Entrepreneurship And Startups Episodes

Toni Taylor Gozza spent 35 years in the mortgage industry before founding The Gozza Gap, a consultancy that helps owners find and close gaps across their people, processes, and technology. Sometimes the answer is AI. Sometimes it is automation, a better process, or removing a step that no longer serves a purpose. Toni is also a co-author of the Amazon bestselling AI Prompt Handbook. In Episode 117, Toni joins Dustin Sutton to discuss her journey from mortgage industry veteran to business improvement consultant. They revisit the 2008 financial crisis, the role resilience played in rebuilding, and how therapy and meditation changed the way Toni leads. They also talk about writing her book, adopting AI with purpose, and spotting the problems business owners are often too close to see.

Golf courses are leaving revenue on the table every single day — and most operators don't even see it happening. In this episode, Kevin Kalner, founder of Golf District, breaks down how his booking platform is bringing dynamic pricing and revenue management to an industry that's been stuck in the past. Kevin shares his journey from golf enthusiast to startup founder, walking through how COVID-19 accelerated growth across the golf industry, why so many courses are unknowingly losing revenue, and...

Bill Douglas has had more than one moment that changed the trajectory of his life. In this episode, he shares the wild story behind one of them, and how it shaped the way he thinks about resilience, risk, and building a business that lasts. Bill is the founder of OpticWise and co-author of Peak Property Performance, a Fast Company Press bestseller. His company helps commercial real estate owners take back control of their data and digital infrastructure instead of leaving it in the hands of ven...

Commercial real estate has operated the same way for decades. Fragmented data. Siloed systems. Brokers jumping between five different platforms just to find a single owner's name. Dan Mosher saw that broken workflow and decided to fix it. Dan is the CEO and co-founder of DealGround, an AI-native data platform spanning 62M+ properties that is saving brokers an average of 20 hours per week. Before launching DealGround, he led the merchant team at Postmates through its $4.4B acquisition by Uber and served as SVP/GM of BrightRoll Exchange ahead of its $640M sale to Yahoo. In this episode, Dan and Dustin break down how AI is reshaping the way brokers prospect, access data, and close deals. Dan also shares what he learned navigating some of Silicon Valley's biggest exits, why being early is both a superpower and a liability, and what it actually takes to validate a problem before you build the product. Whether you are a broker trying to stay ahead, an operator curious about where A…

Commercial real estate has changed dramatically over the decades. The fundamentals that drive success in it have not. In this episode, Dustin sits down with Peter Quinn, a veteran broker at Kidder Matthews whose career spans IBM sales training, land development, and some of the most dynamic market cycles San Diego has ever seen. Peter brings a perspective you can only earn through real experience over real time. The conversation covers how Peter made the pivot from IBM into CRE, what that sales foundation taught him about building trust, and why the advisor mindset separates long-term producers from short-term players. Peter also gets honest about resilience, sharing what it actually looked like to navigate the hard seasons and come out still standing. You will also hear Peter break down the tools and systems he uses today, why CRM is non-negotiable for anyone serious about building a real estate business, and how staying informed through consistent reading gives you a consis…

Joshua Volen did not stumble into commercial real estate. He built toward it, one lesson at a time, starting from childhood ventures that taught him more about business than any classroom ever could. In Episode 110, Dustin sits down with Joshua Volen, co-founder of CIRE Equity, to unpack how authenticity, vulnerability, and a fundamental shift from scarcity to abundance mindset transformed his approach to leadership, culture, and commercial real estate investing. 🔑 Key Topics Childho...

Jonathan Hawkins built a legal practice most lawyers never considered. He represents law firms themselves, navigating breakups, partnership disputes, and business divorces that tear firms apart from the inside. In Episode 109, Dustin sits down with Jonathan to unpack how he went from engineering to law, found one of the most underserved niches in the legal industry, and built a practice around serving firms no one else focused on. If you are building a business, managing a partnership, or thi...

Most managers think they are recognizing their employees. Most employees disagree. That gap is costing organizations more than they realize.In this episode, Dustin sits down with Dr. Bob Nelson, recognized as the number one management guru in the world three years running, and Mario Tamayo of the Tamayo Group to break down why employee recognition is one of the most underutilized tools in leadership and exactly what to do about it.Together they unpack the disconnect between how managers perceive their own recognition efforts and what employees actually experience, why personalized recognition outperforms generic rewards every time, and how leaders can build cultures where people genuinely want to show up and contribute.If you manage a team of any size this episode gives you practical tools you can use immediately.

***Text “BISHOP” to 55498 to receive 10% off any of Bishop Foreman’s books and select items.*** Bishop Kevin Foreman shares how faith, entrepreneurship, mindset, and execution unlock your full potential. In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, we explore spiritual leadership, business growth, personal development, and the discipline of taking action. Known as “The People’s Bishop,” Bishop Kevin Foreman discusses starting his first business at age 12, why you should never demonize your ...

What does it take to successfully pivot your career and create meaningful impact? In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, Dustin sits down with Alex Waters, a leader in the San Diego startup community and a key force behind Program Labs, an organization that designs and operates entrepreneurship programs that expand opportunity and strengthen communities. Alex shares the unconventional path that took him from aspiring doctor to philosophy student and ultimately into the dynamic worlds ...

Building a company is hard. Building one with the right culture while scaling fast is even harder. In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with David Walker, Co-founder and CEO of Spara, to talk entrepreneurship, AI, sales, and what it really takes to build a company that lasts. David shares how his early influences shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, why his first startup experience was a turning point, and how intention matters when transitioning from school into building ...

In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with Mitch McDermott, founder of Talent Ascension, to unpack what is really happening in today’s job market and why so many candidates and companies feel stuck. Mitch shares his unconventional journey from the car business to building a successful executive search firm, including a bold move to Australia that reshaped his career and worldview. Along the way, we dig into how recruiting has evolved, how AI is changing hiring, and why au...

In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Neil Soskin, a veteran in commercial real estate with nearly 40 years of experience as an advisor, coach, and leader. Neil shares his journey from CPA to trusted CRE advisor, opening up about the mentors, lessons, and mindset shifts that shaped his career. His approach blends the technical world of real estate with mindfulness, personal growth, and a deep commitment to meaningful relationships. Neil reflects on the role spirituality and daily mindfulness have played in his life, how coaching became an extension of servant leadership, and why generational transitions in family businesses require patience, clarity, and intentional communication. He also talks openly about failure, identity, and why defining your personal vision is one of the most important investments you can make. Walk away with insight into leadership, personal growth, emotional intelligence, and the importance of slowing down to become more effective in both busines…