1167 episodes
- #1168 If you're only making money from one source, you're leaving a fortune on the table! In part one of this two-part conversation, host Brien Gearin sits down with Bart Merrell — the Side Hustle Samurai — to explore how everyday experiences can be turned into income streams. Bart shares his unconventional journey from aspiring FBI agent to entrepreneur, covering ventures that span bungee towers in Japan, vehicle importing, dog training, and even monetizing his own leg amputation. He introduces his signature framework of three simple lists — what you like to do, what you need to do, and what you're already doing — as a starting point for identifying your ideal side hustle. Bart also digs into the mindset shifts required to move from scarcity thinking to seeing abundance everywhere, and explains why there has never been a better time in history to start a business!
(Original Air Date - 3/26/26)
What we discuss with Bart:
+ Bart's unexpected path to entrepreneurship
+ "Can I monetize it?" — his guiding question
+ Bungee towers and vehicle importing in Japan
+ Turning dog adoption into a $90K side hustle
+ Getting paid as an amputee consultant
+ The three-list framework for finding your hustle
+ Scarcity mindset vs. abundance mindset
+ Why you don't need a traditional job to build wealth
+ The importance of mentorship and hand-holding
+ Why now is the best time to start a side hustle
Thank you, Bart!
Check out Part 2 of this episode.
Check out Bart Merrell at BartMerrell.com.
Take the free $1k Blind Spot Assessment.
Follow Bart on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Watch the video podcast of this episode!
Get your FREE 5 Minute Business Plan at MillionaireUniversity.com/Plan
Want to 10x your income and influence? Apply to join the Podcast Collaboration Network at PodcastCollaborationNetwork.com
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit MillionaireUniversity.com/Sponsors
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices He Got 2M Users on His Car Platform (Without a Single Ad) (Part 2/2) (MU Classic)
14/11/2026 | 29 mins.#1167 What happens when a 3D car customization platform meets cutting-edge AI — and a well-funded copycat shows up at SEMA trying to steal the idea? In Part 2 of this two-part episode, host Brien Gearin continues his conversation with Pete Polyakov, founder and CEO of Mods Nation and Arvion Bauhaus, diving deeper into the tech and AI infrastructure powering the platform. Pete breaks down how Mods Nation evolved from a one-man passion project to a sophisticated system using MCP and AI agents to onboard thousands of SKUs and streamline logistics. He also opens up about the critical importance of protecting intellectual property, sharing hard-learned lessons from idea theft, and why filing patents — which can cost as little as $60 — is a non-negotiable step for any serious founder!
(Original Air Date - 3/25/26)
What we discuss with Pete:
+ Building Mods Nation from a solo passion project
+ Using MCP and AI agents for vendor onboarding
+ AI-powered car customization recommendations
+ Real-time parts ID in YouTube videos
+ Starting a business in minutes using AI
+ Demand validation through the platform
+ The importance of protecting your IP
+ Design patents starting at just $60
+ Lessons learned from a well-funded copycat
Thank you, Pete!
Check out Part 1 of this episode.
Check out Mods Nation at ModsNation.com.
Check out Arvion Bauhaus at ArvionBauhaus.com.
Watch the video podcast of this episode!
Get your FREE 5 Minute Business Plan at MillionaireUniversity.com/Plan
Want to 10x your income and influence? Apply to join the Podcast Collaboration Network at PodcastCollaborationNetwork.com
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit MillionaireUniversity.com/Sponsors
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesHe Got 2M Users on His Car Platform (Without a Single Ad) (Part 1/2) (MU Classic)
13/11/2026 | 32 mins.#1166 What if your most embarrassing DIY fail turned into a platform with 2 million monthly users? In Part 1 of this two-part episode, host Brien Gearin sits down with Pete Polyakov, founder and CEO of Mods Nation and Arvion Bauhaus, to explore his journey from a frustrating DIY car mod gone wrong to building a 3D vehicle tuning platform serving 2 million users monthly. Pete shares how he accidentally built a demand validation machine for auto parts manufacturers, why solving your own problems is often the best business strategy, and how Mods Nation evolved into a thriving car culture community. He also touches on the origin of his custom Porsche design house, Arvion Bauhaus, which was born out of a single SEMA show appearance. Tune in for Part 2 to hear more from Pete on entrepreneurship, design philosophy, and what's next for both ventures!
(Original Air Date - 3/25/26)
What we discuss with Pete:
+ Solving your own problems as a business strategy
+ 3D visualization reducing buyer's remorse
+ Mods Nation's accidental growth to 2 million users
+ Using the platform as a demand validation tool
+ Manufacturing cost savings through digital testing
+ Building inbound interest vs. chasing customers
+ Car culture community over transactional marketplace
+ Arvion Bauhaus born from a single SEMA appearance
+ Free-to-play community model driving revenue
+ Form-first design philosophy setting Arvion Bauhaus apart
Thank you, Pete!
Check out Part 2 of this episode.
Check out Mods Nation at ModsNation.com.
Check out Arvion Bauhaus at ArvionBauhaus.com.
Watch the video podcast of this episode!
Get your FREE 5 Minute Business Plan at MillionaireUniversity.com/Plan
Want to 10x your income and influence? Apply to join the Podcast Collaboration Network at PodcastCollaborationNetwork.com
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit MillionaireUniversity.com/Sponsors
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices- #1165 What if starting a podcast could unlock thousands of dollars in free mentorship, powerful business connections, and opportunities you never imagined? In Part 2 of this two-part episode of Millionaire University, host Brien Gearin continues his conversation with entrepreneur and Real Business Connections podcast host Ben Albert to explore how to turn podcasting and strategic networking into long-term business growth. Ben shares why niching down your podcast can attract the right guests, sponsors, and opportunities, and how building a thriving community can create a powerful ecosystem of collaboration and support. Discover his practical dos and don'ts for nurturing relationships after podcast interviews, why leading with genuine curiosity and generosity beats aggressive sales tactics, and how creating a valuable platform can give you access to high-level entrepreneurs, mentors, and experts. Plus, Ben reveals how to leverage AI search optimization to increase your visibility and why building authentic relationships is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your entrepreneurial journey!
What we discuss with Ben:
+ Finding Your Podcast Niche
+ Attracting Guests and Sponsors
+ Building a Thriving Community
+ Creating Peer-to-Peer Connections
+ Monetizing Your Podcast
+ Nurturing Relationships After Interviews
+ Leading With Value, Not Sales
+ Leveraging Free Mentorship and Consulting
+ Building a Powerful Personal Network
+ Increasing Visibility Through AI Search Optimization
Thank you, Ben!
Check out Part 1 of this episode.
Check out Real Business Connections at RealBusinessConnections.com.
Join GrowGetters ONLY.
Follow Ben on LinkedIn.
Watch the video podcast of this episode!
Get your FREE 5 Minute Business Plan at MillionaireUniversity.com/Plan
Want to 10x your income and influence? Apply to join the Podcast Collaboration Network at PodcastCollaborationNetwork.com
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit MillionaireUniversity.com/Sponsors
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - #1164 What if the secret to growing a successful business isn't selling more, but building better relationships? In Part 1 of this two-part episode of Millionaire University, host Brien Gearin sits down with Ben Albert, entrepreneur and host of the Real Business Connections podcast, to explore how strategic networking can help you build a thriving business from scratch. Ben shares how losing his job during the pandemic led him to launch a business podcast, leverage LinkedIn to connect with local entrepreneurs, and replace his corporate income in just over a year. Discover his powerful "creation-driven networking" strategy, why providing value before asking for anything in return is the key to attracting opportunities, and how to become a "center of gravity" that naturally draws people and referrals your way. Plus, Ben breaks down his simple "plus, minus, equals" framework for building meaningful connections with mentors, potential clients, and peers, and explains how anyone can use podcasting, content creation, or everyday networking to grow their business without relying on traditional sales tactics!
What we discuss with Ben:
+ Building a Business Through Networking
+ Going From Zero to Entrepreneur
+ Becoming a Center of Gravity
+ Creation-Driven Networking
+ Providing Value Before Selling
+ Leveraging LinkedIn for Connections
+ Turning Relationships Into Referrals
+ Standing Out Through Differentiation
+ Podcasting as a Networking Tool
+ The Plus, Minus, Equals Framework
Thank you, Ben!
Check out Part 2 of this episode.
Check out Real Business Connections at RealBusinessConnections.com.
Join GrowGetters ONLY.
Follow Ben on LinkedIn.
Watch the video podcast of this episode!
Get your FREE 5 Minute Business Plan at MillionaireUniversity.com/Plan
Want to 10x your income and influence? Apply to join the Podcast Collaboration Network at PodcastCollaborationNetwork.com
To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit MillionaireUniversity.com/Sponsors
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About Millionaire University
With 15M+ downloads, Millionaire University is the podcast for entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and ambitious builders who want to grow a business, increase their income, and achieve financial freedom.
Join founders and hosts Justin and Tara Williams, along with co-hosts Brien Gearin, Kirsten Tyrrel, and Brogan Williams, for conversations with entrepreneurs about what they built, how they make money, and what they’d do differently.
Each episode delivers practical strategies for business growth, personal finance, investing, and building multiple income streams. Learn how to start and scale profitable businesses, create passive revenue, make smarter money decisions, and design a life built on freedom—not burnout.
Our Millionaire Mentors share real-world playbooks, step-by-step frameworks, and the exact strategies they used to build wealth—so you can apply them immediately.
Whether you're launching your first business, scaling to six or seven figures, investing for long-term wealth, or developing the mindset required to win financially, this show gives you clear, actionable guidance without the fluff.
No hype. No theory. Just proven systems to help you earn more, grow faster, and build lasting wealth.
Welcome to Millionaire University—your school for wealth creation.
Graduate rich, not broke.
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