This week on Professional Troublemaker, Luvvie is in conversation with legendary shoe-designer and President of Fear of God Athletics, Jason Mayden. In this episode, they discuss Jason’s journey from designing girl’s names in bubble letters to designing shoes for Nike at 21. Jason and Luvvie talk all about Imposter Syndrome, the urge to give into it, and the realization of belonging in a room. They also delve into Jason's design process and the importance of the narrative when coming up with fresh ideas.

Jason describes Professional Troublemaking as being an accomplice--not an ally---and believes the world needs Professional Troublemakers in order to take risks and say the inconvenient thing at the inconvenient time. Kick back in your favorite kicks and enjoy this episode of Professional Troublemaker with iconic Chicagoan, Jason Mayden.

Give the Praise (with Jason Mayden)

Creating a life that is authentic, bold, and purposeful takes audacity. It takes disruption. That is what it means to be a Professional Troublemaker. Join New York Times bestselling author, Luvvie Ajayi Jones, as she brings perspectives, conversations and deep dives about culture, business and leadership. 

Her guests are world movers and change agents who have gotten where they are through their tenacity, their truth telling and commitment to making good trouble.

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Self-Improvement

In this episode, Luvvie dives deep into 'The Crumbling' - the most tumultuous period of Awe Luv Media - as it faces operational chaos, underperformance, and financial distress in the first half of 2023. Luvvie recounts experiences of unexpected challenges, including unmet deadlines, poor productivity, and critical financial losses that brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy. Despite overemphasizing core values, setting clear priorities, and empowering the team, mistakes continued left and right, leading to the firing of all but one of seven internal team members. 

In the midst of these challenges, Luvvie also celebrates the successful launch of their fourth book, 'Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess,' which, in spite of all the seemingly insurmountable hurdles, becomes a New York Times bestseller, providing a glimmer of hope and validation amidst the crisis. The episode reflects on leadership, the importance of trust within a team, and the personal and professional toll of navigating business failures, setting the stage for the next episode: recovery and rebuilding.

Experience the Valley (How I Almost Went Bankrupt)

In this episode, Luvvie pulls back the curtain on the rollercoaster of transitioning from being a solopreneur to running a 7-figure business. Needing to diversify revenue streams, she went from having one executive assistant to 7 full-time salaried employees (with benefits!). And all the plans she had for 2023, with strategy. How she created systems, strategy and plans to double her revenue. She walks us through her business transformation, from the highs of scaling up to a multimillion-dollar company, to the lows of shrinking down her 'dream' team.

Build the Foundation (How I Built a Team)

In this episode, Luvvie shares her personal journey—from being a 'failed' doctor to accidental entrepreneur—and reflects on the highs and lows of starting and running her business. She discusses the importance of community, the struggles of building a sustainable business, and how her outlook on entrepreneurship evolved over time. This season promises deep dives into the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, featuring interviews with respected business owners and exploring topics like mental health in business leadership, building resilient teams, and operating with an abundance mindset despite financial uncertainties.

Take the Leap (My Journey to Becoming an Entrepreneur)

In Season 5, Luvvie delves into the raw reality of entrepreneurship, sharing her struggles and lessons learned from running a multimillion dollar business. Joined by fellow industry leaders, she offers a candid exploration of the unseen side of business, after 2023 was her toughest year running her company. Tune in on your favorite platform to catch every upcoming episode!

Season 5 Trailer: The Glory and Grit of Entrepreneurship

Today, Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess is out in the world. In this episode, Luvvie discusses the idea of returning to one's true self, specifically the pure and hopeful version of oneself from childhood. She shares how this children’s book helped her reconnect with her younger self, and how writing the book has helped her inner child heal and learn to give herself grace and self-compassion.

Give the Praise (with Jason Mayden)

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