Turning Pro Newsletter

How Jason Levin Made Silly a Serious Business

Jason Levin, founder of Meme Lord.com, shares how a lifetime of posting goofy content turned into a million-dollar empire and why taking your comedy seriously might just be your smartest career move.

Why Every Brand Will Be a Media Company with JT Barnett

JT Barnett went from pro hockey player to creator economy operator. Now he's helping brands think like media companies and teaching founders how to actually win online.

London Glorfield’s Mission to Unplug the World — and Why Gen Z Is All In

London Glorfield, co-founder and CEO of Kickback, shares how his music career, cultural instincts, and obsession with simplicity are reshaping the consumer electronics game.

From Gossip Girl Extra to CEO of the Coolest Brand in Pet Wellness

Katie Hunt’s story spans Warby Parker, Hinge, and now Oh Norman!, the pet wellness brand she co-founded with Kaley Cuoco. In this episode, she breaks down how failure, flexibility, and building with joy helped her design a company (and life) she actually loves.

How Tom Shea Built Adgile Into the Most Surprising Media Company in Advertising

Adgile Media Group CEO Tom Shea explains how he turned delivery trucks into trackable billboards, survived a four-founder fallout, and nearly walked away before hitting profitability and breaking out.

How One Instagram Story Sparked a Global Run Club

Chad Cohen, founder of Fortem Media and Unofficial Run Club, opens up about burnout, building from rock bottom, and why documenting your journey might be the best business move you ever make.

Radical Honesty and Stuffed Dates: Sydney Karmes-Wainer on Building French Squirrel Her Way

Sydney Karmes-Wainer didn’t follow the playbook. She followed her gut. Now, she’s building a wellness brand that’s unapologetically honest, rooted in mission, and powered by peanut butter.

The Art of the Follow-Up: How Chris Hladczuk Closed $25M

Chris Hladczuk, founder of Hanover Park, breaks down AI-powered fund admin, founder-led sales, and why maniacal persistence still beats cold automation.

From Teen Entrepreneur to Shark Tank Success: Shirah Benarde’s Journey

Shirah Benarde went from high school innovator to Shark Tank star, turning a simple scrunchie into NightCap, a groundbreaking solution for drink safety.

From Burnout to Bulletproof: Aaron Schwartz on Founding, Focus, and Founder Fitness

From Stand-Up to Startups: How Jon Laster Is Building Blapp

Stand-up comic turned startup founder Jon Laster shares how the George Floyd tragedy pushed him to create Blapp, a platform empowering Black-owned businesses, and why storytelling, scrappiness, and community are his greatest assets.

From Rap Fame to Venture Game: Bobby Shmurda’s Power Moves

Bobby Shmurda opens up about how prison taught him discipline, why he reads contracts like a lawyer, and how he’s using his platform to build generational wealth—one business deal at a time.