Craig Wiley of Transcend Business knows that sometimes you’ve got to zig when others zag – what should you be doing right now to make your team stronger amid all the chaos?

How did 21 year old James Dumolin help build a social media empire with over 700 MILLION video views in a few years?

Join us for Episode 10 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes.

This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and James about his work building the School of Hard Knocks TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube channels. In each video, James or his brother Jack interview a successful person to share advice and strategies with the younger generation. They are inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs through their videos – and James shares a lot of key insights into both how and why they do what they do.

(00:00:01) Opening & Introduction
(00:00:32) Guest Spotlight: Meet James Dumoulin – Streetwise Career Counsel
(00:00:45) Crazy Career Advice: “Buy a Lamborghini” Explained
(00:01:02) DC Roots & Early Mentorship: From Eagle Scout to Digital Pioneer
(00:01:22) Embracing the Creator Economy: Building a Personal Brand
(00:02:32) Launching School of Hard Knocks: Interviews that Inspire
(00:03:37) Sponsor – Higher Better: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:04:00) Timeless Questions: “What Would You Tell Your 20-Year-Old Self?”
(00:04:57) Monetizing Content: Ad Revenue, Brand Deals & Short-Form Agency
(00:05:46) Earnings at a Young Age: Multiple Six-Figure Success
(00:06:12) Three Key Principles: Risk, Relationships & Putting God First
(00:07:08) Memorable Interview Moment: The Versace Robe Story
(00:08:31) Handling Controversy: Navigating Legal Hurdles in Interviews
(00:10:08) Introducing “Who’s Your MC?”: Entrepreneurial Archetypes Unveiled
(00:10:57) Unlocking Move: The Transformative Power of Moving to Austin
(00:11:24) Balancing UT & Business: Strategies for the Modern Student
(00:18:23) Advice for Parents: Encourage Exploration & Entrepreneurial Freedom
(00:19:56) The Unasked Question: Seeking Self-Improvement & Relationship Wisdom
(00:20:59) Connect with School of Hard Knocks: Follow Us on Social
(00:21:34) Wrap-Up: Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here-----------Learn more about HireBetterhttps://www.HireBetter.comFollow HireBetter on LinkedInhttps://bit.ly/2S9sigx-----------

About James Dumoulin James Dumolin is Co-Founder of Hard Knocks LLC, a social media and video production company that has taken the entrepreneurial world by storm. Together with his brother Jack, the 21-year-old interviews successful entrepreneurs, creating inspiration for aspiring millennial and Gen Z entrepreneurs. Their social media empire includes over 1.5 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and over 700 million video views. James is also a student at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business – but the School of Hard Knocks is the University for Everyone!About Kurt Wilkin Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. -----------

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HireBetter#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter

How did Tori Brodsky go from Dancing Banana at Jamba Juice to the CEO of a Paso Robles wine company? A bad hangover, of course!

Join us for Episode 9 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and Tori about her journey to becoming an entrepreneur. They discuss self-reflection, making risky moves, the importance (and role) of mentorship, and how to address the shifts in team dynamics that happen as a company scales.

(00:00:01) Opening & Introduction
(00:00:32) Guest Introduction: Tori Brodsky – From Drink Light to Besa Mi Vino
(00:00:50) Hangover Origins & The Dancing Banana Job
(00:01:01) The Birth of Drink Light: A Hangover-Cure Innovation
(00:03:54) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:04:15) Entrepreneurial Journey: Surprises & Lessons Learned
(00:05:07) Building Your Toolbox: Learning from Others’ Stories
(00:07:07) Pivot to Wine: The Besa Mi Vino Story
(00:07:56) Unboxing the Experience: Spin the Besa Drinking Game
(00:09:18) Wine Tasting: Discovering Organic Canned Red Wine
(00:12:52) Where to Buy Besa Mi Vino: Online & Retail Distribution
(00:13:20) Entrepreneurial Archetypes: Insights from "Who's Your Mike?"
(00:15:55) Unlocking Moves: Embracing New Leadership Challenges
(00:17:45) The Generalist Dilemma: Navigating Team Transitions
(00:21:29) Empowering Women: Advice for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs
(00:25:14) The Unasked Question: Balancing Mental & Physical Health
(00:26:57) Connect with Tori: LinkedIn, Drink Besa & More
(00:27:47) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here

-----------Learn more about HireBetterhttps://www.HireBetter.comFollow HireBetter on LinkedInhttps://bit.ly/2S9sigx-----------About Tori BrodskyTori is an entrepreneurial professional on a mission to use her skills to help people evolve for the better through strategic brand and business-building for better-for-you products and services. With an educational background in Nutrition Science, she is especially drawn to people, products, and services that make living healthy, joyful lives more accessible, affordable, and conventional. She has started a hydration beverage company to normalize hydration in social settings, DrinkLyte, and in joined the organic, canned wine brand Besa Mi Vino as CEO. About HireBetterKurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. -----------

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HireBetter

#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter

How did sales guru Scott Leese turn his near-death experience into his superpower?Join us for Episode 8 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and Scott about what makes someone ready to be an expert in sales. Sales is a lot like surfing – the bigger the wave, the bigger the risk, and harder you can fall… but you’re always chasing that BIG wave!

(00:00:01) Intro
(00:00:32) Guest Introduction: Scott Leese, the Sales Whisperer
(00:00:58) Heartbreak Banter: Bills vs. Vikings
(00:01:23) Scott’s Journey: From College Sports to Entrepreneurship
(00:02:16) Surf & Sales Camp: Merging Passion with Business
(00:02:56) Crafting the Intimate Sales Retreat
(00:03:48) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:04:07) Riding the Wave: Sales Focus & Mindfulness
(00:05:12) Overcoming Adversity: Scott’s Health Battles & Reinvention
(00:08:10) “What’s the Worst That Can Happen?” – Embracing Risk
(00:11:01) Three Key Sales Tips: Process, Problem Recognition & Grit
(00:14:42) Research & Resilience: Mastering the Sales Approach
(00:16:00) Book Spotlight: Addicted to the Process as a Calling Card
(00:18:10) Celebrating Side Hustle Sam: The Ideal Sales Hire
(00:20:38) Unlocking Moves: Turning Trauma into a Superpower
(00:22:34) Connect with Scott: Consulting, Surf & Sales, & GTM United
(00:29:20) Outro & CTA: Like, Subscribe & Take the “Who’s Your Mike?” Quiz-----------Learn more about HireBetterhttps://www.HireBetter.comFollow HireBetter on LinkedInhttps://bit.ly/2S9sigx-----------About Scott LeeseScott has spent the last 20 years building & scaling sales orgs as a 6x sales leader and 3x founder. In 2019, I cut the W-2 cord as the SVP of a unicorn startup to launch my own consulting firm. Scott Leese Consulting has grown from $0 to $5M+ in revenue serving some of the fastest growing technology startups in the world. He also runs Surf & Sales Summit, a retreat for aspiring sales leaders to share knowledge, build relationships… all while surfing in paradise!About Kurt WilkinKurt Wilkin is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, investor, and Co-Founder of HireBetter - the Strategic Talent Partner for entrepreneurial, high-growth, middle-market companies that need the right solutions to thrive and scale. Through his videos and beyond, Kurt hopes to provide guidance and insight to help other entrepreneurs and business leaders thrive through change and the challenges that come with it.About HireBetterKurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. -----------

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HireBetter

#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter

Scott Jensen’s path to entrepreneurship started when he got an ice chest full of barbecue delivered to NYC – How did he become the “godfather” of Austin CPG?Join us for Episode 7 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and Scott about the risks, hard work, and excitement that goes into starting and scaling a successful consumer packaged goods company. In 1991, Scott co-founded Stubb’s Bar-B-Q and learned a lot of lessons the hard way – including that George Clinton and the P Funk All Stars want to be paid up front to perform at your new music venue! Fast-forward to today, and Scott is still learning (and sharing) lessons as the CEO of Rhythm Superfoods.(00:00:01) Opening & The Bigger the Shit Show
(00:00:32) Guest Introduction: Scott Jensen & Texas Barbecue Roots
(00:00:53) Early Career: From Georgia-Pacific to Barbecue Beginnings
(00:01:00) The Stubb Investment: $1,400 That Sparked a Revolution
(00:01:22) MBA & Market Shift: Leaving Big Brands for Real Risk
(00:02:05) Hot Barbecue on a Cooler: A True Taste of Grit
(00:02:50) The Pivot: Running Stubb’s Barbecue Sauce Company
(00:03:17) Learning by Example: The Generosity of Stubb
(00:03:30) Youth & Risk: Embracing Bold Moves in Entrepreneurship
(00:04:07) Building a Legacy: From Barbecue to CPG Icon
(00:05:15) Meet Scott Jensen: CEO of Rhythm Superfoods
(00:05:39) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:06:09) Rhythm Superfoods Unveiled: From Mexico to Innovation
(00:07:02) Recipe Reinvention: Transforming Barbecue into Natural Goodness
(00:07:48) Jumping into Natural: The Birth of Kale Chips & Healthy Snacks
(00:09:10) Product Roadmap: Creating Nutrient‑Dense, Unique Snacks
(00:10:55) Scaling Challenges: Margin, Sourcing & Production Hurdles
(00:12:17) Early Lessons: Iteration, Risk & the Entrepreneurial Mindset
(00:15:29) The Salary Question: Paying Yourself & Showing Commitment
(00:30:04) Connect with Scott: LinkedIn, RhythmSuperfoods.com & Mentorship
(00:31:10) Outro & CTA: Like, Subscribe & Take the "Who's Your Mike?" Quiz

-----------

About Scott Jensen

Scott Jensen is Co-Founder and CEO of Rhythm Superfoods; manufacturer of organic plant-based superfoods snacks. He is the former CEO & President of One World Foods (Stubb’s Bar-B-Q), which he co-founded 20+ years ago with C.B. Stubblefield and two close friends. One World Foods was successfully sold to McCormick & Co. in 2015. Scott led Stubb’s in its national and international expansion to be the largest Bar-B-Q and Marinade brand in the country. He also co-founded and sits on the board of Stubb’s Austin Restaurant Company, the famous Bar-B-Q and Live Music Venue in Austin, Texas. Scott is a member of the Austin Chapter of YPO Gold, a board member and mentor at SKU, the Austin CPG Accelerator and he is a co-founder of the Specialty Food Executive Forum. Scott received his Bachelor’s in Psychology and Business Communication from SMU and received his MBA from NYU. About Kurt Wilkin

Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. -----------

#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter

Mathias Ihlenfeld and Woom sold 13 bikes in their first year… how did he grow to be an Inc. 5000 company in just ten years?

Join us for Episode 6 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and Mathias, the German-born entrepreneur and founder of Woom USA, the fast-growing children’s bike company that is revolutionizing the industry. Kurt and Mathias talk about overcoming struggles in a startup with ideation, a strong work ethic, and a laser focus on the customer (and employee) experience.

(00:00:01) Opening & Welcome to Unlocking Moves
(00:00:32) Guest Introduction: Mathias Ihlenfeld, Co‑CEO of Woom
(00:00:57) Pivoting from Consulting to Entrepreneurship
(00:02:11) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:03:16) The Woom Story: A Birthday Gift Sparks a Revolution in Kids Bikes
(00:05:15) Product Innovation: Designing Ergonomic, Lightweight Bikes for Kids
(00:06:28) Growth & Trade‑Up: Evolving Woom’s Bike Lineup and Upcycling Program
(00:07:50) Defying Doubters: Convincing the US Market of Premium Quality
(00:08:48) Rude Awakening: Overcoming Early Sales Challenges
(00:09:02) Creative Marketing & Social Proof: Building Trust with Customers
(00:11:12) Customer Engagement: Grassroots Events and Exceptional Service
(00:17:09) The Immigrant Journey: From a Small German Town to the US
(00:19:50) Work Ethic & Long Hours: Lessons from Early Career in America
(00:24:13) The Mike Factor: Navigating Team Dynamics and Outgrowing Your Friends
(00:27:09) Employee Experience: Building a Culture of Growth and Excellence
(00:30:55) Financing the Future: Bootstrapping a Capital‑Intensive Startup
(00:33:42) The Financial Turnaround: Securing $2M & Creative Funding Solutions
(00:35:41) Entrepreneurial Mindset: Embracing Empathy and Supporting Future Leaders
(00:37:57) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here

-----------

Learn more about HireBetterhttps://www.HireBetter.comFollow HireBetter on LinkedInhttps://bit.ly/2S9sigx-----------

About Mathias Ihlenfeld

Woom USA founder Mathias Ihlenfeld is the Co-CEO of woom. In his role, he is expanding the brand's e-commerce and customer experience capabilities in the United States, throughout Europe, and beyond. woom is a globally-acclaimed kids' bicycle company, originally founded in Austria in 2013, with its North American headquarters located in Austin, TX. The brand was brought to the United States by Mathias Ihlenfeld in 2014, one year after woom had been founded in a tiny garage in Vienna, Austria, by Mathias's brother Marcus and his business partner Christian Bezdeka.About Kurt Wilkin

Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies.

-----------

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HireBetter

#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter

How did Anne Cheng’s bad breakup turn into a $30 million company?

Join us for Episode 5 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a conversation between Kurt and Anne about global entrepreneurship, being allies to the marginalized by welcoming diverse perspectives in leadership teams, and facing adversity as an entrepreneur.

-----------

Learn more about HireBetter

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-moves/id1683361653

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BkTYFpaITMhf53J5QaeJa?si=8b166e2476c14ff7

#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter

Meghan Watkins got her start hawking wine out of the back of her truck... How did she grow that into a $100 Million business?

Mike Smerklo’s biggest advice for entrepreneurs… Don’t hire coke addicts!!Join us for Episode 3 of Unlocking Moves, the show that dives into the pivotal moments in an entrepreneur's journey that unlocked their true potential. Many business leaders only like to talk about their success stories - but host Kurt Wilkin is a firm believer that we learn more from the stumbles and mistakes. This episode of Unlocking Moves features a candid conversation between Kurt and Mike, covering everything from his… failed first sales hire to advice for entrepreneurs seeking investment from venture capital, writing his book Mr. Monkey and Me, and stepping aside as CEO.

Chapters(00:00:01) Opening & Podcast Introduction
(00:00:34) Guest Spotlight: Meet Mike Smerklo – VC & Entrepreneur
(00:00:49) Hiring Lessons: The Coke Addict Story
(00:01:03) Entrepreneurial Beginnings & Early Challenges
(00:02:09) A Tough Call: Firing a Sales Hire Gone Wrong
(00:03:38) From Blue-Collar Roots to Big Business
(00:04:16) Replacing Yourself as CEO: Facing Hard Truths
(00:05:20) Burnout & Leadership: Learning from Failure
(00:07:10) Sponsor – HireBetter: Your Strategic Talent Partner
(00:07:51) Inside “Mr. Monkey and Me”: Confronting Entrepreneurial Doubt
(00:09:07) Mastering Your Mind: The Shape Formula & Imposter Syndrome
(00:10:14) Overcoming the Inner Monkey: Resilience & Persistence
(00:12:01) Raising Capital: Smart Advice for Entrepreneurs
(00:14:01) Entrepreneurial Grit: Embracing the “Glass Eater” Mentality
(00:15:04) Pipeline Paul & the Value of a “Lean In” Mindset
(00:15:29) Capitalism for Good: Using Entrepreneurialism to Solve Big Problems
(00:17:41) The Ultimate Unlocking Move: Taking Risks & Embracing Change
(00:21:08) Timing & Risk: Knowing When to Leap into Entrepreneurship
(00:22:39) The Untold Downsides: Scar Tissue of Entrepreneurship
(00:24:32) Connect with Mike: Website, Book & More Inspiration
(00:25:32) Do You Wanna Know Who's Your Mike? Take the Quiz Here-----------------------------------

About Mike SmerkloMike Smerklo is an experienced entrepreneur, investor, business leader, and author driven by the desire to turn ideas into reality. He bought and scaled a small business into a publicly traded company worth nearly a billion dollars in value. Today he is a champion for a new generation of entrepreneurs building disruptive companies in big markets with his VC firm Next Coast Ventures.

About Kurt Wilkin

Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. -----------------------------------

Are you enjoying the podcast? Consider supporting us by subscribing to our YouTube channel - it's completely free! You can also leave us a glowing review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and help us reach even more listeners.

#UnlockingMoves #HireBetter #podcast #entrepreneurship #leadership #businesslessons #inspiration #UnlockingMoves

⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcast⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

🎧 In this episode of Unlocking Moves, Kurt Wilkin sits down with Adam Contos, former CEO of RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., bestselling author, and former SWAT team leader.

🔑 Adam shares the defining moments of his career, including a period where he legally purchased drugs for two years, which taught him critical business lessons.

💼 As a passionate serial entrepreneur, Adam's leadership philosophy revolves around a strong mindset, breaking the rules, challenging the status quo, and inspiring others to achieve greatness. Click here to watch the full episode

🚀 Join us for this engaging conversation and discover valuable insights from one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs of our time!#podcast #entrepreneurship #leadership #businesslessons #inspiration #UnlockingMoves

-----------------------------------

About Kurt Wilkin

Kurt Wilkin is a connector - of dots, ideas, and people. For the past 30 years, he has advised high-growth companies, starting his career with Ernst & Young, and today in his roles as co-founder and visionary of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and CEOs build their companies. 

Are you enjoying the podcast? Consider supporting us by subscribing to our YouTube channel - it's completely free! You can also leave us a glowing review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and help us reach even more listeners.

⁠⁠Apple Podcast⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