GET RICH & LIVE FREE WITH JOIN UP DOTS

In today's episode of Join Up Dots we look at what makes a successful business and why so many people nowadays truly go the hard way to success. But first of all lets start with answering a few questions from listeners across the world who have been following the show. The first one, is less of a question and more of a statement, but it comes from a guy in Perth Australia, who I have had the pleasure to connect with a chat to over the last few months. His name is Craig and he is an English guy living and working in Australia, who mention that he often lacks focus and will allow days to drift into weeks without achieving what he truly wants. He said "David, I need some of that focus you have! I love how you are able to visualise and attack! Has it always been a skill of yours or is it learned? Of course to hear the answer you will need to listen to the show….we cant have people just reading a podcast and not giving us our ears after all. The second question that comes from a lady also in Australia called Ebony Richards from Hobart Australia, is in regards to creating success and the mistakes that I have made in the past. She says "David Ralph, podcasting legend. Why did it take so long for you to come into my life. I am well and truly hooked and listen to multiple episodes a day. But for all of us, listening and hoping for the day that we can become our own boss. What have been the biggest mistakes (if any) you have made through your business? If you say that you have never made a mistake then I will quit my job today…..not! Thanks for a great show and look forward to being a guest on Join Up Dots one day. Ebony Richard, Hobart Australia. Lastly…. we have a question from Canada, which is nameless, but asks "I am thinking of starting my own podcast and I am a bit daunted by what to do first. Should I buy the equipment or start building the website and social media following?" Now we have got those out of the way, it's time for us to look at what makes a successful business. I will butet point them into three main categories and you will see that they are not anything clever in any shape or form. Number One: Look for a need that is already out there already. What I mean by this, is dont try to be clever and create something unique. This is prone to failure, even though the upside if its a success is massive. I would much rather see something already working and then create something similar with a different spin on it. Number Two: Now that we have a need, we need to seriously think about who our customer is and where they are hanging out. You dont want to ne spending a ton of money on throwing mud at the wall and hoping that it sticks. Number Three: Own your own traffic. You really need to be able to communicate with your audience, whether that is through Facebook, Email marketing, or any form of collection. Without that your business is dead in the water.

Today's guest joining us on the Join Up Dots podcast business interview is a lady who is living an amazing life of inspiration, mind altering process and travelling the world helping others. She is an unconscious mind expert in the field of leadership and professional performance, world-class ultra-endurance athlete, successful corporate executive, professionally certified executive coach, keynote presenter and best-selling author. After many years of coaching leaders, our guest discovered that the unconscious mind is the scientific key to elevated levels of success, with greater velocity and ease and founded her company, Velocity Leadership Consulting to bring this difference-making model and tools of success to all leaders. She realized her own transformation and discovered the keys to achieving greater success in her personal and professional life when she achieved a 28-year dream of competing in the toughest race in the world, the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, as an amateur, non-triathlete at age 46. As we will see she parlayed this experience to the business world and now helps CEOs, executives and managers connect with and realize their own goals, with greater velocity and ease. She helps us get unstuck, loosen the handbrake, put on lives running shoes and grow a kick ass life of our owns. So its all very easy to say these things, but build them into a business that people want is a different ballgame altogether. And most importantly, how did she then allow as many people as possible to find it? Well let's find out as we bring onto the the show, to joining up dots, the one and only Karen Brown. Show Highlights Karen talks about how she has changed her life simply by uncovering the six mental barriers that was holding her back from the future that she deserves We discuss the naviety that allows us to discover our dream business and think that we have all the skills to make it occur without issues. Karen talks about having to make the decision to limit the amount of people that she was willing to work with. Go for the cream of the crop and it pays back bigtime. And lastly…….. Progress not perfection is the mantra that all entrepreneurs should be living. We struggle with the vision being bigger and more realised than the reality.

