<div> <p>This week, Jason is joined by Kyle Cooke — entrepreneur, reality TV personality, DJ, and founder of Loverboy — for a conversation on what it really takes to build, scale, and fight to save a consumer alcohol brand in real time.</p><p>Kyle shares the full story behind Loverboy today — from once scaling to 30 employees, 200-plus distribution agreements, and national attention, to now operating with just three full-time employees while navigating cash constraints, distributor challenges, and millions of dollars in debt.</p><p>He breaks down the unique economics of the alcohol industry — including why brands are legally required to go through distributors, how wholesalers and retailers cut into margins, and why selling alcohol is far more complicated than most consumer products.</p><p>Kyle also opens up about the financial pressure behind the scenes, including personally guaranteeing a $4.2 million SBA loan, still owing roughly $2.9 million, and needing to generate over $100,000 a month just to cover the loan payment after taxes.</p><p>Beyond the numbers, Kyle shares the emotional reality of entrepreneurship — putting $500,000 of his own money back into the business, laying off employees, losing his COO, managing strained vendor relationships, and nearly facing the possibility of bankruptcy.</p><p>He also explains how the support from Summer House fans helped save Loverboy through direct-to-consumer sales, merch pre-orders, and renewed demand after he vulnerably shared the company’s financial struggles on the show.</p><p>Jason and Kyle also get into the impact of reality TV on business, why Loverboy’s fan base remains so loyal, how public attention can both help and hurt a brand, and why Kyle has intentionally avoided capitalizing on personal drama in a way that feels cheap or exploitative.</p><p>From SBA debt and distribution nightmares to multiple revenue streams, DJing, brand partnerships, and rebuilding Loverboy with a leaner team, Kyle gives a raw and honest look at what it means to keep showing up when the business, the money, and the public pressure are all hitting at once.</p><p>Kyle reveals all this and so much more in another episode you can’t afford to miss!</p><p>Subscribe to the Trading Secrets podcast!</p><p>Host: Jason Tartick<br>Co-Host: David Arduin<br>Audio: John Gurney<br>Video: Marc Colcer<br>Guest: Kyle Cooke</p></div>