Podcasts about Shark Tank

Go behind the scenes of one of today's hottest brands with Allison Ellsworth, founder and Lead Creative at poppi. After a memorable Shark Tank appearance, poppi exploded into the cultural zeitgeist – going viral on TikTok, getting shout-outs from celebrities, and scaling from startup to $500 million in just four years. In this episode, Allison shares how to build a brand that moves fast, disrupts in all the right ways, and knows exactly how to stay culturally relevant. You'll also learn: What a “black ops budget” is – and why you need one! The importance of building a brand, not just selling a product What it's really like to pitch on Shark Tank Channel-by-channel social media tips (one might make you squirm) Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you'll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

#719 If you've ever wondered how a SaaS business gets off the ground — or how math and spreadsheets can evolve into a powerful, profit-driving platform — this episode is for you! Host Brien Gearin sits down with Adam Callinan, founder of Pentane and host of the Growth Mavericks podcast, who shares his journey from building a multi-million dollar beverage accessory company (that landed a deal on Shark Tank) to launching a SaaS platform that helps consumer brands and service businesses optimize their profitability. Adam reveals how he scaled his first business to $8 million in revenue without employees or investors, the painful realities of running a startup, and how the operational tools he built for himself eventually became Pentane. You'll learn why he's cautious about AI, how Pentane gives clear, prescriptive financial recommendations, and why even non-sexy, service-based businesses deserve world-class tools to make smarter decisions! (Original Air Date - 5/8/25) What we discuss with Adam: + From coolie cups to software + Scaling to $8M with no employees + Behind-the-scenes of Shark Tank + Solving problems with spreadsheets + Why most SaaS is built backwards + Math > AI for financial clarity + How Pentane guides business decisions + Real-world use cases for Pentane + Helping service businesses with numbers + Building lean, profitable companies Thank you, Adam! Check out Pentane at ⁠Pentane.com⁠. Listen to the ⁠Growth Mavericks podcast⁠. Follow Adam on ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the idea of “falling in love” with your business makes you roll your eyes a little…same. But hear us out:In this episode, Kira talks through what that phrase actually means: building a business that feels worth showing up for, especially when life is doing the absolute most.This episode is part pep talk, part leadership reality check, and part “hey girl, your mission statement can't just live in a Canva deck.” We're talking all about mission & vision, trust, leadership identity, and how to build a team culture that's unified, bought-in, and honestly… a little cult-like (in the best, non-creepy way).Key Takeaways:Your mission and vision aren't “set it and forget it”. They need revisiting as you evolve.Trust on a team is more than just you trusting them, it's you building systems that help them trust you.The strongest leadership doesn't involve copy/paste from LinkedIn or Shark Tank, but rather owning who you are and leading from that.A “cult-like” team culture comes from shared commitment to the mission (not surface-level perks and vibes).Your business will reflect back what you put into it, and alignment + authenticity are what make itThis one's your reminder that you don't need a new personality to lead well...you just need to lead on purpose!

In this edition of the Courage Brands Spotlight, Ryan, Billy Collins, and Kimberly Voorhis unpack three brands that turned overlooked moments into loyal movements. Ryan kicks things off with Goldbelly, the mail-order marketplace delivering regional food favorites nationwide—think deep-dish from Chicago or crab cakes from Maryland. Kimberly sings the praises of Trader Joe's, a grocery chain that proves simplicity is courageous, where decision fatigue fades, handwritten signs spark delight, and hidden monkeys keep kids smiling. Billy closes with Scrub Daddy, the Shark Tank sponge that scrubbed away boredom and built a half-billion-dollar empire with flex-texture tech, irreverent TikTok humor, and holiday-themed clean-up companions. These brands may serve very different needs, but each one earns its place through conviction, creativity, and the courage to make everyday things feel a little more magical.

I'm bringing this episode back because so many of you are asking how to actually get more eyes on your business, and Hayley Segar is the perfect example of what happens when visibility becomes a non-negotiable. In this episode, Hayley shares the story behind building OneWith Swim from zero, how she went viral without forcing it, and the mindset that carried her all the way to a Shark Tank deal with Barbara Corcoran and Jamie Kern Lima. She also breaks down the power of creating content when you don't feel like it, the spiritual practices to keep going, and more. Get ready to see how choosing visibility becomes the fastest path to momentum and growth. Check out our Sponsors: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/happy SKIMS - The SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com. Let them know we sent you by choosing Earn Your Happy podcast in the dropdown after you purchase. Brevo - Head to brevo.com/earn and use the code EARN to get 50% off Starter and Business Plans for the first 3 months of an annual subscription. Aura Frames - save on the perfect gift at AuraFrames.com - get $35 off Aura's best-selling Carver Mat frames with promo code EARN at checkout. Northwest Registered Agent - Build your complete business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Visit www.northwestregisteredagent.com/paidearn Blinds.com - The Black Friday deals at Blinds.com are going strong all month long! Save $50  off when you spend $500 or more - use code EARN at checkout.  HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Meet Hayley Segar, Founder of OneWith Swim. 08:00 What to do if you hate creating content but want to launch a brand. 13:45 How long does it really take to go from idea to first product sample? 17:30 Daily manifestation rituals to keep your vision alive. 25:00 What has helped you navigate the challenges of business? 29:00 How ignoring the noise helps you unlock massive growth. 33:00 Turn your biggest fear into your biggest win with this one shift. 37:30 Hayley's high stakes journey of applying and preparing for Shark Tank. 43:00 How did Shark Tank change your confidence as a founder? 48:30 Why doing the “big scary thing” can change your life and business. RESOURCES Shop OneWith Swim HERE Try the new Glōci Glow & Debloat flavors HERE Apply for our Elite Entrepreneur Mastermind HERE Get on the waitlist for MCM Mastermind HERE Join the Audacity Challenge HERE! Check out our FREE 90-Day Business Blueprint HERE! Listen to my free SECRET PODCASTS SERIES - Operation: Rekindle This B*tch FOLLOW Follow me: @loriharder Follow glōci: @getgloci Follow OneWith Swim: @onewithswim

In this week's episode, we're re-airing one of our top episodes with Allison Ellsworth, the co-founder of Poppi, a better for you soda brand that is revolutionizing the next generation. Allison always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur, but her journey began in the oil and gas industry, where she spent years on the road building a successful career. During this time, she struggled with bloating and other gut health issues, inspiring her to take charge of her wellness. She adopted a clean diet, started working out, and discovered apple cider vinegar's benefits. However, she wasn't a fan of its taste and sought a way to make it more enjoyable.Allison created an apple cider vinegar-based soda, "Mother Beverage" in her kitchen and quit her day job—nearly going broke while selling it at farmers' markets. After an appearance on Shark Tank while nine months pregnant and a complete product rebrand, the prebiotic soda became "Poppi," the viral, #1 selling soda on Amazon with over 2 billion TikTok views and the most-watched Super Bowl ad this year.In this week's episode, Allison shares her journey of leaving a stable career to start her own business—without any prior experience. She reveals how she landed Whole Foods distribution with no connections and took a chance on Shark Tank to secure funding. Allison breaks down why they decided to rebrand Poppi, how they executed a successful relaunch during the pandemic, the social media strategies that helped them grow awareness and build a loyal community, and so much more.In this episode, we'll talk to Allison about:* Saying "yes" and figuring things out. [03:32]* Allison's career journey and how it shaped her. [04:52]* Passion is key to entrepreneurial success. [07:32]* Allison's health journey inspired Poppi. [09:22]* Self-funding, entering Whole Foods, and joining Shark Tank. [14:16]* Pivoting to work on Poppi full-time. [15:21]* Preparing for Shark Tank while pregnant. [18:49]* Poppi's rebranding as a strategy for growth. [23:07]* Persistence and adaptability in entrepreneurship. [25:25]* Taste is crucial in the beverage industry. [27:55]* Having over 2 billion TikTok views. [30:36]* Allison's first viral TikTok video. [32:31]* Approachable content creation process. [36:25]* Prioritize mental health and learn to say "no." [42:24]* Allison's experience bringing in a CEO. [44:47]* Learnings from rapid business growth. [47:52]* Managing burnout by prioritizing self-care. [50:29]* Future plans for Poppi. [52:41]* Let go of “should haves” and focus on your priorities. [53:57]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Allison:* Website: https://drinkpoppi.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkpoppi/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonellsworth/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Nancy Sheed reconnects with entrepreneur Hayley Segar, who first first appeared on the show during the earliest days of building her One With Swim company. Now, with a patented product, viral traction, and a successful Shark Tank deal, Hayley reflects on how far the brand has come and what she has learned along the way.  "You have to have almost a delusional sense of confidence, drive, execution, grit, coachability… and that's a specific combo of things." From overcoming limiting beliefs to building intentional growth strategies, she shares a candid look at the mindset and systems that fuel her growing business. Key Points  The idea for One With Swim struck Hayley in a single "aha" moment when she realized women needed swimsuits that fit like no-show underwear—and no one had created them yet. She spent two and a half years prototyping and developing the product, intentionally hiring experienced professionals instead of trying to teach herself every technical skill. Even with early traction, Hayley still battled limiting beliefs rooted in being underestimated during past pitch competitions. She had to actively rewrite her internal narrative before stepping onto Shark Tank. Her Shark Tank appearance was transformational, providing validation, credibility, and momentum—while reinforcing her commitment to a direct-to-consumer model. Hayley focuses on intentional growth, especially in navigating the challenges of seasonality, strengthening infrastructure, and preparing her systems for long-term scaling. Giving back has become a meaningful part of her year—speaking at UConn, mentoring students, and sharing honest lessons with future entrepreneurs who are walking the path she once did. Hayley's story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is as much an inner journey as it is an external one. Her blend of intuition, discipline, and unwavering belief in her product has shaped One With Swim into a brand with real momentum—and real meaning. As she continues to grow, give back, and inspire the next wave of founders, her path offers both practical lessons and genuine encouragement for anyone passionately building something of their own. Connect with Hayley LinkedIn Website Connect with Nancy LinkedIn  Instagram Website

This is episode 71 of the Love, Hope, Lyme podcast. To get your free pdf of "Love, Hope, Lyme: What Family Members, Partners, and Friends Who Love a Chronic Lyme Survivor Need to Know," reach out to Fred Diamond on social media. [NOTE: This podcast does not replace medical treatment. If you struggle with Lyme care, please see a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor.] In this episode of the Love, Hope, Lyme Podcast, host Fred Diamond sits down with Olivia Abrams, founder of TiKK MiTT and a Lyme disease survivor who turned prevention into purpose. Olivia shares her personal Lyme story beginning with arthritis symptoms at age seven and how growing up in a tick-endemic area inspired her to create TiKK MiTT, a chemical-free, reusable glove designed to help people and pets detect ticks before they embed. The conversation explores prevention, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and what it was like pitching TiKK MiTT on Shark Tank, where Olivia famously received and declined two offers. Beyond the product, this episode dives deep into:

