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

In this episode, we sit down with Cecilia Ziniti, Founder & CEO of GC AI, to explore the raw truth behind leadership, legal tech, and what excellence really looks like today. From representing Apple in the early smartphone wars to helping launch Alexa, Cecilia has seen tech evolve from every angle, law, operations, and now AI. She opens up about what it means to scale with heart, embrace feedback, delegate with intention, and why parenting might be the best metaphor for building startups.

We go deep into how AI is transforming law, why resilience matters more than ever, and what founders get wrong about success. If you’ve ever wondered whether greatness requires being tough or vulnerable, this conversation is for you.

Tune in to hear why the future of legal work won’t replace you with AI but it might, if you don’t evolve.

Key Topics:

-Building high standards without burning out your team

-Why AI-powered lawyers will lead the future

-Letting go of outdated success metrics

-Hiring people you'd actually work for

-Delegating to people and AI with intention

Quote From The Episode:

"It’s not always perfect progress, but good things are happening, and you get to learn every day."

- Cecilia Ziniti

Timestamp:

[01:32]: From Law to Alexa: How a Tech Lawyer Helped Shape the Future of AI

[10:47] Why Manifesting Isn’t Magic, It’s Momentum.

[20:14] You Can’t Return the Baby: The Raw Reality of Startup Resilience

[31:10] Same Chaos, New Growth: Parenting, Founding, and the Power of Feedback

[40:12] Do You Need to Be Tough or Tender to Build a Billion-Dollar Company?

[52:29] From Courtroom to Code: Why Smart Lawyers Are Embracing the AI Era

[1:01:09] Is This As Good As It Can Be? The Relentless Standard Behind Entrepreneurial Excellence

[1:14:26] Outro

Connect with - Cecilia Ziniti:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ceciliaziniti

Websites: getgc.ai

ceciliaziniti.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

In this episode, we dive deep into the real journey of building and scaling companies—from sleeping on the office floor to managing multiple businesses with clarity and purpose.

Connor Tomkies shares honest lessons on delegation, hiring, culture, EOS, and the mental shifts founders must make to avoid burnout and build smarter.

We talk about why fundraising isn't always the answer, how to spot the wave you should ride, and what it means to lead with systems—not stress. You’ll hear how small habits, like aiming to be just 1% better, can change the entire game.

This episode is packed with stories, strategies, and mindset shifts every entrepreneur needs to hear!

Key Topics:

-Building systems that scale

-Hiring people who’ve done the work

-Culture that keeps people around

-Choosing to bootstrap over fundraising

-Growing through 1% daily improvements

Quote From The Episode:

"Focus on getting 1% better — every day, every week, every month, every year."

- Connor Tomkies

Timestamp:

[01:32]: From Dorm Room Hustles to Running 6 Companies: How This Founder Outsmarted Burnout and Scaled Like a Pro

[12:42] What Scaling to 6 Companies Taught Me About Leadership, Burnout, and Remote Teams

[21:19] Why Most Startups Fail at Hiring—and What to Do Instead

[31:37] Why Most Founders Waste Time—and How Systems Thinking Can 10x Your Focus and Scale

[41:05] The Hidden Habits of High-Performing Founders: How to Think, Hire, and Scale Like a Pro

[1:00:33] Founder’s Edge: How to Spot Big Waves, Avoid the Fundraising Trap, and Build Smarter

[1:00:19] What Makes a Founder Great? The Real Lessons No One Teaches You About Building, Scaling, and Living Well

[1:23:56] Outro

Connect with - Connor Tomkies:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/connortomkies

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence:

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

What Makes Founders Succeed (And Why Most Get It Wrong)

What separates the 5% who actually raise capital from the rest who never make it past the pitch? In this episode, we go deep into the truth behind startup success — and it's not just about having a great idea.

We talk about the hidden cost of lazy fundraising, the myth of the perfect pitch, and how obsession, focus, and hustle play a much bigger role than most people admit. You’ll hear raw stories about rejection, team dynamics, culture-building, and the dark side of startup life. We also explore how AI is changing fundraising forever, and why generosity might be the founder's most underrated trait.

Tune in if you want to raise better, lead smarter, and build with clarity in a world full of noise. This one’s for every founder trying to make it — and willing to do the real work.

