Problems to Profit

How to Transform From Entrepreneur to CEO

What does it really take to transform someone from an aspiring entrepreneur into a decisive, purpose-driven CEO? In this episode of Problems to Profit, host Preston Brown sits down with Neil Twa to break down his unconventional yet deeply effective approach to leadership transformation. Neil shares why most entrepreneurs don’t fail because of bad strategy—but because they haven’t built the person who can lead the strategy. From mindset recalibration to identity work, emotional discipline, and the courage to create boundaries, Neil reveals the foundational elements required to build a leader capable of sustaining real success. Preston and Neil dive into the psychology of confidence, why self-trust is the highest form of currency, and how solving internal problems often unlocks external breakthroughs. This conversation takes you behind the curtain of Neil’s coaching philosophy—one centered on truth, accountability, and calling people to rise to their highest potential. Whether you're just starting out or scaling to the next level, this episode will challenge you to look inward, own your growth, and become the kind of CEO your business actually needs. Connect with Neil Twa: Website: https://www.voltagedm.com/ [https://www.voltagedm.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neiltwa [https://www.instagram.com/neiltwa] Almost Automated Income with FBA (Book): https://www.voltagedm.com/book [https://www.voltagedm.com/book] First 10 for a free copy of Almost Automated Income with FBA: voltagedm.com/freecopy [http://voltagedm.com/freecopy]  Connect with Preston Brown: Website: https://theprestonbrown.com [https://theprestonbrown.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown [https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/ [https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach [https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach]

From $1.2M Loss to Lifelong Lessons: Jeremy Newsome on Turning Failure into Profit

In this episode, Preston Brown sits down with trader, educator, and Real Life Trading founder Jeremy Newsome — a man whose journey from selling blackberries as a kid to building a multimillion-dollar stock education empire is as raw as it is remarkable. Together, they dive into what it takes to turn breakdowns into breakthroughs, why financial mastery is simply “second-grade math done consistently,” and how to protect your downside while creating infinite upside. They explore the emotional side of entrepreneurship — the guilt, the grind, and the grace it takes to own your story when failure hits hard. It’s a conversation about redemption, resilience, and redefining what “profit” really is. Whether you’re in business, investing, or rebuilding from loss, Jeremy’s journey is proof that every problem carries a return — if you’re willing to do the math. Connect with Jeremy Newsome: Website: https://www.reallifetrading.com [https://www.reallifetrading.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerremynewsome/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerremynewsome/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reallifetrading/ [https://www.instagram.com/reallifetrading/] Connect with Preston Brown: Website: https://theprestonbrown.com [https://theprestonbrown.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown [https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/ [https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach [https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach]

The Business of Being You: Maya Elious’ Story

What does it take to turn a teenage side hustle into a seven-figure coaching empire? In this episode of Problems to Prophets, host Preston Brown sits down with branding strategist and CEO Maya Elious to uncover how she built her business from the ground up—starting with MySpace pages in high school and evolving into one of today’s most respected voices in personal branding and entrepreneurship. Maya shares how she discovered her gift for messaging, why she believes clarity is currency, and how true branding is less about logos and more about identity. From her early struggles as a first-generation college dropout to coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs to raise their prices and own their value, Maya’s story is a masterclass in alignment, resilience, and purpose. Together, she and Preston unpack what it really means to build the CEO before the business, the difference between a coach and a consultant, and why the best brands aren’t afraid to be polarizing. This conversation dives deep into identity, values, and the psychology behind pricing, influence, and impact. CONNECT WITH MAYA ELIOUS: Website: https://mayaelious.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaelious [https://www.instagram.com/mayaelious] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayaelious [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayaelious] CONNECT WITH PRESTON BROWN: Website: https://theprestonbrown.com [https://theprestonbrown.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown [https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown [https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach [https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach]

Faith, Fear, and the Power of Principle: Dustin Hillis with Preston Brown

What happens when success becomes your biggest test of faith? In this episode, Preston Brown sits down with serial entrepreneur and leadership expert Dustin Hillis — a man who’s built, scaled, and led multimillion-dollar businesses across industries from AI to global coaching. Dustin opens up about his journey from selling books door to door to becoming the President of Safe Space Global, where AI meets purpose to save lives. He shares how a football injury redirected his life path, why faith became his compass, and how he turned decades of lessons into his bestselling book, Capacity: Building a Business Bigger Than You. Together, Preston and Dustin dive deep into what it means to lead with faith, tame the ego without killing ambition, and find your true identity beyond your title. From managing the fear of success to building teams that scale, Dustin reveals the six core pillars behind sustainable growth — starting with executive strategy, marketing, and business development. It’s a conversation about balance: ambition and humility, faith and pragmatism, success and surrender. Whether you’re leading a startup or steering a legacy company, Dustin’s story is a reminder that principles—not pressure—are what build empires that last. “The foundation  of your life should be principle based. Like if you have principles that you live your life on, you're going to land in a better place than trying to just go with the flow or do what you think people want.” — Dustin Hillis Connect with Dustin Hillis: Website: https://dustinhillis.com/ [https://dustinhillis.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinhillis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinhillis/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustin_hillis/ [https://www.instagram.com/dustin_hillis/] Capacity (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Capacity-Building-Your-Business-Bigger/dp/1637748035/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GENXNQ31D6MX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NhkMtB9zw4Z2Lz8_L4EAMw.tA4oBQJreAVVOf899rQJl5ljlrN2iAqoz8ppxM_SvXA&dib_tag=se&keywords=capacity+dustin+hillis&qid=1761546563&sprefix=cap%2Caps%2C4109&sr=8- [https://www.amazon.com/Capacity-Building-Your-Business-Bigger/dp/1637748035/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GENXNQ31D6MX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NhkMtB9zw4Z2Lz8_L4EAMw.tA4oBQJreAVVOf899rQJl5ljlrN2iAqoz8ppxM_SvXA&dib_tag=se&keywords=capacity+dustin+hillis&qid=1761546563&sprefix=cap%2Caps%2C4109&sr=8-1] Connect with Preston Brown Website: https://theprestonbrown.com/ [https://theprestonbrown.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown [https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/ [https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach [https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach]

Turning Crap into Gold: Miki Agrawal with Preston Brown

From narrowly missing the 9/11 tragedy to building brands that transformed taboos into cultural movements, Miki Agrawal’s journey proves that creativity and courage can turn even life’s messiest moments into purpose.  She founded Thinx to reimagine period care, created TUSHY to make bathroom hygiene a global conversation, and now leads Hiro—a company using fungi to break down plastic waste and diapers to help save the planet. Along the way, she developed her framework for building “culture-shifting brands” and discovered how love, play, and authenticity can fuel both business and personal growth.  In this episode, Miki shares how near-death experiences reshaped her perspective, how to turn shame into innovation, and why fearless self-expression is the key to changing the world.  Tune in and discover how to embrace disruption with purpose, build brands that spark real cultural change, and live every moment like the gift it truly is. “I don't understand the culture of shame and what if I fail, what will people say. The good news is I have my own inner strength. I know who I am. Everything is gonna be okay.” ~ Miki Agrawal Connect with Miki Agrawal Website (WILD): https://eatdrinkwild.com/ [https://eatdrinkwild.com/]  Instagram (@wild_restaurantnyc): https://www.instagram.com/wild_restaurantnyc/ [https://www.instagram.com/wild_restaurantnyc/]  Website (Tushy): https://hellotushy.com/ [https://hellotushy.com/]  Website: https://hirodiapers.com/ [https://hirodiapers.com/]  Instagram (@hirodiapers): https://www.instagram.com/hirodiapers/ [https://www.instagram.com/hirodiapers/]  Instagram (@mikiagrawal): https://www.instagram.com/mikiagrawal/ [https://www.instagram.com/mikiagrawal/]  Connect with Preston Brown Website: https://theprestonbrown.com/ [https://theprestonbrown.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown [https://www.facebook.com/theprestonbrown]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/ [https://www.instagram.com/theprestonbrown/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach [https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePrestonBrownBusinessCoach]