How To Create The Opportunity You've Been Searching For

After nine years of blogging in her free time, Liz Feezor decided to toss her traditional resume aside and double down on making a name for herself through her content and creative strategy.

“I had become increasingly disenchanted with what was going on in the corporate realms,” Liz said, “and I wanted to see what I could create for myself if I took the leap and had faith in my abilities.”

Liz spent 15 years in a corporate HR setting where she gradually grew tired of resume scrapers and programmed bots dictating who was worthy of a job. Since leaving, she’s worked one on one with clients to help them understand the “why” behind their work and project that core message through the written and visual content she creates.

Along the way, Liz had a watershed moment with her physical health, by sustaining an incredible 100lb weight loss. That very same determination, structure, and discipline learned through the process of losing weight is reflective of the way Liz runs her business today.

In this episode of Voices of Impact, Liz talks about how to be a better content creator. We discuss the crossover between corporate and creative identity, sniffing out disingenuous messaging, and her mental and physical journey to solopreneurship. Liz also shares how to crack the marketing code via an unexpected vulnerable route. Tune in to find out more…

How To Turn Pain Into Purpose

Through their marriage and the birth of their first child, Emilee and Ben Blackburn had nothing but blessings. But then, an unexpected hardship rocked the core of the Blackburn family — a stillbirth of their second child, Tatum. During the grieving process, Emilee suggested the family find a way to turn that pain into purpose. With a naming suggestion from the Blackburn’s first child, Walker, Tatum’s Love Foundation was founded.

“We’re always thinking of things that we can do to give back. That helps with our grief,” the couple says. “We show other families this is what helps us, so they can possibly get through their grief by doing the same thing that we are.”

Tapping into Ben’s experience running a family business, the Blackburns have moved Tatum’s Love Foundation from a message of hope to a proven program, raising $80,000 to support the stillbirth loss community. And along that path, Ben and Emilee also created Fathers For Hope and Mothers For Hope. Both groups have fundraising initiatives of their own and provide safe spaces for parents to share their difficult stories.

In this episode of Voices of Impact, The Blackburns talk about how they’ve created a proven model for funding support programs. We discuss viewing a nonprofit from a business owner standpoint, the benefits of building a board of directors, and finding a healthy outlet for channeling grief. And Ben shares his belief that "every new life, no matter how fragile or brief, forever changes the world."

How to Rewrite Your Definition of Success

Sam Gozo can recall the early morning hours of February 28th 2016 like they were yesterday. It was under the cover of darkness that the concept of his business, AniMode Empire, saw first light.

“I still have that piece of paper,” Sam says, “I wrote down what I wanted the company to be. It’s about changing lives and perspectives. Unbeknownst to us, we’ve allowed complacency, hopelessness and things that bastardize the human spirit to creep in. We are chasing the wrong things.”

Even at the ripe old age of 24 years old, Sam had the awareness to recognize he’d been firing at the wrong targets. He knew that there was more to his story than just the pursuit of material wealth. With AniMode Empire and his Lionheart Life Coaching program, Sam is on a mission to help others re-write their own definition of “success.”

Sam believes that life is a game of chess, not checkers. “We can’t just focus on one piece, one move, and expect to win the whole game. It’s about actionable steps and strategies that align with lifestyle.”

In this episode of Voices of Impact, Sam and I talk about the key distinction between Passion and Purpose. They’re often confused. We discuss fitness as a metaphor for life and how the language we use informs the belief behind it. And Sam shares how the process of winning the 2014 World Champions in Drill shocked him into a routine that set him on the path to personal empowerment.

How To Craft A More Powerful Identity Through Story

“Surely I wasn’t put on this earth to be just a real estate agent, right?”

That was the nagging question and the uncomfortable conclusion I came to about three years ago. I was sitting on the couch in our upstairs game room — second week in March 2015. My wife, Kristin, was by my side and my kids were playing on the floor beneath my feet.

“What’s wrong?” she asked

All I could muster was, “I can’t do THIS anymore. It’s just not me.”

I think you’ll agree with me that it’s terribly uninspiring to pour so much time and emotional energy into becoming a better version of something, deep down, you know you were never meant to be.

You see, nearly ten years after finally losing my dream — my purpose — of playing professional baseball, I’d yet to find something to fill the emptiness of a vacated “dream-hole.”

That “couch conversation” touched off a series of events that led me to the conclusion that I needed to “change my story.” Both the one I was telling myself and others. It was time to officially re-engineer my identity.

I decided, then and there, that I would become a storyteller, first. Because like Seth Godin says, “the only monopoly you have in life is your own story.”

What I came to realize was that I didn’t necessarily lack purpose. In fact, even from a young age I’d felt somehow called to spread a positive message and encourage others to pursue a better version of themselves. To mentor others along a path to personal success and fulfillment.

No, it wasn’t purpose I lacked. What I lacked (and continually work to improve) were the skills needed to live that purpose into existence. I didn’t need a new destination, just a new set of directions.

A more finely tuned compass.

From that point forward, I’ve dedicated myself to mastering the art and architect of story. Because as a storyteller first, I know that I wield the power to pen an entirely different definition of success — one that echoes from an authentic voice.

In this “solo” episode of Voices of Impact, the first since Episode 1, I share the first steps of my journey to an uncommon destination. I talk about the process of shedding my “real estate skin” and crafting a more empowering persona. And I challenge you to consider how different your business, your relationships, your job and your outlook on life might look if you too embraced the power of effective storytelling.

How To Turn Tragedy Into A Million Dollar Opportunity

Mark Garza didn’t ask to be the son of a terminal cancer patient. He didn’t ask to have his family rocked by the repercussions. He didn’t ask for the responsibility of bootstrapping a non-profit and raising awareness around the stigma of mental health.

But following his father’s diagnosis in 2009, Garza couldn’t ignore the calling to step up, honor his father and continue the family legacy.

“My dad didn’t only teach me how to run an organization, he taught me the value of helping others.” Mark said. “He taught me about following your passion, serving a higher purpose and getting rich in the soul, mind and heart. He used to tell me, there are no do-overs in life.”

Leaving a successful career as an advertising executive, Garza established Flatwater Foundation. Since its inception, the “Flatwater Family” has raised $3.2 million dollars to pay for over 19,000 hours of therapy, helping caregivers and affected families cope with cancer.

In this episode of Voices of Impact, Mark and I discuss how to train the mind to overcome life’s biggest challenges. We talk about building community around a cause, changing lives, scaling a non-profit and staying on mission. And Mark talks about his experience living the proverb: if you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together.

How To Build A Network Of Impassioned Volunteers

Despite a longstanding, successful background in marketing & community relations, eight years ago, Mia Johns was at a crossroads. She was searching for a sense of fulfillment and a community that spread the “message of hope.”

She found her match in Dress For Success Austin. Starting out as part-time volunteer coordinator, Johns later ascended to Program Director — tasked with building community and helping further the mission of a local affiliate that has served over 11,000 women since opening its doors in 2003.

“Women come to Dress For Success Austin with a variety of challenges — homelessness, underemployment, divorce, domestic violence or illness — and we do provide clothing and support. But we are much more than that,” Mia says. “We have so many pre and post-workforce development programs. We pride ourselves on meeting each client exactly where she is and helping her along her journey to self-sufficiency.”

With just five full-time staff, serving thousands of women each year, Dress For Success relies heavily upon its army of 250+ volunteers — like past podcast guest Nikki Moore — to serve as loyal community ambassadors

On this episode of Voices of Impact, Mia and I discuss how to build a network of impassioned volunteers. We talk about confidence, adaptability, overcoming gaps in employment and building a “functional resume.” And Mia sheds some light on the ladder of outreach programs she’s helped set up to empower women in our community to reach their full potential.

How To Live A Life Beyond The To-Do List

A little more than a decade ago, Robin Emmerich’s foundation was shaken. Seemingly all at once, a car accident, an apartment break-in and some powerful, yet unexpected, advice led Emmerich down a path of personal re-discovery.

“I started asking myself questions like what am I doing, why am I here and what is my purpose in life,” Robin shared. “I started digging deeper because I knew there was something missing but I just didn’t know what.”

She eventually found the answers she was looking for in the form of “two mentors,” one for the heart and one for the mind. With a renewed sense of peace and internal direction, Emmerich started her own life coaching business. For the past eight years, she’s been teaching her clients how to tap into intuition, rewrite the script and live with a strong sense of mission.

Along the way, Robin discovered her own inner-artist, which led to the creation of her athleisure line, Beauty And The Mess. It’s a phrase that Emmerich says has multiple meanings, not the least of which is a reminder to live with courage and explore the positivity in life.  

In this episode of Voices of Impact, Robin and I discuss the freedom of living a beyond the to-do list. We talk about momentum, mindfulness, legacy, and the struggle of balancing a commitment to both work and personal relationships. And Robin shares the story behind her partnership in an initiative to empower a billion women by the year 2020.

How To Grow From Passion Project to Thriving Business

Chelsea Phillips left college with a degree in political science and the thought that she could make the biggest impact through government work. But it didn’t take long for her to realize that she wasn’t particularly passionate about working as a government lobbyist.

“I didn’t really enjoy the work that I was doing“, Phillips said. “I decided I needed to focus on and pursue something that I loved instead.”

What she loved was kids, animals and teaching. So, true to her word, Phillips left her stable job to venture out into the choppy waters of entrepreneurism. In the teeth of the recession, she boldly followed in her mother‘s footsteps and started Tiny Tails To You – a local hands-on, traveling petting zoo, designed to engage both like young in age and the young at heart.

Before long, business was booming, and recognizing she needed help, Chelsea recruited her partner, Joe Moore, away from his teaching job to help scale the business to another level. Together, Phillips are Moore are in their natural habitat working to bring unique animal experiences, natural connection and environmental wisdom to the Austin area.

In this episode of voices of impact, Chelsea, Joe, and I discuss the art of building a business on the back of personal passions. We talk about rediscovering a sense of wonder, pet therapy, removing yourself as the bottleneck, and learning how to scale. And Chelsea shares the best resource she’s found to empower the local Austin business community. Hint: it’s free. Listen in to find out.

How to Open Eyes To The Needs Of A Community

At the age of twelve, David C. Smith says he already knew that his life would be dedicated to the cause of creating a world where “equality is the norm.” He remembers being impacted by the number of homeless he saw on the streets, during his first visit to New York City. With young eyes opened, it was clear David’s path forward would become ruled by a strong sense of social justice.

“Once your eyes are opened to that,” Smith told us, “you start to see it everywhere and that’s where it just becomes part of the fabric of your life.”

Speaking of fabric, Smith’s resume is a colorful tapestry, woven over twenty years of nonprofit and business leadership. He founded both the Hill Country Ride for Aids and the Mamma Jamma Ride for Breast cancer — two of the most successful fundraisers of their kind. He started his own consulting agency, with stints as interim CEO of a handful of local businesses like Conspirare and The Thinkery.

Then two years ago, he came on board as CEO of United Way for Greater Austin, which ironically enough is a job he did his best to talk himself out of. You’ll have to listen to find out why.

In this episode of Voices of Impact, David and I discuss some startling statistics about income disparity in Austin. We talk about the programs, challenges, successes and opportunities  behind re-energizing an almost century old organization. And David shares why time and again he finds the joy of giving one’s time and resources far exceeds the rewards of supporting the cause itself.

To access the full audio, links and resources for David’s interview, visit: http://www.voicesofimpact.com/david-smith

Fashioning Fun for Austin’s Pediatric Patients

Aysa Province has a longstanding love for fashion, event planning and giving back to those in need. And yet she confessed to wondering how her three passions would one day fit together. Then, the vision for “Beautifully Loved” firmly took hold of her heart.

It started with the idea of a fashion show, to support and spotlight young patients of the Blood and Cancer Center at Dell Children’s Hospital. And with one night’s worth of runway sashay, Province caught a glimpse of her life’s calling.

“I played with the idea for months,” she said. “I had questions of — is this enough and will this actually make a difference? Finally I just took the leap of faith and everything kind of fell into place. In my head I just thought I’d rather try and know than always wonder what if.”

The impact that Beautifully Loved has made in a short time, is beyond measure. From Mother’s and Father’s Day pamper events to holiday initiatives and fundraisers like the Fashion Show, Province and Beautifully Loved are showing the community that there is a lot of power in a little lipstick.

In this episode of Voices of Impact, Aysa and I discuss how to be a voice of love and rest for children and families in need. We talk about unwavering conviction, rallying support for a grass-roots charity and learning to be ‘enough.’ And Aysa shares the important lesson of how to walk into fear and come out a stronger leader, on the other side.

To access the full audio, links and resources for Aysa’s interview, visit: http://www.voicesofimpact.com/aysa-province