How Much Can I Make? — Real Jobs. Real Stories. Career Insights

Dog Walker What’s it like to have a job where your coworkers bark, drool, and occasionally roll in something questionable? In this episode, we dive into the career of a professional dog walker—yes, it’s a real job, and yes, it’s more than just cute pups and fresh air. It takes patience, adaptability, and serious street smarts to keep tails wagging and chaos to a minimum. From unpredictable weather...

Real Estate Broker In this episode, Cree Quaker, owner of The Machree Group brokerage firm, gives us an inside look at her work as a real estate broker, where she partners with agents, clients, and investors to maximize property value and stay ahead of market trends. Success in brokerage goes beyond a passion for real estate—it demands deep knowledge of the marketplace, strategic thinking, and exp...

Birth Doula For nearly four decades, Mary Riley has helped bring over 2,500 babies into the world—but her role as a doula begins long before labor. She provides unwavering support to mothers through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, working alongside medical professionals as an advocate and guide. Always on call, Mary sees being a doula as a lifestyle rather than a job, witnessing the magic of new...

Salesforce Practitioner - Work in High Tech, No Degree, No Code Ever wonder who makes those slick behind-the-scenes systems that keep companies running like a well-oiled machine? That’s the job of a Salesforce consultant—like Andy DeSanctis. Andy’s career is all about customizing the powerful Salesforce platform to help businesses (from nonprofits to contractors) manage customer relationships, sal...

 Bridge Designer Ever cross a bridge and wonder, “Who actually designed this thing?” Meet Anthony —his job is to do just that! In this episode, he chats with Mirav about his career as a bridge designer, crafting the plans and specs for the structures that keep people connected. Turns out, designing bridges takes way more than just drawing a few lines—it’s a mix of math, logic, creativity, and a wh...

 Midwife What’s it like to have a job where you help bring new life into the world—literally? In this episode, we’re joined by Connie Kieltyka , a certified nurse-midwife with over 30 years of experience. Her career has been all about guiding parents through the incredible journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Connie gives us some real career insight into what it takes to become a...

 Bartender Ever wonder what it’s really like on the other side of the bar? In this episode, Mirav chats with Tom Ostoyich, a seasoned bartender with over 20 years of experience, about the job of slinging drinks, managing crowds, and keeping the party safe and smooth. Tom gives us a peek behind the curtain—because bartending isn’t all flair and free shots. It’s late nights, quick thinking, multitas...

 Financial Advisor If you think Financial advisor is only about investing think again. In this episode, Mirav chats with Donna Stefans , a seasoned financial advisor, who breaks down the real job of a financial planner. From protecting your assets to securing your rights, Donna shares invaluable tips on how financial planning supports you from age 18 through retirement—and beyond. This isn’t just...

 Interior Designer Your home isn’t just where you sleep—it’s where life happens. So who helps turn four walls into a reflection of you ? Meet Brian Leighton , an interior designer with over a decade in the business of making spaces feel like home. In this episode, Brian shares what it’s really like to have a job that blends creativity, logistics, and a whole lot of people skills. From managing ven...

 Social Worker Cassie Pustilnik is the executive director of Youth Research Inc . YRI is "a responsive research, program, and policy organization that supports the New York Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)   What’s it like to have a job where your whole mission is helping people? In this episode of How Much Can I Make? , Mirav chats with Cassie, a seasoned social worker with 20 y...

 Electrician Get ready to flip the switch on your career curiosity! ⚡ In this electrifying episode, we plug into the world of veteran electrician Eli, who’s spent years lighting up homes, businesses, and entire job sites. From residential rewires to high-voltage industrial gigs, Eli shares what the job really looks like—yes, it’s physical, yes, it’s risky, but yes… the pay can shockingly be worth...

Ever wonder what it’s really like to have a job on Broadway? In this star-powered episode, we sit down with the dazzling Lauren Blackman , a seasoned Broadway actress who's built an impressive career on and off the big stage. From understudying Marian in The Music Man (yes, alongside Hugh Jackman! ) to originating roles in shows like Anastasia and Lempicka , Lauren gives us an all-access pass...

Plumber's Job Ever wonder what it’s really like to work as a plumber? In this episode, Mirav chats with Mark Anderson, a seasoned pro with a thriving Hudson Valley business— A Team Comfort Systems —where he’s built a career solving messy problems most of us wouldn’t touch with rubber gloves. Mark shares the ins and outs of the job : from water heaters to frozen pipes, he’s seen it all. Plumbi...

Mastering LinkedIn - With Meg Columbia-Walsh What if your dream job is only a few clicks away? In this special episode of How Much Can I Make? , Mirav chats with powerhouse entrepreneur Meg Columbia-Walsh to reveal how to turn LinkedIn from a simple profile into a career-launching machine. Spoiler: LinkedIn isn’t just an online résumé—it’s a direct line to the people and opportunities that can cha...

TV Producer Career Insights Explore the career insights of a TV producer with Robin Feldman as she reveals what happens after filming wraps. This episode delves into the essential post-production phases, from managing tight deadlines and budgets to overcoming daily production challenges. Robin shares her journey breaking into the TV industry in Vancouver, highlighting key success factors like pers...

Dog Groomer What’s it like to turn your love of dogs into a full-time job ? 🐶 In this episode of How Much Can I Make? , we sit down with Sara Gildersleeve, a seasoned dog groomer who’s spent nearly 20 years transforming scruffy pups into showstoppers—and building a career she loves in the process. From suds and shears to wagging tails and loyal clients, Sara shares the real deal on what it takes...

Caterer - Entrepreneur Ready to turn your side hustle into a real business? In this special Entrepreneur Corner episode of How Much Can I Make? , Mirav sits down with Marcey Brownstein — boss, and owner of a thriving catering company—to talk about the career path that took her from party-planner-on-the-side to full-blown food industry success. Marcey didn’t start her job in food. But after years i...

 Broadway Stage Manager Ever wonder who keeps Broadway shows running like a well-oiled machine? Meet Billy , a Broadway stage manager who joins Mirav to share career insights from his 30+ years behind the scenes of hits like Hello, Dolly! , Art , and Master Class . Billy’s job may not have been in the spotlight, but he was the one calling the shots—literally. From cueing lights to calming nerves a...

Dog Trainer Ever dreamt of ditching your desk job to hang out with dogs all day? That’s exactly what Lisa did—and in this episode of How Much Can I Make? , she joins Mirav to share how she turned her passion for pups into a full-blown career as a professional dog trainer. Lisa didn’t just wake up a trainer—she started by volunteering at shelters, soaking up every bit of canine wisdom she could. Ov...

 Food Manufacturer Here’s some tasty career insight for all you foodies out there: ever dreamt of turning your homemade goodies into a real-deal business? In this episode of Entrepreneur Corner, Mirav sits down with Lisa Protter—CEO and co-founder of Organic Nectars —to talk about her job as a food manufacturer and the wild ride from basement startup to full-on warehouse operation in the Hudson Va...