The Champion Entrepreneur | Conversations with champions who have built their success from the ground up

Mark Kohler is an Attorney, CPA, National speaker, Radio Show host, and Best selling Author.  His newest book was released just this year titled; “The Tax and Legal Playbook”, published by Entrepreneur. His audiences love his weekly radio show “The Refresh Your Wealth Show” that brings tax and legal planning alive. It’s broadcast on AM stations nationwide, and iTunes every Thursday.

Mark also publishes a weekly E-newsletter, is a regular contributor and Blogger for Entrepreneur.com and his articles are regularly featured on Yahoo Finance, Reuters Business & MSNBC.

Mark is also a senior partner the law firm Kyler Kohler Ostermiller & Sorenson, LLP¸ helping small business owners around the country with tax, business and estate planning (more info at www.kkoslawyers.com).  He is also a senior and founding partner in the accounting firm Kohler & Eyre, CPAs, LLC, where they complete thousands of tax returns for clients around the country each year (more info at www.ke-cpas.com). Finally, he actually has a life as well. He lives in Southern California with his wife and 4 kids, tries to surf on the weekends and is an avid Scout Master.GOAL: A personal goal of Mark’s is to educate all of his children in the entrepreneur realm. On the business side he is current goal is promoting his new book. ACTION STEPS:Marketing with good CRM, targeted emails, newsletters, radio shows and podcast, blogs and YouTube channels are some of the ways which Mark is marketing his new book QUOTES:“Do you believe in entrepreneurship?…If you do not you will not be able to handle the ups and downs”“Success is not about the results but about the effort”“Be the best you can be and don’t worry about the rest”RESOURCE LINKS:Mark’s website Mark’s Books For more action steps and ways to learn how to take consistent and regular actions forward check out our "daily action steps for a champion” with me Anthony Witt tcepodcast.com/plan

Dave Sanderson is the Managing Partner of his firm, Dave Sanderson Speaks Enterprises based out of Charlotte, NC.     On January 15, 2009, Dave was the last person off the plane that crashed into the Hudson River, best known as “The Miracle on the Hudson” and was largely responsible for making sure so many others made it out safely.  In addition to speaking and training, Dave conducts workshops and is currently working on his next book to be released titled “Moments Matter”, in which he discusses how by employing 12 key resources was a main factor that turned a potential tragedy into the “Miracle on the Hudson” and how does one take a potentially tragic experience and turn it into an opportunity to grow and contribute. He and his wife, Terri, reside in Charlotte, NC.  They have four children, Chelsey, Colleen, Courtney and Chance.GOAL: One of Dave’s primary goals is to be a self sustaining entrepreneur and “to be the passengers passenger” and serve others. ACTION STEPS:Dave is accomplishing this goal by building his network and following up with everyone. He also does this by effectively knowing and implementing his “Why.”QUOTES:“Put yourself around a peer group that will illuminate you”“Do what you want to do, when you want to do it, how you want to do it.” You are in charge!RESOURCE LINKS:Dave’s website Twitter LinkedIn Facebook For more action steps and ways to learn how to take consistent and regular actions forward check out our "daily action steps for a champion” with me Anthony Witt tcepodcast.com/plan

What are the right members? And how do I find them? Answering these questions is actually much easier then it may appear. Areas to be aware of when selecting members for your group. Diversity is critical when forming a successful mastermind group because of the varying perspectives which each individual will bring to the table. Having individuals in different backgrounds industries education levels and all other manner of diverse eclectic nature will allow A group to help one another You’re in faster. It is this differing perspectives which allows problems to be solved in solutions to be found. In general anyone should be able to create a mastermind with anyone else as long as they are willing to be open and learn from one another. The staunch reality is that we are human we are selfish and we hold tightly to some of our perspectives and allow them to affect our attitude and willingness to grow. Seeing and hearing other individuals perspective should give us a stronger conviction towards our own perspective and/or A new perspective to help us grow. Some of the areas which are hot buttons for many individuals are listed below.

Religion & Politics

Religion and politics can be some of the most divisive topics in our society today but if we truly want to grow and help others we must first see the perspective which they are bringing to the table. It is OK to hold to our beliefs. We must have a clear understanding of why we hold to our place and how are beliefs differ with those we come in contact with and build a mastermind group round. If we do not have this understanding these topics will prevent the community growth in relationships which are critical for the success of a mastermind.

Wealth

It is always nice to have individuals from varying wealth categories because they provide differing perspectives in a very positive way. The pitfall here is to not be relatable when the differing wealth categories are to vast. Wealth gap differences can be overcome but they are areas that can affect growth. There are many places to go in order to find members of the mastermind group. Starting with like-minded individuals will go a long way for long Jevity of a group. Not necessary but helpful in creating a successful mastermind group is to focus your efforts on selecting individuals who have a loose infinity or connection with particular “thing. ” This could be a business topic, a product, a service, or even simply a mindset. Here’s in areas where individuals have had success creating and fostering relationships in order to build a mastermind group.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a powerful tool and most of the individuals on the social media platform are there to take action. Use the advanced search tools to find individuals that meet your criteria. What you located the individuals connect with them and begin fostering a relationship and diving into one another’s lives.

LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn groups can be another good place to find individuals around a general topic because individuals in groups are already expressing their interest in a given topic. Begin posting and commenting on other threads in order to develop relationships. As you begin to see here and read responses from other individuals you’ll be able to find the individuals which best meet your needs.

Conferences.

By far one of the best ways to find individuals for a mask my group is to attend conferences and seminars (in person not virtually). Individuals who attend conferences and seminars are there to learn and engage with others therefore they already have a understanding of the importance of connecting and building community. Attend conferences around the topics which you are interested in growing in. At the conferences make sure to engage and build relationships with the other attendees.

Association Groups

Association group can also be a good place to find individuals in a given industry or niche. Attend meetings and functions of these groups in order to better understand the members and find ways in which you can add value to their lives. As you did all these relationships you can begin to find individuals would you have harmonious connections with

FaceBook Groups

Facebook groups can be another social media platform which allows you to nicks down to a specific industry market or topic and build relationships. An important aspect to remember about Facebook is that it is much more social than it is actionable. Make sure that you are selecting a group which has individuals that are ready and prepared to take action steps on the things that they discuss and talk about.

Podcasts

Podcast can be a great place to learn about potential members for your mastermind group. Podcast interviews can be extremely personal and will allow you an insight into the host or guest. When you hear or see individuals would you connect with reach out to them through whatever means they provide and begin developing a relationship.

Chamber of Commers.

I find Chamber of Commerce associations to be potential places to find members for a mastermind group. A component which Stifles a Chamber of Commerce ability to produce individuals interested in being a mastermind member is the old garb Business as usual attitudes which can Be seen in these organizations. The good Chamber of Commerce which is actively making changes to better their members will be a great place to find individuals for your group. Congregate where the individuals you want to be associated with our congregating. In finding members for a mastermind group the most pivotal step of all is asking. You must get out and ASK. In asking: Once you narrow down a handful of individuals as potential members for your mastermind group it is important to take the next step of asking them to join you. And asking individuals to join you as a part of the mastermind group he must have a clear understanding of what a mastermind group is and be able to articulate that to potential members and their cognitive and educational level. Explaining what a mastermind group is and how it functions will be first and then quickly followed by what the Purpose or goal is the group that you’re asking them to be a part of. What find askWHAT= what is the purpose and why will your mastermind group existFIND = go to where the individuals desire to have as members of your mastermind group are congregatedASK = ask them to join you and explain what the goal and purpose will be.