2000 Percent Raise

In this episode, guest Ryan Deluca gives an inside glimpse of growing an ecommerce fitness supplement business from scratch at age 20 into a company he sold for 9 figures, 17 years later. His story begins with him acquiring the domain name, Bodybuilding.com, for $20,000, in 1997, when the internet was just coming to life.   Host John Cerasani,  a venture capitalist, commends Ryan for acting on such a vision, bootstrapping without any other investors, to revolutionize the fitness industry online at such a young age, saying: “There are people who have the ideas, and there are people who can execute the ideas of others. But, there are very few who can execute their own ideas.” Topics covered in this interview: Three key elements of BodyBuilder.com that made it successful: content (including forums and articles designed to replace those in muscle magazines), commerce and community.  The truth about the old saying “It takes a decade to become an overnight success,” with Ryan sharing the many years of sleepless nights fearing he couldn’t make payroll. “I was continually paranoid, always aware that there were new competitors…in 17 years, I never felt that I could take a break.” The sale of BodyBuilder.com first in part to an equity partner, where he retained 72 percent ownership, and later to Liberty Media. The challenges of being retired at 35, after the sale, with Ryan feeling a loss of purpose and not wanting to model to his young children being a dad sitting around with lots of leisure time doing nothing. He called those six months, “the most depressing of his life.”  John also shares his angst that followed after he sold his insurance company, and had days of feeling like “a walking dead man.” Ryan’s new business, Black Box VR which he co-founded with Preston Lewis, another fitness fanatic, who helped him grow BodyBuilding.com.   The new company is self-funded, but Ryan will be looking for investors as they expand into more locations. Right now, he is still sorting through the complications of a new technology where he has to create all the tools for using it well. Using artificial intelligence and “magically immersive technology,” Black Box VR pairs resistance training, gaming principles and high intensity cardio, for people trying to reach their health and fitness goals. Here is one of several YouTube videos that describe these unique workouts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJk8ftK-yIE In simplest terms, Ryan describes Black Box VR as “playing a really exciting video game with resistance training and cardio to get a really good workout,” which takes the boredom out of getting and staying fit. Gyms in these areas have free tryouts of the new Black Box VR: Boise, Idaho San Francisco, California Phoenix, Arizona Oceanside, California John encourages other gym owners to consider offering Black Box VR as a way to differentiate themselves. Home versions of the product are in development, but not yet available. About Ryan Deluca: Founder and of Bodybuilding.com, now CEO and Co-Founder at Black Box VR Ryan DeLuca founded Bodybuilding.com in 1999 in his garage in Boise, Idaho at the age of 20. Under his leadership, the company skyrocketed to nearly $500,000,000 in annual revenue before he stepped down as CEO in 2015. With almost zero startup capital and no outside investors, his team grew the company from nothing to become the world’s most visited fitness site and largest e-tailer of sports nutrition products. From the beginning, the company was focused on transforming the lives of its millions of customers and staying true to the core principles that they passionately believed in. Profitable from the start, Bodybuilding.com was eventually purchased by Liberty Media. Ryan was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2009 for the Idaho/Utah region and Inc. Magazine called him one of the “Top 5 Coolest Entrepreneurs Under 30.” With 800 team members spread throughout six states and four countries, Ryan was proudest of the fact that Bodybuilding.com was consistently named one of the best places to work. Ryan was temporarily retired for only six months before the startup bug bit him again. Together with his co-founder Preston Lewis, Black Box VR was born, merging their passions for technology and fitness and the way they can intersect to help people transform their lives. Black Box VR has six gym locations open where members can immerse themselves in a virtual reality game that delivers a complete strength training and cardio program. The company was named Best Startup of CES in 2019. In his spare time, he's a private, instrument-rated pilot with over 2,700 flight hours. You can usually find him flying his Pilatus PC-12 turboprop around the western USA on the weekends for fun, charity, and business. Ryan's an avid non-fiction reader, loves health and fitness, and recently took up ballroom dancing, much to the amusement of his friends and family. Ryan lives in Eagle, Idaho with his wife Nelya and four kids. Websites: https://www.ryandeluca.com/ https://www.blackbox-vr.com/   Follow Ryan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandeluca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbox_vr/ https://www.instagram.com/p/BvInOb7HkT-/?hl=en Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blackboxvrfitness/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackboxvr   Follow John: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johncerasani TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johncerasani LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncerasani   More 2000 Percent Raise Episodes and Content: https://linktr.ee/2000percentraise   Produced by: https://socialchameleon.us

In this episode, one of LA’s top real estate agents, Tracy Tutor, who is also well known as an author and cast member on Bravo's popular Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles TV show, shares insights on the market and provides a glimpse into her new wine company. Tracy shares the uniqueness of living in many areas in California, from LA and Beverly Hills to Malibu and Orange County/Newport Beach. Topics covered in this interview: -Tracy’s investment as a co-owner of UnsweetWine.com, bringing sugar-free wine to the market, affordably.  The wines, priced between $13 to $15 and offered in four varieties, are sold only online right now.  A wine lover,  she dislikes “the snobbery” of the industry and wants to make wine accessible to all.  She also sees the sugar-free content a plus over organic wines, particularly in the burgeoning health and wellness industry. -Her “stardom” as the first female cast member on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing LA Show,  which is considered the most respected show in real estate and followed by people all over the world. She gives an inside look at the success of this show, now in its 14th season. She shares that the show will be unveiling “a fresh look” by the end of the year.  -The state of the real estate market, with prices and interest rates “evening out,” so it’s no longer a seller’s market, but not to be feared.  Interest rates now of 4 to 5.5 percent are still much lower than when she entered the field in her early 20s. -Host John shares that his West Hollywood property he purchased with Tracy’s help has already increased in value from $2.5 million to $3.1 million since purchasing last year. -The LA market has slowed in the $5- to $10-million market, but is “booming” in the $30 to $70-million range, according to Tracy. -The luxury home market, over $10 to $20- million, is almost always cash deals, and represents 20 percent of the real estate business for the company in which she works (Douglas Elliman Beverly Hills). -Fewer people, unless international buyers, are drawn to high-rise living in LA like they are in other popular cities. Instead, they prefer to be outside due to the favorable weather and have properties with backyards. -Best LA real estate investments are “generational assets,” where you look for areas that have an infrastructure being improved upon and built. The financial gain is over the long-term, as LA has run out of space. -The influx of brand name hotels now coming to LA. -Tracy’s favorite TV shows.   About Tracy Tutor  Tracy Tutor is a top real estate agent at Douglas Elliman Beverly Hills, consulting with some of the world's top architects and developers. She was the first and only female cast member on Bravo's Million Dollar Listing LA TV Show. Recently recognized by The Los Angeles Business Journal as a 2022 Leader of Influence,  Tracy Tutor has more than 22 years of experience and is an integral part of Douglas Elliman’s Sports & Entertainment division.  She has an undeniably strong presence and a confidence that has propelled her into the rooms of some of the most powerful people in LA, representing some of the most noteworthy brands in real estate, and iconic architects such as Frank Gehry, John Lautner, and Pierre Koenig. Tracy has consulted for the luxury five-star hotel and resort, Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah on the sales of over 400 million dollars in branded real estate. A native to California, Tracy has lived all over Los Angeles, from Hidden Hills to the Hollywood Hills. Growing up the daughter of Ronald Tutor (Tutor/Perini), one of the most successful civil and building contractors in the country, Tracy was introduced to Real Estate at an early age. Shortly after graduating from the University of Southern California, she went to work for her father, acquiring a wealth of knowledge and a steadfast work ethic. After almost three years at Tutor/Perini, Tracy transitioned into a career in residential real estate and has never looked back. While expanding her business worldwide and taking on more new developments, Tracy strives to maintain a work-life balance by spending time with her family and friends.   Follow Tracy: Website: https://www.tracytutor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracytutor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracytutorofficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/losangelesluxuryrealestate Book (on tape): ‘Fear Is Just A Four-Letter Word’ https://www.booksontape.com/author/2205123/tracy-tutor/ Her wine company:  https://unsweetwine.com   Follow John: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johncerasani TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johncerasani LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncerasani   More 2000 Percent Raise Episodes and Content: https://linktr.ee/2000percentraise   Produced by: https://socialchameleon.us

