How a $5K Idea Made $100M

You don't need a million dollars to own your future,  just the right franchise. In this episode of The Vault Unlocked, Kayvon Kay sits down with Adam Goldman, "The Franchise Master," to break down how everyday people are building wealth and freedom through franchising. From corporate workers to immigrants chasing the American Dream, Adam connects people to proven business models across 75 industries, from fitness and cleaning to tech and food. He reveals how a $125K franchise can grant U.S. residency through the E-2 Visa and why 90% of franchises succeed when operated right. Adam's "Silver Bullet" philosophy will make you rethink entrepreneurship: the system works, but you are the key to success. If you're ready to escape the 9–5, this episode shows exactly how.  

He built the world's first CRM before Salesforce existed, and now he's doing it again. In this episode of The Vault Unlocked, Kayvon Kay sits down with Jon Ferrara, founder of GoldMine CRM and Nimble, to uncover how a $5,000 startup became a $100M company that changed how the world sells. Jon shares his lessons on relationships, purpose, and building category-defining products without venture capital. From partnering with Microsoft to being one of the first to work with Mark Cuban, Jon's story is a blend of innovation and heart. He also opens up about his life after exit, facing a health crisis, finding spirituality, and redefining what success really means. if you care about legacy, relationships, and building something that endures, this episode will resonate deeply with you.  

From Navy uniform to nine figures, and nearly losing it all. In this episode of The Vault Unlocked, Kayvon Kay talks with Douglas James, a Navy veteran turned digital entrepreneur who built a $100M coaching business and now leads LeadFi.ai, a data-driven SaaS company transforming how businesses qualify leads. Douglas shares his rise, crash, and comeback, from early SEO experiments and Google penalties to mastering Facebook ads and scaling systems that change lives. He opens up about the trauma that fueled his drive, the failures that shaped his mindset, and the philosophy that keeps him winning: Choose the hard door. If you've ever felt stuck between stability and growth, this episode will remind you that real success starts where comfort ends.

Most companies struggle to hire top talent not because they lack opportunity—but because they rely on outdated, expensive recruiting models. In this episode of The Vault Unlocked , Kayvon Kay sits down with Walter Sabrin, founder of HireFinder and executive at Venture Employer Solutions, to uncover how small and mid-sized businesses can finally compete with Fortune 500 firms in the war for talent—without paying outrageous 25–30% recruiting fees. With nearly two decades in talent acquisition, Walter has seen it all—from $50,000 recruiter commissions to small businesses losing their best hires because they couldn't afford to play the same game. Now, he's flipping the entire recruiting model on its head with a cost-effective, fully customizable hiring system designed for scalability and retention. Together, Kayvon and Walter break down how to attract A-players, what most companies get wrong about hiring, and why the future of recruiting is about long-term relationships—not one-time placements. If you've ever felt trapped by bad hires, bloated costs, or HR headaches, this episode is your blueprint for hiring smarter, faster, and more affordably. You'll discover: ✓ The truth behind traditional recruiter fees and why they keep small businesses stuck ✓ How HireFinder's "team of three recruiters" model levels the playing field for SMBs ✓ Why culture and communication matter more than cash for retention ✓ How to scale your team without locking into expensive long-term contracts ✓ The post-COVID shift in employee priorities—and how to hire with that in mind ✓ Real insights from 140,000+ client companies on what makes great hiring sustainable

Most consultants and coaches burn out not because they lack expertise, but because they undervalue it. In this episode of The Vault Unlocked, Kayvon Kay sits down with Ann Carden, a six-time business builder and seller who specializes in helping service-based entrepreneurs make million-dollar leaps with just a handful of premium clients. Ann reveals why charging $50,000+ isn't just possible—it's essential for sustainability.  From her early days building health clubs without the internet to closing $413,000 deals for her clients, Ann breaks down the psychology and strategy behind premium offers. Kayvon and Ann explore why a $100,000 client is easier to work with than a $2,000 one, how to position yourself as a strategic partner instead of an extra pair of hands, and why most experts are leaving millions on the table by giving away their highest value upfront.If you've ever wondered how to escape the client treadmill and build a business that gives you your life back, this conversation delivers the blueprint. You'll discover: ✓ Why premium clients are easier to close and work with than budget buyers ✓ How to package your expertise into $50K+ offers that clients say yes to immediately ✓ The three types of gateway offers that open doors to six-figure deals ✓ Why giving away strategy upfront kills your ability to scale ✓ How to position yourself so clients never question your pricing ✓ The mindset shift from "Can I charge this?" to "Why wouldn't I?" ✓ Real examples of consultants 3X-ing their income in 90 days or less

