Members Room

In this episode, we sit down with Jean Reyes, a Dominican-born entrepreneur who moved to Miami with no English and just $700. From working construction rentals with his uncle to building businesses in sneaker reselling, live commerce, and content production, Jean shares how starting from zero shaped his mindset and growth.

He breaks down learning English while working, spotting early opportunities in sneaker culture, launching a paid community during COVID, and running live shopping events that generated hundreds of thousands of dollars. We also dive into his pivot into podcasting and studio ownership, how he structures pricing and upsells, and why recurring revenue is the foundation of his long-term vision in the creator economy.

What to Expect

Starting From Zero: Moving from the Dominican Republic to Miami with no English, $700, and the pressure to rebuild from scratch.
Learning While Earning: How working while learning English shaped Jean’s discipline, adaptability, and entrepreneurial mindset in the U.S.
Sneakers Before the Boom: Spotting early opportunities in sneaker reselling, building trust online, and developing a sharp eye for market shifts and fakes.
The Membership Breakthrough: Why launching a paid sneaker community during COVID generated $20K in a single day—and changed how he thinks about recurring revenue.
Live Commerce at Scale: From early Whatnot streams to nearly $300K in hourly sales, and why live shopping is becoming the future of retail.
From Reselling to Content: The pivot into podcasting and opening a Brickell-based studio built for creators, brands, and scalable content.
Pricing, Upsells & Lean Operations: How Jean structures affordable entry points, profitable add-ons, and commission-based staffing to scale sustainably.
The Creator Economy Vision: Building toward a creator lounge designed for podcasts, livestream shopping, and the next wave of digital commerce.

The Members Room is a space for founders, creators, and business owners to share their journey — hosted by Alex Thiakos.

Guest – Jean Reyes

INSTAGRAM: / solebyjc

Host – Alex Thiakos

INSTAGRAM: /alexthiakos

Members Room

INSTAGRAM: /membersroom

TIKTOK: /membersroom

Welcome to the Members Room Podcast, hosted by Alex Thiakos.
In this episode, we sit down with Jean Reyes, a Dominican-born entrepreneur who moved to Miami with no English and just $700, to discuss building multiple businesses from the ground up.
From working construction rentals with his uncle to building ventures in sneaker reselling, live commerce, and content production, Jean shares how starting from zero shaped his mindset and approach to growth.
He breaks down how he learned English while working, identified early opportunities in sneaker culture, and launched a paid community during COVID that generated significant revenue. He also dives into his experience running live shopping events that generated hundreds of thousands of dollars and how he transitioned into podcasting and studio ownership.
Alex and Jean explore the importance of recurring revenue, pricing strategy, and building systems that allow businesses to scale sustainably.
This episode offers a detailed look into entrepreneurship, adaptability, and building momentum from nothing.
Subscribe for more conversations with founders building in real time.
JEAN REYES:
INSTAGRAM | @solebyjc
HOST – ALEX THIAKOS:
INSTAGRAM | @alexthiakos
MEMBERS ROOM:
INSTAGRAM | @membersroom
TIKTOK | @membersroom

Welcome to the Members Room Podcast, hosted by Alex Thiakos.
In this episode, we sit down with Adebayo Kuye—a real estate investor, licensed counselor (CADC), and mentor—to discuss the foundational principles that drive success in both personal development and business.
Adebayo shares his journey from overcoming social awkwardness by studying psychological frameworks online to transitioning from a basketball path into a dual career in real estate and counseling. From house hacking his first multi-family property to finding purpose in mentoring youth, he breaks down the importance of taking action early and learning through experience.
Alex and Adebayo dive into the role of mentorship, why real-world guidance is critical when navigating high-risk opportunities, and how prioritizing long-term fulfillment over short-term comfort leads to a more meaningful life.
They also explore deeper concepts around personal responsibility, growth, and minimizing regret by making intentional decisions early on.
This episode offers both practical insights and a philosophical perspective on building a life and career with purpose.
Subscribe for more conversations on growth, business, and mindset.
ADEBAYO KUYE:
INSTAGRAM | @itskuye
TIKTOK | @itskuye
HOST – ALEX THIAKOS:
INSTAGRAM | @alexthiakos
MEMBERS ROOM:
INSTAGRAM | @membersroom
TIKTOK | @membersroom

