American reality television series
POPULARITY
Categories
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Nick Friedman is the co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, one of the most recognizable home service brands in the country. What started as a college summer side hustle has grown into a $300 million national franchise with more than 100 locations. Nick is also the bestselling author of Effortless Entrepreneur and host of the Hunks Talking Junk podcast. In this episode, he shares the lessons behind scaling a simple service business, building systems that last, and why execution—not flashy ideas—is often the greatest competitive advantage. On this episode we talk about: How College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving grew from a summer side hustle into a $300 million franchise Why branding, customer experience, and execution matter more than having a revolutionary business idea The power of systems, SOPs, and checklists for scaling any business Lessons learned from franchising, appearing on the very first episode of Shark Tank, and building through economic downturns Why resourcefulness may be the most valuable entrepreneurial skill in the age of AI Top 3 Takeaways You don't need to invent the next tech unicorn to build wealth—improving a "boring" business with better branding, systems, and customer service can create extraordinary results. Sustainable growth comes from documenting processes, empowering great people, and continually refining your systems rather than relying on founder hustle alone. Resourcefulness consistently beats raw intelligence. Entrepreneurs who adapt, solve problems creatively, and execute relentlessly will outperform those with the best ideas. Notable Quotes "Execution is a strategy." "Developing systems is something we do—it's not something we did." "If you can do it just slightly better than the alternative on a consistent basis, you win over time." Connect with Nick Friedman: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickfriedman1/ Website: https://nickfriedman.com College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: https://www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/ Podcast: Hunks Talking Junk A Word from Our Sponsors: - Visit DrinkAG1.com/TMM to get a free AG1 Travel Case with 7 free AG1Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order while supplies last. - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Wealth Preservation Architecture: Deferring Capital Gains Tax and Maximizing Exit Equity with Brett SwartsIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Brett Swarts, the Founder and CEO of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, to examine the severe tax liabilities that threaten high-net-worth business exits and real estate transactions. Brett, a leading wealth preservation strategist, commercial real estate expert, and author of Building a Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan, details how traditional tax-deferral mechanisms like the 1031 exchange frequently limit investor flexibility and expose assets to market volatility. This conversation provides a comprehensive, data-backed operational guide for founders, real estate investors, and M&A advisors who want to legally defer 33% to 40% in combined capital gains taxes, retain capital compounding power, and construct flexible, long-term estate planning frameworks using the Deferred Sales Trust (DST).The Asset Preservation Paradigm: Unlocking Compound Growth and Flexible Liquidity Through Deferred Sales TrustsThe primary operational oversight committed by founders and real estate investors during an asset liquidity event is delaying tax-deferral architecture until after a transaction closes. In high-tax jurisdictions where combined federal, state, and depreciation recapture taxes routinely consume 33% to 40% of net profits, selling an appreciated asset without an established exit structure results in an immediate, permanent destruction of capital. While many investors default to a traditional 1031 exchange to defer real estate taxes, this rigid framework forces buyers into strict 45-day identification windows and 180-day closing deadlines, often compelling them to overpay for replacement properties in inflated markets. Implementing an installment sale framework via a Deferred Sales Trust before closing removes these rigid timelines entirely, allowing the full proceeds of a business or real estate sale to be reinvested into diversified stocks, bonds, or new entrepreneurial ventures tax-deferred.Executing a Deferred Sales Trust requires a disciplined structural pivot where the seller transfers ownership of the business or real estate asset to an irrevocable third-party trust in exchange for a customized promissory note. The trust subsequently executes the final transaction with the end buyer, receiving cash proceeds while issuing structured, tax-deferred note payments to the original seller over a multi-year horizon. Because capital gains taxes are triggered only on the principal payments actually received by the seller, the remaining capital inside the trust compounds tax-deferred at its full value. This strategic separation of asset ownership from liquidity streams allows high-net-worth founders to secure predictable passive income, diversify their wealth out of concentrated positions, and maintain strategic influence over investment allocations without incurring immediate tax penalties.Furthermore, leveraging specialized trust structures provides enterprise leaders with critical ancillary benefits, including robust asset protection against future litigation and the systematic reduction of estate tax liabilities. As the global market prepares for unprecedented multi-trillion-dollar wealth transfers driven by retiring business owners, financial advisors, brokers, and CPAs who master advanced capital gains tax-deferral strategies gain a massive competitive advantage. By offering clients viable alternatives to strict 1031 exchanges or immediate tax hits, advisors can unlock trapped equity, preserve multi-generational wealth, and build long-term client retention. When early tax planning, rigorous legal compliance, and flexible trust administration are synthesized into a single exit architecture, business owners eliminate transactional drag, shield their capital, and predictably maximize their enterprise equity.About Brett SwartsBrett Swarts is the Founder and CEO of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, a commercial real estate veteran, an international speaker, and an expert in capital gains tax-deferral frameworks. Drawing from years of hands-on experience facilitating complex real estate transactions and business exits, Brett specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals navigate tax traps and preserve wealth. He is the author of Building a Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan (featuring a foreword by Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington) and host of the Capital Gains Tax Solutions Podcast, dedicated to helping business owners and advisors unlock financial freedom through advanced trust structures.About Capital Gains Tax SolutionsCapital Gains Tax Solutions is an elite corporate tax advisory firm and wealth preservation agency engineered to help real estate investors, business founders, and high-net-worth individuals legally defer capital gains taxes. The company specializes in delivering customized Deferred Sales Trust (DST) frameworks, exit strategy coaching, estate tax planning, and advisor partnership programs. Through structured legal compliance, third-party trust administration, and comprehensive wealth strategy blueprints, Capital Gains Tax Solutions enables sellers across complex asset classes to eliminate tax friction and maximize their net-worth compounding potential.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeCapital Gains Tax Solutions Official Website: capitalgainstaxsolutions.comBrett Swarts on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brett-swartsKey Episode HighlightsThe Pre-Close Timing Rule: Why exit planning must be executed prior to closing a transaction to legally defer capital gains liabilities and protect wealth.Overcoming the 1031 Exchange Bottleneck: Utilizing the Deferred Sales Trust to bypass strict 45-day identification windows and reinvest in non-real estate asset classes.The Installment Sale Mechanics: Deferring 33% to 40% in combined federal and state taxes by selling assets to a trust in exchange for a structured promissory note.Multi-Generational Estate Tax Protection: Shielding large transaction proceeds from estate taxes and creditors while setting up seamless inheritance structures for heirs.The $124 Trillion Advisory Opportunity: Equipping financial advisors, M&A brokers, and CPAs with advanced tax-deferral strategies to win high-net-worth B2B clients.ConclusionThe conversation with Brett Swarts underscores that maximizing the value of a business exit or real estate sale is an intentional architectural process rather than a post-transaction accounting exercise. By standardizing internal exit governance, replacing rigid exchange models with flexible trust structures, and acting well before the deal closes, business leaders can transform a massive tax burden into a highly structured, self-sustaining wealth preservation engine.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur
Send us Fan MailSteven Szymeczek joins the podcast to share a career shaped by curiosity, hands-on learning, and a willingness to explore new opportunities. He traces his path from taking apart gadgets as a child to manufacturing crop-duster components early in his career, designing aircraft interiors, and eventually launching his own product development business. Steven and Aaron discuss the realities of moving from engineering into entrepreneurship, including learning how to communicate with customers, build a dependable network of manufacturing partners, price projects appropriately, and avoid overextending yourself to win the wrong work. Steven also shares the story of an early product-development client whose invention eventually appeared on Shark Tank, along with the lessons he learned about translating an entrepreneur's vision into a manufacturable product. The conversation also explores the rapid evolution of additive manufacturing, from the unreliable desktop printers of the early days to today's fast, accessible systems. Steven explains the differences between technologies such as Multi Jet Fusion and selective laser sintering, why polymer powder-bed fusion is becoming more accessible, and how rapid prototyping enables engineers to fail early, learn quickly, and improve designs faster. Finally, Steven describes his work at Boise State University, where he teaches additive manufacturing and leads a product development lab that gives students experience working on real client projects. From 3D-printed combat robots to medical devices and entrepreneurial product concepts, Steven is helping the next generation of engineers build practical skills, embrace experimentation, and enter their careers with meaningful hands-on experience. LINKS: Steven Szymeczek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-m-szymeczek-0a33608a/ Aaron Moncur, host PDX 2026 is October 20-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Attendee tickets are 50% off August 3-7 only. Learn more and register at https://pdexpo.engineer/ Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.usWatch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus
We're rolling out the ideas that'll make you (Us) millions on this episode! Listen in to the best ideas money can shamelessly exploit. They're so good, we have an unexpected guest try and LITERALLY take them.Tap InSend us Questions and comments:allpointsquestions@gmail.comFor exclusive All Points Content check us out on our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AllPointsPodcast***USE PROMO CODE "AllPoints" TO SAVE 10% ON DUBBY ENERGY***https://www.dubby.gg/Follow us on:https://www.tiktok.com/@allpointspodcasthttps://www.facebook.com/allpointspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/allpointspodcast/
Kacie's tallow threatens to tear the family apart in the most bland way possible on The McBee Dynasty. Is there any hope for this future Shark Tank reject? Plus, with a Vegas trip looming and an event called Cowboy Christmas to attend (not a Western themed gay orgy, sadly), the family must weather a new challenge: the most pessimistic rumor EVER about Steven Jr. and Kacie. Grab your oversized coffee beverage: it's time to recap the dullest show on Bravo. To watch this recap on video, listen to our bonus episodes, sign up for our free weekly newsletter and get ad free listening, go to Patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens. Find bonus episodes at patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens and follow us on Instagram @watchwhatcrappens @ronniekaram @benmandelker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Take a stroll down FMOFM memory lane as the gang recaps some of Josh's greatest stories for his birthday. On this episode, Josh Mills and Wayne McCarty cover your favorite Florida Man headlines, hear "Shark Tank" style investment opportunities submitted by fans (Part 2), and participate in a quiz called "What Would Josh Do?" where Josh highlights some fan favorite stories in honor of his birthday. Headlines: Elderly Florida man gets arrested for drag racing, elderly Florida man goes to jail for setting his girlfriend on fire, elderly Florida woman gets assigned an inappropriate license plate by the Florida DMV. On mic: Josh Mills, Wayne McCarty, Jess Nieman, Emily Grabill, Luke West Each week, the Florida Men on Florida Man podcast blends comedy with the fascinating legends, lore, and history of the wildest state in the Union: Florida. Learn more at www.fmofm.com Support the show at www.patreon.com/fmofmpodcast