Luxury purses, handbags and carry-ons can't compete with story behind the handmade leather and canvas bags from “R Riveter”. Military spouse Lisa Bradley co-founded the company and revolutionized the fashion manufacturing industry, by recruiting military spouses located across the country, to stitch together the bags in their homes. Now, a multi-million-dollar business, we hear how this military spouse founded brand got its humble start in an attic. From a small home-based endeavor, Bradley shares how she was inspired to enlist her fellow military spouses, who often have challenges finding reliable employment, to join the company. After initial success, Bradley described how they scaled revenue, expanded operations and eventually made an appearance on the network TV show, Shark Tank. Bradley spoke about working with business icon Mark Cuban, and how despite their growth, R. Riveter stayed true to the original mission- helping military families. Over the years R. Riveter has sold thousands of bags, and Bradley offered a story about a family who is able to keep their father's memory alive, through a truly unique line of handbags. Check out R. Riveter Bags, for women and men here: https://www.rriveter.com/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans Phil Briggs, Host phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this solo episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, Brie takes the mic to sit down with someone making a real impact—entrepreneur and environmental advocate Amelia Trumble, co-founder of Retold Recycling. If you've ever looked at a pile of clothes and wondered what to do with the stuff that can't be donated, this one's for you. Amelia is on a mission to keep textiles out of landfills and make recycling as easy as tossing something in the mail.Brie and Amelia dive into how Retold Recycling works, how it's changing the game for eco-conscious consumers, and what inspired Amelia to launch the company in the first place. From her appearance on Shark Tank to building a brand that turns sustainability into a lifestyle, Amelia shares her journey with warmth, humor, and insight. Brie, a longtime fan of the brand, is thrilled to spotlight a fellow female founder doing big things for the planet.Tune in to hear how Amelia is creating tangible solutions for a cleaner future, the realities of juggling business and purpose, and why being mindful about what we toss out matters more than ever. It's a conversation filled with inspiration, environmental impact, and entrepreneurial spirit—press play and get ready to feel empowered. Call Nikki & Brie at 833-GARCIA2 and leave a voicemail! Follow Nikki & Brie on Instagram, follow the show on Instagram and TikTok and send Nikki & Brie a message on Threads! Follow Bonita Bonita on Instagram Book a reservation at the Bonita Bonita Speakeasy To watch exclusive videos of this week's episode, follow The Nikki & Brie Show on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok! You can also catch The Nikki & Brie Show on SiriusXM Stars 109! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greg Coleman's career took a turn that almost no one expects. After helping build a venture-backed tech company and appearing on Shark Tank, he shifted into a world most founders overlook: government contracting. In this conversation, Greg explains how startups, consultants, and small businesses can position themselves to work with federal agencies, navigate complex programs like SBIR and OTAs, and understand what it actually takes to break into the government market.Greg spent years inside the Department of Defense innovation ecosystem, where he evaluated early-stage technologies, managed prototype programs, and worked directly with founders trying to sell to the government. Today he advises companies on how to approach the federal market, avoid common mistakes, and build real opportunities inside agencies.If you're exploring government contracting for the first time, wondering how companies get funding, or trying to understand what separates successful federal vendors from everyone else, this interview gives you a clear, realistic starting point.Chapters00:00 – Greg's background and early Air Force career02:15 – Flying high-level government officials and global missions04:05 – Launching a startup and appearing on Shark Tank07:10 – Entering the government innovation ecosystem (DIU, NSIN)13:45 – How SBIR and STTR really work for small businesses18:20 – OTAs and how companies move from prototype to production25:10 – Examples of emerging tech companies building for the government31:20 – The hardest challenge: crossing the “valley of death”35:00 – Greg's advisory work helping companies approach the federal market38:30 – Greg's thoughts on the GovClose Certification ProgramWork With GregGreg advises early-stage and growth-stage companies (Pre-Seed through Series B) on entering the federal market, building repeatable sales strategies, and navigating SBIR, OTA, and prototype pathways.Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorycoleman/Become a Certified Government Contracting ProfessionalLearn federal sales, pipeline building, and modern acquisition strategies inside the GovClose Certification Program:https://govclose.comHire a GovClose-Trained ConsultantCompanies can get matched with trained federal sales consultants here:https://match.govclose.com

GDP Script/ Top Stories for December 11th Publish Date: December 11th PRE-ROLL: SUGAR HILL ICE SKATING From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Thursday, December 11th and Happy birthday to Nikki Six I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. Atlanta Christkindl Market proving a hit in Lawrenceville Gwinnett commissioners OK 4% salary adjustment for county employees Paul Duke STEM High School honored for work to improve student outcomes Plus Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: GCPS Hiring-Villa Rica Wonderland Train STORY 1: Atlanta Christkindl Market proving a hit in Lawrenceville Avery Boutin and Jordan Lettis had never been to the Atlanta Christkindl Market before, but now that it’s landed in their backyard? They couldn’t resist. Sunday night, they joined the crowd under twinkling string lights, wandering the aisles, riding the Ferris wheel, and—of course—grabbing raclette sandwiches. This is the market’s first year in Lawrenceville, and it’s already a hit. City Manager Chuck Warbington said it’s tripled downtown foot traffic. Vendors? 90 booths, everything from bratwursts to alpaca scarves. And the hot chocolate line? Let’s just say, patience required. STORY 2: Gwinnett commissioners OK 4% salary adjustment for county employees Gwinnett County employees just got an early Christmas surprise—4% raises, approved by commissioners on Tuesday. Starting pay? Now at least $40,000 a year for full-timers. Not bad, right? The adjustment, retroactive to Oct. 25, bumps up pay ranges across the board, including public safety roles. Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson called it a step toward addressing inflation and keeping Gwinnett competitive. “We’re investing in the people who keep this county running,” she said. With a $2.6 billion budget vote looming in January, it’s unclear how this raise fits in. But for now? A little extra in the paycheck feels good. STORY 3: Paul Duke STEM High School honored for work to improve student outcomes Paul Duke STEM High just snagged a huge honor—one of only two schools in Georgia named a 2025 National ESEA Distinguished School. Pretty big deal, right? This recognition isn’t handed out lightly. It’s for Title I schools that are crushing it academically and making real strides with their students. Principal Dr. Jonathon Wetherington couldn’t be prouder. “This is about our students, our teachers, our families—all of us,” he said. Their STEMforALL initiative? Game-changer. It’s hands-on, rigorous, and inclusive, reaching multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and those facing economic challenges. Oh, and Flex Fridays? Genius. Targeted support, projects, college prep—it’s working. Graduation rates? Over 90%. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: Kia Mall of Georgia - DTL HOLIDAY STORY 4: Gwinnett County Public Library offering RISE Teen Entrepreneurship program Got a teen with big dreams of running their own business? Gwinnett County Public Library’s RISE Teen Entrepreneurship Program might be just the thing. Starting Feb. 17, 2026, this four-week crash course will teach teens (ages 13–19) how to turn ideas into real businesses. Here’s the deal: they’ll brainstorm, build a business plan, and pitch their ideas to local entrepreneurs in a Shark Tank-style showdown. Winners? Cash prizes. Meetings are weekly, 5:30–7:30 p.m., at the Lawrenceville Hooper-Renwick branch. Deadline to apply? Jan. 5. Oh, and library cardholders can use maker spaces—think laser printers, podcast gear, sewing machines—for free. Dream big, Gwinnett! STORY 5: Touchdown Club of Gwinnett Honors Best in 2025 High School Football The Touchdown Club of Gwinnett threw a big bash Monday at 12Stone Church, celebrating the absolute best of Gwinnett high school football from the 2025 season. And wow, what a lineup. Buford’s Tyriq Green snagged Athlete of the Year—no surprise there, considering he’s leading his team to the Class AAAAAA state finals. North Gwinnett cleaned up too, with Zach Lewis (Offensive Lineman), Max Patterson (Tight End), and Chauncey Davis (Defensive Back) all taking home top honors. Other schools? Brookwood, Collins Hill, and Grayson had multiple winners, too. Honestly, the talent in this county is unreal. Full list? It’s long—like, really long. But trust me, these kids earned it. GEORGIA SWARM: The Georgia Swarm are itching to get back on the floor. After dropping their season opener to Buffalo—yeah, the three-time champs, no big deal—they’ve had a week off to regroup. That 15-11 loss? Not ideal. Saturday, Dec. 13, they’re finally at home, Gas South Arena, facing the Oshawa FireWolves. Rookie Nolan Byrne? Scored his first goal in Buffalo. Shayne Jackson? Four goals, still a beast. And this team? Big. Fast. Aggressive. Fans better buckle up—it’s gonna be fun. Here is Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre Break 3: THE STRAND - Ingles Markets 7 - THE SUGAR HILL HOLIDAY Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com www.kiamallofga.com Ice Rink – Downtown Sugar Hill Holiday Celebration 2025 – City of Sugar Hill https://www.downtownlawrencevillega.com/ Team GCPS News Podcast, Current Events, Top Headlines, Breaking News, Podcast News, Trending, Local News, Daily, News, Podcast, Interviews See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Rubin of "The Rubin Report" talks about Donald Trump's vicious comeback to Ilhan Omar for her criticism of America and its Constitution; CNN's Abby Phillip getting frustrated by "Shark Tank's" Kevin O'Leary and Betsy McCaughey pointing out that it's looking more likely that Ilhan Omar will be implicated in the massive fraud scandal in the Minnesotan Somali community; Nigel Farage calmly presenting the dark side of UK's migration policies that no one wants to acknowledge; Pete Hegseth humiliating Chuck Schumer in front of the press; incoming NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani trying to defend his appointment of convicted felon Mysonne Linen as his advisor to the criminal justice system; CNN's Jake Tapper reading Jasmine Crockett's racist comments about latino voters who supported Donald Trump back to her face; Elon Musk telling Katie Miller if he believes in God; and much more. WATCH the MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE segment of the show here: https://rubinreport.locals.com/ Check out the NEW RUBIN REPORT MERCH here: https://daverubin.store/ ---------- Today's Sponsors: CBDistillery.com- Struggling with poor sleep or aches and pains? Take the advice of our over 2 million satisfied customers. Use CBD after physical activity for reductions in stress and pain. Go to http://cbdistillery.com and use code RUMBLE to save up to 25%! Juvent - Stop joint pain and stiffness with the Juvent Micro-Impact Platform. In the US, the Juvent device is considered investigational for the treatment of osteoporosis or improvement/maintenance of bone mineral density. Our claims have not been reviewed or cleared by the FDA to treat any disease or condition. The JUVENT® Micro-Impact Platform® is registered as a Class I medical device for exercise and rehabilitation." Go to http://Juvent.com/RUBIN and use the code RUBIN to save $300 on your own Juvent. Lean - A powerful weight loss supplement with remarkable results to help lower blood sugar, burn fat by converting it into energy, and curb your appetite. Rubin Report viewers get 20% off plus free rush shipping off their first order! Go to: https://TakeLean.com and enter promo code RUBIN for your discount

