Welcome back to Wilder Possibilities, hosted by Shelton Wilder — luxury Los Angeles Realtor, CEO, and female-entrepreneur.

Today’s episode features Michelle Ruben — founder of Michelle Ruben Interiors, known for creating warm, elevated spaces with speed, taste, and serious “get-it-done” magic.

In this conversation, we trace Michelle’s journey from moving all over as a kid, to a career detour into restaurants and acting, to the moment everything clicked when she helped a neighbor transform (and profit from) a Santa Monica condo—sparking a word-of-mouth design career that’s now spanned hundreds of homes. We also talk real-life design lessons, the business of staging, and why done is better than perfect.

We dive into:

• Michelle’s “CLICK” moment — the accidental first flip that launched her interior design career
• How staging teaches design faster than anything (and why she recommends it to beginners)
• Creating homes with great “energy” — and why your space affects how you feel
• Designing at speed: systems, confidence, and “better than perfect” execution
• From private homes to restaurants + multi-state projects (Florida, Hamptons & beyond)
• A hilarious behind-the-scenes story: Shelton “surprises” her husband with a total living room upgrade

If you love interior design, real estate, staging, renovation, entrepreneurship, mindset, or creating a home that truly feels like YOU, you will LOVE this one.

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Shelton Wilder | Christie’s International Real Estate Email: shelton@sheltonwilder.com

Phone: +1 (310) 997-7059

Website: www.sheltonwilder.com

Instagram: @sheltonwilderestates

Facebook: www.facebook.com/shelton.wilder

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sheltonwilder

Welcome back to Wilder Possibilities, hosted by Shelton Wilder — luxury Los Angeles Realtor, CEO, and powerhouse female entrepreneur.

Today’s episode features Graham Stephan — one of the world’s leading YouTube creators, real estate investor, finance educator, and self-made entrepreneur whose channels reach millions every month.

In this conversation, Graham opens up like never before — tracing his journey from growing up in Santa Monica, to working in a coral warehouse as a teenager, to skipping school in pursuit of hands-on work, to building one of the most influential content empires on the internet.

We dive into:

• Graham’s unconventional start in business (including his early coral-selling side hustle)

• How real estate became the foundation of his financial freedom

• What it takes to build and maintain a community of millions

• Behind-the-scenes stories of his homes, tenants, massive utility bills & property taxes

• His mindset around money, time management, and the systems that keep his life running

• What’s next for the ever-expanding Graham ecosystem

• Keys to understanding the “Graham Brain”

• His advice for entrepreneurs, creators, agents, and anyone looking to scale the smart way

This episode is packed with honesty, unexpected stories, and real insights into balancing real estate, content creation, and entrepreneurship at the highest level.

If you love real estate, personal finance, YouTube creator life, entrepreneurship, or business strategy — you’ll LOVE this one.

WATCH MORE WILDER POSSIBILITIES

Subscribe to hear inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, industry leaders, and big thinkers redefining what’s possible.

Shelton Wilder | Christie’s International Real Estate

Email: shelton@sheltonwilder.com

Phone: +1 (310) 997-7059

Website: www.sheltonwilder.com

Instagram: @sheltonwilderestates

Facebook: facebook.com/shelton.wilder

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sheltonwilder

Leah Smith opens up about the instability that shaped her early life and the fear patterns she carriedinto adulthood. Her click came when she realized she’d been building a life around others’ expectations - not her own. One bold reset later, she chose self-trust, ownership, and a future she designed

Hot Takes :

• Creativity is never linear - it’s a patchwork of every chapter you’ve lived.
• Sometimes the “click” comes after the chaos.
• Every detour teaches you how to tell a better story.
• The hair might frizz, the plan might fail - go anyway.
• Real connection starts when you stop forcing what doesn’t fit.
• You can build a business from joy.
• Marketing is storytelling - not selling.
• Nostalgia is strategy.
• If it gives you butterflies, it’s worth doing.
• The right people will show up when you show up as yourself.

Connect with Shelton Wilder:

📸 Instagram: @sheltonwilderestates

🌐 Website: sheltonwildergroup.com