Pony Tales Podcast

Get info about BIZZLER in Greece here: ⁠[email protected]

In this episode of The Pony Tales Podcast, we chat with Joe, who sold books for three summers in the 1980s and went on to build a remarkable career. Joe is the author of Habits Driven is the Game Changer, where he shares how the habits he developed during his book-selling days paved the way for his success in business. He’s now a consultant for Live Better Financial in California, specializing in Reverse Mortgages and Divorce Lending, a unique niche in the mortgage industry.  This episode offers a fascinating look into Joe’s career journey and the impactful lessons he’s learned along the way. Tune in—you won’t want to miss it!

A big thanks to our sponsors over at Cardinal Senior Insurance.

Get a sit down with their leadership and ⁠⁠schedule an Interview with Cardinal Senior Benefits

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST EPISODE:

Welcome to The Pony Tales Podcast, where we dive into the inspiring stories and unique experiences of Southwestern Advantage alumni. Each episode features candid conversations with former book-sellers, exploring how their time selling books shaped their personal and professional lives. From incredible career journeys to valuable life lessons, our guests share the habits, mindset, and challenges that led them to success. Whether you’re a former book-seller or just looking for some motivation and wisdom, you’ll find something to relate to and learn from in every episode. Tune in and be inspired!

In this episode of The Pony Tales Podcast, we sit down with Emma, a true champion of the book-field. Growing up in a family of successful book-sellers, Emma shares what it was like to be surrounded by such a high-achieving alumni family. She opens up about the pressures of living up to their success and how she learned to let go of her ego and the need for recognition. By embracing a mindset of self-improvement, she hit her biggest goals yet.

A big thanks to our sponsors over at Cardinal Senior Insurance.

Get a sit down with their leadership and ⁠schedule an Interview with Cardinal Senior Benefits

Get info about BIZZLER in Greece here: [email protected]

Monette Howell is a 7-summer book girl who sold in the late-70s/early-80s at a time when not many women were on the bookfield. During the COVID shutdown, Monette started her own weekly podcast, Mornings with Monette. She and Andres talk about the origins of her podcast and the learning curve that comes with an audio platform. Monette had a star-studded career on the bookfield and she talks about how she was a student of the game, what she did to bring a 20-man team, and so much more. Be sure to check out her show via the links below!

Mornings with Monette

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mornings-with-monette/id1513242698

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rR1IPEADGAAJvD913SdtF 

Book link: Habits Driven is the Game Changer 

https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Driven-Game-Changer-Siau/dp/1951797949

Key Moments and Chapters:

00:00:00 - Start

00:03:30 - Was it a Cult?

00:06:00 - Having one of your kids go sell books

00:09:20 - Mornings with Monette

00:18:50 - Top Series of the Podcast

00:21:30 - Content creation process

00:31:34 - SW Origin Story

00:36:30 - Being good at selling is different than being a good manager

00:40:15 - Managing women?

00:48:20 - The Firsts - and without a car

00:59:30 - The Power of Belief

01:08:00 - How to leave your territory in pristine condition

01:16:10 - Recruiting lessons

01:23:00 - The Famous Off Schedule Rodeo Encounter

01:26:00 - Rapid Fire

01:50:00 - Moonshine Capital of the World

01:53:20 - 20th Man on the 20-Man Team

02:00:00 - Pony Tales

At the time of this recording, Theo is the Head of Business Enablement for Google in the Asia-Pacific region. In this episode, we discuss his career journey from books to Google, his accomplished public speaking career, and, of course, how he holds the record for experienced dealers and the best day ever—literally.

You can connect with Theo regarding his latest career move on LinkedIn.

A big thanks to our partners over at Cardinal Senior Benefits. If you want more information about them, here’s the link.

Schedule an Interview with Cardinal Senior Benefits

|

|

Chapters and Key Moments -

00:00:00 Start

00:07:30 What Theo has been up to 

00:13:25 Finance to SW Consulting

00:19:27 Working at google 

00:28:00 Hackathon

00:44:45 Day to day at google

00:54:42 Public speaking career

01:06:54 How did you get into SW? 

01:14:11 First Sale

01:15:48 BIGGEST DAY RECORD

Being curious, a better listener, less judgmental, and letting go are just some of the topics we shared in this hour long Executive Exercises episode.  Let us know what habits you’ve learned since leaving the bookfield that you are proud of!

Also, here is the video of the door-to-door pizza guy.

Books mentioned:

Adam, a nine-summer bookman, hops on the show for a shorter episode with Andres. Oddly enough, Adam had multiple encounters with Filipino families while on the brookfield, and has some great stories to accompany them. Since his time selling books, Adam has worked with Southwestern Consulting and launched the student consulting branch of the group for middle and high school students. 

UPCOMING: Adam is part of a new non-profit venture to take the student coaching model to kids aging out of the foster care system. September 19 at 5:30 pm at the Company Headquarters in Nashville, they’re hosting a social fundraiser for the non-profit, Kindness for Kids. If you are interested in supporting this worthy effort, connect with Adam through the website! 

Check out Adam’s other podcasts:

Inside Great Minds :https://www.instagram.com/insidegreatmindsadam/ 

The Action Catalyst: https://www.instagram.com/actioncatalystpodcast/

Key Moments and Chapters:

00:00:00 - Start

00:04:30 - RAPID FIRE Questions

00:10:50 - Filipino Breakfast Spot - “You Book Man!”

00:17:00 - Redefining belief barriers - the mom who refinanced her home to buy the books

00:20:00 - The Universe conspiring on your behalf

00:25:00 - Recruitment into Southwestern, impressed by Lester

00:29:00 - Living with a Filipino Mr. Miyagi

00:31:25 - “First Door” had no door

00:33:38 - Origin of SW Student Coaching program

00:41:00 - Andres’ soccer coaching philosophy

00:44:25 - “Tremendous change starts with the education of the populous.” JFK

00:46:00 - Tina Outland, field hockey club

00:48:15 - PONY TALES - What you’re doing now will change your life

00:52:20 - Kindness for Kids Social Fundraiser, September 19, @5:30 pm

00:58:30 - Aiden says hi - I am Brave, I am Strong, I am Kind!

This might be the best Executive Exercises episode ever. (Say that four times fast. It had disagreements, laughs, and feet.

Phil hops on as our second Varberg to grace the show (Peter is #215).  From growing up in the Philippines, Phil heard all about selling books from his dad, and knew this was the path for him. He and Andres talk about the twists and turns of life after the bookfield and his journey with Inspire Benefits, before digging into some wild stories of the days slingin’ books. Phil sold for 7 summer and has the stories to prove it. If you’re watching, around the 90-minute mark, take a peek at the photos Phil shares! Enjoy this episode that is FRIEEED WEEELLLL. 

Executive Exercise link: 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ee-when-to-fire-someone/id1550828313?i=1000660581150 

Spotify -   https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O23O6pLuxsNv1g0vMkRnQ?si=Yje1xY6KRpmSOE1gDASaTg 

Key Moments and Chapters:

00:00:00 - Start

00:03:06 - A Varberg Family History

00:11:30 - Manifestation of Goal Setting

00:22:45 - Inspire Benefits

00:25:00 - Pursuing the Shadow of my Dad

00:33:20 - Recognize that life is a vapor

00:42:30 - Getting into SW

00:48:00 - First Door, First Summer

00:51:50 - Trailer Park Pony

00:56:00 - Missionary Kid Experience

01:10:00 - Dodge Caravan Incident

01:22:50 - Must. Sell. More.

01:31:00 - Photo Reel!

01:35:50 - Rapid Fire

01:52:30 - PONY TALE

In this episode Pat, Alecia, Lee and Andres discuss when it is time to quit. How do you know if the career path you are on is not working out? Have you been at your role too long? Are you getting paid enough? Do your values align? These are the questions we address and more. Enjoy!

Ian Brown hops on the show from Tampa, Florida after selling for 7 summers. Ian hit some great numbers in his time on the bookfield, and shares with Andres how his time as a track athlete set him up for success and a “fast” start. From Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, to Jesus PR, to Retail Leasing, these two have a great time catching up - all the way to Pound Town!

Key Moments and Chapters:

00:00:00 - Start

00:04:05 - Rapid Fire

00:07:47 - POUND TOWN

00:23:55 - Honky Tonk

00:27:50 - Stocking piling the car

00:33:55 - Best Sales Day

00:46:20 - Recruited by Cousin Shaina

01:02:50 - Track teaching FLOW and getting to 10k summer

01:14:00 - Keys to a Fast Start

01:26:45 - Why leave then?

01:30:00 - Commercial Real Estate vs. Retail Leasing

01:38:50 - PONY TALE