Trendsetters with Jesse Kay

Sahil Handa is a genius. He traveled around Southeast Asia for a few years before attending Harvard, and he’s currently enjoying his first gap year. But just because he’s doing a gap year doesn’t mean he isn’t doing anything — he’s traveling, running the startup ByLines, and writing a book. He talks about how his stutter informed his writing career, the contentious divides we’re seeing all over the world, and where he sees that going. This is a long one, but there’s a lot to dive into! Resources: Learn more: https://sahilhanda.com/ (sahilhanda.com) Twitter: https://twitter.com/sahilhandapanda (@sahilhandapanda) Instagram: http://instagram.com/sahilhandapanda (@sahilhandapanda) Trendsetters is a production of http://crate.media (Crate Media)

Griffin Johnson’s life has been going through quite a shift lately. Just over the last year, he’s gone from sleeping on couches in LA to creating a following on TikTok of nearly 10 million. He’s now in the investing space, podcasting, and more. And as a result, he’s had to quickly become adept at many different areas of expertise. We talk about how he’s taking on so many new things so quickly, the threat of a TikTok ban, being a dog dad, and more. Resources: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imgriffinjohnson?lang=en (@imgriffinjohnson) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imgriffinjohnson/?hl=en (@imgriffinjohnson) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQC2re4ieW_x_cHs2--uJTg (Griffin Johnson) Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sway-way/id1537231542 (‎SWAY WAY) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imbrooklynjohnson/?hl=en (@imbrooklynjohnson) Trendsetters is a production of http://crate.media (Crate Media)

Joshua Browder is the CEO of DoNotPay, a chatbot that started out by allowing drivers to appeal their parking tickets automatically and has since evolved into “the world’s first robot lawyer.” He’s a man who moves quickly and avoids bureaucracy, and his goal is to eventually replace the lawyer for the average consumer. We talk about the myth of overnight success, the importance of taking control of your destiny, and the future of DoNotPay. Resources: donotpay.com (https://donotpay.com/) Twitter: twitter.com/jbrowder1 (https://twitter.com/jbrowder1) Instagram: instagram.com/joshuabrowder12 (http://instagram.com/joshuabrowder12) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joshua-browder-b0b573116 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-browder-b0b573116/) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

I’ve known Ron Harper Jr. since I was four years old. Today, he’s playing division I basketball at Rutgers with the possibility of going to draft next year. He talks about how he came to be where he is now, how the coronavirus has impacted the sport and how the players have dealt with that, and the good and bad of having two incredible athletes for parents. We also have some rapid-fire questions that I pulled from Instagram. Resources: Instagram: @ron.harper.jr (http://instagram.com/ron.harper.jr) Twitter: @__rhjr (https://twitter.com/__rhjr?lang=en) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Sasha Larkin is the captain of the Summerlin area command of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. She does work in community relations for the department and has worked with them for her entire career. We, of course, have to dive into current events and how that relates to the police force, but we also discuss how community relations work, how the department works to prevent incidents proactively, how important it is for police to be held accountable, community policing, and the balance between enacting change without losing progress. Resources: www.lvmpd.com (http://www.lvmpd.com) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

I’m excited to be interviewing my friend Amanuel Gantt, joining me from Georgia. Normally when not under quarantine, he works out of New York managing his childhood friend Evan Engram, the tight end for the New York Giants. He talks about the challenges of balancing school work and military life, working with a close friend, staying safe during the pandemic, and his thoughts on the protests going on in the United States over racial inequality. Resources: Instagram: @man_gantt (https://www.instagram.com/man_gantt/) Twitter: @man_gantt (http://twitter.com/man_gantt) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Jeff Eisenband is a sports and esports broadcaster working out of New York City. He is doing a ton of work for the NBA 2K League, from the draft to broadcasting, he writes for Ozy, and he hosts the podcast Eis on the Prize (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eis-on-the-prize/id1504788576) . He talks about the way he got into journalism, how he’s navigated his career to where he is now, working as a freelancer, what it was like escaping New York due to the coronavirus, and how he’s continuing to work in his temporary environment. Resources: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffreyeisenband (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyeisenband/) Twitter: twitter.com/JeffEisenband (https://twitter.com/JeffEisenband) Instagram: instagram.com/jeffeisenband (https://www.instagram.com/jeffeisenband/) Podcast: Eis on the Prize (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eis-on-the-prize/id1504788576) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Warren Lentz is the co-founder and CEO of TalentXEntertainment, a management agency firm that represents some of your favorite TikTok stars and creators in the world. Their job is to help creators launch their careers into merchandising, products, film, modeling, and more. The average career of a social media influencer is 19 months — the goal of TalentXEntertainment is to make that much longer. We talk about the shifting landscape of social media, the misconceptions for TikTok, and the common traits of successful influencers, and the mentality of a driven entrepreneur coming straight out of college. Resources: Learn more: talentxent.com (https://talentxent.com/) Instagram: @talentxent (https://www.instagram.com/warrenlentz/?hl=en) Instagram: @warrenlentz (https://www.instagram.com/warrenlentz/?hl=en) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/warren-lentz-a667a69 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-lentz-a667a69/) Twitter: @warrenlentz (https://twitter.com/WarrenLentz) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Mark Cuban doesn’t need much of an introduction. Most of you know him either as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks or from his appearances on Shark Tank, along with any of his dozens of other business ventures. He has some advice for how you can be productive through the global pandemic that we are all dealing with right now (whether you’re an employee or business owner), getting started on your big idea, learning from the jobs you hate, what to focus on as an entrepreneur, and what emerging industries to start exploring right now. Resources: Twitter: @mcuban (https://twitter.com/mcuban?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) Facebook: facebook.com/markcuban (https://www.facebook.com/markcuban/) Instagram: instagram.com/mcuban (https://www.instagram.com/mcuban) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-cuban-06a0755b (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-cuban-06a0755b/) TikTok: @mcuban (https://www.tiktok.com/@mcuban?lang=en) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Candace Parker is a WNBA player for the Los Angeles Sparks, the first pick in the 2008 NBA draft, two-time MVP, and she does a ton of work in TV, entertainment, and business. She talks about what she’s doing to stay busy during the coronavirus pandemic, making the transition to becoming a WNBA player, the habits that have led to her success, taking care of a baby while balancing her NBA career, playing abroad in the offseason, and her tips for people pursuing their dreams. Resources: Learn more: candaceparker.com (https://candaceparker.com/) Instagram: instagram.com/candaceparker (https://www.instagram.com/candaceparker/?hl=en) Twitter: twitter.com/Candace_Parker (https://twitter.com/Candace_Parker) "Pat Summitt: Read the legendary coach's ‘Definite Dozen’ rules for success" (https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2016-06-28/pat-summitt-read-legendary-coachs-definite-dozen-rules) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Erika Nardini is the CEO of Barstool Sports and previously worked at companies such as Yahoo, AOL, Microsoft, and more. Every company that she had worked for helped to prepare her for Barstool, but there was still so much to learn. She’s managed to tie in the amazing network of content they have at Barstool while building a legitimate, scalable company. She talks about what it takes to build a fun, inviting company culture that still gets stuff done, and what it’s been like keeping the content coming in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The world is changing massively, and she offers up some advice on what she thinks things will look like in the near future. Resources: Barstool Sports: barstoolsports.com (https://www.barstoolsports.com/) Twitter: twitter.com/EKANardini (https://twitter.com/EKANardini) Instagram: instagram.com/ekanardini (https://www.instagram.com/ekanardini/) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Taylor Johnson plays tennis at UCLA and is the co-founder of FAST (Female Athletes Stand Together) along with the founder of the UCLA chapter of that organization. In this episode, we talk about the experience of growing up playing competitive tennis, being recruited, finding a mentor, and how she brought FAST to UCLA. Her goal is to bring this program to as many schools as possible and have female athletes support each other everywhere. Resources: Instagram: @taylorvjohnson/ (https://www.instagram.com/taylorvjohnson/) @uclafast (https://www.instagram.com/uclafast/) @jointhefast (https://www.instagram.com/jointhefast/) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

I’ve been getting requests for me to be interviewed on the show, so in this episode my friend Alex Myers joins me to ask some questions. We talk about how I started flipping shoes on eBay at the age of nine, the beginning of my podcasting career (while I was still in high school) and my experience with anxiety and panic attacks. We also cover how I sent 300-400 cold emails per day to get great guests for the podcast. While my response rate wasn’t high, Mark Cuban eventually emailed me back, and that was hugely encouraging. My advice for anyone thinking about building a business or pursuing a passion is, start now - there’s never going to be a perfect time and you’re always going to mess up at the beginning.  Resources: trendsetterspodcast.com (https://trendsetters.captivate.fm) vybermedia.com (https://www.vybermedia.com) Instagram: @jesse.kay11 (https://www.instagram.com/jesse.kay11/) Email: jesse@trendsetterspodcast.com (mailto:jesse@trendsetterspodcast.com) (https://cmo.adobe.com/articles/2019/9/your-next-mentor-might-be-half-your-age.html#gs.k8j99l) NextGen Summit (https://www.ngsummit.com) The Tim Ferriss Show (https://tim.blog/podcast) The Joe Rogan Experience (http://podcasts.joerogan.net) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Noah Friedman is the CEO of 3x3 Insights, a Loeb NYC company that provides the beverage alcohol industry with the actionable intelligence, analytics and services to reach every consumer with the right product at the right time. In this episode, we talked about Noah’s role at 3x3 Insights, how he balances his time with everything else he's up to (including building a TV show on the side) and his advice for young entrepreneurs and investors. Noah believes the most important quality of an entrepreneur is the ability to execute so he’s always thinking, what do I want to do, and what is the fastest path to get there and prove that I can do that thing? Resources: info.3x3insights.com/brands (https://info.3x3insights.com/brands) www.loeb.nyc (http://www.loeb.nyc) Instagram: @loebnyc (https://www.instagram.com/loeb.nyc/) www.noahsfriedman.com (http://www.noahsfriedman.com) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

At the age of 18 Aaron Spivak co-founded Revitatize, an organic, cold-pressed juice kitchen serving high quality juices, smoothies and healthy food in Toronto. Since then he has expanded it to eight locations in the Greater Toronto Area.  But two years ago he also launched a brand called Hush Blankets. Hush Blankets make weighted blankets to calm anxiety and help people sleep better. Recently they launched Hush Iced, a cooling weighted blanket for summer.  In this conversation we talk about Hush Blanket’s recent appearance on Dragon’s Den, the Canadian version of Shark Tank, and how Aaron innovates in the cut-throat world of ecommerce.  Resources: www.revitasize.ca (http://www.revitasize.ca) www.hushblankets.com (http://www.hushblankets.com) Instagram: @revitasize (https://www.instagram.com/revitasize) Instagram: @hushblankets (https://www.instagram.com/hushblankets/?hl=en) Instagram: @ehspiv (https://www.instagram.com/ehspiv/?hl=en) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

You may know Matt Halper and Eli Sones from their viral Big Booty Mixes. Together they form the music-making duo Two Friends. They started making music in high school, continued it as a hobby while they were at college then turned it into a real career after they graduated.  Being able to work on their music while they were still at college gave them an opportunity to work on their brand without the pressure of having to make money from it. We discuss how important it is for them to enjoy what they’re doing and make authentic connections with their fans.  Resources: www.twofriendsmusic.com (http://www.twofriendsmusic.com) Upcoming tour dates: www.twofriendsmusic.com/tour (http://www.twofriendsmusic.com/tour) Instagram: www.instagram.com/twofriendsmusic (http://www.instagram.com/twofriendsmusic) SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/twofriendsbigbootie (http://www.soundcloud.com/twofriendsbigbootie) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Matt Coulter started his career in the real estate industry, and he did have some financial success, but he realized it just wasn’t what made him happy. So he pivoted towards the nonprofit space and devoted his energy to helping others through organizations like the BeYOUtiful Foundation and Shop 143. Matt has some great advice for finding what you’re passionate about and creating a life that fills you with joy, which is an opportunity that entrepreneurs have but often don’t take advantage of. Resources: Instagram: instagram.com/matt523 (https://www.instagram.com/matt523/?hl=en) Twitter: twitter.com/matthewcoulter (https://twitter.com/matthewcoulter) Shop 143: shop143.org (https://shop143.org/) BeYOUtiful: beyoutifulfoundation.com (https://www.beyoutifulfoundation.com/) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Jonah Stillman graduated in college in 2017, foregoing college to start his entrepreneurial career. He also competed on the national snowboarding circuit for 10 years, ranking in the top five in the U.S. before hanging up his helmet. Jonah is now one of the leading Gen Z experts, consulting with companies and giving talks about how brands can better connect with the Gen Z consumer, employee, student, donor, and voter. We discuss why went directly into the working world out of high school, how he’s positioned himself as a Gen Z expert, and how balances being a young entrepreneur with his personal life. Resources: Gen Z Guru: www.genzguru.com (https://www.genzguru.com/) Instagram: www.instagram.com/jonah.stillman (https://www.instagram.com/jonah.stillman) Twitter: twitter.com/stillmanjonah (https://twitter.com/stillmanjonah) Ted Jonah’s TEDx: “The phigital world of Gen Z” (https://www.ted.com/talks/jonah_stillman_the_phigital_world_of_gen_z) Read: (https://www.amazon.com/Gen-Work-Generation-Transforming-Workplace/dp/0062475444) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

Jack Settleman works in content at whistle sports, and he’s been doing some really innovative things at the intersection of social media and sports fandom. Most notably, he started SnapBack Sports, formerly Real Sports, a Snapchat community with over one million followers and 100 million views a year. Resources: Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacksettleman (https://www.instagram.com/jacksettleman/) Listen to the SnapBack Sports podcast: wavve.link/snapbackpod (http://wavve.link/snapbackpod) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

I’ve been looking forward to sharing this conversation for a few months now. Why? Because I got to chat with Ed Meyercord, President and CEO of Extreme Networks, a publicly traded company that made nearly a billion dollars in revenue last year.  I actually met Ed on a cross-country flight to San Francisco, we got along, and he was generous enough to come on the show. He’s an incredibly smart guy with a ton of business experience from both Wall Street and the tech world, and I think you’re going to get a lot out of it. Resources: Learn more at https://www.extremenetworks.com/ (https://www.extremenetworks.com/) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ed-meyercord-3316b416/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-meyercord-3316b416/) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media)

A serial entrepreneur, Bob Glazer has a passion for helping individuals and organizations build their capacity to outperform. He does that as the founder and CEO of global performance marketing agency Acceleration Partners, as co-founder and Chairman of BrandCycle, and as a bestselling author. We have a great conversation about youth entrepreneurship, marketing, and where branding is at today. We also talk about Bob’s new book, (https://www.robertglazer.com/elevate/) , which is releasing Oct. 1, 2019. Bob is an inspiration and a role model, and this is a book that every young entrepreneur should consider reading. Resources: Read: (https://www.robertglazer.com/elevate/) Listen: The Elevate Podcast (https://www.robertglazer.com/elevate-podcasts/) Instagram: instagram.com/robertglazer_/ (https://www.instagram.com/robertglazer_/) Twitter: twitter.com/robert_glazer (https://twitter.com/robert_glazer) Facebook: facebook.com/RobertSGlazer (https://www.facebook.com/RobertSGlazer) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media/)

Jeff Fromm is pretty much “the Millennial and Gen-Z marketing guy,” helping businesses and brands understand how youth culture is impacting the marketplace and how every generation consumes things differently. Jeff is the President of FutureCast, a contributing writer for Forbes, and the author of four books, including the new book (https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Advantage-Jeff-Fromm/dp/1940858992) . Resources: Learn more at millennialmarketing.com (http://www.millennialmarketing.com/) Twitter: twitter.com/jefffromm (https://twitter.com/jefffromm) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jefffromm (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefffromm) Read: (https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Advantage-Jeff-Fromm/dp/1940858992) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media/)

From acting to food to healthy living to journalism, Reed Alexander has had quite a career — and he’s still only 24! You might have seen Reed in his role as Nevel on Nickelodeon's iCarly, but more recently, he’s been writing about healthcare, lifestyle, and human interest for publications like CNN, BBC, WSJ Digital. Reed shares how he found success in multiple industries (in a relatively short period of time) and the role passion plays in his success before we segue to the extremely serious and important topics of mental health and gun violence. Resources: Check out reedalexander.com (http://reedalexander.com/) Instagram: www.instagram.com/therealreedalexander (https://www.instagram.com/therealreedalexander/) Twitter: twitter.com/reedalexander (https://twitter.com/reedalexander) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media/)

At 18 years old, a month before he graduated high school, Josh Lafazan became a member of his local school board – the first step in his political career. Josh is now a Legislator for the 18th District of the Nassau County Legislature, as well as a professor at Long Island University and the author of (https://www.amazon.com/Political-Gladiators-Millennials-Navigate-Minefield/dp/0692592083) He’s still young and he’s still early in his political career, but he’s already making laws for 1.3 million people and I think he’s going to be an inspiration for a lot of young politicians over the next few years. Resources: Learn more at www.joshlafazan.com (https://www.joshlafazan.com/) Instagram: instagram.com/joshlafazan (https://www.instagram.com/joshlafazan/) Twitter: twitter.com/joshlafazan (https://twitter.com/joshlafazan) Facebook: facebook.com/JoshLafazan (https://www.facebook.com/JoshLafazan/) Read: (https://www.amazon.com/Political-Gladiators-Millennials-Navigate-Minefield/dp/0692592083) Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media/)

John Catsimatidis, Jr. is Principal at the Red Apple Group. a conglomerate that owns and operates assets in the energy, real estate, finance, insurance, and supermarket industries. In addition to his involvement in the operations of portfolio companies, John also leads the investment team which looks at both private and public opportunities. We talk about what he’s learned as Principal of Red Apple Group, his thoughts on investing, and his advice for anyone just entering college or the workforce. Resources: Learn more at ragny.com (http://ragny.com/) Instagram: www.instagram.com/johncatsjr (https://www.instagram.com/johncatsjr/) Twitter: twitter.com/johncatsjr (https://twitter.com/johncatsjr?lang=en) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-catsimatidis-jr-a144a16b/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-catsimatidis-jr-a144a16b/) (https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Game-Hidden-Asymmetries-Daily/dp/042528462X) by Nassim Nicholas Taleb7 Trendsetters is a production of (http://crate.media/)

We learn how Adam Schefter, a sports journalist and NFL Insider at ESPN, made his way up the ranks of the sports journalism world, how the news industry is changing, and how anyone can make themselves matter where they work (or want to work), regardless of their role. Resources: Instagram: instagram.com/adamschefter (https://www.instagram.com/adamschefter/?hl=en) Twitter: twitter.com/AdamSchefter (https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter) Facebook: facebook.com/AdamSchefter (https://www.facebook.com/AdamSchefter) (https://www.amazon.com/Man-Never-Met-Memoir/dp/1250161894) by Adam Schefter and Michael Rosenberg Check out Trendsetterspodcast.com (http://trendsetterspodcast.com/) Trendsetters with Jesse Kay is a production of (http://crate.media/)

19-year-old entrepreneur Jesse Kay interviews world class entrepreneurs, athletes, influencers, and entertainers on how they broke through to the top and became a trendsetter in their industry.

Buster Scher is the Founder of HoopsNation, a massive influencer with a combined network of 1.2 million followers, and a 17-year-old senior in high school. He’s done an insane amount of work in just a few short years, from interning for Gary V to hosting a weekly basketball show, and it’s such a cool story that I can’t wait to share with all of you. We talk about how HoopsNation first garnered a following through viral videos on Facebook, why they had to transition to other social media platforms (like Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat) to keep growing their following, and how you can start building your own following or side hustle. Resources: Check out (http://hoopsnations.com/) Connect with HoopsNation on IG: @hoopsnation Watch HoopsNation: youtube.com/channel/UCj1MZZsmABsFmtM3sV-hoKw Connect with Buster: (https://www.instagram.com/bustascher/?hl=en)