In this episode, John asks subject matter expert Zack Oliver, owner of MatchPoint Connection, to educate listeners about NILs.   Zack’s company, an innovator in this NIL space, is  a trusted marketplace for bringing athletes together with brands.  NIL, which is a newer buzzword in college sports, stands for “Name, Image and Likeness,” which is used in brand marketing, bringing new opportunities for college athletes to make money. The market is taking off as a result of a July, 2021 ruling by the NCAA, allowing student athletes to get compensated, based on deliverables. The ruling was expanded in 2022 to allow students to work with donors and alumni of schools through charity, tailgating and other events to get compensated for their appearances and use of NILs. John calls Zack “a genius” for his expertise, yet he also makes it clear he is not one of the early investors. He chose Zack as a guest to educate listeners, based on how articulate and solid he is, based on thorough research John conducted.  Topics covered in this interview:–John’s entrepreneurial side hustle in college as owner of his “Star 69” events promotion business, and how challenging it was to make money as a college athlete back then, when restrictions limited time working to breaks and summers off.   –Transfer portals, (where college athletes can change schools) were “a mess” this year, with the largest amount of transfers of all time, according to Zack. –The start of MatchPoint Connection, which is both a mobile and web “app” based on: An algorithm matching businesses to student athletes based on mutual interests, social media following and locations. Chats and transactions are also integrated on the app. The tech developers are in the US, which is important for their understanding of the American sports culture. It aggregates the entire influencer relationship, using Zack’s skills as a former trader for CitiCorp to know how to match businesses to sellers (in this case, athletes). The company launched its MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in April, 2021, and has grown to solidify “a good stake” in the South–Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas to name a few. It has also signed its first exclusive deal with a 5-Star athlete who is now in high school. The financing behind the company and its long-term plans. –The future of NIL-related businesses, with a lot of consolidations expected in the next five years due to the number of emerging competitors. –The importance of finding a way to teach these young athletes financial literacy, a concern of John’s, so they do not lose all of what they earned quickly. Zack notes that many are 1099 employees who are not always prepared to save for taxes.  They can even be unaware that a car given to them is a taxable asset. About Zack Oliver: In addition to co-founding MatchPoint Connection, Zack is co-founder of Oliver Investment Group in New York, NY.   Zack has both a B.A. and M.S. degree from Northwestern University. He was a Volunteer Group Leader for 3.5 years at Uplifting Athletes, creating football drills for more than 200 young athletes to improve their football fundamentals. Follow Zack: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackoliver1/ Website: https://www.matchpointconnection.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchpoint_connection/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Matchpointconnection/   Follow John: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johncerasani TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johncerasani LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncerasani   More 2000 Percent Raise Episodes and Content: https://linktr.ee/2000percentraise   Produced by: https://socialchameleon.us

