Podcast
Problems to Profit
Hosted by Preston Brown · EN
If your business feels more like a job you can’t quit, then welcome to the podcast aimed at finally solving that problem.
Welcome to Problems to Profit Podcast.
Each week, join serial entrepreneur, investor, and your host, Preston Brown, for answers to questions like:
- How do I build a team and culture programmed to find and fix problems in the business?
- What is happening in the economy? How is that going to impact my business, and what can I do about it?
- How do I build my company in a way that makes it more profitable without me running the day-to-day?
Subscribe or follow now on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and start transforming your problems into profits—one episode at a time.
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to Transform From Entrepreneur to CEO
Nov 2001:06:10Summary readyWhat does it really take to transform someone from an aspiring entrepreneur into a decisive, purpose-driven CEO? In this episode of Problems to Profit, host Preston Brown sits down with Neil Twa to break down his unconventional yet deeply effective approach to leadership transformation.Neil shares why most entrepreneurs don’t fail because of bad strategy—but because they haven’t built the person who can lead the strategy. From mindset recalibration to identity work, emotional discipline, and the courage to create boundaries, Neil reveals the foundational elements required to build a leader capable of sustaining real success.Preston and Neil dive into the psychology of confidence, why self-trust is the highest form of currency, and how solving internal problems often unlocks external breakthroughs. This conversation takes you behind the curtain of Neil’s coaching philosophy—one centered on truth, accountability, and calling people to rise to their highest potential.Whether you're just starting out or scaling to the next level, this episode will challenge you to look inward, own your growth, and become the kind of CEO your business actually needs.Connect with Neil Twa: Website: https://www.voltagedm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neiltwaAlmost Automated Income with FBA (Book): https://www.voltagedm.com/book First 10 for a free copy of Almost Automated Income with FBA: voltagedm.com/freecopy Connect with Preston Brown: Website: https://theprestonbrown.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
SummaryFrom $1.2M Loss to Lifelong Lessons: Jeremy Newsome on Turning Failure into Profit
Nov 1301:29:48Summary readyIn this episode, Preston Brown sits down with trader, educator, and Real Life Trading founder Jeremy Newsome — a man whose journey from selling blackberries as a kid to building a multimillion-dollar stock education empire is as raw as it is remarkable.Together, they dive into what it takes to turn breakdowns into breakthroughs, why financial mastery is simply “second-grade math done consistently,” and how to protect your downside while creating infinite upside. They explore the emotional side of entrepreneurship — the guilt, the grind, and the grace it takes to own your story when failure hits hard.It’s a conversation about redemption, resilience, and redefining what “profit” really is. Whether you’re in business, investing, or rebuilding from loss, Jeremy’s journey is proof that every problem carries a return — if you’re willing to do the math.Connect with Jeremy Newsome: Website: https://www.reallifetrading.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerremynewsome/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reallifetrading/Connect with Preston Brown: Website: https://theprestonbrown.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
SummaryThe Business of Being You: Maya Elious’ Story
Oct 3001:08:52Summary readyWhat does it take to turn a teenage side hustle into a seven-figure coaching empire? In this episode of Problems to Prophets, host Preston Brown sits down with branding strategist and CEO Maya Elious to uncover how she built her business from the ground up—starting with MySpace pages in high school and evolving into one of today’s most respected voices in personal branding and entrepreneurship.Maya shares how she discovered her gift for messaging, why she believes clarity is currency, and how true branding is less about logos and more about identity. From her early struggles as a first-generation college dropout to coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs to raise their prices and own their value, Maya’s story is a masterclass in alignment, resilience, and purpose.Together, she and Preston unpack what it really means to build the CEO before the business, the difference between a coach and a consultant, and why the best brands aren’t afraid to be polarizing. This conversation dives deep into identity, values, and the psychology behind pricing, influence, and impact.Connect with Maya Elious:Website: https://mayaelious.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaelious LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayaeliousConnect with Preston Brown:Website: https://theprestonbrown.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
SummaryFaith, Fear, and the Power of Principle: Dustin Hillis with Preston Brown
