First and Foremost

If you are like many people you tune into NBC to watch the popular show The Shark Tank. Season 10 Episode 2 features the story of Keisha Jeremie. The Founder and CEO of Sanaia Applesauce faces the Sharks asking for $150,000 for 15 percent. In the course of the interview the business woman from New York, New York is on point in a impressive way. She knows her evaluation and all the information that the Sharks normally ask when they are being pitched. One by one the Sharks give their reasons and drop out just as Barbara Cochran’s deal is rejected by Jeremie, Kevin “Mr. Wonderful” O'Leary gets straight to the point with his loaded statement. “We’ve been through this. We’ve all looked at food products and I am not saying your wrong but it is risky...and your not full time.Which I gotta tell you really bothers me, if you really believe this you’d quit your job and be telling me that you don't sleep on weekends.” By questioning Jeremie on her commitment to her product O’Leary draws blood to which she responds “I am the breadwinner for my family.” Almost immediately Cuban chimes in “Look you have a presence about you, you know this, you have a power about you, what I have not been convinced of is that you're an entrepreneur.” This statement brings an uproar of conversation amongst the sharks. Robert Herjavec states that Jeremie not being all in is not an deal breaker. Meanwhile Jeremie becomes emotional and tears fill the corners of her eyes. Home Shopping mogule and Shark Lauri Greiner sees what is happening and ask “ Why are you tearing up.” “ I financially take care of so many people financially, this is the first thing I have ever done for myself.” Jeremie says through her controlled sobs. “ I would never squander my responsibilities to them but I am committed.” Once the amazing story of Jeremie’s personal story is uncovered Cuban speaks and offers $150,000.00 for a 25% stake in Sanaia. It all unfolded beautifully and the ending was sweet like cake but the lesson that people do not just buy products but they also buy the stories behind the products is powerful. The drive behind the story, the passion, the why is as important and valuable as the bottom line in many cases.
I want to discuss some important tips to help you identify and develop your Why.
TIP 1 - Clear Your Mind and Get Clear Don’t worry about the rest of what needs to be accomplished until you are clear about your Why. It is the foundation of the business you will build on it. Your true purpose will support the work you build on it so it is worth the wait.
TIP 2 - Escape the Comfort Zone - The comfort zone is where people that are planning on never changing go to cash in their best life for the status quo! If you are planning to live here then you may very well not be an entrepreneur. Embrace the dissatisfaction of staying where you are for the temporary pain of growth.
TIP 3 - Keep It Authentic - What makes a “WHY” so attractive to people is not how incredible it but rather it is the level of authenticity and relatability that the story contains. To this end keep it simple, keep it real and the authenticity will be undeniable.
TIP 4 - What You Already Do Is a Clue - Don’t be bamboozled into believing that your “WHY” is a dramatic quest on scale of the quest for the Holy Grail. I do not believe that your why is hidden in distant lands, it is simply not that hidden in your life. In fact many of us that are still on the search for said purpose are missing the clues that are underneath our very noses. People already seek you out for the thing you do well. We often act out our values everyday. We move by what is most important to us. We just need to think is this a passion? Is it something that I would love to do for others? Is it something i would do for free?

Entrepreneurial Mindset - Derlene Hirtz https://archive.org/download/EntrepreneurialMindsetDerleneHirtz/Entrepreneurial%20Mindset%20-%20Derlene%20Hirtz.mp3

Organizations are more and more turning toward servant leadership to foster creative, trustworthy, and caring cultures.  Dr. Crystal Davis and I discuss her new book Bloom Where You Are Planted: Reflections On Servant Leadership. We discuss servant leadership from the trust to authentic conversations. Join us and then go to Amazon and purchase her new book. https://archive.org/download/DrCrystalDavisBloomWhereYouArePlanted/Dr%20Crystal%20Davis%20Bloom%20Where%20You%20Are%20Planted.mp3

Nate Essary - Business For The Right Reasons Do you know your "WHY" as a entrepreneur? Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance Nate Essary discuses his journey to discovering his "WHY" in his entrepreneurial pursuits.

Dr. Crystal J. Davis, CEO As an expert servant leadership consultant, author, and independent Certified Coach, Teacher, and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team, Crystal brings an “others-centered” approach to helping great leaders build great organizations. CJD Consulting Solutions, LLC is a firm that helps organizations and leaders to improve business results by empowering authentic conversations encouraging members at all levels of the organization to build trust, awareness and meaningful contribution. From working with leaders to working with teams and individuals, Crystal helps people to envision the future of their organization, coaches them to harness the skills needed to think future-forward, and assesses the organizational culture to develop frameworks that will create high performing teams. Crystal considers the comprehensive scope of an organization and its people. Crystal is the author of two books, Leading from Within: The Spirituality of Servant Leadership (2014), Leadership and Followership: Examining the Impact on Workplace Behavior (2017). Her research interests are in the areas of servant leadership, organizational development and culture, change management, and diversity in management. Crystal holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from Kansas State University, an MHR in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a Doctorate in Management specializing in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. http://archive.org/download/Dr.CrystalDavisServantLeadership/Dr.%20Crystal%20Davis%20-%20Servant%20Leadership.mp3

Dave and Renee Chronister are founders of Parameter Security an ethical hacking firm that was born out of the need to better protect our businesses, government, health care, financial and educational institutions and various organizations globally from vicious hackers. Join me and this husband and wife duo as we talk about balancing Life, Love and Business! SCOPE OF THE INTERVIEW 1. Life a. Dave what was it like growing up in STL? b. Cutting your teeth on technology at the age of 5 what was the draw? c. What from your childhood attributes to your success? d. If given the opportunity what personal investment would make again? 2. Making the Jump to Entrepreneur a. Why did you go into business for yourself. b. Do you remember the day when you made a decision to strike out on your own? c. In your opinion what kind of preparations should we made before any entrepreneur makes  the big jump? d. What about fear, how do you manage it? e. I have heard of ups and downs of the entrepreneurial experience where confidence spikes and drops out. Have you experienced that and how do you get out deal with that. f. What would you say is the biggest challenge for those who want to close the gap between their 9 to 5 and owning their own business? g. Even if we prepare harder than anyone around us. Will there be challenges that we cannot be prepared for? How do we manage those challenges? 3. Your Experiences a. Now that you are in a successful place in your business do you look back at the start of your work fondly. b. In those initial months who did share your dreams with? c. Do you think it is important to be selective about who you share your dream with? d. What launched you as a first and foremost expert ethical hacking? e. How many years have you been in this line of work? f. How can people get in touch with you? g. What events do you have coming up that we should be aware of? Lightning Round  (I ask these questions to all my guests) 1. Where are you in the next 5 years? 2. Best book you have ever read? 3. Favorite Quote? Life Quote 4. Star Wars or Game of Thrones 5. What in your opinion should be first and Foremost in the mind of an entrepreneur who is in transition between a 9 to 5 and a dream job/ business? https://archive.org/download/LifeLoveAndBusiness/Life%20Love%20and%20Business.mp3

CHRIS ROBINSON  FOUNDER OF R3 COACHINGChris Robinson is the founder of R3 Coaching, a company dedicated to the development of individuals and businesses. His speaker/leadership training as well as his one-on-one coaching has influenced his client’s trajectory towards success.Chris is an international speaker and executive coach, who has spoken before crowds as large as 4,500. On a weekly basis, he trains small groups within varied organizations. He has dedicated his life to enhancing others, by speaking/teaching on leadership, personal and professional development.Chris’s leadership beginnings started while he was a sales representative, for one the largest vehicle services contract service providers in the U.S. Within a five year period, he quickly advanced 4 positions to Senior Sales Manager. He continued to develop his leadership strengths while overcoming his weaknesses by helping to grow the company from a staff of 18 employees to over 700. While experiencing such a tremendous growth and recognizing his impact, he sought greater, for himself, which led to the birth of R3 Coaching.Chris has the ability to assess a situation, recognize the problem, and lay a solid workable plan of action that empowers the business or individual involved, to create life-altering success. Whether it is a team of 200 telemarketers, a new business without clear direction, or an individual looking to climb the corporate ladder, He will get you where you want to go. His training will enrich your attitude, rekindle your determination to succeed, and expand your self-confidence. You’ll come away empowered, centered, and focused on your determined goals. http://archive.org/download/FAF2ChrisRobinsonWhatEveryEntrepreneurNeedsToKnow/FAF2%20Chris%20Robinson%20What%20Every%20Entrepreneur%20Needs%20to%20Know.mp3

Danny B. is a new era MC with the work ethic of  the greatest Hip Hop legends. His music is loaded with enough beats to get the party started or ride through the city bobbing your head with flawless lyrical and clever lyrics. Check out the first episode of First and Foremost as I sit down with Danny and talk about the his hustle and his dreams of moving the crowd with music. http://archive.org/download/TheHustleAndTheDream/The%20Hustle%20and%20The%20Dream.mp3