Podcast
Entrepreneur Perspectives
Hosted by Eric Kasimov | QuietLoud Studios · EN
Entrepreneur Perspectives is a podcast about leaders think right now. No prep. No rehearsed answers. Just real conversations about what’s on their mind when the mic goes on.
Hosted by Eric Kasimov, founder of KazSource and creator of QuietLoud Studios, the show features founders, creatives, operators, and curious minds — all sharing what they’re working through, building toward, or rethinking in real time.
I’m Eric, and I ask people what they’re seeing from where they stand — in this moment.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
College Sports Is Becoming a Data Business | EP201
1w ago00:53:48Tap to summarizeWhy NIL needs data, why athlete brands matter, and how college sports is becoming a marketing business.College sports is moving fast. NIL, revenue sharing, transfer rules, donor fatigue, social media, compliance, brand deals, and athlete value are all colliding at once.Brent Wall, founder and CEO of Student Athlete Score, joins Eric Kasimov to talk through what is actually happening in the NIL market. Student Athlete Score helps schools, brands, and athletes understand social influence, audience quality, brand fit, and the real marketing value behind athlete deals.Eric and Brent get into the chaos around NIL, the rise of athlete personal brands, the growing youth sports market, the role of AI and data, and why local brand deals may be one of the most interesting parts of this whole shift. They also talk about college sports becoming more professional, what that means for Olympic sports and mid-majors, and why athletes now have to think about life beyond sports earlier than ever.Chapters00:00 – Ann Arbor, Michigan sports, and the business behind athletics01:50 – The professionalization of sports at every level03:01 – Why athletes now need to build personal brands05:51 – What Student Athlete Score does07:56 – The FICO score idea for athlete social value08:35 – How universities use Student Athlete Score10:54 – NIL education, taxes, and athlete responsibility13:36 – The new era of NIL and NIL Go15:17 – Compliance, regulation, and the fight over NIL deals16:22 – Five-and-five, eligibility, and transfer rules18:53 – Lawsuits, athlete rights, and past NIL usage19:35 – Tournament expansion, TV money, and sports betting22:19 – Why media rights drive the sports economy23:00 – Tennis programs, Olympic sports, and budget pressure26:17 – Donor fatigue and the need for ROI28:15 – Data, story, and decision-making in college athletics29:41 – Transfer portal chaos and recruiting changes35:15 – Mid-majors as proving grounds36:00 – International athletes, age gaps, and roster realities38:49 – Unlocking NIL for Olympic sport athletes39:53 – Why follower quality matters41:03 – Instagram, TikTok, X, and athlete visibility42:31 – Brand fit beyond the sport43:31 – Life beyond sports and building a platform44:11 – NIL moving into the youth and high school market46:21 – NIL as a real-world sales and marketing lesson47:21 – Micro-influencers, team dinners, and local business deals50:31 – How Student Athlete Score landed university partners51:20 – New commercial roles inside athletic departments52:51 – Where to find Brent Wall and Student Athlete ScoreConnectBrent Wall: Website | LinkedInEric Kasimov — X | LinkedInRelated episodesNIL Made College Athletes Entrepreneurs With No Guardrails | EP194Gordon Hayward | Life After the NBA & Youth Sports ReformEP143 | Bad Grades in School to Sports Business Founder Dan SovieroEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a media network and a KazSource brand.Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud
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Why Youth Sports Needs Less Chaos and Better Tools | EP200
2w ago00:50:22Tap to summarizeWhy youth sports are chaotic, why parents carry the load, and how Onsides is trying to make it easier.Youth sports is not just practices, games, and tournaments anymore. It is schedules, apps, travel, training, equipment, group chats, recruiting pressure, and a lot of parents trying to keep up.Dave Yoo, founder and CEO of Onsides, joins Eric Kasimov to talk about the problem his company is trying to solve. Onsides is built for parents of youth athletes who are tired of jumping between platforms and trying to make sense of scattered information. The goal is simple: reduce the cognitive load.Eric and Dave also get into the bigger youth sports ecosystem, including AI, private coaching, NIL, parent behavior, social media, startup life, and what it means to build something useful in a noisy market.Key TakeawaysWhy youth sports feels broken, but may be better described as underservedHow parents became the collateral damage of fragmented sports platformsWhy Onsides starts with scheduling but points toward something biggerHow AI can help parents without