Best Rilla Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 555 - The 11th Annual Technology.fm Fireside Chat

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2d ago

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The 11th annual Technology.fm Fireside Chat brings together a group of smart home podcasters for a year-end roundtable on the biggest developments of the past year. Richard Gunther and Adam Justice from the Smart Home Show join Gavin, TJ, and Seth to reflects on key products, platforms, and trends that shaped the smart home, what worked, what disap…

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Jem Blythe: Chivalry and Devotion 1:13:02

1h ago1:13:02

1:13:02

Youthful idealism, the horror of war, the power of propaganda, and the unbreakable bond between a young man and his faithful dog – that’s right, we are discussing brave Jem Blythe and loyal Dog Monday on Kindred Spirits Book Club. And because it’s the perfect time of year to do it, we also tell the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914. We can’t pro…

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Live from AAPEX 2025: David Boyd from call inbound on the importance of communication 54:24

1d ago54:24

54:24

David Boyd from call inbound- an automotive specific VOIP phone service company- is back on to drop more knowledge of the importance of communication from AAPEX 2025!By Jimmy Purdy

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Live from AAPEX 2025: Mike with Corvette Pacifica talks about how Tariffs are affecting parts. 54:44

8d ago54:44

54:44

Mike runs a parts distribution warehouse for Corvette in our hometown, Corvette Pacifica, he comes to AAPEX every year to find new suppliers, He talks about how Tariffs are affecting his business and some of the issues he has run into with keeping quality his number one priority.By Jimmy Purdy

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Anne and Gilbert: Parenting and Perseverence 1:16:24

13d ago1:16:24

1:16:24

Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe are a love story for the ages, but what does that love story look like 24 years later? Today's episode is all about the challenges of parenting teen and young adult children in a time of crisis, and Anne and Gilbert's shared commitment to their values and to each other. Digressions include a Muppet Anne of Green Gabl…

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Episode 554 - Garage Door Drama (Again)

13d ago

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On this week's show: Chamberlain locks down garage integrations (again), Doma reinvents the smart door with a motor and facial recognition, Homey Pro gets a RAM boost, Firewalla goes Zero Trust Wi-Fi 7 on the go, and Home Assistant throws a party for Music Assistant 2.7. All this, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!…

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This Sales Advice Will Change Your Game 1:07:05

22d ago1:07:05

1:07:05

In this episode of The First Call Closer Podcast, we dive deep into what separates average sales reps from true closers. Kyle shares how he went from struggling with long appointments and overtalking to mastering the art of connection — asking better questions, listening more, and creating emotional engagement that leads to faster, higher-value clo…

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Episode 553 - Catching up with Apollo Automation's Justin Bunton

20d ago

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On this week’s show: We catch up with Apollo Automation's Justin Bunton to talk about their new H-2 Annual Holiday Ornament, Kohler’s toilet cam raises privacy questions despite being rear-end-to-end encrypted, UniFi launches a 5G lineup, Honeywell has a new thermostat, and Meross drops a millimeter-wave sensor that sees you breathe. Aqara brings S…

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How to Build a High-Performance Call Center | First Call Close Podcast Ep. 11 55:29

23d ago55:29

55:29

In this episode of the First Call Close Podcast, we dive deep into what it really takes to build, manage, and scale a high-performing call center — one that sets quality leads, drives sales, and fuels company growth. Host Jeff Gear, CEO of Revamp Companies, is joined by Briana from Fence & Deck and Teal from Concrete Coatings to break down the syst…

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Episode 552 - A Rilla Big Dilla

26d ago

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On this week's show: UniFi bridges the gap with new wireless gear, Alexa+ finally heads north to Canada (except for Gavin), Matter 1.5 adds long-awaited camera support, Josh.ai teams up with JVC for voice-controlled cinephilia, Sonos continues its 'transitional' phase with shrinking sales and growing losses, letters from the mailbag, a pick of the …

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Rilla's Goodness and Growth 1:15:24

27d ago1:15:24

1:15:24

The final part of our Rilla Blythe character arc is here! We can’t wait for you to join us in this wide-ranging conversation about Rilla’s moral growth arc in Rilla of Ingleside. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome back the phenomenal Dr. Laura Robinson—a celebrated L.M. Montgomery expert and professor—whose unparalleled insights bring Rilla's sa…

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Live from AAPEX 2025: Arun Coumar on What’s Next in the Bay 1:07:49