In this episode of The Vault Unlocked, Kayvon Kay sits down with Jess Garcia, recruiter and staffing manager in the biotech space, to uncover the truth about hiring in today's market. Jess shares her journey from selling cell phones to becoming one of the top recruiters in San Diego. She breaks down how the economy, post-COVID trends, and shifting workplace culture are reshaping recruiting and why businesses must work harder than ever to attract and retain talent. Kayvon digs deeper, pressing Jess on how companies can stand out, why A-players are more complicated to hire than ever, and how AI is changing (but not replacing) recruitment. If you're hiring, leading a team, or just curious about how recruiting really works, this episode will give you the inside scoop. You'll discover: Why staffing is one of the toughest sales jobs How candidate behavior has shifted since COVID Why interview processes often drive candidates away How culture and reputation shape recruiting success Why A-players are staying put, and how to win them The role AI plays in the future of hiring

Most agents don't fail due to housing market fluctuations; they fail because they don't treat real estate as a full-time business. In this episode of The Vault Unlocked, Kayvon Kay interviews Leigh Brown, broker, speaker, and author with 25 years of experience in real estate. Leigh shares her no-nonsense take on why commitment beats gimmicks, how to serve every client with professionalism, and why the best agents are problem solvers first and salespeople second. Together, they dive into everything from the 90/10 rule in real estate to how AI is changing sales, why visibility in your community matters, and how to survive the lawsuits and upheavals facing the industry today. If you're a real estate professional or any entrepreneur who wants to build trust, authority, and results, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.  

Most home builders don't fail because they can't build homes. They fail because they can't build systems. In this episode of The Vault Unlocked, Kayvon Kay interviews Grant Fuellenbach of Go First Consulting, who helps builders and remodelers integrate AI, CRMs, and practical operations tools to streamline their businesses. Together, they delve into why 90% of contractors go out of business, how to uncover the real 2 a.m. problem (cash flow and payroll), and the three-step process Grant uses to transform chaos into clarity. Kayvon also coaches Grant on refining his elevator pitch and selling to the deeper levels of pain every entrepreneur faces. If you're serious about scaling your business or want to learn how to sell with empathy and clarity, this episode delivers.

Most coaches think sales confidence comes from scripts. Jeanne knows it comes from self-worth. While others obsess over objection handling and clever closing lines, she's mastered the internal game, showing high-ticket sellers how to own their value so powerfully that prospects feel it before they hear it. Her clients aren't just learning to "sell", they're learning to embody the identity of a trusted authority. With Kayvon guiding the conversation, Jeanne reveals how she went from doubting her worth to commanding premium prices without flinching, and why confidence, not tactics, is the real conversion engine. In this episode, you'll discover: -Why your internal dialogue determines your external results in sales -How to break free from fear of rejection and imposter syndrome -The mindset shift that turns "asking for the sale" into a natural next step -Why prospects buy confidence before they buy competence -How self-worth sets the ceiling on your earning potential This isn't about learning the perfect pitch. It's about becoming the person who no longer needs one.

Most business owners know AI is the future, but for most, that future feels paralyzing. Between flashy AI tools, confusing jargon, and headlines about mass layoffs, they freeze… or worse, plug in automation they barely understand. Jeff MacPherson isn't selling AI as magic. He's building future-proof companies by turning their real-world data, systems, and people into scalable intelligence assets. Through his company Moment37, he helps businesses earning $2M–$25M integrate AI into operations, without replacing their team or breaking what already works. His approach doesn't start with tech. It starts with training the models on your mission, team, and processes. His "Top Framework" (Team, Org, Purpose) lets companies inject AI where it matters, and leave everything else untouched. The result? Profit increases of 20–40% within 12 months. No hallucinations. No hype. Watch as he breaks down the real work behind AI success: -Leadership alignment before code gets written -Why the right prompt can unlock (or break) entire workflows -How companies accidentally "train AI to be stupid" by dumping disorganized data -And why "raise the floor, not the ceiling" is the most human-first AI philosophy in the market This isn't a glorified Zapier setup or a custom GPT skin with fancy branding. It's operational intelligence: structured, implemented, and optimized to grow with your team.