Key Topics:

• Why most founders fail to raise capital
• The role of hustle and momentum in successful fundraising
• How the best founders build trust and relationships
• What AI is changing in the future of fundraising
• The personal toll and mindset behind founder life

Quote From The Episode:

"You’re not trying to convince people — it’s a search for believers."

- Nathan Beckord

Timestamp:

[01:10] Only 5% Raise Startup Capital—What’s the Brutal Truth Behind the Rest?

[12:10] Why Most Founders Flop at Fundraising—And What the Winners Quietly Do Differently

[20:16] Broken Pitch Decks, Lazy Hustlers, and the Cold Reality No One Tells Founders

[31:45] Startup Victory Formula: Is It Hustle, Heart, or Ruthless Focus That Actually Wins?

[41:05] Obsessed vs. Average: The Psychology of Founders Who Actually Raise Capital

[52:00] What It Really Takes to Build Something Big—And Why Most Can’t Handle It

[1:04:00] The Grit Factor: Why Some Founders Build Empires and Others Just Burn Out

[1:11:11] Too Young to Go Big? Why Betting Early Might Be Your Boldest—and Smartest—Move

[1:15:45] Outro

Connect with - Nathan Beckord:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/nathanbeckord

Websites - fundingstack.com blog.foundersuite.com youtube.com/@Foundersuite/videos

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence:

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

What does it really take to build a billion-dollar company before 30?

In this episode, Emil Barr shares the bold truth behind entrepreneurship—starting from earning $70K in high school to building multi-million dollar businesses and aiming for a billion-dollar exit. He opens up about the mental and physical cost of going big, the real reasons people don’t chase their dreams, and why most entrepreneurs get stuck thinking too small.

We dive deep into what sets high-impact founders apart: clear superpowers, relentless curiosity, and a willingness to fail fast. Emil breaks down why reading billionaire biographies changed his mindset, how he uses discomfort to grow, and why having big ambition isn’t crazy—it’s necessary.

Tune in to hear how Emil is building companies with 99% margins, finding mentors in unlikely places, and why he believes aiming for massive impact is the best strategy—even if you fall short.

Key Topics:

-Why big goals lead to bigger results

-The power of knowing your strengths and building around them

-How curiosity fuels entrepreneurial growth

-What most people get wrong about mentorship and success

-Why America's system gives entrepreneurs an edge

Quote From The Episode:

"Set your sights on a big target, because even if you fail, it could still be a life-changing outcome for you."

- Emil Barr

Timestamp:

[01:09] Why Building Big Is Easier Than You Think

[13:10] The Billion Dollar Vision Starts With Belief Not Just Sales

[21:01] Why Self-Aware Founders Hire for Strengths They Don't Have

[30:46] Why Knowing Your Superpower Is the Ultimate Founder Advantage

[40:49] Why Thinking Different in College Led to Millions Before Graduation

[50:53] Why Most People Don't Become Entrepreneurs Even If They Want To

[1:00:52] How Relentless Curiosity and Big Bets Shape the Most Successful Founders

[1:11:33] Why Going Big Young Might Be the Smartest (and Hardest) Move You’ll Ever Make

[1:21:44] Outro

Connect with - Emil Barr:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/emil-barr

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence:

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

What if a simple service could build an 8-figure empire—and change lives along the way?

In this episode, we dive deep with William Milliken, the founder behind a wildly successful dog poop removal business that turned into a movement. But this isn’t just about scooping waste—it’s about building systems, trusting people, letting go of stress, and choosing focus over complexity. William shares how he built a high-margin, low-drama business by staying curious, taking action, and surrounding himself with the right people.

We talk about real numbers, real mindset shifts, and the power of choosing simplicity over chaos. If you've ever felt like you needed to have the "perfect" plan before getting started—this conversation will break that belief wide open.

Tune in to hear how doing the unglamorous work—literally—can lead to freedom, wealth, and a business that runs without you.

Key Topics:

• Taking action matters more than perfect planning
• Build a premium brand even in simple industries
• Focus on LTV and CAC to scale fast
• Delegate early and pay people well
• Simplify to grow with less stress

Quote From The Episode:

"The number one thing is to actually go out and take action."

