In this inspiring episode, Aaron Gordon interviews Shawn Fitzgerald, a successful business owner with a background in the Air National Guard. Shawn shares his journey of relentless hustle, influenced by his single mother and early experiences with sports. He discusses his time in the military and the invaluable lessons it taught him, such as leadership, teamwork, and integrity. Shawn also opens up about his decision to leave a stable job to start his own business, fueled by a fear of regret and a powerful vision for the future. The episode wraps up with Shawn's favorite motivational quote: "Victory is reserved for those willing to pay its price." Tune in for valuable insights on pushing through pain and achieving success.

Get To Know Shawn Fitzgerald Shawn Fitzgerald is the founder and owner of Sound Harbor, a full-service insurance agency that provides customized solutions for the restaurant, bar, and construction sectors in New York. With over twelve years of experience as an insurance agent and a member of the BIG I of New York, a trade association for independent insurance professionals, Shawn has developed a deep knowledge and expertise in the insurance industry and its challenges and opportunities.

As an agency owner, Shawn is passionate about helping his clients protect their assets, manage their risks, and grow their businesses. He specializes in various types of insurance policies, such as general liability, liquor liability, assault and battery, commercial property, commercial umbrella, business auto, hired/non-owned, workers compensation/disability, bonds, and pollution policies. He also offers personal insurance services, such as homeowners, auto, flood, umbrella, and life policies.

Shawn's mission is to provide his clients with the best coverage, service, and value possible, while building long-term relationships based on trust and integrity.

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3 Episode Key Takeaways 1. Family Influence on Hustle: Shawn attributes his hustle mindset to observing his single mother work multiple jobs. This highlights the importance of early influences and role models in shaping one's drive and work ethic.


2. The Value of Perseverance: Experiencing and overcoming difficult situations can lead to significant personal growth. Shawn's journey through various hardships, including military training, reinforced the importance of pushing through challenges to achieve success.


3. Dream Big and Plan Bigger: Goal-setting and vision planning are crucial. Shawn shares how writing down a clear vision and regularly reviewing it can help maintain focus and motivation, ultimately leading to achieving even the most ambitious goals.


Show Overview: 01:00 Shawn was inspired by hardworking mother and sports documentaries.

04:12 Parental sacrifices inspire us to work hard.

08:21 Overcoming challenges reveals resilience and true growth.

10:38 Uncertain career path led to military choice.

13:58 Military training builds resilience and accomplishment.

16:59 Seeking new career path after 10 years.

22:28 Success requires initial intense effort and dedication.

23:40 Goals and purpose help push through challenges.