In this episode, we sit down with J.D. Barker to explore his journey from a compliance officer at a brokerage firm to international bestselling fiction author. He shares when, how, and why he made the leap, where he finds inspiration for his books and characters, his book-writing process, and how he had to overcome imposter syndrome along the way. We also dive into his experience collaborating with literary giants like James Patterson, and the key lessons he's learned about turning passion into success. If you've ever dreamed of making a living doing what you love, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

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Follow J.D. on Instagram: @jdbarker_author

Palina Marachkina was looking for a side hustle. When ChatGPT told her that Bath & Body Works and a few other large retail stores owned 95% of the candle market, but that remaining 5% still represented a multi-million dollar industry, she bought a course on candle making. Then she took note that there were plenty of low-quality candles that were actually making sales on Etsy. She seized the opportunity and, with no prior experience, began experimenting with creating candles that looked and smelled like iced coffee beverages.

Through much trial and error, she perfected her craft within just a few short months, went viral on social media, and sold out her Etsy shop, LE PÉTALE. She quickly had to learn how to scale from making one candle at a time to making 100 candles at a time to keep up with demand. And she managed to do all of this on the side, while working her day job. How did she do it? Have a listen as she shares how she turned a simple side hustle into a successful brand, the challenges she faced along the way, and what it takes to stand out in the crowded handmade market.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow LE PÉTALE on Instagram: @le.petale.candles

What would make a full-time nurse leave a stable career to run a laundromat? In this episode, we sit down with Cami a.k.a. The Laundromat Girl, a former nurse turned laundromat owner, to learn exactly that. She shares how and why she made the leap, the challenges and hardships of transitioning into entrepreneurship, and why taking a risk on this unexpected business was ultimately the right decision.

Whether you're dreaming of ditching the 9-to-5, or just curious about how to run a successful laundromat, this episode is packed with both inspiration and practical advice.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Cami on Instagram: @laundromatgirlofficial

In this episode, we sit down with Dylan Jahraus, a powerhouse wife and mother who turned a late-night Etsy side hustle into an 8-figure coaching empire. Dylan shares how she built a thriving 7-figure Etsy business from scratch, fueled by relentless grit, creativity, and innovation. And when others expressed interest in learning her strategies, Dylan transitioned into coaching, growing her Etsy coaching business to an astounding 8 figures in just over a year.

We discuss the challenges of scaling, the lessons learned along the way, and how selling her Etsy shop has allowed her to focus fully on empowering others to achieve their own entrepreneurial dreams. Whether you're a side hustler, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a seasoned business owner, Dylan's story is packed with inspiration and entrepreneurial insights that you won't want to miss!

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Dylan on Instagram: @dylanjahraus

In this episode, we sit down with Lior Arussy, founder of Strativity Group, a world-leading boutique customer strategy consultancy, as well as the author of several insightful business books. We explore the transformative power of customer experience and innovation. Lior shares the story behind creating and building Strativity into a global consulting powerhouse, the challenges he faced along the way, and the strategies he has used to help companies break free from mediocrity.

We also discuss the other side of entrepreneurship. A little bit of taxes, HR, imposter syndrome, and how to overcome all of that to build a thriving business. Whether you're a business owner, a leader, or just looking for inspiration, this conversation will leave you motivated to rethink the way you approach growth and success.

Be sure to check out the Show Notes!

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness

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