Mikhail Andersson - NYC's Most Wanted Tattoo Artist | From Broke Designer to $2,000/Hour Empire
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Mikhail Andersson is a world-renowned tattoo artist and creative entrepreneur celebrated for redefining body art as a luxury, design-driven experience. Known as the “Michelangelo of the Tattoo Renaissance,” he founded First Class Tattoos in New York City and built it into a global destination for fine-line and geometric work, attracting celebrity clients and fans who travel internationally for his artistry. With a career spanning over 15 years and a reputation for innovation, precision, and storytelling, Andersson has transformed tattooing into both a cultural movement and a premium lifestyle brand.
➡️ Show Links
https://www.instagram.com/mikhailandersson/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhail-andersson-82b16356/
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Inbound - https://www.inbound.com/register
NetSuite — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:28 – Life as a Tattoo Artist in Russia
02:52 – Where Mikhail’s Passion Began
04:36 – Did Design School Help?
07:20 – First Tattoo on Human Skin
11:42 – Knowing Tattooing Was His Calling
14:48 – What Makes a Great Tattoo?
23:40 – Artists Who Inspire Mikhail
28:40 – AI’s Impact on Tattooing
37:20 – Sponsor Break
39:29 – First Big Break & Differentiator
49:20 – Mastering the Craft
56:44 – Lowest Entrepreneurial Moment
1:00:45 – Current Ventures & Future Plans
1:11:50 – Sponsor Break
1:13:45 – Losing Analog in a Digital World
1:20:35 – Lessons from Photography
1:25:26 – Is Tech Helping or Hurting Art?
1:34:58 – The Hard Lesson He’d Never Wish on Anyone
1:47:15 – One Lesson for His Kids
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Lessons - From Nobody to Closing $2 Billion in Deals | Oren Klaff - Pitch Anything Author
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In this "Lessons" episode, Oren Klaff, bestselling author of Pitch Anything and Flip the Script, reveals the art of controlling sales conversations without coming across as forceful. He explains why giving buyers too much control kills deals, why predictable behavior undermines influence, and how discovery calls often waste time instead of building trust. Oren shares actionable strategies to frame conversations, maintain authority, and create autonomy for buyers while keeping control of the process—turning sales into a game you set the rules for.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y3VO7LbNurk
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oren-klaff-author-managing-director-at-intersection/id1484783544
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/47tQSxKdqPRzDUvizTwhkK
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
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Lessons - From Drug Addict to $4 Billion Real Estate Empire | Grant Cardone - 10X Founder
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In this "Lessons" episode, Grant Cardone, 10X Founder and real estate mogul, reveals how relentless action and bold thinking turned his life around from addiction to building a $4 billion empire. He shares the core principles of the 10X Rule, why doubling down on what works is the key to scaling, and how massive action separates the wealthy from the average. Grant also explains the dangers of mediocrity, the mindset shift required to break out of the middle class, and why success demands both strategic focus and timing.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/ayiBhmT4PCA
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grant-cardone-ceo-of-cardone-capital-speaker/id1484783544
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fFhw4HFLJbVWWQfNoSgNi
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
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Michael Sonnenfeldt - Founded A Billionaires Club ($165 Billion) | The Hidden Curse of Early Success
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Michael Sonnenfeldt is a legendary entrepreneur and investor who built a fortune by orchestrating one of New York’s biggest real estate deals — the $120 million transformation of Harborside Financial Center — and went on to pioneer ventures in solar energy and beyond. He is the founder and Chairman of TIGER 21, the world’s most powerful peer network of 1,200+ wealth creators managing over $150 billion in assets. Celebrated for his bold vision and ability to turn opportunity into empire, Sonnenfeldt has become both a wealth creator in his own right and the architect of the ultimate community for the ultra-successful.
➡️ Show Links
https://x.com/mwsonnenfeldt/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-sonnenfeldt-84072225/
➡️ Podcast Sponsors
Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/
ShipStation - https://www.shipstation.com/ (Code: SuccessStory)
Inbound - https://www.inbound.com/register
NetSuite — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/
Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary
➡️ Talking Points
00:00 – Intro
01:33 – Michael’s Father’s Story
07:56 – Legacy and Pressure to Succeed
12:42 – Lessons from a $100M Exit
17:46 – Life After the Big Exit
22:08 – Why He Founded TIGER 21
26:50 – Sponsor Break
28:59 – The Lonely Side of Wealth
33:14 – From Entrepreneur to Investor
37:40 – What Is Portfolio Defense?
42:30 – Average Net Worth of TIGER Members
45:51 – Top Concerns of Wealthy Members
53:27 – Sponsor Break
57:59 – Balance vs. Productive Imbalance
1:03:56 – Finding the Right Mentors and Peers
1:06:54 – Meditation and Entrepreneurial Success
1:13:43 – Why Your Business Isn’t Your Identity
1:16:18 – Biggest Regrets of the Ultra-Wealthy
1:20:06 – Michael’s Most Important Life Lesson
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Lessons - The One Thing That Kills Every Startup | Captain Hoff - Advised 1000+ Companies
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In this "Lessons" episode, Captain Hoff, a seasoned entrepreneur and advisor to over 1,000 companies, reveals the mindset shifts and strategies that separate thriving startups from the 95% that fail. He explores why meaningful work continues to matter even when financial security is no longer a concern, and how purpose and creativity drive true fulfillment. You’ll also learn what radical innovation really takes, the biggest pitfalls in turning an idea into a successful business, and why recurring revenue models are critical for long-term growth in today’s competitive landscape.
➡️ Show Links
https://successstorypodcast.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/43eTNwIPplY
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/steve-hoffman-chairman-of-founders-space-the/id1484783544
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0iEx8U1j5OiTUIVBjRRuE7
➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Welcome to the Success Story Podcast, hosted by entrepreneur, business executive, author, educator & speaker, Scott D. Clary (@scottdclary). On this podcast, you'll find interviews, Q&A, keynote presentations & conversations on sales, marketing, business, startups and entrepreneurship. Scott will discuss some of the lessons he's learned over his own career, as well as have candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians. All who have achieved success through both wins and losses, to learn more about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their story to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. To get more of the Success Story podcast, go to www.successstorypodcast.com.
Listen to Success Story with Scott D. Clary, Finding Peak [Formerly The Ryan Hanley Show] and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app