Alle afleveringen
81 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
-
Jesper Nielsen | He Slept In His Car For 3 Years… Then Made $350M Selling Pandora
28 oktober 2026 · 54 min
Jesper Nielsen is the Danish entrepreneur who helped transform Pandora into one of the world's most recognizable jewelry brands, earning approximately $350 million from his exit. Lees meer
From bankruptcy and sleeping in his car to building a global empire, Jesper shares the strategies behind Pandora's extraordinary growth.
He also discusses his legal battles, the risks of selling to private equity, and the lessons he's learned about ownership, negotiation, and resilience.
Follow Jesper Nielsen:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesper-nielsen-1311226/Explore Pandora:
Website: https://www.pandora.net/Join the School of Mentors:
https://www.skool.com/schoolofmentors/aboutHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Dan Henry | He Delivered Pizza for 7 Years… Here's How He Made $45 Million
23 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 3 min
Dan Henry is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of GetClients.com who has generated approximately $45 million in business revenue. After spending seven years delivering pizza, he transformed his career by mastering sales, marketing, and persuasive communication. Lees meer
In this episode of the School of Hard Knocks podcast, Dan shares how he generated his first $10 million without a social media following, developed million-dollar webinar strategies, and scaled an offer to $950,000 per month.
He explains how wealthy people approach opportunities, why communication is one of the most valuable business skills, and how entrepreneurs can build profitable businesses around solving expensive problems.
The conversation also explores his personal struggles, business comeback, high-ticket sales strategies, and philosophy of pursuing what you're best at rather than blindly following your passion.
Follow Dan Henry:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danhenry/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/danhenry
Website / GetClients: https://getclients.com/Join the School of Mentors community for exclusive access to entrepreneurs and live mentorship:
https://www.skool.com/schoolofmentors/aboutHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Jesse Cole | He Was $1M in Debt… Now 5 Million People Want His Tickets
14 oktober 2026 · 45 min
Get the all-in-one business tool millionaires use to run and grow their companies. Start your free 30-day trial 👉: https://www.gohighlevel.com/schoolofhardknocks/?fp_ref=the-school-of-hard-knocks-llc20 Lees meer
Jesse Cole is the founder of the Savannah Bananas and Banana Ball, a rapidly growing sports entertainment organization with six teams and millions of fans across America.
After facing $1 million in debt, selling his house, and struggling to sell tickets, Jesse transformed a failing baseball venture into a business reportedly valued at $1 billion.
Today, Banana Ball sells out major stadiums and has a ticket waitlist exceeding 5 million people, all without outside investors.
In this episode of the School of Hard Knocks, Jesse shares his journey from financial hardship to national success, the innovative business model behind Banana Ball, and his approach to building a loyal fanbase.
He also discusses leadership, customer experience, creative experimentation, and why he refuses to sacrifice long-term trust for short-term profits.
Follow Jesse Cole: https://www.instagram.com/yellowtuxjesse/
Jesse's Website: https://findyouryellowtux.com/
Savannah Bananas: https://thesavannahbananas.com/
Banana Ball: https://bananaball.com/
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Omar Soliman | He Got Rich Hauling Trash… Now His Business Makes $300 Million/Year
7 oktober 2026 · 35 min
Learn from the millionaires and billionaires we interview on calls every week. Sign up for our community here: https://www.skool.com/schoolofmentors/about Lees meer
Omar Soliman is the co-founder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, a national franchise business generating roughly $300 million in systemwide annual revenue.
After starting the company with a borrowed cargo van, Omar and his co-founder bootstrapped the business, became the first entrepreneurs to reject a deal on Shark Tank, and later raised minority private-equity capital at an approximately $140 million valuation.
In this episode, Omar explains how they scaled from two founders in a truck into a national operating system, why franchising became their growth engine, and what entrepreneurs must change as they move from startup to scale.
We also discuss hiring, leadership, focus, education, resourcefulness, surviving recessions, and why building real wealth is often a “get rich slow” process.
Follow Omar:
Website: OmarSoliman.com
Instagram: @omarsolimanceo
LinkedIn: Omar SolimanCollege HUNKS:
Official Website
Instagram @collegehunksHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Jason Mickool | He Got Fired From Every Job… Then Built a $130M Company
30 september 2026 · 51 min
Get the all-in-one business tool millionaires use to run and grow their companies. Start your free 30-day trial 👉: https://www.gohighlevel.com/schoolofhardknocks/?fp_ref=the-school-of-hard-knocks-llc20 Lees meer
Learn from the millionaires and billionaires we interview on calls every week. Sign up for our community here: https://www.skool.com/schoolofmentors/about
Jason Mickool is the Founder and CEO of Florida Financial Advisors, a financial services business he started from his kitchen table after years in corporate leadership and repeated firings.