Oct 2701:23:11Summary readyWhat happens when success becomes your biggest test of faith? In this episode, Preston Brown sits down with serial entrepreneur and leadership expert Dustin Hillis — a man who’s built, scaled, and led multimillion-dollar businesses across industries from AI to global coaching.Dustin opens up about his journey from selling books door to door to becoming the President of Safe Space Global, where AI meets purpose to save lives. He shares how a football injury redirected his life path, why faith became his compass, and how he turned decades of lessons into his bestselling book, Capacity: Building a Business Bigger Than You.Together, Preston and Dustin dive deep into what it means to lead with faith, tame the ego without killing ambition, and find your true identity beyond your title. From managing the fear of success to building teams that scale, Dustin reveals the six core pillars behind sustainable growth — starting with executive strategy, marketing, and business development.It’s a conversation about balance: ambition and humility, faith and pragmatism, success and surrender. Whether you’re leading a startup or steering a legacy company, Dustin’s story is a reminder that principles—not pressure—are what build empires that last.“The foundation of your life should be principle based. Like if you have principles that you live your life on, you're going to land in a better place than trying to just go with the flow or do what you think people want.” — Dustin HillisConnect with Dustin Hillis:Website: https://dustinhillis.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinhillis/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustin_hillis/Capacity (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Capacity-Building-Your-Business-Bigger/dp/1637748035/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GENXNQ31D6MX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NhkMtB9zw4Z2Lz8_L4EAMw.tA4oBQJreAVVOf899rQJl5ljlrN2iAqoz8ppxM_SvXA&dib_tag=se&keywords=capacity+dustin+hillis&qid=1761546563&sprefix=cap%2Caps%2C4109&sr=8-Connect with Preston BrownWebsite: https://theprestonbrown.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
SummaryTurning Crap into Gold: Miki Agrawal with Preston Brown
Oct 1701:11:09Summary readyFrom narrowly missing the 9/11 tragedy to building brands that transformed taboos into cultural movements, Miki Agrawal’s journey proves that creativity and courage can turn even life’s messiest moments into purpose. She founded Thinx to reimagine period care, created TUSHY to make bathroom hygiene a global conversation, and now leads Hiro—a company using fungi to break down plastic waste and diapers to help save the planet. Along the way, she developed her framework for building “culture-shifting brands” and discovered how love, play, and authenticity can fuel both business and personal growth. In this episode, Miki shares how near-death experiences reshaped her perspective, how to turn shame into innovation, and why fearless self-expression is the key to changing the world. Tune in and discover how to embrace disruption with purpose, build brands that spark real cultural change, and live every moment like the gift it truly is.“I don't understand the culture of shame and what if I fail, what will people say. The good news is I have my own inner strength. I know who I am. Everything is gonna be okay.” ~ Miki AgrawalConnect with Miki AgrawalWebsite (WILD): https://eatdrinkwild.com/ Instagram (@wild_restaurantnyc): https://www.instagram.com/wild_restaurantnyc/ Website (Tushy): https://hellotushy.com/ Website: https://hirodiapers.com/ Instagram (@hirodiapers): https://www.instagram.com/hirodiapers/ Instagram (@mikiagrawal): https://www.instagram.com/mikiagrawal/ Connect with Preston BrownWebsite: https://theprestonbrown.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
SummaryRefugee to Angel Investor: Tulinh Tran's Journey
Oct 901:22:21Summary readyFrom fleeing Vietnam as a child refugee to landing two rare angel investment exits, Tulinh Tran’s journey proves that resilience and intuition can turn setbacks into success. She built her first portfolio as a broke teenager with just $500, transformed struggling startups into multimillion-dollar companies, and later rebuilt from scratch after losing everything. Along the way, she developed her framework for “intuitive investing” and discovered why women are uniquely suited to thrive as investors. In this episode, Tulinh shares how to overcome fear, trust your instincts, and turn even life’s hardest moments into stepping stones toward wealth and freedom.Tune in and discover how to turn setbacks into stepping stones, trust your instincts in business and investing, and unlock the wealth-building power you already have.“When you’ve overcome a lot of hardship in your life, you have a belief in yourself that can’t be bought.” ~ Tulinh TranConnect with Tulinh TranWebsite: https://intuitiveinvesting.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tulinhisbuilding/ Connect with Preston BrownWebsite: https://theprestonbrown.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
SummaryFrom Scarcity to Eight Figures: Tamar Hermes on the Feminine Path to True Wealth, Redefining Leverage, and Mastering Your Inner Money Game
