The Entrepreneur DNA
This podcast is focused on YOU, the entrepreneurs that want more than they have. That have experienced failure, or maybe are too scared to get off the bench because they have no guidance or advice. Maybe you are looking to finally scale your business and create the life you dreamed about. Justin and his guests will advise you in all of the ways they have become successful in business, along with all of the miss steps to avoid. This is not just all about business as these interviews gets personal and can bring just as much value to your personal...
How Do You Prove You're Not Using AI? This Founder Solved It | Tiffany Ward
In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany Ward, founder and CEO of Human Creative, the company behind Certified Human Content, a service that live-monitors the entire writing and creative process to prove a piece of work was made without generative AI. We get into just how much of what we read today (emails, resumes, social captions, even "motivational" posts) is quietly AI-generated, and why that's eroding trust across education, journalism, hiring, and the creator economy. I share my own story of getting caught plagiarizing my senior year at UCLA, long before AI existed, and we talk about how...
Why Your Old Identity Has to Die Before Your New Life Can Begin | Nathaniel Cilley
Book a free 15-minute consultation at manifesttherapy.com.
Nathaniel Cilley is a licensed mental health counselor, psychedelic therapist, and manifestation coach based in New York City, and he's joining our School.kol.com community to help entrepreneurs work through fear and mental roadblocks.
In this episode we cover:
What Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is and how it differs from CBT Why entrepreneurs get stuck in fear of failure and fear of judgment The lies we tell ourselves to avoid taking action How identity, not circumstance, drives most of our limiting beliefs Psychedelic therapy...The Disease of Wimpy Goals — Why Your Business Isn't Growing | Brad Sugars
FREE RESOURCE FROM BRAD SUGARS DM Brad on Instagram @BradleySugars the word "PLAYBOOK" and he'll send you his free business playbook on how to succeed in business. ---
In this episode, I sit down with Brad Sugars — the Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's #1 business coaching firm with over 1,000 offices in 85 countries — to break down exactly what separates the entrepreneurs who scale from the ones who stay stuck. Brad calls out what he sees as the biggest epidemic in business right now: wimpy goals.
We dig into the three stages of business growth (0 to $1M, $1M to $...
Scale or Fail: Why Most Founders Get Stuck in the Circus Phase | Allison Maslan
Get your free copy of Allison's book 'Scale or Fail' - https://pinnacleglobalnetwork.com/dna
In this episode I sit down with Allison Maslan, founder and CEO of Pinnacle Global Network and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Scale or Fail, who has personally built ten companies and helped her team mentor over 150,000 founders. We talk about why the business owner is so often the thing standing in the way of their own growth, and Allison walks me through her five phases of scaling, from the seeker all the way through what she calls the ringleader phase...
The #1 Mistake Early-Stage Entrepreneurs Make | Michael Burcham
Are you ready to stop treating your startup like a side project and start building a scalable business? In this episode, Dr. Michael Burcham shares the hard-earned wisdom of a veteran who has transitioned from a physical therapist to a multi-million dollar private equity investor.
We dive deep into the mindset shifts required to go from a day job to a full-time founder, the critical importance of customer discovery, and why most investors won't touch your project until you have skin in the game. Michael breaks down the common mistakes technical founders make and how to navigate...
Tackling Toxicity: From Bystander to Upstander | Mauricio Velasquez
Get Mauricio's book 'Tackling Toxicity' on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/08uHkZag
In this episode I sit down with Mauricio Velasquez, a worldwide conflict resolution and emotional intelligence consultant who has trained in over seventy five countries, from Guantanamo Bay to the White House to professional sports organizations like the MLS. We get into why most people are conflict averse and what happens when you ignore toxic behavior instead of addressing it. Mauricio breaks down the difference between reacting and responding, how to spot your own triggers before they take over, and the exact language he...
The Hustler Has to Die: How to Finally Become a Real CEO | Brett Gilliland
In this episode I sit down with Brett Gilliland, founder and CEO of Elite Entrepreneurs, who has spent the last fourteen years helping business owners make the leap from hustler to real CEO. We dig into why so many founders get stuck right before the ten million dollar mark, and why it almost always comes down to control. Brett walks me through the four systems his company teaches to build a business that doesn't depend on the founder for everything, what a CEO's real job becomes once a leadership team is in place, and how to know when you're...
From Navy Discipline to $18M Entrepreneur in 3 Years | Eric Winegard
What does it really take to walk away from a seventeen-year corporate career and build an $18 million marketing agency in just three years? In this episode, Eric Winegard shares the mindset, discipline, and relentless commitment that helped him go from a troubled childhood and military structure to becoming the CEO of Rare Blue Moon Marketing.
We dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, the difference between paid ads and organic content, and why most businesses fail before marketing even begins. Eric breaks down the importance of networking without an agenda, building a real personal brand online, and why...
This Attorney Protected $11 Billion — Here's What Every Entrepreneur Gets Wrong | Hillel Presser
Free consultation / website: www.assetprotectionattorneys.com — Hillel offers to send complimentary copies of his latest books to anyone who mentions The Entrepreneur DNA.
In this episode, I sit down with Hillel Presser, a nationally recognized asset protection attorney who's helped protect over $11 billion in client assets and written six books on the subject. We get into why "it's not what you make, it's what you keep," and unpack the exact strategies the ultra-wealthy use to become "uncollectible" — from owning nothing and controlling everything through LLCs and limited partnerships, to the real difference between revocable and irre...
The Real Reason People Quit (It's Not the Money) | Ian Watts
I sat down with Ian Watts, a workforce transformation specialist who's spent two decades helping companies fix what most of them get wrong about their people. Ian's story starts on the east side of Detroit, growing up on welfare, and it's what drove him to chase becoming a millionaire by 30 — which he hit almost four years early, right before his first business completely collapsed in 2006. That season is where he found his real why: building businesses that bless the world by taking care of the humans inside them. We got into why employee engagement is at some of the lo...
Semi-Passive, Fully Profitable: Inside the World of Non-Food Franchising | Jon Ostensen
I sat down with Jon Ostenson, a two-time Inc. 5000 founder and the top 1% franchise consultant behind FranBridge Consulting, to break down everything most people get wrong about franchising. We talked about why "non-food franchising" is such an underrated path to business ownership, how to actually evaluate a franchise opportunity instead of just chasing passion, what it really costs and how long it really takes to get one off the ground, and why following the system matters more than being the smartest person in the room.
Jon also walked me through what it takes to scale into multiple...
Stop Building for Yourself: How to Build What the Market Wants | Michael Burcham
Are you ready to stop treating your startup like a side project and start building a scalable business? In this episode, Dr. Michael Burcham shares the hard-earned wisdom of a veteran who has transitioned from a physical therapist to a multi-million dollar private equity investor.
We dive deep into the mindset shifts required to go from a day job to a full-time founder, the critical importance of customer discovery, and why most investors won't touch your project until you have skin in the game. Michael breaks down the common mistakes technical founders make and how t...
The Disease of Wimpy Goals — Why Your Business Isn't Growing | Brad Sugars
FREE RESOURCE FROM BRAD SUGARS DM Brad on Instagram @BradleySugars the word "PLAYBOOK" and he'll send you his free business playbook on how to succeed in business. ---
In this episode, I sit down with Brad Sugars — the Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's #1 business coaching firm with over 1,000 offices in 85 countries — to break down exactly what separates the entrepreneurs who scale from the ones who stay stuck. Brad calls out what he sees as the biggest epidemic in business right now: wimpy goals.
We dig into the three stages of business growth (0 to $1M, $1M to $...
From Navy Discipline to $18M Entrepreneur in 3 Years | Eric Winegard
What does it really take to walk away from a seventeen-year corporate career and build an $18 million marketing agency in just three years? In this episode, Eric Winegard shares the mindset, discipline, and relentless commitment that helped him go from a troubled childhood and military structure to becoming the CEO of Rare Blue Moon Marketing.
We dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, the difference between paid ads and organic content, and why most businesses fail before marketing even begins. Eric breaks down the importance of networking without an agenda, building a real personal brand online, and why...
Why Effort Alone Won’t Scale Your Business — The Shift to Intentional Leadership | Sarah Gibbons
Exclusive listener discount: Use code ATTEND25 for 25% off your registration! Register here: sarahgibbons.com/shop/p/when-effort-stops-working
Join Sarah for a 75-minute virtual live workshop on Wednesday, June 3rd at 12 PM PT. This is the second in a series of four workshops and is designed for leaders who sense that the problem isn’t motivation — it’s the system they’re operating from. You’ll learn to work with capacity, timing, and internal alignment instead of against yourself.
In 75 minutes, you’ll identify:
Where your work has become u...The Shadow Side of Entrepreneurship: Stress, Money Shame & Why You’re Already OK | Tim Grimes
Get your FREE copy of Tim's book 'Money, Your Friend' here: https://www.radicalcounselor.com/money-book
In this episode, I sit down with Tim Grimes—radical counselor, somatic coach, and bestselling author of Money, Your Friend—to tackle the side of entrepreneurship nobody puts on their Instagram highlight reel: the internal pressure, money shame, and chronic overthinking that silently sabotage even the most driven business owners. Tim breaks down why so many of us started this journey craving freedom but ended up more stressed than ever, and he shares the daily 10–15 minute practice from his book that helps...
Is Being "Too Healthy" Actually Toxic? | Rachel Harvest
Are you pushing yourself to the brink of burnout in pursuit of the superhuman entrepreneur ideal? In this episode of The Entrepreneur DNA, host Justin Colby sits down with behavioral health specialist Rachel Harvest to break down the toxic side of perfectionism and how to find true balance.
Throughout this deep dive, Rachel explains why high achievers often fall into the trap of extreme dieting, caffeine dependency, and emotional suppression. You will learn about the wise mind, a powerful combination of logic and emotion that allows for better decision making and sustainable growth. The conversation covers everything...
1. $1 BILLION in Tax Savings: The Secrets Your CPA Won't Tell You | David Perez
In this episode, I sit down with tax strategist David A. Perez, who has helped his clients save over $1 BILLION in taxes. We break down the fundamental difference between how wealthy people and broke people think about taxes, and David reveals specific strategies that anyone can use—from early-stage entrepreneurs making their first $50K to 7-figure earners looking to pay zero in taxes legally. We dive into depreciation strategies, the Augusta Rule, employing your children, turnkey investment opportunities, and why most CPAs aren't equipped to help high-income earners. David also explains the real reason people like Grant Cardone buy je...
How to Build Unshakeable Confidence and Perform at Your Peak | Andrea Wieland
Book a 30 min. consultation with Dr. Andrea: https://drandreawieland.youcanbook.me
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Get Dr. Andrea’s Book:
The Confident Performer: Rethinking Mental Performance for Athletes, Coaches and Parents https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Confident+Performer+Andrea+Wieland
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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Andrea Wieland — an Olympic athlete, licensed psychologist, and elite performance coach — to unpack what it really takes to perform at the highest levels of sport, business, and life. Andrea shares her remarkable story of being cut from the US Olympic team eight times before final...
What a D1 Athlete Learned About Courage, Identity, and Building Sweet Addison's | Addison Labonte
Sweet Addison's — Better-for-you, gourmet gluten-free and dairy-free desserts shipped nationwide. Get yours today! Go to - sweetaddisons.com
In this episode, I sit down with Addison LaBonte — former Division I college soccer player, ultra marathoner, and the founder of Sweet Addison's — to unpack one of the most raw and relatable entrepreneurial journeys I've had the pleasure of sharing on the show. Addison walks us through the identity crisis she faced after leaving college athletics, the shocking medical diagnosis of compartment syndrome that threatened to end her running career, and how sw...
How to Lead Through Disruption: The Human Connection Strategy Nobody Talks About | Jen Marr
Get Jen's book 'Lifting Up' and 'Showing Up' on Amazon today!
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In this episode, I sit down with Jen Marr — Human Disruption Specialist, author of Lifting Up and Showing Up, and founder of the organization Showing Up — who brings one of the most extraordinary and hard-earned perspectives on leadership I've ever encountered. Jen shares how being just 700 yards from the finish line during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, combined with her frontline support work after the Sandy Hook school shooting, gave her a transformational understanding of how humans navigate disruption, trauma, and change — and how those...
The Gift of Humility: How Josh Block Led a $215M Exit Without an Ego | Josh Block
GET JOSH'S BOOK
If this episode resonated with you, grab Josh's book — it's the full playbook behind everything discussed today.
People Matter at Work by Josh Block Available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and wherever books are sold.
In this episode, I sit down with Josh Block — a man who at just 29 years old was handed the reins to his family's healthcare imaging company, Block Imaging, which was generating $30 million in revenue at the time. Over the next 15 years, Josh scaled it to $215 million and orchestrated a landmark acquisition by a joint...
Stop “Shoulding” Yourself: How to Build a Business That Actually Fits Your Life | Jess Wass
Take the 5 minute Get a GRIP Leadership Assessment today! Go to: https://www.reworkit.co/grip
In this episode, I sat down with Jess Wass to break down what it really means to build a business and life that actually aligns with who you are. We talked about her “Managing 360” framework, why so many entrepreneurs feel stuck or overwhelmed, and how most of us are chasing success based on what we think we “should” want instead of what truly matters to us. We got into values, decision-making, comparison, and even when quitting is the right move. This episode i...
Why Leaders Fail When Scaling: The Blind Spot Problem | Kristiana Corona
If you want to improve your leadership and identify your blind spots, take Kristiana’s free leadership audit here: https://worthytolead.co/audit
In this episode, I sit down with Kristiana Corona to unpack what real leadership actually looks like as you grow your business. We talk about the blind spots that hold leaders back, why your team might not be telling you the truth, and how ego can quietly limit your growth. I share my own experiences in leadership, and we break down simple frameworks you can use immediately to become more self-aware, build trust with yo...
Why Your Eyes Are Killing Your Productivity (And How to Fix It) | Dr. Pam Theriot
In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Pam Theriot to break down something I didn’t even realize was affecting my performance—my eyesight. We talked about how screen time is crushing our productivity, causing brain fog, and even impacting our mental health. I learned that something as simple as blinking, taking short breaks, and managing screen exposure can dramatically improve focus and energy. If you’re an entrepreneur who spends hours in front of a screen and feels drained, this conversation might completely change how you approach your day.
️ About Dr. Pam Theriot
Dr. Pamela...
The Hidden System That Scales Sales Teams to 8 Figures | Josh Troy
In this episode, I sat down with Josh Troy to break down what actually scales a business beyond just “getting better at sales.” We dive into why most entrepreneurs stay stuck in founder-led sales, how systems and operations are the real drivers of growth, and the exact metrics and frameworks you need to build a scalable sales team. Josh also shares how AI is changing the game in sales operations and how to think about hiring, efficiency, and profitability at a much higher level. If you want to move from hustling for deals to building a true revenue machine, this...
The Future of Marketing: AI, Ads, and What Still Works | Molly Lopez
If you’re a small to mid-sized business and you’re serious about growing, go check out https://www.sparomarketing.com and connect with Molly directly.
n this episode of Entrepreneur DNA, I sit down with Molly Lopez, founder of Sparrow Marketing, to break down what actually works in advertising today and what most business owners are getting completely wrong.
Molly shares her journey from working with massive brands like Royal Caribbean and Lennar to building an agency that helps small and mid-sized businesses access big-budget marketing strategies without the massive spend.
We dive...
The Founder of Ancestry.com Reveals the Future of AI Coaching | Paul Allen
In this episode, Justin sits down with visionary founder Paul Allen, the mind behind Ancestry.com, to unpack the real lessons behind building, scaling, and exiting a billion-dollar company—and why the future of entrepreneurship will be radically different.
Paul shares his unconventional journey from academia to entrepreneurship, revealing how a background in education and information systems led him to build one of the most recognizable platforms in the world. He dives into the early days of digitizing knowledge before Google existed, the creation of Ancestry.com, and the overlooked opportunity of MyFamily.com—a platform that coul...
What Separates Good Leaders from Great Ones? | Glenn Sharp
Get Glenn’s book Now What?, follow the Now What? Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, and learn more through Sharp Leadership Development. https://a.co/d/0cZgPkLx
In this episode, I sit down with Glenn Sharp, founder of Sharp Leadership Development, to discuss how entrepreneurs can achieve greater business success. We explore essential leadership skills and strategies for improving efficiency within organizations. Glenn shares insights from his work with over 20,000 managers, providing valuable professional development advice for anyone looking to refine their management skills and leadership training.
About Glenn Sharp:
Glenn has ne...
How the Wealthy Use Real Estate to Pay Little to No Taxes (CPA Breakdown) | CJ Tarantino
In this episode, I sit down with CPA CJ Tarantino to break down how entrepreneurs and high-income earners can use real estate and smart tax strategies to legally reduce what they owe. We get into depreciation, cost segregation, and how bonus depreciation can create massive write-offs in year one. We also talk about the difference between passive and active income, how short-term rentals can unlock tax advantages, and why most people are overpaying simply because they aren’t planning ahead. If you’re serious about keeping more of what you make, this is a conversation you need to hear.
...Why Smart Investors Are Betting BIG on Self Storage Right Now | Arthur Hood
The real estate market has changed and the easy money era is over.
In this episode of Entrepreneur DNA, I sit down with investor Arthur Hood, an entrepreneur with investments across real estate, manufacturing, mining, energy, and operating businesses. Arthur shares why investors today must be far more disciplined with their numbers and why appreciation can no longer cover bad deals.
We also break down why he’s betting heavily on self storage, with over $100 million in development currently under construction and plans to grow the portfolio into the billions.
If you want to...
Stop Being a LinkedIn Ghost and Build Real Connections | Bill McCormick
Want to learn how to use LinkedIn the right way to build real relationships and generate business?
Free LinkedIn Resources: Get Bill’s free LinkedIn training videos, profile checklist, and additional resources here: https://bit.ly/allsellingissocialfree
In this episode, I sat down with Bill McCormick to talk about why all selling is social and how entrepreneurs can use LinkedIn the right way to build real relationships, start better conversations, and create more business without coming across as spammy. Bill broke down why LinkedIn is such a powerful platform fo...
Tedx Speaker Tells Us How to Build a Personal Brand That Sells | Tina Brigley
Get the ‘Signature Talk Coach’ here: tina-brigley.kit.com/signature-talk-coach-justin-podcast
Learn How to Tell YOUR story with Tina’s FREE StoryGPT: tina-brigley.kit.com/storytelling-framework-gift-jc
In this episode, I sat down with Tina Brigley to talk about why entrepreneurs need to build a personal brand, not just a company brand. We broke down how storytelling, authenticity, and vulnerability are what really create trust, and why the messy parts of your journey are often the most powerful parts of your message. Tina shared her incredible story of losing the business she helped build, rebuilding from th...
From Carpenter to $150M Deals: How This Man Built a Commercial Empire | Mark Vincent Fansler
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Vincent Fansler, who went from carpenter to senior corporate executive, walked away from burnout, and built a vertically integrated commercial real estate empire operating across multiple states. We talk about the power of elite rooms, the vision he had at 17 that shaped his future, how one intentional conversation turned into a $120M opportunity, and why thinking bigger is the only way to win in business. This is a masterclass in community, commercial scale, and betting on yourself when no one else believes you deserve it.
About Mark:
...
The Wealth Mindset That Helped Jeff Abraham Build and Exit a $30M Business | Jeff Abraham
Check out Jeff’s company Promescent and the products we talked about in this episode - You can get 15% off using our exclusive link: https://www.promescent.com/DNA15
In this episode of Entrepreneur DNA, I sit down with Jeff Abraham, an entrepreneur who went from being a 2.5 GPA student to building and exiting a $30M company and now scaling another business toward a similar outcome. Jeff shares how delayed gratification, curiosity, and understanding human behavior helped him build real wealth. We talk about why most entrepreneurs chase status instead of assets, how Jeff turned $36,000 into $20 million th...
From Carpenter to $150M Deals: How This Man Built a Commercial Empire | Mark Vincent Fansler
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Vincent Fanzler, who went from carpenter to senior corporate executive, walked away from burnout, and built a vertically integrated commercial real estate empire operating across multiple states. We talk about the power of elite rooms, the vision he had at 17 that shaped his future, how one intentional conversation turned into a $120M opportunity, and why thinking bigger is the only way to win in business. This is a masterclass in community, commercial scale, and betting on yourself when no one else believes you deserve it.
About Mark Vincent:
<...CATS Framework: The Proven System to Keep Your Dog Healthy for Life | Dr. Randy Aronson
If you’re a pet owner, this episode is going to change how you think about your dog or cat’s health. I sat down with Dr. Randy Aronson and we broke down his CATS framework — complete nutrition, activity, teeth, and stress reduction — to help extend your pet’s healthspan, not just lifespan. We talked about inflammation, the microbiome, toxic home stressors, hormone health, and why most pet food is quietly harming your animal. If you love your pet like family, this conversation will open your eyes to simple but powerful changes you can make starting today.
About Dr...
From $2,500 to 160 Locations: The Truth About Scaling Fast | John Curri
In this episode, I sit down with John Curri, who built and sold a 160-location cell phone franchise before he turned 28, only to get humbled when he jumped into real estate with a god complex and learned some hard lessons about leverage, markets, and ego. We break down how he started with a $2,500 credit card, why execution matters more than capital, what really happens after a big exit, why most people shouldn’t own homes, and how he’s now building a national concierge-style property management company designed to eliminate the biggest headaches homeowners face. This one is about grit...
The Sales Reset: Why Scripts Are Killing Your Closes | Wesleyne Whittaker
Get your copy of The Sales Reset: Forget the Script. Trust Yourself. Win Consistently https://a.co/d/0e4l9gwt
Most salespeople lose deals long before they ever ask for the close.
In this episode of The Entrepreneur DNA, I sit down with Wesleyne Whitaker — a former chemist turned sales strategist — to break down the science and psychology behind consistent revenue. We dive into why scripts are hurting more than helping, why the fortune truly is in the follow-up, and how fear of rejection silently sabotages even talented entrepreneurs.
Wesleyne shares how she...
Scaling With Sustainability: How Founders Protect the Downside While Growing Fast | Belen Benitez
In this episode, I sit down with sustainability expert Belen Benitez to talk about something most entrepreneurs completely ignore while scaling their businesses: protecting the downside. We break down why sustainability has nothing to do with being “woke” or environmental politics and everything to do with building a business that can survive uncertainty, leadership changes, labor shortages, pandemics, and economic chaos. Belen explains how fast growth without systems, culture, policies, and risk planning eventually leads to burnout, furloughs, and failure, and why slowing down strategically actually creates more money over a longer runway. This conversation challenged how I think abou...