guessing on the details that matterWhy every feature should reduce cognitive loadThe rise of private coaching, travel needs, and sports tech integrationsWhat startup founders need to think about in the AI eraWhy the youth sports conversation still has to come back to the kidsChapters00:00 – Youth sports, sports tech, and the size of the market03:00 – Why Dave Yoo started Onsides06:06 – Building the all-in-one youth sports app for parents08:26 – Reducing cognitive load for sports families10:48 – Training, private coaching, and Athletes Untapped12:29 – How Onsides uses AI14:40 – Probabilistic AI vs. deterministic scheduling data16:41 – AI disruption in software engineering18:42 – Advice for students entering the workforce20:09 – College, uncertainty, and keeping up with change22:29 – Growth, awareness, and reaching overwhelmed parents24:31 – The commercialization of youth sports27:07 – Recreational sports, I9 Sports, and getting kids active30:25 – Too many games, overuse, and youth sports reform33:02 – Better parent behavior and positive messaging35:10 – NIL moving downstream37:52 – How podcasting and media help startups grow41:38 – AI, content, and the next wave of signal boosting43:24 – Kids, social media, group chats, and behavior47:42 – How to find Onsides48:39 – Connecting with Dave YooConnectDave Yoo: Website | LinkedInEric Kasimov — X | LinkedInRelated episodesGordon Hayward | Life After the NBA & Youth Sports ReformEP143 | Bad Grades in School to Sports Business Founder Dan SovieroEP 181 | AI Content Detection & Digital Ethics with Madeleine LambertEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a media network and a KazSource brand.Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud
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NIL Made College Athletes Entrepreneurs With No Guardrails | EP194
Apr 2001:10:22Tap to summarizeWhen NIL opened up, everyone rushed to build the marketplace — collectives, payment vehicles, deal flow. Nobody asked who the athlete actually was or what they'd do when the money hit. Stephen Bienko, former Air Force Academy and Villanova athlete and founder of 42U, has been inside college athletics long enough to see what got left behind. This conversation covers the transfer portal, soft skills, brand equity, and why the chaos in college sports is a business lesson that applies well beyond the stadium.Key TakeawaysNIL created overnight entrepreneurs with no guardrails — the infrastructure for deals came first; the infrastructure for the human being came lastStudent athletes have a 5.5% Instagram engagement rate vs. 2.2% for non-athlete influencers — brands figured this out before universities didChasing NIL deals is like buying followers in 2012 — most of those people are gone; sustainable brand equity is built differently"Soft skills" came from the U.S. military in WWII — AI is making them the most valuable skills in the room againThe transfer portal has pluses and minuses — the old way forced hard conversations; the new way offers freedom but skips the growth that came with itChapters[00:00] The old-school transfer — walking into a Hall of Fame coach's office and asking to leave[07:57] NIL and the gold rush nobody planned for[14:00] Athletes as economic engines — the 5.5% stat[25:47] Where "soft skills" actually came from[29:00] Stop chasing deals — build brand equity instead[57:00] Financial literacy and what college athletics should actually be teachingOriginally aired on SportsEpreneur.ConnectStephen Bienko — 42U | LinkedInEric Kasimov — X | LinkedInRelated episodesGordon Hayward | Life After the NBA & Youth SportsLacrosse Founder on Youth SportsTherapist Shortage + Consuming Bad NewsEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a media network and a KazSource brand.Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud
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Essentials | No Compromise: What Military Thinking Taught This Tech Founder About Leadership
Apr 1700:03:44Tap to summarizeZero tolerance for compromise doesn't mean being harsh — it means being clear. Dave Selinger explains how military mentors shaped his leadership philosophy, why "left of bang" became the foundation of Deep Sentinel's approach to crime prevention, and how you can hold absolute standards while still managing people like human beings.Key Takeaways"Left of bang" — the military concept of intervening before the first shot fires — is the core logic behind Deep Sentinel's entire modelZero compromise on safety and performance doesn't require a drill sergeant approach; clear boundaries and human management can coexistMost leaders drift toward leniency because someone "means well" — Selinger argues that's exactly where standards break downYou don't have to serve to learn from the military — books, mentors, and borrowed frameworks can still reshape how you leadChapters[00:00] No compromise — where the idea comes from[01:07] Left of bang: the military concept that changed everything[02:03] Clear boundaries vs. harsh management — the paradox Selly lives by[03:18] How to absorb military thinking without servingProducers NotePulled from EP192 with Deep Sentinel founder David Selinger.About Entrepreneur PerspectivesReal conversations on business, creativity, and life—hosted by Eric Kasimov. Founder of KazSource.More from Entrepreneur PerspectivesIs College Still Worth It?From Google to ConiferAuthor of The Book of ElonGet in touch with Eric Kasimov:X | LinkedInCredits:Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud
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The Long Game | Episode 1: Wes Connor on 50 Years in Business
Mar 2600:26:29Tap to summarizeWhat 50 years in insurance teaches about relationships, change, and why the basics still matter.In Episode 1 of The Long Game, Mitch Long sits down with Wes Connor to talk about how he got into insurance, what kept him in it, and what 50 years in the business has taught him.They get into family business, remote selling, hiring challenges, commercial and personal lines, and why life insurance still stands apart from products people are required to buy. It’s a grounded look at what still matters in the business, what has changed, and why the basics still win.WHAT WE TALK ABOUTHow Wes Connor got into insurance in 1975From kitchen table sales to DocuSign and video callsWhy relationships still matter in a more digital businessWorking with family across generationsHiring challenges in today’s insurance marketCommercial versus personal lines in a changing marketWhy life insurance feels different from mandatory coverageDisability, long-term care, and planning before it’s too lateCHAPTERS00:20 – Mitch welcomes Wes Connor00:41 – How Wes got into the insurance business03:15 – Starting out and falling in love with the work05:21 – How selling insurance has changed over the years08:00 – Podcasts, technology, and the next generation in the business11:00 – Working with family and building an agency over time12:00 – Hiring challenges and the shortage of new agents16:23 – Disability insurance, income protection, and planning gaps16:52 – Wes breaks down his agency’s commercial and personal lines mix19:19 – Why selling life insurance is more satisfying21:00 – Real examples of how life insurance changes outcomes for families23:29 – Long-term care, aging, and staying healthyConnect with Mitch Long: LinkedIn | KazInsurance | Read: Pagers & PayphonesConnect with Wes Connor: LinkedIn | Website | InstagramMore from the KazSource NetworkThe Real ROI of Podcasting — KazCMWhat Happened to CFB Bowl Games — SportsEpreneurRemote Work in Today’s Financial Advisory Industry —Entrepreneur PerspectivesAbout This Podcast and SeriesThe Long Game is a series under Entrepreneur Perspectives. Produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:X | LinkedInCredits:Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud
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The Long Game: Meet Mitch Long
Feb 500:33:34Tap to summarizeWhy stories beat pitches, why showing up still matters, and what this series is about.Eric Kasimov sits down with Mitch Long to kick off The Long Game. Mitch has been in the insurance business for over 30 years. He started with a pager and a roll of quarters. He built his book by showing up every Tuesday until people just started handing him the business. Now he's here to have conversations with business owners about how they got where they are — the real version, not the LinkedIn version.What We Talk About:Criminal justice major to insurance salesmanThe 93-year-old woman and the bell storyWhy face-to-face still matters (and why it's not enough anymore)Pagers, Blackberries, and the quarantine pivotThe buggy whip salesman problemNIL, college sports, and what it means to stay relevantChapters:00:14 – What this show is and how conversations work01:00 – Mitch's path into insurance08:27 – Podcasting as a way to connect13:00 – Old school meets new school21:30 – Adjusting how you reach people23:45 – Pagers, payphones, and quarters26:00 – Blackberry, Gateway, and what happens when you don't evolve28:00 – The buggy whip salesman30:00 – Mitch's grandfather sold matches31:30 – MC Hammer selling records out of his trunk32:01 – NIL and financial literacyConnect with Mitch LongLinkedIn | KazInsuranceMore from the KazSource NetworkAmbient Influence in Content — KazCMThe Benefits and Issues of NIL — SportsEpreneurIs College Still Worth It? — Entrepreneur PerspectivesAbout This Podcast and SeriesThe Long Game is a series under Entrepreneur Perspectives. Produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:X | LinkedInCredits:Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud
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Is College Still Worth It?
Nov 1100:14:23Tap to summarizeThe Truth About Admissions, Debt & AI’s Role in the Future of Higher EdCollege costs are soaring, mental health struggles are rising, and the path to success looks more uncertain than ever.In this conversation, Eric Kasimov talks with Senan Khawaja, Co-founder and CEO of Kollegio, an AI-powered platform helping students and universities rethink the college admissions process.They explore the question that so many students and parents are asking: Is college still worth it?Together they unpack how higher education, entrepreneurship, and technology are colliding in real time.What You’ll HearWhy student debt is becoming a startup killer for young professionalsThe mental health toll of college admissions — and what schools are missingThe rise and fall of the “test optional” movementWhy SATs and ACTs are making a comebackHow grade inflation and participation trophies distorted the systemWhat resilience really looks like in education and entrepreneurshipHow AI can democratize opportunity — not just automate itAbout SenanSenan Khawaja is the Co-founder and CEO of Kollegio, an AI startup rethinking college admissions and guidance. A Stanford grad, he’s focused on making higher education more accessible and data-driven. Learn more about kollegio.aiAbout Entrepreneur PerspectivesReal conversations on business, creativity, and life—hosted by Eric Kasimov. Founder of KazSource.More from the KazSource NetworkAbout that Em-Dash That Everyone Now Seems to Hate — KazCM21% of College Students Use Financial Aid to Bet on Sports — SportsEpreneurAI Security and 15M in Series B Funding — Deep Sentinel interviewEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — part of the KazSource network.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:X | LinkedInCredits:Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud
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Bob Knakal on Selling Buildings, the Future of CRE, and Owning the Streets of NYC | EP193
Aug 1400:54:46Tap to summarizeBob Knakal is a legendary figure in New York commercial real estate, known for his data-driven territory model, massive deal volume, and unapologetically old-school work ethic. As the founder of Massey Knakal Realty Services (sold for $100M) and now Chairman at BKREA, Bob has shaped both the skyline of NYC and the next generation of real estate professionals.In this episode, Bob shares how 40 years of fieldwork, 22 boxes of newsletters, and a pandemic walking tour of Manhattan became the foundation of his modern marketing machine. He talks about launching The Bob Knakal Show, staying true to core values while adapting to AI, and how being “out there” isn’t about ego—it’s about client outcomes.You’ll hear Bob’s brutally honest take on what it takes to succeed in sales, why cold calling still matters, the power of content in real estate, and how office-to-residential conversions are reshaping the NYC market. This conversation is packed with timeless lessons on resilience, relevance, and why liking what you do still beats any business plan.Main Topics:How Bob turned mistakes and cold calls into a $100M business saleWhy content creation is the modern version of “pounding the pavement”The ROI of podcasting, newsletters, and putting yourself out thereA deep dive on NYC’s office-to-residential conversion wave and 467M tax programWhat young professionals really need to learn (hint: not just Excel)Why Bob started his own show—and why your legacy mattersLessons in grit, luck, leadership, and working through adversityChapters With Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and Early Career Insights[00:00:43] Bob Knakal's Life-Changing Advice[00:01:41] Writing the Book: Selling Buildings[00:05:17] Reading, Learning, and Staying Sharp[00:08:44] Is College Still Worth It?[00:15:22] Market Presence and Content Creation[00:19:46] Adapting to Change: Tech and Tactics[00:25:30] The Relentless Work Ethic[00:26:58] Finding Passion in Work[00:27:36] Resilience Through Adversity[00:30:43] Commercial Real Estate Market Changes[00:34:26] Office to Residential Conversions[00:39:35] Commitment to New York City[00:42:46] The Map Room Success[00:46:58] Launching The Bob Knakal Show[00:50:24] Inspiring the Next Gen[00:54:04] Wrap Up & Final WordsBob KnakalWebsiteYouTubeLinkedInRelated Episodes:David Selinger on AI Security, $15M Series B, and the Deep Sentinel Mission | EP192Tastytrade: How a Trading & Media Empire Was Built by Giving Everything Away | Scott Sheridan CEO — EP189How AI Is Changing College Counseling and Admissions with Senan Khawaja, CEO of Kollegio | EP190Entrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:XLinkedInCredits:Music by Jess & Ricky: SoundCloud
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David Selinger on AI Security, $15M Series B, and the Deep Sentinel Mission | EP192
