Miami Hustle Series

Chris Adamo is the Director of Business Development at Whereby.us, home of The New Tropic, the digital newspaper we all know and love in Miami. Just two years ago Chris went into the wilderness to disconnect and find his true passion, then found a way to bring it to life in his current projects with Whereby.us and others.   We also get into the nitty gritty of how he escaped the 9-to-5 using some methods from Tim Ferriss’ book The Four Hour Work Week. He talks about his love for Miami and how he’s able to quickly build a network in cities across the country, using little bit of hustle tools we all have at our disposal.   Learn about Whereby’s business model and Chris multiple “side hustles” including supporting community-building efforts like Social Venture Partners Miami. He also answers the mystery behind those bright colorful Hawaiian shirts. An overall great conversation with a leader in our rising entrepreneurial ecosystem. Thank you Chris!   Mentioned in this Episode:   News Sources       WhereBy.Us    

This episode features a unique “hustler” that most of us have come across on our time here in Miami – the ridesharing driver from apps like Uber and Lyft. David Lowell is one of South Florida’s top Uber drivers, having amassed nearly 10,000 rides and over 5,000 5-star ratings at the time of the recording.   Don’t assume that because this isn’t a typical Miami “startup” that there aren’t business lessons here – believe me, there are, and David and I touch on a handful right out of the gate. We get into the importance of “showing up” and how he’s often able to make more than other drivers with just a little more hustle. Having been a business owner himself earlier in life, he also shares advice for anyone considering a new job (including being a driver).   We even get into “tech” as he shares his thoughts on Uber’s long-term pivot to self-driving cars and why he’s not concerned about it taking his job.   Highlights:        1:48 – David’s approach to customer service & how little things differentiate him as

I’m excited to bring you the power couple of Miami Tech that needs no introduction - Juha and Jo Mikkola of Wyncode.   We dive deep into their story of: - How they came up with the idea to launch a coding bootcamp. - Why they chose Miami and moved here from Toronto. - Early days validating the idea for Wyncode. - The serendipity around closing their recent round of $1M funding. - Why they believe ANYONE can learn to code.   Juha and Jo are recognized leaders in the Miami Tech ecosystem and share sound lessons in starting and growing a business, making this episode a must-listen for anyone in our startup community.   Highlights:   3:20 - How their previous business experience has helped them build Wyncode.(Juha as an entrepreneur, Jo as an executive for the NHL)   4:21 - How they came up with the idea for a coding bootcamp after Juha attended one in Toronto.   9:15 - Advice they’d give to entrepreneurs on taking those first, difficult steps, including how having a self-imposed deadline helped them kickstart W

Noah Ohlsen and the business of being a Pro CrossFit Athlete     We're excited to bring Noah Ohlsen (@nohlsen) to you, one of the top athletes in the CrossFit community and boasting a huge social media following of over 350K followers.   We talk how Noah became a competitive CrossFitter while going to school full-time at UM and how he first realized the power of social media by experimenting on Instagram in the early days.   We get into the streams of income he has available to him as a pro athlete in the “Sport of Fitness,” how it breaks down by category, and what he’s excited about in the future when it comes to growing a brand outside the sport.   We're excited to bring this interview with "Miami’s Fittest Man" who shares his ups and downs as an athlete and passes on lessons of hard work, attention to detail, and making things happen when you’ve got your sights set on a goal.     Highlights: 9:00 - Noah's mindset when it comes to putting in the work every day. 10:50 - Dedicating yourself to your craft. 11:

If there’s one episode Miami tech startups should listen to it’s this one, because Seth shares their formula for building a company WITHOUT the typical Angel and VC investment approach that pervades the startup culture, not just here in Miami but everywhere.   I sit down with Seth Cassel, President at Everymundo to talk about how “going narrow to go deep” and focusing on an industry niche has led to a sustainable business and now future opportunities to expand into other industries.   Why Seth was especially attracted to founder Anton’s unique philosophy to business growth, despite its differences from what he learned at Harvard Business School.   Seth shares some great stories, including how getting banned by Google Advertising sparked the idea for their biggest business opportunity and how their philosophy of focusing on employee productivity surprisingly leads to employee happiness.   Solid lessons here in lean startup philosophy, culture, and navigating a multilingual company with customers spanning the g

