Internet Empires with Ish Verduzco

Ish sits down with Car Dealership Guy (CDG) — the anonymous Twitter account turned media mogul of the auto industry. What started as a pseudonymous experiment to blow off steam has evolved into a trusted, fast-scaling content empire serving 50,000+ car dealers and generating millions in sponsorship and service revenue. From bootstrapped marketing stunts to becoming the most trusted voice in auto — this is a masterclass in audience-first building, owning a niche, and turning trust into a business moat.In this episode, you’ll learn:- How CDG went from tweeting car-buying tips to owning one of the most influential media platforms in auto retail- The $1M+ business model behind newsletters, podcasts, live shows, and service partnerships- Why content velocity and quality matter more than ever in the AI era- His exact strategy for turning followers into customers and sponsors- How his small 6-person full-time team runs 14+ content channels- The real advice car buyers need to know before hitting the dealership- How to scale from creator → media company without losing your voice or visionWhere to Find Yossi: https://www.dealershipguy.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguyhttps://x.com/GuyDealershiphttps://www.youtube.com/@CarDealershipGuyFollow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

Andrew Yeung is a former Google PM turned event powerhouse who built a $1M+ business by hosting curated IRL experiences. After quitting Google with $0 in income and a visa that required him to earn fast, Andrew went all-in on community-building through tech events, dinners, and conferences.You’ll learn:How Andrew made $400K in just two months post-GoogleThe exact playbook that gets sponsors to pay him to host eventsHow he runs 100+ events a year for 20,000+ people with a lean teamWhy IRL is outperforming digital in the AI ageHis underrated growth channels: Luma, email, and word-of-mouthHow to turn your network and curiosity into a real businessWhere to Find Andrewhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andyeung/https://www.instagram.com/andrew.today/?hl=enhttps://www.andrewyeung.co/https://x.com/andruyeung?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthorhttps://www.instagram.com/andrewsmixers/?hl=enhttps://www.andrew.today/Follow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

Zach Yadegari, the founder of Cal AI, a groundbreaking app that simplifies calorie tracking with AI technology. Zach shares his journey from a fitness enthusiast to a successful entrepreneur, discussing how Cal AI allows users to track calories by taking pictures of their food. Discover insights into Zach's entrepreneurial path, the app's rapid growth, and his innovative approach to influencer marketing. https://www.calai.app/Where to Find Zachhttps://www.instagram.com/zachyadegari/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/zachyadegari/https://x.com/zach_yadegari?lang=enhttps://zachyadegari.com/Follow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

Justin Moore is a Sponsorship Coach, author, and the founder of Creator Wizard, a school & community that teaches you how to find & negotiate your dream brand partnerships so that you stop leaving thousands on the table. In this episode, you'll hear how Justin Moore helps creators land big sponsorships:Breaks down his frameworks: ROPE, ARC, and DO RuleExplains why psychographic data beats follower countLive walkthrough of how to pitch brands like RampReal-world pricing tips for licensing, exclusivity, and content rightsCreative sponsorship ideas: books, courses, and community grantsWhy most creators don’t need agents — and what to do insteadIn his latest book, "Sponsor Magnet," Justin offers a succinct distillation of his ideas and frameworks for securing successful brand collaborations. Order Now: https://www.sponsormagnet.com/Where to Find JustinNewsletter: https://pages.creatorwizard.com/joinWebsite: https://www.creatorwizard.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/creatorwizardPodcast: https://www.youtube.com/@creatordebatesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatorwizard/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@creatorwizard?Twitter: https://twitter.com/justinmooretfamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinnmoore/Follow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

Brett Dashevsky is a leading voice in the creator economy as the founder of Creator Economy NYC, the industry’s leading network and knowledge hub, connecting thousands of content creators and industry professionals through in-person events and insightful media. Brett Explains: - His transition to becoming a full-time creator- The significance of building a community within the creator economy- Creator monetization strategies- The role of personal branding in establishing credibility - Emerging trends in the creator economy Where to Find Bretthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brettdash/https://x.com/brettdash_?lang=enhttps://www.instagram.com/brettdash_/?hl=enhttps://mail.creatoreconomynyc.com/Follow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

In this conversation, Andrew Gazdecki shares insights on the B2B SaaS landscape, detailing the steps involved in buying and selling businesses, the importance of due diligence, and common pitfalls to avoid. He discusses valuation multiples for various business types and emphasizes the importance of preparation and flexibility in the selling process. The conversation also explores the impact of no-code tools on product trust and highlights podcasts as an effective distribution channel for startups.Where to Find Andrew: https://x.com/acquiredotcomhttps://x.com/agazdeckihttps://www.linkedin.com/company/acquiredotcom/https://www.linkedin.com/in/agazdecki/Follow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

In this engaging conversation, Eric Zhu shares his unconventional journey from high school to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges of taking investor calls in the bathroom, the evolution of his startup Aviado, and the unique marketing strategies that led to his viral fame. Eric also delves into his latest venture, sperm racing, and offers insights on navigating the startup world as a young founder. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the importance of community, controversy, and continuous learning in the entrepreneurial journey.Where to Find Erichttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ericzhu105/https://www.instagram.com/ericzhu105/?hl=enhttps://x.com/ericzhu105?lang=enFollow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

In this conversation, Manny Reyes, founder of Boletin Growth, discusses the significance of newsletters in the digital landscape, emphasizing the importance of owning an audience rather than relying on social media platforms. He shares insights into his process of helping creators grow their newsletters through paid ads, the strategies for effective ad creation, and the importance of simple landing pages. Manny also provides a cost analysis of subscriber acquisition and explains why Meta ads are currently the most effective platform for newsletter growth.Where to Find Manny https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannyreyesm/https://x.com/mannyyreyyeshttps://www.boletingrowth.com/Follow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

In this conversation, Kyle Reidhead shares his journey from a corporate job in Toronto to becoming a successful entrepreneur living in Bali. He discusses the freedom and opportunities of being a digital nomad, the strategic acquisition of the Milk Road newsletter, and the importance of building an audience before launching products. Kyle also delves into the operational changes post-acquisition, the role of AI in automating content creation, and the enduring value of human creativity in the age of AI. Where to Find Kyle: https://x.com/KyleReidheadhttps://www.instagram.com/kyle.reidhead/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylereidhead/?originalSubdomain=cahttps://milkroad.com/Follow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

In this conversation, Jay Yang shares his philosophy on life and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of taking initiative and not waiting for permission. He discusses his new book, which outlines a permissionless approach to creating opportunities and introduces the TAG method for effective outreach. Jay reflects on his journey as a young entrepreneur, the lessons from failures, and the significance of networking and data-driven growth. He also highlights the value of learning through experience and shares actionable insights from his book.Where to Find Jay:https://www.instagram.com/jayyanginspires/?hl=enhttps://x.com/Jayyanginspireshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayyanginspires/https://www.youcanjustdothingsbook.com/Follow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube