Self-Made Podcast

"A great story is the most powerful tool to changing your life." In this episode, when you understand why stories have the ability to change your life and those around you and how, you will begin to start looking at each experience more closely than you ever have before.    

"Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." - Archimedes   Jason Hartman's Self-Made Journey   This is an episode that I have no doubt you will find inspiring, enjoyable, informative, and leave with actionable items. Meet Jason Hartman, founder of Hartman Media, but includes so much more. He is the founder/owner of 18 companies, has made $10 million dollars through podcasting, and owns income-earning properties in 11 states and 17 cities...oh, he also has traveled to 74 different countries in his life. You will hear a story of a man who grew up poor and used that "desperation" to learn everything he could about real estate to lead the life he desired. From my personal experience, I've heard many people who have used this pain as a constant motivational source. But with Jason, you can clearly see he leads a life of gratitude to inspire his future endeavors.   What You Will Learn   How to turn your "desperation" into "inspiration". What value

"You can be happy and not fulfilled. Yet, you will always be happy when you are fulfilled."   What is your favorite day of the week? I've asked 5 different people this question last week and here were the responses I received:   "Usually Saturday, because it's the day I'm off work and can sleep in."   "I always look forward to Sunday because the only thing I look forward to right now is church."   "Any day I can spend time with my family."   "Is that a trick question....ummm I guess Friday because the week is over."   "I love to party, which usually leaves Friday & Saturday Happy Hour."   Now when you hear these answers, you almost would mistake these responses for people who are sad, depressed, and don't enjoy there life. The reality is these are people I've known for years and many would consider them quite happy and positive. So if they are happy, it means they are lacking in a key area.

"When you have an idea that you love, you just have to go for it." - Brittany Stadtmiller   Brittany Stadtmiller's Self-Made Journey   One skill that I have not developed in my life is that of an artist. It's one of the reasons why I have so much respect for any person who has the ability to create beauty with there hand and vision. This is why I was so happy to have on Brittany Stadtmiller, owner and co-designer of Gemsteady. The reason we titled this episode, "Follow Your Heart", is how Brittany has literally made her professional and personal decisions on what she feels is right. She went from dating to marriage within a couple days of dating and started a business with him, despite having no business training or experience in selling customized jewelry. How did she go from zero experience to a place where she sells her pieces internationally?   What You Will Learn   The key to any business is helping client's overcome problems It is not just good enough to be an entrepreneur, you have

"Once you understand it truly matters how you start, each day will be one lived with purpose."   For the majority of you this evening, you will set your alarm at a specific time you have to get up. This time is set usually with your first obligation of the day (work?). Once that alarm sounds...or maybe after several snooze buttons are hit, you go through the motions (shower, maybe breakfast, drive to work) before you mentally say "ok, now my day begins".   How many hours of your day just passed by where you were lethargic or dreading the rest of your day?   High achievers, whether they are people who are above the average person in fitness, finances, or happiness do not waste time in there day. In fact, they tend to use their mornings much better than the typical person. What are they doing that you can implement right now?

"I never thought I would get into exercise." - Micah Logan   Micah Logan's Self-Made Journey   I am a motivation-junkie...duh, right? Well then you will completely understand why I loved having the chance to interview my new good friend, Micah Logan. He is the founder of Next Level Fitness, a personalized and customized gym for individuals who are looking to work with the highest quality trainers in the Boston area. His business name is appropriate as you can hear, as he describes, the "laser-like focus" he has for growing his business and improving his loved one's life. This is an episode that you will learn so much about three area's every entrepreneur dreams of: 1) How to grow your business, 2) How to grow personally, and 3) How to overcome your struggles.   What You Will Learn   Taking "Imperfect Action" is the key to growing and scaling your business. The ability to compartmentalize your pain from your goals is crucial to overcoming struggle To be a better leader, make yourself an "as

"To develop intuition, the "Law of 10,000" states that it takes roughly 10,000 hours of practical education and experience to become an expert and develop the ability to trust your gut."   Richard Branson says that he can tell within the first 60 seconds whether he wants to do business with someone or not. How can that be?!?!?! It's clear he is an individual who trusts his gut when making a decisions. Clearly he didn't develop this power of intuition overnight. It took years of experience, trial and error to be able to develop such a feel for making the right decisions.   How do you develop the intuition to be THAT successful...both in business and life? In today's episode, I discuss how the process to improve your intuition is not what we are taught in school, but in fact, is the opposite of what seems rational.

Geneviève Filteau's Self-Made Journey It's really easy to spend time with someone who is constantly smiling and laughing, which is why you will love Geneviève Filteau. The founder of Cheering4You, she has an incredible story of living a nice life, having it all taken away from her, and then truly discovering herself to find the person she truly wants to be. One of the most fascinating aspects of this episode was how she decided to take this personal journey (of 3.5 years) and what transpired was not unexpected, out of her control, and yet, she describes as a "blessing in disguise". So how did Geneviève find success and happiness after getting separated, being involved in a car crash that left her physically limited, losing her job, all the while raising 2 boys? What You Will Learn What was the benefits of taking time away from social media? What experiences are crucial to leading a fulfilling & healthy life? Where should people start searching for happiness and fulfillment? Why

“To be Self-Made...it signifies that you are deliberately deciding to grow as a person.” – Derek Loudermilk Derek Loudermilk's Self-Made Journey It isn't very often you come across an individual who was a professional cyclist, discovered a new virus, has a hot spring named after him, and is spending one year traveling the world with his wife. In fact, he is the first for me! Meet Derek Loudermilk, founder of the podcast The Art of Adventure. In May, he made the decision to travel the world with his wife to learn how business works around the world and to take some time experiencing life outside of the United States. While on his journey, what he has realized is that living in the moment and constantly learning is where he finds himself happiest. Sneak Peak What has Derek learned about business that is unique, but would greatly benefit all entrepreneurs? How is he able to travel the world and continue to grow his business? What did Derek learn while competing as

"People overestimate what they can achieve in a day, but usually underestimate what they can achieve in a year” - Anonymous It's that time of the year we sit down with ourselves and loved ones and create those resolutions. Guess what? I LOVE IT!!!! Do you know what drives me nuts though? When I start to receive emails and read posts that come into my email inbox like this: Screen Shot 2015-01-09 at 9.27.37 AM   I get it..."the statistics say 9 out of 10 of us won't stick to our resolution"...or "if you aren't setting goals all year long, why do you think they will work now". Look, I get it and I'm not going to say those statistics and opinions don't have some truth to them. But the reality is that why rain on someone's parade? Also, every single one of us has decided to quite on a goal in our life, whether they are resolutions or goals we set in June. Many entrepreneurs usually set benchmarks that are financially based. I truly believe for the majority of people, more money means more time

“One may not be at a point of acceptance...and for everyone, you have to find it from within yourself.” – Pam Levin Pam Levin's Self-Made Journey How many of you have set resolutions for 2015? According to a recent poll, 93% of the population who set New Year goals will partially tie their objective to a health or wellness topic. This could be losing weight, gaining muscle, feeling happier, or creating more positive relationships. Why is health and wellness so important in our lives? Meet Pam, who teaches a unique approach to health and wellness that is more holistic and is scientifically proven. Her story is one of the many people I feel fortunate to have met in my life, as at her deepest core, she is an individual who wants to make a positive impact on others. Sneak Peak How important has Detroit been in her life, both personally and professionally? What was the deciding factor that shaped her entrepreneurial mission and how does this relate to other entrepreneurs

"Reflection is the key to growth.” - Alex Kuhn 

"It’s up to you, and no one else, to achieve your dream.” - Alex Kuhn It’s the holiday season and it’s getting closer to that time of the year where we will start to set our resolutions for the New Year! Yet, the saddest thing this time of the year is that someone will stop believing. Someone will give up. It breaks my heart each and every time I hear someone say they can’t do something because (fill in the blank). It’s time to understand why we stop and how to get back on track.      

