In this episode of Real Talk, I am joined by Rev Ford, a native of Charlotte, N.C., and a dedicated Business Banker at First Citizens Bank. Rev shares his journey from being a college football player to becoming a successful banker, all while balancing family life and his passion for building relationships.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Small business and credit
• The challenges of switching banks after a merger
• How his competitive mindset from athletics influences his professional life 
• The significance of relationship building and its impact on his career 
• His recent transition to a household with two children, along with the joys and challenges that come with it

Connect info for with Rev:
 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reavisford
🖥️  https://bankers.firstcitizens.com/commercial/nc/charlotte/rev-ford
📩 Email: [email protected]
📲 Phone: 704-995-7286

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with the powerhouse behind some of the most impactful moves in the SFR, BTR, and Multifamily space—Yovonne Kenny, Vice President of Strategic Growth at Palisade™, an ACP, LLC brand.
Yovonne’s not just talking growth—she’s building it. With over 13 years of experience across housing’s fastest-growing sectors, she’s scaling Palisade™, a grout-free, waterproof LVT wall panel system, into a national standard for smarter, faster, cleaner installs.
From field crews to boardrooms, Yovonne is redefining how the industry thinks about materials, timelines, and performance at scale.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• How she helped grow Preferred Floor & Tile Co. from $1M to an eight-figure brand
• Her journey from digital marketing to executive leadership
• What it takes to scale national teams and overhaul operations
• The backstory of BrandLabs Co. (formerly One Stone Consulting)
• Why product performance is overtaking preference in today’s housing market
• How she’s shaping the conversation on innovation and labor in SFR/BTR
🔥 Whether you’re in construction, housing, or just love a good growth story—this one’s for you.
🌐 Explore Palisade™:
https://www.palisade-tiles.com (https://www.palisade-tiles.com/)
🔗 Connect with Yovonne on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yovonnekenny

Join Mike Burke at the 24 Hours of Booty, featuring young adult cancer survivor and long‑time 24 Foundation supporter Lauren DiFrank. Lauren, in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma for 12 years, has participated in 24 Hours of Booty for over a decade—raising thousands of dollars to support survivorship programs that go beyond medical treatment.

Lauren reflects on the profound personal connections she formed through the event, including meeting her late husband, Rob, through the community. Together they pledged their lives to philanthropy and healing, and this year's ride marked her first lap in his honor since his passing last November.

In this conversation, Lauren opens up about:
• Her cancer journey and how the 24 community helped her finish college and navigate treatment
• The emotional significance of riding in 24 Hours of Booty
• The real impact of fundraising dollars on access to survivor‑centric services like art therapy, transportation, and nutrition programs that insurance doesn’t cover

Tune in for a deeply human story of love, loss, resilience, and giving back—where every lap around the Booty Loop reflects the healing and hope that Lauren and countless others carry forward.

➤Follow  Lauren @laurendifrank
➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

Mike Burke sat down with none other than Spencer Lueders, the founder of 24 Hours of Booty and a true champion for cancer navigation and survivorship support. They talked about the inspiration behind the ride, its impact on local communities, and what keeps this mission rolling strong year after year. 🚴‍♂️💪

Whether you’ve ridden the Booty Loop yourself or just love a good story about grit and giving back, you don’t want to miss this one.

📸 Follow along:
➤ 24 Foundation on IG – @24foundation (https://www.instagram.com/24foundation/)
➤ Spencer Lueders on IG – @spencerlueders (https://www.instagram.com/spencerlueders/)

➤ Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

 From 42 U.S. states to 30+ countries… this guy’s done it all 🌍
🍻 Party boats. Party buses. Pub crawls. Welcome to the world of Snapper.

In this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, we dive into Snapper’s crazy journey from American road trips to running the hottest pub crawl and party cruises in Australia.
We talk boats, buses, burnout, and the business of bringing people together through music, mayhem, and meaningful connection.

📍 Check Out Snapper’s Businesses:

🚤 Cairns Party Boats
Party on the water with inlet cruises, DJs, and unforgettable vibes.
🌐 Website: http://www.cairnspartyboats.com
📸 Instagram: @cairnspartyboats (https://instagram.com/cairnspartyboats)

🚌 Party in Cairns
Voted the best pub crawl in Cairns for the past 23 years — escorting you to the best pubs and clubs every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday night.
🌐 Website: http://www.partyincairns.com
📸 Instagram: @partyincairnsofficial (https://instagram.com/partyincairnsofficial)

🎧 Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes.
📺 YouTube: [Insert link here once live]
➤  🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤📲 Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤📩  Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, we chat with Saad Hafiz, the owner of Obsession Car Detailing in Canberra, Australia. With nearly a decade of experience in the detailing industry, Saad shares insights on his journey, the challenges of reaching the million-dollar revenue mark, and the importance of networking at industry events.

