Empower & Elevate Podcast

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Breaking the silence around our personal struggles might be the most powerful gift we can offer others. That's the central message from this intimate conversation with a successful entrepreneur who reveals how feeling "not normal" shaped their approach to business, relationships, and life.

Despite building impressive companies and commanding attention on stage, our guest describes the deep introversion that makes networking events "a necessary evil" and public speaking a personal challenge. The conversation pulls back the curtain on how someone can appear confident in professional settings while needing hours alone to recharge afterward. Rather than seeing this personality trait as a limitation, we explore how introversion can become a unique strength in business when properly channeled.

What emerges most powerfully is the universal tendency to believe we're alone in our struggles. Whether facing mental health challenges, infertility, childhood trauma, or any other personal difficulty, we often suffer in silence, convinced our experience is uniquely shameful. This isolation only deepens our pain. "In a world of billions of people, you are not the only one," our guest reminds us, explaining how this realization transforms private suffering into connection.

The conversation takes unexpected turns through personal passions - from racing high-performance cars (the perfect solitary pursuit for an introvert) to a childhood love of comic books that provided escape during difficult times. We also explore the delicate balance of exposing our children to our interests while giving them freedom to develop their own. Throughout it all runs a powerful thread: vulnerability creates connection, and sharing our stories helps others feel less alone. What parts of your story might help someone else feel normal today?

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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Money makes stuff easy, but it's not everything. The real challenge lies in breaking through those invisible barriers that keep your business from reaching its full potential.

Ever felt stuck in your business growth? You're not alone. Successful entrepreneurs often hit plateaus where traditional strategies no longer work, leading to years of stagnation. The breakthrough? Realizing you're not the smartest person in the room.

This raw conversation unveils how peer groups transform business trajectories by connecting you with others who've walked your path. When you surround yourself with diverse perspectives and expertise, you discover solutions you never considered. As one business owner candidly shares, after joining a peer group in 2022, their company finally broke free from years of stagnant performance.

The dialogue tackles the myth of overnight success, revealing how true business growth happens through consistent small improvements—"a little bit of a little bit." Just as weight gain doesn't happen overnight, neither does sustainable success. It's built through daily habits, continuous learning, and the humility to adapt.

Most revealing is the admission that ego prevents growth. "No book can teach me how to run my business" was the mindset that kept one successful entrepreneur from scaling further. After finally reading business books like "Traction" after a ten-year hiatus from learning, everything changed. The message becomes clear: success at any level requires constantly evolving your knowledge and approaches.

Ready to break through your own business plateau? Join us to discover how small habit changes, peer connections, and continuous learning create the foundation for sustainable growth. Subscribe now and share your own business breakthrough moments!

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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What happens when life takes an unexpected turn and suddenly you're a 20-year-old single mother needing to create a stable future? For Ashley, it became the catalyst that launched her remarkable journey from the factory floor to VP of Human Resources.

Ashley's story defies conventional career trajectories. Growing up in a blue-collar family where college wasn't necessarily the expectation, she found herself working in the same hot dog factory as her mother—hired by the same HR professional who had brought her mother on board nearly two decades earlier. But ambition burned within her: "I wanted to explore what my full capabilities were." That desire, combined with the responsibility of raising a child, pushed her to discover her passion for human resources through a chance encounter at a staffing agency.

Twenty years later, Ashley has transformed her organization by implementing the Seven Healthy Habits across six companies under a holding company structure. Her approach centers on a powerful principle: self-improvement must precede relationship improvement. "Build a relationship with yourself and then go build better relationships with the people you live with and work with," she explains. This philosophy has created a common leadership language from the executive level down to supervisors, fundamentally changing how teams communicate and collaborate.

Ashley's educational journey mirrors her professional one—persistently pushing boundaries. After completing her undergraduate degree, she earned a Master's in Leadership, began teaching at the university level, and then pursued an MBA to expand her capabilities further. Her mantra? "We don't fail, we learn." This resilience defines both her personal philosophy and the leadership principles she now instills in others. Listen now to discover how embracing unexpected paths and focusing on continuous self-improvement can transform not just a career, but an entire organization.

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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Discover the revolutionary approach of Faisu meditation, where your unique spiritual signature becomes the key to profound transformation. This isn't just another meditation technique—it's a personalized path that recognizes your individuality while guiding you toward universal consciousness.

At the heart of this practice lies a fascinating process where your eyes—truly the windows to your soul—reveal your distinctive vibrational signature. Unlike conventional systems that rely on pre-established mantras, Faisu meditation creates a personal mantra derived from the subtle vibrations emanating from your iris. This isn't an artificial tool but rather your authentic essence, condensed into a powerful sound that unlocks your spiritual potential.

