In this episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “Fuzzy” Wenzel sits down with filmmaker and actor Mark Elias to explore the creative and entrepreneurial engine behind his new comedy-crime feature, We Could Be Heroes. The film follows a young gamer whose stolen console ignites a sharp, irreverent adventure—one built to resonate with gamers, indie film lovers, and multi-generational audiences alike.

Mark shares the origins of the story, the moment the idea refused to leave his head, and how he developed a script that’s drawing comparisons to titles like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and The Nice Guys. He breaks down what it takes to produce a high-value feature on a lean budget, how he assembles top-tier talent, and why smart visual storytelling doesn’t require millions of dollars—just creativity, precision, and the right team.

Listeners will also learn:

🎮 Why gaming culture and e-sports partnerships could expand the film’s global reach

🎥 How Mark balances passion with commercial strategy in indie filmmaking

💼 What investors should know about film ROI, distribution timelines, and revenue streams

🌍 How modern distribution—from streamers to vertical platforms—is reshaping indie film economics

🎬 Why this project is designed to build a long-term investor and fan community through WeFunder

Whether you’re a film lover, an investor, or a creator looking for insight into the evolving entertainment landscape, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and behind-the-scenes perspective.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “fuzzy” Wenzel sits down with Tom Lix, CEO and founder of Cleveland Whiskey, for a fascinating conversation about how technology is revolutionizing one of the world’s oldest industries. From basement experiments that blew up hundreds of mason jars to patented production systems now scaling internationally, Tom breaks down the real story behind Cleveland Whiskey’s radical approach to aging and flavor.

Tom shares how impatience, curiosity, and amateur chemistry led to a breakthrough that turned traditional whiskey-making on its head—delivering award-winning flavor in a fraction of the time. He opens up about the early pushback from purists, how the company protects its trade secrets, and why global markets like India, Africa, and Southeast Asia represent the biggest growth opportunities for the spirits industry.

This episode dives deep into:

• The technology and IP strategy behind Cleveland Whiskey’s process
• Why blind taste tests against major brands changed everything
• How the U.S. whiskey market is contracting—and where demand is booming
• The company’s new 45,000 sq ft riverfront facility in Cleveland’s Flats district
• The pivot to concentrates and IMFL markets in India
• The role of equity crowdfunding in building a 1,700-member investor community
• What investing in spirits brands looks like today
• How Tom stays grounded while running a high-growth company (hint: two sailboats and a solo transatlantic goal)

Whether you're an investor, whiskey enthusiast, or founder looking for inspiration, this conversation offers a rare inside look at how innovation, strategy, and global trends are reshaping the future of whiskey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “fuzzy” Wenzel sits down with Chaz Berman, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Grower’s Secret, to explore one of the most ambitious developments in sustainable agriculture today.

Berman—who previously took MyPoints public at a $2.5B market cap—shares how his team spent eight years testing more than 30 materials to create a patented organic nitrogen fertilizer designed to match the power and cost of synthetic nitrogen, a $134B global industry that has supported food production for 80+ years… while also causing massive environmental harm.

Grower’s Secret has now reached its fourth pilot plant stage, ramping toward commercial production with a goal of delivering a scalable, organic alternative that doesn’t leach, doesn’t burn crops, works in extreme climates, and actually helps regenerate soil rather than degrade it. Farmers are already asking for it as fast as it can be produced.

Jeff and Chaz dive into:

• The science behind Grower’s Secret’s 80% amino-acid-based organic nitrogen
• Why synthetic nitrogen became the global standard—and the environmental crisis it created
• How this new material performs across crops, climates, and farming styles
• The company’s patent strategy and global protection plan
• A long-term roadmap that includes licensing, partnerships, and worldwide expansion
• How farmers can switch with zero new equipment or processes
• The early traction of Grower’s Secret’s StartEngine equity crowdfunding campaign
• CEO lessons from Berman’s decades of scaling companies, managing teams, and staying persistent under pressure

This episode is a must-listen for investors, founders, sustainability enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the future of global food production. Whether you're new to agriculture or deep in the impact-investing world, this conversation will change how you think about soil, farming, and the innovations shaping the decades ahead.

👉 Links to Grower’s Secret and the StartEngine campaign are in the show notes. https://www.startengine.com/offering/growers-secret

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

n this episode of Invst Guru, we explore the inspiring story behind GGirls Closet, a groundbreaking Colorado-based thrift brand centered on sustainability, community impact, and youth education. Founder Patricia Gillmore has built a for-profit model that supports nonprofits, Title I schools, and local families—while reshaping how people think about secondhand fashion.

You’ll hear how GGirls Closet became Colorado’s first hybrid thrift store, why its consignment-driven system empowers organizations with real revenue, and how community events and clothing drives have fueled impressive year-over-year growth. We also dive into the environmental urgency driving the mission, from reducing fast-fashion waste to teaching teens the value of sustainable shopping.

If you’re interested in innovative business models, social impact entrepreneurship, or the future of sustainable fashion, this episode delivers insights you won’t want to miss.

What You’ll Learn:

• How a for-profit thrift model can support schools and nonprofits
• Why sustainability and consumer education matter more than ever
• The power of community events in driving business growth
• How hybrid retail models are shaping the future of secondhand fashion

Learn more - https://invest.honeycombcredit.com/campaigns/GGirls-Closet

Tune in for a powerful conversation about purpose-driven business, environmental responsibility, and building community through conscious retail.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “Fuzzy” Wenzel sits down with Nick Apostolopoulos, founder of 619 Spirits, San Diego’s original craft distillery. Nick shares his incredible journey from a career in software development to launching a local vodka brand, navigating California’s complex alcohol laws, and transforming 619 Spirits from a small distillery into a full-scale restaurant and bar experience.

They discuss the evolution of the craft spirits movement, the challenges of running a hospitality business, the upcoming 8,000-square-foot expansion, and how community partnerships have helped 619 Spirits thrive in the heart of North Park, San Diego. Nick also opens up about the WeFunder campaign supporting their next big chapter, the importance of balancing entrepreneurship and family, and what keeps him up at night as a business owner.

If you’re interested in craft spirits, entrepreneurship, or community-driven growth, this episode offers a masterclass in how to stay resilient and innovative in a competitive industry.

👉 Learn more about 619 Spirits: 619spirits.com

👉 Support their WeFunder campaign: wefunder.com/619spirits

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “Fuzzy” Wenzel interviews Mitch Raponi, the CEO and Co-Founder of Emerrx BioPharma, a startup developing next-generation drug delivery solutions for emergency medicine.

Mitch explains how their flagship product, MRX-101, uses a novel dual-chamber intranasal device that delivers naloxone with near-IV speed — a critical advancement in overdose reversal technology. He also shares insights into Emerrx’s fundraising journey, capital-efficient model, and the potential expansion of their platform into other lifesaving drugs.

If you’re interested in biotech innovation, impact investing, or startup strategy, this episode offers a rare look inside a company working to make a real difference.

Highlights include:

• The science and urgency behind faster naloxone delivery
• Emerrx’s roadmap to FDA engagement and commercialization
• Building an ethical, efficient startup team
• Leveraging crowdfunding for biotech growth

🎧 Listen now and discover how science, innovation, and compassion are coming together to fight the opioid epidemic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Invst Guru episode, Jeff “Fuzzy” Wenzel talks with Samreen Arshad, founder of Samreen’s Vanity, about her mission to bring South Asian representation to the forefront of the beauty industry.

Samreen opens up about her journey from the automotive world in Detroit to becoming a beauty founder and influencer. She explains how her brand stands apart by focusing on multi-use products, quality European manufacturing, and a deep understanding of representation and inclusivity.

Hear how she navigated:

• Saying “no” to Costco to protect brand integrity
• Surviving tariff shocks and funding challenges
• Pivoting fundraising toward community and family office investors
• The future of beauty retail through direct-to-consumer and live shopping

A raw and motivating story for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone passionate about purpose-driven business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Invst Guru, Jeff “Fuzzy” Wenzel talks with Christian Braun, founder and CEO of HobbyDB, the community-powered platform cataloging every collectible ever made. With 3,000 volunteers and 780,000 members, HobbyDB combines the depth of Wikipedia with the precision of an eBay price guide—creating a living, searchable record of humanity’s collectibles.

Christian reveals how HobbyDB grew through crowdfunding, why data accuracy is central to trust in collecting, and how the platform balances community curation with commercial opportunity. From ancient coins to Hot Wheels, HobbyDB is on a mission to document the small artifacts that define our culture.

You’ll learn:

• How HobbyDB’s volunteer-driven model mirrors Wikipedia’s success
• Why collectibles are a massive, untapped investment category
• How trust, taxonomy, and technology fuel the platform’s growth
• What HobbyDB’s five crowdfunding rounds taught them about community ownership
• Why the future of collecting lies in authenticity—not NFTs

📲 Visit hobbydb.com or download the HobbyDB app to explore their universe of collectibles.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When dog owner and finance professional Sandy Stinson got tired of spending Saturdays cleaning her backyard, she invented PooPail — a two-in-one pet waste system that lets owners clean and store pet waste with ease.

What started as a personal solution became a viral crowdfunding success, generating $560,000 in 30 days on Kickstarter.

In this Invst Guru episode, host Jeff “Fuzzy” Wenzel dives deep into Sandy’s journey from concept to production, navigating manufacturing challenges during COVID, and how GoodWag continues to innovate with new products for pet owners everywhere.

This conversation is packed with lessons on resilience, creative problem-solving, and building a business that truly solves a problem every pet owner understands.

👉 Learn more at www.goodwag.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.