Content creation is the new hustle, but most creators don't know how to monetize it. Myq "Success" Rodriguez, founder and CEO of The Brand Success LLC and co-author of The Content to Cash Bible, returns to break down the real science of turning clout into currency.

In this conversation, Myq unpacks the creator economy like never before—from why going viral is a trap to how clout without strategy leaves you broke. He shares brutal truths about the influencer space, reveals why your circle is your ceiling, and explains the three non-negotiable steps every creator needs to scale sustainable income.

Myq also opens up about building a brand-first mindset, the importance of execution over ideas, and how fatherhood shaped his philosophy on integrity, relationships, and long-term wealth building.

This Episode Explores:

- Why clout is not currency—and how to convert attention into real money

- The viral trap: why going viral without preparation is a disaster

- The creator economy opportunity: $500B+ industry by 2030

- Three essential steps to building a profitable personal brand

- How your circle downloads your limitations

- The business side of content creation most creators ignore

- Execution is the real flex—why ideas mean nothing without follow-through

- Integrity, transparency, and servant leadership in business

- Balancing fatherhood with entrepreneurship and ambition

- The difference between chasing quick money and building a sustainable brand

This episode is about real strategy, real accountability, and the discipline it takes to build lasting wealth in the creator economy—not hype, not shortcuts, just honest insight from someone managing millions in creator deals.

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🔗 Connect with Myq Rodriguez

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myqsuccess/

The Content to Cash Bible: Available on Amazon

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host Sean Martin: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin/

Book: Beyond The Bronx (Coming Real Soon)

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About the Guest – Myq Rodriguez

Myq Rodriguez is a branding strategist, entrepreneur, and creator-economy expert with over 20 years of experience in entertainment, influencer management, and digital growth. As Founder and CEO of The Brand Success LLC—a NYC-based talent management and marketing firm—Myq has helped urban and multicultural creators scale to millions of followers and secured over $15 million in brand partnerships for his clients.

He is the co-author of The Content to Cash Bible, a comprehensive guide to monetizing content and building wealth in the creator economy, published in 2024. Through his work with leading influencers and his public speaking engagements, Myq advocates for business literacy, integrity-driven leadership, and the power of personal branding. A Bronx native and father, Myq emphasizes the importance of community, mentorship, and building careers—not just moments—in the digital age.

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Tags & Keywords

Creator economy, content monetization, personal branding, influencer management, content to cash, Myq Rodriguez, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, building wealth online, creator business strategy, brand development, content strategy, digital growth, social media influencer, monetizing content, urban entrepreneur, NYC branding, creator income, digital entrepreneurship, content creator success, brand strategy, audience growth, influencer deals, building a personal brand, entrepreneurship mindset, content creator economy, sustainable income, creator wealth, online business, influencer partnership, brand deals, digital marketing, creator monetization strategies, building an audience, content creation business,...

Melvin Thomas is building something most people never imagine possible. At 22, he was a psychiatric social worker on a mobile crisis team in Brooklyn, talking a 17-year-old down from a fire escape. Today, he's the founder of Mr. Thomas NYC—a luxury brand creating handcrafted, one-of-one lapel pins that celebrities wear on national television.

But this episode isn't just about pins and profit. It's about the Bronx kid who became the youngest dean ever hired in the NYC public school system, who still teaches kids K-8 by day, coaches basketball through the Omari Lawrence Foundation, and just launched his podcast to inspire the next generation.

Topics:

• Crisis counselor to luxury designer
• Fire escape moment at 22
• Youngest dean ever hired in NYC
• Pandemic scraps to $10K pins
• Adam Lefkoe collaboration (NBA broadcast)
• Authentic craftsmanship & storytelling
• Why only 30% of kids have both parents
• Mentorship & what men owe their communities
• Dominican heritage & family values
• Real talk on mental health & medication

This episode is about real struggle turned into art, real impact on young lives, and the responsibility of men who make it out to bring others with them.

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🔗 Connect with Melvin Thomas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.thomasnyc/

Podcast (New!): "What's the Deal with Mr. Thomas?" | https://www.instagram.com/whatsthedealwithmrthomas/

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast

Host Sean Martin: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin

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About the Guest – Melvin Thomas

Melvin Thomas is the founder and principal artisan of Mr. Thomas NYC, a luxury brand redefining handcrafted accessories through one-of-one lapel pins and brooches. Born and raised in the Bronx to Dominican immigrant parents, Thomas broke barriers as the youngest dean ever hired in the New York City public school system at just 23 years old.

