Rob Starkman’s sophomore year was not a typical college experience. He spent most days chugging energy drinks and sweating over fabric dyes in his dorm room. It had all started a few months before, when Rob took on a new role as student manager of the men’s basketball team and it all almost ended when one of the largest companies in the world sent him a cease and desist letter. 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Rob about the stroke of inspiration that started Rock ‘Em Socks in a dorm room, and the large legal team that went after the business. Discover how he fought back, overcoming obstacles from outside and inside—his company, and the hard-won lessons that put Rock’Em on the map. 

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The 2008 Global Financial Crisis was hard for almost everyone. Fuquan Bilal remembers it like it was yesterday. A real estate investor, among other things, he came home to the news of the crash and the sharp realization that he lost $2 million overnight. That could have been the end with advisors telling him to file for bankruptcy. 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Fuquan about how he fought to keep his companies afloat. Discover how he brought his business back from the dead, ignoring common sense, for his own gut instincts, his investments to diversify his income, and back into better communities for all. These are The Unshakeables.   

The Unshakeables is brought to you by Chase for Business and Ruby Studio by iHeartMedia

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When Denise Woodard found out her daughter Vivi had severe food allergies, she went into super mom mode. She looked for food that was nutritious and fun but what she found at the store was disappointing at best. So she took to the kitchen and started making her own snacks for Vivi, laying the foundation for Partake Foods, a Black-owned, female-led company offering allergy-friendly foods. As her snacks started to gain traction, Denise realized she needed more capital—and fast—if she wanted Partake to succeed. 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Denise about Partakes-humble beginnings and near failure to launch. Discover her commitment to funding Partake, pawning her engagement ring and emptying her savings in the process, and a chance meeting in a trade show bathroom that unlocked new doors for the company. These are The Unshakeables. 

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It can be tough to start a business. And if you’re a young family on the brink of the birth of your first child, it can be even tougher. Yet George and Margarita Rivera did it anyway. When George came home and told Margarita he quit his job to start his own electric company, she had apprehensions. Could they keep their family afloat while starting this new company? 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with the founders of Doc Watts Electric about those first rocky months. Discover how they built a company as they built their family, learned the tools of the trade while learning how to run a successful business— and avoided their competitor’s mistakes by looking to the future. These are The Unshakeables. 

The Unshakeables is brought to you by Chase for Business and Ruby Studio by iHeartMedia

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Melissa Gallardo’s childhood smelled like dark-roast coffee and lavender Fabulosa. As an adult, she found it difficult to find fragrances that made her feel at home, so she took it into her own hands and taught herself to make candles. It was a fun hobby side hustle until a 5,400 candle order almost sent her over the edge. 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Melissa, founder of Bonita Fierce Candles, about taking her passion project from her side hustle to her full-time job. Discover how she started the company in her spare room while working 9-5 and finishing a graduate degree, built a relatable brand by focusing on her personal experience and how she landed her first big order. These are the Unshakeables.

The Unshakeables is brought to you by Chase for Business and Ruby Studio by iHeartMedia 

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 Alex Vega always loved cars. It started with a $500 car in high school and led to a custom detailing and modification business. Until one day, a business partner revealed his true colors and unceremoniously dumped Alex back to square one. But that wasn’t the first time that happened to Alex—and it wouldn’t be the last.

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Alex, owner of The Auto Firm, about how even the biggest red lights in the world can't stop you when you know your brand, the importance of paperwork (especially when working with friends), and how finally finding a trusted advisor-led to his greatest growth yet. These are The Unshakeables. 

The Unshakeables is brought to you by Chase for Business and Ruby Studio by iHeartMedia

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In March 2020, while the entire world was shutting down, Doug and Jason Barrow, brothers and owners of Luna Gourmet Coffee & Tea, had other problems. One morning at the office, one of their employees said the building smelled like campfire. Now roasting coffee does get a little toasty—but never like this.

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with the Barrow brothers about their business's phoenix-like comeback. Discover how they rebounded, securing fresh funding, finding unexpected allies, and building a dedicated support team that propelled them to greater heights. These are The Unshakeables.

The Unshakeables is brought to you by Chase for Business and Ruby Studio.

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These are The Unshakeables, daring small business owners facing crisis points and sharing the stories of how they got through it. Hosted by Ben Walter and Tanya Nebo, The Unshakeables is brought to you by Chase for Business and Ruby Studio by iHeartMedia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.