The Reality of Building Wealth in Your 20s and 30s with Alex Morton

Alex Morton has seen every side of success — early wins, massive income, public stages, and personal collapse. In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford talks with Alex Morton about the real journey from a broke college kid to multimillionaire, and why the moments no one sees matter more than the highlights. Alex opens up about: Making his first million at 24 — and what it didn’t fix Losing nearly everything after peak success Why network marketing works and why it gets a bad reputation How honesty beats hype in sales and leadership Why confidence and self-image determine outcomes What crypto and financial education really represent How success changes as life evolves This episode is raw, reflective, and grounded — a reminder that the journey is never linear. Host & Guest Info Ryan Alford Host, Right About Now Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford Website: https://ryanisright.com Alex Morton Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexmortonmindset YouTube: Alex Morton Mindset

What happens when the brand you build isn’t actually you? In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Jen Gottlieb, co-founder of Super Connector Media and one of Maxim Magazine’s Top Entrepreneurs, to explore the cost of pretending — and the power of authenticity. Jen opens up about her early career on VH1, how playing a character led her to lose alignment with herself, and why that experience shaped her approach to business, PR, and personal branding today. This conversation covers: Why authenticity is the fastest path to authority How rejection builds resilience and confidence The difference between rented credibility and owned credibility Jen’s CIA framework: Credibility, Influence, Authority Why being visible is a responsibility if you want to help people How to reframe “no” into momentum Why you should stop waiting for permission and choose yourself If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or business leader struggling with visibility, confidence, or imposter syndrome — this episode is a must-listen. Sponsors Are you interested in effortlessly growing your bitcoin portfolio?  ↳Gemini Crypto – https://www.gemini.com/card?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=right_about_now&utm_content=host_read&_bhlid=160d7f4fc923d552d3acfd8e1b631d57799c5196 Connect with the Host & Guest Ryan Alford Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford Website: https://ryanisright.com Jen Gottlieb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen_gottlieb Company: https://superconnectormedia.com Podcast + Programs: Link in her Instagram bio If this episode resonated with you: Subscribe to Right About Now Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it Follow Ryan and Jen for daily insights on branding, visibility, and confidence

AI is no longer just a tool — it’s becoming a business operator. In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford talks with Ethan Ouyang, Head of U.S. Operations at DeepWisdom, about the rise of agentic AI and how their platform Atoms enables anyone to build revenue-ready products without writing code or managing teams. Ethan explains how Atoms differs from traditional AI tools by running a full autonomous decision loop — from market research and planning to execution, launch, and SEO-driven monetization. The discussion covers real-world use cases including DTC brands, SaaS products, internal tools, and small-business systems. Topics Covered: What agentic AI actually means Why most AI tools stop at tasks — and Atoms doesn’t How AI coordinates multiple agents autonomously Building MVPs without engineering teams Human judgment vs AI execution Cost efficiency through open-source models Who this technology is really for This episode breaks down why the barrier to building businesses has fundamentally changed — and what that means for founders willing to adapt. Sponsors Are you interested in effortlessly growing your bitcoin portfolio?  ↳Gemini Crypto – https://www.gemini.com/card?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=right_about_now&utm_content=host_read&_bhlid=160d7f4fc923d552d3acfd8e1b631d57799c5196 🔗 Connect with Host & Guest 🎙️ Host Ryan Alford Website & full episodes: https://ryanisright.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalford 👤 Guest Ethan Ouyang Platform: https://atoms.dev Company: https://deepwisdom.ai X (Twitter): https://x.com/atoms_dev

