Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
Episode: Confidence Classic: How to Turn Adversity Into Award-Winning Success with Jayson Waller
Release Date: July 9, 2025

Introduction

In this inspiring episode of Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan, Heather welcomes Jason Waller, a three-time Entrepreneur of the Year winner and founder of Power Home Solar. Together, they delve deep into Jason's remarkable journey from humble beginnings to building a billion-dollar solar company. The episode is a treasure trove of entrepreneurial wisdom, personal resilience, and strategies to overcome adversity.

Entrepreneurial Insights and Business Strategies

Jason Waller opens the discussion with a fundamental rule for entrepreneurs: reinvest earnings back into the business and maintain frugality until achieving financial stability.

Jason Waller [00:00]: "Rule number one, when you're an entrepreneur, you're not going to make money anytime soon. And if you think you are, you're going to be out of business soon because you're pulling that money out."

He emphasizes the importance of patience and reinvestment, sharing his experience of not taking a paycheck for nearly two years while building his third and largest company.

Jason Waller [00:34]: "We built it with nobody in 2015 and lost money. But with that said, we didn't get paid for almost two years. We didn't take a paycheck. So you have to be able to be frugal."

Overcoming Adversity: Jason's Journey

Jason recounts his early struggles, moving from Arizona to North Carolina, facing social judgments, and balancing multiple jobs to support his family. Despite these challenges, his determination to avoid the pitfalls he saw in his parents' lives fueled his entrepreneurial spirit.

Jason Waller [21:22]: "I wasn't ashamed, I just felt less than. I never got upset and made excuses, but I was like, you know, that's not gonna define me."

He candidly shares his initial attempts at entrepreneurship, including a failed partnership and the lessons learned from financial setbacks and team dynamics.

Jason Waller [37:38]: "When I was doing the security company, I built it up to about 13 million in sales a year. And that was in 2012 and in 2009, during that time."

Building and Scaling Power Home Solar

Jason details the strategic decisions that propelled Power Home Solar to unprecedented heights. From merging with a competitor to adapting to market changes influenced by political climates, his ability to pivot was crucial.

Jason Waller [44:31]: "We changed to American Made panels. We saw how Trump won the election on American Made. We saw how he was going to tariff the Chinese panels coming out 50%."

This strategic shift not only doubled the company's size but also positioned it as a leader in a competitive market. Jason underscores the importance of understanding customer demographics and adapting marketing strategies accordingly.

Jason Waller [49:24]: "We've really tuned into the way we market and the way we advertise to find out and survey who our buyer is. And our buyers, the people don't like the utility company and most of them voted on the right side."

Personal Resilience and Leadership

Throughout the episode, Jason highlights the significance of personal resilience and decisive leadership. He shares his methodology of maintaining a high-performance team by continuously replacing underperformers, a strategy inspired by management philosophies like Jack Welch's.

Jason Waller [43:09]: "Sheriff said, absolutely. So that was kind of my mentality. And I got jobs, I got lucky."

Jason's commitment to accountability and excellence propelled his companies forward, even amidst financial losses and industry challenges.

The Power of Sharing and Purpose

Heather and Jason discuss the transformative power of sharing one's story and helping others overcome their challenges. Heather shares her experience of writing her book, Confidence Creator, inspired by personal adversities and the desire to empower others.

Heather Monahan [57:40]: "Don't ever let the how get in the way of your why. We know your whys. We're clear on it. We're gonna get that. We're gonna get that how going."

Jason echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the fulfillment derived from helping others through his podcast and business ventures.

Jason Waller [60:35]: "If you help one person, it doesn't matter. And we're helping. I mean, I know your stuff's helping a lot, but all the time, like your messages are great."

Navigating Modern Challenges: Media and Social Influence

The conversation shifts to the impact of media and social platforms on personal confidence and societal perceptions. Both Heather and Jason express concerns about the negative influence of social media, highlighting the importance of positive messaging.

Jason Waller [61:06]: "We saw in that documentary, it sucks you in. And that's what's going on with the world today. And it's sad because that's why what we're doing, that's why I'm bringing this full circle back, is so important to offset some of that stuff."

Call to Action and Future Endeavors

As the episode concludes, Heather challenges Jason to write a book, reinforcing the idea that stepping out of one's comfort zone leads to growth and inspiration. They both commit to releasing their books in November 2021, aiming to further empower their audiences.

Heather Monahan [64:31]: "I ask you to try to find your passion. I want to challenge you that you would commit to getting your book out that same month that I'm bringing mine out."

Jason embraces the challenge with enthusiasm, underscoring the importance of overcoming self-limiting beliefs.

Jason Waller [64:55]: "Challenge accepted. We'll figure it out."

Listener Q&A

In the Q&A segment, Heather provides actionable advice on building confidence in public speaking and overcoming self-doubt related to one's name and presence in the workplace. She encourages listeners to embrace their unique identities and leverage their experiences to add value in any setting.

Heather Monahan: "The true power that you have comes from within you. Don't ever forget that. And no one can take your power from you. Only you can accept it, step into it, and own it with the name Heather and awe."

Conclusion

This episode of Creating Confidence offers a compelling narrative of resilience, strategic thinking, and the unwavering pursuit of one's goals. Through Jason Waller's story and the insightful dialogue with Heather Monahan, listeners receive valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth. The episode serves as a testament to the power of confidence in transforming adversity into remarkable success.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Waller [00:00]: "You have to reinvest. You either need to have something saved or you need to live frugal until you break through."

• Heather Monahan [57:44]: "The true power that you have comes from within you. Don't ever forget that."

• Jason Waller [60:35]: "If you help one person, it doesn't matter. And we're helping."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, personal anecdotes, business strategies, and motivational insights shared by Heather Monahan and Jason Waller. It provides a coherent and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the episode, while retaining the depth and richness of the original conversation.