What does it really look like to build a business while silently drowning in debt? In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, host Susan Sly sits down with Daniel Bussius, founder and CEO of Built by Love®, as he shares how he ended up $90,000 in personal debt—and the decision he now calls his biggest mistake. He opens up about scrapping a fully produced course, initiating a software build before the right structure and alignment were in place, and the emotional toll of building outside his calling.
Daniel reveals what he’d never do again—not just in business, but in life. Susan and Daniel talk about the tension between growth and ego, how spiritual misalignment derails even the best intentions, and why clarity matters more than momentum. This isn’t about theory—it’s about the real cost of building the wrong thing for the wrong reasons.
About Daniel Bussius:
Daniel Bussius is an award-winning marketing strategist, best-selling author, and founder of Built by Love®. He’s advised Fortune 100s, celebrities, and high-growth startups, generating $50M+ in client revenue. Creator of the Marketing RAMP® system and author of Marketing Built By Love, Daniel helps brands build trust, scale impact, and market with heart.
Connect with Daniel:
Website: https://danielbussius.com/
LinkedIn: @danielbussius/
About Susan Sly:
Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.
Connect With Susan:
Website: https://thepause.ai/
Website: https://susansly.com
Trusted Partners: https://www.susansly.com/trustedpartners
LinkedIn:@susansly
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