In this episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, Alex Quin sits down with Brandon Travin, Director of Sales and Partnerships at Resident.com, a legacy luxury lifestyle publication founded by his father in 1988. Brandon shares how he helped transform the brand from a print-focused magazine into a modern, digitally dominant media company with a domain authority of 70. They discuss the power of SEO, personalized brand partnerships, email marketing, luxury events, and leveraging AI in content. Brandon emphasizes the value of storytelling, long-term relationships, and meeting clients where they are. The episode also highlights the importance of combining tradition with innovation while staying true to brand values in the fast-evolving luxury media space.

Episode Outline:

[00:00:00] Intro and welcome

[00:01:30] Brandon's background and Resident.com origin story

[00:05:45] From local paper to global luxury publication

[00:09:10] Family legacy and media industry roots

[00:12:00] Brandon’s digital transformation strategy

[00:16:50] Growing Resident.com’s domain authority to 70

[00:19:20] Balancing print and digital

[00:22:00] Focus on travel, real estate, fashion, dining

[00:25:45] Brand activations, events, and client strategies

[00:29:30] High-profile covers, celebrity features

[00:32:10] The power of storytelling in luxury branding

[00:36:15] Leveraging AI and multilingual content

[00:41:30] Sales wins and in-person dealmaking

[00:43:45] Brandon’s values and how he wants to be remembered

Wisdom Nuggets:

Legacy Can Fuel Innovation: Brandon Travin didn’t just inherit a company—he brought it into the digital age, using Resident.com’s trusted legacy as a launchpad for tech-driven growth.

SEO is a Long Game: Achieving a domain authority of 70 in under three years came from consistency, content upgrades, and leveraging the strength of the Resident.com domain.

Print Still Has Power, But Digital Scales: Print remains a high-touch brand tool, while Resident.com drives scalable traffic and conversion—showing how modern media needs both.

Sell With Purpose, Not Pressure: Brandon highlights that listening deeply to client goals and customizing media plans around their KPIs builds trust and long-term wins.

Meet Clients Where They Are: From targeted email campaigns to luxury events and global SEO visibility, Resident.com’s success lies in reaching audiences across every relevant channel.

Power Quotes

“It doesn’t always have to be money—you don’t always need to make something out of the relationship.” - Alex Quin

“Luxury is personal. You gotta meet clients in person.” - Brandon Travin

“I want Resident.com to be the go-to for luxury in every major city.”

Connect with Brandon:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/brandon.travin)

Linkedin: (linkedin.com/in/brandontravin)

Resident Magazine Website (https://resident.com/)

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

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*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Alex Quin sits down with Christian Pombo of Creative Real Estate Deals to unpack how he moved over $20 million in off-market real estate deals in the past year using creative finance strategies. From his start in pre-med to becoming a wholesale dealmaker, Christian shares actionable insights on wholesaling, sub-to deals, seller finance, and how he built a community of over 500 investors in a thriving paid WhatsApp group.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] Intro & High School Roots

[03:00] How Christian Pivoted from Pre-Med to Real Estate

[05:50] Early Real Estate Influences in His Family

[08:15] Real Estate Seemed "Played Out" at First

[10:30] Why Wholesaling and Creative Finance Clicked

[13:15] Sub-to vs Seller Financing Explained

[18:50] Recent $400K Deal Example in Homestead

[23:00] Objections Sellers Have About Sub-To

[27:20] Off-Market vs On-Market Property Deals

[33:30] Why Most Realtors Don’t Know About Creative Finance

[38:00] The Importance of Problem Solving in Real Estate

[43:45] Cherry-Picking the Best Deals

[47:50] Importance of Buy Box and Market Familiarity

[51:30] Creative Financing Example from Hialeah Purchase

[55:10] Foreclosures Are Up: Here’s Why

[59:00] Building the WhatsApp Group & Helping New Investors

Wisdom Nuggets:

Creative Financing Is a Problem Solver: Creative finance isn't just about strategy—it’s about finding ethical ways to solve real problems. When banks say no, these methods can create win-win scenarios for both investors and distressed property owners.

Sellers’ Situations Dictate the Terms: Forget falling in love with the kitchen layout—real estate investing success comes from understanding the seller’s situation. The better you grasp their challenges, the better your chances at structuring a mutually beneficial deal.

Build Your Buyer List Before the Deal: Don’t wait until you have the contract to look for a buyer. Build a community—like Christian’s WhatsApp group—so when the right deal lands, it moves quickly.

Long-Term Financing Buys Time and Options: In creative finance, the longer the financing terms, the better. It gives investors the breathing room to hold, refinance, or cash flow without pressure.

Relationships Drive Revenue: Speed and communication are important, but nothing replaces trust. Christian attributes much of his success to in-person networking and repeat business from buyers who trust his word and deal quality.

Power Quotes

“I sell good deals, but I buy great deals.” - Christian Pombo

"I'm raising gentlemen." - Christian Pombo

Connect with Christian:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/pomborealestate)

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/creativerealestatedeals)

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

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Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

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Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, Alex Quin fires up the Hustle Inspires Hustle community with a reality check about procrastination and goal-setting. He emphasizes why waiting for January to start pursuing your goals is a trap and explains how momentum built in the last stretch of the year leads to long-term success. Alex offers a personal pep talk to help listeners assess their progress, realign their vision, and set clear intentions for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] – Intro: Why waiting for January is a mistake

[00:22] – The cost of waiting and procrastinating on goals

[00:48] – Check your 2025 goals: what’s working, what’s not

[01:18] – Do your audit: finances, health, business, mindset

[01:46] – Don’t waste Q4: fix the gaps, build momentum

[02:10] – What a strong finish gives you: peace, freedom, cash flow

[02:38] – Start planning for 2026 now

[03:03] – Align with your partner or team

[03:24] – Final word: stop surviving, start living with intention

Wisdom Nuggets:

Stop Worshipping the Calendar: Waiting for a date like January 1st to take action is an excuse disguised as a plan. Start now or risk staying stuck.

Audit, Don’t Assume: You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Look at your current goals and get honest about where you're winning and where you're behind.

Purpose Over Panic: Finishing the year strong isn’t about panic hustling—it’s about creating meaningful outcomes like peace, cash flow, and confidence.

Talk Like a Team: If you’re in a relationship, your success plan shouldn’t be a solo mission. Discuss your shared goals and stay aligned.

Survive or Thrive: If you’re constantly reacting and living bill-to-bill, you’re not really living. Set direction and move with intention.

Power Quotes

“I’ll start in January is pure loser talk.” – Alex Quin

“Twenty twenty five isn't over yet, so don't act like it is.” – Alex Quin

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)

Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this quick solo episode, Alex Quin shares a powerful reminder: relationships matter more than ever during the holidays. With campaigns and deadlines stacking up, Alex encourages listeners to pause and intentionally connect with the people who made their year meaningful—clients, team members, mentors, and supporters. It’s not just the right thing to do—it’s smart branding.

Episode Outline:

[00:00:00] Intro: Hustle Inspires Hustle mission

[00:00:25] Why Q4 should include gratitude, not just goals

[00:01:10] How to build a holiday appreciation list

[00:01:50] Actionable ways to make it personal and impactful

[00:02:30] Final thought: People remember how you made them feel

Wisdom Nuggets:

Gratitude Is Smart Branding: Saying “thank you” isn't soft—it’s strategic. It fuels trust, loyalty, and referrals.

Systematize Your Appreciation: Create a simple contact sheet so you’re not scrambling when it’s time to show love.

Small Gestures, Big Impact: A handwritten note or quick call sticks more than a generic email blast.

Be the Signal : In a noisy digital world, your authenticity is what people will remember.

Power Quotes

“Strong relationships fuel referrals, loyalty, and real trust.” - Alex Quin

“Take the time to show love to your people.” - Alex Quin

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)

Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, Alex Quin breaks down practical, actionable strategies to help both e-commerce and service-based businesses succeed during Black Friday. He emphasizes the importance of keeping offers simple—such as clear tiered discounts or urgency-based service upgrades—to reduce friction and improve conversions. Alex stresses that successful marketing goes beyond flashy ads; it's about preparation across your funnel, creative assets, and backend systems. From fast-loading product pages to tight onboarding flows and accurate CRM tracking, every part of the customer journey needs to be ready.

He also dives into content strategy and ad execution, encouraging brands to repurpose their top-performing content from earlier in the year with updated Black Friday messaging. Volume matters—especially with Meta’s new Andromeda update—so having multiple creatives pre-approved and scheduled can lower costs and reduce last-minute stress. Whether paid or organic, campaigns should be well-structured and tracked meticulously. The core message? Black Friday isn’t about hype—it’s about execution, efficiency, and data-driven decisions.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] Welcome Back: Alex thanks listeners and sets up the Black Friday topic

[00:15] Importance of Simplicity: Easy-to-understand offers and discounts

[00:45] Service Business Tips: Creating urgency with bonuses and intro deals

[01:10] Creative Strategy: Bold visuals, testimonials, and multi-format content

[01:45] Funnel Tips: Fast product pages, clean checkout, single-action landing pages

[02:10] Backend Systems: Fulfillment, calendar space, CRM, and onboarding readiness

[02:40] Financial Modeling: Know your margins, track all costs

[03:05] Repurposing Content: Use your best-performing content with new Black Friday angles

[03:30] Meta Update & Scheduling: More creatives = lower cost; schedule everything early

[04:00] Post-Purchase & Tracking: Upsells, LTV, CRM follow-ups, and clean analytics

[04:20] Final Thought: Black Friday is about preparation, not just hype

Wisdom Nuggets:

Simplicity Sells: Your offer should be instantly understandable. Whether it’s tiered discounts or bundled services, remove friction—no mental math or coupon codes.

Urgency Wins: Black Friday thrives on limited-time offers. Add urgency through countdowns, limited bonuses, or time-sensitive upgrades to drive faster conversions.

Prep the Back End: A killer front-end campaign fails without backend support. From ecom fulfillment to service onboarding systems, preparation prevents revenue leaks.

Repurpose to Scale: Your best content from earlier in the year is your blueprint. Reuse proven assets with Black Friday messaging instead of creating from scratch.

Track Everything or Risk Everything: If your data is off, your scaling efforts will fail. Ensure all pixels, UTMs, and analytics are accurate before campaigns go live.

Power Quotes

“The key is simplicity. Customers should get it right away.” - Alex Quin

“No guessing, no mental math, and no making them type in coupon codes.” - Alex Quin

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

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Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Quin and Michelle Chia break down a complete marketing strategy for taco restaurants—from naming and branding to launch tactics, special events, social media content, AI tools, influencer campaigns, and customer retention. Emphasizing the importance of storytelling, consistent brand voice, data-driven decisions, and team culture, they offer actionable advice for creating a successful restaurant brand. With tips for pre-launch hype, engaging content, SEO tactics, and local outreach, the episode is packed with practical insights for anyone in the hospitality space.

Episode Outline:

[00:00:00] Welcome + Overview: Restaurant Marketing Strategy

[00:03:30] Naming, Branding, and Domain Setup

[00:10:00] Identifying and Speaking to Your Core Audience

[00:15:00] Storytelling Through Decor, Food, and Staff

[00:22:00] Menu, Ambiance, and Event-Based Differentiation

[00:30:00] The Importance of Brand Voice and Hook Writing

[00:36:00] Leveraging AI and Custom GPTs for Content and Analysis

[00:44:00] Tech Stack Must-Haves Before Opening

[00:48:00] Pre-Launch Timeline and Content Plan

[00:55:00] Setting Up Systems for Email, SMS, Reservations

[01:01:00] Paid Ad Structure + Organic Content Planning

[01:07:00] Customer Retention and Avoiding Common Pitfalls

[01:12:00] Final Tips + How to Stand Out Long-Term

Wisdom Nuggets:

Know Your Audience: You can’t serve everyone. Define specific customer personas and tailor your menu, messaging, and ambiance to those profiles.

