Life Is What We Make It

Joel Engulu is a Congolese American entrepreneur, marketing strategist, co-founder of Crowned Christian Network, president of Ruth's Home for Children in the DRC, and owner of J Masters Media.

Randy and Joel cover finding your identity and calling through the fivefold framework, shifting from asking God for things to asking what He's teaching you, using business to fund philanthropy, discernment in partnerships, and why forgiving fast is how you move forward.

Life is what we make it when we know our identity and our calling.

00:00 Cold open
01:03 Meet Joel Engulu
03:23 From the Congo to America
10:11 2022: The crash and the spiral
23:44 A two-way conversation with God
25:21 The fivefold framework and identity
28:14 Why business over public service
30:13 Faith in business
35:58 Building Ruth's Home for Children
40:08 Getting burned and forgiving fast
48:56 Life is what we make it when...

Connect with Joel:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtime11/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-engulu-mpa-174bbba0/
Fivefold assessment: https://jmastersmedia.gumroad.com/l/fivefoldministry

Support Ruth's Home for Children: https://www.ruthshomeforchildren.org/

Life Is What We Make It with Randy Vlasic. Built on five pillars: identity, vision, people, mastery, momentum.

Guest bio

Cameron Herold — Founder, COO Alliance. Former COO, 1-800-GOT-JUNK ($2M → $106M in six years, 3,100 employees). Author of seven books including Vivid Vision, Double Double, Meetings Suck, Free PR, and The Second in Command. Host of The Second in Command podcast. Called “today's CEO Whisperer” by Forbes publisher Rich Karlgaard. Paid to speak in 29 countries on all seven continents. Global nomad for five years — 80 countries, two carry-on suitcases.

• Why Cameron refused to take my money when I was at my lowest — and what he made me do instead
• The three-and-a-half-month reset he ran after 1-800-GOT-JUNK: no email, no meetings, just lifelines and mind maps
• The four things he found he loved and was good at — and why that's where leverage actually lives
• How to turn a podcast appearance into third-party credibility instead of a nice hour
• The two-minute clip rule, press pages, and the SEO play most founders skip
• “One toilet at a time” — the honest test for whether your personal brand is helping or bleeding you
• Escape velocity: why the window with your teenagers is closing faster than you think
• The three-day trip challenge, and how to run it
• Working from Europe without telling your team you're on vacation
• Why a written bucket list counts and a mental one doesn't

We should stop the podcast right now and you should go book a flight and go. I'm being serious.

• Write the bucket list down. Cameron's rule: it's a yes if it's written, a no if it isn't. His has 241 items — 85 still open. Get your wife and each of your kids to write five cities and five experiences.
• Book one three-day trip with one kid. They pick the city. They set the agenda. You leave the phone in the room.
• Build the press page. Every podcast you've been on, linked, on both your personal site and your company site. Ask every host to link back in their show notes.

46%

of U.S. workers don't use all their paid time off. Nearly half (49%) of those who don't say it's because they'd worry about falling behind at work. Pairs with the “you'll never be ready to travel” segment at ~46:50.

Pew Research Center, Aug 2023 — survey of 5,188 working U.S. adults, Feb 6–12, 2023
pewresearch.org

12–18

Time with parents matters more for teenagers than for young kids. Time-diary data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics linked engaged parent time to fewer behavioral problems, better math scores, and lower substance use — with a stronger effect for adolescents (12–18) than children (3–11). This is the stat that kills “I'll do it when they're older.”

Milkie, Nomaguchi & Denny, Journal of Marriage and Family, April 2015
nichd.nih.gov

85 years

The strongest predictor of long-term health and happiness isn't money or career success — it's the quality of your close relationships. The Harvard Study of Adult Development has tracked participants for more than eight decades to land on that. Backs the People pillar and Cameron's entire thesis.

Harvard Study of Adult Development / Harvard Gazette
news.harvard.edu

The conversation explores the journey of a young entrepreneur who turned his passion for e-bikes into a successful business. It delves into the power of content-first marketing strategy and the impact of social media on sales and brand building. The guest shares insights on building a YouTube following and the evolution of his business model. Rozzy discusses the rise of e-bikes, business operations, social media monetization, content creation, equipment and technology, video editing tools, YouTube video optimization, influencer connections, business expansion, dreams and aspirations, taking risks, personal interests, advice for young entrepreneurs, supporting young entrepreneurs, future business goals, and milestones and growth on YouTube.

Takeaways

• Passion drives exponential growth in entrepreneurship.
• Content-first marketing strategy is crucial for business success. E-bikes are on the rise, presenting a new wave of transportation.
• YouTube monetization and content creation require unique strategies and tools.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Flipping shoes at 13: where it started
• 08:08 – From 12 subscribers to 107K
• 16:07 – Why his content drives the sales
• 21:34 – Inside the operation: inventory, dealers, and the gear
• 27:17 – Linking up with a 10-million-follower creator
• 32:43 – Taking big risks young: "ship it and send it"
• 38:26 – What's next: the brick-and-mortar plan

The conversation delves into the challenges of marriage and entrepreneurship, exploring the impact of childhood, family dynamics, and financial success on the relationship. It also highlights the struggles of building a business, facing business litigation, and the personal and relationship challenges that arise. The journey of self-improvement and relationship repair is a central theme, along with the establishment of boundaries and expectations in the marriage. The conversation delves into the challenges and growth experienced in a relationship, emphasizing the importance of communication, understanding, and mutual support. It explores the impact of changing roles, competitiveness, and hurtful words, as well as the journey of self-reflection, seeking guidance, and rebuilding trust. The themes of individual growth, partnership, and overcoming challenges are central to the narrative, highlighting the need for open, respectful communication and alignment in vision and goals.

Takeaways

• Marriage struggles
• Challenges of entrepreneurship Communication is key
• Balancing individual growth with staying connected in a relationship

Chapters

• 00:00 The Beginning of a Competitive Relationship
• 05:56 The Early Years of Marriage and Career
• 11:46 The Challenges of Early Parenthood
• 18:04 The Impact of Financial Success
• 24:06 The Impact of Personal Struggles on Marriage
• 29:51 The Struggle to Overcome Personal and Relationship Challenges
• 35:59 Establishing Boundaries and Expectations
• 01:06:25 Rapid Fire Questions

The conversation delves into the journey of self-discovery and the impact of identity on personal and professional life. It explores the significance of vertical alignment with one's identity and the transformative power of discovering God-given identities. The integration of identity in business and the potential for benevolent good in supply chain operations are also discussed. The conversation covers the heartbreaking reality of street children in the Philippines, the pivotal decision to change the company's purpose, the test of culture and commitment during a financial crisis, Reveal's impact on supply chain management, the philosophy of mastery and personal growth, maintaining balance through adventures and reflection, preventing burnout, and finding meaning in life. The rapid-fire Q&A provides insights into Martin's favorite city for speaking engagements, a recommended book for leaders, personal habits, and advice received.

Takeaways

• Identity discovery leads to purpose
• Vertical alignment with identity opens up opportunities Supply chains can provide key ingredients for water, shelter, and food for kids in need.
• Learning by doing and leaning into curiosity are essential for mastery and personal growth.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Quest for Identity
• 06:49 Exploring Identity and False Beliefs
• 13:06 Living Out the Identity
• 19:45 Alignment with Identity and Opportunities
• 25:00 Supply Chain and Benevolent Good
• 32:18 A Pivotal Decision for Change
• 37:23 Reveal's Impact on Supply Chain Management
• 43:33 Mastery and Personal Growth
• 50:26 Preventing Burnout and Finding Meaning

The podcast episode delves into the concept of momentum, emphasizing the importance of earning it, the role of small wins, and the need to rebuild it when lost. It also highlights the connection between faith and momentum, and the broader movement of taking ownership of one's life and using it for good.

Takeaways

• Momentum is earned, not granted
• Small wins compound into something significant
• Momentum is never yours to keep
• Rebuilding momentum requires faith and a strong foundation

Chapters

• 00:00 Building Momentum
• 05:50 Invisible Foundation of Momentum
• 11:33 The Trap of Momentum
• 18:24 Faith and Momentum

Randy Vlasic shares his journey through four versions of himself, each demanding a new set of skills. Mastery is a process, not a destination, and discomfort is a sign of growth. The skills from the previous level become the foundation for the next, and every new level feels like starting over. The key is to chase the best and apply their principles to your own vision.

Takeaways

• Mastery is a process, not a destination
• The skills from the previous level become the foundation for the next

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey Begins
• 08:27 Version One: The Salesperson
• 13:44 Version Three: Building Lumi Logistics
• 19:00 The Framework of Mastery
• 24:15 The Stack: Keep Building

Self-made is a myth. It's an ego trip. In Episode 5, I break down why the right people change everything. Your team, your family, your circle. I share what my wife did when I was at my lowest, what Warren Buffett said about his best friend, and why Steve Jobs never builds Apple without the other Steve. Relationships are everything. This episode proves it.

A lot of people don't actually have a vision. They have a wish. They have a dream. Or they have a vibe. And vibes don't build anything.

In this episode I'm breaking down Pillar 2, Vision. I'm sharing the exact method that changed how I run my business, how I lead my team, and how I think about my entire life. It's called the Vivid Vision, created by Cameron Herold, the guy who helped scale 1-800-GOT-JUNK from $2 million to $100 million.

I wrote a $100 million vision for Liwmi Logistics. We're one year in and tracking $20 million. That's a real gap. And I'm not going to sugarcoat it. But the vision isn't a pass or fail test. It's a tool. Without the document, I wouldn't even know where the gaps are.

In this episode I cover the difference between a wish and a real vision, the Vivid Vision method, what's actually inside my 2027 Vivid Vision, the honest check in on where we are versus where we said we'd be, why being off track is okay, and how to start writing your own.

Book mentioned: Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold: https://amzn.to/40OkrEX

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yAjixnH4K9o

Website: lifeiswhatwemakeit.com Instagram: @randyvlasic

If this episode hit, share it with someone who's winging it. They need to hear this.

Randy Vlasic shares a personal journey of self-discovery and the importance of identity. He emphasizes the distinction between reputation and true identity, highlighting the dangers of building a life solely on external achievements. The episode delves into the impact of identity on mental health, relationships, and personal well-being, offering practical steps for self-reflection and redefining one's identity.

Takeaways

• True identity is not based on external achievements
• The importance of self-reflection and redefining one's identity

Chapters

• 00:00 The Question of Identity
• 10:53 The Five Pillars
• 25:14 Finding True Identity
• 33:25 The Foundation of Faith
• 43:37 The Beginning of Change