Growth House

Shannon Ortiz went from selling granola out of her van during COVID to building The Best Bar into a growing Arizona brand found in airports, resorts, retail, and the Grand Canyon.

We talk about taking the leap, building through relationships, staying committed to product quality, and the long-term vision behind the brand.

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What does it actually take to build a brand for the long term?

In this episode of the Growth House Podcast, Jesse Ray sits down with John Herman Co-Founder of Bero, the premium non-alcoholic beer brand he is building alongside actor and entrepreneur Tom Holland.

John shares the philosophy behind building BERO, why the people around the business matter just as much as the capital, and how the team thinks about choosing investors, partners, and relationships they want beside them for years to come.

The conversation goes beyond the product itself and explores what it looks like to build a consumer brand with patience, intentionality, and a long-term mindset.

John also shares stories from behind the scenes of working with Tom Holland, including an early BERO board meeting that sparked a simple but powerful question: if someone invests in the company, are they someone you actually want sitting on the couch with you?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The story and philosophy behind BERO  
• Building BERO alongside Tom Holland  
• How John Herman approaches entrepreneurship and brand building  
• Why choosing the right investors matters beyond the money  
• Building relationships for the long game  
• The importance of surrounding yourself with great people  
• Creating a company with aligned partners and shared values  
• Building a premium non-alcoholic beer brand in a growing category  
• Leadership, culture, and intentional growth  
• Why relationships can become one of your greatest business advantages  

Whether you're an entrepreneur, founder, investor, or simply interested in how great brands are built, this conversation is a look inside the relationships, decisions, and philosophy shaping BERO.

About John Herman

John Herman is the Co-Founder of BERO, a premium non-alcoholic beer company co-founded with actor Tom Holland. John brings an entrepreneurial and operator's perspective to building the brand, with an emphasis on long-term thinking, strong partnerships, and surrounding the company with people who share the same vision.

About Growth House

Growth House is a private community for ambitious entrepreneurs focused on business, relationships, health, purpose, and building an extraordinary life.

Because who you surround yourself with matters.

Subscribe to the Growth House Podcast for conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, creators, athletes, and high performers about business and life beyond it.

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Wesley Wang is the writer/director of the short film “nothing, except everything”, which went viral on YouTube (9.6 million views) and sold to Sony to be adapted into a feature film, making him the youngest director to set up a movie at a major studio. 

He just left Harvard to build a creator-led studio that lets the internet greenlight the next generation of films and shows. The studio is in active development on projects backed by Warner Music Group and Colin & Samir, and has already raised $1 million from angel investors. In chess, he is an 11-time National Champion, and 6-time All-American.

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At just 20 years old, filmmaker Wesley Wang went viral, landed a major deal with Sony’s TriStar Pictures, and achieved what many filmmakers spend their entire careers chasing.

But getting inside Hollywood changed the way he saw the industry.

In this episode of the Growth House Podcast, Wesley shares how a short film created while he was still in high school opened doors in Hollywood, why the traditional studio system left him wanting to build something different, and the vision behind Wesley Wang Media.

We dive into:

• Going viral and landing a major Hollywood deal at 20
• What Hollywood looks like from the inside
• Why Wesley believes the traditional entertainment model is changing
• Building intellectual property and franchises for the internet generation
• The difference between content that gets views and stories that create culture
• Balancing creativity with what audiences actually want
• How AI could completely reshape filmmaking and entertainment
• Building a company while still in his early 20s
• The relationships that changed the trajectory of his career
• Why the next generation of major entertainment companies may be built on the internet—not inside Hollywood

Wesley is now building Wesley Wang Media around a simple but ambitious thesis: instead of executives deciding what gets greenlit behind closed doors, what if the internet could help decide what stories deserve to become the next great films, shows, and franchises?

This conversation is about much more than filmmaking. It’s about betting on yourself, questioning the traditional path, and building for where the world is going—not where it has been.

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Anthony Scialdone went from managing a $140M portfolio in tech consulting to going all-in on building Doich, a better-for-you food brand.

In this episode, Anthony shares why he left a high-paying corporate career, how he handled becoming a startup founder with a growing family, and why he still hasn’t taken a dollar out of the business. He explains that he’d rather take on another mortgage or even drive Uber before pulling money from the company.

We also talk about:

• Going from corporate success to startup chaos
• Building a CPG brand from scratch
• Raising capital and landing high-level investors
• The power of persistence and relationships
• Building a team with experience from companies like Vital Proteins, Liquid Death, Magic Spoon, and others
• Doich’s vision to disrupt the better-for-you confection space

This is a conversation about betting on yourself, reinvesting everything, and building for the long game.

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Sean O’Brien is the CEO of Athlete Agent, the world’s largest platform for connecting brands and businesses with professional athletes and their teams.

In this episode, Sean shares how getting rejected from Wall Street pushed him into entrepreneurship, what it really took to build and sell multiple companies, and how he’s now building Athlete Agent into a major sports-tech platform.

We talk about:

• Rejection and early entrepreneurship
• Multiple company exits
• The unglamorous grind behind success
• Building powerful relationships and networks
• How to actually reach high-level people
• Athlete Agent’s $100M vision
• AI, Google, and the future of sports access

Sean also breaks down one of the biggest mistakes people make in networking: trying to get into the room before becoming someone people actually want to meet.

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Most Americans believe politics is too divisive to be fixed — until a former healthcare entrepreneur runs for governor as an independent, challenging the system and redefining what leadership looks like. Hugh Lytle’s daring bid isn’t just about Arizona — it’s a bold statement for anyone tired of the binary game and craving real change.

In this conversation, Hugh shares how a childhood in a single-family household ignited his entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to build billion-dollar healthcare companies from scratch. He reveals why he’s running outside party lines, how he’s applying startup principles to politics, and why long-term vision beats quick wins every time. You’ll discover how his background in private equity, healthcare innovation, and community building shapes his bold strategies to attract high-tech firms, boost education, and reduce health disparities — all while playing the long game with patience and purpose.

You'll break down how Hugh's unconventional journey defies traditional politics: early successes, forging a powerful family-business bond, and the courage to challenge Arizona’s polarized landscape. We explore his plan to leverage innovative policies, harness private sector talent, and create a knowledge economy powered by cutting-edge AI, semiconductors, and vocational training — all designed to improve lives and sustain growth for decades.This episode underscores why failure isn’t an option for visionaries willing to disrupt the status quo. With a relentless focus on service, community, and strategic patience, Hugh exemplifies that leadership fueled by purpose can reshape even the most entrenched systems. 

Whether you’re building a business, leading a community, or just tired of the political circus, Hugh’s story inspires you to stand tall, play the long game, and believe in the impossible.Designed for entrepreneurs, innovators, and anyone craving authentic change — this is your blueprint for leveraging passion, patience, and innovation to transform society. Jump in for a rare glimpse at a leader who’s rewriting the playbook and proving that the future belongs to those willing to challenge the system.

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Cody Berman shares his journey to financial independence, strategies for building wealth, and insights on maintaining a fulfilling life after reaching financial freedom. Jesse Ray and Cody discuss side hustles, investing, personal branding, and the importance of relationships and boundaries.

Topics
Journey to financial independence
Building multiple income streams
Importance of networking and relationships
Investing in real estate and index funds
Maintaining life balance after financial freedom

Resources 
Retire by 30 (book) - https://retireby30book.com
The Financial Independence Show - https://financialindependenceshow.com
Gold City Ventures (digital products) - https://goldcityventures.com
The Go Giver (book) - https://amzn.to/3Xk7V7k
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind (book) - https://amzn.to/3Xk7V7k

Connect w/ Cody Berman
Instagram - https://instagram.com/codydberman
Twitter - https://twitter.com/codydberman
Website - https://goldcityventures.com

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Three 9-figure entrepreneurs get brutally honest about the truth behind money, pressure, failure, focus, and why success can feel lonely at the top.

Inside the Episode: 
James Helm, CEO of Top Dog Law shares how he scaled from early-stage growth of $3M to over $100M+

Plus More Topics:
- The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when growing fast
- Why most people fail when they try to scale
- How to think about hiring, leadership, and building a real company
- The hidden challenges that come with rapid growth
- Why doubling down on your core business matters more than chasing new opportunities

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If you want to be in the room with entrepreneurs like this, apply to be a part of the Growth House Collective
Join the Waitlist: https://linktr.ee/GrowthHouseHQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthhousehq/

Growth House Members & Podcast Guests
Zachary Kepes: https://www.instagram.com/zakventures/
James Helm: https://www.instagram.com/jamesdhelm/

Host
Jesse Ray: https://www.instagram.com/thejesseray/

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Behind the scenes at one of our members $25M+ mansion. We crack open the vault and share the raw and unfiltered conversations, covering everything from Bitcoin, to IPO's to discussing when to keep reinvesting in your business vs investing in other opportunities and more...

If you want to be in the room with entrepreneurs like this, apply to be a part of the Growth House Collective
Join the Waitlist: https://linktr.ee/GrowthHouseHQ
Instagram:   / growthhousehq   

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This is a special podcast episode we filmed in April 2025 with one of my close friends Brian Luebben (Founder of Action Academy). 

We discuss how we escaped the corporate rat race, key to building cash-flow, and how to enjoy life and travel while continuing to build. Also we dove into dating as entrepreneurs 

Filmed at Zaback Studios in Scottsdale, Arizona

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Growth House
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