Entrepreneurship isn’t about shortcuts — it’s about staying disciplined long enough to create your own luck. In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Josh Snow, founder and CEO of Snow, for a raw and wide-ranging conversation on adversity, discipline, and what it really takes to build a lasting business. Josh shares how starting his first business at 13 out of financial necessity shaped his mindset, why he bootstrapped Snow into a global brand with over $100M in sales without pulling money out early, and how discipline early in life leads to freedom later. The conversation also explores reinvention, legacy, and why most people quit right before things start working. This episode is for builders who are playing the long game. Topics Covered Why adversity exists at every level of success Burning the boats and reinvesting in yourself Discipline vs. regret — and why discipline always wins How luck is created through preparation Producing vs. consuming in the age of distraction Reinventing yourself without asking permission Transitioning from survival mode to legacy mode Sponsors Are you interested in effortlessly growing your bitcoin portfolio?  ↳Gemini Crypto – gemini.com/card https://gemini.com/card?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=right_about_now&utm_content=host_read Connect & Learn More 🎧 Follow the Show & Host Ryan Alford Website & full episodes: https://ryanisright.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalford 👤 Follow the Guest Josh Snow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshsnow Snow: https://www.instagram.com/snow Affiliate Marketing: https://affiliatemarketing.com If this episode challenged how you think about discipline, success, and legacy: Subscribe to Right About Now Leave a review  Share this episode with someone who’s building for the long term Your support helps us keep bringing real conversations to builders everywhere.

In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford welcomes Sam Dunning, founder of Breaking B2B, for a practical conversation about websites, SEO, and why most companies unknowingly lose leads every day. Sam explains how ego-driven design choices sabotage conversions — from overusing buzzwords to prioritizing aesthetics over buyer clarity. He shares why websites should be treated like full-time salespeople and how even referral-based businesses miss opportunities when their site doesn’t communicate clearly. The episode explores Sam’s journey from retail into digital marketing, lessons learned from early mistakes, and how he now helps B2B brands create sites that drive real results. Ryan and Sam also discuss customer research, homepage fundamentals, proof-based messaging, and how simple changes can dramatically improve inbound leads. This is a must-listen for founders, marketers, and operators who want their website to work harder for their business. Key Takeaways Websites should be built for buyers, not founders Proof converts better than polished language Customer interviews improve messaging fast Clear next steps drive action Bad websites lose invisible revenue 📣 Connect with Ryan & Sam 🎙 Right About Now Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RightAboutNowwithRyanAlford 🌐 Ryan Alford: https://ryanisright.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryanalford 🚀 Sam Dunning / Breaking B2B: Website: https://breakingb2b.com LinkedIn: Search “Sam Dunning” Podcast: Breaking B2B Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone rebuilding their website. Sponsors Are you interested in effortlessly growing your bitcoin portfolio?  ↳Gemini Crypto – Gemini.com/card

What happens when you stop letting fear decide your future? In this episode of Right About Now, host Ryan Alford sits down with entrepreneur, creative pioneer, and author Scott Scovill for a powerful conversation about fear, failure, and what it really takes to pursue your dreams. Scott opens up about graduating near the bottom of his class, flunking out of college, and being diagnosed with a deep fear of failure — a fear that nearly kept him stuck forever. Everything changed the night he randomly met the touring crew for U2, attended their concert, and realized he’d found the life he wanted — but only if he was willing to try. That moment sparked what Scott now calls tenacity — the relentless pursuit of what matters most. Today, Scott has built multiple companies, led massive live productions for world-class artists, and written a deeply personal book, Tenacious: The Art of Relentlessly Pursuing Your Wildest Dreams, sharing the lessons he learned along the way. In this episode, Scott and Ryan dive into: Why fear of failure keeps most people stuck How a single moment can redefine your entire future Why execution matters more than motivation The power of simply showing up How storytelling beats preachy self-help Turning setbacks into momentum Learning that failure hurts far less than imagined If you’re building a business, chasing a creative dream, or just trying to become a better version of yourself — this conversation will challenge you to stop waiting and start moving. 📣 Connect with Ryan & Scott 🎙 Right About Now Podcast: https://ryanisright.com 📸 Ryan Alford: Instagram → https://instagram.com/ryanalford 📘 Scott Scovill: Website → https://scottscovill.com 📚 Tenacious: The Art of Relentlessly Pursuing Your Wildest Dreams Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and major retailers. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the show.

