Video Version: https://youtu.be/kROn6MD5P78 In this episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with Tim Swanson, a visionary at the crossroads of design, construction, and community transformation. As the Founder and CEO of Inherent Homes, Tim is leading a movement to reimagine affordable housing through modular construction — creating a model that’s scalable, cost-effective, and deeply rooted in equity. From major public-private partnerships in Chicago’s West Side to national conversations on the futur...
All content for The First Million Is Always The Hardest is the property of The First Million and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Video Version: https://youtu.be/kROn6MD5P78 In this episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with Tim Swanson, a visionary at the crossroads of design, construction, and community transformation. As the Founder and CEO of Inherent Homes, Tim is leading a movement to reimagine affordable housing through modular construction — creating a model that’s scalable, cost-effective, and deeply rooted in equity. From major public-private partnerships in Chicago’s West Side to national conversations on the futur...
Video Version: https://youtu.be/GgH9oDkyRmI In this episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with Divya Behl, a rising star in the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), who’s breaking the mold — and building a 100-year business, not a quick exit. As the leader of PFA Friction Products, Divya is taking a long-term, values-driven approach to business ownership. Instead of consolidating companies for a fast flip, she is focused on building a family legacy through purposeful acquisition an...
Video Version: https://youtu.be/yvX6b318nuk In this forward-looking and deeply practical episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with Bitcoin lawyer and digital-asset expert Joe Carlasare to unpack one of the most important shifts happening in global finance today: the rise of digital currencies and the movement some are calling the Great Reset. Far from theory or hype, Joe offers a grounded view of how Bitcoin, stablecoins, and emerging digital currencies are reshaping access to capital, transaction...
Video Version: https://youtu.be/PqDVKP7KbJY Building tomorrow’s industries starts with rebuilding today’s workforce. In this dynamic dinner-table episode, host Bo Kemp brings together three leaders from engineering, construction, and aerospace to unpack the talent challenges and opportunities defining the next decade of American industry. From emerging fields like AI and cryogenics to cornerstone sectors like housing construction, this conversation explores the skills, training systems, and i...
Video Version: https://youtu.be/ZBcyHdEpSSs In this electrifying episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with Dr. Francis Wang, former Chair of Nano Graf, a Graf’s silicon oxide anode manufacturer, to explore the unseen but essential force powering our technological future: energy storage. With a career rooted in battery chemistry, advanced materials, and manufacturing innovation, Dr. Wang shares his journey from the lab bench to the executive suite — and what it means to build at the frontier of sci...
Video version: https://youtu.be/i5EHQjIcHwI In this inspiring and refreshingly honest episode, host Bo Kemp interviews Jeff McCall, a rare kind of entrepreneur — one who has built thriving businesses inside some of the world’s most recognized corporations. From Hilton and Sears to TruGreen and now TurnPoint Services, Jeff has carved out a unique lane as an intrapreneur, known for transforming organizations from the inside out. Together, Bo and Jeff explore what it means to build within a lar...
Video version: https://youtu.be/W3gIhch8_Lc In this powerful and purpose-driven episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with Marcos Estrada Sr., U.S. Marine veteran and co-founder of Valor Jiu-Jitsu, to shine a spotlight on one of America’s most undervalued entrepreneurial assets: military veterans. Bo and Marcos explore how the discipline, leadership, and resilience forged in military service uniquely prepare veterans to thrive as entrepreneurs — especially in an economy ripe for generational tran...
Video Version: https://youtu.be/MkPdnv-Lkqc In this thought-provoking and timely episode, guest host Arian Quinn flips the script and interviews The First Million is Always the Hardest creator Bo Kemp for a deep dive into one of the most defining forces of our era: Artificial Intelligence. Together, they explore the economic, social, and personal implications of AI’s rise — from the promise of abundance to the risk of systemic collapse — and what it means for entrepreneurs, builders, and ever...
Video Format https://youtu.be/-zrbQImTayk In this episode, host Bo Kemp interviews trailblazing developer Bonita Harrison, the powerhouse behind Sunshine Management, whose mission-driven work is transforming communities, restoring generational wealth, and rewriting the narrative around development in Chicago. Bonita shares her remarkable journey — from being discouraged by her entrepreneurial family to pursue business ownership, to walking away from a brief corporate career to follow her ca...
Video version: https://youtu.be/vgOmJxeVI2M In The Breakout Blueprint, host Bo Kemp offers a powerful roadmap for those ready to turn their side hustle into a full-time career — not just in pursuit of financial gain, but in search of deeper purpose and fulfillment. This episode explores the real-world dynamics of leaving the predictable path for the entrepreneurial one, including how your stage of life and career directly impact the risks you're willing to take and the rewards you’re chasing....
Video Version: https://youtu.be/AzyeSHwZans In this episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with Chris Cooks, a hospitality-driven entrepreneur turned ecosystem builder, whose journey from small-town business owner to regional economic development leader offers a blueprint for purpose-driven success. Chris shares how he turned his passion for service and hospitality into three thriving local businesses — Line Scout, Cab Scout, and Bar Scout — serving his community in Michigan with creativity and ca...
Video Format https://youtu.be/iL8a_yWqdnM In this thought-provoking episode, host Bo Kemp explores a question every founder must eventually face: Are you building an empire — or chasing a payday? This conversation dives deep into the distinction between creating generational wealth through long-term empire building versus scaling and exiting quickly for short-term gain. Bo challenges listeners to get clear about their purpose and strategic vision — because that clarity is the foundation for u...
Video Format https://youtu.be/e1CslzLMMCQ In this powerful and deeply personal episode, host Bo Kemp speaks with Edith de la Cruz, the visionary CEO of Antigua Construction, one of the fastest-growing Latina-owned construction firms in the Chicagoland area. Edith shares how a side hustle rehabbing homes — born out of grit and necessity — transformed into a full-scale business. As an immigrant and single mother of three, her story is a testament to resilience, belief, and bold commitment. What...
Video Format: https://youtu.be/yqLRInaVuhk In this episode, Bo Kemp dives into one of the most critical — and often overlooked — drivers of long-term business success: talent. In Always Be Closing, Bo reframes the famous sales mantra to emphasize that the real close isn’t just landing clients — it’s closing top-tier talent, day in and day out. Bo unpacks the art and science of recruiting, training, and managing people who are not only skilled but also coachable. Learn why identifying potentia...
Video Link: https://youtu.be/zW7rEKvqRq8 In this dynamic episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with Ramzey Nassar, a true serial entrepreneur whose journey spans childhood hustles, consumer products, media strategy, and now — the cutting edge of artificial intelligence. As the Founder of DOE Media and Success.AI, Ramzey shares how he evolved from launching his first business as a kid to becoming one of today’s most influential data and growth strategists. With a track record of building, scaling, a...
Video format: https://youtu.be/g4eVaVDpag4 In this episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with visionary co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Terry Nouri, one of three brothers behind L3vel3, a fast-growing family business rooted in the Chicagoland area that’s redefining what it means to be a modern lifestyle brand. Born during the height of the COVID-19 shutdown, L3vel 3 turned crisis into opportunity, launching a direct distribution channel focused on men’s haircare — and now setting its sights...
Video Format: https://youtu.be/w7dCXZDuwZI Welcome to the Zero Episode — your introduction to the mindset and mechanics behind the show. In this powerful opening, host Bo Kemp breaks down why the first million — whether in dollars, impact, or purpose — is always the hardest milestone to achieve. This episode explores four technical and three psychological reasons why getting started is often the greatest hurdle on the journey to success. On the technical side, inertia makes getting started ha...
The First Million Is Always The Hardest is your introduction to the mindset and mechanics behind success. In this podcast, the host Bo Kemp breaks down why the first million —whether in dollars, impact, or purpose — is always the hardest milestone to achieve.
Video Version: https://youtu.be/kROn6MD5P78 In this episode, host Bo Kemp sits down with Tim Swanson, a visionary at the crossroads of design, construction, and community transformation. As the Founder and CEO of Inherent Homes, Tim is leading a movement to reimagine affordable housing through modular construction — creating a model that’s scalable, cost-effective, and deeply rooted in equity. From major public-private partnerships in Chicago’s West Side to national conversations on the futur...
