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Dirt to Sky Business Podcast

Dirt to Sky is a space for real, unfiltered conversations about entrepreneurship — from startup struggles to breakthrough moments. Hosted by Jordan Hill, a real estate business owner from Oregon, this podcast dives into topics like marketing, leadership, mindset, and resilience. It’s perfect for anyone building something new or looking to level up what they’ve already started.

A strong business event isn’t built around forcing people to network. It’s built around creating the kind of room where different levels of experience can mix, people are comfortable talking, and everyone leaves with something useful. The connections become a byproduct of the experience.
Build a Room Worth Showing Up For
Experience compounds in ways that are hard to see at first. Every presentation, conversation, project or invitation gives you another chance to sharpen a skill and better understand what you bring to the table. Over time, those small repetitions can build both competence and confidence.
Reps Build Confidence
Real estate value isn’t only about what a property could earn at maximum rent. There’s also value in structuring a deal that works financially without immediately pricing people out. The interesting part is figuring out whether you can build equity while still preserving affordability. Full episode on Dirt To Sky YT channel.
When Cash Flow Isn’t the Only Goal
More customers doesn’t automatically mean a better business. As a company grows, client fit starts to matter just as much as client volume. The wrong relationships can consume disproportionate time and attention, while the right ones often lead to better work, stronger trust and more of the referrals you actually want.
Make Room for Better Clients
In this episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, host Jordan Hill sits down with real estate mogul and philosophical investor Mike Nuss. With over 23 years of self-employment under his belt, Mike has navigated through major economic shifts to build a highly successful real estate network encompassing acquisitions, property management, brokerage, and the popular networking platform, Investor Lab. Mike dives deep into his unique philosophy of "becoming a magnet" rather than a driver in business, mastering the art of negotiation through psychology, and practical insights into running an authentic company culture. He also touches on "conscious capitalism," sharing moving personal stories about balancing profit margins with real-world social impacts. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a budding entrepreneur, Mike's seasoned advice on hiring through core values and trusting your gut will change the way you look at leadership. 00:15 – Introduction and thank you to sponsors Compass Visuals and Spirit Mountain Casino. 00:56 – Mike Nuss shares his background and the origins of his real estate company, Rarebird. 03:10 – Mike’s early life in Salem, entry into the appraisal industry, and navigating macro economic changes. 04:51 – The concept of "Business Magnetism": Learning how to magnetize yourself to attract capital and talent. 06:33 – Understanding your unique business personality (the DISC test) and learning from failure. 09:12 – The lack of a business plan in early investments and surviving the 2008 crash. 11:35 – Pivoting to off-market acquisitions and direct negotiation after the recession. 14:42 – The psychology of real estate negotiation and avoiding "commission breath". 18:18 – Data mining, pattern recognition, and building long-term industry value. 20:00 – Finding corporate authenticity and earning the respect of your peers. 23:04 – Lessons from The Pumpkin Plan: Cutting out bad clients to attract the right business. 24:49 – Structuring and scaling your team from the ground up. 27:16 – Why AI won't replace real estate agents, but how liability fears will shift the industry. 28:50 – Structuring business entities for liability management and flow-through taxes. 31:00 – A powerful story on conscious capitalism, displacement issues, and community impact. 36:12 – Hiring strategies: How to recruit right-fit candidates and protect your workplace culture. 39:02 – Investing in backend support to alleviate leadership burnout and improve strategic thinking. 42:01 – What is Investor Lab? Creating a high-value, non-awkward real estate meetup. 46:06 – Overcoming the fear of public speaking and why saying "yes" builds your business. 50:24 – Final takeaway: Building a business on solid core values and taking care of your staff. Develop a greater vision with Jordan Hill on the Dirt to Sky Podcast. Bringing on a powerful aray of guest that exclusively features their talents and respective position in their work and community. FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS! IG AND TIKTOK: DIRTTOSKYPODCAST #Business #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth
How to Become a Business Magnet with Mike Nuss
Are you tired of going to networking events and walking away with nothing but a stack of useless business cards? In this episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, host Jordan Hill breaks down how to stop being a "taker" and start building genuine, face-to-face professional relationships that actually move the needle for your business. Whether you want to find the perfect mastermind, maximize your happy hour connections, or launch your own highly successful local group from scratch, this step-by-step guide covers exactly how to navigate the modern networking landscape. Special thanks to our venue host, The Blooming Venue, and our official episode sponsor, Collier Law! Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & Special Thanks 00:45 – The Power of Face-to-Face Relationships in 2026 01:49 – The Reality Check: Why Most People Fail at Networking 02:30 – Inside "Mastermind Plus": Structuring a Free Monthly Group 03:53 – Why You Need to Look Outside of Your Own Industry Box 04:51 – The 7-Minute Rule: How to Structure Impactful Meetings 05:26 – Paid Membership Groups vs. Casual Happy Hours 07:06 – The "Taker" Mindset vs. The "Giver" Strategy 08:30 – Dress for Success & First Impressions 09:33 – Stop Giving Out Business Cards (Do This on Social Media Instead) 11:15 – The Fortune is in the Follow-Up: Securing the Coffee Meeting 12:16 – How to Instantly Provide Value by Inviting Guests 13:14 – Step-by-Step: How to Find the Best Local Events Every Monday 14:21 – Build Your Power Team: How to Launch Your Own Consistent Group Develop a greater vision with Jordan Hill on the Dirt to Sky Podcast. Bringing on a powerful aray of guest that exclusively features their talents and respective position in their work and community. FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS! IG AND TIKTOK: DIRTTOSKYPODCAST #Business #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth
How to Build a Powerful Local Network (Even If You’re an Introvert)
Are you doing a lot but feeling like you're about to explode from the workload? In this solo episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, Jordan Hill breaks down the exact strategy she uses to stay productive without burning out: Outcome Stacking. Learn how to ensure every event you host, every video you make, and every meeting you attend achieves multiple objectives simultaneously—from lead generation and education to building long-term credibility. Stop doing things for just one reason and start stacking your outcomes to maximize your time. 00:00 – Introduction and Sponsor Thanks 00:36 – The "Sweet Spot": Balancing a High-Speed Business 01:41 – Leveraging AI, Technology, and Scheduling 02:32 – What is Outcome Stacking? 03:04 – Real-World Example: The Modern Business Workshop 03:26 – Outcome 1: Self-Education and Learning from Experts 03:53 – Outcome 2: Lead Generation and Relationship Building 04:23 – Outcome 3: Future Income and Sponsorship Opportunities 04:51 – Outcome 4: Building Credibility and Authority 05:12 – Applying Outcome Stacking to Social Media and Networking. Develop a greater vision with Jordan Hill on the Dirt to Sky Podcast. Bringing on a powerful aray of guest that exclusively features their talents and respective position in their work and community. FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS! IG AND TIKTOK: DIRTTOSKYPODCAST #Business #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth
How to Maximize Productivity with Outcome Stacking
In this episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, host Jordan Hill sits down with actor and Army Ranger veteran Billy Dunston. Billy shares his unique transition from 13 years of military service to a flourishing career in film and television. From booking big commercials to recurring roles on Apple TV and Tyler Perry’s Sistas, Billy discusses the grit, education, and "non-negotiable" discipline required to succeed in a competitive industry. Whether he’s training jiu-jitsu, writing screenplays, or preparing for his next role, Billy's journey is a masterclass in persistence and authenticity. 00:15 – Introduction and how the host discovered Billy on Apple TV. 01:22 – Choosing between a 20-year military career and acting. 02:45 – Early life in the DC area and working at movie theaters. 04:22 – Falling into acting through fashion modeling and extra work. 05:07 – The shift in 2019: Jiu-jitsu, military exit, and intensive study. 06:56 – Why Billy started writing his own stories and screenplays. 08:34 – The impact of the film Blackhawk Down on his life and military service. 09:12 – Experience as an Army Ranger and five deployments. 09:58 – Being typecast as a police officer and working on Tyler Perry’s Sistas. 12:15 – The intense 15-day filming schedule for a 22-episode season. 16:03 – The reality of hundreds of "nos" and the audition process. 18:46 – Protecting your time and advocating for yourself in a small market. 22:21 – Using 48-hour film festivals to build a network and footage. 25:04 – How jiu-jitsu provided a vital community in Oregon. 28:19 – Future goals: Upcoming films and a children's book for his son. 29:28 – Killer Man's Sons: A deep dive into Billy’s screenplay about modern warfare. 32:03 – The steps to getting a screenplay produced: Pitch decks and film festivals. 35:33 – Why professional acting classes are essential for success. 41:26 – Learning lines and managing high-stress environments on set. 47:23 – Advice for entrepreneurs: Identifying your "non-negotiables". Develop a greater vision with Jordan Hill on the Dirt to Sky Podcast. Bringing on a powerful aray of guest that exclusively features their talents and respective position in their work and community. FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS! IG AND TIKTOK: DIRTTOSKYPODCAST #Business #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth
From Army Ranger to the Silver Screen: Acting Journey | Billy Dunston
In this special episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, host Jordan Hill sits down with the creator and owner of the show, Jesse Peone. They celebrate over one year of podcasting together and dive deep into the logistics of building a media brand, the evolution of their professional skills, and their shared passion for revitalizing the Salem community through innovative events and accessible news. 00:15 - Introduction and Sponsor Recognition 01:14 - Celebrating One Year of Dirt to Sky 03:00 - Developing Communication Skills through Toastmasters 06:40 - The Science of Editing and Content Repurposing 11:12 - Hiring for Excellence: Finding Pride in Work 14:52 - Inside KO Media Company and the Salem Business Journal 16:55 - Turning Imagination into Reality: Jesse’s Background 19:51 - Commitment to Free Local Journalism 23:55 - Upcoming Event: The Modern Business Workshop (AI Theme) 27:50 - Leveraging AI for Business Growth with AJ Nash 30:52 - Community Fun: Santa Crawl and the Cheer Meister Award Develop a greater vision with Jordan Hill on the Dirt to Sky Podcast. Bringing on a powerful aray of guest that exclusively features their talents and respective position in their work and community. FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS! IG AND TIKTOK: DIRTTOSKYPODCAST #Business #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth
The Future of Salem: AI, Community Events, and Local News | Jesse Peone
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