Social Proof Podcast

Journey Stanley calls himself The Brand Therapist, helping entrepreneurs build their brands, clarify their messaging, and create content that connects with their audience. But there's one major problem: his own business isn't growing the way he wants it to. In this episode of The Hot Seat, David Shands challenges Journey to take a serious look at his business model, pricing, and strategy for attracting clients. From charging just $25 for graphic design work to depending on someone else to bring him customers, Journey quickly discovers why his goal of making $10,000 a month hasn't become a reality. David breaks down the numbers, helps him recognize the value of his services, and challenges him to sell a $1,500 content package to a potential client LIVE during the interview. But the conversation goes even deeper as David challenges Journey to think about his responsibility as a husband, his financial goals, and what it really takes to build a sustainable business. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why having talent doesn't automatically translate into business success ✅ How to stop undercharging for your services ✅ Why depending on referrals can limit your growth ✅ How to turn your skills into premium offers ✅ The importance of knowing your numbers and setting clear financial goals ✅ Why taking action is more important than waiting for opportunities If you're a creative entrepreneur, graphic designer, content creator, or service provider struggling to grow your business, this conversation is for you. Connect with Journey Stanley: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journaestanley/ Website: https://journaestanley.com Brand Therapy: https://therapy.journaestanley.com Subscribe for more real conversations, business breakthroughs, and uncomfortable truths on The Hot Seat with David Shands. #TheHotSeat #DavidShands #SocialProofPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BrandStrategy #BusinessGrowth #CreativeEntrepreneur #Marketing #BusinessCoaching Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What happens when a business coach claims $650,000 in revenue, but the numbers tell a different story? Connect with Blake here! https://www.instagram.com/thenonprofitguy/ On this episode of The Hot Seat, David Shands sits down with Blake Nathan, also known as The Nonprofit Guy, for an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about business, revenue, credibility, and what it really takes to become a successful entrepreneur. Blake has built a coaching business helping nonprofit founders secure funding and grow their organizations. But when David starts asking questions about his revenue, recurring income, and business model, the conversation takes an unexpected turn. After digging into the numbers, David uncovers a major difference between projected revenue and actual cash collected. Then he challenges Blake with an even tougher question: Can you effectively teach people how to build a business if you're no longer actively doing what you teach? This conversation goes beyond the numbers. David breaks down why entrepreneurs must understand their finances, why coaches need current results to back up their advice, and how staying in the game can separate successful business owners from everyone else. If you're a coach, consultant, entrepreneur, or someone building a business, this episode will challenge the way you think about success, credibility, and growth. In this episode: 🔥 The truth behind $650K in reported revenue 🔥 Why cash collected matters more than projected income 🔥 The biggest mistake business coaches make 🔥 Why David believes coaches should still be in the game 🔥 How to build credibility through real results 🔥 The importance of knowing your business numbers The Hot Seat isn't about making entrepreneurs comfortable. It's about asking the questions that help them grow. Subscribe for more real conversations, uncomfortable questions, and powerful business lessons with David Shands. #DavidShands #TheHotSeat #SocialProofPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BusinessCoaching #BusinessGrowth #NonprofitBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Why do some of the most successful people risk everything when they already have millions? In this episode of the Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins have an eye opening conversation about the dark side of success, greed, money, power, and the importance of protecting your integrity as an entrepreneur. After discussing a $40 million real estate fraud scheme that resulted in a lengthy prison sentence, David and Donni open up about their own experiences investing in what turned out to be a Ponzi scheme involving someone they considered a friend. They discuss the painful reality of trusting the wrong people, losing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and watching successful individuals make decisions that destroy relationships, businesses, and lives. The conversation goes even deeper as they explore why some people change after gaining wealth and influence, how ambition can become dangerous, and why knowing who you are before becoming successful is one of the most important lessons in entrepreneurship. In this episode, you'll learn: 🔥 Why successful entrepreneurs sometimes make terrible financial decisions 💰 How greed can destroy wealth, relationships, and reputations 🚨 The warning signs of questionable investment opportunities 💡 Why integrity is more valuable than making another million dollars 🎯 How to recognize when ambition is becoming destructive 👑 Why true success requires character, discipline, and accountability The biggest lesson? Making millions means nothing if you lose yourself in the process. Whether you're building your first business, investing your money, or working toward financial freedom, this conversation is a reminder that success isn't just about how much money you make. It's about who you become along the way. Join the Social Proof Circle: https://www.socialproofcircle.com Subscribe to the Social Proof Podcast for real conversations about entrepreneurship, wealth building, business growth, and the lessons that help you become a better leader. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Yandy Smith and Ebony Austin join David Shands on the Social Proof Podcast for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, building successful businesses, strategic partnerships, and the real cost of success. From reality television to building multimillion dollar businesses, Yandy Smith shares how she turned her platform into opportunities while learning how to balance business, family, and personal growth. Ebony Austin, founder of Nouveau Bar & Grill, breaks down what it really takes to build and operate successful restaurants. Together, they reveal the behind the scenes reality of building their $2.3 million restaurant in Miami, managing major expenses, creating unforgettable customer experiences, and building a partnership where each person brings different strengths to the table. They also discuss why having multiple businesses can be an advantage, the importance of systems and leadership, knowing when to walk away from opportunities, and why success is about more than just making money. In this episode, you'll learn: 🔥 How Yandy Smith used reality TV to build her business empire 🔥 The real numbers behind their $2.3 million Miami restaurant 🔥 How their restaurant can generate $47,000 in a single night 🔥 Why successful business partnerships require complementary strengths 🔥 The importance of systems, customer service, and hiring the right people 🔥 How faith, relationships, and personal growth influence their business decisions 🔥 Why building wealth should also create opportunities for your community Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, restaurant owner, or someone looking to build multiple streams of income, this conversation is packed with real business lessons, powerful stories, and insight from two women who are building something bigger than themselves. Subscribe to the Social Proof Podcast for more conversations about entrepreneurship, wealth building, business ownership, and personal development. #SocialProofPodcast #DavidShands #YandySmith #EbonyAustin #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #RestaurantBusiness #WealthBuilding Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Success comes with a price, but it's not always about money. On this episode of Finance Fridays, David Shands sits down with Charles Noonan and Joy Hunt to discuss the hidden taxes of becoming successful that nobody prepares you for. From being charged more simply because people know you have money to dealing with friends and family who expect financial favors, success can create challenges you never saw coming. But the cost goes even deeper. What happens when everyone expects you to win? When your success starts affecting your privacy, relationships, identity, and peace of mind? In this conversation, we break down the rich tax, loyalty tax, expectation tax, privacy tax, comparison tax, and identity tax. We also explore the sacrifices behind building wealth and why the people who see your success rarely understand what it took to get there. Whether you're building your first business, growing your income, or already experiencing success, this episode will change the way you think about what it really costs to win. Connect with Charles Noonan: https://myfirstpropertychallenge.com/challenge-2946 Connect with Joy Hunt: https://www.seeyouathebank.com/sales-page-paid1705957367759 Join the conversation: What's one hidden cost of success you've experienced or witnessed? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for more conversations about money, entrepreneurship, wealth building, and financial freedom every Finance Friday. #FinanceFridays #DavidShands #Entrepreneurship #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #Success #MoneyMindset Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy