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What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Maxx Chewning - fitness YouTuber, entrepreneur, and the founder of Sour Strips, one of the fastest-growing creator-led candy brands in the world.

In this episode, Maxx breaks down how he turned $50,000 and a secret “Project XX” into a candy empire that sold out 20,000 units in under an hour. We dive into the psychology of building a brand people actually want, why he kept his face off the packaging, and how obsessing over tiny details - from resealable bags to flavor tweaks - set Sour Strips apart from the competition.

Maxx also shares the reality of running a multimillion-dollar company without investors, why product-market fit matters more than follower count, and the behind-the-scenes risks that nearly broke the business (including changing the entire formula at scale). From influencer marketing hacks to lessons in cash flow, this episode is a raw playbook for turning passion into profit.

If you’ve ever thought about launching a brand, building something bigger than content, or just want the inside scoop on how a YouTuber created a $100M candy company, this one’s for you.

Check out Maxx here:

https://www.instagram.com/maxxchewning/

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

https://www.instagram.com/sourstrips/

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

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More Free Products:

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COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE: 

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KG Presets Vol. 1

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Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps: 

0:00 - Intro

1:22 - Leveraging the initial $50,000 investment

2:42 - Sour Strips Launch Strategy

8:44 - Why Sour Strips was the fastest growing creator lead brand

13:06 - No investors and making every decision

13:51 - Hydrant Pay

14:48 - No investors and making every decision

19:22 - Dialing in the final candy

24:17 - The biggest decision in Sour Strips History

25:43 - Changing the original formula

30:15 - Pushback from customers

31:01 - Trusting your gut

33:11 - Packaging details

37:59 - The Viewing Window

40:36 - Truly understanding your brand

43:32 - Separating Maxx from Sour Strips Branding

48:33 - The science behind buying candy

52:33 - Why Sour Strips is more expensive

56:22 - Covid was the best thing to happen for Sour Strips

59:10 - Getting into Target

1:04:15 - Using influencer marketing to blow up Sour Strips

1:13:38 - Expanding outside of influencers

1:14:40 - Managing cashflow with massive target orders

1:26:48 - How Maxx paid himself while growing Sour Strips

1:29:25 - Maxx was the only one who handled the finances

1:31:46 - Hiring an inventory analyst

1:32:44 - Maxx never thought about selling

1:38:21 - Maxx’s next chapter

1:44:03 - How the money has changed Maxx

1:52:51 - Maxx’s investment strategy

1:58:08 - Maxx never got caught up in blowing cash

2:01:47 - How Maxx wants to raise his kids

2:07:05 - Advice to your 18 year old self

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. 

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) 

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Get 2 months free of Motion Array here:

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Sign up for our LIVE Training this Sunday:

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What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Seth Godin - Bestselling author, marketing legend, and the mind behind 21 straight bestsellers that have shaped how the world thinks about business, branding, and connection.

In this episode, Seth breaks down why attention without trust is worthless, why your audience size doesn’t matter as much as the right audience, and the real definition of marketing (hint: it’s not hustle or hype). We dive into finding your “smallest viable audience,” building stories people want to spread, and why being remarkable isn’t about gimmicks - it’s about meaning.

Seth also shares the mindset shift that saved his career, how to stand out without selling out, and why consistency beats authenticity when it comes to building a personal brand. From the psychology behind buying decisions to the tension that makes people take action, this episode is a masterclass in creating work that matters.

If you’re ready to stop chasing clicks and start building something worth talking about, this one’s for you.

