Episodes

Oct. 7, 2025

1262: The Hidden Leak Sinking Your Business (And How AI Can Plug It) w/ Sandra Bustos

Every business, regardless of size, struggles with a costly disconnect between their sales and finance systems. This gap leads to revenue leakage, delayed payments, and poor business visibility. In this episode, Sandra Bustos, founder and CEO of Meshly, breaks down how she’s tackling this universal problem head-on. She shares her journey from being a "dot connector" in major tech companies to building a solution that acts as a "Google Translate" between go-to-market and finance teams. This episo...
Oct. 6, 2025

1261: From Firefighter to Founder: How a Side Hustle Became a Lighting Empire w/ Chris Rios

From firefighter and paramedic to the CEO of a multi-location lighting company, Chris Rios shares the gritty details of how he turned a simple side hustle into a thriving, multi-service business. His journey with Ultra Shine Holiday Lights is a masterclass in grit, strategic growth, and the power of continuous learning. This episode is packed with value for any entrepreneur feeling stuck, as Chris breaks down how he navigated pricing a premium service in a small town, leveraged technology to man...
Oct. 5, 2025

1260: This frustrated me... and I know you'll get it!

Ever had a no-show for a big call, a proposal go unanswered, or a launch fall flat, leaving you feeling utterly frustrated? In this raw and real Solo Sunday episode, Brian pulls back the curtain after a frustrating no-show experience of his own. Instead of just venting, he reveals how these moments of annoyance are actually powerful trigger points for massive growth. He shares the exact mindset shift that turns frustration into innovation, and walks through real-life examples from his businesses...
Oct. 4, 2025

1259: The Scrappy Founder's Playbook: Turning Cultural Identity into a Viral Brand w/ DevRaj Patel

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Brian sits down with DevRaj Patel, the first-generation Indian American founder behind Jivati, the first Indian-inspired beverage brand in the US. Dev shares the unfiltered story of Jivati's creation, from the initial idea to navigating massive hurdles, including a formulator who disappeared with $10,000, and having his product rejected by federal regulators. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, scrappy problem-solving, and the power of building a ...
Oct. 3, 2025

1258: The Hospitality Secret to Sales That Don't Feel "Salesy" w/ Shelley Mann

Tired of the constant pressure to be "salesy"? This episode flips the script on traditional sales by revealing how a hospitality-first mindset can create sustainable, long-term growth. Sales expert Shelley Mann shares her unique journey from the hotel industry to sales consulting, offering a fresh perspective that prioritizes service, relationship-building, and genuine understanding over aggressive closing tactics. This episode is a must-listen for any founder struggling with the feast-or-famine...
Oct. 2, 2025

1257: How to Blend Corporate Structure and Entrepreneurial Spontaneity for Unstoppable Growth w/ Carrie & Sam Mayers

This episode features a truly unique and inspiring story: the mother-daughter duo behind Corporate Coach & Co. (C3), a business that’s been thriving for over 32 years. Carrie Mayers, the "accidental entrepreneur" founder, shares her journey of building a powerhouse consulting firm purely on referrals, while her daughter, Sam Mayers, explains her intentional leap from the hyper-structured corporate world of PwC to join the family business. This conversation is a masterclass in blending decades of...
Oct. 1, 2025

1256: The Bitcoin Boat Hasn't Sailed (Yet!)... Here's Why You're Not Too Late w/ Matthew Halfacre

Matthew Halfacre, a 25-year trading veteran and multi-time entrepreneur, joins the show to completely demystify the world of Bitcoin and digital assets. He breaks down the complex shift of Bitcoin from a volatile, speculative asset into a Treasury-style reserve asset, much like digital gold. Matthew explains why the boat for crypto investing hasn’t sailed yet—in fact, it’s just leaving the shore. This episode is a masterclass for entrepreneurs on how to gain a competitive edge through deep macro...
Sept. 30, 2025

1255: From 5 to 50 Employees: Your Guide to Scaling People & Culture w/ Melanie Parrish

Tired of thinking of HR as just paperwork and a necessary evil? In this episode, 20-year HR veteran Melanie Parrish flips the script, revealing how to transform your people strategy from a dreaded cost center into a powerful growth driver. She explains that for small businesses, people solutions aren't about bureaucracy; they're about building a customized, intentional foundation that scales culture, retains top talent, and directly fuels your bottom line. This episode is packed with practical, ...
Sept. 29, 2025

