Built Off Ambition

In this episode, Ryan Layman shares his inspiring journey from military service and overcoming addiction to building a successful DJ business. Discover how solving problems, strategic branding, and team building fueled his growth and passion for creating memorable moments. In this episode, Ryan and Michael discuss the evolution of the DJ industry, the importance of authenticity, and how to build a...

Nina is the owner of Meister Foods, a Cleveland business rooted in the West Side Market. She started working at the stand, learned the business from the original owner, and now owns the very business she once worked for. In this episode, Nina talks about the challenges of keeping up with social media, building a well-oiled operation, taking care of employees, valuing repeat customers, working alon...

Keyano, a real estate agent, investor, and wholesaler who started by walking away from law school and chasing a better path. He shares how he got into real estate, what it took to break away from the W2 rat race, and how his first trailer park deal helped start the journey. Today, he works with investors, wholesales multi-unit properties, invests himself, and continues building his name in the bus...

Eli is the owner of NEO Consulting, a mortgage broker business built after years of lessons, losses, and betting on himself. From becoming a father at 15 and dropping out of high school to knocking on doors, buying houses through quitclaim deeds, working as a quantitative analyst, and eventually launching his own company, Eli’s story is about resilience, real estate, and building a life and busine...

Jackson is a small business owner and the owner of Terrapin Bakery, a bakery and coffee shop built on love, hard work, and positive energy. From working in a pizza shop to opening a business with a friend, surviving the struggles of COVID, and eventually betting on himself by buying out his partner, Jackson’s story is about resilience, risk, and building a place that people from all over the world...

Real estate investor and part-time rapper Simon Perera shares his journey from addiction, incarceration, and rebuilding his life from the ground up to becoming a father, getting sober, building a career in automotive sales, and creating a new future through real estate, music, and ambition.