conventioNOT Podcast

Ramping back up for the fall season, Chris, Mike & McD spice it up with what some of us thought was a normal Sunday afternoon. This was until Chris drops some news that he is afraid he might lose his job for his behavior.

Still a little confused, Mike & McD quickly learn that he's playing with them and Chris' love for surprises comes quick with the introduction of a song he's been working on about the show.

It's live on all of the streaming services - but you can hear the new show music hear first on this special transitional show. It's a new time at conventioNOT Podcast and we're excited to continue to grow. Make sure you check out the new artwork and the story of how it came to be on the latest episode.

Available now wherever you listen to podcasts, or quick launch your own podcast app by clicking on http://conventionot.com

Episode Transcription:

Chris Harris 00:08

What's up, everybody? Thanks so much for listening. On today's episode, I've got a surprise. And that surprise is I wrote a song for the podcast and Mike and Ryan have no idea. Yeah, that's right. I wrote a song for the podcast. And Mike and Ryan have no clue. So I'm going to surprise him. And we'll see how it turns out. Anyway, sit back, relax, and enjoy these tunes. Peace. Hey, it's good to see you guys again.

Michael Sinnott 00:46

Hi, Chris. Hi, Ryan. Happy Sunday.

Ryan McDevitt 00:51

Sunday show day. That's right show day. I know y'all I so you know,

Chris Harris 00:58

guys, I don't really like work too much on the weekend. It's kind of a lie, but it's also kind of true. Um, but sometimes my job requires me to actually do some work on the weekend. And what I have for y'all today is kind of wild. I'm hoping I don't lose my job. So let's just start with that. Right?

Michael Sinnott 01:19

Definitely start with that. Nothing better

Ryan McDevitt 01:22

than firing up a Sunday if

Michael Sinnott 01:24

for my personal interest you really got me interested when you said I hope I don't lose my job because of this. I'm like, wait, what what are we doing? What are we about to do here? Exactly. Now I'm listening.

Chris Harris 01:36

So um, I know we didn't like talk beforehand. I'm off you know OFF AIR about kind of what I was going to show you but I wanted to really just get your natural reaction when you see some of the stuff I'm dealing with at work and then we can maybe have a discussion Oh, wow, that worked for you.

Michael Sinnott 01:53

Well, hold on real quick Chris you got to give a five second reminder to maybe some of our guests who don't know you as well as as others do, like just give them a quick title, your synopsis or your title and role.

Chris Harris 02:08

Okay, well, my title is podcast host who's probably about to get fired. I was gonna say you know,

Michael Sinnott 02:14

where are you

Chris Harris 02:19

Alright, here we go. Let's roll with it. hope this works

Michael Sinnott 02:27

so I'm nervous because I know where Chris works I just I'm trying to like fill the sand a little bit because I don't my man here he's he's very diverse. Um, I don't know if he's messing with us or what but

[Intro]

McD is all business

I know Mike got my back

$crilla on the track

[Chorus]

ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute

I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute

I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

[Verse]

Immaculate how I be rapping it

When I be spitting, you know that you loving it Covet it, nothing above it

So you can go run with it

Now let's get back to it

Back to the basics

Carving out spaces

Practice patience for situations and all vibrations I want all my eyes can see and imma beat you there I aim for variety like a sneaker head

I'm game ready

Keeping that thang steady

Climbing over the dragon

Now who wanna bang with me?

Will you grow and change with me?

Go through the same with?

For those that don't grow

They known to remain shifty

I'm working with all I've got

So when you see me, you know what I'm bout

[Chorus]

ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute

I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute

I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

[Verse]

I do this for the people, people like school teachers Who think out the closet for causes that do reach us And spark the young engineers

Who interfere with what society's instilled in here You keep me grounded dog

And hold me down like my yogis hitting that's downward dog Then it's back to business when I'm with my counterparts No sitting down, so we walking around

Real talk, they talk about us, we the talk of the town It's our chance, we contrast, but I ask

That you pay attention while you listen to this podcast I'm working with all I've got

So when you see me you know what I'm bout

[Chorus]

ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

[Outro]

Yeah

Shoutout to Wailer

Carter

Anna

Junior

McD

Mike

$crilla

Mayhem Music

Michael Sinnott 05:34

what? I don't? I don't know what to say. I'm like,

Chris Harris 05:40

I know that was a lot to just throw it.

Michael Sinnott 05:44

Move scrilla I was not ready for that at all.

Ryan McDevitt 05:48

I kind of thought something had happened in your life. That was a negative. And so, no, it's just the

Chris Harris 05:57

positive. And so what happened?

Ryan McDevitt 06:00

What do I think is that I teared up about the middle middle of that. So maybe maybe now that I've got myself together, I could give a little bit of an idea about what that is. So a long time ago, we started to work together, right? It's really been, it's almost been a year that we've been working together. Not Not Not Not too much. Further will be a year. And Chris, we asked him to put together an opener for the song. And I think both Mike and I realized about a month ago that we had never had such a piece of work created for ourselves. I don't know to buy a piece of artwork or to listen to a song. But man, even Carter and whaler got shout outs there.

Michael Sinnott 06:46

Yeah, man. Yeah, I you know, I'm rarely at a loss for words. And even when I am at a loss for words, that I just fill the space with words until I know what I was gonna say. But like, dude, my wife is not in the room right now. So she's not gonna feel jealous of like, how touched and like, dude, and not just touched emotionally. But how in the hell do you do that? How could you do that? How can you talk that fast? Like, I need to listen to that so many more times. Because my, my slow ass I caught the obvious stuff, the hook the hustle into an institute like, dude, Chris,

Chris Harris 07:33

I think we can play it one more time. What am I yeah,

Michael Sinnott 07:36

what am I supposed to say? I mean, that was good.

Chris Harris 07:40

So let me explain sort of like what,

Michael Sinnott 07:42

yeah, walk us through your process, man. How did you do that?

Chris Harris 07:47

So, of course, the three of us talk like multiple times throughout the week. And I can't remember if it was Ryan, or Mike that brought it up first, like, Hey, you know, just putting that that bugging year again about the song. And I got to thinking, and I had already actually started on one version of this introduction song. But then I just scrapped it. So yesterday, I just had his creative juices flowing. And I said, You know what, I'm going to write this song today. And I was driving around. And typically, I tend to write a lot of songs when I'm driving, not actually while I'm driving, but I just pull over to the side of the road. So really, you know, I was, yeah, yeah, I will pull over to the side of the road. But before I even started to write, I needed a track. And for the viewers, I have a production company with my partner Dan solo bits. It's called mayhem music. So we make a lot of songs for TV and film. And I remember there was something that we pitched to men's wearhouse they wanted this beat that kind of sounded like a roots kind of vibe. And we hadn't used it. So I was like, Yo, I'm going to use this for the convention not trapped. And instead of Dan was actually out of town, so he couldn't get me back. So I had one of my other producer friends, Billy creat recreate that actual track. So Dan was like, Yo, I can get it to you at night. But I'm like, Nah, I need it right now. So my other producer friend recreated dance work with me.

Michael Sinnott 09:16

I mean, that's no, that's no easy task in itself. That's absurd.

Chris Harris 09:23

But I got good people. You know what I'm saying? Clear, he recreates the track. And I'm just going on to drive and I'm just playing it and I'm just like, kind of humming I'm like, convinced. And then and then and then and then and then and then. And I don't have the lyrics yet. But I have, you know, the melody. So I'll make voice memos. And I'll get the lyrics. I'll pull over to the stuff out of row types. Have them sit there for a little bit. Once the juices kind of leave, start driving some more. Oh, oh, yeah. I want to say this, boom, pull over to the side of the row. And that's basically what I did yesterday for about two hours. Do you have a place

Michael Sinnott 10:01

you're going? Or do you literally just like drive around the neighborhoods?

Chris Harris 10:05

Um, I was running some errands. So I had like destinations. But that, you know, I'm driving. So the song isn't even done yet. I was probably about 40% done at this point. And I call the studio and I'm like, Hey, can I get in today? So the main guy that I go to Jim Stewart, he's not working, but his like, I guess, apprentice? I don't know. I don't think that's like disrespectful. Nate is working. And I've worked with Nate before. And it's like, yeah, you come on in. So I tell Nate, All right, I'll be there at three o'clock. But now there's like pressure. I'm like, I gotta finish this. But then

Ryan McDevitt 10:42

you got your appointment to go that guy music, but it's not done.

Chris Harris 10:46

Okay. Not done. But now that I have a time and I know, hey, I need to have this done by 233 o'clock. Pressure was on. And then I just start flowing. So that's what happened. And then when I got to the studio, I'm just feeling it. You know what I mean? I've just, I'm in the zone. And I'm like, Yo, I want y'all to not just like this song. But I want y'all to love this song. You know, I want to really take everything that convention that stands for and try to put it into a song. And that's Dude,

Michael Sinnott 11:18

I need the lyrics. I need it all. Like, I'm gonna

Chris Harris 11:22

I just text you the lyric,

Michael Sinnott 11:23

I'm overwhelmed. Yeah, it's this feeling that I rarely get is being overwhelmed the listeners.

Chris Harris 11:28

For the listeners, you'll be able to find this probably in about a week, actually, maybe now. You can find it on streaming platforms. If you search convention that just like the title of the POC. s in the artists will be mayhem music. So check it out.

Michael Sinnott 11:45

I just Alright, man. Like, I'll go back to the song in a second. But I just want to talk about you for a minute here. And I know you're not, you know, gonna like this. But what is wrong with you, man? Like, this is what this cat did on a Saturday. We didn't. There was no deadline. There's no expectations. Like, we talked about hustle on the show a lot. And I think sometimes we we, um, we don't do that word justice. Right. A lot of people have different interpretations of what hustle means. When we use the word hustle. It's very complimentary. Like To be clear, I never want anyone to think we're like, like, minimizing what they're doing on their weekends by calling it a side hustle or this or that. But like, I cannot wrap my head around the idea of creating something like that. In that time, if you told me you mowed 100 lawns yesterday, I'd be like, Damn, what kind of lawn mower did you have? Right, like, but, but all of that just came from you and your mind and like, collaborating with a couple other people that were clearly as gifted as you are like, dude, I just, it's like, he just showed me a magic trick. I'm not really that interested in it. Like, I want to figure it out. But I know I can't. So I'm just like, in awe. And Chris, Dude, that was like, that's the sweetest, like, most significant, like most amazing thing. I've I've had paintings done to my dog before that I love and like, but I've never had no song written about ours. Silly asses. Like, dude, I don't know what to say. I really don't know. And you didn't say basic job. Like, oh my god, I'm shaking. I

Chris Harris 13:35

mean, I love that you guys not only had me on here as a guest, but that you really have like, open your arms to like, include me as a new host, you know, one of the new hosts of the podcast, so it's like, Hey, man, you know, I want to just show my my gratitude and just say thanks, man, something building here. You know, I love it.

Michael Sinnott 13:56

I better try it a lot harder are doing so more impressive. I gotta I gotta I gotta carry my share row. Ryan. Ryan, are you going crazy right now? Like,

Ryan McDevitt 14:08

yeah, I can't wait to listen to it again. I know, we're I'll do another play of it for the listeners. But everybody knows that. We're just recording this live in our basements and living rooms. And so I really can't wait to break it down. I saw that those lyrics came through on the email too. And I also I heard a couple stanzas there. I can't help as the show's producer, I start to think about like, Okay, well, how would this get to play in? And so for a long time we've been using, you know, we actually had to marvelous Carter on the show, some some episodes go. And we've been using a lot of his infinite audio music. But when I listen to these super produce shows, and when I look at, we don't talk much about the numbers and we kind of have these different personalities. To be frank with our listeners where one of us cares about the numbers a ton, one of us just wants to see what the numbers are and then one of us is like, More of a content person. Now let you figure out which one is dictates themselves. However, however, what I really really was thinking about as I was listening to that is like, Oh man, I cannot wait to take stands a one, two or three to make it this kind of like blend in. So for those of our listeners today who have subscribed to us, they may or may not have noticed that there's a new episode panel, it's always been Mike and I with kind of this little kitschy fist pound thing. But today for this episode, and from now forward, we're making some changes as we go along here. And you'll see that there's a there's a new show cover out there, that includes all three of us. I lovingly call it the, you know, it's a very cartoon oriented cover, right? Yeah. So I call it the King of the Hill cover. I know you're watching. I love Mike judge shows and I watched King of the Hill kind of religiously, it holds up, by the way, always something special about a cartoon that you watch 1520 years later or share. But But man, man, I had goosebumps and then I just had tears on my cheeks. No, like, I don't know about it better way to describe that. When I was listening to it, so yeah,

Chris Harris 16:15

that makes that just warms my heart. Like for real. I mean, I tried to I mean, writing songs for people, organizations, whatever, like this kind of like what I do. And one of the things like I wanted to make sure that I did with this record was make sure that I like put all of us in here in some way. And not just us, but also people that are close to us, right? Yeah, no, there's some lines. And now there's talk about Yogi's, right out,

Michael Sinnott 16:43

and then I heard you like, talk, educate me on the dangers and

Chris Harris 16:48

Exactly. business. I mean, any mention of business, we know who I'm talking about, right? I talk about engineers, school teachers, right? So it's just like little things you can sprinkle in like that, that really give it that personal touch.

Michael Sinnott 17:05

I mean, it's it's if even if you're not my wife, I I think this is why she's still entertained by me is like she listens to music, but she doesn't listen to the lyrics. I can tell her the same story like really? Oh, yeah, yeah. I still got stories she's never heard before. And the truth is, I've told her the story like four or five times, she's just in it for the emotion, not the details. So what I'm getting at is whether you're neurotic. She doesn't listen to this episode. No, I she would hear that and be like, Yeah, no, he's right. He's right. Like, right. If you know, literally, she'll be like, if I'm focusing on the words, I don't, I don't enjoy the music as much. And I'm just like, okay, cool, like for each their own. And what I'm getting at is, whether you're neurotic, obsessive compulsive, like I kind of dabble in, and you are honing in on the words and how they come together, or just someone who like is enjoying the sound like, dude, there's that, that would be impossible to not appreciate on the first, listen, scrilla like, I just I, I can't say enough man. And I can't wait to listen to it over and over again. And like, I have to touch on something here because Ryan mentioned the new artwork. And if you don't mind, I'd love to share that process. Talk about that a little bit.

Ryan McDevitt 18:25

Yeah, and not do this episode is about the new OS, right?

Michael Sinnott 18:28

Yeah, this is. Um, so what you just got what you just got is like, you know, I don't know when when someone close to you, who knows you very well share something about you like that's, there's some intimacy there, right. And also some pressure. So like, I do want to say, Chris, how brave you are, for curating something about us and then sharing it in that manner. Like, a, I don't know if anyone out there knows it. But Ryan and I are not the easiest judges. And we're not that like, we're not super shy with our opinions about things. So Chris, I love you, man. And thank you so much for doing that and sharing that with us in that way you doubt? Hmm, I give that preamble because we've also in the artwork realm. And to be clear, I'm very, very happy with what's been created. But there's a huge difference in creating something with someone who does not know you at all. All right, and like clearly, we're not trying to put anything out on the show that looks like you know, we got it at the corner store. Um, so it takes a while to develop a relationship where you're trying to like, introduce some nuances, especially when it comes to illustrating three human beings. So, I'm gonna shout out there's a there's an app called fire. It's f IV, e rr, I think is how you find it. I think the the premise of this app, it's that Craigslist, it's a little bit more specific to like artists and kind of creative types. And they may do other stuff on there. But to be honest, you go on there, and you say, Hey, this is what I need done, you know, like, I want a portrait of my wife painted. And someone will, someone will be like, I'll do it for 15 bucks. So it's a really cool, like, open marketplace. Um, but as you can imagine that that opens things up, across the whole world, across, you know, every demographic. And from my experience, there tends to be a lot of people in other places that are willing to do like, really incredible artwork for very, very cheap. So I'm interested, you know, yeah, I'll do that I'll sign up for that. Well, what you don't appreciate is that in entering that, there's no clarity on exactly what your native, you know, your native language is going to be, um, exactly like, how, how high your expectations are going to be. So you have to kind of work through all that. And you know, you're working through all that digitally, you know, usually by text, that's actually this fiber app. It's incredibly, I'm just gonna say controlling, and that it creates its own, like social space, where you text and you message within the app. And if you text, if you if you text, something along the lines of, hey, email me, it will immediately flag you and say you're not allowed to communicate via email or any any way outside of Fiverr. So it's very like, which to me is I like that. To me. That's a it's a layer of safety. Um, but it's been about three weeks since I started this and mind you, I'm on my third fiber artists, because the first two I'm just gonna say it didn't work out. Let's just say it's probably me not. It's probably me, Matt, them. But the third artist,

Ryan McDevitt 22:09

it's an international service to write my question.

Michael Sinnott 22:11

Yeah, I mean, that I thought I kind of like, which kind of mentioned, but I didn't want to say like, yeah, yeah,

Ryan McDevitt 22:18

we're I'm getting it. India is fair to talk about that. There seems to be

Michael Sinnott 22:24

a market artists in India. Okay. I don't really know about the Philippines, but there's definitely a concentration in a very different time zone. Let's say that. I want both those markets. Yeah, I mean, and you do you do this much more regularly than I do. And this is a perfect like snapshot of the show. Let's have the guy who never deals with this stuff. Who knows nothing about artwork. Let's have Mike handle the artwork for the for the show. So you volunteered, bro? I did volunteer because that's doing a great job. I'm scared and I don't know what I'm doing. Yeah, I'll go first. I'll do this first. Um, and I'm not trying to sound brave. I'm trying to sound like, reckless. Um, let's just say that about 15. At least 15 iterations later. Um, yeah, we've got a little King of the Hill cover that I'm, I mean, I don't know if I can. Well, I don't need to share it with you guys. Here. I got the final revision last night. I'm excited about it. I think it turned out well, so not only am I gonna like give my huge audible clapping to my buddy over in India, who just goes by graphes Studio. So crappy, we're gonna get you some love. Don't worry, buddy, who's just been a sweetheart to deal with. Anyone who sticks with Mike for this long is just a sweetheart. It's amazing. You too included, my wife gets the top metal but this guy did a lot for not a ton of money. And I just can't say enough about the like, I've been kind of like, you know, bitchy about it. But when all of a sudden done the amount of effort and work and like revisions, as gentlemen put into this work for the you know, the money. I'd like to I'd like to give them a bonus to be honest. Because it really is just it like the idea of that open space, like the open market where you can just get someone to do something for you. That's a very different conversation. Um, but it was a learning process for me. You know, I'm used to going into these things with a little bit more like, Where's your website? Where's yours? Send me your CV, like, what college Did you like? I'm just, I'm used to people kind of put me through that grinder. And unfortunately, sometimes I project that on to others. So it's good for me to like step away from that. To deal with some other like, people that have very different backgrounds than me, like not just culturally, but professionally as well. So yeah, that was you guys will see. And I think you'll get get a kick out of it we I mean, there were some iterations throughout that like, I'm not, maybe I'll share it, we'll share those at some point. But I don't want to like I don't want to. I don't want to disrespect the artist. What what I'm pointing out here is that there's just nuances. Right? And like those nuances are, Chris, you're laughing harder? Because I don't know, do you want to? Do you want to use a different word to describe some of the like, just use some stuff where you didn't think you'd have to like clarify it.

Chris Harris 25:45

You know, two of us are white, one of us is black and earlier versions and look like two of us were black skin.

Ryan McDevitt 25:55

Would you nickname the version of me?

26:02

We got here this one

Ryan McDevitt 26:03

culturally culturally agnostic, the Joe Ryan could be any

Chris Harris 26:09

word that was my joke. That was

Michael Sinnott 26:11

that was gonna say Chris said it first. Chris said at first I said it, and I laughed. I laughed my ass off. I'm sorry. But it was one of these situations where you're just like, hmm, I'm not really clear on why you went in that direction. Yeah, I actually and this is, this is the type of stuff where my weird head works where like, if I knew this artist, I'd be like so. So why did you make Ryan black? You know, straight up like, was it the picture we said or was it like, was this a little flair you were putting into it? But like, No, I just I was a little bit more direct. And I the first time I was actually subtle. I was like, I think do me a favor, go and double check those pictures I sent you. The skin tones need to be corrected a little bit i think is how I set it. But then when that didn't do it because I got another one back and it was like, wait a minute. No, you're correcting in the wrong direction. Like no wait. I had to I had to write him back and say like, Sorry, brother. But one of these. One of us is one of us is black and two of us are white in the tones of the figures right now. They're not they're inconsistent with that. When I pointed that out, when I pointed that out, it came back corrected really, really quick. But it was just one of those things that I honestly in my head I'm like I love this artists man. He don't see he don't see any color like that. They're like that he didn't even notice it. It's beautiful.

Ryan McDevitt 27:51

I think you did a phenomenal job. You did a phenomenal job even if you didn't get my melanin right the first time to

Michael Sinnott 27:58

know sure I am great. Ryan will forever be in our hearts. Um, you know and I have the visual to forever be on my phone to

Ryan McDevitt 28:09

like me after far too many weeks on vacation and somewhere

Chris Harris 28:16

so look, I mean, we got the new artwork, we got the new song. I'm thinking to close the song to close the show out we play the song One more time. What do y'all think? I like it. I like it. I think this is a nice short sweet episode. That That sounds phenomenal.

Ryan McDevitt 28:30

Yes Do it. Alright, so know where to find us as Chris gets that queued up it's at convention not underscore podcast. I guess technically this is season four we got rid of the seasons we're starting to number the episodes now so you could kind of see there are many many hours that you could listen to. But let's check the song just one more time we'll close it out with that one more time. Love it

[Intro]

McD is all business

I know Mike got my back

$crilla on the track

[Chorus]

ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute

I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute

I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

[Verse]

Immaculate how I be rapping it

When I be spitting, you know that you loving it Covet it, nothing above it

So you can go run with it

Now let's get back to it

Back to the basics

Carving out spaces

Practice patience for situations and all vibrations I want all my eyes can see and imma beat you there I aim for variety like a sneaker head

I'm game ready

Keeping that thang steady

Climbing over the dragon

Now who wanna bang with me?

Will you grow and change with me?

Go through the same with?

For those that don't grow

They known to remain shifty

I'm working with all I've got

So when you see me, you know what I'm bout

[Chorus]

ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute

I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute

I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

[Verse]

I do this for the people, people like school teachers Who think out the closet for causes that do reach us And spark the young engineers

Who interfere with what society's instilled in here You keep me grounded dog

And hold me down like my yogis hitting that's downward dog Then it's back to business when I'm with my counterparts No sitting down, so we walking around

Real talk, they talk about us, we the talk of the town It's our chance, we contrast, but I ask

That you pay attention while you listen to this podcast I'm working with all I've got

So when you see me you know what I'm bout

[Chorus]

ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional

Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you

Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

What that means is unconventional Been in the game a few

So comprehend what imma give to you Cause in an instant you

Can turn your hustle to an institute I can't stop

I'm on top

Because I'm ConventioNOT

[Outro]

Yeah

Shoutout to Wailer

Carter

Anna

Junior

McD

Mike

$crilla

Mayhem Music

Everybody's back after a short break at the end of the month. Chris, Mike & McD mix it up and talk about moving - an experience that affects nearly every household. The other thing is that everybody approaches moving day a bit different.

Ryan gets personal about his recent experience in moving from Atlanta to Metro-Detroit and the team laments on moves past and the first thing that's most important when finding a new locale.

There are big things coming for the show for fall 2020 and the guys are eager to share what's coming up. You'll for sure miss out if you aren't subscribed on your own podcast channel. Click that button to subscribe or find us on your app by clicking on http://conventionot.com

Jenna Righi is a really dynamic person. Sure, she has a cool career, awesome social media presence and even an additional hustle that makes shiny things. The thing that really shines about Jenna though, is that all of this stuff is based on her desire to help elevate the people around her.

Her day job, she helps startup companies find money. Certainly that's no easy task - but her other hustle is even cooler because Link Before You Sink helps people connect with each other. It's not just beautiful jewelry that the company ships, it's the chance to connect with a real life story of somebody else.

In a world where social media likes are more important to people than handshakes, Jenna's business is seeking out private stories to share with other people. Guess what? It's created an incredible thing. You'll have to tune in to the episode to hear more - including some secrets about how she stays active and what her main personal focusses are.

Episode Transcription

Chris Harris 00:06

What's up everybody? Thanks so much for tuning in. On today's episode of conventioNOT, we have a guest that wears many hats. Her name is Jenna Righi. She's a senior analyst at a startup company. She's a full time mental health advocate, and a full time jewelry creator and founder of link before you sink. Jen is what I call a vibrant personality. Her energy is contagious. And I mean that in a positive way. After five minutes with her, I feel like I could run a marathon. But that energy is fueled by her experiences, which include experiences of loss, pain, and finding hope. And that's where link before you sink comes into play. They may appear like a jewelry company on the surface, but it's much bigger than that. It's a support community, in a safe space for people like you and me to share our story. Enjoy the show.

Ryan McDevitt 01:07

We are recording now. Everybody can hear us. Look at that. That day. On conventioNOT. We have DJ scrilla and Jenna I don't even know if I could pronounce your last name is it rig he or rig he

Jenna Righi 01:25

close better than better than most it's Righi. So like our it's pronounced Rig-hi, but it's R-I-G-H-I, but it should be it looks like it would be our I-G-G-I.

Ryan McDevitt 01:37

It sounds like a good like Midwestern last name is like what I imagined when I see that you know when I see polish, or I don't know that you are Eastern European. But when I see those last names, I always think of Home sweet home. But Welcome to conventioNOT that Chris was excited to introduce you to us. And I feel like we when we first talked which we usually do before we get on the show. I get all excited and then I learned all about you. But it's never fair for me to explain who you are. Could you introduce yourself to our audience?

Jenna Righi 02:09

Yeah. Well, thank you so much for having me. And thanks, Chris, for the intro. So my name is Jenna. And I started link before you sink in. It was November 8 2018. So coming up higher on two years now. So it's basically a jewelry business that links or connects individuals going through similar struggles. So when you purchase a jewelry link, you receive an anonymous story of somebody going through a similar struggle and the whole purpose of it is you know, when you're in dark times to know that you're not alone.

Ryan McDevitt 02:40

Wow, that's quite a deep. What seems like side hustle or started as at least a side hustle for you.

Jenna Righi 02:47

It is for sure.

Ryan McDevitt 02:49

Yeah. Is this your first time into the e commerce slash jewelry slash? Like nonprofit?

Jenna Righi 02:58

Yeah, it is. So it's not a nonprofit. It's a for profit, but we donate back $5 for each link sold to one of our partnership nonprofits. So yeah, it's my first time in e commerce and the I started pretty much knowing nothing about jewelries which means I knew I knew nothing about metal and how metal can fade. I knew nothing about how to set up and like an e commerce store. So I pretty much taught myself and I mean still teaching myself every day.

Chris Harris 03:26

Well, you know what, I guess you don't know. But I don't wear jewelry on a regular basis, like ever.

Ryan McDevitt 03:32

But you don't if

Jenna Righi 03:33

Nope, I didn't know that either. I'll take that moment.

Chris Harris 03:37

Listen, I got your channel right now are rocking pretty much every day. Um, and it just means a lot to me knowing your story, and I kind of want to get into that. So maybe you can let our viewers know a little bit about how you got started. And really what is the meaning behind link before you think

Jenna Righi 03:58

Sure. So comes obviously from a personal experience of mine so it was 2000 may 2014. I was living in South Florida at the time I had a great job was engaged and then my I lost my father he was dying of lung cancer and he passed away in May so I honestly I think I feel like she had just kind of hit the fan after he passed away my engagement pretty much crumbled thereafter. And so I moved back I mean I was I had nothing in Florida really I didn't have any my support system was in Ohio and my family's from pa but I mean I had nothing really down sell for me to stay there and no reason to stay there. But I'd have a job I've always been self sufficient. I've always paid my own bills but I mean it comes to a point where you got to kind of put your mental health first. So I it was the craziest thing I've ever done I packed up my car with just whatever fit in it shift the rest later and I just I moved in I had nowhere to stay obviously because I had no house so I moved in with my friend and her husband, they took me in and I just pretty much respect In my life from there so the reason I obviously started, I know what it's like to be at rock bottom, I know what it's like to feel like, you know, you're not alone and like you're not going anywhere. So I mean, it developed over time, but I knew I, you know, when I hit that point that if I ever got back on my feet, which I obviously have that I would make it a mission to kind of help people to know that they're not alone. I had no idea at the time it would be through jewelry, but it kind of just paved the path from there. So it definitely, you know, it was a personal experience of the why of, you know, why it came about? Oh,

Chris Harris 05:35

this, that is, um, I think that's so impactful. You know, we talk about mental health now. And the The thing I like, about mental health, in that conversation is more people seem to be open to the conversation, more people seem to be vulnerable. And I feel like 10 years ago, we weren't talking about mental mental health

Jenna Righi 05:59

hundred percent.

Chris Harris 06:01

How have you seen, I guess, your perception with mental health change since you started this company?

Jenna Righi 06:08

I mean, so much, and that, I mean, it's not even been two years now. And it's funny to watch funny is not the right word, but I have like a macho boss, and like, I know, macho people. And it's crazy to me, as soon as you let your guard down a little bit, or say like, uh, you know, as soon as I opened up about my story, I feel like the floodgates just came in of, you know, Oh, my gosh, I never told you this, I saw a therapist or I had an eating disorder, I had this. And I think that's how it kind of came about. It's like, wow, the power of vulnerability really is so powerful. It's just not talked about it was kind of like shamed on back in the day, it was a sign of weakness, maybe. And now it's something that everybody's talking about. So I mean, the past two years alone, I mean, so many people have I get DMS and even if they're not willing to come out publicly, now, it me, I save every thing that somebody sends me and put it in a folder. So when I'm having a bad day, or COVID hits and sales are down, I reread everything. And remember, that's why I started it. But yeah, it's definitely really powerful how mental health has totally changed perception in the past couple years. And that's actually why I partnership with Nationwide Children's, they have a whole behavioral health facility that Big Lots helped fund it, I got a tour of it, and it's just that would not have existed, you know, five years ago, let alone 10. So it's just, it's really cool. How mental health is transforming that it's something that is the normal now and it's talked about, and it's okay to talk about your issues or your struggles that you're having, where before it was just kind of tucked under the rug. And as we know, and things are tucked under the rug there, you know, it gets buried, and it obviously makes it worse. Wow.

Ryan McDevitt 07:49

Well, I think I think there's a lot of things that are unique about what you're doing, right. So like, the first thing is is like just to start a website, and to get people to like, go there and buy whatever those wares are, is I'm sure complex in its own right. But it seems to me that like one of the ways that it's kind of shocking to you, at least now two years later, that the community was created around it. And so it's cool to be able to hear you loft into the side of you know, being able to you know, escalate your engagement with those communities, especially what you explained with like your day job versus this this kind of environment. But were there some challenges, I mean, whether it be in the production and design, your design is really simple, which I think could be something that you talk about, especially with the way that you utilize the chains. And you know, some of the other patents I think are really unique, especially as I could imagine that community building you just talked about, but like, you just end up with a website 24 months later, like oh my god now I'm smiling here, committed to the game, right? Like how did it happen? I mean, how did it come about? Well, two

Jenna Righi 09:00

parts I'll definitely talk about my failures because there was a lot of struggles and you know, hiccups along the way but the so I remember my friends when I first moved back I'd be that nerd in the pool. I felt like I was not always wired like a traditional female I guess you could say like it was like oh just go to your to your day job and leave and maybe marry a rich dude and have kids and that's what life is and I felt like I was always wired a little bit differently like there's like more passionate like there's got to be something more and I was always that person that was like we will be at the pool like highlighting like the self help books or like you know the passionate books about career and things that you can do to help people so I mean in that was even you know, years before I hit that struggle I was always wired to kind of want to help people this just kind of you know, obviously forced me to do that but so the why was always there and I remember like rock bottom, you know, where you can't get up and you're driving back like with no radio on no music on thinking where the What am I going to explain to people I mean, I remember saying like, if they're Ever a way that I could figure a way out I don't be shy Don't be I've always been bullheaded, I was always one of those people that never opened up never shared any kind of struggle that I had, I promised myself that I would give that back if I ever found my way. So the passion was there. And then the the story is just, it's very bizarre. And everyone's like, I don't get it, you just stumbled across a random bike chain, I did. So I was riding my bike, the chain fell off, piste off, you know, fallen over, I look at it, and it was just kind of like hit me. Like it was broken. And it like that It hit me like, okay, everything broken, I'm right in thinking, again, everything broken, has the chance to be beautiful. And then I just started like, I've always been a creative too. So I started taking apart the chain, you know, thinking that this can't be made into jewelry, because it'll look too gaudy. You know, like big, chunky chains. And then I realized you take it apart, there's little charms that you can make out of it where it's not. So it's more dainty, like the flat ones dainty. So when you break apart a chain, it's like a flat, a double A flat, a double. And then it kind of escalated from there. But I guess the why was always there. It's just the I never thought I remembered would think and because I had a notebook like, you know, I had a million ideas before. Like, what if I did a workout class and we talked about our vulnerabilities or what if I did this, and it nothing ever fit until for some reason, that chain fell off the bike. And it was just one of those aha moments. Like, I think I can make something out of this broken piece here. And then the, you know, the why kind of all fell into place from there. So that's kind of how it started.

Ryan McDevitt 11:31

Wow.

Chris Harris 11:33

I mean, that is so cool. I think that's what's amazing with how we sort of just find our way with what we're kind of supposed to do. And I talked to Ryan and Mike a lot about this with music, you know, I make these songs for TV and film. But that's not really what I had planned on doing. When I got into music. I just sort of found my way. And it sounds like that's kind of what happened with you as well.

Jenna Righi 11:59

Isn't it nuts? I never. And then you have down days. And I'm thinking what am I doing making jewelry, I didn't go to school to design jewelry, I have no business, I don't know about metals, and you just you, you teach yourself you learn things, and you just it kind of just paves your way, I would have never thought I would have ended up here, you know, five years ago, for sure. But you just kind of find your way.

Ryan McDevitt 12:19

I was a little bit surprised, actually, when I checked out your LinkedIn because I don't remember what the order was when we communicated before but I know that Kent State has such a strong fashion design program. And like, I guess I just kind of assumed that like that was most of your your path. Right. Especially with you know, Chris knows all the homies I'm sure from all the different schools. Yes, you know, but, but ultimately, right? I mean, it's really a famed program there. And so it's kind of cool to see somebody, I always think it's cool to see somebody be able to indulge their creative habits, like as a side hustle. Because a creative career is tough in a lot of ways. And you know, I think with a lot of the avenues that we're able to explore those creative things, whether it be for profit or for not, or whether it's something that's really cool, like what I think you do, which is partnering with charity, I think that kind of helps close the gap for for what creative desire really leads to, but like, I think it's it's a lot more beneficial in sometimes a little bit less risky. I mean, both you guys do this, right? Like you you have your regular professional career, and then you're able to indulge in those creative components that way outside of it. Now, both of you, I know, you treat it as a side hustle, right? But are there other things in your life that you're involved with Jenna, that that aren't like, you know, side hustle oriented with link before you sink? I mean, do you get to go and you know, experience things? Do you get to talk in front of any of the charities that you've donated to or anything like that to really affect the people who are suffering from these things on that other dynamic?

Jenna Righi 14:05

Yeah, well, it's been kind of tough, obviously with COVID. But with nationwide children, there's brunches and again, when she when you talk to these people, and they say hey, you know, I got a story of this of Steve and he went through what I mean that's everything. That's what we're about and that I could really connected with that story. And I have it on my fridge. It's like that, that that means everything to me. But we do a lot of events again, not necessarily recently with with COVID and what's going on but Cleveland Clinic does a lot of events too. They do bike Vela Sona, which is right up my alley, because it's a bike race for cancer. So we usually set out a booth there. Everybody comes over and then you get to talk to these people one on one that you know are affected by cancer. Their family was affected by cancer. They buy stuff they you know, they read my stories that that's everything to me when you get to meet these people. You know, one on one, we've done another Cleveland Clinic event. It was a was another cancer related event that was an indoor event around October. I'm still waiting to see if we have that one or not. I hope we do. But yeah, we it's communicating with these people one on one and meeting them. I mean, that's, that's everything. But we do a ton of different types of events. And I'm always open to, obviously more events. But it's not just a submission of the story on the website. No, no, no, no, it's not about a person. The other thing that I like to make very clear with like, the stories and the categories, it's like, it's it was a very fine line, because I hate to categorize anybody who likes to be categorized. So I always like to, I want somebody to connect with something similar. And actually, Chris, I just saw that you you bought a link. And it's discrimination. It's like that can mean so many different things with story that I actually sent you and all senate It was about a Muslim that had been obviously discriminated on. I mean, no two stories are ever going to be exactly the same. And I always make it clear that the category isn't there to define you. It's just necessarily meant there to link we're always adding on but I always make it clear that we don't really pigeonhole it's like, you know, loss of a loved one could mean a couple different things. But the whole purpose of it is to connect Yes, with people going through similar struggles. But to realize that you all you have that, you know, connection, even though your story might be a little bit different.

Chris Harris 16:17

I love that concept about your product, when you not only get this awesome link, but you get this story that comes with it. And I just want to know, from your perspective, what is it like when you're getting all these stories sent to you? Is it ever too much? I mean, do you ever feel like you know, you're absorbing a lot of that, that energy? Tell me about that process?

Jenna Righi 16:40

Yeah, I am. And it is, it's a lot and I have days, you know, where I like constantly reading and totally affected actually before right before this call. A friend from high school just connected me with her friend from college. Hey, I want to connect you with my friend Michelle. She just I saw that you posted a childhood cancer story yesterday was a two and a half diet currently diagnosed with cancer. And she said my friend Michelle just lost her four year old who was just diagnosed with cancer, and I was just chatting with her before I'm gonna send her a link obviously, for free. But yeah, that takes a lot on your day. But at the end of the day, I mean, yeah, it's it is impactful to know that you're kind of helping people. But yeah, it does take a toll on you. That's for sure. hearing all these stories, seeing all these struggles, it's, it's not and that's over, you know, obviously for protection and privacy purposes. That is why we only share by like, Jenna, Ohio, or just first name and state to keep it somewhat private there, obviously.

Mike Sinnott 17:45

Hey, what's up everybody? It's Mike from the show. No, I'm not here to pester you or ask you to do anything for us. I honestly just want to reach out and say, Hi, I hope everybody's doing all right. I know I'm personally hanging in there. There's some ups and downs, right? We're all doing this. We're all in this. All of us. Never been able to really sincerely, honestly say that before. But every human on this planet is going through it right now. And if you're not too far down, then lift someone else up. We all need it. Today may be your good day, but it's someone else's bad day. Spread the love people, it may be all we have.

Chris Harris 18:37

I really appreciate you being so open and vulnerable. Something you mentioned earlier, when you were talking you talked about having down days, right? I mean, and I think that is something that you know, a lot of times we don't think about that you know people have a look at your website is so you know clean is so awesome. But you know, yeah, you're human. You have down days too. I want to know like, what a down day might look like for you. And what do you do to get out of a down day? Like what do you do for self care?

Jenna Righi 19:07

Yep. So Jen, and everybody's different some people it's yoga some people it's a pet sight I mean I don't know but for me, it's the gym and people are always like I don't understand why you go to the gym take a day off and I do here and there but it that is my like anxiety medicine is just letting it all out loud. hip hop music on the treadmill and going to the gym. That's how I start my day. Taking a break, you know i am i'm i'm one that gets like when I'm on my computer on the phone. I'm just kind of go go go go go when I'm having that round way. I shut my laptop, take a walk

Ryan McDevitt 19:42

What are you doing during COVID? Weren't you?

Jenna Righi 19:48

Yeah, so I've been going to orange theory. So that's what I've been doing. I mean, well, I live downtown Columbus too. So I get on the Oakland tangi trail and I go around the stadium that's what I did when nothing was open. I would just kind of luck You know, it wasn't snowing during COVID. But I would I would work out outside and go running around this the Ohio State stadium a lot. But now what a theory.

Ryan McDevitt 20:11

I guess I didn't realize that gyms so gyms in Georgia never closed.

Jenna Righi 20:14

They didn't I didn't know that.

Ryan McDevitt 20:16

Wow. I mean, it was up to the individual owner and there are some things. That means so Anna had a little bit greater restriction and then the governor of Georgia sued the city of Atlanta to open the businesses. Wow, interesting. It's just a different it's a different thing, which is a whole different discussion. Not not what this show is about. Let's not well, yeah. Yeah, for sure. For sure. So you didn't mention cycling. I mean, so like was that the last day you cycled? You just broke that chain down and threw your bike out?

Jenna Righi 20:49

So I ran, you're running. It's funny that you say that actually, because I get like, Oh, you must be an avid biker. Like I actually prefer running over cycling. Cycling is something I do with my boyfriend and his daughter. Like we do that all together. But when it's just me, I usually go running. So I definitely do both. But I for cycling, we kind of do that. And that's more like casual because we have a 60 year old behind us. But what I'm like in my mood to like burn off steam. I'm sprinting. Okay.

Ryan McDevitt 21:17

scrilla do you ride a bike? never asked that. You got a bike?

Chris Harris 21:19

Man. I don't have a bike. I haven't been on a bike and at least 20 years. Seriously. It's been a long 20 years. 20 years. roller skates even longer. That's a whole other story. Yeah, bro.

Ryan McDevitt 21:36

How do you live in such a flat city and like avoid a bike for so long? Are you like

Chris Harris 21:41

being lame? That's a just

Ryan McDevitt 21:42

a lot. Okay. Not even like the ones where you put your credit card in and it's like, oh, you're out with all your friends and shit. If you ever tried the bird, the what

Chris Harris 21:50

was the bird? scooter? Oh, the loose? All those things I had just laying around downtown those things. Yeah, you know, never been on one of those. So see dangerous? Yeah, yeah. Maybe I'll try one bike before I try the bird for sure. So, you know, I'm curious. You mentioned the, you know, you listen to some hip hop music. what's what's on your playlist? Like when you get it? Yeah. Cuz,

Jenna Righi 22:15

like, like, hip hop. I mean, I just usually put like a station on but anything that's pretty ratchet as I was

Chris Harris 22:23

just gonna say it's got to be ratchet.

Jenna Righi 22:25

Yeah, it's so ratchet. That's everything that's ratchets up my alley. So yeah, that's, I mean, I don't like have like, I have a playlist I usually just honestly go to like, anything that's at the top of my Spotify, because obviously it knows you. So I just click that. And it's I'm usually good to go. Is it like current ratchet?

Ryan McDevitt 22:41

Like, like, trap music?

Jenna Righi 22:53

Loud and ratchet? Yeah.

Chris Harris 22:56

That's why she's running full sprints. Yeah. wretched music. Man.

Ryan McDevitt 23:04

All right. So you know, most people come out and they talk about what they're doing. Let's talk about your day job or like your career most moreso. Like, we, we don't talk very much about like, you know what you're doing right now. We certainly like to give our guests an opportunity to promote it. But certainly you don't get to a spot where you're able to launch like such a successful connective business without doing the full time hustle on the front. So how does that work for you? Or how have you treated your career? Since you guys were breaking it down with the house parties? Back in, I guess, the early 2000s that was Yeah, sure.

Chris Harris 23:39

Yeah.