How can building an audience in advance help your stories reach the people who make movies? And how can you prove there's demand for your book or screenplay before you've written it? Brooks Elms shares his advice after more than 20 years as a WGA screenwriter. In the intro, what doesn't work for book marketing and what does [Amy Chan SubStack; Unsingle; Rephonic]; Goodreads giveaway for Bones of the Deep; FutureVision XPrize. This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Brooks Elms is a WGA screenwriter with over 45 scripts, over a dozen sales, and he has directed two indie features. He is the creator of the Answer the Call system and has trained over 1,000 writers. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes How to see the opportunity in AI when others only see the threat How to test a story with samples, and what a 16-second movie can do Building the trailer before you write the screenplay Letting your audience finance the film once they have validated the idea Why Hollywood still wants existing IP, and what makes them pay attention Feeling safe enough to write the truth, and finding a concrete path forward You can find Brooks on LinkedIn or email him at brooks@brookselms.com. Transcript of the interview with Brooks Elms Jo: Brooks Elms is a WGA screenwriter with over 45 scripts, over a dozen sales, and he has directed two indie features. He is the creator of the Answer the Call system and has trained over 1,000 writers. So welcome to the show, Brooks. Brooks: Thank you. It's awesome to be here. Jo: Fantastic. So first up— Tell us a bit more about you and how you got into screenwriting. Brooks: I started filmmaking first. A buddy came up to me in high school and said, “Hey, we're making a karate movie, do you want to help us?” I was like, “Oh my God, yes, that sounds amazing.” So next thing I know, I had this karate outfit on, and we were just making this completely ridiculous and totally fun movie, and it was amazing. It was so fun. Then it went to a whole other level when we shared it with a friend, this guy Jay Sharon, and he watched the movie and he laughed so hard he literally fell out of his chair. I was like, “Oh my God,” the fun I had making it could actually transfer to somebody else. I was hooked. So from there I went to NYU film school, and then made a few independent feature films which were good but not great in terms of how they were received. They were great for me in terms of enjoyment, but I knew I needed to iterate faster at that point. So then I was like, “Well, it's expensive and it takes a long time to make a movie,” at least back then. So I pivoted to screenwriting, and pumped out two, three scripts a year, got signed at UTA, got writing assignments, and basically launched a screenwriting career. Then I still tried to get some stuff going, but it's hard when movies are so expensive. It's not hard, it's just that it takes a lot of precision in the marketing, and a lot of conversations to find the right matches to finance something, and you're either interested in doing that or you're not. I just was like, “Well, I'll just mostly write screenplays.” Then I started teaching at UCLA Extension and then coaching after that, along with writing. Then all the way up to the future. What's great about moving forward is that with AI, shot-making is becoming very close to cinematic quality. You can actually match cinematic quality in moments in some genres, but probably by next year. Right now you could actually do a really good horror movie all AI for 10, 20,000 bucks, depending on how much you're doing yourself or getting other people to do. So the economics are going to absolutely explode. So I'm sitting on dozens of scripts that didn't get through the Hollywood packaging bottleneck because they're too expensive, and I now have this giant slate that's ready to go, and I'm just absolutely thrilled. It's been a lifelong dream for me. Jo: Oh, so much to come back on there. Where to start? I do want to talk about what you just said there, sitting on dozens of scripts and now seeing the opportunity. I actually wrote down in my journal about a year ago, I see what's coming with AI, and I think that the best thing I can do is create as much original IP as possible, so that I can make the most of the opportunity ahead. So let's just get into the AI, because a lot of people feel it's a super bad thing. Talk about the opportunities and the attitude that you've got [around AI], and that you've seen others have around this, for what is ahead in a positive way. Brooks: It's fascinating to see how people respond to AI. I wonder, when the printing press rolled around, if there was some sort of backlash. Books must be handwritten. They can't be mass-produced. Here's one of my theories. At a deep psychological level, it's so profoundly powerful that I think the default setting is, “Oh, crap.” When I was a kid, some things were hard, and that power imbalance, when something big, new and powerful comes along: I'm going to get screwed, and so this is somehow a bad thing. I think that's the base psychological thing going on with most of the noise. Obviously there are some legit problems, in terms of copyright infringement from learning models, or from some of the environmental situation. So I'm not saying it's all rainbows and butterflies, but I think 90% of the noise around it comes from a fear of change. Here's the other one—a fear of, “Oh, yikes, I'm going to get taken advantage of somehow by either robots, or the corporations are going to use the robots against me,” or something like that. I have real empathy for me when I feel that way a little bit, but I don't feel it much, and for other people that do feel it. The other thing is, you know what it is? I think they fear their own empowerment even more. I had a therapist who was really good. He said, people aren't so much afraid of failing as they are afraid of succeeding. Because if we fail, we're stuck in act one and we don't go anywhere. The fear is answering the call and going to act two, when everything effing changes in the new world. So I think people are afraid of how goddamn powerful they're going to be when they can have a team of AI agents helping them do everything they want in business or life or whatever. I think it's the same thing with the internet. People are like, “Oh, I don't like social media, blah, blah, blah.” And I get it. There's a lot of noise and a lot of crap. Yet we have access to billions of people, and the algorithms in social media right now I think are level three out of 10. They're just going to get better and better. Even as it is now, if I do a post about something and it gets ignored, that's on me. The algorithms are trying to match me to my people. So if I'm not unique enough and authentic enough and aware enough of how virality works, that's on me, and it's a learnable skill that I can embrace and then change and then get better at. So I think people then resist that change. They resist the empowerment of learning the art of virality, or learning the art of some sort of social media stuff or whatever. The last thing I'll say about this rant is, I don't want to act like I'm the guru on the hill that has all the answers. I refuse calls all the time. I'm scared about all sorts of things. I'm certainly not perfect. I feel frustrated when I'm trying to put my big ideas into action and I can't get this technology thing to work or that one, and I throw tantrums. I'm trying to come at it from a real human perspective, but by and large, I've got stars in my eyes. I'm like, “This is amazing. This is going to be so powerful.” For so many people, you just have to be ready to embrace it and just go along for the ride, because there's going to be some big-ass changes. There already are, and that's going to accelerate. Jo: You mentioned there learning the art of whatever it is. One of the things is, I've spent 20 years, and so have you, learning our craft and our art, and now it can be done very easily. I'm generating video, as you mentioned, which is a craft I haven't spent 20 years on, but now I can generate. So things have definitely changed in that way. Just coming to the screenwriting side. Probably about a decade ago now, I did my first screenwriting course. I've written screenplays. Then I looked at the game you have to play and, like you said, the conversations you have to have, the events you have to go and network at, all the things that you have to do to put a screenplay in front of the right person at the right time. I was like, “I cannot do that. It's just not going to happen. I can't do that along with everything else.” So I put it aside, but now I feel maybe it's time to bring it back because things are changing. So can you maybe talk about, if someone has a screenplay now that they've written, or some IP like a book that they have now— What would you recommend people do in terms of wanting to get that [IP] in front of somebody, or doing something with it themselves? Brooks: It's such a good question. By the way, not even a screenplay—you could do the same things with a novel. Let me try to be succinct here, which is a good challenge for me. A simple way to look at it is, you're giving samples. Let's say it's a lemonade stand, and you give out a little shot of your… maybe you have cayenne pepper lemonade, some sort of fun lemonade. If you give out a sample and people are into it, they're going to come back and they're going to tell friends. If you give a sample of the lemonade and they're not into it, then you go back to the kitchen and you mix up a different flavour. So that's some basic business, but the internet allows us to do that at scale. So what I like to encourage people to do when I coach them is come up with the minimum viable material. It can be a 10-second clip. There's a writer in my community who made a really beautiful 16-second movie. It's one shot. I love it so much. It's two wine glasses. There's a lipstick smudge on one of the wine glasses. They're half full, and it's just that shot. It's sitting there, and all of a sudden you hear this thundering, thumping down these stairs, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun. Then you see out of the corner of the frame one person runs by, and then the other person behind her runs by and goes, “Wait.” That's it. That's the whole movie. It's 16 seconds. He did that with his phone. So there's so much going on. There's a couple of basic elements, but he just did it with his phone, and you can evoke enormous emotional impact on people through social media, whether it's just words. You guys have a big advantage as novelists because you're so good with words. Whether it's a little bit longer, like sudden fiction, that's a couple of pages or whatever. Even just copywriters are really in a good position for the future because they're super potent with two words or three words or 10 words. Then novelists are probably really advantageous because it doesn't cost anything to just put some words out on the internet. The point is, if you put something out, it's a signal, and you're talking about billions of people who could find that signal. If you do it and then you look at the response, and then you try again, you look at the response, we can do this iteration infinitely for free. So you can do it already. You've been able to do it for 10, 15, 20 years, just with words. But now you're going to basically be able to do that with movies or clips or trailers. So the thing that I'm leading in my community of writers is having people build trailers in advance, or clips. When a book or a movie is done, how the heck do we get people to see it? One way is a trailer or some sort of behind-the-scenes material. You can just do that stuff now before even writing the screenplay. I saw that you were doing this project, a trailer for this competition. And then you mentioned, “Oh, I've got to write the screenplay.” Not really. You have to develop the story enough to know what you're referring to, and then it's about studying the craft of either trailer construction, or whatever the clips are, or viral clips. They all have a structure, and then you just test it. If you enjoy that testing process, which I find absolutely thrilling, it feels like the filmmaking version of a stand-up comedian. If I did stand-up, I say a joke, they laugh or they don't laugh. It's really beautiful feedback from the universe. Nerve-wracking, right? But we can do that now as storytellers. We put a story out there in any format, and the audience responds. Just like you have to read any room, you have to learn how to read the engagement on social media. What do likes mean? What do shares mean? What do comments mean? How do you deal with trolls? All that is just part of the new art. Once you get good at it, holy smokes, that's the key to the kingdom. You can build audiences in advance, and for movies you could even have them finance your movie in advance, if you've built an email list of 20,000, 30,000, 40,000 people because you kept putting out all these viral clips around your story, novel, or screenplay. Then you go, “Okay, now 30,000 people are on my email list and I tell them about me and my perspective and my world. We're going to make this darn thing with AI for 20,000 bucks. You guys have got to pony up some money. Put in a dollar, five, 10, or you get the VIP $500 experience.” It's like crowdfunding, but much more sophisticated, because most crowdfunding was like begging friends and family to donate to your crazy dream. What I'm talking about is going to the audience directly, developing enough of the story, then going to the audience second, and then only when they validate the idea, to the extent that you're happy with. You could do a crazy idea that's going to have a small audience, and you don't have to have a blockbuster audience. You get to pick the audience size that you want, and then put the samples out there and see if you have a relevant audience size for this next project. Once the audience tells you, “Yes, we want this,” then you go make it. So you're ultimately reducing risk to almost zero. It takes time and you have to learn how to do this stuff, but it's thrilling to me because we just have the capacity to test the material and listen to the audience upfront. The last thing I'll say, and I've rambled a lot, I'm sorry. When I made a movie in 1994, a feature film right out of NYU, it took me three years to find out what the audience thought about that movie. I had to make the damn thing, and then I ran out of money, and that took me years to edit it, and I finally got it, blah, blah, blah. And again, I loved it. I loved every facet of it, and it was fine, but it was super inefficient. Today, I could take those same elements, create an AI trailer this weekend, put it in front of hundreds of thousands of people, and they could tell me right away, “This sucks,” or, “This is interesting,” or, “Holy smokes, this is amazing. I want this.” If it's not, “Holy smokes, this is amazing, I want it,” I can go ahead and re-edit the whole damn trailer, and just keep reiterating at almost no cost. Then once the demand is there, I can take that demand and that audience and go to Hollywood, and that's when they're going to want to work with me. Then it doesn't take a million conversations and finding the needle in the haystack, because Hollywood sees the numbers and they go, “Oh, you're the people we do want to do business with. You've proven demand. We want to do business with you.” Jo: Yes, it's so interesting. I can hear people listening and they're like, “Easier said than done, getting an email list of 40,000 people.” And in fact— It's exactly the same as building up a career as an independent author. This is as a filmmaker, as a visual person, and the industry is visual, so doing a visual trailer is the obvious thing. And as you say, the tools I use just to do this one, I use Midjourney, and I've used Seedance as the main video model. It does take a while, but it is pretty fast now, if you have a visual image of what you want in your head, which obviously you're a visual person as well. But is it… Brooks: Hold on. I want to push back on that a little bit, because I think it's really important. So yes, that's true, but underneath that, my friend, it's a relationship. It's the relationship, and the media is secondary. You have been prolific in connecting with your audience, and that's why I think a lot of people like you, because you share and they get to know you in that sort of cadence. I saw you in another podcast, you mentioned Seth Godin, who just said, “Hey, I want to be the type of person that has this relationship with my audience. I'm going to share some of my thoughts every day.” He happened to do it with words, with his background in marketing, but you could do the same thing with still images. You could do the same thing with a five-second movie clip once a week. It's the relationship you want with your fans. I'm not saying you snap your fingers and you have 50,000 people on your email list. What I'm saying is, what else are you doing? If we're artists and our impulse is to create and share, and if you do it in this way, if I can create and share and inspire trust in this relationship with a stranger because they like my genre thing and they like the way they felt when they experienced my media, words, images, movies, it doesn't matter. They just