The Exit Plan Podcast

Eric Johnson, a seasoned entrepreneur with a knack for building relationships, shifted from the hospitality industry to real estate, diving into sales' human side. As the CEO of various software platforms and a principal at Modus Coaching and Consulting, he dedicates his expertise to guiding entrepreneurs toward success through genuine connections and trust.

His own venture into network marketing led to the creation of Teamsy, a ground-breaking platform devised to bridge the technology gap in the network marketing industry. Through years of diverse experience, Eric has honed a philosophy that champions the power of relationships in driving business growth, ensuring that each interaction is anchored in authenticity and service.

I chat with him about networking and building successful relationships in the business world.

"Just connect with people as a human being. And through those connections, people respond to just a human connection, like, how is your Christmas? How are things going with your kids? Just talking to people? What happens is as you create conversations and you're just a normal person, having conversations gives you a chance to get to know people, gives you lots of opportunities to help people, connect them to people, you know, refer things to them, give them your opinion on, you know, that's going to create opportunities to talk about real estate in a natural way."

Topics discussed in this episode:

1. Importance of relationship selling

2. Value of customer referrals

3. Opportunities in real estate

4. Building business systems

5. Networking and personal connections

6. Entrepreneurship via employment skills

7. Trust and quality relationships

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Follow Eric at

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericphafflejohnson/

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana's weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

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If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

When Kayla Jimenez first joined the IP and litigation sphere, she uncovered a fundamental truth that many professionals encounter: the allure of a prestigious job title isn't always what it seems. While her instincts cautioned her about the company's environment, it was this challenging position that planted the entrepreneurial seeds she would later cultivate.

Kayla's transition from associate to partner and eventually to the owner of the practice illustrates a powerful narrative—prioritizing lifestyle choices without sacrificing one's career.

Kayla and I unpacked strategies for small-to-medium business growth, emphasizing on scaling, creating shared services, and considering significant liquidity events. Our discussion also highlighted the BRR method in real estate investment—a wealth-building strategy that can complement entrepreneurial ventures, offering a multifaceted approach to financial freedom.

"You don't get rich working a nine-to-five. This is the huge American lie that they tell all the kids, get a good job, go get your doctorate, go get your Ph.D., go become a doctor. Like, work at the work nine to five, or work your salaried position."

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Leveraging Jobs Beyond Paychecks

• Entrepreneurship and Intellectual Property

• Social Media's Entrepreneurial Impact

• Scaling and Exiting Businesses

• Real Estate Investment Strategies

• Career Transitions in Law

• Innovation Through Client Experiences

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Follow Kayla at

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-jimenez-b7772939/

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana's weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

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If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Pat Flynn is a resilient entrepreneur who turned a layoff from his dream job as an architect during the 2008 Great Recession into a journey of success and inspiration. Less than a year after the layoff, Pat built a 6-figure online business, helping architects pass an exam and chronicling his process on his blog, Smart Passive Income (SPI).

SPI has evolved into a premier resource for entrepreneurship and online business, with the award-winning SPI Podcast amassing over 80 million downloads and being featured in the New York Times. Pat is also a prolific author, with publications like "Will It Fly" (2015) and "Superfans" (2019) translated into multiple languages worldwide.

Here, we talk about why it's good to start small and the value of feedback.

"Even though it was the worst time of my life, at that moment when I got laid off, it was actually the best thing because it actually kind of unplugged me, if you will, from the matrix I was in and made me look at everything from a different perspective and go, oh, here's an opportunity here."

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Identifying overlooked opportunities

• Starting small in business

• Importance of community learning

• Balancing focus and exploration

• Pursuing present happiness

• Embracing failure as lessons

• Validating business ideas

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Follow Pat at https://patflynn.com/

On Twitter at https://twitter.com/patflynn

On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patflynn3/

On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/patflynn

On YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGk1LitxAZVnqQn0_nt5qxw

On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/patflynn

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana's weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

When I interviewed him four years ago, Cory talked about how working at a traditional job wasn't for him. Sure, the money, the job security, those things were great, but he hated the work to the point where he couldn't physically get himself to open the door to his office one day. That's when he knew he needed a change.

Cory's a good friend and sometimes business partner who has been in the audiobook industry for over a decade. When he started, audiobooks were on cassette tapes!

Here, we talk about books and the publishing industry as a whole.

"...I assume you want to spend more time with the people you love. That's probably high in your list, and you probably don't want someone telling you to do things you're not good at ... Those are the reasons we start businesses."

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Sustainable business funding strategies
• Audiobook publishing innovations
• Entrepreneurial challenges and growth
• Importance of niche focus
• Leveraging personal networks for investment
• Impacts of early business exits
• Flexibility and adaptability in entrepreneurship

References & links mentioned:

• www.zoundy.com

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Follow Cory at www.oneaudiobooks.com

On Twitter at @coryverner

On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/coryverner

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana's weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Jeff Goins is a writer who's truly left an impact on my creative journey. His blog is a treasure trove of practical advice for aspiring writers, filled with wisdom from his own experiences.

Goins' mantra, "You are a writer when you say you are," empowered me to own my identity as a writer. I even worked with him as a writing coach.

Here, we chat about how he started with a simple blog and it opened doors for his career. Plus, how he leveraged contacts, experience, and the online course space to achieve a liveable work-life balance to be the husband and father he wanted to be.

"If you have the choice between making a lot of money now and never again, or a little bit of money for the rest of your life, take the little bit of money."

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Entrepreneurial ventures and leadership
• Passive income and leveraging scale
• Transitioning to entrepreneurship
• Overcoming fear of money
• Online courses and content creation
• Writing and publishing success
• Seeking mentorship and advice

References & links mentioned:

• https://www.amazon.com/You-Writer-Start-Acting-Like-ebook/dp/B007YJEIAS
• https://adventures.org/

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Follow Jeff at: www.goinswriter.com and www.freshcomplaint.com

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana's weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy and rely on to grow your own business free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Nate and Dana talk about getting back on the podcasting horse after COVID, how Opt Out Life became Exit Plan, and lessons learned during the pandemic. They chat about how things have changed and choosing a life that meets your needs without having to throw yourself into your business.

"...it was life changing because I realized I could do it all from home."

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Work-life balance and family commitments

• Private equity industry challenges and goals

• Podcast rebranding and entrepreneurial content

• Remote work benefits and lifestyle changes

• Experiences in business acquisitions and exits

• Pursuing lifestyle over business growth

• Leveraging employment for entrepreneurial success

References & links mentioned:

• www.danarobinson.com

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana's weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

—

If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

*Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

I'm starting a whole new series of podcasts focusing on how entrepreneurs transitioned away from being employees to owning their time. I can't wait to share these journeys with you.

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Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/

Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial

Subscribe to Dana's weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com

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Our guest today is Merrily Orsini. Merrily founded one of the first private pay home care businesses in the United States, back in 1981, which she managed to grow successfully to more than 200 employees.

She has been in the home caregiving business ever since and is now the President and CEO of CoreCubed, where she pioneered the work-from-home business model, many years before it became the norm.

How did she do it? Merrily tells us about her business journey in caregiving, her efforts into incorporating technology into her businesses, and how her perseverance has led to her success.

More at optoutlife.com/podcast/merrily-orsini/

Joe Bernstein, founder of Drop the Armor Wellness, is on a mission to help other men feel the love and freedom that he learned to cultivate when his life fell apart several years ago.

Back in 2013, Joe decided to go through a series of lifestyle changes to take back control of his life. After going through a bad divorce and losing 160 lbs, he left a successful career in retail management to build a mission-focused business and help other men create the life they desire.

Today, as a men's coach and writer, Joe helps successful men live a better, more fulfilling life. Listen along as he helps us understand the process of transformation, and how to create a pathway to overcome our challenges.

More at optoutlife.com/podcast/joe-bernstein/

2020, a year unlike any other, is finally coming to an end. As we welcome in 2021, it's a great time to look back and reflect on this year as a whole - with all of its ups and downs.

In this solo episode, Dana walks us through a fun exercise to reflect on our year and project new ideas to get ready for a more productive 2021.

We wish you a happy new year and as always, stay safe and healthy out there!

More at optoutlife.com/podcast/dana-solo-nye-2020/