This week we sat down with Vic Martinez, Creative Director at BrandCrumbs, as he shares the journey of building a media company from the ground up.

Starting with a $400 camera and no formal training, Vic taught himself video production through trial and error, learning by doing and embracing every mistake along the way. What began as a side hustle creating content for local businesses eventually grew into a full-scale video marketing company serving clients across Central Florida.

But the road to success wasn't without challenges. From nearly losing his business after a battle with pneumonia to navigating floods, lost clients, staffing changes, and the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship, Vic opens up about the realities of growing a company in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Vic and Thomas discuss the evolution of content creation, the importance of adaptability, and the lessons learned from building businesses through both prosperous seasons and difficult setbacks. As Vic explains, "It's easy to start a business. Keeping it and growing it is the hard part."

Don't miss this week's episode of Beyond the Smoke, where we explore the highs, lows, and hard-earned lessons behind building a successful business in today's rapidly changing world.

This week we sat down with José Alberto Suárez, a media mogul, who has shaped the landscape of media.

From humble beginnings, José started off with street level marketing, from posters to billboards he did it all. But the times changed, the media was slowly becoming less and less physical and more digital, and he had to adapt quickly before he was left in the dust. This week we learn firsthand how he turned challenges into stepping stones, and continues to shape the future of media.

Don't miss this week's episode where we share the secrets of mastering media, and how to adapt to an ever changing field.

4:20 The Early Years

9:35 Street-Level Beginnings

15:50 Media Evolution Insights

22:30 Leadership Philosophy

29:45 Climbing the Ladder

34:10 Mentoring the Next Gen

40:25 The Future of Media

This week we sat down with Eric and Eddie Stankiewicz, better known as the "stanky brothers." These two sauce connoisseurs are here to share their expertise on the art of making the perfect sauce.

From a young age, Eric and Eddie both had a passion for flavor, growing up in a Latin household, they were constantly learning about spices and flavors from their Mom and Abuela. This love of flavor turned into a passion for creating sauces, they “believe that there's a great marriage in between art and food. And, we really wanted to showcase, as we do that with our brand as well.” Not only do they have an appreciation for the art form of cooking, but they are also experts in marketing and branding. They use this brand to reflect their personality and stand out against their competitors.

Don’t miss this week's episode of Beyond the Smoke, where we find out the secret ingredient to Stanky Sauces success.

2:45 From Disney Dream to Sauce Reality

6:10 The Hot Sauce Journey Begins

11:15 Pineapple on Pizza: The Verdict

17:30 Spicing Up Life with Sauces

23:50 Mango Inspiration Behind the Heat

29:40 Building the Stanky Sauce Brand

34:05 Hot Tips from the Sauce Moguls