Everyone talks about success. Almost no one talks about the in-between.

In this episode, Sam Hijazin breaks down how he:

• Left behind a stable engineering career to become a loan officer — and hated every sales call

• Took a 3-hour application call with a Hawaii client… just to keep him on the phone

• Leveraged his engineering mindset to write the cleanest files in the industry — and got promoted fast

• Lost everything when the lender he worked for collapsed — PTO, options, and six years of grind

• Took the biggest risk of his life: betting on himself instead of chasing “safe” offers

• Built his real estate portfolio from nothing, paid off his parents’ house, and put his brother through med school

• Redefined wealth as security — not status — and treats gratitude as a daily discipline

• Uses money as a tool to build culture, give back, and create meaning for others

• Now mentors his team with one goal: build something that lasts — and do it with people who matter

If you’ve ever questioned the traditional path, wrestled with financial insecurity, or wanted to build a business rooted in purpose — this one will hit home.

Guest: Sam Hijazin — Mortgage broker and co-founder, E Mortgage Capital

Location: Newport Beach, CA

Everyone talks about success. Almost no one talks about the in-between.

In this episode, Emma (27) breaks down how she:

• Left Indiana during COVID, moved to California in six weeks, and rebuilt her entire clientele from scratch

• Worked 7 days a week, did Instacart and Amazon Flex to survive, and filled her books in 18 months

• Used free hair as a marketing play — what worked, and what she’d never do again

• Fought burnout (three kinds), set boundaries, and learned to listen to her body

• Redefined wealth as freedom — “How long can I go without working and still maintain my lifestyle?”

• Is pivoting to ownership — real estate license, salon suites, and building a brand that runs without her

• Learned to stop caring what people think, and only take advice from people who’ve actually done it

If you’re building something from scratch, wrestling with burnout, or trying to turn a service hustle into a real business — you’ll feel this one.

Guest: Emma — Salon owner & color/extension specialist

📍 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

IG: @emmalewishair

Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life.

Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders who are in it for more than just the money — they’re chasing purpose, impact, and something bigger than themselves.

Austen knows the grind firsthand. He’s a seasoned mortgage broker leading a division at one of the nation’s largest mortgage companies, helping hundreds of families get into homes across the country. But beyond that, he’s deeply curious — about business, people, and the choices that shape our lives.

From party promoter to mortgage mogul — Joe Shalaby proves it’s not about where you start, but how relentless you are.

In this episode, Joe breaks down how he:

• Started promoting hookah lounges with belly dancers and DJs at 14

• Built a personal brand before it was a buzzword — all through nightlife and word-of-mouth

• Left acting and graduated early, then jumped into mortgages with zero safety net

• Got burned by shady employers who withheld commissions — and bounced back

• Launched his own brokerage at 24 with flyers, hustle, and a “boots on the ground” mentality

• Scaled fast by partnering with a systems-minded operator (Sam)

• Built a content-driven brand in an old-school industry using social media and AI

• Embraced discomfort, challenged norms, and stayed authentic — even online

• Balances family, business, and legacy projects (books, AI products, and more)

If you're starting over, building a brand, or trying to find your voice in a traditional industry — this episode is a blueprint.

Guest: Joseph Shalaby — Founder, E Mortgage Capital

📍 Orange County, CA

IG: @josephshalaby

Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life.

Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders who are in it for more than just the money — they’re chasing purpose, impact, and something bigger than themselves.

Austen knows the grind firsthand. He’s a seasoned mortgage broker leading a division at one of the nation’s largest mortgage companies, helping hundreds of families get into homes across the country. But beyond that, he’s deeply curious — about business, people, and the choices that shape our lives.