The Ambition Show Podcast

Ready to stop waiting for brand permission and build your own table in the Creator Economy? In this episode of The Ambition Show Podcast, we dive deep into the Patreon State of Create report. Discover how this leading membership platform helps creators monetize their content directly, establish predictable monthly revenue, and escape the algorithm-driven ad model. Whether you're a podcaster, artist, or writer, we break down the opportunities and challenges.
Monetize Your Content: The origin story of Patreon, key statistics (over $3.5 billion paid out), and the top-earning content categories like Music, Podcasts, and Video.
Patreon's Features: A no-fluff breakdown of essential tools, including flexible membership tiers, analytics dashboards, and integrated payments.
SWOT Analysis for Creators: Get an honest look at the Strengths (community ownership, predictable cash flow), Weaknesses (platform fees, need for existing audience), Opportunities, and Threats of using Patreon.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
✅New episodes every Thursday
✅A brief Q&A segment
✅SUBMIT your questions here: https://tally.so/r/wL26z2
SHOUT OUT to past guests Jeff Badu - https://www.badutaxservices.com/
Edgar Tejada -   / edgar-eduardo-tejada  
Jessi Bravo -   / jessibravo  
Paris - https://www.andshebakestoo.com/
Jason Tan -   / jpctan  
SUBSCRIBE to The Ambitious Newsletter: https://ehrenmuhammad.substack.com/s/...
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theambition...
 

Forget the “New Year, New Me” fairy tale. This episode is for the people who are tired of waiting for permission, clarity, confidence, or some imaginary sign from the universe.
Episode 75 kicks off 2026 with one simple truth: nobody is ever ready and that’s exactly why you should start anyway.
In this episode of The Ambition Show Podcast, Ehren breaks down why momentum beats motivation, why career pivots are the smart move in today’s “plot twist economy,” and how creators can go from zero to something without burning out or overthinking every move.
If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or career switcher staring at a blank page, this one’s for you. In this episode, we cover: The myth of being “ready” — and why waiting is the real risk Career switching in 2026 and why loyalty to broken systems is optional The Creator Starter Pack: one platform, one format, one message A simple 90-day blueprint to build momentum without overwhelm Why confidence comes after action, not before Creator Starter Checklist The Creator Starter Deck mentioned in this episode is available now.
👉 Grab it via the link to our Gumroad store below and start building instead of overthinking: Affiliate Disclosure This episode includes a brief segment featuring one of our affiliate sponsors.
While we only partner with brands we believe may provide value to our audience, The Ambition Show Podcast and its hosts are not responsible or liable for any products, services, claims, or outcomes associated with our sponsors.
Always do your own due diligence before making a purchase.
Support the show Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship, creators, and building something real Hit the notification bell so you don’t miss future episodes Share this episode with someone who’s been “getting ready” for way too long Links & Resources
 
🎒 Creator Starter Deck (Gumroad): https://ehrenthebrandbuilder.gumroad.com/l/edlzf
🌐 Official Website: www.ambitionshow.com/ 📩 Sign up for the FREE Ambitious Newsletter: Start messy. Start nervous.
Just start. Because nobody ever changed their life by waiting to feel ready.

You’re tuned into The Ambition Show, let's address a major concern for the ambitious, and today we’re breaking down one of the realest crossroads every creator and aspiring entrepreneur faces:
When does a side hustle stop being a hobby and start becoming an asset? 
How do you take your side hustle full-time… and make sure it pays the bills? Making sure it is not just your dream.
VIRTUAL MENTORS
THE GAME PLAN
TAKE-A-WAYS - TAKE ACTION
WHAT TO READ “The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future” by CHRIS GUILLEBEAU:
About the author: 
Chris Guillebeau is an American author, entrepreneur, blogger, and speaker. He initially received attention for his entrepreneurship and travel blog, The Art of Non-Conformity, which led to the publication of a book of the same name in 2010. 
How to purchase the book:
https://amzn.to/4jclV2u
Purchase on Readinggraphics
https://readingraphics.com/product/download-the-100-startup-summary-in-pdf-audio-graphic/?ref=32944
STAY CONNECTED
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Connect and Free Resources: https://www.ambitionshow.com/blog

Today, we interview Dorothy Woods, who shares how mentors and networking have helped her business grow and thrive.
SCORE is a nonprofit with over 300 chapters nationwide, connecting entrepreneurs with experienced volunteer mentors from a range of industries.
Mentoring is available both in-person and virtually, and many webinars are still free.
 
WHAT TO READ
THE 15 INVALUABLE LAWS OF GROWTH” by JOHN C. MAXWELL
How to purchase the book
https://amzn.to/3LxA9MZ
 
“START WITH WHY” by SIMON SINEK
How to purchase the book on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4k55uGe
 
STAY CONNECTED
Visit: https://www.ambitionshow.com/podcast
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/theambitionshow/
Connect and Free Resources: https://www.ambitionshow.com/blog

Plant stores and nursery businesses have seen some great and challenging days over the last few years. But opportunities are growing again, and if you have seen the boom and are thinking of jumping into this field of dreams, you need to know that it will not be all roses and rainbows; there are some thorns to be aware of. So let's get it.
And there are many more puns to come, so brace yourself.
Plant Store Trends
Strategies for Shop Owners
 
CHICAGO PLANT SHOP LOCATIONS WITH CAFES :
CASA CACTUS: https://g.co/kgs/gXb3Mc4
BOTANICAL CAFE: https://g.co/kgs/y8YxH8C
PLANT SHOP CHICAGO: https://g.co/kgs/yGFvMXo
CHARMERS: https://www.charmerscafe.com/
 
STAY CONNECTED
Visit: https://www.ambitionshow.com/podcast
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/theambitionshow/
Connect and Free Resources: https://www.ambitionshow.com/blog
 

Who, what, where, and “How”, for that matter, “When” did Search Engine Optimization die? Who did it? SEO has been dead for a while now, and there are many culprits. We get to the bottom of the changes that are occurring right now, how you protect and grow your business online, dame near for free if you know what we are going to cover in this episode of The Ambition Show Podcast, let's get it.
 
WHAT EXACTLY AI SEARCH IS AND HOW IT DIFFERS FROM TRADITIONAL SEARCH
HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR CONTENT SPECIFICALLY FOR AI SEARCH AND LLMS
HOW SEO AND AI SEARCH CAN WORK TOGETHER (NOT AGAINST EACH OTHER)
AND THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING THESE PRACTICES
 
Book of the Episode 
“The Digital Mindset: What It Really Takes to Thrive in the Age of Data, Algorithms, and AI”
Paul Leonardi (Author)
Tsedal Neeley (Author)
Link to purchase the book: https://amzn.to/44FflhA
 
STAY CONNECTED
Visit: https://www.ambitionshow.com/podcast
Connect and Free Resources: https://www.ambitionshow.com/blog

Sometimes things are not as simple as you may think. Tough times typically mean that this industry will do very well. Well, maybe not this time. If you have watched one of the literally tens of thousands of videos about how AMAZING it is to make so much money selling used clothes and vintage items in person or online, then you need to catch this episode. Times are changing and not as certain. What do the facts and numbers say, and how should we prepare? Let's find out today.
Economic Impact on Vintage and Thrift Stores
The Role of Online Marketplaces in the Growth of Thrift Stores
How Tariffs Influence the Popularity of Thrift Stores
 
List of 52 Second-Hand, Vintage, and Thrift Stores in Chicago: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n5FlD9gohTQZuIPmT8pUkwHzav1iHgdoclgzm2XdbqU/edit?usp=sharing
 
STAY CONNECTED
Visit: https://www.ambitionshow.com/podcast
Connect and Free Resources: https://www.ambitionshow.com/blog
 
Learn how Chicago is celebrating and how thrift and vintage stores are being impacted
Block Club Chicago: https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/19/chicago-vintage-stores-launch-national-vintage-store-day/
WGN-TV: https://wgntv.com/midday-news/style-files-check-out-vintage-store-day/