Built Off Ambition

What happens when losing your job becomes the push you needed to chase your dream?On this episode of Built Off Ambition, Michael sits down with Kayla, founder of Fifth Gear Coffee, a Cleveland-based mobile coffee business.After 17 years in the coffee industry, Kayla knew she wanted something more. What started with a $20-style folding table, an espresso machine, and a small pop-up event turned into a growing business built on passion, relationships, and word of mouth.But the journey wasn't easy. As a single mom, Kayla struggled to balance motherhood, a demanding full-time job, and building something of her own. When she unexpectedly lost her job, she faced a decision: find another paycheck or go all in on herself.We talk about taking that leap, starting small, dealing with fear, building genuine customer connections, and surrounding yourself with people who want to see you win.Sometimes the opportunity you've been waiting for comes disguised as a setback.Built Off Ambition — For the ones who bet on themselves.

What happens when you put two successful real estate entrepreneurs in the same room and let them speak their minds?On this episode of Built Off Ambition, Michael sits down with Stas, CEO of Mane Capital, and Adam, a veteran real estate investor and wholesaler, for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what it actually takes to become successful.We're talking repetition, consistency, discipline, building powerful relationships, knowing your worth, and learning to stop giving a damn what other people think.From making money and building businesses to handling criticism, raising families, and surrounding yourself with winners, these two share the mindset and lessons that helped them build their success.No sugarcoating. No motivational bullshit. Just real conversations with two guys who've put in the work.Built Off Ambition — For the ones who bet on themselves.

Thomas spent years working hard, learning from mistakes, and building financial discipline before jumping into real estate. While still working full-time as a corrections officer, he bought his first investment property in 2024 and grew his portfolio to over $1 million in market value by 2026. We talk real estate, DSCR loans, work ethic, ignoring outside opinions, and why keeping your W-2 can actually be a superpower.

In this episode, Mike Roberts (founder & team leader of On the Block Group at Keller Williams Living) shares his full journey — from West Akron kid and Ohio State grad to living in California and Taiwan, selling shoes at Nordstrom, teaching English abroad, and eventually building a relationship-driven real estate brand in Shaker Heights.Mike gets real about:Starting with zero sales in San Diego during the recessionThe Young Team years and the mentors who changed everythingWhy he left a high-volume investor business to become “the neighborhood guy”Launching On the Block, creative content that actually stands out, and community events that feel personalManaging stress, fibromyalgia, family, and the constant hustlePractical advice for new agents: find the right mentor, stay humble, and put in the workWhether you’re in real estate, building a business, or just love a good origin story, this conversation is full of honesty, humor, and practical takeaways.

Sarah Herbst didn't set out to build an empire. She discovered sugaring, saw an opportunity others overlooked, and took the leap.From struggling to learn the craft, becoming a single mom, opening her first rough-around-the-edges location, and eventually building Sugar Bar into a luxury brand with 14,000+ clients, two locations, SugarCon, and a massive social media following — Sarah's story is about betting on yourself when you don't have everything figured out. Now its all paid off.Built Off Ambition — For the ones who bet on themselves.