The Entrepreneur DNA

Dec 11

In this episode of Entrepreneur DNA , I sat down with 33-year-old serial entrepreneur Alex Smereczniak, the founder of Franzy.com — what he calls the Zillow of franchising. Alex walked me through how franchising really works, why it’s far more accessible than people think, and how everyday entrepreneurs can build serious wealth through franchises, cash flow, and real estate. We talk about the hottest industries, the best opportunities, how to choose the right brand, and how the franchise + real-estate model can create multiple streams of income and even multi-million-dollar exits. This conversation opened my eyes to opportunities I didn’t even know existed — and it might do the same for you. About Alex Smereczniak Alex Smereczniak is a serial entrepreneur and the Co-Founder & CEO of Franzy , the platform known as the “Zillow for franchising.” Before building Franzy, Alex launched and scaled 2ULaundry and LaundroLab , raising over $30M in venture capital and expanding the brands across multiple markets. His experience as both a founder and franchisor gives him unique insight into business ownership, franchise systems, operations, and scaling. Today, Alex is on a mission to democratize entrepreneurship and help create the next one million business owners through accessible franchise opportunities and transparent data. Connect With Alex Website: https://franzy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexfromfranzy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak Podcast: How I Franchised This (search on all platforms) About Justin: After investing in real estate for over 18 years and almost 3000 deals done, Justin has created a business that generates 7 figures in active income through wholesaling and fix and flipping as well as accumulating millions of dollars of rental properties including 5 apartment buildings, 50+ single family homes, and 1 storage facility Justins longevity in real estate is due to his ability to look around the corners, adapt to changing markets, perfecting Raising private capital, and focusing on lead generation which allows him to not just wholesale and fix & flip, but also accumulate wealth through long term holds. His success in real estate led him to start The Entrepreneur DNA podcast and The Science Of Flipping podcast and education company, and REI LIVE where he’s actively doing deals with members. He has coached and mentored thousands of aspiring and active investors over the last decade. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @thejustincolby YouTube: Justin Colby TikTok: @justincolbytsof • • LinkedIn: Justin Colby Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 8

In this episode, I sit down with the one and only Ryan Serhant — Netflix star, best-selling author, top broker, and CEO of a real estate juggernaut. We go way beyond real estate and peel back the curtain on what it actually takes to scale a brand, lead with authenticity, and stay mission-focused while juggling a million things — from fatherhood to multi-million dollar investments. Ryan opens up about his morning routine, his “future self” philosophy, why content without authenticity fails, and what it’s like running a brand that operates in 12 states and just raised $45 million. Whether you're a content creator, founder, or aspiring real estate mogul, this one is stacked with gems. We even touch on AI, his vision for SellIt.com, and the new Season 2 of Owning Manhattan (OUT NOW) . This is a playbook episode. Let’s go. Ryan Serhant is the CEO and founder of SERHANT., a multi-faceted real estate and media company, star of Netflix’s “Owning Manhattan,” and author of multiple best-selling books. With over a decade as a top broker in NYC, Ryan has grown his firm into 12 states and recently raised $45M to expand a tech-driven ecosystem for modern agents and entrepreneurs. Ryan Serhant’s Socials Instagram: @ryanserhant YouTube: Ryan Serhant Website: https://ryanserhant.com Sell It Platform: https://sellit.com About Justin: After investing in real estate for over 18 years and almost 3000 deals done, Justin has created a business that generates 7 figures in active income through wholesaling and fix and flipping as well as accumulating millions of dollars of rental properties including 5 apartment buildings, 50+ single family homes, and 1 storage facility Justins longevity in real estate is due to his ability to look around the corners, adapt to changing markets, perfecting Raising private capital, and focusing on lead generation which allows him to not just wholesale and fix & flip, but also accumulate wealth through long term holds. His success in real estate led him to start The Entrepreneur DNA podcast and The Science Of Flipping podcast and education company, and REI LIVE where he’s actively doing deals with members. He has coached and mentored thousands of aspiring and active investors over the last decade. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @thejustincolby YouTube: Justin Colby TikTok: @justincolbytsof LinkedIn: Justin Colby Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 1

