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.

From 2 Chainz to $500K in Donations — Charlie Jabaley “Delusional” Blueprint for Miracles Before the cameras even started rolling, Charlie Jabaley told David Shands something unforgettable: “Something huge is going to happen today.” That moment set the tone for a conversation about faith, delusion, and undeniable action. Charlie breaks down how he manifested a half-million-dollar Hasbro deal, turned a Christmas sweater with 2 Chainz into a $2.1 million viral brand, and why he believes the craziest people often make the biggest impact. This is the real story behind The Most Delusional Man in the Room — how confidence, creativity, and a little bit of “crazy” turned dreams into tangible wins. 🎙️ Full episode of The Social Proof Podcast with David Shands Subscribe for more stories that prove: It’s not luck. It’s action. 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 JOIN THE COMMUNITY TODAY: https://www.themorningmeetup.com Grab the Podcast EBOOK👇🏾 **http://www.podcastebook.com David on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dshands/ #entrepreneurship #business #howto #podcast

JOIN THE COMMUNITY TODAY: https://www.themorningmeetup.com 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 Grab the Podcast EBOOK👇🏾 http://www.podcastebook.com David on IG : https://www.instagram.com/dshands/

Entrepreneurs are obsessed with “working hard”… but what if effort isn’t the problem? What if the real issue is ineffective effort? 💭 In this episode of the Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the 10 habits that actually make you successful, not the ones social media keeps feeding you. From discipline and delayed gratification to metrics, mindset, and mastering discomfort, they unpack why so many people stay “busy” but never really move forward. This conversation will challenge your comfort zone, call out your excuses, and give you the real blueprint to get unstuck and start winning for real. 💡 In this episode you’ll learn: - Why consistency alone won’t make you successful - How to track what actually moves the needle - The difference between growth and comfort - How to build friction between you and quitting The habits every millionaire practices (that most don’t) 👥 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.

It started with Ayesha Curry — but it’s not about her.It’s about anyone who’s ever supported someone else’s dream while feeling unseen. In this episode of The Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins dive deep into what happens when one person gets the spotlight — in marriage, business, or friendship — and the other plays the background. You’ll hear:💬 The real meaning behind Ayesha Curry’s comments — and why so many partners relate.💬 Donni’s story of a business partnership that fell apart over credit and spotlight.💬 How David handles team members who want to grow beyond his platform.💬 What it takes to stay aligned when success changes the dynamic. If you’ve ever felt overlooked in a relationship or partnership — this one will hit home. 📺 Watch, comment, and share your take: Are you the star, or the support? #SocialProofPodcast #DavidShands #DonniWiggins #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPartnership #egoandsuccess 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/

Most entrepreneurs are building with grind, not leverage. In this episode, we break down how to use business credit the right way to access funding, scale faster, and stop relying solely on your cash flow. You’ll learn: How to structure your business for credit approvals Steps to qualify for $50K–$100K in funding without a personal guarantee The difference between consumer and business credit (and how to protect both) How to turn credit into leverage, not debt Real examples of entrepreneurs who used credit to grow their business If you’ve been stuck hustling for cash, this episode shows you how to build credit that funds your dream and your freedom. Join Dub's Free Funding Masterclass: https://www.reinventedconsulting.com/webinar Dub on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dubwashington?igsh=ZXJxMHk3OGF5ZjV4&utm_source=qr 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/

David Shands and Donni Wiggins get raw about the highs and lows of their business partnership. From planning My First Million Live to debating whether dropping $200,000 into an event is smart, the two unpack: The challenges of mixing money with friendship Why partnerships succeed (or fail) Their real feelings about public criticism How they navigate conflict without breaking trust This episode is a masterclass in collaboration, entrepreneurship, and communication. Whether you’re thinking about going into business with a friend, or just curious about how top entrepreneurs handle money and ego, you’ll want to watch this all the way through. 👉 Drop a comment: Would you risk six figures with YOUR business partner? 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

Head over to @hotseatsp for the full episode!