The Blueprint by Smoking Gun Creative Agency

This week we’re talking with Bryce Atkas, owner of ACI Dynamix. Bryce shares his journey from a passion project to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the high-end automotive world. He opens up about the importance of hands-on experience, learning from failure, and his leap of faith from a stable government job to building his own business from a single bay. Bryce believes in providing a one-sto...

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Chef Franchesca Nor, the creative force and owner of Dive Coastal Cuisine in Dallas. Franchesca’s also a key figure at 4DWN - Dallas’s skate destination that also fights food insecurity. Franchesca’s story is about the personal journey - ups, downs, rebellion, and resilience. https://divecoastal.com/ https://4dwn.org/ – Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/...

Our guest this week is Dre Hayes, co-founder of The FNDTN, and a dynamic force in the world of fashion. We dive into Dre's start as a paper boy in Virginia Beach and follow the journey he took to building a sales agency that represents top brands like Billionaire Boys Club, Ice Cream, Kappa, Off-White, Palm Angels, Rolling Loud, and Marithé + François Girbaud. Dre shares his powerful philosophy on...

This week on the podcast we have Ed Prous - entrepreneur, owner of Prous Homes, and proof the American Dream is alive! Ed tells us awesome stories about his journey - growing up in Russia during the Cold War, being an exchange student in Arkansas with almost no English skills, and navigating his entrepreneurial career. This one’s about turning setbacks into success, building a brand on reputation...

This episode is a wild ride, folks! Our guest this week is Adam Gaynor - you know him from Matchbox 20, Creationville and adamgaynor.net - talking music careers, life advice, Philips Hue RGB lights and more. Plus, in an all-time first on The Blueprint, Adam blesses us with a few original music performances. As Adam told us before we started, this is a great interview - enjoy! https://www.adamgayno...

This week’s guest is Isaiah Shayle - fashion designer to the stars who you probably heard of, and he’s OK with that. Isaiah shares how he mastered his craft from the ground up, starting with a $99 sewing machine and finding himself styling the stars. We're talking about his unique approach to building client relationships, the grind and the unwavering vision behind his brand, and his "f**k it up"...

One little lie, and everything changed! This week on the pod, we have the Zach Romo Band - Zach Romo (vocals) Colton O'Neill (guitar) and Brandon Callies (bass) - talking about their roots in blues, rock, and emo, the highs and lows of road life, the power of authenticity in music, and why the brotherhood that keeps the band pushing forward. It’s a raw, fun, and honest conversation with the people...

What’s really going on behind the scenes in the art world? This week’s episode of The Blueprint is with Lock Kresler, an art dealer who cut his teeth navigating the industry of art trade. From a childhood obsession with cataloging creatures to a "baptism by fire" position at Christie's, Lock shares stories of multi-million dollar art deals and gives us his thoughts about art's value. We’re talking...

This week’s episode is an awesome conversation with Chris Leacock AKA Jillionaire: celebrated DJ, producer, and former member of Major Lazer. In typical Chris Leacock fashion we’re transcending the typical podcast, touching on a philosophical approach to life, creativity, and human connection. This one’s an introspective deep dive into human nature, interpersonal relationships, the critical import...

Larry said it to us best: You can't talk sneakers in the last decade without mentioning Private Selection. This week our guest is Larry Singleton Jr AKA Full Fit Larry, co-owner of Private Selection, and he's on to his journey to the forefront of the streetwear and sneaker game. We talk building successful retail stores in malls, navigating the wild shifts in sneaker trends (farewell, Jordan 1s?),...

This week, we have Bob Lilly Jr on to share his journey - from navigating expectations on the football field to building and running a multi-million dollar business, Bob reveals the pivotal moments that shaped him along the way. And yes, he does happen to be the son of a Dallas Cowboys legend. This episode dives into the unique challenges and unexpected blessings bestowed upon him, the power of re...

At 69 years old, Philip Dodson from Aging Evolution is dedicated to shattering expectations and redefining what it means to age! 🚀 Philip's journey is a testament to resilience, strategic thinking, and the relentless pursuit of passion. Discover the difference between anti-aging and reverse aging, why consistency is key in fitness, and how a focus on muscle mass can truly transform your later yea...