Today I have a guest I’ve wanted to share with all of you for a long time: Brian Kay, an entrepreneur of over 20 years, a serial mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, and my father. Brian has some great stories about raising an entrepreneurial (and anxious) kid, plus exceptional advice for both ambitious young adults experiencing adversity and their parents. Resources: Connect with Brian on LinkedIn Check out (http://mysetsolutions.com/) 20 Under 20s Podcast is produced by Podcast Masters

Will Hamilton is a former professional college tennis player who co-founded Fuzzy Yellow Balls, the ultimate destination for recreational players seeking the highest quality tennis instruction from the biggest names in the game. We discuss how Will partners up with tennis all stars like The Bryan Bros and Martina Navratilova, how you might be able to partner up with influencers in your industry, the process behind a successful product launch, building your story brand, and Will’s advice for a young entrepreneur who wants to take their first step. Resources: Check out (https://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/) Connect with Will: Facebook | Twitter The Titan Mastermind: titansmastermind.com Learn more about launching at jeffwalker.com 20 Under 20s Podcast is produced by Podcast Masters

I just met Zack Hopkins a few weeks ago at Generation Now in Toronto, and this guy has an incredible story: he’s 23, CEO & Founder of Hoppy2U, host of Build it Better, and one of the youngest general contractors in the U.S. Like many young entrepreneurs, Zack wants to have a positive impact on the world. “From a very young age, I really understood that I enjoy money, service, and helping people – and when all of those three things are able to come in at the same time, I just felt very passionate about being able to do that again and again and again.” There are two big things that Zack suggests to a young entrepreneur: First, find what you’re good at – and your late teen years is the perfect time to do this self-discovery. Then find a mentor who can help you get even better at that thing. It doesn’t have to, like Zack, be your parent – just find someone who has been there before and gone through what you’re going through. Resources: Check out (https://hoppy2u.com/) Connect with Zack on Instagram: @hoppy2u Listen to Build it Better: builditbetterpodcast.com

Steve Krein is not only an entrepreneur and the CEO & Co-Founder of StartUp Health, he’s also a long-time mentor of mine. Steve understands how important it is for our generation to start learning about and being entrepreneurs now, and in this episode, he has some great tips on how we can start learning and making a big difference in this world. Steve has set his entrepreneurial mind to fixing healthcare. StartUp Health is an amazing organization – they are organizing and supporting a global army of Health Transformers on a 25-year mission to improve the health and well-being of everyone in the world. StartUp Health has the world’s largest digital health portfolio at more than 175 companies spanning 5 continents, 16 countries and 70 cities. “I love the fact that entrepreneurship is not only talked about but practice in high school, middle school, or even elementary school now. Just imagine a lifelong ability to do exactly what you love, with the people you love, on the terms that you set out for yourself.” Resources: Check out (https://www.startuphealth.com/) Connect with Steve: (https://twitter.com/stevenkrein)

Jesse Itzler is a rapper turned entrepreneur. It might seem like an odd transition, music to private aviation (and beyond), but Jesse wasn’t exactly following a plan – he was following his love for doing something new and different. After some success with his first entrepreneurial ventures, Jesse found himself a guest on a private jet. He enjoyed the experience, predictably, and figured other people would like that experience too. So Jesse transitioned out of music and co-founded Marquis Jets, one of the largest private jet companies in the world, which has since been acquired by Berkshire Hathaway. Jesse has been hustling on quite a few projects since then – including writing the New York Times bestseller Living With a SEAL: 31 Days Training With the Toughest Man on the Planet – and he has learned that there are some constants, in every industry: Things take time. Creating anything worth having takes a large investment of time and energy. Focus on the product, and differentiate yourself by being the best; make yourself irreplaceable. Be authentic. What makes you different? Through trial and error, build a winning formula for yourself. Try a lot of things, especially while you’re young! After you learn what you like, you can perfect it and then cash in on it (with time, of course). Don’t take the easy route, and don’t be afraid to take risks while you’re young. Resources: Learn more at (http://jesseitzler.com/) Connect with Jesse: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Living With a SEAL: 31 Days Training With the Toughest Man on the Planet Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

Today I have an incredible, double stuffed episode for you: The first half is a conversation with Jack Dorsey, CEO & Founder of Twitter, and the second half features Leslie Berland, CMO & Head of People at Twitter. Jack shares the story behind starting Twitter, how he’s helping people make the sale with Square, his thoughts on entrepreneurship as a whole, what he’s learned from failure, and his advice for getting starting as a young, aspiring entrepreneur. Leslie discusses her career journey, leaving your comfort zone, growth mindset VS fixed mindset, who you surround yourself with, work-life balance, positioning Twitter in the social media landscape, movements starting on Twitter, and her single biggest piece of advice for aspiring marketers. Resources: Connect with Jack: @jack Connect with Leslie: @leslieberland 20 Under 20s Podcast is produced by Podcast Masters

Paul “P-Rod” Rodriguez is a professional skateboarder-turned-entrepreneur and Founder of (https://primitiveskate.com/) . Even as a skater, it’s not all fun and games – you have to be a business person, first and foremost, if you want to succeed. Paul shares the mindset he’s used to crush it in the skating world, how he started his career before turning 12, what it takes to be a pro, how he constantly pursues his best, and what it takes to stand out online. Resources: Learn more about Paul at (http://prod84.com/) Check out (https://primitiveskate.com/) Connect with Paul: (https://www.instagram.com/prod84/)

Phil Romano is an American restaurateur, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder of the restaurant chains Fuddruckers and Romano's Macaroni Grill, and his newest endeavors are a restaurant incubator in Dallas called Trinity Groves and an awesome concept for young entrepreneurs: The Network Bar. Phil shares the five principles he believes you need to be a good person (or a good business), what separates his most successful restaurant ideas from his least successful ideas, and how he ended up being one of the first people to invest in the heart stent (which ended up saving his life decades later), why he is so MAD, and how The Network Bar facilitates mentorship for young entrepreneurs. Resources: The Network Bar Trinity Groves Hunger Busters

I’m pumped to share this conversation with Aaron Spivak, a hockey player turned serial entrepreneur. When Aaron was 18, he founded Revitzsize Cold Pressed Juice Kitchen, which has grown from an in-house family operation to a business with seven locations throughout the greater Toronto area in just three-and-a-half years (with more locations opening up soon). Aaron also co-founded Hush, a recently launched anxiety blanket company aiming to help people with sleep anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, and more. The Spivak family didn’t start making juices because they wanted to build a business – they just wanted to address some of their own health problems, and get a little more energy as athletes. However, other people started seeing the positive benefits and asking about the juices. “They just wanted the product, and we were just so happy to give it to them.” Juice bars and blankets may not seem like they have anything in common, but Aaron has “a crazy passion for providing people with a product that’s going to benefit their life.” These businesses aren’t succeeding through great marketing, exceptional salespeople, or big billboards – they just sell a product so good that early customers want to tell someone else about it. Resources: Learn more at (https://www.revitasize.ca/) Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn

Barney Waters is the President of K-Swiss, responsible for all aspects of sales, product, and marketing for the brand globally. Barney is a genius in the branding space, and he has completely revitalized and transformed the K-Swiss brand. He also has some awesome advice for any young entrepreneur or hustler who want to run their own brand or business. Previously, Barney was the Chief Marketing Officer for K-Swiss. However, to really make an impact with the brand, he had to take it to the next level: connecting the sales with the branding and storytelling. That’s when things really started to click. The shoe market moves really quickly, so you have to stay ahead of the game to stay competitive; “you can’t follow the formula set by your incumbents.” So instead of looking for rappers and pro athletes to compete with Adidas and Nike, Barney looked towards the entrepreneur space – and Gary V. We’re in a new era of entrepreneurship, characterized by young people like us who want to create and run our own businesses and brands. There’s a massive shift in the aspirations of young people, but one thing hasn’t changed: we still want to look good. Barney capitalized on that opportunity, moving to inspire the outfits of the next generation of entrepreneurs. Gary V was an obvious fit. And so far, this partnership has even exceeded Barney’s expectations – Gary V’s first custom K-Swiss sneaker crashed their website, a second released at the end of February, and there are plans for at least one more custom sneaker this year. There’s a lot more coming in the next year, as K-Swiss continues to make moves in the entrepreneurial space. I’m really excited to see where things go, and I think you’ll see K-Swiss blowing up in 2018. Resources: Connect with Barney: Twitter | Instagram Follow K-Swiss: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Rick Sapio is a lifelong entrepreneur who started his first company when he was 13 years old, after the untimely death of his father. Since then, he has founded more than 20 companies. One of those companies is Mutual Capital Alliance, a financial holding company that has made more than 100 investments over the past 24 years. Rick didn’t necessarily grow up around entrepreneurship. His life was changed over the course of one conversation, when a mentor showed him that accomplishing more is possible (if you learn the necessary skills). Without that mentorship, Rick may never have realized his potential – and it’s just as important for us to find mentors today. Luckily, there is a lot of opportunity for mentorship these days! With the internet, we have access to everyone – you just have to try. “Too many kids today keep their head down, instead of their head up, and you miss a lot of opportunities looking down.” Rick defines being entrepreneurial as the minute you start taking responsibility for your outcomes; a natural response to the human condition. And he believes that we are all responsible for creating our purpose statement, the ultimate outcome of our lives. “If you haven’t taken the time to figure out the reason why you’re on this Earth (and it’s not going to hit you on the head), then I think, every moment of your life, you’re ripping off the world.” Too many people wait until they’re 30, 40, 50 to find their purpose – but you don’t have to. You can choose to keep your head up and start now. Resources: Learn more at businessfinishingschool.com Watch Rick’s TEDxTalk: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v70XLERDX_M)

Bonin Bough is a transformative activator who helps reinvigorate traditional marketing using innovative tech and ideas. As one of the youngest C-suite executives in a Fortune 50 company, Bonin has spearheaded some of the industry’s largest global marketing campaigns across digital, mobile, television, print, and experiential, for Oreo, Honey Maid, Pepsi, Gatorade, and countless other billion dollar brands. Bonin is also the Host of CNBC’s Cleveland Hustles and the author of Txt Me: Your Phone Has Changed Your Life. Lets Talk about It. Throughout Bonin’s storied career, he was always looking towards the future – and if you want to come up with innovative ideas, a forward-thinking vision is required. “Always be aware of where the puck is going to go; where the future is.” But that’s just the starting point. Innovators (and entrepreneurs) have to not only know where the market is going, but also actively shape the market – and be relentlessly fearless in doing so. “Try to be the person who creates the future. Let’s break everything that we thought yesterday and reinvent it tomorrow.” Resources: Learn more at BBoninBough.com Connect with Bonin: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube

Colin Campbell is Gary Vaynerchuk's personal writer; he produces an article in collaboration with Gary five days a week and runs Gary’s Monday newsletter. Together, Colin and Gary have grown their page from #10 to #1 on Medium, garnering over 70 million views on that page in just three months. Beyond his work at VaynerMedia, Colin also started Life of Thought, a publication celebrating knowledge by discussing the importance of philosophy, education, and ideas. I know a lot of young entrepreneurs, myself included, follow Gary V closely – this conversation offers some incredible insight into how Colin started working at VaynerMedia, what it’s like to work with Gary, and what the experience has taught him about being a better entrepreneur. Resources: Follow Life of Thought: Medium | Instagram | Twitter | Read even more of Colin’s work at medium.com/@garyvee Production & Development for the 20 Under 20s Podcast by Podcast Masters

Ben Zettler is an experienced social media expert and entrepreneur specializing in brand growth, lead generation, and sales. He oversees social strategy for Steiner Sports, the leading producer of authentic hand-signed collectibles, and is the owner and founder of Brooktide Sunglasses. In addition, Ben provides digital media consulting services to brands and public figures. We discuss how he got into digital marketing, how you can get an online business off the ground (without quitting your day job), and generating leads online. Resources: Learn more at (https://benzettler.com/) Connect with Ben: Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Steiner Sports Brooktide Sunglasses

Mikey Taylor is a professional skateboarder, entrepreneur, and real estate investor. Mikey started skating, like most kids do, when he was a teenager and his friends were doing it – but it really connected with him. He worked with the one kid on his street who owned a camera and started filming tapes (on VHS) so that he could find sponsors and make it a job. His first attempt, around the age of 16, took six months... and no one called him back. So Mikey tried again and tried harder, and this time he got a shoe, clothing, and skate sponsor – and, as it turns out, this determination is the same thing that makes Mikey a great entrepreneur today. He doesn’t take failure as a no, but instead a reason to try even harder. “Failure doesn’t mean the end. Failure is just part of the process for you to get where you want to go. Once I learned that… and started looking at failure as an everyday occurrence, I really started having more success in things other than skateboarding.” Now Mikey is working on two new ventures: an online learning platform and a real estate investment and development company. Over the next 10 years, his vision is to grow those businesses so that he can make an even greater impact – and, ultimately, leverage that impact to change the foster system. Resources: Stay tuned to AvniIntelligence.com Connect with Mikey: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Jason Feifer is the Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine and the host of two podcasts: Pessimists Archive, about the history of unfounded fears of innovation, and Problem Solvers, about how entrepreneurs solve unexpected problems in their business. We discuss how Jason worked his way up to EIC, why Gen Z should learn diverse skills to adapt in today’s unpredictable economy, and the universal experience of entrepreneurs. Great tips from Jason: “You need to think about what you’re learning, not just how impressive or how cool a job is.” As long as you’re learning, you’re doing great. When there’s nothing else to learn, it’s time to move on. Seek our diverse experiences so that you can learn diverse skills; Freelance, volunteer, and work with a variety people so that you can learn many skills, in different fields. “We’re not in a predictable economy right now.” If you want to succeed as an entrepreneur, you have to be a self-starter. “A lot of people have dreams and aspirations, but they don’t actually get the car out on the road and start driving it… You have to earn attention, and you have to be so great that people want to talk about you.” Ambition is great, but you also have to keep at whatever you set your mind to! Finding success – especially online – is a marathon, not a sprint. “The people who are resilient and really do hustle and stay with it and keep pounding on that door – those people get through. That counts for a lot.” Everyone in any form of business is in the customer service business – all the time! Resources: Learn more at (https://www.jasonfeifer.com/) Connect with Jason: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Listen: Pessimists Archive Listen: Problem Solvers Read: “What the Stars of Impractical Jokers Can Teach You About Teamwork and Risk”

Today’s guest is inspiring for anyone who feels like there’s not enough time to get things done. Trevor Booker is a Power Forward for the Philadelphia 76ers (previously the Brooklyn Nets) in the NBA, but that’s not all – he’s also a Founding Partner of JB Fitzgerald Venture Capital and a serial entrepreneur. On top of all that, he’s a husband and a father of four. So don’t be afraid to dream big, and dare to do a lot – it IS possible, and there is definitely enough time in the day if Trevor manages to get all of that done. Resources: Check out JB Fitzgerald Venture Capital: jbfitzgerald.com

Josh Levin is the Founder of Empowered Electric, a commercial electric company that specializes in high-end projects like restaurants, theaters, and other large spaces. Josh is taking an unconventional approach to building a company in an old school industry, and he’s seen tremendous success over the past three years. Josh had a rough childhood, and he grew up being told that he would fail due to his circumstances. But, early on, Josh had his first taste of being an entrepreneur – and he was hooked on the empowering freedom that it offered. Although he often had to work twice as hard as someone else to get the same results, he developed grit and discipline that are now invaluable as a business owner. Josh later had an opportunity to apprentice with an electrician, and this was hugely impactful – unlike college, where you pay to learn, apprenticeships and internships will pay you to learn a skill. He worked harder than anybody else, and it paid off. “Have a great attitude and work your ass off, and you will get noticed.” Josh stayed with that company for 10 years before founding his Empowered Electric, but he realized that he had to make more money if he wanted to make a bigger impact and empower other people who grew up being told they would fail – and that’s why he named his company Empower. Resources: Learn more about Empowered Electric: empoweredkc.com Connect with Josh: Instagram | Twitter Production & Development for the 20 Under 20s Podcast by Podcast Masters

John Ruhlin is the Founder & CEO of the Ruhlin Group, a gift strategy and logistics company, and the bestselling author of Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention. John’s Ah-Ha Moment As a kid, John’s life changed when he started working for Cutco – not because he was selling great knives, but because he knew a very generous businessman and they worked out a gift-giving deal. They started sending gift boxes that included both pocket knives and kitchen knives to the CEOs of multimillion dollar companies. When John asked why they were sending kitchenware to high-powered CEOs, he was told, “If you take care of the entire family, everything else in business seems to take care of itself.” By the time John got to college, he was the best salesman in the history of Cutco (and found a new niche). “Nobody was teaching business leaders how to leverage gratitude as a competitive advantage in business.” –John Ruhlin If you want to start giving better gifts and leveraging gratitude in your life, check out The Top 10 Worst Gifts to Avoid Giving at giftologybook.com/jesse. Resources: Download The Top 10 Worst Gifts to Avoid Giving: giftologybook.com/jesse Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention

Right out of school, AJ Vaynerchuk and his brother Gary co-founded VaynerMedia. Together, they grew that business from two people to over 600. Now AJ is following his passion for sports with a new venture, VaynerSports. We talk about transitioning from one company to the other, and why you don’t have to (and shouldn’t) wait to be an entrepreneur – you can do it in high school, and it’s never been easier than it is today. Resources: Learn more at (http://www.vaynersports.com/) Connect with AJ on Twitter

Gary Vaynerchuk tells us how Gen Z can hustle harder and sooner than ever before, thanks to the increased connectivity of the digital age. Resources: GaryVaynerchuk.com Connect with Gary V: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube Production & Development for the 20 Under 20s Podcast by Podcast Masters

Grant Cardone is a New York Times bestselling author, international speaker, business innovator, social media personality, and one of the best sales trainers in the world. Grant doesn’t see Generation Z as kids – he sees us as Giants ready to conquer the world, and he has some great advice to help you, as he says, “Go get that money, man!” Resources: Connect with Grant: GrantCardone.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Read Grant’s books: The 10X Rule The Closer’s Survival Guide The Millionaire Booklet Production & Development for the 20 Under 20s Podcast by Podcast Masters

Jeff Hoffman is a successful entrepreneur, proven CEO, worldwide motivational speaker, published author, Hollywood film producer, and even the producer of a Grammy-winning jazz album. He has been part of a number of well-known companies and billion-dollar startups, including Priceline.com. uBid.com, ColorJar, and more. Jeff now spends most of his time mentoring entrepreneurs, and in this episode he shares valuable tools that the most ambitious and hard-working individuals in Gen Z (that’s you!) can use to design their own future through entrepreneurialism. Driven by Desire Jeff isn’t driven by some innate entrepreneurial trait – his entrepreneurialism stems from wanting something he doesn’t have, which no one will give to him. So it isn’t about simply being born an entrepreneur, but instead having a goal that requires a lot of work hard to achieve. For example, Jeff started his first company on the second day of college. He went to a school that he couldn’t afford (Yale), but he wanted that degree and there was no other way to get it. His only options were giving up (which wasn’t really an option) or buckling down and making some money, because no one else was going to give it to him. Over the years, Jeff has noticed that this is a trend: the most successful entrepreneurs are driven by a goal greater than their income. Failure is Part of the Process If you never fail, you’re just not pushing hard enough; people that push the edge trip and fall. You shouldn’t necessarily celebrate failure, but you should accept it, shake it off, and keep going. Networking is Necessary You won’t get far in any industry if you don’t have connections, and that means you have to go meet people. You won’t meet people sitting in your dorm, at home, or at your desk. Just showing up isn’t enough – you have to be engaged and listen, and not just at networking events. You should build your network all the time, everywhere you are. You will probably have to get out of your comfort zone, but that’s okay – if you’re driven by a goal greater than yourself, you’ll put in the work. At Launch: Focus on a Short-Term Plan, Create Long-Term Architecture Startup founders generally need to focus on the first two years before they concern themselves with years three, four, and five. If they don’t perform well in those first two years, they won’t have a third. However, founders also need to lay down a solid foundation for growth. Think about scale, and make sure the architecture you put in place will allow it… but don’t worry about implementing it until you have a small business. Resources: Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn Learn more about (http://colorjar.com/)