In our first episode of Making the Brand featuring Chad Swieca as a full co-host, he and Joel go way back to not only the roots of Fortress Consulting Group, but also Joel's life roots and the influences that led to the agency as we know it today. There are as many stories of struggle as there are of success, and Joel and Chad don't shy away from discussing them all. Want to know what's next for Fortress? Listen to the end and you'll hear. Check back for more episodes on a monthly basis.

Meet Chad. Chad Swieca is the owner of River Light FC, a new USL soccer club that's based in Aurora, Illinois. He is a former collegiate and international professional soccer player who has turned that love of the game into an entrepreneurship journey that has touched many. He and Joel share a lot of valuable inspirations on the podcast that they've learned over the years in their respective career paths, as well as a compelling breakdown of the state of soccer in the United States. We were honored to have Chad on the show and look forward to what he does next.

Listen to a new episode of Making the Brand as we sit down with the visionary entrepreneur, Carl West. Carl, a prominent figure in media and leadership development, is the mastermind behind Chicago's first and only hip-hop awards, a groundbreaking initiative that propelled local artists into the limelight, as well as many other projects and initiatives over the years.

In this conversation, Carl shares his inspiring journey, from the inception of the hip hop awards to his unwavering commitment to empowering communities. Through his work, and in his personal life, Carl advocates for the belief that providing opportunities for individuals to build wealth is paramount in fostering community elevation and creating real change.

Get ready to dive deep into the intersection of entrepreneurship, self-confidence, and community development as Carl West shares invaluable insights, challenges norms, and offers a blueprint for empowering communities through economic empowerment. Tune in to Making the Brand and discover how one man's vision is transforming lives and reshaping the landscape of urban culture.