Aug 700:59:38Tap to summarizeDavid Selinger (aka “Selly”) is the founder and CEO of Deep Sentinel, a security company blending AI with live human monitoring to stop crime in real time. From Amazon to Redfin to AI security, Dave Selinger has built a real-time protection system now scaling fast with $15M in Series B funding from top investors.In this episode, Selly breaks down how Deep Sentinel works—from crime prediction models and real-time police calls to training AI to spot danger before it happens. He explains how the company went from idea to reality, how it stacks up against traditional alarms, and why his military mentors shaped his leadership style.This isn’t just about cameras. It’s about making AI useful, delivering outcomes that matter, and building a team with zero tolerance for compromise. You’ll also hear Selly’s thoughts on parenting, college, career detours, and how early obsessions with tech led him from Stanford to Jeff Bezos’s office to the front lines of crime prevention.Main Topics• How Deep Sentinel stops crime before it happens using AI and live guards• Why traditional alarm systems fail — and what real security should look like• Lessons from military mentors on leadership, discipline, and zero compromise• The challenge of scaling real-time protection for homes and businesses• How Selly’s early work at Amazon (with Jeff Bezos) and Redfin shaped his tech mindset• Raising kids with curiosity, independence, and meaningful support• Why the future of security depends on speed, customization, and trustChapters with Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and Initial Scenario[00:00:42] Podcasting and Audience Engagement[00:02:06] AI and Podcasting Insights[00:03:17] Real-Life Security Challenges[00:03:58] Deep Sentinel’s Unique Approach[00:04:49] Customer Experiences and Success Stories[00:11:34] Public-Private Partnerships in Security[00:15:52] Advanced Security Solutions and AI Integration[00:27:45] Exploring Security Challenges and Solutions[00:29:27] Military Influence and No Compromise Mentality[00:33:35] Childhood Passions and Career Pathways[00:36:02] Parental Support and Personal Growth[00:41:43] College Education and Career Advice[00:48:14] Amazon Experience and Innovations[00:54:23] Founding Redfin and Its Impact[00:56:29] Deep Sentinel’s Growth and FutureDeep SentinelWebsiteLinkedInYouTubeSeries B FundingRelated Episodes:Ankit Somani | From Google to Conifer: Rare-Earth-Free Motors, $20M Seed, and Rethinking CollegeHow AI Is Changing College Counseling and Admissions with Senan Khawaja, CEO of KollegioAI Content Detection & Digital Ethics with Madeleine LambertEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:XLinkedInCredits:Music by Jess & Ricky: SoundCloud
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Offshore Trusts, Global Team, Media Mindset: Blake Harris Is Not Your Typical Lawyer | EP191
Jul 3000:45:19Tap to summarizeBlake Harris is the founder of Blake Harris Law, the largest exclusively offshore asset protection law firm in the United States. With a team spread across four continents, Blake has built a niche global practice helping high-net-worth individuals legally protect their assets through Cook Islands trusts and other offshore strategies.In this episode, Blake breaks down how his firm grew by narrowing focus, embracing content creation, and rejecting the traditional image of a law office. He explains how social media became a tool for trust-building, why he abandoned domestic estate planning, and how he hires team members from unconventional places — including front desks, social DMs, and international job boards.This isn’t just about trusts. It’s about creating leverage, working remotely before it was trendy, and building a brand clients feel like they already know before the first phone call. You’ll also hear Blake’s thoughts on confidence, criticism, client education, and why offshore asset protection isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy — it’s smart business.Main TopicsThe leap from traditional estate planning to niche offshore asset protectionWhy building trust online can be more powerful than in-person meetingsHow Blake hires global talent through unconventional methodsDispelling myths around offshore trusts and legal asset protectionThe role of social media in modern law and client acquisitionWhy endurance and content consistency matter more than perfectionWhat business owners misunderstand about narrowing focusChapters with Timestamps[00:00:00] The “aha” moment: Going all-in on offshore asset protection[00:00:58] Running a global, remote-first legal team[00:04:34] Social media backlash and building trust publicly[00:10:08] Early influences, legal education, and breaking from tradition[00:13:05] How Blake finds, trains, and hires team members[00:17:49] Building brand through action, not credentials[00:21:27] Offshore trust misconceptions and client fit[00:27:38] Why Blake refuses to convince — and focuses on educating[00:29:25] Going 100% offshore: strategy, risk, reward[00:33:29] Choosing Miami, traveling globally[00:37:21] Sales, confidence, and building a business that sells itself[00:38:59] Diversifying marketing beyond TikTok[00:43:00] Final thoughts on trust, global perspective, and brand-buildingBlake Harris LawWebsiteLinkedInYouTubeTikTokRelated Episodes:How AI Is Changing College Counseling and Admissions with Senan Khawaja, CEO of KollegioRemote Work in Today’s Financial Advisory Industry | Joe CantanucciBitcoin Life Insurance? How Zac Townsend and Meanwhile Are Rebuilding a $1T IndustryEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:XLinkedInCredits:Music by Jess & Ricky: SoundCloud
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