Episode #262: PeriSean Hall
PeriSean is a powerhouse of talent and resilience who went from being a shy girl in Dallas, Texas, to becoming a sought-after main stage speaker, singer, published author, and live event producer. With her vibrant energy and message that “It’s Not Too Late To Be GREAT!™”, she empowers entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring creatives to uncover their hidden gifts and step confidently into their purpose.
Episode #258: Alyson Shane
Alyson Shane, Starling Social — Building Trust-First Marketing That Actually Delivers Alyson Shane is a writer-turned-digital marketer and the founder and president of Starling Social, a boutique agency focused on content marketing, social media, PPC, and ads strategy. After publishing online since the GeoCities era and earning a degree in rhetoric, Alyson built a team (7–8 strong) that pairs persuasive writing with transparent, process-driven execution. She matters because she champions client ownership, clarity, and measurable results in a noisy agency landscape. Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Content-first, channel-agnostic: Starling Social creates across blogs, newsletters, web copy, social posts, and ads—wherever content moves the needle. Process + transparency win: Real reporting, itemized invoices, and clear scopes are non-negotiable; clients should always see where budgets go. Own your assets: Ad accounts and content should live in the client’s accounts, not the agency’s—so performance data and creative don’t get held hostage. Vetting agencies: Look for verifiable testimonials tied to outcomes (e.g., admissions up, leads increased), ask about process, and demand regular reporting. Career arc with backbone: From a stifling accounting job to freelancing beyond her 9–5 and launching in 2014, Alyson built Starling Social by insisting on autonomy, accountability, and better client experiences. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leBOGZwDVMY Memorable Quote: “I want all of my clients to have their own accounts so they can go in and look at it anytime.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now
Episode #249: Bryan Gerber
Jared Shapiro, The TAG Experience — Media Insider Turned PR Powerhouse Jared Shapiro is the founder of The TAG Experience, a Miami-based public relations, branding, and communications agency. A former magazine editor-in-chief and screenwriter, Jared brings a creator’s eye to crisis communications, influencer strategy, and message discipline—helping founders and brands get seen, heard, and remembered. Why he matters: in a world where a single tweet can set the tone for your company, Jared shows entrepreneurs how to prepare, pick the right spokesperson (not always the CEO), and turn moments into momentum. Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Preparation is everything. Whether it’s a podcast, Zoom, TV hit, or photo—nothing should go unprepared; every touchpoint shapes perception. Choose your face wisely. The most effective spokesperson isn’t always the founder; sometimes a different team member’s story is the hook the market wants. Creativity + hustle wins. Not everyone will craft the perfect headline—but you can still ship great work through execution, speed, and consistency. Great hooks change the game. From “Just Do It” to “$5 Footlong,” concise taglines can redefine brands—and earned media can gift you a line worth running with. Play the whole field. PR today spans social, influencers, crisis, content, thought leadership, events, and more—your strategy must be multi-vertical and fast. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGfIeYg-Qeo Memorable Quote: “Nothing should go unprepared these days.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Bryan Linkedin Globe
Episode #245: Annette Gallagher Part 2
Annette Gallagher, Red Tornado Communications: From Layoff to Solopreneur Momentum Annette Gallagher is the high-energy founder behind Red Tornado Communications, a writer and strategist who turned a 2020 layoff into a thriving solo practice. In this episode, she breaks down how a journalist’s deadline discipline, a deep professional network, and smart subcontracting let her deliver “full-team” results without building a payroll. If you’re debating the leap from paycheck to client work, Annette’s story is a playbook. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uV9zZf86g4 Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode: Email Marketing Isn’t Dead: Annette emphasizes that while many dismiss email, it remains one of the most powerful tools when done right, especially in B2B. Nuance Matters: A single line in an email can mean the difference between no responses and a 10% success rate. Precision and testing are everything. B2B vs. B2C Marketing: B2C can thrive on discounts and coupons, but B2B requires building trust, speaking to multiple decision-makers, and proving long-term value. Content Marketing Has Deep Roots: From the Guinness Book of World Records to the Michelin Guide, smart content marketing has been driving business for more than a century. The Power of Freelancing: Annette shares her journey of leaving restrictive office environments to thrive as a freelancer, highlighting the freedom, flexibility, and creativity it unlocked. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uV9zZf86g4 Memorable Quote: “If email marketing didn’t work, my inbox wouldn’t be overflowing right now.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Annette Linkedin Globe
Episode #238: Brian Zwerner
Brian Zwerner — Beyond The Game Network: Turning Pro Athletes into Startup Powerhouses Brian Zwerner is an investor and advisor in sports, media, web3, and fitness — and the founder of Beyond The Game Network in Atlanta. After two decades in capital markets and a successful fintech exit, Brian pivoted to startups, media, and athlete-led venture building. His story is a playbook for pairing hard-won finance chops with the grit and mindset of professional athletes. From Wharton to investment banking to founding Sportal, Brian’s journey shows how to spot real problems, pivot fast, and build communities that create outsized opportunity. Today, he and his partners back companies where athletes can move the needle through credibility, access, and content — not just capital. Key Takeaways: Fintech to founder: Built Aquina Health, a tech-enabled lender serving doctors and healthcare providers waiting 30–90 days on reimbursements; scaled and sold to a strategic. Pivot with purpose: Launched Sportal Space (the “OpenTable for gyms/fields”), hit school-district roadblocks, then pivoted to a high school sports media and live-streaming business. Loved by the community, tough to monetize — and ultimately shut down. Birth of Beyond The Game: Partnered with former NFL DT Andre Fluellen to help athletes find second careers and equity opportunities in startups without writing big checks. Influence over income: Their model lets athletes earn sweat equity as brand ambassadors, creators, and door-openers to leagues, teams, and media groups — while business/tech investors fund the rounds. Wild bets that fit: Fan Controlled Football — seven-on-seven arena football where fans pick plays live — exemplifies their “entertainment + athlete edge” thesis, alongside bets in gaming, fantasy, wearables, and web3. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLRbyYw08gw Memorable Quote: “Athletes make the best entrepreneurs.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Brian Linkedin Globe
Episode #237: Donald Cox
Donald Cox (myERTCRefund.com): Unlocking the ERTC for Small Businesses Donald Cox helps business owners claim the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)—a powerful, often-missed IRS credit created under the CARES Act and expanded by the American Rescue Plan. If you kept W-2 employees on payroll during COVID shutdowns, Donald explains how you may qualify for up to $26,000 per employee, even if you also received PPP. With a CPA-led process, legal research on local shutdowns, and streamlined document requests, Donald’s team turns a daunting “tax closet” into a cash-flow boost that can help stabilize, invest, or even relaunch a business. Key Takeaways: ERTC ≠ loan: It’s a refundable IRS tax credit, not like PPP; no spending restrictions on funds once received. PPP still okay: You can qualify for ERTC even if you had PPP—just no double-counting the same wages. Real-world results: Examples ranged from $57,080 for a small restaurant to ~$1.9M for a multi-location team; typical small-business refunds average ~$150K. Who qualifies: Businesses with 5+ non-owner W-2 employees and $100K+ payroll (Q2 2020–Q3 2021). Even shuttered businesses can qualify for the periods they operated. What you’ll need: Questionnaire + payroll docs (941s Q2 2020–Q4 2021, W-3 for 2019, payroll journals, P&Ls). Many can export from QuickBooks/payroll in about an hour. A “rapid rebate” option can accelerate access to funds (at a higher fee). Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgnF1U5TcqU Memorable Quote: “It is not a loan—it’s a tax credit.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Donald Linkedin Envelope Phone-alt
Episode #236: Jordan Hinsch
Jordan Hinsch — Never Jordanary (Blogger & Travel Creator) Jordan Hinsch is a native New Yorker turned Miami-based sales and business development pro who channels his “thoughtful risk-taking” into a thriving travel-and-lifestyle blog, Never Jordanary. By pairing a steady W-2 career in commercial real estate and live events with smart side hustles, Jordan shows how creators can build durable income streams without abandoning stability. A data-driven marketer, avid traveler (39 U.S. national parks and counting), photographer, and paddleboarder, Jordan built an audience with practical, list-style posts (“weekend getaways,” “best paddleboard spots”) and an authenticity that attracted brands—while staying selective about partnerships. Key Takeaways: Thoughtful risk-taking beats reckless leaps. Jordan plans moves analytically—even taking a career pause to realign—while keeping the benefits of a W-2 (income, insurance) as a strategic base. Blogs are real businesses. Listicles and evergreen guides are highly consumable and can monetize through AdSense and affiliate links—if you publish consistently. If a post ranks, hands off. Resist the urge to “improve” a winner; unnecessary edits can tank SEO. Avoid year-stamped titles that age out fast. Make time your advantage. Treat a “half-day” like 12 hours and squeeze value from your 1,440 minutes—create, learn (he’s tackling Portuguese), and still leave room to unwind. Never run out of first times. New experiences keep life, relationships, and business fresh—whether it’s a new workout, a date spot, or a bold travel itinerary. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XfVtZe_dRw Memorable Quote: “Never run out of first times.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Jordan Linkedin Globe Youtube Instagram
Episode #235: Shawn Shewchuk
Shawn Shewchuk, Change Your Results — Turning Fear Into Fuel Shawn Shewchuk is “THE Productivity Speaker” and a results-driven advisor to high achievers. With 28+ years in the trenches, 43 companies launched, and two bestselling books, he helps leaders trade busywork for outcomes and build businesses that run on systems—not stress. If you’ve ever felt stuck firefighting instead of scaling, Shawn’s mindset-first, results-always approach will hit home. Why he matters: Shawn’s philosophy is simple and surgical: fear lives only in your head, and progress starts the moment you make an irrevocable decision. From breaking audacious goals into hourly actions to designing teams for peak productivity, he shows entrepreneurs how to create their own economy—on purpose. Key Takeaways: Fear is mental, not material. Move from your head to your heart, make one decisive first step, and walk through the “paper-mâché” terror barrier. Results over titles. “Coach” is meaningless without measurable outcomes. Everything—business, career, relationships—goes on the table to remove hidden anchors. Decisions drive destiny. Success is the compounding effect of conscious choices; default mode equals drift. Know where you’re going, then reverse-engineer yearly → monthly → daily → hourly actions. Productivity is precision. It’s any action that moves you toward your goal. One extra hour of high-productivity per person, per day, can transform the bottom line. Lead people, design systems. Put players in roles where they win, cross-train for context, and build a company that functions if you step away for 90 days. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZnpXiY0U0E Memorable Quote: “Fear exists nowhere except in your head—make an irrevocable decision to move forward.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Shawn Linkedin Globe Globe
Episode #234: Colton McKey – Five Freedoms
Colton McKey – Five Freedoms Colton McKey is on a bold mission: to acquire and grow a cash-flowing business while building his entrepreneurial freedom. After a decade in manufacturing operations and two successful e-commerce exits, Colton left corporate America to fully commit to business ownership. Based in Prosper, Texas, and operating under his company Five Freedoms, Colton is charting his own path toward building a legacy. Key Takeaways: The leap of faith: Colton left a stable corporate career to pursue full-time entrepreneurship, giving himself a year-long runway to acquire a business. Focus on profitable stability: His acquisition strategy targets businesses with at least $1M in revenue and a 15–20-year track record, minimizing risk while maximizing potential. Leveraging SBA loans: Colton highlights how Small Business Administration financing can help aspiring owners secure deals without needing massive upfront capital. Systems for success: From creating a professional buyer profile to networking with over 50 brokers, Colton shares the importance of presenting yourself seriously to gain access to quality opportunities. Balancing family and ambition: With a supportive wife and three young kids, Colton’s story is also about managing personal stakes while chasing entrepreneurial dreams. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM4ycx4JkUs Memorable Quote: “I don’t regret what I did… I wanted to own and operate my own business, and I decided to put my whole heart and soul into making it happen.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Colton Globe
Episode #233: Reginald Benjamin – VAST Wellness Solutions
Reginald Benjamin, VAST Wellness Solutions — W-2 Sales Pro Turned Compliant CBD Entrepreneur Reginald Benjamin is a dynamic sales leader who splits his time between a high-performing W-2 role and building VAST Wellness Solutions, his compliant hemp/CBD brand. Based in Texas, he also serves clients as a licensed real estate agent in Dallas, bringing an operator’s mindset to luxury leasing and sales. Reginald matters because he shows entrepreneurs how to validate demand, stay compliant, and scale—without abandoning the day job that funds the dream. Key Takeaways: Do the homework first. Before you buy inventory or “throw all your eggs in,” research demand, define your audience, and build a marketing plan and social presence you can actually activate. Compliance is the moat. VAST sells CBD/CBG products (topicals, tinctures, flower, vapes) and avoids psychoactive deltas/HHC. He urges buyers to check COAs and cannabinoid profiles and to skip sketchy sources without lab reports. Payments matter. Get compliant merchant processing before you scale. Square’s CBD program and hemp-friendly bank departments exist—but they’ll audit you, so keep your house in order. Real-world outcomes (his experience). After ACL reconstruction and chronic hamstring issues, Reginald says CBD/CBG—especially via vape—brings relief within minutes without the “cloudiness.” He’s also seen a client family report calmer days and improved vocabulary for their child using CBD/CBG. Play the long game. The 2018 Farm Bill opened the door for hemp; clarity is improving as universities (e.g., Texas programs) study genetics and dosing. Meanwhile, Reginald’s mantra: crush your day job, use 5–10 pm to build, and scale responsibly. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUn4owwjME8 Memorable Quote: “Do your research before you start… Is there a demand for it?” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Reginald Linkedin