Inside the Lion's Den: A Business and Leadership Podcast

In my latest episode of Inside the Lion's Den podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Brandon Elliott, CEO and founder of Credit Council Elite, for an inspiring conversation about transformation, resilience, and innovative approaches to real estate investing.

Growing up in challenging circumstances with a dysfunctional family background, he initially took a wrong turn in life. However, a life-threatening accident in 2013 - where he suffered severe burns in an explosion - became his wake-up call. Rather than letting this setback define him, Brandon used his house arrest period to educate himself, spending four hours daily learning about real estate investing.

Our conversation took an interesting turn as Brandon explained how he leveraged credit cards to build a successful real estate portfolio, starting with properties in Ohio while based in California. Using the BRRRR strategy (Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance, Repeat), he transformed his life from working in restaurants to generating substantial passive income through real estate investments.

In this episode, we'll cover:

-Brandon's journey from a challenging upbringing to his wake-up call after a devastating accident that left him with severe burns and facing potential jail time

-How Brandon used his house arrest period constructively, dedicating 4 hours daily to studying real estate, which laid the foundation for his future success

-The transition from working in restaurants to long-distance real estate investing in Ohio, including the challenges and lessons learned from managing properties 3,000 miles away

-The birth of Credit Council Elite, which started after a pivotal speaking opportunity at a Cancun mastermind event where 20 people immediately wanted to pay Brandon for his credit expertise

-Brandon's philosophy on using credit strategically as a tool for investment, comparing it to how banks leverage money, and his mission to help others avoid the mistakes he made while losing over a million dollars in credit lines and nine bank relationships

What struck me most about Menina's story was her incredible resilience. Growing up in Canada with parents in the dance industry, she fought against their initial skepticism to pursue her dreams. At just 18, she secured a U.S. work visa independently and made the bold move to Los Angeles. Within months she was dancing alongside industry giants like Paula Abdul and Britney Spears.

During our conversation, Menina shared how motherhood prompted her first major career pivot from performing. But what I found particularly fascinating was how the COVID-19 pandemic, despite its challenges, became an unexpected catalyst for her business transformation. After experimenting with virtual dance fitness classes and facing numerous setbacks, she discovered her true calling: mentoring aspiring dancers through her program, Business of Dance.

In this episode, we'll cover:

-From teaching dance at age 12 to performing with Britney Spears - how early passion and dedication launched a star performer's career

-The entrepreneurial pivot - transforming from professional dancer to successful business owner through multiple career transitions

-Building during COVID - evolving from in-person events to a thriving online dance mentorship program

-The game-changing moment - how investing in a business coach led to explosive growth and necessary tough decisions

-Creating work-life harmony - balancing motherhood while building a business that impacts the next generation of dancers

In my latest episode of Inside the Lion's Den, I had the pleasure of hosting Katie Trost, an elite executive coach who brings a fascinating approach to helping tech CEOs scale their companies. What struck me most about our conversation was Katie's unique perspective on executive coaching – she's laser-focused on supporting CEOs rather than companies, a distinction that fundamentally shapes her entire practice.

We dove deep into the critical challenges of scaling a business, exploring everything from building high-performing executive teams to creating effective board dynamics. Katie broke down her framework into three key categories: leadership development, business operating systems, and people/culture. Her insights on helping CEOs move beyond being the "middleman" to facilitate true executive team collaboration were especially valuable.

-The unique dynamics of scaling tech companies from $10M to $100M+ in revenue

-The critical role of executive team evolution

-Board management strategies for venture-backed companies

-The three pillars of successful company scaling

-Why CEO coaching should focus exclusively on the chief executive's success rather than the company's interests

-Katy's perspective on why she doesn't take equity compensation

This episode offers valuable lessons for aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the publishing industry. Miriam's story demonstrates how passion, perseverance, and a willingness to learn can transform a personal mission into a thriving business that impacts countless lives.

Miriam candidly shares the challenges and triumphs of both self-publishing and traditional publishing, offering valuable insights for aspiring authors. She explains how her speaking engagements at schools evolved into a thriving business, eventually leading to the creation of her own publishing company.

In this episode, we'll cover:

• How personal experiences can be powerful motivators for creating impactful children's literature

• Setting ambitious goals and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can lead to unexpected opportunities

• Both self-publishing and traditional publishing have pros and cons; authors should carefully consider their options

• Marketing is crucial for book success, regardless of the publishing path chosen

• Quality content is essential for creating children's books that resonate with young readers and their parents

In this engaging episode, Aryeh sits down with Samantha Skelly, founder of Pause Breathwork. The conversation weaves through Samantha's entrepreneurial journey, from her early days of making jewelry to becoming a leader in the breathwork industry.

Samantha shares her fascinating story of discovering breathwork in Bali, which led to healing her own eating disorder and eventually creating a successful business. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of building an app, emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision and the right team.

The episode takes an intriguing turn as Samantha explains her role as a "spiritual strategist," bridging the gap between traditional business practices and energy-based approaches. She provides insights into how breathwork can benefit even the most logic-driven entrepreneurs, helping them manage stress and gain new perspectives.

Listeners will find valuable lessons on hiring, scaling a business, and the power of intuition in decision-making. Samantha's unique blend of business acumen and spiritual awareness offers a fresh take on entrepreneurship and personal development.

The conversation concludes with information about the Pause Breathwork app, which offers customizable breathwork sessions for various needs, from stress relief to better sleep.

In this episode, we'll cover:

• How entrepreneurship often stems from either inspiration or pain, with many driven by the need to prove themselves

• Having a clear vision is crucial when developing products or services, especially in tech

• When intuition can be a powerful tool in hiring and decision-making

• How breathwork can be a valuable tool for managing stress and gaining new perspectives in business

• When bridging the gap between traditional business practices and energy-based approaches can lead to unique insights and opportunities for growth