1M ago1:07:49

1:07:49

Arun from Driven auto care is Back! And Straight from the AAPEX floor, we sit down to cut through the hype and spotlight what actually moves the needle in 2025—smarter diagnostics, cleaner workflows, and people-first processes. Fast, practical takeaways you can bring back to the shop Tomorrow.By Jimmy Purdy

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Episode 551 - Fingerprints, Floods, & Futureproofing

1M ago

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On this week's show: Ring thinks AI can stop crime (what could go wrong?), Zigbee 4.0 goes the distance with Suzi, Shelly rolls out a giant snake of a leak sensor, Home Assistant drops a faster Zigbee/Thread toilet paper holder, Kaleidescape launches a mini server for high-bitrate binging, and Wyze gives its smart lock an upgrade, but it comes with…

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Live from AAPEX 2025: Moe & Lalo Shift the Conversation 49:30

1M ago49:30

49:30

The man, the myth, the legend, Lalo stops back in after a long Hiatus and is joined by Shift'n gears own service manager Moe, and what better place to catch up then at AAPEX, we talk Shop performance, culture, and tech adoption—how to turn this year’s show buzz into measurable wins in your bays.By Jimmy Purdy

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Clever and Capable Rilla 1:10:54

1M ago1:10:54

1:10:54

Rilla’s character arc continues in our episode about how cleverness can take many forms, and we are redefining “geeking out” by framing our conversation with Dungeons and Dragons! Rilla’s intelligence, wisdom, and charisma may not take an academic bent, but she’s brilliant and capable in her own way. Come for the LM Montgomery deep dive, stay for t…

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Episode 550 - Toilet-Tech

1M ago

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On this week’s show: The Louvre proves bad passwords can be priceless, Ring tries to silence your doorbell’s chatter with a smarter alert, Ikea goes all-in on Matter over Thread, and Third Reality gives your blinds a Zigbee upgrade. Homey MCP lets AI take over your smart home (what could go wrong?), Kohler brings toilet tech to new heights (or lows…

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Episode 549 - Smart Candles and Electric Tacos

2M ago

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On this week’s show: TP-Link might be banned, is 4K even worth buying? SwitchBot drops smart candles, Wyze has a new doorbell, Sofabaton has a new remote, letters from the mailbag, project updates, two picks of the week, and so much more!By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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BONUS: Swoon-Worthy Podcast X Anne of Green Gables 0:43

2M ago0:43

0:43

Kelly and Ragon paid a visit to the Swoon-Worthy podcast to talk about, what else? Anne of Green Gables! We had a blast geeking out with host Carly Renaud about why we love the 1985 Anne of Green Gables mini series so take a listen to this trailer and then hop on over to the Swoon-Worthy Podcast and listen to the whole episode!…

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Wrenches, Wisdom & the Reckoning- With Kevin Brown from Repair shop reckoning 1:07:03

2M ago1:07:03

1:07:03

In this episode of The Gear Box Podcast, Jimmy sits down with Kevin Brown — shop owner, creator of Repair Shop Reckoning, and one of the loudest voices calling for real talk in the auto repair world. Together, they dig into the truth behind shop culture, leadership, AI in the bay, and why knowing your numbers beats chasing the next silver bullet. I…

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Rilla's Beauty and Romance 1:15:58

2M ago1:15:58

1:15:58

We are launching into Rilla of Ingleside with one of our signature character studies! Rilla Blythe is the family beauty, and she knows it. But what good is being pretty and popular in the midst of a terrible war? We’re discussing parties and weddings, courtships and crushes, and the way World War I changed everything. We’re also comparing Rilla to …

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From Wrenches to Wealth: Building a Business That Outlives You 51:42

2M ago51:42

51:42

In this powerful episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy sits down with financial advisor and exit strategist Matt DiFrancesco to talk about the one thing most shop owners never plan for—what happens after the grind. Matt shares insider strategies on how blue-collar business owners can transform from being trapped in their business to leading i…

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Episode 548 - A Sudden Increase in Raccoons

2M ago

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On this week's show: AWS takes down smart beds in the middle of the night, Husqvarna gives robot lawnmowers night vision, Roku adds AI to your channel surfing, and Unifi shows off new AI-powered cameras and a fresh Network update. Apple teases a HomePod-iPad hybrid (because of course), Inovelli lights up Homey, and there's a new Matter-compatible g…

