Members Room

Alex Thiakos
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Real stories from real entrepreneurs. How they started, what they faced, and what they learned.

  1. 1D AGO

    The Internal Operating System: Mastering Identity & High-Performance Psychology

    In this episode, we sit down with Jesse Hoffman, a performance psychologist and mental coach for C-suite executives, to discuss upgrading your "internal operating system" for elite success. From his roots in sports psychology to mentoring high-ticket entrepreneurs, Jesse explores how identity-based growth and the "Being to Become" framework can bridge the gap between your current reality and your idealized self. We dive deep into the biological power of visualization and why the fear of success is often more paralyzing than the fear of failure. What to Expect: The "Being to Become" Framework: Why you must exist as the person you want to be in the present tense to wire your brain for future achievements. The Science of High-Ticket Sales: Mastering the 90% of non-verbal communication,including tone, silence, and posture, to convert through clarity and conviction rather than pressure. Energy Management vs. Burnout: A breakdown of the four quadrants of energy (Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, and Social) and why "burnout" is often just stagnant energy that needs to flow. The Motivation Loop: Why dopamine-driven motivation is more powerful than raw discipline, and how to use operant conditioning to spark massive action in your daily routine. The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey, hosted by Alex Thiakos. Guest – Jesse Hoffman INSTAGRAM: @jessehhoffman YOUTUBE: Jesse Hoffman Host – Alex Thiakos INSTAGRAM: @alexthiakos Members Room INSTAGRAM: @membersroom TIKTOK: @membersroom

    1h 9m

  2. JAN 29

    The Logic of Scale: Automation, Arbitrage, and the Airbnb Blueprint

    In this episode, we sit down with Aurelio Licata, a strategic real estate entrepreneur and property management expert, to break down the formula for scaling a short-term rental empire. Aurelio shares how he moved beyond the "side-hustle" mentality to build a business rooted in high-level automation and data-driven property selection. Aurelio walks us through the mechanics of modern Airbnb hosting, replacing guesswork with his core blueprint: The Right Property + The Right System. From identifying high-demand markets to implementing "hands-off" management, he reveals how founders can achieve real success and operational freedom. We dive deep into market arbitrage, leveraging technology to maximize revenue, and professionalizing the guest experience. Aurelio’s insights prove that the most successful entrepreneurs are those who build systems that work while they sleep. What to Expect The Success Formula: A deep dive into Aurelio’s guiding principle: why the intersection of the right asset and a rigorous system is the only way to scale.Market Arbitrage: How to identify high-demand pockets and secure properties that guarantee consistent cash flow.The Automation Stack: The specific tools and software Aurelio uses to handle guest communication, cleaning schedules, and dynamic pricing.Professionalized Hospitality: Moving from "amateur host" to a high-end property manager, and why professional standards drive five-star reviews.Scalability vs. Self-Employment: How to stop trading time for money by building SOPs that allow your business to function as a turnkey asset.Relationship Capital: The art of pitching landlords and developers to secure long-term partnerships and multiple units.The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos. Subscribe for more real conversations with people making it happen. Guest – Aurelio Licata INSTAGRAM: /aureliolicataa Host – Alex Thiakos INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos Members Room INSTAGRAM: /membersroom FACEBOOK: /membersroom  TIKTOK: /membersroom

    51 min

  3. JAN 15

    Faith Over Fear: How Jonnie Parsons Rebuilt His Life from Rock Bottom

    In this episode, we sit down with Jonnie Parsons—entrepreneur, construction executive, podcast host, and faith-driven leader—to unpack a life defined by redemption, discipline, and purpose. Jonnie opens up about his journey from addiction, homelessness, jail, and losing custody of his son, to rebuilding his life through faith, family, fitness, and focused leadership. Jonnie walks us through his childhood in South Florida, his early exposure to partying and drugs, and the pivotal moments where he hit rock bottom—and chose to surrender control. From getting clean at 21, relapsing years later, and ultimately finding lasting transformation through faith while incarcerated at 33, Jonnie’s story is a raw and honest look at what real change requires. Now a 50/50 partner in a growing land development business, a husband, father, coach, and host of the Discipline & Legacy podcast, Jonnie shares the principles that helped him rebuild his life from the inside out. We dive into entrepreneurship, leadership, construction, personal development, and why faith—not motivation—is the foundation for lasting success. Whether you’re battling addiction, building a business, trying to become a better leader, or searching for meaning beyond material success, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom and a real blueprint for what it means to show up every day. What to Expect - Redemption & Reality: Jonnie’s path through addiction, relapse, jail, and the turning point that changed everything. - Faith Over Fear: Why Jonnie says faith is the #1 driver of his personal development—and how he sees fear as “lack of faith.” - Discipline & Legacy: The mindset shift from surviving day-to-day to living with long-term purpose, impact, and accountability. - From Rock Bottom to Leadership: How rebuilding his life made him a better husband, father, and leader—and why serving others is real leadership. - Fitness as a Reset Button: Losing nearly 80 pounds, overcoming sleep apnea and high blood pressure, and why physical health became part of his transformation. - Entrepreneurship & Construction: How Jonnie grew from hands-on heavy equipment work to estimating, business development, and partnership—plus why relationships matter more than being the lowest bidder. The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos. Subscribe for more real conversations with people making it happen. Guest – Jonnie Parsons INSTAGRAM: /jonnie_parsons_official  TIKTOK: /@jonnie_parsons_official PODCAST: Discipline & Legacy Host – Alex Thiakos INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos Members Room INSTAGRAM: /membersroom TIKTOK: /membersroom

    1h 1m

  4. JAN 2

    The Hybrid Mindset: Stefanos Spiliotis on Greek Culture, Miami Fitness, and the Art of Consistency

    In this episode, we sit down with Stefanos Spiliotis—a Greek-American content creator, FIU student, and aspiring online personal trainer—to discuss the cultural shift of moving from Athens to Miami and building a lifestyle around discipline. Stefanos shares his journey from working in his father’s water sports business in Greece to finding his obsession with fitness and entrepreneurship in the U.S. From navigating the differences between the Greek and American education systems to the reality of building a following by "nicheing down," Stefanos details the mindset required to stay consistent in a fast-paced world. We dive into the "Blue Zones" of Greece, the importance of faith in personal development, and why hybrid training (balancing lifting with endurance) is the key to long-term health. Whether you are looking to improve your physical health, start your own content journey, or understand the power of cultural adaptability, this episode provides a fresh perspective on what it means to show up every day. What to Expect: - Cultural Crossroads: The transition from the capital of Greece to Miami at 16, and how the American "extracurricular" system sparked his entrepreneurial drive. - The Hybrid Athlete: Why Stefanos is pivotting to a Half Ironman split and his philosophy on "Hybrid Physics"—balancing muscle mass with cardiovascular health and flexibility. - The Content Niche: Why he chose to target a Greek-speaking audience while living in Miami, and the "Million View" lesson on why consistency beats quality in the early stages. - Discipline & Fasting: Insights from his 36-hour fast and the 75 Hard challenge, and how keeping promises to yourself is the ultimate foundation for self-confidence. The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos. Subscribe for more real conversations with people making it happen. Guest – Stefanos Spiliotis INSTAGRAM: /@stefano_spiliotis TIKTOK: /@stefano_spiliotis Host – Alex Thiakos INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos Members Room INSTAGRAM: /membersroom  TIKTOK: /membersroom

    51 min

  5. 12/19/2025

    Starting From Zero: Jean Reyes on Reselling, Live Commerce, and Building in Miami

    In this episode, we sit down with Jean Reyes, a Dominican-born entrepreneur who moved to Miami with no English and just $700. From working construction rentals with his uncle to building businesses in sneaker reselling, live commerce, and content production, Jean shares how starting from zero shaped his mindset and growth. He breaks down learning English while working, spotting early opportunities in sneaker culture, launching a paid community during COVID, and running live shopping events that generated hundreds of thousands of dollars. We also dive into his pivot into podcasting and studio ownership, how he structures pricing and upsells, and why recurring revenue is the foundation of his long-term vision in the creator economy. What to Expect - Starting From Zero: Moving from the Dominican Republic to Miami with no English, $700, and the pressure to rebuild from scratch. - Learning While Earning: How working while learning English shaped Jean’s discipline, adaptability, and entrepreneurial mindset in the U.S. - Sneakers Before the Boom: Spotting early opportunities in sneaker reselling, building trust online, and developing a sharp eye for market shifts and fakes. - The Membership Breakthrough: Why launching a paid sneaker community during COVID generated $20K in a single day—and changed how he thinks about recurring revenue. - Live Commerce at Scale: From early Whatnot streams to nearly $300K in hourly sales, and why live shopping is becoming the future of retail. - From Reselling to Content: The pivot into podcasting and opening a Brickell-based studio built for creators, brands, and scalable content. - Pricing, Upsells & Lean Operations: How Jean structures affordable entry points, profitable add-ons, and commission-based staffing to scale sustainably. - The Creator Economy Vision: Building toward a creator lounge designed for podcasts, livestream shopping, and the next wave of digital commerce. The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey — hosted by Alex Thiakos. Guest – Jean Reyes  INSTAGRAM: / solebyjc  Host – Alex Thiakos  INSTAGRAM: / alexthiakos Members Room  INSTAGRAM: / membersroom TIKTOK: /membersroom

    40 min

  6. 12/05/2025

    From Blue-Collar Roots to Exponential Growth: A Sales Playbook with Gabe Lullo

    In this episode, we sit down with Gabe Lullo - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alleyoop, a premier sales development agency working with industry giants like ZoomInfo, Salesloft, and Adobe. Gabe shares his journey, beginning with a blue-collar upbringing that instilled a deep understanding of “profit versus wages” a lesson he learned at age 11 selling T-shirts. This early realization fueled his transition from a traditional career path to building a future in business development and sales leadership. From being taught the ropes by a successful entrepreneur (his best friend’s dad) to making a major life shift to be home with his newborn daughter, Gabe walks through the pivotal decisions that shaped his trajectory. We dig into how he left companies on such strong terms that he was eventually re-recruited back to Alleyoop as CEO, along with his framework for high-volume, human-centric sales, his philosophy on content as a revenue driver, and his method for training high-grit, high-output sales teams. What to Expect - Profit Over Wages: How early lessons in profit and a strong mentor redirected Gabe from a blue-collar mindset into sales training and business development. - The Professional Exit: His strategy for leaving companies the right way—leading to being re-recruited as CEO and shaping Alleyoop’s “Allup Alumni” culture. - Manager to CEO: How he scaled through finance, operations, and his “train the trainers” philosophy to build repeatable, high-performing teams. - Content That Sells: Why he became the face of the company, how 400+ podcasts built authority, and how content now drives 40% of new business. - The 90-Day System: His 4-step training model and why hiring for grit creates independent, high-output reps. - High-Volume, Human Outreach: Why Alleyoop prioritizes 250–850 calls a day and leans into calls, voice notes, and video as AI floods email and LinkedIn. - Handling the 10 Objections: His go-to responses for the most common objections, including the “email me” deflection and the “bad steak” analogy. The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos. Guest – Gabe Lullo INSTAGRAM: / @gabelullo  LINKEDIN: / @Gabe Lullo Host – Alex Thiakos INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos Members Room INSTAGRAM: /membersroom  TIKTOK: /membersroom

    49 min

  7. 12/04/2025

    The Life Investor: Adebayo Kuye on Real Estate, Purpose, and Minimizing Regret

    In this episode, we sit down with Adebayo Kuye—a real estate investor, licensed counselor (CADC), and professional mentor—to talk about the foundational principles that drive success in both personal development and business ventures. Adebayo shares his journey from overcoming social awkwardness using psychological theories learned online, to transitioning from a basketball path into a dual career in real estate and counseling. From establishing his first property via house hacking to feeling a calling to help youth struggling with difficult home environments, Adebayo details the crucial role of finding real-life mentors and the need to prioritize life for minimal regret. We dig into the philosophy of why selfishness is the root of all evil (not money), and the strategy of providing value first to secure life-changing opportunities. What to Expect: Pivot to Purpose: Overcoming social isolation by learning charisma online, leading to his mission of mentoring youth in confidence and communication.Real Estate Foundation: The strategy behind house hacking his first multi-family property and why in-person mentors are essential to navigating the high-risk "reach ideas" taught on YouTube.Ethics & Growth: Why selfishness is the root of all evil, and how to optimize life for minimal regret by taking massive action and saying yes early in your career.Coaching Resilience: His full-time calling as a counselor and the complex challenge of building resilience in youth who lack functional home support and positive community examples.The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos. Guest – Adebayo Kuye INSTAGRAM: /@itskuye  TIKTOK: /@itskuye  Host – Alex Thiakos INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos Members Room INSTAGRAM: /membersroom  TIKTOK: /membersroom

    1h 15m

  8. 11/06/2025

    The Entrepreneur's Pivot: Darryl Torres on Leaving College, Risks, & Building DNA

    In this episode, we sit down with Darryl Torres—Co-Founder of DNA Productions—to talk about building a premium media agency that specializes in cinematic corporate storytelling. Darryl shares his unexpected path from a career-ending baseball injury to becoming an entrepreneur who transforms the media presence of Fortune 500 companies. From taking high-risk leaps after dropping out of college to strategically merging corporate discipline with creative production, Darryl details the mindset and systems that fueled their rapid growth. We dig into the necessity of in-person networking, the philosophy of pricing for value, and how they leverage technology (AI) to run a modern, high-ticket service business that operates across the country. What to Expect: Unexpected Origin & Portfolio Hustle: A career-ending injury led to learning film via "YouTube University." He built his initial portfolio through a high-risk networking trip by leveraging a temporary driving job for free shoots.High-Value Niche: Founded DNA Productions to offer premium, cinematic "corporate media storytelling" (like 3-minute documentaries) specifically to Fortune 500 companies.Sales & Pricing Strategy: Prioritizes in-person networking and genuine relationships over cold outreach. Prices services based on value delivered, targeting clients who can afford a premium ticket price.Scaling & Leadership: Utilizes AI (Chat GPT-5) for efficiency while maintaining momentum through travel. Transitioned from being behind the camera to a leadership role in production management.The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey—hosted by Alex Thiakos. Guest – Darryl Torres INSTAGRAM: /dbankzfilms Host – Alex Thiakos INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos Members Room INSTAGRAM: /membersroom TIKTOK: /membersroom

    57 min
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About

Real stories from real entrepreneurs. How they started, what they faced, and what they learned.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Thiakos
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Members Room
  • Show Website
    Members Room