What do illegal sportsbooks, frat house vending machines, and Pokémon mystery bags have in common? If you guessed “absolutely nothing,” you’re wrong—because they’ve all played a role in Ethan Kohan’s wild rise as founder of PodPlug, the nightlife vending machine company shaking up bars, clubs, and casinos across the country.
On this week’s episode of Young Boss, we sit down with Ethan who proves that sometimes the fastest path forward is… not always the most traditional one. Ethan’s story starts with a $15K sports betting debt and a big question: How do I make it back? From running an underground sportsbook to selling Juul pods across college campuses, he learned early on that convenience sells—and sells big.
That hustle evolved into PodPlug: cashless, customized vending machines stocked with everything from vapes and Zyns to disposable cameras, hangover gummies, and 90s-themed mystery packs. One viral video sent the brand into overdrive, leading to investor backing, a college ambassador program, and now a booming franchise model attracting hundreds of applicants.
We talk about scaling without sacrificing quality, the operational chaos of rapid growth, and why location (and sometimes Pokémon) can make or break your sales. Ethan also shares how he’s using social media, not just for marketing, but as a tool to qualify franchisees and build business relationships.
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a crazy idea into a cash-flowing business, this episode is your permission slip. Ethan’s proof that you can start scrappy, think big, and still have a blast doing it.
Subscribe to Young Boss with Isabelle Guarino wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to like, share and follow on Instagram and TikTok.
And remember, youth is your power.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.