In this revealing episode, Erik Huberman, founder and CEO of Hawke Media, shares the unfiltered truth about what it really takes to build and keep running a company you love. From turning voice recordings into a bestselling book now taught at Columbia and NYU, to leading a multimillion-dollar agency through economic downturns, Erik’s story isn’t just impressive, it’s deeply relatable for every founder chasing both growth and freedom.

Erik dives into the three core pillars of all great marketing and unpacks why trust is the piece most companies fail to build. He talks about the realities of ambition, burnout, and how founders accidentally trap themselves in businesses they no longer want to run.

This episode is a must-listen if you want real insights from someone who’s actually in the arena.

Key Topics:

-Building a company you actually want to run

-The three pillars of great marketing

-Turning knowledge into a bestselling book

-The power of work-life integration

-Why high locus of control defines entrepreneurial success

Quote From The Episode:

"Work like most won’t so you can live like most can."

- Erik Huberman

Timestamp:

[01:20]: From Beanie Babies to Billion-Dollar Ambition: The Truth About Building a Real Empire

[11:26] Why Playing It Safe Will Keep You Broke: The Brutal Truth About Ambition, Risk, and Building a Real Legacy

[21:16] Build Fast, Hire Hard, and Tell the Brutal Truth: Inside the Culture of Hawk Media

[30:33] Brutal Truths, Real Leadership: How Eric Huberman Builds Culture That Wins

[41:26] No Plan B: Eric Huberman on Focus, Culture, and Playing the Long Game in Business

[53:22] Ambition Over Everything: Eric Huberman on Sales, Grit, and Winning in the AI Age

[1:05:13] What It Takes to Be an Excellent Entrepreneur Today

[1:25:36] Outro

Connect with - Erik Huberman:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/erikhuberman

Websites: hawkemedia.com

erikhuberman.com

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959

Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence