
Making It with Jon Davids
How do you take your company from your dorm room to $100M, in just a few years? How do you make $25K a month off TikTok? How do you turn a $1M investment into a $1B payoff?
Join entrepreneur and investor Jon Davids as he deconstructs success with the creators, innovators, and disruptors who are making it happen.
Latest episodes

4 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 21min
199 - How Rolex Uses Lies, Myth, and Deception To Sell So Many Watches
Discover the fascinating marketing genius behind Rolex's $11 billion success. Learn how the brand creates scarcity through waiting lists, igniting consumer desire. Explore the power of social proof and its impact on buying behavior, with actionable tips for smaller businesses. Uncover the storytelling magic that transformed Rolex watches into status symbols, connecting emotionally with customers. Delve into the challenges luxury brands face in a commoditized world, as AI reshapes consumer preferences and trust becomes paramount.

Jun 24, 2025 • 26min
198 - They Built a $490M Business with NO Money (using this one move)
Discover the incredible growth story of a meat stick company that soared from $35,000 to $490 million in sales. Learn about their innovative marketing strategies and how they redefined the snack market. Explore the concept of counter-positioning through the success of Native Deodorant, focusing on clean ingredients that resonated with consumers. Dive into the financial journey of two entrepreneurs who used minimal investments to achieve significant growth through premium pricing, strategic partnerships, and savvy reinvestment.

Jun 20, 2025 • 50min
197 - "We Sold to Salesforce.com for $800M and Here's What I Learned" | Mike Lazerow
In this conversation, Mike Lazerow, a serial entrepreneur and bestselling author behind Buddy Media, shares insights from his $800M sale to Salesforce. He discusses how transformative life experiences shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. Mike dives into the rollercoaster of launching ventures like golf.com amid market chaos. He also reveals what it was like to be acquired by a tech giant and the power of networking in entrepreneurship. Plus, he explores how AI is changing the startup landscape, making it easier for anyone to launch a business.

6 snips
Jun 17, 2025 • 21min
196 - He Makes $19M a Day From Trash? Yes. Here's How.
Discover how Ron Mittelstaedt transformed small-town trash companies into a $7.2 billion powerhouse. Explore the strategy of business roll-ups in fragmented markets and learn how standardized systems enhance efficiency. Dive into the profit potential of the garbage industry, where steady revenue and low churn rates dominate. Uncover the operational realities of the waste management business, from labor needs to the challenges of traditional models. This journey reveals the unexpected wealth behind what many overlook as mere refuse.

Jun 10, 2025 • 28min
How one man bootstrapped a hotel to $260M | Harris Rosen
Discover the remarkable journey of a man who turned a dilapidated motel into a hotel empire generating $260M in annual sales. Learn how hands-on experience in daily operations enhances customer service and relationships. Explore strategic growth tactics, including seller financing and targeting Orlando's bustling tourism market. Delve into market responsiveness with lessons from Colonel Sanders, illustrating the blend of business acumen and philanthropy in creating a successful enterprise.

Jun 3, 2025 • 41min
194 - Bobbi Brown: “I Just Wanted To Sell Lipstick — Now It’s a $1B Brand. Here’s What Happened.”
Get JD's new playbook Instagram Selling Machine here. Today, JD talks with Bobbi Brown. She's the founder of the billion-dollar makeup brand, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and later Jones Road Beauty. How did Bobbi go from a freelance makeup artist to a business mogul and the industry's first beauty influencer? Don't miss out on this story!Subscribe to JD's newsletter here.And follow JD across social: LinkedIn | Facebook | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

May 30, 2025 • 47min
193 - Here's How I Built a Coffee Chain from Scratch | Gregory Zamfotis
Get JD's new playbook Website Selling Machine here. Today, JD talks with Gregory Zamfotis, the founder of Gregory's Coffee. How did Gregory transition from law school to creating a thriving coffee business with over 50 locations? Tune in and find out!Subscribe to JD's newsletter here.And follow JD across social: LinkedIn | Facebook | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

May 27, 2025 • 24min
192 - How ButcherBox Went From Zero to $600M (With No Investors)
Get JD's new playbook Website Selling Machine here. Today, Jon talks about Mike Salguero and his $600 million business ButcherBox. How did Mike navigate the chaos of 2020 and master logistics, marketing, and customer service to thrive without outside capital? Tune in and find out! Subscribe to JD's newsletter here.And follow JD across social: LinkedIn | Facebook | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

May 20, 2025 • 28min
191 - $60M a Year From One Book | Pantone
Get JD's new playbook Website Selling Machine here. Today, Jon tells about Pantone, a company that revolutionized the colour industry with the Pantone Matching System (PMS), which became an industry standard.Subscribe to JD's newsletter here.And follow JD across social: LinkedIn | Facebook | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube
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May 13, 2025 • 38min
190 - This guy turned $1,800 into a $1B+ business (crazy story) | Scooter Braun
Discover the fascinating journey of a music mogul who transformed an $1,800 investment into a billion-dollar business. Learn about the strategic decisions that fueled his success and the intricate dynamics behind acquiring Taylor Swift's music catalog. Delve into the lessons on entrepreneurship, cash management, and negotiations that shaped his path. From managing iconic artists to navigating high-profile controversies, this story is packed with insights and inspiration for aspiring business leaders.