Changing Lives Selling Knives

When we think about the factors that make people successful, the first things that come up are Education, Experience, Knowledge, IQ. But the reality is that none of these serve as an adequate predictor as to why one person succeeds and another doesn't. Instead, it is our level of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) that is becoming viewed as the #1 predictor of professional success and personal excellence. As a society, we continue to focus most of our self-development energy in the pursuit of knowledge, experience, intelligence, and education. But it's vital to simultaneously gain a better understanding of our own emotions, and of how what we do and say affects the emotions of others. EQ is about how smart with are with the human connection, in other words, how effectively we manage ourselves and our relationships. In the book "Emotional Intelligence 2.0," authors Travis Bradberry & Jean Graves offer specific strategies for developing EQ. This podcast shares ideas based on concepts from this and other books about EQ.

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Ben Kooper is currently the #1 college-student sales rep in the Cutco/Vector Marketing sales organization. In under 3 full years, Ben has already sold over $411,000 of Cutco, while attending UCLA full-time as an Aerospace Engineering major with a 3.5 GPA. His list of achievements begins with a 10K Fast Start, 20K Push his first Summer, and Assistant Manager leadership on one of the top teams in the Western Region. Ben was one of the first Cutco reps to fully adapt and master the virtual environment in 2020, and that Summer, he was the company's #1 All-American with $133K in sales, while working a 35-hour per week internship in aerospace engineering! This Spring, he is wrapping up his 5th All-American and second time at #1, with over $82K in sales for the campaign. Ben's goal is to break every college-student record ever set in the company, and beyond that, his dream is to work for SpaceX and help us get to Mars. An avid athlete, he will also be featured as a competitor on American Ninja Warrior on May 31st. Ben is an incredible example of all-around success!

To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit ChangingLivesPodcast.com

Jeff Gamboa is currently the Florida Caribbean Division Manager in the Cutco/Vector Marketing sales organization. He's a 24-year veteran with the company and member of the company's Hall of Fame. He coined the term "VectorTrained" to represent the wide range of skills and competencies that people gain through selling Cutco, participating in Vector's Leadership Academy program, and advancing into leadership positions with the company. For over 2 decades, Jeff Gamboa has been developing students into "5-star graduates," and his strategies and programs are emulated by many other leaders throughout Vector today.

To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit ChangingLivesPodcast.com

Heather Zumarraga is a business consultant, public speaker, author, and leader in the financial services industry. She received a degree in Finance & Investments from Baruch College, and her MBA from American University. She exceeded $1 billion in sales for SunAmerica Asset Management, and was ranked #1 in the company from 2014 to 2016, advancing to become a V.P. of the parent company, AIG. This was a male-dominated industry in which Heather thrived and learned a lot about male/female interactions in corporate culture. Heather now leads investment conferences for Wells Fargo, UBS, & Charles Schwab, and she has appeared on CNBC, Newsmax, & Fox News Business. Her work has been featured in multiple major publications including Forbes, and she is the author of a Harper Collins Leadership book called "The Man's Guide To Corporate Culture." She teaches men and women how to better interact and support each other in corporate settings.

To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit ChangingLivesPodcast.com

This episode features 4 of the brightest young stars of Cutco/Vector's Western Region. Newport Beach District Manager, Anthony Hayes, has become one the top developers of talent in the Region. West LA District Manager, Kuvaal Patel, was the Region's #1 recruiter in 2020. Ventura County District Manager, Ben Lee, was the company's National Champion New District Manager in 2020. And Kyle Lopes won the Branch Manager Silver Cup in 2020, and is currently the #1 manager in the company for 2021. All four of these dynamic young leaders are changing lives through the incredible influence they are providing to their organizations, the Western Region, and the entire company. These are 4 wonderful examples of the kinds of leaders being developed through the Cutco/Vector opportunity. In this conversation, we talk about how these young men are all creating a compelling future through the District Manager role.

To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit ChangingLivesPodcast.com

Kenny Coleman is one of the finest "connectors" you might ever have a chance to meet. His path in life started as one of the only African-American kids in a predominantly white enclave in Silicon Valley, where he had to learn to navigate certain challenges to connect with others. In high school and college, he became a football star and vocal leader on teams from Gunn High School to Utah State University. As a Cutco/Vector Marketing sales rep after college, Kenny set one of the most legendary sales records in the history of Cutco by selling over $36,000 in his "Fast Start" — his first 10 days with the company. Now, he's the DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) Program Lead at Splunk, a leading tech company in Silicon Valley. Throughout his entire life, Kenny Coleman has understood how to bring people together. His ideas can help you establish more diverse connections throughout your workplace and your personal life.

To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit ChangingLivesPodcast.com

In this new era of business, virtual events have become an integral part of operating. Mike Abramowitz is an expert at running energizing virtual events that create connection, promote shared purpose, and add significant value for attendees. Mike is the TOP District Manager in the entire Cutco/Vector Marketing sales organization. He won THREE Silver Cups in 2020, including the #1 District Team with over $2.4 million in sales. He runs events at multiple levels with different attendees and different objectives, and has refined his techniques at such a high level that he has taught the entire company how to run dynamic and effective virtual events. He shares all of his expert tips in this special episode.

To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit ChangingLivesPodcast.com

Parker Greve is the Tennessee Division Manager for Cutco/Vector Marketing. He started with the company in 2010, and ran 2 Branches while attending college at THE Ohio State University. After graduating, Parker quickly advanced from District to Division Manager, and has consistently improved himself and his business. From a young age, he was taught to be a problem-solver. By asking better questions — of himself and others — he is consistently able to find better answers to the challenges facing him in business and in life. Parker is experiencing a significant breakthrough in 2021, and his timely and thought-provoking insights can lead you to a breakthrough as well.

To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit ChangingLivesPodcast.com

Trey Ketcham is a dynasty builder. For Trey, building is a noble pursuit which begins with enrolling people in a vision, then involves giving his best effort to truly take care of the people in his organization. This is what recruiting is REALLY about. Trey is a 20-year veteran of the Cutco/Vector business, who worked closely with Vector legends Matt King and Larry Manley. After graduating from the University of North Carolina, Trey moved to Atlanta where he quickly took over the leadership of the Greater Georgia Division. He has become the #1 recruiter in company history (1028 recruits in 2020!), and in this conversation, he shares his inner motivations and his strategies for success.

To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit ChangingLivesPodcast.com

Jennie Lok is a successful real estate professional and investment coach. She bought her first home at age 23, and has since built a portfolio of 70 rentals across 4 states. After graduating from the University of Southern California, she got a sales position with Oracle. But her passion for real estate has led her to a career role with Keller-Williams, and her success with investment rentals has opened the door for her to coach others through Zen Coast University. Jennie's aspiration is to help others to unLOK their potential for financial freedom and fulfillment in life.

To get access to all episodes and free resources, visit ChangingLivesPodcast.com