Leaders Across America With Steve Acorn

What would you give to hear the untold truth from one of the very first student entrepreneurs who helped build a movement? In this exclusive, raw conversation, Steve Acorn sits down with Sean Gregory, an original Student Painter from 1987, to uncover the gritty, hilarious, and brutally honest stories that shaped the YEAA legacy. Together, they revisit sleepless launches, wild leaps of faith, and t...

What happens when you hand the reins of a real business to college rookies, then ask them to build something big, with everything on the line? In this high-energy conversation, Steve interviews first-year interns Addison Oberhouse and Noah Jones as they open up about the surprising challenges and lessons from launching their own painting businesses with YEAA. They dive into what no classroom teach...

What does it take to launch a truly standout career while your peers are just getting started? In this galvanizing episode, Steve Acorn sits down with private equity rising star Blake Winkley to unravel how student leaders can leapfrog the status quo by stacking bold experiences and embracing brutal discomfort.  From hustling side gigs in high school to running a six-figure business as a college s...

What's the real difference between feeling like an impostor and building a life that stands out from your peers? In this high-voltage episode, Steve sits down with Celeste Valencia and Brooke Fausey, two unstoppable student leaders who turned setbacks into six-figure stories (and counting). If you think business success is only for business majors, think again. Hear unfiltered truths about failing...

Are you hungry to stand out, lead, and create the kind of transformation that pays off for life? Wondering why some student entrepreneurs seem to win big while others plateau or burn out? On this electrifying episode, Steve Acorn sits down with legendary Student Painters GM Ryan Shepherd, an architect behind hundreds of success stories and recognized as one of the top minds in the industry. They b...

What would you do if your dreams, your crew, and your confidence vanished in a single afternoon? If you're building a business, career, or even your sense of self, the fear of failure and the pressure to deliver can feel overwhelming. In this exhilarating reunion, Steve Acorn welcomes back YEAA alum Sherv Sadr, whose journey from devastated rookie to thriving financial entrepreneur and biotech fou...

What if you could transform your student hustle into a $170,000 business and secure job offers while your classmates are struggling to get interviews?  Michael Menaker, Penn State senior and YEAA legend, sits down with Steve Acorn to reveal the step-by-step reality (not the myth) behind his explosive growth from door-knocking teen to Student Painters' all-time Pennsylvania revenue leader. This con...

Are you craving a breakthrough moment to transform your leadership, confidence, and career trajectory, but secretly worry you might not be cut out for the challenge? In this electrifying episode, Steve Acorn sits down with Abby Metzger, the all-time sales and production record holder for Ohio, and living proof that mindset and grit override privilege or luck. You'll discover how Abby went from sma...

Are you struggling to decide if you should take action now, or wait for the "perfect" time to launch your career? What if the path to a life you love lies not in waiting, but in betting on yourself and following proven systems? In this high-voltage episode, Steve welcomes Aidan Licata, National Executive of the Year at YEAA and a record-breaking student entrepreneur, for an exclusive look at how m...

Ever feel like big success is just out of reach, no matter how hard you plan? Imagine running a $200,000 business and pocketing $40,000, all before even finishing college.  On this electrifying episode, Steve Acorn sits down with Jasper Fritz, the New England Rookie Manager of the Year, to unravel the real reasons most ambitious students fall short and the extraordinary mindset shifts, accountabil...

What if the one bold decision you make this year could redefine your future, unleash your confidence, and surround you with a network that opens doors for life?  This episode, featuring Mike Lamorgese , a top industry performer and true YEAA alumni success story, digs deep into the hidden advantages of choosing challenge over comfort and reveals why hard things pay bigger dividends.  Host Steve Ac...

What if your freshman summer could be the launchpad for record-breaking success, wild earnings, and true leadership transformation? In this riveting episode, Steve sits down with Nolan Staniszewski, the all-time rookie record holder for Michigan, who catapulted himself to a $191K season and pocketed $40K profit—starting with zero business experience. Together, they unpack the mental game, masterfu...

