Risky Business

Sam Stone interviews entrepreneurs about risk… but this time we flipped the script.

In this episode of the Risky Business Podcast, Cameron Becht sits down with Sam Stone (yes—the host) to uncover the real risks Sam took to become one of the top-performing solo real estate agents in Kentucky.

We get into:

• Why 99.7% of people won’t choose you (and why that’s freeing)

• How Sam built an audience before he even had his real estate license

• The “boring” daily habits that paid off years later

• The mindset shift that helped him stop caring what people think

• How social media + evergreen content became his biggest unfair advantage

• Reinvesting, integrity, and why reputation is worth more than quick cash

If you’re building a business, trying to grow on social media, or you’ve been stuck hesitating on your next move—this episode will challenge you to take a calculated risk and actually commit.

👇 COMMENT: What’s the next risk you need to take in your life or business?

Follow Sam Stone
Instagram: @LouisvilleKYRealEstate

Follow Cameron Becht / Louisville Podcast Studio
https://www.louisvillepodcast.studio/

JORDAN POHN | He Walked Away From a $200K Career… Then Risked EVERYTHINGFollow the Risky Biz Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/riskybizpodcast/?hl=enIn this episode of Risky Business Podcast, Sam Stone sits down with entrepreneur and former attorney Jordan Pohn to break down one of the most INSANE career journeys you will ever hear — from quitting a safe corporate law career, to building a multi-state mortgage empire, to surviving the 2008 financial crash, to selling to LendingTree, and eventually building a thriving private lending company, SharePoint Equity.Jordan shares invaluable lessons on:• How to take massive risks in your 20s and 30s• Why lifestyle creep destroys opportunity• The REAL grind behind entrepreneurship• Building wealth through real estate & private lending• How company culture can create 10x ROI• Surviving the 2008 mortgage crisis• Writing a seven-figure check to save his business• Selling a national lending company• Creating SharePoint Equity and lending on flips• Expanding into new states & scaling smart• Why reputation is the most valuable asset you have• Compounding, investing, and long-term wealth building• The “whatever it takes” mindset successful entrepreneurs share0:45 — Why Jordan Walked Away From a $200K Law Career2:20 — Hitting Rock Bottom: Rehab, Homelessness & Recovery5:02 — The Peer-Driven Model That Saved His Life8:00 — The Single Biggest Mistake Young People Make10:32 — Why Waiting Too Long to Take Risks Locks You In13:45 — Building 13 Branches From Scratch Across Multiple States18:40 — The LendingTree Breakthrough No One Saw Coming20:00 — How Company Culture Produced Massive ROI28:50 — The 2008 Warning Call That Changed Everything30:45 — Signing a Seven-Figure Check to Save the Company33:50 — Cutting His Own Income to Protect His Employees38:40 — The Deal That Almost Collapsed at the Finish Line48:40 — Signing a $50M Credit Line: The Ultimate Risk50:10 — Why the Top 1% Win: The Extra 10% Effort58:00 — Reputation: The One Asset You Can Never RecoverThis is one of the most value-packed, raw, and motivational episodes to date.If you’re between 20–40 and trying to figure out your next move, THIS is your roadmap. #entrepreneurship #RealEstateInvesting #MortgageLending #RiskyBusinessPodcast#BusinessMotivation #SuccessMindset #FinancialFreedom #PrivateLending#RealEstatePodcast #WealthBuilding #2008FinancialCrisis #RealEstateFinance#InvestingMindset #BusinessRisk #entrepreneurlife

Welcome back to the Risky Business Podcast!

I'm extra excited for today’s episode because I’m sitting down with Louisville real estate legend, Jay Pitts (Jay T Pitts & Associates). Jay isn't just a top-selling agent; he leads one of the most productive brokerages in Kentucky, pushing over $500M in sales volume yearly. This conversation goes deep into the risk and strategy behind scaling a top-tier real estate business.

Jay shares his incredible journey from a self-proclaimed "Type A, first-born" mortgage originator to leading a mega-team.

Key Takeaways:

• ​The Biggest Risk: Why quitting a 6-figure mortgage job at 24 to become self-employed was the logical choice.
• ​The 2008 Crash Pivot: How Jay used bank foreclosure listings (REOs) to build his initial momentum.
• ​The Tipping Point: The moment his team had to suddenly scale from 12 to 30+ agents after securing a major Zillow partnership.
• ​The Snowball Analogy: How consistent, hard work eventually creates an unstoppable avalanche of business (and why he prioritizes agents who "give without expectation").
• ​Training AI: Jay breaks down his AI-powered market update podcast strategy.
• ​New Agent Advice: The number one piece of advice for new agents, and why you should never make a career decision based on money.

