Work In Progress

Ben Hagarty grew up in Cedar Falls Iowa where he first developed a love for video while filming Jack-ass inspired films with his childhood friends. He then went on to work with artists like Rick ross, Chance the Rapper, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and more. He runs a production company B A Human started the Black With No Cream podcast and community in August of 2017. 

Ben’s IG: ttps://www.instagram.com/benrealvsworld

⚡️Iris's Info:

Francisco's Background:

A seasoned entrepreneur with deep experience launching multimillion download apps for top movie franchises and e-commerce. He has worked with several venture backed startups as both advisor and lead technology developer including iHerb, Washio, Swagbucks, Dailylook, Onelogin, and Gimbal Media. 

Jordan's info:

 Andre’s Links

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/andrefromchella 

Website: http://www.andretacuyan.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/andretacuyan

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andretacuyan/

🎙Listen to Work in Progress- 

Spotify Link-

People ask me all the time how I find and reach out to my guests?

Two Words: Direct Messenger

Instagram DMs has completely changed the way we communicate especially in the past 5 years. 

With over a billion users, there's a good chance your favorite artist, celebrity, or athlete has access to their Instagram account and direct messages. 

Rather than having to search for their email, you find them on Instagram and send them a message. 

People have never been more connected than we are right now and it's because of the tools of social media platforms. Direct Messenger is in my opinion such an undervalued tool. 

Yeah so this all sounds super easy but what if they don't answer?

Try again...

And again. 

These people are getting hit up all the time so you need to test your messaging to try and find something that cuts through the noise. 

Practice makes perfect ;) so send those first 5 DMs today! And while you're at it - send me one: tiffanyparra_

🎙Listen to Work in Progress- 

Spotify Link-

 Follow Johnny Rapp on:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrapp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jrapp

Email: johnny@jrappmedia.com

🎙Listen to Work in Progress- 

Spotify Link-

🔥🔥Jake’s Info:

In high school, Nik Sharma began his career working on social media strategies for A-list celebrities across the globe. Nik helped clients such as Pitbull, Priyanka Chopra, MAGIC!, among others, acquire new audiences on social platforms resulting in #1 debuting albums, platinum records, and sold-out tours. Nik then transitioned into the ad-tech world where he learned the true value of performance-based advertising campaigns. Today, Nik works alongside brands and publishers to execute ROI-positive campaigns through creative digital strategies using paid, earned, and owned media properties.

🔥🔥Nik’s Info:

Chris Drama Pfaff is the founder of Young and Reckless and host of Short Story Long where he sits down with incredible people to learn more about their journey and also co host of Group Chat where him and his business partners Dee and Anand talk current events culture, fashion, and more. 

Drama came to LA and quickly made a name for himself as a the assistant to Rob Dydrek in the hit MTV reality tv show rob and big. In this episode, we talk about what it was like for an 18 year old Drama to move from Akron Ohio to LA, the MTV days, and tactical advice to help anyone with an interest in starting their own brand. 

Make sure to follow me for more content featuring incredible entrepreneurs and creatives like drama and of course check out Drama’s instagram and podcasts. His content has helped me a lot and I’m sure it’ll help you too. 

Stay tuned for this special episode of the Work in Progress podcast. 

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Drama’s Instagram:

Had to repost one of my favorite interviews from 2018. Brema has an incredible story and an outlook on life that I think many of us could learn from (myself included.) I've been really busy with building my new business, Scrunchies.co so the Real Talk series is on a bit of a pause. 

Brema Brema is one of the founding members of the Urban Misfit Ventures and an overall badass creative. 

Brema grew up in a refugee camp in Sudan and with the help of the United Nations he and his family were able to move to the United States. 

Initially, he didn't fit in and was bullied at school.

But rather than use that negative energy in a harmful way, Brema invested his focus into art. 

From negative -> positive.

Talking with Brema you can tell he's a humble guy but one look at his Instagram page @optic.legacy (currently at 58,000 followers) and you can see how talented he is in his work. 

Throughout the years, Brema has built up a portfolio of creative passions from skating -> graffiti -> clothing -> photography. Regardless his work is visually aesthetic and uniquely him. 

He is currently a creative director at the Urban Misfit Ventures and founder of his own clothing line @unfinishedlegacy. At only 20 years old, Brema was named one of Wisconsin's 25 Under 25 Rising Entrepreneurs. 

