WKYA.tv Podcast Episodes

💸 How do you scale a homemade cocktail startup into a **multi-brand beverage empire**? With grit, creativity — and $5 million.In this investor-focused episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser welcomes back **Chuck Moore**, founder of Choco Flaco, Elvado, and Elero. Chuck shares:• Why raising capital never stops (and how it's changed) • How he went from $200K family rounds to a $5M national raise • Why crowdfunding is now a key part of his equity strategy • The Gen Z drinking shift — and how Elvado’s THC cocktails fit the future • How global awards and major distribution deals are fueling credibility🚀 Now entering **12,000+ new stores**, Chuck’s brands are in Total Wine, Bevmo, and Walmart.com — with new innovations coming Fall 2024.🎯 For investors, founders, and beverage enthusiasts — this is the *real talk* behind launching, losing, pivoting, and scaling in CPG.🔗 Explore the products: • [ChocoFlaco.com](https://chocoflaco.com) – low-calori…

From milk jugs to Walmart shelves — this is **Chuck Moore’s story**.Founder of **Choco Flaco**, Chuck started crafting low-calorie cocktails in his kitchen using a NutriBullet and a dream. Today, his beverage brands (Choco Flaco, Elvado, and Elero) are sold in **16 states**, available on **Walmart.com**, and have won over **50 global awards**.🎯 In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser dives deep into:• Chuck’s kitchen-to-commerce story • How he turned a $500K product failure into a 3-brand empire • The behind-the-scenes of scaling a beverage startup • Lessons in grit, capital raising, and building the *right team* • What makes Elvado legal — and why mocktails are booming 📌 Whether you're an aspiring founder, a beverage industry insider, or just love a damn good startup story — this one’s for you.🔗 Try the award-winning lineup: - **ChocoFlaco.com** (alcoholic) - **ElvadoDrinks.com** (THC-infused) - **EleroMocktails.com** (non-al…

In this fast-paced episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Kenyon Curtis—farm-raised entrepreneur, former business coach, and now AI systems sales leader—to unpack practical ways founders can turn conversations into revenue without bloating headcount or ad spend.🎯 Inside This EpisodeThe mindset shift: most “cost problems” are actually revenue capture problemsHow to use conversational AI (voice + chat) to answer 100% of calls & after-hours leadsDBR (Database Reactivation): waking up past customers for fast, low-cost winsSmart follow-up cadences that persist without pestering (and back off when signals say so)Turning your website into a 24/7 sales desk (booking, FAQs, qualifying)Real sectors seeing lift: off-road retail, law firms, real estatePlug & play: integrating AI with your CRM + calendar (yes, even via Zapier)Kenyon’s take is refreshingly simple: capture what you’re already paying for—missed calls, ignored forms, stale…

What does it really take to build a stage-ready body while running a business?In this powerful episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down again with Dr. Paul Budnick (Dr. B) — ER physician, anti-aging specialist, and the man who helped him transform into competition shape at nearly 50 years old.🎯 Inside This Episode:• The reality of cutting to 5% body fat as a busy entrepreneur• Why alcohol, fasting, and meal prep make or break your results• The smart way to use supplements, testosterone, and peptides (without wasting money)• The importance of bloodwork, omega-3s, and vascular health• How movement, memory, and mindset fuel longevity for foundersDr. B doesn’t push fads — he shares decades of experience treating 500+ patients and practicing what he preaches at 66 years old.📌 If you’re a business owner, leader, or high performer, this conversation will reset how you think about health, energy, and resilience.🔔 Like, follow, and subscribe fo…

What if one tiny pill could mean the difference between life and death during a heart attack? And what if the way you pack your lunch mattered as much as your pitch deck?In this eye-opening episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser talks with Dr. Paul Budnick (aka Dr. B) — an ER physician with 30+ years of experience and a fellowship in anti-aging medicine. Together, they cut through the noise on health advice and break down what actually works for busy founders and operators.🔥 Inside This Episode:• The surprising truth about low-dose aspirin and heart health• Why hydration beats caffeine for energy and focus• How to fuel your body with smart, on-the-go snacks• Quick anywhere workouts to boost daily performance• Daily habits that fight stress and extend longevityDr. B doesn’t just talk theory — he’s lived it, treated thousands of patients, and now shares real, actionable tools for entrepreneurs who want to stay sharp, strong, and sane.📌 If you’re bui…

Most small businesses think they’re “organized.” But the real winners are optimized.In this advanced follow-up on WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down again with Mark Schwartz — a CPA and former attorney who helps small and mid-sized businesses master the systems that fuel cash flow, compliance, and growth.🎯 Inside This Episode:• How to connect your CRM to QuickBooks for true cash-flow forecasting• The truth about inventory turnover, JIT realities, and niche software• Building a clean data pipeline across sales orders, POs, invoicing, and AR/AP• Why training your team on data entry discipline is a profit driver• Working capital wisdom: credit lines vs. cards, cash-cycle timing, and reading the balance sheet• The quarterly sales tax rhythms most owners miss• Smart tax strategies: timing expenses, leveraging depreciation, and working with a savvy CPAMark pulls no punches — this is real-world accounting and systems strategy for founders who want to …

Cash flow isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet — it’s the lifeblood of your business.In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser reconnects with longtime colleague and friend Mark Schwartz — a recovering attorney turned seasoned CPA with over four decades of experience guiding entrepreneurs through the financial realities of running a business.🎯 Inside This Episode:• Why daily cash flow management is the #1 concern for entrepreneurs• How forecasting & pipeline discipline keep businesses alive• Integrating QuickBooks and CRM systems for clarity and control• Best practices for purchase orders, sales orders, and invoicing• When to outsource bookkeeping vs. hire in-house staff• The must-run reports daily, weekly, and monthly• Why “It’s not what you expect, but what you inspect” is the golden rule of financeMark doesn’t sugarcoat it — these are the systems, rhythms, and insights that protect your cash flow and power growth.📌 If you’re an entrepr…

Small and mid-sized businesses face the same legal risks as big companies — just with fewer resources to handle them.In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with attorney Steven Jacobs to unpack the most common (and costly) legal mistakes SMBs make — and how to prevent them before they become bet-the-company problems.🎯 Inside This Episode:• Why SMBs are vulnerable: ad-hoc processes, scattered records, fewer reps• The contract basics that protect revenue (and ensure you get paid)• Employees vs. contractors: avoiding misclassification traps across states• IP protection 101: trademarks, copyrights, patents & digital content pitfalls• Compliance in motion: how AI and new employment laws hit small teams• Data security & breach response: why early investment saves millions later• Record-keeping & statutes of limitation: how long you’re on the hook• Mass arbitration vs. class actions — and why prevention beats defense every timeSteven …

What if your law firm didn’t rely on “superstar” employees — but on repeatable systems that drive predictable growth?In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Gary Musler, an expert in building high-performance law firms through AI-driven growth and business optimization. Gary shares how his STAR System helps firms move from people-dependent to process-dependent — creating scalable success that feels less chaotic and more intentional.🎯 Inside This Episode:• Why law firms must be treated like sales organizations• How to build training and accountability frameworks that stick• Maximizing ROI on legal marketing spend• Using AI-driven roleplay and feedback to boost conversions• Strategy vs. opportunism: how to play the long game• Why every firm needs a championship playbook mindsetGary also opens up about his entrepreneurial journey and why the right systems don’t just optimize operations — they unlock growth at scale.📌 If you’re…

Most business owners are still testing AI at the surface level. Gerald Hennessey went all in — and built his own AI platform to transform real estate and service-based businesses.In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with master developer Gerald Hennessey to unpack how he eliminated latency, reduced failures, and created AI systems that feel almost human in customer interactions.🎯 Inside This Episode:• Why Gerald ditched third-party AI “bus stops” and built in-house• How real estate & service businesses can capture 100% of calls with AI• The hidden risks: latency, hallucinations, and downtime• Insights on the AI model wars (OpenAI, Meta’s LLaMA, DeepSeek)• The rise of open-source AI — and what it means for small businesses• The coming wave of AI + robotics in daily business operationsGerald’s journey from ChatGPT tinkering to full-scale AI hosting proves one thing: when you take ownership of your systems, you can create game-chang…

Most people know AI through tools like ChatGPT. Gerald Hennessey took it further — building and hosting his own AI stack to transform real estate operations and eliminate inefficiencies.In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser talks with real estate entrepreneur and master developer Gerald Hennessey about how his fully customized AI system captures 100% of inbound leads, streamlines communication across multiple channels, and solves the real challenges of scaling with AI.🎯 Inside This Episode:• The flaws of off-the-shelf AI — and how Gerald solved them• Why reducing latency is critical in real-time customer interactions• Inbound vs. outbound AI agents: what works, what doesn’t• Why open-source models like LLaMA and DeepSeek are game changers• The future of AI across real estate, marketing, and roboticsGerald shares how controlling your own AI platform unlocks faster, smarter, and more reliable business performance — without being limited by thir…

What keeps small business owners up at night? For Brian Schreiner, it’s keeping pace with AI’s breakneck evolution — and transforming it into real, measurable revenue.In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Brian, founder of IgniteBusiness.ai, to unpack how conversational AI, product–market fit, and his proven 6R Framework help businesses generate revenue before they even spend on ads.🎯 Inside This Episode:• How to build AI that sounds like your best salesperson• Capturing missed calls automatically (text + voice AI)• Turning reviews & referrals into a revenue engine• Reactivating your database for quick wins• Measuring what matters so your ad spend actually worksBrian also shares his entrepreneurial journey — from IT consulting and media to launching IgniteBusiness.ai — and why AI won’t replace your team, but instead make them unstoppable.📌 Free Resource: Get a 30-day free Reviews AI install + 30 reviews guaranteed. Visit Ig…

What does it really take to manage a high-rise building in the heart of downtown Phoenix?In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Robert Inglhofer, Building Manager of 200 East Van Buren, to explore the daily challenges of operations, tenant relations, and risk management in one of Phoenix’s landmark properties.🎯 Inside This Episode:• Why building managers must think like risk managers• Balancing tenant satisfaction while attracting new tenants• How AI and technology are shaping building operations• Why contracts can make or break small businesses• The importance of finding a landlord who values community over profit• Preparing for the unexpected: elections, tech breakdowns, and downturnsRobert shares candid insights into what truly keeps him up at night — and why every detail, from contracts to culture, impacts the success of a property and its businesses.📌 If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or real estate prof…

What are the real IT risks keeping small and mid-sized businesses awake at night?In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Austin Johns and Tyler Hooser from MBPS to break down how phishing, ransomware, and weak IT practices put companies at risk—and how to build proactive defenses that actually work.🎯 Inside This Episode:• The human side of security: training users against social engineering• Smarter phishing defense with Microsoft 365 org-level settings• Why every endpoint (on-site + remote) needs XDR/antivirus• Ransomware readiness: layered backups, access control, and playbooks• Moving from reactive IT to proactive monitoring, patching, and permissions hygiene• Where AI fits into security—and the privacy guardrails to followAustin and Tyler also share how MBPS pairs friendly, people-first support with enterprise-grade security practices, helping businesses turn IT headaches into growth opportunities.📌 Connect with MBPS:…

What’s the #1 thing keeping business owners awake at night? Cash flow.In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Mark Briden, CFO of one of Arizona’s fastest-growing companies, to unpack real-world financial strategies that small and midsize businesses can use to fund growth, manage risk, and avoid financial traps.🎯 Inside This Episode:• Why cash flow is the #1 concern for SMB owners• How to time funding before growth opportunities slip away• The role of asset-based lending (ABL) using receivables, inventory, and equipment• Risks of overleveraging—and how tariffs and shocks can crush margins• The truth about personal guarantees and how to negotiate them out• Why advisors (CFOs, CPAs, lenders, attorneys) must work together, not in silos• How to handle unexpected expenses, alternative lenders, and rising credit risksMark brings years of experience leading turnarounds and scaling SMBs, offering practical insights for entrepreneurs …

What happens when a physician-inventor takes on some of medicine’s toughest problems? In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Dr. Paul Gilbert to explore his path from creating a NICU device that saves infant lives to building a new frontier in instant at-home blood testing.Dr. Gilbert first developed the RightSpot™ pH Indicator, now used nationwide to ensure feeding tubes land in the stomach—not the lungs. After a 2019 exit, he’s back with Statum DX, a company designing immediate, bedside-style diagnostic tests that pair with touch-activated phlebotomy devices—no lab, no mailing samples, no weeks of waiting.🔑 Inside This Episode:• How a NICU challenge inspired a device used every minute in the U.S.• The power of bedside-style, instant diagnostics in clinical and home care• Touch-activated micro-blood collection + lateral flow/ELISA technology• Early test panels on the roadmap: pregnancy, THC, and beyond• Partnerships, FDA pathways, …

In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser welcomes award-winning physician, inventor, and entrepreneur Dr. Paul Gilbert. An ER doctor, medical director, and founder of Healthy Now MD, Dr. Gilbert opens up about innovation, time, and the future of preventive care.🎯 Inside This Episode:• What really keeps Dr. Gilbert awake at night (hint: it’s not money—it’s time)• The story behind his 7 patents, including one saving infants from feeding-tube errors• How Healthy Now MD makes prevention and prescriptions easier through telemedicine• Lessons from the patent process and the reality of turning ideas into impact• Why networking—and not lone-wolf hustling—drives entrepreneurial successDr. Gilbert also shares personal health struggles that led him to launch Healthy Now MD, proving even doctors must take their own medicine when it comes to balance and prevention.👉 Learn more at HealthyNowMD.com👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more found…

In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with serial entrepreneur Ryan Louis to explore his latest venture: Revo AI (RevMo) — a voice-first conversational AI service transforming how businesses handle calls.What started as a hunt for faster lead response has become a full AI platform helping restaurants, auto shops, healthcare providers, and home services companies answer calls, book appointments, and capture missed revenue opportunities — 24/7.🎯 Inside This Episode:• How Revo AI was born from solving a real lead speed-to-contact problem• Why voice-first AI is the future of customer experience• Use cases across restaurants, auto shops, and healthcare• How redundancy, caching layers, and custom LLMs deliver fast, natural conversations• Thoughts on new AI competitors like DeepSeek and why U.S.-built tech matters• What’s next for Revo AI and the industries it’s transforming👉 Learn more about Revo AI: [Insert Link]👉 Subscribe to WhatKe…

What really keeps entrepreneurs up at night? In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Ryan Louis, a serial entrepreneur with ventures spanning AI (Revo AI), healthcare tech, SaaS, and real estate.Ryan shares hard-won lessons from consulting, bootstrapped startups, and scaling multiple businesses—all while balancing leadership, family, and the unpredictable challenges of entrepreneurship.🎯 Inside This Episode:• Why people, leadership, and servant management matter more than ever• How to decide when to hire vs. outsource key functions• The role of AI in small business growth• Metrics, OKRs, and financial discipline for 2025 and beyond• Real-world advice for navigating today’s economy and capital costs• Personal stories from the ski slopes to the basketball court that shaped Ryan’s approachRyan doesn’t just talk business strategy—he shares how to build teams, manage risk, and think like a leader in any environment.👉 Learn more …

What keeps small business owners awake at night? For many, it’s IT that’s too slow, too costly, and too risky. In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Eric Stenson, serial entrepreneur and former CIO–turned–CEO, to uncover why most SMBs are under-protected and over-charged when it comes to technology.Eric shares the story behind MBPS (the “Protected by MBPS” you’ve seen on our promos) — how an internal IT group grew into a high-accountability managed service now supporting businesses in Phoenix and Las Vegas.🎯 Inside This Episode:Why many IT departments default to “no” — and how a start with yes culture changes outcomesThe essential safeguards every SMB needs: Starlink failover, tested backups, locked-down firewalls, MFA everywhereA real ransomware case study: how tested backups turned a near-disaster into a 2-hour fixHow to measure IT value: would you personally write a check for it each month?The hidden math of reputation…

In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with serial entrepreneur Eric Stenson of Pivot Equity to unpack how a weekend side hustle—flipping a $150 estate-sale painting—snowballed into a portfolio spanning commercial real estate, tax advisory, government tax credits, and AI voice agents.Eric shares the wild origin story — that $150 painting later sold for $155,000 — how he rapidly built PPP loan-forgiveness software during the CARES Act rush, and why the willingness to pivot fast is the most underrated founder superpower. You’ll also hear how his family office structure backs ventures like 360 Advisors, Stenson Tamadon ERTC, and RevmMo AI phone agents for restaurants, auto shops, home services, and more.🔑 In this conversation:• The “silver tsunami” insight that launched a profitable side hustle• From art flip to fintech: shipping product fast when timing matters• Building a multi-business portfolio under Pivot Equity• Why metrics > vibes, and…

What really keeps entrepreneurs awake at night? In this episode of WhatKeepsYouAwake.TV, host David Hooser sits down with Eric Stenson — accomplished IT leader, CEO, and serial entrepreneur — to unpack the real challenges of building, protecting, and scaling businesses.🔥 Inside This Episode:• The weight of leading 100+ employees while serving 7,000+ clients• Why data security is one of the biggest risks SMBs face today• Lessons from leaving a stable C-suite role to start a software company• How growing up with both an attorney mother and entrepreneurial father shaped his path• The tradeoffs of freedom vs. responsibility in business ownership• Why problem-solving, product–market fit, and resilience drive long-term successEric also shares hard-won insights on vendor relationships, pivots, and why entrepreneurship is equal parts sleepless nights and unlimited upside.📌 If you’re a small business leader or aspiring founder, this episode delivers valuable perspective…

Are you a small business owner, operator, expert, innovator or entrepreneur in the Phoenix metro area? Our host has a special invitation just for you! We’re opening the door for passionate business leaders to share their stories, insights, and expertise on our podcast. If you’ve got valuable lessons to share and want to connect with our audience, we’d love to have you as a guest. Tune in to learn more and find out how to get involved!

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