he specter of personal bankruptcy looms over our world.

When you buy your first business, the loan is typically personally guaranteed, which means the bank can come after you for everything if you default.

This is a possible outcome, and a chilling one.

Well today's guest experienced bankruptcy before he bought his now-business.

Jeff Velker was generous in his transparency with me, sharing what it was like to endure that back in 2011.

But what's so optimistic about Jeff's story is that he clawed his way back, re-established his finances & his career, and about 10 years later, took another chance on himself and acquired a pen maker.

Today he is the CEO and co-owner of Retro 51, a pen business that will generate $4m in revenue this year.

And Jeff believes sales can grow into the 8 figures in the years ahead.

Here is Jeff Velker, co-owner of Retro 51.