Podcast
Million Dollar Relationships
Hosted by Kevin Thompson · EN
Have you ever been introduced to a person that completely changed the course of your business or your life… so much so, that much of what you have today wouldn't be possible, if not for this person?
Each week on The Million Dollar Relationships Podcast, your host Kevin Thompson interviews successful entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs as they share their personal stories and experience around this very question.
Your invitation is to have a seat at the head of the table as they honor and introduce you to the most valuable people in their lives and remind us that relationship capital is the most valuable asset we possess.
Each week you'll be inspired and motivated to intentionally create more meaningful, rewarding and profitable relationships in your life so that together we can make a far bigger impact in this world.
55episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Taking the Shot That Opened the Door with Susanne Sandler
6d ago00:37:11Tap to summarizeWhat if every door that ever opened for you started with a message you almost didn't send? In this episode, Susanne Sandler, SVP and GM of Fintech at Mews, a $2.5 billion global hotel technology company, shares how a bold application as a college sophomore led her into the office of the CFO of Merrill Lynch, and how a cold message to a keynote speaker years later led to six years working alongside the future CEO of Booking Holdings. Susanne runs the fintech division at Mews, which accounts for 75% of company revenue. But the principles that drive how she leads trace back to two men who saw her potential before she did, and to one simple belief: you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. [00:03:48] What She Does and Who She Serves SVP and GM of Fintech at Mews, a $2.5 billion global vertical SaaS company Mews calls itself the operating system for modern hotels Runs the fintech business, which is about 75% of company revenue [00:04:30] Who Mews Serves Serves everything from small mom and pop hotels to large global chains Partnerships with Best Western, Choice, and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association AHOA members make up about 60% of US hotels [00:05:30] What Inspires Her Travel is where people have their most memorable experiences Most people name a trip when asked about their best moments of the year Mews removes the manual work so hotels can focus on the guest experience [00:06:48] How She Got Here Started her career in financial services and investing in financial companies Won her undergraduate business plan competition and launched a tech startup in New York The last 12 to 13 years have been focused on travel tech and fintech Says she feels lucky every day doing work that combines both passions [00:08:17] Client Impact: The Multi-Currency Win Launched a product letting hotels offer FX services to guests Guests can lock in their price in their own currency Hotels now earn markup revenue that previously went to banks and card networks Some hotels cover the full cost of all their Mews services from this product alone [00:10:52] AI at Mews: Thoughtful, Not Trendy Building a semantic data layer combining guest, property, and payments data The goal is better insights and experiences, not just cutting headcount Early results from the approach have been incredible [00:12:11] The Vision for Fintech at Mews Wants to build a holistic financial suite for hotels Expanding beyond payments into accounts, loans, and supplier payments Everything is deeply embedded and connected to hotel data [00:13:27] Why Hospitality Is Underserved Hotels have seasonal cash flow that banks struggle to understand Mews holds all bookings data plus a revenue management system That gives a full forward-looking picture of the business Underwriting becomes far easier than a bank reading old financial statements [00:15:08] The First Relationship That Changed Everything Saw an internship posting at NYU Stern for the CFO of Merrill Lynch Assumed it couldn't be the real CFO; applied anyway Walked in thinking worst case she meets someone impressive, best case she gets the job A short-term role became over two years with growing hours and responsibility [00:17:54] What She Learned from Him Finding people who believe in you and see your potential is everything Learned resilience by working under constant high-pressure stakes He was precise and held her fully accountable for her numbers People still compliment her composure; she credits that early training [00:20:24] Treating Every Human with Respect Watched him treat the person cleaning his office the same as a head of state He did it because it was right, not for gain That taught her the kind of person she wanted to become as she grew senior [00:21:31] How He Set Her Up After College He opened doors to meetings with teams across Merrill Lynch She still had to prove herself and work the grueling hours Landed a role investing in equity, debt, and early fintech companies That first role set the tone for the next 20 years [00:25:02] What Makes Mentorship Actually Work Both sides have to invest in the relationship Assigned mentorships often fail; organic ones tend to succeed Nobody owes you anything; it is all give and take [00:26:13] The Second Relationship: Glenn Fogel Saw Glenn deliver a keynote at a conference in 2013 and was blown away He told the story of rebuilding Priceline after the dot-com crash The company is now Booking Holdings with a $135 billion market cap [00:28:18] The Cold Message That Changed Her Career Reached out just to tell him the presentation was incredible He responded, they talked, and he ended up hiring her She worked with him and his team for over six years [00:29:08] What She Learned from Glenn <li dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt;" ar...
