50. Tommy Geoco’s Path to Creating a Product-Based Income

Have you considered charting your own course?

Tommy Geoco is a content creator, entrepreneur, and product designer whose journey is anything but conventional.

Tommy transitioned from the Marine Corps to web development to UX design, finally diving headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship.

He’s the perfect person to share advice for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of entrepreneurship.

This week, we dive into the complexities of entrepreneurship, tackling the emotional side of career growth, and discussing how to reframe and overcome the fear and cynicism that can often hold us back, or keep us from even starting in the first place.

It was a fantastic conversation that underscores the idea that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to entrepreneurship.

So, whether you’re a junior UX designer or a career shifter looking for work, or just intrigued by the idea of entrepreneurship, this episode will inspire you to take that first, crucial step toward designing your own destiny.

Topics:
• 03:58 – Tommy’s origin story
• 08:19 – understanding “knowledge debt”
• 11:10 – Pick something small you can launch in 30 days
• 22:12 – There’s an identity shift when you switch careers
• 25:57 – Preparation is key to getting unstuck
• 29:31 – VUCA is a good model for entrepreneurs to understand
• 33:56 – Cynicism will kill your potential
• 35:16 – Social media gives easy access to distribution
• 40:40 – Can you build or sell something that isn’t design-related?
• 43:22 – What are you doing now that you can start to sell?
• 46:47 – Use a passion product or case study to get 70% of the way there.
• 52:44 – You don’t need to take the plunge until you’re ready
• 54:19 – The chances are good if you fail no one will even notice
• 55:51 – Do not let fear and cynicism keep you from starting
• 58:34 – Every failure is an opportunity to learn

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn
• designertom.io
• teardowns.ai

Tommy Geoco
Content Creator, Entrepreneur, and Author of Making Design Decisions

About Tommy

Tommy Geoco, a Phoenix-based product designer, former Marine, and tech entrepreneur, boasts an illustrious 13-year career in the tech industry. He made his mark by co-founding StreamPro.io, a successful startup in the content creator space, which he sold in 2015. Since then, Tommy turned full-time to content creation on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn, where he shares insightful perspectives on design and product building. Author of the eBook “Making Design Decisions,” Tommy continues to educate and inspire his audience. His latest project, Teardowns.ai, set to launch soon, will explore the UI workflows of AI products. While aiming for lofty future goals—including developing micro-products and earning $5M in the next five years—Tommy’s primary aspiration remains inspiring others to achieve their professional dreams.

Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn

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