Check out Seth here:

https://www.instagram.com/sethgodin/

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

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More Free Products:

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KG Presets Vol. 1

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Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:59 - What makes people buy vs not

1:43 - Views vs influence

2:51 - Remarkable isn’t a gimmick

4:08 - Advertising vs. Marketing

5:31 - Marketing hasn’t changed

7:39 - You have to admit you’re not that good

10:44 - The power of speaking to our customers

12:17 - People are distracted by false proxies

15:55 - Motion Array

16:50 - Find 10 people that trust you

18:27 - Getting kicked out of the publishing industry

21:26 - Why Seth wrote The Purple Cow

24:15 - Marketing a Personal Brand vs. Tradition Brand

27:25 - Live Training

28:07 - Why tension is so important

29:47 - The smallest viable audience

31:08 - Navigating Dupes on Amazon

33:48 - What it takes to create a Purple Cow business

36:24 - How to implement a marketing strategy

38:18 - Learn to play the right game

40:14 - Authenticity is bullshit

46:28 - Post Pod Debrief

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)

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TikTok:

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Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

What’s up, Rock Nation, today we're talking about A.I. - it's reshaping the entire creator economy, and most creators aren’t ready... Content is being pumped out at scale, algorithms are shifting daily, and brands are starting to care more about results than who actually made the content.

In this episode, we break down why the old way of growing on social media is no longer enough and what you can do to survive the coming wave. From content overload to the rise of A.I. influencers, we cover the biggest shifts happening right now, and how they’ll impact creators, freelancers, and creative businesses.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. We’re sharing the 10-step Creator Survival Plan to help you stand out, build a brand that lasts, and use A.I. as your copilot, not your replacement. Whether you're a creator or creative business owner, this episode is your playbook for staying relevant in a world that's changing fast. Let’s get into it.

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs

Check out Kostas' Lightroom Presets here:

https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsgreece

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:

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More Free Products:

Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips

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Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:35 - One Handed Crack

1:25 - We’re worried about A.I. as creators

3:42 - The bad news

6:01 - A.I. will understand humans better than humans

6:52 - Content Overload

10:13 - A.I. is good enough

11:20 - You Can’t Tell What’s Real Anymore

13:48 - Why people will prefer a.i. content

15:28 - Brands Don’t Care Who Made It — Just That It Works

17:09 - How production companies will have to evolve

18:30 - The government’s role

19:53 - The travel influencer

20:24 - A.I. is improving exponentially

21:20 - Job’s will be lost

25:32 - Algorithms Are Shifting — and Turning On Creators

27:31 - If You’re Not Using A.I., You’re Already Behind

29:23 - Why Most Creators Will Get Obliterated

30:31 - The Creator Survival Plan (10 tips)

32:15 - Use A.I. as your copilot

33:35 - Build a home, not just a feed

36:28 - Create what A.I. can’t steal

40:38 - Be a Brand, Not Just a Creator

41:25 - Remove friction where you can

42:37 - Document Over Produce

44:39 - Use Brand as a Filter

46:03 - AI Can’t Replicate Community

47:56 - YouTube has the biggest barrier to entry. Lean in

51:24 - Kostas went to Greece for his 30th birthday

54:37 - We both moved out of 505

55:36 - We’re going to Houston to podcast

59:58 - Podcasting with Gary vee

1:02:11 - 505 growth

1:03:53 - Don’t wait for things to be perfect to start

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)

Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:

Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Matthew Encinas - Creative director, educator, and the creative force behind content that actually drives connection (not just clicks).

In this episode, Matthew breaks down why most creatives are about to get replaced by AI - and what you can actually do to stay ahead. We dive into how to build a personal brand that can’t be automated, the storytelling tactics that cut through the noise, and the underrated power of creative substance in a world obsessed with speed.

He also shares why he left The Futur to launch his own studio, the mindset shift that helped him evolve past burnout, and the real reason most creators are stuck spinning their wheels.

If you’re ready to evolve as a creator, build a brand with purpose, and stay relevant in the AI era, this episode is for you.

Check out Matthew here:

https://www.instagram.com/matthewencina/

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

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs

More Free Products:

Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips

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COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:

https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

KG Presets Vol. 1

https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresets

Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:12 - Matthew’s take on A.I. content

3:11 - Having a bias against A.I.

