The Book I Had to Write | #27

From Wall Street to Dog Walking Empire

From Wall Street to Dog Walking Empire What happens when you walk away from a 22-year career on Wall Street to pursue something completely different? In this episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller, host Pat Miller sits down with Amanda Anderson, founder of Ring and Run Dog Walkers, to explore her remarkable transition from the fast-paced world of New York's Financial District to building one of Staten Island's premier dog walking businesses. Amanda shares how she recognized the changing landscape of Wall Street, started building her business while still employed, and eventually turned a side hustle into a thriving company. She explains why entrepreneurship isn't always about chasing millions, but about creating a lifestyle you genuinely enjoy. Throughout the conversation, Amanda offers honest advice on hiring, setting boundaries, automating operations, building customer trust, and creating systems that allow a business to grow without consuming your entire life. Her story is a powerful reminder that success can look different for everyone. Whether you're considering leaving a corporate career, building a service business, or looking for inspiration to pursue a more meaningful path, this episode delivers practical lessons from someone who successfully made the leap. What You'll Learn * Why Amanda left a 22-year Wall Street career to become an entrepreneur * How to build a business while still working a full-time job * The importance of running your side hustle before making the leap * Why relationships and customer trust matter more than marketing * How hiring the right people can transform your business * The systems every growing business should implement early * Why entrepreneurs need clear boundaries with clients * The difference between working in your business and on your business * How to create a business that supports your lifestyle instead of consuming it * Why success isn't always measured by revenue alone About Amanda Anderson Amanda Anderson is the founder and owner of Ring and Run Dog Walkers, Staten Island's premier dog walking service. After spending more than two decades working on the trading floor in New York City's Financial District, Amanda made the bold decision to pursue entrepreneurship full-time. Today, she has built a trusted pet care business known for exceptional customer service, strong client relationships, and personalized care. Amanda combines her passion for animals with a people-first approach, proving that businesses built on trust, reputation, and genuine service can thrive through referrals and organic growth. Connect with Amanda Anderson Follow Amanda and Ring and Run Dog Walkers on social media to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey, pet care insights, and growing a service-based business with purpose. Website - https://ringandrundogwalkers.com/ [https://ringandrundogwalkers.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-anderson-707a4512/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-anderson-707a4512/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RingandRunDogWalkers/ [https://www.facebook.com/RingandRunDogWalkers/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ringandrundogwalkers/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/ringandrundogwalkers/?hl=en] Connect with Pat Miller Follow Pat Miller for more conversations with entrepreneurs who share the real stories behind building successful businesses. Website: https://patmiller.net/ [https://patmiller.net/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepatmiller11 [https://www.youtube.com/@thepatmiller11] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepatmiller11/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepatmiller11/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepatmiller11/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepatmiller11/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePatMiller11/ [https://www.facebook.com/ThePatMiller11/] Subscribe to From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller for weekly interviews with entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges, pivots, and wins that shaped their success.

Music Producer to LA Entrepreneur — How He Built Both | With Connor Treacy

What does it take to go from organizing small events at 19 years old to working with Grammy-winning artists, launching one of Hollywood's hottest nightlife venues, and building a successful talent management company? In this episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller, host Pat Miller sits down with Connor Treacy, an entrepreneur, talent manager, and former music producer who turned his passion for music and entertainment into a thriving business in Los Angeles. Connor shares his unconventional journey from promoting concerts while still in college to becoming one of Hollywood's most connected young promoters. He explains how those relationships led him to Universal Music Group, where he helped develop rising talent and worked alongside artists who would go on to win Grammy Awards. Later, he co-founded one of LA's most exclusive nightlife venues before pivoting once again to build his own management company. This conversation is packed with lessons on entrepreneurship, relationship building, calculated risk-taking, and adapting through uncertainty, including surviving the entertainment industry's shutdown during COVID-19. Whether you're pursuing a career in music, launching a startup, or building your own brand, Connor's story proves that success rarely follows a straight line. If you're interested in becoming a creative entrepreneur, building a music industry business, or learning how to turn passion into a sustainable company, this episode is full of practical insights. What You'll Learn * How Connor built a successful career as a music producer and entrepreneur * Why relationships are the foundation of every successful music industry business * The lessons learned from promoting concerts before turning 21 * How networking opened doors at Universal Music Group * What it takes to build a successful business in Los Angeles * The reality of becoming an LA business owner in the entertainment industry * Why calculated risk is essential for entrepreneurs * How COVID forced entrepreneurs to pivot and adapt * The importance of momentum in business and career growth * Why your entrepreneurial journey doesn't have to follow a traditional path About Connor Treacy Connor Treacy is an entrepreneur, talent manager, and entertainment executive based in Los Angeles. After launching his entrepreneurial journey by promoting concerts and nightlife events, Connor built relationships that led to opportunities with Universal Music Group, where he worked alongside emerging artists and Grammy-winning talent. He later co-founded Off Sunset, one of Hollywood's most exclusive nightlife venues, before returning to his passion for talent management. Today, Connor helps build artists, brands, and strategic partnerships across music, entertainment, hospitality, and culture while continuing to grow his management company. He recently completed his MBA at USC Marshall, combining real-world entrepreneurial experience with advanced business strategy. Connect with Connor Treacy Website:https://connortreacy.com/ [https://connortreacy.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconnortreacy [https://www.instagram.com/theconnortreacy] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortreacy/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortreacy/] Connect with Pat Miller Follow Pat Miller for more entrepreneurial insights, business strategies, and inspiring conversations with successful founders and business leaders. Website: https://patmiller.net/ [https://patmiller.net/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepatmiller11 [https://www.youtube.com/@thepatmiller11] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepatmiller11/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepatmiller11/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepatmiller11/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepatmiller11/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePatMiller11/ [https://www.facebook.com/ThePatMiller11/] Subscribe to From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs who share the real stories, lessons, failures, and successes behind building thriving businesses. If you're passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, entertainment, and personal development, this podcast is designed to help you build your dream. New episodes are released regularly.

The Master Closer Reveals Why You Can't Close | With Kayvon Kay

If you've ever wondered why you can't close a sale, this episode is for you. In this powerful episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams, host Pat Miller sits down with Kayvon Kay, internationally recognized keynote speaker, Master Closer, sales strategist, and revenue architect, to break down the psychology behind closing deals and why most entrepreneurs unknowingly sabotage their own sales. Kayvon shares the mindset shifts, communication skills, and sales techniques that separate top performers from everyone else. From handling objections with confidence to understanding why people really buy, he explains that great sales isn't about pressure or manipulation. It's about creating trust, solving problems, and becoming someone people naturally want to buy from. The conversation also explores the rapid rise of AI and how today's entrepreneurs can use technology to sell more effectively without losing the human connection that ultimately wins business. Whether you're a business owner, freelancer, salesperson, or entrepreneur, you'll discover practical insights that can immediately improve your ability to influence, communicate, and grow revenue. If you're looking for actionable sales training, better ways of overcoming objections, and proven methods for how to close a sale, this episode delivers a masterclass from one of the industry's leading experts. What You'll Learn * Why most people struggle with closing deals * The biggest mistake salespeople make before asking for the sale * Practical sales techniques that build trust instead of pressure * How to confidently handle and overcome objections * The mindset every Master Closer develops * Why sales is about solving problems, not convincing people * How entrepreneurs can use AI to improve productivity without replacing human relationships * The importance of authenticity in modern selling * Why embracing new technology creates more opportunity, not less * How to future-proof your business in an AI-driven world About Kayvon Kay Kayvon Kay is a globally recognized keynote speaker, sales strategist, revenue architect, and Master Closer who has trained thousands of entrepreneurs, founders, and sales professionals around the world. Through one-on-one coaching, group programs, live events, and corporate training, Kayvon helps businesses increase revenue by mastering communication, improving sales performance, and building scalable systems that consistently close more deals. His practical approach combines psychology, leadership, and modern technology to help professionals sell with confidence while creating genuine, long-term relationships with clients. Connect with Kayvon Kay Website - https://kayvon.com/ [https://kayvon.com/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kayvonkay/ [https://www.instagram.com/kayvonkay/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kayvonkay [https://www.youtube.com/@kayvonkay/featured] Connect with Pat Miller Website: https://patmiller.net/ [https://patmiller.net/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepatmiller11 [https://www.youtube.com/@thepatmiller11] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepatmiller11/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepatmiller11/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepatmiller11/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepatmiller11/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePatMiller11/ [https://www.facebook.com/ThePatMiller11/] If you enjoyed this episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller, subscribe for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts who share the real stories, lessons, and strategies behind building successful businesses.

