Go All In: Beating the Odds in Business

Anh Phoong
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Entrepreneurship

Hosted by Anh Phoong, a successful California attorney and entrepreneur who’s built her career advocating for people when the odds are stacked against them. You may know her by her signature line, “Something wrong? Call Anh Phoong.” On this podcast, Anh asks a different question: What happens when everything is stacked against you—and you decide to go all in anyway? Each episode features entrepreneurs and business leaders from underserved and disadvantaged communities, ethnically diverse founders, and women-owned businesses who have turned adversity into opportunity. These are honest conversations about risk, resilience, identity, and the defining decisions that shaped their success. This isn’t about shortcuts or overnight wins. It’s about grit, strategy, and the courage to bet on yourself when the path forward isn’t clear. If you’ve ever felt underestimated, overlooked, or told “no” for your business concept, this podcast is your reminder that success isn’t about where you start—it’s about how fully you commit. Because when the odds are stacked against you… you GO ALL IN.

Episodes

  1. Jul 9

    Built on Hustle, Grown Through Trust: Samantha Tov & Judy Cuong’s Portfolio Real Estate Partnership

    Success rarely begins with perfect timing, unlimited resources, or a clear roadmap. For Samantha Tov and Judy Cuong, it began with long hours, rejection, sacrifice, and an unshakable belief that hard work could change the trajectory of their lives. In this episode of Go All In: Beating the Odds in Business, Anh sits down with Samantha and Judy, the owners of Portfolio Real Estate, to hear how two very different women with remarkably similar work ethics built successful careers—and eventually an extraordinary business partnership. Judy entered real estate as a teenager after growing up in a family with very little money. Her path to success included years of cold calling, door knocking, open houses, and thousands of rejections before landing the listing that proved to her she belonged in the business. Samantha’s journey took her from restaurants in Los Angeles to building a real estate career as a single mother in Sacramento. She brought her children to open houses, worked when other agents took holidays off, studied successful agents, and learned the business through observation, persistence, and sheer determination. When Judy realized she could no longer do everything alone, she saw something familiar in Samantha: the same work ethic, the same hunger, and the same commitment to doing whatever it took. Their partnership would eventually become the foundation of Portfolio Real Estate. Samantha and Judy share an unusually candid conversation about why their partnership works, how they handle disagreement, why equal effort does not always mean identical effort, and why trust matters more than keeping score. They also talk about mentoring the next generation of agents, building a company culture without drama or toxicity, using AI in real estate, navigating motherhood and entrepreneurship, and learning that success means very little if you never allow yourself the time to enjoy it. This is a conversation about resilience, partnership, sacrifice, and what can happen when you bet on yourself—and find the right person willing to go all in beside you. You can learn more about Portfolio Real Estate by visiting their website: https://portfoliore.com/ Chapters 00:00 The Work Ethic Behind the Partnership  00:52 Meet Samantha Tov and Judy Cuong  01:24 Samantha's Real Estate Journey  03:42 Judy Starts in Real Estate at 19  05:25 Thousands of Cold Calls for One Big Break  09:20 Samantha's Letter That Landed a Major Listing  12:20 Surviving the Early Years of Real Estate  15:40 How Samantha and Judy Found Each Other  17:10 Why Judy Needed the Right Partner  21:15 Building Portfolio Real Estate  23:30 Creating a Culture of Mentorship  27:00 Conflict, Communication and Business Partnerships  31:00 Why Their 50/50 Partnership Works  35:00 Navigating Real Estate Markets and Building Wealth  37:00 Advice for New Real Estate Agents  41:10 Entrepreneurship Beyond Real Estate  42:30 How AI Is Changing the Real Estate Business  45:40 Motherhood, Business and Finding Balance  52:20 Go All In or Fold: Real Estate Edition Thank you so much for listening. I hope you found this episode valuable. To learn more about Phoong Law, visit: https://phoonglaw.com To follow Anh on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoonglaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoonglaw/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoong-law/about/?viewAsMember=true X: https://x.com/phoonglawcorp YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAllIn-c1u Go All In is recorded at Phoong Law Studio and produced by Hear Me Now Studio

    Built on Hustle, Grown Through Trust: Samantha Tov & Judy Cuong’s Portfolio Real Estate Partnership