4:37 - You can’t automate substance

7:10 - What the next 6-12 months look like

9:00 - Consuming vs. Creating

10:37 - Seeking out Inspo

12:25 - The two tiers of inspo

13:58 - Where substance comes from

16:42 - What A.I. can never replace

17:42 - The importance of doing hard things

19:36 - How to stand out on social media

20:47 - How to train your brain to do hard things

22:54 - Matthew loves to break dance

25:28 - Taking inspiration from break dancing into design

26:50 - The importance of experiencing real life

28:43 - Design vs. Video process

31:16 - Woodworking

35:03 - The art of being curious

36:36 - How to build confidence as a creative

41:50 - When opportunities stop presenting themselves

45:15 - The process of getting better

47:17 - Ending his first creative business

55:09 - Matthew’s entire creative process

1:01:38 - Biggest takeaways from Chris Do

1:04:22 - The beauty of teaching creativity

1:06:11 - A masterclass in design

1:08:58 - Become a great leader

1:11:58 - What goes into making a keyboard

1:16:34 - Partnering with Grovemade

1:17:42 - How to find the whitespace as a brand

1:22:47 - Why risk a rebrand?

1:25:18 - The Double Diamond Framework

1:28:20 - Developing thick skin as a designer

1:32:15 - Constructive Criticism

1:35:35 - Most people are kind

1:36:39 - Step ya bread up

1:38:48 - The business behind physical products

1:40:13 - Testing prototypes

1:42:37 - How to reverse engineer your ideal customer

1:45:00 - Creating for yourself

1:50:11 - Matthew’s favorite physical products to create

1:59:10 - A job you don’t have to retire from

2:00:47 - Advice to your 18 year old self

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)

Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:

Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Sam Newton - filmmaker, creator, and the king of community. In this episode, Sam shares how he grew 120,000 followers off just four Instagram posts, and why going viral means nothing if no one sticks around.

We dive into why showing up as yourself is the real growth hack, how to create depth with your audience, and the storytelling strategy behind his most viral content. Sam also breaks down how to use short-form to funnel into long-form, the difference between reach and resonance, and why creators need to stop chasing views and start chasing connection.

If you’re tired of surface-level growth and want to build a brand that actually lasts, this episode is your roadmap.

Check out Sam here here:

https://www.instagram.com/samnewton/

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

Check out Sam's LUTS here:

https://gamut.io/product/immersion/?gamut=samnewton

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs

More Free Products:

Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips

6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycall

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:

https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

KG Presets Vol. 1

https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresets

Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:10 - Gaining 120,000 followers with 4 posts

5:20 - Call to action

6:43 - How to win on YouTube

9:26 - Learn to communicate your story

10:02 - How to be better on camera

11:31 - What makes a content stand out

14:20 - Personal Brand Kickstart

14:34 - Long form vs short form strategy

17:01 - Earning a break as a creator

19:49 - Travel Filmmaking

22:44 - Community Building

28:43 - Creating is a solo sport

30:03 - Sam Newton filmfest

33:01 - Don’t try and speak to 1,000 people

35:47 - How girls consume content

37:16 - People consume alone

38:38 - Start where you are

40:24 - Gaming talk

44:04 - Should you niche down?

46:50 - What to do when views are low

48:50 - How to make a travel film

52:14 - Making something out of nothing

56:13 - How to get in the zone

58:57 - How to decide which idea is worth making

1:04:08 - Gratitude is key

1:05:35 - What sam’s learned this year about himself

1:08:27 - Environment matters

1:10:58 - Sam’s 10 year plan

1:15:26 - When Sam gave up client work

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)

Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:

Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

Win $100k from Artlist here:

https://artlist.io/lp/100kfund/?utm_source=al_social&utm_medium=ugc&utm_term=100K&utm_content=100K&utm_campaign=100K

What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we sit down with Oren John, the internet’s creative director. In this episode, Oren breaks down why most branded content flops and how to fix it. He unpacks the secret to building a world around your brand, the one framework every creator needs before scaling, and why playing it safe online is the fastest way to stay invisible.

We dive into value vs. entertainment content, how to stand out in a feed full of noise, and the metrics Oren actually tracks when building a personal brand. He also shares his take on content “moats,” why he welcomes flops, and how to position yourself for both influence and income.

If you're tired of copying trends and want to build something original that actually resonates, this episode is your blueprint.

Check out Oren here here:

https://www.instagram.com/orenmeetsworld/

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

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs

More Free Products:

Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips

6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycall

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:

https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

KG Presets Vol. 1

https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresets

Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:10 - Brand Storytelling in 2025

2:31 - TV series content

4:01 - Creative vs Content Quality

5:39 - brands crushing in 2025

7:08 - World Building

11:17 - Tarte Cosmetic brand trips

12:54 - $100k Artlist Giveaway

13:46 - Value vs Entertainment creators

16:17 - Embracing the flop

17:53 - Formats that win on social

19:25 - Do carousels still work?

21:01 - Why video wins

23:15 - Merging value and entertainment

24:07 - How to go from value to entertainment content

25:18 - Building in public

26:37 - What brands miss the mark on

28:11 - Cannes Festival

29:13 - LinkedIn

30:29 - Creating content while working a 9-5

32:03 - Oren’s first brand deal

32:48 - You just gotta be hotter

34:04 - Fitness talk

35:36 - Dialing in positioning

39:45 - How to crush facebook ads

41:17 - Creative Volume

42:34 - The photoshoot playbook

45:34 - The Laker’s content playbook

46:59 - Why Oren uses Notion

48:46 - Don’t copy the biggest brands if you want to win

50:02 - How to build real community

51:50 - How to crush live events

52:55 - Your environment matters

56:21 - Cost to content

57:29 - Hiring

58:43 - Oren’s YouTube strategy

1:02:36 - People still underestimate the creator economy

1:05:01 - The TikTok Shop playbook

1:05:42 - A.I. ads

1:07:50 - Cultivating an audience that wants to buy

1:10:35 - Breaking down the 505 brand

1:20:10 - A.I. software that Oren uses

1:21:49 - Quality vs. Quantity

1:22:30 - How Luxury brands can win on social

1:23:22 - Oren’s clothing brand

1:26:31 - What Oren’s learned from making his own products

1:29:28 - How men vs. women shop

1:31:36 - Men’s bags

1:34:12 - The next 6-12 months

1:35:06 - Advice to your 18 year old self

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)

Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:

Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we sit down with Mike Lazerow, the founder of Buddy Media, a billion-dollar startup he sold to Salesforce, and the author of Shoveling Sht: A Love Story, one of the realest takes on entrepreneurship you’ll ever read.

In this episode, Mike unpacks the hidden cost of success - from nearly dying after scaling too fast, to rebuilding his identity after stepping away from a company worth hundreds of millions. We go deep on why founders burn out, how to avoid it, and the mindset shift that saved his life.

We also talk about selling to Salesforce, the early days of Facebook and Instagram, building with Gary Vee, investing in Liquid Death, and his 6-part Go Gauge framework for picking winning startups.

If you’re building something big, or thinking about it, this conversation is your warning and your roadmap.

Check out Mike here here:

https://www.instagram.com/kassandmike/

https://www.youtube.com/@UCgLzz0yep6lUaE5i62zMXTw

https://shovelingshit.com/

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs

More Free Products:

Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips

6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycall

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:

https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

KG Presets Vol. 1

https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresets

Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:21 - The cost of building a $745 million company

