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A
Hi guys, it's Tony Robbins. You're listening to Habits and Hustle. Crush it. Before we get into today's episode, I want to talk to you about something I think a lot of people are getting wrong, and that's hydration. Most people think the answer is simply drinking more water. But if you don't have the right electrolytes, your body can't properly absorb it and use that water. So you still end up feeling depleted, low energy, and actually dehydrated no matter how much you're actually drinking. And that's why I've been using Peaks Deep Hydration protocol. It's a simple two part system designed to support hydration around the clock. In the morning, I take the BT fountain, which contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid and nutrients that support cellular hydration, healthy skin and steady energy throughout the day. And at night, I take the Refounted, which contains magnesium to help calm the nervous system, support deeper sleep, and help help you wake up feeling much more refreshed. And what I love the most, it's completely clean, no sugar, no fillers, and no artificial flavors. And right now peak is offering 20% off for life plus free gifts. So head to peaklife.com Jennifer DHP or click the link in the show notes. That is 20% off for life plus free Gifts by heading to peaklife.com/jennifer DHP. Welcome back to Habits and Hustle solo edition. Well, kind of solo edition. I do have my foil Shani with me, but you can't see her because we only have one camera. So you hear her but you don't see her. And we just kind of just jibber jabber on, you know, current topics that are interesting, at least to us, hopefully to you. And you know, today's topic we're going to talk about. I feel something that is so overused, which is the word entrepreneur. I mean, is everybody now an entrepreneur because of Instagram and social media? Like, I feel like it's become like the sexy hashtag, like, everybody now wants to be an entrepreneur. It's so overused.
B
I had serial entrepreneur in my clubhouse bio for about a week because a friend told me I should put it there.
A
Yeah, everyone has that in their bio.
B
And then I was like, this needs to go.
A
Okay, every bio. Now if you look on anybody's bio, it has the word entrepreneur. You could be like a dog walker slash, I don't know, I guess, meditation guru. Okay. And then you have the word serial entrepreneur. Because I think what happens is everyone assumes, well, if I'm my own business. I guess, technically you are an entrepreneur, right?
B
Typically, you are. Just so many people are now starting their own things, and even if it's like a small thing, they're counting themselves as an entrepreneur. But it is.
A
I guess the question is, like, what classifies or what are the qualifications to make somebody an entrepreneur? Because there's a lot of people out there who may think or want to be an entrepreneur because it's become that sexy hashtag, but they don't have the characteristics that make a good entrepreneur. And so there's nothing wrong with not being an entrepreneur and being something else. But, you know, now everyone's an entrepreneur.
B
Well, I feel like you're asking the question between what's a successful entrepreneur and what's just not.
A
No, I'm not. I'm asking. I'm asking a few different questions, but first question is, what are the characteristics of actually being an entrepreneur? Number one, not just saying you are, because it sounds good and it sounds sexy because it's trendy right now. That's the first question. The second question I have is, you know, I have a. Not even a question. I have a bone to pick with the fact that there's so many people now just selling courses like, as to how to be a successful entrepreneur. But these people, the only entrepreneurial thing that they're doing are selling these courses to entrepreneurs, but they don't have any actual, you know, experience or background in building a company or doing anything entrepreneurial. But they're just now, you know, doing funnels. So is that an entrepreneur? Because you were. You thought about that idea to then make money off of the program. So technically you are an entrepreneur.
B
Technically, anyone who has their own business, right, or starts their own business is technically an entrepreneur. But I think some people who are just entrepreneurial in spirit but don't necessarily have a business still also call themselves entrepreneurs.
A
That's a great point. That's a great, great point. So there is a major. No, I think that's so true. I really believe there is a big, big difference between being an entrepreneur and being entrepreneurial. Right?
B
Yeah.
A
And, you know, maybe wanting to, you know, kind of work on being an entrepreneur. But, like, from my perspective anyway, I think of it as if someone has actually done something repeatedly over time and like, got up, failed, got up again, tried it, created something. There has to be an amount of time put in to call yourself an entrepreneur or actually have grown or built a business to some extent, as opposed to just thinking entrepreneurially and being like, you know, what I can make money off of doing this thing and let's just see how it goes for like a couple months or a year. That I don't think that should count.
B
I mean, I think anybody who starts something, anyone who starts any sort of business venture to me is an entrepreneur. I just don't think that they stay with it. Good entrepreneurs. No, because it's not necessarily like, I don't, like you could be, you could start a business and be running it for three months and for that three month period you are actually an entrepreneur. If you then go and start working for somebody else and you stop it, you're not really an entrepreneur.
A
Right. You just tried something, you just tried it and you had an entrepreneurial idea and you did it. Okay, this is, I guess where my brand is coming from.
B
But wait, the coaches thing is really important. The courses thing is really important because I think people who sell courses on how to be a good entrepreneur but have never really successfully started growing a business that's psychotic.
A
Well, no, I literally.
B
But it's also a really smart entrepreneur thing to do because they're making a ton of money. So in that regard they are actually quite successful.
A
So it's so weird if they do it well, but then that makes them a really strong Internet marketer.
B
Right.
A
So what I think is part of being an entrepreneur. Yeah, true. This is what I think is interesting. I do believe it's like a, it's a very blurry, blurry line. Right. Because if you are doing, if you do have your own business and you're very entrepreneurial in spirit and then you create these courses and call yourself an entrepreneur and then you sell these things online. I guess you're right, you are an entrepreneur. I guess my problem with it more than anything is that like any Tom, Dick or Harry can do this online now and like create this illusion that they're really successful and they've done all these things and like the only thing they've really done was, you know, understand how Internet marketing works and get people who don't know any better to sign up for something and learn from somebody who quite frankly they don't even know what they're talking about. So I think that's really my problem is that like people just jump on this bandwagon of what's like sexy or trendy, hashtag Y or whatever and then that becomes the new thing. It's just there's such like. I guess what you're hearing right now is just total like frustration with the masses that are on social media. Just like touting, basically, like self promoting their abilities. You know, that's where my problem comes to, you know, like it's a constantly self promoting their abilities of what they can teach you, what you can learn from them. Pay me this amount of money and you're going to get, you know, all your answers and all your dreams are going to be answered. That's the shit that drives me crazy. Like, just, you know, click over here to this funnel and I'm going to give you everything for free. But just click this and then buy this for $199 and then go to this webinar. For what? Like, I just feel everything is just like a racket.
B
Yeah, you know, it's all an upsell.
A
It's all an upsells, all a racket. So I guess technically you are very entrepreneurial if you're doing it and doing it well. Yeah, right. But at what point are you just a snake oil salesman? Like, where's the difference? Where's the fine line between being a snake oil salesman? Because technically you still are an entrepreneur.
B
Well, you're an entrepreneur. You're just a scummy entrepreneur, which does exist.
A
So then, so it's like there's, there's
B
differences between like, anyone can call them, anyone who starts up business can call themselves an entrepreneur. But you have, but yeah, you need to have the discernment to say, are they a good or bad entrepreneur? Are they a scummy entrepreneur? Are they smart entrepreneur? Like, what are the prefixes that go to entrepreneur?
A
So this is. Okay, I'm so glad. I'm just, I'm talking this out and like saying this out loud because I think that is what the crux of it all is. I think it all goes under the umbrella of an of, of being an entrepreneur. Right. But there are different types. You could be a really successful one, a successful entrepreneur. You could be just someone who's like, you know, trying a lot of stuff but never really had success. You could be really good in one area, like an Internet marketer and know how to like get money out of people and be a great salesman, you know, I think that's what it is.
B
Well, I understand also your frustration because you actually are a successful entrepreneur. And people selling courses on entrepreneur that have never really done anything before or have a proven record is very frustrating. How I feel about people who sell podcast courses who've literally been producing for like five months, and now all of a sudden they're selling like, you know, courses for like $800. I'm like what? I've actually purchased some of the podcast courses out there to see, like, what's going on in the competition. And some of them are awful. And I can't believe people are paying. People pay like 5 99, 8 99. Some of them are 1300 for these courses that are giving them information that's outdated, that's not really that great that you could find on YouTube for free in five seconds.
A
Well, I don't think any of these core. I mean, listen, I shouldn't say I don't know. Okay, I don't know. But what I would. I would im. Is that, you know, you can find anything online, you can Google anything, you can YouTube anything. So the question really becomes, like, are you somebody who you're. What you're really paying for is convenience. You don't want to go through the hassle. I don't blame you. Of researching and going through all the due diligence. So you. You're picking a package that someone's done for you. And the problem is, like, if you don't know what you don't know. So if you're somebody who is someone who's interested in a certain area and you see someone advertising it because they have the wherewithal and the ability to. How to like, advertise, well, then you're gonna buy that course. Doesn't mean the information is great. So this comes back, I feel like this podcast, not this particular episode, but I think the overarching message, one of them in this whole podcast that I do, Habits and Hustle, I feel like the same through lines are always coming up, which is like being discerning from who you. You get information from who you get advice from. Like, discernment is so important. Right? That's one of the through lines. It's like, also, it's like, who do you want to be? Like, what are you trying to accomplish? And act accordingly. Right. I think that's another through line. But I think the idea of having discernment and knowing who your outlets are, like, who you're watching, who you're listening to, where you're like, what you're doing. Like, maybe I'm not the best person for you to listen to. Like, maybe I'm talking out of my ass. Who knows?
B
But she might be.
A
Yeah, but I mean, I'm not. I'm not selling anything right now. Maybe I should.
B
Not yet.
A
Not yet, but maybe I should. I am very entrepreneurial. Exactly. I am very entrepreneurial. But I think it's really important if you are going to buy something from somebody. Like, know who you're buying it from? Like, don't just go buy a course on because some yahoo tells you he's an entrepreneur and he's going to answer all your dreams and you're going to become like super successful by doing this, this and this. Like, look at their background.
B
Yeah.
A
Most of the time these people are a bunch of yahoos. That's the problem.
B
Also, it depends on like, what their marketing is, if they're, if they're promising you, you know, the, the dream life and everything. Like, you have to kind of read between those lines. There's a slang or. Not a slang, it's an acronym, I guess. DYO are means do your own research. And it was heavily used in the NFT space because a lot of people would purchase projects without doing, you know, their full research. They just see an influencer posted a project, they would buy it also.
A
Yeah.
B
And then they'd get screwed. Right. And that, that project would tank and it would actually, you know, be a fud, which is just like a project that kind of goes to shit. And like, that would happen a lot. And so DYOR became a really big theme. And I think that's a big theme of your podcast is literally do your own research. Like, don't just believe everything. You know, don't believe it, look into it and.
A
Yeah, exactly. But I think also it's just about the fact that like, I get, I get so worked up when every day there's another, like, crop of entrepreneurs, self help gurus, people who are experts, who like, aren't. They're just not. I'm all about finding sustainable ways to optimize performance. The kind of work that actually moves the needle on how you feel and function. And that's why I really need to tell you about Prolon's five day program. Most of us are chasing quick fixes that never get to the root of the problem. And the result is sluggish energy, brain fog, and bodies running below its full capacity. But Prolon changes that by triggering your body's natural repair and renewal process at the cellular level. It's not a cleanse or crash diet. Prolon is the only patented fasting mimicking diet developed at USC's Longevity Institute. It's a plant based program with soups and snacks and drinks that nourish your body while keeping you in a fasting state. The benefits are backed by science, Deep cellular rejuvenation, fat focused weight loss, no injections, and better metabolic health and energy. Plus improved skin and Even reduced biological age. And here's my favorite part. It's a complete reset in just five days. No willpower battles, no extreme restrictions. Just a structured plan to let your body do what it's designed to do. Repair, renew and optimize. And right now, Prolon is offering 30% off site wide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their five day program. Go to prolonlife.com Jennifer Cohen and use Jennifer Cohen to claim your discount and bonus. That's prolonlife.com Jennifer Cohen and use code Jennifer Cohen.
B
Wait, I have a question for you. How much do you think Shark Tank has had an impact on case?
A
So the next thing I had written down that I didn't even get into because I'm on my rant right now is I think it was because it was like the evolution and the popularity of Shark Tank that like it made everyone feel like, oh, I can do that. And listen, I think it's amazing. Don't get me wrong. I think if you have a great idea and like you stick to it and you actually are building something successful or not, you're an entrepreneur. I'm all for that. What I don't love is when people try to take advantage of other people's like, naivety, right? And just like unknowing and, you know, take them for a bunch of money from someone that's a charlatan. You're a charlatan, then you're a snake oil salesman, you're a charlatan. You have no business doing it. You know, there's enough real people out there that you can learn from versus that you don't have to settle for these, you know, these charlatans who are selling you the moon and the sun and everything else in between. But you have to be able to do your own research and have discernment because that's what social media is becoming. And it's becoming more and more of that every single day. I used to see only fitness stuff, for example. Maybe my algorithm has changed now a lot, right? But I do believe that what's become, who are becoming celebrities, who are becoming famous, who are becoming like insta famous or social media famous are people who are these big motivational gurus and entrepreneurs who are just completely just like behind the scenes, a total Yahoo.
