The Start Down

🇮🇹 This week we are joined on The StartDown Podcast by the Godfather of Instagram, Tony Pec! 🤌🏼

We talked about one of my favorite topics – stressing about likes, views, and followers. It’s not about having a million followers; it's about the impact and connection you have with the followers you do have.  

Think about it: 72 likes might seem small on a screen, but imagine those 72 people in a room engaged with what you have to say. That's a powerful audience. These are individuals you can connect with on a deeper level. Engage with their content, understand their interests, and reach out. This personal touch could turn a simple like into a business opportunity, a conversation, or even a lifelong customer. 

It's a shift from quantity to quality, from broadcasting to meaningful conversations. It's about creating value for every single person that chooses to engage with your content. 

 Next time you see 'only' 72 likes, remember: those are 72 potential relationships, 72 opportunities to make an impact, and 72 chances to grow your business authentically. In the realm of social media, the true currency is not in the number of followers but in the relationships, you build with them. Don't just count your followers; make your followers count. 

Key messages from the podcast notes:

🇮🇹 Tony Pack introduces himself as the co-founder of Forbes-accredited marketing agency One on Media, helping businesses and brands grow their online presence through effective social media strategies.

🇮🇹 Social media connections can lead to valuable relationships and opportunities in business.

🇮🇹 Instagram has become a powerful tool for connecting with people, and Tony Pack emphasizes the importance of being highly active on social media for businesses.

🇮🇹 Tony Pack highlights the affordability of advertising on social media platforms, making it a cost-effective way to reach global or local demographics.

🇮🇹 Tony Pack's background is in mechanical engineering, but he transitioned into social media marketing as he realized his passion for being around people.

🇮🇹 Tony Pack shares how he accidentally entered the social media world by creating Instagram accounts for various niches and growing a substantial following.

🇮🇹 The term "Godfather of Instagram" was coined when someone saw Tony in a cigar lounge, smoking a cigar, and wearing a tracksuit reminiscent of the Godfather.

🇮🇹 Tony Pack's journey in social media marketing led him to become Forbes accredited, speak at events nationwide, and help over 1,000 businesses generate millions of dollars through social media.

🇮🇹 Social media is a critical opportunity for new businesses to gain market share, even with limited budgets, and it's essential for established brands to stay competitive in the next decade.

 https://www.instagram.com/tonypec_/

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

🇮🇹 Tune in to our latest episode where Mike Ficara and special guest Nicholas Curattalo dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship, leadership, and balancing life's priorities. 

Highlights:

1️⃣ Growth & Networking: Relive the memorable moments from Grant Cardone's 10x conference in 2019 with Mike and Jose Flores. 🤝

2️⃣ Entrepreneurial Journey: Nicholas shares his inspiring transition from mortgage banking to logistics, emphasizing perseverance and self-reliance. 💼

3️⃣ Parenthood & Career: A candid discussion on the challenges of parenting, being a role model, and prioritizing family over business. 👨‍👧‍👦

4️⃣ Leadership & Parenting: Discover how parenting influences leadership styles and the importance of understanding individual needs in a team. 👩‍💼

5️⃣ Business Growth: Insights on the delicate balance of work and family life, knowing when to persevere or pivot, and the essence of delegation for scalability. 📈

6️⃣ Equity & Vision: Mike stresses the significance of having a clear vision in business, even amidst setbacks and partnership challenges. 🔍

7️⃣ COVID-19 & Entrepreneurship: Delve into the changing landscape of business success measurement and the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. 🌐

8️⃣ Communication & Logistics: Explore effective communication methods in business and the slow technological evolution in logistics. 📞

9️⃣ Work-Life Balance: Reflect on the journey of adapting to remote work and the tension between personal and professional growth. 💻

🔟 Sports Analysis: A special segment on the New York Yankees, NFL teams, and predictions for the Super Bowl. 🏈

🔗 Don't miss this episode packed with insights and relatable experiences. Listen now and connect with our guests on LinkedIn for more on entrepreneurship and logistics!


