#186 – What Does It Take to Create a Successful Hip Hop Brand?

This week on The Alden Report, we are joined by successful architect, author and health and fitness legend Ed Connors. Ed's life and career have been fascinating to say the least. Originally born in Omaha, Nebraska, Ed graduated from Creighton Preparatory School, as well as the University of California, Berkeley, where he received a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He was drafted into the Army and served in the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters.

After returning from the war, Ed began his architecture career and worked for several prominent firms, including Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo & Associates and the office of Charles Eames. During this time, he was involved in the design of major projects such as California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles, the Headquarters for the Port of L.A. in San Pedro, and Fox Plaza in Century City.

In 1979, Ed and two partners purchased the single Gold's Gym in Santa Monica, California. They developed specific plans and programs that allowed the company to grow from a single gym operation to a multi-faceted company engaged in product distribution and licensing. Ed opened up the first gym franchise ever with a Gold's Gym in San Francisco, and the chain grew to 704 locations in 26 countries and 46 states before he exited the company in 2004.

During his time building the Gold's Gym brand, Ed helped shape the careers of hundreds of individuals, including Ms. Olympia Cory Everson and Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. He also got several dozen athletes into professional wrestling and helped launch the careers of several TV personalities.

Today, Ed is working on his memoir entitled THE THREE MUSCLETEERS and actively pursuing the creation of a new gym model suited for the post-pandemic world.

You’re not going to miss the portion of our discussion where we debate the prevalence and effects that performance enhancing drugs have had on the industry both in its infancy and today.

Thank you very much to Ed for joining me on The Alden Report.

For more information on Ed Connors and his law firm, you can visit: https://edconnors.com/

 For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport

 Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management
Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name. 

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

This week on The Alden Report, we are joined by successful architect, author and health and fitness legend Ed Connors. Ed's life and career have been fascinating to say the least. Originally born in Omaha, Nebraska, Ed graduated from Creighton Preparatory School, as well as the University of California, Berkeley, where he received a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He was drafted into the Army and served in the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters.

After returning from the war, Ed began his architecture career and worked for several prominent firms, including Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo & Associates and the office of Charles Eames. During this time, he was involved in the design of major projects such as California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles, the Headquarters for the Port of L.A. in San Pedro, and Fox Plaza in Century City.

In 1979, Ed and two partners purchased the single Gold's Gym in Santa Monica, California. They developed specific plans and programs that allowed the company to grow from a single gym operation to a multi-faceted company engaged in product distribution and licensing. Ed opened up the first gym franchise ever with a Gold's Gym in San Francisco, and the chain grew to 704 locations in 26 countries and 46 states before he exited the company in 2004.

During his time building the Gold's Gym brand, Ed helped shape the careers of hundreds of individuals, including Ms. Olympia Cory Everson and Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. He also got several dozen athletes into professional wrestling and helped launch the careers of several TV personalities.

Today, Ed is working on his memoir entitled THE THREE MUSCLETEERS and actively pursuing the creation of a new gym model suited for the post-pandemic world.

You’re not going to miss the portion of our discussion where we debate the prevalence and effects that performance enhancing drugs have had on the industry both in its infancy and today.

Thank you very much to Ed for joining me on The Alden Report.

For more information on Ed Connors and his law firm, you can visit: https://edconnors.com/

 For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport

 Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management
Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name. 

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

In this episode of The Alden Report, Wayne Altman shares his inspiring journey of creating Melody Clouds, a platform that has helped thousands of people find relief from tinnitus and promote relaxation and well-being.

Wayne's personal struggle with tinnitus led him to discover the therapeutic benefits of binaural beats and music. However, he couldn't find what he needed on existing subscription sites, which led him to collect tracks from producers worldwide and create Melody Clouds.

Today, Melody Clouds offers an extensive library of content, including binaural beats, music, guided meditations, audio books, solfeggio, nature sounds, calming, and relaxation sounds. With over 8000 hours of content translated into over 100 different languages, Melody Clouds has a global membership and continues to help people relax and learn.

Wayne's dedication to enriching the lives of his customers and community is evident in his multiple online businesses, and he remains committed to sharing the healing and beneficial effects of this technology with everyone who wants it.

Thank you so much to Wayne for joining on The Alden Report.

For more information on Wayne Altman and his company, you can visit: https://melodyclouds.com

For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport
 

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management

Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name.

