The Owner’s Guide: Strategies to Successfully Start and Grow a Business

Russ and Greg drop a major announcement—Greg is entering the world of indoor pickleball with new facilities launching in Las Vegas! Joined by Jennifer Christensen of Beacon Media + Marketing, the trio dives into how to market health and wellness brands (like pickleball centers!) using cutting-edge AI strategies. Learn the essentials of GEO (the new SEO), leveraging Google Business Profiles, ethical AI use, and creating content that connects with both locals and visitors. Whether you’re launching a new business or scaling your digital presence, this episode is packed with winning tactics and insights.

Russ and Greg welcome serial entrepreneur Eli Portnoy, founder of BackEngine.ai, to explore how AI is revolutionizing the way businesses understand and act on customer feedback. From synthesizing data across platforms to pinpointing growth opportunities and preventing churn, Eli breaks down how AI-driven insights can give executives a real-time pulse on customer needs—without losing the human touch. Learn how to leverage internal data for smarter decision-making, protect proprietary information, and avoid common AI pitfalls. Whether you’re scaling fast or just starting out, this episode offers actionable advice on integrating AI into your business strategy—without replacing the people behind it.

In this episode of DIY for Business, Russ and Greg sit down with Brandon Davis, founder of Trek One Capital, to dive into the real cost of entrepreneurial growth—and how to scale without burning out. Brandon shares hard-earned insights from managing over 100 entities to paring down to a happier, healthier portfolio, revealing how clarity, collaboration, and culture can lead to massive success.

We explore:

• What investors really look for in scalable businesses
• How to identify and fix toxic management teams
• The value of daily operational feedback loops
• Why happiness and health drive better business outcomes
• Brandon’s approach to teaching entrepreneurship to his kids

Packed with personal stories, strategic insights, and a few no-pants jokes, this episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur aiming to scale smart and live well.

Learn more at trekonecapital.com

In this timely episode of DIY For Business, Russ and Greg welcome Abe Orgel of SimpleForwarding.com to unpack the chaos surrounding the recent tariff changes affecting imports from China. They dive into the implications of the Section 321 elimination, how it’s disrupting e-commerce and brick-and-mortar supply chains, and what business owners can do to adapt. From rising shipping costs to legal workarounds and reshoring opportunities, this episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur navigating international sourcing and logistics in today’s volatile trade environment. Tune in for actionable insights and a few laughs along the way.

What does it take to turn rock bottom into a launchpad for success? In this gripping episode of DIY For Business, Russ and Greg sit down with Luke Lunkenheimer, founder of Paid to Persuade, to uncover his incredible transformation from bank robber to respected entrepreneur.

Luke shares how he rebuilt his life after addiction and incarceration, diving into the mindset shifts, relentless work ethic, and powerful lessons that shaped his business journey. He reveals the core principles behind his revolutionary sales training program—why authenticity trumps slick scripts, how “compassionate interrogation” wins clients, and what it really takes to stand out and succeed.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned sales leader, or simply love a good comeback story, this episode delivers real-world advice with raw honesty and a dose of inspiration.

Topics covered:

• Overcoming personal and professional rock bottom
• Why “scripts” are killing your sales
• The neuroscience behind authentic communication
• What Paid to Persuade teaches that other programs don’t
• Pivoting your business model based on real feedback

In this insightful episode of DIY for Business, Russ and Greg chat with startup strategist and software veteran David Hirschfeld, founder of Tekyz, about why so many startups fail—and how to prevent it. David introduces his proven Launch First methodology, showing how early validation and sales before building a product can be a game-changer for founders. They dive into the power of identifying the right niche, using AI to streamline development, and even how to sell software before it’s built.

The trio also tackles AI’s role in content creation and internal efficiencies, including an innovative voice-integrated Jira assistant that’s solving real developer pain points. Whether you’re launching your first startup or trying to scale smarter, this episode is packed with practical, battle-tested advice.

Public speaking is one of the most powerful tools entrepreneurs and business leaders can use to grow their influence—and their revenue. In this episode of DIY for Business, Russ chats with Blair Bryant Nichols, founder of BBN Creative Management, about how mission-driven professionals can overcome the fear of speaking and leverage the stage (or Zoom!) to strategically scale their business.

From storytelling that converts to dealing with tech meltdowns mid-presentation, Blair shares tactical advice on becoming a confident and compelling speaker. Whether you’re pitching to clients, keynoting a conference, or leading a webinar, Blair’s insights will help you shift your mindset, connect emotionally with your audience, and build a business pipeline—one presentation at a time.

Topics Covered:

• How to overcome the fear of public speaking

• Strategic speaking vs. infomercial pitfalls

• Virtual vs. in-person presence

• Using storytelling for business growth

• Turning keynotes into leads and long-term clients

• The power of being great to work with (on and off stage)

AI is transforming email marketing—but are you using it effectively? In this episode of DIY for Business, Russ and Greg dive into AI-driven email campaigns with experts Robin Tully and Michael Levitz of Forecasting (forecast.ing). Learn how AI can craft personalized messages, improve click-through rates, and predict campaign success before you hit send.

Topics covered include:

• How AI enhances email personalization

• The best ways to segment audiences for maximum impact

• AI-driven landing pages that convert

• The future of AI in marketing and its impact on small businesses

If you want to improve your email marketing strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Small businesses no longer need big budgets to compete in social media marketing. In this episode of DIY for Business, Russ and Greg talk with Adam Nathan, CEO and Founder of Blaze AI, about how artificial intelligence is changing the game for entrepreneurs.

They cover:

• How AI can automate and optimize social media marketing efforts

• The best strategies for using AI in social media, SEO, and email campaigns

• Why consistent content is critical for business growth

• How Blaze AI helps businesses scale without hiring a full-time marketer

While we discuss Blaze AI’s features and benefits, this is not a paid promotion or sponsored content. Our goal is to provide valuable insights into AI-driven marketing tools and how they can help small businesses grow. As always, we encourage listeners to explore multiple solutions and choose what best fits their needs.

In this episode of DIY for Business, Russ sits down with Vance Morris, a business consultant and former Disney leader, to uncover secrets for creating a business that thrives. Vance shares actionable insights on balancing work and family life, mastering the art of pricing for profitability, and building lasting emotional connections with customers. Drawing from his Disney experience, he explains how to deliver unparalleled service, retain clients with innovative methods, and set yourself apart in competitive markets. Plus, hear how he built multiple businesses and now works just 90 minutes a week on them!

Discover the power of personal branding, the value of surprise in customer experiences, and why you should start with time off when planning your schedule. This episode is packed with strategies to help you succeed.

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