Episode #271: Steven Pope
Steven Pope is the founder of My Amazon Guy, a 300+ person, full-service Amazon agency. He’s an operator who grew from selling his first Magic: The Gathering card at age 12 to managing 300+ brands on Amazon. In this episode, Steven breaks down why Amazon is a never-ending optimization game, how real growth comes from traffic + conversion, and why “passive income” pitches are a dead end.
Episode #269: Alicia Pierre
Alicia Butler Pierre is the powerhouse behind Equilibria, a boutique operations management firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. With a background in chemical engineering and an MBA, Alicia transformed her knack for organization into a thriving business that builds operational infrastructure for fast-growing small businesses. Her journey from corporate process engineer to entrepreneurial trailblazer is a masterclass in following intuition and embracing risk.
Episode #263: Rudy Augsburger
Rudy Augsburger is a true third-culture executive who turned two decades at Siemens and Ericsson into a high-impact advisory career helping tech companies expand across borders. Having grown up across Argentina, Trinidad & Tobago, Afghanistan, Peru, and beyond, Rudy brings rare cultural fluency and on-the-ground insight to international go-to-market, partnerships, and operations.
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