In this episode, John Cerasani invites his friend and successful real estate investor, Andrew Sallee, to give tips and insights on how he built his $128 million portfolio of assets. Together, they share lessons learned from the recession of 2008, wisdom about what makes a great investment, and the importance of pacing oneself as you start purchasing real estate. “You have to stay in it for the long-term. It’s not a get-rich program at all,” Andrew advises. Andrew began reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki at age 28, while selling windows and then buying his first property. While commercial real estate can be more lucrative than single-family homes or apartment complexes, Andrew strongly urges potential investors against taking that leap until they have a net worth of at least $10 million. Topics covered in this interview: –An overview of investing in single-family homes, apartments and commercial real estate. –Focusing on triple net investments and what they entail. –The pluses and minuses of investing in “a strip mall,” and what to look for in types of tenants to attract to commercial real estate ventures (hint: higher education and health care-related companies are wise choices). –Insights into how Andrew built his portfolio of $128 million in assets (slowly) by saving up, buying something, saving up, and buying something else. He also shares his story of selling his Corvette. John, not as heavily invested in real estate as Andrew, discloses he has a real estate portfolio that includes: The Vea Newport Beach Hotel An apartment development in Korea Town, LA An apartment development in Minneapolis An apartment development in Azusa, California  A series of “one-offs” bought and sold going back to 2002 –The importance of mentors, aligning with like-minded professionals, and being part of mastermind groups.   –Andrew’s mentors have included:  Tony Robbins (with whom he is “a platinum partner”), Dean Graziosi, Grant Cardone, and Tim Bratz (who at age 37 has 500M in assets, and owns a private island). –Advice to young investors: Don’t get into anything that can “crush” you. Make as much as you can in your day job, but also go to a mastermind group to keep learning and make bigger connections. When investing in apartments, keep it to 4 to 6 “plexes” and be sure if half of them go empty you can still cover their expenses.  Consider investing with groups. About Andrew Sallee | Real Estate Investor Andrew Sallee is a real estate investor with over $128 million in assets in his portfolio.  He has built up an extensive portfolio in commercial real estate and credits much of his success to the extensive network of mentors, coaches, and masterminds that he has developed over the past two decades in business.   Andrew has built several different businesses before going into real estate investing full-time, most notably a roofing and siding company that did multiple millions of dollars in annual revenue.   Now, he is focused on continuing to grow his real estate portfolio and also giving back to his community. He started a nonprofit, Andrew’s Kids, where his mission is to provide food and other items to the homeless in his local community by partnering with other nonprofits. Follow Andrew: IG: https://www.instagram.com/andrewjsallee FB: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.sallee.98 LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/andrewjsallee Follow John: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johncerasani TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johncerasani LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncerasani More 2000 Percent Raise Episodes and Content: https://linktr.ee/2000percentraise Produced by: https://socialchameleon.us

In this second episode of “2000 Percent Raise,” guest Lou Canellis, an American sports commentator, TV host, news personality and restaurant owner, shares the poignant story of his upbringing that made him the success he is today. Well known as a host of all five of the TV shows that the Chicago Bears own and produce, and his postgame chats earlier in his career with Michael Jordan, Lou talks about hard work and following a dream. He starts by thanking his parents, who sacrificed much to give him a good life. His mom, who recently passed away,  worked for 38 years as a Chicago public school teacher, and his dad ran a dry cleaning business that was in the family for 60 years. His father would get up every day at 5:30 and work until 7 p.m., even until the time he was in the final stages of cancer and had to have his leg amputated from the knee down. “I wanted to make them both proud,” Lou shares as he describes his rise to success from a high school boy whose dream was to play pro baseball to the well-known sports commentator he is today. “Only .5 percent make it to the pros so you have to have ultimate respect for those who do.  The other 99.5 percent better have a back-up plan.” Lou decided, “If I’m not going to play it, let’s make a few bucks broadcasting it.” Topics covered in this interview:–The “business of NFL stadiums” and the Chicago Bears moving to Arlington Heights, at an old horse track. –How important it is for a franchise to “own their own home” and be able to make revenue from it, which can be used to create a Superbowl winner, as noted by John. –The importance of having a strong work ethic. –Lou and John both share the impact of losing their mothers.   –The way Lou built a strong and trusting relationship with Michael Jordan, “the best athlete of all times,” later being invited to his workouts. –Lou’s “inspired Greek” restaurant, Avli, which was started after two of his other restaurants failed and what he learned from those experiences. –Both John, who is also an investor in restaurants, and Lou, share the importance of having the right operator. –Key insights Lou brings to the restaurant investment:   Understanding what people in Chicago love How to create the right menu Targeting an audience Knowing where to build–”location, location, location” What types of employees to hire –Lou’s favorite line in the movie Wall Street: “Money never sleeps,” which he elaborates upon and ties in with doing what you love.  He quotes Steve Jobs, “If you haven’t found what you love in life, keep looking.” About Lou Canellis Lou is an American sports commentator and news personality working as a sports anchor at WFLD and FOX 32 News in Chicago, Illinois. He shares his enthusiasm about sports with Chicagoans every day on FOX 32 News at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Lou has followed local teams his entire life and has an extensive sports background. In addition to his work on FOX Chicago, Lou is “living the dream” with the Chicago Bears. He is the TV host for all five of the TV shows the Bears own and produce. Lou anchors Bears Game Day Live and Bears Game Night Live on FOX Sunday mornings and Sunday nights, along with Bears Recap and Bears Blitz on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays on Comcast Sportsnet. Lou has been going to Bears games since he was four-years-old, and has been a season ticket holder since he was six-years-old. Lou's expertise on the Bears can also be heard on the Roe Conn Show on WLS Radio, 890AM, Mondays and Fridays.  Lou’s  first dream job was as a member of the Chicago Bulls broadcasts on TV and radio. He worked on the sidelines and is well-known for his postgame chats with Michael Jordan. Lou is also an expert on real estate, hosting the TV show "Making Money in Real Estate”. A Loyola University graduate, Lou considers himself a "South Sider," having been born and raised in Oak Lawn. Follow Lou: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loucanellis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lou-canellis-244b62/ Check out his restaurant, Avli, in Chicago:https://www.avli.us Follow John: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johncerasani TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johncerasani LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncerasani More 2000 Percent Raise Episodes and Content: https://linktr.ee/2000percentraise Produced by: https://socialchameleon.us

In this premiere episode of the 2000 Percent Raise, host and venture capitalist John Cerasani gives us an inside look at his latest investment in MoneyLine, interviewing both the CEO of the company and a major investor well known in the NFL. To begin, guest Cole Warner, CEO and Co-Founder, sheds light on how MoneyLine is different from other sports gambling companies, including the top criteria venture capitalists and early stage investors considered in choosing to invest in his business. Then, Roddy White, a former NFL All-Pro wide receiver who is being considered for the Hall of Fame, shares how he first got involved in fantasy football, and why he chose to invest in MoneyLine. Both guests, along with John, enlighten us about sports gambling trends in venture capital, and the future of the industry. Another major investor seeing the huge potential for growth in MoneyLine is Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers. MoneyLine has distinguished itself from some of the big name players, like DraftKings and FanDuel, by targeting states not yet legalized with sports betting.  Strategically,, even before sports betting became legalized in some areas, MoneyLine was transitioning from a free-to-play model to also being a real money game based on fantasy sports laws that allowed for two players from two or more separate teams.  Topics covered in this interview include:—John’s reasons for providing venture capital to MoneyLine, including the company’s ability to be “a great funnel” into Sportsbooks, and also to train and engage novice gamblers. He also shares what qualities he saw in Cole as a successful entrepreneur. –Roddy reveals that MoneyLine enables an ease of entry,  bringing common fun by allowing people to come out and play and “get their feet wet,” and “just feel comfortable” with the players. Later, they can invest if/when they want. A few insights venture capitalists and early stage investors looked for in evaluating a company like MoneyLine: The Actual Product The Customer Base And Location Total Lifetime Of A Customer The Cost To Acquire A Customer The Ability To Scale Up –Sports gambling companies are valued differently than other businesses, like market research firms, for example. One company was acquired for $80 to $90 million with 80,000 total customers. Another company was bought for $65 million with 15,000 total depositing players. MoneyLine is in the fixed-odds fantasy space, where customer acquisition numbers can be much lower, according to Cole, making for a great business model. –Football stories from Roddy White and John are shared, with fun insights like: Roddy’s friendship with Julio Jones, who is now a wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, catching passes from Tom Brady.  “When Tom Brady plays cards, he stacks the deck. He has all the aces, he has all the faces,” Roddy chuckles. Drew Henson, a former Major League Baseball third baseman and NFL quarterback, introduced Roddy to fantasy football, where the two later hosted a related podcast. –Discussions on getting money to college football players in fair and equitable ways, and both John’s and Roddy’s insights from their college days trying to earn a living while playing football (John for Notre Dame and Roddy for University of Alabama at Birmingham). Listen in to find out Roddy White’s favorite movie, a question John will be asking each guest. Additional Notes: The legalization of sports betting in some states, after the Supreme Court in 2018 ended federal bans on its expansion, is creating a potential multi-billion industry, according to this article in Bloomberg:  https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-opinion-online-sports-betting-future-of-american-gambling/ ABOUT COLE WARNER Cole is co-founder and CEO of MoneyLine, “the minor leagues of the sports gambling industry,” backed by Comcast & NBC. MoneyLine is a fixed-odds fantasy sports gaming operator with more than 200,000 players.  Cole started the company with Jason Schubert, CTO, as a side job after graduating from Louisiana State University, majoring in sports marketing.  Follow Cole: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneylineapp/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/moneylineapp?lang=en Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moneylineapp/?viewAsMember=true ABOUT RODDY WHITE: Roddy is a former NFL All-Pro wide receiver with the Atlanta Falcons. He finished his career as the franchise's leader in receiving yards and catches, and has been nominated to the Hall of Fame. Follow Roddy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roddywhite8410/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/roddywhitetv Career Highlights: https://www.facebook.com/NFLThrowback/videos/roddy-white-career-highlights/179316973668345 ABOUT JOHN CERASANI: John is a highly successful serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and author, who “walks the talk” in the financial world.   At age 27, he left his corporate job to give himself what he now calls a “2000 percent raise” by becoming self-employed.  Hence, he named his podcast accordingly. Starting at his kitchen table, John grew an insurance company, in less than a decade, into a business he later sold for tens of millions of dollars. By putting himself on top of “the Org Chart,” he was able to not only reap the benefits of increased pay, but he also built equity for himself, instead of for others for whom he worked.   He now loves sharing his lessons learned along the way with the masses to help listeners elevate their game and grow from his business insights, private investment tips and life advice related to finances.   The 2000 Percent Raise podcast was created in response to demand from his large social media following on Instagram and TikTok that wanted more of his expertise. Some of those social media posts include 60-second clips, ranging from telling his audience the proper way to evaluate a rental property, to insights on how he became part of the investment group that bought the Newport Beach Marriott — which they then reimagined as The Vea.  Based out of Chicago and Los Angeles, John will continually bring many high-profile guests on his podcast, including: athletes, celebrities, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and industry insiders.  John’s no-nonsense approach to sharing is designed to entertain and educate at the same time. He encourages people to join his mailing list at https://2000percentraise.com Follow John: IG: https://www.instagram.com/johncerasani TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johncerasani More 2000 Percent Raise Episodes and Content: https://linktr.ee/2000percentraise Produced by: https://socialchameleon.us

John Cerasani is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and author. He built a company from his kitchen table at 27 years old and then sold it for tens of millions of dollars less than a decade later. John walked the walk and now he is talking the talk while sharing his business insights with the masses. Welcome to 2000 Percent Raise, a show with a financial focus that showcases entrepreneurs, industry insiders, athletes, and celebrities offering insight that will leave you with new gems every episode. Subscribe and turn on your notifications to be informed of each new release! Official Site: https://2000percentraise.com Follow John: IG: https://www.instagram.com/johncerasani TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johncerasani More 2000 Percent Raise Episodes and Content: https://linktr.ee/2000percentraise Produced by: https://socialchameleon.us