Real Talk with Mike Burke
Join entrepreneur and visionary Mike Burke as he interviews other successful business owners, go-getters and influencers to discover their stories - who they are, where they came from, and where they're going next. Check out full episodes on YouTube @RealTalkwithMikeBurke
Episodes
106 episodes
Ep. 107 🎙️ XDC 2026: From Garage Tint Jobs to a 16,000 Square Foot Shop | Real Talk with Mike Burke
In this episode, Mike sits down with Ray Van Dexter, owner of Dynamic Tint & Paint Protection, for a wide ranging conversation. Ray reflects on more than two decades in the window tint industry, from hand cutting film in a detached garage t...
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34:19
Ep. 106 🎙️ XDC 2026: Precision, Process, and PPF in Paradise | Real Talk with Mike Burke
In this episode, Mike sits down with Shane Oliberos, co owner of Xero Wraps in Hawaii, to talk about building a high performing paint protection operation in one of the most challenging markets in the country. Shane shares how his background in...
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18:08
Ep. 105 🎙️ XDC 2026: He Bought a Tesla — and Built a New Company| Real Talk with Mike Burke
In this episode, Mike sits down with Philip Bunting, co-founder and CEO of ALSET to talk about building a business by fixing a problem he personally experienced. After purchasing his first Tesla and running into confusing pricing, missed callba...
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33:38
Ep. 104 🎙️ XDC 2026: Choosing Excellence: A Conversation with Ryan Pape | Real Talk with Mike Burke
In this episode, Mike sits down with Ryan Pape, President and CEO of XPEL, for a wide-ranging conversation recorded at SDC 2026. Ryan shares why his theme for the year is excellence, how narrowing focus can outperform chasing endless ideas, and...
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19:55
Ep. 103 🎙️ XDC 2026: Building a Business Around People and Craft | Real Talk with Mike Burke
In this episode, Mike sits down with John Gray of Gulf Coast Auto Shield to talk about building a multi-location operation rooted in craftsmanship and people. John shares how a lifelong love of detailing, paired with 25 years at FedEx, eventual...
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14:32
Ep. 102 🎙️ XDC 2026: Supporting 1,100 Dealerships Across Western Canada | Real Talk with Mike Burke
In this episode, Mike sits down with Colin Reid, Senior VP of Dealership Solutions for WD Co-Auto in Western Canada, to unpack what it takes to support more than 1,100 automotive dealerships across four provinces. Colin explains how a dealer-ow...
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16:01
Ep. 101 🎙️ XDC 2026: Thirty Years In — Lessons You Only Learn With Time | Real Talk with Mike Burke
In this episode, Mike sits down with Rick Puthoff of Eclipse Window Tinting to reflect on more than three decades in the industry and the lessons that only time can teach. Rick shares how simple habits — like personally calling past customers j...
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33:08
Ep. 100🎙️ XDC 2026 | Tony Tran: Crafting Identity Through Cars | Real Talk with Mike Burke
In this episode, Mike sits down with Tony Tran, owner of 101 Motors and Tempe Auto Spa, to trace a career that began in a high-school auto shop and grew into a multi-division operation. Tony shares the pivotal moment he walked away from a deale...
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Season 1
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Episode 100
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19:39
Ep. 99 🎙️ XDC 2026: Choosing Your Lane - Lessons from Chicago Auto Pros | Real Talk
Not every customer is your customer, and learning that lesson reshaped this entire company. In this on-location episode at XDC 26 in San Antonio Texas, Mike sits down with Greg Natonson of Chicago Auto Pros to talk about the jour...
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Season 1
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Episode 99
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29:07
Ep. 98🎙️ XDC 2026: David Read - Film Rep to Shop Owner: Lessons from Both Sides of the Industry
In this special XDC 2026 episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, Mike sits down with industry veteran David Reed of Signature Glass Tinting for a wide-ranging conversation about the window film business. They talk about sales mindset, leadership,...
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Season 1
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Episode 98
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26:05
Ep. 97 🎙️ XDC 2026: Never Ride Stock Reveals the Truth About Scaling Tint and PPF
At XDC 2026 I sat down with Christian and Rob from Never Ride Stock to talk real growth: building a reputation, scaling without losing the personal touch, and why relationships still close the biggest deals in tint and PPF.If you run a shop...
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34:39
Ep. 95 🎙️ XDC 2026: Lessons With Blackout Tinting, What If You Had No Other Choice?
Back again at XPEL XDC 2026 in San Antonio, Texas with Josh Poponick of Blackout Tinting.We break down what it really takes to scale multiple locations: systems, team building, recruiting, training, and staying disciplined with capital....
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Season 1
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Episode 95
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16:43
Ep. 94 🎙️ XDC 2026: Would You Still Want This Business at $300,000 a Month?
What does success really cost?At XDC 2026 in San Antonio, we sat down with Austin Palmer, co-owner of One of One, to talk about the reality behind running one of the most respected high-end shops in the country.From starting in ...
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Season 1
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Episode 94
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22:04
Ep. 93 🎙️ Veterans After Service: Self-Awareness, Transition, and Purpose with Adam Sides | Real Talk with Mike Burke
If you’re seeking inspiration on reinvention, leadership, and helping others, todays episode has you covered. Adam Sides shares a powerful, candid journey from 25 years in the Army to civilian life, veteran transition work, and building a perso...
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Episode 93
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46:43
Ep. 92 🎙️Attention To Details | Real Talk with Mike Burke
We talk with Brian Johnson about grit, pain, and the craft of building a lean, profitable detailing and PPF shop after a life-altering injury. From flipping sport bikes to clean-room standards, we trade tactics for margins, mindset, and custome...
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Episode 92
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54:02
Ep. 91 🎙️ Bill Goldberg – From Wrestling Legend to Everyday Warrior | Real Talk with Mike Burke on Location
Wrestling icon Bill Goldberg joins Mike Burke for an unfiltered, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation recorded at Goldberg’s Texas compound. From rescuing exotic animals to building 1,200-horsepower muscle cars, Goldberg...
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Episode 91
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28:18
Ep. 90 🎙️ Jeff Green - Lock N Climb | Real Talk with Mike Burke on Location
On this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, Mike sits down with Jeff Green, founder of Lock-N-Climb, to hear the incredible story behind his ladder innovations that are now used worldwide in aviation, trucking, and beyond. Jeff share...
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15:23
Ep. 89 🎙️ Ismail Leghari - The Detail Scale | Real Talk with Mike Burke on Location
On this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, Mike talks with Ismail Leghari, founder of Detail Scale, a marketing agency dedicated to helping detailers, PPF, tint, and ceramic coating shops grow through Google ads and SEO. Ismail shar...
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16:42
Ep. 88 🎙️ James Melfi - PPF Product Manager for XPEL | Real Talk with Mike Burke on Location
On this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, Mike sits down with James Melfi, PPF Product Manager at XPEL. James shares his journey from geeking out on detailing products in college to running a shop in New England, and now shaping th...
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19:50
Ep. 87 🎙️ Gabe - Gabe's Auto Detailing | Real Talk with Mike Burke on Location
On this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, Mike sits down with Gabe, owner of Gabe’s Auto Detailing in Philadelphia. From starting out washing cars in front of his parents’ house to building a thriving shop now expanding to a second...
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21:23
Ep. 86 🎙️ Erick Bravo - Skinztek | Real Talk with Mike Burke on Location
On this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, Mike chats with Erick Bravo, owner of Skinztek in Chicago. Erick shares his incredible journey from welding in Tennessee to building his own tint, paint protection, and ceramic coating shop...
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24:19
Ep. 85 🎙️ Katie Jasmin - CreativeFx Custom Window Films | Real Talk with Mike Burke on Location
On this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, Mike sits down with Katie Jasmin, VP of Sales at Source One Digital and the face behind CreativeFx custom window films. Katie shares her 20-year journey in the digital printing world, how C...
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29:09
Ep. 84 🎙️ Nick Antonovich - Fusion Tools | Real Talk with Mike Burke on Location
On this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, Mike sits down with Nick Antonovich, founder of Fusion Tools, to talk about the passion, grit, and innovation behind one of the industry’s most iconic tool brands. From building a 12-foot s...
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42:40
Ep. 83 🎙️ Barry Kimbrell | Stealth Window Tint | Real Talk with Mike Burke on Location
In this episode of Real Talk with Mike Burke, Mike sits down with Eric, owner of a small but growing tint, PPF, and ceramic coating shop in downtown Chicago. From his early days welding and hustling in Tennessee to building a business ...
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21:05
Ep. 82 🎙️ Bruce Slavich - Founder of TruSpray Systems | Real Talk with Mike Burke
Join Mike on location at the International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off in Reno, NV, as he sits down with Bruce Slavich—inventor, creator, and driving force behind TruSpray Systems.Bruce is no stranger to the spotlight, with mult...
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26:52