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The Golf Bag That Led to 2,500 Employee Owners with Bob Whalen
1w ago00:33:26Tap to summarizeWhat if the most important introduction of your career started with raking a sand bunker? In this episode, Bob Whalen, CEO of HB Global and author of Beyond Your Ownership, shares how a 112-year-old mechanical contracting company in Central Pennsylvania became one of the most powerful examples of employee ownership in America. Today HB Global has 2,500 employee owners, over $215 million in value sitting in Pennsylvania employee accounts, and a mission that Bob describes simply: serve the employees who own the company. None of it would have happened without a caddy job at a golf tournament 40 years ago, a board member named Mark Caldwell who came to Bob unsolicited, and a high school football coach who made a phone call he never had to make. [00:06:00] What He Does and Who He Serves CEO of HB Global, an employee-owned holding company of mechanical contracting and service businesses Serves HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and construction clients across commercial and residential sectors Primary mission is serving the 2,500 employees who own the company through an ESOP [00:09:00] How He Got Here Came out of his MBA in 2004 wanting to lead a business like a sports team Got an opportunity to join H.B. McClure, a 94-year-old iconic company in Central Pennsylvania Joined in April 2008; didn't know yet that the recession had already started Bought a minority interest and used business cash flows to acquire the rest [00:11:00] The ESOP Discovery Looking for tax efficiency in the ownership transition led him to employee stock ownership plans In October 2010, sold the business to an ESOP trust; it changed his entire professional mission The median ESOP balance for employees who were there in 2010 is now over half a million dollars Over $215 million in value now sits in accounts of people living in Pennsylvania communities [00:12:00] The Book and the Mission Wrote Beyond Your Ownership to create awareness for business owners planning succession Ten million businesses are expected to need a succession plan over the next decade Selling back to employees keeps jobs local, builds community wealth, and preserves legacy Most sellers become disenchanted after selling; an ESOP keeps the legacy and culture intact [00:19:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Mark Caldwell Forty years ago, Bob caddied for his father-in-law and his partner at a golf tournament That partner was Mark Caldwell, who 20 years later sat on the board of H.B. McClure Mark came to Bob unsolicited and asked if he would be interested in the succession of the company That one invitation, which started on a golf course, had the biggest professional impact of Bob's life [00:22:00] What That Relationship Taught Him Relationships are built over long periods of time; short-term effort creates long-term results Bob gave more than he received throughout the relationship; Mark gave back far more than Bob ever gave Most things in life come from a disciplined, consistent approach over a long period of time His whole philosophy: give more than you receive [00:23:00] The Second Relationship: Coach Ray Erdy and Coach Bob Craig A local high school football coach reached out unsolicited to William and Mary on Bob's behalf Bob was injured most of his senior year; there wasn't much film on him, but the coach believed in him anyway His wrestling coach Bob Craig lived the same philosophy: helped any athlete who wanted his help His daughter's pole vault coach did the same; it taught Bob that giving freely is both right and rewarding [00:28:00] How to Get Involved with ESOPs Companies can either start their own ESOP or sell to an existing one like HB Global Setting up your own ESOP costs multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars and roughly $75,000 to $100,000 a year to operate There is no size threshold for selling to an existing ESOP; HB Global has acquired companies with as few as two to five employees Website is hb-global.com; Bob makes himself available to any owner interested in employee ownership KEY QUOTES "Give more than you receive. Mark showed me that. If you figure that out early, it leads to a lot of good things down the road." - Bob Whalen "I've never turned down an introduction from a good friend. In my 56 years, not one time." - Bob Whalen CONNECT WITH BOB WHALEN Website: https://www.hb-global.com Book: https://a.co/d/0i8Xi6Rg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-whalen-4023a21b Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher
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The Best Mistake I Ever Made with Ryan Lee
2w ago00:35:30Tap to summarizeWhat if the two words you never meant to say turned out to be the most important words of your life? In this episode, Ryan Lee, founder of Wealth Outside Wall Street and author of Retire in 10 Years or Less, shares how losing most of his net worth in 2008 led him to discover a completely different way of thinking about money. He retired at 34, not because he was rich, but because he had built enough cash flow from 17 rental properties to walk away from a job he never wanted. The moment came when his boss Rob showed up unexpectedly to offer him more territory. Ryan was sitting there mentally counting his cash flow when Rob asked if he was ready. Without thinking, he said "I quit." He spent the next decade teaching over 3,000 people to do the same. [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder of Wealth Outside Wall Street, helping driven individuals take control of their money Serves entrepreneurs, business owners, and freedom seekers who want more control over their time Believes money's greatest value is giving people more options with their time [00:06:00] How He Got Here Dropped out of high school; came back at 23 and finished a four-year degree in two Moved to Arizona for his first corporate job; opened his first paycheck and nearly quit on the spot Was making less as a college grad than he was as a self-employed hustler paying his way through