CV Hustle
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.
Episodes
33 episodes
EP#30-How Oasis Magazine Champions Palm Springs Small Businesses
A glossy print magazine in 1,500+ Palm Springs hotel rooms. A half-hour TV pilot with a full crew. A bright pink Rolls-Royce named Mr. Pink turning heads on the street. That’s not a gimmick, it’s a strategy.We sit down with Matthew Mitc...
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EP#29-From Podcast to NBC-How Jose Esparza Built A Coachella Valley Media Brand
A heartbreak, a desert move, and a willingness to try again can turn into something much bigger than a side project. We sit down with Jose Esparza, founder and host of The New Mindset of the Coachella Valley, to unpack how he rebuilt his life i...
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EP#28-A New York Times Bestselling Author Explains How Trauma Became A Career
Something wild happens when you stop treating your instincts like a soft suggestion and start treating them like real information. We sit down with Allie Kingsley Baker, a New York Times bestselling author, co-writer, and Coachella Valley entre...
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Ep #27-Behind the Barricade: Life as an Elite Security Professional
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 buildin...
EP #26-Voice for the Valley: How Coach B is Changing Sports Media in the Coachella Valley
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 Co...
Ep#25-2025 Coachella Valley Real Estate Round Table
#realestate #realtor #housing #coachellavalley #2025The 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,...
Ep#24-From Thrift Shops to Stand-Up: The Elijah James Story (How to Make it in Stand Up Comedy)
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 ...
Ep#23-Weights & Bake: The Resilient Journey of an Accidental Entrepreneur (How to Open A Health Food Business)
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 mov...
Ep#22-Handcrafted Success: Building a Jewelry Empire from Passion
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 handma...
Ep#21-Desert Muse: A Guitar Prodigy's Journey
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 g...
EP# 20-The Warrior’s Path: Dr. Mike's Transition from Combat to Chiropractic
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....
Ep#19-From Concierge to Desert Rodeo: Building a New Desert Tradition
#rodeo #desertrodeo #stagecoachweeekendDesert Rodeo info & tickets @ www.desertrodeo.comInstagram@localeconciergecv@thedesertrodeoDave and Carrie Isen share their journey from managing high-end vacation pr...
Ep#18-Outcome Over Income: How Passion Built the Valley's Best Barbershop
What happens when an artist takes up the straight razor? Meet Ian Gerald, owner of Palm Desert Barbershop and two-time winner of Barbershop of the Year in the Coachella Valley. His unexpected journey from professional BMX rider to master barber...
Ep#17-From Kitchen Experiments to Retail Empire: The Body Deli's Natural Skincare Journey
Margaret Clark and Ashley Skarin share the inspiring journey of building The Body Deli, a locally-made natural skincare brand that has become a Coachella Valley success story. Through determination and innovative thinking, they've grown from ki...
Ep #16-Surviving Cancer and Creating Community: The Story of Shay's Warriors
When Shay Moraga found a lump in her breast at 38, doctors dismissed her concerns: "You're too young for breast cancer." That dismissal led to a delayed diagnosis of aggressive stage three cancer and a grueling treatment journey. But the real c...
Ep #15-The Legal Side of Success: From SC Grad to Valley Titan-The Amir Afsar Story
Amir Afshar, a prominent Coachella Valley attorney, shares his unconventional journey from USC rejection to becoming a respected business and real estate lawyer with his own practice spanning 16 years.• Early social media adoption for l...
Ep #14-Sink or Swim: A Story of Entrepreneurship Against All Odds with Amos Greenwood
Meet Amos Greenwood, the dynamic force behind My Party Rental Guys and Pest Protect 360, whose journey from poverty to entrepreneurship embodies the spirit of determination and grit that defines the Coachella Valley business community.A...
Ep#13 -Discover the Secrets to Building Wealth with Kyle Bryan of Desert Advisors
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with financial expert Kyle Bryant about the importance of financial literacy and wealth-building strategies. Kyle shares insights on life insurance, investments, and practical tips for modern money manage...
What's Up With CV Hustle??!!
Fina Meraz shares her entrepreneurial journey as she prepares to launch a new slab studio in Palm Desert, aiming to offer unique and innovative design solutions that the Coachella Valley lacks. The episode touches on risks, community connection...
Things That Surprised Us In Season #1
We reflect on the lessons learned from Season One of CV Hustle, shining a light on the diverse journey of local entrepreneurs. Insights range from the surprising value of stability and contentment in business to the many paths that lead people ...
Ep #12-Turning a Family Business into a Thriving Enterprise: Josh Willis' Carpet Care Success Story
What does it take to turn a family carpet cleaning business into a thriving enterprise amidst economic downturns and personal challenges? Join us on CV Hustle as we sit down with Josh Willis, owner of Carpet and Tile Care Company, who shares hi...
Ep #11-Conquering Challenges: Charlie Ervin's Journey from Real Estate to School Board and Authorship
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Ep #10-From Freight Trains to Dental Chains: The Meraz Family Dental Story
When the tracks of life converge with family legacy and entrepreneurial spirit, incredible stories emerge. That's exactly what we unpack with Dr. Randolph Meraz and Dr. Michael Meraz, two of Coachella Valley's esteemed dentists from my own line...
Ep #9-Elissa Galindo's Rise from Student to Business Phenom
Imagine stepping into the entrepreneurial arena before you've even tossed your graduation cap into the air. Elissa Galindo did just that, and her drive is nothing short of infectious. On CV Hustle, we're thrilled to have her unpack the journey ...
Ep #8-Drafting Success: Crafting a Future in Design through Grit and Grace
When Mariano Ramirez swapped his warehouse ID for an architect's drafting table, he and Yvette, his partner in life and business, embarked on an entrepreneurial adventure that's nothing short of a blueprint for success. On CV Hustle, we're thri...
