In this episode, Jamie Seeker sits down with self-made entrepreneur Yousef Benhamida, who turned a one-bedroom apartment and a few hundred dollars into Humboldts Secret Supplies—now one of the top-selling plant nutrient brands in the U.S.

Yousef opens up about how success came not just through hustle, but from rock bottom moments, personal loss, and radical discipline. From taking stimulants to stay awake through 16-hour workdays to losing it all after reaching a false peak, he shares the real story behind what it takes—not just to build a business, but to rebuild a man.

• Your First Win Might Not Be the Big One: Yousef thought he "made it" when he hit early revenue milestones, only to later realize his vision had been too small. True business ownership came with hard-earned wisdom.
• Pain as a Catalyst: From heartbreak and burnout to financial collapse, Yousef believes his greatest breakthroughs came through personal pain. He sees setbacks as vital inflection points.
• Discipline > Motivation: For Yousef, the turning point was shifting from chasing success to building consistency. He cut out distractions, toxic habits, and false validation to gain long-term focus.
• Business Planning Without Formal Tools: With no roadmap or degree, Yousef learned by doing. Trial, error, and iteration replaced traditional strategy.
• What It Really Takes: It’s not about flashy goals like a Ferrari or a million dollars—it’s about whether you can survive the storm and stay in the game when everything goes sideways.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Kyle Bachus, co-founder of Bachus & Schanker, LLC in Denver, Colorado. From his early inspiration as a 17-year old arguing in a mock Supreme Court, to founding one of the most respected personal injury law firms in the region, Kyle shares what it really takes to build a values-driven business — one rooted in justice, service, and heart.

But this episode goes far beyond business. When Kyle’s own mother was tragically killed in a crosswalk accident, the work he had done for decades suddenly became deeply personal. That loss redefined how he practiced law, inspired his bestselling book Unthinkable, and drove him to create a victim-centered approach that supports families through grief — legally, emotionally, and practically.

Through humor, humility, and incredible insight, Kyle opens up about taking risks, betting on himself, and building a team culture grounded in empathy and excellence.

Guest: Kyle Bachus

Organization: Bachus & Schanker, LLC

Location: Denver, Colorado

Website:

In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Juan Cruz, founder and managing attorney of JCA Law, PLLC, a Texas-based education law firm with offices in Laredo, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. With nearly 30 years of legal experience and a track record that includes a win before the Texas Supreme Court, Juan shares the grit, strategy, and heart it took to build a respected firm from scratch.

Juan opens up about:

• Walking away from big law to follow his own vision
• Building a niche firm in education law
• Balancing courtroom advocacy with smart business planning
• Expanding across Texas without taking on debt
• The power of kindness and trust in leadership
• Why it’s vital to know your lane — and stay in it

Whether you're a legal professional, business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, Juan’s journey is packed with real talk, hard-won lessons, and pragmatic wisdom for anyone navigating leadership under pressure.

Welcome back to What It Takes, the podcast where we dig into the real stories behind successful businesses — and the bold people who built them.

Today, we head into the high-stakes world of education law with someone who’s been in the legal trenches for nearly 30 years: Juan Cruz, founder of JCA Law, PLLC. From winning before the Texas Supreme Court to advising school districts across the state, Juan’s journey is one of courage, clarity, and calculated risk.

With offices across Laredo, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi, Juan shares how he built a thriving firm without debt, how he earns trust in a politically charged landscape, and why true leadership shows up in the storm — not just the sunshine.

Juan, thank you for sharing so much with us — not just the wins, but the values that guide how you lead. Your story is a reminder that what it takes to run a business isn’t just strategy or ambition — it’s trust, clarity, and yes, a whole lot of hard work.

To learn more about Juan and his firm, visit jca-law.com and follow @jcalaw on Instagram and Facebook — we’ll link everything in the show notes.

And hey, if today’s episode got you thinking differently about leadership, business planning, or staying true to your values — send it to a friend. Share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Thanks for listening — and we’ll catch you next time on What It Takes.