1254: Become a MASTER OF YOUR CRAFT and authority figure in your industry (and achieve 40+ years of relevance and success!) w/ David Drucker

Tired of hearing that your industry is "dead"? In this episode, David Drucker, a 42-year veteran of the printing world, proves that mastery and innovation can make any craft thrive. He shares his incredible journey of starting a business at 23 with no experience, navigating three major economic crises, and reinventing himself from a local shop to a global influencer. David explains why your clients "don't know what they don't know" and how educating them is your biggest sales advantage. This epi...
Sept. 28, 2025

1253: NOTHING works.

Ever find yourself saying (or thinking) that a certain strategy just “doesn’t work anymore”? Whether it’s Facebook Ads, SEO, or cold outreach, it’s easy to blame the platform when you don’t see results. In this powerful Solo Sunday episode, Brian calls out this dangerous mindset for what it is: an excuse that lets you off the hook. He argues that no channel, strategy, or tactic works unless WE do. This episode is a crucial reminder that you are the single most important variable in your business...
Sept. 27, 2025

1252: How to Stop Being the Busiest Person in Your Business (and STOP Being the Bottleneck!) w/ Christy Cox

Are you building a business or just creating a high-stress job for yourself? Christy Cox, founder of VeriScale, joins the show to share how she went from building a misaligned multimillion-dollar company to creating a business that fuels her dream lifestyle of traveling the country in a camper with her family. This episode is a masterclass in how to escape the "founder's trap," where you become the single biggest bottleneck to your own growth. Christy breaks down her Founder Freedom System, reve...
Sept. 26, 2025

1251: From NBA Coach to AI Pioneer: The Secret to Making Every Rep Count w/ Wesley Horne

Former NBA shooting instructor Wesley Horne reveals the gritty, unglamorous truth behind elite performance and entrepreneurial success. He shares his incredible journey from coaching pros to becoming a tech pioneer, driven by seeing players lose multi-million dollar contracts over correctable flaws. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and taking the path of most resistance to build something truly impactful. For wantrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, Wesley’s story is a powerf...
Sept. 25, 2025

1250: The Future of AI is Video! Here's How to Get Ahead of the Curve w/ Sagar Gandhi and Vishal Gandhi

In this episode, Brian sits down with brothers and co-founders Sagar and Vishal Gandhi to explore the next frontier of artificial intelligence: video. Forget just transcribing your content; Sagar and Vishal are building the technology at JoySpace AI to understand the people, objects, actions, and emotions within your videos at scale. They reveal how 75% of all video data sits unused on servers and how entrepreneurs can tap into this goldmine—from sales calls and webinars to marketing videos—to e...
Sept. 24, 2025

1249: Is Your Business Ready to Sell? This M&A Expert Reveals All... w/ Brad Bostic

Ever dream of selling your business for a life-changing sum or acquiring another company to fast-track your growth? This episode demystifies the intimidating world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). We're joined by Brad Bostic, an M&A expert who went from a corporate career to launching his own firm, Bostic Advisory, after an unexpected layoff. Brad breaks down the complex process of buying and selling companies into actionable advice for entrepreneurs at any stage. You'll learn what truly drive...
Sept. 23, 2025

1248: The 100x Question That Will Break (and Remake) Your Business w/ Justin Wilhelms

Are you a successful business owner who feels stuck, overworked, and trapped in the day-to-day operations? This episode is your guide to breaking free. Fractional CEO Justin Wilhelms joins the show to reveal why many entrepreneurs hit a growth plateau and how to shatter it by stepping into the true CEO function. He explains that being a great practitioner isn't enough; you must build scalable systems and lead your people effectively. This episode is packed with value, as Justin introduces the "W...
Sept. 22, 2025

1247: DON'T Write Your Own Book! Do This Instead... w/ Kristin Clark

Tired of hearing "content is king" but have zero time to create it? This episode is your solution. We sit down with expert ghostwriter and publisher Kristin Clark to demystify the process of turning your expertise into powerful books and articles, even if you hate writing. Kristin reveals how a ghostwriter can authentically capture your unique voice, transform your scattered ideas into a structured masterpiece, and position you as a go-to authority in your field. This isn't just about outsourcin...
Sept. 21, 2025

1246: Forget about EVERYTHING ELSE. This is it.