How does a 19-year-old go from zero business experience to running a six-figure painting company, and then go on to build a thriving career as a State Farm agency owner? In this conversation, Steve Acorn reconnects with John Magoto , one of the top-performing alumni from the early 2000s who helped shape the very foundation of YEAA. They reminisce on John's three-year journey in the program, how he...

What if your kid called you and said they were going to run a painting business with zero experience? Would you think it was a scam? That's exactly how this episode kicks off with Sigi Loya, father of two YEAA alums (Emilio and Maggie), and a seasoned entrepreneur himself. In this rare, raw, and honest conversation, Sigi reflects on what it was like watching both of his kids go through the Young E...

What if sharing a car and knocking on doors as a student became the launch pad for a six‑figure business? In today's conversation, Steve welcomes Eric Fraser — once a rookie branch manager with the YEAA program (via Student Painters) and now the founder of PitStop Mobile Oil Change. Eric drops the story of how he and his brother shared one vehicle, hustled through logistics and cold‑calling, and e...

What if the summer job you take in college becomes the foundation of a multi-business career before you're even 24? In this eye-opening conversation, host Steve Acorn sits down with Emilio Loya, former Pennsylvania Manager of the Year and now founder of Affordable Business Valuations and Staff Edge Assessments . Emilio's story begins with cold calls and paint quotes, but quickly turns into an entr...

In this episode of the Leaders Across America Podcast, Steve Acorn reconnects with Jimmy Smith, a two-year veteran of the YEAA program who has gone on to build a thriving Amazon business, train over 10,000 students, and create one of the most recognized online communities for e-commerce sellers. Jimmy shares how Student Painters gave him the foundation for entrepreneurship, the work ethic to push...

What if the biggest advantage you bring to your career isn't your GPA or degree, but the real-world lessons you learned by running a business in college?   In this episode of the Leaders Across America Podcast, Steve Acorn talks with Jacob Brauer, a Michigan State graduate whose four-year journey with the Young Entrepreneurs Program shaped his future in ways no classroom could. From overcoming a s...

  Ever wondered what happens when a young person steps into the world of business without any experience? In this inspiring episode, host Steve Acorn has a conversation with James George, a former intern with Young Entrepreneurs Across America, who shares his transformation from an uncertain college student into a confident leader.   James dives into the unexpected challenges and powerful lessons...

What do you do when the world shuts down 10 days after you launch your dream business?   In today's episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn catches up with Simon Fraser, a standout leader in the Young Entrepreneurs Across America program back in 2013-2015, and now the founder of Headlamp Studios, a Utah-based video production company. Simon first joined YEAA as a student at Ohio...

What happens when you outgrow a traditional job, get a nudge from your grandma, and end up buying a business you once door-knocked as a student painter?   In today's episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn reconnects with Evan Rose, a 2013 branch manager and 2014 regional manager with Young Entrepreneurs Across America, who went on to become the owner of a thriving custom appare...

What happens when you push past fear and self-doubt to take on a leadership role? In this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn sits down with Grace Lemerise, a standout Student Works alumna, to discuss how she transformed her confidence, leadership skills, and career path through the program.   Grace shares how she went from feeling uncertain about entrepreneurship to running...

What does it really take to scale from six figures as a young entrepreneur to running an eight-figure business—and how do the lessons learned at YEAA can shape that journey?   In today's episode of the Leaders Across America Podcast, Steve Acorn welcomes Chandler Bolt, a successful entrepreneur and proud alumnus of the Young Entrepreneurs Across America program. Chandler shares how his early exper...

In this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn talks with Jacob Zegowitz, a UMass Amherst graduate, who shattered expectations in the Student Painters Management position.   Jacob shares his journey of running a $180,000 business during his first year with the program, earning nearly $40,000 in profit, and how the experience challenged him to grow as a leader. He reflects on ho...

Success in the sports industry doesn't happen overnight—it's built through resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to step far outside your comfort zone. In this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn welcomes back Jillian Walker for the special "Where Are They Now?" segment.   Jillian, a proud alumna of the Young Entrepreneurs Across America (YEAA) program, has carved an i...