No Trade Secrets
Everyone sees the most visible part of a founder’s journey: the outcome. But the truth is that few understand the mindset, pressure, and discipline behind it.This podcast explores the deeper system behind business and life. The beliefs, habits, and decisions that shape growth long before the numbers appear.Through thoughtful conversations, Jarome McKenzie sits down with founders, operators, and thinkers who have built meaningful things. Together they explore the moments that shaped them, the pressure that forged their discipline, and the mindset behind their success.Jarome approaches each episode as both a builder and a student. He learns al...
From Radio Side Hustle to 24/5 Factory: The Craft Cannery Story w/ Paul Guglielmo - Ep. 60
What happens when you realize the real business isn't the product you sell, but the problem you solve for others trying to sell their product? Paul Guglielmo went from a radio host with a pasta sauce side hustle to the owner of Craft Cannery, a food manufacturing powerhouse. In this episode, Paul breaks down his journey, revealing how a simple shift in focus—from making another sauce to providing low-minimum manufacturing for others—unlocked massive growth. He shares his framework on the real skills entrepreneurs need (risk tolerance, resilience, and resourcefulness) and gets brutally honest about the fears that neve...
From Karachi to CEO: The Power of Partnership and AI w/ Umer Khan - Ep. 59
What does it take to leave a cushy job at Uber and build an AI company from the ground up with your childhood friends? For Umer Khan, it started with the “figure it out” mindset forged as an 18-year-old immigrant from Pakistan. He unpacks the real story of entrepreneurship—from the critical support of a great partner to the non-negotiable rules for co-founding with friends. Umer gets real about the unsexy plumbing work required to actually implement AI and why your curiosity, not your fear, is your greatest career asset in this new era.
💡 Unlocking the Playbook<...
Fixing Toxic Culture, Hiring for Keeps, and Leading the 95% w/ Kyle Patrick Smith - Ep. 58
Is HR just the principal's office for adults? Kyle Patrick Smith, a 25-year HR veteran, is here to dismantle that myth. He reveals why culture isn't about mission statements on a wall but a direct reflection of leadership’s true attitude towards its people. Kyle unpacks his tactical playbook for smarter hiring, starting with the one document most founders get wrong, and shares his powerful "95% Rule" for retaining top talent by focusing on the majority who want to do great work, not the few who don't.
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
Culture is a Mirror of Le...
Forging Mental Calluses, Exposing Industry Lies, and Winning the Long Game w/ Joe Wagner - Ep. 57
What does finishing a 30-mile Spartan Ultra race have in common with building a multi-million-dollar business? According to Joe Wagner, everything. Joe unpacks the raw, "excuseless" mindset required to push past the "inner bitch" that tells you to quit, whether you're at mile 28 or facing a devastating business setback. He shares his journey into the world of passive income through merchant services, exposing the industry's dark side and revealing how to build a truly sustainable, ethical business that puts you in the driver's seat of your own financial freedom.
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
Strengthen You...
How to Engage All 3 Brains and Master Your Second Act w/ Joya Dass - Ep. 56
From a 27-year career as a TV news anchor on the floor of the NYSE to leading storytelling immersions abroad, Joya Dass has mastered the art of captivating an audience. In this episode, Joya unpacks why our attention spans have plummeted to just 7 seconds and how to engage the entire brain—not just the data-driven part. She shares her framework for helping women in their "second act" turn a lifetime of wisdom into a powerful public presence, and why physically removing yourself from your daily routine is the secret to unlocking your next level of growth.
💡 Unloc...
Building a Dog Paradise and Why Humans Need Training Too w/ Aaron Wurth - Ep. 55
What can dog training teach you about leadership? Aaron Wurth, founder of All Dogs Unleashed KC, turned his passion into a "dog paradise" by rejecting cold commercial properties and building a business on trust and intention. He reveals how a dog’s “4-second window” is a masterclass in living presently, why most aggression is just a failure of leadership, and how shifting from a reactive to a proactive mindset is the ultimate key to success—for your pet and your business.
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
Engineer the First Impression: Aaron spent two years searching for the per...
