The Entrepreneur DNA – “From $2,500 to 160 Locations: The Truth About Scaling Fast”

Guest: John Curri
Host: Justin Colby
Date: February 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Entrepreneur DNA dives deep into John Curri’s journey from launching a mall kiosk with $2,500 to building a 160-location franchise and later pivoting into real estate and service businesses. John reveals the true challenges of scaling, why inner drive beats initial capital, the humbling lessons of losing control, and his current mission to modernize home maintenance through his “One Call” property management business. Throughout, Justin and John keep it candid and personal, sharing practical takeaways for anyone wishing to break through entrepreneurial fear, scale quickly, or redefine what “winning” means.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origin Story – From Hustle to Franchise

• John’s first venture began in his early 20s by meeting a case vendor at AT&T, forming a partnership, and leveraging a $2,500 credit card cash advance to open a mall kiosk.
  • Quote: "I didn’t have any money at the time. I got a $2,500 cash advance in my Visa card. And we opened up a kiosk at a mall." (02:40)
• Hustle meant no sleep, sleeping in cars, and quickly scaling through friends and a franchise model.
• Created multiple revenue streams: repairs, accessories, manufacturing, wholesaling, and franchising.

2. Scaling Lessons – Drive vs. Capital

• Hustle and execution > Money:
  • Quote: "People think they need a lot of money to get started... But it’s really the execution. A lot of people fail in the execution part, the money... If you start parlaying your efforts, that money is just going to come." (06:36)
• John never invested more than $25,000 of his own money in any business.
• The most critical limit for most people is fear, not capital.

3. Overcoming Fear and Taking the Leap

• Fear of failing, ridicule, or loss paralyzes aspiring entrepreneurs more than real risks.
  • Quote: "If you're waiting for money to be successful, you're gonna be waiting a long time." (08:54)
• Both agree you can’t wish for success without the grind ("People want a six pack, but they are not going to eat healthy.").

4. The Reality of Success & Maintaining Perspective

• After selling the business in his 20s, John describes the strange emptiness of “sudden freedom.”
  • Quote (10:34): "Before you sign this paperwork, I just want you to know if you can afford to do it every single day, it’s no longer going to be fun. Had no idea what that meant."
• The “fun” in life and business comes from making things happen—winning is about the journey, not the finish line.
• Justin adds: Perspective is everything after you’ve tasted both struggle and success. If you don’t appreciate your wins, life can feel hollow.

5. Evolution to Real Estate & Humbling Lessons

• John transitioned into real estate with zero credentials, leveraging the same entrepreneurial instincts.
• Early hubris ("God complex") led to overextending and tough market lessons.
  • Quote: "You know what happened? God slapped your hand? Oh, yeah. Face, hand, back, butt." (17:16–17:22)
• Humility: Losing control in real estate (tenants leaving, negative cash flow) forced John to rethink his approach—focusing on sustainable, grounded business.

6. Importance of Team & Systems

• People: The biggest lesson—invest in good people and partners. Scaling is impossible alone.
• Grounded growth: Maintaining a “steady” brokerage business allowed John to pursue flips and deals while keeping a stable base.
  • Quote: "When I have a steady business... that business actually brings me more deals on my other side. So it’s kind of a feeder for that." (23:50)

7. Knowing Your Strengths – Creator vs. CEO

• John calls himself a “creator” who loves starting and fixing, not finishing (“I love starting stuff. I hate finishing it...” 24:15).
• Success means building teams, bringing in integrators, and empowering staff to run daily operations.

8. Reinventing Traditional Services – ‘One Call’ Property Management

• Business Model: Evolved his property management to offer “One Call”—full-service, concierge-style maintenance for personal homes (not just rentals).
  • Quote: "We can manage your own personal property... You’re making one phone call to us. We’ll deploy anybody you need." (26:44)
• Market fit: Serves the need for busy homeowners who don’t want the headache of repairs, scheduling, or contractor roulette.
• Scalability: Building towards licensing/franchising the model nationwide.
  • Quote: "We’re taking that just like we did with some of my other companies... realizing that that market is something that everybody needs all over." (29:12)

9. Controversial Opinions on Homeownership

• Both hosts agree: Most people probably shouldn’t own a home unless they’re prepared for the costs and headaches.
  • Quote (John): "The average person is, you know, one repair away from destruction of their financial status." (35:15)
• Many homeowners underestimate hidden costs (roof, AC, ongoing maintenance). Responsible ownership means budgeting for the inevitable, not just the mortgage.