Connect with Jay Pitts:

• ​Podcast: The Jay Pitts Show
• ​Instagram: @thejaypittsteam

Female founders, this one’s for you. 🎥💍 Meet Hannah Elise Photo — the Panhandle’s go-to wedding & family photographer (Destin, Seaside, 30A, Panama City, Pensacola) who turned a side hustle into a globe-trotting creative business. We cover: starting without resources, landing viral wedding videos (10M+ views), pricing & gear realities, client experience, taking a 100-day national parks RV road trip, and the mindset shifts it takes to bet on yourself.We also jam on productivity with Brick (the little magnet that locks you out of distracting apps) and why boundaries = more art, more revenue, more life.Listen for: how to start before you’re ready, what to buy (and NOT buy) as a beginner, social growth that actually books clients, and the courage it takes for women to choose the “risky” path.👇 Links & Resources• Hannah on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hannahelisephoto?igsh=c29mbWdyMThlamFj• Book Hannah for weddings/family sessions: • Brick productivity tool (affiliate): https://getbrick.app – code SAM47683 for ~20% off• Risky Business Podcast site: https://riskybusinesspodcast.com/If this gave you a nudge, subscribe, like, and share with a friend who needs to take that next step. Comment your #1 takeaway and I’ll reply.Female entrepreneur, wedding photographer Destin, 30A family photos, Florida Panhandle photographer, viral wedding video, photography gear list, how to price photography, client experience, Instagram growth for photographers, TikTok photography tips, Brick phone blocker, productivity for creators, national parks RV road trip, Bob Jones University, Liberty University, social media marketing, small business risk, start before you’re ready#FemaleEntrepreneur #WeddingPhotographer #30A #Destin #PhotographyBusiness #CreatorEconomy #SmallBusiness #ViralMarketing #Productivity #Brick #RVLife #NationalParks #RiskyBusinessPodcast

Risky Business Podcast 🎙️Today, Sam sits down with Thaddius “Thad”—Louisville native who went commission-only in NYC, survived the 2020 shutdown, and built Bluegrass Lending + Lionheart to manage $25M+ in assets by 29. We talk TikTok lead gen for real estate, alternative vs. traditional funding, SOPs, focus vs. shiny objects, lessons from an Alex Hormozi workshop, and why your 20s/30s should be a machine for mistakes.🔔 If this episode pushed you to take a (calculated) risk, rate, follow, and share—it’s the #1 way to grow this show.👥 GuestBluegrass Lending / Lionheart (brokerage + private funding)— Alternative & SBA loans, credit repair/bookkeeping support, high client return rate— Offices: Louisville KY • Wall Street NYC • Tempe AZ💬 Topics• Winning listings with TikTok reach• Alternative financing vs. SBA/asset-backed loans• Building returning clients by educating, not hard-selling• Systems, lead gen, and scaling a sales org• Focus, attention, and the “Brick” phone blocker• How to take risk without being reckless

At 33, Brad DeVries had it all lined up - a pilot job at UPS and the kind of career most people dream about. But just days before starting, he realized something: he didn’t want to fly airplanes. He wanted to build people.In this episode of Risky Business, Brad shares how that one moment of honesty changed everything - leading to a 30+ year career leading 3 of the largest real estate brokerages, and later, taking a massive risk again in his 60s to start not one but two new businesses.From leaving comfort behind to listening for God’s direction, this is a masterclass on calling, courage, and purpose. Whether you’re 25 or 65, this story proves it’s never too late to take a risk that matters.

What does it take to turn an adoption journey into a movement that feeds families, creates jobs, and reshapes an entire community? Sam sits down with Scott Panella, Louisville real estate leader and founder of Give a Goat, to unpack how a mission trip and adoption experience in Uganda grew into a nonprofit that has provided thousands of goats, wells, and sustainable food sources for families in need.Scott shares the raw challenges of adopting internationally, balancing business while living abroad, and learning an entirely new world of goat farming and community development. They dive into fundraising highs and lows, building a 100% Ugandan-led team, and why small gifts can create generational impact.If you’ve ever wondered how to align faith, risk, and entrepreneurship to create lasting change, this episode is both inspiring and practical.

https://www.giveagoat.org

What does it take to walk away from a secure legal career, withstand media firestorms, and jump headfirst into one of the toughest Senate races in the country? Sam sits down with Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate, to unpack the calling, conviction, and courage that fuel his run for public office.Daniel shares how losing the governor’s race reshaped his faith, why his identity must rest in Christ rather than titles, and the lessons he’s learned balancing bold truth-telling with grace in the political arena. They discuss raising a young family in the chaos of campaigns, Kentucky’s critical role in America’s energy future, and how to re-open meaningful dialog in an age of polarization.If you care about leadership, calling, and what it means to take risks that matter, this conversation is both challenging and deeply encouraging.

What does it take to turn a summer vacation idea into a breakout beverage brand? Sam sits down with Bryce Morrison, co-founder of Mom Water and Dad Water, to unpack the scrappy beginnings, bold branding bets, and operational grit behind their fast-growing, better-for-you alcoholic beverages. Bryce shares the origin story, early scrapes with supply chains and distribution, how they built a community first brand without the usual clichés, and the lessons he’s learned about partnerships, pace, and making decisions under pressure. If your goal is to build anything this conversation is a masterclass in taking smart risks, staying relentlessly simple, and scaling without losing your brand.

Sam Stone sits down with Eric Wood — former Pro Bowl center for the Buffalo Bills, longtime NFL veteran, broadcaster, podcast host, and fierce competitor in everything he does.

Eric opens up about life in the trenches of the NFL, the mindset it takes to compete at the highest level, and how he transitioned from professional athlete to respected voice in broadcasting and podcasting. From leadership in the locker room to resilience off the field, Eric shares stories and lessons that go far beyond football.

If you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or anyone chasing a bigger life, this conversation is packed with wisdom on taking risks, finding purpose, and staying hungry no matter what comes next.