In this solo episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, Alex Quin breaks down how money in the music industry hasn’t disappeared—it has shifted. Traditional spending on radio, press, tours, and long-term artist development is shrinking, while budgets are moving toward platforms that already control daily attention, such as live streaming, creator networks, gaming, sports, and podcasting. He explains that time-based engagement now drives ROI, meaning artists and brands must compete for consistent attention rather than rely on legacy systems. The episode emphasizes that this isn’t a collapse of music, but a reallocation of resources toward where audiences spend the most time.

Episode Outline:

[00:00:00] Introduction – The quiet shift changing money in music

[00:00:28] Traditional music industry spending patterns

[00:01:05] Reduced upfront artist development and cautious budgets

[00:01:27] Where the money actually moved

[00:01:52] Music competing for attention across platforms

[00:02:24] Live streaming vs. music streaming explained

[00:02:48] Drake and time-based cultural presence

[00:03:15] Creator ecosystems attracting major budgets

[00:03:34] Fewer development deals and shorter promo cycles

[00:03:55] Offline impact: concerts, merch, and selective spending

[00:04:18] Questions about leverage, time, and behavior

[00:04:36] Final takeaway: It’s a reallocation, not a collapse

[00:04:44] Call to action and closing

Wisdom Nuggets:

Attention Is the New Currency: Money follows behavior. If audiences are spending hours on live streams and creator platforms, that’s where brands will invest. Cultural relevance now depends on time earned, not legacy status.

Consistency Beats Tradition: Release cycles used to dominate marketing budgets. Now, consistent daily engagement outperforms one-time promotional pushes. Platforms that hold attention every day win long-term investment.

Shorter Runways Demand Smarter Strategy: With fewer long-term development deals, artists must think like businesses. Ownership of audience and engagement metrics matter more than ever.

Competition Is Broader Than Ever: Music is no longer competing only with other artists. It competes with gaming, live streamers, podcasts, and sports content for the same screen time.

Reallocation Isn’t Collapse: Industries evolve. When money shifts, it creates opportunity for those who adapt. The key question becomes: are you building behaviors that attract investment?

Power Quotes

"Music used to dominate cultural attention by default. Now it has to compete for it." - Alex Quin

"Money hasn't left entertainment. It's become more selective." - Alex Quin

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)

Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, Alex Quin breaks down how artificial intelligence took center stage during Super Bowl 2026 advertising, based on reporting by Trishla Ostwal via Adweek. With 23% of all Super Bowl ads featuring AI, this episode explores the sharp divide between companies advertising AI products and brands using AI behind the scenes. From brand positioning to user adoption data and emotional audience response, Alex highlights why AI isn't just a marketing trend—it's becoming marketing infrastructure.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] Intro – Why Super Bowl ads matter in marketing strategy

[00:28] AI stats: 15 of 65 ads (23%) featured AI, via iSpot

[01:05] Two types of advertisers: AI companies vs consumer brands using AI

[01:45] Awareness vs usage: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude adoption stats

[02:23] eMarketer projections: ChatGPT usage through 2029

[02:50] Audience reactions: likability, purchase intent, emotional response

[03:20] Why clarity is the new advantage in crowded conversations

[03:30] Final question for marketers + show wrap-up

Wisdom Nuggets:

Normalization Shifts the Strategy: Once a product like AI becomes normalized, the marketing challenge shifts from “What is it?” to “Why should I care?” That shift demands smarter messaging.

Adoption Takes Time—Even with Awareness : Even though ChatGPT has high name recognition, actual usage is still catching up. Marketers need to respect the adoption curve and tailor campaigns accordingly.

Advertising ≠ Explaining : There’s a difference between showcasing a product and making people understand it. That gap can define success or failure, especially at the Super Bowl scale.

Reaction Is the Real Metric : With massive spend and reach almost guaranteed, what matters most is how people react emotionally. The most memorable campaigns connect, not just broadcast.

Clarity Wins in Noisy Markets : When many brands say similar things, the one with the clearest and most relatable message sticks. Clear beats clever when everyone's shouting.

Power Quotes

“Even with massive awareness, usage still grows in stages—and that gap matters.” - Alex Quin

“AI is now everywhere during the Super Bowl. The next question is—who’s actually advertising it?” - Alex Quin

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)

Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, Alex Quin sits down with Brandon Travin, Director of Sales and Partnerships at Resident.com, a legacy luxury lifestyle publication founded by his father in 1988. Brandon shares how he helped transform the brand from a print-focused magazine into a modern, digitally dominant media company with a domain authority of 70. They discuss the power of SEO, personalized brand partnerships, email marketing, luxury events, and leveraging AI in content. Brandon emphasizes the value of storytelling, long-term relationships, and meeting clients where they are. The episode also highlights the importance of combining tradition with innovation while staying true to brand values in the fast-evolving luxury media space.

Episode Outline:

[00:00:00] Intro and welcome

[00:01:30] Brandon's background and Resident.com origin story

[00:05:45] From local paper to global luxury publication

[00:09:10] Family legacy and media industry roots

[00:12:00] Brandon’s digital transformation strategy

[00:16:50] Growing Resident.com’s domain authority to 70

[00:19:20] Balancing print and digital

[00:22:00] Focus on travel, real estate, fashion, dining

[00:25:45] Brand activations, events, and client strategies

[00:29:30] High-profile covers, celebrity features

[00:32:10] The power of storytelling in luxury branding

[00:36:15] Leveraging AI and multilingual content

[00:41:30] Sales wins and in-person dealmaking

[00:43:45] Brandon’s values and how he wants to be remembered

Wisdom Nuggets:

Legacy Can Fuel Innovation: Brandon Travin didn’t just inherit a company—he brought it into the digital age, using Resident.com’s trusted legacy as a launchpad for tech-driven growth.

SEO is a Long Game: Achieving a domain authority of 70 in under three years came from consistency, content upgrades, and leveraging the strength of the Resident.com domain.

Print Still Has Power, But Digital Scales: Print remains a high-touch brand tool, while Resident.com drives scalable traffic and conversion—showing how modern media needs both.

Sell With Purpose, Not Pressure: Brandon highlights that listening deeply to client goals and customizing media plans around their KPIs builds trust and long-term wins.

Meet Clients Where They Are: From targeted email campaigns to luxury events and global SEO visibility, Resident.com’s success lies in reaching audiences across every relevant channel.

Power Quotes

“It doesn’t always have to be money—you don’t always need to make something out of the relationship.” - Alex Quin

“Luxury is personal. You gotta meet clients in person.” - Brandon Travin

“I want Resident.com to be the go-to for luxury in every major city.”

Connect with Brandon:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/brandon.travin)

Linkedin: (linkedin.com/in/brandontravin)

Resident Magazine Website (https://resident.com/)

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)

Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Alex Quin sits down with Christian Pombo of Creative Real Estate Deals to unpack how he moved over $20 million in off-market real estate deals in the past year using creative finance strategies. From his start in pre-med to becoming a wholesale dealmaker, Christian shares actionable insights on wholesaling, sub-to deals, seller finance, and how he built a community of over 500 investors in a thriving paid WhatsApp group.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] Intro & High School Roots

[03:00] How Christian Pivoted from Pre-Med to Real Estate

[05:50] Early Real Estate Influences in His Family

[08:15] Real Estate Seemed "Played Out" at First

[10:30] Why Wholesaling and Creative Finance Clicked

[13:15] Sub-to vs Seller Financing Explained

[18:50] Recent $400K Deal Example in Homestead

[23:00] Objections Sellers Have About Sub-To

[27:20] Off-Market vs On-Market Property Deals

[33:30] Why Most Realtors Don’t Know About Creative Finance

[38:00] The Importance of Problem Solving in Real Estate

[43:45] Cherry-Picking the Best Deals

[47:50] Importance of Buy Box and Market Familiarity

[51:30] Creative Financing Example from Hialeah Purchase

[55:10] Foreclosures Are Up: Here’s Why

[59:00] Building the WhatsApp Group & Helping New Investors

Wisdom Nuggets:

Creative Financing Is a Problem Solver: Creative finance isn't just about strategy—it’s about finding ethical ways to solve real problems. When banks say no, these methods can create win-win scenarios for both investors and distressed property owners.

Sellers’ Situations Dictate the Terms: Forget falling in love with the kitchen layout—real estate investing success comes from understanding the seller’s situation. The better you grasp their challenges, the better your chances at structuring a mutually beneficial deal.

Build Your Buyer List Before the Deal: Don’t wait until you have the contract to look for a buyer. Build a community—like Christian’s WhatsApp group—so when the right deal lands, it moves quickly.

Long-Term Financing Buys Time and Options: In creative finance, the longer the financing terms, the better. It gives investors the breathing room to hold, refinance, or cash flow without pressure.

Relationships Drive Revenue: Speed and communication are important, but nothing replaces trust. Christian attributes much of his success to in-person networking and repeat business from buyers who trust his word and deal quality.

Power Quotes

“I sell good deals, but I buy great deals.” - Christian Pombo

"I'm raising gentlemen." - Christian Pombo

Connect with Christian:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/pomborealestate)

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/creativerealestatedeals)

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

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Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, Alex Quin fires up the Hustle Inspires Hustle community with a reality check about procrastination and goal-setting. He emphasizes why waiting for January to start pursuing your goals is a trap and explains how momentum built in the last stretch of the year leads to long-term success. Alex offers a personal pep talk to help listeners assess their progress, realign their vision, and set clear intentions for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] – Intro: Why waiting for January is a mistake

[00:22] – The cost of waiting and procrastinating on goals

[00:48] – Check your 2025 goals: what’s working, what’s not

[01:18] – Do your audit: finances, health, business, mindset

[01:46] – Don’t waste Q4: fix the gaps, build momentum

[02:10] – What a strong finish gives you: peace, freedom, cash flow

[02:38] – Start planning for 2026 now

[03:03] – Align with your partner or team

[03:24] – Final word: stop surviving, start living with intention

Wisdom Nuggets:

Stop Worshipping the Calendar: Waiting for a date like January 1st to take action is an excuse disguised as a plan. Start now or risk staying stuck.

Audit, Don’t Assume: You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Look at your current goals and get honest about where you're winning and where you're behind.

Purpose Over Panic: Finishing the year strong isn’t about panic hustling—it’s about creating meaningful outcomes like peace, cash flow, and confidence.

Talk Like a Team: If you’re in a relationship, your success plan shouldn’t be a solo mission. Discuss your shared goals and stay aligned.

Survive or Thrive: If you’re constantly reacting and living bill-to-bill, you’re not really living. Set direction and move with intention.

Power Quotes

“I’ll start in January is pure loser talk.” – Alex Quin

“Twenty twenty five isn't over yet, so don't act like it is.” – Alex Quin

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)

Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this quick solo episode, Alex Quin shares a powerful reminder: relationships matter more than ever during the holidays. With campaigns and deadlines stacking up, Alex encourages listeners to pause and intentionally connect with the people who made their year meaningful—clients, team members, mentors, and supporters. It’s not just the right thing to do—it’s smart branding.

Episode Outline:

[00:00:00] Intro: Hustle Inspires Hustle mission

[00:00:25] Why Q4 should include gratitude, not just goals

[00:01:10] How to build a holiday appreciation list

[00:01:50] Actionable ways to make it personal and impactful

[00:02:30] Final thought: People remember how you made them feel

Wisdom Nuggets:

Gratitude Is Smart Branding: Saying “thank you” isn't soft—it’s strategic. It fuels trust, loyalty, and referrals.

Systematize Your Appreciation: Create a simple contact sheet so you’re not scrambling when it’s time to show love.

Small Gestures, Big Impact: A handwritten note or quick call sticks more than a generic email blast.

Be the Signal : In a noisy digital world, your authenticity is what people will remember.

Power Quotes

“Strong relationships fuel referrals, loyalty, and real trust.” - Alex Quin

“Take the time to show love to your people.” - Alex Quin

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)

Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, Alex Quin breaks down practical, actionable strategies to help both e-commerce and service-based businesses succeed during Black Friday. He emphasizes the importance of keeping offers simple—such as clear tiered discounts or urgency-based service upgrades—to reduce friction and improve conversions. Alex stresses that successful marketing goes beyond flashy ads; it's about preparation across your funnel, creative assets, and backend systems. From fast-loading product pages to tight onboarding flows and accurate CRM tracking, every part of the customer journey needs to be ready.

He also dives into content strategy and ad execution, encouraging brands to repurpose their top-performing content from earlier in the year with updated Black Friday messaging. Volume matters—especially with Meta’s new Andromeda update—so having multiple creatives pre-approved and scheduled can lower costs and reduce last-minute stress. Whether paid or organic, campaigns should be well-structured and tracked meticulously. The core message? Black Friday isn’t about hype—it’s about execution, efficiency, and data-driven decisions.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] Welcome Back: Alex thanks listeners and sets up the Black Friday topic

[00:15] Importance of Simplicity: Easy-to-understand offers and discounts

[00:45] Service Business Tips: Creating urgency with bonuses and intro deals

[01:10] Creative Strategy: Bold visuals, testimonials, and multi-format content

[01:45] Funnel Tips: Fast product pages, clean checkout, single-action landing pages

[02:10] Backend Systems: Fulfillment, calendar space, CRM, and onboarding readiness

[02:40] Financial Modeling: Know your margins, track all costs

[03:05] Repurposing Content: Use your best-performing content with new Black Friday angles

[03:30] Meta Update & Scheduling: More creatives = lower cost; schedule everything early

[04:00] Post-Purchase & Tracking: Upsells, LTV, CRM follow-ups, and clean analytics

[04:20] Final Thought: Black Friday is about preparation, not just hype

Wisdom Nuggets:

Simplicity Sells: Your offer should be instantly understandable. Whether it’s tiered discounts or bundled services, remove friction—no mental math or coupon codes.

Urgency Wins: Black Friday thrives on limited-time offers. Add urgency through countdowns, limited bonuses, or time-sensitive upgrades to drive faster conversions.

Prep the Back End: A killer front-end campaign fails without backend support. From ecom fulfillment to service onboarding systems, preparation prevents revenue leaks.

Repurpose to Scale: Your best content from earlier in the year is your blueprint. Reuse proven assets with Black Friday messaging instead of creating from scratch.

Track Everything or Risk Everything: If your data is off, your scaling efforts will fail. Ensure all pixels, UTMs, and analytics are accurate before campaigns go live.

Power Quotes

“The key is simplicity. Customers should get it right away.” - Alex Quin

“No guessing, no mental math, and no making them type in coupon codes.” - Alex Quin

Connect With the Podcast Host Alex Quin:

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alexquin)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/mralexquin)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexquin)

Website: (https://alexquin.com)

TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@mralexquin)

Our Community

Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/hustleinspireshustle)

Twitter: (https://twitter.com/HustleInspires)

LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-inspires-hustle)

Website: (https://hustleinspireshustle.com)

*This page may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. When you click on these links or engage with the sponsored content and make a purchase or take some other action, we may receive a commission or compensation at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we genuinely believe will add value to our readers & listeners.*

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.