like the feeling, and they go, “Ooh, I want more of that feeling. How do I get more of that? Oh, this person has this email list or community.” If I can do it with one, then I can scale it out. So getting the first one, or the first 5 or 10 samples, that is a whole process. But then once you do that, scaling up is more of a mechanical thing. It's not even that hard, especially when you can do paid ads. So you can scale up very quickly if you have the sauce. If you don't have the sauce, it doesn't matter who you're related to, you've got to get the sauce right. Jo: Yes, and again, it's so parallel to the indie author community. I've just got to ask you, in the olden days, an author might write a screenplay, or a screenwriter write a screenplay, and then they would send it. They'd find an agent. They'd pitch an agent, and I guess then they'd hope that someone would turn that into a movie. So is that just dead now? Is it realistically that you need to get yourself out there, build the audience in the same way that it often is for authors? Brooks: So, no. I've got two screenplay deals going right now. So here's how it's going to work. Think about Broadway, or the theatre district in Britain. It's like West End or East End or whatever… Jo: The West End. Brooks: Sorry for my American ignorance. West End, okay. So every town on the planet has a stage, but there's only one Broadway, there's only one West End, right? And every town has its own festival, but there are a few significant tastemakers. There's Cannes, there's Sundance, there's Toronto. Hollywood is always going to be a tastemaker in our lifetime, for sure. What they don't have anymore, what they enjoyed for the first 100 years of the industry, is that they had a stranglehold on basically the equipment, the financing, and the audience, and that's all going away. Do you want to hear a fun story about the birth of cinema? Do you know why Hollywood started in Hollywood? Jo: No. Brooks: So Thomas Edison invented the camera, or the type of model camera that they were using in, I don't know, 1910 or something around there. They didn't want to pay his patent. They didn't want to pay the patent to make these movies, so they went all the way across the country, a bunch of outlaws, and they set up shop in California because he couldn't enforce his patent that they were basically stealing. And reason number two, LA enjoys amazing weather almost all year round. The weather here is either nice or really nice. You have mountains, you have beach, you have desert, you have all these different locales. So when it was really important to be on location, LA was the perfect place. Anyway, that is all going away. For many decades, more people could make movies. In the early '90s, Robert Rodriguez made a movie for 9,000 bucks. There was a book in the '80s that I bought that I loved, it was Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices. This guy, Rick Schmidt, I think his name was. There were the independent filmmakers really in the '60s and the '70s. So the cost has been going down and down and down, and now it's less than ever. Once social media came along, now you have access to the audience, so why do you even need Hollywood? That being said, there are tons of people. There are 400,000 people already working in the movie and the TV industry here. And they're voracious. We have a voracious demand. Humans need stories. We need big stories, long stories. We need stories, and Hollywood is so good at giving them stories. And so they have a need for these things, and they're still spending a lot of money on those budgets. So yes, there's still a demand for turning books and optioning them and turning them into movies. Books are great. Any sort of existing IP is great because there are marketing efficiencies there. People already know that stuff, know the vibe of it, and so it's easier to market than something that's totally creative and new. When you're spending that much money, you want those marketing efficiencies. They're really important. So the point being, the power is shifting away from Hollywood. Hollywood will still be a tastemaker, but you and me can reach anybody on the planet now. Almost. Billions of people. If it's making a movie, right now you could make a movie that most people wouldn't realise is an AI movie. If it was a horror film, I know a handful of people that could make a feature-length horror film right now with AI and 99% of the audience couldn't tell, if it was professionally written. Jo: I think the point here though is, I'm an author, the people listening are authors, and we don't want to make movies. We want to license our IP to people who want to make movies. Brooks: Yes. Great. Okay, good. So then you could, if you wanted, build an audience. Hollywood loves when something's already proven, so that's that IP thing, right? So if you just have a great book, then it's all about the sales. You guys have Dragons' Den, we have Shark Tank here. And what's amazing about that show is these are people or entrepreneurs pitching an idea, and there's an amazing rhythm that happens. They say, “We've got this great idea. It's this sort of company.” And the sharks, or the dragons, will listen. And there's a huge turning point when they reveal sales. They're either really excited about the idea and then they go, “Well, how are the sales?” And the person goes, “Well, we don't have any sales yet.” And they go, “Uh,” and they're not interested. Or they might even be like, “Eh, it doesn't seem like a good idea.” And they're like, “Well, how are the sales?” And they're like, “Oh, well, we've sold through the roof.” And then all of a sudden they perk up. So it's all about the sales. So step one is writing something that you want. Step two is making sure other people in your target audience are also loving it as much as you do. Step three is proving in some way at scale that there's real demand for it. So you could do that with trailers, you could do that with clips, you can do that as an indie publisher. There's all sorts of things that you can do. Humans are much more persuaded by concrete data than they are by just vibes. So if you can bring Hollywood concrete data of any type, like viral videos, like audience, like obviously bestsellers. Awards mean something, but not quite as much as sales. Then you're going to get Hollywood's attention because that reduces risk for them. So even now, when Hollywood's definitely shrinking and contracting, there's still very significant money being spent because it's a huge demand. If you ever walk around a studio lot, those things are opulent places. It's stunning. Like, how are they paying for all this stuff? These lots are enormous. It's because humanity is voracious for stories, and movies are one premium type of storytelling. The demand for stories is steady if not going up. It's just that we have a wider variety of types of stories that we can do, whether we're an indie author. So anyway, did I answer the question? You get me too excited with these questions, Jo. It's a problem. Jo: Yes. I think there's a lot of opportunity and a lot of ways in, but the parallels with being an indie author I think are quite clear. One of the things I found interesting about your profile and what you do is that you help clients who are already accomplished but not quite breaking through, and that sounds like a lot of mid-list indie authors, probably a lot of mid-list screenwriters, mid-list filmmakers. This is a hard place to be because, on the one hand, we are grateful for what we have achieved and what we can do, and yet wanting more, wanting that big Hollywood deal or the Netflix deal, or wanting the massive bestseller or whatever. So if someone wants to get to that next level, what are some of the ways that they can perhaps try and get there? Brooks: It's a great question. Coaching is a really wonderful way to learn anything of this sort of complexity and challenge, especially if it's a hyper-competitive business. We need two things, I think, to write a great novel or screenplay or both. A, we need to feel profoundly safe in our space. If we can't really feel deeply authentic about the things that are embarrassing, or that we feel shame about, or just our shadows, or anything that we don't feel completely comfortable saying and sharing in public usually. We need to be able to touch those things, and be articulate about those things, and that's one part of it. Then we need a concrete path forward. Maybe you're thinking about some tragedy that you had in childhood, and how you dealt with it and how difficult that was. So you need to be able to be real precise in those observations about what it felt like, and how you tried to compensate for it, and that didn't work and it made it worse. Whatever your observations are about your life journey, you need to be really specific and really deeply felt. A good coaching relationship allows you to be in that space, to be really honest with yourself and authentic. g Aood coach will push you back and say, “You know what? That sounds interesting, but maybe not quite as true to you deeply.” So that's one piece of it. Then there's a concrete path forward. You need to have the emotional access to that truth, and then you need to know what to do with that truth in a step-by-step way. Because most people, the ones that you're talking about, they're accomplished in something else. What happens is when we first start writing, and maybe this happens with novelists, but for sure it happens to screenwriters, you just start typing words. But you haven't really thought through the theme, the concept, the structure, the character, all the deeper questions that really matter. The milestones, like a North Star: winning a major award, or getting a publisher. That's the direction that we're heading towards, and then you set it and forget it, but you want to keep checking it every week, every month or whatever. But you want it very specific. “I would like to sell a book, or sell a book to Hollywood, or write a screenplay, or get a producer attached to a screenplay.” Whatever the milestone is, make it really specific, really concrete, and then reverse engineer. This is what I do on the concrete path. I reverse engineer every step to get there, starting with a really tiny one we can do today, and I make sure they feel really safe, and then we just walk through. Then what happens is, if you do that, if you feel safe, if you're showing up authentically and you have a process that's repeatable, not just willy-nilly, it's got to be something that's proven to work. It wasn't an accident I wrote 45 scripts. I've got a whole system. But by the way, the first five scripts took me forever. The last movie that I made took me three years to write that script. I can write a better script with those same elements in three months now, because I know I have a concrete path. So if you want to do something new, whether it's playing the piano or getting six-pack abs or writing a screenplay, work with somebody who's got a system that's already proven, and make sure you relate to them, and then just follow the system. Then when the doubts come up, and they will, that's where the feeling safe is really important. Because, oh, I want the six-pack abs, but I don't feel like going to the gym. I want the extra donut. If I'm working with a really good trainer, they go, “Dude, do you want the six-pack abs or not?” And then you go back and forth, and I go, “Okay, now I can make peace with myself and say I can take one tiny bite of the donut and then still do my workout,” and then I'm moving towards that North Star. Does that make sense? Jo: Yes. I think, like many independents, I resist anything that is systematised. I'm a discovery writer, and I follow the muse, and all of that kind of thing. I think I would say something in a similar vein, which is sustainable creativity for the long term, because your 45 scripts are also years of work, and my books are years of work, and we get better at what we do. So my system, I do have a system really, because— My system is that I do the work, and I write my stories, and I get them out there, and I do the marketing. So even if it's not as systematised as such, it's still a process that I have repeated over and over again. Brooks: That's fascinating to me. Would you consider yourself a pantser? You're like, “I've got an idea,” and you just start writing? Jo: I don't use the word pantser. I guess I call it discovery writing, which is… Brooks: That's a better term. Jo: Yes. What I'm writing for this prize, for example, I know the characters, I know now what's happening. When I had the idea, it was very much a vision and a theme, and the competition has a theme: a positive future with AI and technology. But the things that came around that, I then started playing with ideas around the treatment. I haven't written the screenplay yet. I don't do a plot, or I don't follow Save the Cat or any of that kind of thing. When I write a novel, I just explore and I never write in order. Then at some point I stop and then I have to think about the structure and putting it all together, so the edits are quite big. But my fun is in that discovery, really. Brooks: Oh, that's awesome. Okay, so let me ask, that's really fascinating. And by the way, that doesn't, to me, negate the system that I use. The one that I use is ultimately… the thing is, these questions, the audience is wanting your unique answers to. You don't necessarily need to do it in a certain order. I think that's actually really cool that you write out of order and you have a few elements in mind. All that stuff sounds awesome. The only thing that then makes me curious is, how's your pace? Are you actually completing novels at a pace that feels good, or do you feel like you go too fast, too slow? Jo: I do one or two a year at the moment. Well, two a year, really. But I would say I'm not as successful as I'd like to be, so I'm not saying that my system is the best. I'm saying I want to be better. It's just that my fun is this sort of creative chaos, which I then try and control later. One of the things I really like about screenplays and treatments and doing this kind of thing for film is that it is much more structured, I think, than a 70,000-word novel. You can go in all kinds of directions, whereas with screenwriting you do have to be more disciplined really. Brooks: Yes, so this is going to be fun probably, to hear my view for your audience, and the differences as I see them. For starters, you're talking about what, 10, 20, 30 hours reading a novel sometimes, or maybe less, whereas a movie's a 90-minute experience, right? So that's different. Or if it's a TV series, you might see an hour and then an hour. So that's a very different experience. What happens is when it's condensed like that, you're loading up layers. So every scene is stacked with exposition beneath the drama, and done in a certain way. So specifically, movies are only what you can see and only what you hear. Whereas novels, if you can think it, you can write it, it can be in there. So you don't need to have a plot, but if you want to sell your book to Hollywood, it helps. So I was very resistant about structure. I went to NYU film school, where we really just made short films. It was funny, I had friends that were in the dramatic writing department, and I was like, “You guys are wasting your money. You're just learning to write scripts. We learn to write the scripts and make the movies.” What I hadn't realised is it's a different skill set to hold somebody's attention across an hour-long play, or a 90-minute movie, than it is to make a movie that holds their attention for two minutes or five minutes. I found out years later when I made a feature that was like a lot of shorts patched together, and people were not… They liked it, but they didn't love it. I was like, “Well, what's going on?” And so then I learned to really love Save the Cat in particular. It completely changed me. What happened was, I got a big old slice of humble pie. I had made my second feature, and I put everything I had into it, and it had loose structural beginning, middle, end, blah, blah, blah. But I was still, “Eh, Hollywood BS. What do they know? It's all fake.” So I was very anti-Hollywood structure. Then I was like, now I've got two independent films out there, people saw them, liked them, whatever, but it wasn't getting me consistent work. It wasn't really advancing my career in the way that I wanted. And I was like, “Well, maybe there is something to the Save the Cat.” So I went to the Save the Cat workshop with Blake when he was still alive, and he was delightful, a really awesome guy. He's got this kind of cutesy style, for people that don't know. For context, Blake Snyder was a working Hollywood screenwriter, and he had this system called Save the Cat, which actually has some really interesting ideas. He's got this very light, breezy sort of style. A lot of people don't like him and some people really love him, and everything in between. But I took his weekend seminar, and it completely changed me, because at that point, like I said, I took three years to write a script. Then once he had a process and he had a way of thinking about craft that was just much more screenwriter-friendly, I was like, “Oh my God.” It was so much easier, because I was just focused on the right thing at the right time. So it just sped everything up. After that, I was banging out two to three scripts a year, and better and better quality. So for me, because I went from winging it and wrote five scripts in 13 years, and then wrote two to three scripts every year, I became a huge proponent of system and process. Then my own system really came from that, but it's modular. I have a nine-step system, but you don't necessarily have to go in that order, other than the last three steps, but I won't get into the details. Sometimes you kind of jump from two to three and then back to two and then back and forth. So I love that you get the feel for those elements, and then you just felt your way through. But writing screenplay pages doesn't make sense until you really understand concept, you get a deep sense of beginning, middle, end, character arcs, and these other threads. There are just way better tools for those jobs than screenplay format, because it's a really weird format. It's got these weird slug lines at the top that are all in caps, because a screenplay is a blueprint for somebody else to make the movie. It's not an end-user document like a novel. I don't let my clients even go to that format because it just gets them focused on the wrong things. What they really need to know is, what is your perspective about this theme? What happened in your life that you're fascinated with, that you'd even want to write about this? And tell me what your real life lessons are. So we go into… again, I go back to relationship. What's your relationship to the universe? And what's your relationship to your best friends, or where you got your heart broken, or whatever you want to write about. And then we get that clarity, and then I show you how to express it in terms of developing a screenplay. It's really long-form storytelling, and then the structure just makes it build on itself. But with the structure, because you're talking about so much money and people involved to make it, at least traditionally, what ended up happening was narrative structure that was not so much rigid. Because here's the thing, you can look at 50, 100 years of European cinema and you can look at Hollywood cinema, and Hollywood laps them. When I taught at UCLA Extension, I had lots of foreign students. Let's say there'd be two or three students… if there were 12 people in the class, two or three people would be from America, and everybody else would be from other countries. I would go around, I'd be like, “What movies and TV shows have you been watching?” Almost in every single country, they watch half from their own country, half from Hollywood. So Hollywood storytelling works, that's just the data, and they're dominant. The reason it works is what Aristotle was saying thousands of years ago.. There's a way of thinking about beginning, middle, end that just deeply speaks to the psyche, and you can ignore it if you want. I think Godard said, “You need beginning, middle, and end, but not necessarily in that order,” right? Which is great. Just the way we experience life, there's a beginning, a middle, an end to this podcast interview. There's a beginning, middle, end to the day, a beginning, middle, end to me eating lunch. So if you don't lean into the beginning, middle, end psychological aspect of your story, you're going to bore your reader. But to your point, you don't necessarily have to sort that out in the beginning. It's more efficient probably if you do, but you don't have to. Go into it wherever the muse tells you to go, and then at some point, like you do, then you go, “Okay, now I go back and I edit.” If you're saying there's another level, you have another gear in you, then yes, I'd be curious to slowly go through how you're making those decisions. Because what's happening probably is there are ways you're holding back a little bit. There's maybe something you're afraid of being vulnerable about. That's usually where me or other writers are holding themselves back, and we can take a look at that. There are different ways I show writers to do it. Then you can go, “Oh, I was doing it here, and now I can do it there.” And it could be with process, or just a certain creative choice. With story, it's clear and compelling. Those are the simple things. So, is this clear enough? Is it compelling enough? And there are almost always ways to up-level on any facet, whether it's one sentence, or a sentence that describes the whole concept of the book, or a chapter. Each one of those can be looked at with that lens and we can just say, “Hey, this is 70%, 80%,” whatever, and then we say, “Well, how do we get a little bit more?” And then when you do that enough, it piles up. Then especially if you bring in an audience and people are flipping out for your work, they'll tell you. Jo: Yes, I love a challenge, so thank you for everything you've shared today. So where can people find you and everything you do online? Brooks: Well, one way you can find me—if anything I said seemed helpful for you, if you have questions about Hollywood or you have a screenplay in your heart—you can just email me, brooks@brookselms.com. You could look me up on LinkedIn. I'm at Brooks Elms. I also have a Skool community called Screenwriter Marketing, but it's really for any sort of storyteller, and it talks about my favourite way to engage an audience and get through it. So anybody can jump into that if you like my vibe. If you really think anything I've said, or the way I said it, seems like it could be helpful for you, just reach out. Let me know what you're up to, and maybe there's a way I can help you. Jo: Fantastic. Well, thanks so much for your time, Brooks. That was great. Brooks: You're welcome. It was a total pleasure. It was lots of fun, and I really appreciate you.The post How To Prove The Demand For Your Stories And Get The Attention Of Hollywood With Brooks Elms first appeared on The Creative Penn.
Six years is a long time between visits, and I was excited to catch up with Seth Greene, someone I've known and worked with going all the way back to 2017 or 2018. Seth is the founder and CEO of Market Domination, one of the nation's foremost authorities on growing a business through strategic affiliate and referral relationships, and under his leadership Market Domination landed a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies. He's also the co-host of the Sharkpreneur podcast alongside Kevin Harrington, the original Shark from Shark Tank, a nine-time bestselling author, and has been featured on NBC News, CBS News, Forbes, Inc., and CBS MoneyWatch. We got into what Market Domination is doing right now, which has changed a lot even in just the last six years. Seth walked me through two of their newest capabilities: a way to place your podcast ads on other people's podcasts to grow your own audience, and a way to pull real time Google search data to build a list of people actively searching things like "sell my house" or "rent to own" in your target city, so you can put your message directly in front of a warm audience. We also got into the biggest marketing mistake Seth sees investors make, which is simply blending in and looking like everyone else, and who his services are actually built for, established investors doing real volume, not someone on their very first deal. Seth shared his process for building a network of "dream partners," people who already have your ideal audience, and how his own book turns podcast guest appearances into a referral engine. Toward the end, Seth got personal and told me the single most important thing he's learned recently: who you're being affects how well what you do actually works. It's less about the newest marketing tactic and more about the internal work. If you want a masterclass in both cutting edge direct response marketing and the mindset underneath it, this episode has both. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:23 Welcoming Seth Greene back after six years and revisiting his background 02:22 Catching up on what Seth has been building since his last appearance 02:48 The two newest capabilities at Market Domination: podcast-to-podcast advertising and Google search data targeting 04:23 Who the Google search targeting tool is actually built for 05:31 The biggest marketing mistake Seth sees real estate investors make 06:41 Who Seth's services are and are not a good fit for 07:36 Using accredited investor data to help investors raise capital without their own money 08:34 Overcoming the fear of pitching investors by getting reps in and expecting rejection 09:17 Why creative deals and the three paydays model beat the old way of getting paid once 11:39 Whether budget minimums apply the same way to brand new investors 12:40 Seth's pricing tiers, from self-serve resources to a full outsourced marketing department 13:22 How to reach Seth for an exploratory call 14:00 Confirming how long Seth and Chris have worked together 14:39 Other ways to reach Seth: email, website, and LinkedIn 14:57 Where Seth sees AI heading in marketing, and why the human check still matters 16:14 What's changed in AI-assisted marketing just in the last couple of hours of testing 16:31 The three things Seth would prioritize first if he stepped into real estate marketing tomorrow 18:19 Building a network of dream JV partners who already have your ideal audience 19:29 A preview of Chris's upcoming appearance on the Sharkpreneur podcast 19:47 The most important thing Seth has learned recently: who you're being affects how well what you do works 21:17 The $4 Sandwich, the book Seth recommends for mindset work 22:14 Closing thoughts and where to find Seth going forward Quotables "Who you're being affects how well what you do works." "If you say the same things as everybody else, nobody knows how to tell you apart." "Go have some really bad offer conversations… get some reps under your belt with getting rejected so you improve your technique." Links Market Domination LLC (Seth's direct response marketing firm) — https://www.marketdominationllc.com Sharkpreneur Podcast (Seth's podcast with Kevin Harrington of Shark Tank) — https://sharkpreneurpodcast.com The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Business with a Podcast: Turning Warm Fuzzy Feelings Into Cold Hard Cash (Seth's book, 30% off Amazon price for listeners as stated on air) — https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Growing-Business-Podcast/dp/B096LTQBH6 Book a call with Seth (free exploratory call for members of the Smart Real Estate Coach community) — https://bookwithseth.com 3 Paydays® Live https://3paydayslive.com/podcast Free Discovery Call https://smartrealestatecoachpodcast.com/discovery 3 Paydays® System Mastery Course - Use coupon code for 50% off https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod Apprentice Program: 3PaydaysApprentice.com/Podcast Masterclass: https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast 3 Paydays Books: https://3paydaysbooks.com/podcast Partners: https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources
Jbird and Dennys Pitch The Sporknifenator To The KVJ Sharks! Are you buying or selling?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
In this conversation, we sit down with entrepreneur Nick Friedman to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, franchising, and what it takes to build a lasting business. Best known as the co-founder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, Nick joins us to share the lessons behind scaling one of North America's fastest-growing franchise brands, along with insights from his book, Effortless Entrepreneur: Work Smart, Play Hard, Make Millions. Nick is a purpose-driven entrepreneur whose businesses are built around strong values, innovation, and people-first leadership. Alongside College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, he also co-founded Trash Butler, a nationwide valet trash service serving multifamily communities. Hit play to discover: How Nick and his business partner turned a college idea into a national franchise. The leadership principles behind building successful teams. Why company culture is one of the biggest drivers of long-term growth. Advice on franchising, entrepreneurship, and scaling a business. The mindset shifts that separate successful entrepreneurs from everyone else. Nick has been featured by Forbes, Fortune, Newsweek, CNN, CNBC, ABC's Shark Tank, and Undercover Boss. He is also an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and a founding member of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), where he continues to mentor entrepreneurs and business leaders around the world. Connect with Nick: College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving Personal Website Instagram LinkedIn
Last week, President Trump dramatically reduced the size of two national monuments that aren't only beloved by everyday Utahns but contain priceless archeological treasures. But Utah is fighting back – against Trump, and against the Republican legislators letting private industries and a Shark Tank host run roughshod over what most people in the state actually want. To learn more, we spoke to Caroline Gleich. She's an environmental activist and a professional ski mountaineer based in Park City.And in headlines, the Trump Administration announces a deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide the country with a civilian nuclear program, Arizona Republican Representative Andy Biggs overwhelmingly wins the GOP nomination for Arizona governor, and the power of the US passport has reportedly declined over the past 20 years.Show Notes: Check out Caroline's work – carolinegleich.com Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
