About Aaron: For over 38 years, Aaron has been a small business owner, devoted husband, and community leader. He is a veteran entrepreneur who began his first business at 18 years old. After selling that business to a Fortune 500 company nine years later, he set out on a journey that lasted four decades, building over a dozen businesses. He “retired” for the third time at age 50 and began a new life as coach and mastermind leader, creating the Iron Sharpens Iron mastermind and publishing his book, “View From the Top”. Aaron incorporates education and learning opportunities into his daily routine, remaining informed of the latest tools and trends available.

Places to Find Aaron:

Viewfromthetop.com is his website where you can learn about or join the Iron Sharpens Iron mastermind.

On Instagram @isi_mastermind

On Facebook at Aaron Walker View From The Top

Show Notes:

[3:00] minute: Could you share what life was like growing up and what sort of mindset around money and success was instilled in you?

• Working in a local grocery store when he was 8 to help support his family.
• Nashville native born and raised, would never leave.
• Took summer and night school so he could graduate after his Junior year, allowing him to open his first business at 18.
• Sold his first company to a Fortune 500 company.
• A deadly car accident changed his life.
• Retired for the third time at 50 and began a new career coaching and leading masterminds.

[12:30] minute: Experiencing this massive trauma, how did you pull yourself out of that and escape any negative feelings that come with that?

• Isolation is the enemy to excellence.
• The support of his friends and masterminds, and his wife of now 40 years, helped him to come back to the world.
• Chose to be happy.

[16:00] minute: When you were 18 with no money or connections, how did you get those first investors and business partners to take you seriously?

• Was taught by his parents great core values, including that he was not allowed to use the word, “can’t.”
• His self esteem was built up so he believed he could accomplish anything.
• His business partners saw value in his work ethic and his principles.
• If you haven’t been the person you want to be that’s ok, just start today.
• Surround yourself with people who are excelling.

[22:20] minute: For anyone who isn’t familiar with masterminds or mastermind groups, explain it to them.

• Definition from Napoleon Hill
• Value of having his Mastermind group to go to with ideas and for advice.
• Everyone should read “Ego is the Enemy” by Ryan Holiday.

[25:00] minute: What advice would you give to someone whose looking for a Mastermind group but is overwhelmed by the options out there?

• Make sure the core values align with yours.
• Historically, you commit more to what you pay for.
• Deeper, faster, more personal quicker when it is virtual and you are meeting with folks from all different places.
• Why his groups are only men.

[31:00] minute: You’ve built so many businesses and your focus is now on helping others do the same, so how do you think your success in your career has helped you be able to give back?

• Learned to look outward instead of inward.
• Can only have an impact when you are giving.
• Money is important, it just can’t be your focus; Your purpose has to motivate you.

34:30 minute: Who has been the most impactful person in your journey to do well and achieve financial success?

• Dave Ramsey, a financial expert who he has known for a long time in Nashville.

[35:30] minute: Who has been the most impactful person in feeding your drive to do good and make an impact?

• His wife, Robyn.

[35:45] minute: When you’re having a bad day, what do you do to get yourself out of the funk? Do you have any sort of regular personal development practice?

• Looking outward and not inward. First thing he does is call others to encourage them which brings encouragement back to himself.

[36:10] minute: What book do you find yourself recommending to people most often?

• How to Win Friends and Influence People
• Should read regularly, required for everyone.

[36:35] minute: What is the best piece of advice related to happiness that you’d give to my listeners?

• Fear holds people back.
• Fear missing opportunity more than you fear failure.
• Develop that mindset of “can’t couldn’t do it and could did it all.”

Do Well & Do Good Challenge Nominee:

St. Judes Children’s Hospital

Website | Donate

His reasoning: the money goes towards the patient, and the fact that no one who has ever been to St. Jude's has ever paid a penny is amazing.

Web Description:

The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.

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