4:24 - prioritizing health

6:58 - Mike’s biggest tradeoffs

7:30 - Mike’s relationship with his father

9:41 - Getting out of your own way

12:46 - The most important trait of a good leader

13:26 - How to fire someone

17:23 - The fuel that drove Mike early on

21:06 - Early days of facebook

23:36 - The common trait of ultra successful entrepreneurs

27:42 - The process of making a book

30:45 - Shoveling sh*t in Central Park

33:00 - The biggest life lesson from Marc Benioff

37:46 - Processing selling Buddy Media for $745 million

40:02 - The challenges of working with your wife

41:50 - Venture Capital is broken

42:36 - Why pizzeria are great business

44:59 - You can’t fire your own kids

46:36 - Go Gauge - 6 steps to determine if Mike invests

49:31 - Not investing in Uber

52:27 - Everyone is born an entrepreneur

53:31 - Investing in Liquid Death

57:06 - Pivoting the revenue model 4 times for Buddy Media

59:44 - Not every business can become a $100 million business

1:01:07 - Pizza business roleplay

1:03:16 - People don’t know how to market

1:04:36 - What founders get wrong with scaling

1:08:00 - Going all in on social media

1:11:17 - How Kass and Mike push each other

1:12:17 - Finding the right business partner

1:14:08 - What makes Kass (Mike’s wife) an amazing entrepreneur

1:18:32 - Tips for becoming a better manager

1:20:10 - Hiring A Players

1:22:16 - How to keep employees motivated

1:24:46 - How to divide equity of a business

1:27:04 - Meeting and working with Gary Vee

1:30:12 - Mike was college roommates with Seth Myers

1:34:04 - Reminiscing on the journey

1:37:36 - Advice to 18 year old self

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

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TikTok:

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Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we sit down with Caleb Ralston — the brand strategist behind the scenes of Gary Vee and Alex Hormozi, and the creator of the most in-depth content strategy course on the internet (yes, the 6.5 hour one).

In this episode, Caleb unpacks how to build a brand people want to copy, not just follow. He breaks down why your social strategy is broken, how to create content that scales trust, and the exact framework he uses to help brands go from overlooked to undeniable.

We talk positioning, white space, and why copying top creators will always leave you in second place. Caleb also shares why he dropped a free masterclass instead of selling a course, how it generated 250+ leads overnight, and the long-term thinking that makes him stand out in the most saturated space on the internet.

If you’re done chasing views and ready to build something that actually lasts, this is where it begins.

Check out Caleb here here:

https://www.instagram.com/calebralston/

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

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs

More Free Products:

Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips

6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycall

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:

https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

KG Presets Vol. 1

https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresets

Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:10 - What’s most brands are messing up

2:36 - How do you define “work”

3:36 - The Brand Journey Framework

6:04 - Caleb’s Brand Journey Framework

7:11 - Studying different cultures

8:02 - Going all in on YouTube

12:10 - Generating 250 leads overnight

13:34 - Give everything away for free

14:55 - Observing Gary Vee

17:06 - The importance of Positioning

19:40 - How to stand out today

22:30 - Your taste is everything

23:41 - How A.I. is affecting creators and brands

26:26 - Trust is currency

31:12 - Don’t posture as an authority

34:30 - The #1 thing that moves the needle

36:29 - How to stay consistent with content

39:35 - What’s on your rider bro?

41:20 - Pairing = Branding

48:37 - Protect your brand

49:44 - How long it takes to build a successful brand

53:23 - Effort means nothing

55:49 - Best tools Caleb uses in his business

57:36 - How Caleb comes up with ideas for content

1:00:00 - Caleb’s merch

1:01:08 - Caleb’s first hire

1:02:39 - Building someone else’s brand vs. your own

1:04:25 - Content is #1 and how to succeed

1:09:15 - How to build out a team

1:11:39 - Repurpose your ideas and content

1:13:36 - Mining content for sustainability

1:16:39 - Maker vs. Manager

1:19:29 - The challenges that come with starting a business

1:22:49 - Hackathon

1:27:04 - We love a flop

1:31:02 - Having a “gut” feeling

1:32:49 - What Caleb learned from Leila Hormozi

1:34:55 - What Caleb learned from Gary Vee

1:37:04 - What Caleb learned from Alex Hormozi

1:39:07 - Overdelivering for clients

1:41:53 - Advice to 18 year old self

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)

Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:

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Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

Collab with Artlist and get 2 extra months for free here:

https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970

Check out Hydrant here:

https://2ly.link/27h83

What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we sit down with none other than Gary Vee – the king of content, CEO of Vayner Media - a $365M agency, and one of the most iconic voices in the creator economy.

In this episode, Gary breaks down exactly how to win on social media in 2025 - from why organic content is the lifeblood of any brand, to how creators should think about attention, brand vs sales, and why most people are one piece of content away from changing their life.

He also shares how he scaled VaynerMedia from nothing, why content volume beats perfection, and how humility became his greatest superpower in business. We go deep on platform strategy, AI influencers, creating at scale, and why 22 to 30 is your time to go all in on your dream.

