Episode #151: JR Gilbert Energy LLC – John Gilbert
Rusty Gilbert of JR Gilbert Energy: From Chevron Executive to Clean Energy Innovator With over 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Rusty (John) Gilbert didn’t slow down after retirement—instead, he launched JR Gilbert Energy to help usher in the future of American energy. As a former Chevron executive with global leadership experience in new technology deployment, Rusty now advises startups and energy producers looking to innovate, cut costs, and reduce their carbon footprint. Top 5 Takeaways from Episode 151: Energy Evolution Insight: Rusty shares how the transition from oil and gas to renewable energy is a complex but necessary shift—and it’s not an “either-or” situation. When to Hire a Consultant: If you’re developing or revamping energy technologies, even as a startup, an advisor like Rusty can help validate ideas and connect the dots. Wave Energy Potential: Rusty’s latest project explores wave-powered energy solutions for homes and communities—an overlooked but promising frontier in renewables. AC vs. DC Power: He weighs in on the evolving home power debate and foresees a hybrid future combining both AC and DC for resilience and efficiency. It’s Never Too Late: After four decades in corporate energy, Rusty proves that starting a business post-retirement isn’t just possible—it can make a real impact. Watch the Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtWQBIT2zTo Memorable Quote: “It’s not oil and gas versus renewables—you have to wear a hat that encompasses both.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Rusty Envelope Phone-alt Globe
Episode #150: Beautiesltd.com – Greg Shugar
Greg Shugar of Beau Ties Ltd.: From Attorney to E-Commerce Trailblazer Greg Shugar is no stranger to reinvention. After leaving a stable career as an attorney, Greg became a pioneer in online menswear with The Tie Bar in 2004—before most people even trusted buying clothes online. Now the owner of Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont, Greg has led two e-commerce brands to incredible growth through scrappy resilience, market intuition, and a commitment to adapting with the times. In this episode of Clicks & Bricks, Greg shares the inspiring journey of building a $19M-a-year business from his basement, selling it at the peak, and later buying a competitor just before the pandemic—and still growing 500% despite the chaos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTpFAPRQ9_E Episode Takeaways: Still growing & adapting: From tote bags to scarves, he’s now exploring how to evolve a men’s brand into a lifestyle brand for women—without losing the original customer.Started from a tie-ruined morning: The idea for his first business came from a ruined tie and the realization that neckwear didn’t need to be expensive. Built with zero funding: Greg bootstrapped the business with a $50k home equity loan—never raised or borrowed another penny. Pivoted hard during the pandemic: When bow tie sales disappeared, he shifted to masks and scaled production using old tie designs. Rebuilt with purpose: Greg rehired furloughed staff with earnings from mask sales and expanded the product line to serve a new female customer base. Still growing & adapting: From tote bags to scarves, he’s now exploring how to evolve a men’s brand into a lifestyle brand for women—without losing the original customer. Watch Greg’s full entrepreneurial journey and get inspired to make your next pivot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTpFAPRQ9_E Memorable Quote: “The number one attribute of any entrepreneur is being resourceful.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Greg Linkedin Globe
Episode #149: WORKWITHYOURHANDS – Kelly Presgrave
Kelly Rowlett Presgrave of Work With Your Handz: Revolutionizing Recruiting for the Trades Kelly Rowlett Presgrave is the co-founder of Work With Your Handz, a boutique recruiting agency specializing in the residential service industry. After 17 years as a dedicated stay-at-home mom, Kelly made the bold leap into entrepreneurship—and she’s never looked back. Her story is proof that it’s never too late to launch something impactful, especially when you build from a place of passion and purpose. Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: From Motherhood to CEO: Kelly left the telecom industry and spent nearly two decades raising her kids before diving headfirst into business ownership. Niche Focus Pays Off: Work With Your Handz focuses on direct placement for residential service providers—plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, and more. Soft Skills > Technical Skills: Kelly believes soft skills are the secret to service-based success, and she screens candidates with that in mind. Real Numbers, Real Work: In one year, the company processed over 13,000 applications to fill 200 jobs—showing just how intense and refined their recruiting process is. Tech-Driven Recruiting: The future of hiring includes video interviews, AI-based candidate targeting, and smarter data to match people with the right roles. Watch the Full Episode:Dive into Kelly’s inspiring journey and get actionable insights for your business. Watch now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6MLYZD7svY Memorable Quote: “It’s really just hard work and time—but it’s worth every ounce of effort you put towards it.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Kelly Linkedin Globe
Episode #148: ADMANITY – Brian Gregory
Brian Gregory of ADMANITY: Cracking the Code of Emotional Advertising for Small Businesses Brian Gregory, Founder and CEO of ADMANITY, is on a mission to empower small businesses with the same emotional advertising power used by major brands. With a background in publishing and ad sales, Brian spent years developing a groundbreaking algorithm that decodes which emotions sell best—so any entrepreneur can market with confidence and clarity. Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Emotions drive sales: Brian’s ADMANITY Protocol identifies 15 core emotions that have sold everything on Earth—and teaches businesses how to apply them. Make a “Victory List” to boost mindset: Brian recommends listing your past wins to stay grounded and motivated through tough entrepreneurial seasons. Big-brand tactics, small-business price: The ADMANITY test delivers ad agency-level insights in five minutes—without the steep costs. Emotions combine like formulas: The secret isn’t just one emotion—it’s the right combination that creates powerful, conversion-driven ads. Technology finds the customer—emotion seals the deal: No matter how advanced targeting becomes, emotional connection is still what drives buying behavior. Get the full story on Brian’s journey, emotional branding strategies, and how small businesses can finally advertise like the pros.Watch it now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTmqzGEzi6g Memorable Quote: “If we forget who we are, they’re going to forget who you are. Make the list. You’ve conquered things before—this is just the next one.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Brian Calendar-alt Linkedin Globe
Episode #147: Legacy Minded Men – Joe Pellegrino
Joe Pellegrino – Founder of Not Just an Average Joe – Unlocking Purpose, Passion & Perseverance Joe Pellegrino isn’t just an average Joe—he’s a serial entrepreneur with 15 businesses under his belt, a certified John Maxwell coach, and the founder of Not Just an Average Joe and Legacy Minded Men. In this powerful episode of Clicks & Bricks, Joe opens up about the wins, the loss that taught him the most, and why discovering your identity is the key to building a business—and a life—with purpose. Whether you’re stuck in corporate America or sitting on a dream you’ve never launched, Joe delivers a wake-up call with hard-won wisdom, practical tools, and soul-driven insights that will push you to finally chase what you were built to do. Top 5 Takeaways from Joe Pellegrino’s Episode: Failure is a Teacher: Joe says the one company he lost was his most important teacher—it brought him face-to-face with his true identity. Reverse Consulting Works: His unique offer guarantees a full refund if his $995 business consult doesn’t deliver value—zero risk, all reward. The 5½ Questions That Change Lives: Joe’s framework helps people discover their strengths, weaknesses, passions, brand, beliefs, and—most importantly—why they are the way they are. Start Smart, Not Fast: Joe advises aspiring entrepreneurs to start their business part-time while maintaining integrity at their day job. Don’t Quit at the Top of the Hill: Perseverance is key—most people give up when they’re just three feet from gold. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53k04RWINfE Memorable Quote: “Don’t go to your grave without living out your dream. You were built for something specific—it’s your responsibility to find out what it is.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Joe Linkedin Globe
Episode #146: balancewithbree.com – Bree Munno