Welcome to the Members Room Podcast, hosted by Alex Thiakos.
In this continuation with Darryl Torres, we go deeper into the systems, structure, and operational discipline required to scale a creative business.
Building on his journey from learning film through “YouTube University” to serving high-level corporate clients, Darryl breaks down how he transitioned from being hands-on in production to building a company that runs on repeatable systems.
Alex and Darryl explore how to create scalable workflows, delegate effectively, and maintain quality as the business grows. They also dive into how AI and modern tools are being used to increase efficiency, streamline communication, and improve output without sacrificing creativity.
This episode is focused on the internal side of growth—how to build systems that allow your business to operate efficiently and sustainably over time.
Subscribe for more conversations on scaling and business operations.
DARRYL TORRES:
INSTAGRAM | @dbankzfilms
HOST – ALEX THIAKOS:
INSTAGRAM | @alexthiakos
MEMBERS ROOM:
INSTAGRAM | @membersroom
TIKTOK | @membersroom

Welcome to the Members Room Podcast, hosted by Alex Thiakos.
In this episode, we sit down with Darryl Torres—Co-Founder of DNA Productions—to talk about building a premium media agency that specializes in cinematic corporate storytelling.
Darryl shares his unexpected path from a career-ending baseball injury to becoming an entrepreneur who transforms the media presence of Fortune 500 companies. From taking high-risk leaps after dropping out of college to strategically merging corporate discipline with creative production, he details the mindset and systems that fueled their rapid growth.
Alex and Darryl dive into the necessity of in-person networking, the philosophy of pricing for value, and how they leverage technology—including AI—to run a modern, high-ticket service business that operates across the country. They also explore the transition from being behind the camera to stepping into a leadership role, and what it takes to scale while maintaining quality.
This episode offers a detailed look into risk-taking, positioning, and building a premium service business from the ground up.
Subscribe for more conversations with founders and creators building in real time.
DARRYL TORRES:
INSTAGRAM | @dbankzfilms
HOST – ALEX THIAKOS:
INSTAGRAM | @alexthiakos
MEMBERS ROOM:
INSTAGRAM | @membersroom
TIKTOK | @membersroom

Welcome to the Members Room Podcast, hosted by Alex Thiakos.
In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Kasper to discuss his journey from hitting rock bottom to building a coaching business centered around faith, fitness, and discipline.
Anthony shares how he transformed a period of addiction and self-destruction into a life rooted in structure, purpose, and personal growth. He breaks down the principles that guide his daily routine, including discipline, self-control, and surrendering to a higher purpose.
Alex and Anthony dive into the realities of building a coaching business, including content strategy, community building, and accountability systems. They also explore lessons in patience, consistency, and embracing setbacks as part of the entrepreneurial journey.
This episode offers a grounded and honest look into personal transformation and what it takes to create lasting change.
Subscribe for more conversations on growth and discipline.
ANTHONY KASPER:
INSTAGRAM | @anthonykasper
TIKTOK | @anthonyjkasper
HOST – ALEX THIAKOS:
INSTAGRAM | @alexthiakos
MEMBERS ROOM:
INSTAGRAM | @membersroom
TIKTOK | @membersroom

Welcome to the Members Room Podcast, hosted by Alex Thiakos.
In this episode, we sit down with Caden Vittorini — CEO of Vitt Factor and author of Becoming the One Percent — to discuss building a coaching business focused on youth mindset and development.
Starting his company at just 19 years old, Caden shares how he built a brand centered around helping students improve confidence, accountability, and personal discipline through coaching, workshops, and school assemblies.
He breaks down how he turned a personal belief — his grandmother telling him he had “the it factor” — into a scalable business, and how his own struggles, including hitting rock bottom in college, shaped his ability to connect with others.
Alex and Caden explore the importance of vulnerability, the role of storytelling in building trust, and the mindset required to create long-term impact.
This episode offers valuable insight into personal development, youth mentorship, and building a purpose-driven business.
Subscribe for more conversations on growth and leadership.
CADEN VITTORINI:
INSTAGRAM | @vitt.factor
WEBSITE | www.vittfactor.com
HOST – ALEX THIAKOS:
INSTAGRAM | @alexthiakos
MEMBERS ROOM:
INSTAGRAM | @membersroom
TIKTOK | @membersroom

Welcome to the Members Room Podcast, hosted by Alex Thiakos.
In this episode, Alex sits down with Philip Panopoulos to break down the real-world process of acquiring, scaling, and exiting a local business.
Right out of college, Philip and his brother purchased Pisa Pizza with minimal due diligence and no prior experience in the food industry. Through strategic operational improvements — including implementing new systems, upgrading equipment, and restructuring staff — they transformed the business into a more efficient and scalable operation.
Philip shares the lessons learned from navigating a high-pressure environment, the importance of culture changes, and how small operational investments can significantly increase efficiency and profitability. He also dives into the emotional side of exiting a business and transitioning into new ventures, including commercial real estate.
This episode provides a detailed look at what it takes to step into a business, improve it, and ultimately turn it into a successful exit.
Subscribe for more conversations on business execution and growth.
PHILIP PANOPOULOS:
INSTAGRAM | @popanop09
HOST – ALEX THIAKOS:
INSTAGRAM | @alexthiakos
MEMBERS ROOM:
INSTAGRAM | @membersroom
TIKTOK | @membersroom

Welcome to the Members Room Podcast, hosted by Alex Thiakos.
In this episode, we sit down with Caleb Majors — Co-Founder of Brothers Nuts — to talk about launching a business at just 10 years old and turning a simple kitchen experiment into a fast-growing CPG brand.
Caleb shares how his father’s battle with stage four cancer shaped both his family and the company’s mission — inspiring a focus on sprouted, seed-oil-free products that are easier to digest and better for you. What began in a family kitchen has grown into a brand focused on quality, health, and long-term impact.
Alex and Caleb dive into the realities of building a product-based business, the challenges of scaling into major retailers, and what it takes to grow a brand while staying true to its mission. They also explore lessons around legacy, entrepreneurship, and ignoring outside doubt.
This episode highlights how personal experiences can shape meaningful businesses and why purpose-driven brands resonate in today’s market.
Subscribe for more conversations with founders and creators.
BROTHERS NUTS:
INSTAGRAM | @brothersnuts
CALEB MAJORS:
INSTAGRAM | @caleb.majors
LINKEDIN | linkedin.com/in/calebmajors
HOST – ALEX THIAKOS:
INSTAGRAM | @alexthiakos
MEMBERS ROOM:
INSTAGRAM | @membersroom
TIKTOK | @membersroom

Welcome to the Members Room Podcast, hosted by Alex Thiakos.
In this episode, we sit down with Lorenzo Costa — Founder & CEO of Link Creative and The Link Label — to talk about building and scaling two growing companies in a fast-changing digital landscape.
From launching a creative agency and media production company to helping 40+ businesses strengthen their brands, scale their presence, and connect more deeply with their audiences, Lorenzo shares the strategies that have fueled his growth. This conversation dives into the intersection of marketing, creativity, and technology, and why adaptability and relationships matter more than ever.
Alex and Lorenzo explore what it takes to stand out in today’s crowded marketplace, how founders can leverage content to drive real business outcomes, and why building meaningful connections is at the core of long-term success.
Whether you’re building your first venture, scaling an existing brand, or rethinking your next move, this episode offers practical insights and a clear perspective on navigating growth.
Subscribe to Members Room for more conversations with founders and creators building in real time.
LINK CREATIVE:
INSTAGRAM | @linkcreativeco
LINK LABEL:
INSTAGRAM | @thelinklabel
LORENZO COSTA:
INSTAGRAM | @itslorenzocosta
TIKTOK | @itslorenzocosta
LINKEDIN | linkedin.com/in/lorenzo-costa-116a53155
HOST – ALEX THIAKOS:
INSTAGRAM | @alexthiakos
MEMBERS ROOM:
INSTAGRAM | @membersroom
TIKTOK | @membersroom