This week’s guest is Candy Valentino, a powerhouse entrepreneur who transformed personal hardships into a thriving business empire. She discusses how challenges can be powerful stepping stones to success. Candy shares her experiences of breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry and highlights the importance of resilience. She advocates for acquiring existing businesses over starting from scratch and emphasizes the vital role of persistence. With actionable strategies like her 'proof paper' exercise, Candy inspires listeners to redefine their paths to wealth and fulfillment.
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Spa Startup
Candy Valentino started a spa at 18 after seeing one in NYC.
Despite little experience, she secured an SBA loan and opened with seven employees.
insights INSIGHT
Follow-Through
The barrier to entry for entrepreneurship is lower than ever, making it easier to start.
However, follow-through and persistence are crucial for standing out.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Grit
Focus on follow-through, persistence, and grit to separate yourself in any industry.
Prioritize hard work and avoid the trap of instant gratification.
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9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams
David Bach
Smart Women Finish Rich is a financial guide specifically tailored for women, offering a nine-step program to achieve financial security and fund their dreams. The book addresses women's emotional relationships with money, helps readers align their financial actions with their values and goals, and provides updated advice on investments, managing money, and new financial opportunities. It has been a bestseller for over two decades and has helped millions of women gain confidence, clarity, and control over their financial well-being.
The 9% Edge
The 9% Edge
Candy Valentino
It's Not About the Coffee
Howard Behar
In this book, Howard Behar shares the ten principles that guided his leadership at Starbucks, none of which are about coffee. He stresses the importance of treating employees and customers as human beings, building trust, telling hard truths, thinking independently, and taking responsibility. The book includes inside stories of key turning points in Starbucks' history and how the company maintained its culture while growing exponentially. Behar's approach highlights the significance of personal leadership in a world where relationships and connections are increasingly important.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money - That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not
C.P.A. Sharon L. Lechter
Robert Kiyosaki
The book tells the story of Robert Kiyosaki's two fathers: his 'poor dad,' a highly educated but fiscally poor man, and his 'rich dad,' the father of his best friend who was a successful entrepreneur. It emphasizes the importance of financial education, distinguishing between assets and liabilities, and building wealth through investing in assets such as real estate and businesses. Kiyosaki argues that a good education and a secure job are not guarantees for financial success and provides practical lessons on how to make money work for you rather than working for money[1][3][5].
Good to Great
Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
Jim Collins
In 'Good to Great,' Jim Collins and his research team investigate why some companies achieve long-term greatness while others do not. The book identifies key concepts such as Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, a Culture of Discipline, and the Flywheel Effect. These principles are derived from a comprehensive study comparing companies that made the leap to greatness with those that did not. The research highlights that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance but rather a result of conscious choice and discipline. The book provides practical insights and case studies to help businesses and leaders understand and apply these principles to achieve sustained greatness.
What if your challenges weren’t roadblocks but stepping stones to your greatest success? Today, I sit down with Candy Valentino, a powerhouse entrepreneur who turned her modest beginnings into an empire. Candy opens up about the grit it takes to thrive in business, the lessons learned from her groundbreaking ventures, and how overcoming personal hardships shaped her path to building wealth and inspiring others.
At just 19, Candy broke barriers by starting her first business in a male-dominated industry, back when women couldn't even secure business loans without a man’s signature. Her journey is packed with lessons on perseverance, resourcefulness, and the importance of clear intentions. But Candy’s story isn’t just about business—it’s about rising above trauma and turning pain into purpose.
This episode dives into actionable strategies for anyone—whether you're dreaming of starting a business, growing one, or simply redefining your life. From Candy's "proof paper" exercise to reframe challenges as fuel for success to her insights on why buying a business can often be smarter than starting one, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience and intentionality.
Key Takeaways:
Follow-Through Is the Differentiator: Success isn't about starting strong; it’s about finishing strong with persistence and grit.
Entrepreneurship Isn't the Only Path: Why being a #2 or #3 in a great company can lead to financial freedom—if paired with wise investments.
Recession-Proof Businesses: Hidden gems like home services, bookkeeping, and trades are creating modern millionaires.
Leveraging Challenges: Candy’s "proof paper" technique will remind you of your past victories and fuel your next breakthrough.
Creative Financing: How to use seller financing to buy revenue streams without breaking the bank.
This is more than just a conversation—it’s a reminder of what’s possible when you commit to building not just a business, but a better version of yourself. You’ve overcome so much to get here. What’s stopping you from taking the next step?
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