Aug 2801:18:45Summary readyMoney fears run deep, and for many women, the journey from survival to true financial independence feels impossible.Tamar Hermes’ story reveals why that belief isn’t true. From a childhood shaped by struggle to building an eight-figure real estate portfolio, Tamar has mastered the language of money and now teaches women how to build wealth without fear. In this conversation, she shares what it takes to shift from being “rich” to becoming truly “wealthy,” why leverage can be your greatest ally, and how to access opportunities most people overlook.Tune in and learn how to break the scarcity cycle, rewrite your money story, and find the confidence to invest in yourself and your future."If your money's not working for you, then it's not doing you any good." ~ Tamar HermesConnect with Tamar Hermes:- Website: https://womengrowingwealth.com - Website: http://growwealthgift.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamarhermes Connect with Preston Brown:- Website - https://theprestonbrown.com/- Facebook - https://facebook.com/theprestonbrown- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
SummaryMario Ayala's Real Estate Rise, Home Building Leap, and Lessons on Turning Competition Into Lasting Success
Aug 2101:16:00Summary readyReal estate competition can be brutal, and sometimes the fiercest rival ends up becoming your greatest ally.Mario Ayala’s story runs through call centers, aggressive training at Saratoga Homes, high-stakes coups for builder accounts, legal battles, and even a billboard war outside my office window. What began as fights and lawsuits eventually transformed into respect, friendship, and now collaboration as Mario launches his own home-building company.In this episode, we unpack the truth behind rivalries in real estate, why most brokerages collapse under pressure, and what it takes to reinvent yourself when the market is shifting fast. We get into the lessons and the surprising reason enemies can sometimes make the best business partners.This one is for anyone who feels stuck in the brokerage grind, questions the future of real estate, and wonders how to turn setbacks into a launchpad for something bigger."I'm always the type that if I have something to learn from someone, no matter who it is, I'll listen." ~ Mario AyalaConnect with Mario Ayala:Websites: https://mario-ayala.com/ and https://mrghomebuilders.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrg_homes/ Connect with Preston Brown:- Website - https://theprestonbrown.com/- Facebook - https://facebook.com/theprestonbrown- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
SummaryTurning Relentless Work Ethic Into Leadership Power: How Viviana Ronquillo Built Her CEO Mindset, Earned Trust, and Led 20+ Companies to Growth
Aug 1401:07:31Summary readySome careers are built on luck. Others are built on showing up, outlasting every obstacle, and learning fast.Viviana Ronquillo’s story is the second kind: a journey from filing papers in a conference room to leading over 20 companies, managing hundreds of employees, and co-owning multi-million-dollar real estate portfolios.In this episode, we talk about the mindset shifts that transform you into the kind of leader people follow without hesitation. We get into why trust is earned slowly, how to handle “train wreck” problems without losing confidence, and what it takes to run multiple businesses without burning out or losing your values.This one’s for anyone who feels undervalued at work, knows they’re capable of more, and wants the playbook for stepping into real leadership."I've learned that as a CEO, and getting people to buy into what you're trying to do, you need to listen." ~ Viviana RonquilloConnect with Preston Brown:- Website - https://theprestonbrown.com/- Facebook - https://facebook.com/theprestonbrown- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
SummaryHow to Build a Business Partnership with Your Best Friend Without Ruining the Relationship, the Mission, or the Money | Jana & Jordan
Aug 701:21:10Summary readyStarting a business is hard. Doing a business partnership with your best friend? That’s a different level of challenge. Jana Gavin and Jordan Cobb didn’t just figure it out. They’ve built something most entrepreneurs dream about: a thriving company and an unshakable friendship.In this episode, we unpack what makes a partnership work without losing the people, the peace, or the purpose. We get into the unspoken stress of mismatched expectations, how to create space for grace, and what every entrepreneur needs to know before going into business with someone they love.This one’s for founders who care about building something real without burning every bridge along the way. “Friendship comes first, and that’s what we’ve gotta work through before we can work through the business stuff.”~ Jana GavinConnect with Jana & Jordan:- IVitamin Lounge website - https://ivitamintherapy.com/ - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ivitaminatx/ - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ivitamintherapy - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@IVitaminTherapy Connect with Preston Brown:- Website - https://theprestonbrown.com/- Facebook - https://facebook.com/theprestonbrown- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach
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