The Hustle by Hanna

The Hustle by Hanna dives into the raw, real, and relentless journeys of entrepreneurs, creators, and risk-takers who are building something that matters. Hosted by Hanna Laikin, each episode uncovers the mindset, grit, and moments behind the scenes that shape success. From billion-dollar exits to back-of-the-napkin beginnings, it’s not just about what they built, but how. Whether you’re scaling a business or dreaming up your next move, this show is your blueprint for the hustle.

Last refreshed: August 14th, 2025 at 8:42 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Breaking Barriers: Lisa Wardell from First Gen Grad to CEO

When Lisa Wardell looks back on her journey, it’s not the titles or accolades that stand out. It’s the winding, non-linear path that took her from first generation college graduate to CEO of a public company. On this episode of The Hustle by Hanna, Lisa shares how “learning agility” became her greatest asset, why she’s never been afraid to start from scratch, and how confidence is built one hard earned win at a time. We talk about breaking through barriers, mentoring the next generation, and rew...

Aug 13, 2025•47 min•Ep. 7

Building Hiya: How Darren Litt Disrupted Children’s Wellness

When Darren Litt set out to find a healthy vitamin for his kids, he did not expect it would lead to one of the most successful children’s wellness brands in the country. On this episode of The Hustle by Hanna, Darren shares how his background in digital marketing, his obsession with product design, and a very real frustration as a parent led to the creation of Hiya Health. We talk about building trust with parents, turning a clean product into a captivating experience, and what it really takes t...

Aug 06, 2025•46 min•Ep. 6

The Pink Elephant Philosophy: How Chris Adams Went from Homeless to Opening Hotels Worldwide

From sleeping on the streets to opening luxury hotels across the globe, Chris Adams' journey defies every odd. In this powerful conversation, Chris shares the raw truth behind his transformation and the mindset shift that helped him see opportunities where others saw only obstacles. Chris opens up about the darkest moments of homelessness, the pivotal decisions that changed everything, and how he built a hospitality empire by focusing on what most people ignore - the "pink elephants" in the room...

Jul 29, 2025•30 min•Ep. 5

Keep Shoveling: The Grit, Grind, and Growth of Blake Johnson

He nearly lost everything. Then he built and sold multiple companies for a combined $1.1 billion. In this episode, Blake Johnson gets real about the moments most people skip over - the early wake-ups in El Centro, the cattle, the chaos, and the near collapse. We talk about: • Growing up in a small border town and how it wired his work ethic • The business that almost broke him and what he did next • Taking risks, building trust, and bouncing back harder • The mindset behind his biggest exits • W...

Jul 18, 2025•39 min•Ep. 4

The Legacy Behind Indiana's Largest Gift

In this episode of The Hustle by Hanna, we sit down with Sid Eskenazi —a self-made entrepreneur, founder of Sandor Development, one of the largest privately held shopping center developers in the nation, and the man behind the largest private donation in Indiana state history . His $40 million gift to the hospital that saved his life didn’t just change the skyline, It redefined what it means to give with intention. We explore Sid’s remarkable journey, from growing up in Indianapolis to building ...

Jul 07, 2025•19 min•Ep. 3

True Classic, True Grit: The Mindset Behind $850 Million in Growth

Ryan Bartlett, cofounder of True Classic, joins The Hustle by Hanna to break down how he turned a simple idea—better fitting men’s basics—into one of the fastest-growing apparel brands in the world. In this episode, we talk about the mindset required to scale fast, stand out in a saturated market, and stay grounded while building an $850 million business. Ryan opens up about what most people get wrong about brand building, why great marketing only works if the product delivers, and the behind-th...

Jun 25, 2025•39 min•Ep. 2

How Robert Laikin Became the Bill Gates of Wireless

May 28, 2025•48 min•Ep. 1

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