Mandi took a bold step toward her dream and launched Synergy Family Services, a space built to empower and support families and individuals through trauma-informed care. Her team is trained in Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI), an approach designed to help individuals who have experienced trauma or are currently navigating difficult circumstances. Mandi believes deeply in creating a compassionate environment where healing and growth can happen, and her dedicated staff walk alongside those in need, providing a safe haven filled with love and understanding. Mandi is always eager to share her journey and connect with others. If you have questions or want to learn more, she encourages you to reach out via phone, text, or email, and she’ll personally respond. She emphasizes the importance of staying humble, counting your blessings, and, now more than ever, recognizing the need for community and support.

Mary Smiley Ford and Carla Smiley Pierson (AKA the Smiley Twins)
Mary Smiley Ford and Carla Smiley Pierson (AKA the Smiley Twins)
Co-Founders & Co-Owners of Smiley Aesthetics - Nashville, TN

Mary Smiley Ford, CRNA, RN, MSN, is the owner and founder of Smiley Aesthetics. She began her aesthetics career in early 2019 while working as an anesthesiologist. In February 2022, along with her identical twin sister, Carla, she launched Smiley Aesthetics as a two-person mobile toxin and collagen business in Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee. In just over a year, Smiley Aesthetics has started five brick and mortar locations and nearly 100 mobile injectors in nine states, a number that grows weekly. Ford has been trained by some of the top providers in the country and continues to receive training. Carla Smiley Pierson, DNP, MBA, RN is an experienced, innovative, and business-savvy Registered Nurse with a proven track record of leadership in the hospital and healthcare industry across multiple disciplines. As the Co-founder and Co-owner of a successful medical aesthetics company that achieved over a million in revenue within its first year, Carla brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen to everything she does. Her diverse skill set spans critical care medicine, oncology, regulatory and accreditation standards, core measures, financial and clinical operations, and project implementation. With a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and an MBA, Carla is a dynamic consulting professional, committed to driving innovation and being a catalyst for change in the healthcare industry.

Rob Whitfield
Rob Whitfield
Team Coach and International Behavior Change Specialist at Redefine Winning - Los Angeles, California

Rob Whitfield is a seasoned management consultant with a passion for driving transformation and behavior change, helping teams and organizations unlock their full potential. With a focus on diagnosing, designing, and building experiences that reframe how teams work, Rob's mission is to unleash latent value and drive real business results. His approach centers on aligning with business priorities and advancing agendas through expert facilitation and team coaching. Over his career, Rob has worked globally, transforming strategies, technologies, processes, and the ways people work and think. With his leadership, thousands of individuals and numerous companies have achieved personal and business results they once struggled to reach. As a certified executive coach, master trainer, public speaker, and event designer, Rob brings a wealth of expertise to every project. With a proven track record in leading complex, customer-centric transformations across various industries—including entertainment, telecoms, retail, education, energy, and more—Rob is known for his motivational leadership, delivering excellence while maintaining a flexible style and a sense of humor. His experience spans sectors such as transport, central and local government, gaming, and fashion, making him a versatile and dynamic leader in his field.

Tyler Young
Tyler Young
Owner, VersiTech

With 16 years of experience in the payment processing industry, Tyler brings a wealth of expertise and insight to help businesses navigate the ever-changing payments landscape. In 2009, Tyler founded PPSW, which quickly grew into a successful merchant processing ISO. In 2017, Tyler acquired the POS company VersiTouch and transformed it into VersiTech, a restaurant technology company focused on delivering cutting-edge point-of-sale technology through a local partner network. At VersiTech, Tyler and the team believe that every business deserves personalized support, which is why they work closely with local partners to offer a unique customer experience. The focus is on making technology work seamlessly for businesses with as little hassle as possible. VersiTech is known for its adaptability and going the extra mile for customers, taking pride in serving as a calming presence and a source of relief for partners. As a visionary leader, Tyler is passionate about helping businesses grow through technology. His goal is to make VersiTech a major competitor in the POS industry, offering innovative solutions and smooth processes for customers. Tyler leads by example, valuing his employees as family and striving to help them thrive both personally and professionally.

Tyrone Hazen
Tyrone Hazen
Founder & Head of Partnerships at Puffin Drinkwear - Bend, Oregon

Tyrone Hazen is the founder of Puffin Drinkwear, a company he launched in 2019 with a vision to create fun, innovative drinkwear products that make people laugh. In the process, he pioneered an entirely new product category. Under Tyrone’s leadership, Puffin Drinkwear has experienced rapid growth, earning recognition from Inc. Magazine as the Fastest Growing Company in Oregon and ranking #131 in the US in just four years. As the head of partnerships, Tyrone oversees business development and strategic alliances, working closely with stakeholders to expand market reach and build a loyal customer base. With over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship and product innovation, Tyrone holds a BA in Economics from UCLA. He is passionate about using his skills to create a positive impact on society, the environment, and collective consciousness, while fostering a culture of collaboration and community among his team and partners.

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