This week, we continue our Miami Series with Episode 16, broadcasting live as we dive into the world of high-ticket digital advertising. Host Lorenzo, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by Stevie Johnston, the Founder and CEO of Digital Ox.

Stevie is a powerhouse in the agency space, having built an eight-figure marketing empire from the ground up. From a 2.0 GPA student in San Diego who called himself “unemployable” to a dominant force in dental and medical marketing, Stevie built his success on an early fascination with Facebook ads and a No Plan B mentality. Today, Digital Ox manages over 100 clinics across the U.S., combining elite media buying with a proprietary in-house call center to solve the biggest pain point in local business: lead conversion. Stevie joins the pod to discuss the "Pain Tolerance" required to scale past $5M, the $700k tech stack investment that is redefining his 2026 strategy, and why the "freedom" of entrepreneurship often starts with 13-hour days in a restaurant kitchen.

Inside the Episode

In this conversation, Lorenzo and Stevie break down the journey from skating the streets of Chula Vista to driving a Lamborghini through the streets of Miami:

• The Unemployable Catalyst: Stevie discusses growing up in an entrepreneurial household and why a 2.0 GPA at Arizona State led him to realize that if he didn't build his own dream, he'd be stuck serving smoothies forever.
• The "Seven Months to $1" Grind: The brutal reality of the early agency days, the influence of Tai Lopez's early ads, and why most entrepreneurs quit right before the "light at the end of the tunnel" appears.
• Building the Moat: How Digital Ox transitioned from a simple lead-gen agency to a "Performance Marketing & Call Center" hybrid, solving the "churn" problem by taking over the entire sales cycle for their clients.
• Scaling to Eight Figures: A transparent look at the "Million Dollar Month" target, the necessity of hiring $200k+ leadership talent, and why Stevie was willing to risk $1M in liquid cash to upgrade his company's "race car" tech stack.
• Optimizing for Energy: The daily habits of a high-performer, including personal trainers, mobile concierges, and the constant battle against the "Miami temptations" to stay sharp for the next level of growth.

STEVIE JOHNSON:

Instagram: @steviejohnston_

YouTube: @steviejohnston

Company: Digital Ox

LINK CREATIVE:

Website: linkcreativeco.com

YT: @linkcreativeco

INSTAGRAM: @linkcreativeco

TIKTOK: @linkcreativeco

This week, we continue our Miami Series with Episode 15, broadcasting from an offsite studio in the heart of Florida’s financial hub. Host Lorenzo, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by Diego Curbelo, the Founder and CEO of Blue Summit Capital.

Diego is a rising force in the commercial real estate and asset management sector. Born in Venezuela and raised in Miami, Diego bypassed the traditional "nine-to-five" corporate ladder to build a firm focused on high-stakes acquisitions and property management. By leveraging a deep understanding of the "Sun Belt" market and a disciplined approach to investor relations, he has carved out a niche in one of the most competitive real estate environments in the world. Diego joins the pod to discuss the transition from "internet guru" inspiration to boots-on-the-ground reality, the mechanics of raising capital as a young entrepreneur, and why "sitting on the sidelines" is sometimes the most profitable move a leader can make.

Inside the Episode

In this conversation, Lorenzo and Diego break down the journey from watching "War Dogs" style hustle in a one-bedroom apartment to managing multi-million dollar real estate pipelines:

• The Immigrant Hustle: Diego shares the formative experience of watching his father build a spirits brand (Diplomático Rum) from the ground up and how a signed copy of Rich Dad Poor Dad changed his trajectory in the third grade.
• The Credibility Gap: Strategies for young entrepreneurs to build institutional trust with high-net-worth investors and why property management is the "unsexy" but essential foundation for real estate success.
• Market Diligence in the Sun Belt: A deep dive into why Blue Summit Capital is cautious in the 2026 market, focusing on oversupply in Class A rentals and the "effective rent" trap.
• The Investor Lifecycle: Breaking down the legal and financial requirements for accredited investors, and why a 15-18% IRR is the gold standard for their acquisitions.
• The "No-BS" Miami Network: How to navigate the "fluff" of social media real estate gurus and build a reputation based on longevity and repeated value.