If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or marketer trying to dominate attention in today’s world - this is the blueprint..

Check out Gary here:

https://www.instagram.com/garyvee/

https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@garyvee⁩ 

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs

More Free Products:

Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips

6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycall

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:

https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

KG Presets Vol. 1

https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresets

Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:02 - What 90% of brands get wrong about Social Media

2:31 - Do you understand each platform?

4:26 - Organic Social is life

6:10 - The TikTokification of content

7:03 - You are the niche

9:07 - Gary Vee vs Alex Hormozi

10:07 - “I’ve never had to make my money from my audience”

11:26 - The early days of Vayner

12:58 - Gary’s Ah-Ha moment

14:59 - Artlist

15:41 - Gary’s pitch to brands for Vayner

18:23 - Interest Graph vs. Social Graph

20:03 - Sawdust Content Theory

21:35 - Gary’s warning to fortune 500 brands

23:19 - How Gary’s pitch has changed

24:33 - Post Creative Strategy

25:23 - How we connected with Gary

27:17 - Gary’s won the lottery twice

29:23 - Macro patients, micro speed

30:53 - Don’t be a dick

32:20 - How to really grow something big

33:42 - Hiring A players vs. B/C players

35:14 - Hydrant

36:01 - You’re leaving brand on the table

36:44 - Gary’s thoughts on Meta’s A.I. strategy

38:58 - How Gary is defending against A.I.

40:22 - How Gary won business early on with Vayner

41:25 - Gary’s current social strategy

43:25 - Gary’s advice to college graduates

46:55 - Going back to being Gary Vee

48:31 - A.I. influencers

50:17 - Gary’s mindset 25 years ago

54:28 - Gary’s has his own slang

56:22 - What platforms you should spend the most attention on

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)

Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:

Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

Check out Motion Array here:

https://motionarray.com/?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970

What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we welcome the elusive and ultra talented Karl Shakur - a creator who went from sleeping in his car to shooting campaigns for Bugatti, hitting a million followers, and building one of the most distinct visual styles on Instagram.

Karl takes us deep into how he turned a $70K brand deal into proof-of-concept for his entire career, why he left architecture behind, and how he now approaches content like a business - with a 6-pillar strategy built to grow depth, not just followers. We talk about the balance between personal and commercial work, how to build longevity as a creative, and why injecting yourself into your work is the ultimate differentiator.

If you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or content creator trying to turn your art into a full-time career - this is the blueprint.

Check out Karl here:

https://www.instagram.com/karl_shakur/

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

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services

Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders

https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs

More Free Products:

Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips

6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycall

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:

https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

KG Presets Vol. 1

https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresets

Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:

https://amzn.to/3GhId25

15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15

https://bit.ly/42sNdej

Timestamps:

0:00 - Trailer

0:36 - Intro

1:25 - The $70,000 brand deal that changed his life

3:04 - How he used the money

4:15 - Proving his parents wrong

7:53 - Why brands pay Karl so much

11:54 - Where Karl’s love for storytelling came from

13:32 - Motion Array

14:19 - Karl’s creative strategy

18:35 - Does gear matter?

20:05 - How Karl pushes his creative limits

22:05 - Karl’s insane instagram growth

25:28 - Karl’s 6 pillars of content

29:32 - Building depth with your audience

30:53 - Karl is hyper competitive with content

34:21 - Why You Have to Keep Reinventing as a Creator

35:13 - Karl’s fitness routine

38:10 - Tips for Instagram success

40:41 - Why Showing You Is the Key to Standing Out

42:35 - Brands Want You, Not Just Your Art

44:48 - How Karl Lands & Delivers High-End Brand Deals

47:00 - The importance of collaboration

48:37 - The misconception about being a full time creator

50:02 - Karl’s favorite piece of creative work

53:19 - Karl’s new project - The Shkr.club

1:00:53 - Perfectionism is a creative killer

1:03:38 - The Hidden Cost of Chasing Your Dream

1:05:46 - Advice to your 18 year old self

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)

Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:

Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/

Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/