🎙️ Interesting Humans Podcast - Episode 43: From Homeless to Fortune 500 Lanyard King
Host: Jeff Hopeck
Release Date: March 13, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 43 of the Interesting Humans Podcast, host Jeff Hopeck delves into the inspiring journey of an unnamed guest who transformed his life from homelessness to establishing a Fortune 500 company specializing in badge holders and lanyards. The conversation spans personal struggles, entrepreneurial grit, innovative pivots during crises, and the importance of family and balance.

Early Life and Struggles

Origins and Childhood
The guest shares his roots, born in Missouri and moving to Oregon at a young age. He reflects on his childhood, highlighting his diverse interests and relentless drive to excel in various activities.

“I was chasing everything. I was one of those kids that just really wanted to be good at stuff... I played every sport.”
—Unnamed Guest [01:10]

Challenges at Home
Growing up as the eldest child in a family grappling with his father’s homelessness, he felt a profound responsibility not to burden his mother. This sense of duty fueled his entrepreneurial spirit from a young age.

“I didn’t want to be a burden to my mom. I want shoes, I want Reebok pumps... I figured out.”
—Unnamed Guest [22:12]

Move to Miami and Initial Music Career

Relocating for a Fresh Start
Post-college, the guest made a significant life change by moving from Oregon to Miami to escape personal upheaval. This move marked the beginning of his journey into the music industry.

“I needed to get out of Oregon and drove as far away as I possibly could and drove down to Miami.”
—Unnamed Guest [02:39]

Early Music Endeavors
In Miami, he initially pursued a career in music, joining a band that even featured in Rolling Stone magazine. However, disillusionment with the fleeting nature of one-hit wonders led him to reassess his path.

“I saw the misery and like no one cared anymore. My hopes and dreams about being a rock star kind of fell apart.”
—Unnamed Guest [03:23]

Building the Recording Studio and Father’s Redemption

Creating a Stability Base
With his brother's support and a financial boost from their father’s late-arriving Social Security benefits, they invested in a recording studio. This initiative became the cornerstone of their future entrepreneurial ventures.

“We decided to invest it in ourselves and so we started a recording studio... that changed our lives.”
—Unnamed Guest [07:34]

Reconnecting with Family
The guest recounts the emotional reunion with his father, who had previously been absent due to homelessness. This reconciliation strengthened their bond and inspired their business endeavors.

“We’re actually great friends to this day, my dad and I... he gave us about 20 or $30,000.”
—Unnamed Guest [08:12]

Pivot to E-commerce: From Badge Holders to Mask Lanyards

Entering the E-commerce Space
Facing financial challenges with the recording studio, the guest and his brother explored selling products online. They initially focused on badge holders and lanyards, leveraging platforms like eBay.

“We started selling badge holders, lanyards... we realized we could be the best in the world at it.”
—Unnamed Guest [10:46]

Inspirational Readings
Influenced by Jim Collins’ Good to Great and Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the guest adopted a mindset of specialization and excellence, which became pivotal in their business strategy.

“What can you be the best in the world at?”
—Unnamed Guest [10:46]

Impact of COVID-19 and Business Resilience

Navigating the Pandemic
The onset of COVID-19 posed significant threats to their business, primarily reliant on office environments. Instead of succumbing, they innovated by introducing mask lanyards, addressing the immediate needs of the pandemic.

“We invented mask lanyards... within a day we'd sold probably 50 packs of those things.”
—Unnamed Guest [16:14]

Rapid Growth and Challenges
The new product line skyrocketed their sales to nearly a million dollars, though logistical challenges persisted due to supply shortages.

“We hit a million in revenue... although probably close to a million.”
—Unnamed Guest [18:35]

Relationship with His Brother and Business Growth

Collaborative Dynamics
The guest praises his younger brother's leadership and visionary capabilities, emphasizing their complementary skills that have been crucial for the company's growth and stability.

“He is this North Star leader who people follow... I credit our team and our culture.”
—Unnamed Guest [39:40]

Expansion and Diversification
Post-COVID, they expanded into higher-ticket items like ID card printers and access control systems, aiming for large-scale government contracts and corporate clients.

“We're going up to higher ticket items ... bidding on big government contracts.”
—Unnamed Guest [35:30]

Personal Life and Family

A Talented Son
The guest shares heartfelt anecdotes about his 13-year-old son, an exceptional drummer, highlighting their bond and mutual inspiration in music.

“My son is the most incredible drummer I've ever known... he drives me to be better.”
—Unnamed Guest [27:55]

Family Collaborations
Together with his brother and sister, they continue to create and release music, fostering a supportive and creative family environment.

“We still make music together... that's one of the things we've been doing.”
—Unnamed Guest [44:23]

Future Plans and Company Vision

Sustaining Growth
Facing an uncertain future for physical ID badges, the company remains agile, exploring advancements like AI integration and maintaining strong industry relationships to stay relevant.

“We're trying to keep our finger on the Pulse... exploring what's next.”
—Unnamed Guest [42:57]

Culture and Values
A strong emphasis on company culture and customer relationships underpins their strategy, ensuring the business remains passionate and customer-centric.

“Our number one highest value is we care the most.”
—Unnamed Guest [37:38]

Personal Wellness and Balance

Maintaining Balance
Beyond business, the guest prioritizes wellness through regular exercise, meditation, and gratitude journaling, striving to balance entrepreneurial demands with personal well-being.

“I work out every morning... meditate a lot.”
—Unnamed Guest [49:38]

Balancing Work and Family
He advocates for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, ensuring that entrepreneurial success does not come at the expense of family and personal passions.

“Balance is so important. We have one life to live.”
—Unnamed Guest [52:35]

Conclusion

The guest’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the enduring power of family and passion. From overcoming homelessness to pioneering a niche in the bustling e-commerce market, his journey underscores the importance of pivoting during crises, fostering strong familial bonds, and maintaining personal well-being amidst entrepreneurial pursuits. His relentless curiosity and dedication continue to drive both his personal growth and the evolution of his thriving business.

Notable Quotes:

• “What can you be the best in the world at?”
  —Unnamed Guest [10:46]

• “We kept our business alive. We kept all of our staff, we kept all of our employees.”
  —Unnamed Guest [19:31]

• “Curious is the most perfect word because there's so much hubris in thinking I know everything.”
  —Unnamed Guest [50:13]

• “Balance is so important. We have one life to live.”
  —Unnamed Guest [52:35]

This episode offers a profound look into the multifaceted life of an entrepreneur who not only built a successful business from the ground up but also nurtured meaningful relationships and maintained personal well-being throughout his journey.