Building a $1.5B Real Estate Empire from a Cubicle | Mark Khuri

In this inspiring episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller, Pat sits down with Mark Khuri, CEO and Co-Founder of SMK Capital Management, to uncover the remarkable journey from working in a corporate cubicle to building a $1.5 billion real estate investment portfolio. Mark shares how a simple conversation with a coworker sparked his passion for real estate investing and led him to purchase his first property while still working a full-time corporate job. Through persistence, calculated risks, and years of learning, he transitioned from fixing up duplexes after work to leading a private equity firm with investments spanning more than 120 properties across 36 states. The conversation dives deep into today's real estate market, recession-resistant investment strategies, mobile home park investing, passive income opportunities, and the importance of diversification when building long-term wealth. Mark also opens up about setbacks, including a devastating property fire, lessons learned from raising investment capital, and why character and relationships matter more than chasing quick profits. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned investor, or someone looking to build financial freedom through real estate, this episode delivers practical insights and timeless business wisdom. What You'll Learn * How Mark turned a corporate finance job into a $1.5B real estate business * Why starting real estate investing while keeping your day job can reduce risk * The biggest lessons from building SMK Capital Management * Why mobile home parks remain one of the most resilient real estate investments * The truth about today's self-storage and multifamily markets * How successful investors evaluate risk before making a deal * Why diversification is essential for protecting wealth * The importance of surrounding yourself with trustworthy partners * Lessons from raising private investment capital * Why entrepreneurship is about freedom, relationships, and long-term thinking About Mark Khuri Mark Khuri is the CEO and Co-Founder of SMK Capital Management, a family-owned private equity real estate firm specializing in institutional-quality, recession-resistant investments. With more than two decades of experience, Mark has participated in over 120 real estate investments valued at more than $1.5 billion and has built more than 70 successful investment partnerships. His mission is helping investors create long-term wealth through carefully selected passive real estate opportunities while emphasizing education, integrity, and disciplined investing. Connect with Mark Khuri Website: https://www.smkcap.com [https://www.smkcap.com] Learn more about SMK Capital Management and explore educational resources on passive real estate investing. Connect with Pat Miller If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller for inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs who have overcome obstacles, built successful businesses, and continue helping others achieve their dreams. New episodes released regularly.

Skate Where the Puck Is Going | #29 (John Petrocelli)

What if the biggest opportunities are hiding where everyone else isn't looking? In this episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur, Pat Miller sits down with John Petrocelli, founder and CEO of Bulldog DM, whose work has generated more than 1 billion audience engagements for brands including Apple, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Netflix, and YouTube. John shares his journey from working in telecommunications and Hollywood mailrooms to helping pioneer the livestreaming industry. Along the way, he collaborated with Prince on one of the first direct-to-consumer music platforms, learned entrepreneurial lessons from Mark Cuban, and built a business by constantly anticipating where technology was heading next. In this conversation, you'll learn: • Why successful entrepreneurs focus on where the market is going, not where it is today • How Prince helped shape the future of digital media and direct-to-consumer business • Why live streaming, AI, and social commerce are creating massive opportunities right now • The importance of listening to customers and solving real problems • How embracing change can keep you ahead of the competition John's story is a powerful reminder that innovation rewards those willing to adapt, experiment, and stay curious. If you're building a business, reinventing your career, or searching for your next big opportunity, this episode will challenge you to think bigger and move faster. ✨ Connect with Host Pat Miller Instagram thepatmiller11 [https://www.instagram.com/thepatmiller11/?hl=en]Website https://patmiller.net/patmiller.net [http://patmiller.net/] Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpetrocelli [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpetrocelli] https://bulldogdm.com