Sleeping on success: How affiliate links built a business
Derek Hales was working in marketing and SEO when he and his wife set out to buy a new mattress. Frustrated by how hard it was to choose the right one, he launched a side project comparing mattresses. What began as a hobby quickly grew into NapLab, a mattress-review company that uses scientific data to break down mattress performance and help people make smarter buying decisions.
Building and scaling an app: Advice from the WineLikes founder
Jeff Gillis, founder of WineLikes, turned his lifelong passion for wine into a tech startup designed to change how people discover their next bottle. After years in the hospitality industry, Jeff realized the demanding lifestyle no longer fit the parent he wanted to be. Inspired to build something different, he created WineLikes, a social app that connects wine lovers, makes recommendations easier, and helps people enjoy wine without the overwhelm. In this episode, Jeff shares how he built the app, the role of technology in modern wine culture, and how he balances entrepreneurship with family life.
Marketing made simple for contractors and landscapers
Josh Blakeley began his career in teaching before moving from Australia to the United States. After coming across an ad for a digital marketing course, his curiosity got the better of him and he decided to enroll. That decision set him on a new path. Today, Josh is the founder of Landscape & Hardscape Contractor Marketing, a firm dedicated to helping contractors and landscapers grow their businesses.
From pitching products to building a personal brand
Merit Khan has been an entrepreneur for as long as she can remember. Her first taste of business came as a young girl selling greeting cards door-to-door, an early lesson in the power of connecting with people. Over the years, that spark grew into a full-fledged career built on her ability to engage, inspire, and persuade. Today, Merit is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a sought-after keynote speaker, accomplished sales trainer, and stand-up comedian.
Garden guru Nick Cutsumpas, better known as Farmer Nick, is a Michigan-based plantcoach, urban gardener, and landscape designer. He talks about how his mom encouraged him to start a garden, sparking a deep love for greenery that quickly blossomed into a full-time career and an impressive social media following. He hosts several Netflix shows and has been featured on the Food Network.
