In the past 5 years, I’ve learned many core lessons on how to build thought leadership and be a successful solopreneur. These lessons allowed me to not just quit my job (PhD) and make money online through my coaching business, but also create work life balance and build my dream lifestyle as a solopreneur & podcaster.

 

On episode 166 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast, we cover: 

- How to be committed and consistent

- How to own your insecurities

- Express, not impress 

- Learning the lessons necessary for shaping you to become the entrepreneur you’re meant to be

- Time will pass… So what are you going to do with this time?

 

 

Connect with Cheryl Lau

 

Website: https://cheryllau.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory 

Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

Free Resource for Entrepreneurs 

 

THE AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work 

 

- Audit 9 different parts of your body of work

- Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your business apart from the rest

 

Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit 

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

JP and I crossed paths on the internet around late 2018. He was one of my first “beta coaching clients” back then, and I always enjoyed my conversations with JP.

We lost touch over the years and reconnected in early 2024.

During our catch up, I got to hear JP’s story in more detail. And honestly, I was at loss for words.

JP’s story is filled with character and resilience, and I am beyond grateful to have him as our guest on episode 165 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast to share exactly that. 

 

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

 

• What led JP to do the current work he does today, and his thoughts on the importance of confidence vs English skill when it comes to helping ESL folks 

• The real sh*t that JP navigated from his younger days that shaped who he’s become 

• I’ve always remembered JP as someone who was well spoken and would drop nuggets of wisdom - So, we also touched on why JP thinks he’s good with words 

• And other profound stories of resilience and taking ownership over your life’s direction  

 

Enjoy :) 

 

P.S. And if you loved the episode, you can 1️) Leave a 5-star rating and an awesome review, and 2️) Share the episode on your social media

 

About JP:

Hello I'm JP. I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. I grew up with a single mom who raised 7 children. Childhood was challenging and I was kicked out of public schools because of my poor reputation and eventually graduated to selling drugs. By the time I was 25 years old, I had 4 children by two different women. Eventually, I got convicted of selling drugs and served a short stint in the penal system.

After I got out I was determined not to return. I volunteered as a way of "showing" rather than telling me I had changed my life around. Overtime, I earned my GED, BA, and Masters Degree. Yet, my peppered past limited my opportunities to teach at the college level even though I graduated magna cum laude with 3.8 GPA. By the grace of God I was able to do maintain good grades while often working 2 jobs, sometimes 2 full time jobs.

I was born and raised in the USA, but I currently live in the Philippines. Currently, I help diffident emerging leaders communicate with confidence and eloquence to their international colleagues. I hold a master's degree in History from The University of Akron as well as a TOEIC and multiple TEFL certifications.

I am a leadership coach, ESL teacher, self-published author of a series, public speaker, and educator with several years of experience in hiring, interpersonal skill training, confidence coaching, and supervising staff as well as teaching various topics: US History, Business Etiquette & Leadership (tactful performance conversations and conflict management scenarios), interview preparation (via mock interviews),  cultural nuances about the historical social issues in USA, professional development, and personal governance.

 

Connect with JP:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/watkinsglobal

E-mail: [email protected]

WeChat ID: WatkinsGlobo

Twitter X: WATKINS.GLOBAL

Rae first connected via Instagram around late 2020, and we’ve been besties ever since.

We started out as long-distance internet friends (she was in Singapore while I was in Hong Kong) during the pandemic.

We finally met in person after I moved to Singapore in 2022.

Over the years, we’ve seen each other stretch out of our comfort zones as entrepreneurs and go after our big audacious dreams.

We’ve also seen each other cry during our lowest lows.

One thing I’ve always appreciated about Rae is her openness to share her lessons and how she, too, is a work-in-progress.

I’ve learned a lot through Rae’s sharings and point of view, and I’m confident that you will too :)

This is why I am super duper excited to invite Rae onto episode 164 of The Thought Leader Club Podast as part of our “Quit Story” guest interview series 

 

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

 

• Why Rae chose to pursue entrepreneurship and coaching instead of doing what her classmates did after graduation (i.e. find a job)

• The “boxes” that Rae had to break out of in order to do the work she does today

• What Rae is working on right now as an entrepreneur, content creator, and speaker 

• Rae’s perspective on traveling 

• And other conversations that are both deep and wholesome at the same time 

 

Enjoy :) 

 

P.S. And if you loved the episode, you can 1️) Leave a 5-star rating and an awesome review, and 2️) Share the episode on your social media

 

About Rae:

Rae Fung is a speaker and coach who guides rising leaders to own their voice. She went from being the girl with low self-esteem who didn’t have a voice, to now having trained and spoken to over 5000+ people globally. With over a decade of experience as a communicator on stage and online, she considers it her mission to create a world where everyone feels safe to speak up and own their voice.

 

Connect with Rae:

Newsletter – latest stories and insights on what it means to #OwnYourVoice https://sendfox.com/raefungx 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/raematrix/ 

A few years ago, Betty blew my mind when she shared the following metaphor: 

“If you think about the fundamentals of a palette, you really just need the three basic colors - red, yellow and blue.

And if you have those three colors, you can make a thousand, millions different shades, all shades come from those three colors.

So bringing that parallel to talent, we just need what you already have, the shades that you already have to make a thousand different beautiful possibilities.”

THAT is the type of coach Betty is: She is a coach that advocates for people to be compassionate and kind to themselves, and to leverage what they DO have to create amazingness in this world.

Needless to say, Betty is brilliant and I am delighted to invite her onto the show to share not just other brilliant nuggets, but also to dive into her story

 

On episode 163 of The Thought  Leader Club Podcast, you’ll hear about:

 

• Growing up in different cultures/locations, immigrant parents, and the other early experiences that shaped Betty into who she is today 

• The decision to go into the humanities, to pursue post graduate studies, what peeps around you were doing, etc 

• The multiple hats that Betty wears, including flmmaker, fundraising consultant, coach, business owner, and many more

• And other conversations about creating an award-winning podcast, traveling, and so much more~

 

About Betty:

Betty Xie is a filmmaker, fundraising consultant, career coach and podcaster. She supports creative people to navigate career and business transition so that they can stop aimless hustling and start purposeful living and working. Her podcast The Everyday Talent Podcast features freshest insights on creative life and career and won the 2023 Golden Cranes Award for Best Show for Arts and Creativity.

 

Connect with Betty:

Website: https://www.xiebetty.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bettyxcoach

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettyxie/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbmZPDQ529oRkaEUTjVf5g

The Everyday Talent Podcast: https://everydaytalent.buzzsprout.com/

Becoming known for your unique thought leadership and building a body of work is fundamental to being a successful solopreneur and a prolific and consistent content creator. 

 

On episode 162 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast, we cover: 

- The 6 stages to building a successful thought leader business and personal brand 

- How to level up and what to consider for the stages ahead 

 

 

Connect with Cheryl Lau

 

Website: https://cheryllau.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory 

Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

Free Resource for Entrepreneurs 

 

THE AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work 

 

- Audit 9 different parts of your body of work

- Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your business apart from the rest

 

Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit 

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

You’ve bought countless courses on personal branding for entrepreneurs and other business coaching programs, … But you don’t feel qualified or ready to build thought leadership.

 

On episode 161 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast, we cover: 

- Mindset Shift 1: Doing this work because it matters to you

- Mindset Shift 2: You got people to help, you got work to do

- Mindset Shift 3: Be willing to go first, even before you feel qualified

 

 

Connect with Cheryl Lau

 

Website: https://cheryllau.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory 

Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

Free Resource for Entrepreneurs 

 

THE AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work 

 

- Audit 9 different parts of your body of work

- Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your business apart from the rest

 

Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit 

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

Becoming known for your unique thought leadership and building a body of work is the first step to being a successful solopreneur, making money online, and growing your coaching business.

 

On episode 160 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast, we cover: 

- How to start planning your 2024 Thought Leadership Strategy

- What my 2024 Thought Leadership Strategy is

 

 

Connect with Cheryl Lau

 

Website: https://cheryllau.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory 

Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

Free Resource for Entrepreneurs 

 

THE AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work 

 

- Audit 9 different parts of your body of work

- Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your business apart from the rest

 

Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit 

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

Even if you have a thought leadership framework or strategy in place, it is natural to still feel not good enough or not qualified to build thought leadership.  

 

On episode 159 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast, we cover: 

- Feeling like you're good at what you do... But you're not the best

- How to become known even despite feeling not good enough

- Thought leadership is a skill you can develop and hone

 

 

Connect with Cheryl Lau

 

Website: https://cheryllau.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory 

Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

Free Resource for Entrepreneurs 

 

THE AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work 

 

- Audit 9 different parts of your body of work

- Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your business apart from the rest

 

Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit 

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

In this BONUS episode, you'll hear a replay of an interview that I did for the Personal with Money Podcast, hosted by Michael Kim.

"Are you creating a career you're truly proud of? Or is it based on what your parent's expect from you?

Cheryl Lau, a coach for aspiring thought leaders, shares her story on how she had to quit Law School AND her PhD, to create a career and business she was truly PROUD of. In this conversation you'll learn:   1) How to have the courage to leave a career that you know is not meant for you   2) How to create a career and business you are truly proud of regardless of what other people think of you   3) How to have the confidence to share your story, thoughts, and opinions and become a Thought Leader in your field"    

 

Connect with Cheryl Lau

 

Website: https://cheryllau.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory 

Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

Free Resource for Entrepreneurs 

 

THE AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work 

 

- Audit 9 different parts of your body of work

- Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your business apart from the rest

 

Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit 

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.

As you build your thought leadership strategy, you will be faced with practical and mindset-related challenges. This episode will discuss some of these potential obstacles and offer tips on how to move through them.

 

On episode 158 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast, we cover: 

- Thought leadership vs thought followership

- Using client scenarios to develop your thought leadership versus maintaining client confidentiality

- Are you really a thought leader if you have to call yourself a thought leader?

 

This episode was inspired by the following research article: Harvey, W. S., Mitchell, V. W., Almeida Jones, A., & Knight, E. (2021). The tensions of defining and developing thought leadership within knowledge-intensive firms. Journal of Knowledge Management, 25(11), 1-33.

 

 

Connect with Cheryl Lau

 

Website: https://cheryllau.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory 

Newsletter: https://cheryllau.com/email 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau

Free Resource for Entrepreneurs 

 

THE AUDIT: Build a differentiated and timeless body of work 

 

- Audit 9 different parts of your body of work

- Identify the specific areas you can improve on right away to set your business apart from the rest

 

Get the Audit here: https://cheryllau.com/audit 

Contact

Please email [email protected] for business inquiries.