CV Hustle

Hosted by CV Hustle Studios

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A Podcast created to educate, inform & inspire entrepreneurship here in our Coachella Valley. We will be talking to some of the best & brightest entrepreneurs in the Coachella Valley about how they started their journey in entrepreneurship.

Listen to episodes

43 recent

October 6, 2026Episode 401 hr 5 min

EP#40-How A Coachella Valley Cover Band Built A Scene- The Long Duk Dong Story

Send us Fan Mail One overheard conversation at work leads to a real booking at the Date Shed, and suddenly Long DuK Dong goes from “we’re just jamming in a garage” to packing out nights across the Coachella Valley. We hang with Nick “Nico” Ysiano, Joe Willis, and Chelsea as they tell the full origin story: the Craigslist ad, the first high-stakes gig, and the last-minute scramble to pick a band name that still makes TV anchors nervous. If you love 80s nostalgia, desert nightlife, and the craft behind a great cover band, this one is for you. We also get into what makes their shows work. They break down how they build a massive set list that stretches from 80s synth pop and rock into 90s crowd-pleasers, plus the twist their fans wait for: a hip hop run at the end of the night that flips the whole room. You’ll hear how they “read the room,” skip songs on the fly, and balance rehearsals with real life, family, and work, especially as venues and going-out culture shift after COVID. Along the way, we talk favorite stages like Big Rock Pub and Pappy and Harriet’s, plus what it meant to play a Joshua Tree National Park fundraiser. Then Joe drops the kind of stories you swear cannot be real until he explains them, and the band shares grounded advice for musicians: stay humble, compromise, show up for your local music scene, and keep going even when the early gigs barely pay. Subscribe, share this with a friend who lives for live music, and leave a review if you want more Coachella Valley artist spotlights. What’s the one song you think every great cover band has to nail?

August 20, 2026Episode 3947 min

EP#39-From Drone Mapping To The Punk Rock Museum -Brandon Ray Henderson Part 2

Send us Fan Mail A $70,000 laser scanner sounds like a reckless purchase until the phone starts ringing. We sit down with Brandon Ray Henderson, a Coachella Valley entrepreneur and the founder behind Raiden Concepts and Drone Scope Mapping, to unpack how he went from early uncertainty to building a fast-growing reality capture business that delivers point clouds, CAD-ready documentation, and decision-making clarity for venues, hotels, and construction teams. We talk through the real mechanics of modern laser scanning and LiDAR work: why drones are powerful outdoors but hit a wall indoors, how handheld SLAM scanning compares to high-end terrestrial scanners, and what changes when clients finally see accurate existing conditions instead of outdated CAD files. Brandon shares lessons from scanning spaces like JW Marriott, moving into virtual tours with Matterport, and partnering with CAD production support so the workflow stays fast, consistent, and scalable. Pricing gets candid. Brandon explains why he charges for outcomes, not hours, how complexity beats square footage as a pricing signal, and what to do when a client thinks “that looked too easy.” We also dig into VDC site documentation, the fine line between mapping and regulated surveying, and how he responds when the industry pushes back by building partnerships to do it the right way. If you’re building a services business around specialized tools, this conversation is packed with hard-earned tactics on risk, networking, positioning, and scaling. Subscribe, share this with a founder friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

August 13, 2026Episode 381 hr 2 min

EP#38-From Music Gigs To 3D Design-The Brandon Ray Henderson Story Pt 1

Send us Fan Mail One day you’re building stages and pushing road cases. The next, the entire events industry disappears overnight and you’re staring at a mortgage, kids, and a blank calendar. Brandon Ray Henderson lived that whiplash, and he used it to reinvent his career in the Coachella Valley through 3D rendering, architectural visualization, and eventually drone mapping and LiDAR scanning. We talk with Brandon about growing up around LA, landing in the desert, and spending years in music and nightlife before stepping into corporate AV at the JW Marriott. That job teaches him logistics, client management, and how to solve messy technical problems fast. It also puts SketchUp and projection mapping on his radar, leading to a creative breakthrough where 3D modeling becomes more than “cool graphics” and starts functioning like a real planning tool for builders, designers, and decision makers. When COVID wipes out live events, Brandon makes a hard pivot. He invests in serious hardware and software, forms Raiden Concepts, and builds a referral-driven business by obsessing over detail, context, and functionality. We dig into pricing reality, imposter syndrome, communication failures, and the difference between “making it look good” and helping people space-plan a kitchen, a remodel, or a whole property with confidence. Then we jump into Drone Scope Mapping: what photogrammetry actually is, why accuracy matters, where drones help and where they don’t, and how LiDAR point clouds can change the way teams document existing conditions. If you’re into entrepreneurship, CAD, SketchUp, 3D rendering, construction tech, or drone mapping, this conversation is a real-world blueprint. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s pivoting, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

