He Lost $1 Million at 36. It Changed How He Built Everything After - With Dan Copsey

He lost more than $1 million at 36, walked away from the business, and later realised he hadn't properly dealt with any of it. Dan Copsey has built businesses across transport, marketing, recruitment, technology and investment. Today he co-runs TMSPC alongside his childhood best mate Alex, with interests spanning multiple companies, international teams and not-for-profit work. But the part of his story that shaped him most came before all of that. In this episode Dan is open about losing seven figures, the burnout that followed, why driving a forklift for three months became one of the best decisions he ever made, and the moment COVID brought his new business within 4% of shutting down. Along the way he talks about cash flow, co-founders, bad advice, resilience, giving back and why he's no longer trying to prove anyone else wrong. He's just trying to prove himself right. 0:00 Losing more than $1 million at 36 1:12 The portfolio of businesses he runs today 5:15 Building a company with his childhood best mate 9:15 From landscaping and civil infrastructure into business 12:00 The acquisition that eventually cost them more than $1 million 15:20 Why he didn't realise he was burnt out 17:00 The best thing he did next: drive a forklift 20:50 "I obviously wasn't coping. I just didn't know it." 24:30 Starting again in a completely different industry 29:00 Cash flow, payroll and the anxiety founders carry 33:30 The COVID moment that nearly ended everything 34:45 They would shut at 48%. They hit 44%. 36:00 The business education you can't buy 43:45 Why founders almost never celebrate the wins 47:00 Why some business partnerships work and others don't 50:05 "I'm not trying to prove anyone else wrong" 51:30 Why he believes life is always on time 53:00 From payroll to fighting a house fire in the same day 55:00 Why giving back matters 56:45 The advice he gives every founder about advisors Connect with Dan at dancopsey.com --------- See behind the scenes over at   / danmoussa_thirdwayadvisory   Or LinkedIn -   / daniel-moussa-thirdway   And if you need help to find the hire that will completely change your business reach out over at https://www.thirdwayadvisory.com.au/ Hit follow wherever you're listening so you don't miss a single episode.