You've been telling yourself the same story. That you need more money to start. That you need the perfect plan before you move. That fear is the reason you're stuck. Here's the truth: the only thing holding you back is the belief that something outside of you has to change before you can begin. Robert Herjavec went from arriving in America with nothing to building and selling companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He's one of the most recognizable faces on Shark Tank, and in this episode, he breaks down the exact mindset shifts that turned urgency into wealth, why most people quit before they compound, and the leadership mistake that quietly destroys great companies. From structuring earnouts with no money down to scaling a $400 million business without raising a dime, Robert reveals the frameworks that separate people who stay broke from people who build empires. In this episode, you'll learn: Why fear is what holds most people back and how the fear of hard work without guaranteed results is the real killer, not the work itself The poverty versus wealth mindset: why working to make a living keeps you stuck and how shifting to building wealth changes everything How Robert bought 13 businesses with no outside funding using earnouts, seller financing, and cash flow leverage, and why you don't need money in the bank to do deals The biggest mistake founders make when pitching: asking people to listen instead of making them want to hear, and why humility and subconscious alignment close deals before you even open your mouth How to value a company the right way: understanding industry multiples, EBITDA, and why people fail because they price based on what they need instead of what the business is worth Stop waiting for permission. Stop waiting for certainty. The life you want is on the other side of the decision you're avoiding. My new book, Own Or Be Owned, is all about building a business so good it doesn't need you. More profit, less pain. It's out September 18, grab your ticket to the launch event here: https://contrarianthinking.biz/oobo_bigdeal - cs ___________ (00:00:00) Introduction: Fear Is What Holds You Back, Not Lack of Money (00:03:07) The 10-Year Grind: Running Until Your Legs Fall Off (00:07:24) A Players vs B Players: How Long Do You Wallow in Misery? (00:10:33) The Fast No Is a Gift: Stop Being a Maybe-er (00:11:34) Your Bad Day Is Somebody's Dream: Perspective and Purity of Joy (00:13:03) Become an Expert in Something: The 20s Are Your Foundation (00:15:22) The Kylie Jenner Business Lesson: Don't Confuse Stuff with Vision (00:18:55) How Rare Is a Billion Dollars? The SpaceX Millionaire Story (00:21:25) You Can Get Rich Even If You Hate Rich People (00:25:29) Democracy Is a Car Wash: Small Business Is the Right Message for America (00:26:58) Urgency Gets You Out of Poverty, Patience Gets You to Wealth (00:30:00) Fail Quickly: Test at 20% with Paying Customers, Not at 100% with Beta Users (00:31:19) 10 Billion Dollars in Sales: Great Salespeople Sell Value, Not Product (00:33:06) The Leverage Switch: When Sharks Start Selling the Pitcher (00:36:05) The Three Numbers You Better Know: EBITDA, Multiples, and Industry Comps (00:38:35) Scale Is a Two-Edged Sword: When Your Skill Becomes Your Weakness (00:41:11) The Million, Ten Million, Hundred Million Business: What Changes at Each Level (00:43:32) The World-Class CFO Hire: When Robert Stopped Being the Bottleneck (00:46:05) Buying 13 Businesses with No Outside Funding: The Earnout Strategy (00:49:14) Money Is Not Holding You Back, Your Lack of Knowledge Is (00:49:59) The Baby Boomer Exit Crisis: Millions of Businesses with No Succession Plan (00:52:55) Third-Party Verification: People Believe What Others Say About You (00:54:03) I'm Really Proud I Built 400 Million with My Own Money (00:55:58) The Equity Operator vs the Business Operator: Why Projections Are Bullshit (00:58:18) When It's Self-Evident in Tech, It's Probably Too Late (01:02:25) The Accelerator Stuck: How Precarious Is Life? (01:06:03) We Are Not a Family, We Are a Team: The Benevolent Dictator (01:07:40) Poverty Mindset vs Wealth Mindset: It's Great to Dream, Better to Pay Your Bills ___________ MORE FROM BIGDEAL
Episode Summary What if the biggest thing holding you back from better health isn't a lack of knowledge—but a belief that transformation has to happen all at once? In this episode of Marriage Fit, Chris and Annie explore seven powerful life lessons inspired by entrepreneur Robert Herjavec that have nothing to do with business and everything to do with building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient life. The truth is, lasting fitness isn't created through a breakthrough moment, a miracle diet, or the perfect workout program. It's built through small, intentional decisions repeated consistently over time. If you've ever felt frustrated by starting over, losing momentum, or wondering why healthy habits are so difficult to maintain, this episode will help you shift your perspective from chasing dramatic results to embracing daily progress. In This Episode, We Discuss: Health Is Built One Inch at a Time Big transformations are the result of thousands of small decisions. Every workout, healthy meal, walk, good night's sleep, and intentional choice adds up. Stop chasing overnight success and start trusting the power of consistency. Take Ownership of Your Health Doctors, coaches, trainers, and nutritionists are valuable resources—but no one can make your daily decisions for you. Real transformation begins the moment you stop outsourcing responsibility and take ownership of your health. Discipline Is an Act of Self-Respect The healthiest people aren't necessarily the most motivated—they've learned to consistently make choices that align with their future, even when they're uncomfortable. Discipline isn't punishment. It's choosing what matters most over what feels easiest. Information Isn't the Problem Most people already know the basics: Move your body. Eat quality food. Prioritize sleep. Drink water. Manage stress. The challenge isn't learning more. The challenge is consistently applying what you already know. Trust the Process Every health journey includes setbacks, doubts, and seasons where progress feels invisible. The people who succeed aren't the ones who never question themselves—they're the ones who continue showing up anyway. Stop Comparing Your Journey Social media often highlights outcomes while hiding the years of consistency, setbacks, failures, and perseverance that produced them. Stay focused on your own progress instead of comparing your beginning to someone else's middle. Character Creates Results Your long-term health is built less by your intentions and more by your daily character. Integrity, discipline, gratitude, and consistency shape your habits—and your habits ultimately shape your life. Listener Challenge This week, don't try to change everything. Choose one inch. One healthier meal. One daily walk. One earlier bedtime. One extra workout. One intentional decision. Then repeat it every day. Small actions, consistently repeated, create extraordinary change over time. Final Takeaway You don't need another breakthrough. You need another good decision. Your future health won't be built through one perfect day—it will be built through thousands of ordinary choices that compound into an extraordinary life. Remember: Health isn't built overnight. It's built one inch at a time.
Hey Clutterbugs! Struggling to declutter your home? The co-founder of a $300M clutter removal company who's cleared out 100,000+ homes reveals the #1 mistake people make, and it's one I made 20 years ago. If you've been decluttering slowly for months (or years) and still feel stuck, this episode will change everything. After helping hundreds of thousands of families let go of their clutter over the past 20 years, Nick Friedman (co-founder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving) has seen it all, from overflowing garages to full-blown hoarding situations. He was the very first entrepreneur ever featured on Shark Tank, appeared on Undercover Boss, and built a national brand from a borrowed cargo van in college. But more importantly? He's witnessed the exact moment people finally decide to let go . . . and what happens when they do. I spent an entire year of my life decluttering my own home, and I still wish I'd called a dumpster and changed my life on day one. Nick backs this up with insights from the field, explaining why the "rip off the band-aid” approach can work better for some people than slow, painful purging. Nick's company: https://www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/ Melissa's makeover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YqVuXSfl9g Want to get organized? Learn 6-Step The Clutterbug Method: https://clutterbug.thinkific.com/courses/Clutterbug-Method You can find more Clutterbug content here: Main YouTube Channel: @Clutterbug Website: http://www.clutterbug.me TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clutterbug_me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clutterbug_me/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/ #clutterbug #podcast #Decluttering #Cleaning #ADHD #LifeHacks #HomeHacks #DeclutterWithMe #CleaningMotivation #StorageSolutions #MelRobbinsPodcast #JunkRemoval #Hoarding Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Host Jesse Jackson welcomes new guest Dr. Rob Yonover, a Hawaii-based scientist, inventor of military survival gear, and lifelong music fan. Rob recalls seeing Bruce Springsteen in Miami in 1975 and shares his connections to Perry Farrell, along with a deep love for Bob Dylan and a desert-island album pick list (Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited," Jane's Addiction's "Nothing's Shocking," and Sublime's "40 Ounces to Freedom"). Jesse shares his own three albums and how seeing Springsteen live in 2002 sparked an obsession that led to 20+ shows. They discuss album-focused listening, the downsides of phones and streaming culture, favorite concert stories, Rob's Shark Tank experience with his StreamR invention, and the podcast's “Mary question.,” http://seerescuestreamer.com/ 01:28 Meet Rob 02:13 First Springsteen Show 04:31 Desert Island Albums 07:24 Jesse Picks Three 09:50 Tracks 2 Overload 12:29 Growing Up in Miami 14:46 Album Listening Debate 17:44 Discovering Dylan 20:26 Jesse Springsteen Origin 23:57 Phones at Concerts 27:54 Wild Concert Stories 33:36 No Electricity Grandpa 34:14 Radio and Music Discovery 38:30 Becoming a Scientist 41:35 Volcanoes to Scholarships 43:20 StreamR Survival Invention 46:37 Shark Tank Showdown 52:08 Phones Apps and AI Rant 53:46 Thunder Road Mary Debate 57:28 Dylan Springsteen Legacy 01:01:09 Where to Find Rob 01:01:55 Final Bruce and Signoff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Big Mike was live from the Long Island studio, handling this morning's "On the Board." Chaz and AJ, along with the Tribe, tried to figure out the childhood games we all remember playing. (0:00) A 1,700 pound Great White was spotted heading towards Connecticut, but that's a good thing? Steve Silverman from the Long Island Aquarium was on with Chaz and AJ to explain why, and agreed to let Ruth jump in their shark tank. (13:31) Chaz and AJ asked the Tribe to call in with their strip club stories. Star used to work the door at one, and had some stories to share about the regulars. (23:48) How to avoid the explosive diarrhea parasite, as told by a real-life doctor who specializes in food microbiology. Dr. Jennifer McEntire was on with Chaz and AJ to explain why you most likely do not need to be so concerned about cyclosporiasis. (42:30) Photo courtesy: Dr. Jennifer McEntire
The US-Iran MOU, designed for speed, was intentionally vague - and now it's unravelling, threatening to spike costs for everything from oil and fertilizer to food and borrowing. As inflation climbs, this economic instability becomes a critical challenge for President Trump in an election year.Meanwhile, Trump is promoting initiatives like the ‘Freedom Fuel Network,' ‘Trump Accounts,' and ‘Trump RX' - moves that have sparked debates about government intervention and socialism. What is actually happening with the US economy? Piers Morgan speaks to ‘Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary and economics professor Steve Keen and breaks down these policies and the fierce debate surrounding wealth taxes. 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Kevin O'Leary outlines why the markets are so resilient despite the war in Iran 06:33 Steve Keen and Kevin O'Leary clash over the economic realities for Americans in the Iran War 10:30 Why is Donald Trump not explaining the economic reasons for war? 13:01 Kevin and Steve debate the viability of a wealth tax 16:10 Elon Musk becoming a trillionaire 17:40 Steve praises China's redistributive economic model 18:41 America vs China 22:03 Kevin and Steve discuss the capacity of the American economy and work force to survive AI 28:59 Should Gen Z start making lunch at home rather than complaining about the economy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This episode comes to you live from our pop-up studio at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York City. Our guest: Jason LaRose, CEO of Bombas — the brand that turned socks, underwear, and tees into a mission-powered growth machine, with more than 200 million essential clothing items donated to people experiencing homelessness. But first, the news — and in our summer biweekly format, there's plenty. Steve breaks down Nike's unimpressive quarter: revenues down, China off 12%, and an operating profit boost driven almost entirely by a nearly billion-dollar one-time tariff refund. The contrast with Levi's couldn't be sharper — under Michelle Gass, the brand posted 8% sales growth, expanding margins, and momentum across women's and tops. The winners keep winning elsewhere too. Aritzia's remarkable run continues with comps up an eye-popping 35% and digital up nearly 60%. Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing delivers 22% revenue growth from its 2,500-store global fleet. And Costco's monthly numbers offer fresh evidence of retail's Great Concentration. Then there's Kroger, acquiring regional grocery powerhouse Giant Eagle — a $9 billion revenue business bought at a strikingly low multiple. Michael and Steve debate the real question: does acquiring-to-compete solve Kroger's relevance problem, or just buy cost leverage against Walmart, Costco, and Amazon? Then it's on to Jason LaRose, who joined Bombas after leadership roles at Under Armour and Equinox. What drew him in: a genuine mission wrapped around outstanding economics — profitable essentially since day one. He traces the brand's arc from Indiegogo campaign and Shark Tank's most successful company ever to nearly $2 billion in cumulative sales, now expanding into underwear, tees, footwear, and slippers — the very items most requested in homeless shelters. LaRose also delivers a masterclass in disciplined distribution: highly curated wholesale partnerships with Target, Dick's, Nordstrom, and Scheels, each with distinct assortments for distinct customers, alongside the brand's first stores and expansion into Canada. His mantra — quality, comfort, mission, in that order — explains why repeat rates keep the funnel from leaking where so many DTC peers sprang holes. Wrapping up, on Steve's radar: a Dallas-area tour of the newly merged Container Store and Bed Bath & Beyond format (who exactly is this store for?), plus his provocative new Substack essay, "Convenience is Boring." On Michael's radar: the soon-to-open Gordie Howe Bridge, his conversation with U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, and why USMCA review limbo keeps piling uncertainty — and cost — onto businesses and consumers across North America. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2026 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.
We're running one of our favorite episodes from The Business of You archives. If you missed it the first time, or just want to listen again, check this one out! Are you thinking of starting a podcast? Or maybe you already have a show and are wondering how to take it to the next level? Today's guest shares everything you need to know to launch and grow a successful, purpose-driven podcast. Erik Cabral is a leading expert in brand development, trusted by Fortune 100 and Inc. 5000 companies to define and deliver their core messages. Having built thousands of brands over his career, Erik has shared the stage with powerhouse brands like Shark Tank's Matt Higgins and Kevin Harrington, VaynerMedia, David Meltzer, and Hal Elrod of the Miracle Morning. As the founder of On Air Brands, Be Your Brand, PodMAX, and Mindado Investment Group, Erik is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs develop their personal and corporate brands through podcasting and media strategies. His work has been featured in major publications and has contributed to raising millions in capital for his investor clients. Preventing Podfade After launching dozens of podcasts, Erik says the biggest obstacle is "podfade" — where a podcast gradually disappears over time because it runs out of content ideas. Thousands of new shows were created in the past few years, but very few of them survived past 20 episodes. The reason comes down to a lack of purpose. If you don't have a clear goal for your show, it's unlikely to last. That's why Erik's company has shifted more into personal branding. Before launching a podcast, be clear on your goals, your mission, and who you want to serve. Focus on your purpose, because that's what makes great content. In Erik's own business, he's rebranded his podcast to The Erik Cabral Show and is focused on incorporating his faith into his brand. His mission is to build personal brands that glorify God, and his openness about that mission has helped him attract people who share those values. What to Know Before Starting a Podcast If you want to start a podcast, the first step is to manage your expectations. The average number of downloads per episode is 29. That may not sound like a lot, but even a small audience can create momentum in your business! If you have 30 loyal listeners every week, that's the same as having 30 people in a room who are eager to learn from you. Don't believe the noise on social media that says you need massive numbers to create an impact. When it comes to growing your show, podcasting is like starting a business. It starts with word of mouth and your personal network. Most of the biggest podcasts are hosted by someone who already had a personal brand with a large following. Audience growth is a slow build, so don't give up too soon. Enjoy this episode with Erik Cabral… Soundbytes 13:23–13:42 "It's what we call pod fade: all these shows got started, and the statistics are running away from me, but all the hundreds of thousands of podcasts that started during that era, we benefited from, for sure, but then a lot of them faded because they didn't have clarity and purpose and an end goal in mind." 33:07–33:41 "There is a purpose outside of money. Your purpose could be money and earthly things and earthly desires and material things. But I've recognized, and I've been around a lot of successful people…sharing the room in stages with millionaires and billionaires. I've recognized there are people that aren't happy with all that money, but the ones that are have that greater purpose, and they're usually God-fearing people that know there's something bigger than themselves beyond this life here on Earth." Quotes "Podcasting is very much like starting a business. We have to start with friends and family, word of mouth. We have to be grassroots." "Having a podcast, especially with a YouTube channel, you're set apart from most business owners who don't want to do that." "We want to build personal brands that glorify God." "Building a business is personal. It comes from us, our heart." Links mentioned in this episode: From Our Guest Website: https://www.erikcabral.co/ Free Podcasting Guide: https://www.erikcabral.co/guide Connect with Erik Cabral on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikcabral/ Connect with brandiD Find out how top leaders are increasing their authority, impact, and income online. Listen to our private podcast, The Professional Presence Podcast: https://thebrandid.com/professional-presence-podcast Ready to elevate your digital presence with a powerful brand or website? Contact us here: https://thebrandid.com/contact-form/
We're absolutely chuffed to share that HEY CHUMS is back and chummier than ever! We're diving headfirst into the shallow end with S17E4, swimming our way through "fightwear for women," our "come to sprout moment," and Lori finding her identity as an Orkette
Today, I'm joined by Stephen Ellsworth, founder of poppi. Originally launched at farmers markets as "Mother Beverage," poppi rebranded in 2020 and scaled rapidly before being acquired by PepsiCo for nearly $2B. In this episode, we discuss cultivating consumer obsession. We also cover: How 2.5 years at farmers markets became the ultimate R&D Why the $50M revenue milestone matters Landing a deal on Shark Tank Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider Website: www.drinkpoppi.com/ Stephen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenellsworth_/ - The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart fitness ecosystem for fitness and health facilities. Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/ Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/ Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/ Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:49) Background and poppi origin story (02:40) Mother Beverage to poppi journey (04:50) Two-year R&D at farmers market (06:20) Shark Tank and capital inflection (08:12) Rebranding decision and strategy (11:00) 2020 timing and category alignment (12:40) Intuition-driven product development (13:40) COVID acceleration (14:45) $50M inflection point (16:20) Founder preferences: zero to one vs. scaling (17:50) Product obsession and team building (18:40) 15–20% better formula (20:00) poppi playbook and thinking differently (21:50) Democratizing better-for-you foods (25:30) PepsiCo acquisition concerns (28:45) Large incumbents vs. innovation (31:00) Post-acquisition emotions (35:15) Preferment vs. retirement (37:30) What's next (39:15) Conclusion
Starting a business is one thing, running it successfully is another – but doing it with your spouse and four kids is a different kettle of fish. Janine Allis has done all of the above, after founding Boost Juice as a single store in the 2000s and growing it into a global empire. She’s since become one of the most sought-after entrepreneurs in the country and a regular on small screens, both as a judge on Shark Tank and as a competitor on Australian Survivor - twice. She also owns one of Australia’s fastest-growing dessert chains, Yochi. Allis joins Good Weekend Talks to chat about the challenges and delights of building a family business, how she finds time to surf, and what she learned about leadership as a stewardess on David Bowie’s boat. Today’s episode is hosted by business reporter Jessica Yun.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you've ever wondered how a birthday celebration could spiral into a full-blown discussion about Gathering of the Juggalos etiquette, congratulations—you've found your people.Today's daily podcast begins with one of the greatest animal stories ever told: a baby fox whose face looks so much like Shaggy 2 Dope that Insane Clown Posse actually came to meet it. That somehow launches the crew into debating whether they should road-trip to this year's Gathering of the Juggalos in Missouri... where they immediately learn one important survival tip:Never.Ever.Pick up a dollar bill.Because it might be a Poop Dollar.Yes, that's apparently a real thing.The crew debates camping versus hotels, Clownvis as the official Juggalo ambassador, RV road trips, and whether anyone could profit from wearing latex gloves and collecting contaminated cash. Honestly? It somehow becomes one of the most educational segments we've ever done.Then things only get weirder.We rank the whitest phrases ever spoken ("News flash, buddy." "Get a load of this guy." "Ready Freddy."), dive into celebrity news featuring Bon Jovi's return to the stage, Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley, Taylor Swift wedding conspiracy theories that somehow become a thousand-dollar bet, Luke Wilson becoming a first-time dad at 54, Shark Tank's newest guest sharks, Dune Part Three hype, Netflix's upcoming fried chicken documentary, MK Ultra documentaries, the worst movies ever made, and the latest Emmy nominations.The gang also pays tribute to Bonnie Tyler, debates whether Andie MacDowell is "stunning" or merely "a smoke show," and somehow finds time to invent another ridiculous punishment involving dressing like television characters for an entire week.As always, nobody stays on topic for very long—and that's exactly why this daily podcast exists.If you enjoy sarcastic conversations, ridiculous news, pop culture commentary, celebrity gossip, and the kind of comedy that only happens when a group of friends accidentally encourages each other to make terrible decisions, this episode has everything you could possibly want.Plus:Gathering of the Juggalos survival guideWhat exactly is a Poop Dollar?Celebrity gossip & entertainment newsBonnie Tyler tributeEmmy bet punishment announcedTaylor Swift wedding conspiracy continuesBirthday celebrations for RizCrap on CelebritiesPassword game chaosThanks for making us part of your mornings. We appreciate every single one of you... even the people who would absolutely throw poop-covered money on the ground just to watch someone pick it up.Whether you're listening from St. Louis or halfway across the country, thanks for hanging out with your favorite daily podcast full of professional radio people making deeply questionable conversational choiceFollow The Rizzuto Show → https://linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite daily comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → https://1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Moon returns from Alabama after spending quality family time driving a boat like every dad whose only mission is launching kids off an inflatable tube at unsafe-but-technically-safe speeds. The gang debates whether tubing is childhood fun or simply a cleverly disguised upper-body endurance test that ends with someone losing a shoulder.Then the news takes a hard left.A St. Louis man is arrested... again... for throwing rocks off an overpass. Naturally, the conversation somehow turns into train hopping, small-town childhood crimes, and whether this guy secretly missed his calling as a major league pitcher.Just when you think we've hit peak weird...A man cuts off his own anatomy, sets it on fire, accidentally burns down a garage, and somehow gets arrested for arson. We wish we were making that sentence up.If that isn't enough nightmare fuel, the crew reacts to one of the wildest aviation stories ever: a flight instructor who simply opens the door mid-flight, tells his student "keep moving forward," and jumps out of the airplane. The student still lands safely because apparently she's the calmest human alive.We also revisit the unbelievable Tesla cliff case where an entire family survived a 300-foot plunge, discuss bizarre Florida drug smuggling excuses, debate irrational fears of tiny airplanes, celebrate another official case of Rafe's famous "butthole lightning," and somehow manage to squeeze in movie nostalgia, Culkin conspiracy theories, food news, and enough sarcasm to power St. Louis for a week.A baby fox whose face looks so much like Shaggy 2 Dope that Insane Clown Posse actually came to meet it. That somehow launches the crew into debating whether they should road-trip to this year's Gathering of the Juggalos in Missouri... where they immediately learn one important survival tip:The crew debates camping versus hotels, Clownvis as the official Juggalo ambassador, RV road trips, and whether anyone could profit from wearing latex gloves and collecting contaminated cash. Honestly? It somehow becomes one of the most educational segments we've ever done.We rank the whitest phrases ever spoken ("News flash, buddy." "Get a load of this guy." "Ready Freddy."), dive into celebrity news featuring Bon Jovi's return to the stage, Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley, Taylor Swift wedding conspiracy theories that somehow become a thousand-dollar bet, Luke Wilson becoming a first-time dad at 54, Shark Tank's newest guest sharks, Dune Part Three hype, Netflix's upcoming fried chicken documentary, MK Ultra documentaries, the worst movies ever made, and the latest Emmy nominations.The gang also pays tribute to Bonnie Tyler, debates whether Andie MacDowell is "stunning" or merely "a smoke show," and somehow finds time to invent another ridiculous punishment involving dressing like television characters for an entire week.Gathering of the Juggalos survival guideWhat exactly is a Poop Dollar?Celebrity gossip & entertainment newsBonnie Tyler tributeEmmy bet punishment announcedTaylor Swift wedding conspiracy continuesBirthday celebrations for RizCrap on CelebritiesPassword game chaosMidwest debates imaginable: sunflower selfies. The crew talks about the massive sunflower fields at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, why everyone suddenly needs the perfect golden-hour Instagram picture, and the unspoken rules of not becoming "that person" who picks the flowers. Because apparently the unofficial sunflower police are real.Then things take a sharp turn when the gang talks about one of the strangest safety stories we've heard in a while. Kids are putting those squishy sensory toys in microwaves... and the results are genuinely terrifying. Riz shares a story that's equal parts public service announcement and "please don't let your children discover science this way."Meanwhile, Rizz is running on absolutely nothing because he's preparing for wisdom tooth surgery immediately after the show. No breakfast. No coffee. Questionable hydration. You can practically hear the hunger affecting his decision-making throughout the episode... especially once the games begin.And speaking of games...Rizz Show Password completely unravels in spectacular fashion.What should have been a straightforward round somehow becomes one of the funniest train wrecks in recent memory. One password somehow requires references to Harper Lee, books, movies, lawyers, and eventually complete surrender before anyone lands on "Mockingbird." Then everyone immediately forgets how clues work all over again.Watching the crew try to stay calm while the guesses drift further away from reality is exactly why this daily comedy show has become part of so many morning routines. The frustration is real. The sarcasm is relentless. The laughs are completely earned.Follow The Rizzuto Show → https://linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite daily comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → https://1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.Man charged with throwing rocks at cars on I-64 in St. Louis found guilty of the same crime years agoIndiana man charged with arson cut off genitals, set them on fireFlight instructor jumps to his death during lesson, leaving student pilot to land plane by herselfFlorida woman tells police she knows nothing about drugs that allegedly fell out of her ‘jail purse'Colonel Sanders' Bow Tie Is Being Auctioned Off And Everything You Thought You Knew About It Was A LieNew York Times names the best regional hot dog in the countryThe ‘Littlest Juggalo Fox' Is Real and He's Unbearably AdorableA ‘great' Detroit father's final wish gets granted — as helicopter drops money and rose petals from the skyThe Internet Just Listed The 43 Whitest Phrases Of All TimeDoctors issue warning over massively popular toy that's hospitalizing children with excruciating injuriesThis Little-Known Type Of Fun Might Be The Secret To A More Fulfilling LifeVegas Little League president spent $65K in team funds on strip clubs, casinos and male enhancement pills: reportQR Codes Are Now Habitual. So Why Do Businesses Still Fail at the Scan?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hour 2 of Jeremy and Joe! Are we being way too positive about the Texans O-Line? Someone on the show has changed their opinion on the CFB playoffs, and how supports expanding to 24 teams JJ Watt is appearing in Shark Tank, what game show would you want to participate in?
Emma Grede is a British serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and mother of four. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Good American, and a founding partner of SKIMS. Recognised for her achievements, Emma has been featured on Forbes' America's Richest Self-Made Women list. She made history as the first woman of colour to serve as a judge on ABC's Shark Tank. Emma joins Nuala McGovern to discuss her book Start With Yourself, a bold and empowering guide with advice on how women can build meaningful success on their own terms.Today the goverment will announce plans to boost support for foster carers. The aim is to encourage more people to provide homes for vulnerable children in England. It's the latest step in the government's drive to recruit an additional ten thousand foster carers, as they announced back in February. BBC's Social Affairs Editor, Alison Holt explains.At least 5,000 pregnancies a year in the UK end due to Termination for Medical Reasons, but the persistent taboo in society can mean that families keep it secret, in fear of other people's reactions. The stigma and silence around it mean people can feel incredibly alone in their grief and often feel excluded from the wider baby loss community, increasing their sense of isolation. July is Bereaved Parents' Awareness Month and to discuss this issue, Nuala talks to a grief coach and bereaved mother, Tanya Wilkinson and to Tommy's Co Midwifery Manager, Amina Hatia.What do you do with your wedding and or engagement rings after divorce? It's been reported that a growing number are said to be turning them into something entirely new. The so-called "divorce ring" trend is seeing women reset engagement diamonds into bold pieces that symbolise independence and a fresh start. So what's driving the trend, and what does it tell us about the changing meaning of jewellery after marriage? Nuala is joined by gemmologist and jewellery expert, Helen Dimmock and author and jewellery historian Rachel Church, to discuss.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Simon Richardson
Reggie, Figgy, and B Scott come up with their own Shark Tank ideas for JJ Watt, including a wild public restroom pitch.
ITL and listeners share the business ideas they would pitch to JJ Watt on Shark Tank.
ITL starts the show with Reggie, Figgy, and B Scott reacting to the news of JJ Watt being set to appear on Shark Tank, which leads to the guys creating their own business ideas to pitch to the Texans legend. Things quickly go off the rails with a hilarious Shark Tank-style idea involving public restrooms, as the crew debates whether Watt would actually invest. Then the focus shifts back to football as the Texans secondary receives major respect from NFL executives. ITL reacts to Derek Stingley Jr. being ranked the No. 2 cornerback in the league by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, along with Kamari Lassiter earning an honorable mention. The guys discuss what that says about Houston's young secondary, how special the cornerback duo could become, and whether the Texans defense is building something elite. The hour wraps with today's QOTD: With JJ Watt heading to Shark Tank, what would be your business pitch to JJ?
ITL starts the show with Reggie, Figgy, and B Scott reacting to JJ Watt being set to appear on Shark Tank, which leads to the crew coming up with their own business pitches for the Texans legend, including a hilarious idea involving public restrooms. The guys then discuss the Texans secondary getting major respect from NFL executives, with Derek Stingley Jr. ranked as the No. 2 cornerback in the league and Kamari Lassiter earning an honorable mention. Listeners join the fun with the QOTD: What would be your business pitch to JJ Watt on Shark Tank? Around The NFL covers the biggest headlines, including Sean Payton's comments about Bill Belichick, the NFL Top 100 list, and more. ITL also reacts to the national love surrounding Amen Thompson and discusses why the Rockets are so high on his potential. Later, Reggie breaks down his Texans Re-Watch of Week 2 against Tampa Bay and shares what stood out. Lunch-Time Confessions features Reggie questioning whether Imai's interpreter is telling the full story, and Figgy fills in for Lopez in a special edition of Judge John Lopez. The show wraps with ITL debating if an NFL team can have a top 10 rushing attack without a top 20 running back. Plus, Figgy's Mixtape features a radio host protesting Taylor Swift by wearing her wedding dress to work and Mix 96.5's Jessie Watt saying she would do the same.
Marry the problem, not the product! In this episode, I sit down with social entrepreneur Nikky Kumar Jha, the first engineer from his small village in Bihar, India. Nikky initially set out to tackle massive global issues like climate change—until a professor advised him to look in his own backyard. What he found was a devastating local crisis: despite the fertile soil along the Ganges, farmers were losing 40% of their produce to rot because standard refrigeration was too expensive and the rural power grid was too unreliable. From a "hilarious" first prototype that short-circuited in 30 minutes, Nikky went on to build a tech revolution for the "last mile." This episode covers the messy reality of grassroots innovation, why Nikky turned down a massive investment on Shark Tank, and how his hardware is transforming local economies. Finally he shares the amazing story of a visually impaired woman who used his device to boost her profits so much, she built her own home. Episode Highlights The Solution: How a portable, 20-watt storage unit extends the shelf life of produce by 3-5x without refrigeration or chemicals. Massive Impact: The tech is already cutting food waste by over 40% and boosting the income of small marginal farmers and street hawkers by 60% to 70%. Designing for Reality: Why building for a "utopian world" fails, and how local power fluctuations (110-volt vs 220-volt) forced a complete redesign. Leverage Design Thinking: Aspiring founders should conduct thorough empathy studies and regularly utilize the Business Model Canvas (BMC) to manage execution. Management Style: Nikky kumar jha described their management style as encouraging entrepreneurship, stating that they do not fire employees. Instead, they encourage employees to eventually start their own ventures, offering to introduce them to the ecosystem and investors. IEEE Global Involvement: Nikky kumar jha serves as a lead for IEEE CS Global's special projects, including a global incubation center. They credited their network within the IEEE ecosystem for helping them overcome problems and find new collaborative opportunities. The Shark Tank Rejection: The real reason Nikky walked away from a Shark Tank India offer to keep his focus strictly on marginalized farmers instead of third-party vendors. Revitalizing Rural Ecosystems: How moving his factory back to his home village in Bihar created dignified jobs and actively stopped youth migration to the cities. Co-founder Dynamics: Nikky kumar jha advocated for having family members as co-founders to avoid disputes, provided they possess complementary skills. Their sister, a biotechnologist, and their brother, who focuses on sales, are their current co-founders. Hometime Hero. Instead of building his empire in a massive tech hub, Nikky moved his factory right back to his village in Bihar. This move created dignified local jobs and actually stopped the migration of youth leaving the village for city work. What's Next: A sneak peek at an affordable, modular housing that can be assembled in 15 minutes for flood-prone areas. The Founder's Playbook "Marry the problem, not the product." Ideas are worthless unless they execute on a genuine local problem. Nail the Customer Service: Never launch a hardware product in a geography where you cannot realistically provide service and maintenance. Resources & Links Connect with Nikky Kumar Jha on LinkedIn. Learn more about the technology at https://saptkrishi.com/products/ The Indian Startup Show has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 70 Tech Startup Podcasts on the web.https://podcast.feedspot.com/tech_startup_podcasts/ Hosted And Produced by Neil Patel https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/neilpatel2 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review! Share this episode with your friends. Listen and Subscribe to More Episodeshttps://www.indianstartupshow.com/ Music by Punch Deck.https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kdduxAVaFnbHJyNxl7FWV
Some mornings you wake up expecting coffee and headlines. Other mornings you discover there's an underground criminal empire built around stealing used fryer grease, somebody is trying to convince the world that rhinestone jeans are cool again, and Rizz has created an entirely unofficial list of ages when society should politely ask you to stop doing certain things.Welcome to another daily comedy show.This episode starts close to home as the crew talks about local St. Louis news, including Cyberg's Market Street closing after decades downtown, a rash of overnight vehicle break-ins, and why leaving valuables—or firearms—in your car is probably a terrible idea. Naturally, that serious conversation immediately derails into fake stick shifts designed to confuse thieves, mounted muskets, car guns, and inventions that definitely belong on Shark Tank.Then things somehow get even weirder.The crew dives into one of the strangest federal crime stories imaginable: a multi-million-dollar operation involving stolen restaurant grease. Yes... used cooking oil. Apparently yesterday's french fries can become today's organized crime. Between fake paperwork, undercover grease deals, and criminals wearing safety vests to look legitimate, it's almost impressive... almost.Fashion doesn't escape the roast either.Is America really entering another bedazzled era? Are Ed Hardy vibes back? Are JNCO jeans making another run? Lern believes the sparkle has returned, Rafe embraces the chaos, and Rizz refuses to accept that grown men are voluntarily decorating their back pockets with rhinestones. The debate spirals into cowboy fashion, Von Dutch hats, whale tails, and whether anyone should willingly relive the early 2000s.Speaking of questionable life choices...The gang revisits Bryan Johnson—the tech millionaire spending millions every year attempting to reverse aging—after news of his autoimmune diagnosis. The conversation turns into a hilarious debate over supplements, youth fighting, biohacking, overnight health tracking, and whether spending your entire life trying not to age actually counts as living.As if that weren't enough, Rizz unveils his completely scientific (not at all scientific) "Tell the Truth Day" list of socially acceptable expiration dates. At what age should you stop calling everyone "bro?" When should backwards hats retire? Is there an age limit for staying out until sunrise? The crew argues every single rule while listeners undoubtedly yell back at their speakers.Throw in celebrity obsession, social media insanity, relationship debates, bizarre inventions, random tangents, plenty of St. Louis flavor, and enough sarcastic commentary to make your coworkers question why you're laughing at your desk, and you've got another unforgettable morning with The Rizzuto Show.Whether you're listening on the drive to work, pretending to work, or actively avoiding responsibility altogether, thanks for making us part of your day. This daily comedy show exists because of listeners who appreciate ridiculous conversations, terrible ideas, and the occasional accidental moment of wisdom hiding beneath all the nonsense.If you laughed, argued with Rizz, defended bedazzled jeans, or immediately started wondering how much used fryer grease is worth, congratulations—you've officially experienced another daily comedy show the way it was intended.Follow The Rizzuto Show → https://linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite daily comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → https://1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Some mornings you expect headlines. Other mornings you discover there's an underground criminal empire stealing used fryer grease, someone insists bedazzled jeans are making a comeback, billionaires are wearing air-conditioned inflatable suits, and Rizz has created an entirely unofficial list of ages where society should lovingly tell you to knock it off.Welcome to another daily comedy show from The Rizzuto Show.We kick things off close to home with St. Louis news, including Cyberg's Market Street closing after decades downtown, overnight vehicle break-ins, and why leaving valuables—or firearms—in your car is a spectacularly bad idea. Naturally, the conversation immediately derails into fake manual transmissions to confuse thieves, mounted muskets, Shark Tank-worthy anti-theft inventions, and enough terrible ideas to make insurance companies nervous.Then things get wonderfully ridiculous as the crew dives into one of the strangest crime stories imaginable: an organized multi-million-dollar operation built around stealing used restaurant grease. Between fake invoices, undercover grease pickups, and criminals wearing reflective safety vests to blend in, yesterday's french fries somehow become today's organized crime thriller.Fashion isn't safe either. Lern believes rhinestones are back. Rafe embraces the return of early-2000s chaos. Rizz refuses to believe grown adults are voluntarily bedazzling their back pockets again. Before long the conversation spirals into Ed Hardy memories, JNCO jeans, Von Dutch hats, whale tails, cowboy fashion, and the universal question nobody asked: did any of this actually look good the first time?Speaking of questionable decisions, the crew revisits tech millionaire Bryan Johnson after news surrounding his health journey, leading to a hilarious debate about supplements, biohacking, sleep tracking, anti-aging obsessions, and whether spending every waking minute trying not to age actually counts as living.As if that weren't enough, Rizz unveils his completely unscientific "Tell the Truth Day" list of social expiration dates. At what age should backwards hats retire? Is there a point where everyone has to stop calling people "bro?" When should staying out until sunrise become a memory instead of a plan? Everyone disagrees, listeners yell back at their radios, and absolutely nothing gets settled.Meanwhile, congratulations are officially in order for Learn, who somehow found extra hours in the day by splitting time between St. Louis and Chicago. She's now racing from one radio show to another, surviving almost entirely on determination, gas station coffee, and what we're convinced is teleportation.Then comes one of the greatest rabbit holes of the morning. A casual conversation about Skid Row somehow transforms into an in-depth legal defense of Ricky from "18 and Life." Was the sentence fair? Did his attorney fail him? Could manslaughter have changed everything? Before long the crew is pitching an entire sequel where Ricky is released decades later and has to navigate smartphones, social media, and modern life. Sebastian Bach, our lawyers would like royalties if this ever happens.The nostalgia train keeps rolling with conversations about classic rock, Quiet Riot, Great White, unforgettable concerts, Missouri's connection to sliced bread, legendary movies every younger generation needs to watch, and passionate debates over which films absolutely deserve a spot on everyone's must-watch list.The celebrity world isn't spared either during another packed Crap on Celebrities featuring music news, Hollywood headlines, bizarre entertainment stories, AI discussions, and enough pop culture commentary to keep everyone arguing long after the show ends.And because no episode is complete without complete nonsense, we wrap things up debating billionaire air-conditioned tracksuits straight out of Paris before diving into Real or Fake Fireworks. Contestants attempt to identify whether outrageous names are actual fireworks or something Rafe invented after way too much caffeine. Somehow the real products end up sounding even more ridiculous than the fake ones.Whether you're listening on your morning commute, pretending to answer emails, hiding from responsibilities, or simply looking for a reason to laugh, thanks for making us part of your day. Every ridiculous tangent, terrible idea, nostalgic debate, celebrity headline, weird news story, and accidental moment of wisdom is why this daily comedy show continues to be the highlight of our mornings.If you laughed, argued with Rizz, defended rhinestone jeans, questioned the value of stolen fryer grease, or started wondering whether "Neighbor Hater" is actually a real firework, congratulations—you've experienced another daily comedy show exactly the way it was intended.Follow The Rizzuto Show → https://linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite daily comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → https://1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.Theft of used cooking oil in St. Louis was part of vast conspiracy, feds sayIs There a Bedazzled Jeans Epidemic Amongst the Men?What Bryan Johnson's diagnosis says about the limits of health tracking, longevity medicineThis day in history: Sliced bread makes its debut in MissouriSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
CEO James Marino speaks to the growth story hiding in plain sight. Quick Bio:James Marino is President and CEO of Jackson's Food Company, the Muskego-based maker of avocado-oil snacks.James is born-and-raised a Milwaukeean and is a Marquette High grad.Connect with him on LinkedIn.Quick Summary:Jackson's has quietly scaled its capacity 20X in just a few years. The reason why comes down to one unusual thing about their factory that most snack companies never get to start with.CEO James Marino walks through how a rare autoimmune diagnosis, a Shark Tank investment, and a shuttered brand all led to the “2.0” company making waves out of SE Wisconsin today.There's a reason nobody touches the product from the cutting table to the end of the line and it says something bigger about where Milwaukee's manufacturing talent fits into the future of food.Experience Milwaukee is sponsored by Secure Compliance Solutions. Learn more at scsprotect.com.