Selling an Experience (Not Just a Cake) and The Power of Pivoting w/ Andrea Reed - Ep. 54
What happens when you're faced with choosing between a demanding medical career and being present for your family? Andrea Reed, founder of SweetCakes, chose to turn her passion into a luxury wedding cake business built on an unforgettable customer experience. She reveals why going "extra" is her only move, how she bravely stepped away from her booming business to put her family first, and why success is always relative. This is a masterclass in building a business that aligns with your deepest values, without compromise.
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
Engineer the 'Extra' Experience: Andrea tra...
How to Franchise a Mission-Driven Business and Bet on Yourself w/ Alex DeBiase - Ep. 53
What does it take to walk away from a successful 20-year corporate career and bet on yourself? Alex DeBiase did just that, leaving the “golden handcuffs” of medical sales to help franchise his wife’s mobile children’s fitness business. In this episode, Alex breaks down the “what’s possible” mindset required to make a life-changing leap, the nuts and bolts of building a low-cost, high-impact franchise model, and the real talk on managing a long-term sales pipeline for a high-commitment decision. This is a masterclass in seeing what’s possible and building the systems to make it a reality.
<...
Leaders Eat Last: The Franchise Growth Model Built on Internal Promotion w/ Carlos Lopez (Part 2) - Ep. 52
Welcome back to the playbook! We’re diving back in with Carlos Lopez, the visionary leader behind the rapidly expanding Tropical Juice Bar. In PART ONE, Carlos shared his powerful immigrant story and the foundational principles that got the business off the ground. In PART TWO, we shift from foundation to execution, breaking down the exact systems that fuel their culture and growth. How do you build a leadership pipeline that turns entry-level employees into successful franchise owners? What’s the one trait that matters more than experience in every single hire? This is the blueprint for scaling with inte...
The Immigrant's Drive, Starting with a Single Blender, and Leading Yourself First w/ Carlos Lopez (Part 1) - Ep. 51
Carlos Lopez, co-founder of Tropical Juice Bar, arrived in the US from the Dominican Republic at age 12, trading his familiar bubble for the "bright lights" of the unknown. That foundational experience forged a fearlessness that he and his brothers channeled into their business, starting with just $15k, a single blender, and the hands-on help of their entire family. Now, with 10+ locations and growing, Carlos reveals the powerful mindset shift that turns every obstacle into an advantage and shares his framework for building leaders from the inside out.
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
Life is Hap...
Scaling a New Education Model & Mastering Communication w/ Malekai Mischke (Part 2) - Ep. 50
Welcome back to the playbook! We’re diving back in with Malekai Mischke, founder of Texas Sports Academy. In PART ONE, Malekai broke down the mission to fuse elite athletics with AI-powered academics. In PART TWO, we shift from the ‘why’ to the ‘how.’ How do you convince parents to abandon traditional education for a radical new model? What does it take to scale from a single micro-school to the 'Four Seasons of sports academies'? And what communication secrets are essential for getting buy-in on any big idea?
⏮️ Catch Up on PART ONE
💡 Unlocking...
The 2-Hour School Day & Building an AI-Powered Sports Academy w/ Malekai Mischke (Part 1) - Ep. 49
What if students could achieve twice the learning in just two hours a day, freeing them up to pursue their athletic passions at an elite level? That’s not a hypothetical—it’s the reality Malekai Mischke is building as the co-founder of Texas Sports Academy. Malekai breaks down the AI-powered academic model that leverages learning science to create super-learners. He reveals how they launched five schools from scratch in just a few months by building a playbook where none existed and partnering with top-tier coaches to create the ultimate environment for student-athletes.
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
...
How World-Class Hardware Gets Built & Why Your Word is Your Bond w/ Michael De Santis (Part 2) - Ep. 48
Welcome back to No Trade Secrets! We're jumping back in with product visionary Michael De Santis. In PART ONE, Michael unpacked the current state of product development and the mindset required to build what’s next.
In PART TWO, we're turning our eyes to the horizon to explore the execution and future of world-changing hardware. Who is best positioned to win the next hardware race: legacy giants or agile tech startups? How will tangible AI devices actually integrate into our daily lives? And what's the one non-negotiable principle for building relationships that last longer than any single pr...
Why Generalists Win, Deconstructing Great Ideas, and Building Hardware in the Age of AI w/ Michael De Santis (Part 1) - Ep. 47
What does it take to go from Chief of Staff to CEO in just a few years? And in a world being eaten by AI, where is the real, defensible opportunity for builders? We’re joined by Michael De Santis, CEO of the product development and incubation studio Doris Dev—the team behind brands like Canopy and Rally. Michael breaks down why being a “Swiss Army knife” generalist is a modern superpower and reveals why the messy, complex world of building physical products is the ultimate moat when software "bits are easy."
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
The...
What Season Are You In? - Ep. 46
So much of a founder's frustration stems from a fundamental misalignment: expecting a harvest when you're in a planting season. In this debrief, Jarome unpacks the critical system of "seasons" in business and life, revealing that every period has a distinct purpose—be it building, learning, healing, or harvesting. He argues that the greatest mistake leaders make is using a single, static scorecard (like revenue) to measure success across wildly different contexts. This episode provides a new operational mindset for identifying the season you’re truly in, helping you trade unnecessary suffering for intentional action and long-term resilience.
✨...
Why Your Best Ideas Happen Outside of Work w/ Michael Casciello (Part 2) - Ep. 46
Welcome back to No Trade Secrets! We're thrilled to have entrepreneur Michael C. back in the studio. In PART ONE, Michael laid the foundation of his private chef empire, detailing the "why" behind his vision. In PART TWO, we shift from the 'why' to the 'how.' How do you scale a high-touch, intimate service business without losing its soul to technology? What’s the counterintuitive secret to generating your best ideas (hint: it has nothing to do with working more)? And how do you find the courage to take a terrifying, bet-the-farm risk that could change everything?
...
From Produce Stand to Tech Platform: Scaling a Hospitality Revolution w/ Michael Casciello (Part 1) - Ep. 45
From a rinky-dink produce stand at age 14 to building a nationwide chef platform, Michael Casciello’s journey was fueled by a simple desire: to create a better way. After experiencing the brutal hours and physical toll of the traditional restaurant industry, he set out to build an "exit route" for talented chefs. In this episode, Michael reveals how he transformed a solo private cheffing gig into Food, Fire, and Knives—a tech-enabled community that empowers chefs to be their own boss, set their own prices, and reclaim their lives without sacrificing their passion.
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
<...From House Flips to a 7-Figure Agency: The Power of Action and Asymmetrical Bets w/ Bill Hynes (Part 3) - Ep. 44
Welcome back to the finale with Bill Hynes, the visionary CEO of Think Loud Studios. In PART THREE, we pivot from the foundational mindset shifts of the past to the hard-hitting mechanics of execution. While the first two parts laid the groundwork for Bill’s resilience, this conversation unpacks the strategic moves that transformed his vision into a global empire. How does a true leader define their role within their team? What’s the razor-thin line between a reckless gamble and a life-changing, calculated risk? And how does a chance encounter at a racetrack become the catalyst for building a 7...
A Hand Up, Not a Handout: Building Multi-Generational Success and a Bulletproof Team w/ Bill Hynes (Part 2) - Ep. 43
Welcome back to another installment with the unstoppable force, Bill Hynes. While PART ONE laid the foundation of the mindset that fuels his relentless drive, PART TWO shifts from principles to practice. We're getting into the mechanics of building a legacy that lasts and a team that battles with you, not against you. How do you instill a world-class work ethic in the next generation to avoid the "rich kid" curse? What's the critical difference between being kind and being a pushover in a high-stakes negotiation? And when does protecting your culture mean you have to be the one...
Letting Your Vision Unfold: Why "Just Get to Tomorrow" Beats Any 5-Year Plan w/ Bill Hynes (Part 1) - Ep. 42
Bill Hynes is a professional race car driver, entrepreneur, investor, and Army veteran who lives life at full throttle. But his journey didn’t start in the fast lane—it began in poverty, fueled by a relentless drive to simply make it to the next day. In this episode, Bill unpacks the raw, foundational mindset that propelled him from military service to building a real estate empire from scratch. Discover why his "just get to tomorrow" philosophy crushes traditional 30-60-90 day plans and how a simple framework from motorsports can save your business from disaster.
💡 Unlocki...
My Journey: A Special Episode - Ep. 42
Most founders' stories focus on the business, but what about the internal system that shapes the founder? In this special solo episode, Jarome McKenzie pulls back the curtain on his own unconventional path, from a spontaneous move from New Zealand to the US with no plan, to the messy, unscripted moments that defined his life and business. This isn't just a story; it's a living case study on how conviction, movement, and a deep sense of ownership are the true drivers behind building something meaningful. Jarome reveals the core philosophy behind "No Trade Secrets": the person is the playbook...
The Founder's Two Minds: Balancing Irrational Fuel and Rational Decisions w/ Oscar Rachmansky (Part 3) - Ep. 41
Welcome back to the finale of our series with Oscar Rachmansky, the 24-year-old founder of a $60M wholesale empire. In PART THREE, we pivot from the tactical foundation of building a massive business to the deep, internal work required to lead one. How do you separate your founder’s ego from the operational needs of a scaling company? What’s the difference between a surface-level mentor and one who will truly change your trajectory? And how do you balance the all-consuming fire of early entrepreneurship with the sustainable discipline required to live a full life?
⏮️ Missed the begi...
The Shopify + Amazon for Wholesale: Vision, Execution, and Bootstrapped Growth w/ Oscar Rachmansky (Part 2) - Ep. 40
Welcome back to the "No Trade Secrets" playbook for PART TWO with Oscar Rachmansky, founder of a nearly $60 million bootstrapped powerhouse. In PART ONE, we unpacked the mindset needed to survive the early days. In PART TWO, we shift from the foundational "why" to the relentless "how." How do you force a breakthrough by becoming tunnel-visioned on a single metric? What's the strategic difference between raising money for survival versus raising it for domination? And how do you let go of critical responsibilities without sacrificing the standards that got you here? Let’s get into it.
💡 Unloc...
From Sneaker Flips to a $60M Empire: The Bootstrapper's Playbook w/ Oscar Rachmansky (Part 1) - Ep. 39
What starts as a teenage side hustle flipping sneakers on Instagram rarely turns into a $60 million, bootstrapped enterprise. But for Oscar Rachmansky, founder of OS Group, that's exactly what happened. He saw the chaotic, under-the-hood B2B world that powered the slick resale apps and realized the real opportunity wasn't in selling one more pair of Jordans—it was in building the entire operating system for modern wholesale. How do you spot the unsexy, high-value gaps in a booming market? And how do you scale without a single dollar of VC money?
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
...
Intentionality Beats Convenience - Ep. 38
The easiest decision is rarely the right one, yet countless founders allow convenience to become their default strategy. Inspired by a conversation on the misaligned incentives of food delivery platforms, this debrief explores the dangerous trap of choosing the path of least resistance. Jarome breaks down how a series of small, convenient choices can lead to "business drift"— a slow erosion of your vision that leaves you with a company that is more complex, less profitable, and harder to manage. This episode isn't about avoiding speed; it’s about learning to move deliberately, ensuring every system you build serves the...
Your Why is Your Freedom: Building a Business Around Your Life, Not the Other Way Around w/ Andrew Martino (Part 3) - Ep. 37
Welcome back to the powerful conclusion of our deep dive with Andrew Martino. In PART THREE, we shift from the tactical frameworks of building a new-wave hospitality business to the deep, personal "why" that fuels the entire entrepreneurial engine. This isn't about spreadsheets; it's about the soul of your work. What's the real cost of a high-paying salary if it robs you of your life? How do you build a team that's as invested in the mission as you are? And when you're on your deathbed, what's the one thing you'll regret not doing right now?
🎧 Mis...
Service vs. Hospitality: Why How You Make People Feel is the Ultimate Differentiator w/ Andrew Martino (Part 2) - Ep. 36
Welcome back to the playbook with hospitality innovator Andrew Martino! In PART ONE, we explored the foundations of Andrew's disruptive vision for a new kind of restaurant experience. In PART TWO, we shift from vision to execution, diving headfirst into the brutal realities of bringing a counter-culture idea to life. How do you maintain unwavering conviction when everyone thinks you're crazy? What's the mental framework required to stop living for fleeting wins and instead learn to love the entire chaotic journey? And what’s the one crucial distinction that separates a transactional service from true, loyalty-building hospitality?
...
The Future of Food, Why Third-Party Delivery Apps Fail, and Building a Brand Without a Storefront w/ Andrew Martino (Part 1) - Ep. 35
The world of food delivery is broken. For most restaurants, platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash are a "sugar high"—inflated sales that never actually hit the bottom line. Hospitality entrepreneur Andrew Martino is here to show a better way. He breaks down the critical divide between "experiential" dining (special occasions) and "utilitarian" dining (I'm hungry, now), and explains why trying to be both is a recipe for failure. This is a masterclass in building a profitable, off-premise food business by treating delivery with the same intention and care as a five-star dining room.
💡 Unlocking the Playb...
The Self-Funded Founder, Mastering Distribution, and Building What You Love w/ Kamil Mansuri (Part 3) - Ep. 34
Welcome back to the finale of our deep dive with Kamil Mansuri, the self-funded founder of Bad Command AI! In PART THREE, we pivot from the foundational stories and lessons to the brass tacks of execution. How do you turn a corporate divestment into your first company by acquiring the very IP you worked on? What distribution channels can you tap into when the App Store is saturated? And how do you shift your mindset from just building "cool stuff" to creating a profitable, self-funded business? Let's dive in.
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
Acq...
Why Your AI Tool Fails, The Future of On-Device Models, and a $20 Security Win w/ Kamil Mansuri (Part 2) - Ep. 33
Welcome back to the playbook! We're diving back in with Kamil Mansuri, a privacy-first founder and software engineer. In PART ONE, we laid the groundwork for building with AI agents. In PART TWO, we’re getting brutally honest about why most AI products fail to gain traction and how to build one that lasts. What if the biggest threat to your AI startup isn't the competition, but the third-party models you rely on? How can a simple $20/month tool drastically improve your security? And why is the future of truly useful AI running entirely on your local machine?
...
Beyond the Prompt: The Founder-Engineer's Guide to AI-Assisted Development w/ Kamil Mansuri (Part 1) - Ep. 32
In the AI gold rush, the barrier to building and shipping software is lower than ever. But is faster always better? Kamil Mansuri, founder of Bad Command AI, argues that the very tools accelerating development can introduce massive security, financial, and business risks. He reveals why the "vibe coding" approach of just prompting an AI to build something often leads to low-quality products that fail. This episode is a masterclass in leveraging AI as an assistant—not a replacement—to build a true moat around your product through tactical shipping and an obsessive focus on user experience.
💡...
Play the Swing You Brought - Ep. 31
Every founder chases their "A-game," but the truth is that your peak state is a variable, not a constant. In this debrief, Jarome uses a powerful metaphor from golf - playing the swing you brought to the course today - to dismantle the dangerous idea that your best is a fixed standard. This episode isn't about lowering your ambition; it's a masterclass in strategic acceptance and intelligent adjustment. You'll learn the system for navigating the imperfect rounds of business, how to win when you don't feel 100%, and why the most critical skill isn't always peak performance, but the ability t...
From Competitors to Collaborators: A New Playbook for the Hospitality Industry w/ Anton Kinloch (Part 3) - Ep. 30
Welcome back to the powerful conclusion with Anton Kinloch, the visionary force behind Lone Wolf Kingston. In PART THREE, we move from the foundational 'whys' of building a values-driven business to the gritty, in-the-trenches reality of sustaining it against all odds. How can you turn competitors into collaborators to strengthen the entire industry? What is the disproportionate, soul-crushing power of a single negative review, and how can you fight back? And what's the one simple question you can ask anyone to immediately build a deeper, more authentic connection? Let’s finish strong.
⏮️ Catch Up on Previous Parts
<...
Why Your Favorite Restaurant is Struggling, the Truth About Michelin, and the 1% Transparency Rule w/ Anton Kinloch (Part 2) - Ep. 29
Welcome back to another raw and unfiltered conversation with Anton Kinloch, a 25-year veteran of the food and beverage industry. In PART ONE, we laid the groundwork for Anton's philosophy on building authentic community. In PART TWO, we’re pulling back the curtain on the entire industry’s darkest secrets. What toxic culture of abuse and unpaid labor is hiding behind the world’s most celebrated Michelin-star restaurants? Are prestigious industry awards just a “pay-to-play” game for giant corporations? And what is the one simple, no-cost action you can take to actually save your favorite local spot from disappearing forever?<...
From Kitchen Dreams to Bar Realities, The Art of Researching Your Guests, and Why Hospitality Starts With Your Staff w/ Anton Kinloch (Part 1) - Ep. 28
Anton Kinloch set out to be a chef, graduating from the Culinary Institute of America with a business degree in hand. But his first job behind a bar triggered a massive pivot. He discovered the power of instant gratification - seeing a guest's reaction in real-time, and realized the financial upside of a beverage-first model. In this episode, Anton unpacks his playbook for engineering unforgettable guest experiences, revealing why true hospitality starts with paying your staff a living wage and how he navigates an industry where a 3% profit margin is the new, unsustainable normal.
💡 Unlocking the Pla...
Listen Before You Lead: Clarity Over Control - Ep. 27
Leadership communication isn't about speaking well or being persuasive; it’s the disciplined practice of understanding before trying to be understood. In this debrief, Jarome dismantles the common misconception that communication is simply the transfer of words, revealing it as the transfer of meaning. He introduces the "leader's temptation" - the urge to jump into correction and solution-mode, and explains how this single impulse can create a vicious cycle of misalignment and disengagement. By reframing listening as a strategic act of data gathering and risk management, Jarome provides a new operating system for leaders to solve the right problems, bu...
The Two Jobs of a Leader and Generating True Buy-In w/ Erik Berglund (Part 3) - Ep. 26
Welcome back to the finale of our deep dive with communication and leadership expert, Erik Berglund! In PART THREE, we pivot from the foundational principles of influence to the tactical execution that separates good leaders from great ones. What are the only two jobs a leader is truly responsible for? What is the three-step "enrollment" formula that generates authentic buy-in without manipulation? And what is the most common trap that turns high-performing experts into burnt-out, ineffective managers? Get ready to take notes.
⏮️ Catch Up on Previous Parts
💡 Unlocking the Playbook
The Sub...
Cracking the Communication Code, Cultural Nuances, and How to Truly Influence People w/ Erik Berglund (Part 2) - Ep. 25
Welcome back to another powerhouse session with the incredible Erik Berglund! In PART ONE, we laid the groundwork for understanding our internal decision-making frameworks. In PART TWO, Erik shifts from the "what" to the "how," giving us the tactical playbook for authentically influencing others. How do you uncover someone's preferred communication style when they don't even know it themselves? What's the critical difference between using scarcity as a cheap tactic versus inspiring through abundance? How can a single word or a subtle shift in tone completely change your message across different cultures?
⏮️ Catch Up on Previous Parts
Beyond Words: The Three Arenas of Communication and Influence w/ Erik Berglund (Part 1) - Ep. 24
Most leadership problems are just communication problems in disguise. So what if you could master communication by treating it not as a soft skill, but as a sport you can practice and win? In PART ONE, communication expert Erik Berglund unpacks his playbook, revealing the three distinct arenas of communication: information transfer, shared experience, and pure influence. He challenges you to recognize that your default communication style is likely a foreign language to others and provides the master key to unlocking how anyone—from a client to your spouse—truly wants to be persuaded.
💡 Unlocking the Playboo...
The Human Side of AI, Why Money Stops Moving the Needle, and The Power of In-Person Community w/ Michael Greenberg (Part 2) - Ep. 23
Welcome back to No Trade Secrets! We're thrilled to have AI and Operations expert Michael Greenberg back with us. In PART ONE, we laid the groundwork for leveraging automation in your business. In PART TWO, we shift from theory to execution and dive deep into the human element of entrepreneurship. How do you get your team to stop fearing AI and start embracing it as a tool for high-impact work? What happens when the financial milestones stop bringing you joy, and what truly drives a founder's fulfillment? And what ancient wisdom holds the key to navigating the modern business...
