In this episode of The Host City Hustle Podcast, DaniMarie sits down with LinkedIn and AI expert Al Kushner to break down how small businesses can use LinkedIn as a powerful search engine to attract partners, sponsors, and opportunities ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From profile optimization to AI-driven content and outreach, this conversation delivers practical strategies business owners can apply right now.

Guest info:

linkedin.com/in/al-kushner

calendly.com/alkushner/speaker-interest (Other)

AlKushnerSpeaks.com (Company)

Host City Hustle: https://hostcityhustle.com

IG: @hostcityhustle https://www.instagram.com/hostcityhustle/

Business Planner: https://hostcityhustle.com/ai-planner

Who referred you? https://www.honeybook.com/widget/plan_to_podcast_278832/cf_id/691bfd475fffb60035917a7a

• 00:00–00:30 Introduction & guest welcome (Al Kushner, LinkedIn & AI expert)
• 00:30–01:30 What the AI LinkedIn Advantage is and why LinkedIn matters
• 01:30–02:20 Why LinkedIn feels intimidating—and why it shouldn’t
• 02:20–03:30 LinkedIn as a free, non–pay-to-play growth platform
• 03:30–04:30 Using LinkedIn as a search engine for sponsors & partners
• 04:30–05:45 How small businesses can prepare for the World Cup using LinkedIn
• 05:45–06:45 Profile optimization basics: headlines, keywords, visuals
• 06:45–07:30 FIFA 2026 impact on host cities like Miami
• 07:30–08:30 Tourism, local economies, and business opportunities
• 08:30–09:30 Who Al works with and industries seeing the most demand
• 09:30–10:15 Financial & legal professionals as LinkedIn thought leaders
• 10:15–10:50 Sponsor shoutout: Prosperity Abundance
• 10:50–11:30 How to connect with Al + free LinkedIn audit resource
• 11:30–End Final thoughts & call to action

Host City Hustle: https://hostcityhustle.com

IG: @hostcityhustle

Custom GPT: https://hostcityhustle.com/ai-planner

Referral: https://www.honeybook.com/widget/plan_to_podcast_278832/cf_id/691bfd475fffb60035917a7a

HOSTS

Aharon Goins — https://www.linkedin.com/in/aharon-goins/

DaniMarie Perkins — https://www.linkedin.com/in/itisidanimarie/

SPONSORS

Prosperity Abundance — prosperity-abundance.com

Black Box — intro.blackboxfranchising.com/danielleperkins

• LinkedIn marketing for small businesses
• AI content strategy
• World Cup 2026 business readiness

In this impromptu solo episode, DaniMarie pivots from a postponed webinar to thank the global Host City Hustle audience and break down how small business owners can position themselves for the FIFA World Cup across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. She also unpacks the controversy around FIFA awarding Donald Trump the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize, framing it as a strategic move tied to global travel, operations, and economic impact.

Host City Hustle: https://hostcityhustle.com

IG: @hostcityhustle https://www.instagram.com/hostcityhustle/

Business Planner: https://hostcityhustle.com/ai-planner

Who referred you? https://www.honeybook.com/widget/plan_to_podcast_278832/cf_id/691bfd475fffb60035917a7a

Host City Hustle: https://hostcityhustle.com

IG: @hostcityhustle

Custom GPT: https://hostcityhustle.com/ai-planner

Referral: https://www.honeybook.com/widget/plan_to_podcast_278832/cf_id/691bfd475fffb60035917a7a

HOSTS

Aharon Goins — https://www.linkedin.com/in/aharon-goins/

DaniMarie Perkins — https://www.linkedin.com/in/itisidanimarie/

SPONSORS

Prosperity Abundance — prosperity-abundance.com

Black Box — intro.blackboxfranchising.com/danielleperkins

00:00 – Impromptu episode, pivot from planned webinar & shoutout to listeners

01:03 – Global audience recognition & World Cup opportunity for small businesses

02:00 – Marketing strategy focus + directing listeners to HostCityHustle.com

03:18 – FIFA backlash over Trump receiving the first FIFA Peace Prize

04:00 – Strategic interpretation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s decision

05:30 – Why this replaces Throwback Thursday & invitation to audience discussion

06:10 – Behind-the-scenes roles, accelerator programs, and weekly meetups

07:00 – Call to engage, cross-promote with sports podcasters, and upcoming events

07:47 – Closing, mom-life moment, and e-book pre-order reminder

FIFA World Cup 2026

Small Business Strategy

Sports Business & Marketing

SEO expert Peter Kalanda breaks down how small businesses can capture World Cup 2026 traffic before global fans land in U.S. cities. He shares tactical SEO moves, Google optimization strategies, and AI insights that local brands can implement immediately. This episode matters because early adopters in host cities like Los Angeles will earn massive visibility and revenue as billions tune in and millions travel for FIFA 2026.

Guest Site: https://siteauditnow.com

Host City Hustle: https://hostcityhustle.com

IG: @hostcityhustle https://www.instagram.com/hostcityhustle/

Business Planner: https://hostcityhustle.com/ai-planner

Who referred you? https://www.honeybook.com/widget/plan_to_podcast_278832/cf_id/691bfd475fffb60035917a7a

00:00 — Peter Kalanda joins Host City Hustle

02:30 — From immigrant roots to leading a digital agency

04:10 — Scaling a company from $300K to $3M using SEO fundamentals

05:55 — World Cup 2026 impact and why small businesses must prepare now

07:40 — Google My Business tactics for host cities

09:20 — Keywords, hashtags, and social strategy differences

11:00 — How long SEO really takes and where quick wins appear

13:15 — Why waiting until spring is too late for World Cup optimization

15:00 — AI’s real role in SEO and why businesses still need experts

18:45 — World Cup partnerships, local collaborations, and city opportunities

Host City Hustle: https://hostcityhustle.com

IG: @hostcityhustle

Custom GPT: https://hostcityhustle.com/ai-planner

Referral: https://www.honeybook.com/widget/plan_to_podcast_278832/cf_id/691bfd475fffb60035917a7a

HOSTS

Aharon Goins — https://www.linkedin.com/in/aharon-goins/

DaniMarie Perkins — https://www.linkedin.com/in/itisidanimarie/

SPONSORS

Prosperity Abundance — prosperity-abundance.com

Black Box — intro.blackboxfranchising.com/danielleperkins

🔑

World Cup SEO | Los Angeles business marketing | FIFA 2026 strategy

If you’re coming to Seattle for the World Cup, Off The Rez belongs at the top of your food list. This iconic Native-owned food truck and café has been serving handmade frybread and Blackfeet-inspired dishes since 2011. Today, we’re sharing the story behind the brand and why this cultural gem is a can’t-miss stop during your Seattle trip.

https://featurefriday.com

Web: https://www.offthereztruck.com

Facebook: / offtherez

Twitter: ht@OffTheRezTruck

Instagram: @OffTheRez

Please, like, comment, subscribe

Visit us at https://featureup.com

This Throwback Thursday episode blends key insights from Paul Long, Cedric Austin, and Linus of Bravo Zulu Security on what it truly takes to prepare for FIFA 2026. From early planning and contracting opportunities to fan-zone operations and safety, this short episode delivers the essentials every business should know before the crowds arrive. Consider this your early warning — and your advantage.

Visit the website :https://hostcityhustle.com/ai-planner

Subscribe to the newsletter: Host City Hustle | Substack

If you love the insights in this mashup, make sure you go back and hear each guest’s full conversation:

Paul — Host City Hustle Ep 10: Funding Programs Seattle Small Businesses Should Use Before FIFA 2026

Linus — EHost City Hustle EP 4: From Military Service to Small Business —Bravo Zulu on Securing the World Cup

Cedric — Host City Hustle Ep 7: FIFA 2026 Opportunities: Cedric Austin on Contracts & Fan Zones

Each episode goes deeper into their strategies, stories, and World Cup readiness tips — and this mashup will hit even harder once you hear the full context.

Keywords: World Cup 2026, small business readiness, partnerships, team building, collaboration, Seattle, FIFA opportunities, revenue growth, community connections, business development.

00:00 – 00:41 — Intro

00:41 – 02:15 — Paul Long on planning + capital readiness

02:15 – 05:12 — Cedric Austin on fan zones + contracting

05:12 – 07:10 — Linus (Bravo Zulu Security) on safety + operations

07:10 – 07:45 — Outro

FIFA 2026, Small Business, Preparation

Seattle SBA expert Paul Long breaks down how small businesses can prepare now for the economic wave arriving with FIFA 2026. He shares insights on funding, personal branding, and strategic planning that local entrepreneurs need to stay competitive. This episode matters because businesses that prepare early stand to capture massive foot traffic, tourism dollars, and long-term growth opportunities during the World Cup.

00:00 — Welcome to Host City Hustle + Seattle World Cup framing

02:00 — Paul Long’s background in SBA lending and personal branding

04:45 — How questions become content: building an impactful digital presence

07:10 — Why small businesses must prepare early for the FIFA 2026 surge

09:00 — What “good planning” vs. “poor planning” looks like for entrepreneurs

11:15 — SCORE, SBDC, and key partnerships supporting World Cup readiness

13:20 — Paul’s 28-year journey in banking and community lending

17:00 — Economic challenges: staffing, shutdowns, and scaling responsibly

20:30 — Resetting your business: how to start over the right way

22:55 — What banks look for: requirements for funding and being “coachable”

Host City Hustle: https://hostcityhustle.com

IG: @hostcityhustle

Business planner: Host City Hustle | Where Hustle Meets the World Stage

Who referred you?

HOSTS:

Aharon Goins — https://www.linkedin.com/in/aharon-goins/

DaniMarie Perkins — https://www.linkedin.com/in/itisidanimarie/

SPONSORS

Prosperity Abundance — prosperity-abundance.com

Black Box —intro.blackboxfranchising.com/danielleperkins

Guest Website: paultlong.com

Seattle SBA funding | FIFA 2026 business prep | Seattle small business strategy

In Episode 9, Aaron sits down with Kerry Williams, founder of U Family, to talk about how nonprofits and youth leadership programs can gear up for the massive opportunities coming with World Cup 2026. Kerry shares how his Tacoma-based organization uses college tours, financial literacy, after-school programs, and stadium fundraising at Lumen Field & T-Mobile Park to prepare young people for real-world careers — and how nonprofits can leverage the same systems to secure contracts and build revenue during the World Cup surge.

Connect w/ Kerry : (3) Facebook

Visit the website :https://hostcityhustle.com/ai-planner

Subscribe to the newsletter: Host City Hustle | Substack

This episode is essential for nonprofits, youth programs, small business owners, and anyone positioning themselves for Seattle’s upcoming World Cup boom.

Keywords: World Cup 2026, Seattle, Tacoma nonprofits, youth development, stadium fundraising, volunteer programs, small business readiness, food truck business, FIFA opportunities.

In this mashup episode, Deanna, Kia, and Daniel break down the real game-changer for World Cup 2026: people, partnerships, and preparation. From building the right team, to cross-pollinating with nearby businesses, to forming strategic partnerships that boost revenue long after the World Cup, this episode gives small businesses the blueprint for scaling through collaboration. Perfect for entrepreneurs, local operators, and anyone preparing for FIFA 2026.

Visit the website :https://hostcityhustle.com/ai-planner

Subscribe to the newsletter: Host City Hustle | Substack

If you love the insights in this mashup, make sure you go back and hear each guest’s full conversation:

• Deanna — Episode 3: Pre-Marketing Before the World Arrives
• Daniel — Episode 5: Building Generational Wealth & World Cup Readiness
• Kia — Episode 6: How Small Businesses Win at FIFA 2026

Each episode goes deeper into their strategies, stories, and World Cup readiness tips — and this mashup will hit even harder once you hear the full context.

Keywords: World Cup 2026, small business readiness, partnerships, team building, collaboration, Seattle, FIFA opportunities, revenue growth, community connections, business development.