The Hidden Entrepreneur Show with Josh Cary

Hosted by Josh Cary

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Josh Cary spent 40 years in hiding. That's right! He was hiding every part of himself in every situation, showing up in personal, social, and business trying to be the person he believed others expected of him. After feeling utterly exhausted from wearing that mask, and knowing deep down he is cut out for much more in this life, Josh ripped off the mask and is now on a mission to help other business-savvy professionals 'unmask' themselves too. Hear honest stories from successful entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners who were also once in the darkest of hiding places so you may rediscover your world, connect beautifully with others, and excel in all you set out to do. Hiding Sucks. Are you ready for the new score? Fear: Zero. You: Won.

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August 4, 202626 min

New Jersey’s Film Boom Is Creating a New Door for Independent Creators with Madison Santos and Coleman Wilson

What if the biggest thing standing between your creative idea and a finished production is not talent, money, or even experience, but access? In this episode, Josh Cary sits down with Madison Santos and Coleman Wilson, founders of Unlimited Studios , Long Branch, New Jersey’s first independent, full-service production facility. They reveal why they created a professional film and content studio for the people who may never have felt Hollywood was built for them. Unlimited Studios offers far more than cameras and production space. Madison and Coleman are building a creative home where filmmakers, actors, writers, podcasters, and entrepreneurs can receive the equipment, guidance, industry connections, and production support needed to move an idea forward. They also open up about building a physical business together, taking risks before they felt completely ready, and using their opposite strengths to become stronger partners. With New Jersey’s film production industry rapidly expanding, this conversation explores how independent creators can claim their place in that growth. If you have ever imagined making a film, recording a show, developing an acting reel, or turning a creative concept into something real, this episode may convince you that your idea is closer than you think. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why New Jersey Is Becoming a Film Production Destination: How the arrival of major studios and new production incentives are creating opportunities for filmmakers, actors, crews, and content creators across the state. What a Full Service Production Studio Actually Provides: A look inside Unlimited Studios and its film production space, podcast room, cameras, lighting, standing sets, editing resources, and creative support. How to Move From an Idea to an Actual Production: Why creators do not need to arrive with a completed script, assembled team, or perfect plan before asking for help. Why Access Matters More Than Ever: How Madison and Coleman are making professional production resources more approachable for independent filmmakers and emerging creators. The Missing Support Many Actors and Filmmakers Need: How consultation, reel creation, headshots, industry feedback, and guidance can help talented people become more visible and marketable. Building a Business With Your Partner: How Madison’s willingness to leap and Coleman’s attention to detail create a balance that helps them make bold moves without ignoring the practical realities. How to Build When You Are Still Learning: Their honest experience with employees, operations, a physical location, and the many responsibilities that arrive when a creative vision becomes a real company. Why Community Can Reduce the Fear of Taking a Risk: How support from Long Branch, the New Jersey film community, family, mentors, and industry partners helped them move forward faster. Creating Opportunities for Overlooked Voices: Their vision for developing original films, backing independent projects, and giving more creators the opportunity to have their stories heard. Where Artificial Intelligence Fits Into Filmmaking: Why Madison and Coleman see AI as a useful creative tool while still believing audiences want stories made by real people. The Value of Complementary Strengths: Why successful partnerships do not require two people who think alike, and how different personalities can create better decisions. The Message Every Creator Needs to Hear: Keep going, believe in what you are building, and do not assume your lack of connections means your idea has nowhere to go.

August 4, 202626 min

Why AI Still Can’t Do Your Taxes: George Dimov on Trust, Technology, and the Human Advantage

What makes an accounting firm stand out when every firm promises accuracy and expertise? According to George Dimov, founder and CEO of Dimov Tax Specialists, the answer is surprisingly simple. Answer the phone. Respond to the email. Let clients know what is happening with their money. In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show , George joins Josh Cary to reveal why responsiveness, transparency, and human connection have become powerful competitive advantages in the accounting industry. George also offers a candid look at artificial intelligence and tax preparation. While AI can help firms become more efficient, he explains why it is not yet ready to replace experienced tax professionals. His best evidence comes from an AI expert who delivered a compelling presentation about automation, then privately admitted that his own taxes were a mess. Whether you are an entrepreneur choosing a CPA, a professional trying to improve the client experience, or a business owner navigating the rise of AI, this conversation offers practical lessons about trust, technology, communication, and sustainable business growth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Responsiveness Is a Competitive Advantage: George explains why unanswered emails and phone calls create anxiety for clients, even when work is happening behind the scenes. What AI Still Gets Wrong About Taxes: Why artificial intelligence can struggle with basic calculations, personalized tax situations, and the nuance required for accurate tax preparation. Why Tax Software Companies Are Adding More Humans: What the expansion of professional advisors and physical offices reveals about what customers actually want in the age of AI. How Technology Can Improve the Client Experience: How George’s firm allows clients to track the status of their tax return in real time and see exactly where it is in the preparation process. Why Your First Tax Draft May Not Be Your Final Draft: George explains why effective tax preparation requires conversation, review, context, and collaboration between the client and accountant. How to Choose the Right CPA: Why licensing, referrals, ethics, communication, and personal fit all matter when trusting someone with your financial information. The Growing Shortage of Qualified Accountants: How retiring CPAs and declining interest in the profession are creating both challenges and opportunities across the accounting industry. Why Personality Matters in Professional Services: George shares why some clients connect with a quiet, traditional accountant while others prefer someone more energetic and conversational. What “Unmute Yourself” Means for Business: How George encouraged naturally introverted accountants to pick up the phone, speak with clients, and build stronger relationships. How George Grew Dimov Tax Specialists: Why steady growth, strong processes, customer service, and client referrals became the foundation of the firm. A Human Approach to Taxes and Business George believes people are not simply looking for someone who can prepare a tax return. They want clarity. They want communication. Most importantly, they want confidence that someone is paying attention. That human element becomes even more valuable when the stakes are high. If software tells you that you owe the IRS a significant amount of money, you may not want to click submit without asking questions or getting a second opinion. The same principle applies far beyond accounting. Businesses that communicate clearly, fix mistakes, and make customers feel seen will continue to stand out, no matter how advanced technology becomes. About George Dimov George Dimov is the founder and CEO of Dimov Tax Specialists, a professional accounting firm focused on accurate tax preparation, responsive communication, modern technology, and exceptional client service. George built the firm around a simple philosophy: clients deserve timely answers, transparency throughout the process, and access to real professionals who understand the details of their financial situation. Learn more at DimovTax.com .

August 3, 202626 min

The Hidden Connection Between Your Gut, Brain, Weight, and Longevity with Dr. Sal

What if the key to better energy, clearer thinking, improved heart health, and greater longevity begins in your gut? In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show , Josh Cary sits down with practicing gastroenterologist Dr. Sal to uncover the powerful role of the gut microbiome. Dr. Sal explains how trillions of bacteria influence far more than digestion. They may affect your metabolism, immune system, mental health, weight, and overall risk for chronic disease. The conversation also exposes how ultra-processed foods, misleading product labels, and a lack of variety in our diets can quietly damage gut health. You will learn why eating the same foods repeatedly may be working against you, how food diversity supports microbial diversity, and why many people do not need expensive probiotic supplements. Most importantly, Dr. Sal offers realistic ways to improve your gut health without chasing miracle products or giving up every food you enjoy. His starting recommendation is surprisingly simple: eat a handful of nuts and edible seeds every day. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Your Gut Microbiome Matters: Dr. Sal explains what the microbiome is and why its trillions of bacteria play such an important role in digestion, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and longevity. How Food Diversity Builds a Healthier Gut: Discover why eating a wider range of vegetables, fruits, greens, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains may help create a more diverse microbiome. The Gut and Brain Connection: Learn how the gut communicates with the brain and why the bacteria living inside you may influence anxiety, depression, thoughts, feelings, and emotional health. Why Feeling Fine Does Not Always Mean You Are Fine: Dr. Sal discusses low grade inflammation and the silent gut health problems that may develop before obvious digestive symptoms appear. How Ultra Processed Foods Affect the Body: Hear what emulsifiers, artificial flavors, sugar alcohols, and other additives may do to healthy gut bacteria and why highly processed foods can be difficult to stop eating. How to Read a Food Label More Carefully: Learn why claims such as “high protein,” “low fat,” “low carb,” or “extra fiber” can create a healthy halo around products that may still contain questionable ingredients. The Truth About Probiotics and Prebiotics: Dr. Sal explains why many healthy people can get beneficial prebiotics and probiotics through whole foods, including beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and yogurt containing live cultures. Why Children Need Greater Food Variety: Discover why Dr. Sal is seeing serious metabolic conditions in younger patients and how families can make nutritious foods more visible, accessible, and appealing. A Simple Way to Improve Your Food Environment: Learn how moving fruits, nuts, and seeds to eye level while making packaged snacks harder to reach can help encourage better everyday choices. The One Habit You Can Begin Today: Dr. Sal shares one easy daily action that could support gut health, heart health, and colon health without requiring an elaborate diet plan. About Dr. Sal Dr. Sal is a practicing gastroenterologist with decades of experience treating digestive conditions and studying the relationship between nutrition, the gut microbiome, and chronic disease. Beyond his medical practice, he travels to communities around the country to educate people about gut health and preventive care. His mission is to make the microbiome a household conversation and help families understand how everyday food choices can influence lifelong health.

July 28, 202625 min

Can Doing One Hard Thing Can Change the Rest of Your Life? with Libby Harrington

What if the limits you have accepted about yourself are not actually limits at all? At 55, Libby Harrington took on a 48-mile Grand Canyon hike through record heat. That experience shattered a belief she had carried for decades and inspired her to begin running marathons. She has since completed six marathons, including five of the world’s major races. In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show , host Josh Cary sits down with Libby, founder of Vital Ventures, to explore what becomes possible when preparation, community, and courageous action replace fear and self-doubt. Libby also reveals how she helps leaders and executives become adventure-ready for transformational experiences in Alaska, the Grand Canyon, the Dolomites, Costa Rica, and beyond. This conversation is not really about hiking or marathon running. It is about discovering what you are capable of, challenging the stories that have kept you stuck, and carrying your newfound confidence into your health, relationships, leadership, and business. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Libby Redefined What Was Possible After 55: Why one invitation to hike the Grand Canyon became the catalyst for six marathons and an entirely new chapter of her life. The False Beliefs That Quietly Become Our Truth: How Libby spent decades believing an old injury prevented her from running long distances, only to discover that the real issue was strength and preparation. Why Doing Hard Things Changes Your Identity: How completing a demanding physical challenge can create a lasting shift in confidence, resilience, and personal agency. The Three Ingredients Behind Any Bold Goal: Why a responsible plan, the right people, and consistent preparation can make an intimidating challenge feel achievable. How to Become Adventure Ready: The physical training, expert guidance, accountability, nutrition, and safety preparation Vital Ventures provides before participants ever reach the trail. Why Community Matters When You Feel Afraid: How training alongside a team reduces uncertainty and helps participants arrive feeling prepared rather than worried about falling behind. What Adventure Can Teach You About Leadership: How endurance experiences reveal powerful lessons about commitment, teamwork, responsibility, relationships, and staying in the game. How to Respond When Your Plan Falls Apart: What Libby learned after an ankle fracture delayed her goal of running the Boston Marathon and forced her to accept an unexpected pivot. Why Visualization Is Part of the Training: How participants identify their fears, recognize their limiting beliefs, and picture the person they want to become at the finish. What Makes a Vital Ventures Experience Different: From hiking beside glaciers in Alaska to exploring the Grand Canyon, the Dolomites, Costa Rica, and the Azores, these adventures are designed to create transformation that lasts long after the trip ends. About Libby Harrington Libby Harrington is the founder of Vital Ventures, an adventure company that prepares people to take on meaningful physical challenges at every stage of life. Through structured training, community accountability, expert guidance, and carefully selected global experiences, Libby helps participants build strength, confidence, and the belief that they can live a more adventurous life. Learn more at vitalventures.live.

July 28, 202626 min

Why This 100 Year Old Movie Theater Is Still Thriving in the Age of Netflix (and What Can You Learn for Your Own Business)

What does it take to keep a local movie theater alive in the age of Netflix, smartphones, and streaming? In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show , Josh Cary sits down with Doreen Sayegh, owner of the historic Cranford Theater in Cranford, New Jersey. As the theater celebrates its 100th anniversary, Doreen shares how she transformed it from a place that simply shows movies into a thriving community destination. After taking sole ownership in 2019, Doreen invested heavily in renovating the theater. Just four months after reopening, COVID forced it to close. Rather than surrender, she found creative ways to keep the community connected, including concession sales, outdoor movies, and a makeshift drive in theater. Today, the Cranford Theater hosts classic movies, film festivals, comedy shows, holiday celebrations, international film series, charity drives, and special experiences that attract visitors from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. This conversation is a powerful lesson in entrepreneurship, community building, customer experience, and the importance of evolving without losing what makes a business special. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to Compete With Convenience: Why Doreen believes movie theaters can offer something streaming services will never recreate at home. The Power of Creating Memories: How the Cranford Theater designs experiences that turn an ordinary trip to the movies into a family tradition. How Doreen Survived the COVID Shutdown: The creative moves that helped her remain connected to the community after the theater was forced to close. Why Community Can Become Your Competitive Advantage: How partnerships with local businesses, schools, firefighters, filmmakers, and community leaders help the theater reach new audiences. How Events Bring a Business to Life: From pajama parties and Beach Santa to classic films, comedy shows, and international cinema, Doreen explains why experimentation matters. The Business Impact of a Local Movie Theater: How theaters bring customers into nearby restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and other local businesses. Why Entrepreneurs Must Keep Evolving: Doreen shares her approach to testing ideas, listening to customers, and giving new programs enough time to succeed. Creating Opportunities for Independent Filmmakers: How the Cranford Theater gives creators a place to premiere their work, host film festivals, and see their names on the marquee. The Return of Filmmaking in New Jersey: Why Doreen is excited about the growth of movie and television production across the Garden State. Building a Business That Feels Like Family: How Doreen creates a culture where guests, employees, and community partners feel personally connected to the theater. A Century of Stories The Cranford Theater opened in 1926 with the silent film Padlocked , accompanied by a Wurlitzer organ. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the theater secured a restored copy of that original film and plans to recreate the experience with live organ accompaniment and a Roaring Twenties celebration. The anniversary also includes community events, love letters to the theater, and a time capsule that will be reopened in 25 years. For Doreen, preserving the Cranford Theater is not simply about honoring its history. It is about proving that a century old business can remain relevant by creating meaningful experiences for a modern audience. More Than a Movie Theater Whether the theater is collecting toys for Children’s Specialized Hospital, helping a school build a library, welcoming Santa on a firetruck, or showcasing the work of independent filmmakers, Doreen looks for ways to connect entertainment with community service. Her philosophy is simple: people do not walk into the theater as customers. They walk in as family. As Doreen explains, “We’re not just selling movie tickets. We’re creating memories.” About Doreen Sayegh Doreen Sayegh is the owner of the Cranford Theater, a five screen independent movie theater in Cranford, New Jersey. Growing up in her father’s theaters gave her an early appreciation for movies, entrepreneurship, and the emotional power of the big screen. Today, she is continuing that family legacy while transforming the Cranford Theater into a destination for movies, special events, filmmakers, local organizations, and families. She also serves on the board of the Garden State Film Festival and is a passionate advocate for independent theaters and New Jersey’s growing film industry.

July 20, 202657 min

Why Doing More Is Keeping Your Business Stuck (Do This Instead) with Michael Marcial

What if reaching the next level in business requires you to do less, not more? Michael Marcial returns to The Hidden Entrepreneur Show for a deeply honest conversation about money, identity, sales, entrepreneurship, and the hidden complexity that keeps founders stuck. Michael has been part of Josh Cary’s journey since before The Hidden Entrepreneur existed. He appeared on the very first episode and has remained a trusted friend, coach, and business strategist throughout the show’s more than 450 episodes. In this conversation, Michael challenges the popular idea that success comes from constantly reinventing yourself. Instead, he argues that meaningful growth is often a process of subtraction. Remove the responsibilities that do not belong to you. Stop trying to become great at everything. Find the right people who can see what you cannot. Michael also reveals why growing companies often scale their sales leaks alongside their revenue, how founders accidentally bring desperation into sales conversations, and why more artificial intelligence feedback does not always produce better results. This episode is for entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, and business leaders who want to simplify their growth, improve sales performance, and build a business around their actual strengths. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Receiving Is a Business Skill: How dismissing praise, accomplishments, and recognition may reveal a deeper difficulty receiving money, opportunity, and success. The Danger of Scaling Complexity: Why adding more people, systems, technology, and automation can increase your problems instead of solving them. Why Your Current Thinking Cannot Create Every Future Result: How growth plans created entirely from your present limitations may keep producing incremental progress. Why Growth Is a Game of Subtraction: How removing tasks, expectations, and false responsibilities can create more meaningful business growth. The Power of “Who,” Not “How”: Why finding the right partner or specialist may be more valuable than teaching yourself another skill. How Founders Create Their Own Sales Leaks: Why business owners may unknowingly hire the same personalities, repeat the same patterns, and reproduce the same disappointing results. Why More Leads May Not Fix Your Sales Problem: How spending more on advertising can hide weaknesses in your sales conversations and conversion process. What “Commission Breath” Sounds Like: How urgency and desperation subtly enter a sales call, even when the closer follows the script perfectly. Why Human Sales Intelligence Still Matters: How tone, energy, timing, and nuance can reveal problems that artificial intelligence may overlook. The One Thing Your Sales Team Needs to Improve: Why focused feedback on one critical behavior can be more effective than receiving hundreds of automated recommendations. How to Stop Performing Your Success: Michael’s honest reflection on using social media to project the image of a successful entrepreneur and why that version eventually stopped feeling authentic. The Difference Between Reinvention and “Unselfing”: Why Michael believes you do not need to manufacture another identity. You may simply need to remove everything that is not truly you. Why Partnership Creates Leverage: How the right partner can recognize, translate, and scale the abilities you are too close to see in yourself. How to Accept Your Strengths Without Feeding Your Ego: Why some entrepreneurs exaggerate their abilities while others normalize their greatest gifts and fail to recognize their value. The Personal Meaning Behind Michael’s “Forarm” Tattoo: The powerful story of his daughter, one of the darkest periods of his life, and the reminder that keeps him moving forward. Visit https://collected.cash/ for more details

July 9, 202626 min

How to Build a Brand Without Becoming Another Empty Influencer with Erik Cabral

What does it really mean to build a personal brand today? In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show, Josh Cary is joined by longtime friend, colleague, and business partner Erik Cabral, along with 710 WOR and Fox News personality Natalie Migliori, for a lively and thoughtful conversation about aging, identity, storytelling, podcasting, and the difference between influence and true authority. This conversation moves from funny generational throwbacks and unexpected life stories to deeper insights about insecurity, self-awareness, media, and what it takes to become someone people actually want to listen to. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, podcast host, business leader, or creator trying to build visibility in a noisy world, this episode offers a grounded look at personal branding, podcasting, and thought leadership that is rooted in real experience rather than surface level attention. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The Difference Between Influence and Authority: Why building a personal brand is not about pretending to be important, but becoming someone with real value, perspective, and experience to share. Why Experience Changes Everything: Eric reflects on moving from corporate America into entrepreneurship, and how confidence often comes from doing the work long enough to stop needing to prove yourself. The Role of Insecurity in Growth: Josh, Eric, and Natalie explore how insecurity shows up in performance, media, business, and life, and why self awareness can become a turning point. How Storytelling Gives Meaning to Life: From a child being born in a car to memories of radio, mixtapes, Friends, and appointment television, the episode shows how stories become the connective tissue between generations. Why Podcasting Is Only One Piece of the Media Puzzle: Eric shares how modern visibility now includes podcasts, YouTube, stages, books, workshops, and community building. The Power of Building an Ecosystem Around Your Brand: For entrepreneurs and leaders, the goal is no longer simply to be on one platform. The real opportunity is to create a media ecosystem that builds trust, authority, and business. Why Community Still Matters: Natalie points out that the best brands give people a place to connect, discuss, and feel part of something meaningful.

June 23, 202627 min

Why Some People Instantly Connect With an Audience and Others Don't with Jackie Morgan

What actually makes someone unforgettable on camera? Is it confidence? Sales ability? Charisma? Or is it something much simpler and much harder to fake? In this episode, Josh Cary sits down with former QVC on-air personality and fashion industry veteran Jackie Morgan for a conversation that goes far beyond television and retail. What starts as a discussion about live selling and audience connection quickly turns into a deeply personal conversation about intuition, grief, human connection, performance, relationships, and Jackie’s firsthand survival story from 9/11. Jackie spent years inside millions of homes through live television. But what made viewers stay loyal to her had nothing to do with polished scripts or sales tactics. It was her ability to feel real in a world where most people perform. This episode is part masterclass on audience connection and part raw human conversation about life, loss, reinvention, and why authenticity still wins. If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, performer, salesperson, podcast host, or simply someone fascinated by human behavior and communication, this episode delivers powerful insight into what makes people trust you, follow you, and remember you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Being “Real” Still Beats Every Marketing Trick Jackie explains why audiences connected with her so deeply during her years on QVC and why people today can instantly sense when someone is fake, scripted, or performing. The Hidden Skill Behind Great Live Selling Most people think selling on live television is easy until the camera turns on. Jackie breaks down the unique pressure of storytelling, product knowledge, emotional connection, and closing sales in real time with no edits. How QVC Predicted Today’s Creator Economy Long before TikTok Shop and live social selling became mainstream, QVC built an empire around personality driven commerce. Jackie explains why today’s influencers are following a blueprint QVC perfected years ago. The Power of Audience Relationships From handwritten fan messages to emotional support after losing her father, Jackie shares how years of showing up authentically created a true community around her. Jackie’s Powerful 9/11 Survival Story In one of the most emotional moments of the episode, Jackie recounts living near the World Trade Center during the attacks, helping students evacuate, escaping the collapse, and how the experience permanently changed her relationship with life. Why Passion Matters More Than Money Jackie shares why she once chose the lowest paying job opportunity because she believed the mentor would teach her more than the higher salary jobs ever could. The Difference Between Performing and Connecting Josh and Jackie explore the fascinating overlap between performance, broadcasting, sales, personality, and emotional connection in front of a camera. Jackie’s Vision for Her Next Chapter From podcasting and lifestyle conversations to matchmaking theories and relationship advice, Jackie opens up about where she wants to go next creatively and professionally.

June 16, 202625 min

The Dangerous Search for Approval That (Nearly) Destroyed Everything with Thomas Wagner

What does it take to completely rewrite your life story? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Thomas Wagner shares a journey that sounds more like a movie script than a business success story. Before becoming a successful entrepreneur who sold multiple companies and built a thriving business, Thomas was living a very different life. Drugs, arrests, violence, self-sabotage, and a victim mindset defined his early years. Then everything changed. Thomas opens up about the painful childhood experiences that shaped him, the search for approval that drove his destructive behavior, the acid fueled rock bottom moment that forced him to confront himself, and the mindset shifts that ultimately led him to build a life of purpose, leadership, faith, and success. This episode is not about business tactics. It's about transformation. It's about personal responsibility. And it's about understanding that your past does not have to determine your future. What You'll Learn in This Episode How Pain Can Become a Catalyst for Change Thomas explains why most people do not change until the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the fear of changing. The Hidden Need for Approval Discover how his search for validation and acceptance fueled years of destructive decisions and how that same need impacts many people today. The Victim Mindset That Keeps People Stuck Learn how blaming circumstances, luck, family, or other people can quietly rob you of your power and prevent growth. The Rock Bottom Moment That Changed Everything Hear the dramatic story of the arrest, acid trip, and wake up call that became the turning point in Thomas's life. Why Personal Responsibility Creates Freedom Thomas shares why taking ownership of your life is not about blame. It is about reclaiming control and creating new possibilities. Building Businesses After Starting With Nothing From working multiple jobs and struggling financially to building and selling successful companies, Thomas reveals the mindset that helped him move forward. Leadership, Faith, and Legacy Discover how faith became a guiding force in Thomas's life and why his long term vision is focused on helping others transform their own futures. About Thomas Wagner Thomas Wagner is the founder of Zenith Risk Strategies. A successful entrepreneur who has built and sold multiple businesses, Thomas combines business leadership, faith, and personal development principles to help organizations and individuals grow. His journey from addiction and self-destruction to purpose-driven leadership has made him a powerful voice on resilience, responsibility, and personal transformation.

June 15, 202625 min

From Idea to Store Shelves: The Product Launch Playbook Every Entrepreneur Needs with Michelle Hsiao

What does it actually take to turn an idea into a product that lands on the shelves of Target, Macy's, Whole Foods, or Petco? In this episode, Josh Cary sits down with Michelle Hsiao, founder and CEO of Revenue Growth Advisors, who has spent decades helping brands launch, scale, and succeed in retail. After 25 years inside major retailers, Michelle now helps entrepreneurs navigate the entire journey from product concept to profitability. Whether you're dreaming of launching a physical product, building a consumer brand, or simply want to understand what separates successful businesses from expensive mistakes, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how products really get made, marketed, and sold. You'll also discover why networking may be the most valuable business skill you can develop and why profitability should always come before popularity. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Most Product Ideas Never Make It Michelle explains why having an idea isn't enough and how successful products find a unique position in crowded markets. The Reality of Bringing a Product to Market Learn what entrepreneurs often underestimate about manufacturing, packaging, pricing, marketing, and retail distribution. How Much Money Product Launches Really Require Discover the surprising financial realities behind launching a product at scale and why many founders run out of money before they ever make a sale. The Difference Between a Hobby Product and a Scalable Business Michelle breaks down how to determine whether your idea is a side business, a lifestyle brand, or something capable of generating a major exit. The Power of Staying in Your Zone of Genius Why successful founders stop trying to do everything themselves and start building teams around their strengths. Lessons From 25 Years Inside Major Retailers Michelle shares insights from her career at major retail brands and what she learned about product development, profitability, manufacturing, and consumer behavior. The Networking Lesson That Changed Everything A hard earned career lesson that transformed the way Michelle approaches relationships, referrals, and long term business success. Building a Brand Story That Customers Connect With Why your founder story matters and how sharing the journey behind your business can become one of your strongest marketing assets. How AI Fits Into Modern Product Businesses Where AI can help founders move faster and where relying on technology alone can lead to costly mistakes. Why Profitability Matters More Than Being "Pretty" The critical mindset shift every entrepreneur needs if they want to build a sustainable and successful company.