Behind the Rise

William Helfgott's first business was selling honey as a kid. What came next surprised even him.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with William to trace the full arc — from those early setbacks, to the mentors who changed his trajectory, to building a thriving venture and exploring new opportunities in Mexico.

We get into the turning points that shaped him, the strategies that refined his vision, and the honest lessons that came from figuring it out along the way.

Every rise starts somewhere unexpected. William started with a honey jar.

Jameson built something real before most people figure out what they even want to do.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Jameson to get into his path through the local events scene — including his work with rising Charleston band The Congress — and the behind-the-scenes lessons that came with it.

We also get into the big decision he's facing post-graduation: double down on the business he's built, or take a leap into something completely new.

Sometimes the most interesting part of the rise is not knowing what's next.

Dave Hanley has done it three times.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Dave — three-time co-founder, B2B sales veteran, and author of The Delusional Founder — to break down exactly how he built three bootstrapped companies to 8-figure revenues and exits totaling over $200 million.

Dave was the first salesperson at every single one of his startups. He built the sales foundation from scratch each time. We get into how he did it — and how you can too.

We cover closing your first deals, building sales systems that actually work, scaling a winning team, and getting from $0 to $10M without burning out.

If you're building something and need a roadmap for growth — this is your episode.

The shift is already happening. Most people just aren't ready for it.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Joe Fiore — CofC professor, serial entrepreneur, and someone who saw the AI wave coming long before it was a headline.

We get into his bold predictions on AI and the future of work, how automation is reshaping entire industries, and the skills that will actually matter in the next decade. Joe also pulls back the curtain on his own journey — from MUSC to launching multiple startups — and the lessons that surprised him most along the way.

If you want to understand where the world is heading and how to position yourself ahead of it, this is the episode to start with.

Brennan isn't just thinking about growth — he's in the middle of it.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Brennan to get into his entrepreneurial background, how he built his venture from the ground up, and the real strategies he's using to scale it right now.

We get into the mindset behind the moves, the lessons that hit hardest, and what's coming next.

If you're building something and trying to figure out how to grow it — this one's worth your time.

Some of the best conversations don't follow a script.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Aaron for an open, unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, the lessons that actually stick, and how we think about opportunity and risk.

We cover a lot of ground — the challenges, the curiosity, and the mindset it takes to keep building when things don't go as planned.

No agenda. Just a real conversation.

MJ didn't wait to start building.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with MJ, president of the Founders Club, to get into the real story — how he went from early ideas to leading a community of entrepreneurs, and what that journey actually looked like.

We get into the challenges that tested him, the mindset that keeps him moving, and the bold moves he's planning next.

If you're a student with an idea and no roadmap, this one's for you.