Topics covered:
✅ Background: Saad discusses his transition from a side business to running Obsession Car Detailing full-time since 2016. 
✅ XPEL Experience: Learn about Saad’s experience with XPEL products and why he made the switch from other brands.
✅ Revenue Goals: Saad opens up about his struggle to break the $1 million revenue barrier and the strategies he's implemented to achieve his goals. 
✅ Key Takeaways: Discover the valuable lessons Saad learned at the conference, including the concept of “dating your customer” and exploring new sales avenues like architectural films.  
✅ Personal Insights: Get to know Saad's background and his journey from London to Australia, and hear his thoughts on the importance of energy and enthusiasm in business.

➤  💻 Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤  🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤📲 Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤📩  Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Sharp, the owner of Australian Detailing Services in Sydney, Australia. With a decade of experience in the detailing industry, Ryan shares insights on his journey, the growth of paint protection film, and the importance of networking within the industry.

Episode highlights:
✅ Background: Ryan discusses his transition to starting his own detailing shop and focusing on paint protection film.
✅ XPEL Partnership: Learn about Ryan’s experience with XPEL and how the partnership has contributed to his business growth over the past eight years.
✅ Revenue Success: Ryan shares his achievement of reaching $2 million in sales and the importance of profit over vanity in business.
✅ Key Takeaways: Discover valuable lessons Ryan learned at the conference, including client engagement and team dynamics.
✅ Hiring for Attitude: Hear about Ryan’s successful implementation of the "drive-thru hiring" technique and how it transformed his team.

➤  💻 Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤  🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤📲 Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤📩  Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

Ryan Townsley joins us in Sydney, Australia! Ryan is currently heading up the rapidly growing marine program at XPEL after the acquisition of PFS.

In this episode, we dive into:

✅ Ryan's Journey: Building a marine program from the ground up, starting with a bold idea and a blank canvas.
✅ Challenges in Education: Overcoming obstacles in educating boat owners about the importance of paint protection films and coatings, amidst widespread misconceptions.
✅ Luxury Marine Insights: Collaborations with high-end brands like Pavati and Maxim Yachts, plus critical impact areas for protecting wakeboard boats.
✅ Installation Differences: Contrast between automotive and marine installation challenges, including handling significant quantities of film for larger vessels.
✅ Global Expansion: Upcoming launches in Canada, Europe, and Abu Dhabi, highlighting exciting developments in marine protection products.

In this episode, Mike catches up with his longtime friend and XPEL’s VP of Asia-Pacific, Chris West, on location in Sydney, Australia. Chris shares his journey from Alaska to Shanghai, his insights on the booming opportunities for XPEL in Asia-Pacific, and what it’s like navigating cultural and market differences in China, Australia, and beyond.

This podcast covers:
✅ Why China’s PPF and tint market is worth over $1 billion — and how XPEL is raising the bar.
✅ How the Australian market reminds Chris of the U.S. industry 10–15 years ago.
✅ The importance of mentoring and sharing knowledge to help others succeed faster.
✅ How XPEL plans to grow internationally with new products like marine and aircraft protection.
✅ Chris’s personal reflections on life abroad, growth, and what’s next.

➤  💻 Subscribe to Real Talk With Mike Burke to watch full episodes of the podcast.
➤  🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-mike-burke/id1611409375
➤ 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6palwGfEfUIFG8sIIJPc1T?si=67c809d6c05b44f1
➤📲 Follow me on Instagram @themikeburke
➤📩  Email me for podcast inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Mike sits down with Tim Allison, live at from Sydney Motorsport Park during XPEL dealer conference Australia (XDC).

They discuss the booming potential of Australia’s automotive protection market, the hunger for growth among local dealers, and how cultural mindsets like “tall poppy syndrome” can hold businesses back.

You’ll hear about:
✅ Why PPF and architectural film are Australia’s next big opportunities.
✅ How Chinese EVs like BYD are reshaping the market.
✅ The importance of mentorship and leadership in growing your business.
✅ How XPEL is building infrastructure and training to support success down under.
✅ Why Australians have the “Eye of the Tiger” energy to take their industry to the next level.