Usher got burned after loaning $1.7M for a building that was never purchased and the fallout teaches every entrepreneur a major lesson. In this Social Proof episode, David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the real mistakes behind failed partnerships and the 5 lessons that can protect your money, your relationships, and your business.

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Eddie Wilson, entrepreneur, investor, and creator of the Empire Operating System, sits down with Social Proof to break down the blueprint behind scaling, buying, and exiting companies at the highest level.

In this episode, he reveals:

• How he sold 76 companies in a single year

• The Empire Operating System phases: Startup, Perseverance, Viability, Scale, Succession

• How he identifies distressed vs. high-opportunity companies

• The “Brick” KPI that grows every business

• Why the Aspire Tour “loses money” on purpose

• How he built a $400M portfolio in under 3 years

• How he balances fatherhood and entrepreneurship

• Why most founders fail at leadership

• His mission to fund orphanages, clean water projects & global education

If you’re building a business, trying to scale your first million, or want to understand how real private equity plays work — this is required watching.

🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple

📩 Business inquiries: [your email]

🔥 Subscribe for more episodes.

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In this powerful Social Proof episode, host David Shands sits down with Kim Lewis, founder and CEO of CurlMix, the Black-owned natural hair care brand that nearly went bankrupt after raising over $10 million and generating $40 million in lifetime sales.

Kim opens up about how she reached a breaking point — with –$18,000 in her account, investors backing away, and a community of loyal customers who’d been with her since Shark Tank. Instead of hiding, she made the bold choice to go public, launching the #ProtectCurlMix campaign: a plea for 20,000 orders by December 31st to keep her factory open and her Chicago team employed.

Throughout the conversation, Kim and David unpack what it means to lead transparently under pressure:

• Why venture-backed startups can grow fast but still be unprofitable.

• The tension between doing good for the community and surviving as a business.

• The mental toll of leadership, failure, and staying authentic when everything’s on the line.

• How CurlMix customers literally own 50% of the company, and why Kim believes community equity is the future of entrepreneurship.

By the end, the story shifts from fear to hope — showing how honesty, community, and accountability can become a company’s greatest lifeline.

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Website https://curlmix.com/

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Millions of Americans are panicking right now as EBT and food stamp benefits are being delayed or cut during the government shutdown.

If you’re wondering “how am I supposed to feed my family?” this episode is the answer you’ve been looking for.

In this honest and powerful conversation, Donni Wiggins and David Shands share real stories, real numbers, and practical strategies for surviving when the system stops working.

From food stamps to financial freedom, this episode is about taking control when everything feels out of your hands.

In This Episode:

- Donni shares how she rebuilt after hitting rock bottom

- David explains the mindset shift that changes everything

- Real strategies to make money fast when EBT runs out

- How to turn your pain into purpose

This isn’t just motivation. It’s a manual for anyone struggling right now and ready to take control of their future. Whether your benefits were cut, delayed, or you’re just tired of depending on the system, this conversation will show you a way forward.

Watch the full episode now and take the first step to rebuilding your life.

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From 2 Chainz to $500K in Donations — Charlie Jabaley “Delusional” Blueprint for Miracles

Before the cameras even started rolling, Charlie Jabaley told David Shands something unforgettable:

“Something huge is going to happen today.”

That moment set the tone for a conversation about faith, delusion, and undeniable action.

Charlie breaks down how he manifested a half-million-dollar Hasbro deal, turned a Christmas sweater with 2 Chainz into a $2.1 million viral brand, and why he believes the craziest people often make the biggest impact.

This is the real story behind The Most Delusional Man in the Room — how confidence, creativity, and a little bit of “crazy” turned dreams into tangible wins.

🎙️ Full episode of The Social Proof Podcast with David Shands

Subscribe for more stories that prove: It’s not luck. It’s action.

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#entrepreneurship #business #howto #podcast

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Entrepreneurs are obsessed with “working hard”… but what if effort isn’t the problem? What if the real issue is ineffective effort? 💭

In this episode of the Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the 10 habits that actually make you successful, not the ones social media keeps feeding you. From discipline and delayed gratification to metrics, mindset, and mastering discomfort, they unpack why so many people stay “busy” but never really move forward.

This conversation will challenge your comfort zone, call out your excuses, and give you the real blueprint to get unstuck and start winning for real.

💡 In this episode you’ll learn:

- Why consistency alone won’t make you successful

- How to track what actually moves the needle

- The difference between growth and comfort

- How to build friction between you and quitting

The habits every millionaire practices (that most don’t)

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The dating industry has been monetizing human connection for centuries — from arranged marriages to Tinder swipes. 💸

In this episode of The Social Proof Podcast, David Shands breaks down the $3.5 billion dating app economy and reveals what entrepreneurs can learn from it: how every era found a way to profit from human emotion — and why the best businesses solve timeless problems.

👀 You’ll learn:

How matchmaking became a business before technology existed

The rise of Match.com, Tinder, and Bumble

Why dating apps profit more when you don’t find love

The key lesson every entrepreneur can apply to their industry

📱 It’s not about love — it’s about leverage.

Watch now and rethink how you see “connection” in business.

#DavidShands #SocialProofPodcast #BusinessOfLove #Tinder #Bumble #Entrepreneurship

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It started with Ayesha Curry — but it’s not about her.It’s about anyone who’s ever supported someone else’s dream while feeling unseen.

In this episode of The Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins dive deep into what happens when one person gets the spotlight — in marriage, business, or friendship — and the other plays the background.

You’ll hear:💬 The real meaning behind Ayesha Curry’s comments — and why so many partners relate.💬 Donni’s story of a business partnership that fell apart over credit and spotlight.💬 How David handles team members who want to grow beyond his platform.💬 What it takes to stay aligned when success changes the dynamic.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked in a relationship or partnership — this one will hit home.

📺 Watch, comment, and share your take: Are you the star, or the support?

#SocialProofPodcast #DavidShands #DonniWiggins #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPartnership #EgoAndSuccess

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Most entrepreneurs are building with grind, not leverage.

In this episode, we break down how to use business credit the right way to access funding, scale faster, and stop relying solely on your cash flow.

You’ll learn:

How to structure your business for credit approvals

Steps to qualify for $50K–$100K in funding without a personal guarantee

The difference between consumer and business credit (and how to protect both)

How to turn credit into leverage, not debt

Real examples of entrepreneurs who used credit to grow their business

If you’ve been stuck hustling for cash, this episode shows you how to build credit that funds your dream and your freedom.

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Most fans think artists make millions from sold-out arenas—but the truth is, the music industry is built on cuts, fees, and middlemen. Chris Brown flipped the script with a bold $1,000 meet & greet play that turned photos into $4.5M in pure profit.

In this video, we break down:

🔥 Why most artists don’t make as much as you think from touring

🔥 How Chris Brown built a direct-to-consumer cash machine

🔥 The genius behind the $1,000 photo and viral culture

🔥 What entrepreneurs can learn from his business model

🔥 How scarcity + experience = a marketing masterclass

This isn’t just music—it’s entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a fan or a business owner, this playbook shows how to monetize your top 1% of customers and create products that turn into movements.

👉 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Would YOU ever pay $1,000 for a photo with your favorite artist?

#ChrisBrown #MusicBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Marketing #socialproofpodcast

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