10. Advice to New and Struggling Entrepreneurs

• Seek outside perspectives before buying or building a business.
• Service industries (electrical, HVAC, etc.) are “AI-proof” and will stand the test of time.
• Focus on what you love, not just chasing money:
  • Quote: "If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. I’m actually still looking for a job. I’ve never found one because I’ve never..." (40:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Not Waiting for Money:
  • “If you're waiting for money to be successful, you're gonna be waiting a long time.” – John Curri (08:54)
• The Truth About Exiting:
  • “The fun is when you make things happen... if you can go on your boat every single day, it’s no longer fun to go on your boat.” – John Curri (10:54)
• On Making an Impact:
  • “Now... I want legacy. I want to help other people... So for me, it’s like I’m not winning for myself. I’m winning for the other organizations I’m involved with and I’m winning for the people that are on my team.” – John Curri (15:08)
• On Humility in Business:
  • "God slapped your hand? Oh, yeah. Face, hand, back, butt..." – John Curri (17:16-17:22, laughter)
• On Sustainable Business:
  • “That steady business that I have is keeping me grounded. It’s keeping me organized. I’m able to use those resources... to go out and do this other stuff and then come back home.” – John Curri (23:50)
• On Reinventing Service:
  • “We can manage your own personal property... You’re making one phone call to us. We’ll deploy anybody you need.” – John Curri (26:44)
• On Homeowner Reality:
  • “The average person is, you know, one repair away from destruction of their financial status.” – John Curri (35:15)
• On Enduring Businesses:
  • “There is a major problem that everybody knows in the service industry... Things where AI is not going to take away from those. Those are the businesses you need to be looking at.” – John Curri (40:20)
• On Loving What You Do:
  • “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. I’m actually still looking for a job. I’ve never found one because I’ve never...” – John Curri (40:52)

Timeline & Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:54] – John’s earliest business: buying & selling phone accessories, launching a kiosk with $2,500.
• [03:20] – The rapid growth to 160 locations/franchise model.
• [05:25] – First big lesson: Invest in people to achieve real growth.
• [07:14] – “No one needs a lot of money... they need execution.”
• [09:30] – What it felt like to exit young: Rich…but alone; the loss of “fun.”
• [12:10] – Jumping into real estate with no license, flipping and buying commercial property.
• [15:08] – Shifting motivation from self to team, legacy, and charity.
• [17:05] – The “God complex” and learning humility the hard way after real estate setbacks.
• [20:14] – Value of being able to guide others based on scars, not just playbooks.
• [23:50] – Why a steady, traditional business is his foundation for risk and new ventures.
• [24:14] – Finding his seat as a creator; need for integrators and systems.
• [25:42] – The “One Call” service model explained.
• [29:12] – National expansion and the opportunity for franchising/home service.
• [34:23] – Controversial discussion: Most people shouldn’t own a home.
• [35:15] – The real cost of repairs and why homeowners often aren’t prepared.
• [39:20] – Final advice for entrepreneurs: get outsider perspectives, focus on timeless, non-AI service businesses, and follow your passion.

Takeaways for Aspiring and Established Entrepreneurs

• Start with what you have—capital is less a barrier than execution.
• Build on grit and the willingness to risk—and fail.
• Know your strengths: Creators need implementers; don’t scale alone.
• Don’t innovate just for the sake of disruption: Take proven models and do them better.
• Recurring/repeat business models (like ‘One Call’) create stability and valuation.
• The ‘fun’ is in the build: After the exit, set higher goals—legacy, impact, helping others.
• Perspective and humility will get you through setbacks and help retain your hunger.
• Service businesses are resilient: Invest in what can’t be automated or replaced by AI.
• Household realities: If you’re going to own, budget for real, recurring costs—or outsource the pain.

Connect with John Curri & One Call

• Website: onecallmgmt.com
• Instagram/TikTok/LinkedIn: @JohnCurri (J O H N C U R R I)
• Business/Partnership Enquiries: Contractors, vendors, and aspiring licensees can reach out via website or social.

Final Thought (John Curri, 40:52):
"If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. I'm actually still looking for a job. I've never found one because I've never..."

This episode is essential for any entrepreneur wrestling with fear, the myth of “needing money,” the true price of success, or looking for timeless business models in the age of AI.