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

In this episode of The Alden Report, Wayne Altman shares his inspiring journey of creating Melody Clouds, a platform that has helped thousands of people find relief from tinnitus and promote relaxation and well-being.

Wayne's personal struggle with tinnitus led him to discover the therapeutic benefits of binaural beats and music. However, he couldn't find what he needed on existing subscription sites, which led him to collect tracks from producers worldwide and create Melody Clouds.

Today, Melody Clouds offers an extensive library of content, including binaural beats, music, guided meditations, audio books, solfeggio, nature sounds, calming, and relaxation sounds. With over 8000 hours of content translated into over 100 different languages, Melody Clouds has a global membership and continues to help people relax and learn.

Wayne's dedication to enriching the lives of his customers and community is evident in his multiple online businesses, and he remains committed to sharing the healing and beneficial effects of this technology with everyone who wants it.

Thank you so much to Wayne for joining on The Alden Report.

For more information on Wayne Altman and his company, you can visit: https://melodyclouds.com

For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport
 

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management

Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name.

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

This week on The Alden Report, I’m joined by award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker Brittany Hodak. Brittany has delivered keynotes across the globe to organizations including American Express and the United Nations. She has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and entertainers, including Walmart, Disney, Katy Perry, and Dolly Parton. She founded and scaled an entertainment startup to eight figures before exiting, and she is the former Chief Experience Officer of Experience.com. Forbes said of her debut book, Creating Super Fans, “If you have customers, you need this book. Period.”

Thank you so much to Brittany for joining on The Alden Report.

 For more information on Brittany Hodak, you can visit: https://brittanyhodak.com

For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:h

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management

Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name. 

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

This week on The Alden Report, I’m joined by award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker Brittany Hodak. Brittany has delivered keynotes across the globe to organizations including American Express and the United Nations. She has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and entertainers, including Walmart, Disney, Katy Perry, and Dolly Parton. She founded and scaled an entertainment startup to eight figures before exiting, and she is the former Chief Experience Officer of Experience.com. Forbes said of her debut book, Creating Super Fans, “If you have customers, you need this book. Period.”

Thank you so much to Brittany for joining on The Alden Report.

For more information on Brittany Hodak, you can visit: https://brittanyhodak.com

For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:h

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management

Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name. 

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

If you have an e-commerce store, are a social media influencer, own your own brand or are thinking about starting a business, then you’re not going to want to miss this week’s episode of The Alden Report where I am joined by attorney Robert Freund. Along with very informative and engaging social media content, Robert is an experienced business litigator and advisor who focuses his practice on advertising compliance and litigation, with an emphasis on e-commerce and social media marketing issues.  His clients primarily are direct-to-consumer brands, marketing agencies, and individual creators.

Before opening his own firm, Mr. Freund honed his legal skills working at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, one of the largest and most respected international law firms.  Mr. Freund has represented individuals and companies in complex commercial litigation, including consumer class actions and claims related to false advertising and unfair competition.  He also has represented clients in the entertainment, real estate, and financial services industries.

While in law school at UC Davis, Mr. Freund clerked for the Consumer Protection Unit of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked on civil and criminal cases involving fraud, deceptive advertising, anticompetitive practices, and other economic crimes.  Mr. Freund also served as an editor of the UC Davis Law Review.

Mr. Freund has lectured about social media advertising law at the University of Southern California, the University of San Diego, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, and he has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg Law, Vox, Business Insider, and Forbes on those issues.

Thank you very much to Robert for joining me on The Alden Report.

For more information on Robert Freund and his law firm, you can visit: https://robertfreundlaw.com/

 Check out some of his extremely informative content on Instagram @robertfreundlaw

For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management
Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name.  

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

This week I am joined by my good friend David Lumley. David has a most impressive resume with almost four decades of success at several public Fortune 500, private, private equity-owned, and family businesses and a record of seven straight company turnarounds.  In 2015, he retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. which is a global and diversified consumer products company and he also served as Director from April 2010 to September 30, 2015; as President and Chief Executive Officer from June 2010 to April 1, 2015; as President, Global Batteries & Personal Care and Home & Garden from January 2007 to November 2013; as Co-Chief Operating Officer from January 2007 to April 2010. 

