Episode #162: Mcnally Recruitment – Steve McNally
From World Traveler to Recruitment Trailblazer: Steve McNally of McNally Recruitment Steve McNally, founder of McNally Recruitment, joins us from Scotland with an inspiring story of resilience, reinvention, and entrepreneurial grit. After spending over a decade traveling the world and teaching English abroad, Steve returned to his roots in recruitment and launched his own firm—proving that when you invest your time and money into something, you’re in it for the long haul. With decades of experience in IT and energy recruitment across the UK and beyond, Steve shares his unconventional journey from global educator to business owner, offering candid insights into hiring, growing a business from scratch, and staying the course even when things get tough. 5 Takeaways from Episode 162: Leap of Faith: Steve turned down a comfortable job offer to launch McNally Recruitment from his couch—with full support from his wife. Start Lean, Think Big: He launched the business with minimal spending and scaled slowly, focusing on sustainability over flash. Listen Over Sell: In sales and recruitment, Steve believes success comes from listening—not talking. Gut Over Résumé: When hiring, trust your instinct. People can learn skills, but attitude and potential are harder to teach. Invested Means Committed: Putting your own money and energy into a business makes quitting much harder—and success that much sweeter. Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIGQLZj-u3A Memorable Quote: “If you’re really dead set and determined to do something, then just go ahead and do it.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Steve Linkedin Globe
Episode #157: Founder of Serotonin Creative – Casey Hogue
Guest Spotlight: Casey Hogue – Founder of Serotonin Creative Meet Casey Hogue, the visionary founder of Serotonin Creative, a branding and creative consultancy driven by empathy, authenticity, and purpose. After nearly five years as a creative director at E. & J. Gallo Winery, Casey made a bold leap—leaving behind the security of corporate life to build a company that aligned with his passion for impactful storytelling and doing good in the world. With a unique blend of art school creativity and scientific curiosity, Casey brings a refreshing perspective to the modern marketing landscape. His mission? Help brands tap into their core values, build tribes, and create meaningful connections that inspire action. Key Takeaways from the Episode: Creativity over everything: Analytics are essential, but creativity is timeless and irreplaceable. “We’ve been creative for over 120,000 years… I’m taking creativity every time.” Start with why: Like Apple, the most successful brands don’t lead with features—they lead with values and vision. Know your tribe: Great marketing speaks to someone—and just as importantly, not to everyone. Marketing is neuroscience: Serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin—understanding human emotion is the key to effective branding. Web3 is a renaissance: NFTs and smart contracts are changing the game for creators—Casey believes this era is the “digital art renaissance.” Ready to dive in?Watch the full episode of Clicks & Bricks Podcast Ep. 157 with Casey Hogue and explore the future of branding, creativity, and digital innovation:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG0Wal5q1MU Memorable Quote: “Creativity and communication are just fundamental human things… if you understand them well and do them right, everything else falls into place.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Casey Linkedin Globe
Episode #154: Spaces Taylored – Adam Taylor
Adam Taylor of Spaces Taylored: Designing Workspaces That Inspire Success Adam Taylor, founder of Spaces Taylored, joined Clicks & Bricks Podcast to share how he launched a business in the middle of the pandemic—and turned adversity into opportunity. Based in Scotland, Adam took a bold leap from being furloughed to building a company that transforms workspaces for collaboration, wellness, and productivity. From running marathons during lockdown to generating over £200K in revenue in his first year, Adam’s story is a powerful reminder that the right mindset can turn any moment into a launching pad. Top 5 Takeaways from Episode 154: Start Before You’re Ready: Adam founded Spaces Taylored with no concrete plan, just a drive to make it work. Workspace Wellness Matters: He believes that a productive office is one that supports mental health and team collaboration. Hybrid Work is Here to Stay: Designing flexible, functional office spaces is key to attracting and retaining top talent. Design Flaws Are Costly: Underutilized space is the #1 office design mistake businesses make today. Mindset Over Circumstance: From rock bottom to business owner, Adam proved that persistence beats uncertainty. Watch the Full Interview:Hear Adam’s full journey, office design tips, and entrepreneurial insights on YouTube now:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqYeIAettZQ Memorable Quote: “If you want it, anything’s achievable—you’ve just got to keep pushing yourself and reach for the stars.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Adam Linkedin Globe
Episode #153: Express Employment Professionals – Brent Pollington
