Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

Mike Vincent’s journey spans 20 years as a Marine officer to co-founding Kaleo Coaching, a leadership coaching company rooted in strengths-based development. In this episode, Mike shares how lessons from the military—like adaptability, feedback, and team-building—are directly applicable to entrepreneurship. He explains how the CliftonStrengths framework has been a game-changer for individuals and...

At just 19 years old, Andre Lokuszta has already built a digital marketing agency that’s helping businesses generate millions in revenue. In this episode, Andre shares how he got started at 17, the frameworks he uses to run wildly effective paid ad campaigns, and how he uses automation and AI to scale results without losing personalization. You’ll hear how Andre sees age as a strategic advantage,...

Tired of spending endless hours on proposals that go nowhere? In this episode, multi-time entrepreneur Shelley Simkins shares how a ruined Christmas vacation spent grinding on an RFP was the breaking point that launched her AI company, Proquesto. Shelley breaks down the hidden costs and complexities of the traditional proposal process and reveals how AI is the great equalizer for small and mid-siz...

In this episode, Jack Murphy, founder of Motion 3 Technology, shares his unorthodox path from the nonprofit camping industry to building a tech consulting business that puts humans first. Jack dives deep into why most tech solutions fail not because of bad technology, but because they ignore people and change management. He breaks down the difference between managed service providers and true stra...

Ian Newell brings a rare blend of battlefield intelligence, technical leadership, and entrepreneurial grit to the table. As the founder of Golden Hour Technologies, Ian is solving critical infrastructure problems in maritime autonomy and secure communication systems—pioneering solutions that affect national security, logistics, and global operations. In this episode, you'll learn how his mili...

In this powerful episode, Rukmini Banerjee shares how she’s using technology to solve one of the most pressing challenges facing modern families: caring for aging loved ones while juggling careers and children. As the founder of CuroNow, Rukmini is building a mobile platform that reduces cognitive overload for caregivers by organizing tasks, enabling collaboration, and enhancing communication. Her...

In this episode, Ana Arguello—founder and CEO of Taylor Jean Marketing—dives deep into the power of experiential marketing and how it can create emotional, lasting connections between brands and their audiences. With over two decades of marketing experience, Ana breaks down how businesses of any size or budget can use immersive experiences to stand out, drive growth, and inspire loyalty. Whether y...

Darek Hahn isn’t your typical tech CEO—he’s a relationship-first entrepreneur who's redefining how businesses experience IT. In this episode, Darek shares his path from watching his mom build a business to leading, acquiring, rebuilding, and launching multiple IT companies. Now at the helm of AffinIT, he’s proving that the secret to lasting client success isn't tech—it's trust. Whet...

Lucie Thome turned the overwhelming experience of feeding her first baby into a mission-driven tech platform that’s changing the game for modern parents. In this episode, she shares how Bébé Foodie was born from a place of empathy, research, and a desire to support guilt-free parenting. Lucie didn’t just build an app—she built a movement, complete with expert guidance, personalized tools, and a ra...

In this episode, Kris McAlavey—founder of Merch Dept—pulls back the curtain on how merchandise can transform your brand visibility, deepen loyalty, and unlock new revenue streams. Kris isn’t just printing t-shirts—he’s building platforms for storytelling, collaboration, and impact across industries from tech to music to nonprofits. You’ll hear how he went from printing for the Lakers to fulfilling...

Tra Pippin is an entrepreneur, attorney, and turnaround specialist who has saved more than 50 companies across 20 industries. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he assesses whether a business is fixable—and what makes one worth saving. From his early days hustling for candy money at age five to leading companies with over $100M in revenue, Tra brings a lifetime of real business wisdom. Th...

Taylor Lewis-Costa made a bold leap from litigation consulting to launching her own interior design firm, TLC Home—and she’s proving that high-end design doesn’t require high-end budgets. In this episode, she shares how she built a business rooted in transparency, affordability, and integrity, while transforming her lifelong passion into a growing brand. You’ll learn how Taylor turned a modern-day...

