In this episode of the 'Art of Connecting' podcast, I sit down with Brian Desmaries, a land flipper based in Pennsylvania. We discuss Brian's transition from a military and banking background to a thriving career in land flipping. Brian explains how he got started with the support of his wife, who has a strong sales background, and the mentorship he received from industry experts.

The episode covers the importance of mentorship, the role of community and groups like Action Academy in achieving success, and practical tips on financing land deals.

Tune in to hear Brian's inspiring entrepreneurial journey and insights on navigating the land-flipping business.

00:00 Introduction to Land Flipping
00:37 Welcome to the Art of Connecting Podcast
01:08 Brian Desmaries' Background and Journey
02:33 First Steps into Real Estate and Land Flipping
03:49 Challenges and Successes in Real Estate
06:23 Mentorship and Networking
13:45 Deep Dive into Land Flipping
19:19 The Importance of Community and Connection
21:11 Land Flipping Success Stories
22:04 Building Partnerships and Funds
24:38 Financing Land Flipping
28:15 Marketing and Social Media Strategies
33:13 Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome
37:06 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
41:05 The Impact of Action Academy

In this episode of the 'Art of Connecting' podcast, we interview Shannon Greer, the owner of Cadence Coffee Company in Chattanooga. Shannon shares his journey from starting a coffee shop to fostering community engagement and social change through partnerships with local nonprofits. He delves into his transition from a church planter to a coffee shop owner, expanding to multiple locations, and his initiative, the Oasis Center, aimed at creating a collaborative space for non-profits. The conversation highlights the importance of building relationships, giving back to the community, and the transformative power of offering more than just a cup of coffee, but an opportunity for connection and positive change. Shannon’s story exemplifies how business and community impact can go hand in hand.

00:00 Intro
01:22 From Church Planter to Coffee Entrepreneur
05:32 The Birth of a Coffee Passion
07:53 From Insurance Sales to Coffee Connection
12:26 Building Community Through Coffee
19:39 Introducing the Oasis Center
25:48 The Historical Significance of the Oasis Center
30:41 Challenges and Funding Strategies
32:53 Expanding the Coffee Business
34:07 Innovative Hiring Practices
38:14 Creating Community
44:24 Lessons in Helping
49:06 The Story of Cadence Coffee Company

In this episode of the 'Art of Connecting' podcast, we talk with Alice, the founder of Hustling Writers, a PR firm focused on publicizing underrepresented entrepreneurs. We discuss the significance of storytelling and personalized communication in various forms, including writing, podcasting, and networking.


Alice shares her journey from a freelance journalist to creating a PR firm, highlighting the importance of dealing with rejection and the power of community. She reveals her strategy for pitching and connecting clients with larger audiences through crafted, personalized pitches that focus on story development and understanding the target audience.

The conversation covers the challenges and strategies in breaking into writing and publication, emphasizing the role of copywriting and its impact.