Onward Nation

Gerard Adams is the co-founder of Elite Daily, the No.1 news platform for Generation Y, is an experienced angel investor, millennial thought leader and social entrepreneur who overcame early adversity to become a self-made millionaire by the age of 24. Now 30, he has built, backed, or invested in nine businesses and trades across multiple industries that have all delivered over seven-figure profits. While he continues his role as an investor and influencer, his mission in life is to mentor and inspire young entrepreneurs on what it takes to be successful and how to turn dreams into reality.

Gerard takes down notes every night of what he learned that day and what he wants to accomplish tomorrow -- hold yourself accountable, be self aware, and have a good mindset. ONWARD!

Have a regular process -- Gerard firmly believes in using quarterly reports.

Gerard was a month away from not making payroll -- and Gerard tells the whole story here.

"I'm no expert of any one thing -- I'm an expert of experts."

I wish I had realized how important how important it is to have a process -- you can't just wing it.

Consistency, consistency, consistency -- you and your team need to be consistent as possible in every area.

1. Be proactive, not reactive -- don't wait for something to happen

• Website: gerardadams.com

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John Addison is the newly appointed Leadership Editor of Success Magazine and CEO of Addison Leadership Group. John is renowned for his insight and wisdom on leadership, personal development and success. A sought-after, world-class speaker and motivator, John is sharing his business know-how and leadership insights in his upcoming book, “Real Leadership”, which shares his straightforward practices for successful leadership through his personal and professional journey, helping leaders at any level understand and emulate the nine principles that fostered enduring results on his path to success. He is also the former co-chief executive officer of Primerica. Following the financial crisis of 2008, he spearheaded the process of separating from Citigroup. These efforts culminated with a successful IPO in 2010 that was 22 times oversubscribed.

John works to make -- and finish -- daily goals -- spend your time focusing on being the best you that you can be. ONWARD!

Show up early every day and go throughout your day with a positive attitude -- John believes the greatest ability is likability.

"Everybody has their walk in life -- you need to love everybody."

Spend time on team-building -- if your team works together -- truly together -- you can accomplish anything.

1. Turn your fears into fuel -- you'll never conquer them -- but you can turn them into what drives you

• Website: johnaddisonleadership.com

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Ira Chaleff is the author of a very unusual book called Intelligent Disobedience; Doing Right When What You’re Told To Do Is Wrong. It was named the best leadership book of 2015 by the University of San Diego and has been featured in many publications including Fast Company and Forbes, as well as in the New York Times Educational Supplement. Ira is a frequent speaker and workshop presenter on Courageous Followership and transforming hierarchical relationships into powerful partnerships. Ira is also the founder and president of “Executive Coaching & Consulting Associates” and an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University.

You need to hope your employees say what is needed -- don't create an environment where they would be afraid to give you valuable insight.

Don't put out your new ideas too enthusiastically -- ask for feedback first and invite discussion.

You have to master your body language -- learn to master how to get feedback and not seem defensive.

"Slow the motion down and understand the situation."

Being a "follower" isn't a personality trait -- it's a role -- not everyone needs to be a leader all the time -- be able to pay both roles.

We put too much weight on obedience in childhood development -- we inadvertently contribute to a mindset where we believe he must do what authority says.

Focus on missions and values -- what are we here to do?

An individual would come to understand their mission, value, and role -- and no longer needed orders.

1. Pay attention to cashflow -- don't take your eye off the ball
2. Have exceptional customer service -- your customers won't let you know if they leave because of bad customer service
3. Build a culture

• Website: www.irachaleff.com

You can also find us here: ----- OnwardNation.com -----

Paul Akers is founder and president of FastCap, based in Bellingham, WA. FastCap is an international product development company founded in 1997 with over 2,000 distributors worldwide. A prolific inventor, Paul holds US and international patents. His company launches approximately 20 new innovative products per year and won business of the year in 1999 and 2010. Paul and his wife, Leanne, have built FastCap from their garage into a multi-million dollar company in 13 years.

Paul works to make today better than yesterday -- deliberately improve every day. ONWARD!

Read or listen to audiobooks consistently -- Paul has read at least one book a week every week since college.

Paul spent too much money way too fast -- and Paul tells the whole story here.

"Uncover the greatness in every human being -- harness their greatest asset -- awaken the genius in human beings."

"Become fearless about innovation."

I wish I had popped out of the womb and been told to "lean" -- eliminate waste and solve all your problems.

Learn the eight wastes -- and Paul shares the eight wastes here.

An individual would be humble -- and they must want to learn.

1. You need a mentor that you regularly consult with

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: 2secondlean.com/
• Talk: youtube.com/watch?v=gPUmY8WnnpU

You can also find us here: ----- OnwardNation.com -----

Dave Mammano is the founder and CEO of the Next Step Education Group. His mission in life is to help people realize their highest potential through education. Next Step is a multi-media enterprise that has grown to become a nationwide resource with prestigious awards and honors, including being named a three time consecutive Inc. Magazine 5000 growth company and Top 100 growth company in Rochester, New York. David has spoken at hundreds of high school, college, business and EO events, including TEDx, and is the author of the new book, “Make Love in the Workplace”.

David reads immediately upon waking up at 5:30 in the morning, meditates, and exercises -- don't leave your morning up to chance. ONWARD!

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." - George Bernard Shaw

Success is all about balance -- it comes down to faith, family, finances, food, fitness, fun -- the 6 Fs of success.

David believes you have to put your focus on the goal -- not the negatives -- and David tells the reasons why here.

An "A player" is an "A player" on their own -- and it's up to you to nurture them.

1. Be cognisant of what you're doing -- your mentees are watching your every step
2. Walk the talk -- don't just say what your mentees should do -- do it yourself

1. Create a lot of free content that people want in an easily digestible format -- blogs, podcasts, webinars, speeches
2. Turn the things that help you into content that can help others
3. Get a coach

1. Admit that you're vulnerable and need help
2. Join groups and programs to learn and grow

• Email: [email protected]

You can also find us here: ----- OnwardNation.com -----

Dr. Marcie Beigel has been redesigning behavior for professionals, families, schools, and businesses for over 15 years. Her specialty is engaging with behaviors directly and giving clear and insightful directives to clients ­­ who are oftentimes ­­ business owners looking for balance at home to help create balance at work or new approaches to become better leaders. Her approach is heartfelt, but filled with tough love. You can get her weekly behavior newsletter at BehaviorAndBeyond.net. Dr. Marcie is also featured on NBC's Parenting Toolkit.

Dr. Marcie starts her morning by waking up to a real alarm clock (not her cell phone), lies in bed and plans her day, and does yoga -- stay away from technology for as long as you can. ONWARD!

"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." – A.A. Milne

Success is happiness -- it's the fullness and richness of life that defines success.

Dr. Marcie believes you need to embrace your fear -- and Dr. Marcie tells the reasons why here.

An "A player" does exactly what they love -- hire those that are kids in the candy stores you need populated.

1. You need to walk your talk -- be the example
2. Be clear with your words on how your mentee can do it better -- but you must be encouraging

1. Do what you do with consistency -- let people rely on you
2. Figure out what platform you want to work with
3. Remember that every email address is a person

1. Get clear on what the next level is -- how will you know when you're there?
2. Walk through your fear -- make a plan and just do it
3. Find a mentor -- we learn best from the people who have been there

• Website: http://www.behaviorandbeyond.net/
• Email: [email protected]

You can also find us here: ----- OnwardNation.com -----

Marty Wolff is an entrepreneur, business coach and business journalist. He's the President of Marty Wolff Business Solutions.

Marty starts every morning out with prayer/Bible study, exercise, healthy eating, and then goes into email and social media -- clear your slate of necessary communication to have the time to do the important things. ONWARD!

"Make a mistake of aggression, not of omission."

Success is making a difference -- in an individual's life, in a group that you're working with, in someone you're coaching, or in your family's life.

Marty believes you have to feel worthy of success -- and Marty tells the reasons why here.

An "A player" is a good team member -- the most unique skill set is caring.

1. Model the behavior you expect of others -- be of high integrity all the time
2. Always look for an opportunity to help someone
3. Help other people see all their possibilities

1. Be excellent -- do good work
2. Have a system -- regularly schedule things

1. Stay aggressive -- and continue to learn
2. Make a difference -- everyday

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://martywolffbusinesssolutions.com/

You can also find us here: ----- OnwardNation.com -----

Jennifer Maffei is the Founder and President of VEA Services; a coaching and consulting firm specializing in helping CEOs get the most out of their Executive Assistants. Jennifer developed her A-Z approach after working for more than 20 years as both a Business Owner and as an Executive Assistant - from Fortune 500 companies to small firms. Jennifer is also a Vistage Resource Speaker - presenting How to Maximize the Executive and Assistant Relationship, to CEO peer groups across the country.

Jennifer calendars absolutely everything -- schedule time for yourself to sit and think. ONWARD!

Review your priorities every single day -- Jennifer reviews her to-do list immediately before bed and again when waking up.

Jennifer was severely injured while working in San Francisco -- and Jennifer tells the whole story here.

"Focus, focus, focus -- close you door."

"Never give up, keep getting up when you get knocked down, and provided that you have done your due diligence and properly researched your idea, never let anyone steal your dream because if you believe in it and work hard enough, it will happen."

I wouldn't do anything differently -- everything in life is a learning opportunity.

Communicate -- communicate -- and communicate some more. Have regular meetings with your teams.

An individual would identify the issues -- and fix them themselves.

1. Be bold -- not brash
2. Guard your time -- be accessible yet not available at any minute
3. Be coachable -- and only hire coachable people

• Website: veaservices.com/

You can also find us here: ----- OnwardNation.com -----

Virginia "Ginny" Roth is president of PPO&S in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania based marketing and advertising firm serving clients in 14 states. Her 30-year career launched in the arena of media research and has evolved as she now owns the firm offering integrated marketing communications counsel to clients in insurance, finance, the environment, higher education and issues management. PPO&S was recently selected as the 2015 Small Business of the Year by the Harrisburg Chamber.

Virginia starts her day by making her plans for the day, week, month, quarter and figuring out her schedule -- have a set morning ritual to keep your day on track. ONWARD!

Make yourself as available as you can -- Virginia keeps herself free by making lists and staying focused during vital priorities.

Virginia's mentor and business partner was given a terminal diagnosis -- and Virginia tells the whole story here.

"You have to meet people where they are."

"Own up when you make a mistake."

I wish I had know myself better -- know what motivates you, what deflates you, what re-energizes you, what flips your switch.

Hold yourself -- and your team -- accountable.

An individual would have unrequited confidence and be a super communicator.

1. Do something that you love -- and stick yourself into a positive environment
2. Make sure your schedule accommodates your sleep schedule

• Email: [email protected]

You can also find us here: ----- OnwardNation.com -----