THE 505 PODCAST

• 164. He made $750 million, but it almost killed him… ft. Mike Lazerow

  The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstartWhat’s up, Rock Nation! Today we sit down with Mike Lazerow, the founder of Buddy Media, a billion-dollar startup he sold to Salesforce, and the author of Shoveling Sht: A Love Story, one of the realest takes on entrepreneurship you’ll ever read.In this episode, Mike unpacks the hidden cost of success - from nearly dying after scaling too fast, to rebuilding his identity after stepping away from a company worth hundreds of millions. We go deep on why founders burn out, how to avoid it, and the mindset shift that saved his life.We also talk about selling to Salesforce, the early days of Facebook and Instagram, building with Gary Vee, investing in Liquid Death, and his 6-part Go Gauge framework for picking winning startups.If you’re building something big, or thinking about it, this conversation is your warning and your roadmap.Check out Mike here here:https://www.instagram.com/kassandmike/https://www.youtube.com/@UCgLzz0yep6lUaE5i62zMXTw https://shovelingshit.com/SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-reportThe Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative ServicesCoupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the bouldershttps://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guideJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvsMore Free Products:Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips 6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycallCOP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE: https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACKKG Presets Vol. 1https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId2515% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15https://bit.ly/42sNdejTimestamps: 0:00 - Intro1:21 - The cost of building a $745 million company4:24 - prioritizing health6:58 - Mike’s biggest tradeoffs7:30 - Mike’s relationship with his father9:41 - Getting out of your own way12:46 - The most important trait of a good leader13:26 - How to fire someone17:23 - The fuel that drove Mike early on21:06 - Early days of facebook23:36 - The common trait of ultra successful entrepreneurs27:42 - The process of making a book30:45 - Shoveling sh*t in Central Park33:00 - The biggest life lesson from Marc Benioff37:46 - Processing selling Buddy Media for $745 million40:02 - The challenges of working with your wife41:50 - Venture Capital is broken42:36 - Why pizzeria are great business44:59 - You can’t fire your own kids46:36 - Go Gauge - 6 steps to determine if Mike invests49:31 - Not investing in Uber52:27 - Everyone is born an entrepreneur53:31 - Investing in Liquid Death57:06 - Pivoting the revenue model 4 times for Buddy Media59:44 - Not every business can become a $100 million business1:01:07 - Pizza business roleplay1:03:16 - People don’t know how to market1:04:36 - What founders get wrong with scaling1:08:00 - Going all in on social media1:11:17 - How Kass and Mike push each other1:12:17 - Finding the right business partner1:14:08 - What makes Kass (Mike’s wife) an amazing entrepreneur1:18:32 - Tips for becoming a better manager1:20:10 - Hiring A Players1:22:16 - How to keep employees motivated1:24:46 - How to divide equity of a business1:27:04 - Meeting and working with Gary Vee1:30:12 - Mike was college roommates with Seth Myers1:34:04 - Reminiscing on the journey1:37:36 - Advice to 18 year old selfIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/ TikTok:Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

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• 162. How To Scale a Brand so Fast It Feels illegal w/ Caleb Ralston

  The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstartWhat’s up, Rock Nation! Today we sit down with Caleb Ralston — the brand strategist behind the scenes of Gary Vee and Alex Hormozi, and the creator of the most in-depth content strategy course on the internet (yes, the 6.5 hour one).In this episode, Caleb unpacks how to build a brand people want to copy, not just follow. He breaks down why your social strategy is broken, how to create content that scales trust, and the exact framework he uses to help brands go from overlooked to undeniable.We talk positioning, white space, and why copying top creators will always leave you in second place. Caleb also shares why he dropped a free masterclass instead of selling a course, how it generated 250+ leads overnight, and the long-term thinking that makes him stand out in the most saturated space on the internet.If you’re done chasing views and ready to build something that actually lasts, this is where it begins.Check out Caleb here here:https://www.instagram.com/calebralston/https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@CalebRalston⁩  SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-reportThe Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative ServicesCoupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the bouldershttps://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guideJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvsMore Free Products:Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips 6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycallCOP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE: https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACKKG Presets Vol. 1https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId2515% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15https://bit.ly/42sNdejTimestamps: 0:00 - Intro1:10 - What’s most brands are messing up2:36 - How do you define “work”3:36 - The Brand Journey Framework 6:04 - Caleb’s Brand Journey Framework7:11 - Studying different cultures8:02 - Going all in on YouTube12:10 - Generating 250 leads overnight13:34 - Give everything away for free14:55 - Observing Gary Vee17:06 - The importance of Positioning19:40 - How to stand out today22:30 - Your taste is everything23:41 - How A.I. is affecting creators and brands26:26 - Trust is currency31:12 - Don’t posture as an authority34:30 - The #1 thing that moves the needle36:29 - How to stay consistent with content39:35 - What’s on your rider bro?41:20 - Pairing = Branding48:37 - Protect your brand49:44 - How long it takes to build a successful brand53:23 - Effort means nothing55:49 - Best tools Caleb uses in his business57:36 - How Caleb comes up with ideas for content1:00:00 - Caleb’s merch1:01:08 - Caleb’s first hire1:02:39 - Building someone else’s brand vs. your own1:04:25 - Content is #1 and how to succeed1:09:15 - How to build out a team1:11:39 - Repurpose your ideas and content1:13:36 - Mining content for sustainability1:16:39 - Maker vs. Manager1:19:29 - The challenges that come with starting a business1:22:49 - Hackathon1:27:04 - We love a flop1:31:02 - Having a “gut” feeling1:32:49 - What Caleb learned from Leila Hormozi1:34:55 - What Caleb learned from Gary Vee1:37:04 - What Caleb learned from Alex Hormozi1:39:07 - Overdelivering for clients1:41:53 - Advice to 18 year old selfIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/ TikTok:Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

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• 161. Gary Vee Reveals how to Trade Attention for F*ck You Money

  The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstartCollab with Artlist and get 2 extra months for free here:https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970Check out Hydrant here:https://2ly.link/27h83What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we sit down with none other than Gary Vee – the king of content, CEO of Vayner Media - a $365M agency, and one of the most iconic voices in the creator economy.In this episode, Gary breaks down exactly how to win on social media in 2025 - from why organic content is the lifeblood of any brand, to how creators should think about attention, brand vs sales, and why most people are one piece of content away from changing their life.He also shares how he scaled VaynerMedia from nothing, why content volume beats perfection, and how humility became his greatest superpower in business. We go deep on platform strategy, AI influencers, creating at scale, and why 22 to 30 is your time to go all in on your dream.If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or marketer trying to dominate attention in today’s world - this is the blueprint..Check out Gary here:https://www.instagram.com/garyvee/https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@garyvee⁩  SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-reportThe Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative ServicesCoupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the bouldershttps://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guideJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvsMore Free Products:Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips 6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycallCOP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE: https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACKKG Presets Vol. 1https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId2515% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15https://bit.ly/42sNdejTimestamps: 0:00 - Intro1:02 - What 90% of brands get wrong about Social Media2:31 - Do you understand each platform?4:26 - Organic Social is life6:10 - The TikTokification of content7:03 - You are the niche9:07 - Gary Vee vs Alex Hormozi10:07 - “I’ve never had to make my money from my audience”11:26 - The early days of Vayner12:58 - Gary’s Ah-Ha moment14:59 - Artlist15:41 - Gary’s pitch to brands for Vayner18:23 - Interest Graph vs. Social Graph20:03 - Sawdust Content Theory21:35 - Gary’s warning to fortune 500 brands23:19 - How Gary’s pitch has changed24:33 - Post Creative Strategy25:23 - How we connected with Gary27:17 - Gary’s won the lottery twice29:23 - Macro patients, micro speed30:53 - Don’t be a dick32:20 - How to really grow something big33:42 - Hiring A players vs. B/C players35:14 - Hydrant36:01 - You’re leaving brand on the table36:44 - Gary’s thoughts on Meta’s A.I. strategy38:58 - How Gary is defending against A.I. 40:22 - How Gary won business early on with Vayner41:25 - Gary’s current social strategy43:25 - Gary’s advice to college graduates46:55 - Going back to being Gary Vee48:31 - A.I. influencers50:17 - Gary’s mindset 25 years ago54:28 - Gary’s has his own slang56:22 - What platforms you should spend the most attention onIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/ TikTok:Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

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• 160. Meet the creator who got paid 70k to quit his job forever ft. Karl Shakur

  The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstartCheck out Motion Array here:https://motionarray.com/?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we welcome the elusive and ultra talented Karl Shakur - a creator who went from sleeping in his car to shooting campaigns for Bugatti, hitting a million followers, and building one of the most distinct visual styles on Instagram.Karl takes us deep into how he turned a $70K brand deal into proof-of-concept for his entire career, why he left architecture behind, and how he now approaches content like a business - with a 6-pillar strategy built to grow depth, not just followers. We talk about the balance between personal and commercial work, how to build longevity as a creative, and why injecting yourself into your work is the ultimate differentiator.If you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or content creator trying to turn your art into a full-time career - this is the blueprint.Check out Karl here:https://www.instagram.com/karl_shakur/https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@KarlShakur⁩  SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-reportThe Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative ServicesCoupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the bouldershttps://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guideJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvsMore Free Products:Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips 6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycallCOP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE: https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACKKG Presets Vol. 1https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId2515% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15https://bit.ly/42sNdejTimestamps: 0:00 - Trailer0:36 - Intro1:25 - The $70,000 brand deal that changed his life3:04 - How he used the money4:15 - Proving his parents wrong7:53 - Why brands pay Karl so much11:54 - Where Karl’s love for storytelling came from13:32 - Motion Array14:19 - Karl’s creative strategy18:35 - Does gear matter?20:05 - How Karl pushes his creative limits22:05 - Karl’s insane instagram growth25:28 - Karl’s 6 pillars of content29:32 - Building depth with your audience30:53 - Karl is hyper competitive with content34:21 - Why You Have to Keep Reinventing as a Creator35:13 - Karl’s fitness routine38:10 - Tips for Instagram success40:41 - Why Showing You Is the Key to Standing Out42:35 - Brands Want You, Not Just Your Art44:48 - How Karl Lands & Delivers High-End Brand Deals47:00 - The importance of collaboration48:37 - The misconception about being a full time creator50:02 - Karl’s favorite piece of creative work53:19 - Karl’s new project - The Shkr.club1:00:53 - Perfectionism is a creative killer1:03:38 - The Hidden Cost of Chasing Your Dream1:05:46 - Advice to your 18 year old selfIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/ TikTok:Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

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• 159. LinkedIn is a Real-Life ‘Cheat Code’ to Get Rich w/ Vin Matano

  The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstartCheck out Hydrant here:https://2ly.link/27h83What’s up, Rock Nation! Today’s episode is a masterclass in LinkedIn growth with Vin Matano — the founder of Creator Buzz and the guy quietly building one of the most powerful B2B creator agencies in the game. After leaving his comfy 9-to-5, Vin hit $750K in his first year and hasn’t looked back.We get into all of it: how to actually go viral on LinkedIn, why your follower count doesn’t matter, how to package your posts for maximum reach, and why photographers and videographers are sleeping on the platform. If you’re a creator trying to land dream clients or brand deals, LinkedIn might be your biggest opportunity, and Vin breaks down the exact playbook for how to win.Check out Vin here:https://www.instagram.com/vinmatano/https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@vinmatano⁩  https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinmatano/SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-reportThe Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative ServicesCoupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the bouldershttps://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guideJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvsMore Free Products:Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips 6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycallCOP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE: https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACKKG Presets Vol. 1https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId2515% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15https://bit.ly/42sNdejTimestamps: 0:00 - Trailer0:35 - Intro1:20 - How to crush on LinkedIn as a beginner2:10 - LinkedIn will be the #1 app for creators3:06 - Repackaging content for LinkedIn4:36 - How to win with text6:34 - Why Vin went all in with LinkedIn7:39 - The bar for video is super low8:32 - Why Vin is so bullish on LinkedIn10:18 - Beginner tips11:46 - Video on LinkedIn12:59 - The difference between brands and creators on LinkedIn14:00 - Hydrant15:00 - People don’t want to follow brand pages16:30 - full time linkedin creators17:44 - LinkedIn followers don’t matter as much18:24 - successful LinkedIn content benchmark20:02 - Networking on LinkedIn21:43 - Biggest mistakes beginners make23:00 - The “But, therefore” rule25:45 - What’s not working as well anymore on LinkedIn26:08 - Never post JPEG pics28:23 - You have to adapt as a creator30:20 - LinkedIn tips for Photographers & Videographers32:04 - LinkedIn brand deal structure33:59 - The new Brand Link feature37:13 - Why Vin started Creator Buzz38:32 - Hiring for Creator Buzz40:19 - $750,000 in year one41:33 - Navigating live events45:09 - Difficulties of starting your own business49:18 - Year one business learnings51:34 - Softwares Vin uses52:19 - How ROI is measured53:59 - LinkedIn Influencer budgets55:32 - When Vin knew he had to expand his team58:00 - Cold calling and sales advice1:01:20 - Video Trends1:07:31 - Vetting creators1:09:28 - How he tripled his business1:11:13 - How Vin splits his time1:14:00 - Can podcasts clips perform on LinkedIn?1:15:41 - Your idea is worth sharing1:17:18 - the next 6-12 months1:21:06 - Advice to 18 year old selfIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/ TikTok:Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

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