Finding Brotherly Love

"So many people exist for their entire life in this inaction state. They wait years, even decades, to take the first step. But you blink—and 10 years are gone." — Mike

In this episode of Finding Brotherly Love, Mike and Brian dig into one of the biggest challenges in entrepreneurship—taking action before everything feels “ready.” They discuss how the MVP (minimum viable product) mindset has shaped their businesses, from te...

In this episode, we’re sitting inside Society Hill Hotel, reflecting on the experience of staying in the very place we run. The conversation quickly turns to the entrepreneurial curse—that constant drive for more, better, bigger. We unpack why business owners are often their own worst critics, the struggle of chasing perfection, and the fine line between focus and distraction.

From glamping franchises to fusion restaurants, we explo...

In this episode of Finding Brotherly Love, Mike and Brian take a trip down memory lane, reliving the early days of entrepreneurship when cash was tight, and creativity was key. From sleeping in a closet at the office to sneaking into hotel gyms for showers, they share the scrappy, borderline ridiculous things they did to build their businesses. But beyond the hustle, they reflect on the deeper lessons—how struggle shapes entreprene...

"Sometimes it’s not about reacting in the moment—it’s about seeing the opportunity before it even happens." — Brian

Fresh off an Eagles Super Bowl win, Mike and Brian dive into a conversation about leadership, decision-making, and the unexpected business lessons hidden in sports. From last-minute school drop-offs to missing out on a massive revenue opportunity at Society Hill Hotel, they unpack how preparation, mindset, an...

In Episode 9 of Finding Brotherly Love, Mike and Brian celebrate a major milestone: their nomination for the Philadelphia Business Journal's Best Real Estate Deals and Dealmakers in the hospitality category. But the excitement doesn’t stop there. They pull back the curtain on what’s working—and what isn’t—six months after opening Society Hill Hotel. From heated bathroom floors and high-tech bidet toilets to the very real strug...

In Episode 8 of Finding Brotherly Love, we explore the age-old debate: renting versus owning. From searching for a new office and studio space to breaking down the fallacy of owning your primary residence, we share why flexibility and scalability often outweigh the conventional wisdom of homeownership.

This episode dives into how renting creates opportunities for growth, why owning residential real estate might not always be the bes...

In Episode 7 of Finding Brotherly Love, we’re diving deep into the realities of raising kids while building a business. From navigating sleepless nights with newborns to teaching kids about entrepreneurship, we explore the challenges, lessons, and unexpected joys of juggling family and work.

We touch on the importance of intentional time with family, the myth of work-life balance, and how our kids inspire us to build a better future...

Quote from the Episode:
"You are going to get sued no matter what you do in this world. If you're building a business and making a name for yourself, stuff like this will come up—but it’s not the end of the world."

This week on Finding Brotherly Love, we're lifting the lid on chaos and the not-so-glamorous side of entrepreneurship: lawsuits. From a parking ticket that turned into an arrest warrant (yes, reall...

Quote from the Episode:
“This business is no longer just about supporting our properties. It’s about chasing a massive opportunity. 2025 is the year to put pedal to the metal and turn dreams into results.”

Episode Summary:
In Episode 5 of Finding Brotherly Love, we explore a pivotal moment in the journey of Ferncrest and its franchise business. Two major hires—a sales lead and an operations manager—mark a significant shift i...

In this episode of Finding Brotherly Love, we reflect on our journey so far with Society Hill Hotel and explore what’s next. We discuss lessons learned, wins worth celebrating, and challenges to overcome as we scale our vision in hospitality. With Wildwood, NJ as a potential next focus, we dive into:

• Why scaling Society Hill Hotel might mean expanding vertically, not laterally.
• Wildwood’s untapped potential as a nostalgic yet und...

Episode Summary:
In the third episode of Finding Brotherly Love, we sit down to discuss the transformative journey behind FareRX, a groundbreaking “food is medicine” company. From addressing chronic disease with fresh groceries to tackling food deserts and processed diets, FareRX is reshaping how we think about healthcare. Join us as we explore the origins of this mission-driven business and why it’s poised to make an impact on...

Episode Summary
In this episode, Brian shares the story behind his unique approach to e-commerce, the Dome Tent Event, and how it evolved from a simple social media post to a powerful sales funnel. Joined by his business partner, the discussion dives into the strategies that turned a niche market for glamping equipment into a multimillion-dollar opportunity, laying the groundwork for the Ferncrest franchise model.

What You’ll Le...

In the first episode of Finding Brotherly Love, we dive into the story behind acquiring the Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia—a $2.3 million deal made without using any of our own money. Brian and Mike share how their 15-year friendship laid the foundation for a successful business partnership, the creative financing strategies they used, and the relationships that made it all possible.

We take you step-by-step through how a casual...