Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

1301: How an Ex-Hacker Who Roomed with Whitey Bulger is Revolutionizing Small Business with Automation w/ Robert Yeager

Nov 15, 2025

Robert Yeager, founder of Fusion Data Company, transformed from notorious hacker to innovative entrepreneur. He shares how his prison experiences honed his customer service skills and entrepreneurial instincts. Learn how AI and automation revolutionize small business solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding client pain points. Robert advocates for incremental learning and leveraging unique life experiences as business assets. His insights on using conversational AI for client interactions and the imperative of adapting to technological advancements are particularly enlightening.

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ANECDOTE

Customer Service Learned At The Poker Table

Robert Yeager learned customer service running a poker game in federal prison and used that to shape his business approach.
He treated players like casino customers, focusing on fairness and satisfaction to keep everyone happy.

ANECDOTE

Lead Gen Pivot That Scaled Acquisitions

Rob described pivoting from door-to-door acquisitions to building verified lead lists and call center outreach for a mobile home park company.
That work produced $91 million in acquisitions and formed the foundation for Fusion Data Company.

ADVICE

Listen First, Build What They Need

Stop forcing customers to fit your product and start by listening to their problems before building solutions.
Use available AI tools to execute once you've identified the real tasks that need solving.

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What do you get when you combine a genius-level IQ, elite computer skills, and a hustler’s spirit forged in federal prison? You get Robert Yeager. In this powerful episode, Rob shares his incredible journey from a notorious hacker to the founder of Fusion Data Company, an innovative firm that builds custom AI and automation solutions for small businesses. This isn't just a story about technology; it's a masterclass in resilience, opportunity-spotting, and the art of problem-solving. Rob’s story will show you how to leverage every part of your life—the good and the bad—to build a business that truly serves its customers.

💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business

How to pivot your business from selling pre-made products to solving your customers' specific problems.
The incremental approach to learning new skills (like AI) without getting overwhelmed, so you can deliver value immediately.
Why listening is the most powerful sales tool and how to use customer pain points as your ultimate source of business ideas.
How to leverage AI as a powerful amplifier for your business, not a replacement for your team.
The mindset shift you need to see AI as a massive opportunity, not a threat to your business.
Why your unique (and even unconventional) life experiences are your greatest business assets.
How "YouTube University" is the most valuable and accessible education an entrepreneur can get today.

📝 About Robert Yeager

Robert Yeager is the founder of Fusion Data Company, a high-end automation and workflow support company dedicated to helping small businesses thrive. Growing up alongside the advent of personal computing, Rob developed profound technical skills that led him down a complex path, including a decade in federal prison. It was there, learning from an unbelievable cast of characters, that he honed his entrepreneurial spirit and customer service skills. Today, Rob combines his gritty, real-world hustle with elite tech expertise to create custom-built solutions that solve real problems, proving that your past doesn't define your future.

🎯 Robert’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs

"Find the balance. Don't try to learn the entire world of AI at one time. Learn the actual things that you need to learn in order to do the things that you're trying to do... stack your skills that way."

📢 Memorable Quotes

“You will not get replaced by AI. You will get replaced by somebody that knows how to use AI.” – Robert Yeager
“We changed what we were doing from, 'Hey, I've got this and I need to fit your problems into it,' to 'Hey, what are your problems and I'll build something to fit them.'" – Robert Yeager
“If you sit and play poker with the greatest con artist alive and win, then you do take something away from it.” – Robert Yeager

🔗 Links & Resources