Tidemark Talks

Follow Coby: https://www.instagram.com/cobyisaoglu/Follow Kyler: https://www.instagram.com/kylerisaoglu/From small podcast beginnings to working with Mike Tyson and major brands, Coby & Kyler Isaoglu share how they built Zill Media into a powerhouse creative agency. In this conversation, they reveal their growth strategies, wild behind-the-scenes stories, and the future of social media & content creation.Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/Timestamps:00:20 – Lean teams vs. big brokerages: efficiency over headcount01:47 – Growing in step functions & the stress of scaling03:09 – Saying no to clients & referral-driven growth04:01 – The liquor store commercial that almost got the cops called05:30 – Why video is Zill’s biggest entry point06:42 – From agency to influencer/talent brokering12:26 – How their podcast led to working with Mike Tyson17:24 – First Tyson 2.0 project goes viral with 10M+ views24:22 – Why daily content (and strong ideas) beat expensive gear25:32 – Case study: divorce lawyer turned viral TikTok brand28:42 – From zero to 200K followers: a soccer club’s growth29:40 – Metal stamping shop goes viral with bold content hooks33:11 – The rise of clipping culture on Twitch & Kick36:13 – Renting vs. owning: real estate for young companies40:16 – The flex culture: Lambos, fake jets, & social media perception43:42 – Future goals: Zill Media’s dream content warehouse

In this episode of Tidemark Talks, Anthony Vultaggio of the Orange Catholic Foundation dives deep into the intersection of wealth management, family values, and charitable giving. From navigating succession planning to turning taxable events into transformational gifts, Anthony shares powerful strategies and stories that show how generosity can be both financially smart and personally fulfilling.Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/Episode Highlights:(00:41–02:56) Succession planning: balancing asset transfer with family values.(04:01–05:14) Anthony’s career shift: from wealth management to charitable strategy.(05:53–08:20) Taxable events & philanthropy—why planning early matters.(08:49–10:47) Case study: Dan Snyder’s $35M property donation.(11:28–13:36) Tailoring giving: deductions, trusts, and income-retaining gifts.(15:41–17:30) From building wealth → protecting wealth → creating legacy.(20:10–22:51) Liquidity challenges for large estates & tax-mitigation strategies.(23:16–24:49) The importance of updating trusts, wills, and beneficiaries.(27:05–30:45) Charitable trusts: income today, legacy tomorrow.(37:46–41:50) Story of a donor transforming personal loss into meaningful giving.(42:22–43:09) Final takeaway: Charitable giving is a win-win for family and society.

Join us on Tidemark Talks as we dive into the inspiring story of Kim Sherman, founder of Echo Media Group. From pioneering PR campaigns to building a thriving business and mentoring the next generation, Kim shares invaluable insights into her 30+ years of experience. Discover how she navigated challenges, embraced creativity, and left a lasting impact on her community and industry. Don't miss her advice on balancing life, leadership, and innovation in a rapidly changing world.Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/Timestamps:00:00 – 00:56: Introduction to Kim Sherman – Entrepreneurial beginnings and career highlights.02:11 – 05:26: Starting in PR – The George Lucas film campaign and the magic of creating reactions.07:14 – 09:11: Evolution of PR – Adapting to digital marketing and the rise of sponsored content.17:20 – 22:06: Fostering creativity – Building a collaborative and balanced agency culture.27:09 – 33:02: Crisis management and giving back – Impactful projects like Someone Cares Soup Kitchen.36:25 – 41:00: Creativity meets strategy – Consistent messaging and innovative solutions.43:50 – 48:10: Entrepreneurship and real estate – Leveraging properties to fuel growth.51:32 – 59:00: Mentorship and resilience – Inspiring future leaders and adapting to change.59:00 – End: Reflections and takeaways – Leadership lessons and the power of storytelling.This episode is packed with inspiration, practical tips, and stories that will resonate with entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders alike!

Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateDiscover how Darren Rude went from bottling pickles at age 5 to founding Youtheory, one of the most recognized wellness brands in the world. In this episode of Tidemark Talks, Darren opens up about his entrepreneurial roots, servant leadership, faith, and building a global impact—from Costco shelves to Indian turmeric farms. Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned business owner, this story will inspire you.Timestamps:00:00 – Meet Darren Rude, Founder of Youtheory02:17 – Family legacy: Pickles, Progresso & passion for food07:51 – Early exposure to Costco & grocery sales18:11 – The moment Youtheory was born19:43 – The shelf-space lesson that changed everything23:46 – Starting Youtheory during a legal battle26:10 – Marketing through passion: NASCAR, concerts, and Kind Bars29:34 – How he got into 60,000+ retail stores32:11 – Hands-on leadership: forklift nights & production lines37:39 – Giving back: water & education for Indian farming villages43:52 – Life after exit: Building an organic ranch in Wyoming49:56 – Leading without fear through faith53:09 – Books that shaped his mindset59:45 – How a cold call at age 15 led to a real estate empire

Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/Mike Holcombe, co-founder of Caitlyn Minimalist, joins Tidemark Talks to share how he and his wife Kate turned a sentimental gift into the #1 jewelry brand on Etsy. From humble beginnings in their living room to viral growth and now opening their first retail store, this episode is full of powerful lessons for entrepreneurs. Mike opens up about branding, scaling, work-life balance, and what it’s really like building a business with your spouse.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro to Mike Holcombe & Caitlyn Minimalist02:35 – How they started the business in their living room03:37 – Leaving their jobs and going all-in on Etsy04:43 – The dangers of relying on algorithms06:06 – The bracelet that sparked the brand12:27 – Going viral: the moment everything changed14:00 – Why they’ve stayed independent without investors16:58 – Opening their first physical store in Irvine23:49 – Email flows, Instagram pixels, and social media strategy25:19 – Dealing with copycats and brand impersonators32:50 – Hiring out of their home & building real culture42:43 – Why Kate’s passion is the brand’s biggest superpower45:42 – Running a business with your spouse – challenges & rewards

Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/Steve Pixley revolutionized industrial vending and inventory management for Fortune 500 manufacturers. In this episode of Tidemark Talks, Steve shares how he built his company from the ground up, sold it to Snap-on, and navigated challenges along the way. From bidding wars at auctions to scaling a multimillion-dollar business, this conversation is packed with entrepreneurial insights.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction | Meet Steve Pixley, innovator in industrial vending solutions01:59 - Selling to Snap-on | How and why Steve sold his company03:14 - The Snap-on Story | The company’s history and impact on the industry06:58 - Early Business Lessons | Steve’s journey from college to entrepreneurship13:07 - The Big Auction Gamble | Raising $100K to buy tools from Ford Aerospace19:43 - Scaling the Business | Turning a risky investment into a thriving company26:17 - The Swap Meet Hustle | Selling tools and disrupting Snap-on’s market32:45 - The $90 Billion Market | How cutting tools became a massive industry37:01 - Inventing Industrial Vending | Solving the biggest problem in manufacturing40:00 - Final Thoughts | Lessons from a career in innovation and business growth

What does it take to turn a simple passion into a multimillion-dollar business? Steve Dickler, founder of Chef’s Toys, shares his incredible journey from sharpening knives for chefs to building a $100M restaurant supply empire. In this episode of Tidemark Talks, Steve reveals the challenges of scaling a business, how he navigated a complex sale, and why hospitality and customer service remain key to success.[00:49] From Humble Beginnings to a $100M Business – How Chef’s Toys grew to seven locations with 200+ employees.[03:27] The Decision to Sell – Why Steve chose to exit, frustrations with regulations, and how he found the perfect buyer.[05:43] The Art of the Deal – Navigating negotiations, industry connections, and maximizing business valuation.[11:34] From Sandwich Maker to Chef – Steve’s early experiences in food service and how they shaped his future.[32:00] The Knife Sharpening Hustle – How a side gig turned into a thriving business serving top-tier clients.[40:23] Retail Expansion & Game-Changing Strategy – How Steve built stores that outperformed competitors.[47:22] Smart Real Estate Moves – Strategic investments that fueled growth beyond the core business.[57:59] Beating Amazon & AI – How Steve future-proofed Chef’s Toys before selling.[1:08:12] Lessons in Entrepreneurship – The mindset, work ethic, and strategies that led to success.This episode is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone looking to scale a business from the ground up. Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/

In this episode of Tidemark Talks, we sit down with Steve Mellgren, the founder of Obey Clothing and Dimensions screen printing. Steve shares his incredible journey from welding in Torrance to building one of the most iconic streetwear brands in the world alongside artist Shepard Fairey. Learn how unexpected opportunities, strategic partnerships, and creative thinking helped shape Obey into a global phenomenon. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a streetwear fan, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on business growth, resilience, and the power of staying under the radar.Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Meet Steve Mellgren, founder of Obey Clothing01:59 – The beginnings of Dimensions screen printing and Obey Clothing03:09 – How a random FedEx box from Shepard Fairey started it all06:59 – Growing up in Torrance: From welding to buying his first house as a teen13:27 – Transitioning from welding to sales, and starting Dimensions24:09 – Strategic leasing and real estate investments for business growth32:06 – Steve's success in diversifying through smart investments38:02 – Obey Clothing's growth: Building a dream team and retailer relationships43:12 – Partnering with Shepard Fairey and supporting artists46:23 – The keys to success: Timing, luck, and treating people right52:06 – Steve’s passion for music and his guitar collection

Join us on Tidemark Talks as we dive into the inspiring story of Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco. Alongside his brothers, Wing turned a modest taco stand into a globally recognized brand with 50+ locations. Learn about his entrepreneurial journey, innovative marketing strategies, and how he built a community-centered business. From customer-centric philosophies to lessons in resilience, Wing shares invaluable insights for entrepreneurs and small business owners.Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Wing Lam and the Wahoo’s Fish Taco story01:56 – The secret to exceptional customer service: "Mi Casa es Su Casa"03:48 – Wing’s family history and migration journey20:15 – The humble beginnings of Wahoo’s Fish Taco in 198827:44 – Creative and cost-effective marketing strategies35:24 – Evolution of the menu based on customer preferences54:21 – Giving back during COVID-19 with the "California Love Drop"58:29 – Enjoying the journey: Lessons on life, business, and purpose1:04:07 – Wing’s role as a mentor and advocate for authenticityThis episode is packed with actionable insights and heartwarming stories – a must-listen for anyone looking to turn their passion into a thriving business!