Ep430: Why Not You? How Stormi Banks Built an $18M Grant Empire Without Debt

Shannon Houchin is the founder of Roadside Republic, a 7-figure seasonal business built from a single peach stand and a whole lot of hustle. After launching her first stand in a gas station parking lot with no investors and a $1,500 setup, she scaled it into a multi-state roadside empire—with pop-up tents, a storefront in Fort Worth, and a cult following for fresh, Texas-grown produce. Shannon’s been featured in Entrepreneur and Inc. and is on a mission to bring back the American roadside as a place of freedom, grit, and good fruit. Connect with Shannon: Website: roadsiderepublic.com Instagram: @roadsiderepublic Facebook: Roadside Republic TikTok: @roadsiderepublic

John D. Marvin is the President and CEO of Texas State Optical, a $110M vision-care brand. A former marketing strategist turned industry leader, he’s passionate about mindset, purpose-driven leadership, and helping others unlock their full potential through personal growth. Connect with John: Website: TSO.com LinkedIn: John D. Marvin Email: [email protected] (Include "Unconventional Life" in the subject line)

Anne Robie is a leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Darshan Leadership. A former HR exec with 25+ years of experience, she now helps leaders and changemakers lead with authenticity, using tools like mindfulness, the Enneagram, and embodied practices to create real, lasting impact. Connect with Anne: Website: https://darshanleadership.com Instagram: @annerobie LinkedIn: Anne Robie Podcast: The Perfectly Imperfect Journey (available on major platforms)

Dr. Karwanna D. Irving is a government contracting strategist helping entrepreneurs secure 6- and 7-figure contracts without working more. A faith-driven founder, she’s on a mission to create $1B in impact by helping 1,000 Black entrepreneurs earn $1M each. Connect with Karwanna: Website: https://govconchallenge.com/unconventional Book: https://dontduckthegovernmentbook.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/kwarwaspeaks YouTube: https://youtube.com/@karwannad  

Stormi Banks is the visionary, Founder, and CEO behind Pink Print, a groundbreaking company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs secure funding without the burden of debt. As the go-to expert in grant writing, Stormi’s fresh and relatable approach makes her stand out in the industry.  Her mission is to empower minority women entrepreneurs by demystifying the complex grant process, providing the tools to succeed, scale their businesses and achieve their dreams. Connect with Stormi: Instagram: @stormibanks_ YouTube: PinkPrintFirm

Heather Campbell is a branding strategist, AI trailblazer, and founder of Radical Branding. With 25+ years in corporate branding, she now helps entrepreneurs build soul-aligned, profitable brands rooted in clarity and authenticity. After surviving a brain aneurysm, Heather redefined her approach to business—ditching hustle culture in favor of intentional, sustainable growth. Her mission is to empower founders to own their voice, market with purpose, and scale without burnout. Connect with Heather: Website: heyheathercampbell.com Instagram: @heyheathercampbell Six-Figure Founders community launches soon—join the waitlist via her site.  

Carl Daikeler is a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO and co-founder of The Beachbody Company, a leading innovator in the fitness and nutrition space. With a career spanning over four decades, Daikeler has been a trailblazer, pioneering unconventional and highly effective methods to help individuals reach their health and fitness goals.  Daikeler co-founded Beachbody in 1998, now known as BODi, which has expanded into a powerhouse of fitness and nutrition tools under his leadership over the last 26 years. The brand is celebrated for its iconic programs such as P90X, Insanity, and 21 Day Fix, and its profound impact on millions worldwide.  Over the years, Daikeler has overseen the development of continued innovation resulting in massive growth, including the creation of Shakeology, the world’s first superfood nutrition shake that has sold over a billion servings. He also hosts The BODi Experience podcast, is a successful Broadway theater producer winning three Tony Awards, and a tech investor.  Connect with Carl: Website: bodi.com Instagram: @carldaikeler Linkedin: Daikeler Carl  

Honey German, a multifaceted Latina entrepreneur and life coach, is the proud daughter of Dominican parents, born and raised in New York City. She is the host and creator of the Gracias, Come Again podcast, powered by iHeart Radio, where she delves into topics ranging from Latino culture and music to personal growth and empowerment. Honey’s passion for connecting with others and sharing authentic stories has made her a trusted voice within the community. In addition to her podcast, Honey is a successful business owner and a life coach dedicated to helping others achieve their goals and find balance. Her approach combines genuine relatability with a deep understanding of personal transformation, inspiring individuals to reach their full potential. With a background as a media professional, Honey has interviewed top-tier celebrities such as Cardi B, John Leguizamo, Megan Thee Stallion, and Saweetie, bringing a fresh perspective to every conversation. She also advocates for persons with disabilities and works closely with the American Heart Association, sharing her stroke survival story to promote health awareness within the Hispanic community. Through her various ventures, Honey embodies resilience, creativity, and the entrepreneurial spirit, making her a role model for Latinas and beyond. Connect with Honey: Website: honeygerman.com Instagram: @iamhoneygerman Podcast: Gracias, Come Again

Rob Kalwarowsky is a globally recognized executive coach, TEDx speaker, and author of the provocative book Antidote for the A$$hole Boss. Widely regarded as a leading expert on toxic leadership, Rob helps high-performing entrepreneurs and executives transform their leadership from the inside out—so their teams (and lives) can thrive. Before stepping into the world of coaching, Rob spent over a decade as a reliability engineer and asset manager in mining, oil pipelines, and heavy industry consulting. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, where he was also a three-time NCAA Academic All-American in water polo. After overcoming a toxic workplace, severe burnout, and a personal mental health crisis, Rob radically reinvented his life—moving to Costa Rica, coaching Olympic athletes and Fortune 500 leaders, and guiding others to reclaim their power through self-leadership. His work integrates cutting-edge psychology with real-world leadership strategies, helping clients scale not just in revenue, but in fulfillment. Rob’s mission is simple: better leaders, better lives, better world. Connect with Rob: Website: robkalwarowsky.com LinkedIn: Rob Kalwarowsky Check out Rob’s Book: robkalwarowsky.com/book

Christy Pretzinger is the CEO of WG Content and author of Your Cultural Balance Sheet: Keys to Creating an Environment Where People Can Thrive. A former freelance writer turned business leader, she champions self-awareness, intentional leadership, and people-first workplace culture that drives success. Connect with Christy: Website: wgcontent.com LinkedIn: Christy Pretzinger