Right About Now - Legendary Business Advice

Building a real brand isn’t about playing it safe — it’s about testing, failing, learning, and trusting your instincts.In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Brett Berish, CEO of Sovereign Brands, to unpack how he built global spirits brands like Bumbu, Deacon Whiskey, Bel-Air Rosé, and McQueen Gin by doing the opposite of what the industry expected.Brett explains why he stopped trying to compete with giants like Bacardi or Jack Daniels and instead leaned into authenticity, taste-first product development, and bold packaging. He compares building businesses to comedians refining jokes — constantly reacting to audiences, tweaking the approach, and evolving until something truly landsFrom navigating America’s rigid three-tier alcohol system to building brands in over 80 countries, Brett shares hard-earned lessons about flexibility, leadership, and believing in products before the market catches up.This episode covers:• Why no one believed in Brett’s brands at launch• How taste matters more than celebrity endorsements• Why packaging is part of the brand experience• How failure shaped his leadership style• Building teams of self-starters, not followers• Why letting products “breathe” unlocked global growth• Turning personal struggle into purposeIf you’re building anything — a company, a product, or a personal brand — this conversation offers a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and trusting what makes you different.Connect with Ryan & Brett🎙 Right About Now Podcast: https://ryanisright.com📸 Ryan Alford: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford🥃 Brett Berish: https://www.instagram.com/brettbarishceo🌐 Sovereign Brands: https://sovereignbrands.comExplore Brett’s brands: Bumbu, Deacon Whiskey, Bel-Air Rosé, McQueen Gin, Violet Fog, and Vione France.Subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the show.

Success rarely looks the way people expect it to — and almost never happens on a straight line.In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Derrick Hayes, founder of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, for a candid conversation about patience, belief, and the discipline required to build something that lasts. Derrick walks through the early days of entrepreneurship, including failed ideas, long nights, and moments where progress wasn’t visible — even when the work was real.Using powerful analogies and lived experience, Derrick explains why many people confuse movement with momentum, hustle with mastery, and ambition with execution. He shares how learning the business of what you’re building is what separates long-term success from endless grinding.Key Takeaways:Why most people quit before the payoff shows upHow patience functions as a competitive advantageThe danger of “hobby hustling”Why discipline beats motivation every timeHow real leaders think about scale and responsibilityThis episode is for anyone who wants more than quick wins — and is willing to play the long game.Keep up With Ryan and Derrick🌐 Learn more at https://ryanisright.com🎧 Subscribe to Right About Now on YouTube & podcast platforms📸 Follow Ryan Alford on social for clips and insights🍽️ Discover Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks and Derrick Hayes’ journey nationwideIf this conversation resonated, share it with someone building something of their own.

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you build.In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Mara Dorn, a leader who has helped build billion-dollar sales organizations and mentor hundreds of young professionals.Mara shares the lessons she learned early: you only get one shot, first impressions matter, and how you show up physically affects how you perform mentally. Drawing from decades of experience, she explains why discipline, posture, energy, and personal standards still matter — even in a world driven by convenience, shortcuts, and AI.This isn’t about appearances for appearance’s sake. It’s about understanding how confidence, credibility, and work ethic are deeply connected to results.In this episode, we cover:Why first impressions are psychological, not superficialHow posture and presence affect performanceThe difference between confidence and egoWhy discipline outperforms talentThe generational shift in work ethicHow to build real confidence without pretending to be perfectWhy authenticity still requires standardsMara also opens up about anxiety, imperfection, and how embracing flaws — instead of hiding them — can become a competitive advantage.Listen & WatchFull episodes, video, and show updates:👉 https://ryanisright.comCheck out the BILF Podcast:👉 https://bilfpodcast.comFollow on Socials Ryan AlfordInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalfordLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalfordMara DornInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maradornWebsite: https://maradorn.com

Most people misunderstand the rental car business.They either assume it’s too risky, too time-consuming, or only works if you’re renting luxury vehicles. Others lump it in with online side hustle hype without ever understanding the actual mechanics behind it.In this episode, Ryan talks with George Madden, founder of Car Rental Coach, about what the rental car business really looks like when it’s built intentionally.George didn’t start with supercars or flashy marketing. He built his fleet around cheap, reliable economy cars, focusing on utilization, insurance structure, and cash flow rather than appearances.Throughout the conversation, George explains:Why economy cars consistently generate better returns than luxury rentalsHow small fleets can produce steady monthly incomeWhat people get wrong about insurance and liabilityHow depreciation and write-offs change the math entirelyHow much time it actually takes to operate a small fleetWhy this business works as both a side hustle and a primary incomeWhen scaling makes sense—and when it doesn’tThe answers are practical, grounded, and based on real experience—not theory.This episode is for anyone who wants to understand:How small businesses quietly generate cash flowWhy “boring” assets often outperform exciting onesWhat a realistic, system-driven side business actually looks likeNo hype.No shortcuts.Just a clear look at a business most people don’t fully understand—but probably should.

Most people rush into building a personal brand — and end up stuck with views, likes, and no real business to show for it.In this episode, Marian Esanu breaks down why personal branding should come after you’ve built something real, not before. From fake authority and imposter syndrome to why most creators can’t convert attention into sales, this conversation challenges the way entrepreneurs think about visibility, credibility, and long-term value.If you’ve ever felt pressure to “build your brand” before you’re ready — this episode will change how you approach it.Key Topics Covered• Why starting a personal brand too early can hurt your credibility•The difference between being an expert vs an enthusiast•Why views and followers don’t matter if you can’t convert them into revenue•How real businesses create authentic, scalable personal brands•The danger of building a brand that can’t be sold or exited•How to research competitors instead of reinventing the wheel•Why paid traffic + organic content beats chasing virality•Turning content into an actual business assetWho This Episode Is ForEntrepreneurs building (or thinking about building) a personal brandCreators struggling to monetize their audienceBusiness owners tired of “fake guru” branding adviceAnyone who wants authority without pretending to be an expertSubscribe to Right About Now!Keep listening and subscribe to our newsletter at RyanIsRight.comFollow @ ryanalford on all social mediaKeep up with Marian Esanu• Personal Branding Ninja• Momentum Podcast

Most businesses are obsessed with one question:“How do I spend $1 to make $5?” According to Jon Davids, that mindset is exactly what’s holding brands back. In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with the CEO of Influicity and author of Marketing Superpowers to unpack why the future belongs to brands that build movements, not just marketing funnels. John shares how he learned to capture attention before social media existed, why most influencers are broke despite large followings, and how brands can create demand that doesn’t rely on algorithms or ad platforms. In This Episode, We Cover Why paid ads alone are unsustainable long-term The difference between building an audience and building a movement How community connects content to commerce Why “Minimum Viable Concept” beats “Minimum Viable Product” How to own customer demand instead of renting it What brands must do today to stay relevant in the next 10–20 years If you want to stop chasing customers and start attracting them, this conversation will completely change how you think about marketing. 🎧 Listen now and discover your true marketing superpower.  

Why do most podcasts stall long before they reach real scale? In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford is joined by Tom Webster, one of the most respected voices in podcasting and author of The Audience Is Listening, to unpack the uncomfortable truths behind podcast growth. With nearly 30 years in audio research and media strategy, Tom explains why: Promotion won’t save a show that lacks clarity Editing for flow is the secret weapon of top podcasts Many creators build for themselves — not their audience Asking the wrong listener questions leads to bad decisions Podcasting is far from “on the way down” — and why the data proves it This conversation is a masterclass in podcast strategy, audience psychology, and long-term content thinking. Whether you’re launching a show, stuck at a download ceiling, or building branded content, this episode will help you stop chasing vanity metrics and start building real listener loyalty. 📘 Learn more about Tom’s book: The Audience Is Listening🎙 Explore industry research at Sounds Profitable📲 Subscribe for weekly insights on business, media, and growth  

Luxury isn’t accidental—it’s engineered. On this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford is joined by Dr. Deepak Dugar, one of the world’s most respected surgeons and the architect behind one of Beverly Hills’ most exclusive medical brands. Dr. Dugar shares how he built a global reputation by going all-in on a single niche, refusing to compete with mediocrity, and designing a business that prioritizes quality over volume—in clients, hiring, and brand positioning. This conversation goes far beyond medicine. It’s a blueprint for entrepreneurs who want to: Stand out in hyper-competitive markets Build premium brands with demand built in Create exclusivity without paid advertising Hire elite performers and avoid energy vampires You’ll Learn: Why “riches in the niches” is more than a cliché How luxury brands intentionally repel the wrong customers The difference between good revenue and bad revenue Why elite operators pick their competition carefully How to build a brand that attracts the world’s best clients Connect with Dr. Deepak Dugar Instagram: Deepakdugarmd Website: www.Scarlessnose.com 🎧 If you want to build something elite—not average—this episode is a must listen.

In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Mark J. Kohler, one of America’s leading Main Street tax attorneys, to expose how the tax system actually works—and why the rich keep getting richer. Most people think taxes are confusing, boring, or rigged against them. Mark J. Kohler breaks down how the wealthy legally use the tax code to build and protect real wealth—and how YOU can too. This isn’t about cheating the system. It’s about understanding the rules. Mark explains: • Why side hustles are a “golden ticket” for tax savings • How small business owners can legally pay 30% less in taxes • Why W-2 income gets crushed—and how to offset it • How real estate, depreciation, oil & gas, and Roth IRAs work together • Why you must stop delegating your taxes and start documenting your wealth • How treating your side hustle like a real business changes everything If you’ve ever wondered why wealthy people pay less tax—or felt like the system wasn’t built for you—this episode will flip your mindset. Key Topics Covered: • High-level tax strategy for small business owners • Legal tax write-offs most people ignore • Side hustles, rentals, and asset deployment • Why rich people “geek out” on taxes • Building a tax team instead of outsourcing responsibility 👇 Watch till the end — this episode could save you thousands. Links & Resources: 🔗 Mark J. Kohler: markjkohler.com 🔗 Full episodes & clips: ryanisright.com

In today’s new media era, distribution, audience ownership, and authenticity matter more than legacy networks or billion-dollar studios. In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Josh Pate, host of the #1 College Football Show in Digital Media, to break down how he built a dominant personal brand by focusing on truth, niche content, and direct audience relationships. Josh shares how the rise of YouTube, live streaming, and social platforms allowed independent creators to dismantle traditional sports media — and why owning your audience and intellectual property is the real power move. What You’ll Learn: Why legacy sports media models are breaking How Josh Pate built trust with a no-spin approach The importance of hyper-niche content Why audience trust beats opinion-driven commentary How direct sponsor relationships outperform agencies Why creators must own distribution, IP, and brand The future of sports media, YouTube, and live content If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or media operator, this episode is a masterclass in modern media strategy. 👇 Subscribe for more conversations on business, media, and influence. WEBSITE: https://www.ryanisright.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/rightaboutnowshow