Passive income is all the rage. While many are looking for cashflow from real estate, Mike Hoffmann took a different angle. He bought his first vending machine in 2019 and struck a passive income gold mine. He has since grown this into 50+ machines that gross $50K+ every month, has left the 9-to-5, and now coaches others to follow in his footsteps.

Whether you're looking for inspiration to get off your job, or just a side hustle to help offset some monthly expenses, have a listen to Mike's story in this episode, and discover if perhaps a vending machine side hustle is just what you've been looking for.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikehoffmannofficial

Who says you can't make good money without a college degree? Who said you can't make good money while attending college? We sit down with college freshman Caleb Gerstein in this episode to discuss how he has earned $200K from content creation at the age of 18. And we learn that you don't need a million Instagram or TikTok followers to be successful online.

With some grit and determination, and perhaps a little charisma, Caleb learned how to purchase small TikTok accounts, use them to sell other people's products on TikTok Shop, and earn a commission on those products. We discuss all things content creation, including how to get over the embarrassment of posting videos of yourself online, the value of consistency over the long term, and letting your "why" drive you.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Caleb on Instagram: @calebgerstein

In this episode, we sit down with Ken Rusk, author of Blue Collar Cash, to explore how he built his empire from a blue-collar background and why he believes financial freedom and happiness are within anyone's reach. Ken shares his journey from ditch-digging to becoming a successful entrepreneur and mentor, offering practical steps for achieving prosperity without a college degree.

We discuss the value of skilled trades, the mindset shifts needed for success, and how to create a life you love by following unconventional paths. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or someone rethinking your career, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Ken on Instagram: @kenruskofficial

If anything positive came out of the pandemic, we've heard numerous times how it afforded some of us time that we didn't otherwise have. And that time was used to breathe, think, and create. Such is the case for That Sound Game founders Cam and Nat. What started as a lighthearted game of Cranium [a few drinks later] turned into a whole new invention.

That Sound Game prompts players to make sounds with nothing but their mouths, and teammates have to guess that sound. It's a clever and wildly entertaining party game. But how did this happen? How did Nat and Cam get past idea stage, turn the game into something more than just slips of paper in jam jars, go viral on social media, and bring in millions of dollars in their first year without knowing the first thing about game creation? In this interview, Cam removes the veil and gives us all the dirty details.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow That Sound Game on Instagram: @thatsoundgame

In this episode, Steven and Kyle give a recap of the first 8 episodes of the podcast. They discuss their favorite part of each interview, some of the best entrepreneurial wisdom and lessons learned from each guest, and how you can apply it to your own life.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness

After spending decades searching for his true calling, Mesh found his passion in coffee. From helping build a thriving textile business to managing Starbucks’ retail operations, his journey took an unexpected turn when his love for cold coffee led to the creation of Cumulus Coffee – a revolutionary at-home machine capable of brewing nitro cold brew.

Though Cumulus is a new player in the market, the response has been explosive, with customers flocking to get their hands on one of these game-changing machines. But how does one go from corporate roles to launching a cutting-edge tech product without a formal engineering background? Whether you're seeking inspiration for innovation or simply a coffee enthusiast, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights on building a successful startup from the ground up.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Cumulus on Instagram: @cumuluscoffeeco

Ben Wessels had no intention of becoming a businessman. With plans of committing himself to helping people through social work, he did not anticipate having a lot of money. But when insurance mandates changed while Ben happened to be working with a clinician specializing in autism care, and autism was no longer considered a pre-existing condition, suddenly the door burst wide open.

Ben has since been able to help thousands of families get the care they need, spearheading the explosion of growth in autism clinics worldwide, and creating Bloom International Ventures to expand his reach as an investor and consultant. Tune in to hear the journey of an accidental entrepreneur, including the grind of the early days, the persistent motivation to help families in need, and the times everything nearly fell apart.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Bloom on Instagram: @bloominternationalventures

Ever wonder what it's like to go viral on social media? Ever wonder what it's like to get PAID to go viral on social media? In this episode, Clark Gary removes the veil.

After beginning his career in tech sales, Clark started tinkering with creating content online, making videos of himself talking about whatever he was interested in at the time. The videos weren't great, but he was learning.

Once AI (artificial intelligence, but I think everyone knows what AI is by now...) hit the scene, he started making videos showcasing the uses of AI and what he was learning. His confidence improved, the videos got better, and some of them performed fairly well, getting hundreds of thousands (or even millions) of views. This ultimately led to hundreds of thousands of followers, and the offers started pouring in.

One thing led to another, and Clark quit his job to become a full time content creator. He had cracked the code to Internet virality, and now also helps others do the same.

Want to know what it takes to go viral online? Or maybe you're just curious what life as a full time content creator is like? Have a listen to this hour with Clark, we cover it all!

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Clark on Instagram: @theclarkgary

Ideas are a dime a dozen. Execution is another story. When most people get an idea, the first thoughts are typically: "I have no idea where to start." "I don't know how to do that." "I don't have the right background for that." We become paralyzed by our own thoughts. When Dale Backus gets an idea, his thinking is more along the lines of: "I can probably figure that out." That's exactly how Ohsnap came to be.

In this episode of the Witness Business Podcast, we dive into Dale’s inspiring journey with Ohsnap. With no college degree and no tech background, he successfully designed projectors and monitors, ultimately exiting that venture. Recognizing a gap in the market for innovative phone grips, he pivoted and created a sleek, game-changing product.

Join us as we explore Dale's mindset, the obstacles he faced along the way, and whether he thinks college is necessary for aspiring entrepreneurs. Tune in for a conversation that will inspire you to take action and embrace your own ideas!
Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Ohsnap on Instagram: @ohsnap

Maya and her co-founder Dustin set out to make the perfect protein beverage in Koia. But it wasn't easy, and there were many road blocks. Tune in to hear the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them to get on the shelf at Starbucks, and ultimately exit the business.

We also dive into the details of Maya's new company: HAPPY POP, a mood-boosting beverage company. Maya gives us insights into launching a second company, whether it was easier or harder than launching the first, how they market the product, how business is going, and plans for the future.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Maya on Instagram: @mayajfrench