“There was a hunger for success.” – Robert Rickey Marketplace Superheroes Self-Made Journey For the first time in the history of the Self-Made podcast, I was pleased to be joined by Robert Rickey and Stephen Somers from Marketplace Superheroes. These two bring such different viewpoints of how each became successful. Stephen education was traditional, meaning he went to college, earned his degree, found a job. However, when Stephen discovered that he hated his job and his music career was not going anywhere, he knew a change was needed in his life. Enter his partner and good friend Robert. Robert a more non-traditional, entrepreneurial education upbringing, as he gained business knowledge and wisdom by working in his dad’s company growing up. He experienced the highs, the lows, the good and the bad of business. In this episode, you will hear them talk about what they have learned along there path and how two people, from different backgrounds, can work together to create a very success

"Work does not demotivate people, doing work that has no meaning does.” - Alex Kuhn No matter what interview or book I have read, motivation seems to be a common denominator for individuals who have achieved success. Whether it is earning more money, marrying the love of your life, or looking better in your clothes, you and I can agree that it takes someone motivated to achieve these marks of success.   But doesn’t everyone want these things in their life? As long as when they look at the path towards these goals, they see happiness…

"It was like my soul just left me." – Dominic Labriola Dominic's Self-Made Journey How many of you were designing houses at the age of 10? Well meet Dominic Labriola, the man with a quick smile, a positive outlook, and truly lives a life of goodness and fulfillment. He didn't always have success in life as you will hear a story that is both heartbreaking and inspiring because of how he persevered. In 2007, Dominic was the #1 realtor in his hometown and life was good before the market crashed. Having gone from making hundreds of thousands of dollars to $11,000 in one year not only cost him his home and his "independence" (he moved back home with his parents), but he became depressed and ballooned to 240 pounds. But what you will here is how he used this low point in his life to not only get back up, but to discover his true authentic self and be happier than ever! Sneak Peak Dominic gives so much credit to his mentors for helping him become the man he is today. How did they strongly influ

"Goals are rarely achieved without a greater purpose." With 2015 fast approaching, many of us will perform the yearly ritual of resolutions. It seems like a theme this year to bash those who are waiting until the New Year to set goals. Why? In fact, I'm ecstatic that you are taking the time to look at yourself and make a decision to go after something that is important to you. But perhaps there is a better way so that you will not only succeed in 2015...but beyond.    

"To me, Self-Made is getting up everyday to attack the smaller goals that will lead to larger ones." – Roxi Copland Roxi's Self-Made Journey This was a special episode for me as I got to interview one of my good friends and someone who was truly inspirational in my journey, Roxi Copland. Roxi is an independent artist of her self-named band, Roxi Copland. She is someone who has known since the age of 4 that all she wanted to do was be a musician. When I met her years ago, I could instantly see someone who loved what they were doing and was following her passion. This was before I started my own entrepreneurial journey and I’m excited to share, what you will see, is an incredible woman with an equally incredible story. Listen Now! Sneak Peak Roxi knew at the age of 4 that she wanted to be a musician. What were some differences in her childhood that helped her focus on her path? She shares her personal experiences and stories with her audience through her music. How does Roxi handle both t

“The only story that is true is the story we choose to believe.” - Alex Kuhn   My hope is that as an entrepreneur, we all feel the following three stages. The first stage is the Dream Phase. This is the phase where we have this idea and vision of building a business that is going to make a difference in the lives of society, those we love, and our own. We can touch and taste every piece of success, and it’s at this moment we want to share that moment with those we care about. The second phase is the Grind Phase. This phase is where you are putting in the 10+ (at least) hours each day that it requires to grow your business. The business is successful and you are starting to see the fruits of your labor, but it also means you have to put systems in place, hire employees, and work when many others are out enjoying there life. The final phase is the Self-Made Phase. While there’s always work to be done, you are at a point where your business is booming and it requires very little to n