The Entrepreneur Next Door 🏡

Loren Greiff (who purposely plays with how her name is displayed) is a super successful executive career coach. I invited her to the podcast because the key to success in building and growing a business is hiring the right talent. 

Loren is a  self-declared "Idiot Savant" with a talent to visualize, "I treat life like a pallet."  And she gives kudos to Grandma, who Loren calls "the bad-ass in the family." 

Loren attributes her success to the smart strategic move she made to "Learn from the Masters." and sharpen her tools - I wanted to learn 10" deep, not 1" ten times."

Join me for this fun rollercoaster interview, learn the behind-the-scenes of recruiting and the following additional insights:

• Why Loren decided to be an English Literature major (not what you think of when you're visually creative.)
• Why Loren decides to take on business as a discipline
• How did Loren get into a top-tier advertising agency with a degree from a small but unfamous college? 
• What prompted Loren to pivot in her pursuit of achieving balance?
• Why is Loren messing with the spelling of her name?
• What is an "excuse exterminator?"
• Why are people stuck in jobs they don't like? It results from the perception that looking for a job is long, hard, and generally sucks. 
• Why hitting the Apply Now button is soothing but very deceiving. 
• What is the easiest way to separate (candidates) fakers from the real deal? 
• "I don't care about your resume. I know how to read."
• "Different is better than better."
• What role is AI going to play in the hiring process? 
• The one song Loren admits to singing in the shower.
  
  Connect with Loren:
  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff
  Email: [email protected]

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest. 

This podcast is about a career journey that showcases the value of pursuing personal interests and leveraging individual strengths.

As a teenager, Ernie aspired to be a Disney artist but started his career as an illustrator for an ad agency. Frustrated with corporate bureaucracy and low pay, he jumps ship and becomes an independent artist. From there, he developed a passion and expertise in branding and opened a branding agency.

Ernie's twin brother is a licensed therapist who diagnosed him with a unique "Hyperactive Productivity Disorder." It's not an official diagnosis, but both brothers focus on being productive and on self-development instead of being preoccupied with useless distractions.  And yes,  Ernie asked his brother to dance with his date without letting her know. What happened? Listen and find out.

Additional highlights:

➡️ Being identical twins when even your mother couldn't tell you apart
➡️ The #1 challenge confronting most artists
➡️ Why did Ernie quit a high-paying job, and how did his father-in-law feel about that? 
➡️ The creative way Ernie was able to keep his company at the height of the Big Recession 
➡️ How did a Maverick presentation change the trajectory of Ernie's career?
➡️ Ernie's definition of a brand
➡️ The (surprising) company Ernie, as a branding expert,  considers best at branding
➡️ How Ernie was able to control the Dream Killer and overcome feeling like a failure

Ernie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernie-harker-a56b7624/

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest. 

I've worked in marketing for years, and I rarely say this: this young man is one of the most talented marketers I've come across in a long time. Shlomo Genchin possesses similar intuitive brilliance that drew me to Seth Godin many years ago. Listen to my intimate conversation and the evolution of a talented marketer. Get to know him; you won't regret it.

Copywriters are entrepreneurs, too. On this episode of The Entrepreneur Next Door podcast, you'll meet an amazingly talented young copywriter with an equally impressive entrepreneurial journey.

Join me for a refreshing and intimate conversation with a talented young man from Israel. We speak about his entrepreneurial journey to becoming a sought-after copywriter and what he attributes to the key to his success (spoiler alert, it's not about tech).

Shlomo's career aspiration as a creative young man growing up in Israel was to become a military officer or an actor. He becomes an 'accidental copywriter' after taking a get-rich-quick sketchy course.

Contrary to what one may expect, Shlomo can express his creative talent and freedom during his military service (in a K-9 unit as a dog handler).

His journey takes him to Berlin, where he studies copywriting at the Miami Ad School  (this is not a typo; it was in Germany). After creating an award-winning campaign, he gets an amazing offer to join one of the leading international ad agencies. Watch the rest of his journey and find out:

➡️ Does working for an ad agency prepare you for a successful career as a
     Copywriter?
➡️ Did Shlomo accept a once-in-a-lifetime job offer?
➡️ "Creativity is about freedom."  How does Shlomo put his belief into
     practice?
➡️ Did Shlomo exercise this option, "If it didn't work, I could always crash on
     my parents' couch."
➡️ Why is Shlomo Genchin excited about AI, and what does he think is the
      biggest mistake people make while using it?
➡️  What key ingredient do you need to generate brilliant copy?

Connect with Shlomo:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shlomogenchin/
Website: http://thecreativemarketer.net/
Email: [email protected]

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest. 

Join me for a candid conversation with a courageous Ugandan woman who overcame challenges, balanced her professional and personal life, and contributed to a noble cause.

• How does a twenty-year-old get a job as an HR manager with zero experience? (Hint: the title of the podcast.)
• The surprising way Tess trained herself for a job she was not qualified for.
• Why did Tess choose HR as a career path with an MBA and two degrees in psychology?
• How Tess' marital challenge and a move back to Finland propels her into entrepreneurship and reconnects her with her home country.
•  A life-changing dream that leads Tess to devote herself to saving orphan children.
• How Tess built an impressing 50K+ followers on LinkedIn and how she chose to differentiate herself as a career coach
• The unexpected impact of Covid on Tess' marriage and what she did about it

Tess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessnyman/
Tess on the web: http://katkonsult.com

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest. 

Join me for an inspiring podcast episode featuring Paul Katz, a highly successful entrepreneur who has achieved remarkable success in the competitive music industry.

Paul's fascinating journey encompasses working with renowned organizations like the African Wildlife Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, alongside collaborating with influential figures such as Kevin Bacon, Ziggy Marley, and Desmond Tutu, among others. With an impressive portfolio that includes Oscar-winning movies and collaborations with global music stars like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, Paul's expertise spans various domains.

Discover how Paul harnessed the power of influencers, adapted to the changing landscape of the music industry, and became a social entrepreneur. Prepare to be inspired by his heart, soul, and business success.

Listen and learn:

☛ What is social entrepreneurship
☛ How to use entertainment and popular culture as a hook to drive social change
☛ What are two critical ingredients that are a must in influencer partnerships
☛ How to spot influencers that are credible and impactful
☛  How Paul's new book "Good Influence" is a roadmap for using influencers that
     applies to small and large profit and not-for-profit organizations
☛  Why does Paul's life's work follows this quote: "We are all going to die, we don't
     know when, and now is an excellent time to learn how to play the piano."

In GOOD INFLUENCE, Cultural Change Agent Paul Katz Shows How Any Organization Can Engage Influencers to Create Programs that Raise Awareness, Inspire Action, and Do Good.

Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulkatznewyork/

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest. 

I vividly recall my exhilaration when Rich Litvin graciously accepted my invitation to appear as a guest on the podcast.  I deeply admire Rich, and the wisdom and insights you'll gain are invaluable. 

 Rich is a masterful transformational coach who works exclusively with high-performing leaders and coaches. His extraordinary ability to forge profound connections with anyone he engages in a conversation or coaches captivates me.

Join me on this extraordinary podcast, where we delve into the mind of Rich Litvin, exploring his unique approach to coaching and his remarkable ability to empower individuals to unleash their true potential. 

Here are some highlights of the treasure of insights from my incredible conversation with Rich Litvin: 

• The impact of Rich’s demanding father on his future and present
• What did Rich do with his students as a biology teacher that was actually more coaching than teaching?
• The surprising start of Rich's coaching career? 
• What does Rich mean when he says: "I went through my entire childhood knowing I was different but not realizing it was OK to be different?"
• Can coaching be taught, or does most of the skill an innate talent?
• “Being a leader is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you’re one, you’re probably not.” 
• What is the true test of leadership? Rich’s first ever role was at 11 years old.
• The fallacy of “open door policy.”
• Rich's definition of “fear” and why he believes confidence is a result, not a requirement. 
• Why the most effective coaching “messes with your thinking.”
• Rich’s raw revelation of why he proposed after just two weeks.
• “After you’re gone, your obituary isn’t going to say how much money you have in your bank account cause nobody cares.”
•  What is skill-stacking and how it increases your probability of success
  
  Connect with Rich:
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richlitvin/
  Website: https://richlitvin.com/
  For Coaches: https://richlitvin.com/scorecard

Enjoy, and please share this episode with your friends and colleagues. 

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest. 

Jahmaal Marshall is blessed with a natural ability to help people. He's been doing it since he was a teenager. Listen to Jahmaal's journey, how his childhood traumatic experience defined his future and career, and why he strongly feels that "what we believe about ourselves is often hardwired into a traumatic event."

Here are key nuggets from our session together:

• Jahmaal's journey in/out of prison (not what you think)
• Why he calls himself a Biblical Counselor, and what he means by "I'm not religious."
• The difference between living and existing
• The difference between coaching and counseling
• What does Jahmaal mean by "if you go too deep and fast, you may drown."
• What is 'burnout' and the root cause for that stage
• Jahmaal's advice for determining if someone is a weight or a wing
• The best places to get a true perspective on life

Connect with Jahmaal here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmaalmarshall/ (32K+ followers)
https://listenthenspeak.com/

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest. 

As a society flooded by images and new stories, we’ve become numb to tragedies here and abroad; a Tesla commercial follows a CNN coverage of thousands of refugees living in sub-standard conditions, or a new record of Covid deaths followed by a BOGO (Buy One Get One) free commercial.

We may feel a tang of emotion, yet, we can’t help ourselves to be numb.

This podcast is about hope and a salute to the few who decide to act and make a difference.

Meet Awet, whose experiences have shown him how fragile and challenging life can be: As an eight-year-old refugee in war-torn Ethiopia to overcoming language barriers, academic struggles, racism (“I learned what it means to be a black man in America. Coming from Africa, being black was something I never thought about. Race was not something you think about.” ) to how he makes a bold decision to make a difference in other people’s lives.

Awet’s father, the most inspiring figure in his life, made a successful living as a tailor. His mantra to his son has been, “Always look out for people with greatness in their hands.”

While witnessing the devastating impact of the pandemic on the fashion industry,  leaving thousands of workers jobless, Awet starts a fashion business, Awet New York, to provide life-changing income to garment workers in New York City.

Listen to Awet's inspirational journey and learn:

• The mindblowing creative and courageous way Awet fights against teachers who told the only black student in their school "he couldn't handle advanced placement classes."
• How a job with Coca-Cola helped Unicef deliver urgent help to needy children in remote locations
• How Awet breaks into the highly competitive fashion business in the middle of a devastating pandemic
• Why did people lineup 'around the block" to buy hoodies
• Awet's surprising pricing strategy
• How a fishing trip propels Amet from an unknown brand to almost instant success
• Why people supporting his cause was not enough, and what did Awet do to ensure his new brand would spread organically

Checkout Awet's line here: https://awetnyc.com/

Follow Amet on LinkedIn and all other social media platforms:
https://www.instagram.com/awetnyc/
https://twitter.com/AwetNyc
https://www.facebook.com/AwetNewYorkCity
https://www.linkedin.com/in/awetgw/

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest. 

If you're looking for an authentic and inspiring entrepreneurial success story, this podcast episode with Adam Robinson is a must-listen. Adam's transparent and detailed account of his journey is a gem. He shares strategies, technical insights, and valuable lessons he's learned. His story is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone considering starting their own business, especially in the competitive Software as a Service (SaaS) industry.

Adam bootstrapped Robly to an eight-figure exit and publicly shares how he plans to grow his new venture, Retention.com, to a one billion dollars valuation by the end of 2023. Retention.com (formerly GetEmails ) grew to fourteen million in two and a half years with just six people and zero funding.

Adam graduates from Rice University and is unsuccessful in getting a position with a major consulting firm. A chance encounter gets Adam a job as a trader on Wall Street, when, in his early twenties, he is able to create a financial nest egg. 

What happened next is not your typical "young man makes millions and spends it all on a luxurious lifestyle." Adam saves money and gets a reality check from one of his mentors: "The skills from ten years ago are useless, so go get some skills that will keep you busy and employed ."

Watching his brother start a tech company plants a seed. Adam invests his savings and dives into entrepreneurship to take on email giants like MailChimp and Constant Contact.

Here are a few highlights of Adam's revealing conversation:

• As a trader, what did it feel like when your biggest client lost eight million dollars in one day, and what was the valuable lesson that served Adam later in his career
• How a web crawler opens the door to new opportunities
• Where does Adam get the knowledge of how to be an Internet Entrepreneur?
• The formula of what you need to invest when you're up against market leaders that own 80% of your market
• What is a Competitive Moat, and how Adam's Navy Seal strategy allowed him to take market share from Constant Contact
• Why telemarketing played a critical role in Robly's success: it's not just calling but whom you call and what you do say to grab their attention
• How to grow a small Saas business to scale and overcome "The slow ramp of death" syndrome
• Why Adam claims, "It's easier for me to sell a $20K deal than a $46 monthly subscription?"
• What is a 'subscription decoy' plan, and why were people happier paying more? 
• Why differentiation, especially in Saas, was and continues to be, a game-changer
• Adam's strategy: "You pick a lane that MailChimp will never choose or do."
• How Adam and his team invested just $5K on FB ads in the first month, which converted to $10K monthly recurring revenue?
• How and why Adam was able to become a Digital Nomad and the turning point when he decided it was time to exit
• How Adam plans to grow his new company, Retention.com to a $1B valuation by the end of 2023

Follow Adam's journey on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/retentionadam/

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest. 

Peter was born crosseyed and, for years, was bullied by his schoolmates. He had corrective surgeries when he was two, four, ten, thirteen, and nineteen. When you listen to his crazy (and adventurous) journey, you can understand how this experience shaped his tenacity and grit. 

At twenty-seven, in the middle of his Ph.D. studies,  a non-malignant colon cancer diagnosis sparks a  "midlife crisis" and propels Peter into entrepreneurship; he quit school and dove into entrepreneurship by opening a biking, walking, wine, golf, and high-end luxury package touring company.

This is when Peter discovers that "when you spend your own money, you learn very quickly."

Other highlights from Peter's incredible story:

• The one thing Peter's dad told him that changed his future trajectory
• Why learning to speak a foreign language is critical to understanding human behavior
•  How Peter was able to interact and assimilate with the homeless population in Boston
• Why the best way to master a foreign language is to date your teacher
• What Peter did after a tumor diagnosis in his colon was not what the doctor ordered or what you would expect
• Why and how a risky tip-based travel business was a success
• The one memorable thing Peter does on a blind date with his future wife
• The wake-up call in Peter's life in Chile that led him to his new career in Long Term Care (LTC)
• Why Peter decides to get certified and work as a CNA "Certified Nursing Assistant) 
• Which book changed Peter's life, saved his marriage, and gave him the most valuable perspective on human relationships

Connect with Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petermurphylewis/

Newly created intro gingle to get you in the mood about my intimate yet exciting conversation with my guest.