Marked

Most people think gift giving is about being nice.

Sara Hardwick Grintz shows why it’s actually a business skill—and why getting it wrong quietly kills ROI.

In this episode, we sit down with Sara Hardwick Grintz, President of the RuhlinGroup, to break down what it really means to be a phenomenal gift giver—and how intentional gifting can strengthen relationships, land clients, and create long-term returns.

This isn’t about swag or spending more money.

It’s about understanding why gifts work—or don’t.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why most people unintentionally give forgettable or damaging gifts

2.The real difference between transactional gifts and relationship-building ones

3. How thoughtful gifting directly impacts trust, loyalty, and ROI

4. Common corporate gifting “do’s and don’ts” most businesses ignore

5. Why emotional relevance matters more than price

6. How entrepreneurs can use gifting as a long-term growth strategy

This episode is for you if:

1. You’re an entrepreneur, leader, or sales professional

2. You want clients to remember you after the deal

3. You’ve tried gifting but didn’t see real results

4.You want stronger relationships without forcing more touchpoints

Stick around—this episode will completely change how you think about gift giving in business.

CATCH SARA HERE

Ruhlin Group: https://www.ruhlingroup.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahardwick/

https://giftologygroup.com/beyondgiftology/

Timescode:

00:00 Why Gift Giving Fails

01:15 Meet Sara Hardwick Grintz

02:55 Why Most Gifts Miss

05:30 Gifts vs. Buying Stuff

08:00 Emotion Beats Price

11:40 The Generic Gift Problem

14:20 The Self-Centered Mistake

17:00 Corporate Gifting Fails

20:30 Gifts That Hurt ROI

23:10 What Makes Gifts Stick

26:00 Gifting Done Right

29:20 Long-Term Gifting

32:40 Systemizing Gifts

36:10 Gifting for Relationships

39:00 Final Advice

41:00 One Rule That Matters

STAY CONNECTED:

https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/

http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcast

WANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?

Vin:

Email: Vincentinfante.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/

Shane:

Email: [email protected]

LISTEN ON OTHER SITES

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Trying to break into film but everything feels pay-to-play?

Kevan Ali explains how to win with strategy (even without the “in”).

In this episode of the 1% Podcast, we sit down with Kevan Ali — filmmaker + creative ambassador for the New Jersey Film Readiness Program — to talk about what actually gets projects made: relationships, leverage, and building an ecosystem that attracts real productions.

You’ll get a clear playbook for:

1. Building industry momentum when you’re not in LA

2. Networking like a pro (without feeling fake or “needy”)

3. Treating film like a business so your creativity actually travels further

4. Using incentives (like NJ’s 40% tax rebate) to pull productions in

5. Making a project that looks like $250K… for under $10K

6. Creating your “Billie Jean moment” — the project that changes how people see you

This is for you if:

1. You’re a filmmaker who’s tired of being “almost there”

2. You’re building with limited money but big vision

3.You want the real behind-the-scenes strategy—not just motivation

Hit play and steal the blueprint for your next move 👇

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Intro

01:23 Welcome to the 1% Podcast

02:39 Meet Kevan Ali + what he’s building in NJ

03:31 Why Kevan’s edge is his network

05:07 Leveraging relationships to level up fast

10:19 Why productions are leaving big cities

12:29 Sussex County advantage: space + privacy

12:55 What the NJ Film Readiness Program is

13:22 The 40% tax rebate and why it changes everything

14:02 Studios, Fort Modest, and NJ’s “golden age”

18:24 How he pulls real talent/crew into local projects

20:36 The project that “should’ve cost $250K” — made under $10K

21:18 Your “Billie Jean moment” (career-defining project)

24:55 Creating momentum with “no budget”

31:40 Using incentives + strategy to attract productions

39:01 The networking lesson most people miss

45:33 Outr

#filmmaking #podcast #indiefilm #networking #entrepreneurship

FIND KEVAN HERE:

https://www.instagram.com/kevanali/

STAY CONNECTED:

https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/

http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcast

WANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?

Vin:

Email: Vincentinfante.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/

Shane:

Email: [email protected]

LISTEN ON OTHER SITES

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

You’re not “lazy”—you’re just missing a system. Kyle Paterson walks through the client engine that makes entrepreneurship real.In this episode, Vin and Shane sit down with Kyle Paterson, a NYC marketing agency owner who works with high net worth clients, to break down what actually moves the needle when you’re transitioning into entrepreneurship and building a real pipeline without relying on luck.You’ll learn how to:1. Build an organic client engine, especially through LinkedIn, instead of begging for replies in cold inboxes2. Use content as a funnel so people warm up to you before the sales call3. Stop overthinking production and still get results, useful beats fancy4. Post with a cadence that doesn’t kill your reach, yes, that’s a thing on LinkedIn5. Think about marketing like bell curves so you’re not overcommitted to tactics that are dying6.Redefine success and build a 1% life without needing millions in the bankThis episode is for you if:1. You want to get into entrepreneurship but feel stuck at the “how do I start?” stage2. You’re trying to land higher-quality clients, B2B or high-ticket3. You’ve tried cold outreach and it feels like pushing a boulder uphill4. You know you should build a personal brand but you’re not sure what to post or why it worksIf you’ve been looking for a clearer, more realistic path to clients and momentum, this one is worth your time. Press play and steal Kyle’s playbook.CATCH HIM HEREKyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylepatersonnyc/Fractional OS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fractional-os/Fractional OS website: https://becomefractional.com/Enspire Brands on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enspirebrands/Enspire Brands website: https://www.enspirebrands.com/Business email: [email protected] on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KylePatersontubeTimestamps00:00 Intro01:10 Meet Kyle and the “never had a job” background03:30 From zero to running a marketing agency in NYC06:20 Who he works with and what high net worth clients value10:40 Early client acquisition and what broke with cold outreach15:00 Why he shifted to organic content and why LinkedIn keeps winning20:30 LinkedIn video as a goldmine and how the algorithm behaves27:20 Why content doesn’t need fancy editing to convert29:40 Nurture and funnel, turning attention into inbound leads31:40 The bell curve framework for marketing channels36:30 The 1% life mindset and why you don’t need millions39:00 OutroSTAY CONNECTED:https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/ https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcastWANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?VinEmail: Vincentinfante.lifeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/ShaneEmail: [email protected] ON OTHER SITESSpotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10CApple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Trying to break into film but everything feels pay-to-play?

Kevan Ali explains how to win with strategy (even without the “in”).

In this episode of the 1% Podcast, we sit down with Kevan Ali — filmmaker + creative ambassador for the New Jersey Film Readiness Program — to talk about what actually gets projects made: relationships, leverage, and building an ecosystem that attracts real productions.

You’ll get a clear playbook for:

1. Building industry momentum when you’re not in LA

2. Networking like a pro (without feeling fake or “needy”)

3. Treating film like a business so your creativity actually travels further

4. Using incentives (like NJ’s 40% tax rebate) to pull productions in

5. Making a project that looks like $250K… for under $10K

6. Creating your “Billie Jean moment” — the project that changes how people see you

This is for you if:

1. You’re a filmmaker who’s tired of being “almost there”

2. You’re building with limited money but big vision

3.You want the real behind-the-scenes strategy—not just motivation

Hit play and steal the blueprint for your next move 👇

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Intro

01:23 Welcome to the 1% Podcast

02:39 Meet Kevan Ali + what he’s building in NJ

03:31 Why Kevan’s edge is his network

05:07 Leveraging relationships to level up fast

10:19 Why productions are leaving big cities

12:29 Sussex County advantage: space + privacy

12:55 What the NJ Film Readiness Program is

13:22 The 40% tax rebate and why it changes everything

14:02 Studios, Fort Modest, and NJ’s “golden age”

18:24 How he pulls real talent/crew into local projects

20:36 The project that “should’ve cost $250K” — made under $10K

21:18 Your “Billie Jean moment” (career-defining project)

24:55 Creating momentum with “no budget”

31:40 Using incentives + strategy to attract productions

39:01 The networking lesson most people miss

45:33 Outr

#filmmaking #podcast #indiefilm #networking #entrepreneurship

FIND KEVAN HERE:

https://www.instagram.com/kevanali/

STAY CONNECTED:

https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/

http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcast

WANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?

Vin:

Email: Vincentinfante.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/

Shane:

Email: [email protected]

LISTEN ON OTHER SITES

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Trying to break into film but everything feels pay-to-play?

Kevan Ali explains how to win with strategy (even without the “in”).

In this episode of the 1% Podcast, we sit down with Kevan Ali — filmmaker + creative ambassador for the New Jersey Film Readiness Program — to talk about what actually gets projects made: relationships, leverage, and building an ecosystem that attracts real productions.

You’ll get a clear playbook for:

1. Building industry momentum when you’re not in LA

2. Networking like a pro (without feeling fake or “needy”)

3. Treating film like a business so your creativity actually travels further

4. Using incentives (like NJ’s 40% tax rebate) to pull productions in

5. Making a project that looks like $250K… for under $10K

6. Creating your “Billie Jean moment” — the project that changes how people see you

This is for you if:

1. You’re a filmmaker who’s tired of being “almost there”

2. You’re building with limited money but big vision

3.You want the real behind-the-scenes strategy—not just motivation

Hit play and steal the blueprint for your next move 👇

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Intro

01:23 Welcome to the 1% Podcast

02:39 Meet Kevan Ali + what he’s building in NJ

03:31 Why Kevan’s edge is his network

05:07 Leveraging relationships to level up fast

10:19 Why productions are leaving big cities

12:29 Sussex County advantage: space + privacy

12:55 What the NJ Film Readiness Program is

13:22 The 40% tax rebate and why it changes everything

14:02 Studios, Fort Modest, and NJ’s “golden age”

18:24 How he pulls real talent/crew into local projects

20:36 The project that “should’ve cost $250K” — made under $10K

21:18 Your “Billie Jean moment” (career-defining project)

24:55 Creating momentum with “no budget”

31:40 Using incentives + strategy to attract productions

39:01 The networking lesson most people miss

45:33 Outr

#filmmaking #podcast #indiefilm #networking #entrepreneurship

FIND KEVAN HERE:

https://www.instagram.com/kevanali/

STAY CONNECTED:

https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/

http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcast

WANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?

Vin:

Email: Vincentinfante.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/

Shane:

Email: [email protected]

LISTEN ON OTHER SITES

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Rene Rodriguez explains why people say yes—but never follow through

You’re not bad at communicating.

You’re just speaking to the wrong part of the brain.

In this episode, I sit down with Rene Rodriguez to break down what actually drives human behavior—and why logic, facts, and pressure quietly backfire when you’re trying to influence people.

You’ll learn how to:

1. Get buy-in without pushing or performing

2. Use story to activate trust and action

3.Lower resistance when people are stressed or scared

4. Communicate in a way the brain wants to follow

5. Stop repeating yourself and start seeing movement

This episode is for you if:

1. You lead, sell, coach, or pitch ideas

2. People nod… but nothing changes

3. You want influence that feels ethical and natural

Watch this one all the way through—it’ll change how you think about communication.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:01:31 Quick intro

00:01:37 Rene joins the show

00:02:09 What behavioral neuroscience really means

00:04:38 The speed of trust

00:06:28 Why story creates understanding

00:10:33 Fear, stress, and resistance to change

00:23:34 Turning possibility into reality

00:25:11 The communication stack that actually works

00:37:41 Why humans make “illogical” decisions

00:48:00 Heroes, villains, and influence frameworks

00:52:28 The biggest takeaway

01:01:22 Closing thoughts

01:02:46 Wrap-up

CATCH HIM HERE:

https://www.meetrene.com/

https://www.facebook.com/learnwithrene

https://twitter.com/learnwithrene

https://www.linkedin.com/in/learnwithrene/

https://www.instagram.com/learnwithrene/

https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@learnwithrene⁩

https://www.tiktok.com/@learnwithrene

STAY CONNECTED:

https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/

http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcast

WANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?

Vin:

Email: Vincentinfante.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/

Shane:

Email: [email protected]

LISTEN ON OTHER SITES

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Dean Kinzer, Why Ancient Coins Are More Powerful Than You Think

You’ve probably assumed ancient coins are expensive museum pieces, but the truth is you can own real history for far less than most people realize.

In this episode, we sit down with Dean Kinzer, owner of KinzerCoins, to unpack why ancient coins weren’t just money. They were the original mass communication system, a tool for propaganda, and a surprisingly accessible way to own tangible history.

You’ll learn:

1. Why ancient coins were used to spread information across empires

2. How rulers built trust and authority through coin design

3. Why some ancient coins cost less than a night out

4. What beginners get wrong when buying coins online

5. How to collect for meaning or long-term value

6. Why coins tied to names like Constantine, Julius Caesar, and Alexander the Great still matter today

This episode is for you if:

1. You love history and want something tangible you can actually hold

2. You’re curious about alternative collectibles (without spending a fortune)

3. You don’t want to get scammed buying coins online

4.You want a hobby that’s part investing, part storytelling

If you’ve ever wanted to hold a real piece of ancient Rome or Greece in your hand, this conversation will change how you think about money and history.

Timestamps

01:04 Intro and meet Dean

02:36 Why ancient coins and Dean’s story

06:11 The coin that pulled him in

08:44 Coins as propaganda

09:02 How empires spread information

10:12 Athenian Owl and trust

11:25 Do modern coins do this too

12:26 Grading basics and why you should never clean coins

13:47 Coins becoming art again

15:20 Shekel of Tyre and ancient artistry

16:41 Currency changes and mintages

18:23 What Dean sells for beginners

19:23 Ancient coins are affordable

20:26 Constantine coin example

21:46 Fun ways to collect

22:49 Coins as history speaking

24:11 Story versus investment

24:31 Name value coins like Caesar and Alexander

26:09 What Julius Caesar coins cost

27:52 Why ancient coins feel underrated

28:45 Wearing coins and the Teddy Roosevelt story

29:44 Zodiac, sports, and music coins

31:21 The six dollar ancient coin reaction

32:14 How to find Dean

33:11 Avoiding fakes and buying safely

33:56 Wrap-up

34:19 Dean can source specific coins

35:24 Outro and subscribe

STAY CONNECTED:

https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/

http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcast

WANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?

Vin:

Email: Vincentinfante.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/

Shane:

Email: [email protected]

LISTEN ON OTHER SITES

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Most founders assume you need money, status, or the perfect network to raise capital — but this episode proves you can win investors even when you’re starting with nothing.

Our guest shares the raw, unfiltered story of launching a business with no connections, no experience, and no financial safety net. From surviving harsh winters and chaotic launch days to navigating rejection and uncertainty, he breaks down exactly how he built momentum until investors finally paid attention.

In this conversation, we unpack the real path to attracting investors from scratch — the early grind, the scrappy tactics, the mindset shifts, and the turning points that opened the doors to serious capital.

Whether you’re trying to raise your first dollar or rebuild after setbacks, this episode gives you the frameworks and battle-tested strategies you can apply immediately.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

1. How to get investors when you have zero connections and no track record

2. The grassroots marketing moves that created early traction (including the email strategy that ignited growth)

3. The mindset needed to survive long hours, doubt, and early failures

4. Why taking bold risks early in your career accelerates your entrepreneurial journey

5. How to turn low-resource environments into real competitive advantages

6. The truth about burnout, pressure, and staying committed when everything feels heavy

7. How partnerships, culture, and shared grit help attract investors and scale

8. The biggest early mistakes most entrepreneurs make — and how to avoid them

Stay until the end for a breakdown of the exact moment everything shifted — the point where investors finally leaned in after years of grinding.

FIND HIM HERE:

https://www.lineleap.com/

https://www.instagram.com/max_schauff/

#startupfunding #raisingcapital #entrepreneurship #founderstory #businessmindset #startuplife

STAY CONNECTED:

https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/

http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcast

WANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?

Vin:

Email: Vincentinfante.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/

Shane:

Email: [email protected]

LISTEN ON OTHER SITES

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

TIMESCODES:

00:00 Intro

00:07 Max's Background

05:00 Transition to Entrepreneurship and Early Struggles

10:00 Building the Company

20:00 Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience

30:00 App Development: Features and Growth Strategies

40:00 Team Building and Company Culture

50:00 Defining a 1% Life

1:00:00 Best Advice: Persistence and Adaptability

1:04:00 How to Connect with Max

1:05:00 Outro

The creator world is shifting fast, and most people won’t be prepared for what’s coming next. This episode breaks down the major changes about to reshape how creators grow, monetize, and stay relevant. Today’s guest has lived through burnout, rebuilding, failed hires, agency pressure, and the struggle of finding the right operator while scaling a creator-driven business. Their story blends personal challenges with practical frameworks you can use to stay ahead of the curve.

We cover the future of the creator economy, why so many creators stall out, how AI will change content production, and the systems that keep you from burning out when everything feels chaotic. You’ll hear honest stories about losing momentum, rebuilding from scratch, and discovering which habits and processes actually move a creator forward.

What you’ll learn:

1. Why most creators will fall behind in the next 12–18 months

2. How AI is transforming content production

3. How to find and hire the right ops partner

4. Systems for consistent content without sacrificing quality

5. How to protect your mental bandwidth as you grow

6. When to pivot your niche and when to stay steady

7. How to structure a creator business that lasts

8. Practical habits that build long-term momentum

Stay until the end for the breakdown of the one shift that will separate the creators who level up from those who disappear.

CATCH HIM HERE:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-sommer-whitestone/

https://www.instagram.com/josephsommer89/

https://whitestonebranding.com

https://www.instagram.com/whitestone_branding/

If this episode opened your eyes to what’s coming, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your takeaway, and share it with a creator who needs this.

#CreatorEconomy #ContentStrategy #AIforCreators #EntrepreneurMindset #DigitalBusiness #FutureOfContent

STAY CONNECTED:

https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/

http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcast

WANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?

Vin:

Email: Vincentinfante.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/

Shane:

Email: [email protected]

LISTEN ON OTHER SITES

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

TIMESCODES:

00:00 Intro

01:20 Joe's Background

05:00 Building the Business

10:00 Entrepreneurship Philosophies and Company Culture

20:00 Global Expansion and Operational Insights

30:00 Team Building and Leadership Strategies

40:00 Personal Stories and Lessons Learned

45:00 0 Impact and Relationships

50:00 Best Advice

52:00 How to Connect with Joe

52:20 Outro

Ever wonder why you keep making the same decisions you later regret? This episode uncovers the hidden mental loops and subconscious “files” that silently steer your reactions—and your life.

Hosted by VIN and SHANE of The 1% Podcast, this conversation blends real-life experience and practical psychology to explain why smart, high-functioning people still fall into emotional traps and reactive choices. You’ll learn the exact steps to break old loops and make clearer decisions fast.

In this deep dive, we explore how your brain interprets situations using old memories, emotional triggers, and stored meanings. You’ll learn how these invisible patterns shape decisions, fuel conflict, and even cause burnout. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with simple, actionable tools to interrupt those loops and choose from clarity instead of habit.

What You’ll Learn:

1. How your subconscious makes decisions before you're aware of it

2. Why you misread situations—even when you're sure you're right

3. The emotional “file system” your brain uses to interpret events

4. How past experiences hijack your present reactions

5. A practical framework to stop reacting on autopilot

6. How to separate your story from what actually happened

7. Tools for emotional regulation and building daily self-awareness

8. Why the same conflicts repeat—and how to break the cycle fast

Stay Until the End For…

A powerful mindset shift that helps you spot emotional triggers instantly, plus a simple method to rewrite the mental patterns behind your worst decisions.

#mindset #selfawareness #emotionalintelligence #personaldevelopment #decisionmaking #theonepercentpodcast

STAY CONNECTED:

https://www.instagram.com/the1percent_podcast/

https://www.facebook.com/the1percentpodcast/

http://tiktok.com/@the1percent_podcastPodcast

WANT TO CONNECT TO OUR HOST?

Vin:

Email: Vincentinfante.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin.infante/

Shane:

Email: [email protected]

LISTEN ON OTHER SITES

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/3HtT10C

TIMESCODES:

00:00 Intro

00:01:18 Pondering Personal Thinking Habits

00:05:00 Identifying Distractions and Dopamine Addiction

00:10:00 Overview of 6 Steps to Better Thinking

00:15:00 Step 1-3: Awareness, Reflection, and Environment

00:25:00 Step 4-6: Practice, Feedback, and Adaptation

00:30:00 Overcoming Addiction for Fulfilling Life

00:35:00 Personal Routines and Development Advice

00:39:00 Outro