Coffeez with Joe Shalaby

This week on Coffeez for Closers, we’re joined by Alexis Sikorsky—UK-based entrepreneur, investor, and the brains behind a $100M+ exit in enterprise tech.

Alexis built his company from a basement in Switzerland… scaled to $12M in revenue… then nearly lost everything in the 2008 crash. But instead of folding, he mortgaged his home, fired half his team, and fought his way back—eventually selling to private equity and rewriting his future.

In this brutally honest episode, we cover:

• Firing people vs. losing millions

• How private equity really works

• How to build a company that sells

• Why most founders confuse motion with progress

• And why raising rich kids with grit is harder than it looks

Alexis now coaches founders through his Apex Method—helping them scale to 9-figure exits without losing their soul.

If you’re playing for legacy—not just lifestyle—this one’s for you.

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Alex Machuca—founder of LeadHackers, branding advisor, and proof that true builders never stop building.

From scaling a startup to $500K/month… to bankruptcy… to calling every single customer and rebuilding trust from scratch—Alex’s story is a masterclass in grit, integrity, and relentlessness.

We talk about:

• Losing it all—and why he owned it anyway

• Rebuilding from $2,000 and a $2K course

• Working 18-hour days and loving every second

• Imposter syndrome in the big leagues

• Why delegation saved his business

• Lead gen, brand building, and being a first-time father

One of the rawest, realest convos yet—with a builder who refuses to quit.

In this wild episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Eric Michael—the founder of Major League Profits, and the face of a booming collectibles empire built off flipping sports cards and Pokémon.

Eric shares how he went from a $30K high school side hustle to a full-blown business teaching thousands how to make consistent income flipping cards. We talk shop on AI-powered grading, turning eBay into cashflow, building with best friends, living with your CMO, and scaling a coaching company that runs like the military—all before 30.

This episode is a deep dive into the future of collectibles, creator-led education, and why in-person culture beats Zoom every time. If you’re a parent, collector, or entrepreneur—this one’s for you.

Before TikTok, before Instagram—there was Myspace. And Ted Dhanik was behind the rocket fuel that made it go viral.

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, Joseph Shalaby sits down with Ted to unpack his journey from launching Myspace to building Engage:BDR, a publicly traded adtech company that helps brands dominate digital distribution.

They dive into:

• The real growth tactics behind Myspace

• How digital ads evolved—and where it’s all going

• What it takes to build (and keep) a winning team

• Why founders shouldn’t chase validation

• How to think differently about influence, leadership, and legacy

If you're in tech, media, or marketing—this is a must-watch.

Top producers at E Mortgage Capital are earning more per deal—with faster closings, better tech, and no junk fees.

👉 Learn more: https://join.emortgagecapital.com

What if the bottled water industry had a soul?

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with the founders of Rorra—the rising water brand that’s rethinking everything from source to shelf. No plastic. No shortcuts. Just pure purpose and discipline.

These guys didn’t just chase a product—they chased a mission. We talk about building a premium CPG brand from scratch, why simplicity beats noise in today’s market, and what it really takes to lead a purpose-first company in a profit-first world.

From cold plunges to cold calls, this one’s for the founders building something real.

Top producers at E Mortgage Capital are earning more per deal—with faster closings, better tech, and no junk fees.

👉 Learn more: https://join.emortgagecapital.com

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, Joe sits down with Richard Taite—an entrepreneur who went from addiction and homelessness to building some of the most respected luxury rehab centers in the country.

Richard is the founder of Cliffside Malibu, Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, and 1 Method. But his real story is about turning pain into purpose—and using business as a platform for healing.

We talk recovery, discipline, why most people never actually change, and what it takes to build a business that saves lives while still being profitable.

If you’ve ever struggled with control, success, or staying grounded when life hits hard—this one’s worth your time.

Top producers at E Mortgage Capital are earning more per deal—with faster closings, better tech, and no junk fees.

👉 Learn more: https://join.emortgagecapital.com

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, Joe sits down with Chris Piro—CEO and Founder of Searchlight Lending, and the guy loan officers call when a deal’s “too weird to fund.”

From multifamily and SBA loans to fire-damaged properties, cannabis facilities, churches, art, and even airplanes—Chris has built a niche business out of saying yes when everyone else says no.

We talk about earning trust in unconventional lending, building a real referral ecosystem, managing ethics in a grey-space market, and why being the solution—no matter how complex the deal—is how you win in today’s mortgage game.

It’s all about grit, clarity, and knowing exactly where to take the stuff no one else will touch.

Top producers at E Mortgage Capital are earning more per deal—with faster closings, better tech, and no junk fees.

👉 Learn more: https://join.emortgagecapital.com

Douglas James is a Navy vet turned entrepreneur who’s helped thousands of people build real businesses online. What started with helping barbers and gym owners run Facebook ads turned into a coaching program that’s generated tens of millions in client revenue.

In this episode, we talk about how he made the leap, why most people fail in the digital space, and what it takes to scale without losing your soul. No hype. No BS. Just real insight from someone who's done the work.

Top producers at E Mortgage Capital are earning more per deal—with faster closings, better tech, and no junk fees.

👉 Learn more: https://join.emortgagecapital.com

In this raw and inspiring episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Eric Spofford—entrepreneur, real estate investor, and proof that rock bottom doesn’t have to be the end.

Eric went from addiction and a felony charge… to founding one of New England’s largest treatment center networks and selling it for $115 million. Now, he’s back building again—running Spofford Enterprises, creating wealth through Section 8 housing, and mentoring the next wave of purpose-driven entrepreneurs.

We talk legacy, grit, section 8 real estate, entrepreneurship as a form of recovery, how to raise strong kids in a soft world, and what really happens when you buy all the jets, cars, and watches—and still wake up feeling broke.

This one’s honest, unfiltered, and hits deeper than most.

Top producers at E Mortgage Capital are earning more per deal—with faster closings, better tech, and no junk fees.

👉 Learn more: https://join.emortgagecapital.com

In this episode of Coffeez for Closers, we sit down with Gabe and Danny Arik—brothers, entrepreneurs, and the power behind Happy Jewelers, one of the most respected names in the jewelry world.

Born into a family legacy that began in Istanbul and continued in L.A.’s diamond district, Gabe and Danny turned a humble manufacturing background into a nationwide brand trusted by celebrities, collectors, and everyday customers alike. From taking risks on inventory most jewelers wouldn’t touch to becoming early adopters of social media and influencer marketing, they’ve redefined what it means to run a luxury jewelry business with authenticity and heart.

We talk about:

- How they scaled from Fullerton to worldwide recognition

- Why reputation in the jewelry game means everything

- The truth behind million-dollar watch trades and the real risks no one talks about

- Raising kids with grit, balancing family legacy, and why they’ll never sell out to private equity

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to make it in a high-stakes, high-trust business—or how to keep your values intact while building an empire—this one’s for you.

Top producers at E Mortgage Capital are earning more per deal—with faster closings, better tech, and no junk fees.

👉 Learn more: https://join.emortgagecapital.com