David’s background includes more than 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry, including executive leadership roles at Newell Rubbermaid, EAS, Brunswick Bicycles, Outboard Marine Corporation, Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and other companies. He also served as a director and member of the compensation committee of Husqvarna AB, a Swedish manufacturer of outdoor power products. He has served on the boards of numerous businesses including Husqvarna AB, Valspar, Spectrum Brands, EAS, Outboard Marine Corporation and Naked Juice.

David is also the author of the best-selling book It’s Impossible to Commit to Maybe which provides the "how-to" lessons and proven recommendations for managers of all levels which provides key business issues, his and others' learnings, and successful techniques to provide a winning approach to reaching your goals.

Thank you very much to David for joining us this week on The Alden Report. 

For more information on David R. Lumley, you can visit https://www.davidrlumley.com

For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management

Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name. 

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

If you have an e-commerce store, are a social media influencer, own your own brand or are thinking about starting a business, then you’re not going to want to miss this week’s episode of The Alden Report where I am joined by attorney Robert Freund. Along with very informative and engaging social media content, Robert is an experienced business litigator and advisor who focuses his practice on advertising compliance and litigation, with an emphasis on e-commerce and social media marketing issues.  His clients primarily are direct-to-consumer brands, marketing agencies, and individual creators.

Before opening his own firm, Mr. Freund honed his legal skills working at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, one of the largest and most respected international law firms.  Mr. Freund has represented individuals and companies in complex commercial litigation, including consumer class actions and claims related to false advertising and unfair competition.  He also has represented clients in the entertainment, real estate, and financial services industries.

While in law school at UC Davis, Mr. Freund clerked for the Consumer Protection Unit of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked on civil and criminal cases involving fraud, deceptive advertising, anticompetitive practices, and other economic crimes.  Mr. Freund also served as an editor of the UC Davis Law Review.

Mr. Freund has lectured about social media advertising law at the University of Southern California, the University of San Diego, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, and he has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg Law, Vox, Business Insider, and Forbes on those issues.

Thank you very much to Robert for joining me on The Alden Report.

For more information on Robert Freund and his law firm, you can visit: https://robertfreundlaw.com/

 Check out some of his extremely informative content on Instagram @robertfreundlaw

For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management
Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name.  

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012

This week I am joined by my good friend David Lumley. David has a most impressive resume with almost four decades of success at several public Fortune 500, private, private equity-owned, and family businesses and a record of seven straight company turnarounds.  In 2015, he retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. which is a global and diversified consumer products company and he also served as Director from April 2010 to September 30, 2015; as President and Chief Executive Officer from June 2010 to April 1, 2015; as President, Global Batteries & Personal Care and Home & Garden from January 2007 to November 2013; as Co-Chief Operating Officer from January 2007 to April 2010. 

David’s background includes more than 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry, including executive leadership roles at Newell Rubbermaid, EAS, Brunswick Bicycles, Outboard Marine Corporation, Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and other companies. He also served as a director and member of the compensation committee of Husqvarna AB, a Swedish manufacturer of outdoor power products. He has served on the boards of numerous businesses including Husqvarna AB, Valspar, Spectrum Brands, EAS, Outboard Marine Corporation and Naked Juice.

David is also the author of the best-selling book It’s Impossible to Commit to Maybe which provides the "how-to" lessons and proven recommendations for managers of all levels which provides key business issues, his and others' learnings, and successful techniques to provide a winning approach to reaching your goals.

Thank you very much to David for joining us this week on The Alden Report. 

For more information on David R. Lumley, you can visit https://www.davidrlumley.com

For the full version of this episode and early access to future episodes, you may become a member of The Alden Report here:

https://www.patreon.com/thealdenreport

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

Spotlight Production and Media Management

Imagine spotlighting yourself, your brand or your book on virtually every major network all of the country and appearing in people's homes week after week after week. No worries about whether or not your ad on social media is actually being fed to people. You WILL be in their homes in front of them. With our experience and know how we can take an unknown person, brand, book, product or service and turn it into a household name. 

https://www.mikealden.com/author-spotlight

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For more info on Michael Alden’s latest book BEST SELLER SECRETS visit: https://www.bestsellersecretsbook.com/

Listen to other episodes of The Alden Report here: https://thealdenreport.com/

Follow Mike Alden here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeAlden2012

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeAlden2012

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikealden

TikToK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikealden2012