Business Episodes

What does it take to build a business that people don't just buy from—but belong to? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Andrew Ingram, owner of Hurricane Cycles and Reef Coffee in Farragut, Tennessee. Together they discuss entrepreneurship, community building, health, cycling, coffee culture, customer loyalty, leadership, and why the best businesses focus on serving people rather than simply making money. Andrew shares lessons learned from building two succe...

In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Jeff Smith, owner of Smitty Photo & Film and Smitty Socials, for a conversation about storytelling, branding, photography, video, social media, networking, and the power of showing up. Jeff shares how a childhood love of photography grew into a full-time business, why relationships have been essential to his growth, and how businesses can use authentic photos, videos, and social content to become more memorable. We also talk...

What starts as a small drip can quickly turn into a major financial disaster. 💧💸 This week on The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Joey and Abby from Friendly Neighborhood Plumber to talk about the costly plumbing mistakes homeowners make, how to avoid emergency repairs, water heater tips, tankless systems, leaks, clogs, and what every homeowner should know before disaster strikes. Plus… we announce a HUGE giveaway — a professionally installed brand-new water heater for one East ...

Entrepreneur, Air Force veteran, and “Your Funnel Godmother” Rita Thomas joins Joey Ruffalo inside The Prosperity Lounge to discuss CRM systems, AI, automation, funnels, workflows, and how entrepreneurs can stop doing everything manually and start building smarter businesses with less chaos and more clarity. Want to support the show- Buy me a Coffee https://coff.ee/prosperitylounge 👉 Want to break free from bad money habits? Visit www.theprosperitylounge.com use code "radio" to get our How to ...

What if your business could change lives… not just make money? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Kelly West, founder of Abiding Faith Photography, to talk about how a simple creative passion turned into a powerful mission serving the special needs community. Kelly shares how she provides free portrait sessions, creates sensory-friendly experiences, and uses her business to make sure every family has the chance to capture moments that often go undocumented. ...

What if the problem isn’t your effort… but the way you’re building? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Brandon Barber to unpack what it really takes to go from burnout to breakthrough — and how to build a business that creates freedom instead of stress. Brandon and Michelle Barber have: ✔ Built 100+ courses ✔ Generated over $10M in revenue ✔ Helped over 1 million people ✔ And rebuilt their lives after burnout, business crashes, and personal challenges But th...

In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Nicole Curott of NikNak’s Ice Cream in Powell, Tennessee to talk about what it really takes to build a small business that becomes a community favorite. From humble beginnings to becoming a local gathering spot, Nicole shares the real story behind running an ice cream shop — the risks, the lessons, and the heart behind serving a community. We talk about: • The journey of starting NikNak’s Ice Cream • What it takes to run a ...

What if business isn’t about hustle, motivation, or working harder — but about leverage, positioning, and systems? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Jake Shannon, founder of Scientific Wrestling and No1 Coaching, to explore why winning is a science — not an accident. Jake bridges the worlds of elite combat sports and high-performance business coaching, showing how the same principles that decide outcomes on the mat also determine success in leadership, entre...

Welcome to The Prosperity Lounge, where growth gets personal. In today’s episode, The Foundation of Prosperity: Stewardship, Discipline & Integrity, Joey Ruffalo introduces and recaps the first three weeks of Daily Dose of Prosperity, exploring the core principles that create sustainable growth in money, leadership, business, and life. This episode walks through: Why prosperity begins with stewardship How discipline bridges intention and freedom Why integrity protects long-term progress Th...

Most business owners believe they’re covered — until the day they find out they’re not. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Anthony Slay of INTER-AGENCY INSURANCE SERVICE, INC. for a practical, no-nonsense conversation about commercial insurance and what business owners often misunderstand about their coverage. This episode breaks down: The difference between being insured and truly protected The most common commercial insurance gaps business owners overlook ...

Millions of financially responsible Americans are locked out of homeownership — not because they’re risky, but because the system hasn’t kept up with reality. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Steven Rosasmilia, founder of IMEX USA, to discuss a groundbreaking new approach to mortgage insurance designed for credit-worthy, first-time buyers with “thin” credit files. Steven shares how this new model challenges decades-old assumptions about risk, credit, and ac...

What happens when wildlife gets into your attic, crawlspace, or walls — especially during snow and ice? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Jonathan and Justin Moore, co-owners of Complete Animal Removal East, to talk about the real-world issues homeowners face when squirrels, raccoons, bats, and other wildlife invade their homes. The Moore brothers share: How wildlife problems actually start (and why cold weather makes it worse) The hidden damage animals ca...

Where your money goes after you spend it determines what grows. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Don Buckner Sr., Founder and CEO of MadeInUSA.com, to explore how American manufacturing, consumer choices, and economic stewardship shape long-term prosperity. Don shares why buying American-made products does more than support jobs — it multiplies wealth through local communities, strengthens families, and keeps economic value circulating instead of leaving th...

What if persuasion wasn’t about pressure, tricks, or “closing tactics”… but about understanding how people actually make decisions? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Patrick van der Burght, one of the world’s leading experts in ethical persuasion and behavioral science. Patrick is a Cialdini Certified Trainer, a Founding Member of the Cialdini Institute, and a trusted partner of Dr. Robert Cialdini, author of the landmark book Influence. Together, they unpac...

Culture isn’t a buzzword — it’s the invisible force that shapes decisions, behaviors, and long-term success. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Steve Gandara and Israel Gandara of Excellent Cultures, a leadership organization that has spent nearly five decades helping businesses, universities, and organizations build cultures rooted in purpose, clarity, and excellence. Steve brings decades of experience working with corporate leaders and organizations to tran...

What happens when faith, technology, and leadership intersect — not in theory, but in practice? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Chris Migura, CEO of Logos Bible Software, one of the most widely used digital Bible platforms in the world, serving millions of pastors, students, and lifelong learners. Chris shares insights from his journey from CFO to CEO, how Logos is navigating growth with purpose, and why faith and profitability don’t compete — they reinfor...

Why do so many good businesses struggle online — while others become the obvious choice in their market? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, to unpack the real reasons businesses get left behind online — and what it actually takes to stand out today. With over 20 years of experience working with builders, contractors, and trades, Wes shares hard-won lessons from the trenches — not theory, not hype, but strategies that lead to...

What if prosperity isn’t just about money — but about time, freedom, and making good decisions with the resources you’ve been given? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Tracy Ellett of LYH Homes (powered by Keller Williams) to talk about real estate as a practical tool for financial freedom, the mindset shifts that matter more than hustle, and why serving people well always comes before the transaction. Tracy shares insights on first-time homebuyers, downsizin...

What if your business — or even your school — was sitting on tens of thousands to millions of dollars in available tax credits and settlements… and no one ever told you? In today’s episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey sits down with Dan “Uncle Dan” Evertsz — founder of Uncle Dan Consulting and College Money Smart — a man who has spent over 40 years helping families and business owners uncover financial opportunities they never knew existed. From helping over a thousand students attend colleg...

At just 23 years old, Jake Sisk has already co-founded a commercial real estate company, scaled it to nearly $10 million in assets, built a faith-driven investor community, and developed a mindset that many entrepreneurs don’t reach until decades into their career. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Jake sits down with Joey Ruffalo at Liberty University’s CEO Summit to share how he launched his business at 20, why he left the traditional career path behind, and how faith, discipline, a...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — and The Prosperity Lounge is going full holiday mode! 🎄 In this heartwarming holiday episode, host Joey Ruffalo welcomes back Jessica Strunk and Gracie, the inspiring young entrepreneur behind Baked by Grace, for a special conversation about community, generosity, and the power of giving back. Together, they introduce the brand-new Holly Jolly Home Contest, a fun and free event lighting up neighborhoods across East Tennessee — sponsored by local busine...

What does it take to think big, act bigger, and lead with purpose? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Jeffrey Hayzlett — Chairman & CEO of the C-Suite Network, bestselling author, and host of All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett — for a high-impact conversation on grit, growth, and the mindset behind billion-dollar leadership. Jeffrey shares how his journey from a small-town entrepreneur to a Fortune 100 executive shaped his philosophy on hard work, purpose...

In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Richard Swan—a seasoned professional with over 25 years in the mortgage industry and now a trusted real estate agent in East Tennessee. Together, they unpack the truth about renting vs. buying, 15-year vs. 30-year mortgages, and how to view your home as a long-term wealth strategy. You’ll learn: ✔️ The biggest myths about homeownership and mortgages ✔️ Why flexibility often beats locking into a strict 15-year loan ✔️ How th...

In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo talks with Whitney Holliday, owner of Camp Honey Coffee in Knoxville, TN. Whitney shares how she left a stressful job, faced burnout, and started a new business with purpose. They talk about money mindset, taking risks, and building a small business from the ground up — even without a detailed plan. You’ll hear real talk about budgeting, community, and how business can be part of healing. Whether you’re looking for small business growt...