My guest today, on the Steve Jobs inspired Join Up Dots free podcast interview is with a man that as soon as you hit his website and see "Love the Life you Live! Freedom is taken, not given. By living an Intentional Life, we ordinary people can live extraordinary lives." you know he is perfect for Join Up Dots. He is a speaker, writer, educator and adventurer who has traveled to over 80 countries around the world and 49 of the 50 states in the USA, and he's lived in France, Japan, Thailand, French Guiana, Washington State, Virginia, Alaska, and California. All the time learning from different people as well as having time to think. Allowing the brain to disconnect and focus on the present is the greatest way to get everything back in focus and on track. He has ridden a motorcycle on six continents and crossed the USA on one twice, and he's summited of the highest mountain of eight countries and five states. He also has extensive experience teaching at the university level and working in business development, and he still pursues an adventurous lifestyle with his family. Now let's reflect back on those first words. Freedom is taken, not given. And I'm sure there would have been many times when our guest would have thought "I would love to do this, but nah, I can't…it's not for people like me!" So when did he first start his first adventure, and was it as small journey into the unknown or a huge leap into the unknown? And where does he see so many people going wrong, who say "Erik, I would love to do what you are doing?" Well lets find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Mr. Erik Seversen. Show Highlights During the show we discussed such weighty topics with Erik Seversen such as: How so many people fail to realise that there is a world of adventure on their own doorstep. Get in a car at the weekend and see what's waiting for you nearby. Erik shares how he started his first business, and the steps that he took to ensure that a steady growth was occuring month by month. How the power of the work life triangle is the way forward. How many of us add a big dose of "Me Time" into the balancing act? and lastly…. We discuss how the skill of delegation, and allowing people to do things even if its not the way that you would do it, is a key part of business growth.

Today's guest, joining us today on the Join Up Dots entrepreneur podcast interview is a man who has been floating around my world it seems from the birth of Join Up Dots. So why he has never been on the show before I dont know, but I do know that it is going to be a good interview for sure. As he says "I'm committed to helping people make their lives the most amazing adventure possible! After getting fired from numerous jobs, dropping out of my PhD program, recovering from failed marriage, I realized I had been living someone else's dream. I set out to construct a career and lifestyle that would let me be the explorer and teacher that I was always meant to be. I asked "What does it look like to be the hero of your own life?" So in 2014, I started "The Art of Adventure Podcast", and it has become one of the top podcasts in the world for Location Independent Business, Adventure Travel, and cutting edge topics. I'm thrilled to be offering coaching for location independent entrepreneurs! I work with people who want to get out of their cubicles and create a life of time, financial, and location freedom. My clients are adventurous, inspiring, creative, motivated, confident, and unique people who are ready to make a big impact on their world Well he is certainly making a big impact on the world for sure, and when passion comes together with a vision then things get very sexy down. So when he was in his dark times, looking for a new way of making a living that was fun and inspiring did he imagine that he would end up here? And its ok to have the vision but when did the mindset shift to one of fun and money? Well let's find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Derek Loudermilk Show Highlights During the entrepreneur podcast show we had deep hitting conversations with Derek Loudermilk around subjects such as: Derek shares those moments when his life becomes so playful that his work increased in quality exponentially. Why the most obvious thing in life is more often not the thing that you should be doing the most. Derek shares how customers are more likely to purchase from him if they personally get to know him. A good message for us all. And lastly Derek reveals the steps that he is going to take to get Bono and Richard Branson into a room to solve food issues across the world.

My guest today, on the Steve Jobs inspired Join Up Dots free podcast interview is a lady who certainly seems to have found her thing in life, and is now taking that out in to the world to help others find theirs too. With a diverse background in retail, hospitality (resort and restaurants), event production/promotions, both for and not for profit, and executive management, she built the stepping stones to what leads to success. And you could see that it really started to go her way after joining a start up media company in 1993. Within this business she grew the profits from $60K a month in revenue to finishing the first year in business with $7mm, leading to the company having explosive growth each year thereafter. After selling the media company in 2007, shee was asked to stay on with the new organisation to be an integral part of their aggressive growth strategy, acquiring 5 media companies in under 2 years. And more success followed, before she stepped out on her own by creating her own Strategic Marketing and Operations Consultancy business. Now, if that isn't interesting enough the bit that i like about her career history, and where we will spend time, is her understanding that at their core, all businesses thrive or die on 3 key areas. and this doesn't matter what business they are operating in. She is an expert in The MESSAGE, the MARKET, and then the MEDIA, and within these three areas, she likes nothing better than creating successful marketing campaigns that will naturally generate more revenue to the bottom line as well as a broader reach in the market place. And that is what we all want after all. So was she always an entrepreneur at heart, or did she reluctantly go about building her own dream life, and career? And if business can be simplified to these three stages, why do so many people struggle, especially in the online environment? Well lets fin out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dost the one and only Carrie Hartunian Smith

In today's episode of Join Up Dots, we answer "How long to create a successful online business" and other listeners questions as ever posted on an email from across the world. We love receiving these so much, as it really shows that our words are having an effect and the world is starting to think in a different way. You see everyone has doubts, everyone has moments when they think that they can't get past that obstacle. Everyone runs into a closed door that they think is the killer of all there dreams, but it rarely is. So today's questions are part of the mindset shift more or less and we will start with one Mexico. Hi David, I am a shopkeeper in Mexico and listen to your show every day. I was interested when you revealed you had a business too, which I think was your parents? I don't enjoy running the shop anymore and don't think I ever did. How can I escape without hurting my parents who started the business 20 years ago?" Now for the second question for Angela in Bennington, Vermont USA who asks..... "David, really inspiring and different type of show. I would love to know if you could go back in time and give your younger version advice what would it be? Thanks for the show, that makes me laugh and then assess my own life in every episode" Angela And lastly, the third question comes once again from the United States of America and the town of Encinitas. "Hello, Mr Ralph and everyone connected with Join Up Dots. It seems to me when starting a business you have to expect to earn no money for a period of time, and then reap your rewards later? What timescales do you think would be realistic for someone who is inexperienced with business building" Michael, Encinitas San Diego County, California Thanks as always for listening, and until next time if you have any questions then feel free to jump over to the Contact Page and send your own for later answering on the show.

Today's guest joining us on the Join Up Dots podcast business interview is a man who knows the secret ingredient that most people online are searching for. How to make things go viral in an ever more shouty online world. He is one of the country's most influential progressive communicators. He is Chief Science Advisor for "Years of Living Dangerously," which won the 2014 Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Series and now generates viral vidoes online seen by tens of millions a month. He is the founding editor of ClimateProgress.org, which NY Times columnist Tom Friedman called, "the indispensable blog." And if that isn't enough he is also the senior advisor for New Frontier Data, the leading "big data" firm providing actionable analysis in cannabis, whose content reaches hundreds of millions of people a year. Yeah that is a bit eclectic to say the least. Now with his new book out across the world "How To Go Viral and Reach Millions: Top Persuasion Secrets from Social Media Superstars, Jesus, Shakespeare, Oprah, and Even Donald Trump" he has even more things to talk about and do everyday. So what of course is the key to going viral like Jesus? And where does he find his focus turning to everyday? A day off, or more and more work? Well lets find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Mr. Joseph Romm Show Highlights Joseph shares the three A's that make viral content explode across the world....powerful stuff. We discuss the power of "replacing" which has made Hollywood screenplays bring insight and excitement to the screen for years. Why the first rule of communicating is making the receiver know that we are one of them. Bridge the gap between sender and receiver and you will win the game. And lastly…….. How and Why "The Hero's Story" has become the key to so many of the inspiring content that we see in film, and platforms everywhere.

Today's guest joining us on the Join Up Dots podcast business interview is a lady who last appeared on the show back in April 2016, where we discussed claimed fame in a very unusual way. But most excitingly for a show like Join Up Dots she hasn't set her stall out to allow that initial success to define her but has gone on for bigger and bolder things. As the creator of the Purse Process in 2013 her new adventures started in earnest when she started the process of being a bit nosy in ladies handbags. And digging around to share how the secrets of the stuff that a lady carries around with them in their bag actually defines them. Now though her dots have taken her in quite a different direction, and she is inspiring the world by posing a big question everyday........ "I wonder what would happen if…?" She explores this question for herself, her friends, fans, and followers by trying new things. All the new things! As many new things as she can pack into a day, a week, a year. This looks like exploring new places, trying new services, discovering new products and sharing it all through in-person appearances, her multi-platform social media presence, and her IGTV show, the Danielle Daily Show. The second way is by sharing not just her adventures, victories, and triumphs but also her perseverance, determination, and grit when battling adversities like anxiety, being a natural introvert, and the grief of a devastating divorce. Although each of these very human battles has proven difficult, all have subsequently helped her to rise towards becoming the fearless, beautiful, and powerful woman she has always aspired to be. Ultimately, she inspires people with her sense of courage and playfulness coupled with a willingness to take risks, admit her mistakes, and reveal her vulnerabilities. Fans know she is a reliable source of positivity and a strong advocate for people, products, experiences, ideas, and resources she thinks are awesome. This is a lady putting herself out there in a raw and honest way that is making a difference, and I love her So why did she pivot from digging around in the handbags of the world? And how does she come up with her ideas and new adventures? Well let's find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Danielle Watson. Show Highlights How being confident in life is not something that we can carry around to every environment. It might be something that flourishes and dims throughout the day. Danielle shares how her new business grew simply from the process of digging around and trying things. She shares why she feels so many people miss out on having the amazing life because of their unwillingness to match up with others outputs. Why it is better to ask for help and support from people in your local community and close to you before ever reaching out to strangers. And lastly…….. Danielle shares deeply personal insight as to how the phrase life changing income can mean so much to many people in the world (but sometimes we forget that we are doing so well)

