295. Jason Rejoins David & 30 Minute Thursdays Are Back

This week, Jason is joined by Tom Patterson — co-founder of Tommy John — for a conversation on what it really takes to build a nine-figure brand from scratch in one of the most overlooked categories in apparel.Tom shares the full story behind Tommy John — from walking away from a stable six-figure career in medical device sales to betting everything on a simple idea: fixing a problem he personally experienced with men’s undershirts. With no background in fashion, no industry connections, and just a few thousand dollars, he set out to create a better product — one that would eventually disrupt the entire category.He breaks down the early days of the business — spending roughly $5K to create his first 200 shirts, selling on consignment, getting rejected by retailers, and relying on sales skills to get in the door. From folding inventory himself to traveling store-to-store training sales associates, Tom shares what it actually looked like to build the business from the ground up.Tom also dives into the financial realities of entrepreneurship — funding the business with savings, 401(k) money, and credit cards, going years without paying himself, and navigating the constant pressure of cash flow in the early stages.The turning point came when Tommy John landed in major retailers and later experienced explosive growth through non-traditional marketing — including a breakthrough moment on the The Howard Stern Show that led to record-breaking sales and ultimately shaped the brand’s entire marketing strategy.Tom explains how the company scaled from a startup to a nine-figure business, including the importance of product innovation, brand differentiation, and building a loyal customer base in a highly competitive space. He also shares how strategic partnerships, celebrity endorsements, and a diversified marketing approach helped fuel long-term growth.Beyond the business, Tom opens up about the personal side of the journey — including the stress, burnout, and panic attack that forced him to reevaluate his leadership style, priorities, and overall approach to building the company.From burning the boats and betting on himself to navigating growth, risk, and long-term scaling, Tom gives a raw and honest look at what it really takes to turn a simple idea into a category-defining business.Tom reveals all this and so much more in another episode you can’t afford to miss!Subscribe to the Trading Secrets podcast!

The boys are reunited! 30 Minute Thursdays are officially back to normal—and so is Jason. After a long “work trip,” Jason reunites with David to get caught up on everything he missed. David fills him in on the latest—from Stagecoach stories to what’s been happening in the market—before the two dive into a hilarious recap of last week’s episode featuring Jon Bouffard.

This week, Jason is joined by Jon Bouffard — creator, entrepreneur, and one half of one of the most recognizable couples brands on the internet — for a conversation on what it really takes to build a business from nothing and scale it into a multi-six-figure operation.Jon shares the unconventional path that led him here — from making $15/hour across a series of jobs, including teaching, working at Wells Fargo under a fake name, and serving as a vocational counselor, to eventually pivoting into occupational therapy where he capped out financially and began searching for something more.Everything changed when he partnered with his now wife, Alex, stepping into the world of wedding videography. What started as a creative side hustle quickly grew into a full-time business, scaling from $3K to $10K per wedding — but also came with burnout, long hours, and limited upside.Jon breaks down the turning point — when brand deals began replacing wedding income, allowing them to shift fully into content creation. He explains how their business evolved into a six-figure-per-deal model, what brands are really paying for, and why consistency and relatability have been the foundation of their success.He also opens up about the realities behind the scenes — the pressure to constantly create, the mental toll of staying relevant, and the discipline required to keep showing up even when you don’t feel like it.Beyond the business, Jon shares insight into how he and Alex divide responsibilities, manage finances, and maintain a strong partnership while building together — including why they prioritize simplicity, avoid unnecessary spending, and focus on long-term stability over short-term flash.The conversation also dives into bigger-picture topics — from the future of the creator economy to the challenges of transitioning into traditional media, and the importance of protecting your personal life in an increasingly public world.From $15/hour jobs to building a scalable digital business, Jon gives a raw and honest look at what it takes to bet on yourself, stay consistent, and turn creativity into a career.Jon reveals all this and so much more in another episode you can’t afford to miss!Subscribe to the Trading Secrets podcast!Host: Jason Tartick
Co-Host: David Arduin
Audio: John Gurney
Video: Marc Colcer
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On this 30 Minute Thursday episode, the Curious Canadian and Kathryn Hurley dive into the latest in pop culture while giving a behind-the-scenes look at life in their new home. Kathryn shares the hilarious quirks she’s discovered about Jason since moving in—from unexpected habits to everyday moments that make cohabitation anything but boring. It’s equal parts business, pop culture, and comedy.

This week on Trading Secrets, Sistersnacking joins the show to dish on everything behind the scenes of the food influencer world. From their go-to favorite restaurants to the wildest brand deals they’ve ever landed, nothing is off the table. They break down how they actually make money in the food industry, what brands don’t want you to know, and the hustle it takes to turn snacking into a serious business.Plus, they open up about what’s next—hinting at the possibility of creating their own cookbook and sharing the kind of recipes their audience has been begging for.

This episode of 30 Minute Thursdays features the Curious Canadian stepping in for Jason alongside Blake Horstmann, diving into the evolving DJ world—from turning a passion into a career to the realities of breaking into the industry—before shifting into a full Coachella recap, covering everything from behind-the-scenes insights and festival culture to a firsthand breakdown of Justin Bieber’s headline-making performance, all in a fast-paced, fun, and easy-to-follow 30-minute conversation.

This week, Jason is joined by Matt Halper and Eli Sones — the duo behind Two Friends, for a conversation on how they turned a college hobby into one of the most successful independent DJ brands in the world.Starting as best friends making music for fun in middle school and college, Matt and Eli share how they took a leap after graduation with no real income, betting on themselves in an industry dominated by record labels. What began as small gigs paying a few thousand dollars quickly evolved into a global touring business but not without years of uncertainty, financial risk, and reinvestment.They break down the real business of being a DJ today,  revealing why the majority of their revenue doesn’t come from music, but from live shows, brand partnerships, and building an experience-driven brand. From early days barely breaking even to landing six-figure deals and major residencies in Las Vegas, they explain how they scaled strategically while staying independent.They also dive into the viral success of their Big Booty Mixes and why, despite millions of listeners, they’ve never made a dollar directly from them. Instead, they reveal how free content became their most powerful marketing engine, driving ticket sales, brand deals, and a loyal fanbase around the world.Jason and the guys also explore the future of music and technology, including how AI is changing the creative process and lowering the barrier to entry for new artists and what that means for the next generation of creators.Matt and Eli reveal all this and so much more in another episode you can’t afford to miss!Pebl Pebl is an AI-powered global Human Resources platform built for founders, HR leaders, and operators who are hiring and supporting teams around the worldGo to hipebl.ai to get a free estimate.QuinceRight now, go to Quince.com/tradingsecrets for free shipping and 365-day returnsWhatNot Whatnot is the largest dedicated live shopping platform, whether it’s beauty, collectibles, electronics, luxury fashion  — even cookies — sellers are building real, thriving businesses.WhatNot.comMomentous Head to livemomentous.com and use promo code TRADINGSECRETS for up to 35% off your first order

This week, Jason is joined by Jesse Solomon — reality TV star, creator, investor, and now touring musician — for a conversation on what happens when your life, income, and identity all scale at once.After first appearing on Summer House, Jesse shares how his career has rapidly evolved over the last 18 months — walking away from a traditional finance path and stepping fully into the world of entertainment, social media, and entrepreneurship. What started as a TV opportunity has turned into a multi-million dollar business, fueled by brand deals, investments, and a growing digital platform.Jesse breaks down the financial side of fame — from crossing seven figures in annual income to landing brand deals worth six figures for just a handful of posts. He explains how the creator economy really works behind the scenes, why attention is the most valuable asset you can have, and how he’s thinking about long-term wealth through a mix of traditional investments, crypto, and startup equity.He also opens up about the less glamorous side of the business — the pressure of constantly being “on,” the unpredictability of income, and the reality that everything can change overnight.Beyond the numbers, Jesse dives into the mental shift that’s come with being in the public eye — learning to deal with criticism, letting go of validation, and becoming more comfortable being fully himself on and off camera. He reflects on how his mindset has evolved from needing approval to focusing on authenticity, and why that’s been the key to both personal and professional growth.Jesse also shares a transparent look into his newest venture: music. Despite making millions elsewhere, he explains why he’s currently losing money pursuing it — investing heavily in production, touring, and development — and why he sees it as a long-term bet on himself. From sold-out shows that still lose money to the grind of building a fanbase from scratch, he breaks down what it really takes to chase a passion at scale.Jason and Jesse also get into lifestyle and money habits — from why he chooses renting over buying, to how he avoids lifestyle creep despite increasing income, and the importance of maintaining financial discipline even when money is flowing.On the personal side, Jesse opens up about dating, relationships, and what he’s looking for in a partner, as well as how his perspective on life has shifted years after battling cancer — allowing him to live more freely, take bigger risks, and think long-term about his future.From reality TV to real money, and from passion projects to long-term wealth building, Jesse gives a raw and honest look at what it means to capitalize on opportunity while staying grounded through it all.Jesse reveals all this and so much more in another episode you can’t afford to miss!Gusto Try Gusto today at gusto.com/tradingsecrets, and get three months free when you run your first payroll MonarchUse code TRADING at monarch.com for half off your first year. That’s 50% off at monarch dot com code TRADING.Rula  https://www.rula.com/tradingsecrets
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Week 2 brings you deeper into Jason’s big move as he settles into his new home, sharing the wins, challenges, and behind-the-scenes moments you won’t hear anywhere else. Plus, Jason Tartick and the Curious Canadian break down the latest in current events and entertainment news, keeping things fun, informative, and easy to follow in just 30 minutes.