Ever feel like you’re waiting for perfect conditions, overthinking every decision, or blaming things outside your control for your lack of progress? This Solo Sunday might just change everything for you. Today, we’re talking about one of the most important traits for entrepreneurial success — high agency — and why it might be the #1 predictor of whether you succeed or stagnate. I’ll share how high-agency thinking shows up in marketing, sales, operations, and mindset… plus real-life examples that...
Sept. 20, 2025

1245: Ditch the AI Hype and Focus on AI Readiness w/ Brittney Hannah

Tired of the endless hype around AI and ready for a real strategy? This episode cuts through the noise with Brittney Hannah, an AI strategist with a "storytelling soul." She reveals why most AI training programs fail and how true adoption isn't about the flashiest tools, but about building confidence within your team. For wantrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, this episode is a masterclass in how to move from simply talking about AI to strategically integrating it into your business. Brittney shares ...
Sept. 19, 2025

1244: Unleash Your Inner Rebel: The Secret to True Innovation + Creativity w/ Michael Glatts

Tired of the corporate grind and bureaucratic creep? Michael Glatts, a self-proclaimed "corporate survivor," joins the show to reveal how he transformed decades of corporate experience and a passion for improv comedy into a thriving business that re-energizes teams. He shares the power of being a "quietly rebellious" leader and how a 90-minute "Quirkshop" can serve as the pattern interrupt your business needs to unlock innovation. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur feeling stuck ...
Sept. 18, 2025

1243: How an MIT Astrophysicist Hacked His Own Depression with Data... and How it Can Transform Your Productivity w/ Jake Hartman

In today's episode we sit down with Jake Hartman, an astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur who transformed his personal struggle with depression into a powerful tech solution. Jake shares his incredible journey from studying neutron stars at MIT and working at Google to building q.buzz, an app designed for longitudinal surveys—or, in simple terms, tracking things over time to see real patterns and progress. This episode is a masterclass in how to turn a personal problem into a scalable business ide...
Sept. 17, 2025

1242: This tattoo artist + death doula reveals how EGO is killing your business w/ Arville Persons

In a truly unique conversation, we sit down with Arville Persons, a multidisciplinary artist who bridges the worlds of tattooing and death doula work. Arville shares her profound perspective on entrepreneurship as a spiritual journey, revealing how embracing impermanence, questioning her identity, and dissolving her ego led to a complete and powerful business rebrand. This episode is invaluable for any entrepreneur feeling stuck or misaligned, as Arville provides a masterclass in trusting your i...
Sept. 16, 2025

1241: How This Founder is Creating "Brain Superpowers" for Kids through Languages w/ Anissa Bouderraoui

Anissa Bouderraoui, a multilingual mom of three and former CFO, shares her journey of transforming a personal passion into LingoCircle, a cutting-edge bilingual education platform. She reveals how she combines live, human-led classes with personalized AI-powered games to create an engaging learning experience for children. This episode is a masterclass for entrepreneurs on how to execute a big idea step-by-step, build a mission-driven company, and strategically navigate both B2C and B2B markets....
Sept. 15, 2025

1240: The "Grounded Growth" Secret to Sustainable GROWTH Marketing w/ Cody Gillund

In this episode, we dive deep into the art and science of sustainable business growth with Cody Gillund, the founder of Grounded Growth Studio. Cody breaks down why so many entrepreneurs get stuck in a cycle of random tactics and explains how to build a powerful marketing engine by starting with strategy first. She reveals that things like brand and messaging aren't just "nice-to-haves" you can focus on later—they are the essential foundation for attracting the right customers and driving meanin...
Sept. 14, 2025

1239: NINE unconventional entrepreneurial truths + lessons

Ever feel like you’re spending too much time planning, overcomplicating, or waiting for the “perfect moment” to act? This Solo Sunday is extra special — it’s the 9th birthday of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Podcast! I’m sharing nine unconventional entrepreneurial truths I’ve learned from nine years behind the mic — insights that will challenge the way you think about planning, marketing, execution, and even your own identity as a founder. ✨ Why This Matters for You Nine years of running ...