The origins of this practice are as compelling as its methodology. Born from the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, Faisu meditation emerged when its founder courageously advocated for human unity despite facing persecution. Like Nelson Mandela, he became a light in the darkness, recognizing that our shared humanity transcends superficial differences. This historical foundation infuses the practice with a profound commitment to breaking barriers and fostering connection.

Regular practitioners become what the teacher calls "beacons of light"—individuals who radiate love, consciousness, and happiness into a world desperately needing these qualities. The meditation journey begins with acknowledging your uniqueness but ultimately leads to experiencing the universality that connects us all. Through this process, fear and prejudice dissolve as the heart unfolds its natural capacity for compassion and acceptance.

Ready to discover your personal mantra and begin a meditation practice as unique as your fingerprint? Join thousands worldwide who have transformed their lives through this revolutionary approach to spiritual awakening. Your journey to becoming a beacon of light starts here.

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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Managing an IT business demands resilience—something Paul learned firsthand through a series of staffing nightmares that nearly brought his growing MSP to its knees.

After finding his first promising technician, the pandemic upended everything. When business stabilized faster than expected, bringing that tech back proved complicated due to childcare issues and remote work distractions. Then came the real challenge: a parade of mismatched hires. One refused to adapt to company processes, another lacked both technical skills and people skills, and a third quit abruptly after realizing "how much he hated" IT work. Suddenly, Paul found himself alone again, handling all technical work while trying to run the business.

The turning point came when Paul revamped his hiring and training procedures with help from industry peers. "Hire slowly and fire quickly if they're not the right fit" became his mantra. He discovered valuable team members in the Philippines who demonstrated strong work ethic while helping manage costs. Eventually, he built a team of eight, even successfully acquiring another company that doubled his business size.

What makes Paul's story remarkable isn't just his business persistence but his unwavering positive attitude despite simultaneous personal challenges—building a house, supporting a partner through medical issues, and navigating life's complications. His philosophy? "Every day is really just a blessing... If my business goes out of business tomorrow, I'm still going to be fine." This perspective helps him see each setback as a learning opportunity rather than a disaster, maintaining his characteristic laugh even when facing his most tenured employee's resignation.

Want to approach your business challenges with similar resilience? Remember Paul's wisdom: "Everything that is a thing is something to learn on, something to get better with."

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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Building meaningful relationships in business isn't just nice to have—it's essential for growth and sustainability. When we make connections with people, we open doors to unexpected opportunities, friendships, and partnerships that transcend immediate business needs.

The MSP industry has been stuck in a price-focused mindset for too long. We need to shift toward being prescriptive advisors, similar to how doctors diagnose and treat patients. Your customers don't just pick the "white pill" from a selection of medications—they trust their doctor's expertise. Similarly, MSPs should diagnose business technology problems and prescribe comprehensive solutions. This approach positions you as a trusted advisor rather than a commodity service provider.

Going beyond technical solutions creates even more value. Sharing your own business improvement methodologies—whether it's implementing Traction or other operational systems—helps clients optimize their entire operation. This makes you "sticky" as a partner and ensures that as they grow, they'll need more of your services. The relationships become mutually beneficial: their success fuels yours.

The same collaborative approach should extend to vendor relationships. Before rushing to complain on social media when problems arise, reach out directly to company representatives. Every negative post creates ripple effects that can't be undone, potentially harming your reputation and the vendor's business. Remember that vendor relationships should be 50-50 partnerships where both sides contribute to improvement.

Our MSP community stands apart in its willingness to support each other despite competition. When we attend industry events with intentional networking plans, we create connections that often yield surprising benefits. Sometimes the person you meet at a vendor booth might become your next employee, partner, or even liver donor—you simply never know!

Ready to transform your approach to business relationships? Focus on building authentic connections, providing prescriptive value, and engaging positively with the broader ecosystem. Your business—and our entire community—will be stronger for it.

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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Breaking through glass ceilings is the entrepreneur's constant challenge. Every stage of business growth demands new skills, knowledge, and experiences—gaps that must be identified and filled to reach the next level.

Our guest reveals the bittersweet reality of entrepreneurship when he shares the heartbreaking moment his young daughter brought him her piggy bank saying, "So you don't have to work no more." This pivotal experience transformed his approach to work-life balance, teaching him to prioritize family while maintaining his business ambitions.

Now, years wiser, he's intentional about creating meaningful moments with his children—from impromptu golf outings and vacation time to bringing his teenage son into the business. This "60% forced, 40% interest" approach gives his son professional skills and experiences 6-8 years ahead of his peers, what our guest calls "the golden ticket" his son doesn't yet appreciate.

The entrepreneurial journey is undeniably lonely. Without a boss providing direction, self-motivation becomes essential. Successful entrepreneurs treat their business with disciplined structure, "clocking in at 8 and out by 5," doing the uncomfortable work that drives growth. Surrounding yourself with the right people—peer groups and business mentors who've already broken through your current ceiling—accelerates progress dramatically.