“What are you afraid of? You don’t have to have it all figured out. Most people, even the people that you look up to, are still figuring it out.” — Diego Curbelo

DIEGO CURBELO:

Instagram: @bluesummitcap

Website: bluesummitcre.com

LinkedIn: Diego Andres Curbelo

LORENZO COSTA | LINK CREATIVE

Website: https://linkcreativeco.com
YT: @linkcreativeco
Instagram: linkcreativeco
TikTok: linkcreativeco
LinkedIn: linkcreativeco

Welcome back to the Link Live Podcast, presented by Link Creative. This week, we are broadcasting from Miami for Episode 14, officially kicking off our Miami Series. Host Lorenzo, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by Dr. Sterling, Miami’s number one concierge chiropractor and a leading voice in the modern health and wellness space.

Dr. Sterling is a powerhouse in the performance healthcare industry, having transitioned from his family’s multi-generational practice in California to founding an elite, "office-less" concierge brand in South Florida. In just over two years, he has amassed tens of thousands of followers and built a high-net-worth client base by replacing the clinical "waiting room" experience with high-end, mobile care. Dr. Sterling joins the pod to discuss the "No Plan B" mindset, the mechanics of modern concierge medicine, and how he’s helping the next generation of practitioners scale their own wellness empires.

Inside the Episode
In this conversation, Lorenzo and Dr. Sterling break down the journey from a disciplined, all-natural upbringing to scaling a modern health brand in one of the world's most competitive cities:

• The Concierge Blueprint: Dr. Sterling explains why "time" is the ultimate currency for high-performers and how he delivers elite care on boats, in offices, and at private residences.
• The "No Plan B" Jump: The mindset required to move across the country and start from scratch, leveraging social media as a digital resume to build instant credibility in a new market.
• Professionalized Hospitality: Moving beyond the "amateur" health stigma to offer comprehensive outcomes, from dry needling and cupping to specialized mobility work.
• The Wellness Entrepreneur: A look into Dr. Sterling’s mentorship program, designed to help health practitioners escape the traditional clinic grind and build their own mobile brands.
• The Blueprint for 2026: Expanding from a solo operator to a full-scale wellness team, integrating IV therapy, peptides, and the future of regenerative medicine.

DR. STERLING

Instagram: @doctorsterling

TikTok: @doctorsterling

YouTube: @doctorsterling

LORENZO COSTA | LINK CREATIVE

Website: https://linkcreativeco.com
YT: @linkcreativeco
Instagram: linkcreativeco
TikTok: linkcreativeco
LinkedIn: linkcreativeco

00:00 - Teaser & Intro

00:54 - Who is Dr. Sterling?

02:22 - From the Bay Area to Miami

03:08 - Growing Up in a Holistic Family

05:06 - Choosing Chiropractic Over Pro Soccer

07:54 - The Reality of Chiropractic School

09:35 - Moving to Miami with No Plan B

10:48 - Networking in a New City

13:31 - Early Hustle: Pop-ups & Collabs

17:03 - What is Concierge Chiropractic?

19:35 - The Most Overlooked Treatment: Mobility

21:13 - Selling Outcomes vs. Individual Visits

22:42 - The Post-COVID Health Boom

24:26 - Social Media as a Business Necessity

26:42 - Entrepreneurial Advice: "Shut Up or Do It"

28:55 - The Wellness Entrepreneur Program

32:15 - Bad Habits to Break: Inactivity & Vaping

35:05 - The Padel Obsession & Community <

Welcome back to the Link Live Podcast, presented by Link Creative. This week, we are broadcasting from our headquarters at Link Label Studios for Episode 13. Host Lorenzo Costa, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by Sharif Maadi, better known as “Chicago’s Lawyer,” and the President/CEO of Maadi Law.

Sharif is a powerhouse in the personal injury space, having transitioned from a dedicated law clerk to the founder of a seven-figure firm in just under two years. Fresh off a massive 2025 - where he secured over $4 million in settlements across 200+ won cases - Sharif joins the pod to pull back the curtain on the reality of the legal profession, the grit required to build a brand from scratch, and the mindset of a high-stakes litigator.

Inside the Episode:
In this conversation, Lorenzo and Sharif break down the journey from a disciplined upbringing to scaling a modern law firm:

• The “Lawyer” Stigma: Sharif addresses mainstream misconceptions about the legal profession and explains the grueling “grunt work” and problem-solving required to succeed.
• The Entrepreneurial Jump: How Sharif leveraged 43 pending cases and a “laser focus” on experience to launch Maadi Law without a safety net.
• High-Stakes Risk: A look into the personal injury model, where the firm fronts all costs and only gets paid if they win - including the story of a recent $750,000 settlement for a motorcycle accident victim.
• Scaling Through Digital: The strategy behind the “Chicago’s Lawyer” persona and how radical transparency and education on social media drive business growth.
• The Blueprint for 2026: Sharif shares his methods for goal setting (and manifesting), from hiring a dream team to transitioning from renting to owning his office space.

“Something could be simple but still hard and not easy. Working out is simple: eat healthy, go to the gym. But it’s very hard to do. Business is the same way.”

- Sharif Maadi

SHARIF MAADI | MAADI LAW

Instagram: @chicagoslawyer
Facebook: @chicagoslawyer
TikTok: @chicagoslawyer

LORENZO COSTA | LINK CREATIVE

Website: https://linkcreativeco.com
YT: @linkcreativeco
Instagram: linkcreativeco
TikTok: linkcreativeco
LinkedIn: linkcreativeco

Welcome back to the Link Live Podcast, presented by Link Creative. This week, we are back with another installment from our brand-new headquarters at Link Label Studios. For Episode 12, host Lorenzo Costa, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by Kyle Barrera, Founder and CEO of Axel Luxury.

Kyle spent nearly a decade navigating the corporate tech sales landscape before making the ultimate "entrepreneurial jump," famously wiping out his 401k to acquire his first Lamborghini Urus and launch Chicago’s leading exotic car rental agency. In this episode, Lorenzo and Kyle explore the mechanics of high-stakes risk-taking, the mindset required to move from employee to founder, and the unique challenges of pioneering the luxury vehicle market in the Midwest.

They dive deep into the importance of disciplined operations, the strategy of managing investor-owned vehicles, and how Kyle uses radical transparency through documentation to build a brand that resonates with professional athletes and entrepreneurs alike. Whether you are an aspiring founder or a business leader looking to understand how to leverage personal branding to scale, this episode offers a masterclass in building a business through risk, grit, and consistency.

Subscribe to the Link Live Podcast for more conversations with industry leaders at the intersection of business, creativity, and innovation.

KYLE BARRERA | AXEL LUXURY

Website: axelluxury.com

Instagram: @axelluxury

TikTok: @axelluxury

Personal IG: @bigkb23

LORENZO COSTA | LINK CREATIVE

Website: https://linkcreativeco.com

YT | / @linkcreativeco

INSTAGRAM | / linkcreativeco

TIKTOK | / linkcreativeco

Welcome back to the Link Live Podcast, presented by Link Creative. After a short hiatus, we are officially back and broadcasting from our brand-new headquarters at Link Label Studios. To kick off this new season, host Lorenzo Costa, CEO of Link Creative, sits down with Ren Thompson, Founder of Ren Private Jewelers.

Ren has spent a decade navigating the jewelry industry, moving from the floor of big-box retailers to building a thriving, seven-figure private jewelry business in the heart of downtown Chicago. In this episode, Lorenzo and Ren explore the grit required to make the "entrepreneurial jump," the transition from employee to founder, and the unique challenges of serving high-profile clients including athletes, celebrities, and entertainers.

They dive deep into the importance of discipline, the strategy of data-driven networking, and how Ren intertwines fashion, art, and hospitality to create a luxury client experience that digital-first startups simply can't replicate. Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a business leader looking to refine your client experience, this episode offers a masterclass in building a brand through trust, taste, and consistency.

Subscribe to the Link Live Podcast for more conversations with industry leaders at the intersection of business, creativity, and innovation.

REN THOMPSON | REN PRIVATE JEWELERS

REN PRIVATE JEWELERS:

Website: renprivatejewelers.com

Instagram: @renprivatejewelers

REN THOMPSON:

Instagram: @rncck

LORENZO COSTA | LINK CREATIVE

Website: https://linkcreativeco.com
YT: @linkcreativeco
Instagram: linkcreativeco
TikTok: linkcreativeco
LinkedIn: linkcreativeco