With degrees in Sociology and English from Lehman College, Thomas began his career as a psychiatric social worker on a mobile crisis team at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn—a position that shaped his understanding of human connection and resilience.

During the pandemic, while working as a dean, Thomas discovered his artistic calling through therapeutic metalwork using construction scraps. What started as pandemic therapy evolved into a luxury pin business that caught the attention of NBA broadcaster Adam Lefkoe, leading to a collaboration with celebrity jeweler Aunt Tasha Diamonds on a solid gold, glow-in-the-dark piece featured on national television.

Today, Thomas operates Mr. Thomas NYC with a waiting list of clients, coaches basketball through the Omari Lawrence Foundation, and serves as a dean in Spanish Harlem working with K-8 students. He recently launched his podcast "What's the Deal with Mr. Thomas?" to amplify voices of people of color in entrepreneurship and leadership.

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Tags & Keywords:

Melvin Thomas, Mr. Thomas NYC, lapel pins, luxury brand, handcrafted accessories, Real Mentors Podcast, Sean Martin, Bronx entrepreneur, youngest dean NYC, Dominican heritage, psychiatric social worker, pandemic business, crisis counselor, mentor, fatherhood, community impact, second chances, purpose-driven business, authentic craftsmanship, education, leadership, New York City, artisan, luxury accessories, wearable art, storytelling, confidence, mental health, immigrant mentality, generational wealth, FDNY, NYPD, Adam Lefkoe, Aunt Tasha Diamonds, basketball coaching, Omari Lawrence Foundation, inspiring next generation, social impact, redemption, transformation, resilience, personal growth, business mindset, authentic leadership, Latino representation, inspirational...

Since his early days working as a janitor for $8/hour, Michael "DJ SPYNFO" Eagen has built multiple six-figure businesses in the South Bronx—and he's stayed there the entire time. But this isn't a typical success story. It's about Emmy-award recognition, founding Sankofa Haus, navigating generational trauma, and choosing legacy over escape.

In this conversation, SPYNFO breaks down how he built 4 thriving businesses simultaneously, why he refuses to focus on money while making serious wealth, and what happens when you stop chasing success and start building community. He also gets deeply vulnerable about parenting, breaking generational cycles, and the real cost of growth—including the friendships that don't survive it.

This Episode Explores:

- How an $8/hour janitor became an Emmy-winning entrepreneur (without leaving the Bronx)

- Building 4 businesses simultaneously: Hot 97 radio, Sankofa Haus, Mr. Matrimony weddings, and Airbnb

- The generational trauma that shapes every decision (and how to transform it)

- Why "manage your attention" beats "manage your time" every single time

- The uncomfortable truth about why friendships end when you succeed

- His Pitbulls DJ Crew induction by Funkmaster Flex and 20+ years at the top of hip-hop

- Creating experiences over chasing money—and making more money doing it

- Parenting with intention: saying "I love you" twice daily and breaking cycles

- Manifesting what you want by thinking differently about the multiverse

- The South Bronx real estate opportunity nobody's talking about

- Building cultural spaces that preserve identity while transforming neighborhoods

- Discipline over motivation: the framework that changed everything

This episode is about staying rooted while reaching your peak, building legacy in your own community, and understanding that the real wealth is what you create for people, not what you keep for yourself.

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🔗 Connect with DJ SPYNFO

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djspynfo/ | https://www.instagram.com/mrmatrimony | https://www.instagram.com/sankofahaus

Sankofa Haus: sankofahaus.com

DJ Services: https://www.djspynfo.net/

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast

Host Sean Martin: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin

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About the Guest – DJ SPYNFO

DJ SPYNFO (Michael Eagen) is an Emmy Award-winning DJ, Hot 97 radio personality, and South Bronx cultural entrepreneur. Inducted into Funkmaster Flex's elite Pitbulls DJ Crew, SPYNFO has performed on BET's Rap City and collaborated with major hip-hop artists including Ludacris, Nas, and Keyshia Cole. As founder of Sankofa Haus—a transformative 2,400+ sq ft cultural event space in Mott Haven—he creates platforms for emerging artists while preserving neighborhood identity. SPYNFO also runs Mr. Matrimony Entertainment, a premier destination wedding DJ service, and operates a profitable Airbnb in the South Bronx. His Emmy-winning documentary work with NYC Tourism's "Local Legends" series showcases his commitment to reclaiming South Bronx narratives. SPYNFO is proof that you don't have to leave your community to elevate it.

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Keywords & Tags

DJ SPYNFO, Michael Eagen, Hot 97, Emmy Award winner, Sankofa Haus, South Bronx entrepreneur, real estate development, generational trauma, parenting, Pitbulls DJ Crew, Funkmaster Flex, entrepreneurship podcast, multiple income streams, Airbnb business, wedding DJ, cultural spaces, community building, legacy wealth, Bronx development, social impact, hip-hop culture, business mindset, family values, generational wealth, NYC business, urban development, manifestation, discipline, intentional parenting, emotional intelligence, business...

Music executive Max Escobar shares his journey from professional baseball with the Cincinnati Reds to becoming one of the most influential Latin music executives in the industry. Learn how he built AudioMack's Latin division, signed 4,000 artists in two months, and founded 1844 Tech music distribution company with Universal Music backing.

What You'll Learn:

✅ How to break into the music industry from outside entertainment

✅ Music contract negotiation strategies for independent artists

✅ Building a music distribution company from scratch

✅ Latin music industry insights from Ozuna, Bad Bunny, and top artists

✅ Club promotion to music executive career transition

✅ A&R secrets from Konvict Music and AudioMack experience

✅ Dominican artist challenges: splits, publishing, and organization

✅ Using AI (ChatGPT) to navigate contracts and learning

✅ Renegotiating bad music deals with leverage tactics

✅ Building legacy and long-term success in entertainment

Connect with Max Escobar:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxescobar/

1844 Tech: https://www.instagram.com/1844.tech/

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host Sean Martin: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin/

Book: Beyond The Bronx (Coming Soon!)

About Max Escobar - Music Executive & Entrepreneur

Max Escobar is the founder and CEO of 1844 Tech, a music distribution company focused on Latin artist independence and ownership. Before founding 1844 Tech, Max built AudioMack's entire Latin music division, working directly with superstars including Ozuna, Bad Bunny, Mike Towers, and Farruko. His music industry career began at Konvict Music as an A&R, where he signed Omega El Fuerte. Prior to music, Max was a professional baseball player signed to the Cincinnati Reds organization. Today, 1844 Tech has distributed 4,500+ songs for 400+ artists and maintains a partnership with Universal Music Group.

Related Topics & Keywords:

Music business, music executive career, Latin music industry, music distribution company, AudioMack, Bad Bunny success, Ozuna, Dominican artists, music contracts explained, music publishing, A&R career, Konvict Music, Akon, music entrepreneurship, independent artist tips, music marketing strategy, Bronx entrepreneurs, Cincinnati Reds, career pivot, club promotion, DJ management, music industry secrets, contract negotiation, Universal Music, 1844 Tech, Dominican trap music, Lobo Montana, United Palace, music legacy, fatherhood and business, baseball to music, athlete entrepreneur, Latin trap, reggaeton business, music streaming, artist ownership, music masters, splits and publishing, ChatGPT for contracts, renegotiate music deals, music lawyer alternatives, artist empowerment, Dominican Republic, New York music scene, Bronx hustle, REAL Mentors Podcast, Sean Martin podcast, entrepreneur interviews

Vladimir Bautista went from hustling on the streets of Harlem’s Sugar Hill to becoming one of New York’s leading voices in cannabis culture and social equity. A Dominican-American raised by a single mother, Vlad saw firsthand how communities like his were targeted by the War on Drugs. After being arrested over 20 times for cannabis, he turned that same street hustle into a mission—to create opportunity, ownership, and education in an industry that once criminalized him.

Today, he’s the co-founder and CEO of Happy Munkey, a cannabis lifestyle brand and dispensary that’s redefining what it means to “choose happy” while leading the movement for equity, culture, and inclusion in New York’s legal cannabis market.

This episode explores:

- Growing up in Harlem’s Sugar Hill during the 80s and 90s—and what the “Dominican version of A Bronx Tale” looked like

- Early exposure to drugs, hustling, and survival—and the turning point that led Vlad toward cannabis instead of cocaine

- Being arrested 22 times and why that “street education” became his real MBA

- The birth of Happy Munkey: from underground parties to the “Studio 54 of cannabis”

- How a pandemic, politics, and perseverance led to legalization in New York

- The fight for equity—why Vlad and his team pushed for the MCA bill over big-money lobbyists

- Choosing Dyckman over downtown: why he built the first dispensary above 125th Street and kept it in the community

- How representation, legacy, and access change entire neighborhoods

- The lessons from single motherhood, community respect, and moral integrity that shaped his leadership

- Overcoming imposter syndrome, staying authentic in every room, and turning pain into purpose

This episode is about transformation, advocacy, and ownership—how a kid from Sugar Hill turned the very thing that once got him locked up into a bridge for education, opportunity, and cultural pride. Vlad’s story will challenge you to rethink what equity truly means and remind you that legacy isn’t about money—it’s about coming back home to build something bigger than yourself.

