The Financial Mindset That Changed Our Business (Social Proof Podcast)

Summary

Social Proof Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: The Financial Mindset That Changed Our Business
Hosts: David Shands & Donni Wiggins
Release Date: July 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Social Proof Podcast dives deep into the evolution of David and Donni’s financial mindset as entrepreneurs. Using candid examples from their business planning “think trip,” they break down how intentional financial decision-making, strategic planning, and personal growth have transformed the way they operate. The conversation blends stories of learning, entrepreneur struggles, and practical wisdom for listeners, capped off with thought-provoking “this or that” scenarios about business, loyalty, and life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Starting with Gratitude and Community Building

• [02:01] Donni & David express thanks to their audience and emphasize the importance of support and community engagement.
• Commitment to hosting in-person events and involving their audience in the brand's journey.

2. The "Think Trip" Strategy

• [03:05] The hosts discuss their annual strategic “think trip”—a dedicated retreat for deep planning and leveling up with fellow entrepreneurs.
• Purpose: Build out strategies, especially for the Social Proof Circle and marketing plans.

3. Shedding the Poverty Mindset

• [03:37-06:23] Donni recounts her hesitation booking the luxury St. Regis due to the $858/night rate, illustrating an old “poverty mindset” versus new financial confidence.
  • “My heart fell to the floor because you were hoping she’d say she hadn’t booked yet…” – David [05:10]
  • Realization: Investing in quality experiences is now seen as a business necessity, not a splurge.

4. Business Expenses: Points, Perks, and Pragmatism

• [06:23-07:47] Using credit card points (Amex, Bonvoy) and maximizing perks when booking hotels and flights.
• [08:05-10:44] In-depth discussion on expense management—when/what to expense on business trips, reimbursement logistics, and the importance of tracking for taxes and QuickBooks clarity.

5. Financial Wisdom Through Experience

• [17:17-22:40] Reflection on growth: How making (and sometimes frivolously spending) money in earlier business phases shaped their current, more disciplined approach.
• Notable anecdote: "Do you remember when you were going in and buying two Rolexes at a time?" – David [21:44]
• "When you get that type of bread, it’s like it’s all rushing in… you have no financial responsibility." – Donni [22:06]

6. Identifying Value and Setting Priorities

• [17:27-21:36] Questioning the value of upgrades and luxury versus financial prudence—are high-ticket travel upgrades worth it? Should you always spend more if you can?
• “If I had $30 million in the bank, I wouldn’t care...” – Donni [17:34], debating meaningful luxury splurges with David.

7. Planning and Accountability for Entrepreneurial Success

• [11:05-13:45; 40:11-41:16] Hosts emphasize the need for clear agendas, project management, and sticking to deadlines. Hiring outside help for accountability is discussed versus doing it all themselves.
• “We need a project manager to keep us on track. But also, Dave, we just need to do what we say we’re gonna do.” – Donni [12:53]

8. Think Trip Scheduling & Teamwork

• [25:47-39:43] Detailed collaborative mapping of their “think trip” agenda—balancing work sessions, meals, and social time to maximize productivity and relationships.
  • Balancing enjoyment and business: “Do we expense the yacht?” – Donni [37:05]
  • The value of changing environments for new ideas and creative energy.

9. The Power of Environment and Proximity

• [23:41-24:15] Discussion on how being around high-level peers accelerates business growth.
  • “Who you’re around creates who you are… that may be the biggest issue in your business right now.” – Donni [23:55]

10. The Financial Mindset Evolution

• [21:36-23:17] Admitting mistakes made during windfalls and the shift toward smarter, more sustainable financial behavior.
• “Now, it’s not that we don’t have money, but at that time, it was just... you think it’s always going to come back. But now we’re a little wiser.” – Donni [22:06]

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Memorable Quotes

• On Luxury vs. Value:
  "It's not even the more money for me part. It's what Delta is asking for first class flights right now is ridiculous." – David [17:23]
• On Strategic Planning:
  “We should do this quarterly… it’s a non-negotiable for us. And it doesn't always have to be four or five days. It can be two days that we go on a think trip.” – David [40:37]
• On Outgrowing People:
  "If there weren’t some people that I cared for that I didn’t disconnect from, my life could be very different… I would rather not reach my full potential to be connected to the people that I love." – David [47:36]
• On Loyalty vs. Talent:
  "You can’t be loyal to me and failing at your job… if you’re loyal, I’m willing to take the lesser talent and develop them." – David [55:35]
• On Not Getting What You Pray For:
  "I believe that faith is knowing that at the end of this life, we’ll get some sort of understanding… there’s a reason, and I’m okay with that." – Donni [59:25]

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Notable “This or That” Scenarios (Key Timestamps)

• Convince Anyone vs. Understand Anyone – [41:54]
• Outgrow Loved Ones or Stay Back With Them – [44:11]
• Always Know Who’s Loyal or Always Know Who’s Lying – [48:43]
• Build Loyal Team or Powerful but Departing Team – [49:30]
• Know What Others Think or Never Care What They Think – [51:11]
• Forgive Betrayal in Hard Times or Absence in Great Times – [52:12]
• Perfect Timing or Perfect Judgment – [52:55]
• Friend Who Protects vs. Corrects You – [53:05]
• Hire for Loyalty or Talent – [53:47]
• Receive What You Prayed for (But It’s Wrong) or Never Receive It – [59:09]

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Actionable Takeaways

• Schedule Think Time: Build in regular strategic retreats—or at least “think days”—outside your daily environment to spark new ideas and focus.
• Be Intentional with Spending: Reframe luxury and travel expenses as potential business investments—but always weigh need against want.
• Build Accountability Structures: Whether through project managers or self-imposed agendas, follow through on plans and deadlines.
• Prioritize Community & Proximity: The people around you have a tangible impact on your business growth—seek out circles that elevate your thinking.

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Final Reflections (from Hosts)

• The importance of continually upgrading your financial and business mindset with experience.
• Encouragement for listeners to take "think trips" or personal retreats to intentionally shape their next chapter.
• Invitation to join the Social Proof Circle for ongoing growth and community with the hosts.

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Listen for Details

• 03:37-06:23 — Story on booking the St. Regis and unpacking old money triggers
• 08:05-10:44 — Logistics of business travel and expense management
• 25:47-39:43 — Deep dive planning of their multi-day work retreat
• 41:54 onward — Engaging and introspective “this or that” questions about business and life

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For entrepreneurs, this episode is a masterclass in blending financial wisdom, strategic planning, and honest self-examination. It’s both practical and introspective—perfect for anyone looking to level up their mindset and business habits.

Transcript

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[Donnie]

We're trying out intros, y'. All. Hey, listen, send us a dm. What y' all think that intro should be? Something that rings, that people can sing along and they, they know or like when you see us in the airport, they're like, social, you know what I mean? Like, whatever that's going to be.

[David]

We got our like, handshake, our hand slap, our chest bump. What is it? But also we said that when we go on our think trip, which is coming up soon, we were gonna have that figured out.

[Donnie]

Oh, that's on the list. Do we, do you have a running list?

[David]

No, but we can create one now.

[Donnie]

Create a little running list. So we got a couple things on the list. First and foremost, thank y' all for just supporting all the stuff that we do. Thank y' all for joining the social proof circle. Thank y' all for all your likes, your comments, when you comment. Thank you. That really just fills our Heart, man. So thank you all so much. Stay tuned. We will definitely be having some sort of in person something by the end of the year. And we just want to say thank you, man. I think every now and again we just got to thank everybody.

[David]

We thank you. We're talking to you, viewers. We thank you. The time has come for us. Ooh, View. I don't know if that's the key to say. We thank you dearly.

[Donnie]

Oh, gosh, I love this, man.

[David]

Our vitamin D levels are up right now.

[Donnie]

Absolutely. More energy for sure.

[David]

More energy for us.

[Donnie]

All right, come on, let's start it off, man. What are we doing? This or that, Right?

[David]

We are doing this. Or wait, before we do this or that, on our think trip that we're going on. So David and I do a think trip. I'm pretty sure we do it every year where we go somewhere for a couple of days. It's us and it's some other entrepreneurs this year. Dre is coming. Like, we're doing a good job. This is where we do a great job of really going deep. We get all of our strategies, like, built out at that time. Like stuff that we could have been working on all year, but we handle it in those three, four, five days. So we have to do our social proof circle marketing strategy for sure.

[Donnie]

Yeah. Can I first tell you about my poverty mindset? So, yeah, yesterday, um, like, we. We were in the chat, everybody in there all good. Like, oh, what hotel should we stay at? And all that. Marcus, Roger says, yo, let's go to the St. Regis or wherever it's going to be at. I don't want to tell everybody. Well, they don't know when we're going to do.

[David]

Right. Yeah.

[Donnie]

Go to the St. Regis Bal Harbor. Okay. St. Regis Bal Harbor. By the time it comes out, we'll be not there anymore. So it's all good. But so we're like, oh, yeah. Doc's like, yeah, I love that one. I'm like, y' all been there too. I love it. So then we add Terrica. And then I was gonna book it yesterday. Well, I did book it yesterday, but I go to the website and we're gonna be there for a week. And the room said $858 a night.

[David]

Mm. For the basic room.

[Donnie]

For the basic choice.

[David]

Very entry level.

[Donnie]

Oh, my gosh. And I'm like, woo wee. And I sent it to Dottie with the little eye emoji, and she didn't reply at that time. So I'm like, oh, well, she don't Care about it. Cause she loves luxury. So what I do is because I know Dottie didn't book it. I called Terrica, I'm like, hey, T, what's up? Everything good? Everything ready for next week? I like. She like, yeah, cool. I said, oh, yeah, so you got your room already? And when she said yes, I booked it that day, my heart fell to

[David]

the floor because you were hoping that she said, no, I hadn't booked just yet, I'm gonna do it later. And you'd be like, let's not do that. Let's stay at the JW Marriott. I was hoping you got some points over at jw.

[Donnie]

I was hoping that she said no, but she booked it. And I was like, ooh wee. I said, ooh, what you pay? How much you pay? And she's like, I think she leaving like Wednesday or something like that. And she's like, oh, I had to pay, you know, it was like 2000 something dollars. And I was like, ooh. So you just go on and booked it, huh?

[David]

Easy. You paid in full too. You didn't just do the little deposit joint.

[Donnie]

Yours was crazy. So I'm like, oh. Cause we were gonna like try to switch it up. She said, no, I already paid and it's non refundable. So at that time, I didn't wanna act like anything was wrong. I was like, oh, all right, cool. So yeah, I was just checking just to make sure. Cause I'm about to book mine. But listen, if she didn't book that thing, we were going somewhere else. But here's here. Here's what's crazy too. I said, well, it's all good because I'm about to book mine with points because we got these points over. It cost me 400,000 points. And she's like. She's like, oh, I use points too.

[David]

You use your American Express points.

[Donnie]

I have Bonvoy points. Marriott.

[David]

Oh, Bonvoy points work there. Yeah, I got some. I don't think I have four. I don't really stay at Marriott Properties anymore.

[Donnie]

Do you use the card though? Because I don't stay there.

[David]

No, I didn't get the card because. Oh, wait a minute. You don't only get really great. What does. What do I have? I have so many cars that I have to use to get points for stuff. Yeah, I'd be having the hardest time deciding, do I use this card? Do I use this card? I'm trying to maximize points over here. I prefer to. If I'm not using my Delta Reserve Amex, I prefer to use my platinum for my hotel points because I get really good hotel points to apply, but I usually use my delta reserve for more stuff because I'd rather be diamond than most of that other stuff. But I do swipe my platinum card often, too.

[Donnie]

Yeah, I mean, I'm sure. Well, I mean, you could definitely transfer.

[David]

So then how would I. Yes, I could transfer some points or.

[Donnie]

No, I'm sorry, you can use those because she used Amex points.

[David]

Oh, she did?

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[American Express Ad Voice]

Okay.

[David]

Well, yeah, I got a lot of. So I usually keep my American Express platinum card points to either use at the hotel, but I find that I get better value at the end of the year when I'm buying, like, holiday gifts.

[Donnie]

Got it? Yeah, got it. Okay. I mean, well, let's. Let's just go on and. Go on in there and book your. Book your room.

[David]

I will.

[Donnie]

Okay.

[David]

Yeah. I mean, it's. It. I love the hotel.

[Donnie]

Yes, it's a nice hotel. And none of the rooms don't have a balcony. And they're. And all of the rooms are facing the ocean.

[David]

Okay. And the last day we can prorate. Because we're staying for work. All of this is work.

[Donnie]

The last day we can prorate.

[David]

What do you mean, the last day we can prorate and reimburse ourselves from our business because we're doing David and Donnie work. The other day is. I'll eat that expense, but you know what I mean, Even though this is a work trip, but I'll eat that expense the last day, however.

[Donnie]

Hey, listen to me.

[David]

How do you feel if.

[Donnie]

If we. If we would have thought about it, if I'm being honest, we could just expense that whole joint.

[David]

Why don't. Okay, so why don't we expense the hotel, not the flights? One or the other. I don't care.

[Donnie]

The flights was a couple hundred dollars.

[David]

I don't remember how much I paid for the flights.

[Donnie]

Yeah, flights. Three something to Miami wasn't allowed.

[David]

Yeah, three something.

[Donnie]

Yeah. Well, I mean, if we're gonna expense the yo first. Okay. My business partner and I discussing how to not use our personal money and use money from the account. So I think, well, I'm cool either way. So whatever you pay, then I'll just get that money back from, like, whatever. Whatever that amount is. I just get that cash. Because that's my point.

[David]

Whatever I pay, you get.

[Donnie]

So if it's $3,000. Okay, you are booking your room. But I can't, like, get my points back, so I just take $3,000 from the account. Yeah.

[David]

Is what You. So we are expensing it because I'd rather pay with my credit card and get my points and then transfer the money back. But let me. Let me just say this. I'm totally fine with expensing it. We got a lot of money in the account.

[Donnie]

Yeah, I'm cool with that. But you know what? The thing is, I don't want to. To get the money because I don't want to get the money because then it's income for me that I pay taxes on and not.

[David]

No. Pay your credit card instead of taking the money. Like, use the account and pay your credit card bill and note it in the account as a reimbursement. So it's not income.

[Donnie]

Yeah, I think I just have to spend it on something because the. In the credit card item. I've been in QuickBooks for the last two weeks, and it's been a headache. But everything in the QuickBooks points to something. So if I pay an amount on the credit card, the. The credit card is paying those items.

[David]

Yes.

[Donnie]

So.

[David]

So you still do that. You still notate what all of the expenses the credit card paid for. And then when you have the payment that comes from our account to it, you say that it's reimbursing this credit card payment that matches these expenses.

