Ten Small Business Commandments from Hamilton [LNIM104]

Mark Mason is a massive Hamilton fan, and in this episode he mines the musical for business wisdom. What he found are ten commandments for small business owners — principles hiding in the lyrics and storylines of Lin-Manuel Miranda's masterpiece that apply directly to building an online business as a solopreneur.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why your unlimited potential as a solopreneur matters — and why you must not chase all of it at once
• How surrounding yourself with like-minded people accelerates success
• Why patience and integrity are non-negotiable business fundamentals
• The difference between dreaming big and executing consistently
• What Hamilton gets tragically wrong that also teaches business lessons

Episode Summary

Mark opens with his obsession with Hamilton: An American Musical and credits his friend Cliff Ravenscraft as an even bigger fan. The musical's first act, where Hamilton's star rises, contains motivational gems that translate directly to entrepreneurship.

The Ten Small Business Commandments

1. Thou Has Unlimited Potential — You have so much to offer as a solopreneur. There are a million things you have not done yet that could add value and generate revenue. The key is not trying to do all of them at once.
2. Thou Shall Not Waste Thy Talent — Take action. If you get knocked down, get back up. Put yourself out there, fail quickly, and recover. Do not throw away your shot.
3. Thou Shall Surround Thyself with Like-minded People — If the people around you do not believe in what you are doing, success becomes much harder. Join groups like masterminds where people raise you up and want to see you succeed.
4. Thou Shall Ignore Detractors — Shut out naysayers. Be with people who have your best interest at heart and stay away from those who do not.
5. Thou Shall Enjoy the Journey — Know why you are doing what you are doing. When things get hard, that motivation is what keeps you going.
6. Thou Shall Be Patient — There is no overnight success. If you are expecting something for nothing, you will not succeed. Be willing to wait for it.
7. Thou Shall Act with Integrity — Do what you say you are going to do. People watch and remember. History has its eyes on you.
8. Thou Shall Dream Big — With patience and integrity, you can turn the world upside down. Anything is possible as a solopreneur.
9. Thou Shall Be a Good Boss — Being your own boss is harder than it looks. Be reasonable with yourself when running your own business.
10. Thou Shall Hustle — Work smart and work hard. Propel yourself toward success with the proper work ethic.

What's Changed Since This Episode

Mark recorded this in 2016, shortly after Hamilton became a cultural phenomenon. The principles themselves are timeless, but the business landscape has shifted in ways that make several of these commandments even more relevant.

The patience commandment hits harder now. With social media creating the illusion of overnight success, the pressure to see immediate results is more intense than ever. Building a sustainable online business still takes years of consistent effort, and the entrepreneurs who succeed are the ones who understand that.

Surrounding yourself with the right people is easier and more important. Online communities, paid masterminds, and platforms like Circle and Skool have made it possible to find your tribe regardless of geography. The explosion of creator communities means there is no excuse for building in isolation.

The integrity commandment matters more in the age of AI. As AI-generated content floods the internet, authentic voices with real experience and consistent integrity stand out more than ever. Trust is the currency that separates lasting businesses from noise.

Resources Mentioned

• Hamilton: An American Musical — the inspiration for this episode
• Cliff Ravenscraft — The Podcast Answer Man, fellow Hamilton enthusiast
• Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording — on Apple Music

Listen and Subscribe

Listen to Late Night Internet Marketing on Apple Podcasts or subscribe at latenightim.com/internet-marketing-podcast/. Have a question for Mark? Call the digital recorder at 214-444-8655 or drop a comment below.