- William Milliken

Timestamp:

[02:05] : From Poop Scoops to Profit: How Grit, Marketing, and Reliability Built a $2M Business

[10:37] Why Teaching Others Your Business Can Be the Best Growth Strategy

[20:07] The Real Growth Hack: Obsessing Over One Niche, One Metric, and One Mission

[29:37] Why Fewer Headaches, Higher Pay, and Premium Standards Built a Thriving Service Empire

[41:04] Why Simple Wins: Scaling Smarter by Delegating, Paying More, and Letting Go

[51:04] Why Taking Action Beats Perfection: Lessons in Focus, Delegation, and Entrepreneurial Freedom

[57:00] Outro

Connect with - William Milliken:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/william-milliken

Website - skool.com/poop-scoop-millionaire/about

YouTube - www.youtube.com/@Scoop-Start

Instagram - instagram.com/scoopstart

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

What if the true test of an immigrant founder isn’t just about building — but having the courage to pivot, let go, or start from scratch in a land that’s not your own?

In this eye-opening episode, serial entrepreneur and investor Vadim Rogovskiy takes us deep into the mindset of what truly makes an excellent founder. From his early days building companies in Ukraine to raising millions in VC funding and finally relocating his life to New York, Vadim shares raw, honest insights about sacrifice, success, and the hidden cost of chasing growth.

He talks about the rare power of consistency, why the immigrant mindset gives founders an edge, and how ego and comfort zones can quietly kill progress. You’ll hear how he learned to stop playing the VC game, what he looks for before acquiring a startup, and the simple shift founders can make today to stay in the game long-term.

Tune in to learn how to lead with clarity, scale without burning out, and why knowing when to move on might be the most powerful decision you’ll ever make.

Key Topics:

• Why consistency is more important than talent
• How immigrant founders build resilience through discomfort
• The danger of chasing growth without real product-market fit
• When to pivot, quit, or double down as a founder
• What founders should do before raising or selling their company

Quote From The Episode:

"Don’t raise venture capital if you’re not all in"

- Vadim Rogovskiy

Timestamp:

[01:12] : Curiosity, Consistency, and the Immigrant Edge: What Defines an Excellent Entrepreneur?

[11:39] The Immigrant Mindset: Why Comfort Kills Potential and Consistency Builds Legends

[21:02] Leave Comfort, Build Greatness: Why the Boldest Founders Uproot Everything to Succeed

[30:04] From Jumping Too Early to Letting Go Too Late: Hard Lessons in Entrepreneurial Timing

[41:51] Why the Best Founders Know When to Pivot, Shrink, or Let Go — And Still Win

[47:51] Outro

Connect with - Vadim Rogovskiy:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/vadim-rogovskiy

Website - 3dlook.me

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence:

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

What makes a founder truly exceptional—and why is obsession, not ideas, the real engine behind billion-dollar startups?

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Yotam Rosenbaum, Founding Partner at First Peak Ventures and YC alum, to uncover what it actually takes to go from struggling musician to scaling a startup with over 15,000 artists—and then becoming a top-tier investor backing the next generation of world-changing founders.

Yotam shares the wild origin story of Earbits, born on a traffic-jammed highway, and how the obsession with solving a real problem—not chasing startup fame—pushed him into the world of tech.

Tune in to hear why excellence isn’t a destination. It’s a mindset. And why the best founders never stop building, learning, or sacrificing in pursuit of something greater.

Key Topics:

• What it really takes to build a startup from zero
• Why founders need more than just a good idea
• The hidden cost of building a company
• How great founders grow fast
• Why excellence is something you chase, not achieve

Quote From The Episode:

"If you want to achieve excellence, you have to accept the fact that you'll never achieve it, because that's the whole point—it's always trying to do better"

- Yotam Rosenbaum

Timestamp:

[01:24] : How One Road Trip Sparked a Startup That Shook the Music Industry

[11:06] How a Funk Band, a Traffic Jam, and a Crazy Idea Turned Into a YC-Backed Music Startup with 15,000 Artists

[21:52] How One Founder Bet on People Over Ideas—and Won Big

[32:53] Why the Best Startups Don’t Start with Ideas—They Start with Aligned Co-Founders

[41:17] The Hidden Reason Most Startups Fail—And What the Best Founders Get Right from Day One

[51:30] What Founders Really Sacrifice to Build Billion-Dollar Companies

[1:01:36] Why the Best Founders Never Feel They've Made It—And What Truly Drives Startup Excellence

[1:21:32] Outro

Connect with - Yotam Rosenbaum:

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/yotamrosenbaum

Websites - earbits.com

Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence:

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