From a promising football career cut short to becoming a professional sports photographer, Aric Becker's journey is a testament to passion and perseverance. Aric shares intimate stories from shooting pro sports to his deeply emotional ties to portrait and documentary-style photography. Plus, much to the delight of our producer August, Aric nerds out on photography tech, lenses, the magic of light...

From aspiring math teacher to CEO of a billion-dollar company by 39, John Alcala's journey is anything but ordinary! Join us as the CEO of It Works! shares the pivotal moments and surprising decisions that shaped his path. John discusses the power of trusting your gut, building a company culture, and the It Works! mission to change lives. Enjoy! -- Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/smokingguncr...

Joining us this week is Shy Anderson, a man who has navigated unexpected turns, from college and professional sports to the cutthroat world of real estate and groundbreaking ventures you've probably heard of (like Top Golf.) Shy is all about rethinking what it means to build a legacy, both in business and in life - this is a conversation about resilience, purpose, and the unexpected power of conne...

This week, we’re on location at Gallery DeFi speaking with Booboo Stewart. You may know him from the Twilight Saga, the X-Men films, That Band Honey, or from his visual art ventures. We took the chance to talk with Booboo about his creative process, how he got into each of his creative pursuits, and if he’s really “made it.” (and yes, we talked a little about Twilight) Enjoy! See Booboo’s work at...

Ever thought about the science of a perfect cup of coffee? Josh Cook, founder of Legendary Aviation Coffee Company, dives deep into what makes specialty grade coffee so special, from roasting techniques to the intricacies of flavor profiles and more. Josh also shares his unexpected journey from the military and Department of State to becoming a boutique coffee roaster. Coffee people, this one’s fo...

This week we sit down with real estate broker and straight-talker Lori Keebaugh. Lori built her real estate agency Keebaugh and Company from the ground up - with honesty and grit, she opens up about the hustle behind real estate, the power of relationships, and why she’s not here just to “play realtor.” This one’s packed with insight and authenticity - tune in and enjoy! -- Follow us: https://www....

Steve Kuclo describes himself first as a husband and a father, but he's also an IFBB pro bodybuilder, a leadership coach, an entrepreneur, and a great interview. Steve's story is one of determination and dedication on the pathway to success. Tune in for an inside look at bodybuilding and more... and yes, he does tell us why bodybuilders stain their skin so dark! -- Follow us: https://www.instagram...

This week on the podcast, we have Evan Myers from such ventures as Caddie Services, Fixd Repair, and Hammer Back Golf! Evan tells us about his entrepreneurial rise in the home services industry, stories from his youth, and the inflection points that he says contribute to the success of his ventures. This episode is an insightful, self-reflective success story – enjoy! -- Follow us: https://www.ins...

On this episode of The Blueprint , Jack Tester, former CEO of Nexstar, shares his journey from humble beginnings to industry leadership. He reflects on the lessons that shaped his career, the mindset shifts that led to success, and what it takes to grow in the home services industry. Don’t miss this one - kick back and enjoy! -- Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/smokingguncreativeagency/ https:...

Brandon Deaton had his sights set on leaving his hometown to chase a career in art—but life had other plans. In this episode, he shares his journey from grinding as an aspiring artist to a touring the world as a guitar tech. Brandon dives into the realities of the music industry, the lessons learned along the way, and the passion that keeps him going. -- Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/smokin...

Chase Miser turned his passion for cars into a thriving business, but his journey wasn’t always smooth. From overcoming personal struggles to building Xquisite Auto Spa , Chase shares how he transformed his life, took risks, and hustled his way to success. In this episode, he opens up about his path to entrepreneurship, the sacrifices he made, and why perseverance is key. Whether you're into cars,...

Lesli Marshall is a true creative force, blending art, business, and fearless ambition to build a career on her own terms. From walking away from a cubicle job to curating massive mural projects, Lesli shares her journey of taking risks, embracing failure, and proving that you don’t have to be the best artist to be successful—you just have to keep going. In this episode, she talks about breaking i...

Jerod "DTOX" Davies is a creative force who refuses to be put in a box. From spray paint to body art, murals to custom pieces, his work is a fusion of chaos and precision. In this episode, DTOX shares his journey as an artist, the philosophy behind his meticulously organized creative process, and how he pushes himself. We dive into his approach to storytelling through art, the reality of going vir...