Get Smart with Money Podcast

85. Journey of Resilience, Risk & Reinvention - Joseph Shalaby

In this powerful episode, Dayna sits down with Joseph Shalaby, founder and CEO of E Mortgage Capital, to unpack a story that goes far beyond business. From arriving in the U.S. as a child fleeing religious persecution in Egypt, to building a nationwide mortgage company from scratch, Joseph shares the real lessons behind resilience, reinvention, and long-term success. We talk about: Starting over with nothing—and what that teaches you about risk How adversity sharpens leadership and decision-making The mindset shifts required to rebuild after failure Why success is more about resilience than resources Lessons from Joseph’s book Rising from the Sand and his own podcast journey This is a conversation about grit, perspective, and building something meaningful—when the odds are stacked against you.

87. Disney to Bankruptcy to Success - Vance Morris

In this episode of the Get Smart with Money Podcast, Dayna sits down with entrepreneur and former Disney executive Vance Morris to explore the powerful lessons behind world-class customer service, resilience, and building businesses people truly love. Vance shares his unique journey—from running restaurants at Disney to facing bankruptcy and eventually rebuilding successful brick-and-mortar businesses. Along the way, he learned that great businesses aren’t built by luck—they’re built through systems, mindset, and a deep understanding of the customer experience. In this conversation, Vance breaks down practical strategies business owners can use immediately to improve cash flow, stand out from competitors, and turn average service into unforgettable experiences. In this episode, we discuss: * The hardest lesson Vance learned after going from Disney leadership to bankruptcy * What small businesses still misunderstand about customer experience * The first thing to fix when cash flow becomes tight * The mindset shift that helped him rebuild after failure * How Disney creates experiences that make people spend money—and leave happy * Why scaling too quickly can hurt your business * Systems that help entrepreneurs work smarter, not harder

86. From Setbacks to Scalable Success: Neil Twa

In this episode of the Get Smart with Money Podcast, Dayna sits down with Neil to unpack what it really takes to build a profitable Amazon FBA business. Neil shares his success path, the lessons learned behind the scenes, and the mindset shifts required to move from uncertainty to sustainable income. This conversation isn’t about overnight wins — it’s about systems, discipline, and making smart financial moves that actually work.

84. Breaking the Credit Barrier -Peter Maher

In this episode of Get Smart with Money, Dayna sits down with Peter Maher, CEO of Ovanti US, to discuss how fintech innovation can create real financial inclusion — not just more debt. With over 15 years of experience building and scaling fintech companies, Peter is leading a movement in the short-term payments space focused on accessibility, trust, and smarter alternatives to traditional credit and Buy Now Pay Later systems. Today, more than 150 million American adults are locked out of affordable credit options. Peter shares how Ovanti is working to redesign the payments ecosystem by offering solutions that empower consumers and support merchants — without trapping people in financial stress cycles. In this conversation, we explore: Why traditional credit systems are failing millions of Americans The hidden risks behind most Buy Now Pay Later models What true financial inclusion really looks like How fintech leaders navigate regulation and innovation Building mission-driven companies that prioritize people over profit If you're interested in financial literacy, fintech innovation, entrepreneurship, or breaking free from debt cycles — this episode delivers insight with impact.  Subscribe and listen on Spotify  Watch the full episode on YouTube

83. Remote Work Myths That Are Costing You Money - Steven Puri

Remote work is everywhere—but most people are doing it wrong.In this episode of Get Smart with Money, Dayna Hernandez sits down with Steven Puri, former EVP at DreamWorks, VP at 20th Century Fox, 3x tech CEO, and founder of The Sukha, a global productivity community with over 34,000 members.After more than 20 years leading remote teams across Hollywood and tech, Steven shares the unexpected lessons that actually make remote work successful—lessons most leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals never hear.We talk about:-Why traditional productivity advice often fails remote teams-The hidden habits that quietly drain performance and income-How leadership mindset directly impacts financial stability-What Hollywood taught Steven about focus, accountability, and trust-The systems behind sustainable remote success (without burnout)-If you work remotely, lead a team, or want to increase productivity without sacrificing your personal life, this episode will completely change how you think about work.🎧 Also Available on Youtube