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Chamber Up | A Tale of Two Entrepreneurs Championing Small Business Success

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Elton Hollis, III and Joe Tant team up for a program highlighting small businesses and fostering their growth in the local community.

In today’s fast-paced and often impersonal world, it’s refreshing to stumble upon a story that reminds us of the power of community, friendship, and giving back. Meet Elton Hollis, III and Joe Tant: two entrepreneurs with a shared vision of uplifting local businesses through their innovative “Chamber Up” Program. United by their passion for small businesses and their belief in the principle of doing for others, they’ve created a platform that’s making a real difference in their corner of the world.

The Chamber Up program partners with local chambers of commerce to highlight their members, no matter the size, and does so free of charge. The idea is to help businesses that might not have a massive marketing budget gain exposure, and in turn, thrive. Hollis and Tant recognize the importance of supporting small businesses, not only for the benefit of the business owners themselves, but also for the local economy. In fact, small businesses are often referred to as the backbone of the economy, contributing to job creation and innovation.

The roots of Chamber Up can be traced back to “Small Business Friday,” a weekly radio program Hollis and Tant started in 2019. The show, now a podcast, serves as a platform for small business owners to promote themselves and share advice. With over 3.7 million viewers and a presence on Spotify and 10 other social media sites, the program has become a go-to resource for entrepreneurs.

The dynamic duo behind Chamber Up is quite the pair. Joe Tant, a staunch advocate for small businesses and equitable access to resources, is the Vice President of Finance, Administration, and Education at The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, among other roles. Elton Hollis, III, a respected expert in business growth, safety, and training, is the owner of Hol-Tech Resources, LLC, and the General Manager of RT Technical Solutions LLC.

Tant and Hollis both bring impressive credentials to the table. Joe Tant holds a Business Law and Human Resource Management Degree from Cornell University, as well as a Bachelors of Business Administration and Marketing from Baylor University. Elton Hollis, III boasts 26 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Construction field, providing Consulting, Training, Executive Coaching, and all facets of Safety Management and Compliance services to clients in the Industrial, Commercial, and Small Business industries.

What sets Chamber Up apart is the genuine care and interest Hollis and Tant show for each business they work with. They’re not just in it for the publicity or the accolades; they’re in it because they believe in the power of small businesses to shape communities and change lives. And they’re more than willing to lend their expertise, resources, and connections to help others succeed.

Both Hollis and Tant have had their fair share of successes and recognitions in their respective fields. Elton Hollis, III has been featured on the cover of various magazines such as Global Millionaire Magazine, InLife International, and Global Elite Entrepreneur. He was also named in the Top 100 Entrepreneurs in Texas by the VT Post and received the 2022 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics Award for Microbusiness. Moreover, Hollis has published two books, “Creative Problem Solving” and “Buy Into Yourself First,” which outline successful business development tactics.

Joe Tant, on the other hand, has devoted his career to advocating for small businesses, making a name for himself as the voice of small businesses in the area. Tant currently sits on several boards and utilizes the “Small Business Friday” podcast with cohost Elton Hollis to amplify the voices of small business owners. He is also a dedicated father of three daughters, Brooke, Ariana, and Jacelyn, and a proud owner of a yellow lab named Coffee.

One of the ways Chamber Up encourages support for small businesses is through regular events and partnerships. They’re teaming up with Atmosphere, a marketing platform, to promote events in Southeast Texas that drive economic growth. Some of the upcoming events include the Southeast Texas Industrial Contractors Golf Tournament on October 6th, 2023, and the Chamber Up Program with the Vidor Chamber of Commerce and the Sour Lake Chamber of Commerce.

And they have a simple yet powerful message for people who want to support small businesses: Shop locally and commit to doing one small thing for a favored business each week. It could be as simple as making a purchase, writing a review, or giving the business a shout-out on social media. Supporting small businesses each week will not only give you peace of mind but will help the owners and the economy.

Hollis and Tant are shining examples of what can happen when people come together to create something bigger than themselves. The Chamber Up program is not just about promoting businesses; it’s about cultivating a community where entrepreneurs can support one another, share their stories, and grow together. By working with local chambers of commerce, they foster an environment where small businesses can access the resources, advice, and networks that will help them prosper.

The “Small Business Friday!” podcast, which forms the foundation of the Chamber Up program, is a treasure trove of valuable insights for entrepreneurs. Featuring interviews with local business owners, experts, and advocates, the podcast delves into a wide range of topics, from marketing and finance to management and growth strategies. With each episode, Hollis and Tant continue to build a strong community of small business supporters and inspire others to join their cause.

In addition to their work with Chamber Up, both Hollis and Tant are also deeply involved in various philanthropic and community-building activities. For instance, Elton Hollis, III is a co-founder of the Golden Triangle Industrial Group and Vice Chairperson for the Contractors Business Development Group, both of which aim to promote business growth by providing project information to local companies. Meanwhile, Joe Tant serves as the Executive Director of The Port Arthur Education Foundation and the Managing Partner of Southeast Texas Business Referral Group, further demonstrating his commitment to the betterment of the community.