Brand Voice is Everything: Decide how your restaurant sounds—sarcastic, witty, warm, or blunt—and stay consistent across all platforms and content.

Use AI to Scale Smart: Leverage tools like ChatGPT to streamline your content, respond to reviews, and analyze OpenTable data for better marketing decisions.

Build Culture, Not Just Food: Great food won’t carry your brand if the team’s morale is low. Happy employees and genuine service are core to customer retention.

Create Experience, Not Just Meals: From events and unique cocktails to birthday specials and storytelling, experiences drive loyalty and word-of-mouth buzz.

Power Quotes

"People come back not just for food, but for how they felt." - Alex Quin

"Use your data. That’s where your real marketing edge is." - Alex Quin

"Make sure your branding is consistent across everything—domain, socials, emails. - Michelle Chia

"Behind-the-scenes content builds trust. Show the human side." - Michelle Chia

"If your team isn’t trained, you’re leaving thousands on the table every day." - Michelle Chia

Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/michellechia)

Twitter: (https://x.com/michellechiaaa)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-chia1/)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@michellechiaa)

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram:(https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

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Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James Swanwick, founder of Swanick Sleep and the Stop Drinking coaching program, joins Alex Quin to discuss how choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle can transform health, wealth, and relationships. James shares the personal and professional milestones that led him to create Swannies blue light blocking glasses and a coaching platform helping professionals take back control of their lives. He breaks down the cultural stigma of sobriety, the financial and cognitive cost of drinking, and the growing wellness trend reshaping consumer habits.

Episode Outline:

[00:00:03] Introduction & Medellín living

[00:04:20] Life before entrepreneurship: ESPN and Bali years

[00:08:50] Launching Swannies & Stop Drinking program

[00:14:10] Cultural shift toward wellness and alcohol-free lifestyle

[00:21:00] Customer transformations and generational impact

[00:28:15] The business cost of casual drinking

[00:34:40] Why younger generations are skipping alcohol

[00:38:30] Swannies: Sleep benefits and productivity explained

[00:40:00] Closing thoughts and where to find James

Wisdom Nuggets:

1. Alcohol-Free is a Strategic Advantage:

Removing alcohol from your life can dramatically enhance clarity, energy, and decision-making—especially for high performers and entrepreneurs.

2. Productivity Isn’t Just Effort—It’s Clarity:

You don’t need to work harder, you need to remove the blocks. Alcohol often functions as a productivity brake without you realizing it.

3. Wellness Trends Aren’t a Fad:

The shift away from alcohol is part of a broader, long-term cultural move toward wellness. Businesses that ignore this change risk being left behind.

4. Modeling Over Preaching:

Kids emulate what they see. If you want future generations to live healthier, show them through your own habits—not just words.

5. Sleep is Non-Negotiable for Peak Performance:

Artificial light and alcohol sabotage your rest. Quality sleep, enhanced by tools like Swannies glasses, is foundational to success.

Power Quotes

• “Removing alcohol is a superpower for your love life and business life.” - James Swanwick
• “Every day you don’t drink is a special occasion.” - James Swanwick
• “In 30 years, we’ll see alcohol the same way we see cigarettes.” - James Swanwick
• “Most of our problems have simple roots we often ignore.” - Alex Quin
• “It's wild how hard we fight to keep things that hurt us.” - Alex Quin

Connect with James:

• Website: https://alcoholfreelifestyle.com
• Instagram: @jamesswanwick
• Book: Clear – Available on Amazon

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram:(https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)

Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.