How Successful Men Balance Marriage & Money | David Shands, Dub Washington, Mike MacDonald, JDinkins What does success really look like when you’re married? In this episode, David Shands sits down with Dub Washington, Mike MacDonald, and JDinkins to have an honest conversation about the side of success most people don’t talk about — marriage, money, pressure, and responsibility. We go beyond business and into real life: How successful men think about money inside marriage The sacrifices no one sees while building wealth Balancing ambition without neglecting your spouse or family Financial leadership, communication, and trust in relationships What they got wrong early — and what they’d do differently now This isn’t relationship “advice.” It’s real perspective from men who are building, married, and still figuring it out. If you’re an entrepreneur, high-earner, or man trying to grow financially without losing your home, this conversation will hit different. 👇 Drop a comment below: What’s harder — building wealth or maintaining a healthy marriage while doing it? 🎙️ Connect with the guests: Dub Washington Mike MacDonald JDinkins 🚀 Join The Morning Meetup Daily conversations on money, mindset, relationships, and execution with entrepreneurs who are actually building. 👉 https://www.themorningmeetup.com 📌 Subscribe for more real conversations on success, marriage, money, and life. #MarriageAndMoney #SuccessfulMen #EntrepreneurLife #Husbands #Leadership #DavidShands #SocialProofPodcast

Podathon crew surprises viewers with a $500 live sing-off — and one of the judges is none other than 112’s own Q Parker. This episode turns into pure entertainment as viewers call in, grab the mic, and try their best to sing their favorite 112 classics like Cupid, Peaches & Cream, and more. Some crushed it… others? Not so much Q Parker reacts in real time, the chat goes crazy, gift cards get handed out, and the whole episode becomes one of the funniest Morning Meetup moments ever. Whether you're a fan of 112, love live crowd moments, or just want to laugh this is one you have to see.

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The service industry is entering a major correction — and most entrepreneurs have no idea what’s coming. Across the country, service prices have skyrocketed while customer satisfaction and perceived value have stayed the same. Haircuts, cleaning services, videography, coaching, design, consulting — almost every service-based business is charging more but delivering the same thing. And now the market is pushing back. Customers are cutting expenses. Jobs are being eliminated. Household budgets are shrinking. Subscriptions are getting canceled. Loyalty no longer exists in this new economy. 🔥 If you’re a service provider or entrepreneur in the service industry, this episode is your warning before the bubble pops. You’ll learn how to survive inflation, adapt to shifting customer behavior, and build a business that is actually recession-proof. 🚀 WANT COACHING FROM A REAL ENTREPRENEUR COMMUNITY? Join The Morning Meetup — daily coaching, accountability, business development strategies, and a community of entrepreneurs who actually execute. 👉 Just $19/month — cancel anytime. Join here: https://www.themorningmeetup.com/plans/1934120 🎙️ In this episode, I break down the REAL state of the service industry: 💰 Why service prices inflated faster than the market could handle 📉 Why customers are cutting “non-essential” services in 2025 & 2026 ⚠️ How the service industry bubble formed — and why it’s about to burst 🤖 How AI is replacing entry-level service providers and driving prices down 🔥 What high-performing service businesses are doing to stay competitive 📚 Six recession-proof strategies to keep your business alive in a tightening economy This is the episode every service provider needs to hear. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – The service industry is struggling 00:24 – Why prices exploded after the pandemic 02:00 – Inflation vs value: the gap that’s killing service businesses 03:30 – Why I cut my price from $97 to $19 05:50 – What happens when customers stop paying for convenience 07:00 – The myth of “loyal clients” in a down economy 09:00 – Subscriptions, cancellations & household budget cuts 11:00 – The rise (and fall) of unqualified service providers 12:40 – High-ticket became a trend, not a strategy 14:10 – AI is replacing entry-level service providers 16:20 – The 6 steps to survive the service industry correction 17:00 – Reinforce your value with real proof 18:20 – Create guarantees customers can trust 21:00 – Offer value AI can’t replicate 23:20 – Expand your skillset instead of raising prices 25:40 – Build a down-market offer customers can afford 28:00 – Retention over new customer acquisition 30:00 – Community is the only long-term moat 32:00 – Join The Morning Meetup

Running a business just got smarter. With Revolut Business, you can manage global payments, issue team cards, track expenses, and integrate your accounting—all in one powerful app. Send money in 25+ currencies to over 150 countries at the real exchange rate. Issue physical and virtual cards for your team, with custom spending rules. Automate accounting with integrations like Xero and QuickBooks. And here’s the best part: Sign up today and get a $200 welcome bonus when you add money to your account. Join over 60 million customers worldwide who trust Revolut to take their business further. Sign up now: revolut.pxf.io/DyP41a #RevolutBusiness #ad #sponsored #Mastercard

Are we overpaying for EVERYTHING right now? Haircuts, nails, fast food, groceries, oil changes, rent — it all feels out of control. But here’s the truth: the service industry bubble has officially exploded… and it’s impacting EVERYBODY. In this live training, David Shands breaks down the REAL economic forces behind why everything costs so much in 2025 — and more importantly, what entrepreneurs and service providers must do to survive and thrive in this new economy. We dig into: Why consumers feel overcharged Why service providers feel underpaid The inflation behind barbers, beauty pros, and restaurants How the service bubble was created How to keep clients longer even when frequency drops Ethical pricing strategies How to build a profitable service business in a shaky economy The skills you need right now to increase your income How to create a recession-proof business model Why some people win during inflation while others fall behind If you work in barbering, beauty, restaurants, coaching, consulting, content creation, real estate, or ANY part of the service industry, this conversation is non-negotiable. The economy has shifted — and this is the playbook for how to win. 🔥 Subscribe & turn on notifications https://youtube.com/@RealSocialProof 🔥 Join The Morning Meetup community The #1 entrepreneurship accountability group in the world. https://www.themorningmeetup.com/

In this episode, David sits with Harry to decode the exact system behind AI discovery and ranking. They unpack how search actually works under the hood, why most businesses don’t show up when AI scans the web, and the mistakes founders make when they assume talent or a good idea equals visibility. You’ll learn the practical side of authority signals, digital PR, indexing, competitor comparison behavior, and financial reality inside service-based businesses. They also hit the leadership and scaling lessons that come from building teams across borders, managing margins, and making marketing work in a world where AI is the new search engine. 🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple 📩 Business inquiries: billing@realsocialproof.com 🔥 Subscribe for more episodes. 👥 Join The Social Proof Community: 🚀 The Morning Meetup: http://themorningmeetup.com 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations Follow David on IG https://www.instagram.com/dshands/

In this solo episode, David breaks down the 10 essential pillars that determine whether you will succeed or fail when you try to build something of your own. He digs into the mindset shift required to bet on yourself, why so many people quit out of fear, and what it really takes to survive the early stages of business when nothing seems to be working. He explains why ideas do not matter without execution, how to spot real problems instead of chasing cool products, and why knowing your audience can make or break your entire plan. David also simplifies the financial side of business such as revenue, cost, profit, margins, and cash flow so you finally understand where your money is going and why you might not be seeing results. You will also learn the importance of marketing, attention, branding, systems, processes, and the network around you. This episode gives you a clear and honest framework for what you must master if you want to go from a job and a dream to building something real. 🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple 📩 Business inquiries: billing@realsocialproof.com 🔥 Subscribe for more episodes. 👥 Join The Social Proof Community: 🚀 The Morning Meetup: http://themorningmeetup.com 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations Follow David on IG https://www.instagram.com/dshands/ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:15 – Why Entrepreneurship Still Feels Hard 01:00 – Do You Really Want to Be an Entrepreneur? 02:00 – The Stats Nobody Talks About 04:50 – 1. Mindset 14:36 – 2. Solve Problems, Not Sell Products 19:08 – 3. Know Your Audience 24:29 – 4. Execute (Even When It’s Messy) 29:53 – 5. Money Math 39:50 – 6. Marketing 43:06 – 7. Branding & Positioning 45:28 – 8. Systems & Processes 49:52 – 9. Networking & Relationships 54:41 – 10. The Life You Want Is 10 Years of Mastery Away 58:47 – Final Message

Why are barbers charging $60… $70… even $100+ for a haircut? Are they wrong? Or is the industry changing faster than clients realize? In this live conversation, we break down the REAL economics of modern barbering — inflation, booking apps, chair rent, supply and demand, client frequency dropping, and why so many barbers feel discouraged, burnt out, or forced to drive Uber between cuts. We explore: 💈 Are haircut prices outpacing inflation? 💈 Why are clients stretching cuts from every 2–3 weeks to 4–6 weeks? 💈 Are barbers actually making more money — or just charging more? 💈 How beauty professionals can scale beyond the chair 💈 What clients DON’T understand about the business 💈 What barbers MUST do to survive the new economy Featuring a panel of voices from the industry: a successful beauty professional, a business-minded client, and an entrepreneur who built an entire empire with salon suites. Together, we dive into mindset, money, and the future of barbering in 2025. If you’re a barber, hairstylist, esthetician, nail tech, or salon owner, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why haircut prices are skyrocketing 03:10 – The new barber economy 08:15 – Clients vs. Barbers: The real disconnect 12:40 – Inflation, product costs & rent 19:50 – How often clients REALLY get haircuts now 27:20 – The mental health side of barbering 33:45 – How to scale your beauty business 41:00 – Making more without raising prices 52:10 – The future of the barber industry

Usher got burned after loaning $1.7M for a building that was never purchased and the fallout teaches every entrepreneur a major lesson. In this Social Proof episode, David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the real mistakes behind failed partnerships and the 5 lessons that can protect your money, your relationships, and your business. 👥 Join The Social Proof Community: 🚀 The Morning Meetup: http://themorningmeetup.com 📈 Actionable SEO Coaching: http://actionableseo.com 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations with David & Donni.

Eddie Wilson, entrepreneur, investor, and creator of the Empire Operating System, sits down with Social Proof to break down the blueprint behind scaling, buying, and exiting companies at the highest level. In this episode, he reveals: • How he sold 76 companies in a single year • The Empire Operating System phases: Startup, Perseverance, Viability, Scale, Succession • How he identifies distressed vs. high-opportunity companies • The “Brick” KPI that grows every business • Why the Aspire Tour “loses money” on purpose • How he built a $400M portfolio in under 3 years • How he balances fatherhood and entrepreneurship • Why most founders fail at leadership • His mission to fund orphanages, clean water projects & global education If you’re building a business, trying to scale your first million, or want to understand how real private equity plays work, this is required watching. 🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple 📩 Business inquiries: billing@realsocialproof.com 🔥 Subscribe for more episodes. 👥 Join The Social Proof Community: 🚀 The Morning Meetup: http://themorningmeetup.com 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations Follow David on IG https://www.instagram.com/dshands/

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In this powerful Social Proof episode, host David Shands sits down with Kim Lewis, founder and CEO of CurlMix, the Black-owned natural hair care brand that nearly went bankrupt after raising over $10 million and generating $40 million in lifetime sales. Kim opens up about how she reached a breaking point — with –$18,000 in her account, investors backing away, and a community of loyal customers who’d been with her since Shark Tank. Instead of hiding, she made the bold choice to go public, launching the #ProtectCurlMix campaign: a plea for 20,000 orders by December 31st to keep her factory open and her Chicago team employed. Throughout the conversation, Kim and David unpack what it means to lead transparently under pressure: • Why venture-backed startups can grow fast but still be unprofitable. • The tension between doing good for the community and surviving as a business. • The mental toll of leadership, failure, and staying authentic when everything’s on the line. • How CurlMix customers literally own 50% of the company, and why Kim believes community equity is the future of entrepreneurship. By the end, the story shifts from fear to hope — showing how honesty, community, and accountability can become a company’s greatest lifeline. Subscribe to the Social Proof Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-proof-podcast/id1374373035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QM1w9IfjTza1wwHR06WaR 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 JOIN THE COMMUNITY TODAY: https://www.themorningmeetup.com Grab the Podcast EBOOK👇🏾 http://www.podcastebook.com David on IG : https://www.instagram.com/dshands/ Follow Curlmix https://www.instagram.com/curlmix/ Follow Kim! https://www.instagram.com/kimlewisceo/ Website https://curlmix.com/ 👥 Join The Social Proof Community: 🚀 The Morning Meetup: http://themorningmeetup.com 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations

Millions of Americans are panicking right now as EBT and food stamp benefits are being delayed or cut during the government shutdown. If you’re wondering “how am I supposed to feed my family?” this episode is the answer you’ve been looking for. In this honest and powerful conversation, Donni Wiggins and David Shands share real stories, real numbers, and practical strategies for surviving when the system stops working. From food stamps to financial freedom, this episode is about taking control when everything feels out of your hands. In This Episode: - Donni shares how she rebuilt after hitting rock bottom - David explains the mindset shift that changes everything - Real strategies to make money fast when EBT runs out - How to turn your pain into purpose This isn’t just motivation. It’s a manual for anyone struggling right now and ready to take control of their future. Whether your benefits were cut, delayed, or you’re just tired of depending on the system, this conversation will show you a way forward. Watch the full episode now and take the first step to rebuilding your life. 👥 Join The Social Proof Community: 🚀 The Morning Meetup: http://themorningmeetup.com 📈 Actionable SEO Coaching: http://actionableseo.com 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations with David & Donni.