B
I think it's hard for people who are not. I feel like if you live in L. A, you know that, right? Like, because you're so exposed to this kind of BS and you're exposed to behind the scenes, you Watch people taking their Instagram photos, you know, what they look like in person. Like, you're, you're more aware. I feel like it's really hard when people are disconnected from this world to be able to discern between, you know, who is that and who is this. And I completely agree. And I feel like for you, it's so frustrating because you're surrounded by all these people who are doing that, you know, and you can see the behind the scenes of all this stuff and you're like, damn. Like, there's so many people who are just really preying on people.
A
But I think if you just. Anybody can. I don't think it's only because in la, I think now anybody can be anywhere and they and their social media famous and they can do whatever. Like a lot of these people, by the way, live living in.
B
I mean, I mean, if you grow up in LA or you live in la, you see the behind the scenes, so you're, you're more able to discern it.
A
I understand. Well, I guess my point in general overall is that you just, I think anybody who just takes like a moment and questions a little bit and like, what is this? Or like, just does a little bit more, you know, background, I think you'd be surprised. But I think we've done other, other episodes on that. I think it's just really more about the idea that like, really what does, what is an entrepreneur? Like, really what is the definition versus being just entrepreneurial in spirit? There is, I think, a huge distinction and you know, is that like, amount of time that you have to sustain something or build something. I really think if someone is persistent and resourceful over a long period of time and stays and sticks with something over and over again, regardless of the success, you really are an entrepreneur and you want something, you know, like, and you are, you've grit and you try over and over again. But just by creating something and throwing a lot of money on advertising and selling a program doesn't make you an entrepreneur. And it sure as hell doesn't make you a great expert to teach entrepreneurial skills. That to me is like a joke. That's it.
Release Date: June 19, 2026
Host: Jen Cohen
“Solo” with guest Shani (co-hosting off-mic/screen)
This episode takes an incisive look at the evolving definition (and potential overuse) of the word “entrepreneur.” Jen Cohen and Shani dissect what truly makes someone an entrepreneur in the age of social media, internet marketing, and the booming industry of entrepreneurial “experts” selling online courses. The tone is candid and, at times, critical, with Jen expressing frustration over the dilution of what it means to genuinely build and sustain a business. They dig into the difference between being entrepreneurial in spirit versus actually embodying the traits and perseverance required to be a true entrepreneur.
Jen opens with a critique: nearly everyone now includes “entrepreneur” or “serial entrepreneur” in their bios, regardless of their actual achievements.
Key Insight:
The word “entrepreneur” has become a “sexy hashtag” that people use for status rather than as a description of genuine business-building experience.
Question Posed:
What are the true characteristics of an entrepreneur beyond the title?
Jen draws a distinction:
Shani points out that many call themselves entrepreneurs just for starting something, even briefly.
Jen is irked by the rise of people who only entrepreneurial venture is selling “how to be an entrepreneur” courses—often without real business experience.
Shani concedes that, by definition, these course sellers are entrepreneurs—just not the kind worth learning from.
Key Differentiation:
Jen singles out discernment—knowing who to trust and where to get advice—as a recurring theme of the podcast.
Shani introduces the acronym “DYOR” (Do Your Own Research), popular in the NFT world but equally applicable to picking business mentors.
Memorable Quote:
Shani raises how shows like Shark Tank may have popularized entrepreneurship, making everyone believe they can and should try it.
Worry about “charlatans” and “snake oil salesmen” preying on the naïve; social media amplifies this problem, making it hard to tell the real from the fake.
Jen Cohen (on bio inflation):
“You could be like a dog walker slash, I don’t know, meditation guru. And then you have the word ‘serial entrepreneur.’” (02:26)
Shani (on course sellers):
“But wait, the coaches thing is really important. The courses thing is really important because I think people who sell courses on how to be a good entrepreneur but have never really successfully started growing a business—that’s psychotic.” (05:57)
Jen Cohen (the core problem):
“Everything is just like a racket. It’s all an upsell.” (08:09)
Shani (on discernment):
“You have to have the discernment to say, are they a good or bad entrepreneur? Are they a scummy entrepreneur? Are they smart entrepreneur? What are the prefixes that go to entrepreneur?” (08:30)
Jen Cohen (final stance):
“Just by creating something and throwing a lot of money on advertising and selling a program doesn’t make you an entrepreneur. And it sure as hell doesn’t make you a great expert to teach entrepreneurial skills. That to me is like a joke.” (17:54)
In Jen’s own candid words:
“Just by creating something and throwing a lot of money on advertising and selling a program doesn’t make you an entrepreneur. And it sure as hell doesn’t make you a great expert to teach entrepreneurial skills. That to me is like a joke.” (17:54)