In this episode, I sit down with brand and content strategist Dawson Gibbs, founder of EVO Marketing Agency, one of the fastest-growing content agencies in the country. We dive deep into what it really takes to build a powerful personal brand, how to rebrand intentionally, and why most entrepreneurs fail on social media long before their business ever gets a chance to grow. We break down practical content strategies, posting frameworks, and the mindset required to stay consistent long enough to succeed. Dawson shares how he scaled his agency, why authenticity always beats over-edited content, and the systems his team uses to create thousands of pieces of content for brands every month. If you’re an entrepreneur trying to grow your influence, build attention, and scale your business through content, this episode is mandatory. About Dawson Gibbs: Dawson Gibbs is a brand and content strategist and the founder of EVO Marketing Agency, one of the fastest-growing creative and performance agencies in the industry. Dawson built his company by combining high-volume organic content production, influencer partnerships, and paid ad optimization to help brands scale attention and revenue. EVO works with startups, creators, and multi-billion-dollar companies, producing thousands of pieces of content monthly and running campaigns that guarantee view volume and performance. Dawson is known for his transparent approach, fast execution, and proven systems for helping entrepreneurs build personal brands that convert. Instagram: https://instagram.com/evodawson TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@evodawson YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dawsongibbs EVO Marketing Agency IG: https://instagram.com/evomarketingagency EVO Marketing Agency TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@evomarketingagency About Justin: After investing in real estate for over 18 years and almost 3000 deals done, Justin has created a business that generates 7 figures in active income through wholesaling and fix and flipping as well as accumulating millions of dollars of rental properties including 5 apartment buildings, 50+ single family homes, and 1 storage facility Justins longevity in real estate is due to his ability to look around the corners, adapt to changing markets, perfecting Raising private capital, and focusing on lead generation which allows him to not just wholesale and fix & flip, but also accumulate wealth through long term holds. His success in real estate led him to start The Entrepreneur DNA podcast and The Science Of Flipping podcast and education company, and REI LIVE where he’s actively doing deals with members. He has coached and mentored thousands of aspiring and active investors over the last decade. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @thejustincolby YouTube: Justin Colby TikTok: @justincolbytsof LinkedIn: Justin Colby Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 1

In this episode, I sat down with the powerhouse behind one of the most recognized names in luxury real estate — Julia Spillman, CEO of the Eklund Gomes Team. You may know Fredrik Eklund and John Gomes from Million Dollar Listing , but Julia is the operational force that helped grow their business into a $4+ billion empire. We talked about what it really takes to scale, the power of building a brand, and how she leads a national team with grit, discipline, and heart. We also dove into what it means to be a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, how content and storytelling drives real business, and why betting on yourself is always worth it. Julia drops nonstop gems in this one. — About Julia Spillman Julia Spillman is the CEO of the Eklund | Gomes Team, one of the most successful luxury real estate teams in the world with over $4 billion in annual sales . Known as the operational force behind the glitz and glamor of Million Dollar Listing , Julia has played a key role in scaling the Eklund Gomes brand into a national powerhouse. From her roots in small-town Kentucky to running a multi-market real estate empire, she brings unmatched leadership, strategy, and heart to the industry. Under her direction, the team has maintained the #1 spot at Douglas Elliman for a decade and expanded across major markets including New York, Miami, LA, and more. Connect with Julia Spillman Instagram: @juliaspillman LinkedIn: Julia Spillman Eklund | Gomes Team: eklundgomesteam.com About Justin: After investing in real estate for over 18 years and almost 3000 deals done, Justin has created a business that generates 7 figures in active income through wholesaling and fix and flipping as well as accumulating millions of dollars of rental properties including 5 apartment buildings, 50+ single family homes, and 1 storage facility Justins longevity in real estate is due to his ability to look around the corners, adapt to changing markets, perfecting Raising private capital, and focusing on lead generation which allows him to not just wholesale and fix & flip, but also accumulate wealth through long term holds. His success in real estate led him to start The Entrepreneur DNA podcast and The Science Of Flipping podcast and education company, and REI LIVE where he’s actively doing deals with members. He has coached and mentored thousands of aspiring and active investors over the last decade. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @thejustincolby YouTube: Justin Colby TikTok: @justincolbytsof LinkedIn: Justin Colby Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 20