Send us Fan MailI create entrepreneurs through franchising.Over 12 years, I've guided 300+ entrepreneursthrough franchise evaluation and enabled them toopen 500+ successful territories. I'm a 2X Wall StreetJournal bestselling author (Real Freedom, ExpertResilience). I have also worked with and coauthored another book, “From Idea to Empire”, withKevin Harrington, the original shark from Shark Tank.Franchise Maven | www.franchisemaven.com | greg@franchisemaven.com | 3617726401Sign up for one of our negotiation courses at ShikinaNegotiationAcademy.comThanks for listening to Negotiation with Alice! Please subscribe and connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram!
In this episode Derek Champagne, CEO of The Artist Evolution, interviews Beau Oyler.Beau talks with Derek about his experience on Shark Tank, building a successful company, and some valuable lessons he has learned along the way.Having founded Enlisted Design and Urbio, he has created rich product and brand experiences for fortune 500's and small startups. He pioneered the design cooperative movement and has a unique ability to truly collaborate with his partners. His designs have received every major design award including Red Dot, Spark, IDEA, GOOD Design, TheDieline, Wired Editor's Choice and Best of Show at Dwell on Design.Business Leadership Series Intro and Outro music provided by Just Off Turner: https://music.apple.com/za/album/the-long-walk-back/268386576
A neuroscience student mixing supplements in his dorm room. A national kendo competitor who became paraplegic at 19 after a snowboarding accident. Best friends. And then, one scuba diving Groupon later — a company.Jon Bier sits down with Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen, co-founders of Neuro, for a conversation ten years in the making. Jon was there early. He gave them his first ever angel check. He watched the whole thing — the grinding first seven years on $1.6 million raised while every other DTC brand was burning through $30 million, the Shark Tank appearance that got them zero deals and exploded their sales, the trademark lawsuit that nearly ended everything, the near-billion dollar brand they built without ever compromising the formula.This isn't a success story. It's a story about what success actually looks like when you build it the right way — slowly, stubbornly, and with your friendship completely intact.Jon has been saying it for a decade. This is the episode where everyone else gets to hear why.In this episode:• How Neuro went from clinical trial side income and Craigslist employees to one of TikTok's top-selling brands and why raising less money than everyone else turned out to be the advantage• The Shark Tank story nobody tells: zero deals, a trademark lawsuit, a cold DM to a billionaire, and the moment everything changed• Why Kent and Ryan have never cut a corner on the formula and what it actually means to be a brand-led company in a world that rewards sales-led thinkingFind Kent, Ryan & Neuro:• Kent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kentaro/• Ryan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.ryc/• Neuro: https://www.getneuro.com• Neuro on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurogum/
On today's show we are throwing it back to December of 2021 for an original free swim episode with Dante and Chief at the old Barstool Chicago office. SUPPORT THE SHOW: BlueChew - Visit https://BlueChew.com for more details and important safety information. Chicagoland Chevy Dealers - Head to your local Chevy Dealer and learn more about what your next ride could be today. Stella Blue - Get yours now at https://stellabluecoffee.com, Amazon and select retailers across the country.You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/thedogwalk
What happens when the business you've worked so hard to build no longer feels aligned with who you've become? In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Allison Maslan, CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of, Scale or Fail, which is endorsed by Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank. From nearly losing her life after pushing herself beyond her limits to becoming a homeopathic physician and ultimately founding Pinnacle Global Network, Allison's journey is a powerful reminder that every experience prepares you for your next evolution. If you've been feeling disconnected from the work you've built or wondering if it's time for your next chapter, this conversation will give you both the permission and the practical wisdom to move forward with confidence. What You Will Learn: How to recognize the early signs that it's time to pivot before burnout takes over. Why success without alignment eventually leads to dissatisfaction. The importance of trusting your intuition alongside business strategy. How every business experience prepares you for your future purpose. Why following your passion can become your greatest competitive advantage. The mindset shift that allows entrepreneurs to let go of old identities. How scaling requires releasing perfectionism and learning to delegate. What trapeze has taught Alison about fear, trust, resilience, and leadership. Why learning how to fail is essential for long-term success. How to build a legacy business that reflects who you've become. Connect with Allison Maslan Pinnacle Global Network https://pinnacleglobalnetwork.com/ Connect with Wickedly Smart Women® Wickedly Smart Women Wickedly Smart Women on X Wickedly Smart Women on Instagram Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community Wickedly Smart Women Store on TeePublic [5X Award-Winning Book] Wickedly Smart Women: Trusting Intuition, Taking Action, Transforming Worlds Email: listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com
If you want to dramatically increase your influence, income, and impact, there's one skill that consistently separates those who achieve massive success from those who stay stuck — and it's not what most people think. It's mentorship— the ability to both seek out the right mentors and become a powerful mentor to others. In my past interview with Kevin Harrington, original Shark Tank shark and author of the new book Mentor to Millions, we went deep into how mentorship has been the hidden accelerator behind nearly every major breakthrough in his career. Kevin has built multiple nine-figure businesses, and he credits much of his success to the mentors who guided him — and the mentoring mindset he now uses to help others scale. Listen to my podcast interview with Kevin Harrington on Shark-Tank Secrets to Pitch, Partner, and Scale. You'll walk away with practical strategies you can start using immediately to attract better mentors, mentor others more effectively, and sell with greater integrity and impact. Persuade With Power Kurt Mortensen Maximize Your Influence Free Persuasive Presentation Assessment
He came to North America at age 8 from communist Yugoslavia with one suitcase, no connections, and parents who had nothing to give him but opportunity. Robert Herjavec turned that into a $500 million cybersecurity empire. One inch at a time. Robert brings something rare to this conversation: 22 years on Shark Tank, multiple exits, and a front-row seat to what separates businesses that actually scale from ones that just make noise. He's watched thousands of entrepreneurs pitch, fail, succeed, and lie to themselves about which one they're doing. His perspective on where the economy is heading, what AI is actually going to destroy, why most people raise money way too early, and what it genuinely costs to build something lasting is as grounded and unfiltered as anything I've heard from anyone at his level. In this conversation, I push Robert on whether Shark Tank has actually done damage to a generation of entrepreneurs, a question I've asked Damon and Barbara that nobody has answered the way Robert does here. I challenge him on the influencer economy and what it's doing to people's perception of what building a business really looks like. And I get personal with him about faith, fathers, and whether the grind of it all is worth it at this pace. Here's what you'll gain from this episode: One Inch at a Time: The philosophy Robert has carried since he was 22 years old, and how it connects directly to my "Power of One More" framework - the core of how both Robert and I approach the hardest days in business and in life. What Shark Tank Actually Did to Entrepreneurship: Robert gives the most honest answer I've ever heard from a Shark on whether the show did damage to a generation of entrepreneurs. Hold Your Equity: Why Robert has self-funded every business he's ever built, the advice that shaped that conviction, and a warning about raising money early. Where AI and the Trades Are Heading: Robert's specific read on which industries are about to be wiped out and which are going to double in income. Good Doesn't Mean Weak: The tough lesson both Robert and I learned the hard way and what you should do instead. This conversation went places neither of us planned, and I think that's what makes it one of my favorites. Learn more about your sleep today. Visit https://sleepdoctor.com.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.
☕ Rush Hour Podcast – Morning Episode Sponsored by Hers. Go to forhers.com/rushhour to get started today! The headlines are coming fast, and we're breaking down the biggest stories you need to know before your day gets started. ⚖️ Justice for Clayton: Major developments in the case as new legal updates continue to unfold. ☢️ Iran Escalates: After its war with the United States, new concerns emerge over Iran's renewed pursuit of a nuclear weapon and what it could mean for the region.
Ryan Duey was living in an RV with his float spas closed and no backup plan when he and Michael Garrett built their first cold plunge from a retrofitted $100 bathtub in a garage. They turned their Shopify store on with zero marketing—and got a sale. What followed was one of the most unlikely scaling stories in DTC history: $30 million to $80 million in a single year, $250 million in cumulative revenue, four sharks bidding on Shark Tank, and a category they essentially created from scratch—all bootstrapped, all assembled in-house in California. In this interview, the co-founders of Plunge break down the real cost of scaling a high-ticket inventory business, why they lost an estimated $20 million in revenue from lead times alone, and the organic influencer strategy that built the brand before they ever ran a paid ad. What you'll learn in this interview: • How they got their first sale with zero marketing—and the Black Friday that showed them how big this could get • The cash flow trap every inventory-heavy founder hits: why a great P&L and an empty bank account can exist at the same time • How customer prepayments funded growth for years—and what forced the switch to holding inventory • Why long lead times cost Plunge an estimated $20 million in lost sales • From buying parts on Amazon to co-designing a custom chiller in China—the full supply chain evolution • How a single Instagram comment to Aubrey Marcus started a chain of organic gifting to Huberman, Tony Hawk, and Rich Roll • The Shark Tank deal that never closed—and why they still got the PR, the airing, and the exposure • How they bought plunge.com from a New Orleans jazz band for $250K—and why the trademark was the bigger win • Why nearly half of all orders close through a phone call or SMS, not a checkout button • How they raised $1.3 million from their own customers in under two weeks via Wefunder If you're building a high-ticket DTC brand, navigating the brutal cash flow realities of an inventory-heavy business, or trying to grow without burning cash on paid ads before you're ready, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about scaling, supply chain, and what it actually takes to build a category from a garage. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to https://your.omnisend.com/foundr to get started. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → https://foundr.com/operators HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application → Already have a store? Apply here → https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/ CONNECT WITH RYAN DUEY Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ryanaduey/ Website → https://plunge.com/ CONNECT WITH MICHAEL GARRETT Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelrgarrett/ Website → https://plunge.com/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt Website → https://www.foundr.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/foundr/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/foundr Twitter → https://www.twitter.com/foundr LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/ Podcast → https://www.foundr.com/podcast
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel. Founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.