Creative Entrepreneur: A Podcast For Business Growth, Strategy and Monetization

MEET US LIVE AT CRE8TIVE CON! www.cre8tivecon.com

NFL Business Lessons:

Marques Ogden on the Audit of a $20M Failure

The high-performance habits that get you to the NFL are the same ones that can lead to a business collapse if your ego takes the wheel.

In this episode of the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, hosts Julie Lokun and Dominic Domasky sit down with former NFL offensive lineman Marques Ogden. Marques didn't just play for the Jaguars, Ravens, and Bills—illegally heavy at 375 lbs—he built a construction empire that reached eight figures before it completely imploded.

We are performing a "post-mortem" on a $20 million business failure to extract the specific NFL business lessons that every entrepreneur needs to hear before they scale.

Inside the Episode: The Gridiron to the Boardroom


The Anatomy of a Collapse: Marques opens up his "audit" of how he spent $3 million in 90 days and why a $20M company vanished, leaving him with $400 and 177 creditors.


The Graveyard Shift Epiphany: The raw story of moving from the NFL spotlight to a $8.25/hr custodian job in Raleigh and the "trash bag moment" that sparked his comeback.


Active Listening as a Revenue Stream: Why Marques considers "listening" the most profitable skill he took from the NFL to his career as a global keynote speaker.


2026 Super Bowl Preview: A professional's take on the Seahawks vs. Patriots match-up and why the "point of attack" is where games—and businesses—are won or lost.

The "Athlete Pivot" Framework

Marques outlines the specific strategy he used to transition from professional sports to becoming one of the most sought-after consultants in the country.

NFL Discipline
Business Application

Film Study
Post-Mortem Business Audits

Active Listening
Client Needs Assessment

The "Gridiron Grit"
Resilience During Market Pivots

Standardized Training
Scalable Operational Systems

Top Takeaways for Creative Entrepreneurs


Respect the Grind: Ego is the silent killer of successful startups.


The 4 Pillars of Speaking: If you want the big stages, focus on your website, video reels, client logos, and testimonials.


Vulnerability is Authority: People don't buy "perfect"; they buy the lessons learned from the "ugly" parts of your story.

Connect with Marques Ogden


Website: MarquesOgden.com


Podcast: Get Authentic with Marques Ogden


LinkedIn: Connect with Marques

Follow The Creative Entrepreneur:

Are you ready to build your skyscraper? Subscribe to the show for weekly deep dives into the minds of icons. Don't forget to Rate and Review—it helps other entrepreneurs find these lessons!

NFL Business Lessons: Marques Ogden on the Audit of a $20M Failure

The high-performance habits that get you to the NFL are the same ones that can lead to a business collapse if your ego takes the wheel.

In this episode of the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, hosts Julie Lokun and Dominic Domasky sit down with former NFL offensive lineman Marques Ogden. Marques didn't just play for the Jaguars, Ravens, and Bills—illegally heavy at 375 lbs—he built a construction empire that reached eight figures before it completely imploded.

We are performing a "post-mortem" on a $20 million business failure to extract the specific NFL business lessons that every entrepreneur needs to hear before they scale.

Inside the Episode: The Gridiron to the Boardroom


The Anatomy of a Collapse: Marques opens up his "audit" of how he spent $3 million in 90 days and why a $20M company vanished, leaving him with $400 and 177 creditors.


The Graveyard Shift Epiphany: The raw story of moving from the NFL spotlight to a $8.25/hr custodian job in Raleigh and the "trash bag moment" that sparked his comeback.


Active Listening as a Revenue Stream: Why Marques considers "listening" the most profitable skill he took from the NFL to his career as a global keynote speaker.


2026 Super Bowl Preview: A professional's take on the Seahawks vs. Patriots match-up and why the "point of attack" is where games—and businesses—are won or lost.

The "Athlete Pivot" Framework

Marques outlines the specific strategy he used to transition from professional sports to becoming one of the most sought-after consultants in the country.

NFL Discipline
Business Application

Film Study
Post-Mortem Business Audits

Active Listening
Client Needs Assessment

The "Gridiron Grit"
Resilience During Market Pivots

Standardized Training
Scalable Operational Systems

Top Takeaways for Creative Entrepreneurs


Respect the Grind: Ego is the silent killer of successful startups.


The 4 Pillars of Speaking: If you want the big stages, focus on your website, video reels, client logos, and testimonials.


Vulnerability is Authority: People don't buy "perfect"; they buy the lessons learned from the "ugly" parts of your story.

Connect with Marques Ogden


Website: MarquesOgden.com


Podcast: Get Authentic with Marques Ogden


LinkedIn: Connect with Marques

Follow The Creative Entrepreneur:

Are you ready to build your skyscraper? Subscribe to the show for weekly deep dives into the minds of icons. Don't forget to Rate and Review—it helps other entrepreneurs find these lessons!

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

Meet Karen Conti LIVE (and JULIE AND DOM) at Cre8tive Con IN CHICAGO

www.cre8tivecon.com

How do you go from defending the world’s most infamous serial killer to hosting a radio show for 30 years? In this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur, we sit down with Karen Conti—veteran criminal defense attorney, WGN Radio host, and author of the gripping new book, "Killing Time."

Karen shares the high-stakes reality of joining the final defense team for John Wayne Gacy and how she transformed a controversial, high-pressure legal case into a multi-decade career in national media. Whether you are navigating a PR crisis or looking to build a powerful public brand, Karen’s insights on "the pivot" are essential for every entrepreneur.

Inside the Episode: High-Stakes Storytelling


The Gacy Files: What it was really like to sit across from a sociopath and why Karen took the case to fight for the bigger picture of legal justice.


Controlling the Narrative: How to take a "sink or swim" situation and leverage it into appearances on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC.


The "Camera Ready" Rule: Why being an expert isn't enough—you need to master the visual and verbal polish required for the spotlight.


Finding Your Lane: How to identify your unique area of expertise and become the "go-to" source for producers and journalists.


The Psychology of Likability: Lessons from Karen’s father (a stand-up comic) on winning over an audience, even when the subject matter is dark.

Serial Killer Lore: A "Jules' Rules" Special

Julie and Karen dive into the true crime fascination that grips the nation. They discuss the profiles of the most infamous figures in history, including John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and the mystery of Jack the Ripper.

Actionable Tips for Creative Entrepreneurs

"There is a very fine line between being courageous and bold and being naively stupid. Stretch your abilities, have confidence, and then work hard to prove you can do what you say you're going to do." — Karen Conti


Audit Your Media: Watch your own recordings to check body language and catch "filler words" like um, so, and you know.


The "Helper" Strategy: Don't just pitch yourself; offer to explain complex topics to producers without being on camera.


Professional Preparedness: Keep a "media kit" in your car—a polished jacket and a grooming kit. You never know when a 45-second window for a national interview will open.

Connect with Karen Conti


Read the Book: Killing Time: My Experience on the John Wayne Gacy Final Defense Team


WGN Radio: The Karen Conti Show


Official Website: KarenConti.com


Law Firm: CONTI & DOLAN

Join the Community

Live in Chicago? Don't miss Creative Con! Meet Dom, Julie, and our community of innovators. Click here for Creative Con Links & Tickets.

Sponsor Shoutout – Keap

This episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Keap—the all-in-one CRM and automation platform designed to help entrepreneurs work smarter, not harder. From managing contacts and automating follow-ups to streamlining sales and marketing, Keap helps you stay organized, save time, and grow your business with confidence. If you’re ready to stop juggling tools and start scaling with intention, Keap has your back.

Why Dom & Julie Are Obsessed with Keap

Dom and Julie are obsessed with Keap—because it actually does what entrepreneurs need it to do. Keap keeps their contacts organized, automates follow-ups, and makes running a business feel way less chaotic. When your CRM works as hard as you do, everything changes. If you’re serious about scaling without the stress, Keap is a no-brainer.
Learn more at www.keap.com

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

Join Us LIVE at Cre8tive Con and Save $50 with code KWIK50 at checkout

www.cre8tivecon.com

One dropped out of college; one walked away from a media giant. Together, they have built creator empires worth over $200 million.

In this high-impact episode of The Creative Entrepreneur, hosts Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky break down the psychological "hooks" and relentless consistency behind the world’s most successful creators: Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) and Alex Cooper (Call Her Daddy).

Whether you are building a boutique brand or scaling a media powerhouse, the blueprint remains the same. We explore how MrBeast treats every YouTube upload like a Super Bowl halftime show—averaging 100 million views per video—and how Alex Cooper turned intimate conversations into a $60M+ Spotify windfall.

Inside the Episode:


The Power of the Hook: Why your first 5 seconds determine your next 5 years.


Consistency vs. Virality: Analyzing MrBeast’s decade-long "grind" before the millions arrived.


The Early Adopter (or "Adapter") Debate: How to identify the next big platform (TikTok, AI, or Podcasting) before the crowd arrives.


The "Football Widow" Strategy: A special Jules’ Rules segment on balancing high-performance business with family life and personal time.


The GaryVee Connection: Why Gary Vaynerchuk’s "Education-First" model is the third pillar of creator success.

Featured Thought Leaders:


Alex Cooper: Host of Call Her Daddy


MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson): The King of YouTube


Gary Vaynerchuk: CEO of VaynerMedia

Location Highlight: Recorded at the Cre8tive Con headquarters, serving the global entrepreneur community with high-impact networking and strategic business growth.

Join the AMPED Community

Don't build in isolation. Join AMPED, our exclusive online community hosted by Brian P. Swift. We meet monthly to curate thought leaders and offer high-impact networking opportunities for creators and entrepreneurs.

www.cre8tivecon.com/amped

Cre8tive Con & The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast: Expert FAQs

About Cre8tive Con

What is Cre8tive Con and where is it located? Cre8tive Con is the premier business and networking expo for creative entrepreneurs, authors, and media professionals. The 2026 conference is held at the historic InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue. It serves as a high-energy "profit center" where innovators learn to monetize their craft through podcasting, publishing, and public speaking.

Who should attend Cre8tive Con 2026? The event is designed for creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, coaches, and content creators who want to scale their brand. Whether you’re an author looking for a book signing opportunity, a podcaster wanting to use our Podcasting Lab, or a business owner seeking high-impact networking, Cre8tive Con provides the tools to turn visibility into revenue.

What unique experiences are offered at the conference? Beyond the main stage, attendees can access the Cre8tive Concourse featuring:


Media Alcove: For content creation and interviews.


Headshot Headquarters (Floor 5): Professional branding photography.


Pitch Sessions: A gamified experience in the Grand Ballroom where you can pitch live to experts for a chance to win a guest spot on a top-ranked podcast.


MicroCon: Hands-on intensives in the Streeterville Room focusing on AI, monetization, and 2026 media strategies.

About the Founders: Julie Lokun & Dominick Domasky

Who is Julie Lokun, JD? Julie Lokun is a best-selling author, media strategist, and the CEO of The Mediacasters. With a background in law and journalism, she specializes in helping entrepreneurs anoint and point their strategic growth. She is a contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine and hosts podcasts ranked in the top 1% globally, including Obsessed and The Creative Entrepreneur.

Who is Dominick Domasky? Dominick Domasky is a renowned author, motivational speaker, and founder of Motivation Champs. Known for his "masterclass in resilience," Dominick helps others turn their life stories into published works. He has authored several books, including Don’t Double Bread the Fish and The Journey of a Grunt, and is a co-founder of Cre8tive Con.

The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast

What is the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast about? Hosted by Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky, the show is a powerhouse for Business News, growth strategy, and monetization. It consistently ranks #1 on Apple Podcasts under Business News. The show features deep dives into creator empires like MrBeast and Alex Cooper, offering actionable blueprints for listeners to build their own $200M brands.

How can I become a guest on the podcast? One of the most exclusive ways to secure a guest spot is by participating in the Pitch Sessions at Cre8tive Con. The winner of these sessions earns a coveted interview on the show to share their story with a global audience of high-level entrepreneurs.

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

Join US LIVE AT CRE8TIVE CON : www.cre8tivecon.com

Are you ready to join the 40% of Americans turning their passion into a paycheck?

Welcome to the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast. If you’ve ever wondered how to transition from a dreamer to a Creative CEO, this episode is your blueprint. Your hosts, Julie Lokun and Lauren Erickson (the "Homegirls" of business growth), break down the exact framework needed to build a brand that resonates and a business that scales.

