HOT SEAT with David Shands

This is one of the most emotional episodes of The Hot Seat yet. David Shands sits down with the founder of Klarity Kosmetics, a woman who built a six-figure makeup brand while surviving trauma most people couldn’t imagine. From childhood abuse to motherhood, to raising children with special needs, she shares the pain behind her purpose, and how she turned it into a $300K beauty business. What star...

In this hot seat episode, David Shands coaches Eleni, founder of That Mom Club, through the challenges of building a paid community. Eleni shares her story of being a young mom, losing 70 pounds, and wanting to create a supportive space for mothers. But as the conversation unfolds, David points out that the biggest issue isn’t her effort — it’s her lack of clarity about who her ideal client is and...

James Banks III jumps into the  Hot Seat  to get real feedback on his new podcast idea, and it gets BRUTAL. From unclear messaging to trying to target “everybody,” the hard truth comes out: if you’re talking to everyone, you’re really talking to no one. In this episode, we break down: 🎯 Why trying to reach 18–40 year olds won’t work (and what to do instead) 🧩 How to find YOUR unique twist so you...

Ever met someone who  claims  they “run ads”… but really, they just shoot videos? 🎥💸 In this  Hot Seat Episode David Shands exposes the brutal truth about what separates a  real digital marketer  from a terrible one. 👉 Are you actually running ads — or just wasting money? Watch as we break down: Why most videographers fail when they call themselves “marketers” The difference between creating co...

In this episode of The Hot Seat, we sit down with Nicole Henderson, a marketplace minister and founder of CNA & Associates, a nonprofit consulting firm serving clients in 46 states with a stated 100% 501(c)(3) approval track record. She also leads Simplify Life with God, a new faith-based community where she teaches courses on visions & dreams, prayer, and walking in purpose without the bu...

In this deeply moving episode of The Hot Seat, we sit down with Kierra Shelton, a 20-year professional hairstylist from Memphis, TN, who's not only mastered her craft behind the chair but is now on a mission to leave a lasting legacy through her new passion project — a journal called "Family Wealth of Knowledge." From the daily grind of hairstyling to the emotional toll of strained fam...

In this conversation with Amber G. Johnson discuss her business that educates people on how to use firearms appropriately. Though she has her business incorporated she hasn't promoted her business at her fullest potential. There has been money made mainly through word-of-mouth promotion. This can be a great way to promote, but you are then held bound to people talking up your business. There i...

Welcome to another episode of "The Hot Seat"! Today, we had an insightful conversation with Lala, the owner of One:11 Studios, a content creation studio located in Forest Park, Atlanta. Lala shared her journey of entrepreneurship, the challenges she faced in her first year, and her plans for the future. Apply to be on the HOT SEAT: https://hotseatsp.com/apply 👉🏾 Join the Morning Meetup -...

High Ticket Premium Products is what she's selling. Kadayalee Washington introduces herself and her brand, Kleechi. She shares her unique approach to eyewear design, which is deeply rooted in storytelling and mythology, drawing inspiration from both West African and Greek myths. Kadayeleei's personal story of wearing glasses since childhood and overcoming bullying adds a compelling layer t...

👉🏾 Join the Morning Meetup - http://www.themorningmeetup.com⁣ Kadayalee Washington introduces herself and her brand, Kleechi. She shares her unique approach to eyewear design, which is deeply rooted in storytelling and mythology, drawing inspiration from both West African and Greek myths. Kadayeleei's personal story of wearing glasses since childhood and overcoming bullying adds a compelling...

👉🏾 Join the Morning Meetup - http://www.themorningmeetup.com⁣ In this episode of "The Hot Seat," I had an engaging conversation with Zollyann, a dynamic individual who has worn many hats, including being a mom, teacher, and entrepreneur. A significant part of our discussion focused on her entrepreneurial ventures, particularly her journey in writing and self-publishing books. However, de...

👉🏾 Join the Morning Meetup - http://www.themorningmeetup.com⁣ In this episode of the Hot Seat, we dive into a candid and intense conversation with Rachel Voss, the founder and owner of Rachel Voss Yoga and Wellness. The episode kicks off with a provocative introduction aimed at challenging the listeners' comfort zones and setting the stage for a no-holds-barred discussion. Rachel Voss shares...