In this episode, Jason shares his philosophy on ownership, uncapped income, recruiting, real estate, entrepreneurship, building scalable businesses, and creating generational wealth. He also explains why his wife pushed him to bet on himself, how he thinks about risk and cash flow, and why he believes the people you surround yourself with can determine the trajectory of your life.
Follow Jason:
Website: JasonMickool.com
Instagram: @jmickool
LinkedIn: Jason MickoolFlorida Financial Advisors: Florida Financial Advisors
Take The Power Back: Take The Power Back
Greatness Lab: Greatness LabHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Bob Duggan | He Grew Up With Nothing… Then Made $2 Billion In One Day!
23 september 2026 · 57 min
Bob Duggan is a billionaire entrepreneur and investor best known for helping transform Pharmacyclics from a struggling biotech company into a cancer-treatment powerhouse that sold for $21 billion. Lees meer
In this episode, Bob shares his journey from a modest childhood and early investing career to building businesses across food, robotics, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. He opens up about losing his son to glioblastoma, how that experience shaped his commitment to medicine, and the principles behind his approach to risk, leadership, investing, responsibility, and wealth creation.
Find Bob Duggan here:
Website: https://robertduggan.com/
Genius Inc.: https://www.geniusinc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwduggan
Pulse Biosciences: https://www.pulsebiosciences.com/
Summit Therapeutics: https://www.smmttx.com/overview/
Duggan Investments: https://www.dugganinvestmentsresearch.com/
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Kim Perell | She Borrowed $10K From Grandma… Then Built a $235M Company
16 september 2026 · 40 min
Kim Perell is a nine-time entrepreneur, angel investor in more than 100 companies, and the founder behind a business that grew from a $10,000 loan from her grandmother to a $235 million exit. Lees meer
In this episode, Kim shares how she built through uncertainty, what she looks for when investing in early-stage founders, and the lessons she learned scaling companies from their first million toward nine-figure and billion-dollar outcomes.
She also breaks down mentorship, founder resilience, building valuable relationships, increasing a company’s attractiveness to buyers, and why focus matters more than diversification in the early years.
Kim closes with her philosophy on family, money, creativity, long-term thinking, and why no one becomes successful alone.
Find Kim Perell here:
Website: https://kimperell.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimperell/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimperell/
Check out Kim’s books: https://kimperell.com/books/
Learn more about Juni: https://drinkjuni.com/
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Eddie Maalouf | He Couldn’t Give Marketing Away For Free… Now His Agency Makes $18 Million/Year
9 september 2026 · 1 uur 5 min
Eddie Maalouf is the founder and CEO of BAD Marketing, an agency generating roughly $18 million annually, and an entrepreneur behind multiple businesses including Scoville Hot Chicken. Lees meer
Before building his agency, Eddie became the top sales rep by volume at Lifetime Fitness and later helped generate an additional $1 million in profit for his family’s businesses.
In this episode, Eddie explains the sales systems, marketing strategies, hiring decisions, and organic content playbook that helped him scale from struggling to acquire clients to working with major brands including Yeezy. He also breaks down how he negotiated a restaurant business from a $1 million asking price to a $130,000 deal.
Follow Eddie Maalouf:
Instagram: instagram.com/eddiemaaloufBAD Marketing: badmarketing.com
Scoville Hot Chicken: scovillechicken.com
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Jhalesa Seymour | She Started With $67… Now Her Soap Company Makes $20 Million/Year
2 september 2026 · 39 min
Get the all-in-one business tool millionaires use to run and grow their companies. Start your free 30-day trial 👉: https://www.gohighlevel.com/schoolofhardknocks/?fp_ref=the-school-of-hard-knocks-llc20 Lees meer
Jhalesa Seymour is the founder of Salt.XO, an eight-figure feminine hygiene brand generating more than $20 million annually, with one launch producing $1 million in just 30 minutes.
She started the company in college with only $67 and became the first millionaire in her family by age 25.
In this episode, Jhalesa shares how she created demand, built trust through organic marketing, survived a devastating 20,000-order fulfillment crisis, scaled with paid advertising, and learned to manage people and money through explosive growth.
