41: The Truth About Starting a Brand (No One Tells You)

41: The Truth About Starting a Brand (No One Tells You)

Thinking about starting a brand? This episode will give you the reality most people skip. In this episode of What’s Next!, Bryan sits down with Rachel Erickson, founder of Unmarked Street and apparel expert who has helped scale brands from startup to $50M+ . She breaks down what actually goes into building a successful brand—and why so many founders get it wrong from the very beginning. From the importance of fit and truly understanding your customer, to budgeting before you ever design a product, Rachel shares the behind-the-scenes truths that can make or break a business. They also dive into why launching too many products too soon can kill your brand, how to properly test your product in the real world, and what it takes to build systems that actually scale. If you’re an entrepreneur, former athlete, or high performer thinking about building something of your own, this conversation will challenge your assumptions—and help you avoid costly mistakes. Chapters 00:00 – The biggest mistake founders make 03:00 – Why fit matters more than anything 06:00 – Defining your ideal customer 09:00 – How long it actually takes to build a product 13:00 – Working backwards from your launch timeline 17:00 – The cost of bad timing 20:00 – Why most brands launch too many products 23:00 – Budget before you design 26:00 – Building your first product the right way 28:00 – The importance of real-world testing 31:00 – Creating systems that scale 34:00 – What separates brands that grow vs stall 37:00 – Building a brand that lasts 39:00 – Profitability vs revenue Connect with Rachel Erickson * Website: https://www.unmarkedstreet.com [https://www.unmarkedstreet.com] Connect with Bryan: Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com [http://www.whatsnextpodcast.com] Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22 [https://www.instagram.com/bryanfinnerty22/?hl=en] Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanfinnerty/]  PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next. Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

40: From Broke at 20 to Building a Million-Dollar Business

What happens when you hit your financial goals… and still feel like something is missing? In this episode, Bryan sits down with entrepreneur Landen Goodnight, who built a million-dollar insurance business from the ground up after starting with nothing—living in a low-income apartment, newly married, with a baby on the way and no money for diapers . Landen shares the real story behind his success, from grinding through the early years to leading a team of 40+ agents and creating a business that generates income without requiring his constant presence. But what makes this conversation powerful isn’t just the growth, it’s the shift. After achieving financial success, Landen found himself asking a deeper question: Now what? They dive into leadership, hiring the right people, building systems that scale, and the importance of aligning your business with your purpose. Landen also opens up about faith, identity, and why chasing money alone will eventually leave you stuck. If you’re a high performer, entrepreneur, or someone thinking about starting over, this episode will challenge how you define success, and what it actually takes to build a life you don’t want to escape from. Chapters 00:00 – From Broke to Business Owner 02:00 – Early Entrepreneurship & Challenges 05:00 – Hiring, Leadership & Building a Team 09:00 – Vision vs Execution: Finding the Right People 13:00 – Faith, Identity & Showing Up Authentically 16:00 – The Hidden Opportunity in “Boring” Industries 19:00 – Advice for Starting Over 22:00 – Building a Business That Runs Without You 25:00 – When Money Isn’t Enough 28:00 – Finding Purpose Beyond Success 31:00 – The Reality of Entrepreneurship & Relationships 33:00 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect 28:30 – Keeping Detroit’s top talent from leaving the market Connect with Landen Goodnight * Website: http://www.landengoodnight.com [http://www.landengoodnight.com] * Link for Kolbe Test www.kolbe.com  [http://www.kolbe.com] Connect with Bryan: Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com [http://www.whatsnextpodcast.com] Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22 [https://www.instagram.com/bryanfinnerty22/?hl=en] Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanfinnerty/]  PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next. Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

39: The Third Door in Soccer: Building Opportunity Where None Exists

After years inside the traditional U.S. soccer system, Alex Lubyansky set out to build something radically different. In this episode, Bryan sits down with Alex, founder of Detroit Metro FC, to discuss his mission to create a new pathway for soccer players outside the pay-to-play system. From launching a club with no fees for players to creating the Merit Cup, a competition offering $10,000 with zero barriers to entry, Alex is challenging the way youth sports development works in America. They dive into the structural differences between U.S. and European soccer, why incentives in youth sports are often misaligned, and how merit-based systems can uncover hidden talent. Alex also shares lessons from his journey as an entrepreneur, attorney, and sporting director, explaining how competition, accountability, and authentic leadership can transform both sports organizations and businesses. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or leader looking to rethink traditional systems, this conversation highlights the power of creating a third door when the existing paths don’t make sense. Chapters 00:00 – Introducing Alex Lubyansky and Detroit Metro FC 01:45 – The vision behind a completely free soccer pathway 03:30 – Where Detroit Metro FC fits in the U.S. soccer pyramid 04:45 – The idea behind the $10,000 Merit Cup 07:00 – Why the U.S. soccer system struggles globally 08:45 – The financial reality of youth soccer and pay-to-play 11:30 – Why most soccer investments don’t make financial sense 13:30 – The European soccer model vs the U.S. system 16:00 – Building a sustainable club and developing real talent 18:30 – Creating a real fan experience at Detroit Metro games 21:00 – The philosophy behind open tryouts and merit selection 23:30 – Developing accountable athletes and leaders 26:00 – Why honesty matters in player development 28:30 – Keeping Detroit’s top talent from leaving the market 30:30 – What Detroit businesses can do to support the mission 32:00 – Entrepreneurship, risk, and building bold ideas 34:00 – Final thoughts and where to find Alex Connect with Alex Lubyansky * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlubyansk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlubyansk]y/ * Website: http://acquisitionstars.com [http://acquisitionstars.com] * Pro Soccer Team:  https://detroitmetrofc.com/ [ https://detroitmetrofc.com/] Connect with Bryan * Check out the website www.whatsnextpodcast.com [http://www.whatsnextpodcast.com] * Connect with Bryan on Instagram @bryanfinnerty22 [https://www.instagram.com/bryanfinnerty22/?hl=en] * Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn @bryanfinnerty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanfinnerty/]  PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next. Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.   Connect with Bryan: Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com [http://www.whatsnextpodcast.com] Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22 [https://www.instagram.com/bryanfinnerty22/?hl=en] Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanfinnerty/]  PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next. Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