In their personal lives, both Hollis and Tant are dedicated to their families and hobbies. Elton Hollis, III enjoys exploring the Texas Hill Country on hiking trails and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He’s even written a song titled “Kirbyville,” which describes his youth growing up in small-town Texas and how it relates to his life now. Joe Tant, a loving father and dog owner, also cherishes the moments spent with his family and friends.

The Chamber Up program is a testament to the power of collaboration, community, and the human spirit. By dedicating themselves to the success of small businesses, Elton Hollis, III and Joe Tant have created a lasting impact that will continue to resonate for years to come.

To learn more about Chamber Up and the “Small Business Friday!” podcast, check out the following links:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@smallbusinessfriday6102
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6tV2UBprNnW3iF4uMieBjo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessFriday/

This article contains branded content provided by a third party. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the content creator or sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or editorial stance of Popular Hustle.

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Ali Alhamed Is Proof That You Don’t Need to Choose Between Wealth and Faith

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Ali Alhamed Is Proof That You Don't Need to Choose Between Wealth and Faith

Abu Dhabi, UAE – In a digital era crowded with financial gurus and flashy promises, Ali Alhamed stands out as a refreshing voice of integrity and purpose. With a mission to promote halal investing, the Emirati content creator has built a loyal community of over 800,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube — and has helped guide more than 40,000 people on their journey toward ethical financial independence.

Ali’s platform isn’t just about numbers — it’s about values. With a firm belief that financial success shouldn’t come at the cost of faith or ethics, Ali produces daily content that simplifies investing, entrepreneurship, and money management in ways that resonate with young Muslims across the Arab world and beyond.

“I believe success in this life and the next can go hand in hand,” says Ali. “That’s why I teach halal investing — so people can grow their wealth while staying true to their beliefs.”

His influence spans much more than social media. From real estate tips and stock market education to launching his own course titled “Mastering Halal Investing,” Ali’s work is empowering a new generation of investors who are both financially savvy and spiritually grounded.

Ali’s journey hasn’t been without challenges — but it’s his transparency and resilience that continue to inspire thousands. His story is a testament to how purpose-driven content can spark real-world impact, especially in communities where financial literacy has long been overlooked.

With upcoming plans to expand into global financial education and community building, Ali Alhamed is not just shaping portfolios — he’s shaping mindsets.

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From $300-a-Month Seamstress to Tang Heritage Luxury Icon—The Rise of Hua Ziyan

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Hua Ziyan

Hua Ziyan spent decades stitching other people’s clothes for less than $300 a month. Today, at 78, her handcrafted bags are coveted by collectors from Singapore to New York, selling out within hours.

It’s a transformation that nobody—least of all Hua herself—saw coming.

Born in 1946 in a modest farming village in southern China, Hua learned to sew out of necessity. By age nine, she’d mastered basic stitching because her family had little, and sewing meant survival. At fifteen, she began working in garment factories, earning less than $300 monthly while living in dormitories with ten other women.

For nearly five decades, this was her life. Eighteen-hour shifts under fluorescent lights, stitching uniforms and basic wear, repeating the same seams thousands of times. She slept in shared spaces and worked under constant demand for low wages.

But even during those grueling factory years, Hua was different. In her rare free moments, she’d work on something else—intricate embroidery inspired by the regal robes she’d seen on noblewomen, pieces she could never afford. She wasn’t sewing for attention; she was preserving what beauty looked like to her.

The turning point came in her early 60s. Instead of retiring, Hua made a bold decision: she stopped taking factory jobs and returned to embroidery. Not mass-produced work, but precise, symbolic pieces that blended imperial motifs with modern bag structures. Using techniques she’d developed over decades, she created her first structured embroidered bag—not for sale, but for herself.

For over a decade, she worked in silence, creating one bag at a time and storing them in a locked wooden chest. When people asked what she was doing, her response was simple: “I’m making something that will last longer than me.”

That’s when Tang Heritage discovered her in 2009. The luxury brand didn’t ask her to design something trendy—they simply asked her to continue doing what she’d always done: create with care.

The result was the Tang Red Collection, which ran from 2012 to 2022. These weren’t just bags; they became what collectors call “modern heirlooms.” Each piece featured hand-embroidery by Hua or her personally trained team, built with proprietary techniques that allowed fabric to hold shape like leather.

What sets her work apart is the relentless attention to detail. Hua once spent 47 hours on a single embroidered motif, only to discard it because one line drifted by less than a hair’s width. Her bags carry no logos or marketing gimmicks—just precision, depth, and design rooted in a life of quiet mastery.

Today, her bags are treasured across the globe, with some reselling at four times their original price. What began as survival stitching in factory dormitories has become legend.

Hua Ziyan didn’t climb fashion’s traditional ladder. She rewrote the story entirely, proving that true luxury comes not from marketing campaigns, but from decades of patient craftsmanship. You can learn more about her work and Tang Heritage’s commitment to preserving traditional artistry.