In today’s market, being "talented" isn't enough. You need a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and a strategy to monetize your ideas. Whether you are looking for a business mentor near you or trying to master digital marketing for creators, we are diving deep into the "Mediacaster" method of building industry authority.

What You’ll Learn:


Identifying Your Unique Value Proposition: How to stand out in a saturated digital landscape.


Side Hustle to CEO: The step-by-step transition to building a sustainable creative business.


Monetization for Creators: Practical ways to turn your art into multiple revenue streams.


Brand Messaging: How to craft a story that attracts your "Creative Elite" audience.


Free Entrepreneur Resources: How to leverage Score.org for expert business mentorship and local growth.

Episode Timestamps


00:00 - Introduction: Why 2026 is the year of the Creative Entrepreneur.


05:30 - Defining your Unique Selling Proposition (USP).


12:15 - The Side Hustle Statistics: Why 40% of the workforce is shifting.


18:45 - How to find a business mentor and use free resources.


25:10 - Monetizing creative passions: From "Audiocasters" to high-ticket offers.


32:00 - Joining the Creative Elite community.

Connect & Scale Your Business


Official Website: Big Better Brand – Start your journey here.


Join the Community: (11) CRE8TIVE CON | Facebook– Free for a limited time!


Upcoming Event: Cre8tive Con – Create a buzz for your brand.


The Book: Audiocasters: How to Launch, Market, and Monetize Your Podcast. Buy it on Amazon!


Free Resource: Get expert business mentorship at Score.org.

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

JOIN DOM AND JULIE LIVE AT CRE8TIVE CON IN CHICAGO AND SAVE $50 with code KWIK50 at CHECKOUT!

www.cre8tivecon.com

Is burnout holding you back from your creative potential? As we kick off 2026, the pressure to "do it all" is at an all-time high. In this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, we sit down with Michael Mannix, co-founder of Unparalleled Performance and author of the number one bestselling book, The Five Ls: The Gift of a Balanced Life.

Mike brings 30 years of high-level corporate experience—including executive board membership for a global BPO—to help entrepreneurs and leaders find resilience through a science-supported framework. Whether you are a business owner in Chicago or a creative professional working globally, this episode provides the roadmap to stop "chasing the dollar" and start changing your life.

In This Episode, We Discuss:


The Science of Disconnecting: How an "Attitude of Gratitude" releases oxytocin (the happy hormone) to physically change your brain chemistry.


The Oxygen Mask Theory: Why self-love is a selfless act and why you are no good to your business or family until you take care of yourself first.


The 5 Ls Framework: A deep dive into Love, Laughter, Labor, Leisure, and Leave.


Leaving the Corporate Grind: Mike shares the raw story of walking away from a 22-year career during a global pandemic to pursue his purpose.


Legacy & Success: A moving tribute to Mike’s father and how a line of hundreds at a funeral redefined what "success" actually looks like.


The 2026 Success List: Why you should ditch New Year’s resolutions for a "Success List" that includes things you need to stop doing.

The Five Ls Breakdown:


Love: It starts with self-love; without it, all else fails.


Laughter: Don’t take yourself too seriously—manage stress through positive thinking.


Labor: Finding passion and purpose in your work to stay mentally and physically healthy.


Leisure: Recharging your "internal battery" with the same urgency you charge your phone.


Leave: The power of walking away from what no longer serves you to embrace positive change.

Key Quotes from Mike Mannix:

"Your company is going to go on without you. If you put yourself in the hospital because you didn't take time for yourself, the world keeps spinning. Plan your time. You are worth it."

"The true measure of success is gauged by the amount of lives that you touch and lead for the better."

Resources Mentioned:


Book: The Five Ls: The Gift of a Balanced Life (Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble)


Website: UnparalleledPerformance.com – Take the Free Self-Assessment to see which of your Ls are out of balance!


Upcoming Event: Catch Jim Kwik at Creative Con this February in Chicago!

Connect with Mike Mannix:


LinkedIn: Michael Mannix


Instagram/TikTok/X: @UnparalleledPerformance

Connect with The Creative Entrepreneur:


Subscribe & Review: If this episode helped you, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!


Creative Fridays: Follow Dom’s lead and schedule your creative deep-work time every Friday.

What L are you focusing on this week? Reach out to us on social media and let us know!

FOLLOW US on INSTAGRAM @cre8tivecon

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