Start your clarity journey today — take the free Chaos to Clarity assessment and download the Double Down On You toolkit at https://leadwithstan.com In this episode of Entrepreneur DNA , I had the pleasure of interviewing Stan Gibson—a best-selling author, speaker, and host of The Inspiration Podcast . Stan shares his incredible journey from being a walk-on college football player to helping his team go from worst to first and win a national championship. We talk deeply about leadership, systems vs. talent, emotional intelligence, wellness routines, and building legacy through masterminds and self-awareness. Stan drops truth after truth—from real life to business to personal development—and gives away two free tools you can download today at leadwithstan.com. This episode is for any entrepreneur navigating chaos and looking to find clarity, identity, and direction again. About Stan: Stan Gibson is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and leadership coach. He’s the founder of The Resilience Lab , a mastermind for high-performing entrepreneurs and executives who want to lead with clarity, emotional intelligence, and legacy. As the host of The Inspiration Podcast , Stan shares powerful stories of growth, systems, and self-awareness to help leaders thrive in chaos and build lives of purpose. Website: https://leadwithstan.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadwithstan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadwithstan Podcast: The Inspiration Podcast with Stan Book: Living a Rich and Intentional Life – available on Amazon About Justin: After investing in real estate for over 18 years and almost 3000 deals done, Justin has created a business that generates 7 figures in active income through wholesaling and fix and flipping as well as accumulating millions of dollars of rental properties including 5 apartment buildings, 50+ single family homes, and 1 storage facility Justins longevity in real estate is due to his ability to look around the corners, adapt to changing markets, perfecting Raising private capital, and focusing on lead generation which allows him to not just wholesale and fix & flip, but also accumulate wealth through long term holds. His success in real estate led him to start The Entrepreneur DNA podcast and The Science Of Flipping podcast and education company, and REI LIVE where he’s actively doing deals with members. He has coached and mentored thousands of aspiring and active investors over the last decade. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @thejustincolby YouTube: Justin Colby TikTok: @justincolbytsof LinkedIn: Justin Colby Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 13

In this episode I sit down with Ben Kelly, a former Army intelligence officer who learned inside JP Morgan how real wealth is built and then applied that blueprint to small-business acquisitions. We break down using other people’s money with SBA 7(a) loans, what lenders really underwrite, and why accounting firms trade at 1x revenue but can exit at 10 to 12x EBITDA in a rollup. Ben shares how AI increases margins without replacing CPA signatures, plus his own alternative cash-flow plays—from luxury assets and short-cycle supercar deals to semi-truck fleets with powerful tax write-offs. We finish with the hard truth most founders miss: build the foundation as fast as you build the portfolio, and anchor the whole thing to purpose and faith. About Ben Kelly Ben Kelly is a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer turned entrepreneur and acquisition specialist. After transitioning from the military into JP Morgan’s Private Bank, Ben discovered the strategy ultra-wealthy clients used to grow net worth: business acquisitions. Today, he runs a small business acquisition company focused on rolling up accounting firms to build a 9-figure exit. He also shares real-world insights through his newsletter Acquisition Ace and is launching Alternative Ace to spotlight passive-income strategies beyond Wall Street. Connect with Ben Kelly Website: https://BenKelly.co Instagram: @BenKellyone X / Twitter: @BenKellyone About Justin: After investing in real estate for over 18 years and almost 3000 deals done, Justin has created a business that generates 7 figures in active income through wholesaling and fix and flipping as well as accumulating millions of dollars of rental properties including 5 apartment buildings, 50+ single family homes, and 1 storage facility Justins longevity in real estate is due to his ability to look around the corners, adapt to changing markets, perfecting Raising private capital, and focusing on lead generation which allows him to not just wholesale and fix & flip, but also accumulate wealth through long term holds. His success in real estate led him to start The Entrepreneur DNA podcast and The Science Of Flipping podcast and education company, and REI LIVE where he’s actively doing deals with members. He has coached and mentored thousands of aspiring and active investors over the last decade. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @thejustincolby YouTube: Justin Colby TikTok: @justincolbytsof LinkedIn: Justin Colby Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 27

Ready to turn what you know into a real licensed school? Connect with Chris Georgetti on LinkedIn or Facebook and start building your accredited institution today. In this episode of Entrepreneur DNA , I sit down with Chris Georgetti. Chris is the guy you call when you want to turn your expertise into a real, licensed educational institution—whether it's a trade school, college, or even a medical university. We break down what it actually takes to get licensed, accredited, and operational, from financial requirements to zoning laws. Chris has helped launch over 200 schools around the world and has a 100% success rate in Florida. If you're an entrepreneur who teaches and truly wants to create long-lasting impact and legitimacy in your niche, this is the playbook. This one opened my eyes—I had no idea how deep this industry goes. About Justin: After investing in real estate for over 18 years and almost 3000 deals done, Justin has created a business that generates 7 figures in active income through wholesaling and fix and flipping as well as accumulating millions of dollars of rental properties including 5 apartment buildings, 50+ single family homes, and 1 storage facility Justins longevity in real estate is due to his ability to look around the corners, adapt to changing markets, perfecting Raising private capital, and focusing on lead generation which allows him to not just wholesale and fix & flip, but also accumulate wealth through long term holds. His success in real estate led him to start The Entrepreneur DNA podcast and The Science Of Flipping podcast and education company, and REI LIVE where he’s actively doing deals with members. He has coached and mentored thousands of aspiring and active investors over the last decade. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @thejustincolby YouTube: Justin Colby TikTok: @justincolbytsof LinkedIn: Justin Colby Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 20

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible power couple, Shane and Victoria Childress , founders of Sava Media Group and owners of a successful RV dealership —but their journey didn't start there. From humble beginnings, childhood adversity, and zero real estate experience, they made a way out of no way. This is the ultimate lifestyle design story: building real estate portfolios, sailing across the Caribbean, living out of RVs, traveling Asia, homeschooling their kids, and now running a media company that’s disrupting legacy RV marketing. We talk business, family, entrepreneurship, bartering, growth, ego, marriage, and everything in between. Their story is raw, inspiring, and proof that you can build a life around freedom—not just finances. About Shane & Victoria: Shane & Victoria Childress are the husband-and-wife founders of Sava Media Group and owners of a Florida RV dealership . They built a ~50-door rental portfolio, lived on sailboats and RVs with their kids, and now help businesses grow with performance marketing that’s tracked to revenue—not likes. Their philosophy: live below your means, keep it simple, and build companies that support your lifestyle, not the other way around. Connect with them: Instagram: @SavaMediaGroup About Justin: After investing in real estate for over 18 years and almost 3000 deals done, Justin has created a business that generates 7 figures in active income through wholesaling and fix and flipping as well as accumulating millions of dollars of rental properties including 5 apartment buildings, 50+ single family homes, and 1 storage facility Justins longevity in real estate is due to his ability to look around the corners, adapt to changing markets, perfecting Raising private capital, and focusing on lead generation which allows him to not just wholesale and fix & flip, but also accumulate wealth through long term holds. His success in real estate led him to start The Entrepreneur DNA podcast and The Science Of Flipping podcast and education company, and REI LIVE where he’s actively doing deals with members. He has coached and mentored thousands of aspiring and active investors over the last decade. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @thejustincolby YouTube: Justin Colby TikTok: @justincolbytsof LinkedIn: Justin Colby Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.