Podcast
Choose Your Hard
Hosted by Travis Jansen · EN
Choose Your Hard is the podcast that dives deep into the grit, resilience, and raw strength it takes to build a business. Hosted by Travis Jansen, each episode brings you inspiring stories of entrepreneurs who’ve faced the crossroads of challenge and choice—and emerged stronger. From the blood, sweat, and tears of startup life to the breakthroughs that redefine success, we’re here to show you that every path is hard, but you get to choose your hard.
Tune in weekly to ignite your entrepreneurial fire with real-world insights, unfiltered conversations, and actionable lessons to fuel your journey. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your empire, this is your roadmap to thriving in the face of adversity. The question is: which hard will you choose?
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Business Insurance Every Owner Needs to Understand
Jan 1500:14:24Tap to summarizeSend a textMost business owners don’t think about insurance until something goes wrong. By then, it’s already costing them money, momentum, and peace of mind.In this episode of Choose Your Hard, Travis Jansen sits down with Jacky Voigt-Briceño, Senior Account Executive at Combined Insurance, a Chubb Company, to break down the kind of insurance most entrepreneurs don’t understand but absolutely should.This conversation isn’t about fear or fine print. It’s about supplemental insurance that pays cash directly to YOU or your employees when life happens. Not to hospitals. Not to systems. To real people who still have rent, groceries, and families to support.Jacky explains how business owners can offer powerful benefits at little or no cost, why employees recover faster when financial stress is reduced, and how preparation is one of the most overlooked leadership skills in business.If you own a business, manage a team, or want to protect what you’ve built, this episode will change how you think about insurance.Because hoping nothing happens isn’t a strategy. Preparation is.Jacky Voigt-Briceño is a Senior Account Executive with Combined Insurance of America, a Chubb Company, serving individuals, families, and business owners across Florida since 2014. Recognized as a Top Agent in the USA in 2018, Jacky is known for her integrity, straight talk, and relentless commitment to doing what’s right for her clients.She is bilingual in English and Spanish and specializes in helping business owners and employers secure the right coverage—coverage that actually works when life throws a curveball, not just coverage that looks good on paper.Jacky believes preparation is leadership and that protecting people is one of the most underrated competitive advantages in business.📞 Connect with Jacky📱 Phone: 941 416 5102 📧 Email: Jackeline.Voigt@Combined.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackelinevoigt 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacky.voigtbriceno/
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Senior Dogs, Community, and Legacy with Chelle of Silver Snout Dog Rescue
Dec 2300:16:34Tap to summarizeSend a textIn Episode 10 of Choose Your Hard, Travis Jansen sits down with Chelle, founder of Silver Snout Dog Rescue in Venice, Florida, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing senior dogs the ones most often overlooked, surrendered, or forgotten.In a world obsessed with what’s new, fast, and convenient, Chelle chose a different path. She chose to fight for dogs in the later chapters of their lives dogs who still have love to give but need patience, medical care, and a soft place to land.This conversation goes beyond rescue work. It explores what responsibility looks like in modern society, why caring for elder animals reflects our values as a community, and how local businesses can play a powerful role in giving back as technology and busy lives pull us further apart.This episode is about choosing the harder road not for recognition, but for impact. Because how we treat the vulnerable says everything about who we are.🐶 Connect with Silver Snout Senior Dog Rescue🌐 Website: silversnoutrescue.com📍 Address: 3214 Elliott St., Venice, FL📱 Instagram: @silversnoutrescue💛 Volunteer / Donate: silversnoutrescue.com | Venmo: @silverdogrescue Facebook (Saving Senior Dogs in Southwest Florida): https://www.facebook.com/p/Saving-Senior-Dogs-in-Southwest-Florida-61572563693773/
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Building a Private ChatGPT on Your Laptop | Live Demo
Dec 1200:20:06Tap to summarizeSend a textMost people use ChatGPT, Gemini, or another AI tool and think that’s the whole game you type, they answer, and everything happens somewhere “in the cloud.”But today…we flipped the script.On this episode, we install our own AI system LIVE, right on a laptop, with no internet needed once it's set up. No cloud. No companies watching. No one holding the keys except you.The tool we used is called Ollama, think of it like having your own private version of ChatGPT running directly on your computer. If you can click “download,” you can do this.We break it all down in simple, human language:• What offline AI even means • Why it’s different from ChatGPT or Gemini • How to install your own AI in just a few minutes • Why your data stays 100% yours when the AI lives on your device • What it feels like when your laptop becomes your own personal supercomputer • How this movement ties into the mission of TechnoSanctum and digital sovereigntyThis episode is perfect for beginners who are curious, overwhelmed by tech, or just tired of feeling like they’re always “borrowing” intelligence from someone else’s cloud.We show you that offline AI is not scary. It’s not complicated. And it’s not just for coders.It’s the next level of owning your tools, owning your data, and ultimately… owning your life.Welcome to the moment everything shifts.Welcome to TechnoSanctum.Welcome to Choose Your Hard.Visit and begin your offline journey today: https://www.technosanctum.com/Want your own custom offline operating system for yourself or your business? Work directly with Cait through Fezzle Media Inc.📱 Connect with Cait via Instagram 📞 888-381-5005📩 hello@fezzlemedia.com
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Ashley Jansen on Silver Snout Dog Rescue & Community Impact
Dec 400:07:42Tap to summarizeSend a textAshley Jansen joins the Choose Your Hard Podcast to share the powerful mission behind Silver Snout Senior Dog Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to giving senior dogs the love, care, and forever homes they deserve.Ashley opens up about what it takes to run a rescue, the emotional grit required to care for aging dogs, and how Silver Snout continues to grow through community support. From veterinary needs to foster outreach, Ashley breaks down exactly what the rescue is looking for and how anyone can make a difference.She also highlights their biggest upcoming event of the year:🎄 Silver Snout Adoption & Fundraiser Event 📅 Saturday, December 6th ⏰ 10 AM – 2 PM 📍 Silver Snout Center – 3214 Elliott St., Venice Bring your pup for professional photos with Santa, enjoy local vendors, and meet adoptable senior pups looking for loving homes.More information visit: https://www.jansenshutters.com/post/silver-snout-senior-dog-rescue-event-in-sarasotaGet ready for a conversation about compassion, leadership, and choosing the hard path that leads to meaningful impact.🐾 Tune in and learn how Silver Snout is transforming lives, one senior dog at a time.We’re proud to be sponsored by Jansen Shutters & Specialties, supporting community organizations across Sarasota County.Want to learn more, donate, volunteer, or adopt? Visit silversnoutrescue.comHave a question or want to share your story? DM us on Instagram: @chooseyourhardofficial🐶 Connect with Silver Snout Senior Dog Rescue🌐 Website: silversnoutrescue.com 📍 Address: 3214 Elliott St., Venice, FL 📱 Instagram: @silversnoutrescue 💛 Volunteer / Donate: silversnoutrescue.com | Venmo: @silverdogrescue
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Tradition vs. Technology in Business
Oct 2000:03:57Tap to summarizeSend a textArtificial Intelligence isn’t coming, it’s already here.In this episode of Choose Your Hard, host Travis Jansen dives into one of the biggest questions facing today’s entrepreneurs: Has AI gone too far… or are we just afraid of losing control?From family-run legacies to modern startups, the rise of automation is rewriting what it means to lead, scale, and stay relevant. Travis explores how AI is transforming business — from marketing and recruiting to leadership and trust and why the smartest companies aren’t fighting it, they’re training it to serve their mission.You’ll Learn:How second- and third-generation business owners can balance tradition with innovation.The real difference between replacing people and empowering them.Practical ways to use AI for automation, analysis, and communication without losing the human touch.Why efficiency without empathy is just speed without soul.What it takes to lead with heart in a data-driven world.Because in the end, courage can’t be automated. You can fight the future… or you can lead it.Either way, it’s hard.So, choose your hard.Have a question or want to share your story? DM us on Instagram: @chooseyourhardofficial
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Building Through Generations
Oct 100:17:33Tap to summarizeSend a textDan opens up about what it takes to carry forward a family legacy while driving growth in today’s competitive market. From hiring and onboarding the right team members to building SOPs that allow him to step out of daily operations, Dan shares the mindset and systems that keep Englewood Glass thriving across both residential and commercial projects.Get ready for a conversation about leadership, resilience, and the grit required to sustain a business through generations.🎙️ Tune in and hear how a family-owned company continues to grow by choosing hard every day.We’re proud to be sponsored by Operation StormStrong, the grassroots hurricane response initiative by Jansen Shutters & Specialties. Want to volunteer, donate, or become a community partner? Visit jansenshutters.com/stormstrongHave a question or want to share your story? DM us on Instagram: @chooseyourhardofficialConnect with Englewood Glass: 🌐 Website: englewoodglass.com 📞 Phone: (941) 475-1101 📲 Instagram: @englewood_glass 📘 Facebook: Englewood Glass
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5 Pillars In Business
Sep 1700:08:45Tap to summarizeSend a textWhat if your business had a rock-solid foundation, one built to last through every challenge?In this episode of Choose Your Hard, host Travis Jansen breaks down the 5 Pillars of Business, inspired by Tommy Mello’s book Elevation. Drawing from both the book and his own journey scaling Jansen Shutters & Specialties from zero to $5 million, Travis shares the hard-earned lessons every entrepreneur needs to hear.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Leadership — what makes a great leader and how to develop that skill.Culture — building a team environment that drives results.Marketing — where to prioritize first when scaling your business.Recruiting — the process behind growing Jansen from scratch.Systems — how to create structure that keeps your business running strong.This episode is packed with practical, no-fluff advice for entrepreneurs who want to elevate their business and build something that lasts.We're proud to be sponsored by Operation StormStrong, the grassroots hurricane response initiative by Jansen Shutters & Specialties. Want to volunteer, donate, or become a community partner? Visit jansenshutters.com/stormstrongHave a question or want to share your story? DM us on Instagram: @chooseyourhardofficial
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Company Culture
Sep 1000:12:05Tap to summarizeSend a textIn this episode of Choose Your Hard, we sit down with Paul Keim, a dedicated team member at Jansen Shutters & Specialties who has worked his way up through the company. Paul shares his real-life experiences climbing the ladder, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and the customer touch points that have made the biggest impact on sales and long-term relationships.This conversation dives into the heart of company culture, what it takes to grow not just as a business, but as a family, and how the small details in customer care can transform outcomes. Whether you’re leading a team or learning the ropes yourself, Paul’s story is packed with insights on persistence, growth, and choosing your hard every day.👉 For a free complimentary estimate with Paul himself in Southwest Florida, visit jansenshutters.com/freeestimate or reach out to Paul directly 941.306.8591 We're proud to be sponsored by Operation StormStrong, the grassroots hurricane response initiative by Jansen Shutters & Specialties. Want to volunteer, donate, or become a community partner? Visit jansenshutters.com/stormstrongHave a question or want to share your story? DM us on Instagram: @chooseyourhardofficial
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Profit First
Sep 300:09:32Tap to summarizeSend a textWhat if your business could guarantee profit - every single month - no matter what?In this episode of Choose Your Hard, Travis Jansen breaks down the game-changing book Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. Instead of running your business on the old formula “Sales – Expenses = Profit,” Michalowicz flips the script to “Sales – Profit = Expenses.” It’s a mindset shift that forces you to put profit at the top, not the leftovers.Travis shares his personal takeaways from implementing Profit First in business and life, the hardest parts of making it real, and how financial discipline becomes a daily “Choose Your Hard.” Whether you’re a startup founder barely staying afloat or a seasoned entrepreneur chasing growth, this episode will challenge the way you think about money and give you practical steps to start keeping more of it.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why traditional accounting keeps entrepreneurs brokeHow the “Profit First” formula can transform your cash flowPractical ways to implement Profit First in your businessTravis’s personal stories of wins and struggles with this systemWhy profit is not selfish — it’s survivalTune in, and start building a business that pays you back.🎙️ Tune in and hear the story of a business leader who chose his hard and continues to thrive.We're proud to be sponsored by Operation StormStrong, the grassroots hurricane response initiative by Jansen Shutters & Specialties. Want to volunteer, donate, or become a community partner? Visit jansenshutters.com/stormstrongHave a question or want to share your story? DM us on Instagram: @chooseyourhardofficial
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Comfort Never Built Legacy
Aug 2700:17:22Tap to summarizeSend a textIn this episode of Choose Your Hard, host Travis Jansen sits down with Ryan Romanok, President of DR Aluminum, a family-owned company serving Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte County for over 20 years.Ryan opens up about the grit it takes to lead a business in today’s competitive environment while balancing family, reputation, and customer expectations. From building award-winning enclosures to leading a team that consistently delivers top-quality craftsmanship, Ryan knows firsthand that success doesn’t come from taking the easy route.Get ready for a conversation about leadership, resilience, and the mindset required to keep moving forward even when the hard choice is the only choice worth making.🎙️ Tune in and hear the story of a business leader who chose his hard and continues to thrive.We're proud to be sponsored by Operation StormStrong, the grassroots hurricane response initiative by Jansen Shutters & Specialties. Want to volunteer, donate, or become a community partner? Visit jansenshutters.com/stormstrongHave a question or want to share your story? DM us on Instagram: @chooseyourhardofficialConnect with DR Aluminum: Visit their website for product galleries, award-winning projects, and contact information: https://draluminum.com/ Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay inspired by their craftsmanship and updates.
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