In this episode, Aaron Gordon sits down with Matan Slagter, founder of Armadillo, to delve into the intricate journey of building a small business from the ground up. Matan shares his experiences adapting to new roles, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, trust in team members, and the art of delegation. Discover how Matan's diverse career in the insurance industry equipped him with the skills and insights to launch a successful InsurTech startup amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pande...
Nov 27, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 57
In this episode, Aaron Gordon sits down with Kenneth Williamson, an emerging leader in the insurance industry. Kenneth shares his unique journey from studying business management and working at Chick-fil-A to becoming a foundational player at Portal Insurance in Alabama. Kenneth's hustle is exemplified by his remarkable feat of obtaining his insurance license in just four days. He discusses his evolution within the agency, transitioning from sales to a focus on operations and service. Kenneth op...
Nov 21, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 56
In this inspiring episode, Aaron Gordon interviews Shawn Fitzgerald, a successful business owner with a background in the Air National Guard. Shawn shares his journey of relentless hustle, influenced by his single mother and early experiences with sports. He discusses his time in the military and the invaluable lessons it taught him, such as leadership, teamwork, and integrity. Shawn also opens up about his decision to leave a stable job to start his own business, fueled by a fear of regret and ...
Nov 14, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 55
In this episode of Keep Hustling, host Aaron Gordon sits down with Sean McRae, also known as Sean Frost, who shares his intriguing journey from aspiring musician to successful real estate entrepreneur. Sean discusses his early struggles with a traditional job in healthcare and how he shifted into real estate, leveraging connections and continuous learning. He talks about finding passion and fulfillment over mere financial gains, balancing multiple careers, and the importance of legacy-building f...
Nov 07, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 54
In this episode, host Aaron Gordon chats with Syd Roe, an inspiring endurance athlete. Syd shares her transformative experience at the Lake Placid Ironman, overcoming mental and physical challenges, including a demanding moment around miles 14-15. Despite moments of doubt and physical discomfort, she found a surge of energy, leading to a powerful finish. Syd reflects on the importance of perseverance, willpower, and mental shifts, ultimately finding self-worth and healing family relationships th...
Oct 31, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 53
In this episode, Aaron Gordon speaks with Juan Lopez, who shares his innovative approach to insurance marketing by combining education and entertainment. Lopez recounts the initial skepticism he faced and the industry's traditional views but emphasizes persistence and ingenuity. He highlights his strategy shift from "hunting" to "farming," focusing on lasting engagement and personal connections, using minimal resources. Lopez discusses key career moments, including being offered a marketing role...
Oct 24, 2024•33 min
In this episode, Aaron Gordon welcomes guest Torund Bryhn to discuss breaking free from corporate constraints to discover personal gifts. Torund shares her journey of overcoming anxiety, the pressures of traditional work culture, and her passion for personal branding. She highlights the modern era's unique opportunities for fame and the importance of authenticity. Bryhn's pivotal moments, including her realization during the COVID-19 lockdown and her work on "The Fame Revolution," illustrate her...
Oct 17, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 51
In this episode, Aaron Gordon welcomes Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, his mentor and friend, to discuss his unconventional career journey from Wall Street to the nonprofit sector. Josh emphasizes the significance of focusing on results over recognition, inspired by Harry Truman's quote on accomplishments. He shares stories from his varied career, his financial audit during his transition, and how important mentors shaped his path. Aaron and Josh talk about personal growth, faith, and the nuances of succ...
Oct 10, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 50
In this episode, Aaron Gordon sits down with RJ Burr, a third-generation oil and gas industry expert. They delve into the complexities of the oil market, the impact of inflation on the cost of essential goods, and the critical role of small, independent oil companies in U.S. production. Burr shares insights on the industry's resilience during downturns, the importance of oil in everyday life, and the need for public education to counteract misinformation. They also explore the misconceptions sur...
Oct 03, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 49
In this episode, Aaron Gordon talks with Zalman Pollack about the impact of fully committing to one's passion. Pollack, a wedding singer, recounts his journey from childhood dreams of joining the Miami Boys Choir to performing professionally. He emphasizes the perseverance needed to succeed in music, sharing how early auditions and family influences sparked his hustle. Pollack discusses the emotional connections and the importance of energizing audiences despite initial nerves. Don't miss this i...
Sep 26, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 48
In this episode, host Aaron Gordon sits down with Barbara Weaver Smith, founder of The Whale Hunters and author of " Whale Hunting: How to Land Big Sales and Transform Your Company ." Barbara shares her journey from an academic career, where she rose to the rank of Dean, to becoming a successful entrepreneur. She discusses the importance of self-belief, the impact of her supportive upbringing, and the critical pivot points in her career, including overcoming a challenging business partnership. B...
Sep 19, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 47
In this episode, Aaron Gordon speaks with Michael Stawicki, a prolific author from Poland. Michael discusses the critical role of setting achievable daily goals to build lasting habits and debunks the 21-day myth, pointing to research suggesting 66 days. He attributes the failure of New Year's resolutions to a lack of self-awareness. Michael shares his journey from a dissatisfied IT professional to a successful author and entrepreneur by adopting small, consistent disciplines. The conversation d...
Sep 12, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 46
In this episode of "Keep Hustling," Aaron Gordon speaks with Lenny Wood, the podcast’s first international guest, about his career journey from retail to becoming a successful business owner. Lenny delves into his early experiences working at a video game store and a hardware chain in the UK, which helped shape his social and professional skills. He details his transition into marketing, ignited by a chance opportunity. Lenny's pivotal moment came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when furloughs pro...
Sep 05, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 45
In this episode of Keep Hustling, Aaron Gordon chats with Dr. James Taylor, a chiropractor and former aspiring professional rugby player. James shares his unique journey from a baseball-loving kid in Minnesota to a chiropractor for a professional rugby team in Dallas. He discusses his family's blue-collar background, his father's unfinished journey in chiropractic school, and his challenges in college. James also recounts the most trying time in his career. The episode deep dives into the resili...
Aug 29, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 44
In this episode, Aaron Gordon talks with Caroline Hershey to discuss her extraordinary journey of motherhood and perseverance. Caroline shares the challenges she faced when her twins were born three months premature, weighing just a pound each and their subsequent four-month NICU stay. She talks about the realities of raising twins, especially in a bustling city like New York, and her decision to focus on motherhood after her third child's arrival. Caroline also discusses her love for travel, in...
Aug 22, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 43
In this episode, Aaron Gordon talks with entrepreneur Justin Gerena about his unconventional career trajectory. Justin shares his decision to avoid the corporate grind by starting his own business with his partner in 2004, embracing a remote-first approach long before it became popular. They discuss the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, highlighting the critical moment of losing a major client and the lessons learned from that experience. Justin also emphasizes the importance of levera...
Aug 15, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In this episode, Aaron Gordon sits down with Iraq War veteran Joe Soel. Joe shares the profound impact of his military service, detailing three pivotal moments from his deployment that shaped his life and continue to affect him. He reflects on his motivations, inspired by his Vietnam veteran father and his journey from a traditional Methodist upbringing in upstate New York to joining the Army in 2006. Joe discusses the importance of perseverance and resilience, emphasizing the significance of si...
Aug 08, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 41
In this episode, Aaron Gordon and guest Aryeh Kunstler dive into the essence of hustle culture and personal passion. Aryeh, a revered musician and content creator, shares his journey from a stable salary to prioritizing his dreams in the music industry. He narrates the meticulous two-year process of releasing a song, underscoring the importance of letting go of perfectionism. Their discussion touches on the pressures of social media, the acceptance of imperfections, and the emotional highs and l...
Aug 01, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In this episode, Aaron Gordon chats with Kristin Scanlon about her transformative journey from a corporate job to a fulfilling career in real estate. Kristin reflects on her upbringing and the influence of her father's work ethic, highlighting her early jobs and determination for financial independence. A pivotal moment occurs when a negative performance review prompts Kristin to leave her stable job, take a solo trip to Bali, and dive into entrepreneurship. She shares insights on overcoming fea...
Jul 25, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 39
On this episode, Aaron Gordon talks with guest Zach Weiner about his career paths, pivots, and personal life. They discuss how Zach shifted his focus from work to family and how people's productivity changes as they age. Zach shares advice from his father and Tom Brady about staying positive and persistent. He talks about how his first business trip made him realize his long-term goals. Zach also talks about his father's battle with brain cancer and how it taught him to live life to the fullest....
