CV Hustle

CV Hustle Studios

5.0 (7)
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
UPDATED WEEKLY

A Podcast created to educate, inform & inspire entrepreneurship here in our Coachella Valley.We will be talking to some of the best & brightest entrepreneurs in the Coachella Valley about how they started their journey in entrepreneurship.

JUL 31

Ep #27-Behind the Barricade: Life as an Elite Security Professional

Send us a text From the streets of Indio to the Grammy Awards and beyond, David Villarreal has crafted an extraordinary career in elite security services. As founder of Libertas Protection Group, David has protected some of music's biggest stars while building a business that stands apart in the competitive security industry. Growing up in the Coachella Valley and serving in the military gave David a foundation of discipline and resourcefulness, but it was his tenacity and bold decision-making that propelled him forward. After working security at the Coachella Music Festival in 2008, David steadily built connections in the entertainment world, eventually becoming a trusted protector for major touring artists and high-profile events. What makes David's approach unique is his emphasis on preparation and prevention. Behind every successful event is months of planning - developing Emergency Action Plans, coordinating security teams, and anticipating potential threats. "If somebody physically touches my client, I look at it as a failure on my behalf," David explains, highlighting the proactive mindset that has earned him his reputation. Libertas Protection Group doesn't compete on price but on quality, employing primarily veterans and former law enforcement officers with real-world experience. This approach creates not just a security team but a community where younger professionals can learn from seasoned experts. David's entrepreneurial journey exemplifies the freedom that comes from building something meaningful on your own terms. Whether you're interested in the security industry, entrepreneurship, or simply interested in hearing an inspirational local success story, David's journey shows what's possible with determination and vision. As he puts it: "Be humble, bust your ass, and never let anyone tell you that you can't."

1h 2m
JUL 22

EP #26-Voice for the Valley: How Coach B is Changing Sports Media in the Coachella Valley

Send us a text Ever wondered what it takes to bet everything on a business dream? Meet Brian "Coach B" Arrington, who pulled equity from his family home to launch Fox Sports Palm Springs 1270 – a radio station bringing dedicated sports coverage back to the Coachella Valley. Sports broadcasting wasn't always Brian's passion. Originally aspiring to be an entertainment journalist for the LA Times, his path shifted when a high school newspaper advisor assigned him to be sports editor against his wishes. Years later, while hosting a hip-hop radio show and feeling disconnected from the evolving genre, Brian had a revelation during a 40-minute conversation about Kobe Bryant with a stranger: "Sports is the great unifier." This insight ignited his transition to sports media. The Coachella Valley opportunity revealed itself unexpectedly. After reluctantly recording a player-of-the-week segment about a local athlete, Brian was shocked when it generated 6,000 views in just two days – something that would never happen in the saturated Riverside media market where he spent eight years with iHeartRadio. This immediate response showed the hunger for local sports coverage in an area that lacked dedicated attention. Brian's vision goes beyond broadcasting. He's developing the "Coachella Valley Sports Report" to spotlight local teams and athletes, creating internship programs for high school students, and building a family business where his wife oversees operations and his children contribute their skills. Most impressively, the station generated 673,000 social media impressions in less than 90 days – a milestone that took eight years to achieve in his previous market. His advice for aspiring media entrepreneurs? "You have something right here that's more powerful than anything I ever had in my life," he says, pointing to a smartphone. "Don't overthink it, just do it. No one owes you anything... you have to go prove yourself." Follow Fox Sports Palm Springs on Instagram @FoxSportsPS or visit foxsportspalmsprings.com to discover how Coach B is changing the game for sports coverage in the Coachella Valley.

34 min
JUN 3

Ep#25-2025 Coachella Valley Real Estate Round Table

Send us a text #realestate #realtor #housing #coachellavalley #2025 The 2025 Coachella Valley Real Estate Round Table with James Suer, Billy Meraz & Donovan McDaniel. The real estate landscape has fundamentally shifted since the pandemic boom, but what does that mean for buyers and sellers in the Coachella Valley? Three of the region's most successful realtors pull back the curtain on what's really happening in today's market. Donovan McDaniel, Billy Meraz, and James Suer bring decades of combined experience to tackle the questions everyone's asking: Will interest rates drop? Is another housing crash coming? Where can first-time buyers still find affordable homes? Their candid conversation reveals that while the "free-for-all" days of 2021 are over, opportunities still exist for savvy market participants. The discussion takes fascinating turns into the psychology of pricing, with sellers often stuck in 2021 mindsets while buyers wish it were 2012. Meanwhile, interest rates hovering around 6.5% have changed the game – but not necessarily in the ways you might expect. The experts caution that waiting for rates to drop could backfire, as any significant decrease would trigger a competitive feeding frenzy that would drive prices up. Perhaps most valuable are their insights for younger buyers facing seemingly impossible affordability challenges. From Desert Hot Springs' relative bargains to creative strategies like house hacking through multi-family properties, the realtors offer practical advice for getting a foot in the door. "Your first home doesn't need to be your dream home," becomes a recurring theme worth embracing. Whether you're considering buying, selling, or even joining the real estate profession, this episode delivers the unfiltered truth about today's market realities. Follow these experts on social media for ongoing insights: Donovan McDaniel (@donovanmcdanielrealtor), Billy Meraz (Windermere Real Estate), and James Seward (@james_suer_realtor) for "All Things Coachella Valley."

1h 4m
MAY 22

Ep#24-From Thrift Shops to Stand-Up: The Elijah James Story (How to Make it in Stand Up Comedy)

Send us a text We sit down with local comedian Elijah James to explore how he's building the comedy scene in Coachella Valley through his Upcycle Comedy shows at a vintage thrift store in downtown Indio. • Palm Desert native who discovered comedy as a way to connect with others while moving around as a kid • Started comedy shortly before COVID after attending Arizona State University and working various jobs including valet parking • Created Upcycle Comedy at Return of the Goods thrift store, bringing comedy and vintage shopping together • Discusses the challenges and rewards of producing comedy shows, including the behind-the-scenes work of promotion and content creation • Explains how the Coachella Valley comedy scene is more collaborative and welcoming compared to larger markets • Shares insights on his creative process, including when to write jokes and developing his own unique style • Performs his spot-on impression of RFK Jr. that had us in stitches • Recommends following @upcycledcomedy and @elijah.james on Instagram for information about upcoming shows Follow Upcycle Comedy on Instagram for upcoming shows happening every other Friday at 8pm at Return of the Goods in downtown Indio.

1h 5m
MAY 15

Ep#23-Weights & Bake: The Resilient Journey of an Accidental Entrepreneur (How to Open A Health Food Business)

Send us a text Jeremy Collier, founder of Weights and Bake, shares his incredible journey from sleeping on his mother's couch in Alabama to becoming a successful health food entrepreneur in California's Coachella Valley. • Growing up in Alabama and moving to Nashville at 28 to attend Tennessee State University • Meeting his wife on Instagram and supporting his family by working multiple jobs while in college • Moving to California during the pandemic in 2020 with $20,000 in savings • Getting laid off from his nurse recruiter position and starting Weights and Bake with just $1,200 • Creating innovative protein-rich "munchie bites" that appeal to both fitness enthusiasts and cannabis users • Building his business by selling outside gyms before gradually moving into nutrition shops and cannabis dispensaries • Maintaining meticulous handwritten records of all business transactions and personal schedules • Balancing entrepreneurship with family responsibilities and personal fitness • Finding success through persistence and faith despite numerous setbacks • Expanding his product line with custom options and smoothies made with the same ingredients Check out Weights and Bake on Instagram at weightsandbake_ and DM Jeremy to order his protein-packed treats that offer a healthy alternative to typical snacks. (How To Open A Health Food Business)

1h 4m
MAY 8

Ep#22-Handcrafted Success: Building a Jewelry Empire from Passion

Send us a text Adrienne Wiley shares the inspiring journey of how she transformed her creative side hustle into a thriving jewelry business with Covet Palm Springs. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Adrienne built an empire that went from selling handmade jewelry to coworkers during lunch breaks to supplying nearly 900 wholesale accounts and opening multiple retail locations. • Starting as a creative outlet from her corporate insurance job where she coded enrollments • Selling jewelry to coworkers from her cubicle before expanding to 150 stores through door-to-door sales • Quitting her corporate job after saving money for six months while keeping a resignation letter on her desktop • Growing to supply major retailers like JCrew, Anthropologie, and Madewell • Becoming an "accidental retailer" when a New York Times feature led to customers lining up outside her studio • Moving from San Francisco to Palm Springs during the pandemic after dealing with multiple break-ins • Opening in the Flannery Exchange and expanding her business three times • Offering interactive experiences like permanent jewelry, charm bars, and custom hat decorating • Diversifying revenue streams as her number one piece of advice for entrepreneurs Find Adrienne and Covet Palm Springs at 750 North Palm Canyon Drive inside the Flannery Exchange, across from Cafe La Jefa, or online at covetps.com and on social media @covetps.

56 min
MAY 1

Ep#21-Desert Muse: A Guitar Prodigy's Journey

Send us a text Australian guitarist and songwriter Dani Stefanetti shares her musical journey from Perth to the Coachella Valley, discussing how she found confidence through her instrument and built a career spanning two continents. • Started playing guitar at age 8 and performing shows by age 12 • Practiced up to seven hours daily as a teenager to master her craft • Influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Jewel, and Sheryl Crow • Performed at Perth Opera House and opened for major Australian artists • Moved to Los Angeles just before the pandemic, then discovered the tranquility of the desert • Creates as a "one-woman show" with loop station, similar to Ed Sheeran's approach • Performing at the Tennis Open in March with her band • Uses social media and networking through the Chamber of Commerce to build her desert presence • Balances the business side of music with artistic expression • Maintains a repertoire of around 200 cover songs alongside her originals Check out Dani's music at danistefanetti.com and catch her performing at venues throughout the Coachella Valley, including La Quinta Brewing in Old Town.

57 min
APR 24

EP# 20-The Warrior’s Path: Dr. Mike's Transition from Combat to Chiropractic

Send us a text In this episode of CV Hustle, hosts Robert Meraz and Fina Meraz introduce Dr. Mike Jerez, a chiropractor with a fascinating backstory. Dr. Jerez discusses his upbringing in Brooklyn, his Dominican heritage, and his family's immigration journey. He shares his experiences as a combat medic in the U.S. Navy and Marines, detailing the challenges and dangers he faced during deployments in Iraq. Dr. Jerez explains how his military service led to a calling in chiropractic care, inspired by personal injuries and the positive effects of chiropractic treatments. He discusses his education, the transition to civilian life, and the establishment of his chiropractic practice in the Coachella Valley. Dr. Jerez offers advice to aspiring medical professionals and underscores the importance of networking and finding one's passion. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 00:36 Brooklyn Roots and Cultural Diversity 03:16 Military Service and Personal Sacrifices 06:45 Combat Medic Training and Experiences 15:03 Deployment and Life in Iraq 30:20 Reflections on Military Life and Injuries 33:18 Transitioning to Administrative Roles 33:26 A Divine Calling to Chiropractic 33:44 Struggles with Pain Management 34:41 Pursuing Education While Serving 35:57 Adjusting to Civilian Life 36:51 The Impact of Military Service 42:50 Discovering Chiropractic Benefits 44:46 Chiropractic Education and Training 49:16 Starting a Chiropractic Practice 53:16 Networking and Mentorship 57:15 Adapting During the Pandemic 01:02:43 Final Thoughts and Advice

1h 10m

TRAILER

Intro-From Accidental Landlords to Business Triumphs: The CV Hustle Entrepreneurial Journey

Send us a text Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about trading in your day job for the thrill of running your own business? That's precisely the journey Fina and Robert Meraz, embarked upon, and we're here to take you through each twist and turn from accidental landlords to the proud owners of not one, but three thriving businesses right here in Coachella Valley. We peel back the curtain on the challenges and triumphs that come with entrepreneurship, sharing our insight and experiences with grit and unwavering determination. Our story isn't just about us; it's a beacon for anyone in our community who's felt the flicker of that same entrepreneurial flame. This episode is chock-full of honest reflection and actionable advice for those ready to make their move into the business world. We talk about the significance of belief, the power of mentorship, and the delicate dance between planning and instinct. Meanwhile, Fina recounts the mesmerizing tale of how Tile Designs by Fina took a simple spark of creativity and turned it into a stunning, successful enterprise. There's a harmony in our partnership that resonates throughout our ventures, showing that with the right synergy and a touch of creativity, the possibilities are limitless. So, listen in and let our stories embolden your spirit to hustle hard for your dreams.

03/07/2024

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22 min

5

out of 5

7 Ratings

Great local podcast for anyone doing biz in the Coachella Valley

06/27/2024

Cocktails-and-code

Love this podcast. If your doing business in the Coachella Valley or even just have been in the area for a while you should listen to it. Looking forward to season 2.

A Podcast created to educate, inform & inspire entrepreneurship here in our Coachella Valley.We will be talking to some of the best & brightest entrepreneurs in the Coachella Valley about how they started their journey in entrepreneurship.

Creator

CV Hustle Studios
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

30
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2025 CV Hustle
Show Website

CV Hustle