For those building businesses, remember that comparing your journey to others only creates unnecessary stress. Every path is unique. Instead, be relentless, embrace discomfort, and recognize that continuous personal development powers business growth. The freedom waiting on the other side makes this challenging journey profoundly rewarding.

Ready to secure your business and focus on growth rather than IT problems? Reach out today and let's elevate your company together.

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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What happens when you realize your head is bleeding from banging it against the wall of repeated behaviors? Lou Winter's riveting account of personal transformation begins with this visceral metaphor for the frustration that accompanies stagnation.

"I absolutely believe in holistic wellbeing," Winter explains, outlining his rigorous daily practices: 5:30 AM workouts, weekend beach runs, meditation, yoga, and consuming a book weekly. But his journey toward this balanced life wasn't straightforward. With refreshing candor, he admits to having been "a professional drinker" whose habits eventually stopped serving his growth. "Didn't serve me anymore," he reflects simply, marking the profound shift in his relationship with himself.

The conversation delves deep into ego management—distinguishing between its destructive and constructive forms. Winter describes moving from being "the apex predator" concerned primarily with personal success to finding fulfillment by elevating others. "Am I serving my wife properly? Am I serving my children properly? Am I serving my team properly?" These questions revolutionized his approach to leadership, culminating in his creation of a succession plan at The Pacific Institute where he now serves as CEO Emeritus.

Perhaps most compelling is Winter's account of navigating his consultancy through COVID-19's existential threat. Faced with an analog company suddenly needing digital transformation, he embraced vulnerability and innovation. "What got us here won't get us there," he acknowledges, quoting Marshall Goldsmith's wisdom on the necessity of evolution.

Ready to explore your own pattern interrupts? This episode offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking to break cycles that no longer serve their growth. Subscribe now and join our community of intentional leaders committed to both personal development and serving others.

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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Have you ever wondered what makes truly great teams function so seamlessly? The secret might be simpler than you think: shared values that everyone genuinely believes in.

When Mark set out to establish core values for his company, he initially approached it as a solo exercise. "I have to come up with what I believe my core values are," he explains, reflecting on his early leadership journey. But the magic happened when he opened up this process to his entire team. Suddenly, these weren't just Mark's values—they became the team's collective compass, something everyone had a stake in upholding.

The surprising revelation came when "communication" emerged as a core value the team prioritized, catching Mark off guard. This sparked important self-reflection: "Is it because I don't communicate enough? Do they feel like there's not enough transparency?" This vulnerable moment highlights how collaborative value-setting creates opportunities for growth that top-down approaches often miss. Other values like integrity, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement rounded out their foundation, creating a framework that guides both internal interactions and client relationships.

What happens after establishing these values? The conversation explores how Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) transform abstract values into measurable actions. As Mark beautifully puts it, "by having the team help with the core values, it's much easier to get them in the boat rowing with me as a team and not rowing in a different direction." This rowing analogy perfectly captures the essence of values-based leadership—when everyone understands and believes in the destination, they naturally align their efforts without constant management. Listen now to discover how defining your core values might be the most important team exercise you'll ever undertake.

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

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What happens when the simple act of eating becomes impossible? For eight years, Zach lived on medical formula, rice cakes, and pears due to a severe case of eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), a chronic illness that drastically restricted his diet and transformed his relationship with food and his own body.

Zach's powerful story begins at age 15, when doctors determined he needed to follow an extremely limited diet to manage his condition. The physical limitations were challenging, but the mental and emotional toll of being unable to participate in one of life's most fundamental and social activities proved equally difficult. "It's such a mental burden to be around people eating," he reflects, describing years of watching friends enjoy meals while he consumed the same bland items day after day.

Throughout this journey, Zach developed remarkable resilience and perspective. Swimming became his outlet during high school, while creative expression through rap music about his unique dietary situation provided both humor and release. When medical interventions became necessary, he embraced a feeding tube to improve his quality of life, even as he occasionally rebelled by "cheating" on his diet, accepting the painful consequences as sometimes "worth it" for moments of normalcy. His outlook transformed from questioning why this happened to him to embracing a philosophy that "being negative doesn't change your circumstance."

The turning point arrived unexpectedly in 2020 when doctors offered an experimental medication that gradually allowed him to tolerate food again. Two years later, Zach had his feeding tube removed, leaving behind a scar he now cherishes as "like my second belly button...a little reminder of where I've come from." His story illuminates not just the physical challenges of chronic illness, but the profound mental journey of acceptance, adaptation, and ultimately hope even in the most restricting circumstances.

Have you faced health challenges that transformed your relationship with something most people take for granted? Share your story or thoughts about Zach's powerful journey of resilience in the comments, or connect with organizations like Cured that support research for eosinophilic conditions.

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Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com