  2. Jun 11

    Building Beauty and a Business: Sidney Le's Success Story

    Success rarely follows a straight line. This episode, Anh talks with her friend and beauty entrepreneur Sidney Le, to discuss her remarkable journey from doing prom makeup at Valley High School to building one of Sacramento's most recognized beauty brands. Sidney shares how her passion for beauty led her from MAC Cosmetics to bridal makeup, eyelash extensions, permanent cosmetics, and eventually multiple business locations throughout the Sacramento region. Along the way, she faced skepticism from friends, financial challenges, personal loss, the passing of her father, the pandemic's devastating impact on her business, and the challenges of raising a daughter with autism while running a company. What makes Sidney's story so powerful is her willingness to discuss not only the victories but also the setbacks. From losing employees and clients to navigating anxiety attacks and difficult business decisions, she offers an honest look at what entrepreneurship really looks like behind the social media highlight reels. This conversation is filled with lessons about resilience, authenticity, taking calculated risks, and finding the courage to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan. In this episode, you'll learn: • How Sidney turned a passion for beauty into a thriving business • Why she ignored the doubters and trusted her instincts • The impact her father's passing had on her entrepreneurial journey • How word-of-mouth and social media fueled her growth • The reality of managing multiple business locations • Lessons learned from the pandemic and business setbacks • The challenges of balancing motherhood, mental health, and entrepreneurship • Why vulnerability can become a business owner's greatest strength • The importance of staying authentic and ethical in business • How to know when it's time to pivot and move forward Whether you're building a business, overcoming personal challenges, or looking for inspiration to take your next big step, Sidney's story is a reminder that success isn't about avoiding obstacles—it's about continuing to move forward through them. Find Sidney Le on line: https://sidneyle.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Sidney's Entrepreneurial Journey  01:12 Discovering a Passion for Beauty  02:22 From MAC Cosmetics to Bridal Beauty  03:02 Becoming an Eyelash Extension Pioneer  04:12 Overcoming Doubters and Critics  06:05 Losing Her Father and Going All In  06:53 Opening the First Studio  08:28 Building a Business and a Legacy  09:42 Growing Through Word-of-Mouth Marketing  11:45 Leveraging Social Media and Influencer Relationships  13:30 The Reality of Entrepreneurship  14:18 COVID-19 and Business Challenges  15:11 Family Struggles and Finding Strength  15:47 Buying a Commercial Building During Uncertainty  17:42 Learning from Business Risks and Setbacks  19:18 The Importance of Vulnerability  21:18 Mentorship, Giving Back, and Community  25:43 Balancing Business, Family, and Mental Health  30:15 Sidney's Advice for Future Entrepreneurs  32:45 Go All In or Fold? Beauty Trends Rapid Fire  34:31 Final Thoughts Thank you so much for listening. I hope you found this episode valuable. To learn more about Phoong Law, visit: https://phoonglaw.com To follow Anh on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoonglaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoonglaw/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoong-law/about/?viewAsMember=true X: https://x.com/phoonglawcorp YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAllIn-c1u Go All In is recorded at Phoong Law Studio and produced by Hear Me Now Studio

    Building Beauty and a Business: Sidney Le's Success Story

  3. May 14

    The Immigrant Entrepreneur: C.C. Yin’s American Dream Story With McDonalds

    What does it take to go from arriving in America with just $20 in your pocket to building one of the most respected McDonald’s ownership legacies in the country? In this powerful episode Anh sits down with legendary entrepreneur and community leader C.C. Yin to hear the remarkable story behind his journey from war-torn China and Taiwan to owning and transforming some of the toughest McDonald’s locations in California. C.C. opens up about surviving poverty, losing his engineering career, borrowing money from family and friends, and taking a chance on a McDonald’s nobody else wanted. Rejected at first by the corporation and told he was “totally disqualified,” he ultimately earned the trust of employees, communities, and eventually McDonald’s itself. But this episode goes far beyond hamburgers and business success. It’s a conversation about resilience, leadership, service, community trust, immigrant ambition, and the belief that helping others is the real key to long-term success. You’ll also hear how C.C. helped build stronger relationships between McDonald’s and underserved communities, launched APAPA to empower Asian American civic leadership, and created the Yin Ranch and California State Asian Heritage Center as a lasting gift to future generations. This is an unforgettable story about beating the odds, leading with humility, and building something bigger than yourself. You can learn more about APAPA by visiting https://www.apapa.org/ 00:00 – Surviving Against the Odds 01:00 – Arriving in America With $20 04:20 – Losing His Engineering Career 06:45 – Discovering McDonald’s Ownership 11:00 – Rejected by McDonald’s 14:00 – Earning Trust Through Training 21:00 – Building Success in East Oakland 32:00 – Turning Around Tough Stores 39:00 – Founding APAPA 47:00 – Building the Yin Ranch Legacy 53:00 – Go All In or Fold Thank you so much for listening. I hope you found this episode valuable. To learn more about Phoong Law, visit: https://phoonglaw.com To follow Anh on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoonglaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoonglaw/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoong-law/about/?viewAsMember=true X: https://x.com/phoonglawcorp YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAllIn-c1u Go All In is recorded at Phoong Law Studio and produced by Hear Me Now Studio

    The Immigrant Entrepreneur: C.C. Yin’s American Dream Story With McDonalds

  4. Apr 9

    Know Your Why, Know Your Way: Ruthie Bolton’s Championship Mindset

    In this episode, I sit down with Ruthie Bolton—WNBA All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist, author, and one of the most powerful voices on resilience you’ll ever hear. But this conversation isn’t about basketball. It’s about what happens when doors close… and you decide to find a window anyway. Ruthie shares the mindset that carried her from rejection to the Olympic stage—and how that same mindset applies to business, leadership, and life. From paying her own way to tryouts to redefining failure, her story is a masterclass in grit, faith, and going all in. This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever questioned themselves, faced rejection, or wondered if they’re really built for what they’re chasing. Because as Ruthie says:  “When you know your why, you know your way. When you lose your why, you lose your way.” 💡 WHY IT MATTERSMost people don’t fail because they aren’t capable.  They fail because they hesitate. This episode reframes:  Fear as fuel  Rejection as redirection  And adversity as preparation Whether you’re building a business, chasing a dream, or navigating a tough season—this is the mindset shift that changes everything. 🎯 CHAPTERS00:00 – “When You Know Your Why…” Ruthie opens with the philosophy that defines her life and success. 02:00 – The Power of “Game Time” Energy Why urgency, intention, and mindset are everything in business and life. 05:00 – The Fence Story (Mental Barriers Explained) A childhood moment that becomes a lifelong lesson in overcoming fear. 09:00 – Good vs. Elite: What Separates the Best Why talent isn’t enough—and what it really takes to level up. 12:30 – Rejection, Doubt, and Paying Her Own Way The defining moment: no invitation, no support… and still showing up. 15:00 – Making the Team Against All Odds How grit and preparation beat expectations—and changed her trajectory. 18:30 – Turning Pain Into Power From adversity and personal struggle to purpose and impact. 22:00 – Facing Your Weaknesses Head-On Why growth only happens when you stop avoiding what you’re bad at. 26:00 – From Athlete to Author & Speaker How Ruthie discovered her voice and began impacting others. 31:00 – Defining Success (It’s Not What You Think) Why true success is about impact, not accolades. 34:00 – Advice for Entrepreneurs: Go All In Practical mindset shifts for anyone building something of their own. 41:00 – Final Message: You Are Built for This A powerful closing reminder to stop waiting—and start moving. Thank you so much for listening. I hope you found this episode valuable. To learn more about Phoong Law, visit: https://phoonglaw.com To follow Anh on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoonglaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoonglaw/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoong-law/about/?viewAsMember=true X: https://x.com/phoonglawcorp YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAllIn-c1u Go All In is recorded at Phoong Law Studio and produced by Hear Me Now Studio

    Know Your Why, Know Your Way: Ruthie Bolton’s Championship Mindset

  5. Mar 17

    Episode 1: Beyond the Billboards: Anh Phoong's Story That Led to Phoong Law.

    Before she became one of the most recognizable attorneys in California, Anh Phoong was a 21-year-old sitting in jail wondering how her life had spiraled so far off course. In this deeply personal first episode of Go All In, Anh shares the story behind the billboards — a journey that begins with her parents fleeing Vietnam to build a new life in America, continues through a period of reckless decisions that landed her behind bars, and ultimately leads to redemption, entrepreneurship, and the creation of Phoong Law. Anh opens up about the moment that changed everything: a public defender who looked her in the eye and told her she was throwing her life away. That encounter planted the seed that would eventually lead her to law school, a difficult path through the California Bar’s moral character process, and a bold decision to start her own law firm with no clients and no safety net. What followed was a series of risks — including investing everything she had into a marketing idea that would eventually become the now-famous “Something Wrong? Call Anh Phoong.” But this story isn’t just about business success. It’s about resilience, accountability, and the belief that rock bottom does not define the rest of your life. Today, Phoong Law operates across multiple states, and Anh uses her platform not only to advocate for her clients, but to inspire entrepreneurs and underdogs who are still fighting their way forward. This episode sets the tone for the Go All In podcast — a show dedicated to the real stories behind success, the setbacks no one talks about, and the courage it takes to bet on yourself. Chapter Highlights 00:00 — Rock Bottom Anh reflects on spending her 21st birthday in jail and realizing she had taken her life down the wrong path. 02:00 — Immigrant Roots Growing up in a Vietnamese immigrant family and watching her parents work tirelessly to build a life in America. 05:00 — The Downward Spiral Poor choices, arrests, and the consequences that forced her to confront her future. 09:00 — A Life-Changing Conversation A public defender’s tough words spark the idea that Anh could pursue law herself. 12:00 — Fighting for Law School Failing the LSAT, refusing to give up, and eventually becoming valedictorian at Lincoln Law School. 16:00 — Proving Her Character Facing the California State Bar’s moral character review and the possibility of being denied. 19:30 — Lawyer… Without a Job After passing the bar, Anh struggles to find work and begins considering starting her own firm. 21:00 — Betting on Herself Launching Phoong Law from a spare bedroom with no clients and no roadmap. 24:00 — The Billboard Gamble Investing everything into the now-famous “Something Wrong? Call Anh Phoong” campaign. 26:00 — Purpose Beyond Success Why Anh now focuses on giving back and sharing stories that inspire others to go all in. Thank you so much for listening. I hope you found this episode valuable. To learn more about Phoong Law, visit: https://phoonglaw.com To follow Anh on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoonglaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoonglaw/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoong-law/about/?viewAsMember=true X: https://x.com/phoonglawcorp YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAllIn-c1u Go All In is recorded at Phoong Law Studio and produced by Hear Me Now Studio

  6. Mar 10

    Go All In Trailer

    Go All In: Beating the Odds in Business In this trailer, I share the story behind Go All In: Beating the Odds in Business and why this podcast matters. Born in San Jose and growing up in Northern California, building my career from community college to running a successful law firm, I’ve faced the same doubts, obstacles, and moments of being underestimated that many entrepreneurs experience. This podcast is about the people who choose courage anyway. Each episode will feature honest conversations with entrepreneurs, women-owned businesses, diverse founders, and underdogs who turned rejection into resilience and risk into opportunity. If you’ve ever been told your idea won’t work, if you’ve ever felt overlooked, or if you’re ready to bet on yourself — this podcast is for you. Follow the show and join us each month for stories about grit, courage, and what happens when you decide to go all in. Thank you so much for listening. I hope you found this episode valuable. To learn more about Phoong Law, visit: https://phoonglaw.com To follow Anh on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoonglaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoonglaw/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoong-law/about/?viewAsMember=true X: https://x.com/phoonglawcorp YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAllIn-c1u Go All In is recorded at Phoong Law Studio and produced by Hear Me Now Studio

Trailer

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Hosted by Anh Phoong, a successful California attorney and entrepreneur who’s built her career advocating for people when the odds are stacked against them. You may know her by her signature line, “Something wrong? Call Anh Phoong.” On this podcast, Anh asks a different question: What happens when everything is stacked against you—and you decide to go all in anyway? Each episode features entrepreneurs and business leaders from underserved and disadvantaged communities, ethnically diverse founders, and women-owned businesses who have turned adversity into opportunity. These are honest conversations about risk, resilience, identity, and the defining decisions that shaped their success. This isn’t about shortcuts or overnight wins. It’s about grit, strategy, and the courage to bet on yourself when the path forward isn’t clear. If you’ve ever felt underestimated, overlooked, or told “no” for your business concept, this podcast is your reminder that success isn’t about where you start—it’s about how fully you commit. Because when the odds are stacked against you… you GO ALL IN.

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