38: Why Culture Fails Under Pressure And How To Fix It

If you’re a high-performing leader wondering why your team of A-players still isn’t winning, this episode is your wake-up call. Bryan sits down with Katrina Ghazarian, a former athlete turned HR powerhouse, to unpack why company culture often crumbles under pressure—and how to fix it before your best people walk out the door. From simplifying culture audits to setting goals that can actually pass a stress test, Katrina shares sharp insights on leadership habits, vision clarity, and real-time feedback. She also opens up about how becoming a mom sparked her leap into entrepreneurship—and how taking control of her schedule turned into an eight-year consulting partnership. Whether you're a corporate executive, founder, or transitioning athlete trying to lead at the next level, this conversation is packed with clarity, challenge, and practical ways to build trust, drive results, and stop playing small. Chapters 00:00 – Cold opens & 75-degree weather gap 01:30 – Meet Katrina: Founder, athlete, culture fixer 03:00 – Culture isn’t a mystery—look at exec behavior 07:30 – Why your goals fail the pressure test 13:00 – The real reason Katrina became an entrepreneur 17:00 – Freedom > money: the power of choosing your time 21:00 – What separates ready clients from the rest 23:00 – Visionaries vs. resistant teams: what’s really going on 28:00 – Your ideas are valid—just ship them 30:30 – Want trust? Go talk to your people 34:00 – Building equity starts with teaching the business 39:00 – The truth is feedback in real time 43:30 – Final thoughts + where to find Katrina 38:10 – Like, Subscribe & Share What’s Next! Connect with Katrina:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-ghazarian/ Website: https://gamedayhr.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gamedayhr/ Connect with Bryan: Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com [http://www.whatsnextpodcast.com] Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22 [https://www.instagram.com/bryanfinnerty22/?hl=en] Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanfinnerty/]  PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next. Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

37: This Is What Every Retired Athlete Needs to Hear

What if everything you've been told about finding your purpose after sports is wrong? In this powerful episode, Bryan sits down with Matt Granados—performance strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of Life Pulse, to talk about what it really takes to transition from high-level athlete to fulfilled human. They dive into truth-based transformation, why chasing passion is dangerous, and how to identify your purpose by looking at your past, not your future. This is a must-listen for any athlete or high performer who feels stuck, searching, or like they’ve hit a ceiling. From practical tools to personal stories, Matt delivers a masterclass on creating a life aligned with your calling—not just your old identity. Chapters 00:00 – Why Passion Can Be Dangerous 01:18 – Meet Matt Granados & Life Pulse 02:40 – From High Performance to Optimal Performance 03:55 – Why Most Athletes Stay Stuck 06:25 – Identity, Calling & Assignment Explained 08:05 – Purpose vs Passion: A Wake-Up Call 10:00 – How to Discover Your Purpose 11:42 – A Real-Life Client Example 13:20 – Digging Deeper Than "I Just Love Soccer" 15:10 – Athletes as Products in a Business Machine 17:35 – What Bryan Learned from the MLB & NHL Orgs 19:00 – Structure + Intention = Perpetual Development 21:10 – The Triangle of Influence: Athlete, Exec, Entrepreneur 23:00 – The Power of Alignment & Community 24:20 – Realign Conference: Why It's Different 26:35 – What You Get at the Event 28:55 – Custom 90-Day Plan & Tool Access 30:00 – Integration of Faith, Business, and Life 33:20 – Obedience > Outcome 35:30 – Final Encouragements for Athletes 37:00 – One Thing Every Rookie Needs 38:10 – Like, Subscribe & Share What’s Next! Connect with Matt:  * Website:: https://www.lifepulseinc.com/wn [https://www.lifepulseinc.com/wn] * Realign Conference: https://www.lifepulseinc.com/realign-conference [https://www.lifepulseinc.com/realign-conference] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNc15l_7JB8-aziMAnLPsA  [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNc15l_7JB8-aziMAnLPsA] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifepulseinc/ [https://www.instagram.com/lifepulseinc/] Connect with Bryan: Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com [http://www.whatsnextpodcast.com] Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22 [https://www.instagram.com/bryanfinnerty22/?hl=en] Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanfinnerty/]  PS- Do you love this podcast?  We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show.  This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next. Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.