From factory floors to collector showcases—sometimes the most extraordinary journeys begin with the simplest tools: a needle, thread, and unwavering dedication to doing every stitch right.

Learn more about Tang Heritage and the Red Collection, here.

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Daniel Hartnett Is Making Hip-Hop Beats More Accessible Than Ever

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Daniel Hartnett / Corporatethief Beats

When Daniel Hartnett first heard the term “corporate thief” in a Michael Moore documentary during the 2007-2008 financial crisis, he had no idea it would become the foundation of his music career. What started as a casual YouTube channel name has become something much bigger—a go-to spot where struggling hip-hop artists can actually find affordable beats without getting ripped off.

Hartnett’s path to hip-hop production wasn’t conventional. Growing up in Ireland, his mother encouraged him to explore various instruments, from the tin whistle and accordion to keyboards and guitar. At 13, he formed a grunge band with friends, teaching himself guitar and developing what he didn’t yet realize was a natural musical ear.

“I was all about grunge and barely gave any other genre a chance,” Hartnett recalls. Everything changed when his college friend Mike handed him a laptop loaded with FL Studio and introduced him to Kid Cudi’s debut mixtape, “A Kid Named Cudi.”

That single moment completely shifted his musical world. Cudi’s vulnerable, honest approach to hip-hop hit different—it felt genuine in a way that resonated with people his age. Combined with Kanye West’s “808s & Heartbreak,” these influences began reshaping how Hartnett thought about making music.

The switch from acoustic performer to beat maker wasn’t planned. Before long, he was uploading type beats like mainstream rappers, along with trap beats and pop instrumentals, to YouTube under the alias “The Corporatethief Beats.” He’s always been fascinated by stories of white-collar crime—documentaries like American Greed or films like Wall Street really influenced his branding. That’s why you’ll find beat packs and mixtapes on his site with names like Greed I$ Good, Money Never Sleeps, and Anacott Steel.

What gives Hartnett an edge in today’s crowded beat-making world is something many producers don’t have—he can actually play instruments. While most rely entirely on software, his years of playing everything from tin whistle to guitar taught him how melody and harmony actually work.

“Having a musical ear gives me a definite edge,” he explains. “Many beginner producers struggle to tell when a note is off or when two sounds clash. That intuitive understanding has saved me countless hours in the studio.”

His creative process always starts with a concept. Whether it’s a specific mood, an artist he wants to channel, or just a moment he’s trying to capture, Hartnett needs that spark before he can stay focused and inspired.

After teaching himself the basics, Hartnett decided to get serious about his craft. He studied Music Technology at Galway Technical Institute, then moved to Dublin for the Academy of Sound, where he learned proper studio techniques with Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and actual analog equipment. By 2015, he had a four-year Higher Diploma and the technical chops to back up his natural talent.

These days, 99% of his beats happen in Logic Pro—he just loves how it works. When he’s engineering for bands, though, he switches to Pro Tools since that’s what most professional studios expect. Having both skills means he can work on whatever project comes his way.

Here’s where Hartnett saw a real problem: independent artists were getting screwed by beat licensing. Basic leases cost $50-$100, often with confusing contracts and multiple pricing tiers that didn’t make sense. Artists would buy a beat, then discover they needed to pay more for different usage rights.

His answer was Rap Beat Packs—bundles with anywhere from 10 to 150 beats covering trap, boom bap, drill, and pop. Every beat comes with unlimited licensing for one price. No fine print, no upsells, no surprises.

“Producers these days tend to overcomplicate things with five or six different license tiers,” Hartnett notes. “I’ve tried to make everything simple, clear, and affordable for serious artists.”

Beyond making beats, Hartnett has become something of a teacher. His “Rap Lyricist’s Handbook” runs over 250 pages, packed with real advice on writing, recording, and marketing music. It includes QR codes for bonus content and works more like a reference guide than something you’d read straight through.

His website has become the place artists go when they need help—beat packs, production tools, marketing courses, ebooks, and blog posts that actually explain how to get your music heard. It’s designed for artists who want to build real careers, not just chase viral moments.

Hartnett has worked with artists like Kid Berg, Sam May, and Ricky T, plus collaborated with producers like Lazy Rida Beats. His dream team? Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Drake—the three artists who basically shaped his entire approach to music.

His advice for aspiring creatives gets straight to the point: learn to market yourself, ignore sketchy promo deals, and don’t be ashamed of having a day job. Most importantly, stop obsessing over numbers that don’t matter.

“Stop obsessing over likes, views, and vanity metrics,” Hartnett says. “Focus on making genuine connections and building a fanbase that actually cares about your music. That’s how real growth happens.”

While the hip-hop world keeps changing, Hartnett stays focused on what matters—making quality beats and helping independent artists succeed. He doesn’t get caught up in who’s-the-greatest debates or industry drama.

His real message to struggling artists? “Stay grounded. This industry will test you, especially if you’re selling beats online. Just keep showing up, stay focused, and always keep learning.”

For more information about The Corporatethief Beats and available resources, visit the official website or follow on YouTube and X/Twitter.

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