Social Proof Podcast

In this powerful Social Proof episode, host David Shands sits down with Kim Lewis, founder and CEO of CurlMix, the Black-owned natural hair care brand that nearly went bankrupt after raising over $10 million and generating $40 million in lifetime sales. Kim opens up about how she reached a breaking point — with –$18,000 in her account, investors backing away, and a community of loyal customers who...

Millions of Americans are panicking right now as EBT and food stamp benefits are being delayed or cut during the government shutdown. If you’re wondering “how am I supposed to feed my family?” this episode is the answer you’ve been looking for. In this honest and powerful conversation, Donni Wiggins and David Shands share real stories, real numbers, and practical strategies for surviving when the...

From 2 Chainz to $500K in Donations — Charlie Jabaley “Delusional” Blueprint for Miracles Before the cameras even started rolling, Charlie Jabaley told David Shands something unforgettable: “Something huge is going to happen today.” That moment set the tone for a conversation about faith, delusion, and undeniable action. Charlie breaks down how he manifested a half-million-dollar Hasbro deal, turn...

Entrepreneurs are obsessed with “working hard”… but what if effort isn’t the problem? What if the real issue is ineffective effort? 💭 In this episode of the Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the 10 habits that actually make you successful, not the ones social media keeps feeding you. From discipline and delayed gratification to metrics, mindset, and mastering discomf...

The dating industry has been monetizing human connection for centuries — from arranged marriages to Tinder swipes. 💸 In this episode of The Social Proof Podcast, David Shands breaks down the $3.5 billion dating app economy and reveals what entrepreneurs can learn from it: how every era found a way to profit from human emotion — and why the best businesses solve timeless problems. 👀 You’ll learn:...

It started with Ayesha Curry — but it’s not about her. It’s about anyone who’s ever supported someone else’s dream while feeling unseen. In this episode of The Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins dive deep into what happens when one person gets the spotlight — in marriage, business, or friendship — and the other plays the background. You’ll hear:💬 The real meaning behind Ayesha C...

Most entrepreneurs are building with grind, not leverage. In this episode, we break down how to use business credit the right way to access funding, scale faster, and stop relying solely on your cash flow. You’ll learn: How to structure your business for credit approvals Steps to qualify for $50K–$100K in funding without a personal guarantee The difference between consumer and business credit (and...

Most fans think artists make millions from sold-out arenas—but the truth is, the music industry is built on cuts, fees, and middlemen. Chris Brown flipped the script with a bold $1,000 meet & greet play that turned photos into $4.5M in pure profit. In this video, we break down: 🔥 Why most artists don’t make as much as you think from touring 🔥 How Chris Brown built a direct-to-consumer cash m...

David Shands and Donni Wiggins get raw about the highs and lows of their business partnership. From planning My First Million Live to debating whether dropping $200,000 into an event is smart, the two unpack: The challenges of mixing money with friendship Why partnerships succeed (or fail) Their real feelings about public criticism How they navigate conflict without breaking trust This episode is...

Can entrepreneurs really say what they want… or does every opinion come with a price? 🤔 In Episode #541 of the  Social Proof Podcast , David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the fine line between  freedom of speech  and  freedom from consequences . From a viral post about gratitude that sparked outrage to debates about cancel culture, they unpack how speaking your truth online can grow — or da...

In this solo episode of the  Social Proof Podcast , David Shands opens up about the biggest pivot of his entrepreneurial journey. He explains why he intentionally  cut his income , shut down parts of his business, and even started “bleeding money” in order to build something scalable—a company with the potential to exit for $100 million. This is a transparent look at entrepreneurial maturity, sacr...

Stormi Banks shares how she turned a $50,000 loss into a grant-writing empire that’s secured millions for businesses. In this powerful interview, she breaks down how to win grants, scale debt-free, and unlock funding most entrepreneurs don’t even know exists. If you’re serious about business growth, this is the playbook. Subscribe to the Social Proof Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple...

David Shands and Donni Wiggins sit down to challenge the way entrepreneurs think about startups, evolution, and solving problems. They share personal stories, practical frameworks, and global examples of innovation that prove real success comes from tackling  big problems —not chasing trends. This episode covers: The truth about “founders” vs “entrepreneurs” Why your business evolution is a streng...

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...

To every struggling entrepreneur… this one’s for you. You’re calling it a business, but the truth is you might just need to get a job. That’s not failure. That’s survival. Are you chasing the dream or is it time to face reality? Comment below and let’s talk truth. Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if you’ve ever turned hate into motivation. Subscribe to the Social Proof Podcast: Apple Pod...

At Podcast Summit 2025, Ace Metaphor sits down for a fireside chat with David Shands to reveal the raw truth about touring, collaborations, and building an ecosystem around your brand. From the hidden costs of live events to creating multiple revenue streams beyond ticket sales, Ace breaks down how he scaled Tonight’s Conversation into a powerful movement. 🔥 What you’ll learn in this chat: The re...

To all the haters watching… this one’s for you. 😤 I’ve been roasted online, criticized, and doubted; but here’s the truth: letting negativity control your life only hurts your growth. Instead, use it as fuel to level up, crush your goals, and show what you’re really made of. 💥 Are you the hater, or are you the one grinding to success? Comment below — let’s see who’s really about growth. Don’t fo...

In today's conversation we speak on scaling, focus and thinking bigger. 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 JOIN THE COMMUNITY TODAY: https://www.themorningmeetup.com Grab the Podcast EBOOK👇🏾 **http://www.podcastebook.com David on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dshands/ #entrepreneurship #business #howto #podcast Our Sponsors: * Check out Cash App and use my code CASHAPP10 for a great deal: http...

David Shands and Donni Wiggins talk about how they can better serve "My First Million Conference" attendees. Tune into the conversation to find out about how this event may happen in 2025. Subscribe to the Social Proof Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-proof-podcast/id1374373035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GT6Vgj...https://open.spotify.com/sh...

This conversation outlines the present reality and importance of forward thinking within black culture. Though the culture isn't new to forward thinking there are many variables that come into play as it relates to navigating relationships and intellectual property. It's time to be in the know now more than ever. There are people who are great examples as forward thinkers. Find out more wi...

In today's vlog, Jeezy stops by to show us a side of him that not many may know. Donni and I also go through some behind the scenes info while planning an upcoming event. Subscribe to the Social Proof Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GT6Vgj... 👉🏽Get Your Tickets To: https://podcastsummit.com/registration 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇...

In this conversation with Weston Hill of Ceo The Tax Biz shows interested individuals how to start their own tax business. He started out generating a quarter million under mentorship for only a portion of the profits. Then he moved on to his own tax business and generated the same at a full profit. Business has gone up from there. Not only does his business provide tax services but they also teac...

In today's Podcast Explained, we looked at Ryan Pineda's studio! Subscribe to the Social Proof Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GT6Vgj... 👉🏽Get Your Tickets To: https://podcastsummit.com/registration Use code "Ryan" for 20% off tickets to Podcast Summit 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 JOIN THE COMMUNITY TOD...

This conversation with Jeezy reveals his true character. Even though his journey involved some illegal activity he used that journey to learn principles that polished him. Jeezy used music to help him to rise out of that life. He did the work on himself. He released the traumas. Now he's refined and doing great business. We are now witnessing his transformation in many ways. Check out the enti...

The Airbnb Story. This is a story that illustrates how renting an air mattresses along with breakfast has grown into a multi-million empire. This is the ultimate example of insanity meets creativity. After hitting a brick wall in the business it was realized that they needed testimonials and reviews to help build trust in prospect clients. Roadblock sprouted as more city regulations formulated. Th...