[Donnie]

Yeah, we'll figure it out.

[David]

Yeah, for sure. Now, the thing, though, like, yes, I'm. I'm okay with expense. And first of all, I'm more excited to go now. Is there anything better than St. Regis? Can we do better than the St. Regis? I'm excited to go. However, we've got to lock in our monetization strategy.

[Donnie]

Yes.

[David]

Because we've been focused on so many other projects, dropping new projects, having events, and all the things we've got to really lock in on. We can't just keep spending money from the account.

[Donnie]

For sure. That's why. Yo, for real, with the, like, the webinar strategy. My vote. Well, you already had it. Like, you have it. You have the team locked in. My vote was just having somebody do it so we could just show up.

[David]

Having somebody do it.

[Donnie]

Howard Delay, like, put together the funnel and the strategy and put it all together so we can just show up. But you already have your team on that.

[David]

But I already built it.

[Donnie]

I know. That's the thing. I think that's the problem, because it's already built. Now we gotta, like, put the tools together and the strategy and make sure it's all together because we're almost there. But if we just hired somebody, they do it all together and we pick a date and we show up.

[David]

So when you say we have to put all the tools together because it's

[Donnie]

almost done, like the automations and stuff.

[David]

Already done.

[Donnie]

You already wrote all the emails and all that?

[David]

No, that's easy. Those things are like, I'm a writer, that takes me no time.

[Donnie]

But it's not that it takes a lot of time, it's. How long has it been built? Weeks, probably months.

[David]

Okay, maybe months.

[Shopify Ad Voice]

Right.

[Donnie]

So since the tour. But because we. Because you and your team started it already, it's taken months to implement it because you are doing a lot of stuff and I'm doing a lot of stuff.

[David]

Are you saying that if we hired an outside team to do it, they would have held us accountable for doing it?

[Donnie]

They would have did all of it and gave us a date to show up?

[David]

Well, we gave ourselves a date. We just didn't honor the date.

[Donnie]

Right. Because we didn't hire somebody to make sure that that.

[David]

So we didn't need somebody to build it. That part is so easy. We need a project manager to keep us on track. But also, Dave, we just need to do what we say we're gonna do.

[Donnie]

This is true. That's what this trip is for, right?

[David]

That's what the trip. We've had like three or four webinar dates. I've gone in there and changed that date so many times it takes 30 seconds to change the day. Everything is ready to go.

[Donnie]

Here's what we got to do too.

[David]

Okay.

[Donnie]

On this trip, we need to have specific work time times.

[David]

We need to have an agenda.

[Donnie]

We need to have an agenda. I use mad words for this one word. Yes. We need to have an agenda every day. There needs to be a window where we are working and there's a specific thing we're working on. Otherwise we're gonna wake up and go to breakfast and then we're gonna talk.

[David]

Okay, so here's the thing. Let's wake up and go to breakfast. Come back and get work done.

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

Go to the beach, come back and get work done.

[Donnie]

Yes.

[David]

Free for all, Dinner Done.

[Donnie]

What does that look like? Let's map that out.

[David]

Okay, Breakfast is what time Breakfast. We need to be at breakfast at

[Donnie]

9:00am we need to be at breakfast at 9:00am every day. Well, Tuesday starting. Cause you're coming in when, let's see, Monday, right?

[David]

Yeah, I'm coming in when you're coming in.

[Donnie]

Well, you got a different time.

[David]

I just picked an earlier flight because we both bought.

[Donnie]

Okay, so another reason is Because I got the call on Monday.

[David]

Yeah, but that was so odd. Like, the call is at 8am you could also be on the 11am flight,

[Donnie]

but I don't want you to be 8 to 9.

[David]

Right.

[Donnie]

So 9. High traffic. If I left, I wouldn't get to the airport till 10.

[David]

No, it's. It's. You're overthinking it. You can do the call in the airport, you can do the call on the way to the airport. You can do a number of things. No, hey, that's on you. But also, the reason that I didn't pick your 2 o' clock flight and just fly with you guys is because I said, I know. Me and David both booked a comfort seat, and we're both diamonds on Delta.

[Donnie]

I booked regular. I got. I got upgraded to comfort, though.

[David]

You got upgraded already? I don't know. I don't honestly know what I booked, but I know that we both didn't book first class. Let me get in here. I know that we. We both did not book first class because we're going to get upgraded. And I look, I looked at how many seats were available to be upgraded, and I said, oh, no, because I'm not, because you and Dre are on the same ticket. So if you get upgraded, that's an automatic. Two seats, and I'm fighting for my life.

[Donnie]

Did you book first class?

[David]

Let me see.

[Donnie]

You don't know?

[David]

No, I don't remember what I did.

[Donnie]

Yo, here's what's crazy. We had really good, like, economy seats at the one where it's, like, right on the exit and there's no seat in front of me, and Dre was right next to me. She doesn't mind. But we both got upgraded to comfortable.

[David]

Put you in the middle seat.

[Donnie]

Put us in two different middle seats.

[David]

They put me in a middle seat. And I don't understand because my preferences said, say window seat or aisle. Yo, isn't E a window? A middle seat?

[Donnie]

I don't know.

[David]

For no reason am I doing that?

[Donnie]

All right, let's get. Okay, we got lost. Okay, so here we are. We have this trip. 9 o', clock, 9:30, breakfast. 9:30, breakfast. 930 is breakfast. And we don't have to worry about the other days other than Friday. So, I mean, you got Tuesday night, but I'll be at church Tuesday night anyway, so nine o'. Clock. So it starts Monday evening. What are we doing Monday evening?

[David]

Did I book my flight? Give me a time for Monday evening. Let me just double check.

[Donnie]

That's what I. Oh, no, my flight is 12.

[David]

My flight is at 11.

[Donnie]

1252.

[David]

Okay, you said one, so that's around the same time. Okay, my flight is at 11. Oh, and I land at the same time as Terrica, so we can take a car together to the hotel. And then you land at what, two something.

[Donnie]

355.

[David]

Okay.

[Donnie]

Why didn't you just get the one right after?

[David]

Right after which one?

[Donnie]

I'm on 1252.

[David]

You saying get 1252? Oh, because I was concerned about being upgraded.

[Donnie]

Oh, that was the.

[David]

I don't wanna, I don't wanna have to fight. 2. You know what I mean?

[Donnie]

Yeah, we're. Yeah, we need. First off, we need to make more money so we ain't gotta worry about these situations.

[David]

It's not even. It's not the more money for me part.

[Donnie]

For me it is.

[David]

It's not making more money. It's what Delta is asking for first class flights right now is ridiculous.

[Donnie]

Yes. But If I had $30 million in the bank, I wouldn't care.

[David]

I think I would still care.

[Donnie]

You wouldn't care.

[David]

I do.

[Donnie]

You wouldn't care, Dave. It's all relative. So, okay, you, you booked a comfort seat. Yes. No. You booked economy.

[David]

Economy, because I got upgraded to comfort.

[Donnie]

So first and foremost, and it's Delta, if you were working at Chili's, right, first off, you're not going to Miami on a random. Anyway. Two, you're not even just automatically booking Delta. You're going to find a frontier joint that's 100 something dollars, but you don't care about that. You don't care about the difference between 100 and whatever, 200 something one way, Right? You don't care. If you had $30 million in the bank, you wouldn't care about the $200 difference between the comfort in first class.

[David]

So I do. I'll tell you this, I do. And I would. Because there are things that I just don't enjoy spending money on and I consider it a waste. The difference in price of this first class flight from economy to me is a waste. Whereas I could go and buy a pair of Nikes and I could also go and buy the same style shoe in Dior.

[Donnie]

I can't wait to expose the hypocrisy when you're done. Go ahead, continue.

[David]

The other thing for me is it's worth it to spend that money on like a black car. It's not worth it to spend that money. I'd rather be upgraded for a first class flight now, if there's not a huge Price difference, I'm going to pay it. And if it's a longer flight, I'm for sure going to pay it. But on a flight to Miami, it's not worth it.

[Donnie]

Are you ready?

[David]

Yes.

[Donnie]

Are you done?

[David]

Yeah.

[Donnie]

Do you remember?

[Grainger Ad Voice]

Do you remember? Okay, what?

[Donnie]

Do you remember when the economy was absolutely booming and you could put out a flyer said, hey, I'm about to do a workshop tomorrow. It's $500. And people just pay it and they come. Remember those times? Do you remember when we were on a flight where we booked first class flights and we roasted that other girl for not being in first class? And we sit there. Yeah, we sit there. A $40 cash app.

[David]

Because yes, I'm not saying that I won't buy first class fl. Yes, I'll still buy a first class flight. What I'm saying is the price difference on this flight was just not. I could not. I could not justify that. I couldn't justify that. Like I wasn't doing it.

[Donnie]

Yes, you. It's hypocrisy.

[David]

No, it's not. No, it's not.

[Donnie]

Yo, how much? What's the. What's the price difference?

[David]

I don't know. I remember looking at it and saying, no, I'm not doing it.

[Donnie]

Let's see. I'm about to show you. There's. It's not that big of a difference, bro.

[David]

It's not that big of a difference.

[Donnie]

I should just man up and like get this flight. But it's 300 I'm not doing for Miami.

[David]

I'm not doing that. Another 300 to go to Miami from Atlanta. I'm not had willing to do it. I just know because it's not that important to me.

[Donnie]

It's relative what I'm telling you.

[David]

Shands. Like, I'm like. What's her name? Barbara Cochran. Cochran, Barbara. I'm not doing it. They've got that money.

[Donnie]

But you did.

[David]

She's not in first class. I'm not doing it. Clarity, though, I will buy a first class flight, but it has to like make sense on an LA leg. That makes sense.

[Donnie]

Yeah, for sure.

[David]

Going to New Orleans from Atlanta doesn't make sense. Going to Miami from Atlanta. It's a quick flight.

[Donnie]

That's. That's true. But I still think. But, but it also could contribute to. We are wiser financially because. And I'll just speak for myself, that first money around 20. 20, 20, 21, 22.

[David]

Spin that.

[Donnie]

Oh my gosh. It was out of control and it wasn't like I never made money. But I never made that type of money, right? I mean, we just.

[David]

You were going in and buying two Rolexes at a time.

[Donnie]

Oh, my gosh.

[David]

Do you remember the days of you having a broker go and throw. Find me the watch.

[Donnie]

My man called me, like, yo, I just got this Rolex from the Rolex dealer, but I'm not gonna wear it. And I meet him downtown, I give him $42,000 on the spot.

[David]

You didn't even authenticate the watch.

[Donnie]

And the thing is, now it's not that we don't have money, but I think at that time it was just. So when you get that type of bread, it's like it all. It's all rushing in. And in your peer group, it's all rushing in for them too. It's like you have no financial responsibility. You're just spinning it because you think it's always going to come back. But now we're a little wiser. Like, okay, we. These pennies add up. These three hundreds add up to something.

[David]

They do add up to something. I mean, and granted, it was fun. It was, it was, it was more about. It was less about financial responsibility because we knew, yeah, it was more about, this is fun and I have access and I can do. Do things that I wasn't able to do before. And it's more about how we're trained to express and showcase our wealth, how we're playing, how we're trained to showcase success. It's a celebration. It's. It's a pop of a bottle, it's a buy of a watch. It's a dress different. It's a drive different. It's a different zip code, different kind of VIN number.

[Donnie]

All right, I will say this. Even during that time, I was still getting uberX. I just couldn't justify.

[David]

See, for. That's exactly what I mean. How you can't even. You can't justify getting black cars. I justify that easily.

[Donnie]

I'm getting right in that little Toyota. Toyota Tundra. What is that?

[David]

It is a Toyota Tundra. I.

[Donnie]

And you're right, that little Honda Accord.

[David]

And for me, every single time we. What do you call that word? We compromise on that. We get in the worst vehicles. The most underrated business growth strategy isn't marketing. It's actually proximity.

[Donnie]

Who you're around creates who you are. And that may be the biggest issue in your business right now.

[David]

Imagine being in a circle, an environment full of entrepreneurs who are looking to start, grow and scale their business, just like you, where the conversations are elevated, the focus is Intense. And we are getting clear on where we are and where we are trying to go.

[Donnie]

This isn't just about Donnie and I. This is about us creating an environment where you can grow, collaborate with other people. You never know in this circle. Your next business partner, your next person that's going to take you to the next level may be in the circle and they're waiting on you, but you

[David]

have to be in the circle. So this is us inviting you to join us in the social proof circle. This is a community for entrepreneurs who are looking for purpose. Personal development, professional development, and financial development. This is the year, this is the season, where it all goes up for you. Join us in the circle. Click the link wherever you see it right now. Buffalo, New York. Why was there so much filth in every single car you booked?

[Donnie]

But did we die?

[David]

Listen, we wouldn't have been in those cars if Buffalo, New York offered black cars.

[Donnie]

It's like a $15 difference.

[David]

You're tripping over 15 and you think I want over 300 is what's crazy.

[Donnie]

Yeah, well, I won't because only because I know the possibility of a upgrade.

[David]

There is no possibility of an upgrade. With your Lyft experience, you're going to get whatever they gave you.

[Donnie]

No, no, no. Sometimes you can order a Uber XL and you get a black car.

[David]

Yeah, but they tell you in advance. And once they tell you, it's locked in. See, when I tried to play those games, once they told me what kind of car it is, I'm canceling the ride and I'm just gon. And get the black card.

[Donnie]

Not that type.

[David]

Yeah.

[Donnie]

All right, so, okay, let's, let's, let's. Hold on, hold on. Real quick, real quick. So let's build this out. Okay, Monday, Monday, what is our work window?

[David]

So we get in. You get in at three.

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

Okay, so Monday, I think that we should do a welcome meal.

[Donnie]

This is gonna be unproductive.

[David]

No, I don't think we're there all week. So Monday is. Let's get acclimated. We're in Miami, and then we do an evening session after we go eat.

[Donnie]

We're not doing that.

[David]

It's over with. So Monday, Monday is just.

[Donnie]

We get there.

[David]

We just get there and we will. Okay, so Monday is a welcome.

[Donnie]

So we essentially got Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to work.

[David]

And that's perfect.

[Donnie]

Okay, so Tuesday, we start 9:30. 9:30 is breakfast.

[David]

This is really easy.

[Donnie]

Let's do 9:00 clock breakfast.

[David]

Tuesday is social proof circle.

[Donnie]

Okay, 9:00 clock breakfast.

[David]

Okay.

[Donnie]

We're eating till 10:30. Ish.

[David]

I think it's so unfair that I have. Oh no. Okay, nine to 10:30.

[Donnie]

Yep.

[David]

Who wants to just be up that early? Is Drake. Want to be up early?