What can startups learn from a 200 year-old industry? It may sound like an unlikely correlation, but as it turns out, an exercise in turning around a railroad's operations can teach us a lot about what it takes to manage a startup.   Today's episode is focused on answering the question "What are the most important things that someone should be working on when building a startup." In a separate Podcast I produced, I interviewed consultant Roy Johanson - his experience turning around the operations of a railroad give us some insight on how taking the time to observe a business, it's dealings and how its customers respond to the way things are currently being run can guide us to make beneficial changes that go beyond the scope of traditional management.    Roy also gives us some essential questions that we should be asking ourselves while working in and on our businesses. His process appealed to us because it wasn’t just another story about an up and coming tech company’s 5 easy steps to startup glory and ventur

This episode is one for the books with Otto Othman (@otto_othman) and Nedal Ahmed (@nedalaahmad) from Pincho Factory (@pinchofactory) - the first in a series of episodes featuring Endeavor’s entrepreneurs (@endeavormiami).   Hear how these #miamihustlers came up with the idea for Pincho at a 4th of July BBQ, then nearly called it quits when the going got rough, to now having ten locations across Florida, including two at AAA (@americanairlinesarena).     These guys know what it takes to start and scale a business and have a unique view when it comes to managing their team - putting employees first.   Plus, great advice on how to escape the 9-5 and pursue that startup or side hustle.   And If you haven’t checked out their burgers, pinchos, salads, and more - get in there!  You won’t be disappointed.      

Curious what it takes to truly start from nothing in Miami?   Hear the story of how Matti Marshak came from Israel with no money and a job promised to him . . . then seeing that job fall through just weeks after arriving.  Learn how he found his way into the tech industry by taking low-paying work and sticking things out until new opportunities arose.   We can about how he and his business partner Avi later launched Pacific54, now one of the Miami startup scene's leading digital marketing agencies.   Matti gives some advice on how to think about a digital marketing strategy while covering some of the most important metrics a company should be tracking.   If there’s one guest I’ve had on this show who has lived the scenario I pose to every guest at the end of each episode - namely being new to Miami and only having $500 to start a business, it’s this guy!   Highlights   2:30 The “only in Miami” moment that brought him from Israel to the US   4:30 Feeling hopeless    5:30 Working odd jobs to make ends meet   6:

Looking for an example of taking the long view when it comes to business?  You’ve found it right here with Miami’s very own Jojo tea. We cover how Jojo came to be after Mike’s pursuit of acting took an interesting turn into yoga and meditation and the amazing story of how Jojo got it’s name, something that might put chills down your spine.  Plus, the story of how Tico turned down a job opportunity to help build Jojo and what he’s learned about business in the process. An amazing story shared by these two Miami hustlers and solid lessons for anyone, especially when it comes to taking the long view in business. Other Highlights: The right way to drink tea (hint, it involves slurping, not sipping) How they are using Miami’s strengths in food & hospitality to create a new American tea culture. The ONE metric they’d navigate their business by . . . and why it certainly isn’t what you might expect. What they’d do if a major retailer came and wanted to put Jojo on their shelves Mentioned in this episode Jojo Tea

What's Miami startup life really like? This episode is a bit different than others and for those loyal listeners who’ve noticed I’ve been publishing less episodes recently well this is the reason why - I’ve taken on an operating role in TIKD, the company I covered in EP 038, so am now deep into startup life. I thought it would be valuable for Miami entrepreneurs and hustlers of all types to put ourselves out there and hear our raw story, so here we go . . . this is TIKD at about 1 month, give or take and we cover some good stories here like . . .  Blowing money on an overseas developer and switching to a US-based one . . .  Why we’re frustrated with the first version of our product - and why that’s OK . . .  Our “only in Miami” moment of getting scammed by a print vendor . . .  How we went too big, too early, what we learned along the way but how sometimes it still pays to be aggressive and make things happen, even if the outcome isn’t perfect. What you’ll hear a lot of in this episode is the realization of t

CIC Miami is here!   I sat down with Natalia Martinez-Kalinina (@soulafloat) to talk about all one of Miami’s newest centers of gravity, CIC Miami (@cicmiami).   Natalia has a deep background in organizational psychology so we had an interesting chat around how she goes about building a team, what she looks for during interviews, and how she “tries out” candidates for a day before bringing them on full-time.   We covered why CIC chose to expand in Miami, how she came onboard and why she has renewed faith in Miami’s potential after immersing herself in the ecosystem over the last year.   We also talk about her side project, Love Lost Miami, a unique art exhibit that will take place during Art Basel and the lesson in entrepreneurship that we can take away from it.   Natalia is a true “hustler” in Miami, making big things happen through her work in getting CIC Miami to where it is, but reminds us that the future is where the real work will need to be done.   2:30 - How she became involved in CIC Miami and why CI

Wondering how to keep your health on track through that Miami hustle? I’m excited to bring Jordan Kaplan (@kaplanchirosobe) from Kaplan Chiropractic in South Beach to you.  He shares what it was like to nearly go bankrupt before his practice even opened and how he bounced back by bringing on a great team and building an office culture where patients stop by even when they’re not being treated. We also cover how to get a better night’s sleep, the benefits of “bulletproof" coffee . . . AND I get frozen during the episode is his office’s cryochamber. Some powerful lessons, health tips, and an overall positive vibe from one of our community’s emerging leaders.  I’m proud to call Jordan my friend - he has big hopes for Miami and the community of people making it a better place every day.  (Be sure pay a visit to @kaplanchiro - it’s my go-to place for healing, rejuvenation, and a great vibe). Highlights 2:00 - Realizing his gift for healing 2:50 - The miraculous experience with a chiropractor that piqued his intere

Wondering what it takes to get into your dream job or kickstart a passion project? I sat down with inspiring Miami hustler Leigh-Ann Buchanan from Venture Cafe Miami to hear how she found her dream job after working for 7 years as a commercial litigation attorney. We chat about her methods for networking authentically and how she’s handled the challenge of being a structured, process-oriented person now dealing with ambiguity and the “seat-of-your-pants" operations inherent in entrepreneurship. We cover the non-profit she founded, the NYAH Project and of course, the great work she and others at Venture Cafe and CIC Miami are doing to bring innovation to our entrepreneurial ecosystem, including their weekly event series every Thursday. Leigh-Ann is an emerging leader with her finger on the pulse of Miami’s rising entrepreneurial scene.  Miami hustlers of all types can all learn from her perspective and how she worked her way into the leadership role at Venture Cafe. Highlights 2:15 - How she went from being an

Does Miami really have a talent gap? I sat down with LAB Miami co-founder and #miamitech original Wifi Fernandez to hear the story of how he and his co-founders started Miami’s first co-working space with just a few hundred dollars and some wood furniture. We chat about how he’s shifted his focus to helping anchor institutions like FIU build Miami’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and of course, his favorite Miami startups.  He also shares his thoughts on something we hear about all the time - the alleged talent gap in Miami. Wifi has been a leader in our community since the early days of Miami’s tech scene and we can all benefit from his perspective AND support the newest project he’s involved in - Startup FIU. Highlights 2:00 - Wifi’s story of starting The LAB Miami with his two co-founders 5:15 - Making through the hard days of The LAB 8:00 - Success stories from The LAB 10:00 - Thoughts on bringing on investors vs bootstrapping 13:00 - How StartupFIU came to be 14:40 - What they’re looking for in their cohort e

Wondering what happens when you immerse into a problem long enough to spot opportunities right in front of you eyes? I sat down with Chris Riley from TIKD (@gettikd) to hear how he’s taking his team's track record of success in the energy industry and applying it to a tech startup with massive opportunity in an area we can all relate to - traffic tickets! Chris shares his biggest lessons as an entrepreneur, including: - the importance of giving yourself permission to come up with bad ideas - how to unlock opportunities that make people say “why didn’t I think of that" - why having a keen eye on cash flow is a cornerstone to building a business model that works Keep an eye on this Miami startup that has momentum and interest from top venture capitalists and others; some fantastic lessons to learn from Chris and his team at TIKD, not to mention a new and convenient way to save big on those traffic tickets and keep points off your record. Highlights 1:45 - How Chris and his team have launched entrepreneurial ven

I’m excited to bring to you the ladies of the Underline - Meg and Gita.  Now, if you’re in Miami and don’t know what The Underline is, you should!  We get into all that here, including the story of how Meg got the idea for it after a bicycle accident where she broke both elbows.  There are some pure entrepreneurial lessons we can all learn here, including the importance of getting your idea out there to create your own luck, Meg’s practice of being comfortable with discomfort, and Gita’s push to never settle for anything less than excellent. Meg, Gita, and a huge team of supporters are working hard to transform our city with one of the coolest projects I’ve come across and we can all learn a lot from their hustle and drive.   1:55 - How Meg got the idea for The Underline 4:00 - How luck came their way when they started getting the word out 8:00 - Their vision for The Underline and what it will look like and mean for Miami 10:20 - Parallel lessons for entrepreneurs & businesspeople   16:40 - How businesses

I sat down with Brian Breslin, who we all know as the Founder of Miami’s largest tech community, Refresh Miami.  Brian has been an entrepreneur since he was 15 and has lessons to share from those early days, including how he almost got put out of business by a lawsuit.  We covered some of his lowest moments as an entrepreneur when he could just barely make payroll, plus why he chose to enhance his business experience through the formal education of an MBA.  Brian talks about how he started Refresh Miami when he couldn’t find like-minded people in tech to hang out with along with his thoughts on the prospects for Miami’s growing tech scene. No one has seen more when it comes to Miami Tech than Brian and we can all benefit from his experience on the scene and as an entrepreneur.  Lastly, stay tuned until the closing minutes of the show where Brian and I offer up a challenge to fund select Miami hustlers with $500 to start a business and be mentored by us.   2:05 - Starting Infinimedia as a teenager and growing

I sat down with Chris Sopher, Co-Founder & CEO of Whereby.us and The New Tropic who, along with Co-Founders Rebekah Monson and Bruce Pinchbeck, are encouraging us all to “live like you live here,” through their daily newsletter, stories, and neighborhood guides covering all things Miami. Chris has some solid wisdom for startups trying to get traction, including how to avoid the mistake most commonly made by startups - making something nobody wants! Chris and his team are bringing great storytelling and “connective tissue” to the Miami scene through their writing, events, and support of companies seeking to engage authentically with all of us in Miami. He also shares the #1 question leaders should have on call at their disposal  - some great wisdom here from a true hustler leading a solid team that’s committed to making Miami great. 1:30 - Background before starting Whereby.us 3:00 - Why he felt comfortable leaving a stable job at The Knight Foundation to pursue a startup 4:20 - How they validated the idea

If you’re in Miami and don’t know who Guido is, you should!  Not only is he the founder of one of Miami’s top gyms and the co-founder of a truly global Fitness Festival that takes place in Bayfront park in January, but he’s also a long-time CrossFit competitor, achieving high accolades in the sport including making it to the pinnacle of competition, the CrossFit Games, a grueling competition which features the fittest athletes in the world - truly the major leagues of fitness.  Guido is a businessman, coach, family man, and an inspiration to countless here in Miami and beyond, including myself.   We can all learn a lot from the hustle and drive behind his start as a fitness professional and his growth as an entrepreneur.  I’m honored to call him my friend and if there’s one person who epitomizes what Miami hustle is about, it’s this guy.  So entrepreneurs, business people, cross fitters, whoever you are, listen up!  Some deep and actionable wisdom here from the one and only Guido Trinidad (@guidotrinidad @the

I sat down with Luc Castera, Co-Founder of Cetus Labs and winner of the recent eMERGE Americas Pitch Competition, Early Stage category. We had a great chat covering Luc’s family legacy of entrepreneurship and its impact on launching Cetus; plus, advice he’d give to non-technical startup founders and what is was about his pitch that resulted in winning the eMERGE Americas competition. Highlights: 1:30 His family’s entrepreneurial history and the influence on his path 2:45 - What he's learned in his previous startups that has helped with launching Cetus 5:30 - How he decided to focus on the shipping industry 8:15 - Why his father is especially excited about Cetus  11:50 - How Cetus generates revenue 15:50 - What he would focus on if he only had one metric to navigate the business by 18:00 - His experience winning the eMERGE Pitch Competition and the elements of a winning pitch 20:15 - His views on bringing on investors 27:15 - Closing questions: pros and cons of Miami for startups, best advice, books, final adv