What does it really cost to bet on yourself?

I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Third World Don—a Billboard-recognized, platinum-certified artist, producer, director, and entrepreneur—to talk about ownership, independence, entrepreneurship, money, creativity, and building a business beyond the music.

Instead of relying on record labels, Third World Don chose to build ownership at every level of his career. After experiencing both success and devastating setbacks—including losing millions and becoming homeless—he rebuilt his life by focusing on discipline, resilience, and long-term thinking.

In this episode
• Why ownership matters more than fame
• Walking away from the traditional record label model
• Lessons learned from Nipsey Hussle
• Losing millions and rebuilding from nothing
• The hidden struggles of entrepreneurship
• Mental health, burnout, and resilience
• How independent artists really make money
• Why streams alone won’t make you wealthy
• Building multiple income streams
• Fame vs ownership
• Why creators must monetize attention
• Financial discipline and long-term wealth
• The importance of leaving a legacy
• Why comparing yourself to others is dangerous
• How to rebuild if everything disappeared tomorrow

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