Today’s guest, Tomas Keenan, is the author of Unf*ck Your Business, and he’s here to share his story.  Just a few short years ago, Tomas was spending a lot of time listening to audiobooks and daydreaming about being an author himself.  He chalked it up to a pipe dream until he found himself on a call with a publisher that confirmed he had a couple of books in him.  As an entrepreneur, Tomas’s first business failed, but it gave him the knowledge to succeed in a big way in his next business.  Now he finds himself not only as an author, but as the head coach of the Break Free Academy, a multiple 7-figure business.

He credits much of his success with getting clear on his core values.  Joining the Apex Group and doing the coursework helped him to uncover his core values for life, business, and family.  It was when he found his voice and started putting out the correct message that he started to attract the right people into his life.  Those people inspired and influenced Tomas to be the best version of himself.  Now he’s ready to give back and do the same for others.  

What You’ll Learn:

How to establish yourself as an authority.

The importance of finding your niche.

Why understanding your core values is so important.

The natural progression of surrounding yourself with the right people.

Favorite Quote:

“One of my core values is that I refuse to be average.” -Tomas Keenan

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Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference, regardless of what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed.

Let’s talk about values and mission statements.  Every big company has a mission statement, but have you ever considered having a personal mission statement?  You have some core values, right?  Well, that’s a great place to start.  Brian’s values are trustworthiness, enthusiasm, achievement, making a difference, and simplicity.  Your values can be used as a guide as you decide on your mission statement.  

Before we can get to the mission statement, ask yourself what your vision is.  Ken Blanchard, author of Full Steam Ahead suggests that there are key elements to constructing a vision.  Once you’ve visualized where you want to go, with core values in hand, you’re ready for your mission statement.  Include your passion and your purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

• What a moral compass is.
• What a vision board is and how to use one.
• The key elements to constructing a vision.
• Which books Brian recommends.

Favorite Quote:

“If you stay steadfast in your values, you’ll actually start attracting people in your life that line up with your values.” -Brian McKittrick

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Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference, regardless of what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed.

The founder and host of both The ConvictEd Life Podcast and The Underdog Empowerment Podcast, Zach Babcock, is here to share his story.  After a traumatic childhood that saw him in and out of detention centers, Zach ended up doing five years in prison.  It took missing the birth of his twin sons for Zach to realize something needed to change.  

He’s spent a lot of time unpacking his trauma and learning to forgive not only others, but himself as well. Having turned his life around, Zach is now on a mission to help others to do the same.  As the underdog, he’s all about proving people wrong, and he’s doing an outstanding job of it.  He shares what got him through the tough times and how he’s created the best times of his life.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to pull yourself up by the bootstraps.
• Why inner work is so important.
• How to turn your imperfections into your power.
• What it means to get clear on who you are.

Favorite Quote:

“Literally every problem I’ve ever had in my life, look inward, it’s all you.” -Zach Babcock

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Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference, regardless of what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed.

Brian’s guest Brian K. Wright wears many hats from host and publisher of Success Profiles Radio to writing coach and author.  Brian K has written numerous books, including one that’s coming out today called The Greatest Lessons I Learned From My Dad.  Brian K has always loved the art of writing, whether it was as an English composition teacher, someone who wrote resumes, or as an author.  He loves to interview successful people for his podcast and write their stories for his supporting magazine.  

Brian K is passionate about getting anyone who wants to be a published author to that point.  One of the ways he made that dream a reality for some was by offering part in a collaborative book.  With his dad passing this past February, this was a book Brian K knew he needed to write.  He asked others to share their favorite story or lesson that they learned from their dad.  It’s a legacy item that he will treasure forever. 

What You’ll Learn:

• About Success Profiles Radio and it’s supporting magazine.
• The commonality between all of Brian K’s podcast guests.
• How podcast episodes can be repurposed into other content.
• Where to go if you don’t know where to start with writing a book.

Favorite Quote:

“They took an inward look and that’s when things changed.” —Brian McKittrick 

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Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference, regardless of what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed.

Today’s guest is an author, podcast host, speaker, Iraq war veteran, biker chick, success consultant, business and life coach, and an influencer among other things.  Stacy Raske’s only mission in life is to help others to activate their highest power and potential by shattering the invisible ceiling so that they can embody their truth and purpose.  That sounds like a lofty goal, and it is.  Having hit her own rock bottom just six and a half short years ago, Stacy has walked the walk and talked the talk when it comes to transforming your life.

Stacy has put in the work to lose over 100 lbs, get off medication, save her marriage, and start a business.  She did so through changing her mindset, but she warns that mindset is a result, not a starting point, as other life coaches would have you to believe.  It takes hard work and perseverance to develop a healthy mindset.  Once you’ve developed that mindset, you can finally step into the identity of the highest level leader you’re called to be.  

What You’ll Learn:

• Where other mindset coaches are going wrong.
• How Stacy rose up from her own personal rock bottom just years ago.
• The core issue under limiting beliefs in love, money, and health.
• How to have the best relationship possible with yourself.

Favorite Quote:

“The way to start building a relationship with yourself is to look at the basics; your routine and your boundaries.” —Stacy Raske

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Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference, regardless of what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed.

“I could service, I could sell--I didn’t know anything else about business.” That’s what Jonathan has to say about his first online business. Now, he’s helping trainers build their own businesses and transforming the professional fitness industry. Like Brian, he’s been through a lot, and managed to make the most of it. Today, he wants to tell you how. 

Jonathan Lautermilch is the founder and owner of Smart Shark. He’s spent over fourteen years in the fitness industry, and spends his time connecting clients to other fitness professionals. He’s also an author, a sales master, and a leader. He’s here today to talk about the giver mentality, and how it can help you.

On this episode of It Ain’t Rocket Surgery, hear how Jonathan went from scoring the yellow pages for client leads to writing a bestselling book and running winning businesses. He knows the value of hard work and interconnecting with clients, and today he’s sharing how fitness and coaching has taught him lessons like “give yourself value” and “make everyone feel special.” Tune in to hear Brian jam with Jonathan about the meaning of value, and family, and faith. They’ll up your grind, so that you can reach new heights in your own sales career.

What You’ll learn:

• How Jonathan built his first business
• What “prescription based selling” is, and how Jonathan made it work for him.
• Why Jonathan’s tagline is, “get what you’re worth”

Favorite Quote:

“It’s our job to say, “ I can help you. I want to build value. I want to show that we care.””--Jonathan Lautermilch

How to Get Involved: 

Find Jonathan on LinkedIn.

Get your own copy of Brian’s book, It Ain’t Rocket Surgery, here. Visit his website if you are looking to connect with him, today’s guest, or any previous guests.

Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference, regardless of what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed. 

Today’s guest bought her first company as a single mom at the age of 21.  Jenn Carrasco is now a serial entrepreneur, CEO of two companies, and an Apex Executive Coach. She credits her success with hard work and discipline.  She believes everyone has what it takes to succeed, they just don’t know the steps to get there.  Fear often hinders people, but not Jenn.  She’s committed to always living happy, even when that means facing her fears head on.

Jenn reminds us that we’ve all survived every bad day we’ve ever had.  When clients come to Jenn with a challenge, she encourages baby steps and diligence.  So many people want things now  without putting in the work.  A vision for your company is useless if you don’t give it traction by doing what is required.  Everyone thinks their industry is unique, but Jenn believes there are foundational principles that work regardless.

What You’ll learn:

• How to be healthy, wealthy, and productive.

• What EOS coaching entails.

• About Jenn’s series of books, starting with Owning Your Metabolism.

• How being vulnerable can be empowering.

Favorite Quote:

Everyone talks about ease and flow, and we want that, but we also have to do the work.” -Jenn Carrasco

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Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference, regardless of what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed. 

Back when Brian worked in a small electronics store, he noticed in the sales training that they focused on how to work with a customer, but never brought up getting prepared for a customer.  Brian believes that preparing your environment and your mindset before the customer ever sets foot in the door is just as important.  This is something he likes to call pre-approach, and it’s about getting dialed in and looking at what impression you’re making.  Did you know people will make a judgment within the first ten seconds?

You have a short window to make a good impression, and occasionally that can start in the parking lot.  Is your signage all lit up? Is the parking lot clean? Is the building in good repair?  When’s the last time you walked your sales environment from the customer's perspective?  The same goes for an online presence.  Is your website clean and simple?  Is it easy to navigate?  Simplicity and efficiency will take you far with a good first impression.  Finally, you can focus on yourself. Are you dressed for the part? How’s your sales process?

What You’ll Learn:

• What pre-approach is and how to implement it.
• How quickly first impressions are made.
• What makes a good website.
• How to align your environment for your ideal client.

Favorite Quote: 

“If you make a poor impression in the beginning, you’re running an uphill battle.” -Brian McKittrick

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Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference, regardless of what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed. 

​With 20 years in sales, Brian McKittrick has seen sales professionals overcomplicate things time and time again.  As a top producer, he’s ready to share with others what has worked as well as what hasn’t.  In his new podcast, It Ain’t Rocket Surgery, Brian talks about all things sales, from mindset and environment to skills and purpose.  He’ll discuss setting goals around faith, family, fitness, and finance.  These goals will be actionable; no complaining, whining, or making excuses.

Attending network meetups at least once a month, Brian has noticed a common theme of positivity and confidence.  Did you know that 60% of all sales interactions end without a sales attempt?  It all comes down to fear of rejection holding us back; something many sales professionals struggle with.  While losses will inevitably be a part of the equation, it’s important to concentrate on the wins.

What You’ll Learn:

• What to expect in this podcast.
• What the biggest part of sales is.
• The types of goals you should be setting.
• Who holds the record for most missed shots in the NBA.

Favorite Quote:

“We commonly remember the greats for what they did do, but we don’t think about how many times they’ve actually had a loss.” —Brian McKittrick

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Brian McKittrick is a career sales professional that has been in the industry for over 20 years. Working to pay his own way since the young age of 14, Brian’s not afraid to admit that he’s wasted time, money, and effort on the wrong choices. However, through it all he’s learned a lot.  His goal now is to keep sales, small business, and entrepreneurship simple.  He discusses simple strategies that will truly make a difference no matter what industry you’re in.  Brian’s here to tell you that you don’t have to be broke, you don’t have to struggle to close deals, and you don’t have to go this alone.  He’ll talk about everything from sales mindset and environment to sales skills.  Approaching the content from a head, heart, and hands perspective means listeners will be able to develop the understanding, the desire, and the skills needed to succeed.