Building a real brand isn’t about playing it safe — it’s about testing, failing, learning, and trusting your instincts. In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Brett Berish, CEO of Sovereign Brands, to unpack how he built global spirits brands like Bumbu, Deacon Whiskey, Bel-Air Rosé, and McQueen Gin by doing the opposite of what the industry expected. Brett explains why he stopped trying to compete with giants like Bacardi or Jack Daniels and instead leaned into authenticity, taste-first product development, and bold packaging. He compares building businesses to comedians refining jokes — constantly reacting to audiences, tweaking the approach, and evolving until something truly lands From navigating America’s rigid three-tier alcohol system to building brands in over 80 countries, Brett shares hard-earned lessons about flexibility, leadership, and believing in products before the market catches up. This episode covers: • Why no one believed in Brett’s brands at launch • How taste matters more than celebrity endorsements • Why packaging is part of the brand experience • How failure shaped his leadership style • Building teams of self-starters, not followers • Why letting products “breathe” unlocked global growth • Turning personal struggle into purpose If you’re building anything — a company, a product, or a personal brand — this conversation offers a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and trusting what makes you different. Connect with Ryan & Brett 🎙 Right About Now Podcast: https://ryanisright.com 📸 Ryan Alford: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford 🥃 Brett Berish: https://www.instagram.com/brettbarishceo 🌐 Sovereign Brands: https://sovereignbrands.com Explore Brett’s brands: Bumbu, Deacon Whiskey, Bel-Air Rosé, McQueen Gin, Violet Fog, and Vione France. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the show.

Success rarely looks the way people expect it to — and almost never happens on a straight line. In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Derrick Hayes, founder of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, for a candid conversation about patience, belief, and the discipline required to build something that lasts. Derrick walks through the early days of entrepreneurship, including failed ideas, long nights, and moments where progress wasn’t visible — even when the work was real. Using powerful analogies and lived experience, Derrick explains why many people confuse movement with momentum, hustle with mastery, and ambition with execution. He shares how learning the business of what you’re building is what separates long-term success from endless grinding. Key Takeaways: Why most people quit before the payoff shows up How patience functions as a competitive advantage The danger of “hobby hustling” Why discipline beats motivation every time How real leaders think about scale and responsibility This episode is for anyone who wants more than quick wins — and is willing to play the long game. Keep up With Ryan and Derrick 🌐 Learn more at https://ryanisright.com 🎧 Subscribe to Right About Now on YouTube & podcast platforms 📸 Follow Ryan Alford on social for clips and insights 🍽️ Discover Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks and Derrick Hayes’ journey nationwide If this conversation resonated, share it with someone building something of their own.

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you build. In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Mara Dorn, a leader who has helped build billion-dollar sales organizations and mentor hundreds of young professionals. Mara shares the lessons she learned early: you only get one shot, first impressions matter, and how you show up physically affects how you perform mentally. Drawing from decades of experience, she explains why discipline, posture, energy, and personal standards still matter — even in a world driven by convenience, shortcuts, and AI. This isn’t about appearances for appearance’s sake. It’s about understanding how confidence, credibility, and work ethic are deeply connected to results. In this episode, we cover: Why first impressions are psychological, not superficial How posture and presence affect performance The difference between confidence and ego Why discipline outperforms talent The generational shift in work ethic How to build real confidence without pretending to be perfect Why authenticity still requires standards Mara also opens up about anxiety, imperfection, and how embracing flaws — instead of hiding them — can become a competitive advantage. Listen & Watch Full episodes, video, and show updates: 👉 https://ryanisright.com Check out the BILF Podcast: 👉 https://bilfpodcast.com Follow on Socials  Ryan Alford Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalford Mara Dorn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maradorn Website: https://maradorn.com

Most people misunderstand the rental car business. They either assume it’s too risky, too time-consuming, or only works if you’re renting luxury vehicles. Others lump it in with online side hustle hype without ever understanding the actual mechanics behind it. In this episode, Ryan talks with George Madden, founder of Car Rental Coach, about what the rental car business really looks like when it’s built intentionally. George didn’t start with supercars or flashy marketing. He built his fleet around cheap, reliable economy cars, focusing on utilization, insurance structure, and cash flow rather than appearances. Throughout the conversation, George explains: Why economy cars consistently generate better returns than luxury rentals How small fleets can produce steady monthly income What people get wrong about insurance and liability How depreciation and write-offs change the math entirely How much time it actually takes to operate a small fleet Why this business works as both a side hustle and a primary income When scaling makes sense—and when it doesn’t The answers are practical, grounded, and based on real experience—not theory. This episode is for anyone who wants to understand: How small businesses quietly generate cash flow Why “boring” assets often outperform exciting ones What a realistic, system-driven side business actually looks like No hype.No shortcuts. Just a clear look at a business most people don’t fully understand—but probably should.