Diehard Entrepreneur Stories

Ready to take control of your business finances using military-proven strategies?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I share how I analyze my Profit & Loss statement like a pro, using methods I learned during my time in the intelligence community. This approach helps me quickly spot problems and make smarter decisions to grow my companies.

I start by looking at the big picture—net income and gross profit margins...

What can a Navy SEAL teach us about leadership, resilience, and building a mission-driven business?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with Ty Smith, retired Navy SEAL and CEO of CommSafe AI, to talk about his remarkable journey from the streets of East St. Louis to leading cutting-edge companies and coaching others to reach their full potential.

Ty shares the mindset shifts that carried him through t...

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, we sit down with Terry Wilson, founder of Tactical Edge Coaching & Consulting and a 24-year military veteran, most of it spent in U.S. Special Forces. Known as “Trailer” in the military, Terry shares a raw and powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and purpose.

We take a step away from business talk to focus on leadership—how to lead through chaos, build high-perform...

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Lindsay Arko shares her inspiring journey from corporate America to becoming the COO of Blackjack Real Estate, highlighting the pursuit of both income and time freedom. She discusses the mindset shifts required to transition successfully, emphasizing how stepping away from doing everything yourself to leading a strong, values-driven team is vital. Lindsay reveals how establishing cor...

Want to finally take control of your time and get more done — without burning out?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I’m sharing five productivity strategies that have shaped how I run my life and business — straight from my own journey, including lessons from my military background.

This isn’t about working longer hours or forcing discipline. It’s about using a proven framework to make better decisions, st...

What can a former CIA officer teach us about leadership, legacy, and getting things done — in life and in business?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with my friend and mentor Ric Prado, author of Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior. Ric spent 24 years with the CIA, served as Vice President at Blackwater, and now runs his own company while mentoring the next generation of leaders.

From escaping Cuba ...

In this inspiring episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Anthony Autry shares the transformative path that shaped him into a purpose-driven entrepreneur, mentor, and leader. Through discipline, community, and an unwavering commitment to growth, Anthony has created a life centered around service and impact.

He reveals how establishing structure in his daily life became the foundation for both personal development and business...

How Jesse Trujillo Rebuilt His Life After Bankruptcy and Wrongful Imprisonment

In this powerful episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, real estate investor Jesse Trujillo takes us through an emotional and inspiring journey of perseverance, mindset, and redemption. From facing bankruptcy to surviving wrongful imprisonment, Jesse opens up about the darkest moments of his life—and how those moments ultimately fueled his mission t...

What does it really mean to build a business that serves your life—and unlock true freedom?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, real estate investor and business builder Andy McFarland shares the personal journey and strategic mindset behind creating a business that truly works for you. From flipping his first property (aka “The Treehouse”) to launching multiple ventures, Andy walks us through what it really takes to gr...

What’s the one thing even the smartest, most driven people do that quietly sabotages their success?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I tackle a mindset killer that holds people back more than they realize: excuses. Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, or trying to level up personally, your ability to own your actions — without justifying them — is what separates those who stay stuck from those who...

Are you an entrepreneur or real estate investor trying to raise capital but not sure where to start — or how to get people to actually trust you with their money?

In this episode, Bill Allen shares the full roadmap. From Navy test pilot to 8-figure investor, Bill breaks down the real strategies he’s used to build credibility, attract funding, and scale fast — all without burning relationships or cutting corners.

You’ll le...

In this powerful episode, Dave Pere, founder of From Military to Millionaire, shares the full story behind his transition from active-duty military service to becoming a successful real estate investor, entrepreneur, and community builder.

Dave dives deep into how a brand born out of a simple blog post evolved into a movement helping veterans build wealth and purpose after service. He talks openly about navigating unexpected l...

What happens when the market crashes, your personal life falls apart, and the business you built starts slipping through your fingers?

Most people fold. But Tyler Jensen rebuilt—faster, leaner, and more focused than ever.

In this powerful episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Tyler takes us inside the real story behind his house flipping career. From losing $37K on his first deal to pioneering the Seven Day Flip, Tyler...

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Joseph Druther—successful real estate entrepreneur—shares his journey from being a young plumber to building a thriving real estate business. Joseph takes us through his transition from house flipping to new construction and reveals how the lessons learned along the way shaped his approach to business growth.

Joseph dives deep into the importance of building a strong foundation ...

What does it take to build a $4 million cleaning business from the ground up?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Allie Williamson reveals how she transformed Southern Domestic Diva from a simple side hustle into a thriving cleaning empire. She shares her early experiences, the struggles she faced in the corporate world, and how the 2020 pandemic became a defining moment for her business growth.

Allie dives i...

What does it take to make a quantum leap in business and life?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Coach Michael Burt—author, speaker, and the driving force behind the Greatness Factory—shares how he transitioned from a championship basketball coach to a top entrepreneurial voice on activating prey drive.

Michael unpacks the meaning of prey drive—the instinct to pursue greatness—and how anyone can awaken thi...

What does it take to turn a side project into a multimillion-dollar business?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, Lucas Botkin, the visionary behind T-Rex Arms, reveals how he went from a garage startup to leading one of the most influential companies in the firearms accessories industry.

From finding his focus as a teenager to becoming a driven entrepreneur, Lucas shares the pivotal moments and challenges t...

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Adam Whitney, a Marine Corps veteran turned real estate investor, entrepreneur, and now CEO of 7-Figure Flipping to talk about his journey from a tough upbringing to building a successful career in real estate and business. I've watched Adam for a while and I’ve always admired his leadership, work ethic, and ability to overcome challenges.

We dive into the lessons he learned from 2...

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with Terry Blachek to dive into his journey of building and scaling a fitness empire. With over 30 years in the fitness industry, Terry has faced countless challenges, and he shares the emotional and mental resilience needed to overcome them. We talk about how entrepreneurship isn’t just about business strategies; it’s about navigating setbacks, embracing leadership, and s...