My guest today, on the Steve Jobs inspired Join Up Dots free podcast interview is a lady who is nothing but decisive when she knows what she wants in life. Starting her career back in 1999 she performed the role of Finance Director for one of the top 15 Opera companies in the US for ten years, until in 2009 the company closed due to financial difficulties. And I guess we will find out on the show if she would have stayed in the position if this hadn't occurred but the fact is it did As she says "After leaving the corporate world to stay home with my young children, I began writing and performing my own songs. I toured as a singer/songwriter for 9 years, releasd 3 CDs and won several songwriting awards. I even had the honour of singing "The National Anthem" at Dodger Stadium. I then began coupling the inspirational message of my songs with a testimony-based speaking topic called "You Are My Vision", a program I have presented for churches and community groups for the last 8 years." But how do you take these values and skills and turn them into an income production line, as this is the problem that most entrepreneurs encounter on their journey to success. Well todays guest has drawn on her extensive experience of the music industry to create online courses to help musicians learn how to make a living from their music. Her most popular offering is an online training and mentoring community exclusively for female musicians called the "Female Musician Academy". And not only that she is the host of two top ranked podcasts bringing her passions to an even wider audience. So has she planned all these goings on or are they as much a suprise to her when she looks around her of what she has going on? And does she now have the belief that she could have done all this a lot quicker, or did it naturally have to fall into place? Well lets find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Bree Noble

In todays episode of Join Up Dots we answer a few listeners questions, posed on email from across the world. We love receiving these so much, as it really shows that our words are having an effect and the world is starting to think in a different way. You see everyone has doubts, everyone has moments when they think that they can't get past that obstacle. Everyone runs into a closed door that they think is the killer of all there dreams, but it rarely is. So today's questions are part of the mindset shift more or less and we will start with one from Martin the lawyer. Hi David, Must say love the show and listen to a different one daily. Great insight and inspiration for a person like myself who is working hard on my online business with the goal of quitting my lawyer job (I am 27). I have a quick question for you. I do dropshipping with a good deal of success. I care not to call myself an expert on the topic but do have a few years experience doing this and running facebook ads etc to generate revenue. Having been involved in the internet marketing spectrum for a few years now I understand the importance of the personal brand and acquiring an audience to teach other people with the intention of utilising that audience to sell related products. I plan myself to start my YouTube channel. Do you think this is feasible considering I am not an expert per se? Nevertheless I do have useful content and techniques that I can pass on and teach those. And of course I want to get started on this to grow and learn on creating such content to create an that may indeed branch out to other related areas I have expertise on like mindset, daily habits etc. Do you have any related podcasts on Youtube specifically? Keen to know your thoughts on same. Many thanks, Martin Followed on by a question from the lovely Adrea, Stuttgart, Cameron McCarthy and Benjamin Louder. Hi David, I recently had the personal honour of speaking to you one to one, and found you to be insightful, deeply focused and very very very different from the person you are on the wonderful and inspiring Join Up Dots. So my question is, as I wasn't brave enough to ask you at the time, is why if you are focused on being authentic are you so different? And also, if you have time, I often hear you say "If an idiot like me can do this"....why? Why do you say that you are an idiot as you are brilliant in many many ways? Thank you for you time, and the personal connection Adrea, Stuttgart. Dear David and the Join Up Dots Team, do you ever have doubts that what you are doing is any good? I start loads of projects with a huge amount of emtheisuams, and then I start thinking its not very good, or people will laugh so stop. I was wondering do you have those thoughts and how do you get past them? All the best and thank you for the best show in the world Cameron McCarthy, St Johns Canada. Hi David, love, love, love the show. I heard an episode recently when you said you were looking to work one month on and one month off. How have you managed to do this, as I would imagine that Join Up Dots is a highly busy enterprise? Thanks for your time Benjamin Louder, South Africa. If you have any questions then feel free to jump over to the Contact Page and send your own for later answering on the show.