Welcome to "Hacks and Hobbies - Passion to Profit Stories," a space where we delve deep into the captivating journeys of passionate creators transforming their beloved hobbies into lucrative ventures. Hosted by Junaid Ahmed, our conversations are more than surface-level; we unravel the intricate paths and strategies that have propelled our guests to success. Discover actionable insights, practical tips, and success roadmaps while gaining valuable wisdom from a diverse array of entrepreneurs, artisans, entertainers, athletes, and visionaries from around the globe. Join us in exploring the
In this episode, we get to speak with Ben Albert.
When Covid hit, Ben was furloughed from work. He found himself down and out, staring at an empty handle of Jim Bean Whiskey. He was unemployed, depressed, and felt unworthy.
Hesitantly, he opened his Macbook and started reaching out to strangers on Linkedin. This spearheaded his entrepreneurial journey.
The rest is history.
Now Ben hosts a network of 5 podcasts called “Real Busine...
In this episode, we get to speak with Mathew Pezon.
Mat and his wife, Anna, buy, renovate, and hold single family and small multifamily properties for the long-term in the greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania region. They have three children under three years of age.
Mat worked for 12 years as a chemical engineer before a recent career change to full-time real estate investing. He completed his Master’s in International Management a...
In this episode, we get to speak with Jon Pethke.
John is a United States Air Force veteran turned entrepreneur. From serving his country to navigating the world of app development, John shares his inspiring journey of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Discover how he transitioned from military life to pursuing a degree in organizational leadership and ultimately founded his dating app, Koyamor, tailored for introverts....
In this episode, we get to speak with Carolyn Wilman.
She began her writing journey as the Contest Queen, teaching others how to master the art of sweepstakes. As you must believe you are a winner before you are, becoming a re-publisher of out-of-print mindset and metaphysical books was a natural next step. Carolyn has republished all of Helene Hadsell’s works, and soon to be released are all of Tag & Judith Powell’s at Words F...
In this episode, we get to speak with Katie Richardson.
She is on a mission to create powerful leaders. With a background in DESIGN, Katie built a multi-million dollar international company with distribution in 2,000 stores in the US and 26 countries. Her work has been featured on Ellen Degeneres, The Today Show, and Rachael Ray. She's also been featured on the cover of Entrepreneur Magazine. Today As an Executive Business Coac...
In this episode, we get to speak with Cody Bramlett.
Cody is a “recovering personal trainer” turned eight-figure nutritional supplement brand owner. After scraping by as a personal trainer and gym owner, Cody’s supplement empire all started with solving one simple problem: His father was suffering from chronic inflammation.
Bramlett’s dad was in extreme pain because of his diet, stress, and being generally overweight. The...
In this episode, I get to speak with Ken Stearns.
Ken is a writer, lyricist, photographer, and podcast creator. He’s a well-traveled, seasoned, mid-western kid, who is beginning his third act in life for himself, and for others too. 14 months ago he traded in his suit for a van, a mic, some questions, and started his traveling podcast called The Jar.
6 months into this journey, The Jar giving him so much more than he ever imagined....
In this episode, I get to speak with John Brewer.
John is an Army Special Forces veteran with more than 10 years of experience enabling those who act to defend life, family, and country. Knowing firsthand the importance of self-reliance, John has made it his mission to enable and empower others so they may live healthy, thriving lives.
John also shares insights from his military experience and how they translate into everyday life....
In this episode, I get to speak with Benjamin Owen.
Benjamin Owen is a Personal and professional coach who's worked with pro athletes, High-performing barristers, Lawyers, and your person just setting out on their hero's journey.
Ben Created his first business helping athletes and teams get on podiums and perform at their highest potential. Yet, he quickly found his passion in helping people transform their lives.
Ben has b...
In this episode, I get to speak with Jan Freed.
She is a seasoned professor turned legacy expert. Jan shares her journey from academia to authorship, revealing the driving force behind her work in leadership and character development. Through deep dives into legacy building and the concept of "breadcrumb legacy," Jan imparts timeless wisdom on creating a meaningful impact in both personal and professional spheres.
Tune i...
E589 - Paul Gowder - How to Cultivate an Engaged Online Community: Insights from PowWows.com Founder
In this episode, I get to speak with Paul Gowder.
Paul is the visionary behind PowWows.com, to explore the journey of building and maintaining a highly engaged online community. From humble beginnings to becoming a cornerstone for Native American culture enthusiasts, Paul shares the pivotal moments and strategies that fueled the growth of PowWows.com over the past 25 years.
Discover the power of community-building, effective email...
In this episode, I get to speak with Neal DiPentino.
In today's episode, we have a special guest, Neil, a seasoned business transformation coach with over four decades of experience in sales and marketing. Neal DiPentino President of Titan Media Worx Incorporated and the Host of the Business Breakthroughs Podcast on the Small Business Delivered Network.
We dive deep into the journeys and experiences of remarkable ind...
In this episode, I get to speak with Phil Herrington.
He is a seasoned sales expert with over 30 years of experience. We delve into the world of networking, discussing effective cold-calling strategies, the importance of leveraging common interests and building authentic relationships.
Phil shares invaluable insights and actionable tips on how to make meaningful connections that drive business growth and success. Whether you'r...
In this episode, I get to speak with Samuel Drauschak.
He is a seasoned expert in business process improvement and innovation, as he shares insights into the fascinating world of process science. From childhood fascination with simulations in video games to navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, our guest takes us on a journey through the principles of maximizing productivity and efficiency in business. Learn practical ti...
In this episode, I get to speak with Michael DeLon.
He serves business experts and thought leaders to create a book without writing a word.
As a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author and America’s Foremost Authority on Credibility Marketing, he teaches how to establish and market your credibility to gain more clients. Business owners seek out Michael to clarify their message, make them a bestselling author, and set up their profitable podc...
In this episode, I get to speak with Leslie Danford.
She is the founder and CEO of Vitaminis, a clean-label functional food and beverage brand. She has always been passionate about nutrition, but she is not a foodie. For her, it's like a math equation, and it's important to cover all of your nutritional bases. In 2020 she combined her interests with her formal business training to launch Vitaminis. Previously she worked in ...
In this episode, I get to speak with Dave Albin.
Join us for an inspiring episode as we dive into the remarkable journey of Dave, the number one firewalk instructor in America. Dave shares his transformation from a tumultuous childhood to finding purpose and success in guiding others through firewalking experiences. From overcoming adversity to embracing resilience, Dave's story is one of hope and empowerment.
Tune in to disco...
In this episode, I get to speak with Shana Francesca.
She is a Keynote Speaker, Consultant, Workshop Facilitator and Scholar of Intentional and Ethical Leadership and Living. She is the Founder & CEO of Concinnate LLC. Shana's has been interviewed on more than 60 podcasts worldwide and has been published in Medium, Authority Magazine & Shoutout LA and emotional intelligence magazine and Emerge Magazine. Shana has w...
In this episode, we're diving into the journey of validating a business idea. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established business owner looking to pivot, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice from our diverse range of guests.
Join us as we explore the crucial steps in identifying market needs, creating a minimum viable product, gathering and implementing feedback, and mastering financi...
In this episode, we sit down with Blair Abee.
He is an author, poet, educator, YouTuber, and ordinary mystic. He’s written 5 best-selling books at Amazon Books on the subjects of meditation, mindfulness, manifestation, and related topics. “I am an explorer who has discovered a variety of techniques and ideas that thousands of people have found useful in their personal development.”
Blair developed Higher Consciousness Meditation, a...
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