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Episode 547 - Reviewing the Smart Home with Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

2M ago

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On this week's show, we sit down with The Verge’s Jennifer Pattison Tuohy to talk about all things smart home, how she approaches reviewing and reporting on new products, and what it’s like living on the cutting edge. Plus, a Pick of the Week, project updates, and much more!By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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Rilla of Ingleside Recap 1:11:33

2M ago1:11:33

1:11:33

Join us for a deep dive into Rilla of Ingleside, the final book in the Anne of Green Gables series! We're recapping Rilla Blythe's coming-of-age journey on the Canadian homefront of World War I, and discussing how Rilla, Anne, and the Blythe family handle love, loss, and adversity, all while finding moments of joy and heroism. This episode is a gre…

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Killing the Old You: Growth, Grit, and Getting Coached with Brent Kilmer 1:01:32

3M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

In this powerful milestone episode, Jimmy sits down with Brent Kilmer — owner of Velocity Tire & Auto and coach with Repair Shop of Tomorrow — for a raw and inspiring deep dive into what it really takes to grow as a shop owner and leader. From battling resistance to coaching, to learning when to let go of bad habits (and bad employees), Brent share…

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Episode 546 - The Shed Talk Podcast

3M ago

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On this week's show: TJ might get a shed, Amazon’s Device VP is out, UniFi announces UPS products and tariff prices, Sonos teams up with Peloton, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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Welcome to Season 5! 34:25

3M ago34:25

34:25

Hey there Kindred Spirits, we’re back in your feed and ready for a brand new season! On today’s episode, we share our favorite summer reads and summer essentials, reflect on the unexpected pleasures of starting a niche Anne of Green Gables podcast, and preview our season to come. Big News! We were featured on our favorite substack, Culture Study so…

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Episode 545 - Too Many Lights

3M ago

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By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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Episode 544 - Gavin's Ding-Dong

3M ago

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By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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Official Trailer: Kindred Spirits Book Club 2:14

3M ago2:14

2:14

Kindred Spirits Book Club is an inviting escape into the timeless world of Anne of Green Gables. Hosts Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner blend modern perspectives with LM Montgomery's classic storytelling in their engaging discussions of these beloved books. With their signature bookish enthusiasm, they dive deep into plot, characters, and why these cla…

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Episode 543 - Samsung Ads Everywhere

3M ago

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On this week's show: Samsung wants ads everywhere, including the fridge, CEDIA number are out - or are they? Amazon announces a new fall hardware event, UniFi NAS options are getting interesting, Wyze introduces a new smart lock, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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Episode 542 - Building Textile Sensors With ASC’s Raymond King

3M ago

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By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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From Wrenches to Wealth: Rethinking Auto Repair with Charlie Zlatkos 1:06:45

4M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with Charlie Zlatkoz of Pleasant Car Care to talk about the journey from technician to shop owner—and why that leap requires a totally different mindset. They dive into the concept of "auto hospitality," fixing process bottlenecks, hiring the right team, and the power of saying yes to customers. Whether you're runni…

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Episode 541 - "Live" from CEDIA 2025

4M ago

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On this week's show: LIVE from the CEDIA Expo show floor! We check out Aqara's new announcements, Crestron gets some new keypads, Bond has a wet remote, Josh.ai updates, Savant gets under cabinet lighting?, Unifi dives into AV with a new video distribution system, eero drops a few new products, Phillips drops a few more new products, Samsung SmartT…

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Season 5 is coming soon! 1:58

4M ago1:58

1:58

We're popping in to let you know that we are hard at work on season 5! We are giving you a sneak peek to the season ahead so you can get to reading!By Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner

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Episode 540 - GOAT or BOAT?

4M ago

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On this week's show:By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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Practice, Progress, and People: Redefining Leadership in the Shop 1:04:51

4M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

In this episode, Jimmy Purdy sits down with leadership coach Josh Parnell of Limitless Leadership to unpack what it really takes to grow as a leader—both in the shop and in life. From mastering communication and the power of one-on-ones, to balancing recognition with accountability, Josh shares practical strategies that drive team engagement, impro…

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Episode 539 - Monitoring Canadian Water

4M ago

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On this week's show: CEDIA is gearing up and there are a few new companies to check out, Zooz has a new siren, AirGradient joins the Home Assistant fold, Google Home gets Gemini, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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Episode 538 - Farmer TJ's Corn Eatin' Squirrels

