Feed Your Mind First: The Mindset Shift Entrepreneurs Need to Break Through with Justin Block

On this episode of Adventures in Business, Amani and Mandi chat with Justin Block, a 5th generation entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of Block Ventures, an investment firm that looks for entrepreneurs who want to build better instead of just bigger. And today, he shares a wealth of wisdom for entrepreneurs: the lessons learned from exiting, the one habit that’s changed his life, and what’s keeping most entrepreneurs stuck (plus, how to break through). 

Meet Justin Block

Justin M. Block is a 5th generation entrepreneur, investor, and operator with direct investments in several businesses across multiple industries. He helped build, scale, and successfully exit his family business, Rubix Foods - a leading innovator in the food and beverage industry.

Today, Justin serves as CEO of Block Ventures, his personal investment firm and media company. Block Ventures operates as a media company, investment firm, and venture studio - starting companies and investing across food & beverage, sports, technology, and education. Its media arm produces business and personal development content designed to help people become the best version of themselves.

Growing Up in a Family Business

Justin Block grew up in business. We’re talking multiple companies and five total exits over the span of 100 years. When he jumped into the family business, he figured out early on that he had to learn everything he could – and that included working in all areas of the business. Whether it was the kitchen, logistics, or marketing, he worked everywhere to get the full picture of how a business runs. 

The Truth About Exits

When it comes to business exits, Justin said something that more people need to hear: Just because a company sells for millions doesn’t mean the founder walks away with millions. There are investors, debt, structures, and realities behind every deal that don’t show up in headlines or social media.

In Justin’s case, their business was debt-free and privately funded, which is rare. But even then, the process of selling a business is complex, strategic, and deeply tied to one thing: people.

Build a Business You Don’t Have to Run

One of the biggest insights Justin shared is this: You should build your business like you’re going to exit it… even if you never do. That means your business should run without you, your team should be empowered to make decisions, and your systems should be well-oiled machines.

Basically, if you can take a month off and nothing breaks, then you’ve built something real.

The “100 Books a Year” Habit

Justin reads 100+ books a year. How? He reads multiple books at once, skips around, and focuses on learning, not perfection. It’s less about the checklist of finishing books and more about consistently feeding your mind… which is a big deal in today’s mindless scrolling culture. 

His philosophy? “You can miss a meal, but you shouldn’t miss reading.” For him, even 15 minutes of reading can completely shift how he thinks.

Feed Your Mind to Change Your Mindset

One of his early mentors, Jim Fannin, told him: “You’ve got to think about what you think about.”

At first, that idea didn’t land. But over time, Justin realized that most people are awake… but not aware. Reading forces awareness, interrupts autopilot, and gives you better thoughts to work with.

For Justin, scrolling social media first thing in the morning leads to scattered thinking. But reading something intentional focuses him, shifts his mindset, and leads to a much better day. 

And according to Justin, mindset is everything: “Business is 80% psychology and 20% mechanics.” 

Why Don’t People Take Action?

So why are so many entrepreneurs stuck? Of those people, Justin says: “You probably don’t know yourself well enough.” 

Meaning, people don’t know what they actually want. They’re overwhelmed by options, and end up stuck in their own heads, focused on what they can’t do instead of what they can. 

To overcome this “stuck” feeling and create momentum, Justin shares his simple framework: 

1. Get clear on what you want

2. Reverse engineer the path

3. Take daily action

Growth Spurts Come With Growing Pains

Mandi asked Justin an important question: What happens when you start growing… and the people around you don’t?

This has happened to Justin before – he’s left some people in the dust. Not intentionally – they were just on different paths. And that’s okay.

Justin found that you don’t have to convince people to grow. You’ll find your tribe. Surround yourself with people who are on the same path as you, and you will raise each other up. 

And when people criticize your growth or question your choices, it often has nothing to do with you. Sometimes it’s just a reflection of their own discomfort.

Justin reminds us: You’re climbing a mountain – and there are other people climbing too. Go to events, put yourself in new rooms, and take chances on new connections to find them. The people you’re looking for are looking for you, too.

Resources Mentioned

🔗 Connect with Justin Block on Instagram and his website

🔗 Tune into Born to Be Great

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