In this episode of the Inner Edison podcast, Ed sits down with Jonathan Loudermilk, a seasoned entrepreneur and creator of Smart Shark and Smart Publishing. Jonathan opens up about his unique journey from getting fired at multiple odd jobs as a teenager, to finding his footing and confidence in the fitness industry, and ultimately launching multiple businesses. Hear how his early missteps and setbacks—from spilling mashed potatoes on customers as a busboy to learning through heartbreak and relocation—became stepping stones for becoming a top fitness manager and later a successful coach and publisher.

Jonathan discusses the realities of working in the fitness world, the importance of building genuine client relationships, and how personal transformation led to professional success. The conversation dives into the practical and mindset shifts required to move from a corporate environment to entrepreneurship, including the lessons learned from failed ventures and what it means to build a business (and life) with true purpose and integrity.

Plus, Jonathan shares valuable insights for aspiring authors, including how he wrote and published his own book, the role of marketing and niching down, the power and pitfalls of AI in publishing, and the mission behind Smart Publishing—to help more people become published authors and leave a lasting impact.

If you're seeking inspiration, practical business advice, and actionable tips on reinvention, this episode is for you. Tune in for stories about failure, growth, and how your greatest accomplishments often follow your biggest challenges.

Connect with Jonathan Loudermilk: Website: smartpublishingservices.com Book: The One Hour Author (Available on Amazon) Parent Company: thesmartshark.com

**Contact Ed Parcaut:** - 🌍 Website: [edparcaut.com](http://edparcaut.com) - 📱 Twitter: [@edparcaut](https://twitter.com)

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