Jul 18, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In this episode, Aaron Gordon welcomes Baruch Shemtov, a media personality who transitioned to the world of finance. They delve into Baruch's journey from television to pursuing an MBA, highlighting the pivotal moment he decided to leave his TV job for further education. Baruch discusses the emotional connection he forged with TV viewers, the challenges of live broadcasts, and the insights he gained about maintaining hustle and energy in new endeavors. They explore the importance of curiosity, s...
Jul 11, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In this episode, Aaron Gordon speaks with Brian Ahearn, an author and expert on ethical influence. They delve into the significance of honesty and transparency in sales, the ethical use of influence, and the psychology behind persuasion. Ahearn shares his journey from the insurance industry to becoming an entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of addressing objections strategically and refining skills continuously. They discuss the impact of framing messages and the principle of scarcity, emp...
Jul 09, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this episode, Aaron Gordon welcomes magician Shlomo Levinger. The discussion delves into Shlomo's journey in magic, from early shows to a career-defining performance for Mike Trout and other MLB superstars. He stresses building a brand, ongoing hustle, and creating a supportive team. Shlomo shares insights on balancing work and personal life, emphasizing patience and the unpredictability of outcomes. He also highlights the meaning of hustling, achieving success through hard work, and maintain...
Jun 27, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode, Aaron Gordon talks with Jake Burhans, who shares his journey inspired by "Rich Dad Poor Dad" to pursue real estate and wealth creation. Initially driven by a desire for wealth, Jake's focus shifted to helping others start their entrepreneurial journeys and build a real estate community. Key topics include the importance of blind faith, perseverance, and the impact of making over 20,000 cold calls. Jake emphasizes the significance of discipline, developing a unique mindset, and n...
Jun 20, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode, Aaron Gordon interviews insurance executive Lisa Lounsbury. They delve into Lisa's career journey, highlighting the impact of self-belief and mentorship.. Lisa shares her diverse experiences, from a childhood in horseback riding to becoming the CEO of a major insurance organization in Syracuse, New York. The conversation covers the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and the challenging regulatory environment for insurance agents in New York. Lisa's anecdotes about balancing w...
Jun 13, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this episode, Aaron Gordon chats with Ana Lacher , a seasoned manager in the hospitality industry. Ana recounts her career journey from working on the restaurant floor to managing events, highlighting each role's mental shifts and challenges. She shares a pivotal moment in her career where she made a significant impact and discusses the importance of mentorship and resilience in the hospitality industry. Ana also shares an intriguing story of serving the Obamas, shedding light on the intense ...
Jun 06, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode, Aaron Gordon explores the journey of guest Mark Metzler, highlighting their discussion on perseverance, hard work, and achieving success through dedication. Mark's determination to succeed in real estate, despite incurring credit card debt and facing initial challenges, showcases his unwavering commitment to his chosen path. The episode delves into the influence of Mark's family work ethic in shaping his drive and motivation, emphasizing the value of hustle and continuous learni...
May 30, 2024•29 min
In this episode, Aaron Gordon and Nick Klingensmith delve into the transformative power of goal setting and resilience. Nick shares his journey, marked by physical challenges like running marathons with a broken foot, battling cancer, and overcoming personal adversities such as alcoholism and depression. A pivotal turning point occurred on July 12, 2014, when a drinking incident in Las Vegas motivated Nick to change his life. Despite facing setbacks, including professional success marred by pers...
May 23, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, host Aaron Gordon invites Maverick Pitchford , an up and coming star in the insurance industry, to share his journey, challenges, and the motivational forces behind his career decisions. Maverick discusses his transition from working at a regional bank to founding his own independent insurance brokerage, an idea fueled by a desire to build a sustainable legacy for his family. Raised in Oklahoma and heavily influenced by his wife and the familial ties that bound them since high s...
May 16, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode, Aaron Gordon speaks with guest David Meltzer, a prominent figure who delves into the intricate balance between personal drive and well-being. David emphasizes that hustling isn't merely about relentless work but enjoying the persistent pursuit of personal potential. David Meltzer introduces the concept of aligning hustle with core values such as gratitude, forgiveness, accountability, and inspiration. He outlines a structured approach combining values, daily practice, and effect...
May 09, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 28