Follow @GrantCardone • GrantCardone.com • SiriusXM Business Radio In Episode 287, Grant welcomes two powerhouse creators from very different worlds—Daymond John, entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor, and Will.I.Am, global music innovator and tech entrepreneur. Both guests open up about the mindsets, decisions, and defining moments that shaped their rise to the top of their industries. Daymond shares a powerful insight from his own life—how "the hood" isn't just a place, but a mindset that some people never escape, even after they leave. He breaks down how breaking that mental barrier was essential to his success. Will.I.Am brings his unique perspective from music, technology, and community building, revealing the creativity and discipline that fueled his career evolution. Follow us on all our social platforms and at grantcardone.com

In the lead-up to SharksFest, Stacey and J Sbu called their sister station, Jacaranda FM to chat with JacaDrive hosts Rob and Roz. With the Sharks taking on the Bulls this SharksFest, it was important to the Drive duo to get in touch with their frenemies... Rob and Roz got under Stacey and J Sbu's skin by calling the Shark Tank the 'Bulls Pen' before chatting in Afrikaans... Here's how it went...

Join Jack, James and Alex as they try to pick themselves up off the canvas of an opening round Champions Cup defeat for Sale, and look ahead to next week's clash in France.Support the showFor all our other latest thoughts, follow @SharkTankRugby on X/Twitter, or we're at u/SharkTankPod on Reddit. If you'd like to get in touch please drop us an email at sharktankpodcast@outlook.com

Celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary joins the Mining Pod to discuss his bull thesis on AI, bitcoin, and Bitzero. Subscribe to the Blockspace newsletter for market-making news as it hits the wire! Welcome back to The Mining Pod! Today, Kevin O'Leary, investor and Shark Tank star, joins us to talk about the intersection of Bitcoin mining and AI infrastructure. Kevin breaks down why he invested in Bitzero and why the North American grid is all but tapped out. He also covers geopolitical AI chip strategies, the Genius Act and stablecoins, and why institutional capital will ignore altcoins while boosting BTC and ETH. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com **Notes:** * Sub $0.06/kWh power is key * 50% of NA data centers will fail  * Global data center demand is 250GW * 1GW compute needs 1.4GW buildout  * 1.4GW buildout costs up to $7B  * Bit Zero has 1.5 EH/s in Norway Timestamps: 00:00 Start 02:51 What is Bitzero? 06:18 What sets Bitzero apart? 08:45 What are investors missing? 11:19 Expansion strategy & load mix 16:17 18 actual customers 20:15 AI bull market timeline 25:33 Classifying assets & portfolio allocations

Should you raise money or bootstrap your business? It's one of the biggest questions every founder faces — and the wrong decision can shape the entire future of your company. In this episode, I share the lessons I've learned from speaking with hundreds of founders about funding, and what I've personally applied in building Foundr and my ecommerce brand, Healthish. You'll learn when it makes sense to take on capital, when to stay independent, and how to make this decision from a position of strength — not pressure. Here's what you'll take away: • The real trade-offs between funding and bootstrapping (speed vs. control) • Why money amplifies what already exists — and can't fix bad unit economics • What investors actually look for: traction, margins, and market size • 5 questions to ask before raising: Do I need funding to scale or survive? Is this a $1B opportunity? Do I have product-market fit? • Real founder stories — including Toy Guru's Shark Tank collapse and BigCommerce's billion-dollar exit — that show both paths in action • Creative alternatives to equity funding: Kickstarter, grants, partnerships, and strategic capital If you're stuck wondering which path to take, this episode will help you make a clear, confident decision based on your goals — not hype. This is a brand new solo series I'm testing, and I'd love your feedback. Email me directly at nathan@foundr.com — I read every reply. Hope you enjoy it. 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. 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

What truly drives enterprise value - and what quietly destroys it? In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with Anthony Franco, managing partner at First Strategy, serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and co-author of AI First Principles and the WISER Method. Anthony breaks down the core factors that influence valuation long before an owner thinks about selling. They discuss the impact of profitable revenue, clean financials, customer concentration, operational discipline, and how reducing reliance on the founder increases both value and buyer confidence. Anthony also explains why toxic employees, the “genius jackass,” and organizational apathy can erode enterprise value in ways owners often overlook. The conversation moves into practical AI adoption for mid-market companies. Anthony outlines the AI First Principles framework and the WISER Method, including specific tools and realistic first steps leaders can take to improve productivity, decision-making, and operational speed without overwhelming their teams. His guidance is grounded: AI is a force multiplier, not a job killer. They wrap with insights from Anthony's Shark Tank experience, his How To Founder podcast, and the steps every business owner can take now to protect, strengthen, and increase enterprise value. Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: Anthony Franco—serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and the co-author of AI First Principles and the WISER Method. Anthony successfully exited six of his own businesses, and spent over two decades guiding business leaders on how to grow smarter, automate strategically, and prepare for valuable exits. As the host of his own podcast, How to Founder, Anthony is passionate about sharing practical, no-nonsense strategies that entrepreneurs and business owners can immediately put into action. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries.  Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers.  He's on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people's contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company's most valuable asset.” Dave's book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He's also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

Subscribe to the Blockspace newsletter for market-making news as it hits the wire! Welcome back to The Mining Pod! Today, Kevin O'Leary, investor and Shark Tank star, joins us to talk about the intersection of Bitcoin mining and AI infrastructure. Kevin breaks down why he invested in Bitzero and why the North American grid is all but tapped out. He also covers geopolitical AI chip strategies, the Genius Act and stablecoins, and why institutional capital will ignore altcoins while boosting BTC and ETH. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com **Notes:** * Sub $0.06/kWh power is key * 50% of NA data centers will fail  * Global data center demand is 250GW * 1GW compute needs 1.4GW buildout  * 1.4GW buildout costs up to $7B  * Bit Zero has 1.5 EH/s in Norway Timestamps: 00:00 Start 02:51 What is Bitzero? 06:18 What sets Bitzero apart? 08:45 What are investors missing? 11:19 Expansion strategy & load mix 16:17 18 actual customers 20:15 AI bull market timeline 25:33 Classifying assets & portfolio allocations

Kevin O'Leary is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and television personality best known as "Mr. Wonderful" on Shark Tank. Before he became "Mr. Wonderful," he was building software companies and collaborating with innovators like Steve Jobs — experiences that sharpened his belief that clarity, product focus, and disciplined execution separate real businesses from the noise. After selling his first company in one of the biggest tech acquisitions of its era, O'Leary launched O'Leary Ventures, a diversified investment firm that backs founders who value data over ego and performance over posturing. His portfolio now stretches across consumer goods, technology, manufacturing, and financial products, reflecting his philosophy that a good deal is simple, scalable, and rooted in numbers that actually add up. Known for his blunt honesty and zero-fluff communication style, O'Leary has become a global voice for business clarity in a world drowning in hype. Both on and off the show, he forces entrepreneurs to think sharper, defend their decisions, and understand exactly why a deal is — or isn't — worth doing.  Timestamps: 00:00:00 Cold Open 00:00:10 Title Sequence 00:00:29 Show Notes VO 00:01:15 Intro Into Interview 00:44:57 Outro  

You've seen Robert Herjavec make deals on Shark Tank, but do you actually know how he thinks? In this candid conversation, Robert breaks down the real questions investors should ask, and the common mistakes founders keep making. He also warns about the wrong lesson some people take from Shark Tank. And yes, if he still thinks about passing on Scrub Daddy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we talk about the time Daymond John quickly declined making a deal on Shark Tank. JOIN THE OFFICIAL MTTA DISCORD SERVER: https://discord.gg/t9UV3c7Npr BUY OUR MERCH: https://merch-throughout-the-ages.creator-spring.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/MemesThroughouttheages

Destin Bell is the founder of Card.io, the platform transforming how athletes, creators, and everyday performers build consistency and accountability. Destin's work centers on discipline, daily habits, and showing up with purpose. He has appeared on Shark Tank as well as Squid Game: The Challenge.   0:03 – The Twin War That Built a Competitor  6:55 – When Public Speaking Became a Combat Sport  7:52 – The Graduation Speech They Tried to Cut  9:33 – The Moment the Room Cried and He Arrived 12:25 – Confidence Wasn't Taught — It Was Engineered  17:50 – When Words Became Weapons, Not Homework  20:00 – The Childhood Game That Created a CEO  21:00 – Why Discipline Alone Never Wins the Long Game  22:59 – Seeing Someone Who Looks Like You Shifted the Ceiling  29:50 – Rock Bottom on an Attic Floor Became a Launch Pad  30:36 – COVID Didn't Just End Plan B — It Forced Plan Only  35:55 – Identity Rebuilt Under Pressure and No Exit  40:22 – Shark Tank Came Calling (Literally)  41:34 – From “Is This a Scam?” to “Pack Your Bags”  42:47 – When the Pitch Stopped Feeling Like a Pitch  47:16 – The Pause That Took Back Power  47:40 – Silence as Strategy: Negotiation in Neutral  51:34 – When TV Ended but the Relationships Didn't  55:17 — Inside Squid Game Dorm life, elimination pressure, and life on one of Netflix's most watched shows.  1:02:31 — The “now what?” gap Emotional and psychological drop after a major achievement.  1:03:10 — Forward focus Shift toward investing, development, and new opportunities.   Don't forget you can also follow Dr. Rob Bell on Twitter or Instagram! Follow At: X @drrobbell Instagram @drrobbell Download Your Daily Focus Map! https://drrobbell.com/ If you enjoyed this episode on Mental Toughness, please subscribe and leave a review! Dr. Rob Bell

This week, I talk with Jeff Sheldon, designer and founder of Ugmonk. Jeff's story is about more than building a successful brand—it's about choosing craft over scale and staying true to what you love. We talk about why he turned down Shark Tank at the peak of a viral Kickstarter, how his childhood love of drawing grew into a career in design, and what he's learned about perfectionism, entrepreneurship, and the emotional cost of mastery. We also explore the quieter parts of his journey: the role his marriage has played, his philosophy of work and life, and how he continues to create intentionally 16 years in. If you're trying to make meaningful things without losing yourself in the process, this conversation is for you. Let's get to it. Partner Deals Proper: Save $500 off onboarding when you mention Good Work at https://workwithproper.com. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (01:55) – Why Jeff turned down Shark Tank (04:35) – The foresight behind saying no (06:59) – Jeff's philosophy of work and life (10:04) – First steps into design (13:08) – Nurturing creativity (19:13) – Why Jeff doesn't call himself an entrepreneur (25:49) – A relentless standard of excellence (34:46) – The emotional cost of mastery (42:48) – Doing vs. learning on the internet (46:43) – Partnership and support (54:15) – Keys to a lasting relationship (01:01:00) – Winning his first t-shirt contest (01:04:31) – From $18k goal to $430k raised (01:08:06) – Gather vs. Analog (01:16:08) – Success without wealth (01:22:30) – The tradeoffs of a bespoke business (01:25:03) – Lessons from early struggles (01:32:36) – Holding to an ethos in a bigger culture (01:35:56) – Becoming world-class (01:39:34) – Jeff's most beautiful future (01:40:35) – Who Jeff is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Sanda Moldovan and James Barry discuss the significance of organ meats in nutrition, the impact of modern diets on health, and the importance of cooking at home. They explore the challenges of nutrient deficiencies in the American diet, the historical context of food consumption, and foundational health practices that can enhance well-being. The discussion also touches on the experience of appearing on Shark Tank and the broader implications of food choices on health. In this engaging conversation, Chef James Barry discusses the importance of embracing cooking without pressure, the comfort of real foods, and innovative ways to introduce organ meats into family meals. He emphasizes the nutritional benefits of organ meats, particularly for children, and shares practical tips for incorporating them into everyday cooking. The discussion also covers the sourcing and processing of Pluck seasoning, a product designed to make organ meats more accessible and enjoyable for families. Want to see more of The Holistic Dentistry Show? Watch our episodes on YouTube! Do you have a mouth- or body-related question for Dr. Sanda? Send her a message on Instagram! Remember, you're not healthy until your mouth is healthy. So take care of it in the most natural way.    Key Takeaways: (00:00) Introduction and Shark Tank Experience (02:52) The Importance of Organ Meats (06:03) Nutritional Deficiencies and Modern Diets (09:03) The Shift in Food Consumption (11:59) Foundational Health Practices (14:59) Cooking at Home vs Eating Out (16:22) Embracing Cooking Without Pressure (19:23) The Comfort of Real Foods (23:42) Introducing Organ Meats to Kids (26:28) The Nutritional Power of Organ Meats (30:41) From Farm to Pluck: The Process (33:04) Creative Ways to Incorporate Organ Meats Guest Info Social https://www.instagram.com/eatpluck/  https://www.instagram.com/chefjamesbarry/  Links      https://eatpluck.com/everydayancestral/  https://eatpluck.com  Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@EverydayAncestral Connect With Us:  AskDrSanda | YouTube BeverlyHillsDentalHealth.com | Instagram  DrSandaMoldovan.com | Instagram  Orasana.com | Instagram

Taylor Minor and Charles Nick are the Co-Founders and faces of Third Wave Water. Third Wave's mineral supplements are added to distilled water to create a consistent, optimized base for your coffee. We chat about their experience running a successful Kickstarter funding campaign, appearing on Shark Tank, and continuing to grow the business and partnership. Head to www.coffeepeoplepodcast.com for links from the show, context to our conversation, and much more.Find Third Wave Water online at: www.thirdwavewater.com, and @ThirdWaveWater on YouTube.Head to www.coffeepeoplepodcast.com for links from the show, context to our conversation, and much more.Find Copper Moon Coffee online at: www.coppermooncoffee.com, and Manatee Coffee at www.manateecoffee.com.Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.coffeepeoplepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for links from the show, context to our conversation, and much more.The link to the Simply Good Coffee Brewer can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.coffeepeoplepodcast.com/simply-good-coffee-brewer-review/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our direct affiliate link for the brewer is: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://partners.simplygoodcoffee.com/roast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coffee People is presented by Roastar, Inc., the premier coffee packaging company utilizing digital printing. Roastar enables small-to-gigantic coffee businesses tell a big story. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4gIsHff⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow @roastar on Instagram.Coffee Smarter shares the collected wisdom of the coffee industry, and is an offshoot of the Coffee People podcast. Coffee People is one of the premier coffee and entrepreneurship podcasts, featuring interviews with professionals in the coffee industry and coffee education. Host Ryan Woldt interviews roastery founders, head roasters, coffee shop owners, scientists, artists, baristas, farmers, green coffee brokers, and more.This show is also supported by Marea Coffee , Cape Horn Green Coffee Importers, Sivitz Roasting Machines, Relative Coffee Company, Coffee Cycle Roasting, MAMU Coffee, and Hacea Coffee Source.Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.coffeepeoplepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for show recaps, coffee education, guest list and coffee news.Register to become an organ donor at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://registerme.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.*Clicking these links to purchase will also support Roast! West Coast through their affiliate marketing programs.

Send us a textIn this special year-end episode, host Donna DiMaggio Berger and producer Claude Jennings cut through the noise and reveal the real shifts that changed how community associations operate—from high-stakes legal challenges to the everyday pressures managers and volunteer directors face on the ground. This isn't just a recap. It's a reality check.Donna and Claude revisit their most talked-about conversations of the year, including:Building a company worth selling — insights from a top property management leader on culture, systems, and long-game strategy.A former Florida Condominium Ombudsman who demystified what meaningful government support should look like.A Shark Tank founder whose flood-ready product offers communities a rare gift: storm prep that actually works.They also spotlight two sleeper-hit episodes that delivered outsized value:A pest control strategist explaining modern, low-toxicity treatments and how understanding pest behavior can save buildings money, time, and disruption.An etiquette expert who reframed neighbor conflict as a communication skill—not a personality flaw—and showed how diplomacy, positive intent, and smart email habits can avert half your headaches.A guest who revealed the common gaps in most communities' screening and security protocols and how to address them.One of the year's most sobering discussions came from immigration attorney Ira Kurzban, who explained why every association needs a well-defined ICE response protocol—long before it's needed. And yes, Donna and Claude revisit the throughline in almost every episode: Artificial Intelligence. Is the guest's industry going to be impacted by AI, what can AI do well, what it can't, and why “AI wrote it” is not a substitute for human judgment.If your community is ready to shift from reactive crisis management to proactive prevention, this 2025 wrap-up pulls together the year's most powerful lessons into clear, actionable takeaways you can put to work immediately—whether you're a board member, manager, or industry professional.Related Links:Firm Bio: Donna DiMaggio BergerPodcast: Take It To The Board's 100th Episode Milestone— From Building Castle Group to Industry Icon: A Conversation with James DonnellyPodcast: Important Insights from Florida's Former Condominium OmbudsmanPodcast: Storm-Ready in Seconds: How Shark Tank's StormBag Is Changing Hurricane and Severe Weather PrepPodcast: Monsters In The Walls — Pest Control Truths for Condos and HOAsPodcast: Mind Your Manners: Restoring Respect in Condo, Cooperative and HOA CommunitiesPodcast: Screening Vendors and Service People for Enhanced Security

Investor and healthcare disruptor Mark Cuban joins The Other 80 to talk about his online pharmacy, Cost Plus Drugs, that is bringing affordable drugs with transparent markups to American households. Mark lays out his basic formula for taking overhead and complexity out of the US healthcare system by disaggregating huge vertical businesses and disintermediating middlemen.In this episode, Mark Cuban pitches:That direct contracting with hospitals is his next healthcare disruptionWhy he thinks medical schools should be freeHow financial audits are a first step to lowering healthcare pricesWhy price transparency is contagiousMark thinks the best way to make change is from outside the system:“What makes [Cost Plus Drugs] radical is when we started, everybody presumed and expected that we would work within the system. That we would partner with the big three wholesalers that control 98% of the sale of drugs - that we would partner with the big three PBMs that control 85% of prescriptions. And, we did the exact opposite because we knew they were the problem.”Relevant LinksThe Cost Plus Drugs mission statementRead and watch Mark Cuban testimony for the Senate Special Committee on Aging More on Mark's hospital negotiation strategyAbout Our GuestMark Cuban is an investor who lives for his family, his "Shark Tank" companies and the Dallas Mavericks. He is the owner of the 2011 World Champion Dallas Mavericks and bestselling author of "How to Win at the Sport of Business," and was an entrepreneur from the early age of 12 when he sold garbage bags door to door. Today, Cuban is the highly successful entrepreneur and investor with an ever-growing portfolio of businesses.A lifelong entrepreneur and investor, Cuban has started and built multiple industry-changing organizations including Costplusdrugs.com, which sells medications at industry low pricing with total cost transparency, which he founded with Dr. Alex Oshmansky. Named a winner of the GQ Men of the Year in 2006 and included in The New York Times Magazine's Year in Ideas, Cuban is recognized as being among the most influential people in both the cable and sports industries. He may be best known for his purchase of the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 4, 2000. Under his leadership, the team's home games have become a total entertainment experience.Prior to his purchase of the Mavericks, Cuban co-founded the first commercial streaming company AudioNet, which became Broadcast.com, the leading provider of multimedia and streaming on the Internet. Broadcast.com was sold to Yahoo! Inc. in July 2000. MicroSolutions, a leading national systems integrator, was co-founded by Cuban and partner Martin Woodall in 1983, and later sold to CompuServe.In 2001, Cuban founded AXS TV (www.axs.tv) and sister network, HDNet Movies, the very first all high-definition TV network. He also co-owns the Landmark Theater chain, Magnolia Pictures, Magnolia Home Video and 2929 Productions along with partner Todd Wagner. With the release of the movie "Bubble" in 2005, Magnolia and Landmark Theaters pioneered the release of the movie's "day and date," meaning the

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down the surprising Democratic overperformance in Tennessee’s TN-07 special election and what it signals about a rapidly shifting political landscape. From early cracks in Trump’s coalition to the GOP narrowly avoiding a full-scale collapse in a district they should have won easily, Chuck explains why this political environment is inching toward a Democratic “wave.” He digs into why Aftyn Behn’s imperfections didn’t stop her from overperforming, why Republicans can’t replicate this win in dozens of upcoming races, and how establishment ties have become toxic for candidates in Trump’s GOP. With ACA subsidies, tariffs, and Venezuela emerging as major vulnerabilities—and Trump issuing weekly, indefensible pardons—Chuck argues we may be witnessing the end stages of the Trump era. Plus, he makes the case that Democrats’ Senate prospects are stronger than people realize, especially in an environment defined by high Democratic enthusiasm and a struggling economy. Then, entrepreneur, investor, and former “Shark Tank” star Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on ambition, politics, media, and the rapidly accelerating drone arms race. Higgins reflects on his rise from humble beginnings to serial entrepreneurship, why highlighting adversity can sometimes unintentionally promote victimhood, and how government should focus on leveling the playing field with empathy—not bureaucracy. He also explains why America is undergoing a political realignment and how leaving politics reshaped his view of its inherent narcissism. From the personalization of media to the implicit bias baked into journalism, Higgins warns about how online life can warp our sense of reality and why LinkedIn has succeeded by avoiding the toxicity of other platforms. The discussion then turns to the future of warfare, where drones have transformed the battlefield and triggered the most significant arms race since the nuclear age. Higgins breaks down how the Ukraine war changed everything, why the U.S. is dangerously dependent on Chinese drone technology, and how difficult it will be to build a domestic drone industry without key components like magnets. He also outlines what a modern 9/11-style attack might look like, why America still isn’t prepared to defend public spaces from drone terrorism, and the urgent lessons policymakers should take from past failures. The episode wraps with a detour into the NFL: what makes a great owner, why inherited wealth doesn’t equal success, and why both New York football teams continue to puzzle fans and analysts alike. Finally, Chuck gives his ToddCast Top 5 at-risk Senate seats in a “blue wave” election and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:00 Takeaways from the TN-07 special election 02:15 Trend of Democrat overperformance continued in Tennessee 03:00 Is this political environment turning into a “wave” scenario for Democrats? 04:00 We’ve already started seeing cracks in Trump’s coalition 05:00 A loss in TN-07 would have led to the bottom falling out for the GOP 07:00 Aftyn Behn was not the perfect candidate for Dems in TN-07 08:45 Republicans will struggle to replicate this win in 35-40 races 11:00 Being associated with the establishment can be the kiss of death 11:30 Democrats are in a great political environment, Trump’s grip is slipping 12:15 GOP will likely extend ACA subsidies to mitigate the political damage 13:30 Tariffs and Venezuela are two big political liabilities for GOP 16:00 There was no mention of Trump from Matt Van Epps during campaign 16:30 There aren’t any positive future headlines coming for Republicans 18:15 We’re at the end stages of the Trump era 19:15 Environment will be high Democrat enthusiasm, with a bad economy 20:30 Trump’s granting indefensible pardons on a weekly basis 22:00 People are underrating Democrats chances of winning senate 24:00 If history is a guide, the likelihood of Dems winning 4 senate seats is high 31:15 Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast 32:15 Matt’s journey to becoming a “serial entrepreneur” 33:30 There are hurdles, but any American can climb the ladder 34:45 Coming from nothing to finding great success in business 36:15 Do we encourage victimhood by highlighting challenging upbringings 37:30 Some ambitious, successful people need to “chase something” 39:15 Where should government have been more/less involved in your businesses? 41:00 Government’s role should be leveling the playing field with empathy 43:15 America is in the middle of a political realignment 44:00 America needs a “next north star” after winning cold war 45:00 How Matt got started working for Rudy Giuliani 46:00 How did leaving politics change your view of politics? 47:00 There’s a degree of narcissism when you’re in government 47:45 The personalization of the media has politicized it 49:15 Humans are born with original bias, journalists will have it 51:30 There will be implicit bias infused in journalism, but it’s gone too far 53:15 If you spend too much time online it warps your view of reality 54:45 LinkedIn has become a trusted space by not being like Twitter or IG 57:00 Press & comms shops matter more than ever in politics & business 59:45 Drones have completely changed the complexion of modern warfare 1:00:30 How Matt got into the military drone business 1:02:15 Everything changed in the drone space after the Ukraine war 1:03:15 Does automating warfare make killing easier when it looks like a video game? 1:04:15 The U.S. needs an arsenal of drones it doesn’t currently have 1:05:30 You can’t make drone motors without magnets & the U.S. doesn’t make them 1:06:00 Drones are the biggest arms race since nuclear weapons 1:06:45 A dependency on Chinese drones was created in the U.S. 1:07:30 Biggest obstacles to building a domestic drone industry 1:08:45 A modern 9/11 style attack would most likely involve drones 1:10:15 We haven’t figured out protecting public spaces from drones 1:12:45 What lessons can we take away from 9/11 for countering drone terrorism? 1:14:45 What makes a good NFL owner and how much does ownership matter? 1:16:30 Owners shouldn’t placate media or fans with short term moves 1:17:00 Why is it so hard to build a winner with the Jets? 1:19:15 Inherited wealth vs success in business impact on sports owners 1:20:45 D.C. still isn’t aware of how important the drone arms race is 1:21:45 America’s enemies are learning how to make drones at scale 01:25:30 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Matt Higgins 01:26:45 ToddCast Top 5 Senate seats on “blue wave watch” 01:27:30 Historical precedents for massive upsets during wave years 01:30:30 #5 Florida 01:32:45 #4 Kentucky 01:35:00 #3 South Carolina 01:39:30 #2 Mississippi 01:41:00 #1 Montana 01:43:00 Ask Chuck 01:43:15 Thanks for having Clay Travis on to push us outside our bubbles 01:45:30 What to make of all the censures in congress? 01:49:45 How do the U.S. & Europe get responsible leaders into power? 01:57:30 Why is Biden facing challenges fundraising for his library? 02:01:15 Could Trump’s legacy become that of Benedict Arnold? 02:05:00 Could we see a mixed party presidential ticket in the future?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entrepreneur, investor, and former “Shark Tank” star Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on ambition, politics, media, and the rapidly accelerating drone arms race. Higgins reflects on his rise from humble beginnings to serial entrepreneurship, why highlighting adversity can sometimes unintentionally promote victimhood, and how government should focus on leveling the playing field with empathy—not bureaucracy. He also explains why America is undergoing a political realignment and how leaving politics reshaped his view of its inherent narcissism. From the personalization of media to the implicit bias baked into journalism, Higgins warns about how online life can warp our sense of reality and why LinkedIn has succeeded by avoiding the toxicity of other platforms. The discussion then turns to the future of warfare, where drones have transformed the battlefield and triggered the most significant arms race since the nuclear age. Higgins breaks down how the Ukraine war changed everything, why the U.S. is dangerously dependent on Chinese drone technology, and how difficult it will be to build a domestic drone industry without key components like magnets. He also outlines what a modern 9/11-style attack might look like, why America still isn’t prepared to defend public spaces from drone terrorism, and the urgent lessons policymakers should take from past failures. The episode wraps with a detour into the NFL: what makes a great owner, why inherited wealth doesn’t equal success, and why both New York football teams continue to puzzle fans and analysts alike. Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 Matt’s journey to becoming a “serial entrepreneur” 02:15 There are hurdles, but any American can climb the ladder 03:30 Coming from nothing to finding great success in business 05:00 Do we encourage victimhood by highlighting challenging upbringings 06:15 Some ambitious, successful people need to “chase something” 08:00 Where should government have been more/less involved in your businesses? 09:45 Government’s role should be leveling the playing field with empathy 12:00 America is in the middle of a political realignment 12:45 America needs a “next north star” after winning cold war 13:45 How Matt got started working for Rudy Giuliani 14:45 How did leaving politics change your view of politics? 15:45 There’s a degree of narcissism when you’re in government 16:30 The personalization of the media has politicized it 18:00 Humans are born with original bias, journalists will have it 20:15 There will be implicit bias infused in journalism, but it’s gone too far 22:00 If you spend too much time online it warps your view of reality 23:30 LinkedIn has become a trusted space by not being like Twitter or IG 25:45 Press & comms shops matter more than ever in politics & business 28:30 Drones have completely changed the complexion of modern warfare 29:15 How Matt got into the military drone business 31:00 Everything changed in the drone space after the Ukraine war 32:00 Does automating warfare make killing easier when it looks like a video game? 33:00 The U.S. needs an arsenal of drones it doesn’t currently have 34:15 You can’t make drone motors without magnets & the U.S. doesn’t make them 34:45 Drones are the biggest arms race since nuclear weapons 35:30 A dependency on Chinese drones was created in the U.S. 36:15 Biggest obstacles to building a domestic drone industry 37:30 A modern 9/11 style attack would most likely involve drones 39:00 We haven’t figured out protecting public spaces from drones 41:30 What lessons can we take away from 9/11 for countering drone terrorism? 43:30 What makes a good NFL owner and how much does ownership matter? 45:15 Owners shouldn’t placate media or fans with short term moves 45:45 Why is it so hard to build a winner with the Jets? 48:00 Inherited wealth vs success in business impact on sports owners 49:30 D.C. still isn’t aware of how important the drone arms race is 50:30 America’s enemies are learning how to make drones at scale See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's what happens on Shark Tank—and what happens after an appearance on Shark Tank. In an episode that aired last March, Chennelle Diong (MBA 2022) pitched her frozen, gluten-free, ready-to-bake biscuits and cinnamon rolls to a group of steely investors. Her savvy netted an investment from Lori Greiner, and an avalanche of orders that felt impossible to dig out from under. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Chennelle explains the ups and downs that came with her national TV success and how she is rediscovering her identity in the startup space. Table of Contents • 1:44 How did you end up on Shark Tank? • 3:17 Countering the "Queen of QVC" • 5:26 The aftermath • 7:57 A vulnerable social media post • 10:32 Fundamentally changing identity • 12:43 Getting back to her roots • 16:31 "The entrepreneurial road is not for everyone" • 17:36 The benefits of an MBA • 20:53 "Nothing takes the place of experience" • 21:59 Show notes and credits

How do you stay focused and steady when your work revolves around pressure, fast decisions, and a schedule that never slows down? In this episode of Habits & Hustle, I sit down with Robert Herjavec, entrepreneur, Emmy Award winner, and lead Shark on Shark Tank, to explore the mindset and habits that keep him clear and effective when the stakes get high. He shares the discipline that keeps him steady under pressure, the lessons that reshaped his definition of success, and how he protects his energy in a world that rewards noise. We also talk about the routines that anchor him, how he filters opportunities, the role curiosity plays in high performance, and what staying grounded looks like when visibility comes with real cost. Robert Herjavec is a Croatian-Canadian entrepreneur, investor, and television personality. He founded BRAK Systems, one of Canada's leading internet security companies, and sold it to AT&T Canada for $30.2 million. He is an Emmy Award winner, the lead Shark on Shark Tank, a cybersecurity expert, keynote speaker, author, and lifelong car enthusiast known for his approach to steady, forward action. What We Discuss: (18:45) Choosing discomfort as a real growth strategy (20:01) How confidence grows when you say yes, fail, and improve 1 percent daily (21:16) Why self-control is the performance skill most people ignore (11:22) The real difference between millionaires and billionaires and why it matters (25:47) The psychology of great sales and how curiosity becomes your edge (31:05) How to parent with privilege and still raise kids with grit (40:50) How he actually ended up on Shark Tank (52:01) Why small interactions can change someone's life (59:17) The fitness fundamentals that matter after 60 (1:02:10) How he rebuilt his body in his 60s through routine and discipline Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen    Find more from Jen:  Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Robert Herjavec: Instagram: @robertherjavec X: @robertherjavec TikTok: @realrobertherjavec Youtube: @robert-herjavec

We pitch you our crazy ideas.

Today on Banking Transformed, I sit down with someone who never holds back – Kevin O'Leary from Shark Tank. We recorded this conversation live at the Catalyst Strategic Summit in Austin, where Kevin and I explored one of the biggest questions facing the industry today: What is the real future of retail banking—and where do smaller financial institutions still have a competitive edge? Kevin shares his unfiltered views on consolidation, regulation, innovation, leadership, and why he believes niche banks and credit unions may actually be better positioned than the giants if they're willing to move faster, specialize, and rethink what value really means for customers.

Send us a textThe world of Amazon selling in 2025 is drastically different, and it's harder than ever to succeed. In this video, Steven Pope discusses the biggest challenges Amazon sellers face today - from China direct sellers to private label struggles. He shares insights into how you can overcome the competitive landscape and stay ahead in the game.One of the key changes that can impact sellers in 2025 is China's tax regulations, which will level the playing field for Amazon sellers competing against Chinese manufacturers. While it's harder than ever to create a lookalike brand, there are still opportunities to create unique products and innovate your way to success, as shown by  @ZipStringHQ   success on Shark Tank.Don't wait for 2025's challenges to hit, schedule a call now and learn how to stay competitive on Amazon! https://bit.ly/4jMZtxu#AmazonSelling2025 #PrivateLabelStruggles #AmazonSellingTips #AmazonChallenges----------------------------------------------------------------------Want free resources? Dowload our Free Amazon guides here:Q4 Selling Playbook: https://bit.ly/46Wqkm3 2025 Ecommerce Holiday Playbook: https://bit.ly/4hbygov Amazon PPC Guide 2025: https://bit.ly/4lF0OYX 2025 Ecommerce Holiday Playbook: https://bit.ly/4hbygovAmazon Crisis Kit: https://bit.ly/4maWHn0Amazon SEO Toolkit: https://bit.ly/457zjSlTimestamps:00:00 - Amazon Sellers' Challenges in 202500:25 - China's Tax Changes and How They Affect Amazon Sellers01:02 - Is Private Label Still Possible in 2025?01:35 - The Secret to Success: Creating a New Product Genre02:12 - Why Agencies Fail to Automate and How It Hurts Amazon Sellers02:54 - The Importance of Process Over Expertise in Scaling on Amazon03:39 - Recruitment Tips for Growing Your Amazon Team in 2025----------------------------------------------Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28605816/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/myamazonguys/Twitter: https://twitter.com/myamazonguySubscribe to the My Amazon Guy podcast: https://podcast.myamazonguy.comApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-amazon-guy/id1501974229Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4A5ASHGGfr6s4wWNQIqyVwSupport the show

Now on Spotify video! Starting a business is brutally hard, and Kevin O'Leary is a living example of that truth. Despite early failures, he went on to build and sell The Learning Company for $4.2 billion in one of the most competitive tech markets in history. As an investor in over 50 companies, he can spot true entrepreneurs from a mile away and knows exactly what it takes to stay in the game. In this episode, Kevin exposes the harsh realities of entrepreneurship and shares the essential traits, skills, and strategies that separate successful founders from those who fail. In this episode, Hala and Kevin will discuss: (00:00) His Early Life and Path to Entrepreneurship (06:04) Kevin's Rules for Scaling Beyond $5M (14:05) Lessons From a $4.2B Business Exit (22:37) Transitioning From Operator to Investor (27:42) Managing the Highs and Lows in Business (32:32) What Makes a Successful Entrepreneur? (36:51) Rating the Traits of True Entrepreneurs (46:29) High-Performance Habits for Entrepreneurs (01:01:16) The Power of Creator Entrepreneurship Kevin O'Leary is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and television personality, best known as “Mr. Wonderful” on ABC's Shark Tank. He co-founded and built The Learning Company, which was later sold for $4.2 billion, making it one of the largest tech exits of its time. Kevin is also the Chairman of O'Leary Ventures, as well as a bestselling author, global speaker, and advocate for entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Sponsored By: Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING  Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting.  Revolve - Head to REVOLVE.com/PROFITING and take 15% off your first order with code PROFITING  DeleteMe - Remove your personal data online. Get 20% off DeleteMe consumer plans at to joindeleteme.com/profiting  Spectrum Business - Visit Spectrum.com/FreeForLife to learn how you can get Business Internet Free Forever. Airbnb - Find yourself a cohost at airbnb.com/host  Northwest Registered Agent - Build your brand and get your complete business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes at northwestregisteredagent.com/paidyap Framer - Publish beautiful and production-ready websites. Go to Framer.com/design and use code PROFITING Intuit QuickBooks - Bring your money and your books together in one platform at QuickBooks.com/money  Resources Mentioned: Kevin's Website: kevinoleary.com   Kevin's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kevinolearyshark   Kevin's Instagram: instagram.com/kevinolearytv/?hl=en    Kevin's YouTube: youtube.com/channel  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting Newsletter - youngandprofiting.co/newsletter  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Side Hustle, Startup, Passive Income, Online Business, Solopreneur, Networking

The boyz unleash two of their biggest bones yet—rescuing dogs and dealing with wobbly tables—and it quickly spirals into one of the most unhinged, rapid-fire episodes they've ever recorded. From the hoops you're forced to jump through just to adopt a dog, to the pretentious gatekeepers who make it nearly impossible, Paul breaks down why the system is broken while Bobby doubles down with his own war stories. Then the guys pivot to a full-blown rant about high-end restaurants that still serve guests on shaky tables, complete with spilled coffee, shoddy fixes, and Shark Tank inventions that could've solved everything. Get your fix with Zippix Toothpicks! Save 10% by using code BONE at http://ZippixToothpicks.com today. Must be 21+ Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat Frames at https://on.auraframes.com/BONETOPICK Promo Code BONETOPICK Go to http://hellofresh.com/BONETOPICK10FM to get 10 free meals + a free breakfast for life.

In this episode of the Capital Raiser Show, Richard C. Wilson interviews Kevin Harrington—original Shark from Shark Tank, creator of the modern "As Seen On TV" model, and early investor in Celsius. Kevin walks through how he turned unused cable downtime in the 1980s into a billion-dollar infomercial engine, took his company public, and then scaled a global distribution business by syndicating only the proven winners worldwide. He explains why he exited TV at the right time, how he spotted Celsius at $0.10 per share before it became a $20B brand, and why influencer and digital marketing now beat traditional media for consumer products. Kevin also breaks down his philosophy of becoming a Key Person of Influence (KPI)—building your personal brand, writing books, doing 100+ podcasts, and assembling a "dream team" so the best deals and JV opportunities come to you first. He shares lessons from mentoring with Richard Branson, running high-discipline studios, reviewing 1,000+ pitches, and what he looks for in early-stage consumer deals personally and through Cypress Ascendant. If you want to attract better deal flow, build authority in your niche, and operate at true high velocity, this episode is a blueprint. To meet investors in person and plug into our ecosystem, visit https://familyoffices.com/. Our investor club offers 30 nationwide events a year, 10,000 registered investors, and 40 proprietary AI tools to help you raise capital and grow your platform.

Scott and Keith take you on a wild ride through imagination with a brand-new segment: Let's Build a Damn Mall! From P3 Studios to your earbuds, the duo is tasked with designing the ultimate over-the-top mall — and they're calling in the 2300 Society to pitch their craziest store ideas, Shark Tank style. Expect laughs, outrageous store concepts, and all the bizarre products you didn't know you needed — from a used wrestling ring resale shop to a 50 Shades–inspired adult boutique, a Saturday Morning Cartoon emporium, Along the way, we dive into music, commercial parodies, and the one-of-a-kind chaos (without the chaos) that only Powers Point After Dark can deliver. Tune in for a night of pure imagination, hilarity, and the question on everyone's mind: what would your dream mall look like? ""Warning Tread Lightly on the Third Floor""

On today's show Ryan and Rick setup the Cnaucks visit to the Shark Tank today, preview the Caps Western Final game in San Diego and more.Joining the show is Thomas Drance (17:58) and Bob Lenarduzzi (51:38). 

My granddaughter suffers from menstrual cramps.  Do you have any suggestions?Do you recommend nicotinamide daily to prevent recurrence of basal cell cancers?What works best to lower fibrinogen?I've been on Ozempic for a year and have diarrhea every morning!Is bypass surgery still being done?Would you recommend Bergamot for fatty liver?

Thanksgiving and overindulgenceA food poisoning incidentObservations on health at ThanksgivingWhat do you think of online sites offering prescriptions for hair loss via a questionnaire?

Raquel Graham, "Shark Tank" winner, CEO of Roq Innovation, and host of "Entrepreneuring with Raquel Graham" on KBLA Talk 1580 shares her thoughts about the upcoming economic boycott for Black Friday and the importance of supporting Black businesses this holiday season.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

From losing his $25,000 life savings on his first startup investment to democratizing venture capital for everyday investors, Gerry Hays shares proven strategies for making early-stage investing accessible through VentureStaking while teaching founders outside traditional tech hubs how to raise capital and build sustainable businesses. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with Gerry Hays, founder and CEO of Doriot and Senior Lecturer at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. Gerry has made 75+ startup investments, taught venture capital for 20 years, and built multiple companies from zero to exit, including HomeYeah.com and Charlie Biggs Food Company. His current mission focuses on expanding venture capital access beyond coastal hubs through innovative funding models. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover how to participate in early-stage startup investing with as little as $10 through the VentureStaking model, why the right to invest later in winning companies proves more valuable than over-investing today, and how collapsing startup costs are fundamentally changing capital requirements for founders. Gerry shares strategies for avoiding what he calls "the fool's tax" when making your first investments, the critical importance of backing founders over ideas, and why venture investing resembles poker more than roulette. You'll also learn about building venture ecosystems within universities where students and alumni can collaborate on funding and growth, navigating the decision between raising capital versus bootstrapping your business, and the difference between venture-appropriate businesses versus lifestyle companies. The conversation explores tokenization's potential to create an ownership economy, why cultivation mindset beats consumption thinking for long-term wealth building, and what freedom from scarcity truly means in both dealmaking and life. GERRY'S JOURNEY: Gerry's path into venture capital came through painful education. After leaving law practice after just six months, he made his first investment at age 27, putting his entire life savings of $25,000 into a hazardous waste processing technology. He knew the space intimately from running lobbying for Indiana's Department of Environmental Management. The technology made sense. The market opportunity was clear. But the founder couldn't execute, and Gerry lost everything. That lesson kept him away from startup investing for a decade. Instead, he became a founder himself, launching HomeYeah.com during the dot-com boom. He acquired a small Indianapolis company with 25 lawn signs and built it into the 11th largest real estate company in Indianapolis by transactions, growing from zero to $1.8 million in revenue in just 20 to 24 months. The company sold to Help-U-Sell Real Estate in 2003, but not before Gerry experienced the challenge of raising capital outside traditional tech hubs. After the HomeYeah.com exit, Indiana University invited him to teach a new venture capital course. He's been there since 2004, creating what he calls a bridge between academic theory and real-world startup practice. Meanwhile, he co-founded Charlie Biggs Food Company, scaling it from zero to $10 million in revenue with distribution in over 1,000 retail locations before exiting through a private equity deal. FIRST INVESTMENT LESSONS: That initial $25,000 loss taught Gerry what he calls "avoiding the fool's tax." The fundamental insight was simple but profound. When you invest, you're really investing in founders more than ideas. He was simply a bad picker of founders at that point. The technology expertise didn't matter. Market knowledge didn't matter. What mattered was identifying founders who could execute through inevitable obstacles and pivots. This lesson shaped everything that followed. Gerry wouldn't touch startup investing again for ten years after that loss. When he did return, his approach centered on cultivating relationships with founders over time, watching how they respond to challenges, and building diversified portfolios that acknowledge most investments will fail. VENTURESTAKING MODEL: The VentureStaking approach emerged from Gerry's years of teaching and investing. The model allows investors to participate with as little as $10 in early-stage founders. Instead of writing large checks for immediate equity, venture stakers provide small grants to founders just getting started. If those founders break out and raise a real equity round, the stakers get invited to invest at 10 times their initial stake. The math works elegantly. Out of 25 investments of $10 each totaling $250, you might only see three worth backing in a real round. But when winners emerge, you've earned the right to participate in meaningful equity rounds without the traditional barriers to entry. This democratizes access while maintaining sophisticated portfolio construction principles. Gerry likens venture investing to poker rather than roulette. You play many hands with small amounts. You fold most of them. But when you spot real winners, you bet heavy. This is cultivation versus consumption, a long-term wealth-building game that Warren Buffett exemplifies, having created 99% of his wealth after age 65. THE COLLAPSING COST OF STARTING: One of the most profound shifts Gerry identifies is how startup costs have collapsed. What required $5 million to build ten years ago can now be created in a day for $50 thanks to AI agents, no-code platforms, and cloud services. This changes everything about capital requirements and who can be a founder. This trend combines with tokenization to create what Gerry calls an ownership economy. Instead of owning a few stocks generating passive income, people could hold tokens in 150 companies, each generating small amounts of passive income without traditional barriers to entry. The infrastructure for this future is being built now through blockchain technology and regulatory evolution. UNIVERSITY VENTURE ECOSYSTEMS: Gerry's work brings the VentureStaking model to universities, creating ecosystems where students, alumni, and faculty can participate in funding and building the next generation of startups. Indiana University has 70,000 students and 800,000 alumni. Imagine creating an arena where students pitch ideas, alumni back them with small stakes, and the community participates in the upside when founders succeed. Shared information, shared risk, shared prosperity. This approach captures innovation traditional VCs miss entirely. Founders outside coastal hubs gain access to capital. Alumni gain access to investment opportunities typically reserved for accredited investors with six-figure minimums. Students learn by doing rather than just studying theory. The model scales to any university willing to build the infrastructure. KEY INSIGHTS: Geographic location shouldn't determine access to capital. Gerry experienced this firsthand with HomeYeah.com in Indianapolis. He wasn't in California. He didn't have the right connections. That challenge drives his current work at Doriot, focused on democratizing venture capital for founders and investors outside traditional hubs. The Sam Altman example illustrates how network effects compound. Altman invested $15,000 in Stripe in 2009, now worth $650 million. That wealth creates access to more deals. Those deals create more wealth. The rich get richer not because they're smarter but because they have access. VentureStaking aims to expand that access. Contracts matter, but people matter just as much. Gerry's experience shows that when something seems too easy, like tenants responding unusually quickly to lease documents without redlines for 10-15 year commitments, it raises red flags. You can have perfect legal documents but still face challenges if you're working with the wrong people. THE SHARK TANK STORY: Gerry shares his Shark Tank experience where his former student pitched a business and received a $250,000 offer from Mark Cuban for 35% equity. Gerry advised him that existing SAFEs would push him below 50% ownership. The founder turned down Cuban's offer. That "no" to Mark Cuban kicked off Season 4 of Shark Tank and generated publicity that proved more valuable than the deal itself. The company continued growing without the investment. CULTIVATION VERSUS CONSUMPTION: One of Gerry's most powerful insights addresses how society trains people for consumption rather than cultivation. We've made sports betting legal. Prediction markets are booming. We're training young people about fast-moving money and dopamine hits. But venture investing is a cultivation game. You're dropping seeds into the ground and watching what the universe brings back. He gave a student $5,000 who wanted to build something in the travel industry. The founder pivoted to AI and Shopify and just raised $8 million at a $55 million valuation. That $5,000 investment is now worth over $200,000. The bet wasn't on the idea. It was on a founder who wouldn't quit. That's something you discover by playing the game, getting yourself into wealth-building activities where you're patient, watching, and learning. FREEDOM FROM SCARCITY: When asked about freedom, Gerry's answer cut to something fundamental. Being free from a scarcity mindset is profoundly important. Everything around us reinforces scarcity. But when you let go of that and realize how abundant things really are, it changes how you see opportunities. You can afford to be patient. You can take calculated risks. You can help others succeed knowing there's enough to go around. This mindset applies to venture capital, to dealmaking, to entrepreneurship, and to life. When you operate from abundance rather than scarcity, you see opportunities differently. Capital formation is evolving. The question is whether that evolution will democratize opportunity or concentrate it further. Gerry's betting on democratization. Perfect for investors curious about venture capital but feeling locked out of traditional opportunities, founders outside coastal tech hubs seeking capital, university administrators exploring venture ecosystem development, and anyone interested in how capital formation is evolving to become more accessible while maintaining sophisticated portfolio construction principles. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/gerryhays FOR MORE ON GERRY HAYS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerryhays/ https://doriot.com FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFERhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction to Gerry Hays and the VentureStaking model [02:15] - Growing up around real estate and finding it boring initially [04:30] - The $25,000 first investment loss and avoiding the fool's tax [07:45] - Launching HomeYeah.com during the dot-com boom and growing to $1.8 million [10:20] - Capital raising challenges outside traditional tech hubs [12:30] - Selling HomeYeah.com to Help-U-Sell Real Estate in 2003 [14:15] - Teaching venture capital at Indiana University since 2004 [16:45] - Building Charlie Biggs Food Company from zero to $10 million in revenue [19:30] - The VentureStaking model explained with $10 minimum investments [22:15] - Why venture investing is poker, not roulette [25:00] - The collapsing cost of starting companies from millions to dollars [27:30] - Tokenization and the ownership economy vision [30:45] - The $5,000 investment now worth $200,000 after founder pivoted to AI [33:20] - Sam Altman's $15,000 Stripe investment now worth $650 million [36:00] - Building venture ecosystems within universities [39:15] - The Shark Tank story where student turned down Mark Cuban [42:00] - Cultivation versus consumption mindset for wealth building [44:30] - Warren Buffett creating 99% of wealth after age 65 [46:45] - Freedom from scarcity mindset in dealmaking and life Guest Bio Gerry Hays is the founder and CEO of Doriot, a platform focused on democratizing venture capital by expanding access for entrepreneurs outside traditional coastal hubs. He is also a Senior Lecturer at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, where he has taught Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Finance since 2004. Gerry began his career in politics and law before founding HomeYeah.com, an online real estate platform that grew from zero to $1.8 million in revenue in 20-24 months and became the 11th largest real estate company in Indianapolis by transactions. The company was acquired by the private equity firm behind Help-U-Sell Real Estate in 2003. He co-founded Charlie Biggs Food Company, growing it to over $10 million in annual revenue with distribution in over 1,000 retail locations before exiting through a private equity deal. He also co-founded Apparel Media Group, later acquired by Custom Ink. An active investor, Gerry has backed 75+ early-stage companies, several of which have raised over $20 million or achieved profitability. He has been investing in Bitcoin and Bitcoin Layer 2 infrastructure since 2013. Gerry is the author of The First-Time Founders Equity Bible and has led student venture immersion trips to Asia for over a decade. Host Bio Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes Episode 350 - Tom Dillon on Fractional CFOs and Alternative Funding Sources: Learn how fractional CFO services help companies explore diverse funding options beyond traditional venture capital. Episode 351 - Solocast on Deal Structures Beyond M&A and Capital Raising: Explore joint ventures, strategic alliances, licensing agreements, and other creative partnership models that expand growth options. Episode 89 - Sherisse Hawkins on the Capital Raising Journey: Discover the practical realities of securing investment as a founder and navigating the funding landscape. Episode 85 - Nick Adams on Seed Stage Venture Capital Funds: Understand how traditional VCs evaluate early-stage deals and what metrics matter most to institutional investors. Episode 175 - Natasha Miller on Developing Strategic Partnerships: Master the concepts of shared risk, shared resources, and creative collaboration structures that bring communities together. Episode 185 - Maximilian Rast on How to Raise Capital for Your Company: Build the fundamentals of capital raising that apply across venture, real estate, and business growth strategies. Social Media Follow DealQuest Podcast:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/Website: https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Follow Gerry Hays: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerryhays/ Company: https://doriot.com Twitter: @gerryhays Keywords/Tags venture capital democratization, VentureStaking model, early stage investing, startup funding alternatives, university venture ecosystems, tokenization investing, accredited investor alternatives, cultivation mindset wealth building, venture capital accessibility, startup investment diversification, capital raising strategies, founder backing strategies, angel investing, entrepreneurship education, blockchain tokenization, ownership economy, portfolio diversification, founder selection strategies, dealmaking strategies

www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThe teaser opens with you explaining the whole point of a Tuesday teaser: push listeners “like little dogs or lemmings” to Patreon, where the full episode lives. You pitch the Wednesday Patreon Zoom, the Saturday Zoom, the Recovery Zoom, the bonus videos and episodes, and joke about your inconsistent track record of scheduling Patreon Zooms.You welcome the massive influx of Billy Strings fans after the huge episode—Rolling Stone, People Magazine, Yahoo News, and a pile of country sites covered it. You read a handful of Spotify comments reacting to the interview: praise for Billy's vulnerability, your interviewing, people crying, people relating to losing their mothers, and some teasing about your age and your Soft White Underbelly appearance. You joke about the cinematic episode description likely being written by AI.Then you play a clip from last week's recording with Doug, where you two open packages at Katz's from German Dopey fans. A listener named Saul sends a long, heartfelt note about discovering the show via her boyfriend Jake, who listened to Dopey while working in German vineyards. They sent you spelt (“Dinkle”) cookies. Doug refuses to eat them because he's convinced they'll kill him before his hospital appointment. You accuse him of hating “gays and gluten.”The teaser then cuts to your and Doug's conversation about Tank Sinatra being the other “bald Long Islander” who recorded in your garage. Doug doesn't know who he is; you explain Tank's meme empire, his sobriety, Shark Tank appearance, his refusal to promote your episode, and your petty scorched-earth unfollow.Next you preview the beginning of the full Tuesday Patreon episode, where you and Doug get into reading Kevin Sherry's furious anti-AI email. Sherry says AI art is “repulsive,” “lazy,” “morally bankrupt,” “stealing,” and makes you look like you've “given up.” You and Doug riff on the bad AI portraits you've both received, debate AI vs real art, and joke that Sherry has an “autistic flair,” which Doug mishears and then corrects. Doug argues synthesizers and sampling were also hated when they arrived; you argue AI feels different but still fun to play with.The teaser ends with you thanking Saul for the cookies, apologizing again to Tank Sinatra for being petty, updating listeners that you now need glasses, and reminding them to join Patreon. You close with “Stay strong… and fucking toodles for Chris,” followed by a bit of a Dopey song. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this lively conversation, Brian Buffini sits down with fellow Irishman and global entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary – known to millions as “Mr. Wonderful” from Shark Tank. Kevin shares the family story behind his Irish–Lebanese roots, his mother's secret investing strategy that inspired an entire ETF company, and the one-day job that pushed him into entrepreneurship for life. Kevin also offers candid insight into today's housing market, the power of personal brand and why relationships and referrals will always beat cold internet leads. YOU WILL LEARN: The defining moments that shaped Kevin O'Leary's entrepreneurial journey and investment philosophy. How the most interesting businesses have been created during moments of “high chaos.” The unvarnished truth would-be entrepreneurs need to know about work-life balance. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Buffini Coaching Live - Bold PredictionsLife by Keith Richards and James Fox Marty Supreme (upcoming film) NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “I realized I didn't want anybody to have the power to control my life. The only way to avoid that is to become an entrepreneur.” – Kevin O'Leary “Real estate is local, local, local. You build a reputation; people come to you. Your customer acquisition cost goes to zero.” — Kevin O'Leary “Every 18-hour day you're awake, there's three things you need to get done. There are always three things. That's the signal. Everything that stops you is the noise. The ratio has to be 80% signal, 20% noise.” — Kevin O'Leary “I think the most interesting businesses are started in moments of high chaos… It's always worth giving it a shot to become an entrepreneur… The outcome is not about the rate of money; it's the pursuit of personal freedom.” — Kevin O'Leary “There's always going to be people trying to convince you of stuff. Listen to your gut. You'll always be right.” — Kevin O'Leary itsagoodlife.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See what happens when women founders build together. RSVP and join us for the Dear FoundHer Forum Virtual Open House + Networking Session on December 9th!Natalie Holloway reveals how a simple idea sparked during a frustrating yoga class grew into a fitness brand that reshaped an entire category.Joining Lindsay Pinchuk, Natalie traces Bala's beginnings from a gut-level insight to a Kickstarter launch and then to the turning point that came with Shark Tank. She talks openly about rapid growth, the reality of running out of inventory, and the tough moment when she realized their team had grown faster than the business itself. Natalie explains how scaling back helped Bala regain clarity and why a lean structure now drives their strongest year yet. She also offers practical direction for early founders who want a business that can last. How do you know when to trust an idea that feels small? What protects a young company when momentum hits faster than expected? Natalie's answers land with experience and honesty, and this episode will leave you with a clearer sense of what sustainable growth really looks like.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why Community And Support Matter For Women Founders Over 4005:17 Who Is Natalie Holloway And What Is Bala Fitness06:11 Leaving Advertising Burnout, Traveling Asia And Discovering The Bala Bangles Idea11:34 From Side Hustle To Kickstarter Funding Bala's First $40K Production Run14:19 Grassroots Marketing On Shopify, Social Media And In Studios To Prove Product Market Fit17:43 Shark Tank Appearance, Pandemic Fitness Boom And Bala's Explosive Growth21:47 Building Then Shrinking The Team: Lessons In Hiring Fast And Scaling Smarter26:44 Expanding Beyond Bangles: Volifying Dumbbells, Power Rings And The Fitness Category27:50 Best Year Yet: How Bala Became A Lean Profitable Business With Trusted Agency Partners30:51 Natalie's Top Three Lessons For Female Founders On Profit, Hiring And Passion35:33 Three Immediate Action Steps For New Entrepreneurs: Research, P&L And Documenting On SocialConnect with Natalie Holloway:Follow Natalie on InstagramFollow Bala on InstagramLinks:Check out our gift guide!Join us for our virtual networking and Forum Open HousePodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We spend so much time stressing about pitch decks…the formatting, the stats, and the perfect slide order. But honestly, that's not what trips most founders up.  The real issue is way simpler: a lot of us just aren't telling investors what they actually need to hear. Not because our ideas are bad, but because the way we explain them ends up hiding the good stuff. Last week I listened to sixteen founder pitches in a row. Different industries, different personalities, and different business models.  And while every single one had real potential, almost all of them shared the same 5 blind spots.  What stood out wasn't the mistakes themselves, but how shockingly easy they are to fix. The founders who nailed just a few simple things immediately came across clearer, more confident, and honestly… way more fun to listen to. The difference between a forgettable pitch and a memorable one usually isn't a full overhaul. It's tiny tweaks, and once those clicks happen, the whole pitch lands differently. In this episode, I go through the 5 common mistakes I see in founder pitches, and why correcting them will get (and keep) the attention of investors.    Topics Covered; Why most founders bury the most important part of the pitch  How jargon kills investor confidence, even when the idea is great. The "single-takeaway rule" that instantly makes your deck clearer and more persuasive What investors actually want to know about your funding ask  Invisible deal-breakers: lack of passion, weak projection, and low energy How to present traction even when you don't have revenue yet How to communicate a credible 18-month plan investors can believe in Verbal, visual, and emotional signals that matter far more than data points   About Your Host Jayla Siciliano, Shark Tank entrepreneur turned real estate investor, excels in building brands, teams, and products. CEO of a bi-coastal luxury short-term rental company, she also hosts the Seed Money Podcast, where she's on a mission to help early-stage entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality!    Connect: Website: https://seedmoneypodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaylasiciliano/ Subscribe and watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@seedmoneypodcast/   

For years, there was a formula for raising money from VC's: perfect your pitch deck, polish your twelve slides, practice the elevator pitch, and hope someone in the limited VC circle gives you a shot.  But that formula worked in a different era, when venture capital was still a close knit club and the same 1,200 people decided which ideas got funded. Those limited rules don't apply anymore. And this shift is not only relevant in VC but also when pitching angel investors.  What Robert Harary has lived firsthand is that the investors who matter today aren't looking for perfect companies. They're looking for founders who are honest, self-aware, and willing to build in the open. The people who win now aren't necessarily the most connected; they're the ones who are real, transparent, and building relationships instead of performances. Robert's story is a perfect example of that shift. He raised his first million at 17 with zero network, went on to back more than 300 startups as a VC, and is now building Raisi.ai, a platform that automatically connects founders and investors, no warm intros required.  In this conversation, we talk about why the old "pitch-only based" era of fundraising is over, what he sees as a new partnership-driven model, and how authenticity has quietly replaced access as the most valuable currency in venture capital.   Topics Covered; Why the old fundraising playbook stopped working, and what replaced it How to raise capital without a network, connections, or pedigree What investors now value most in founders (and why "perfect" is a red flag) How to shift from perfect pitch-based to partnership-based fundraising The rise of platforms like Raisi.ai and what they signal about the future of venture How transparency and imperfection can actually strengthen investor trust What the post-2021 "venture reset" means for early-stage founders How founders can build investor relationships months before raising a round The subtle red flags that turn investors off before a single slide is shown   Guest Bio Robert Harary is an early-stage VC investor, founder, and lifelong believer that access to capital shouldn't depend on who you know. He found his first deal while sitting in high school detention and has spent the decade since working to make fundraising more transparent, efficient, and equitable. Today, Robert is the #2 at Evolution VC Partners, a leading firm with 300+ portfolio companies in the Culture Tech space. Robert co-founded Raisi, a platform that automatically connects founders and investors, matching great ideas with the right capital every eight minutes. Raisi is built on a simple belief: founders shouldn't have to rely on elite networks or endless introductions to get funded. The company is redefining how startups raise money by making investor access smarter, faster, and more inclusive. Collectively, the companies Robert has worked with have raised more than $1.2 billion from firms like Sequoia, a16z, Accel, YC, and Village Global.  Sign up for https://raisi.ai/ and mention The Seed Money Podcast to get a discount.  Connect with Robert on LinkedIn.  About Your Host Jayla Siciliano, Shark Tank entrepreneur turned real estate investor, excels in building brands, teams, and products. CEO of a bi-coastal luxury short-term rental company, she also hosts the Seed Money Podcast, where she's on a mission to help early-stage entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality!    Connect: Website: https://seedmoneypodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaylasiciliano/ Subscribe and watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@seedmoneypodcast/    Please rate, follow, and review the podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seed-money/id1740815877 and https://open.spotify.com/show/0VkQECosb1spTFsUhu6uFY?si=5417351fb73a4ea1/! Hearing your comments and questions helps me come up with the best topics for the show!   Disclaimer The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice.