Firing The Man

What happens when getting fired becomes the best career move you'll ever make? Steve Preda, founder of SummitOS and host of the Management Blueprint podcast, shares the remarkable story of walking across the street from the bank that just terminated him, opening his own office, and systematically winning back every client his former employer had.

Steve's journey from his "golden cage" of prestigious cor...

Meet Brandon Davis, the college senior who's turning the collections industry on its head with his AI startup, Interval. While most of his classmates are polishing resumes and stressing over job applications, Brandon is running a growing tech company with multiple employees—all before graduation day.

Brandon's entrepreneurial journey began early, watching Shark Tank with his father and seeing ordinary people buil...

Trust is the currency of online success, and DJ Sprague has mastered the art of building it systematically through strategic reputation management. As the Chief Marketing Officer of Shopper Approved and a veteran with 25+ years in digital marketing, DJ reveals the hidden psychological triggers that turn browsers into buyers.

The conversation opens with a fascinating exploration of what DJ calls "brand schizophrenia&qu...

Ever wonder what happens when a potential client Googles your name after a meeting? The truth might shock you. In this eye-opening conversation with Jason Barnard, CEO of KaliCube and digital brand intelligence expert, we discover why your digital footprint matters more than ever in the age of AI.

Jason reveals his unconventional path from street musician to cartoon creator to digital marketing authority, showing how he&ap...

In this episode of Firing the Man, we sit down with Kurt Elster, founder of EtherCycle and host of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast. Kurt shares his journey from flipping Beanie Babies and Furbies on eBay to becoming one of the most trusted Shopify experts. He discusses key strategies for building and scaling a successful Shopify store, including the importance of branding, storytelling, and optimizing your website for conversions. K...

Bill Carlin takes us on a fascinating journey from his early days as an eBay seller to becoming a fulfillment logistics innovator and podcast host. What began as a part-time wholesale business in college evolved into a $10 million Amazon enterprise, eventually leading him to found Shipmate Fulfillment when he spotted critical gaps in the 3PL industry.

Through his experiences interviewing disruptive entrepreneurs, Carlin ha...

What turns a teenage construction worker into a successful architectural entrepreneur? For Lance Cayco, co-founder of F9 Productions, the journey began at age 13 when his first boss taught him the economics of service businesses while roofing houses in North Dakota. That early lesson planted the seeds for a career spanning architecture, construction, business ownership, and community leadership.

Lance's path wasn&apos...

Ever wondered what it takes to excel in sales? Join us as Wes Schaefer, the renowned Sales Whisperer, shares his insightful journey from the Air Force to becoming a leading sales strategist. In this episode, we explore the pivotal moments in Wes's life that transformed him from a novice salesperson to an industry expert, including the invaluable role mentorship played in shaping his career.

Wes emphasizes the vital di...

What if you could unlock the secrets to thriving amidst chaos in the ever-evolving business landscape? We welcome back Neil Twa, a seasoned entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in e-commerce and business growth, who left IBM to launch multiple successful brands. Neil shares his visionary outlook for 2025, offering a refreshing perspective on how economic changes like tariffs and supply chain dynamics present unique opportunitie...

Join us for a captivating episode featuring Josh Marsden, a military veteran turned e-commerce powerhouse, as he recounts his extraordinary journey from a chaotic college life to establishing himself as a respected leader in the digital marketing sphere. Discover how his decision to join the Army National Guard was the turning point that instilled discipline and focus, setting him on a path to success. Josh reflects on his transiti...

Curious about how two friends can transform a shared passion into a thriving business? We sit down with Jana Gavin and Jordan Cobb, co-founders of iVitamin, to explore their remarkable journey in the IV therapy wellness industry. With Jana's roots in pharmaceuticals and Jordan's background in medical device sales, they discovered an opportunity to bring innovative IV hydration services to Austin, Texas. This episode promi...

In this episode of the Firing the Man podcast, hosts welcome Matthew Barnes, founder of Proteus Digital Lab. Matthew shares his inspiring journey from a traditional career in engineering to launching a successful SaaS platform designed to help e-commerce entrepreneurs transition from side gigs to full-scale businesses. He delves into the critical role of understanding customer behavior through data analytics and how Proteus Digital...

Ever wondered how to turn a side hustle into a thriving business? Join us as we chat with Ritu Java, the innovative co-founder of PPC Ninja, whose journey from an Etsy venture in 2010 to mastering the art of Amazon advertising is nothing short of inspiring. Discover how Ritu navigated the complexities of Amazon’s PPC landscape, confronting challenges like increased placement saturation and escalating costs per click, all while evol...

Discover the captivating journey of Chad Rubin, a visionary who transformed his family's vacuum business into a thriving online enterprise and later pioneered innovative software solutions in the e-commerce realm. Chad's path wasn't without challenges; after a change in management led to his firing from Wall Street, he took a leap of faith into the world of e-commerce. His story is a testament to overcoming skepticis...

Matthew Stafford takes us on a compelling journey of self-discovery, revealing how mastering the "six inches between our ears" can redefine entrepreneurial success. After confronting deeply rooted emotional barriers from his childhood, Matthew shares how alternative healing modalities like hypnosis and somatic work have empowered him to navigate life's challenges with resilience and insight. His experiences underscor...

Renowned mindset coach, motivational speaker, and bestselling author Bridget Hom returns to share her incredible journey of personal and professional reinvention. After launching Bridge to Freedom Coaching during the challenges of 2020, Bridget has successfully grown her coaching business, helping entrepreneurs achieve remarkable success through mindset and emotional intelligence. Listen as we explore her expanded Find Your Freedom...

Discover the transformative journey of Fred Gleeck, an entrepreneur who turned his setbacks into stepping stones after being fired by five Fortune 500 companies. Experience his unique blend of theater and business acumen as Fred shares how these diverse skills led him to a successful career as a professional speaker and information product creator. He stresses the importance of embracing entrepreneurship early to avoid the golden h...

Discover the secret to leveling the playing field for small businesses as we engage with Corey Clark, the visionary CEO and founder of Clark Co. Corey joins us to share his inspiring journey from the bustling world of global nonprofits and large corporations to establishing a marketing agency focused on empowering small businesses with customized marketing solutions. Learn how Corey’s innovative, data-driven strategies are giving s...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Matthew Stafford, the Shopify optimization guru from Build Grow Scale, as he shares his inspiring journey from running a concrete business to making waves in the e-commerce world. Discover how Matthew transitioned to online entrepreneurship, using innovative marketing strategies like personalized ads to drive significant revenue on platforms like Shopify. His story highlights the growin...