Diehard Entrepreneur Stories

This is the most important message I've ever recorded. In this final episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I share a decision I've been wrestling with and the powerful lesson behind it: Exponential growth is only possible through ruthless focus and deliberate elimination. This isn't about quitting—it’s about pruning. Just like in business, when you cut back, you create the space for deeper root...

What does it take to build a thriving 7-figure real estate business and successfully pivot into hard money lending? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Devin Ramos talks with Mike Simmons, who grew a successful house flipping and wholesaling business over a decade before co-founding Express Hard Money. Mike shares his journey from corporate jobs to real estate entrepreneurship, the c...

Feeling like your marketing costs are rising but sales are dropping in 2025? In this video, I share real stories from my real estate and cleaning businesses about how we handle higher marketing expenses, fewer quality leads, and lower sales conversions. Learn simple ways to save money on marketing like using cheaper direct mail options, improving online ads, and focusing only on what works best. I...

What can a refugee teach you about resiliency? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with Navid Attayan, a professional real estate investor and founder of multiple businesses. Navid's incredible journey from being a refugee from Iran to a US Army Special Operations veteran and now a successful entrepreneur is a masterclass in resilience and purpose-driven living. Navid share...

🤔What can real estate investing teach us about adaptability, strategic thinking, and the power of putting capital to work for long-term wealth?   ⚡️In this episode of Die Hard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with Cory Lawson, a seasoned sales and marketing professional who made a bold move during COVID to launch a wholesaling business in Tampa, Florida. Cory shares the journey from his fir...

What does it take to turn hard times into new chances and build a business that supports your life’s true goals?   In this inspiring episode of DieHard Entrepreneur Stories, Jeremy Resmer tells his amazing story—from working in the remote Kenyan countryside facing many challenges, to going through business failure during the 2008 financial crash, to learning how to succeed in real estate lead...

Ready to break free from the 9-to-5 grind and discover the true meaning of freedom in entrepreneurship? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I dive deep into the emotional journey of seeking freedom while running a business. I share the hard truths about bondage behind the dream, why discipline is the real key to freedom, and the proven formula of purpose, people, and process that help...

What can a former Special Forces Green Beret teach us about mastering money, entrepreneurship, and building a next-level finance business? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with Mike Glaspie, former Green Beret-turned-CFO and founder of G2 Business Solutions, to dive into his inspiring journey from military life to real estate hustling and launching a thriving accounting...

What if the key to your entrepreneurial success lies not just in skills, but in your beliefs? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, we explore how success comes from doing what you set out to do by understanding and aligning your mindset and abilities. Many confuse skill gaps with limiting beliefs, and learning to distinguish between the two is essential for growth. We discuss how belie...

Discover the inspiring journey of Justin Melendez, a military veteran turned successful entrepreneur and founder of LeadBrain.io .   In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneurs, learn how Justin transitioned from a veteran Soldier from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and real estate investing to building a thriving digital marketing and automation business.   Justin shares pr...

Ready to take control of your business finances using military-proven strategies? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I share how I analyze my Profit & Loss statement like a pro, using methods I learned during my time in the intelligence community. This approach helps me quickly spot problems and make smarter decisions to grow my companies. I start by looking at the big picture—ne...

What can a Navy SEAL teach us about leadership, resilience, and building a mission-driven business? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with Ty Smith, retired Navy SEAL and CEO of CommSafe AI, to talk about his remarkable journey from the streets of East St. Louis to leading cutting-edge companies and coaching others to reach their full potential. Ty shares the mindset shif...

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, we sit down with Terry Wilson, founder of Tactical Edge Coaching & Consulting and a 24-year military veteran, most of it spent in U.S. Special Forces. Known as “Trailer” in the military, Terry shares a raw and powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and purpose. We take a step away from business talk to focus on leadership—how to lead t...

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Lindsay Arko shares her inspiring journey from corporate America to becoming the COO of Blackjack Real Estate, highlighting the pursuit of both income and time freedom. She discusses the mindset shifts required to transition successfully, emphasizing how stepping away from doing everything yourself to leading a strong, values-driven team is vital. L...

Want to finally take control of your time and get more done — without burning out?   In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I’m sharing five productivity strategies that have shaped how I run my life and business — straight from my own journey, including lessons from my military background.   This isn’t about working longer hours or forcing discipline. It’s about using a proven...

What can a former CIA officer teach us about leadership, legacy, and getting things done — in life and in business? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories , I sit down with my friend and mentor Ric Prado , author of Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior . Ric spent 24 years with the CIA, served as Vice President at Blackwater, and now runs his own company while mentoring the next ge...

In this inspiring episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Anthony Autry shares the transformative path that shaped him into a purpose-driven entrepreneur, mentor, and leader. Through discipline, community, and an unwavering commitment to growth, Anthony has created a life centered around service and impact.   He reveals how establishing structure in his daily life became the foundation for b...

How Jesse Trujillo Rebuilt His Life After Bankruptcy and Wrongful Imprisonment In this powerful episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories , real estate investor Jesse Trujillo takes us through an emotional and inspiring journey of perseverance, mindset, and redemption. From facing bankruptcy to surviving wrongful imprisonment, Jesse opens up about the darkest moments of his life—and how those moment...

What does it really mean to build a business that serves your life—and unlock true freedom? In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories , real estate investor and business builder Andy McFarland shares the personal journey and strategic mindset behind creating a business that truly works for you. From flipping his first property (aka “The Treehouse”) to launching multiple ventures, Andy walks...

What’s the one thing even the smartest, most driven people do that quietly sabotages their success?   In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I tackle a mindset killer that holds people back more than they realize: excuses. Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, or trying to level up personally, your ability to own your actions — without justifying them — is what separate...

Are you an entrepreneur or real estate investor trying to raise capital but not sure where to start — or how to get people to actually trust you with their money?   In this episode, Bill Allen shares the full roadmap. From Navy test pilot to 8-figure investor, Bill breaks down the real strategies he’s used to build credibility, attract funding, and scale fast — all without burning relationshi...

In this powerful episode, Dave Pere, founder of From Military to Millionaire, shares the full story behind his transition from active-duty military service to becoming a successful real estate investor, entrepreneur, and community builder.   Dave dives deep into how a brand born out of a simple blog post evolved into a movement helping veterans build wealth and purpose after service. He talks...

What happens when the market crashes, your personal life falls apart, and the business you built starts slipping through your fingers?   Most people fold. But Tyler Jensen rebuilt—faster, leaner, and more focused than ever.   In this powerful episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Tyler takes us inside the real story behind his house flipping career. From losing $37K on his first deal...

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories , Joseph Druther—successful real estate entrepreneur—shares his journey from being a young plumber to building a thriving real estate business. Joseph takes us through his transition from house flipping to new construction and reveals how the lessons learned along the way shaped his approach to business growth.   Joseph dives deep into the impor...

What does it take to build a $4 million cleaning business from the ground up?   In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Allie Williamson reveals how she transformed Southern Domestic Diva from a simple side hustle into a thriving cleaning empire. She shares her early experiences, the struggles she faced in the corporate world, and how the 2020 pandemic became a defining moment for he...