Frank shared his story of starting an academic and sports training program just before COVID-19 hit, which unfortunately had to be shelved due to the pandemic. During the lockdown, he pivoted to creating a jerk chicken recipe, which gained some traction locally. However, as the world reopened, he found himself needing to return to work due to financial constraints, despite the initial success of h...

👉🏾 Join the Morning Meetup - http://www.themorningmeetup.com⁣ Apply to be on the HOT SEAT: https://hotseatsp.com/apply Subscribe to the Hot Seat on YouTube: / @hotseatsp On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mdfI5z... ** Grab the Podcast EBOOK👇🏾 ** http://www.podcastebook.com Arleen On IG: https://www.instagram.com/womanvs.leathe...

In this episode of "The Hot Seat," I had an engaging conversation with Shanelle, an ambitious entrepreneur who once worked for me at a kiosk. Shanelle has since ventured into the business world, focusing on her new venture, Pristine, a vegan protein powder. This discussion highlighted the challenges and opportunities faced by a budding entrepreneur. Shanelle has the potential to grow her b...

👉🏾 Join the Morning Meetup - http://www.themorningmeetup.com⁣ Apply to be on the HOT SEAT: https://hotseatsp.com/apply Subscribe to the Hot Seat on YouTube: / @hotseatsp On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mdfI5z... ** Grab the Podcast EBOOK👇🏾 ** http://www.podcastebook.com Marissa Watts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/stitchd...

On this episode of The Hot Seat, I had an eye opening conversation will Chelz Bowen who is the owner and operator of "Top It Off Fun" Funnel Cakes Food truck. She's leaving money on the table. This talk consisted of Chelz realizing that her business would benefit from having very forward approach to her potential customers instead of waiting for them to come to her. Even though the qua...

In this episode of the "Hot Seat," I had the pleasure of speaking with Monet Brown, a 23-year-old real estate investment agent based in the metro Atlanta area. Monet has been making significant strides in the real estate industry, despite facing personal challenges that have impacted her professional momentum. We kicked off the episode with a candid discussion about the harsh realities of...

In this Hot Seat Episode, David has a conversation with Brandon Jay who owns a painting company but also teaching credit repair. David finds out about how much Brandon knows about credit and realizes that it's a smarter idea for him to better position his current painting business. Brandon sees how he could actually run his painting business in a much smarter way than the credit business. 👉🏾...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Vonzail, a luxury event designer and the founder of "I'm the Voice of Suicide." We delved into his journey, both in his professional life and his deeply personal mission to bring awareness to suicide prevention. Luxury Event Design Business Vonzail shared his background in luxury event design, a passion he inherited from his gran...

This conversation explores the necessity of aligning dreams with reality, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, strategic planning, and a willingness to confront challenges. Keesan's journey is emblematic of many aspiring entrepreneurs. He possesses an undeniable passion for his venture—selling acai bowls through his mobile business, Nana's Cafe. This enthusiasm is palpable as he des...

In the competitive landscape of entrepreneurship, establishing oneself as an authority is crucial for success. This discussion featuring entrepreneur Sigourney Rosario and her journey with her brand, Self Love Stationery, highlights the importance of authority in business and the impact it can have on both the entrepreneur and their audience. The conversation delves into various facets of entrepre...

In the pursuit of success, many individuals grapple with the concept of perfectionism, often believing that their endeavors must meet an unattainable standard before they can proceed. This mindset can be particularly detrimental in the world of business, where opportunities often require swift action and adaptability. Brittany's experience, as shared in a recent podcast, exemplifies how perfec...

In this episode of The Hot Seat, a budding entrepreneur steps up to share her vision for empowering women and building a brand. The conversation gets real as tough questions are asked about clarity, execution, and what it really takes to turn a dream into a sustainable business. With honest feedback and practical advice, this episode explores the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of d...

In this episode of The Hot Seat, David delivers some hard truths to Brian, owner of Trains 2 Catch Planes Studio. Brian’s all over the place with his business ideas, has a messy business model and lacks of focus. Is Brian’s podcast studio really a business, or just an expensive hobby? This episode is a brutal reality check every aspiring entrepreneur needs to see. 👉🏾 Join the Morning Meetup - ht...