When discipline meets purpose, how high can you climb?
Borja Cuan grew a digital marketing empire from humble dreams of owning a pizza shop. But it wasn’t easy, an immigrant kid, gritty entrepreneur, and disciplined leader, Borja discovered early on that success wasn't built overnight, but forged through daily, disciplined choices. This is his story of scaling a $230 million business without sacrificing soul or connection.
Summary:
In this insightful episode, Borja Cuan shares how immigrant resilience, lessons in hospitality from the Ritz, and relentless discipline became the building blocks for his successful digital marketing agency, Four15 Digital.
We explore Borja’s journey from childhood dreams of pizza entrepreneurship to managing millions in ad spend, uncovering the vital role discipline played not just in business but in every facet of his life. Borja opens up about his rigorous routines, cold plunges, and 5 AM workouts, revealing how discipline isn’t just about motivation, but the systems that sustain you.
This episode is a masterclass in creating a business and life that doesn’t just succeed, it thrives.
Hats Covered:
• 🎩 1: The Soul
• 🎩 2: The Athlete
• 🎩 3: The Servant
Key Takeaways:
• 🎩 1: Discipline isn't about doing more, it's about becoming more.
• 🎩 2: Your body isn't separate from your success; it is the foundation.
• 🎩 3: Employees come first, clients will follow.
• 🎩 1: Motivation fades, discipline sustains.
• 🎩 2: Bookend routines (morning and night) determine your productivity.
• 🎩 3: Real connections can't be built remotely; they require presence.
👤 Guest Bio:
Borja Cuan is the founder and CEO of Four15 Digital, a leading digital marketing agency managing over $230 million in ad spend. Raised by immigrant parents, Borja's path from hospitality intern at the Ritz in Madrid to marketing innovator showcases how discipline, relationships, and service form the bedrock of lasting success.
⏱️ Timestamps:
•
00:01 – Introduction: Borja’s immigrant roots and early dreams
•
00:08 – Hospitality lessons from the Ritz
•
00:15 – How pain and suffering became Borja’s superpower
•
00:23 – The role of resilience in leadership and entrepreneurship
•
00:30 – Discipline as a system, not motivation
•
00:37 – Bookend routines and morning discipline
•
00:45 – Why Borja champions the hybrid work model
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00:52 – Building a $230 million agency through referrals
•
01:00 – The hardest leadership lesson: putting employees first
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01:07 – Firing clients to protect culture
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01:15 – The 21-year-old Borja he’d hire today
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01:20 – Closing question: Who did Borja stop being, and who did he become?
Actionables:
• Establish a morning and evening bookend routine for consistent productivity.
• Practice discipline daily especially when no one’s watching.
• Evaluate your company culture: Are your employees truly first?
Quotes:
“Pain and suffering is my superpower.”
“You can't control external events, but you can control how you respond.”
“Discipline is doing what you hate as if you love it.”
“If every client was easy, everyone would be in business.”
“When you live disciplined, you feel freedom.”
Links:
If your success is heavy to carry, Borja’s story is your blueprint for creating disciplined freedom.
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