4M ago

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On this week's show: CES 2026 is right around the corner, AI is a bubble, Home Assistant makes a better paper towel holder, new kit from SMLight, Apollo, SMLight, and Ring, DJI jumps into the robot vacuum game, Sonos still has problems, Amazon kills some skills, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!…

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BONUS Kindred Aunties: Talking Found Families with The Auntie Bulletin 58:25

5M ago58:25

58:25

Kindred Spirits Book Club joins forces with The Auntie Bulletin for a lively Substack Live conversation about the many “aunties” in Anne of Green Gables—from Marilla to Aunt Josephine to Miss Stacey—and how nontraditional families can offer love, guidance, and community to a child. We share favorite moments from the books, swap stories about real-l…

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Felipe on Rilla: Turning Conversations Into CRM Gold 36:40

5M ago36:40

36:40

In this episode, Felipe shares how his AI-powered tool seamlessly integrates with CRMs to capture, analyze, and leverage real customer conversations. From recording interactions to providing actionable insights, Felipe explains how advisors and sales teams can boost productivity, strengthen client relationships, and make data-driven decisions—all w…

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Faith, Grit & Five Bays: How JJ Scaled a Small Shop into a Powerhouse 39:11

5M ago39:11

39:11

What happens when a former Wall Street financier-turned-school teacher opens a five-bay auto shop in a small Maryland town? You get JJ — a powerhouse of faith, grit, and strategy. In this episode, JJ shares how he transformed his shop from grinding $40K months into a $450K+ monthly revenue engine — all without a massive facility or a big-city advan…

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Episode 537 - The Automated_House's Jimmy Hawkins

5M ago

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On this week's show: We sit down with smart home content creator Jimmy Hawkins who is the brain behind Automated_House to discuss social media, the smart home, and more. Sonos has a new CEO, coincidentally, we also have a new song, Ring denies a data breach, FutureHome is asking for money, Aqara Matters more, a pick of the week, project updates, an…

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Episode 536 - Only Fans Projects

5M ago

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On this week's show: Aqara was looking for beta testers and pro installers, Unifi wants to get sued by Sonos, Reolink launches nice 360 camera, Ring is teaming up with the police (again), and Hunter Douglas starts to Matter. All of this, a pick of the week, letters from the mailbag, project updates, and so much more!…

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From Wrenches to Algorithms: How AI is Redefining Auto Repair 28:24

5M ago28:24

28:24

In this episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy sits down with Josh Overlander, Director of Business Development at Detect Auto, to explore how data and AI are revolutionizing the way independent repair shops do business. From identifying lost revenue opportunities to measuring real technician productivity in real time, Josh shares how Detect A…

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Episode 535 - What’s New at Navimow with Wayne Kreifels

5M ago

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On this week's show: We catch up with Wayne Kreifels, GM/VP for Segway Navimow North America, to find out what's new at Navimow, discuss Belkin backing out, Sonos doing good things, Ikea moving away from Sonos, Shelly gets Zwave LR, Homey can now clone 433Mhz devices, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!…

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Talent on Tap: Brian Rhodes’ Blueprint for Recruiting Rockstar Techs & Advisors 48:31

6M ago48:31

48:31

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with Brian Rhodes, founder of Auto Shop Recruiting and a 20-year veteran of talent acquisition, to crack the code on hiring techs and advisors in a market where “Help Wanted” banners are everywhere. Brian explains why the old “post-and-pray” ad doesn’t work anymore—and how independent shops can compete head-to-head …

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Applause for Anne 1:19:18

6M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

It's the last episode of Season 4 and we’re back from the Stratford Festival and diving headfirst into Anne of Green Gables—the play! We dive into everything we loved, from the production’s inventive stagecraft to the standout performances. And of course we share the moments that made us laugh, cry, and geek out with other Kindred Spirits. Whether …

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Episode 534 - An “Iron Dome” For Mosquitoes

6M ago

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On this week's show: Samsung adds natural language programming while Pro systems lag further behind, KEF makes something with Nothing, IKEA now Matters, and UniFi announces a decent NAS drive update. Plus, project updates, a pick of the week, and so much more!By Gavin Campbell, TJ Huddleston, & Seth Johnson

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From $25,000 TO 20 Million- A business journey 1:10:45

6M ago1:10:45

1:10:45

By Jimmy Purdy