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🔗 Connect with Vladimir Bautista

Instagram: @vladimirbautista123

Happy Munkey: https://happymunkey.com

🎙️ Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: @realmentorspodcast

Host Sean Martin: @theseanmartin

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🔥 About the Guest – Vladimir Bautista

Vladimir Bautista is the co-founder and CEO of Happy Munkey, a New York-based cannabis lifestyle brand and dispensary dedicated to culture, community, and social equity. Born and raised in Harlem’s Sugar Hill neighborhood to Dominican immigrant parents, Vlad’s life reflects both the hardship and hope of New York’s inner city. After multiple arrests for cannabis-related offenses, he transformed his experience into advocacy—becoming a voice for legacy operators and disenfranchised entrepreneurs in the new era of legalization.

From underground events dubbed the “Studio 54 of Cannabis” to public speaking engagements across the U.S., UK, and Spain, Vlad continues to use his platform to bridge the gap between culture and commerce, reminding the world that the future of cannabis must include the people who built it.

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Tags & Keywords

Vladimir Bautista, Happy Munkey, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, cannabis legalization, social equity, Harlem Sugar Hill, Dominican American, New York dispensary, cannabis entrepreneur, legacy to legal, Studio 54 of cannabis, social justice, War on Drugs, restorative justice, advocacy, Bronx entrepreneurs, representation, community impact, street hustle to CEO, resilience, mentorship, culture, Dyckman, New York cannabis industry, purpose-driven business, empowerment, legacy building

Coss Marte is back on the Real Mentors Podcast with an update that’s as raw as it gets.

Since his first appearance, the founder of ConBody and ConBud has faced new challenges — this time from the state itself. After building three licensed cannabis shops in just 15 months, Coss and more than 150 other small dispensary owners were hit with sudden rule changes that could force them to shut down.

In this conversation, Coss breaks down what’s really happening behind New York’s cannabis laws, how politics and power plays are crushing small businesses, and why he refuses to give up. He also opens up about fatherhood, faith, and what it means to build a family and business with transparency, trust, and love.

This Episode Explores:

• The state’s last-minute regulation change threatening 150+ dispensaries
• The lawsuit Coss filed to protect small, justice-impacted entrepreneurs
• Lobbyists, corporate influence, and the politics behind New York’s cannabis rollout
• Lessons from his father’s Bronx bodega and what real work ethic looks like
• How honesty changed his relationship with his son after prison
• Raising kids with openness and empathy
• Building ConBud and ConBody with integrity and community in mind
• Working full-time with his wife and balancing marriage with mission
• Staying grounded when everything you built is on the line

This episode is about real pressure, real growth, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward when everything you’ve worked for is tested.

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🔗 Connect with Coss Marte

Instagram: https://instagram.com/cossmarte

ConBody: https://conbody.comhttps://instagram.com/conbody

ConBud: https://instagram.com/conbudny

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast

Host Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin

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About the Guest – Coss Marte

Coss Marte is an entrepreneur, author, and advocate for second chances. After serving time in prison, he turned his life around by launching ConBody, a fitness brand employing people with past convictions, and ConBud, one of New York’s first justice-driven cannabis dispensaries. His work has been featured on TEDx, Forbes, CNN, and The Today Show. Today, Coss continues to fight for fairness, opportunity, and the communities he came from.

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Tags & Keywords

Coss Marte, ConBody, ConBud, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, Bronx entrepreneur, second chances, New York dispensary law, cannabis business, prison to purpose, criminal justice reform, immigrant story, family values, transparency, integrity, redemption, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, resilience, legacy, purpose-driven business, mindset, marriage and business, NYC small business, political reform, community empowerment, social equity, leadership, growth, life after prison

Hugo Sánchez went from spending two decades away from society to becoming the Founder & CEO of MOTI, a multi-million-dollar tech startup that’s redefining how humans connect, communicate, and get paid for their time.

A proud Puerto Rican from Bayamón who rebuilt his life from zero, Hugo embodies what it means to bet on yourself. From construction and dry-cleaning businesses to creating a global consulting platform, he proves that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself—or to win big by believing bigger.

This episode explores:

• Growing up in Puerto Rico and the early habits that shaped (and tested) his path
• Losing both parents while serving time—and what it taught him about purpose and perspective
• Coming home after 20 years to a world that moved on—and why he refused to stay behind
• Spotting opportunity in what others ignored: “Nobody wanted to work. I saw work everywhere.”
• The leap from dry cleaning and construction to founding a tech company
• How he raised $1.2M without venture capital—using micro-investing and pure hustle
• Building MOTI: a video-and-payments platform for coaches, consultants, and creators
• Why data privacy, human trust, and simplicity beat hype and trends
• Creating a billion-dollar mindset from nothing: “MOTI only needs 100,000 users—that’s a $300M app.”
• Lessons on betting everything—his house, car, and savings—to prove what’s possible
• Age, faith, and fire: why 57 is the new start line, not the finish

This episode is about resilience, reinvention, and the price of waiting.

Hugo’s story reminds us that comfort is costly, timing is an illusion, and your biggest asset isn’t money—it’s belief.

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🔗 Connect with Hugo Sánchez

MOTI App: https://motiapp.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/hugos.moti

Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realmentorspodcast

Host Sean Martin: https://instagram.com/theseanmartin

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🔥 About the Guest – Hugo Sánchez

Hugo Sánchez is a Puerto Rican entrepreneur, visionary, and the Founder & CEO of MOTI, a multi-million-dollar tech startup designed to help professionals and creators monetize their time through seamless video calls, payments, and scheduling.

After rebuilding his life from the ground up, Hugo turned his experience into a philosophy: time is the most valuable currency. His no-excuses approach to life and business has inspired thousands to stop waiting, start moving, and take control of their financial freedom—one call at a time.

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Tags & Keywords

Hugo Sánchez, MOTI App, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, entrepreneurship, Puerto Rican tech founder, micro investing, startup funding, creator economy, time monetization, video consulting, fintech, resilience, second chances, comeback story, self-belief, legacy, faith, human connection, data privacy, reinventing yourself, motivational stories, Bronx podcast, tech innovation, digital entrepreneurship, rebuild your life

Dan “Big D” Sachkowsky went from filing bankruptcy at 24 to rebuilding a multimillion-dollar construction and coaching empire rooted in faith, structure, and the discipline to say no.

Raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey by immigrant parents who taught him to work hard but think small, Dan learned early that breaking generational limits meant unlearning everything he’d been told. At 15, his father told him, “we’ll never be rich.” That moment lit a fire that would define his life.

Today, he’s a serial entrepreneur, real-estate investor, and performance coach known for helping business owners buy back their time, build real systems, and lead with purpose.

This episode explores:

• Growing up in Elizabeth, NJ and discovering the gap between survival and success
• The 15-year-old moment that redefined his belief in what was possible
• Finding mentors who said “I believe in you” and how that changed everything
• Building a thriving construction business—then losing it all at 24 during the 2007 crash
• Lessons from bankruptcy, humility, and rebuilding with five income streams
• Faith through crisis: his son’s near-death accident and rediscovering God
• Why failure tolerance is the ultimate entrepreneurial skill
• Competing with yourself, not others, and designing a “life blueprint” instead of just a business plan
• The power of saying no—and how discipline and structure create more yeses
• Fatherhood, responsibility, and teaching kids gratitude in a world of excess

This episode is about breaking cycles, redefining wealth, and learning that saying no isn’t rejection, it’s alignment. Dan’s story will challenge you to trade busyness for balance, ego for faith, and comfort for calling.

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🔗 Connect with Dan “Big D” Sachkowsky

Website: dansachkowsky.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_big_dan_official/

🎙️ Follow REAL Mentors Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmentorspodcast/

Host Sean Martin: https://www.instagram.com/theseanmartin/

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🔥 About the Guest – Dan “Big D” Sachkowsky

Dan Sachkowsky is an entrepreneur, investor, and business coach who built and scaled multiple construction companies before launching Big D Coaching, a platform that helps business owners regain focus, systemize growth, and live with intention. His coaching philosophy blends faith, structure, and high-performance strategy—teaching that true freedom comes from discipline, not hustle. Through his story of failure, faith, and rebuilding, Dan helps others design lives that work as hard as they do.

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Tags & Keywords

Dan Sachkowsky, Big D, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, entrepreneurship, business coaching, mindset, discipline, faith and success, bankruptcy recovery, time management, systems and processes, construction business, leadership, mentorship, resilience, the power of saying no, legacy building, fatherhood, immigrant mentality, self-development, personal growth, real estate investing, purpose over profit