Guest Profile: Bree Munno, Founder of Balance with Bree Redefining Fitness: How Bree Munno Took Her Passion Online and Built a Holistic Brand Bree Munno, founder of Balance with Bree, is a Toronto-based personal trainer who transformed her career—and the lives of her clients—when the pandemic forced a global pivot. With over nine years in the fitness industry and a passion for holistic wellness, Bree didn’t just move online—she embraced the shift and built a thriving, purpose-driven business rooted in authenticity, adaptability, and empowerment. Bree matters because she represents a new wave of fitness entrepreneurs who combine science, psychology, and soul to make wellness more accessible and impactful—especially during challenging times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7RvQcQNCa8 Episode Takeaways from Bree’s Entrepreneurial Journey: Know Your Why: Bree’s anchor is Simon Sinek’s Start With Why, reminding her to stay aligned with purpose in both fitness and business. Fitness Is Personal: Her unique approach focuses on building relationships—not just workouts—because there’s no competition when you’re truly yourself. Tech as a Bridge: Bree sees the future of fitness in technology that supports trainers with marketing, sales, and exposure—so they can focus on coaching. Start Small, Win Big: Her top advice for facing adversity? “Just do one small thing today to be kind to your body and mind.” Authenticity Is the Advantage: In a world moving online, being real on camera is now a required business skill—and Bree leads by example. Catch the full episode to hear Bree’s inspiring story, her tech-forward outlook, and the mindset shifts that helped her thrive during uncertain times. Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7RvQcQNCa8 Memorable Quote: “There’s no competition really in that space—even if there are other trainers, my clients are coming to me for what I have to offer.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Bree Facebook Linkedin Globe Instagram
Episode #145: Funnel Utopia – Desmond
From Hustle to High-Ticket Funnels: Desmond Nanor of Expert Funnel Incubator Shares His Entrepreneur Journey Desmond Nanor is the co-founder of Expert Funnel Incubator and a powerhouse digital marketer helping transformational authors turn their expertise into high-ticket coaching businesses. Born into a hardworking immigrant family, Desmond skipped the traditional college route and built a six-figure marketing brand before turning 24—all fueled by grit, gratitude, and the desire to live life on his own terms. In Episode 145 of Clicks & Bricks, Desmond shares his real, raw story—from buying Tai Lopez’s course with his first paycheck to generating tens of thousands in affiliate revenue, to launching a company that helps experts master organic marketing on Facebook. His path is proof that self-education, persistence, and simplicity win in the long game of entrepreneurship. Top Takeaways from Desmond’s Episode: Gratitude is a mindset multiplier: Desmond stays grounded by remembering how lucky he is just to be in the U.S.—thanks to his mom winning a visa lottery. Start simple, stay focused: Desmond’s early failures taught him to cut complexity and focus on one clear business model. The riches are in the niches: Serving transformational authors—not just any author—allowed him to sharpen his messaging, offers, and close rates. Fix yourself, fix your business: “You don’t have business problems. You have personal problems that manifest in your business.” Embrace the future: Desmond urges entrepreneurs to stay ahead of the curve with AI tools, Web 3.0, and other disruptive technologies. Ready to hear how Desmond turned his hustle into a marketing machine? Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUSr_yYellk Memorable Quote: “Revenue first. Build the business later.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Desmond Linkedin Globe Instagram
Episode #144: KimLevings.com – Kim Levings
Guest Profile: Kim Levings of KimLevings.com — Rewriting Your Mindset to Drive Life Forward Meet Kim Levings, founder of KimLevings.com, mindset coach, speaker, and trainer with over 30 years of experience helping entrepreneurs and leaders reshape their thinking to live more purposeful, balanced lives. From hitting personal rock bottom to becoming a master coach, Kim shares her transformational journey and teaches practical tools to rebalance your “four wheels of life” — physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. In this episode of Clicks & Bricks, Kim walks host Ken through a powerful exercise that helps entrepreneurs identify which traits are steering their life and how to realign when the ride gets bumpy. Her blend of personal story, coaching frameworks, and neuroscience-backed tools makes this a must-watch for anyone feeling stuck or off-track. Top 5 Takeaways: You are the driver: Kim’s “four wheels” framework (physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual) helps identify which parts of your life are leading — and which need realignment. Your brain is reprogrammable: With neuroplasticity, even deeply rooted subconscious beliefs can be changed — with the right diagnostics and coaching. Don’t wait for rock bottom: Change doesn’t require a crash. Awareness is the first step, and small shifts can lead to massive outcomes. Coaching ≠ therapy: Coaches help you see blind spots, reframe narratives, and drive lasting change — especially for entrepreneurs and executives. Personal development = business ROI: Data shows that investing in mindset and leadership skills leads directly to higher income and greater team success. Ready to tune up your mental engine and get your wheels back in sync? Watch the full episode now at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqYeIAettZQ Memorable Quote: “If you don’t like the landscape of your life, you need to rethink you.” – Kim Levings Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Kim Facebook Linkedin Youtube Instagram Globe
Episode #143: Mavyn – Nicole
Nicole Spiegel-Gotsch of Mavyn: Helping Women Business Owners Find Their Lane and Own It Nicole Spiegel-Gotsch is the founder of Mavyn, a strategic consulting firm helping women entrepreneurs take control of their marketing and business growth. With 15 years of self-employment experience and a deep understanding of both creative and strategic execution, Nicole is on a mission to help business owners move from stuck to scaling with clarity and confidence. In this inspiring episode of Clicks & Bricks, Nicole shares how she transitioned from corporate life to solopreneurship, built a sustainable creative business, and eventually launched Mavyn to focus on the strategic needs of women-led businesses. She unpacks practical strategies for marketing, business validation, and how to find momentum by staying focused on the right opportunities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3hj7IH6xJY Top 5 Takeaways from Episode 143 with Nicole Spiegel-Gotsch: Run Your Own Race: Nicole emphasizes the importance of staying focused on your unique path rather than chasing trends or comparing yourself to others. Test the Market First: Before you leap from your 9-to-5, take on side projects and make sure there’s real demand (and willingness to pay). Look for Low-Hanging Fruit: Start by tapping your warm network—don’t cold-pitch if you can warm-connect. Avoid the Free Trap: Giving away your service can harm perceived value—only do it when you’re learning or gaining something strategic in return. Experience Matters: Whether it’s digital or physical, success today is all about the experience your brand delivers to your audience. Ready to dive into Nicole’s full story and grab actionable advice for your own journey?Watch the full episode now at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqYeIAettZQ Memorable Quote: “If I was given the reins, I could run.” – Nicole Spiegel-Gotsch Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Nicole X-twitter Linkedin Globe
Episode #142: Constructo – Yuri
Yuri Galeev of Constructo: Reinventing Permitting for the Digital Age Yuri Galeev, founder and CEO of Constructo, is transforming one of the most outdated parts of the construction industry: permitting. With over 15 years of experience, Yuri saw firsthand how slow, fragmented, and frustrating the traditional pre-construction process can be. His solution? A fully online, tech-powered approach that streamlines architectural design, engineering, and permit submission—all in one seamless platform. Top 5 Takeaways from Yuri’s Episode: Permitting Is Broken—and It’s Costing Us Traditional permitting can take 6–12 months and eat up to 30% of project time and budget. Constructo cuts through the red tape. Fully Remote, Fully Scalable Using Matterport’s 3D scanning tech and a national technician network, Constructo handles everything from measurements to city submissions—without ever stepping on-site. Yuri Embraced Delegation to Scale Early on, Yuri realized his hands-on approach was creating production bottlenecks. Letting go and trusting his team unlocked massive growth. Built for Homeowners and Pros Whether you’re remodeling your home or managing multiple jobs as a contractor, Constructo simplifies the entire pre-construction workflow. Proof of Concept: 695% Growth In just a year, Constructo expanded from the Bay Area to all of California—with nationwide expansion on the horizon. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe895ojK7cQ Memorable Quote: We’re not just fixing permitting—we’re helping fix the housing crisis by making pre-construction 30% faster and more affordable. Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Yuri Linkedin Globe