Disruptors Elena Cardone: Interview With Empire Builder, Actress & Philanthropist [Business, mindset, entrepreneur, disruptors]
Welcome back to the latest episode of The Disruptors with Rob Moore. Today Rob speaks with American actress, author, philanthropist and empire builder Elena Cardone. Elena talks through how she has grown her business with her husband, and business partner, Grant Cardone and the challenges she has faced. Their conversation takes them from how Elena balances so many roles, in her professional and personal life, to how depending on others is essential to be successful. Elena talks about her new book Build An Empire: How to Have It All with tips and ideas on how everyone can reach their potential, building their own empire.
Key Takeaways
What makes a successful business partnership and relationship? To have the same mission is essential but also have very big goals and aspirations. Our mission is to reach 7 billion people on the planet, try and help them. Elena spoke about the need for not worrying about the little things, focus on what is getting you to your goal. You have to figure out what are each other's strengths and weakness. That means, that in Elena’s case, she might take the lead on somethings and Grant on others, playing into each other's strengths is really important. It’s important to know who makes which decision where so you’re not fighting each other, but working together.
How do you balance being a mum and all the other roles that you have? Elena spoke about being mercurial, being fluid with your time and roles. It’s important to work on becoming an asset for yourself. Elena spoke of being able to move and adapt easily between being a mom and a businesswoman, having multiple personas. Learning that there are no fixed assumptions of what a normal marriage or business should be and challenging those norms is important. Finally, it’s essential to believe in the product and the mission of what you’re doing so you can commit to the role.
What are the sacrifices that you have to make? Elena spoke of the challenges that face being a woman and being a romantic. Elena spoke about having to sacrifice the traditional romantic elements of a relationship sometimes. It can be tiring being in business, being jet-lagged, going from event to event. However, believing in the mission and wanting to be known to the English market is an important motivator. Elena spoke of her serious pride in knowing that she helped others. The sacrifices are worth it because of the extraordinary legacy that Elena wants to leave.
Why Is it hard to be a Woman In Business? It’s difficult to keep up with the physical expectations all the time. It’s difficult to be on the road full time and then go one to be full on mom duty in the evening. It doesn’t turn off being a mom. You get neglected. It’s important to understand the different roles in relationships. At first Elena spoke of not wanting to have a nanny to help them but for instance, she doesn’t do grocery shopping anymore. Elena spoke of the importance of outsourcing elements of the business and personal life, so you can prioritise your time and energy on the big goals.
What Does It Take To Build An Empire? You have to understand your purpose, and it takes sacrifice and courage. You have to be able to stand up for what you believe in. Anybody who wants to achieve something greater than themselves has to do this. You have to strip away some old ideas. Elena spoke of the importance of constant growth when building an empire, in relation to finance, your product and real estate. What is your brand? Are you expanding to reach more people? The key element of empire building is that they can withstand setbacks. The bigger the empire the better it is at protecting you. Bad things happen to good people every day, so empires are there to help you when things get a little rough.
Is it an endless chase for growth? There is always a new target. Be grateful for the achievements that you have made but there is always a long-term goal. It took Elena ten years to get to where she is now. Elena highlighted the importance of small attainable goals that you can achieve along the way. This means that you are not constantly overwhelmed with the larger goals. Subdividing the large targets means you have hit the small targets.
How has life changed since building the business with Grant? It’s so important to partner up with the right person. It has allowed Elena to find her right power through the aid of someone else. Elena spoke of the confusion she felt before Grant. The partnership with Grant has enabled her to increase her own self-worth, and really find a direction in life. For example, the book has come from being pushed by Grant to write it.
Raising Children As Entrepreneurial. Elena spoke of wanting her kids to contribute to society in whatever field they choose to. Elena wants them to go through life and not be scared of anything. They earn everything, and when they are given a gift it’s theirs to look after or break. Elena spoke of the importance of teaching her kids to talk with strangers, so they aren’t scared to do it when they are adults.
Best Advice. Always be a friend to yourself. You can correct yourself, forgive yourself, love yourself, it’s a really rewarding metaphor.
Worst Advice. ‘Never depend on a man.’ Grant is the most trusted person in my life, he trusts me, and he has tremendously helped me. We are interdependent species and depending on others is what we need to do. There are a lot of myths out there about being independent when trusting others is essential to be successful.
What does disruptive meant for you? Challenging the norm.
Valuable Resources
http://elenacardone.com/empire
Best Moments
‘My life changed when I learned this.’
‘Need to be an ally not an enemy.’
‘Created it together.’
‘All In on each other.’
‘Elevate each other up quickly.’
‘Drive to be bigger than who I am.’
‘We push each other to be our fullest self.’
‘The bigger the brand, the more resilient it is to attacks.’
‘Be your own best friend.’
‘I turned my life into something that I wanted to be proud of.
About the Host (and Guest)
Guest: Elena Cardone
Elena Cardone started her career in Hollywood and soon became a successful actress and model of TV and film fame. A lifelong competitive sport shooter, and now author, businesswoman and empire builder and visionary, Elena currently co-hosts “The G&E Show” with her husband, Grant Cardone, bestselling author, entrepreneur and real estate investor. Together they have created a real estate portfolio of almost one-billion dollars.
Born in Spain and raised in New Orleans, this 2004 Maxim Magazine’s Hottest 100 beauty now spends her time serving as Chief Family Officer, public speaker and personal development coach teaching others the strategies and techniques on how to create, build and expand their personal empires everywhere.
An avid human rights activist actively seeking a congressional investigation into the link between psychotropic drugs and random acts of senseless violence, a fierce supporter of the second amendment and busy philanthropist, Elena campaigns cross-country tirelessly.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ElenaCardone/featured
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenacardone/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElenaCardone
[Business, mindset, entrepreneur, disruptors]
VALUABLE RESOURCES
ABOUT THE HOST
Rob Moore is an author of 9 business books, 5 UK bestsellers, holds 3 world records for public speaking, entrepreneur, property investor, and property educator. Author of the global bestseller “Life Leverage” Host of UK’s No.1 business podcast “Disruptors”
“If you don't risk anything, you risk everything”
CONTACT METHOD
Rob’s official website: https://robmoore.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robmooreprogressive/?ref=br_rs
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/robmoore1979