Hugo Blankingship III is a highly respected attorney based in Washington, D.C., specializing in identity theft and false credit reporting issues. With over 30 years of experience, he has built a strong reputation for advocating on behalf of consumers who are struggling with inaccurate credit information. His mission is to help clients get incorrect data removed from their credit reports, allowing them to move forward with their financial lives.

A graduate of the University of Virginia (B.A., 1982) and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary (J.D., 1986), Hugo began his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Albert V. Bryan, Jr., former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. This foundation shaped his career and led him to become a passionate consumer rights advocate.

Throughout his career, Hugo has fought tirelessly against major credit reporting agencies like Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, ensuring they adhere to the rules. In 2004, he argued the case Nigh v. Koons Buick Pontiac GMC before the U.S. Supreme Court, and has represented clients before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Hugo's clients know him as a tenacious attorney who won't back down in the pursuit of justice.

Thomas B. Christiano received a B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1993 and a J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in 1999. Mr. Christiano has handled numerous consumer protection cases and specializes in cases involving inaccurate credit reporting under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. He has reviewed the credit reporting procedure process from the major credit reporting agencies and the dispute investigation procedures of many banks who have furnished inaccurate credit information. As an experienced credit report lawyer, he can identify the actual damages associated with credit report problems, including emotional distress damages, the loss of employment opportunities, inability to obtain a mortgage, and loss of use of credit., Mr. Christiano also publishes a blog at yourfaircreditreportlawyernow.com, which is an excellent informational resource on the subject. Thomas B. Christiano has decades of experience helping clients who have been the victim of credit fraud and identity theft. Discover how he can help you!

During the show we discussed:

• Common credit report errors and their impact on consumers
• Effects of identity theft on credit and first steps to take
• Challenges in disputing false credit report information
• Overview of the dispute process with credit bureaus
• How bureaus respond to disputes and what to do if ignored
• Consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
• Role of Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion in disputes
• What to do when bureaus don’t fix errors and how attorneys help
• Issues with mixed/merged credit files and how to resolve them
• Fraud tactics in credit manipulation and identity theft prevention
• Importance of checking credit reports and common review mistakes
• Steps to fix credit scores after finding report errors
• How bad credit affects loans, housing, and employment
• Benefits of working with a credit report attorney vs. doing it alone

Resources:

https://www.yourfaircreditlawyer.com/

Michael Jacobson became CEO of French Florist in late 2018, rescuing the company from near closure and driving it to $10 million in revenue by 2024, making it the largest flower shop in Los Angeles. His leadership has propelled the business into a new era of innovation, with a focus on technology and a robust model for global expansion through licensing.

Before French Florist, Michael honed his strategic skills at Slalom, a $1 billion consulting firm, and as a real estate broker. He also contributed to the Washington Hyperloop project, advising on innovative transportation solutions. These experiences shaped his ability to drive change and create growth across industries.

Outside of work, Michael is an avid swimmer and promotes wellness within his team. He supports the Little Miracles Foundation, helping orphans, and is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), believing true success lies in both business achievements and societal impact.

During the show we discussed:

• Turning a struggling business into an 8-figure success
• The rise of “order aggregators” and why they’re the future
• How lack of innovation can kill your business
• Global floral industry size and future growth potential
• Most profitable floral segments: retail, events, online delivery
• Why tech and retention are key growth drivers
• Floral industry vs. others in market size and growth
• Why floral franchises are cheap and easy to start
• 5 unique ways to boost your business’s value
• The power of branding in a crowded floral market
• How florists use tech to boost efficiency and profits
• Is it easy to enter the floral industry?
• Big opportunity: franchising in the floral space

Resources:

https://frenchfloristfranchise.com/

Carter Cofield is one of the co-founders of Melanin Money, a platform dedicated to empowering Aspiring 1st Generation Melanin Millionaires.

He’s a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), is the Lead Advisor at Cofield Advisors, LLC. He is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to thrive by strategically navigating their taxes. Carter’s dedication to financial literacy led him to co-create Melanin Money, the #1 brand for wealth builders of color, with a mission to close the racial wealth gap by 10%.

Melanin Money was born out of the need to bridge the wealth gap for people of color. With a focus on providing trusted education, resources, and a supportive community, the platform equips individuals with the tools to start building wealth and securing financial freedom.

Through a combination of financial education, branded initiatives, and merchandise, Melanin Money is creating a movement to help individuals of color build generational wealth and leave a legacy for future generations.

During the show we discussed:

• Understand the $100B wealth gap and how to close it.
• Learn how to reach your first $1M in net worth.
• Discover legal ways to pay less in taxes.
• Use proper strategies to shelter money from the IRS.
• Turn everyday expenses into tax deductions.
• Apply income shifting to reduce taxes.
• Invest while saving on taxes using real estate and other assets.
• Know key financial principles before investing.
• Believe wealth is possible to achieve it.
• Avoid common mistakes new investors make.
• Align investments with business growth goals.
• Assess risk and diversify your portfolio.
• Invest wisely with limited time and resources.
• Choose the right assets to grow your wealth.
• Balance business reinvestment with personal investing.
• Structure finances for business and personal wealth.
• Build passive income while growing your business.
• Balance short-term and long-term investments.
• Explore overlooked wealth-building opportunities.
• Plan taxes smartly to boost investment returns.
• Leverage compound interest for long-term gains.

Resources:

https://melaninmoney.com/