Episode 1234: The AI Agent Buying Your Next CarNew Boost with Zach Shefska

What if the year you lost your job and your mother lost her home became the same year you helped build a $70 million breakthrough in medicine? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Rome Madison, 3X Best-Selling Author and Keynote Speaker, who shares how growing up with a single mother battling severe mental illness and later homelessness fueled his “no excuses” mindset, and how hand-copying medical textbooks at Barnes & Noble helped him break into precision medicine just as the Human Genome Project was completed. He walks through launching a consulting firm, co-creating the Precision Medicine Podcast that contributed to a $70 million acquisition, and his current work as a confidence coach and host of the global show Genetics for Healthcare, helping high achievers stop second-guessing themselves and expand their impact.   Key Takeaways: → The pivotal year when unemployment and a family crisis collided, and why that moment became the catalyst for entering precision medicine. → The unconventional way he prepared for a highly technical role by hand-copying medical and molecular biology content from bookstore shelves. → A plain-language breakdown of what precision medicine actually is, and how it first transformed cancer care through surgical specimens. → Why so many venture-backed precision medicine companies burned through billions, and how that opened the door for his consulting firm. → Behind-the-scenes insights into the $70 million acquisition that included the podcast, and the powerful lessons it taught him about ownership, equity, and value creation.   Rome Madison is a dynamic speaker, author, and podcaster who helps people boost self-confidence, face fears, embrace uncertainty, and cut through chaos to achieve bold, ambitious goals. Known for his high-energy delivery and inspiring message, he empowers audiences to take risks and pursue success with fearless determination. A pioneer in the precision medicine industry, Rome draws from extensive sales management and executive leadership experience, sharing powerful lessons from leading massively successful start-ups to navigating the challenges of corporate collapse and restructuring. A futurist with a Specialty in Business Strategy from Harvard Business School Online, he blends forward-thinking insight with real-world expertise. Featured on more than 50 TV and radio programs nationwide, Rome has spoken on global stages, including the Consumer Electronics Show, where he shared his expertise on the Future of Healthcare. His mission is simple yet profound: inspire people to crush their goals, no matter the obstacles. Connect With Rome : Website: https://romemadison.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romemadisoneverydaysuperstar/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RomeMadison X: https://x.com/RomeMadison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEverydaySuperstar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genomicsellingsolutions/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how combining strategic thinking, integrated campaigns, and strong team execution transforms marketing from a chaotic expense into a predictable growth engine. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Andrew Seidman, COO and Co-Founder of Digital Reach Agency, a former professional poker player turned marketing strategist who helps global enterprises and well-funded startups achieve measurable growth. With over a decade of experience leading multi-channel campaigns using platforms like Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Demandbase, and 6sense, Andrew is known for turning complex digital challenges into streamlined, high-impact solutions. In this episode, he shares lessons on building repeatable processes, integrating teams, and leveraging data to drive meaningful results. Key Takeaways: → The importance of focusing on process rather than short-term results in marketing and operations. → Understanding the core challenges companies face in generating qualified leads and pipeline. → The value of integrating branding, content, digital experience, and revenue operations into one cohesive strategy. → How multi-channel campaigns deliver measurable impact across platforms like Google, LinkedIn, and social media. → Scaling teams effectively while maintaining culture, accountability, and alignment across geographies. Andrew Seidman is the COO and Co-Founder of Digital Reach Agency, where he has played a key role since 2013. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Andrew works closely with global enterprises to develop and implement strategies for Account-Based Marketing (ABM), Demand Generation, and Product-Led Growth (PLG) motions. He leads global advertising campaigns using platforms like Google, LinkedIn, Bing, Facebook, Demandbase, 6sense, and Terminus. Andrew coordinates resources to drive the agency's growth while providing support to the sales and technology teams to ensure exceptional customer service. With over 12 years of experience, Andrew is dedicated to delivering end-to-end digital strategies that drive success for clients around the world. Connect With Andrew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalreachagency/ X: https://x.com/digitalreachb2b Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DigitalReachAgency/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-reach-agency/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Digitalreachagency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if an AI agent could negotiate your car deal while you keep your phone on silent? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Zach Shefska, Co-Founder & CEO of CarEdge, a platform using data, software, and services to make car buying fair, fast, and transparent. Zach explains how CarEdge evolved from a YouTube channel with his veteran car-salesman father into a suite of tools—pricing data, a concierge team, and an AI negotiator—that level the playing field for buyers without trying to eliminate dealerships. He shares how the business model aligns incentives, why “human-in-the-loop” AI matters, and how trust and speed can beat opacity and pressure. Key Takeaways: → CarEdge began as a YouTube channel teaching people how to buy cars and has grown into a platform with millions of monthly viewers plus tools and services that support the entire purchase journey. → The company offers negotiation-ready data, an AI negotiator that engages dealers on your behalf, and a human concierge team made up of former dealership pros who can run the process end-to-end. → Zach designed the model to avoid dealer pay-to-play by charging consumers for help, which means dealerships receive educated, motivated buyers without subscription fees or low-quality lead churn. → The mission is not to destroy dealerships but to make transactions fairer and faster, which can still serve dealer interests by improving close rates and reducing negotiation friction. → Dealership profits are typically driven by finance and insurance products rather than the new-car sale itself, so CarEdge focuses on fair vehicle pricing while educating consumers on F&I decisions. Zach Shefska is the co-founder and CEO of CarEdge, a platform dedicated to reforming the automotive retail experience through radical transparency, consumer empowerment, and digital innovation. His journey from tech executive to mission-driven entrepreneur exemplifies a deep commitment to building purpose-driven solutions that challenge exploitative norms. Connect With Zach:Website: http://www.caredge.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycaredge TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caredge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycaredge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the same mindset that builds nine-figure businesses could also create a happier, healthier life?   In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Pete Sacco, Entrepreneur, Technologist, Modern Day Mystic, is the author of Living in Bliss: Achieve a Balanced Existence of Body, Mind, and Spirit, who shares how his own low point—facing poor health and personal unhappiness despite career success—sparked a complete transformation that reshaped both his life and his company. He reveals the framework behind his “Commit, Learn, and Do” philosophy and how understanding superpowers, core values, and balance can turn ambition into fulfillment.   Key Takeaways: → How each stage of expansion requires new structures, mentors, and sometimes new team members. → Why it’s vital for entrepreneurs to evolve from being business operators into strategic thinkers and investors → How professional success without personal fulfillment is a form of failure. → Why it’s crucial to practice gratitude, reframe expectations, and find daily moments of wonder. → How clarity, collaboration, and alignment are more important than control.   Pete Sacco is a visionary entrepreneur, technologist, and modern-day mystic who blends conscious leadership with breakthrough innovation. As the founder of multiple ventures—including PTS Data Center Solutions, INTUVA, GRID7, InstaGuardIP, and Gray Wolf Data Centers—Pete has led transformative initiatives across AI, energy, blockchain, and digital infrastructure. His journey from electrical engineer to spiritual author and advisor reflects a rare fusion of high performance and inner awakening. Pete is the author of Living in Bliss: Achieve a Balanced Existence of Body, Mind, and Spirit, a guide for high achievers seeking fulfillment beyond success. A finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Pete holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He serves on the advisory board of its School of Computer Sciences and Engineering. Based in New Jersey, he helps purpose-driven professionals unlock clarity, vitality, and purpose—one system, one person, and one moment at a time.   Connect With Pete: Website: https://petesacco.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petesaccoofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@petesacco X: https://x.com/PeteSaccoCEO LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petertsacco/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PeteSaccoCEO   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freedom gets a lot easier when your systems work harder than you do.   In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Daniel Alonzo, Wealth Coach, who unpacks the mindset and mechanics of true financial freedom. Financially independent by 28, Daniel scaled to 1,500+ agents across 60 offices and hosts the Wealth on the Beach podcast. He breaks down scaling via leadership, content consistency, and modern messaging that attracts the next generation while building durable passive income.   Key Takeaways: → Why entrepreneurs must replace their limiting beliefs with decisive action. → How achieving true financial freedom requires both passive income and strong cash reserves. → Building leaders who can operate independently allows a business to scale faster than any individual effort ever could. → Why documenting systems, training materials, and repeatable processes leads to sustainable growth and more free time. → How consistency separate those who get attention from those who fade away.   Daniel Alonzo is a high energy entrepreneur, wealth coach and host of the Wealth on the Beach Podcast, ranked top 100 by million podcasts. He's built one of the largest financial teams in America with over 1,500 licensed agents and 60 offices. He's also the author of 3 books: Wealth on the Beach: 11 Laws to Building Financial Freedom, Wealth on the Beach: For Teens, and his latest, Wealth on the Beach: Why Most Life Insurance is a Scam - And How to Get It Right. Daniel's Mission is to teach people how to build wealth, shift their mindset, and live a life of freedom, choices and options - no fluff, no BS.   Connect With Daniel: Website: https://wealthonthebeach.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielalonzo/ X: https://x.com/DanielAlonzoBL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.alonzo.796/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielAlonzo1   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you focus your energy like a laser, the right single move can change everything.   In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Stephen Scoggins, Faith-Driven Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Author, who rose from homelessness to build Custom Home Exteriors into one of the East Coast’s largest exterior service companies—~400 employees and just under nine figures annually—before exiting in 2023. Stephen now leads Unstoppable Solutions, creating media and events and empowering education to help founders align purpose, performance, and profit. He shares the mentor lessons that saved his life, the pitfalls that stall entrepreneurs, and how “presence over hustle” creates compounding momentum.   Key Takeaways: → Why being busy doesn’t equate to being proactive and how focused presence beats hustle culture. → How to overcome the five constraints: arrogance, ignorance, impatience, fear, and insecurity. → Why starting from scratch requires ingenuity, initiative, and brick-by-brick systems that scale. → How profit without meaning leads to isolation and how to build both wealth and fulfillment. → Why many founders need alignment more than another playbook. Stephen Scoggins is a business strategist, bestselling author, and founder of Unstoppable Solutions by Scoggins International Inc. Once homeless, he went on to build and exit multiple companies, becoming a serial 9-figure entrepreneur and mentoring thousands through his Unstoppable Entrepreneur Programs and frameworks for aligned, sustainable growth. Named by USA Today and The Wall Street Times as one of the fastest-growing entrepreneurs in 2023, Stephen has also reached over 48 million podcast views through his show Build, where he helps purpose-driven leaders scale without compromising who they are. Known for challenging hustle culture, he teaches an integrated approach to entrepreneurship that prioritizes meaning, integrity, and legacy-level impact—proving that lasting income follows radical alignment.   Connect With Stephen: Website: https://stephenscoggins.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephen_scoggins X: https://x.com/stephen_scoggin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephenscoggins/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenscoggins/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephen_scoggins   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When execution gets cheap and fast, the advantage shifts from incumbents to the bold.   In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Alex Mehr, PhD, Former NASA Scientist, Serial Entrepreneur, and AI Disruptor, who explains why this AI wave is different. Technology is replacing human tasks (often doing them better), turning “idea machines” into prolific builders by slashing execution time and cost. He shares how famous.ai helps entrepreneurs spin up real MVPs quickly, why “barbarian” tactics beat empires, and the mindsets that separate shippers from stallers.   Key Takeaways: → How this AI wave replaces, not just augments, many human activities. → How AI collapses the gap between ideation and execution. → How underdogs can carve niches by attacking specific, local weak points. → Why entrepreneurs should test cheaply, retreat quickly, and redeploy where traction appears. → Why logos and colors are meaningless if you’re not shipping and learning.   Dr. Alex Mehr is a former NASA scientist turned serial entrepreneur who has built and exited multiple companies serving millions of users worldwide. Today, as Co-Founder and CEO of Famous.ai, he’s breaking down the last barrier to entrepreneurship: coding. Alex believes there’s a dividing line in entrepreneurship—before 2025 and after 2025. With AI now able to turn plain-English prompts into production-ready apps, execution is no longer the bottleneck—ideas just became more valuable than ever. From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, Alex has seen firsthand that speed is the ultimate competitive advantage. His mission is to empower non-technical founders, creatives, and professionals to build bold tech businesses without needing engineers, massive funding, or years of trial and error. Alex’s unique gift is taking complex technology and translating it into actionable, inspiring stories that leave audiences believing: your idea is worth building today, not someday.   Connect With Alex: Website: https://famous.ai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctoralex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realDrMehr/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you solve one real problem brilliantly, it can unlock five more and add an entire category. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Shawn Nelson, Founder and CEO of LoveSac, who shares how a homemade “not-beanbag” snowballed into a NASDAQ-listed company with 300+ locations, a logistics moat, and the best-selling sectional platform in the U.S. He breaks down the invention mindset, LoveSac’s sustainability-by-design philosophy, and why products must be designed for life to win long term. Key Takeaways: → Why logistics matter and how they can be used as your hidden superpower.  → Building a product that can evolve allows it to stay relevant for decades. → Why sustainability and durability beat planned obsolescence.  → Why building your own channel proves demand for your product.  → If products last, growth must come from new rooms, categories, and features. Shawn Nelson is the founder and CEO of LoveSac, Inc. He graduated from the University of Utah and founded LoveSac in 1998, initially creating his first “not-bean bag” from shredded foam camp mattresses. Nelson quickly gained traction, securing an order for 12,000 Lovesacs from Limited Too, and later opening his first retail location in 2001. In 2003, he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Nelson also appeared on Richard Branson’s The Rebel Billionaire in 2005, winning a $1 million investment, and spent three months as acting president of Virgin companies. Shawn expanded LoveSac’s product line to include the world’s only changeable sectional couch. He earned his master’s degree in strategic design and management from Parsons in 2015, where he also became a part-time instructor. That same year, he appeared on Make Me a Millionaire Inventor and delivered the keynote at the 40 Under 40 awards for Fairfield County, Connecticut. In 2018, he took LoveSac public, with shares debuting on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LOVE.” Connect With Shawn: Website: https://www.lovesac.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnoflovesac X: https://x.com/shawnoflovesac LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndnelson/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revenue keeps rising, but your bank account doesn’t? Here’s how to fix that.   In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Ben Hansen, Business Consultant & CEO, Profit Doctor, who built an eight-figure consulting firm to 100 employees and $13M revenue with five Inc. 5000 awards, after earlier stints at Dell and Microsoft. Ben now helps $2–$50M companies add +5 net profit points in 90 days by importing top-quartile practices into below-average performers. He shares the mindset, metrics, and surgical cuts that turn chronic cash strain into sustainable profitability.   Key Takeaways: → Why chasing your top line often hides bottom-line decay. → How to make money by stopping what loses money. → The ten areas that are most likely to hide margins. → How to identify unprofitable customers, products, and channels, and exit them. → Why it’s vital to build a business that funds its own growth.   Ben Hansen is a 5-time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur and founder of an 8-figure staffing firm. In his previous business, he built a team of over 100 employees in just 8 years and consistently achieved fast growth and high profit. Today, he helps CEOs solve their profit problems fast and he understands firsthand what it takes to build a lean, scalable business that actually makes money. He works with companies earning between $2 and $50 million in annual revenue to increase margins, cash and distributions. Most see meaningful improvements within just 12 weeks without adding more workload or pressure. Ben specializes in curing what he calls Profititis - when revenue keeps growing but profit doesn’t. With hands-on experience, he offers simple, practical solutions that deliver real results, not more theory or complexity.   Connect With Ben: Website: https://profitdoctor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profitdoctorben/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhansen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitdoctorben Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most owners work hard for money—few learn to make the tax code work hard for them. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Catrina M. Craft, a tax strategist and accountant who’s advised business owners and previously learned elite tax strategy working with the wealthiest 2% of Americans. Creator of the CRAFT Money Map framework, Catrina specializes in turning reactive “tax season” chaos into proactive, year-round wealth strategy. She breaks down the KPIs that actually drive profitability, the entity and election decisions that matter, and timely plays like bonus depreciation, §179, and QBI that can free up cash to grow.   Key Takeaways: → Proactive vs. reactive taxes: what changes when strategy starts before year-end. → The five KPIs that matter: cash flow, profitability, A/R & A/P, LTV, and CAC—plus how to dashboard them. → The C.R.A.F.T. Money Map: Cash flow, Retirement, Asset management/protection, Financial freedom, and Tax strategies. → Entity structure ≠ paperwork: why LLC + the right tax election (S/C/partnership/sole prop) can swing your tax outcome. → When to hire a strategist: startup consults to avoid missteps; quarterly at ~$50k profit; monthly at ~$100k+.   Catrina M. Craft, CPA, CEO & Founder of Craft More Cash. "The tax code isn’t fair — but that’s your opportunity as a business owner.” This is the perspective Catrina Craft brings as the CPA and tax strategist behind some of the most profitable coaches, consultants, and creators in the industry. After climbing out of $100K in debt and losing 80% of her income overnight, she rebuilt her business by using the same advanced tax strategies and wealth-building tactics that the top 2% of the wealthiest rely on to protect and multiply their money. Now, she teaches her clients to do the same. Through her Craft Money MapTM system, she helps high-earning entrepreneurs cut taxes by 25% and boost profits by 20% — strategies most accountants won’t even talk about. On the mic, Catrina pulls back the curtain on what the ultra-wealthy know: how proactive tax strategy lets you keep more, grow faster, and build real wealth. Listeners walk away with practical insights on entity structuring, overlooked deductions, and income planning that scales. Connect With Catrina: Website: https://www.catrinamcraft.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catrinamcraft/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catrinamcraft1/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices