Coffeez with Joe Shalaby

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, Joe sits down with Richard Taite—an entrepreneur who went from addiction and homelessness to building some of the most respected luxury rehab centers in the country. Richard is the founder of Cliffside Malibu, Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, and 1 Method. But his real story is about turning pain into purpose—and using business as a platform for healing...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers , Joe sits down with Chris Piro—CEO and Founder of Searchlight Lending, and the guy loan officers call when a deal’s “too weird to fund.” From multifamily and SBA loans to fire-damaged properties, cannabis facilities, churches, art, and even airplanes—Chris has built a niche business out of saying yes when everyone else says no. We talk about earning trust in...

Douglas James is a Navy vet turned entrepreneur who’s helped thousands of people build real businesses online. What started with helping barbers and gym owners run Facebook ads turned into a coaching program that’s generated tens of millions in client revenue. In this episode, we talk about how he made the leap, why most people fail in the digital space, and what it takes to scale without losing y...

In this raw and inspiring episode of Coffeez for Closers , we sit down with Eric Spofford—entrepreneur, real estate investor, and proof that rock bottom doesn’t have to be the end. Eric went from addiction and a felony charge… to founding one of New England’s largest treatment center networks and selling it for $115 million. Now, he’s back building again—running Spofford Enterprises, creating weal...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Gabe and Danny Arik—brothers, entrepreneurs, and the power behind Happy Jewelers, one of the most respected names in the jewelry world. Born into a family legacy that began in Istanbul and continued in L.A.’s diamond district, Gabe and Danny turned a humble manufacturing background into a nationwide brand trusted by celebrities, collectors,...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with NFL Hall of Famer and serial entrepreneur Marshall Faulk. From dominating on the field to now dominating in the financial education space, Marshall shares how he turned his grit, discipline, and leadership into a second career that empowers others. We talk about the mindset it takes to become one of the greatest to ever play, the brutal trut...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we’re joined by Chase Chappell—founder of Chappell Digital and one of the top performance marketers in the game. Known for scaling brands to 7 and 8 figures with Facebook and TikTok ads, Chase breaks down how he went from a teenage hustler to managing millions in ad spend for major clients. We talk paid media strategy, creative testing frameworks, how most b...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Manuel Soto—aka "The Financial Architect"—a powerhouse in the insurance and financial services industry. From top-producing agent to broker-owner of TFA Insurance Advisors, Manny’s journey is all about reinvention, results, and real impact. We talk about what it really takes to scale in a saturated market, how he’s trained thousands...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Pejman Ghadimi—entrepreneur, author, and founder of Secret Entourage. Known for pioneering the online education space around alternative assets, PJ has helped thousands rethink how they view money, status, and success. We talk about how he went from working in a bank to building a multi-million dollar empire by flipping the script on traditi...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Chris Hetherington—former 11-year NFL veteran turned CEO of Fathead. From his early days as a Yale quarterback turned pro fullback, to his current role leading one of the most iconic sports brands of the last two decades, Chris shares the highs, lows, and real-life lessons that shaped his journey. We talk about the mindset shift from athlete...

In this episode of Coffeez, we chat with Jason Wojciechowicz, the mastermind behind Wojo Media. At just 25, Jason has helped over 1,300 businesses scale to six figures and beyond, generating over $125 million in online sales. He breaks down his four-pillar approach to digital marketing success: crafting irresistible offers, creating high-converting sales pages, executing omnipresent ad strategies,...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, luxury real estate auctioneer Simon Polito shares how he's transforming the way high-end homes are sold in the U.S. Born and trained in Sydney—where over 90% of real estate is sold by auction—Simon brought his expertise to the American market and quickly identified a gap. His modern auction platform helps agents and sellers move luxury properties faster,...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers , we sit down with Dr. Alok Trivedi—better known as Dr. Rewire —a former chiropractor turned behavioral neuroscience expert who’s helped over half a million people rewire their brains for performance, clarity, and personal transformation. We talk about how trauma wires your mind, why most people unknowingly sabotage their success, and how Dr. Rewire helps hig...

To celebrate over 100 episodes of Coffeez for Closers , we’re re-airing the one that started it all. In our very first episode, Joe sits down with Sharran Srivatsaa—serial entrepreneur, investor, and now President of Real (REAX). Sharran shares how a chance encounter at a programming contest led to his first major exit, and how that lesson in equity and contracts shaped the rest of his entrepreneu...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers , we sit down with David Weintraub—talent manager, reality TV pioneer, and now executive producer of the Lionsgate film Freaky Tales starring Pedro Pascal, Too Short, and Tom Hanks. From repping hip-hop legends like Too Short to launching hit shows like Sons of Hollywood and Celebrity Rehab , David’s spent decades behind the curtain turning bold ideas into po...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers , we sit down with Maha Abouelenein—a global communications strategist, former head of comms for Google and Netflix, and author of The 7 Rules of Self-Reliance . From launching billion-dollar campaigns to advising leaders like Gary Vee and royalty in Dubai, Maha has spent decades helping brands and individuals craft powerful narratives that actually connect....

This isn’t your typical Coffeez for Closers episode—we’re going full science nerd. Our guest, Thoryn Stephens, is a molecular biologist turned entrepreneur who’s worked with biotech startups, Caltech neuroscientists, and now runs Brain One—a platform using AI and neuroscience to help anyone (from pro athletes to your grandma) upgrade their brain health and performance. He’s the kind of guy whose m...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers , we sit down with Brian Goldstein—serial entrepreneur, scaling expert, and founder behind multiple 8- and 9-figure ventures. From building his first detailing business in high school to helping companies 4x their revenue today, Brian’s journey is one of grit, honesty, and zero fluff. We talk about growing up in chaos, overcoming adversity, and how those earl...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Chris Lee, entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of Next Level Pros. After scaling Solgen into one of the country’s largest solar companies and leading a nine-figure exit, Chris turned his focus to helping other business owners grow and scale with intention. We talk about what it really takes to build a thriving company, why culture is the key to...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers , we sit down with Larry Sands, a pioneer in the luxury eyewear industry. Starting his career in the optical field, Larry opened the Optical Shop of Aspen in 1969, one of the first optical boutiques in the world, catering to notable personalities like Elton John and John Denver. Beyond eyewear, Larry has ventured into various businesses, including the innovat...

Mark Lack built a multi-million dollar brand, made a big exit, and then went all in on Bitcoin—tripling his money in just over a year. But for Mark, success isn’t just about stacking wealth. It’s about playing the long game. From being one of the world’s best paintball players to becoming a top personal branding expert, Mark has always focused on staying ahead of the curve. In this episode, we tal...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers , we sit down with Lavinia Errico, the visionary who co-founded Equinox and redefined the fitness industry. She helped turn gyms from grimy, no-frills spaces into luxury wellness experiences, setting a new standard for fitness culture. But after selling Equinox, Lavinia realized success wasn’t just about building a business—it was about finding joy. Now, she’...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers , we sit down with Rafi Anteby, a man whose journey is anything but ordinary. From his time in the Israeli military to mastering Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong as a Daoist monk, Rafi has reinvented himself multiple times. He’s the founder of Bullets 4 Peace , turning spent bullet casings into meaningful jewelry, and the visionary behind Rafi Lounge in Malibu,...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Vince Ricci, the founder and CEO of Hubble Studio. Starting in 2014, Vince transformed a single-stage setup into a premier creative hub in Los Angeles, hosting top-tier clients like Vogue and GQ. Beyond the studio, he has expanded into fashion with Hubble Clothing and ventured into the cannabis industry with Balanced Los Angeles. Vince share...

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we hang out with Greg Lutzka, a pro skateboarder with a long list of contest wins and a reputation for technical skill. Originally from Milwaukee, Greg packed up and headed to Southern California at 18 to chase his skateboarding dreams. But Greg’s story doesn’t stop at skating. He’s also an entrepreneur, running Lutzka’s Garage, an online shop for motorcycle...