She also discusses faith, motherhood, competition, building the right circle, and her ambition to turn Salt.XO into a global billion-dollar company.
Find Jhalesa Seymour here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhalesa.xo/
Salt.XO: https://www.instagram.com/salt.xo/
Website: https://www.saltxo.com/Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Mike Wystrach | He Had $15 Left… 10 Years Later He Sold His Company For $1.5 Billion
26 augustus 2026 · 57 min
Mike Wystrach is the founder of Freshly, the prepared-meal company acquired by Nestlé in 2020 in a deal valued at $1.5 billion. Before Freshly, Mike experienced business failure, lost his home, faced a $1 million judgment, and at 35 had just $15 in his bank account. Lees meer
In this episode, he explains how he rebuilt his mindset, scaled Freshly to more than 1 million meals per week, navigated fundraising and hypergrowth, and ultimately decided to sell the business. Mike also shares lessons on entrepreneurship, customer obsession, building great teams, wealth, failure, and what he is building today through Petfolk and Cutting Horse.
Find Mike Wystrach here:
Website: https://mikewystrach.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikewystrach/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwystrach/Check out Mike’s businesses:
Petfolk: https://petfolk.com/
Cutting Horse: https://www.cuttinghorse.com/
Listen to The Advantage: https://mikewystrach.com/podcast/ https://mikewystrach.com/newsletter/Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Jamie Salter | How He Built a $40B Brand Empire With Reebok, Champion & Forever 21
19 augustus 2026 · 1 uur 8 min
Try Emergent for free: https://app.emergent.sh/?utm_shift=redirect&via=theschoolofhardknockspodcast Lees meer
Jamie Salter is the founder and chairman of Authentic Brands Group, the global brand platform behind Reebok, Champion, Forever 21, Quiksilver and partnerships with names like Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham and Kevin Hart.
In this episode, Jamie breaks down how he went from a childhood paper route and the snowboard business to building one of the largest brand licensing companies in the world.
He shares how Authentic evaluates acquisitions, what gives a struggling brand a “heartbeat,” why global expansion matters, and how licensing can unlock growth without owning every part of the supply chain.
Jamie also talks about working alongside his four sons, partnering with major personal brands, the rise of creator-driven commerce, financial discipline, and why organization has been one of the biggest advantages of his career.
Follow Jamie Salter:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiejsalter/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-salter-04a08933/Learn more about Authentic Brands Group:
Website: https://corporate.authentic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authentic/Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
George Heaton | How He Built Represent Into a $140M/Year Fashion Brand
12 augustus 2026 · 42 min
George Heaton is the co-founder of Represent, the British fashion brand that has grown from a bedroom operation into a global business generating roughly $140 million in annual revenue. In this episode, George shares how he and his brother built the company from the ground up, navigated a multimillion-dollar trademark dispute, and scaled from approximately $8M to more than $100M in revenue. He also breaks down product strategy, international expansion, hiring, retail, pricing discipline and the importance of delayed gratification. A practical conversation about building a brand designed to outlive its founders. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
David Royce | From Door to Door Sales to 5 Companies Sold for Over $1 Billion
5 augustus 2026 · 50 min
David Royce is an entrepreneur and sales leader who built and sold five pest control companies for more than $1 billion in combined value. Starting as a broke college student in door-to-door sales, he went on to create high-performance sales organizations, scalable operating systems, and recurring-revenue businesses across multiple markets. Lees meer
In this episode, David explains his RACK sales system, how he survived early cash-flow crises, why training and culture became his competitive advantage, and why “boring” businesses continue to create extraordinary wealth.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Blake Johnson | He Had $7,000 Left… Then Sold His Companies for $1.1 Billion
29 juli 2026 · 47 min
Blake Johnson is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and sold five companies, including a $97 million exit and the sale of Byte for more than $1 billion. After nearly losing his first business during the 2008 financial crisis, he developed a disciplined framework for bootstrapping, scaling and positioning companies for acquisition. In this episode, Blake explains how he evaluates markets, controls customer acquisition costs, builds high-performing teams and creates businesses that strategic buyers and private equity firms want to acquire. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Dr. Jason Wersland | How a Terrible Motorcycle Accident Led to the Invention of Theragun
22 juli 2026 · 1 uur 13 min
Dr. Jason Wersland is the inventor of the Theragun and the founder of Therabody, the global wellness company that transformed percussive therapy and recovery. Lees meer
After a serious motorcycle accident left him in extreme pain, Jason created the first Theragun prototype from a modified power tool and spent years developing the product while facing financial pressure, family doubt and failed business partnerships.
In this episode, he explains how he found the right investor, protected the invention, built an entirely new product category and earned adoption from world-class athletes including Cristiano Ronaldo and Aaron Rodgers.
The conversation explores invention, resilience, brand building, strategic partnerships and why consistency, persistence and delusion are often required to build something revolutionary.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
David Stout | He Started With a $400 Loan… Now His AI Company Is Worth $2.5 Billion
15 juli 2026 · 1 uur 7 min
David Stout is the founder of WebAI, an artificial intelligence company publicly valued at $2.5 billion. After growing up on a Michigan ranch, he launched a web services company in college that generated more than $750,000 annually before leaving school to pursue AI. Lees meer
In this episode, David explains how a $400 loan, repeated investor rejection, and a relentless focus on on-device intelligence shaped WebAI’s rise. He also discusses AI ownership, data centers, leadership, faith, recruiting elite talent, and the future of specialized artificial intelligence.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Mike Sherbakov | He Came To America With Nothing… Now He Funds $1 Billion Companies
6 juli 2026 · 1 uur 23 min
Mike Sherbakov is a Russian-born immigrant, Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, angel investor, and co-founder of The Veteran Fund. After building and selling companies, Mike moved into venture capital and now helps back veteran-led startups across defense, AI, space, energy, robotics, and critical technology. Lees meer
In this episode, Mike breaks down his journey from poverty and military service to entrepreneurship, early-stage investing, 100X returns, and building a 130-company portfolio. He also shares what he looks for in founders, why resilience matters, and how veteran leadership is shaping the future of American innovation.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
John Imah | He Sold 2 Tech Companies At 16… Now His AI Company Is Worth $1.5 Billion
27 juni 2026 · 1 uur 3 min
John Imah is the founder of SpreeAI, a fashion technology company valued at $1.5 billion, and the youngest millionaire in School of Hard Knocks history after selling two tech companies before age 16. Lees meer
In this episode, John shares his journey from growing up poor in an immigrant family to working at Samsung, Twitch, Meta, and Snapchat before returning to entrepreneurship.
He breaks down building AI for fashion, attracting elite talent, selling into major brands, overcoming bullying, losing his mother, and using faith, discipline, and execution to build a lasting company.
Do you want more options, shorter, more intense, or more viral versions?
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Ronnen Harary | Meet The Billionaire Toymaker Who Turned 5,000 Toys Into $2 Billion
20 juni 2026 · 1 uur 1 min
Ronnen Harary is the co-founder of Spin Master, the global toy and entertainment company behind Paw Patrol, Bakugan, Air Hogs, Rubik’s Cube, and more. Starting with a handmade product called Earth Buddies, he helped build the company into a multi-billion-dollar business across toys, entertainment, and digital games. Lees meer
In this episode, Ronnen breaks down the early Kmart deal, passing on Beyblade, building Bakugan, creating Paw Patrol, scaling globally, learning from failure, and why your 20s are the best decade to bet on yourself.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Lynnwood Bibbens | He Sold Cutco Knives In College… Then Built A $2 Billion Empire
12 juni 2026 · 55 min
Lynnwood Bibbens is the founder of ReachTV and an entrepreneur who has built billions of dollars in business across tech, media, retail, film finance, and distribution. In this episode, he breaks down how he went from selling knives in college to building major companies, creating new rights windows, and acquiring CNN Airport during the pandemic. Lynnwood shares his philosophy on serving customers, building real relationships, finding hidden value in ecosystems, and why distribution is more powerful than content alone. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Peter Tuchman | He Survived Every Stock Market Crash… Now He Trades $1 Billion/Day
6 juni 2026 · 1 uur 8 min
Peter Tuchman, known globally as the “Einstein of Wall Street,” is the longest-standing trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and one of the most recognizable figures in finance. After starting as a $47-a-week runner in 1985, he built a decades-long career through Black Monday, the internet bubble, the 2008 financial crisis, Covid, and today’s AI-driven market boom. In this episode, Peter shares lessons on market crashes, greed, disciplined investing, retail traders, wealth building, and what it really takes to survive on Wall Street. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Greg LaVecchia | He Had a 2.5 GPA… Now He’s Got a $1 Billion Brand
31 mei 2026 · 1 uur
Greg La Vecchia is the founder of Bloom, one of America’s fastest-growing supplement and energy drink brands, now sold across 70,000 retail doors. After bootstrapping the company to $180 million with no investors, mentors, or traditional playbook, Greg helped turn Bloom into a category-defining brand doing $23 million in weekly net sales. Lees meer
In this episode, Greg breaks down the early days of selling fitness products, building with his wife, betting $1 million on Target distribution, influencer marketing, retail strategy, product failures, fatherhood, and the pressure of scaling a brand built from scratch.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Patrick Terry | It’s Never Too Late… He Started At 47 And Beat McDonald’s Out
21 mei 2026 · 1 uur 5 min
Patrick Terry is the co-founder of P. Terry’s, the Texas burger brand that grew from a 527-square-foot Austin stand into 38 locations and 1,800 employees. Lees meer
In this episode, Patrick shares how he built the company with his wife Kathy, competed directly against national fast food giants, protected the brand’s culture, and refused franchising or private equity to preserve quality.