school Decided to climb the corporate ladder instead; 2008 changed everything [00:09:00] The 2008 Wake-Up Call Watched his net worth drop from $100,000 to $28,000 at the bottom of the crash Realized he had no control over the outcome of what he was investing in Saw people 20 to 30 years ahead of him watching their retirements melt away Decided he had to find a completely different way to think about money [00:11:00] The Books That Changed His Paradigm Picked up Rich Dad Poor Dad after 2008; the phrase "savers are losers" hit him like a slap Found Creating Wealth by Robert Allen with a subtitle promising retirement in 10 years The strategy was simple: buy two single-family homes a year for 10 years That concept filled the void Kiyosaki opened and gave him a concrete path forward [00:14:00] The Day He Quit Was managing the Denver territory for a medical equipment company when his boss Rob showed up unexpectedly Rob offered him three additional territories; more road, more travel, more time away from family While Rob was talking, Ryan was mentally adding up his cash flow from 17 rental properties Rob asked if he was ready; Ryan looked up and said "I quit" without planning to [00:17:00] The First Client Who Started It All: Dr. Wes Brown A week after quitting, a doctor he used to sell equipment to called and asked how he did it Sat with him at his kitchen table and mapped out what he would do if he were in his position Eighteen months later Dr. Brown quit medicine and has been singing in his choir ever since That one conversation led to 3,000 clients; Dr. Brown started sending referrals immediately [00:21:00] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Russell Brunson After three years and 250 clients, wanted to reach more people but had no idea how to go online Read Dotcom Secrets in 18 hours; it was a manual for everything he wanted but didn't know how to do Found out Brunson was hosting an event in San Diego in 10 days; bought tickets and showed up Paid $25,000 to join his inner circle; says the return has been 10x what he ever paid [00:25:00] The Second and Third Relationships: Robert Allen and Robert Kiyosaki Hosted a live event and decided to invite the two authors who had shaped his entire philosophy Used mutual friend Randy Garn to connect with Robert Allen; got to Kiyosaki through another connection Gave them both lifetime achievement awards on stage; Allen said it was the most fulfilled he had ever felt by writing a book Allen co-authored his new book Retire in 10 Years or Less; Kiyosaki wrote the foreword [00:32:00] Final Word: Mindset, Skillset, Network The three best investments anyone can make are mindset, skillset, and network Mindset determines what you can see; upgrade your paradigm and new possibilities appear A strong network means you always have someone to call when things get hard or when things are great Be the kind of person others call in a crisis; that is the greatest form of leverage you can have KEY QUOTES "Money's greatest intrinsic value is to give each one of us more control over our time and more options with what we do with that time." - Ryan Lee "Mindset, skillset, network. Those are the three best investments you can ever make." - Ryan Lee CONNECT WITH RYAN LEE Website: https://www.wealthoutsidewallstreet.com Book: https://www.retirein10years.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-d-lee-31838b304 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.d.lee.50 Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher
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The Soccer Club Chairman Who Changed Everything with Kieran Corbett
2w ago00:23:56Tap to summarizeWhat if the person who shaped your entire career was someone you met on a soccer pitch at university? In this episode, Kieran Corbett, venture capital professional at StudioVC in New York, shares how a 13-year career in futures trading, a soccer club chairmanship at university, and one chance encounter at an event in New York led him to the second chapter of his career in early-stage venture capital. Kieran grew up watching his brother build Wayflyer, an Irish unicorn, from the inside. He watched a mentor named Kieran Nestor walk into any room and connect with anyone. Those two relationships didn't just shape who Kieran became. They pointed him directly toward the career he is building today. [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Works at StudioVC, a seed-stage VC fund based in New York City Invests in B2B SaaS, enterprise AI, and fintech founders post-product and post-revenue Serves both founders looking for capital and investors looking to deploy it [00:06:00] How He Got Here: From Futures Trading to Venture Capital Started as a futures trader at Positive Equity in Dublin at 23 Traded a wide variety of products for 13 years; moved to New York in 2016 Started angel investing on the side while still trading Made the full move to venture capital in September 2024 [00:08:00] Finding StudioVC Joined the Venture Institute accelerator to build knowledge of the VC industry Got a residency placement at Geek Ventures, a fund investing in immigrant founders Met StudioVC principal Toby McCoy at an event; discovered they shared an investment in Wayflyer After several meetings over the following year, joined the team [00:10:00] What Inspires Him Loves being on the journey with founders as they grow and face challenges Finds it deeply satisfying to make introductions that unlock new doors for companies Sees AI as one of the most exciting spaces in early-stage investing right now [00:11:00] Client Impact: Helping Founders Raise Their First Capital Has introduced founders to investors who were the right fit for what they were building Raising capital at the seed stage is one of the hardest things a first-time founder can do Getting the right people in the room can be the single biggest unlock for an early company [00:13:00] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Kieran Nestor Met Kieran Nestor through the UCC soccer club in Cork when he started university in 2006 Nestor was the chairman of the alumni and the first real entrepreneur Kieran had ever met Took Kieran under his wing, gave him enormous amounts of his time, and taught him how to build relationships Twenty years later they still talk; Kieran credits him with sparking the desire to own his own destiny [00:16:00] The Second Relationship: His Brother His brother founded Wayflyer, an Irish unicorn doing revenue-based financing for e-commerce businesses Gave Kieran an inside look at what building a successful company actually looks like That relationship also created a natural alignment with StudioVC, who were investors in Wayflyer His brother's journey pointed him directly toward the private markets career he is now in [00:18:00] The Impact That Shaped Him: Chairman of the Soccer Club Nestor made him secretary of the soccer club in his second year at university The following year he became chairman; a big responsibility at a very young age The role forced him to get comfortable with public speaking and building relationships That experience put him on the path toward wanting to be in rooms where he could make an impact [00:20:00] Vision Going Forward StudioVC has two performing funds and a talented small team in New York Wants to grow the fund to invest larger amounts of capital with more great companies Excited to build relationships with the next generation of founders in AI and technology [00:22:00] Final Word: Say Yes to Everything Met Joel Strauss in Madrid through his cousin; that relationship eventually led to this podcast Encourages people starting something new to say yes to every coffee, every event, every connection Not all of them will be great, but the ones that are can send you in a direction you never expected KEY QUOTES "Say yes to everything. Not all of them will be fantastic, but the ones that are can really send you in a good direction." - Kieran Corbett "Someone who had that hunger, that drive, and was also very generous with their time for the next crop of people coming through. That gave me a lot of inspiration from a very early age." - Kieran Corbett CONNECT WITH KIERAN CORBETT Website: https://www.studio.vc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-corbett-a45b5a4 Email: kcorbett@studio.vc Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher
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When the Snow Globe Gets Shaken with Chris Rodgers
3w ago00:32:04Tap to summarizeWhat if the moment a boss dismissed your vision was the exact moment your career truly began? In this episode, Chris Rodgers, founder and CEO of CSP Agency, shares how a psychology major turned phone salesman found his way into SEO in the early days of pay-per-click advertising in Chicago. A meeting with a senior executive who didn't believe in what Chris was building gave him all the clarity he needed. He walked out, enrolled in a master's program, flipped his 401k, and never looked back. Fifteen years later, CSP Agency is helping B2B and e-commerce companies navigate one of the biggest shifts in search since Google launched: the rise of generative engine optimization and the AI-driven conversational web. [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder and CEO of CSP Agency, a human-first AI-enhanced SEO and GEO agency Serves B2B and e-commerce clients from funded startups to Fortune 100 companies Specializes in generative engine optimization, helping brands get found in AI-driven search [00:06:00] What Inspires Him Right Now The search and SEO landscape is going through the biggest shake-up in its history Launched CSP's first paid GEO client in October; most competitors are still figuring it out Brands that move now will be positioned far ahead when the dust settles [00:07:00] The Future of Search: A Conversational Web AI overviews and AI mode are already changing how people find information The traditional ten blue links experience is going away Google is launching informational agents this summer that will do research on your behalf Visibility in this new world requires a completely different strategy than traditional SEO [00:10:00] How He Got Here Started selling popcorn door to door for Boy Scouts; always loved talking to people Became a psychology major and worked as a patient activity director for a clinical trials company Moved into sales at R.H. Donnelly in downtown Chicago and discovered pay-per-click advertising Became the top rep for integrating and executing PPC across the division [00:14:00] The Accidental SEO Discovery Noticed that profile pages sending traffic from PPC were ranking highly on Google Started optimizing those pages on sales calls; it was his first hands-on SEO work Saw how much business he was driving for small companies and got completely hooked Decided he wanted to be a practitioner, not just a seller of services [00:16:00] Client Impact Helped a New York executive assistant recruiting firm expand from local to national A neighbor saw their growth and sent a referral; that is when Chris knew the work was speaking for itself Has helped enterprise clients grow organic value from $9 million to $25 million a month [00:19:00] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: The Executive Who Said No Went to a senior executive at R.H. Donnelly to pitch a role change into SEO product development The executive listened patiently and then said: I don't see how this helps your sales numbers That response hit like a lightning bolt; Chris walked out knowing he was done He enrolled in the master's program, flipped his 401k, and launched his first startup [00:22:00] The Second Relationship: His Manager Who Opened the Door His manager at R.H. Donnelly left to start an SEO agency when the company disbanded its SEO department Chris went to him and asked not for a sales role but for an SEO execution role His manager said yes, brought him in as a contract senior SEO analyst, and pointed him toward who to follow to learn That was the real beginning of Chris's professional SEO career [00:25:00] The Impact He Got to Make Has created jobs for people at every stage of their careers, from interns to veteran SEOs His first intern worked for school credit, graduated, and became the lead SEO in the organization People have left CSP with resumes that got them into senior roles at major companies Helping people grow in their careers has been one of the most meaningful parts of building the business [00:28:00] Where to Find Them Website is csp.agency; a complimentary strategy session is available on the site The team will audit current SEO performance and run the brand through multiple LLMs against competitors They show exactly where the brand is or is not showing up in AI-driven search responses KEY QUOTES "When the snow globe gets shaken up and things aren't solidified, you've got a way to move up through it so that when it comes back down and solidifies, you're in a much higher place than before." - Chris Rodgers "Where there's change, there's opportunity. There is an opportunity to get ahead of it right now." - Chris Rodgers CONNECT WITH CHRIS RODGERS Website: https://www.csp.agency Strategy Session: https://www.csp.agency/complimentary-strategy-session LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seo-dub Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher
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Leading Through Crisis with Conan Higgins
3w ago01:00:28Tap to summarizeWhat if the best leaders aren't the ones who avoid crises, but the ones who prepare for them before they happen? In this episode, attorney, leadership consultant, retired military officer, and author Conan Higgins shares how decades of experience in the military, law enforcement, and the legal profession shaped his approach to crisis leadership. From responding to life-or-death situations to advising organizations through complex challenges, Conan explains why preparation, emotional intelligence, and strong relationships are the foundation of effective leadership. Conan also discusses the inspiration behind his book, The Maverick's Blueprint: Crisis Leadership for an Unstable World, why every entrepreneur should develop an early warning system for their business, and how the relationships we build before a crisis often determine how well we navigate it when it arrives. [00:02:45] What He Does and Who He Serves Attorney, leadership consultant, retired Army officer, and former law enforcement officer. Helps organizations prepare for and respond to complex crises. Advises leaders on risk management, crisis response, and organizational resilience. Believes leadership begins long before a crisis ever unfolds. [00:06:30] Learning Leadership Through Service Reflects on lessons from military service and law enforcement. Explains how leading under pressure shaped his decision-making. Learned that trust is built long before it's tested. Says leadership is earned through consistency and service. [00:12:00] Why Relationships Matter in a Crisis Strong relationships create confidence when difficult decisions must be made. Trust allows teams to communicate honestly during uncertainty. Explains why credibility cannot be built in the middle of a crisis. Believes people always remember how leaders made them feel during difficult moments. [00:18:30] Solving Problems Before They Become Emergencies Encourages leaders to identify risks before they become crises. Shares examples of organizations that avoided major setbacks through preparation. Explains why awareness is more valuable than reacting quickly. Says successful leaders pay attention to small warning signs. [00:25:00] The Value of Emotional Intelligence Explains why emotional intelligence is essential during high-pressure situations. Learned to read people before focusing on solving problems. Understanding people often reveals the real challenge. Believes empathy strengthens both leadership and decision-making. [00:31:00] Lessons From Years of Experience Reflects on the importance of learning from every assignment and every challenge. Encourages leaders to capture lessons instead of simply moving on. Says experience only becomes valuable when we intentionally reflect on it. Believes growth comes through thoughtful evaluation. [00:38:00] Why Relationships Require Consistency Shares why checking in with people shouldn't only happen when something is needed. Believes meaningful relationships are built through generosity and mutual support. Says the strongest professional relationships naturally become trusted friendships. Explains why investing in people always pays long-term dividends. [00:45:00] Giving Before Asking Describes healthy relationships as a continual exchange of giving and receiving. Explains why genuine check-ins often lead to meaningful conversations. Shares how trusted relationships become valuable sources of advice during difficult seasons. Says crises become easier to navigate when you're surrounded by people you trust. [00:46:30] The Story Behind His Book Wrote The Maverick's Blueprint: Crisis Leadership for an Unstable World after stepping away from his doctoral dissertation. Wanted the book to feel like a conversation rather than a textbook. Focuses on practical leadership lessons people can apply immediately. Encourages readers to recognize the value of their own life experiences. [00:50:00] Price Versus Cost Explains why investing in preparation is far less expensive than recovering from failure. Shares a consulting example where a risk assessment prevented far greater losses. Encourages leaders to think beyond immediate expenses. Says understanding the true cost of inaction changes every decision. [00:53:00] Building an Early Warning System Introduces his DETECT Framework for identifying warning signs before crises escalate. Says most crises leave clues long before they become emergencies. Encourages leaders to listen closely to experts and frontline team members. Believes preparation begins by learning what others are already seeing. [00:56:00] Meaningful Action Over Busy Activity Explains that activity isn't the same as progress. Encourages organizations to continually evaluate communication, stakeholder alignment, and resource challenges. Says leaders should develop systems that help them identify problems early. Believes thoughtful preparation creates confident decision-makers. [00:58:00] Slowing Down to Appreciate the Journey Reflec...
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The Power of Perseverance with Carlos Antillano
4w ago00:39:07Tap to summarizeWhat if the greatest advantage in business isn't talent, but the willingness to keep learning and never give up? In this episode, Carlos Antillano, Vice President of the Americas for Mauviel 1830, entrepreneur, author, and lifelong student, shares the journey that took him from selling cookware on eBay out of his bathroom to leading one of the world's most respected luxury cookware brands. Along the way, he reveals why curiosity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to learning have been the driving forces behind every opportunity he's earned. Carlos also reflects on the relationships that shaped his leadership, from a scuba diving instructor who taught him confidence under pressure to a business mentor who helped him develop empathy for customers. Together, they explore why listening is one of the most valuable skills any entrepreneur can develop and how perseverance continues to open doors that once seemed impossible. [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Serves as Vice President of the Americas for Mauviel 1830, overseeing business across North and South America. Built multiple businesses in the digital commerce space before joining the luxury cookware industry. Combines entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation to help grow global brands. Continues to pursue new ideas while embracing emerging technologies like AI. [00:06:00] Building a Career Through Curiosity Originally planned to become a doctor before discovering entrepreneurship. Started selling cookware on eBay after moving to the United States from Venezuela. Grew a business from a bathroom, to a storage unit, to a warehouse with employees. Returned full circle by leading the same cookware brand that gave him his first opportunity. [00:09:00] Why Learning Never Stops Believes continuous learning is the foundation of long-term success. Encourages entrepreneurs to embrace failure as part of the learning process. Compares today's AI revolution to the early days of the internet. Says perseverance comes from staying curious, adapting, and continuing to grow. [00:11:00] Helping Others Reach Their Potential Finds the greatest fulfillment in seeing people grow beyond what they believed was possible. Shares the story of an employee who developed into an industry expert under his mentorship. Speaks openly about mental health and the importance of supporting people beyond their professional development. Believes great leadership helps people thrive both personally and professionally. [00:14:00] The Story Behind His Book Wrote The Ultimate Perseverance Training to encourage entrepreneurs facing setbacks and self-doubt. Opens up about his own struggles with mental health, balance, and resilience. Never intended to become an author but wanted others to know they weren't alone. Has since been invited to speak about perseverance, leadership, and mental wellness. [00:19:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything Credits his scuba diving instructor, Tony Posimato, with shaping his confidence and leadership. Learned how to remain calm under pressure and recognize when others need support. Says the lessons he learned underwater continue to influence how he leads today. Believes those experiences prepared him for challenges far beyond diving. [00:21:00] Learning to Lead with Empathy Credits Mauviel Chairwoman Valerie for changing the way he approaches leadership. Learned to understand customers by listening before offering solutions. Grew from a digital entrepreneur into a trusted leader within the culinary industry. Says empathy cannot be learned from books. It develops through relationships and experience. [00:24:00] Relationships Open Doors Shares experiences working alongside leaders at Williams Sonoma, Amazon, and Michelin-starred chefs. Reflects on moments that once felt impossible but became reality through years of consistent growth. Shows how trusted relationships create opportunities that expertise alone cannot. Encourages entrepreneurs to remain humble as new opportunities emerge. [00:30:00] The Power of Listening Believes listening is one of the greatest competitive advantages in business. Says meaningful relationships begin by understanding people before trying to help them. Explains that great leaders ask thoughtful questions and pay close attention to the answers. Encourages entrepreneurs to become connectors by first becoming better listeners. [00:33:00] Final Thoughts: Never Give Up Honors his grandmother as the greatest example of perseverance in his life. Shares how her resilience continues to shape his mindset decades later. Reminds listeners that growth comes through persistence, not perfection. Leaves entrepreneurs with a simple message: keep learning, keep serving, and never give up. KEY QUOTES "Scuba diving gave me structure, gave me leadership, gave me the ability to defeat those insecurities that are normal." - Carlos Antillano "Failures are gonna come. It's part of life. It's how you are able to navigate through those failures and transform that failure into a lesson." - Carlos Antillano "You just need to be open. It's a beautiful cycle at the end of the day. We have asked for help, and people have asked us for help." - Carlos Antillano CONNECT WITH CARLOS ANTILLANO Website: https://mauviel-usa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosantillano Book: The Ultimate Perseverance Training Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW...
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Finding Freedom Within with Pratiqk Jaani
Jul 1700:43:46Tap to summarizeWhat if everything you've been searching for has been within you all along? In this episode, Pratiqk Jaani, author of Drashti: The Perception and creator of the Drashti Method, shares the life-changing realization that transformed the way he experiences success, relationships, and everyday life. After years of pursuing achievement, personal growth, and external validation, he discovered that lasting fulfillment isn't something we find. It's something we remember. Pratiqk explains how the subconscious mind shapes our beliefs, behaviors, and relationships, often without us realizing it. Through personal stories, practical examples, and thought-provoking analogies, he reveals how changing our perception can lead to greater peace, stronger relationships, and a life no longer driven by fear or the need for constant achievement. [00:02:30] What He Does and Who He Serves Author of Drashti: The Perception and creator of the Drashti Method. Helps people understand the subconscious patterns behind fear, anxiety, and emotional struggle. Guides individuals toward greater awareness, inner peace, and lasting fulfillment. Believes lasting transformation begins by changing how we perceive ourselves and the world. [00:05:00] The Search for Something More Spent years pursuing success through business, personal development, and achievement. Discovered that every accomplishment led to another goal instead of lasting fulfillment. Began questioning why external success never felt complete. Realized the answers he was seeking couldn't be found outside himself. [00:08:00] Discovering Wholeness Experienced a shift from constantly chasing to living from a place of completeness. Learned that peace comes from recognizing what already exists within us. Stopped measuring life by outcomes and started appreciating each experience. Says fulfillment isn't something we achieve, but something we awaken to. [00:12:00] Why We Keep Chasing Explains how society conditions us to seek happiness through external achievements. Believes most goals are driven by a desire to feel complete. Shares why success alone can never satisfy the deeper longing within us. Introduces the core philosophy behind the Drashti Method. [00:16:00] The Closed Fist Analogy Uses a clenched fist to illustrate how fear and tension block new opportunities. Explains why operating from survival keeps people focused on scarcity. Encourages people to relax their grip and trust the process. Says openness allows life to unfold in unexpected ways. [00:19:00] Turning Insight Into a Movement Began sharing these ideas after witnessing profound change in others. Wrote Drashti: The Perception to introduce a new way of understanding life. Created the Drashti Method to help people experience those insights for themselves. Describes the work as a calling rather than a career. [00:21:00] Helping Others Break Through Fear Shares the story of a friend who dreamed of leaving corporate life to start a car business. Helped him realize his greatest obstacle was the fear of being judged. Once that fear was addressed, he confidently launched his business. Sold his first seven cars almost immediately after taking action. [00:24:00] Letting Go of the Outcome Explains why forcing results often creates unnecessary resistance. Compares personal growth to planting a seed and allowing it time to grow. Believes our responsibility is to take action without becoming attached to outcomes. Says life often responds when we stop trying to control every detail. [00:27:00] Seeing Life Through a Different Lens Encourages people to stop labeling experiences as good or bad. Uses simple everyday examples to illustrate how perception shapes reality. Explains that every experience offers an opportunity for growth. Believes acceptance creates greater peace than resistance. [00:29:00] The Relationships That Shape Us Credits both sets of grandparents for teaching sacrifice, unconditional love, and strong values. Learned valuable lessons from mentors, friends, clients, and even difficult relationships. Believes every relationship enters our lives for a reason. Says the people around us often become our greatest teachers. [00:33:00] Understanding the Patterns We Learned Reflects on childhood experiences that shaped his beliefs about love and acceptance. Realized he had learned to earn affection by constantly giving to others. Explains that awareness is the first step toward lasting change. Encourages people to address the root of their struggles instead of the symptoms. [00:36:00] Relationships Without Expectations Found greater freedom by serving others without expecting anything in return. Says authentic relationships flourish when validation is no longer the goal. Believes inner peace changes the way we show up for others. Explains that fulfillment grows through genuine connection. [00:38:00] When Healing Changes Everything Shares how understanding subconscious patterns transformed the lives of people he has work...
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One Great Relationship Away with Nicky Billou
Jul 1400:48:19Tap to summarizeWhat if you're just one great relationship away from completely transforming your life or business? In this episode, entrepreneur, sales expert, and eCircle Academy founder Nicky Billou shares why relationships have been the driving force behind every major breakthrough in his life and business. After losing his event business during the pandemic, he discovered a new path through podcast guesting. What started as a survival strategy became one of the most powerful client acquisition systems he has ever built. Nicky also reflects on the people who changed the course of his life. He opens up about the mentor who helped him rebuild after divorce, the partnership he shares with his wife, Theresa, and the emotional client story that reminded him his work is about far more than business. This conversation is filled with practical wisdom, powerful relationship lessons, and a compelling reminder that one introduction can change everything. [00:05:00] Serving Entrepreneurs Who Want to Make a Difference Helps coaches, consultants, and service-based entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Shows experts how to become more visible and attract ideal clients. Believes entrepreneurs create meaningful change through service. Teaches that selling should always come from a place of genuine care. [00:08:00] When Everything Changed His live event business came to a halt during the pandemic. Lost a significant source of revenue almost overnight. Turned to his coach to find a new way to grow his business. Began exploring podcast guesting as a long-term strategy. [00:10:00] One Hundred Podcasts in Thirty Days Committed to appearing on as many podcasts as possible. Completed 100 interviews in his first 30 days. Didn't generate immediate business but gained invaluable experience. Learned that repetition and consistency create mastery. [00:13:00] The Three Intentions Behind Every Podcast Appearance Inspire and educate the audience. Help the host look great by delivering real value. Build a meaningful business relationship with the host. Explains why most guests overlook the biggest opportunity after the interview ends. [00:18:00] Turning Conversations Into Business Relationships Always sets aside time after the interview to connect with the host. Practices intentional listening instead of waiting for his turn to speak. Look for opportunities to serve before asking for anything. Built hundreds of valuable business relationships through genuine conversations. [00:24:00] Why Preparation Matters Treats every podcast appearance like a planned business strategy. Refined his approach through hundreds of interviews. Encourages entrepreneurs to master proven systems before expecting results. Says preparation creates confidence and consistency. [00:26:00] The Results of Relationship-Based Podcasting Turned podcast interviews into clients, partnerships, and mastermind enrollments. Shares how one student landed a coaching client after a single podcast appearance. Another client generated more than €124,000 in sales within 84 days. Proves that authenticity matters more than perfect communication. [00:29:00] The Relationship That Changed His Life Opens up about the depression that followed his divorce. Credits relationship coach Owen Williams with helping him rebuild. Says that mentorship shaped his life as a father, entrepreneur, and husband. Believes that one introduction eventually led him to meeting his wife, Theresa. [00:33:00] Building a Business With Theresa Shares how he and Theresa combine their strengths to serve clients. Describes her as one of the best coaches he has ever worked with. Believes strong relationships should always come before business decisions. Shows how partnership strengthens both family and business. [00:37:00] The Story That Became His Mission Helped a struggling entrepreneur rebuild her business after losing everything. Learned that restoring her income also restored peace within her family. Was deeply moved when her son called him "the man who saved our family." Left with the conviction that business is ultimately about serving people and changing lives. KEY QUOTES "A lot of people will hear the strategy and think they're doing exactly what I said, but they're really doing what they think they heard. Success is in the nuances, and those nuances only come through preparation and repetition." - Nicky Billou "Your podcast appearance isn't something you wing. It needs to be meticulously planned and executed. When you've done the work, it feels effortless to everyone else, but that's because you've mastered the process behind the scenes." - Nicky Billou "You don't have to be the most articulate person in the room or have English as your first language. If you have a proven system, stay consistent, and keep showing up, the opportunities will come." - Nicky Billou CONNECT WITH NICKY BILLOU Website: https://www.ecircleacademy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickybillou Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicky.billou Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher
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The Courage to Become Yourself with Kami Gray
Jul 1000:41:56Tap to summarizeWhat if the life you've always wanted begins with telling yourself the truth? In this episode, Kami Gray, founder of the Psychologie of Home Design School, shares the relationship that transformed every area of her life. What started as a reluctant decision to see a therapist became the beginning of a journey toward vulnerability, authenticity, and freedom from the labels she had carried for decades. Kami opens up about the stories she believed about herself, why humor became her greatest defense, and how learning to tell the truth changed the way she leads, teaches, and builds community. She also shares how that personal transformation continues to impact the women she mentors, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond business. [00:06:30] Helping Women Believe in Themselves Many of her students are beginning second or third careers later in life. Sees confidence as the biggest obstacle most aspiring entrepreneurs face. Finds the greatest joy in watching women overcome their own limiting beliefs. Believes personal growth is just as important as professional success. [00:10:00] Success Begins Before You Feel Ready Encourages students to stop waiting until they feel qualified. Reminds them that every successful designer started as a beginner. Focuses on consistent action instead of perfection. Teaches that courage grows through experience. [00:12:00] Choosing Authenticity Over Perfection Coaches entrepreneurs to build trust by showing up as themselves. Shares how one student overcame her fear of being visible online. That decision eventually led to a multi-year luxury design project. Says authenticity consistently creates deeper connections than polished marketing. [00:19:00] The Truth That Drew People In Shifted from sharing only beautiful interiors to sharing her real life. Began talking openly about divorce, menopause, family relationships, and personal struggles. Watched genuine conversations replace surface-level engagement. Created a community where people felt safe to be honest with one another. [00:25:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything Credits her therapist, Heather, with helping her confront the stories she believed about herself. Entered therapy expecting simple conversations but was challenged by firm boundaries and uncomfortable honesty. Realized she had spent years hiding behind humor, appearance, and achievement. Began replacing self-criticism with truth, vulnerability, and self-compassion. [00:30:00] Learning to Tell the Truth Practiced recognizing when humor was masking something deeper. Started speaking more honestly with herself and the people closest to her. Discovered that authenticity strengthened some relationships while changing others. Says telling the truth became the foundation for the life she wanted to build. [00:33:00] Creating a Community Built on Vulnerability Built a design school where students formed lasting friendships and business partnerships. Fostered an environment where conversations extended beyond design into fear, purpose, and personal growth. Credits Heather's influence for helping her create a culture rooted in honesty and trust. Believes vulnerability gave others permission to become themselves. [00:35:30] The Ripple Effect of Courage Shares the story of a student whose husband initially questioned her decision to attend the school. That same student went on to build a thriving business and transform her marriage. Encourages people to protect their confidence while they're building something new. Believes one person's courage can impact countless other lives. [00:38:00] Final Thoughts Invites aspiring interior designers to explore the Psychologie of Home Design School. Also works one-on-one with entrepreneurs and young adults searching for direction. Believes entrepreneurship is a lifestyle centered on freedom, creativity, and contribution. Leaves listeners with a simple reminder: the world only gets one version of you. KEY QUOTES "You've got to surround yourself with good people. People that have your back and don't wanna bring toxicity and negativity to you." - Kami Gray "I use humor to deflect hard things, and that I have never been vulnerable. I'm just hiding behind a veil of pretty hair and pretty clothes and humor to be my armor." - Kami Gray CONNECT WITH KAMI GRAY Website: https://www.psychologieofhome.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamigray Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychologieofhome Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher
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