[Donnie]

How is that early? It's breakfast.

[David]

So that means that we have to leave somewhere at 8:30. We have to leave the hotel at 8:30.

[Donnie]

No, no, no. Okay, we'll just eat at the hotel. They got a good little breakfast there.

[David]

No, we gotta hit that one little spot. The one spot.

[Donnie]

Miami. I know what you're talking about. They have a, they have a one there and they have one in Puerto Rico.

[David]

They do?

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

Okay. How'd you find that?

[Donnie]

I went to Puerto Rico one time and I was looking for breakfast and it was the same spot.

[David]

That's crazy because it wasn't just big food, it was delicious food.

[Donnie]

Yeah. What was?

[David]

It's in our chat.

[Donnie]

But Tuesday, let's just go to the hotel. That hotel. Breakfast. Good. About harbor, remember?

[David]

I'm fine with that.

[Donnie]

We need to get working.

[David]

Yeah, we are going to get work.

[Donnie]

9 to 10:30, breakfast. We go down there at 9, we eat fellowship. 10:30. 10:30 to 3, 10:45.

[David]

Because we're gonna have to go use the bathroom. And if breakfast doesn't until 10:30. Okay, let's go potty. Let's you know, grab our, our tools.

[Donnie]

11 to 3. 11 to be a power hour type.

[David]

11, 12, 1, 2, 3. If I eat around 10, will I not be hungry? Okay, 11 to 3.

[Donnie]

And then we do lunch at 3.

[David]

11 to 3. Okay, but then we cannot do dinner until 8:30 because I have the call, so. Oh, you'll be.

[Shopify Ad Voice]

Yes, that's fine.

[Donnie]

I'll be. Yeah, I'll be in search from 8 and I'll be back by 9:15 or so.

[David]

Okay, so we'll, we'll have a late dinner.

[Donnie]

Late dinner.

[David]

Okay, so 11.

[Donnie]

So we're doing lunch at 3.

[David]

11 to 3. We are in our SPC session.

[Donnie]

Yes.

[David]

And then at 3:30, 3:30 we're gonna go to lunch.

[Donnie]

We're going somewhere.

[David]

Yeah, lunch off campus.

[Donnie]

I love it.

[David]

And then we're going to do. We're going to be coming out of a four hour work session. So we'll do lunch. Let's give ourselves two hours to enjoy our friends.

[Donnie]

Okay.

[David]

3:30 to 5:30. Perfect timing.

[Donnie]

Then we're going to probably relax. Four hours. I think we're going to get a lot done in four hours. If we lock in.

[David]

We are. So after that is free time.

[Donnie]

Lunch. And then We'll.

[David]

Because then I have the call. I'm working, and you'll be at Bible study. So that's it for that day.

[Donnie]

So Wednesday, we're. We're.

[David]

Hold on. Dinner at 9:30.

[Donnie]

Dinner. 9:30. Let's do it.

[David]

Okay.

[Donnie]

We gotta hit a little. Man. I like Mastros.

[David]

We're gonna. Didn't we just go to Mastros in la?

[Donnie]

Yeah, we did, but it's still.

[David]

I have a list of things for us to try.

[Donnie]

Okay, no problem. Real quick. This dinner, we are gonna hit mastros,

[David]

though, or everything is expense. I mean, if we're gonna expense, we're gonna expense. But we're not. We're not paying for everybody. Paying for everybody. This is. We're paying for us. So we have to. This is. This is a work trip. That's. That's. Okay, so let's get clear. Does Dre's flight get expensed?

[Donnie]

No. Worry about the flights. Worry about the flights. We're just.

[Aura Ad Voice]

We're just.

[Donnie]

You said the flight or the room.

[David]

No, we're expensing this whole thing. I mean, the flight was 300. I'm not tripping. Okay, so we got that. But we should also expense our meals.

[Donnie]

Okay.

[David]

Andre's meals can be included in that.

[Donnie]

Okay.

[David]

Okay, so. Because Dre is going to take some pictures of us. Cause Feds be watching.

[Donnie]

You know what I mean? Feds be watching. Okay.

[David]

Dre is gonna take some photos, and we may need her to bring. To go and help the front desk bring a whiteboard down for our meeting.

[Donnie]

Okay, cool.

[David]

Okay, so we got that. All right, Dre is covered.

[Donnie]

Wednesday, we're good.

[David]

Wednesday, we're duplicating the same. Wednesday, let's go off campus for breakfast.

[Donnie]

Off campus for breakfast. And let me find that spot.

[David]

Look in the thread with Ernestine. Remember when we went.

[Donnie]

Yeah, we have chat. GPT, actually. Hey, Chad, there's a breakfast brunch place in Miami that also has a location in Puerto Rico. Very popular place. What's it called? All right, so. So Bistro Cafe.

[David]

Yep, Bistro Cafe.

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

Okay, so when.

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[David]

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[Grainger Ad Voice]

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[David]

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[David]

What time does Bistro Cafe open? Well, it's breakfast, so it'll be open. Yeah, let's do. So we want to go off campus with our friends. So we should do breakfast at 10am on Wednesday.

[Donnie]

Let's go early, bro.

[David]

I want to go early. But is Terrica going to want to go early? Yeah, if we, if we suggest that everybody goes early, we can do early at nine.

[Donnie]

Dave, this is a work trip.

[David]

This is. But it's also. I'd like to rest. We're gonna have a late night on Tuesday. Let's go at 9:30. I don't want to leave the hotel before 9:00'. Clock.

[Donnie]

That's frightening. We're probably gonna skip lunch then.

[David]

No, we can have lunch ordered in.

[Donnie]

If we eat at 10, we're not getting back to that room till 1 o'. Clock.

[David]

We're eating at 9:30.

[Donnie]

Okay.

[David]

Okay. 9:30 breakfast. Okay. 9am departure for breakfast.

[Donnie]

9am departure.

[David]

And we'll end up getting a breakfast at 9:15. I don't care, I just. We can leave at 9. Okay. 9am departure.

[Donnie]

Yep.

[David]

For breakfast. Okay. And then let's just say there's a wait time. So we'll say breakfast starts at 9:30. What is it? Bistro who?

[Donnie]

Miami Bistro Cafe?

[David]

Yeah, Bistro Cafe. And so we'll do breakfast from 9:30 to 11. If we're going with our friends. If it's just us, we can do 9:30 to 10:30. Let's just say 9:30 to 10:45. Because we're on a schedule. We're working. We get Back to the room. We get back to the hotel. We start working at 11:30. Yeah, okay. Oh, see, we're back on schedule.

[Donnie]

Okay.

[David]

We could even start working at 12.

[Donnie]

Yes.

[David]

Okay, 12.

[Donnie]

We order in a lunch.

[David]

12. Well, we don't have to because we're still on the same schedule from the day before. We can go to lunch at 4. 3. Oh, no, it's too late. Yeah, we can go to lunch still at 3:30. That's the day that we're going to lunch.

[Donnie]

This day we should order a lunch in. Or if there's something close.

[David]

You're stressful.

[Donnie]

You're trying to explore restaurants in Miami.

[American Express Ad Voice]

Yes.

[David]

Yes. I don't want to order Panera to the St. Reges.

[Donnie]

Okay.

[David]

Am I tripping?

[Donnie]

And then we. That. Okay. And we're going to a dinner restaurant Wednesday night too.

[David]

Every single night. What are you talking about?

[Donnie]

When are we gonna work?

[David]

We're work. Okay, so are you saying that you want to work more than four hours a day?

[Shopify Ad Voice]

Yes.

[David]

Okay, so that changes things. All right. Because I. I feel like four hours. What we have to do is a very simple assignment. And also we'll be talking about it all day like, you know what I mean?

[Donnie]

Yes.

[David]

These are very simple tasks. We're not doing rocket science.

[Donnie]

You're right. Okay. All right.

[Shopify Ad Voice]

So.

[Donnie]

Okay. All right.

[David]

If we need to work more, we can make adjustments, but this is our plan.

[Donnie]

Okay, cool.

[David]

Okay. So 12 to 3:30.

[Donnie]

So 12. So Tuesday we're working on Social Brew Circle. Wednesday we're working on Exit interview. Exit interview.

[David]

And then Thursday we'll work on.

[Donnie]

And Exit interview and my first million. Conference difference.

[David]

Okay. Or Thursday we can just dedicate to my first million. Thursday we can do my first million and wrap up any loose ends on the other days.

[Donnie]

Got it.

[David]

Okay, so then Thursday. Okay, hold on. So we're working 12 to 3:30 because we gotta enjoy our friends.

[Donnie]

Okay.

[David]

They're thinking too.

[Donnie]

Yes. 12 to 3:30. Let's. Okay.

[David]

Okay. So 12 to 3:30.

[Donnie]

Rest is just open. But we'll knock out a lot in these.

[David]

Yeah, for sure. Exit interview. And like, we never stop talking about work.

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

You know what I mean? So that's that Exit interview. And then I'm even. Cool. So we'll go and eat something at 4. Enjoy. We won't make it to a beach on Wednesday. I'm kind of okay with that.

[Donnie]

The beach is right there.

[David]

Yeah, but we eat from four to. Well, the beach is right there. We're on the beach.

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

Are the cabanas expensed Because I'm gonna reserve the big boy if it's. If otherwise, I'm just gonna get the chairs.

[Donnie]

Is the yacht expense.

[David]

Hold on, hold on. Now you talking greasy. Because I can book a yacht.

[Donnie]

I was just joking. It was just.

[David]

I'm gonna go to the. Hold on. I'm gonna go to the group.

[Donnie]

I was just joking.

[David]

No, no, no, no. I'm gonna go to the group and I'm gonna say, hold on. Where's the group?

[Donnie]

You know, I don't get the point of a yacht, though. Other than you just out in the water.

[David]

What?

[Donnie]

You know what I mean? What's the point of a yacht?

[David]

Hey, guys, I need a final headcount of who all is going. What do you think about booking a yacht? Let's say Thursday. When is Tarika leaving?

[Donnie]

Thursday.

[David]

She's leaving third. Okay, what do you guys think about booking a yacht?

[Donnie]

Oh, Dre leaves Thursday morning.

[David]

Okay, so let's. What do you guys think about booking a yacht on Wednesday? Okay, so if. Even better. Okay. Okay. If Dre leaves Thursday morning, Terrica leaves on Wednesday, we're completely locked in on Thursday. That means that when we go to breakfast, we're working. When we go to lunch, we're working, and we're. We're working. You know what I mean? You're right, because we got to entertain people on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Dave.

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

While working.

[Donnie]

All right, cool.

[David]

All right.

[Donnie]

All right.

[David]

We just mapped it out.

[Donnie]

Playing Good plan. Okay, now we're good.

[David]

Wait, Thursday, though. Hold on. We're duplicating the same energy, but on Thursday, we're doing. What's it called? My first million.

[Donnie]

A yacht is ridiculous. What does a yacht do? What is. What's the purpose of a yacht?

[David]

So, first of all, we're going to be on a boat in the open air with the beautiful mist of the water spraying in our faces ever so delicately. Okay. There's something about the energy that comes off the water that makes the moment majestic. But it puts me into a think, a deep thinking mode. Just think. Think through this. Think about how much thought you get done when you're in the shower. Don't you think a lot in the shower? I do.

[Donnie]

I just be trying to get out the shower.

[David]

Okay, so I go into deep think mode in the shower. But the experience and the environment of the water and the energy that it gives off because of the frequency of the water connected to the yacht and the engine, that's number one, then we're going to be able to produce an amazing amount of content but we're capturing fun in the sun while working the Yacht Experience. Oh, the Yacht Experience is our group mastermind where we're, how can we support you guys? What do you guys think about these ideas? And we're masterminding as a group in an elevated experience. And when you're inside of an elevated experience, it makes you want to make more money. So we'll be increasing our goals as a result. I think it's. You know what I mean?

[Donnie]

That was absolutely ridiculous.

[David]

Or we can just do a sailboat.

[Donnie]

Why do we need a boat? Okay, anyway, let's, let's, let's jump in.

[David]

So we're doing my first million conference and then we are wrapping, closing all open loops on Thursday.

[Donnie]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Okay. Can we get into like social podcast stuff right now?

[David]

I feel like this was very important.

[Donnie]

It was, it was very important.

[David]

I feel like this was a lesson. This is literally how we plan our business. Like we don't have, we probably could and should. We don't have like a whole lot of weekly business meetings. And, and all the things with David and I, we literally in one, one time a year, once or twice a year, we, we make our whole agenda for what's coming up. And I think that we should start doing these quarterly.

[Donnie]

Yeah, I agree.

[David]

We should do this quarterly. It's like book a meeting from a meeting. You remember that? Bam fam. Book a meeting from a meeting. We do that. What that means is you. It's like we, we have our first quarter meeting and that's our strategy for second quarter. Now we need our strategy for third quarter and we have our second quarter meeting to execute for third quarter. Then we have our third quarter meeting to execute for fourth quarter. Fourth quarter meeting to execute for the first quarter of the next year. We should do this quarterly. And, and that's like not a no brainer. It's non negotiable. It's a non negotiable for. And it doesn't always have to be for four or five days. It can be two days that we go on a think trip.

[Donnie]

Yeah, now I'm with that. I'm with that.

[Shopify Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Donnie]

Getting out of the environment that you're in promotes and sparks different thoughts, different ideas. Especially going with other people that are, that are all moving in the same direction. I think is super valuable. And some of us are stuck in our city or our house and we don't ever get out to expand our mind to a different idea. So I think it's very, very valuable. So, okay. All right, cool. Drop it in chat if you are planning on taking a think trip. If you think it'd be valuable for you, let us know in the chat. I got to this or that for you.

[David]

Okay.

[Donnie]

The ability to convince anyone. I mean, the ability to convince anyone or the ability to understand anyone? You have a superpower. Any person you interact with, you can have the ability to convince them or you have the ability to truly understand them.

[David]

Hmm, That's a good one. I have to pick one.

[Donnie]

You have to pick one.

[David]

How selfish would it be to have the ability to convince people that's the

[Donnie]

one you want to pick.

[David]

But it would be highly profitable.

[Donnie]

Oh. What?

[David]

It would be highly profitable. It would make life so much easier to be able to convince anybody to do the things that I need for them to do. But I have a deep love for understanding people. I'm always getting to the bottom of people. And I think. I think that if you can understand people, you'll still get the result that you want at the end of the day.

[Donnie]

I agree. But your knee jerk reaction is convince.

[David]

Oh, it would be so much fun to be able to convince people.

[Donnie]

Convince people to your way of thinking. Even though, like, I know most people believe that our thought process is correct, like, I'm right a lot. You know, most people would have that thought process. You know I'm right. And I need to sometimes convince someone that they can do more. I need to be able to convince you that you are a superpower. Like, I need to convince you. So I. Probably, because I'm super curious, I think I would take understanding. But I definitely understand the convincing part.

[David]

Okay, I have a this or that for you. Would you rather outgrow everyone you love and separate from them or remain connected to them but never fully become who you could be?

[Donnie]

I just knew I was taking whatever the B answer was.

[David]

Okay. Would you rather outgrow everyone you love and be separated from them or remain connected to them but never fully become who you could be?

[Donnie]

Oh, my goodness. That may be the hardest question I've ever been asked in my life.

[David]

Mm.

[American Express Ad Voice]

Ooh.

[Donnie]

Everyone you love, you lose connection because

[David]

you're growing, because you outgrew them.

[Donnie]

But the cost of love and loyalty is you not growing and me still living in the house I lived in in Willingboro, New Jersey, and not growing and doing the same thing I was doing when I was 16, trying to rap and sell weed is that

[David]

says not fully becoming. So that doesn't mean that you're still stuck in those environments, but you're not the David Shands that you are today.

[Donnie]

But you have to be connected to people that maybe are committed to not growing.

[David]

Yes.

[Donnie]

Right.

[David]

You're definitely connected to people who are not growing.

[Donnie]

I think I'd have to leave. I think I'd have to leave. I wanna grow and I wanna see what the possibilities are for my life. But dang, what are you doing when

[David]

there's no one, everyone you love around

[Donnie]

you that you love? Okay, I'll take the B clause.

[David]

I'm taking B2.

[Shopify Ad Voice]

Dang.

[David]

I can't. What is life without anybody that you love? Any of your day ones? That means mom, dad, that means brother, that means kids. Do you ever even get to have kids? Like, that means everybody. That means best friends, that that's everybody that you love, mentors, everybody that you love because they stop growing.

[Donnie]

Yo, here's the thing. I don't even think it was, it wasn't about the people, but one of the biggest blessings was I was able to leave the town I grew up in. You know what I mean? And not that anything's wrong with the town, it's just, that's all, you know? So if you don't leave, you can't expand your mind. You can't see something else. Yeah, but I, I, I almost, if it wasn't for my mom, I probably would have stayed there.

[David]

Yeah.

[Donnie]

Because at the time, as a child, I'm like, man, I just love my hometown and I still love my hometown, I still love my friends. But, and that was the environment of people that I love. But when I left, I had to find new people to love and it worked out.

[David]

But golly, I mean, I think about what a question. If there weren't some people that I cared deeply for at one time that I didn't disconnect from. My life could be very different. Like not in a great way. Like, there were some people that I was deeply connected to. I love them very, very much that just today are still living the way that they were living at that time. And if, if I hadn't separated myself, I could be living just like that, struggling and suffering and up to no good and, you know, doing things. So I would rather not reach my full potential to be connected to the people that I love.

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

Like, I just wouldn't choose a life because who's around you. Yeah, yeah. It's a no brainer. Like me without.

[Donnie]

It's not a no brainer.

[David]

First, it's a no brainer for me. It's an, it's, it's a no because

[Donnie]

you don't even always like the people that you love.

[David]

No. But you always love them. And. And when you need them, you always need them. You know what I mean? Like, you can. You can count on some people that you love.

[Donnie]

Also, does this mean you never find someone that you. You never find people that you love?

[David]

Outgrow everyone you love. So that means that everybody that comes into your life that you love, at some point, you will outgrow them because you're on your growth journey.

[Donnie]

That's life. Isn't it, though?

[David]

No. You don't outgrow everybody. Like you. You can outgrow them, but you're not. Like, you have people in boxes. You've outgrown some people, but you can still connect on, you know, whatever day of the week it is. We. We can still do a family reunion. We can have a cookout. You get to come. You never get to be connected to them again.

[Donnie]

Dang. That's crazy. Okay, I got one for you.

[David]

Okay.

[Donnie]

Always know who's loyal or always know who's lying. You have the superpower of knowing who's loyal every time, but you also have the superpower of knowing who's lying every time.

[David]

Always know who's loyal. Always know who's lying. Always. I would like to always know who's lying because. Because if I know who's lying, I can make a strong bet on who's loyal.

[Donnie]

I like that.

[David]

That was a good answer.

[Grainger Ad Voice]

I like that.

[Donnie]

I think I. I'd agree with that.

[David]

Let me see. I think I know your answer to this one, but it's a good question. Would you rather build a team that loves working for you and wants to stay here to help you build your empire, or that becomes powerful enough to leave you and constantly keep rebuilding your team?

[Donnie]

Say it again.

[David]

Would you rather build a team that loves working for you and stays forever, or one that becomes powerful enough to leave you and you're constantly rebuilding your team?

[Donnie]

Taking a. I'm taking a. Yeah. Because you can all. You can always feel when someone's there to use you as a stepping stone. Which I'm not mad at being a stepping stone, but if that is the I could never have faith that I'm building with someone. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. What's yours?

[David]

I'm taking A as well. Like, I. I dream of running my company 20 years from now and celebrating somebody's 20 year tenure ship with me. Like, I dream of that. I just realized that Deja's been working for me for seven years. I said, oh, my God. Yeah, that's dope. Like, I think that's. She's my longest tenured team member. And I dream of the day of, like, celebrating somebody's retirement party from my company.

[Donnie]

Okay. Here's a comparable one. Know exactly what people think about you or never care what anyone thinks.

[David]

I'd rather know exactly what people think of me.

[Donnie]

Really. I think I would have to go with never caring what anyone thinks because that's something I struggle with.

[David]

Yeah.

[Donnie]

And it's heavy when you. You even make, like, some sort of hypothesis about what people think. And because I internalize it and I care, it affects how I move sometime. So that's. That. That's just a current struggle for me that I struggle with my whole life. And I wish I didn't have that part.

[David]

Yeah. I have less of a struggle of caring what people think about me. So I would just know. I want to know what you think.

[Donnie]

Yeah, for sure.

[David]

Like, you know what I mean? Like, I want to know what you think. So I know what box to place you in. I know where you fit in my life, but not because I'm gonna go and cry about it.

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

If that makes sense. Okay. I got so many.

[Donnie]

Good. Right?

[David]

I have so many. Would you rather forgive a friend who betrayed you during your hardest season or who disappeared during your greatest season?

[Donnie]

Say that one more time.

[David]

Would you rather forgive a friend who betrayed you during your hardest season? They betrayed you when things were hard or they disappeared during your greatest success?

[Donnie]

Disappeared during your greatest success. I'd rather forgive that person. Yeah.

[David]

That's an easy one. Same.

[Donnie]

Would you rather have perfect timing or perfect judgment?

[David]

Perfect judgment. Because perfect judgment gives you perfect timing.

[Donnie]

I like that. I like that.

[David]

Is that your answer to.

[Grainger/Carvana Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Donnie]

100%. 100%.

[David]

Okay. Would you rather have a friend who protects your name in every room or corrects you in the room when you're wrong?

[Donnie]

Say it one more time.

[David]

Would you rather have a friend who protects your name in every room or a friend who corrects you in the room when you're wrong, like, on the spot.

[Donnie]

Nobody wants to. I don't mind. Want to be corrected in front of people. When we get to the car, let me know.

[David]

Don't correct me. Just not in the room.

[Donnie]

Yeah, for sure. Not in front of anybody. Well, it's on the. Yeah.

[David]

No, no, no.

[Donnie]

Just. Just let me be right. Right now.

[David]

Okay.

[Donnie]

Two more. I'll do one and you do one.

[David]

Okay.

[Donnie]

Higher for loyalty or higher for talent?

[David]

Higher for loyalty. For me. Yeah.

[Grainger Ad Voice]

I don't.

[David]

Okay. Higher Because I'm loyal or they're loyal. I like, I need talented people that are loyal. Hire for loyalty, hire for talent. If you hire for talent but they're disloyal, does their talent even matter? But if they're loyal, you can train the talent. I'm hiring for loyalty.

[Donnie]

I think I'm going to hire for talent because in what industry is this? Like, high level corporate C suite executives, they get hired for talent, but the companies know that at some, especially in, like, the tech world, they know that that person is leaving at some point for a better offer. Like, that's just how they move around company to company. Like C suite executives, they typically don't stay in a role long, but because the company knows that. But they know that they're super talented, they know the time they're going to be there is going to be extremely valuable. So they understand that it's not a loyalty thing. It's just business. So I'm probably hiring for talent. And there have been people who was very loyal, but they didn't have the talent to take things to the next level. But I kept them around because they were loyal, and it crippled your business that way.

[David]

Yeah. I think that if someone is truly loyal, they're also going to demonstrate that in their actions by learning what's required.

[Donnie]

Nope.

[David]

I think so. You can't be loyal to me and failing at your job. Those. Those things.

[Donnie]

Yes, they can.

[David]

No, you can't. Not if you're trying to think you're. Well, now, here's the thing. I'm not just hiring loyal people who are talentless.

[Donnie]

Yes.

[David]

You know what I mean? Like, you got to come with some talent. But if you're loyal, I'm willing to take the lesser talent and develop them than somebody who I have to be watching over my shoulder every day. Like, they're talented, but they're stealing from me.

[Donnie]

Well, I don't. I don't think loyalty. I don't think that. Well, in this scenario, I don't see it as they're a bad. They're a bad character.

[David]

You're either loyal or you're disloyal.

[Donnie]

Disloyal could mean I'm super talented. I'm gonna be here, but I'm looking for another opportunity. But the time I'm here, it's up.

[David]

Let's look at the definition of loyalty.

[Donnie]

Okay. Okay.

[David]

I want the actual.

[Donnie]

I think loyalty is. So LeBron James was not loyal to his team.

[Shopify Ad Voice]

Right.

[Donnie]

I mean, he'll just go from team to team. He's super talented. But they'll bring LeBron on because he's talented. Knowing, bro, he ain't gonna stay here long. If he ain't staying in his hometown, he's not gonna stay here. And there's nothing wrong with that, just talent. But you can have that person that's just been at the same team. I love this team. I don't wanna go nowhere. I'm not Chase. Scotty Pippen was very loyal. He stayed with the Bulls for forever because he's just loyal now. He was loyal and talented, but, yeah, I don't know.

[David]

So disloyalty means the state or an act of being unfaithful, unsupportive, or violating a trust to someone or something to which you owe allegiance.

[Donnie]

Mm.

[David]

I think that changes things.

[Donnie]

That changes things because they may go to another company with trade secrets.

[David]

They may go to another company with trade secrets. They may be secretly, like, super talented but stealing from you. They. They're pillow talking your business. Like that's disloyalty.

[Donnie]

Yeah. Oh, will you put it that way? Ah, man. I think these are scenarios that everyone faces every single day and their choices and decisions that they have to. To make. And I think even, like, with this, this, or that, it has me thinking about historically, you know, how I've maneuvered people and places and things, but also moving forward. It's like, dang, this is.

[David]

And I gotta get my last question out.

[Donnie]

Let's do it.

[David]

But I think there's a difference between LeBron not being loyal to his team and him not being married to or committed to that team.

[Donnie]

Okay.

[David]

And I think he's just not committed. Like, I love you guys. I'm here, but I'm not committed enough to not explore other options. Disloyal would be him going to a different team and sharing the Lakers playbook.

[Donnie]

We don't know that he did.

[David]

He might. Last question. Would you rather receive exactly what you prayed to God for and discover that it was not good for you, or never receive it and never understand why, leaving you wondering for life?

[Donnie]

Golly, where are these questions from?

[David]

Re. Ask it.

[Donnie]

Re. Ask it.

[David]

Would you rather receive exactly what you prayed to God for and discover that it was not good for you, or never receive it and never understand why, leaving you wondering for life?

[Donnie]

I rather just not receive it because I believe that faith is knowing that at the end of this life, we'll get some sort of understanding. And, I mean, there's some things right now that maybe I don't know why I didn't receive What I wanted, but my faith says there's a reason. I don't know the reason yet, but there's a reason, and I'm okay with that. What's yours?

[David]

Because I know. Because I know that you can get exactly what you pray. Because I have experience getting exactly what I pray for. And I'm like, dang, I should have been more specific.

[Donnie]

Left out a couple details.

[David]

I left out a couple valid points. I would rather just never receive it.

[Donnie]

Yeah.

[David]

Because it wasn't for me. So why would I rather. I don't want to receive what wasn't for me. If it didn't work out, if it wasn't for me already, let it just not be for me. And I live in constant wonder, and my wonder will always lead me to. To your point. Like, God knows knows what he's doing.

[Donnie]

Yeah, for sure.

[David]

That was good.

[Donnie]

What a healthy conversation.

[David]

What a healthy conversation.

[Donnie]

Yes.

[David]

Hopefully it opened up your mind and elevated your thought process. Hopefully you've got a think trip coming, and maybe right now for you. It can't be a think trip. It could be a think day. Okay. You can go to a park and put out a blanket and sit and just think. You can go to a library. Somebody told me. I did an exit interview yesterday with trail. He said he likes to go to the library, and he has great experience meeting women in the library. You can go to the library. It doesn't have to be a huge expense, you know, and doing all the things. It doesn't have to be a big production. But spend some time thinking. Put it on your calendar. Put some time on your calendar to think, plan, strategize, execute.

[Donnie]

Yep, there we go. You know what I'm thinking, too? Our social proof circle members that are the ones that get access to the. The co working day every month, maybe they should be the ones that are invited to, like, these conversations that can kind of sit in the crowd and we get their input.

[David]

Which conversations?

[Donnie]

Like our podcast conversations.

[David]

Oh, to come in here. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we should do that. Let's open the doors back up for inner circle members. Yep, yep. Yeah, let's do that. I like that. All right, so then that means that you should be looking for your path to join our social proof circle. And good news is the link is right here. Or it's right here or it's right there. Right there. I don't. It's. It's wherever you're watching this video. The social proof circle dot com. The socialproofcircle dot com. Come and join us. Get mentored by us. This is a community for entrepreneurs who are looking for personal, professional and financial development from two of the best mentors in the game.

[Donnie]

In the world.

[David]

In the world. I found this cool little way to say what it is that we bring to the table uniquely, but making it make sense. And I don't have it on hand right now, but I'll have it for the next episode because chat just broke us down to a T. David is really good at this. David is. David is good at the networking and relationship building and opening up opportunities while Donnie refines, offers and helps you monetize the strategy. I said, oh, that's us. Oh, that's good. That's what we do for sure. Join Social proof circle, the socialproofcircle.com we'll see you guys next.

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[David]

Mom, can you tell me a story?

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[David]

Was she brave?

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[David]

Did you have to fight a dragon?

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[David]

Was it scary?

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[David]

It did, actually.

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