In this episode, we dive into the mind of Yogesh Nagarkar, the brilliant founder behind UNpkl—a next-gen network device that gives everyday users complete control over their WiFi in real time. With over two decades of experience in software and hardware development, Yogesh is bringing cybersecurity, AI, and simplicity together in one powerful, easy-to-use device. This episode is a must-listen for...

Ann Edwards, founder of TherAnnu Restorative Spa and a seasoned physical therapist, shares her journey from solo practitioner to visionary wellness entrepreneur. In this episode, she unpacks how she turned a one-room office into a rapidly growing wellness brand, now entering the franchising space. Her story is filled with valuable lessons on business model evolution, customer obsession, and balanc...

What if you could build an AI powerful enough to beat the stock market—and retire because of it? That’s exactly what Rick Cockerham did. In this episode, Rick shares how he built ANNIE, his custom-built AI stock trader that marries genetic algorithms with neural networks to consistently outperform the market. From early experiments in the ‘90s to achieving real-world investment success, Rick’s sto...

In this episode, Congxing Cai, founder of Synco AI and former engineering leader at Snap and Google, breaks down how real-time AI is transforming job interviews—and what this means for the future of work. From prepping behavioral answers to offering support during interviews, Synco is an AI assistant unlike any other. Congxing shares his entrepreneurial journey, his product development strategy, a...

Tyler Hinsley, Napa Valley native and founder of Hinsley Consulting, is on a mission to revolutionize the wine industry—not through grapes, but through unforgettable guest experiences. In this episode, Tyler shares how he's helping boutique wineries bridge the gap between digital storytelling and in-person hospitality to build brands that last generations. His story is filled with creative in...

Mike Ali, founder of OnPath Marketing, shares how he’s revolutionizing the cold outreach game with AI-powered voice agents and personalized email systems. Starting with zero capital and a background in finance, Mike bootstrapped his business into a cutting-edge AI automation agency that helps companies scale their marketing without adding headcount. This episode is a masterclass in how to use AI t...

Candy Hipple, founder of Limenelle, joins the show to unpack the deep inner work that drives sustainable success—not just in business, but in life. With decades of executive leadership experience and a passion for helping women become "change-ready," Candy reveals how mindset, reflection, and radical self-inquiry are essential to entrepreneurial growth. This episode is a powerful explora...

In this episode, Reece Calhoun shares how his background as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst led him to build a business that was so effective, it attracted acquisition interest just weeks after launching. Reece opens up about his love for behavioral therapy, his mission to empower clinicians, and the behind-the-scenes story of how he built Review Gather Consult (RGC). From imperfect beginnings...

Kelsey Hart, founder and CEO of Creative Honey Badger, joins the show to share how she turned her creative passion into a thriving design and digital strategy agency. In this episode, Kelsey breaks down the difference between just building “pretty” brands and building powerful, strategic ones. Her journey from graphic design student to multi-faceted creative entrepreneur offers priceless insights...

What does it truly mean to thrive—not just survive—as a leader or entrepreneur? Sarah Draper brings decades of high-pressure leadership experience from the Army and FBI into the entrepreneurial world, where she now empowers high-performing leaders to build resilience proactively. In this episode, Sarah dives into how to master energy, avoid burnout, and lead with clarity—sharing strategies that ch...

Chris Randall left a promising corporate career at Pepsi to follow a bigger calling—and built an innovative app-based cleaning company called Sweep. In this episode, he shares how a single idea during a long commute sparked a mission to create a frictionless, tech-powered cleaning solution for busy people. Chris dives into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, from investing $20k into app develo...

In this episode, we dive into the intersection of AI, fintech, and financial literacy with John Kanalakis, founder and Head of AI at Tendi. With experience at Netflix and Roku, John now leads Tendi—a revolutionary platform that uses a proprietary AI model to act as a personal financial advisor. His mission? To bridge the financial literacy gap and reduce wealth disparities. This episode is a must-...

In this episode, Adam Melenkivitz, founder of Test Squared, reveals how he’s building trust in the chaotic world of Amazon reviews by helping brands generate honest, verified product reviews—without breaking the rules. Adam’s journey from scaling a physical product brand to launching an ethical review platform is packed with hard-won insights about brand credibility, sales velocity, and sustainabl...