In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross Simmonds shares a personal journal-style update on his business journey and a major new strategic partnership. Ross walks listeners through the evolution of his brand Foundation Marketing, a newly formed alliance with education-sector marketing leader Carnegie, and the power of delivering value in every room you enter. This episode delivers insight into the journey from humble beginnings to significant success and highlights the long-term impact of authentic relationship-building, content creation, and value-driven partnerships.
Key Takeaways and Insights:
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A Major Partnership Announcement
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Ross announces the new partnership between Foundation Marketing and Carnegie
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The Power of Speaking & Connection
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Importance of showing up with value in every room
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The origin story of how opportunities arise from consistent effort and public speaking
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Ross’s Content Creation Journey
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Ross’s early days blogging in his basement with little money (and lots of instant coffee)
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Turning point: speaking invitation to Miami from a reader
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Lesson: "You can live anywhere in the world, create content, and reach people globally"
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About the Carnegie Partnership
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Announcement revisited: Foundation + Carnegie collaboration to serve higher education clients
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Carnegie’s strength: deep experience with higher ed digital marketing
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Foundation’s traditional focus: B2B and SaaS, now expanding into higher ed
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Early wins and the rewarding nature of impacting students’ journeys
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How the Partnership Came to Be: Storytime
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Carnegie first approached Ross via a DM inviting him to speak at their Orlando event
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Ross’s mindset: treat the audience with full value even though it wasn't his target industry
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Result: strong impact, positive reception, and future opportunity
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Round Two: The Follow-Up Years Later
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Ross’s wife encourages follow-up; he DMs Carnegie again
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They invite him to speak a second time
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Second session’s topic: content as a competitive edge, SEO as a moat
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Deeper engagement: internal training, workshops at Carnegie
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The Partnership Comes to Life
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The relationship matures into a formal partnership
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Foundation and Carnegie now jointly create content for higher ed institutions
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Goal: drive meaningful, measurable results in the education space
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Collaboration Vs. Scarcity
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Business lesson: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
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Value of partnering with aligned people and organizations
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Nuggets of wisdom from Ross’s grandmother: “There’s enough for everyone to eat”
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Encouragement for listeners to seek partnerships that drive both impact and personal alignment
Resources & Tools:
🔗Carnegie and Foundation Partnership
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