Jenna Righi 23:41

Yeah. So basically, what I do is I help startup companies and everyone's like, Oh, you that's how you started link before you think and it's like, actually, that's not really how it happened. I think it honestly gave me kind of the the encouragement and the motivation, because we sit there every idea under the sun. So So basically, what I do is companies that want to start a business they come to us and you know, we help them with like business planning or launching or helping them find investors, should they have you know, the traction or should it make sense? So, yeah, I mean, it kind of that's kinda I guess, I do have somewhat of a background obviously, in startups, not ecommerce or anything. But I think to be honest with you, it gave me a little bit more motivation like hey, of these people that just spun up this idea yesterday, can can do this then. So could I you know what, I mean, I'll figure it out. I don't know anything about metals. I don't know anything about, you know, e commerce. I've never set up. I'm not a techie, you know, so no, it just kind of gave me that motivation. Like if they can do it then so can I everything is figure out.

Ryan McDevitt 24:37

Is it an incubator, like, are you localized in the Columbus area primarily or do you?

Jenna Righi 24:45

Yeah, so it's called startups.com. It's kind of like a one stop shop. So our funding platform, it's a reg D site, so it's accredited investors. So it's a reg D crowdfunding site, but it's not considered like an accelerator incubator. It's a reg D crowd. funding. So basically what we do is we, you know, pretty up the deal we do the marketing, we do like help clients find the investor, but we're not a broker dealer. So we can't make that intro we do everything we can i quarterly explain it as the client tells us who they want to go on a date with. They, we book them that ideal candidate, their profile, we give them the makeover, we booked the reservation, but they are the one going on the date, so to speak. So, you know, we talked to some really cool companies too, because people use us, obviously, that need a little bit more of the education, but also that just are looking to kind of take time off of their plate as well. So we talk with companies that have done four and five rounds of funding, and then all their companies that, you know, this is their initial round of funding. So it's kind of all across the board. It's interesting. It's different

Ryan McDevitt 25:41

in a good sense. I think that, you know, it seems like the funding game, especially though, the way that it's complicated from accepting the role, versus what you sign over for, you know, accepting the the event, the cash event, I think that that's really something that sounds like it's, it's got to be needed. So it's when you say crowdfunding, is it selective by user? Or do you buy into like a community of sort? Like, can I go in and investigate which projects that you guys have approved to fund?

Jenna Righi 26:14

It's rigged? So if you are reggae Plus, you could technically because it's not accredited investors, anybody can be investor, ours are as the same guidelines as the SEC. So you do have to be an accredited investor to view any of the deals on fundable. Okay.

Ryan McDevitt 26:28

Yeah. Okay. That makes good sense. Yep.

Chris Harris 26:32

What kind of, I guess skills and tools have you learned from your nine to five that you transfer over to link before you sink? And that's one question. And the other thing is, do you consider, you know, Link before you sink a side hustle? Or do you consider it like another full time job? I'm curious.

Jenna Righi 26:49

That's actually a great question. So yeah, I've learned a lot actually. And again, it's not necessarily like the business dynamics, it's, it's kind of like failure, like, I see these crazy companies that are crazy entrepreneurs, that I am going to raise $20 million. Like, they're not, if you're thinking about something, in my opinion, that you're just driven by money, it almost will always fail, because you're just chasing the dollar sign at the end of the day. So I mean, I sit talking to these, like, sometimes crazy people, and sometimes really cool people. That is definitely one thing, it's taught me that it takes time you have your heart's gotta be in something because you will run into hiccups down the road. And, you know, that's what's gonna keep you going forward. But if you're just money, I see that and, you know, the friends that I have that are consistent job hoppers. I mean, you know what I mean, if you're always just chasing the dollar sign you, you're gonna end up spinning your wheels always. So I mean, I learned stuff like that, from talking to entrepreneurs. And, you know, in other organizations, or I guess other companies that are a little bit more established. I mean, sure, I learned things from from them as well, like, just, you know, marketing tricks, just simple things that they're doing. I pick up on little things like that. But to be honest with you, I think I have learned more from the people that are a little bit crazier. It's like, okay, I would not do that. So, you know, I understand why they're not working or why they're spinning their wheels, you know, I guess I think I've honestly learned more from from those type of people. And then link, I do consider it my full time. I mean, I I've always said from the get go, and I feel like I'm gonna have my eggs in multiple baskets, because I like to do multiple things. So I mean, I look at them both as honestly two full time jobs. Like I have a list for stuff I need to do for link for the day. And I have a list that I need to do for startups. com at the end of the day, and I don't go to bed until they're both done. It's not like I'm working nine to six and then oh, like, order comes in, then I'll fill it. It's, you know, I always look at both of them, I would say as full time jobs.

Chris Harris 28:53

Yeah, I like that. And it sounds like it. I mean, it sounds like you're involved in so many different things. It sounds like another full time job. One of the one of the things me and Ryan talk about a lot and I think we're the same is like we're Workaholics. So are you? Are you a workaholic? Oh, yeah,

Jenna Righi 29:09

yeah, that's what I always say when back in the day when I was reading those books and so can you just chill or Can't you just nine to five close down and I just felt like I just never shut down and it wasn't like again, it wasn't like I was chasing more money. I was just chasing more passionate things or like, I want to do this and then I want to do this. But I also like this. I felt like I was always kind of a renaissance soul and I liked a million different things. So yeah, sometimes it's too much sometimes I need to put the brakes on a little bit but I'm definitely a workaholic. I like going full speed. Just like my runs.

Ryan McDevitt 29:42

Be like i don't i don't really consider you know, a Holic perv. Like kind of implies it's a negative thing, right? So like, I'm sure that I know there are a lot of things that I've given up in my life because I work a certain way. But one of the things I think, that I learned like early on is that I don't classify the things that I do, excuse me, in the subjects of like a job or not a job. It's like, this is what I really identify with what you said, Jenna, that, like, this is what I'm going to do today. And a lot of those tasks, and some of those are projects. And so like, that's a crazy kind of thing that I've gone through over the years of like, you know, do I have a notebook? Do I have a moleskin? Do I have an iPhone? Do I have you know, any of the media that you could possibly imagine? Yeah, pom pom pilot to even date myself. But like, at the end of the day, I think that, you know, the workaholic thing I always just kind of like have a little bit of a tough time with because usually when somebody's saying that to me, I know you don't mean this, Chris. But usually when they're saying that, to me, they're saying that because they're like, implying something. Yeah, they're implying that I'm losing something, because my things that I choose to do have more to do with, like, things that produce money. I'm not like a wealthy person. Like I assume I'll retire probably in somewhere in the middle class, right? You know, but like, at the end of the day, I never the same way that I get up and I train every morning or meditate every morning. I want to accomplish those tasks in like, I've left a lot of jobs before my whole career has been startup. And so like I've left organizations before, because I just don't enjoy doing it anymore. Right. All right. even lose cash to a certain extent. Yeah. You know, quite specifically in a couple different decisions.

Jenna Righi 31:31

Yeah. And it's I mean, if you're not challenged by so that's me anyways, like, yeah, your passion has to be there. But if you're not challenged, you know, continually for me, it's just like, I just can't stay in something like that. I'm so

Ryan McDevitt 31:42

empty. Yeah, I don't have the effort to to give, which I think is unique when somebody experiences me in both things, right. Like, how could I seriously not give a fuck? Yeah, like, after caring so much for so long. It's just like a weird chemistry thing for me. But it has it has to do with work shows not about me.

Jenna Righi 32:03

I totally buy with that. Same way for sure.

Chris Harris 32:08

So, okay, I was gonna say what motivates you, or like, what gets you excited? When it comes to work?

Jenna Righi 32:17

Honestly, it's always been like helping people. Like I always thought, like, I go into like a health care profession. Because I that's what motivates me. Like, when I'm having bummed days, or when I'm having a bad day, I'm telling you, I like on the corn ball, somebody will send me a text, like, I just got this message from my friend that got your link like, that just makes me want to keep going that those whenever I know that I help people even work friends, you know, they send me a text like that is what just keeps me going when I know that I'm helping somebody and making an impact on their life. I mean, that's just to me, I've always been wired like that. I like helping people. And that's just makes me feel fulfilled, I guess you would say, even though it's like in a different way, like, I don't wanna say, Oh, I'm helping people with my jewelry. But you know what I mean, I feel like those little tiny things that happen in your day, or one person saying one positive thing, that's what keeps me fulfilled.

Ryan McDevitt 33:08

Any point? Do you start to pinpoint where you develop that? I mean, like, if you think about, you know, just commonly, like, we develop what we want to do usually in childhood. I mean, did you observe somebody in your life? Or were you helped? I mean, the story about the the the bike thing is awesome. But right, like you were an adult, then. I mean, did it? Did it start at birth, like,

Jenna Righi 33:35

I don't know, I've always been a creative, the creative was there at birth, I think, as I got my parents were divorced. And it's, it's interesting. Now, I didn't tell anybody, I didn't tell any of my friends, my friends found out from their mothers that my parents were getting divorced, like, I was very, very closed off very, because it was like, I was strong and stubborn. Like, I was not one that would sit here on a podcast and talk about my vulnerabilities, by any way, shape or form. So the creativity was there, but I think it kind of unraveled over time. And then, you know, then I talked to a friend that her parents were going divorce when we were in college, or I already went through that and just, you know, then connecting with people like that, I think over time, that is, I think over it kind of unraveled, you know, over the years, to be honest with you that

Ryan McDevitt 34:21

to realize it from like real, like applique like I helped her through that same thing, like you know, that makes us better friends for for that what a cool thing to end up in. I mean, I know it's not it's certainly by design but what what a cool spot and a cool way to display that creativity and that help in the same time.

Jenna Righi 34:40

Yeah, I remember to like I was writing like when I was thinking of these ideas like workout hit from the heart and we'll talk about her burn the bill like I mean, I have a five notebooks of just a doodler of stuff like ideas. But I remember drawing like our circle like I've all my friends and I'm like Angie lost her dad that we've connected like that. My friend Stephanie, bad anxiety we've connected with Like that back in the day, my parents got divorced, I stopped eating for two weeks. And then it was like, oh, wow, you look really skinny. And then that I mean was, you know, I wouldn't say an eating disorder, but body image issues. And, you know, I have a friend like that. And we connected. So I had this big diagram with, like, all of my friends sticking out of it, and all the ways that we connected and it's like, wow, like, you know, that's kind of how it developed to it's like, Wow, it really is crazy, like, the connection that you see within, like people and that nobody else can ever have that or fully understand that if they haven't been through it. And actually, I was listening to your last podcast with was it Chris? The guy that had the addiction problems? Yeah. So your brother was an addict? I mean, you know what I mean, Chris, and your brother will always have that bond that no one else will fully understand. Because they went through. isn't here brother sponsor? I think I think he was.

Ryan McDevitt 35:50

It's Mike's brother. But

Jenna Righi 35:52

yeah, my brother. Yeah. So I'm listening to that, like, well, if they have that connection, or that bond that no one else will fully understand. Because they went through that similar thing. They have that in common, you know?

Ryan McDevitt 36:12

Hey, thanks for taking time to listen to Mike and I Today, I wanted to talk to you just for one second about reviewing the podcast. It really, really helps us out. And it places higher on search engines, as well as the other podcast channels that publish our show. So if you listen to conventioNOT up, you dig what you hear, take a second go out, give us five stars, give us a few kind words, or just real words, whatever the hell you want to say, out there on the review channel of your podcast show.

Chris Harris 36:45

You like i'd love it like everything you're putting down right now. And one thing I noticed, and this is not about me, but just to give us some context. Yeah, is this past year, I've been paying a lot more attention to like energy, and the energy, I absorb the energy that I give off. And I realize like I'm an empath, because there could be some times where I am so overwhelmed. By you know, even positive feedback. Sometimes you go on social media, sometimes it can just be so much and I get the sense that you might be an empath, too. So a Are you an empath, and be how do you deal with so much emotion that's being thrown your way?

Jenna Righi 37:26

Well, that's actually interesting, when you say, Are you an impact, and this I've always had, like, very, this is a negative of me very high goals, very on sometimes unrealistic goals. And I'm thinking, you know, if I can't help everyone, I'm failing. And then I read a quote, like a couple of months ago, and it was, you know, helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for that one person. So like, that's what I hang on to you now. So to me, that is impact. But before it was like, you know, you kind of feel like a failure when you you aren't helping everyone or you get one the negative response. And it's like, you can't hang on to that energy. You gotta, you got to keep moving. I remember my launch day, I'm super open book. We sold a ton of stuff, it was the best I was on cloud nine, the best results and somebody sent me an email the next day that said, hey, my necklace broke, can I get a new one? And I can tell you guys I couldn't even get out of bed for like, the entire weekend. And it's like, Alright, get up fix fix the you know, first round I'm on version like for now, fix the necklace, make it right and move on with your day, you just sold hundreds of units at your, your launch party, you know, why are you gonna focus on who's, you know, broken jumpring that that popped off. So it's like, I'm very, very hard on myself. But that quote of you know, helping one person maybe sometimes that's, that's what it's all about. That's what I hang on to when it comes to like impact now, it's not necessarily about everyone, you can't unfortunately, you can't ever fix everyone, you can't help everyone there's always going to be discrimination and loss and you know, problems in the world, but it's just as long as you're doing what you can and maybe it's sometimes just helping that one person that needs it. That's that's really what I hang on to now. So yeah, that's what I that's how I look at impact now, but I didn't always used to look at it like that. So I forget, I forget the second part of your question. I'm sorry.

Chris Harris 39:16

Well, yeah, it was, you know, if you how do you kind of deal with getting all these emotions from everyone? You know, I don't even know. I think your social media is like phenomenal. But how do you feel? How do you feel about when you receive all that feedback? And I mean, what role does social media play in your life?

Jenna Righi 39:36

It's funny that you say that too. Because I was never on social media. I got rid of Facebook before I started link and I emailed them I'm like, okay to have a business page you have to have a personal account and you do so I was never really because i'm not i'm very humble and very behind the scenes I don't like to brag or I was I was just never one that was big into social media originally. You have to get into it. Obviously you to make an impact. Now, you know, So that took a little bit of adjusting that was a, you know, not a comfort zone for me at first. But again, it feels great. And now, because I'm always wired again to think bigger, and I'm very hard on myself, I seriously take screenshots of one positive comment and I have it in a folder. It says just for Jenna positive to read down, that's what I just keep focusing on when I'm having a bad day to get my mindset back. It's like, okay, you know, you get one negative by which to be honest with you, I mean, I get a ton of positive response, I really don't get much negative response at all. But what it's more for me, like, when I'm down on myself, more something goes wrong, then I'm constantly reading that those positive affirmations that, you know, other people are writing to me. And I mean, going back a little step back to when you're talking about failures. I mean, I just thought, all right, I'm gonna break down this chain and put a logo on it, and I'm gonna sell some stuff. I did not realize that, you know, a mid million hiccups along the way, like, first off, trying to sell because, and I met with a metal specialist after this. And he was basically saying, hey, you're trying to sell an industrial product, and turn it into jewelry, like it can't work. And I'm like, well, it can work and I'm going to make it work, I would set these links in like bleach for a month for a rubbing alcohol, nothing would happen, no fading, I put it on the skin, and it would turn like green. I mean, just things like that, that you don't think about it. So it took me like six months to figure out how to play it correctly, where it wouldn't rub off, you know, on the skin. It's just those type of things that you know, you have to be ready for. But so I guess you know, when I'm in those type of settings, or you know, I get a printer breaks or something like that. Those are when I go back and I read the Why are you doing this just for Jenna, and I'm really reading all these positive response that it's like, okay, go get the printer fixed. Figure out the plating, your engraver broke. I mean, those are the things that get me through those type of hiccups throughout my day, for sure.

Chris Harris 41:59

So cool. What's man? Like, what's what's next?

Jenna Righi 42:04

Well, we obviously have a bunch more skews coming, and I'm waiting to get them back from my photographer. Um, but what I would love to do down the road. So obviously, more skews are always coming, I always want to come out I'd like eventually like it like a jewelry brand where, you know, again, that's why our skews are so small. Now it took me almost a year to figure out the initial links with all the plating and so it didn't rub off. And so it stayed on for months, you know what I mean. But now that we got that nailed, it's definitely adding more skews. But I would love to do something with the stories, like have like a card deck, or I'd eventually like to have like a book or like a chicken soup of the soul or whatever. Because I also did that like when they share a story of yours just signing off on the terms of service that we could use it for purposes like that. And I mean, again, it's just by first name and state, but I would love to do something with a book or like a picture deck or something like that, or even like, but definitely something more on the mental health side with the stories and helping people that way. So the jewelry is there. We're getting that nailed down, adding more skews. But as far as like the stories in the more mental health side, I would love to do that. For sure.

Ryan McDevitt 43:12

I feel like you're in the way that you motivate yourself, which is you know, referring back to things and kind of like embodying embodying energy, the chart you have a card deck would be spot on. I think it's like it's hot right now. You could probably work with an artist that would be able to embody your brand pretty well. Yeah. There's

Jenna Righi 43:31

somebody that wrote a book, so maybe they could Yeah, that's true.

Ryan McDevitt 43:36

It could be anything major. Major. I got the website. to any regard though, I think if Are you familiar with Kim Kranz? You know who that is, she's created a bunch of decks. Yeah. Yeah, Kim green so she has created in writes about emotion and maybe her stuff leads a little bit more towards spirituality than support. But I think that like the subjects are really closely linked and so hearing about the way that you choose to enlighten yourself by again like picking something that's like hey look like today, if you could just make it through today in the right way, then there are there there are people that are cheering for you. A lot of times they'll decks so to speak, and you know, depending on how you want to incorporate your stories I feel like these decks are really like daily motivational that way or when you're down you know, pulling a card out of a deck and saying like, you know, I'm just gonna I'm going to read some guidance from this very simple thing. And I think like a lot of times that's a little easier for people to interpret then you know, such a religious or spiritual type interaction for like what's happening today, you know, so I'd be in support of that. I'll order one of those. I got myself a necklace. Or Anna ordered a couple necklaces earlier for us. I'm excited to have you here

Jenna Righi 44:49

the best the I his wife ordered necklaces. That's so sweet. You did not have to do that.

Ryan McDevitt 44:54

What do you guys golden flashes. She likes that gold. She got golden flash low. Yeah for the golden flashes.

Chris Harris 45:01

That's right, man.

Ryan McDevitt 45:03

All right, well, you didn't tell us much about I know you probably got something else on there. That's, that's, that's what's next, right. But I do want to give you a chance to kind of like promote if I want to like sign up for the site. Or if I want to get on an email list, or I want to follow you on Instagram or any of those things that I think are motivational. It's not just about like ordering yourself a piece of jewelry, even though it might be that because I think the pricing is right. The other thing that I always like is products like that, where the pricing is right to send it to somebody else. Yeah, right. Like something where it's like, oh, man, like, this isn't a big deal to buy to somebody else. I think Jenna's products are definitely within that line, too. But like, how do I get to your stuff? And how do I find you? How do I how do I connect with you?

Jenna Righi 45:44

Yeah, the site is just link before you sync.com I always make it clear to Yes, we sell jewelry, but you can go on there, it doesn't have to work, buy a piece of jewelry, get a story and then share. I mean, I always say you could just go on there and share your story. You don't have to buy a piece of jewelry to share your story. So the site is just linked before you think.com and then our Instagram is just at link before you sink.com and we also have a fake Facebook page. Just link before you sink as well.

Ryan McDevitt 46:13

No Twitter,

Jenna Righi 46:14

no Twitter, no Twitter, social media originally and maybe I'll maybe I'll get there someday.

Ryan McDevitt 46:21

My prediction is Twitter's not going to be around much longer. I feel like almost every now every person we talked to like Twitter's just not.

Chris Harris 46:29

It's all about ties it ruined Twitter and now Yeah,

Jenna Righi 46:32

but President, Twitter all about ID.

Ryan McDevitt 46:36

It is about Igy It is about Igy Well, we're at conventioNOT not underscore podcast if you're not following by now. I hope you take a second to go out to Jenna's pages. I think this is this is something that's really unique and it's a cool way to support things. It really is with intention and stop ordering jewelry and shit off Amazon anyway. Right? Right like like really give personalized gifts it's within your throw. Especially in times like these not too early to start start shopping for for holidays is a nice

Chris Harris 47:08

little stocking stuffer.

Ryan McDevitt 47:10

My mother in law say something about Christmas gifts the other day and it just like is noise escapes me that like you know the summer will come to an end. It will be that time. So anyway, thanks for joining us today. We really appreciate you taking time out of your evening. And we'll be back at you soon. I

Jenna Righi 47:29

thank you guys a pleasure was all mine anything you know, like I just want to get it out there anybody that I could help again. I mean, that's everything to me. So thank you so much for your time. I greatly appreciate it.

Ryan McDevitt 47:39

very enlightening.

Jason Goggans' fitness career is deep. Really deep. He's been in the game for over 20 years, owned several gyms and transitioned to the online marketplace. The thing is, his career and weight-loss business seeks a really cool client: somebody who already heads to the gym. It's not because Jason likes the easy route.

In fact, his career has been anything but easy. After re-routing his career goals from Federal Law Enforcement, Goggans hasn't abandoned his love for civil servants charged with protecting America - he has charged toward them.

How does a former officer help his former colleagues? To him, it seems simple: approach fitness with tenacity and knowledge.

Regular conventioNOT Podcast listeners won't be surprised to hear some of the topics sway away from Jason's day job - and into his former life. You'll have to listen to the episode to hear why Goggans said that recording with us is one of his favorite interviews ever.

This episode is gets back to the roots of the show and it's probably not surprising to hear that McD and Goggans have some conflicting opinons. Click on http://conventionot.com to hear more validated experts like Wendi and find out a thing or two about how they stay happy AND successful. Available on all podcast channels.

When Chris Hoogerhyde decide to get clean almost two decades ago, he was a celebrated expert in some pretty dirty things. Now, after helping countless humans find their better selves, Hoogerhyde finds a lot of joy in finding what makes other people happy.

Not only is he funny in some of the stories he shares, but his self depreciation truly an art form. This episode is a little different than the norm. Many of our guests share about their success, challenges and how they won. Chris is open about his time in prison and the hours he spends helping people. You'll love this episode, which includes some really cool stories about Mike's family and some previous episodes on conventioNOT.

If you feel like you want to talk to some of the people Chris mentions on this episode - you can reach out directly by clicking on https://www.aa.org

Video Games are a multi billion dollar industry. Most people get how big that is and our guests this episode all consider themselves "Gamers," in one way or another. Mike sits down with Mike Dougherty, Anna McD and Chris Harris to dive deep into the nooks and crannies of gaming, its impact on their lives and the very real value that the hobby brings to each of them. Don't miss out on this new episode format that the guys from the show are playing around with. We'd love to hear what you think.

Unfamiliar with the episode guests?

Each of the episode's experts is nearly at the top of their profession... and you can learn about Mike, Anna and Chris on their individual episodes by scrolling down through the conventioNOT archives, where you'll be able to tune into their deeper stories. Gamers is one of our shows focused on experts who are pulled from our deep rolodex of guests. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on http://conventionot.com to quick launch your favorite app.

When DeMarvelous and Chris met years ago in a Detroit production studio - their relationship started off with a joke and a smile. It didn't take long before their fire connected and a creative partnership was born. Even then, these two good dudes were questioning some of the perils of their beloved art: violence, drugs and disrespect.

Fast forward nearly a decade later and after producing music for some of hip hops biggest names and DeMarvelous had an awakening in his spirit that you need to hear. A little teaser, it started with a not-so-typical meeting of an Aurora and it still perseveres to this day.

Carter has recently started Infinite Audio Music, a service designed for podcasters, YouTube influencers and people who really don't want to steal music from artists. You'll have to listen to the full episode to hear how he came up with it after moving across the country.

Click on http://conventionot.com to hear more validated experts like DeMarvelous and find out a thing or two about how they stay happy AND successful. Available on all podcast channels.

Wendi Freeman is no stranger to the big leagues. After a strong exit from planning events in startup-heavy Atlanta's tech space, Freeman was left in a place where she knew she needed to draw on her experience and self improvement to launch herself back into the market.

When she and Be Bright Events emerged a short time later, it was with a breath of fresh air in approaching a stale market that she knew well. Mike and McD joke with her time planning sorority events and better than average dinners while learning more about the ways they might be able to plan a conventioNOT event - something Ryan has been bugging the guys about for a while.

Freeman didn't just drive herself back into the market, she sat things down for a bit and really finds that carving her own niche leads to a career with greater self-fulfillment and happiness. This episode is gets back to the roots of the show and we're excited to share it with you. Click on http://conventionot.com to hear more validated experts like Wendi and find out a thing or two about how they stay happy AND successful. Available on all podcast channels.

Even with YouTube and the internet, It's really hard to believe that all humans aren't awesome at everything. One thing that nearly all of us need is help on training ourselves to be financially secure.

There are countless books, webinars and weekend conferences on saving, preparing for life and increasing stability in our lives through the way Americans spend money. Problem is, a lot of that stuff is motivated by the presenter and lacks deployable advice and feedback on effort.

Suzanne Johnson has carved a really valuable spot for herself in our economy: a financial coach. Just like a dietician or athletic trainer, she and her business, Grace Financial Coaching specialize in helping people achieve confidence through training their habits. It's that simple. The story on how she got there is pretty cool.

As a young executive in the shopping mall and commercial real estate industry, her life lessons with internal success and failure - and very real debt present a great story. Mike and McD are intrigued to learn from Suzanne on how careers and happiness do matter.

We're not sure if Grace Financial Coaching is accepting new clients - but this episode is worth a listen and we're sure as hell accepting new listeners. Click on http://conventionot.com to hear more validated experts like Suzanne and find out a thing or two about how they stay happy AND successful. Available on all podcast channels.

Chris, Mike and Ryan get back around the microphone and record discuss some of the events that happen between the guys when not recording the show. Dj Scrilla just published his first book, "You can be anything, Major" and as usual, the CHarris train is rolling strong with TV interviews and autographed copies hitting the mail. Mike & McD can't help but inquire about his creative process.

conventioNOT Groupies are in for a treat when our hosts get vulnerable by recounting offline personal conversations and the discussion turns to the differences in TV and the way that race and culture seems to have drastically changed since our hosts sat in front of set in their boyhood living rooms. Things get a little deep for a minute.

This episode marks the end of our best month in recording the show. Our listeners and feedback grows - including 5 Star Podcast ratings on several platforms. You can read our reviews... or download the episode already. You read this much. Just do it.

Find us on your favorite channel by clicking on http://conventioNOT.com