
← The Founders Fire16 Sept · 58 min
He Lost $1 Million at 36. It Changed How He Built Everything After - With Dan Copsey
<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>But the part of his story that shaped him most came before all of that.</p><p>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.</p><p>0:00 Losing more than $1 million at 36<br>1:12 The portfolio of businesses he runs today<br>5:15 Building a company with his childhood best mate<br>9:15 From landscaping and civil infrastructure into business<br>12:00 The acquisition that eventually cost them more than $1 million<br>15:20 Why he didn't realise he was burnt out<br>17:00 The best thing he did next: drive a forklift<br>20:50 "I obviously wasn't coping. I just didn't know it."<br>24:30 Starting again in a completely different industry<br>29:00 Cash flow, payroll and the anxiety founders carry<br>33:30 The COVID moment that nearly ended everything<br>34:45 They would shut at 48%. They hit 44%.<br>36:00 The business education you can't buy<br>43:45 Why founders almost never celebrate the wins<br>47:00 Why some business partnerships work and others don't<br>50:05 "I'm not trying to prove anyone else wrong"<br>51:30 Why he believes life is always on time<br>53:00 From payroll to fighting a house fire in the same day<br>55:00 Why giving back matters<br>56:45 The advice he gives every founder about advisors</p><p>Connect with Daniel at <a href="https://dancopsey.com/">https://dancopsey.com/</a></p><p>See behind the scenes over at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/danmoussa_thirdwayadvisory/">https://www.instagram.com/danmoussa_thirdwayadvisory/</a></p><p>Or LinkedIn - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-moussa-thirdway/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-moussa-thirdway/</a></p><p>And if you need help to find the hire that will completely ch