Nicolas IG: https://www.instagram.com/nofilternickycee/

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

• Homeownership, mortgages, and local expertise in South Florida. 0:43
  • Nathan Connor grew up in Broward County, Florida, and now helps families find homes as a loan officer.
• Misconceptions about affording a home. 4:44
  • Discuss misconceptions about affording a home, including the impact of social media on perceptions.
• Importance of mortgage professionals vs. DIY. 8:09
  • Nathan shares an example of how a mortgage professional can help a client avoid potential issues with AI-generated documents, such as unexpected deposits.
• Childhood experiences and career path. 12:32
  • Nathan credits their entrepreneurial spirit to their father's sales background and their own curiosity about what they could achieve if they worked harder and took more risks.
• Restaurant industry experience and self-discipline. 17:34
  • Nathan highlights the importance of family dinners and gatherings in Latin culture, and how Anthony's Coal fire Pizza did a great job of creating a similar atmosphere in their restaurant.
• Career changes and entrepreneurship. 28:50
  • Nathan reflects on their entrepreneurial journey, mentioning signs they've received and the importance of enjoying the grind.
• Marketing strategies and social media utilization. 35:58
  • Nathan emphasizes the importance of social media in business, viewing it as a tool for education and entertainment rather than just a marketing tactic.
• Sales strategies and social media use. 38:58
  • Nathan and Mike Ficara discuss the importance of building relationships and being authentic on social media, with Nathan suggesting that men and women both dislike small talk and crave deeper connections.
• Anxiety, connections, and authenticity in the digital age. 43:08
  • Nathan recommends the loan officer podcast and the book "The Psychology of Money" for the audience.

Nathan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-connor-2870147b/

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

• Overcoming fear in business and podcasting. 0:00
  • Mike Ficara discusses overcoming fear in business, sharing his own experiences and insights.
  • Ficara enjoys a CEO Italia cigar during the episode, offering it to listeners who send him a DM.
• Managing fear as an entrepreneur. 1:58
  • Mike Ficara believes fear is a natural part of being an entrepreneur, but it can be managed by turning it into fuel or fun.
  • Ficara faces fears such as imposter syndrome and the possibility of business failure, but views them as opportunities for growth.
• Using fear as a motivator in business. 4:21
  • Fear can be false evidence appearing real, and it's important to evaluate and assess fear to determine if it's accurate or not.
  • Fear can be a motivator for success, but it's important to balance fear with confidence and action to achieve goals.
• Managing fear and uncertainty in business. 6:04
  • Ficara emphasizes the importance of taking control of fear in business, especially during uncertain times.
• Overcoming fear and taking control in business. 7:24
  • Mike Ficara shares his fear of roller coasters and lack of control, which he overcomes by taking control and preparing for the ride.
  • Ficara emphasizes the importance of taking action and being proactive in overcoming fear, rather than simply closing one's eyes and waiting for the ride to be over.
  • Mike Ficara is experimenting with a shorter podcast format and encourages listeners to provide feedback.
  • He offers exclusive content to listeners who DM him on social media with proof of listening to the episode.

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More episodes: https://mikeficara.com/start-down-podcast/

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

• Poker, bluffing, and lying. 0:00
  • Mike Ficara shares stories about playing poker as a child with his family, learning the game and its mathematics, and the importance of bluffing.
• Bluffing in personal and professional life. 1:50
  • Mike discusses bluffing as a common phenomenon in various aspects of life, including business and personal goals.
  • He struggled academically throughout his education, blaming himself for 60% of his struggles and the educational system for the remaining 40%.
• Bluffing and failing an online exam. 5:41
  • Mike failed his last college course after bluffing his way through an online class, despite having a job lined up and feeling successful.
  • He took the exam in a proctored room but failed, resulting in him failing the class altogether.
• Honesty, transparency, and accountability in academic settings. 8:05
  • Mike emailed the professor to apologize for failing the course and explained his situation, receiving a grade bump to a C.
  • The professor showed understanding and empathy, emphasizing the importance of being there for students' needs as an educator.
  • Discusses the importance of honesty and transparency in various aspects of life, including marriages, jobs, and friendships.
  • He highlights the need to be honest with oneself and forget about bullshitting, instead of constantly trying to cover up or hide the truth.
• The power of forgiveness and opportunity in personal and professional growth. 12:11
  • Mike reflects on his luck in getting a job and how he's kept a notebook to remind himself to be compassionate and forgiving towards others.

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

• Entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth. 0:59
  • Scott Ritzheimer reflects on their career journey, noting they've helped over 20,000 organizations and experienced similar patterns in their own entrepreneurial journey.
• Nonprofit vs for-profit businesses and success strategies. 3:33
  • Mike Ficara highlights the misconception that nonprofits are not progressing, and Scott explains that nonprofits are organizations of people working towards common goals, just like businesses.
• Nonprofit vs for-profit work and personal journey. 8:28
  • Scott recounts their experience working for a ministry while also working part-time for a small business, which was later sold and nearly destroyed by the new owner.
• Entrepreneurship, business growth, and overcoming challenges. 13:05
  • Founder relaunched company from bankruptcy at 21, discovering entrepreneurial passion despite odds.
• Entrepreneurship, coaching, and business success. 14:44
  • Coaching is helpful in entrepreneurship as it provides a structured approach to achieving goals and overcoming challenges, rather than relying on self-discovery alone.
• Coaching industry quality and finding the right coach. 19:57
  • Mike and Scott discusses the importance of qualifying a good coach versus a bad one for entrepreneurs.
• Coaching, stages of growth, and navigating business challenges. 24:54
  • Scott aims to showcase high-demand coaches and consultants on their podcast, highlighting their unique approaches and successes.
• Business, leadership, and fun with a Dolphins fan and a guest. 30:31
  • Mike and Scott discuss the importance of finding joy in work and the impact it can have on productivity and success.

Scott's Website: https://www.scalearchitects.com
Scott's Facebook: https://www.fb.com/scott.ritzheimer.official
Scott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottritzheimer/

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

• Entrepreneurship, faith, & personal growth. 0:03
  • Mike & James discuss their shared faith & how it intersects with their business ventures.
• Prioritizing faith & material wealth. 5:34
  • Discusses the misinterpretation of biblical verses, emphasizing that the love of money is the root of all evil, not money itself.
• Entrepreneurship, stewardship, & balancing callings. 11:33
  • Everyone has an entrepreneurial spirit, & it's not necessary to own a business to be an entrepreneur.
• Work-life balance & entrepreneurship. 16:13
  • James shares a biblical perspective on work, defining success as obedience & emphasizing the importance of purpose, connection, & creation in life.
• Career choices & dealing with naysayers. 20:55
  • James reflects on their journey from medical school to entrepreneurship, realizing they didn't have to follow their initial path & instead discovered new passions & ideas.
• Legacy, living in the present, & the impact of Jesse Lee's passing. 27:29
  • Mike shares a personal story about meeting Jesse Lee Ward at an event & later losing the opportunity to thank her due to her untimely passing.
  • James shares the story of Jesse Lee, who passed away unexpectedly, & how it made them realize the importance of living in the present & prioritizing their relationships & work.
• Faith, legacy, & personal growth with James. 33:03
  • James shared his desire to be remembered as a person who loves the Lord with all their heart, mind, & soul, & loved others as well.
  • James Zheng recommends his book "The Miraculous Breakthrough" for those seeking spiritual growth & personal transformation.

James's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesczheng/?hl=en
James's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-zheng-933a059/

Support the show

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

Episode 213: Savoring Success and Cigars

In this episode of The StartDown Podcast, your host Mike Ficara embarks on an intriguing journey as he dives headfirst into the world of cigars and business with Andrew Thorp King. 

With over 200 episodes under his belt, he reflects on the captivating notion that, throughout the show's history, he has never had a guest join him for a cigar. This revelation sets the stage for an exciting and uncharted territory, where cigars and conversation intertwine to create a unique, thought-provoking, and enjoyable podcast episode. Mike explores the world of cigar culture, sharing the joy and sense of camaraderie that these fine smokes often foster. 

Tune in as he lights up a cigar and invites listeners to savor this extraordinary and immersive experience, embracing the aroma, the flavor, and the remarkable stories that unfold as the smoke curls into the air. It's a departure from the usual, and it's bound to be an unforgettable episode that lingers like the aftertaste of a good cigar.

Humidif Group Podcast episode: https://apple.co/3QbfXCr

Andrew's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewthorpking
Andrew's Website: https://www.andrewthorpking.com
Andrew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewthorpking/

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

In this episode celebrating Italian American Heritage Month, host Mike Ficara passionately explores the influence of his Italian roots on business practices, treating clients and employees like family members. As a third-generation Italian American, he navigates the balance between preserving cultural heritage and embracing a distinct American identity. Mike discusses the intersection of Italian heritage in daily life, family traditions, and their intriguing parallels with successful business structures, drawing connections between the mafia's organizational principles and effective leadership. Encouraging a "mob mentality" in entrepreneurship, he advocates for a familial business culture that prioritizes client care and appreciation. 

• 🇮🇹 Italian American heritage and its impact on business. 0:02  Italian American heritage and how it shapes his business practices, such as treating clients and employees like family.
• Cultural identity and heritage for a Gen X American of Italian descent. 2:23 As a third-generation Italian American, discussing the balance between holding onto cultural heritage and embracing American identity.
• Cultural identity and heritage months. 4:39 The origins of Columbus Day and its significance to Italian Americans, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and respect in cultural celebrations.
• Italian heritage and culture. 9:39 Personal connection to Italian culture and music, and how it's a part of his everyday life.
• Italian culture, family traditions, and entrepreneurship. 12:57 Passion for Italian culture and traditions with his kids, including food, music, and family history.
• Leadership styles and business management. 17:44 
  • Similarities between the structure of the mafia and successful businesses, highlighting loyalty, organization, and processes. 
  • The similarities between being a mafia boss and being a CEO, emphasizing the importance of leadership, delegation, and financial management.
  • Encourages entrepreneurs to adopt a "mob mentality" in their businesses, prioritizing loyalty, structure, and a strong vision.
• Italian culture and business heritage. 20:08 Encourages businesses to create a culture and heritage similar to nationalities,citing the rich history of cigar companies as an example.

Support the show

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

Show Notes: The StartDown Podcast Episode 211 with Nick Scarabosio

Introduction (00:00 - 0:57)

- Mike Ficara introduces Nick Scarabosio, an executive coach and co-founder of Culture to Clash.

- Nick's background as a third-generation San Francisco native, husband, and father.

- Overview of Nick's diverse experiences in real estate, property management, fitness, and coaching.

Nick's Journey and Experiences (0:57 - 6:38)

- Nick's experiences on both the highest peak and lowest low in life, marriage, and business.

- 15 years in real estate and property management in the San Francisco/Bay Area.

- 10 years in the fitness and gym industry, coaching thousands of men and women.

- Facing personal trials and tribulations, battling depression, and alcoholism.

- Commitment to helping others break free from the 'hustle & grind.'

Building Strong Company Culture (6:38 - 12:35)

- Importance of avoiding burnout and finding work-life balance.

- Discussion on the significance of building a robust company culture.

- Culture beyond perks—creating shared purpose and understanding within the organization.

- Valuing employees and recognizing the impact of a positive work culture.

Entrepreneurial Experiences and Integrity (12:35 - 19:29)

- Personal struggles and their impact on business decisions.

- The importance of integrity when seeking help or guidance in the entrepreneurial world.

- Insights into maintaining physical fitness for a successful and fulfilling life.

Creating a Positive Work Culture (19:29 - 25:40)

- Importance of a caring and supportive work culture.

- Valuing and motivating employees to give their best.

- Creating a positive and fun work environment.

- Recommended books and podcasts related to leadership and team dynamics.

Conclusion (25:40)

- Recap of key points discussed during the episode.

- Emphasis on creating a positive and supportive workplace.

- Thanking Nick Scarabosio for sharing insights and experiences.

- Closing remarks and encouragement for listeners to explore leadership resources.

https://culturetocash.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nscarabosio

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nscarabosio/

https://www.instagram.com/thescarabosio/

Support the show

More episodes: https://mikeficara.com/start-down-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeficara/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOQfxH5L_hNOC-O5hXMxRkg

Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego