Hustle Unlimited

Season 2 – Episode 17 – From Poverty to Philanthropy: Raleigh Rescue Mission’s John Luckett

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 05:01:15 +0000

John Luckett went from poverty in Missisippi to successful businessman to serial entrepreneur, and now he’s giving back as the CEO of Raleigh Rescue Mission. Tune in to hear all about John’s unbelievable journey, what brought him to Raleigh Rescue Mission, what the media portrays about homelessness versus reality, and what you can do to help your community.

Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson.

Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”.

Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform.

Season 2 – Episode 16 – What Shopping Local Means to Your Community, with Jennifer Martin from Shop Local Raleigh

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 04:02:14 +0000

“Any time you shop local and independent and you spend money in our community, more of that money recirculates back here. And that means money for roads, money for schools, you know, money for general infrastructure. And it just helps create more jobs here.”

Jennifer Martin is the Executive Director of Shop Local Raleigh, and she comes on the Hustle Unlimited Podcast to talk about why it’s so important to shop local, the incredible events (like Brewgaloo) that they’re running to support the community, why businesses should join Shop Local Raleigh, and the advice she has to up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson.

Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”.

Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform.

Season 2 – Episode 15 – Advice to New CEOs with Donald Thompson

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 04:01:34 +0000

“A lot of people become a CEO for the first time with no experience. It’s kinda like becoming a parent. There’s not really qualifications to be a CEO. You can print a business card, you can start a business, then you are in charge of something and really responsible for taking something from a concept to a commercial being. And a lot of times when people start a brand new company, they have an idea, they have a certain perspective. But running a business and creating something that gives you value to the point where you can survive in the marketplace is a totally different thing.”

Donald Thompson learned from the mistakes he made as a young CEO, and he shares some of his wisdom in an interview with Amie Thompson, CEO of Creative Allies, and Jason Gillikin, CEO of Earfluence.

Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson.

Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”.

Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform.

Season 2 – Episode 14 – Advice for Startup Entrepreneurs from Venture Capitalist Tim McLoughlin, Partner at Cofounders Capital

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 04:01:27 +0000

Tim McLoughlin is a Triangle native and partner at Cofounders Capital, a Cary NC based venture capital firm that has raised over $30 million to invest in tech startups. On the show today, you’ll hear how Tim and David Gardner (founder of Cofounders Capital) got connected, why the Triangle is such a special place for Tim and his family, why not all businesses are investable businesses, and why the only way that your investors can help you is if you’re honest with them.

Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson.

Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”.

Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform.

Season 2 – Episode 13 – The Diversity You Can’t See & Becoming a Leader, with American Underground GM Molly Demarest

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 04:02:12 +0000

Molly Demarest is the General Manager of American Underground Startup Hub in Durham NC. Throughout her career, she has grown into leadership of the American Underground team and mentorship of aspiring entrepreneurs. But when she was growing up, she could never have guessed she’d be this successful. With a learning disability and ADHD, Molly knew she had a different way of learning. But unfortunately, many of her teachers didn’t embrace the difference, so she also thought she was dumb.

On today’s episode of Hustle Unlimited, Molly talks about neuro-diversity and other types of diversity you can’t see, how she became a leader, why personal health is so important, and the mission of American Underground.

Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson.

Music for this episode provide by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”.

Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform.

Season 2 – Episode 012 – How Pretend’s Javier Leiva Turned a Side Hustle to One Million Podcast Downloads

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 04:01:41 +0000

Javier Leiva is a creative director at Red Hat and former Emmy winning TV producer. But today, we talk to Javier about his podcast side hustle, Pretend, which now has over a million downloads. We talk about how Pretend started, its successes and opportunities, sacrificing sleep, keeping priorities straight, and advice for all the side hustlers and podcasters out there.

Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson.

Music for this episode provide by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”.

Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform.

Season 2 – Episode 011 – Former Fortnite Senior Producer Heather Chandler on Being a Trailblazer in Gaming and Her New Hustle

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 12:37:25 +0000

Heather Chandler literally wrote the book on how to make a video game, and was the senior producer on the most popular game in the world, Fortnite. She chats with Donald Thompson on this episode of Hustle Unlimited about her career as a trailblazing woman in gaming, why she wrote the book on how to make a game, her time at Epic games making Fortnite, mentorship, and now transitioning into entrepreneurship with her new company, Whole Brain Escape, in Apex NC!

Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson.

Music for this episode provide by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”.

Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform.

Season 1 Episode 010. The Competitive Edge in Communication, Decision Making and Problem Solving

Wed, 22 May 2019 22:16:51 +0000

In this episode, your host, Donald Thompson is interviewed by podcaster and producer, Max Trujillo, about his second recently released eBook, All Hats On Deck. Max and Donald discuss his journey to success and this eBook, where Donald shares his perspective on using the Six Thinking Hats methodology in multiple businesses to get a competitive edge in communication, decision making and problem solving. If you are craving ways to be more productive, tune in and then download All Hats on Deck here.

Season 1 Episode 009. Leading the Diversity Initiative in Today’s Business Climate

Wed, 15 May 2019 14:27:58 +0000

In this episode, the host becomes the guest as podcast producer, Jason Gillikin, interviews Donald Thompson on the first of two recently released eBooks, Driving Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace which tackles this topic from both sides providing insights for c-suite leaders and minority professionals.

Learn what inspired Donald to write this book and what he hopes to impart on its readers. You can download this eBook now for free by clicking here.

Season 1 – Episode 008. Understanding Your Why and The Power To Lead Others To Success

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:46:35 +0000

Hailing from Durham, NC, Greg Boone has gone from being a leader as a college athlete to becoming the 2018 NC Technology Executive of the Year. Greg leads a growing technology firm, he shares his wisdom with you on getting the best from his team and how he identifies exceptional talent. Overcoming some personal health issues in the past gave him the hunger to fight even harder for others around him – his family, his teammates, and his company.

Season 1 – Episode 007. The Recipe For Success: Clients, Culture, and Community.

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 05:10:41 +0000

North Carolina native, James Forrest left his role at one of the largest corporate law firms in the state to strike out on his own almost ten years ago. That leap of faith is something to be admired and with his personal relationships, grit, and hustle, James Forrest has built one of the largest single owner firms in our area, boasting almost 2,500 clients, over 50 attorneys, and 7 offices across North Carolina. If you think listening to a lawyer for 40 minutes wouldn’t be that interesting, you haven’t met one of the coolest guys on the planet in James Forrest. In this episode, you will learn what he focuses on for success – clients, culture, and community.

Season 1 – Episode 006. The Farce of Finding Work-Life Balance

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 06:00:36 +0000

Sharon McCloud has a lot of stories to tell about her dreams of being on Broadway, her career as a news anchor, all the way to becoming an entrepreneur in North Carolina. She is driven by the sound advice of her late father, the inspiring fight of her late daughter, and the courage she has after beating cancer. When you are faced with so many challenges in life, balance is something that may never be achieved. Sharon talks about how she instead integrates her work and life as a way to choose where she focuses her time to find happiness, peace, and motivation to charge forward.

Season 1 – Episode 005. From Homeless to Hustler

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 05:10:16 +0000

David Pratt is the definition of a hustler and his success comes from being hungry. After being let go from his civil engineering job in Atlanta, David fell on hard times where was living out of his car and squatting in empty homes. He was relentless though, and always knew he would find a away to make it. In this episode, you’ll understand that your curent situation doesn’t have to be your destiny. David talks about what inspired him to start his own video production company that he wants to become the biggest production studio on the east coast. And by the way, if you’ve never tasted his pies from his other company, David’s Dream Pies, you are really missing out!

Season 1 – Episode 004. Leaders Stand Out By Having The Resolve To Never Quit

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 05:00:46 +0000

Serial Entrepreneur Sid Smith started his first business before he was old enough to drive. Since then he’s founded and sold over nine businesses and is the current owner of Carolina Fresh Water. In this episode, Sid offers priceless advice to others looking to run a business including what he does to stay sharp, the lessons learned from owning a car dealership, personal responsibility for leaders, and what’s next for the Cannibus industry in North Carolina. A very interesting and meaningful conversation that you don’t want to miss!

Season 1 – Episode 003. To Be A Successful Leader, Find Your Tribe.

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 05:00:22 +0000

Entrepreneurship is in Doug Speight’s blood. His family has been starting businesses in North Carolina since the 1930s and he has founded multiple businesses himself. As the former Entrepreneur in Residence with American Underground, and current Executive Director and Startup Growth Advisor, Doug sees hundreds of North Carolina startups through all phases of their business. In this episode, Doug shares some of the lessons he’s learned through his experience and the from the stories of American Underground startups. He also shares inspirational tips to motivate you towards success.

Season 1 – Episode 002. Your Current Circumstance Is Not Your Destiny

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 00:10:04 +0000

As one of the few African-American, female, Chiefs of Police in the country, Patrice Andrews is responsible for leading the Seargents, Lieutenants, and Captains in the Police Department of Town of Morrisville, North Carolina. With such an achievement, you would never know that Patrice dropped out of college and relied on WIC to support her family as a single parent before starting her career in law enforcement. In this episode, Patrice shares many lessons including how she overcame obstacles and the what she learned from former first lady Michelle Obama.

Season 1 – Episode 001. Are You An Asset Or A Liability?

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:00:37 +0000

Two entrepreneurs, one from Alabama and the other from Mississippi, both migrated to NC to pursue Information Technology careers at Fortune 500 companies. Their paths crossed years ago at a cigar shop in Durham, North Carolina, and they’ve been friends ever since. Currently, Reese & K-Mac have the only African-American owned morning drive, sports talk show in the country. In this episode of Hustle Unlimited, Donald sits down with Reese & K-Mac to talk about leadership lessons learned from growing up in the South and advice they have for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Season 1 – Episode 000. Welcome To The Podcast

Fri, 18 Jan 2019 22:42:41 +0000

Welcome to the Hustle Unlimited podcast, a place where dream chasers can hear wisdom and insights from entrepreneurs and leaders who forged their own path to success. Hustle Unlimited’s host is Donald Thompson, a successful African-American CEO of Walk West, a fast-growing strategic communications firm in Raleigh, North Carolina.

People who have reached a certain level of success in their industry, always want to share what they’ve learned with the next generation and want others to learn from their success and their failures. Hustle Unlimited provides a platform for successful leaders to give back and for aspiring leaders to learn.

From radio show hosts and business leaders to lawyers and creatives, our guests share a common desire to give their knowledge and insight back to the next generation of leaders.