🔥🔥Brema’s Info:

 Don Cooley runs the Saved By Skateboarding Initiative at a well-known skateboarding company called DGK. 

Saved By Skateboarding is the brand's philanthropic organization where they go into low income neighborhoods and gift free skateboarding equipment to the kids so that they have a healthy outlet. 

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Don’s info:

Instagram:

 https://www.instagram.com/itscooley/?hl=en 

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🎙Listen to Work in Progress- 

Spotify Link-

If you’re starting a brand in 2019, purpose is #1⁣

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For @mattgenius his purpose was to create a brand centered around positivity and growth ⁣

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@underconstruction.ww makes pieces inspired by the construction and development of ourselves and the work we produce 🚧⁣

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After 6 years of running march for Kendrick Lamar’s label Top Dawg Entertainment, Matt decided to take the skills in branding + how to scale into his own brand 🎵⁣

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In episode 71 of the Work in Progress podcast, we talked about working in the music industry + how to start a clothing brand in 2019. ⁣

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Matt’s info:

Jessica DeLorenzo is the sales director and co founder at Stickersthatstick a sticker company with a vast customer base including small artists and large corporate clients. 

They offer a variety of custom stickers and labels including Vinyl, Heavy Duty, Mirror Chrome, and my personal favorite Holographic.

Her and her husband Mark DeLorenzo were already running a motorcycle parts business when they entered into the custom business with a partner back in 2009.

In the age of entrepreneurship being a trend it was great to speak with someone about the lessons learned while creating a business that has been around for 10 years and continues to grow.

Dee Murthy is Co-Founder of Los Angeles based Five Four Group and Young & Reckless. Five Four/MenloClub is the leading men’s fashion membership e-commerce platform with a portfolio of five brands that include: New Republic by Mark McNairy, Grand AC and Oshenta. He is also a seasoned investor and partner at Queenbridge Venture Partners and partner in popular Las Vegas shoe store, 12 AM RUN. He is a co-host with Chris ” Drama” Pfaff in a weekly lifestyle podcast Group Chat, in addition to his business ventures. 

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Dee’s Podcasts:

Solo podcast: 

Ep. #67 is featuring @Jerseychamps Founder Sean Kelly

@Jerseychamps is a custom jersey business with a following of over 1 million on Instagram

We talked about how Sean turned his initial $1,000 investment into a brand that has been worn by top influencers and Celebrities like 2 chainz, Logic, and Khalid and even our current president Donald Trump have been seen sport ing Jersey Champs. 

In this episode, Sean gives a ton of great advice on how you can get a game plan for your business

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 Sean Kelly’s Instagram: 

 Kelsey Davis is the Co-Founder and CEO of CLLCTVE, an agency that develops collegiate creatives, in partnership with universities across the country, to develop Creative Solutions for brands looking to reach the Generation Z consumer market.

Prior to CLLCTVE, Kelsey worked in production for Conde Nast Entertainment. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, she has been identified as a leader from the beginning, by being the youngest recipient of the 100 Black Men, Inc, “Image Award”, being honored with the 2015 Volunteer of the Year for YMCA Atlanta, and sent to the Newhouse School at Syracuse University to study Television, Radio, & Film, and Innovation, Design, & Start-ups, on the full-tuition Posse Foundation leadership scholarship.

AGENDA FOR OUR INSTAGRAM LIVE:

🔥Background on Kelsey

🔥The Days of Traveling Around The US and Shooting Video Content

🔥Highlight of the CLLCTVE

🔥What It Takes to Be a Founder in 2019

🔥 Audience Q + A

ONE OF MY FAVORITE INTERVIEWS TO-DATE

From life in Utah to now running the social media and influencer program for K-Swiss, Omar’s story is a rollercoaster ride. Through it all, he’s remained determined, persistent, and laser-focused. 

⚡️Growing Up in Utah

⚡️Omar's Music Label, Damn Son! 

⚡️Moving to Seattle with $17

⚡️Life at K Swiss 

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Omar's + K-Swiss' Info

Omar's Website: http://www.omarprestwich.com/

Omar's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarprestwich/

K-Swiss Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ceos-wear-sneakers/id1287744648?mt=2

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About Justin Quebral:

✨24

✨Grew up in Alhambra, used to live in Glendale - first generation Asian in America for my fam

✨One older brother - 12 years apart helped him purchase his first camera

✨Notable collabs:

Nordstrom, Google - from working closely with polydeux (Mariel Cornel), Kswiss, Liberty Fairs (tradeshow), Jins Eyewear

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Follow Justin on Instagram: @justinquebral

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 “Established visual media designer based out of Savannah, GA. From graphic design to music videos, to photography and motion design, I love everything that has to do with marketing and promotion. I strive to perfect my creative vision, in hopes to work with clients who need help pushing their brand and image to a professional standard.

Some of the services that I offer are:

– Logo Design

– Cover Art/Album Artwork Design 

– Flyer Design

– Music Videos

– Logo Animation/Commercial Type Videos

– Photography Shoots

– Concert Videography (NightLife Recap Videos)

 For this special in person podcast I traveled to Berkeley, CA to pay a visit to the brains behind the GOODFISHING operation. 

Kenzo Sobrie (@knzo on Instagram) began his journey in entreprenuership by selling pokemon cards in the 1st grade.

By 8th grade he was selling his own print-on t-shirts.

But everything really changed for Kenzo in November of 2017 when he met his mentor mentor Jeff Bunting.

He invested over $4,000 in order to learn Ebay dropshipping. 

Kenzo graduated high school 2 years early and while waiting for the college semester to start he would devote hours everyday to listing items on eBay.

He scaled that concept into over 5 figures and eventually 6 figures. 

At that point, Kenzo decided to enter Amazon FBA ( a form of selling that involves fulfillment by Amazon)

If you want to know about this young entrepreneur make sure to check out the full episode…

AGENDA FOR OUR INSTAGRAM LIVE

⚡️Kenzo’s Backstory 

⚡️Importance of Mentorship and How It’s Impacted HisLife

⚡️Amazon FBA / Ebay Tips for Beginners

⚡️Future Plans Heading Into 2019

⚡️Audience Q and A

🔥🔥 Kenzo’s Info🔥🔥

Instagram: @ knzo 

Shay Rowbottom is the co-founder of Margle Media, a fast growing social-media marketing startup out of Milwaukee that specializes in viral video creation.  

Shay originally dropped out of college to pursue her aspirations of becoming a musician, but after years struggling to make it and finding herself dissatisfied with her progress in the entertainment industry, she came across an opportunity to learn viral video editing for large blogs on Facebook.  

Her life and business partner, Luke Marlowe, and her first began scaling the model in their bedroom in downtown Milwaukee, in the Spring of 2016.  They have since scaled the business, which now has over 30 employees, servicing companies such as Petco and MGM providing social media marketing campaigns and daily video content for their social media pages.  

Margle Media distributes around 2,000 videos per month and now averages over 1 Billion views per month on their content. 

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CONNECT WITH SHAY:

Since I'm currently on a family vacation in Vermont, I decided to repost one of my favorite episodes from 2018 in case any new listeners haven't heard this one. 

“Instead of dropping out, you’re actually dropping into something”

I interviewed Leann Abad and Sarah Grosz for the podcast and they explained that dropping out of college was not about disconnecting from education.

Rather it was a way for them to further their education in their respective fields.

For Leann, that meant dropping out to work on his startup Ashe media.

For Sarah, that meant moving across the country to work full-time as a growth hacker BAMF media.

The stigma behind college drop outs being lazy or unmotivated could not be further from the truth.

In some ways I envy those who have dropped out of college.

Because going against the grain of what society has deemed “the right choice” to pursue the unknown takes courage.

But, more importantly it takes #selfawareness and as young people that’s what we should be chasing down more than anything.

🔥🔥Sarah's Linkedin:

Brema Brema is one of the founding members of the Urban Misfit Ventures and an overall badass creative. 

Brema grew up in a refugee camp in Sudan and with the help of the United Nations he and his family were able to move to the United States. 

Initially, he didn't fit in and was bullied at school.

But rather than use that negative energy in a harmful way, Brema invested his focus into art. 

From negative -> positive.

Talking with Brema you can tell he's a humble guy but one look at his Instagram page @optic.legacy (currently at 58,000 followers) and you can see how talented he is in his work. 

Throughout the years, Brema has built up a portfolio of creative passions from skating -> graffiti -> clothing -> photography. Regardless his work is visually aesthetic and uniquely him. 

He is currently a creative director at the Urban Misfit Ventures and founder of his own clothing line @unfinishedlegacy. At only 20 years old, Brema was named one of Wisconsin's 25 Under 25 Rising Entrepreneurs. 

🔥🔥Brema’s Info: