THE 505 PODCAST

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What's up Rock Nation! Today we're joined by Marcus, founder of Minted New York, a brand that went from side project to full-blown fashion business built entirely in public. Zero investors, no shortcuts. Just documenting the journey and betting on himself before he felt ready. Marcus has built his brand on one core principle: respect for the time and effort people put into earning the money they spend on your product.

In this episode, we break down why documenting beats perfection, why entrepreneurship is never easy even when you're winning, how integrity builds a brand people actually care about, and what it takes to build something real without waiting for permission. Let's get into it.

Check out Marcus here:
https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@marcusmilione1⁩ 
https://www.instagram.com/marcusmilione/

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

Kostas' Lightroom Presets
https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsgreece

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:
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Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
1:12 – Paid Offer Playbook
1:26 – Getting started before the money makes sense
3:13 – Early belief vs external validation
5:26 – Running a brand with no safety net
7:48 – Cash flow stress and staying in the game
10:43 – Bootstrapping realities and investor pressure
14:01 – Artlist
15:10 – Content as leverage not just creativity
16:49 – Talking to camera vs polished production
20:30 – Finding formats that don’t burn you out
23:35 – Consistency beats novelty
25:20 – When content finally compounds
27:17 – Endurance over overnight success
28:21 – Running as a metaphor for business
30:53 – Long timelines nobody talks about
32:02 – Training patience and discipline
34:50 – Reflecting on growth without losing momentum
36:41 – Luck vs work and acknowledging both
39:51 – Increasing surface area for luck
42:13 – Posting volume and probability
44:55 – Creating opportunities before they appear
46:32 – Saucony Collab
49:38 – Brand alignment over quick wins
52:32 – Saying no to the wrong partnerships
53:22 – Capital isn’t evil but terms matter
56:55 – Why bad money kills good businesses
58:32 – Credit cards cash flow traps
1:01:09 – Paying everything off and staying liquid
1:04:29 – Negotiating manufacturer terms
1:06:22 – Relationships as leverage
1:07:38 – Stress nobody sees
1:09:10 – Running accounts down to survive
1:14:04 – Why most people quit too early
1:18:26 – Momentum comes after commitment
1:20:17 – Playing the long game on purpose
1:21:55 – Building something you can live with
1:29:29 – Looking back at what’s been built
1:33:53 – The After Party

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

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TikTok:
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Get The Paid Offer Playbook here:
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What’s up Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Jun Yuh, one of the most disciplined personal brand builders on the internet.

After posting every day for over six years, Jun has built an audience of 8+ million and turned his content into a multi million dollar business without a big team or high production. His attract nurture convert framework is the foundation behind content that builds real trust and real revenue.

In this episode, we break down how Jun thinks about content, why consistency is really a systems problem, why followers matter more than people think, and what it actually takes to win in today’s creator economy.

Check out Jun here:
https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@jun_yuh⁩ 
https://www.instagram.com/jun_yuh/

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

Kostas' Lightroom Presets
https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsgreece

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:
https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
1:04 – Paid Offer Playbook
1:27 – Consistency Is a System, Not a Personality Trait
2:34 – Why Most Creators Fail Without a Backend Process
4:21 – The Creator Vision Framework Explained
6:29 – How to Study Content Without Copying
8:35 – Breaking Down Winning Formats (Not Just Hooks)
10:26 – Why Niching Down Is Overrated
12:22 – “You Are the Niche” (What That Actually Means)
14:44 – Is It Too Late to Start Creating in 2026?
16:16 – Low-Effort Content That Still Wins
17:21 – How to Batch Content Without Burning Out
18:24 – Repositioning Without Losing Your Audience
21:16 – The 4 Content Missions Every Post Should Have
24:40 – How to Build Authority Without Being an Expert
26:20 – Formats That Are Working Right Now
34:15 – Trial Reels
38:48 – Why Flopping Is a Requirement for Growth
40:37 – Detaching Emotion From Performance Metrics
44:44 – When Losing Followers Is the Right Move
47:44 – Monetizing Before You’re Ready
49:24 – Why Audience Beats Revenue Early On
50:34 – Building Offers That Compound Over Time
52:33 – Selling Without Constantly Pitching
53:56 – The Long Game of Creator Businesses
55:37 – Making Money Without Chasing Virality
58:22 – Sustainable Growth vs Short-Term Wins
1:01:15 – How to Measure Real Creator Success
1:03:32 – When to Ignore the Algorithm
1:06:23 – Creative Plateaus & Breakthrough Cycles
1:08:36 – Protecting Confidence in Down Seasons
1:10:55 – The Mental Model That Keeps You Consistent
1:16:17 – Letting Go of Old Identities
1:17:56 – Building in Public Without Burning Bridges
1:19:15 – Integrating A.I.
1:21:37 – Using AI to Clarify, Not Replace, Your Voice
1:25:29 – The Future of Creator Skill Stacks
1:27:13 – Why Taste Matters More Than Talent
1:28:18 – Confidence Comes After Action
1:29:54 – Overcoming imposter syndrome
1:31:24 – Rewriting the Story You Tell Yourself
1:38:38 – Playing the Longest Game Possible
1:40:47 – What Success Actually Feels Like
1:42:21 – The After Party