We discuss leadership, employee loyalty, pricing with fairness, building customer love, and why showing up every day is still the ultimate business advantage.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Andy Frisella | He Made $58K In 10 Years… Now His Portfolio Is Worth $1B
13 mei 2026 · 1 uur 8 min
Andy Frisella is the founder of 1st Phorm, creator of 75 Hard, and one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the fitness and personal development space. After making only $58,380 total across his first ten years in business, he built a vertically integrated supplement empire and a personal portfolio worth over $1 billion. Lees meer
In this episode, Andy shares the early years of struggle, the mindset behind discipline, how 75 Hard was created, why customer experience changed his business, and what it takes to build culture, standards, and long-term enterprise value.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Eric Spofford | He Was Addicted To Drugs... Now He's Sold A $115 Million Company
7 mei 2026 · 1 uur
Eric Spofford is an entrepreneur, investor, and founder who overcame heroin addiction before building and selling his treatment business for $115 million. After dropping out of high school at 15 and getting sober with almost nothing, he launched his state’s first sober living house and scaled it into a major operation. Lees meer
In this episode, Eric breaks down addiction, entrepreneurship, building a sellable company, private equity, hiring elite teams, relationship building, wealth after exit, and the mindset required to survive the hardest seasons in business.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Lucy Guo | How She Became The World's Youngest Self Made Woman Billionaire
1 mei 2026 · 41 min
Go try Agent Opus and start making your own videos today! Get 600 free credits using our link: https://agent.opus.pro/home?special_credit=SOHK Lees meer
Lucy Guo is the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world and the co-founder of Scale AI, one of the most important infrastructure companies behind the artificial intelligence boom. After dropping out of college through the Thiel Fellowship, she helped build Scale AI into a company valued around $26 billion.
In this episode, Lucy shares how she handled family pressure, why she believes founders must pivot quickly, how Scale AI found product-market fit, and what young entrepreneurs need to understand about AI, talent, risk, and proximity.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
RJ Jain | He Left India, Sold a Startup to Google, Now He’s Building a $200M Company
23 april 2026 · 46 min
Go try Agent Opus and start making your own videos today! Get 600 free credits using our link: https://agent.opus.pro/home?special_credit=SOHK Lees meer
RJ Jain is the founder of Price.com, an AI-powered shopping platform valued at around $200 million, and previously sold his last startup to Google for nine figures. In this episode, he shares his journey from growing up in India and studying in Michigan to building and exiting a company, then starting again as a solo founder. He breaks down the reality of startup risk, fundraising, distribution, consumer tech, and how AI is changing execution. This conversation is a sharp look at resilience, ambition, and what it takes to build at scale.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Richard Harpin | He Was $10K From Bankruptcy… Then Built a $4B Company
15 april 2026 · 34 min
Richard built HomeServe into a £4.1 billion global company operating in 10 countries, starting with just £50,000 and multiple early failures. Lees meer
In this episode, he breaks down the near-collapse moments, the pivot that changed everything, and the exact business model that scaled globally.
He also shares his 9-step framework for building a billion-pound company, insights on bootstrapping vs. raising capital, and why copying proven ideas beats chasing originality.
A masterclass in scaling, resilience, and strategic execution.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Simon Squibb | He Was Homeless at 15… Now He’s Worth Hundreds of Millions
8 april 2026 · 1 uur 12 min
Simon Squibb is a self-made entrepreneur worth hundreds of millions who has invested in over 80 companies. After becoming homeless at 15, he built his first business with just £200 and no formal education in business. In this episode, he shares the raw truth about failure, survival, and building from nothing. He breaks down why traditional education fails, why purpose matters more than money, and what it really takes to succeed. This is a conversation about ownership, resilience, and creating your own path. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Poppi Founders | How They Built Poppi Into A $500 Million A Year Soda Company In 4 Years (Then Sold For $2 Billion)
2 april 2026 · 57 min
Alison and Stephen Ellsworth, founders of Poppi, share how they went from early-stage struggles and personal health challenges to building and exiting a $2 billion beverage company. They discuss risking financial stability, validating their product through real customers, leveraging viral content for growth, and navigating the realities of scaling a business as a married couple. This episode explores entrepreneurship, brand building, leadership, and the mindset required to sustain long-term success. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Bill Gurley | Legendary Investor on Missing Google, Backing Uber, and What Makes Billion-Dollar Founders
26 maart 2026 · 57 min
Bill Gurley, legendary venture capitalist and early investor in Uber and Zillow, shares the principles behind identifying billion-dollar companies. He reflects on missing the Google opportunity, lessons from evaluating thousands of founders, and why execution consistently beats ideas. The conversation explores network effects, founder psychology, venture capital decision-making, and how young investors can build an edge in emerging industries. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
John Caudwell | The British Billionaire Who Lost Everything… Then Built a $2B Empire
20 maart 2026 · 53 min
John Caudwell, founder of Phones 4u, built a billion-pound empire from scratch and exited for £1.5 billion after two decades of relentless growth. Starting with monthly losses and facing near collapse after losing 95% of his supply, he rebuilt through sharp commercial instincts and strategic hiring. Lees meer
In this episode, he shares lessons on scaling to 10,000 employees, hiring elite talent, navigating ruthless suppliers, and building wealth on thin margins. He also discusses philanthropy, legacy, and why success ultimately goes beyond money.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Robert Croak | How the Sillybandz Founder Built a $100M Global Brand and Kept His Millions
12 maart 2026 · 1 uur 13 min
Robert Croak is the founder of Sillybandz, the global toy brand that exploded into one of the biggest product crazes of the 2010s, selling billions of units worldwide. In this episode he shares the story behind discovering the idea in China, scaling from 17 to over 3,000 employees, and building a brand that reached hundreds of thousands of retail stores. Croak also breaks down lessons on entrepreneurship, venture investing, product-market fit, and the wealth habits that separate successful founders from the rest. This conversation dives deep into execution, failure, and building businesses that scale globally. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Ben Pogue | He Took Over His Dad’s Company at 29… Now He Owns a $20M Private Jet
4 maart 2026 · 53 min
Ben Pogue is the CEO of one of America’s fastest growing construction companies, generating over $1.5 billion in annual revenue. After unexpectedly taking over the business at age 29, he navigated personal hardship, public industry controversy, and massive leadership pressure. In this episode, Ben shares how culture, faith, and people-first leadership transformed his company into a powerhouse with industry-leading client retention. The conversation explores crisis leadership, scaling teams, building billion-dollar companies, and the mindset required to endure the hardest seasons of entrepreneurship. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Forbes Riley | From Actress to the Pitch Queen, $2.5B in Sales, Media, and Modern Selling
25 februari 2026 · 58 min
Forbes Riley is the “Pitch Queen,” known for selling over $2.5B in products across TV, infomercials, and live demonstrations, including 64,000 units in 24 hours and $1.2M in a day.
In this episode, she breaks down the pitch structure that creates instant desire, third-party proof, urgency, and closes without over explaining.
She also shares the personal adversity that shaped her obsession with communication, confidence, and legacy.
A tactical masterclass on getting “yes” faster without sounding like a salesperson. Lees meerHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Vick Tipnes | From $78 in His Bank Account to Owning a Private Jet
18 februari 2026 · 57 min
Vic Tipnes is a healthcare entrepreneur who built a dominant sleep testing company after starting with almost nothing. In this episode, he breaks down the low point of having $78 in his account, the long grind before the breakthrough, and the aggressive deal-making that helped him take market share fast. He also explains why service is a competitive weapon, why “money loves speed,” and how leadership and purpose attract top talent. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Myron Golden | You’re 60 Minutes Away From NEVER Being Broke Again!
11 februari 2026 · 1 uur 5 min
Myron Golden is a renowned business consultant and sales strategist known for turning content into cash flow through offers, authority, and value-based selling. In this episode, he breaks down why income follows value—not effort—why “time is money” is a trap, and how to use the law of averages to win in sales. He also shares his faith-based framework for decision-making, mentorship, and building a fulfilled life through creation, connection, and contribution. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Jim Keyes | Former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster on What Always Happens Before a Company Crash and How He Ran Multi Billion Dollar Busines
6 februari 2026 · 53 min
Jim Keyes led some of the most iconic companies in the world, including serving as CEO of 7 Eleven during one of the most volatile periods in its history. Lees meer
He breaks down how growing up dirt poor shaped his leadership edge, why 7 Eleven’s bankruptcy nearly ended the company, and how seeing crisis as opportunity changed the trajectory of his career.
We also cover what actually saves companies in free fall, why fear kills more businesses than bad strategy, how equity creates real wealth, and the leadership decisions most CEOs avoid when the stakes are highest.
This episode is a blueprint for navigating collapse, leading at scale, and building a career that turns chaos into opportunity.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Vic Keller | Sold 9 Companies Including 3 to Berkshire Hathaway on Building Durable Businesses, Partnerships, and Wealth
29 januari 2026 · 59 min
Vic Keller founded 17 companies and exited 9 of them, including three sales to Berkshire Hathaway. Lees meer
He breaks down how growing up blue collar shaped his edge, why getting punched in the mouth early almost killed his first business, and how rebuilding instead of quitting changed everything.
We also cover what real buyers look for, why cheap deals are not worth the pain, how to deleverage the founder, and the hidden cost of exits when selling the business means losing relationships too.
This episode is a blueprint for building companies that survive bad weather and outlast the founder.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Kirt Linington | He Came to America With $700… Then Sold for 9 Figures, Started Knocking On Doors At 42 & Made Millions
23 januari 2026 · 1 uur 9 min
Kirt Linington is a South Africa–born entrepreneur who came to the U.S. with $700, started door knocking at 42, and sold his roofing company in 2022 for a nine-figure exit. Lees meer
He breaks down how he built $62M in revenue while still working his corporate job, why sales must come before systems, and how to think about rejection as a skill—not a personality trait.
We also cover what private equity looks for, how to maximize enterprise value, and why personal discipline shows up in business outcomes.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Daniel Lubetzky | From a $24,000 Salary to Building a $5 Billion Company, The Billionaire Behind KIND
16 januari 2026 · 1 uur 9 min
Daniel Lubetzky is the founder of KIND and one of the most influential entrepreneurs in modern consumer brands. In this episode, we break down how he went from a $24,000 salary after Stanford Law School to building a $5 billion company, why long term thinking matters more than early wins, and how purpose driven capitalism can create both impact and scale. Daniel shares how embracing setbacks shaped his approach to business, why most people misunderstand wealth creation, and what it really takes to build something that lasts without chasing hype. We also talk about discipline, values, and the role of hard work in a world obsessed with shortcuts. Because real wealth isn’t a paycheck. It’s building something meaningful that compounds over time. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Ari Rastegar | How Flipping Burgers Led to a $3,000 Deal That Built a Billion-Dollar Real Estate Empire
10 januari 2026 · 1 uur 10 min
Ari Rastegar is a real estate developer and investor behind some of the most ambitious projects reshaping major U.S. cities. In this episode, we break down how starting with just $3,000 turned into a multi-billion-dollar real estate portfolio, why failure became his greatest advantage, and why most people misunderstand what it actually takes to build long term wealth. Ari explains why zoning, timing, and anticipation matter more than chasing “safe” deals, and why a billion-dollar valuation doesn’t mean cash in the bank. He also shares the story of writing himself a $1 billion check at 23 and carrying it for 15 years as a reminder of what he was building toward. Because real wealth isn’t reacting to the present. It’s having the patience to build the future before everyone else sees it. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Dr. De | Biohax CEO on Longevity, Burnout, Hidden Stressors, and Building Health for the Long Term
2 januari 2026 · 1 uur 10 min
Dr. De is the CEO of Biohax, a healthcare company focused on optimizing health, performance, and longevity for high performers. In this episode, we break down why burnout is normalized, why modern systems treat symptoms instead of building long-term health, and how hidden stressors quietly drain energy and performance over time. Dr. De shares his framework for reclaiming control over your biology through discipline, awareness, and long-term thinking. I also open up about my own health journey and why longevity has become a non-negotiable as I build for the future. Because real wealth isn’t money. It’s energy, clarity, and time to enjoy what you build. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Dariush Soudhi | How a Violent Home Invasion Forced Him to Start Over From Nothing & Still Made Millions Again
26 december 2025 · 55 min
Dariush Soudhi is a serial entrepreneur who built — lost — and rebuilt multiple companies after a violent home invasion led to a heart attack, frozen accounts, and total collapse. Starting over in Dubai with just $750, he rebuilt from zero through door-to-door sales, ruthless self-accountability, and value-based pricing. Today, he runs a portfolio of businesses by solving real problems and charging what outcomes are worth. This episode breaks down rebuilding after trauma, pricing with self-worth, choosing time over ego, and what it actually takes to earn a second chance without wasting it. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Robert Kiyosaki | Rich Dad Poor Dad Author on Smart Debt, Cash Flow, Tax Free Wealth, and Rejecting Traditional Education
17 december 2025 · 42 min
In this episode of the School of Hard Knocks, we sit down with Robert Kiyosaki, legendary author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad and real estate investor with over 15,000 rental properties. He shares how he went from Marine helicopter pilot and failed employee to building massive tax-free cash flow and global financial influence. Lees meer
Robert breaks down why he rejects traditional education, why “your house is not an asset,” and how smart debt, cash flow, and the right teachers changed his life. We also explore his lowest moments: homelessness, business failures, betrayal, and the $30M lesson that reshaped his strategy and his circle.
This conversation is a masterclass in money psychology, resilience, masculine responsibility, and playing the game of wealth on your own terms.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Tommy Mello | From Garage Doors to a $300M/Year Empire, The Billionaire Who Got Rich From A Normal Job
5 december 2025 · 58 min
Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Door, scaled his home-service company to more than $300M in annual revenue and over 1,100 employees. His journey spans two decades of failures, rebuilding, systemizing, and mastering leadership. In this episode, he breaks down talent acquisition, firing top performers, building an owner-mindset workforce, and the philosophy that helped him 10x EBITDA in under two years.A grounded, tactical conversation on scaling, discipline, mentorship, and the mindset required to build a dominant organization. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Ken McElroy | From Property Manager to $2B Real Estate Mogul, Cash Flow, Tax Strategy and True Freedom
28 november 2025 · 43 min
In this episode of the School of Hard Knocks Podcast, we sit down with Ken McEelroy, a real estate investor who manages over $2 billion in assets and runs a 300-person company in just 90 minutes a week. He shares how he went from property manager to owner, using distressed properties, billboards, and smart debt to build a massive portfolio. Ken breaks down tax strategies, passive income, hiring challenges, and why most investors misunderstand risk. We also dive into his views on family, legacy, and what real success looks like after the money is made. This is a raw, practical masterclass in real estate, time freedom, and long-term wealth. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Butch Hartman | The Untold Story of Nickelodeon’s Most Visionary Creator, How Was Fairly OddParents Show Created & How He Made Millions
12 november 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
Butch Hartman — creator of The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, and more — reveals how he turned rejection into one of the most successful runs in Nickelodeon history. From his early days as an animator to running his own studio, Hartman shares the formula behind hit shows, building creative teams, learning business in Hollywood, and how faith shaped his success. A masterclass in creativity, persistence, and purpose. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Neil Patel | Why Followers Don’t Pay the Bills, and How He Built Real Wealth Through Marketing Mastery
5 november 2025 · 1 uur 20 min
Neil Patel became a millionaire at 17, lost it all by 20, and came back to build a 9-figure global marketing company. In this episode, he reveals the hard truths about fame, money, and the business of content — why followers don’t pay the bills, how AI will redefine marketing, and what it really takes to build lasting success in the new digital era. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
-
Tony Cuccio | From $200 on Venice Beach to a $2 Billion Global Empire, Reinventing Beauty, Real Estate, and the Meaning of Success
31 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 7 min
Tony Cuccio is a true American entrepreneur — a kid from Brooklyn who started with just $200 selling beauty products on Venice Beach and built a global empire worth over $2 billion in sales across 90 countries. Known as the man who revolutionized the nail industry, Tony invented gel nails and turned a small street business into one of the most recognizable beauty brands in the world. In this episode, he shares how he failed twice before striking gold, why he never took investor money, and how grit, discipline, and vision built his $2B legacy. Lees meer
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.