The Entrepreneur DNA

What does it really take to walk away from a seventeen-year corporate career and build an $18 million marketing agency in just three years? In this episode, Eric Winegard shares the mindset, discipline, and relentless commitment that helped him go from a troubled childhood and military structure to becoming the CEO of Rare Blue Moon Marketing.

We dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, the difference between paid ads and organic content, and why most businesses fail before marketing even begins. Eric breaks down the importance of networking without an agenda, building a real personal brand online, and why commitment is the trait that separates successful founders from everyone else. You’ll also learn how sales psychology, leadership, and self-belief became the foundation for scaling one of the fastest-growing agencies in the space.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How Eric went from a troubled childhood to military discipline

Why sales became the skill that changed his life

The difference between networking and selling

Why most marketers don’t understand sales

How Rare Blue Moon Marketing scaled so quickly

Why organic content and paid ads need to work together

What business owners get wrong when hiring agencies

Why commitment matters more than talent

About Justin:
 

Justin Colby is the host of The Entrepreneur DNA and The MORE Show podcast and a best-selling author. He is a serial entrepreneur and a seasoned real estate investor with over 20 years of experience.

 

Driven by a passion to help entrepreneurs thrive, Justin created the Entrepreneur DNA community to support business owners in building wealth, systems, and long-term freedom. Through his podcasts, books, education platforms, and hands-on mentorship, he continues to help entrepreneurs scale with clarity and confidence.

 

Connect with Justin:

Instagram: @thejustincolby

YouTube: Justin Colby

TikTok: @justincolbytsof

LinkedIn: Justin Colby

About Eric Winegard

Eric Winegard is the CEO and cofounder of Rare Blue Moon Marketing, a fast-growing digital marketing agency helping businesses scale through paid advertising, SEO, content strategy, and lead generation. After spending seventeen years in corporate sales leadership, Eric transitioned into entrepreneurship and rapidly built an $18 million agency by combining high-level sales psychology with modern marketing systems.
His story spans a difficult upbringing, military discipline, and years of mastering sales, networking, and leadership before becoming a founder. Today, Eric works with businesses across multiple industries to help them grow through strategic marketing, brand positioning, and scalable customer acquisition.

Connect with Eric Winegard:

Instagram: @ericwinegardofficial

YouTube: @ericwinegard8088

Facebook: winegard1

LinkedIn: Eric Winegard

Website: rarebluemoon.io

 

Chapters

0:00 The road from W2 to eighteen million dollars

2:45 Is sales a born talent or a learned skill

5:30 Why high level masterminds are worth the investment

9:15 Overcoming a difficult childhood and foster care

13:40 How the military builds a wartime mentality

17:50 Why Eric left a safe CEO track to start over

22:10 The role of faith and grit in business growth

26:45 Burning the boats and making success a necessity

30:15 Paid ads vs organic content strategy

33:50 Humanizing your brand on social media

37:20 Geofencing and targeting for local businesses

41:05 Lessons from the Gold Coast Podcast and Brad Lea

44:30 Why marketing cannot fix a broken business model

46:46 Final advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

 

#entrepreneurship #digitalmarketing #salesstrategies #scalingbusiness #mindset

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Free consultation / website: www.assetprotectionattorneys.com — Hillel offers to send complimentary copies of his latest books to anyone who mentions The Entrepreneur DNA.

In this episode, I sit down with Hillel Presser, a nationally recognized asset protection attorney who's helped protect over $11 billion in client assets and written six books on the subject. We get into why "it's not what you make, it's what you keep," and unpack the exact strategies the ultra-wealthy use to become "uncollectible" — from owning nothing and controlling everything through LLCs and limited partnerships, to the real difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts, to lesser-known free strategies like tenancy by the entirety and Florida's homestead exemption. Hillel also shares jaw-dropping stats (you're seven times more likely to be sued than to be in a car accident, and there are over 100 million lawsuits filed every year) along with real client stories, from a woman selling dolls at a flea market who got sued for millions, to the risks of golf carts, boats, and jet skis sitting unprotected in your name. Whether you're just starting your first business or you've already built serious wealth, this conversation is a masterclass in protecting what you've worked so hard to build.

Topics Covered

Why protecting what you build matters as much as building it

"Own nothing, control everything" — the core principle for entrepreneurs

LLCs, trusts, and holding companies explained simply

Revocable vs. irrevocable trusts (and the mistake most people make)

Why we live in such a litigious society — and the stats to prove it

How to settle lawsuits for pennies on the dollar by being "uncollectible"

Personal guarantees: why to avoid them, and what to do instead

The 3-step framework to start protecting yourself today

Structuring real estate, business income, cash, and crypto the right way

Why selling a business is a bigger lawsuit risk than most expect

Domestic vs. international protection — who actually needs each

State-specific protections (Florida homestead, wage protection, and more)

About Hillel Presser

Hillel L. Presser, Esq., MBA is the Managing Partner and founder of The Presser Law Firm, P.A., a national and international asset protection law firm based in Boca Raton, Florida. Over more than two decades, Hillel has helped protect over $11 billion in client assets and has represented some of the country's most recognizable entrepreneurs, business owners, celebrities, and professional athletes. He is the author of several books on asset protection and financial self-defense, including Asset Protection Secrets and Financial Self-Defense, and has been featured in Forbes, Sports Illustrated, the Robb Report, and on FOX, BRAVO, NBC, ABC, and CBS. Hillel holds a law degree from Nova Southeastern University, an MBA in marketing from Lynn University, and studied entrepreneurship at Syracuse University.

Connect with Hillel Presser:

Website: www.assetprotectionattorneys.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hillelpresser

Facebook: facebook.com/ThePresserLawFirm

Instagram: instagram.com/assestprotectionattorneys

X/Twitter: twitter.com/AssetAttorneys

About Justin:

Justin Colby is the host of The Entrepreneur DNA and The M.O.R.E Show podcasts and a best-selling author. He is a serial entrepreneur and a seasoned real estate investor with over 20 years of experience.

Driven by a passion to help entrepreneurs thrive, Justin created the Entrepreneur DNA community to support business owners in building wealth, systems, and long-term freedom. Through his podcasts, books, education platforms, and hands-on mentorship, he continues to help entrepreneurs scale with clarity and confidence.

Connect with Justin:

Instagram: @thejustincolby

YouTube: Justin Colby

TikTok: @justincolbytsof

LinkedIn: Justin Colby

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I sat down with Ian Watts, a workforce transformation specialist who's spent two decades helping companies fix what most of them get wrong about their people. Ian's story starts on the east side of Detroit, growing up on welfare, and it's what drove him to chase becoming a millionaire by 30 — which he hit almost four years early, right before his first business completely collapsed in 2006. That season is where he found his real why: building businesses that bless the world by taking care of the humans inside them. We got into why employee engagement is at some of the lowest levels in history, why layoffs are gutting trust even at companies that think they're becoming leaner, and why salary and benefits will get someone in the door but it's culture that keeps them. Ian broke down his ACTS Method for building real engagement, and we talked about the mistakes founders make when they hire reactively instead of designing their team on purpose. If you run a business, manage people, or are wondering why good employees keep walking out the door, this episode is for you.

About Ian Watts:

Ian Watts helps executives enhance employee engagement, boost team performance, and reduce employee turnover in 90 days or less, guaranteed. He does this through transformative keynotes, hands-on workshops, and his proprietary ACTS Method, a breakthrough system developed from scaling an HR department that grew from 6 to over 60 locations and recruited 350+ team members nationwide.

An accomplished author, speaker, business consultant, and breakthrough coach, Ian built his first multi-million-dollar business by age 26. He has raised millions in capital, launched multiple ventures, and guided global clients across 30+ industries and 40+ U.S. states—as well as internationally in China, Hong Kong, Canada, the U.K., Saudi Arabia, and Australia.

Ian’s personal mission is simple but powerful: “Build businesses that bless the world.”

Connect with Ian Watts:

Website: employeesuccesscompany.com

LinkedIn: Ian M. Watts

 

About Justin:

Justin Colby is the host of The Entrepreneur DNA and The M.O.R.E Show podcasts and a best-selling author. He is a serial entrepreneur and a seasoned real estate investor with over 20 years of experience.

Driven by a passion to help entrepreneurs thrive, Justin created the Entrepreneur DNA community to support business owners in building wealth, systems, and long-term freedom. Through his podcasts, books, education platforms, and hands-on mentorship, he continues to help entrepreneurs scale with clarity and confidence.

Connect with Justin:

Instagram: @thejustincolby

YouTube: Justin Colby

TikTok: @justincolbytsof

LinkedIn: Justin Colby

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I sat down with Jon Ostenson, a two-time Inc. 5000 founder and the top 1% franchise consultant behind FranBridge Consulting, to break down everything most people get wrong about franchising. We talked about why "non-food franchising" is such an underrated path to business ownership, how to actually evaluate a franchise opportunity instead of just chasing passion, what it really costs and how long it really takes to get one off the ground, and why following the system matters more than being the smartest person in the room.

Jon also walked me through what it takes to scale into multiple territories, how private equity is playing in this space right now, and the tax and exit benefits that come with owning a real asset instead of just a job. If you've ever thought about buying into a franchise, or even just wondered what's actually available outside of fast food, this conversation will change how you think about it.

Grab Jon's free book: Want the full breakdown on non-food franchising? Jon is giving away a free copy of his book, Non-Food Franchising: The Better Path to Business Ownership. Just drop your email at FranBridgeConsulting.com and it's yours.

Book a free consultation: Curious if franchising is right for you? Talk to Jon and his team at FranBridge Consulting. It costs you nothing. Head to FranBridgeConsulting.com to get started.

 

About Jon Ostensen:

Jon Ostenson is the Founder and CEO of FranBridge Consulting, a two-time Inc. 5000 company, and a top 1% national franchise consultant. He is the bestselling author of Non-Food Franchising: The Better Path to Business Ownership, and a frequent contributor on franchising for Forbes, Inc., Bloomberg, and The Franchise Journal.

 

Before founding FranBridge, Jon spent 15 years in the corporate world, including a long run as Vice President of Sales for Carter's Inc., where he was responsible for more than $350M in annual sales. He then stepped in as President of ShelfGenie, a national non-food franchise system with 200+ locations, where he supported franchise owners across North America. That experience led him to fall in love with the franchise model — he has since personally invested as a multi-brand franchisee and built FranBridge Consulting into a firm that has helped thousands of people step into business ownership, entirely free to the client.

Jon holds BBA and MBA degrees from the University of Georgia and lives in Atlanta with his wife and three children.

 

 

About Justin:

Justin Colby is the host of The Entrepreneur DNA and The M.O.R.E Show podcasts and a best-selling author. He is a serial entrepreneur and a seasoned real estate investor with over 20 years of experience.

Driven by a passion to help entrepreneurs thrive, Justin created the Entrepreneur DNA community to support business owners in building wealth, systems, and long-term freedom. Through his podcasts, books, education platforms, and hands-on mentorship, he continues to help entrepreneurs scale with clarity and confidence.

Connect with Justin:

Instagram: @thejustincolby

YouTube: Justin Colby

TikTok: @justincolbytsof

LinkedIn: Justin Colby

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you ready to stop treating your startup like a side project and start building a scalable business? In this episode, Dr. Michael Burcham shares the hard-earned wisdom of a veteran who has transitioned from a physical therapist to a multi-million dollar private equity investor.

 

We dive deep into the mindset shifts required to go from a day job to a full-time founder, the critical importance of customer discovery, and why most investors won't touch your project until you have skin in the game. Michael breaks down the common mistakes technical founders make and how to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of anxiety and frustration that comes with the territory. You will learn how to differentiate your brand in a noisy market, the power of personal touches in networking, and how to align your vision with what investors are actually looking for.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why most early-stage businesses are still just “projects”
● The biggest mistake founders make before launching
● Why investors care about paying customers more than perfect decks
● How to build awareness without wasting money
● Why failure is part of the entrepreneur DNA
● How to avoid chasing every opportunity
● Why your network can become your biggest growth engine
● How anxiety, insecurity, and frustration show up in business
● What investors see that founders often miss
● Why selling your company can trigger an identity crisis

About Justin:
 

Justin Colby is the host of The Entrepreneur DNA and The Science of Flipping podcasts and a best-selling author. He is a serial entrepreneur and a seasoned real estate investor with over 20 years of experience.

 

Driven by a passion to help entrepreneurs thrive, Justin created the Entrepreneur DNA community to support business owners in building wealth, systems, and long-term freedom. Through his podcasts, books, education platforms, and hands-on mentorship, he continues to help entrepreneurs scale with clarity and confidence.

 

Connect with Justin:

Instagram: @thejustincolby

YouTube: Justin Colby

TikTok: @justincolbytsof

LinkedIn: Justin Colby

About Michael Burcham

Dr. Michael Burcham is an investor, author, business strategist, and private equity operator who has spent decades building, scaling, and advising high-growth companies.
After starting his career in healthcare, he went on to build and grow multiple companies before transitioning into venture capital and private equity, where he now helps founders navigate growth, fundraising, leadership, and long-term business strategy. He is also the author of multiple books focused on startups, scaling, failure, and investor relationships.

Connect with Dr. Michael Burcham:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelburcham

Instagram: instagram.com/dr.michaelburcham 

Website: www.michaelburcham.com

Chapters

0:00 Intro and meeting Dr. Michael Burcham

3:15 The journey from physical therapy to private equity

6:30 Why relationships and local ecosystems matter

9:45 The biggest misconception for early stage founders

13:10 Diversifying your offerings and solving customer pain

16:20 The framework for launching a successful venture

19:40 Building awareness and the sales pipeline

23:05 How to differentiate your brand in a noisy market

26:30 The power of handwritten notes and networking

30:00 Projects vs businesses and getting investor attention

33:50 Learning from failure and the importance of grit

37:20 Managing the seven deadly emotions of entrepreneurship

41:00 Identity shifts and the new book Blood Sweat and Equity

44:49 Final thoughts and where to find Michael

#entrepreneurship #startupgrowth #venturecapital #businessstrategy #entrepreneurmindset

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.