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School of Hard Knocks Podcast

School of Hard Knocks Podcast

The School of Hard Knocks 60 Episodes Aug 19, 2026

Featuring the world's top entrepreneurs and creators, this podcast is brought to you by The School of Hard Knocks. Each episode shares insights and stories from successful business leaders and innovators. The show aims to provide valuable lessons learned through real-world experience.

Episodes

Jamie Salter | How He Built a $40B Brand Empire With Reebok, Champion & Forever 21
Jamie Salter | How He Built a $40B Brand Empire With Reebok, Champion & Forever 21 Aug 19, 2026 1:08:06 Try Emergent for free: https://app.emergent.sh/?utm_shift=redirect&via=theschoolofhardknockspodcastJamie Salter is the founder and chairman of Authentic Brands Group, the global brand platform behind Reebok, Champion, Forever 21, Quiksilver and partnerships with names like Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham and Kevin Hart.In this episode, Jamie breaks down how he went from a childhood paper route
George Heaton | How He Built Represent Into a $140M/Year Fashion Brand
George Heaton | How He Built Represent Into a $140M/Year Fashion Brand Aug 12, 2026 41:49 George Heaton is the co-founder of Represent, the British fashion brand that has grown from a bedroom operation into a global business generating roughly $140 million in annual revenue. In this episode, George shares how he and his brother built the company from the ground up, navigated a multimillion-dollar trademark dispute, and scaled from approximately $8M to more than $100M in revenue. He als
David Royce | From Door to Door Sales to 5 Companies Sold for Over $1 Billion
David Royce | From Door to Door Sales to 5 Companies Sold for Over $1 Billion Aug 5, 2026 49:45 David Royce is an entrepreneur and sales leader who built and sold five pest control companies for more than $1 billion in combined value. Starting as a broke college student in door-to-door sales, he went on to create high-performance sales organizations, scalable operating systems, and recurring-revenue businesses across multiple markets.In this episode, David explains his RACK sales system, how
Blake Johnson | He Had $7,000 Left… Then Sold His Companies for $1.1 Billion
Blake Johnson | He Had $7,000 Left… Then Sold His Companies for $1.1 Billion Jul 29, 2026 47:16 Blake Johnson is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and sold five companies, including a $97 million exit and the sale of Byte for more than $1 billion. After nearly losing his first business during the 2008 financial crisis, he developed a disciplined framework for bootstrapping, scaling and positioning companies for acquisition. In this episode, Blake explains how he evaluates markets, contro
Dr. Jason Wersland | How a Terrible Motorcycle Accident Led to the Invention of Theragun
Dr. Jason Wersland | How a Terrible Motorcycle Accident Led to the Invention of Theragun Jul 22, 2026 1:13:21 Dr. Jason Wersland is the inventor of the Theragun and the founder of Therabody, the global wellness company that transformed percussive therapy and recovery.After a serious motorcycle accident left him in extreme pain, Jason created the first Theragun prototype from a modified power tool and spent years developing the product while facing financial pressure, family doubt and failed business partn
David Stout | He Started With a $400 Loan… Now His AI Company Is Worth $2.5 Billion
David Stout | He Started With a $400 Loan… Now His AI Company Is Worth $2.5 Billion Jul 15, 2026 1:07:02 David Stout is the founder of WebAI, an artificial intelligence company publicly valued at $2.5 billion. After growing up on a Michigan ranch, he launched a web services company in college that generated more than $750,000 annually before leaving school to pursue AI.In this episode, David explains how a $400 loan, repeated investor rejection, and a relentless focus on on-device intelligence shaped
Mike Sherbakov | He Came To America With Nothing… Now He Funds $1 Billion Companies
Mike Sherbakov | He Came To America With Nothing… Now He Funds $1 Billion Companies Jul 6, 2026 1:23:16 Mike Sherbakov is a Russian-born immigrant, Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, angel investor, and co-founder of The Veteran Fund. After building and selling companies, Mike moved into venture capital and now helps back veteran-led startups across defense, AI, space, energy, robotics, and critical technology.In this episode, Mike breaks down his journey from poverty and military service to entrep
John Imah | He Sold 2 Tech Companies At 16… Now His AI Company Is Worth $1.5 Billion
John Imah | He Sold 2 Tech Companies At 16… Now His AI Company Is Worth $1.5 Billion Jun 27, 2026 1:02:40 John Imah is the founder of SpreeAI, a fashion technology company valued at $1.5 billion, and the youngest millionaire in School of Hard Knocks history after selling two tech companies before age 16.In this episode, John shares his journey from growing up poor in an immigrant family to working at Samsung, Twitch, Meta, and Snapchat before returning to entrepreneurship.He breaks down building AI fo
Ronnen Harary | Meet The Billionaire Toymaker Who Turned 5,000 Toys Into $2 Billion
Ronnen Harary | Meet The Billionaire Toymaker Who Turned 5,000 Toys Into $2 Billion Jun 20, 2026 1:00:32 Ronnen Harary is the co-founder of Spin Master, the global toy and entertainment company behind Paw Patrol, Bakugan, Air Hogs, Rubik’s Cube, and more. Starting with a handmade product called Earth Buddies, he helped build the company into a multi-billion-dollar business across toys, entertainment, and digital games.In this episode, Ronnen breaks down the early Kmart deal, passing on Beyblade, buil
Lynnwood Bibbens | He Sold Cutco Knives In College… Then Built A $2 Billion Empire
Lynnwood Bibbens | He Sold Cutco Knives In College… Then Built A $2 Billion Empire Jun 12, 2026 55:25 Lynnwood Bibbens is the founder of ReachTV and an entrepreneur who has built billions of dollars in business across tech, media, retail, film finance, and distribution. In this episode, he breaks down how he went from selling knives in college to building major companies, creating new rights windows, and acquiring CNN Airport during the pandemic. Lynnwood shares his philosophy on serving customers
Peter Tuchman | He Survived Every Stock Market Crash… Now He Trades $1 Billion/Day
Peter Tuchman | He Survived Every Stock Market Crash… Now He Trades $1 Billion/Day Jun 6, 2026 1:07:56 Peter Tuchman, known globally as the “Einstein of Wall Street,” is the longest-standing trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and one of the most recognizable figures in finance. After starting as a $47-a-week runner in 1985, he built a decades-long career through Black Monday, the internet bubble, the 2008 financial crisis, Covid, and today’s AI-driven market boom. In this episode, P
Greg LaVecchia | He Had a 2.5 GPA… Now He’s Got a $1 Billion Brand
Greg LaVecchia | He Had a 2.5 GPA… Now He’s Got a $1 Billion Brand May 30, 2026 59:30 Greg La Vecchia is the founder of Bloom, one of America’s fastest-growing supplement and energy drink brands, now sold across 70,000 retail doors. After bootstrapping the company to $180 million with no investors, mentors, or traditional playbook, Greg helped turn Bloom into a category-defining brand doing $23 million in weekly net sales.In this episode, Greg breaks down the early days of selling

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