July 31, 2026Episode 3754 min

EP #37-How A Bartender Became The Owner Of A Palm Desert Institution-The Legends & Icon Story

Send us Fan Mail A lot of people daydream about owning a bar or restaurant until they see the spreadsheets, the inspections, and the late-night stress that comes home with you. We’re joined by Bobby Campbell, owner-operator of Legends and Icons Pub and Grill in Palm Desert, for a candid look at what it takes to grow a neighborhood spot into a community institution in the Coachella Valley. Bobby’s story runs through accounting, restaurant finance, bartending, and finally buying the business after years of learning the ropes from a retiring owner who believed in him early. We get into the nuts and bolts that most hospitality conversations skip: how restaurant pricing connects to food cost and pour cost, why alcohol margins work differently than the kitchen, and how an SBA loan can reshape what a business is actually “worth” on paper. Bobby also shares what keeps Legends steady through the desert summer slowdown, including a loyal base of regulars, a consistent menu, and a team with unusually low turnover. Along the way we talk menu favorites, happy hour strategy, and what it’s like running a bar with limited seats when everyone wants their usual spot. We also go behind the bar on the human side of the job: tipping culture, reading guests, cutting people off, and handling safety the right way including offering Uber rides when someone should not drive. Bobby explains why he uses AI tools to help create social media promos and flyers, while still sticking to a simple principle: don’t overhaul what already works. If you like real small business stories with practical restaurant management lessons, hit play, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review.

July 24, 2026Episode 361 hr 7 min

EP#36-Ink To Impact-How A Local Artist Turns Screen Printing Into A Long Art Class

Send us Fan Mail A screen printing shop doesn’t last 20-plus years by accident, especially in a world where online ordering and fast turnaround have changed what customers expect. We’re joined by Jesus Oliveris of Inca Screen Printing and Embroidery, one of the Coachella Valley’s go-to names for custom t-shirts, embroidery, signage, and branded merchandise. He shares how he went from being a working artist to building a production-ready print business that still feels creative every day. We talk about the real mechanics behind staying competitive: investing in automation, learning every role when you have to do shipping, receiving, printing, customer service, and invoicing, and surrounding yourself with the right people when numbers aren’t your strength. Jesus also breaks down how the screen printing industry shifted from old-school film processes to modern equipment and now AI design tools that can generate concepts and color separations in minutes, changing how fast ideas become products. The conversation gets personal too. Jesus explains why some of the hardest “weird” jobs aren’t technical at all, like printing memorial shirts for grieving families and learning how to show up with empathy. If you care about small business entrepreneurship, local branding, and what it takes to build a durable company in the Coachella Valley, you’ll get plenty of practical takeaways here. Subscribe, share this with a local business owner, and leave a review with your biggest lesson from the episode.

July 15, 2026Episode 3557 min

EP#35-How to Buy a Company & Expand on Its Legacy :The STV Story

Send us Fan Mail A recession, a random gas station conversation, and a relentless willingness to learn turns into a full blown smart home business story. We’re joined by Eddie and Nikki Ortiz of STV Audio and Video, a Coachella Valley audio video and low voltage team known for answering the phone, showing up, and making complicated home technology feel simple. Eddie shares how his electrical background, leadership mindset, and hunger to hustle carried him from pulling wire to running crews, then into satellite work and finally into high touch AV integration. Nikki brings the behind the scenes reality: how escrow and contracts translate directly into buying a business, why calling every existing customer matters more than a fancy rebrand, and how systems like invoicing and process notes keep a service company from breaking as it grows. We talk W-2 employees versus 1099 contractors, training techs to respect long time clients, and why “the touch” is still the best competitive advantage in home theater installation, smart lighting, motorized shades, and home automation. You’ll also hear what homeowners actually ask for, how STV designs setups for people who hate too many remotes, and what’s coming next as tools like ChatGPT and Claude change office workflows even while installs still require real on site skill. For more on their work, visit stvav.com, and if you get value from the conversation, subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review.

June 12, 2026Episode 341 hr 3 min

EP#34-How Coach Mantanona Builds Champions in the Coachella Valley

Send us Fan Mail Getting choked out sounds like a bad day until you understand what it really teaches: calm under pressure, honest feedback, and the confidence that comes from doing hard things on purpose. We sit down with Anthony Mantanona, third-degree black belt and the driving force behind Coachella Valley Jiu Jitsu, to unpack how grappling sports shape people in ways a normal workout never can. We talk about Anthony’s path from a big family and an accidental landing in the Coachella Valley to discovering judo as the closest thing to the jiu-jitsu he saw in the early UFC days. He explains the real differences between judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling, from throws and pins to points and submissions, and why “earning your belt” is about time, skill, and trust, not shortcuts. Along the way, we dig into competing as a mirror for your habits, why humility is a feature, and how great coaching means adapting to the person in front of you. Anthony also shares how his academy grew through mentorship, community, and the post-COVID reset, plus what it takes to develop kids into high-level athletes, including Palm Desert’s wrestling pipeline and the growth of girls wrestling and women’s jiu-jitsu. We wrap with mindset lessons on injuries, nutrition, and training as “physical chess,” then point you to where you can drop in and try a class. If you enjoy the conversation, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a new challenge, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of starting jiu-jitsu would be hardest for you?

June 4, 2026Episode 3356 min

EP#33-Death Care Done Right-The ER Funeral Story

Send us Fan Mail Death is guaranteed. Confusion, family conflict, and surprise bills do not have to be. We talk with Ernesto Rosales of ER Funeral Services, a Coachella Valley funeral professional who explains what really happens after someone dies and why the “death care industry” is far more human than most people expect. We get into the behind-the-scenes realities: what “first call” removals look like after hours, why professionalism and dignity matter in those first minutes with a grieving family, and how the coroner’s role changes depending on the situation. Ernesto also breaks down the work inside a funeral home, including licensing in California, embalming and preservation, restorative care, and the tough decision of when a viewing helps healing and when it can do the opposite. Then we shift to the part families feel most: funeral costs, timing, and the stress of making major choices fast. Ernesto makes a clear case for funeral preplanning and pre-need insurance, plus legal tools like durable power of attorney and health care directives so final wishes are honored. You will also hear about modern options like green burial and creative cremation memorials, all framed around one simple idea: “leave good memories, don’t leave problems.” If you want a practical guide to funeral planning, cremation versus burial decisions, and how to protect your family emotionally and financially, hit play. Subscribe, share this with someone you love, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you want more people to hear.

May 27, 2026Episode 321 hr 1 min

EP#32-Marketing That Makes You Unmissable-How David Rios Turned Attention Into Opportunity

Send us Fan Mail A pink billboard with nothing but a face and a name sounds reckless until it turns into TV, brand partnerships, and a thriving Palm Springs business. We’re joined by David Rios, a real estate entrepreneur and interior designer known for bold vacation rental design, high impact marketing, and building experiences that feel like boutique hotels. He walks us through the exact mindset behind spending on visibility, keeping your branding consistent for years, and using social media to stay top of mind without feeling fake. We also dig into the work that happens when the cameras aren’t rolling: learning the fundamentals of design, getting comfortable selling, and stacking multiple income streams so you’re not exposed when the market shifts. David shares how the 2008 crash forced a reset, why creative financing can keep deals alive, and what it really takes to flip properties that stand out in a crowded market like the Coachella Valley. Then the story gets personal and intense. David opens up about building and running his own Palm Springs hotel, The Velvet Rope, and the operational reality of hospitality, staffing, and protecting a luxury guest experience. He also recounts the aftermath of a nearby bombing that caused major damage, created insurance and lender chaos, and tested every ounce of resilience he had. If you care about entrepreneurship, personal branding, Palm Springs real estate, interior design, or hospitality business strategy, this conversation is packed with practical lessons you can use right now. Subscribe, share this with a friend building something, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

May 19, 2026Episode 3154 min

EP#31-Varraco Coffee & Roasters-How Filipino Single Origin Coffee Became A Coachella Valley Hit

Send us Fan Mail A bag of “too strong” coffee turns into a business idea that refuses to quit. We’re sitting down with Rochelle De Villa, Joel Lozano, and TJ Jacinto, the founders behind Varraco Coffee & Roasters , one of the most talked-about coffee shops in Palm Desert and the wider Coachella Valley. Their story starts as college friends in the Philippines, then stretches across migration, new careers, and a big question: why is Filipino coffee so hard to find in the United States when it tastes this good? We dig into the real work behind specialty coffee, not the highlight reel. They share how importing Philippine coffee actually happens, from documentation and FDA licensing to finding the right partners and learning through trial and error. We also get into what makes Varraco’s approach different: single origin focus, dialing espresso every day for consistent extraction, and building drinks and food that feel original. TJ breaks down the thinking behind rotating chef specials, better ingredients, and recipes that keep evolving week after week. Then we zoom out to the bigger why: community. Varraco becomes a destination by hosting car meets, motorcycle Sundays, and niche gatherings that turn strangers into regulars. It’s a modern coffee brand rooted in Filipino hospitality, direct trade sourcing, and the simple discipline of showing up, even when growth gets messy. If you care about entrepreneurship, coffee roasting, branding, or building a local business that people rally around, this conversation delivers. Subscribe for more founder stories, share this with a friend who loves great coffee, and leave a review so more people can find the show.