Best Nathan Smart Media Podcasts (2025)

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591: From $0 to $3.4 BILLION Selling Socks | Bombas (Best of Foundr) 43:08

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3d ago43:08

43:08

David Heath and Randy Goldberg turned Bombas from a scrappy Indiegogo campaign into the most successful Shark Tank investment of all time—now valued at $3.4 billion. In this interview, the Bombas co-founders share how a simple insight about homelessness sparked a mission-driven sock company, how they bootstrapped their way to product-market fit, an…

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590: (Solo) Why You Need to Do Things That Don’t Scale 7:56

6d ago7:56

7:56

When you’re just starting out, the fastest way to grow isn’t automation, ads, or scaling systems — it’s doing things that don’t scale. In this episode, I share why the most successful founders — from billion-dollar startups to small ecommerce brands — all begin by leaning into the unscalable. From replying personally to every email, to sending hund…

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Why 2026 Looks Rocky for U.S. Hotels And Where Smart Investors Can Hit Big | Jan Freitag E50 46:51

6d ago46:51

46:51

Where is the hotel market headed in 2026, and how can investors succeed in a challenging environment? This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sat down with Jan Freitag, National Director of Hospitality Analytics at CoStar. With over 30 years of experience analyzing hotel performance data, Jan is one of the most respected voices in the industry…

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589 : The Mad Scientist Behind One of America’s Fastest Growing Supplement Brands | Brian Littlefield (Best of Foundr) 46:31

10d ago46:31

46:31

Brian Littlefield is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Jocko Fuel—one of the fastest-growing supplement brands in America. But his story didn’t start in a boardroom. It started with a life-changing health wake-up call. In this episode, Brian shares how he went from overweight and directionless to building a trusted supplement empire backe…

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588: (Solo) The #1 ROI Move You’re Probably Not Using 7:30

13d ago7:30

7:30

Most ecommerce founders think the only way to grow is to get more traffic — but often, the fastest way to increase sales is by making more from the traffic you already have. In this episode, I share a proven “second sale” strategy you can use to increase your conversion rate, average order value (AOV), and customer lifetime value (CLV) without spen…

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How to Craft a Hotel People Will Actually Remember | Bashar Wali E49 1:03:06

13d ago1:03:06

1:03:06

The most powerful part of a hotel stay isn’t the design or the amenities, it’s the feeling guests take home. That’s the philosophy of Bashar Wali, one of the most candid and creative voices in hospitality, who's spent 30+ years building, operating, and reinventing hotels around the world. In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Bashar share…

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587: She Built a $1 Billion Brand Selling Other Peoples Clothes | Julie Wainwright 1:00:31

17d ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Julie Wainwright, founder of The RealReal, reveals how she built a billion-dollar resale marketplace that transformed luxury fashion. In this exclusive Foundr Podcast interview, Julie shares how she scaled The RealReal to over $1B in revenue, reached 38 million members, and took the company public on the Nasdaq. From her early lessons at Pets.com t…

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586 : (Solo) How I Solve The Biggest Problems in My Business (and How You Can Too) 8:06

20d ago8:06

8:06

Every business has one major constraint holding it back from the next stage of growth — and solving it is the fastest way to scale. In this episode, I share the exact formula I use to identify the biggest problem in my business, find the right person who’s already solved it, and get the solution faster than years of trial and error. This is the sam…

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What Makes a Hotel Succeed or Fail? | Naveed Khan E48 49:09

20d ago49:09

49:09

How do you turn a struggling hotel into a profitable asset? This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Naveed Khan, co-founder of London Rock Partners, a hotel management and advisory firm that oversees everything from branded hotels like Holiday Inn to boutique independents and even a 650-bed hostel in London. In this episode, you’…

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585: The $100K Mistake Most Founders Make with Manufacturers (and How to Avoid It) (Best of Foundr) 38:22

24d ago38:22

38:22

Kian Golzari is one of the world’s leading experts in sourcing and product manufacturing—developing over 2,500 products and visiting 500+ factories. In this episode, he shares how to go from idea to product without getting burned by bad suppliers or poor-quality manufacturing. Whether you're working with Alibaba or building a custom product from sc…

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584: (Solo) What 90 Days of Daily Posting Taught Me About Personal Branding 8:48

27d ago8:48

8:48

After 12 years building Foundr, I finally committed to something I should have done a decade ago — posting online every single day for 90 days straight to grow my personal brand. In this episode, I share what that commitment taught me about building trust, deepening connections with my audience, and why your personal brand is one of the most powerf…

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From CEO of Days Inn to Launching Marriott’s Autograph Collection | Richard Kessler E47 1:06:00

27d ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Few people have left a mark on hospitality like Richard Kessler. He started his hospitality career by helping scale Days Inn into a household name as the early CEO Then he founded the Kessler Collection, one of the leading boutique hotel portfolios in the U.S., which ultimately helped launch Marriott’s Autograph Collection. In this episode, Richard…

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583: The Branding Expert Behind Dior, L'Oréal & Mercedes | Camille Moore 55:28

1M ago55:28

55:28

In this episode of the Foundr Podcast, Nathan Chan sits down with Camille Moore — widely known as the internet’s favorite creative director and the strategist behind some of today’s most iconic brand transformations. Camille has built a reputation for taking founders from forgettable to unforgettable, crafting brand strategies that don’t just look …

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How To Use Social Media To Raise Capital And Find Deals | Soli Cayetano E46 55:55

1M ago55:55

55:55

What if your first hotel deal could be funded almost entirely through Instagram? This week’s guest, Soli Cayetano AKA lattes.and.leases on Instagram, went from barista to building a $13M real estate portfolio in just four years. After exiting her residential investing business, she turned to hospitality and now co-owns a 13-key boutique wellness ho…

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582: (Solo) 3 Lessons I’ve Learned From Interviewing 100+ Billionaires 10:56

1M ago10:56

10:56

After interviewing over 100 billionaires and ultra-successful entrepreneurs, I’ve spotted three lessons that come up every single time — no matter the industry, background, or business model. In this episode, I break down exactly what I’ve learned from these conversations so you can model the same habits, mindsets, and strategies that separate the …

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581: How to Build a $100M Brand Without Raising a Dollar | Peach & Lily 1:11:50

1M ago1:11:50

1:11:50

Alicia Yoon is the founder of Peach & Lily—the pioneering brand that brought Korean skincare to the U.S. before “K-Beauty” was a buzzword. In this episode, she shares how her personal skin struggles turned into a lifelong mission, how she went from finance to esthetician school, and why she took the slow, principled path to build a category-definin…

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Intuition, Joint Ventures, and Building Hotels That Last | Brandon Gore E45 51:35

1M ago51:35

51:35

Most hotel investors default to syndication — raising capital from dozens of limited partners and layering in complex waterfalls. But what if there’s a smarter, simpler path? This week’s guest, Brandon Gore, is building The Outlier Hotel, a 10-cabin luxury retreat in Arkansas designed to last 100 years. Instead of chasing the traditional syndicatio…

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580: (Solo) The Step-by-Step Method to Reach Anyone — Even Billionaires 7:53

1M ago7:53

7:53

Four months into starting Foundr, I landed an interview with billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson — without connections, without experience, and while building my very first business from scratch. In this episode, I break down the exact networking and outreach strategy I used to connect with one of the world’s most famous founders, plus how you…

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579: The Strategy That Made NYX a Household Name | Toni Ko (Best of Foundr) 46:08

2M ago46:08

46:08

In this episode, Toni Ko, founder of NYX Cosmetics, shares how she built one of the fastest-growing cosmetics brands in the world—scaling from a $250,000 investment to a $500M exit to L’Oréal. She reveals: • How she turned 18 SKUs into millions of units sold in year one • The simple packaging strategy that disrupted the beauty industry • Why she av…

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The Marketing Playbook Every Small Hotel Owner Needs | Steph Weber E44 51:16

2M ago51:16

51:16

Think great marketing is only for big hotels with big budgets? Think again. In this episode, we talk with Steph Weber, a marketing and branding expert who helps boutique hotel and STR owners drive direct bookings. She breaks down how she finds her audience, tells a compelling brand story, and uses limited resources to drive big results. You’ll lear…

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578: (Solo) The Wake-Up Call That Changed How I Work 10:56

2M ago10:56

10:56

I almost walked away from Foundr. Not because the business wasn’t working—but because I wasn’t. In this episode, I’m sharing the truth about burnout. After seven years of building nonstop, I hit a wall—mentally, emotionally, and physically. What followed was one of the hardest seasons of my entrepreneurial journey. But it also forced me to change e…

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577: The Genius Referral Model Behind Burst’s Multi-Million Dollar Brand (Best of Foundr) 42:49

2M ago42:49

42:49

Brittany Stewart turned toothbrushes into a breakout DTC success story—co-founding one of America’s fastest-growing eCommerce brands: Burst Oral Care. In this episode, she shares how Burst launched at dental conventions, scaled through hygienist word-of-mouth, and partnered with A-list influencers like Khloé & Kim Kardashian—all while keeping produ…

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576: (Solo) This One Trademark Mistake Nearly Killed My Business - Here's What I Learnt 9:07

2M ago9:07

9:07

I got sued just a few months into starting Foundr—and it nearly crushed everything I was building. In this short episode, I’m sharing the full story behind how I was forced to change the name of my business, the legal mistakes I made, and the surprising reasons it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. If you’re launching a brand…

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The Beginner's Guide To Building Wealth In Hospitality | Jonathan Mueller E43 43:43

2M ago43:43

43:43

Think you need a perfect plan to start investing in hospitality? Think again. In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Mueller, an everyday investor who went from zero experience and a failed multifamily deal to buying a $250K roadside motel and building a growing hospitality portfolio. He didn’t have a background in hotels, didn’t have much of a…

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575: Ty Haney on Being Ousted From Her Own Company: The Lesson's Learnt & How to Bounce Back 51:28

2M ago51:28

51:28

In this episode, Ty Haney, founder of Outdoor Voices, shares how she turned her public downfall into the blueprint for an even bigger comeback—building multiple new brands and redefining how community drives growth. She reveals: • How she built Outdoor Voices into a $100M cult brand by age 30 • Why the DTC playbook failed—and what she’s doing diffe…

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Hotel Marketing Decoded: What Every Owner Needs to Know | Anthony Chiaravallo E42 44:59

2M ago44:59

44:59

Is your marketing helping your hotel or just draining your budget? In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Chiaravallo, founder of Vallo Media, who has managed over $100M in ad spend for brands like Nike, Resorts World, and boutique hotels across the country. Whether you're trying to fill beds or scale a brand, Anthony breaks down how to think ab…

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574: He's Building a $250M+ Business That Measures Success in Lives Saved | Andrew Lacy 51:55

2M ago51:55

51:55

In this episode, Andrew Lacy, founder of Prenuvo, shares how he went from two startup exits to building one of the fastest-growing health tech companies in the world—revolutionizing preventative healthcare with full-body MRI scans. He reveals: • Why most healthcare systems are reactive and backwards—and how Prenuvo flips it • How Prenuvo scaled fro…

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Syndication Simplified: The Strategy That Builds Generational Wealth | Desiree Doubrox E41 52:10

2M ago52:10

52:10

Ever wondered how people raise millions to buy real estate without using their own money? In this episode, Desiree Doubrox breaks down the world of syndication and how she built an eight-figure fund while empowering hundreds of others to do the same. Whether you're new to investing or ready to raise capital for your first deal, this conversation si…

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573: Building a $74M a Year Beauty & Community Empire | Trinny Woodall 51:07

2M ago51:07

51:07

In this episode, Trinny Woodall, founder of Trinny London, shares how she turned her mission to help women feel confident into a multi-million dollar global beauty brand. She reveals: • Why she focused on the overlooked 35+ market and won their loyalty • How she started with just £150,000 and her own wardrobe to fund the dream • The retention-first…

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A Masterclass In Experiential Hospitality With The Bolt Farm Treehouse Founders | Tori and Seth Bolt E40 54:26

3M ago54:26

54:26

Instead of chasing bookings, the founders behind Bolt Farm Treehouse create an obsession amongst their guests, and they do it with love at the center of everything. Their hospitality business heals relationships, attracts top-tier employees, and doesn't require the use of OTAs In this episode, Seth and Tori Bolt break their iconic hospitality busin…

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572: (Solo) How to Build a Brand That’s Uncopyable: Even If Your Idea Gets Stolen 10:41

3M ago10:41

10:41

Worried someone’s going to steal your business idea? You’re not alone — and you’re not powerless. In this short episode, I’m sharing exactly what to do when copycats come for your product — because they will. I’ll break down why fear of being copied holds so many founders back, how I learned this lesson the hard way, and the real strategies that pr…

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$187M Hotel Portfolio by Age 30: How to Choose the Right Deals, Brands, and Ops Model | Sujay Mehta E39 1:10:59

3M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Thinking about buying or operating a hotel, but not sure where to start? Sujay Mehta built a $187M hospitality portfolio by betting on himself, starting lean, and learning through execution. In this episode, he breaks down what most people get wrong about hotel investing and how you can start smarter. You’ll learn: How to determine which hotel bran…

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571: No Funding, 104 Rejections & $411 Left in the Bank - How She made $65M+ on Flowers 42:23

3M ago42:23

42:23

In this episode, Christina Stembel, founder of Farmgirl Flowers, reveals how she built a $65M+ floral business from her dining room—with no funding, no degree, and no industry experience. She reveals: • Why she chose a perishable, logistics-heavy product in a recession • How she scaled with no marketing budget and $411 left in the bank • The scrapp…

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Turning Passion into Profit in Rural Hospitality | Dave Cook E38 44:03

3M ago44:03

44:03

What does it take to build a successful hospitality business in a small rural town, with no outside investors? Dave Cook, founder of Barn Door Hostel in Rumney, New Hampshire, walks us through his journey from hostel volunteer to hostel owner. We dive into: How he used sweat equity and personal savings to convert an old chicken coop into a thriving…

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570: Your Toothbrush is GROSS - They Fixed it and Made MILLIONS | SURI 59:42

3M ago59:42

59:42

In this episode, Mark Rushmore and Gyve Safavi, co-founders of SURI (Sustainable Rituals), share how they turned a simple personal care item into a sustainable, design-led movement—challenging legacy players like Oral-B and Philips. They share: • Why the electric toothbrush was overdue for disruption • The intentional product and packaging design t…

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Bootstrapped Hospitality: Scaling Your Hotel Portfolio Without Major Capital | Austin Phippen E37 37:22

3M ago37:22

37:22

Today’s guest bought a roadside motel in a town of 900 people and turned it into a thriving hospitality brand. In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate sit down with Austin Phippen, a 26‑year‑old owner of Chama Trails Motel, a portfolio of 12 short-term rentals and a scenic wedding venue in Chama, New Mexico. What you’ll learn …

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569: The Email Expert - How to Get Your Customers Attention 48:08

3M ago48:08

48:08

In this episode, Rytis Lauris, co-founder of Omnisend, shares how he bootstrapped a leading email and SMS marketing platform used by over 125,000 eCommerce brands worldwide. He shares:• Why most ecommerce founders start email marketing too late• How to convert more website traffic into high-intent subscribers• The 2% of automations that drive 40% o…

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Building a Scalable Outdoor Hospitality Brand Through Franchising | Brian Linton E36 1:00:46

3M ago1:00:46

1:00:46

In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate sit down with Brian Linton, co-founder of Finding Promised Land, Camp Ferncrest, and The Rex Hotel. Brian shares how he transitioned from building a $20M apparel company to launching one of the fastest-growing outdoor hospitality brands in the U.S. Key Topics: How a rundown motel purchas…

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568: No Experience, No Investors, 5 x Million Dollar Businesses - How Brittney Saunders Did it 1:19:17

4M ago1:19:17

1:19:17

In this episode, Brittney Saunders, founder of FAYT, Staple Swim, Form Active, and OUTDŌ, shares how she went from YouTuber to multi-brand empire builder—running multiple 7-figure businesses with a hands-on, no-agency approach. She shares: • How she transitioned from influencer to real founder with 40+ staff • The power of brick-and-mortar stores i…

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How to Know If Your CPA Is Helping You or Holding You Back | Kelly Tate E35 51:11

4M ago51:11

51:11

Not sure if your tax advisor is actually optimizing your returns, or just filing forms? In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, we’re joined by Kelly Tate, a CPA with over two decades of experience helping real estate and hospitality investors navigate the tax code with confidence. We dive into key strategies like bonus depreciation, Sectio…

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567: The Tiny Challenge Model - The Easiest Way to Get Your First 5 Clients | Richmond Dinh 45:44

4M ago45:44

45:44

What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeIn this episode, Richmond Dinh, founder of the Tiny Challenge model, reveals how he went from nearly going bankrupt to building a 7-figure coaching empire—without a big audience, paid ads, or complex funnels. He shares:• How he rebuilt his life after losing it all in property investing• The one framework that helped…

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Why Hostels Are an Untapped Investment Opportunity in the U.S. | Mike & Nate E34 36:54

4M ago36:54

36:54

We're proving why hostels are one of the most powerful investment models in real estate. In this episode, Mike and Nate break down exactly why they’re going all-in on hostels and how they turn underperforming assets into award-winning hospitality destinations. You’ll learn: Why the U.S. hostel market is ripe for disruption The revenue model that tu…

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566: From Celebrity Deals to Creator Empire - Maggie Sellers on Building 'Hot Smart Rich' 55:54

4M ago55:54

55:54

In this episode, Maggie Sellers—founder, investor, creator, and force behind Hot Smart Rich—shares how she turned vulnerability, storytelling, and a scrappy content strategy into a multimillion-dollar movement and investing powerhouse. She shares:• The celebrity deal that taught her the power of owning your narrative• How she built Hot Smart Rich f…

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The Strategic Power of Third-Party Hotel Management | Bryan Fish E33 45:22

4M ago45:22

45:22

You don’t need to be an expert in everything to scale in hospitality, just need to align with the right consultants, operators, and partners who’ve done it before. In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Fish, CEO of Reliance Hospitality, to unpack how third-party operators help investors go from scrappy operators to institutional-level players. Br…

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565: From 3rd Grade Teacher to Beauty CEO: How Supergoop! Built a $700M Brand From ZERO! | Holly Thaggard (Best of Foundr) [VIDEO] 46:20

4M ago46:20

46:20

In this episode, Holly Thaggard, founder of Supergoop!, shares how she redefined the sunscreen category and built a globally recognized $700M brand from the ground up. She shares:• The heartbreaking moment that inspired her SPF obsession• How she created the world’s first chemical sunscreen without oxybenzone• Her failed school program—and why it l…

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He Managed $320M for a Family Office - Then Walked Away to Build His Own Empire | Reilly Brennan E32 47:12

4M ago47:12

47:12

After helping scale a family office real estate portfolio from $3 million to over $320 million, Reilly Brennan walked away from the comfort of a W-2 job to carve his own path in boutique hospitality. In this episode, we sit down with Reilly to unpack how he sourced and acquired two independent hotels in Duluth, Minnesota, one through creative selle…

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564: From $0 to $100,000 a Day Selling Neckties | Fameez Haroon 1:08:39

5M ago1:08:39

1:08:39

In this episode, Fameez Haroon, co-founder of OTAA, shares how he and his brother bootstrapped a fashion accessories brand from a Melbourne bedroom to $40M+ in sales—without outside funding. He shares:• How they built OTAA from $2,000 and zero fashion experience• The customer pain point that sparked the brand idea• Their scrappy PR hustle that led …

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Building a $6M Micro Resort with Only 3% Down Using a USDA Loan | Ian Joseph E31 47:42

5M ago47:42

47:42

In this episode, we dive into an uncommon but powerful financing strategy that could change how boutique hospitality projects get funded. Ian Joseph, founder of Branch, shares how he’s leveraging a USDA Rural Business Development loan to finance a $6M micro resort buildout in West Virginia - with just 3% down. We break down the entire capital stack…

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563: From $500 to 120 Stores - How She Lost It All | Kristina Karlsson 1:20:29

5M ago1:20:29

1:20:29

In this episode, Kristina Karlsson, founder of Kikki.K and Dream Life, opens up about building a $100M global brand, losing it all, and why she's starting again—this time, on her own terms. She shares:• The wild journey of scaling Kikki.K to 120 stores in 6 countries• How losing her business twice reshaped her view of failure and resilience• Why jo…

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The Ultimate Guide To Financing Your Next Hotel Deal | Suraj Desai E30 53:30

5M ago53:30

53:30

In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Suraj Desai, a hospitality finance expert who has helped close hundreds of hotel deals, to unpack everything you need to know about financing your next acquisition, renovation, or ground-up development. Suraj breaks down the full capital stack, from SBA 7a and 504 loans to bridge, CMB…