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)
Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/
Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:
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Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

Meet Your All·in·One Creator Store (Stan)
https://join.stan.store/the505podcast

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

What’s up Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Michael Lim, the architect behind some of the most elite content systems on the internet.

Michael led Alex Hormozi’s media team during the $100M launch and helped build the foundation for MrBeast’s Philanthropy channel. In this episode, we break down how world-class content teams actually operate, why followers aren’t a vanity metric (but not for the reason you think), and why most creators are playing the wrong game entirely.

We also get into building something worth talking about, optimizing for the right metrics, and what it really takes to win in today’s creator economy.

Check out Michael here:
https://www.instagram.com/mikawl/
https://www.youtube.com/@mikawl

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

Kostas' Lightroom Presets
https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsgreece

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:
https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
1:01 – What a $100M Launch Actually Looks Like Behind the Scenes
4:49 – Treating a Content Launch Like a NASA Mission
5:55 – Why Redundancy Wins (And Failure Isn’t an Option)
8:09 – Compressing Months of Work Into Days
10:16 – How Ad Spend Really Ramps Before a Massive Launch
12:15 – Why Most Sales Happen in the Final 48 Hours
13:24 – Win $100k with Stan
14:32 – Parkinson’s Law: Why Deadlines Create Speed
16:31 – How Alex Hormozi Engineers High-Performing Hooks
19:35 – The Kaleidoscope Method for Infinite Ad Variations
24:15 – Why Most People Shouldn’t Be Making Content
27:50 – Build Something Worth Talking About First
31:06 – Finding Product–Market–Message Fit
33:06 – Lessons From Working With MrBeast
34:12 – How Elite Content Teams Think Like NBA Franchises
40:04 – Is the Founder the Coach or the Star Player?
41:48 – The Non-Negotiable Roles on a Billion-Dollar Media Team
42:56 – Why Team Happiness Is a Competitive Advantage
45:39 – Silent Retreats, Burnout, and Creative Longevity
48:39 – Detaching From Outcomes as a Creator
50:11 – You Are Not Your Thoughts
51:47 – Stoicism, Spirituality, and Long-Term Thinking
53:40 – Why Desire Is the Root of Stress
55:14 – Playing the Long Game in Media and Business
58:33 – How to Stay Consistent Without Losing Yourself
1:01:17 – The Mental Skill Every Creator Needs
1:05:00 – Creating Without Needing Validation
1:07:16 – Why Most Creators Quit Too Early
1:08:16 – Building Media That Doesn’t Break You
1:14:48 – What Winning Actually Means at the Highest Level
1:16:04 – The Cost of Chasing the Algorithm
1:19:53 – Designing a Career You Can Sustain
1:23:22 – The Real Goal Behind Building an Audience
1:27:04 – Final Lessons From a $100M Media Machine
1:27:54 – What Michael Would Do If He Started Today
1:33:50 – Advice for Creators Playing the Wrong Game
1:36:17 – How to Know If You’re Building the Right Thing
1:38:15 – Redefining Success Beyond Numbers
1:42:02 – Post Pod Debrief

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)
Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/
Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:
Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/
Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

What’s up Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Robert Croak - the founder of Silly Bands and the mind behind one of the biggest consumer product phenomena of the last decade.

Robert breaks down why speed beats perfection, how he bootstrapped a $100M+ brand by selling his car and keeping 100% equity, and the real lessons founders need to know about product-market fit, distribution, and timing. We also get into building wealth, avoiding lifestyle creep, and why now is the easiest time in history to build something massive.

Check out Robert here:
https://www.instagram.com/robertcroak/

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

Kostas' Lightroom Presets
https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsgreece

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:
https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:14 - The Truth About Product Success
3:00 - Why You Shouldn’t Over-Protect Your Idea
5:30 - How Timing Made Silly Bandz Blow Up
8:12 - Bootstrapping vs. Raising Capital
10:15 - How to Launch Physical Products in 2026
12:26 - Alibaba, Airsoft, and First Hustles
14:35 - How He Built Wealth by 24
18:09 - Focus vs. Multiple Streams of Income
20:37 - Should You Bet Big on Real Estate?
23:59 - Risking It All: Lessons Before Silly Bandz
26:10 - Marketing Kids' Products the Right Way
28:17 - Reviving Silly Bandz with TikTok
30:08 - Scaling Chaos: Hiring 3,000+ in 12 Months
33:52 - Retail Begged Us for Silly Bandz
35:03 - DTC First, Retail Second
36:45 - What Robert Looks for in Brands
38:28 - How to Defend Against Copycats
40:28 - The Video That Changed His Life
43:40 - Why Robert Gives Everything Away
44:51 - From Behind the Camera to Viral Creator
47:44 - How to Be the First Millionaire in Your Family
50:50 - Investing in Yourself (Without Going Broke)
52:37 - The Credit Card Rule That Got Him Kicked Off a Tour
54:15 - Real Mentorship in the Pre-Internet Era
56:12 - Advice for Kids with Tough Upbringings
58:26 – Post Pod Debrief

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)
Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/
Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:
Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/
Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

Meet Your All·in·One Creator Store (Stan)
https://join.stan.store/the505podcast

The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart

What’s up Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Zack Honarvar – the operator behind creator empires like Yes Theory, Airrack, and Boring Stuff, the company helping creators master their finances.

Zack breaks down how top creators think like founders, why formats beat consistency, and the systems behind viral content and sustainable growth. We also get into monetization, burnout, and the most underrated skill in the creator economy.

Check out Zack here:
https://www.instagram.com/zackhonarvar/

SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report

Kostas' Lightroom Presets
https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresetsgreece

COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:
https://courses.the505podcast.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
1:04 - Paid To Be You
1:27 - What Separates Creators Who Break Out
2:47 - Consistency Doesn’t Equal Growth
5:00 - Why Most Creators Plateau
5:48 - Find the Format, Not Just Frequency
7:50 - Titles & Thumbnails Matter More Than You Think
11:52 - Why Most Creators Burn Out
14:07 - Win $100k from Stan Store
16:11 - When Creators Became Media Companies
17:59 - Talent vs CEO: Pick Your Path
20:21 - Picking the Right Creator to Work With
24:22 - Timing Beats Clever Ideas
25:41 - The Mistake Creators Make With Products
28:18 - How to Escape a Creator Plateau
31:18 - Can Creators Take Breaks Without Dying?
33:01 - The Systems That Buy You Freedom
34:59 - Think Like a Scientist With Content
35:58 - What Actually Moves the Needle in Videos
38:27 - Why Creators Need a Tax Business
41:21 - How Creators Save Thousands on Taxes
43:00 - Why California Still Wins
45:07 - Recruiting Is the Real Superpower
46:41 - Personal Brand as a Hiring Tool
48:13 - Do You Even Need to Make Content?
51:03 - The Skills Most Creators Don’t Have
53:40 - Why Hiring Cheap Backfires
54:55 - How to Build a Real Operator Skillset
58:32 - Product Development Before Everything
1:01:21 - Learning to Hire People Smarter Than You
1:06:49 - The Long Game of Creator Businesses
1:09:38 - Why Intentional Creators Win
1:13:23 - Building Businesses, Not Just Views
1:16:36 - Final Advice for Serious Creators
1:21:41 - Advice to an 18 year old

If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.

DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)
Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/
Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/

TikTok:
Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/
Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/