From Goldman Sachs to Cultural Capital: Dr. Rachel Laryea on Wealth, Identity, and Building Kelewele

In this episode of the WillPower Podcast, I sit down with Joe Shalaby, CEO of eMortgage Capital, one of the largest independent mortgage platforms in the country. Joe has built an eight-figure company, leads a team of over 900 loan officers, and has grown a massive following with millions of fans across multiple platforms.We dive into Joe’s journey of entrepreneurship, how he scaled his business to dominate the mortgage industry, and the strategies he uses to build and lead high-performing teams. Joe also shares insights from his own podcast, Coffee’s Foreclosures, and breaks down what it really takes to stand out in today’s competitive real estate and mortgage space.If you’re an entrepreneur, real estate professional, or just someone looking to learn from a proven leader in scaling and team building, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick Segal’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role

In this episode of The WillPower Podcast, Rick Segal joins me for part one of our deep dive into the world of private funds. Rick breaks down the fundamentals of setting up a fund and raising outside capital—covering everything from the role of general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs) to the structure of ownership and how capital is deployed.Rick also just released his brand-new book, The Heart of It, which unpacks decades of insight from building, investing in, and leading companies at the highest level.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role🎙️ Tune in for a conversation that blends hard-earned wisdom with actionable insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.#Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #BusinessSuccess #WillpowerPodcast #TheHeartOfIt

In this episode, I’m joined once again by Rick Segal — now officially stepping in as co-host of the Willpower Podcast. We dive into the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship, the shifting challenges VCs face in finding truly investable companies, and the real-world metrics that define business success.Rick also just released his brand-new book, The Heart of It, which unpacks decades of insight from building, investing in, and leading companies at the highest level.📖 Get your copy of The Heart of It here: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/entrepreneurship/the-heart-of-it/📝 Read Rick’s blog: https://impactinvestorsegal.com/blog/f/fathers-role🎙️ Tune in for a conversation that blends hard-earned wisdom with actionable insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.#Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #BusinessSuccess #WillpowerPodcast #TheHeartOfIt

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Rachel Laryea—former Goldman Sachs analyst, double PhD from Yale, cultural entrepreneur, and author of Black Capitalists. Rachel shares her extraordinary journey from Wall Street to founding Kelewele, a lifestyle brand that celebrates heritage and redefines culture-forward luxury. We dive into the intersection of Black wealth, cultural identity, and entrepreneurship, and explore the insights behind her groundbreaking book. If you're passionate about purpose-driven business and cultural empowerment, this conversation is a must-listen.

Justin Rashidi is the co-founder of SeedX, a global digital agency with over 50 team members and an 8-figure track record of success. Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, Justin has helped some of the world’s top brands discover and amplify their online voice.In this episode, we dive into Justin’s journey—from starting SeedX with a mission-driven vision to navigating international growth, hiring at scale, and staying ahead in the fast-moving world of digital strategy. He shares hard-earned lessons on leadership, branding, and what it takes to build a company that balances purpose and profit in the digital age.Whether you're building your own brand or scaling a team, this conversation is packed with wisdom and strategy you won't want to miss.

Dr. Dave Jones has worn many hats—pro hockey player, U.S. Air Force officer, and now the founder of M is Good, the largest Christian marketing agency in the world. In this powerful episode, we unpack Dave’s incredible journey of discipline, faith, and entrepreneurship. He shares how the principles he learned on the ice and in the military translated into building an 8-figure agency that helps ministries and purpose-driven businesses grow with integrity.Whether you're a faith-based entrepreneur or simply someone looking to lead with values, this conversation is packed with insights on branding, leadership, and living out your calling.

In this episode of The WillPower Podcast, I sit down with Rich Kahn, the CEO and co-founder of Anura, a leading fraud detection platform designed to eliminate ad fraud and expose malware before it wreaks havoc. Rich shares how his entrepreneurial journey led him to operate an Inc. 5000 company for five consecutive years, and what it takes to build trust and transparency in a world increasingly dominated by digital deception.We dive deep into how Anura helps companies protect their marketing spend, the hidden costs of fraud most businesses don’t realize, and what Rich believes every entrepreneur should know about cybersecurity today.If you're building online, running ads, or just want to safeguard your business, this episode is a must-listen.

Back by popular demand, Rick Segal—venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and trusted advisor to countless startups—returns to The Willpower Podcast for a deeper dive into the evolving role of VCs in a founder’s journey.In this candid and insightful conversation, Rick unpacks what founders often misunderstand about venture capital, how great VCs add real value beyond the check, and why alignment between investors and entrepreneurs is more critical than ever.We cover:What VCs really look for before investingThe red flags founders should watch for in investor relationshipsHow to navigate power dynamics and preserve your visionThe shift from transactional capital to strategic partnershipsWhether you're raising your first round or scaling toward exit, this episode is a must-listen for founders who want to build smarter, faster, and with the right people by their side.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Shan Nair, the visionary founder of Nucleus, a company that’s revolutionized how businesses scale across borders. From helping Tesla navigate international expansion to supporting the growth of FaceTime globally, Dr. Nair shares his unmatched insights into global compliance, operational strategy, and the future of international business. If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your business worldwide, this episode is your playbook.Tune in to discover:The biggest mistakes companies make when expanding internationallyHow startups and scale-ups can go global without breaking the bankWhat it takes to build a business that transcends bordersThis is a masterclass in global entrepreneurship from one of the best in the game.

In this powerhouse episode, I sit down with Doug Brown — CEO of CEO Sales Strategies and Vibitno — a sales legend who has generated over $1 billion in revenue and trained alongside icons like Tony Robbins. As the former Independent President of Training for Robbins, Doug has helped thousands of small to mid-sized businesses master the art of client acquisition and scale with precision.We dive deep into:Doug’s proven strategies to grow sales teams that actually performHow to build a repeatable and scalable client acquisition systemThe biggest mistakes founders make in sales (and how to fix them)Lessons from the front lines of billion-dollar sellingWhether you're a founder, sales leader, or entrepreneur looking to level up, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom you can put into action immediately.🎯 Listen in and get ready to scale like a CEO.