Backyard axe-throwing lead to the launch of Lumber Punks | #487

I love how people make a living. Past guest Shane Yeend makes money selling the usage-rights to the Hollywood sign. Adam Lippin sells cuddles. Laura Klien has a million dollar business selling battery-powered snot suckers! And today’s guest makes a quid from showing people how to throw axes … indoors!

It’s time to sharpen your axe and get stuck in to episode 487 of The (award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing Show thanks to American Express.

A little bit more about Lumber Punks Tyson McMillan …

Tyson McMillan used to be a stand-up comedian, until one day in 2015 he was throwing axes in his backyard with his mate Sam. It was at that point that he looked Sam lovingly in the eyes and said “Hey Sammy … we should do this for a living!”

They did and Lumber Punks – an indoor axe-throwing business – was born.

Now Lumber Punks has three venues across Australia and the boys are having the time of their life.

So what can you learn from a bloke who loves throwing axes? Great question.

We talk about:

• How to get a crazy idea to market
• How to establish meaningful partnerships  with local businesses
• How one lucky PR opportunity launched the entire business
• The 3-pillars of the Lumber Punks business that lead to its success
• The importance of social currency
• Plus plenty more

Now, with Tyson being an ex stand-up comedian, I felt compelled to kick things off with a joke …

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Lumber Punks Tyson McMillan:

1. I love the fact that Tyson is focussing on what they’re good at – as he so eloquently put it “We’re good at throwing axes … not coffee!”
2. I love Tyson’s view on how music can positively impact a business – how it can help tailor an experience to the individual.
3. I love Tyson’s focus on building social currency amongst his tribe of loyal axe-throwers – to the point that he even makes sure there’s Lumber Punks branding behind the photos people take and share on their social media channels.

Other resources mentioned in episode 487 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• Lumber Punks on Instagram
• Lumber Punks on Facebook
• Lumber Punks on YouTube
• Last week’s interview with customer experience expert Jonathan Barouch
• Interviews I’ve done with other business owners who sell interesting things:
  • Snotty Noses’ Laura Klien
  • Adam Lippin calls himself the Cuddlist
  • Aussie Shane Yeend sells the rights to the world-famous Hollywood sign

This week’s Monster Prize Draw winner:

Lynda Fairweather of The Happy Paws Club – a pet-sitting business based in NSW.

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

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May your marketing be the best marketing.