Guest Spotlight: Brent Pollington – Express Employment Professionals Vancouver Meet Brent Pollington, the Franchise Leader Driving Vancouver’s Hiring Game ForwardBrent Pollington isn’t just another franchise owner—he’s a powerhouse in Vancouver’s recruiting space. As the owner of Express Employment Professionals Vancouver, Brent broke even and saw profits within just six months of launching his franchise. How? Relentless hustle, deep industry expertise, and a systemized approach to hiring that sets his team apart. In Episode 153 of Clicks & Bricks, Brent opens up about the realities of owning a franchise, the mindset shift it takes to move from employee to business owner, and the extensive process his team uses to match top talent with the right opportunities. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or business leader struggling with hiring, this episode is a must-watch. 5 Key Takeaways from Brent’s Episode: Hard work beats hype: Brent reached profitability fast, but only through 100+ door pulls per week and aggressive local outreach. The three pillars of hiring success: Recruiting, onboarding/training, and employee accountability all play critical roles in long-term staff retention. Franchising isn’t automatic success: Opening a franchise gives you the tools—but you still have to make the phone ring. Don’t under-hire: Brent shares how running lean backfired—and why he now believes in over-hiring for stability. Hiring is about systems, not just resumes: Soft skills, motivation, and the ability to learn often trump experience if you have the right internal training structure. Want to learn how Brent made it happen?Watch the full episode on YouTube now:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxam17MIUA0 Memorable Quote: “Opening your doors doesn’t mean business will come—you’ve got to go out and get it.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Brent Facebook Linkedin Youtube
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 #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 #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 #134: BigByte Insights – Shahzeb
Shahzeb Sheikh of BigByte Insights: Turning Real Estate Data into Predictive Power Meet Shahzeb Sheikh, founder of BigByte Insights, a tech-savvy entrepreneur revolutionizing how investors make decisions in the real estate space. With a background that blends computer science, finance, and data science, Shahzeb is creating next-gen analytics platforms for stock market investors, REIT analysts, and crypto/NFT enthusiasts. Shahzeb’s journey from the corporate finance world to launching BigByte Insights is a masterclass in using technical skills and curiosity to build a business that’s shaping the future of real estate and beyond. Top 5 Takeaways from Episode 134: BigByte Insights predicts REIT earnings using web-scraped data and machine learning, giving stock investors an edge before earnings are reported. His NFT project “Ugly Monkey” offers real utility—exclusive access to two powerful data platforms: IntelStocks.ai and CoinAlgo.com. He’s building sentiment analysis tools that scan Reddit and Discord communities to track market trends and alpha in both stocks and crypto. Shahzeb’s journey began in his living room, running four CPUs and web-scraping real estate pricing trends—proof you don’t need a big office to build a big idea. He believes the metaverse is the next internet, and the businesses that prepare now will be the Amazons and Googles of tomorrow. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djWNscF-UqU Memorable Quote: “It’s not just what you know—it’s who you know. And the more diverse your network, the more you’ll learn.” — Shahzeb Sheikh Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Shahzeb Facebook Linkedin
Episode #132: Freelance Choreographer– Lauren Dangelo
Lauren D’Angelo: Turning Passion Into Performance in the Freelance Dance World Lauren D’Angelo is a freelance dancer and choreographer who has transformed her lifelong love of movement into a thriving business. With a background in ballet, Broadway, and national competitions, Lauren knows what it takes to hustle—and stay inspired—when no one else is holding you accountable. In this episode of Clicks & Bricks, she shares how she built a career on her own terms, manages the ups and downs of creative life, and stays future-focused in a rapidly evolving industry. Top 5 Takeaways from Lauren’s Episode: Discipline Is Everything: As a freelancer, Lauren emphasizes the need to self-motivate—especially on days when no one’s counting on you but yourself. Work-Life Balance is Fluid: Lauren shares how she redefined “weekends” and learned to prioritize rest as much as performance. Be Patient With the Process: She advises young dancers to enjoy the journey instead of rushing toward unrealistic expectations. Freelance Smart: Lauren negotiated a non-exclusive contract with her agent, allowing her to keep her independence while leveraging new opportunities. Tech Will Democratize Dance: She predicts online platforms will make performance art more accessible and allow creators to reach new audiences without needing big production budgets. Catch the full episode to hear Lauren’s entrepreneurial journey and how she keeps her creativity and business thriving. Watch now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSJb0ZBrTiI Memorable Quote: I have to expect myself to show up—and do the things—even when nobody else is watching. Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Lauren Globe Instagram Youtube