The Breakout Bunch

You're Not Selling Rate, You're Selling You - Aaron Kramer

From getting fired just months into his first mortgage job to building a reputation as the guy clients trust for life, Aaron Kramer’s story is proof that resilience, identity, and intention matter more than any rate sheet. In this episode, Aaron breaks down how he: • Built his career around long-term relationships, not one-time transactions • Learned that the real sale isn’t the rate — it’s you • Differentiated himself instantly in a high-pressure panel interview • Got hired on the spot… then fired three months later • Faced financial rock bottom when COVID hit and retail commissions disappeared • Bet on himself by bringing clients over to the broker side • Funded his first broker deals and completely changed his trajectory • Developed thick skin through repeated setbacks and market downturns • Turned honesty and confidence into a powerful client retention advantage • Expanded beyond mortgage into business financing, credit solutions, and new ventures • Built a personal brand centered on health, wealth, and helping others win • Believes the only way to truly find yourself is to go through hell If you’ve ever struggled through a slow season, questioned your path, or wondered what separates transactional salespeople from trusted advisors — this episode is a masterclass in mindset, persistence, and becoming the person clients never want to leave. Guest: Aaron Kramer — Mortgage Advisor and Entrepreneur 📍 California IG (Personal): @akphysique ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Cold open – “You’re family now” 02:15 Selling trust, not the deal 06:40 The panel interview that changed everything 10:22 “I was fired three months later” 14:05 COVID, rock bottom, and almost losing it all 18:30 Switching to the broker side and funding first deals 23:10 Why clients stay even when rates aren’t the lowest 28:45 Building thick skin through downturns 34:12 Expanding into business credit and new ventures 40:05 “You don’t know who you are until you go through hell” 43:30 Aaron’s mission moving forward 💬 About The Breakout Bunch Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life. Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders chasing purpose, impact, and growth beyond the paycheck. Austen knows the grind firsthand. He’s a seasoned mortgage broker leading a division at one of the nation’s largest mortgage companies — helping hundreds of families get into homes across the country. But beyond that, he’s deeply curious — about business, people, and the choices that shape our lives. 🎙️ New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

From Door-to-Door Sales to $500K at 25 - Seth Berge

From growing up on a farm in the middle of nowhere to building multiple seven-figure businesses, Seth Berge’s story is proof that sales, discipline, and timing can completely change your life. In this episode, Seth breaks down how he: • Grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota with no intention of staying small • Discovered sales through door-to-door hustling while still in college • Made his first sale in under 15 minutes — and never looked back • Built a career around commission-only sales and uncapped earning potential • Made over $500,000 a year in his mid-20s through dinner seminar sales models • Learned when to exit industries before they collapsed • Transitioned across multiple industries — home improvement, insurance, annuities, and regenerative medicine • Failed fast, walked away from bad deals, and protected his reputation • Built long-term freedom by mastering marketing systems, not just products • Avoided lifestyle inflation while still enjoying the rewards of hard work • Views business as a competitive sport — and refuses to play it at 60% • Is building legacy-driven businesses with his kids and team in mind If you’ve ever wondered how high earners think, how to pivot industries without starting from zero, or how to balance ambition with fulfillment — this episode is a masterclass in sales, mindset, and entrepreneurship. Guest: Seth Berge — Serial Entrepreneur & Regenerative Medicine Distributor 📍 United States IG (Personal): @sethdberge IG (Business): @regenerativerevival ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Cold open – Growing up in the middle of nowhere 03:11 The first door-to-door sale that changed everything 06:10 Why commission-only sales create freedom 15:25 How money stopped being stressful 22:45 Making $500K+ per year in his mid-20s 26:55 Knowing when to exit before industries collapse 28:26 A business failure that taught a critical lesson 30:36 “Don’t get distracted by the shiny new toy” 32:09 Why Seth believes business is a competitive sport 34:31 Building legacy for his sons 35:22 How to find the right mentor 38:17 Advice for young entrepreneurs starting out 💬 ABOUT THE BREAKOUT BUNCH Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life. Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders chasing purpose, impact, and growth beyond the paycheck. Austen knows the grind firsthand. He’s a seasoned mortgage broker leading a division at one of the nation’s largest mortgage companies — helping hundreds of families get into homes across the country. But beyond that, he’s deeply curious — about business, people, and the choices that shape our lives. 🎙️ New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

She Got Laid Off... Then Built a 6-Figure Marketing Business - Jessica Kruebbe

From a surprise layoff to building her own hospitality marketing business, Jessica Kruebbe proves that sometimes losing your dream job is the best thing that can happen to you. In this episode, Jessica breaks down how she: • Went from being Director of Marketing overseeing 15 restaurant locations — to getting laid off overnight • Landed her first client two weeks before the layoff (and turned it into a full-time business) • Built her “Mini CMO” brand helping small restaurant groups scale like pros • Moved across the country — twice — to chase opportunity and growth • Balanced faith, self-doubt, and new beginnings while launching her business • Learned how to price her value, set client boundaries, and say “no” with confidence • Discovered that success isn’t about money — it’s about impact and freedom • Built an internship program and started mentoring young marketers • Is redefining what productivity looks like by rejecting endless meetings • Plans to grow her “nontraditional agency” through collaboration, not corporate chaos If you’ve ever been laid off, scared to start something new, or waiting for the “perfect moment” — this episode will remind you that sometimes, your next chapter begins when the old one ends. Guest: Jessica Kruebbe — Hospitality Marketing Strategist / CEO of Jessica Kruebbe Marketing Strategy 📍 Nashville, TN IG: @jkmarketingstrategy Timestamps: 00:00 Cold open – “I didn’t choose to do this… they laid me off.” 01:14 Why “Mini CMO” brands are changing hospitality marketing 06:10 The layoff that sparked her business 07:33 Finding faith and freedom through entrepreneurship 10:06 What a “Mini CMO” actually does 12:24 Pricing yourself and learning your worth 18:05 Setting client boundaries and learning to say no 20:15 Why social media marketing is her least favorite job 23:53 One year in business — what success really looks like 25:28 Killing meetings and reclaiming productivity 28:04 Why money isn’t the goal — impact is 31:30 Lessons from failure, faith, and new beginnings 33:35 Advice for anyone ready to take the leap Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life. Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders who are in it for more than just the money—they’re chasing purpose, impact, and something bigger than themselves. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

Pacemaker Heart of a Champion - Chené Micah Williams

At 16, doctors told Chené Micah Williams he’d never live a normal life again. Three knee surgeries. A lifelong pacemaker. Every reason to stop. Instead, he turned pain into purpose — becoming Pacemaker Shane, a fitness trainer and heart-health advocate who inspires thousands. In this episode, Chené breaks down how he: • Survived open-heart surgery and learned to live with a pacemaker • Faced three major knee operations before he was 25 • Battled depression, doubt, and identity loss after his diagnosis • Rebuilt his body and mindset through training and faith • Founded the Pacemaker brand — a movement for resilience and awareness • Found purpose in helping others rebuild confidence through health and discipline • Redefined what “strength” truly means when your heart is literally wired to survive If you’ve ever faced setbacks, health battles, or the feeling that life’s odds are stacked against you — this episode will hit home. Guest: Chené Micah Williams — “Pacemaker Shane” 📍 Los Angeles, CA IG: @pacemakerchene [https://www.instagram.com/pacemakerchene] Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life. Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders who are in it for more than just the money—they’re chasing purpose, impact, and something bigger than themselves.

How Nicholas Stone Turned a $1,500 Basement Café Into a 65-Store Empire

From professional athlete to investment banker — to founding one of America’s fastest-growing premium café brands. Nicholas Stone’s story is about betting on yourself, building community, and finding purpose through human connection. In this episode, Nicholas breaks down how he: • Went from professional Australian Rules Football to investment banking in New York • Built Bluestone Lane as a side project — starting with a 200-sq-ft basement café and no signage • Opened 12 stores while still working full-time before taking the leap • Turned a $1,500/month Midtown lease into a multi-million-dollar lifestyle brand • Attracted celebrities like Taylor Swift and David Beckham through authenticity, not hype • Used Instagram to fuel early organic growth before “viral cafés” were a thing • Survived COVID by pivoting from office cafés to suburban community hubs • Negotiated over 300 lease restructures and rebuilt stronger than ever • Built a company that prioritizes human connection over convenience in a lonely, digital world • Shares how AI now helps Bluestone Lane analyze reviews and elevate guest experience • Plans to expand across the U.S. — aiming for hundreds of stores while staying true to the brand’s soul If you’ve ever wanted to build something lasting — or wondered what it takes to lead through chaos — this episode is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and vision. Guest: Nicholas Stone — Founder & CEO, Bluestone Lane ☕️ 📍 Based in New York City IG: @bluestonelane Timestamps: COMING SOON Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life. Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders who are in it for more than just the money—they’re chasing purpose, impact, and something bigger than themselves. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.