Mastering the Art of Public Relations: Understanding the Essence of a Compelling Story   In a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show, host Josh Elledge interviewed Megan Bennett, CEO of Light Years Ahead, to explore the nuances of public relations (PR) and the art of crafting and pitching compelling stories to the media. Megan shared invaluable insights from her extensive PR experience, offering actionable advice on elevating a brand's visibility and authenticity. This blog post distills the key takeaways from their conversation, providing a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to master PR. One of the primary challenges in PR is transforming a seemingly mundane product into a newsworthy story. Megan emphasized the importance of finding a unique angle or hook that sets a brand apart. This involves deep diving into the founder’s background to uncover compelling narratives and highlighting unique selling points like innovative ingredients or social causes. Megan shared a success story of Kansas City Cattle Company, a Wagyu beef brand founded by a combat veteran, whose compelling narrative and superior product quality led to significant media coverage and increased sales. Megan stressed that mass-distributed press releases are often ineffective. Instead, personalized pitches tailored to specific media outlets and journalists are far more impactful. Key elements of a successful pitch include compelling subject lines, engaging first paragraphs, and high-quality visuals. Persistence is crucial in PR, and Megan highlighted the importance of following up multiple times and being prepared to tweak the pitch if it’s not resonating. Authenticity over paid coverage and continuous engagement with media contacts are essential for building lasting relationships and achieving successful PR outcomes. About Megan Bennett:   Megan has been on the LYA team for over 20 years. She started working at LYA just a year after college and fell so in love with public relations that she stayed on and helped build the company into what it is today. Her expertise focuses on managing clients, engaging with top national media daily, and securing meaningful media placements. She has spearheaded and implemented countless successful PR campaigns for numerous brands. She is proud of the positive, lasting relationships she cultivates with the media on an ongoing basis. Megan's forté lies in her outgoing and engaging personality, which has solidified extremely strong relationships with top consumer print, online, and broadcast media contacts. She understands what the media wants and what tactics work to obtain the most high-profile placements. When it comes to placing a story or segment for a client, she is relentless with the media, and she doesn't stop until she makes it happen. Megan lives outside of Kansas City. She is married and has two daughters. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Skidmore College.   About Light Years Ahead PR:   We are a cutting-edge public relations agency dedicated to propelling your brand beyond the competition and into the stratosphere of success. With a team of skilled strategists, creative visionaries, and media mavens, we craft personalized PR solutions that ignite your brand's brilliance. Proudly providing high-level PR services across the nation since 1995. At Light Years Ahead PR, we understand that every client is unique, and that's why we tailor our services to align perfectly with your specific goals and aspirations. Whether you're a startup seeking to establish a powerful presence or an established brand aiming to reach new heights, we've got the expertise to make it happen.   Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest   Links Mentioned in this Episode:   Want to learn more? Check out Light Years Ahead PR website at https://www.lightyearsahead.com/ Check out Light Years Ahead PR on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/light-years-ahead/ Check out Megan Bennett on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-bennett-6a1b8317/ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence:   We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.https://www.lightyearsahead.com/  

The Future of Restaurant Technology In a recent episode of "The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show," hosted by Josh Elledge, the CEO of PAR Technology Corporation, Savneet Singh. He shared valuable insights into the evolving landscape of technology in the restaurant industry. ParTech, a leading provider of software, hardware, and services to fast-growing or large restaurant chains, is at the forefront of this transformation. This episode delves into the key themes discussed in the episode, offering actionable advice and expert insights for restaurant owners, CIOs, and marketing officers looking to leverage technology to enhance the consumer experience. ParTech specializes in providing comprehensive technology solutions tailored for restaurant chains. Their offerings include streamlined and efficient Point of Sale (POS) systems, customized loyalty programs designed to increase customer retention and engagement, and robust online ordering platforms that cater to the growing demand for digital convenience. Savneet emphasized the critical role of technology in bridging the gap between consumers and the brands they love, highlighting how advanced technological solutions can enhance customer engagement, improve operational efficiency, and enable restaurants to quickly adapt to changing consumer behaviors and preferences. The conversation also touched on the future of self-checkout and the increasing role of mobile phones, emphasizing their convenience, speed, and ability to provide personalized recommendations and offers. Additionally, the potential advancements and challenges in the use of AI and robotics in the restaurant industry were discussed, noting how automation of routine tasks can enhance accuracy and efficiency, despite the challenges in implementation. About Savneet Singh: Savneet Singh is an award-winning software / SaaS CEO with deep expertise across the retail, fintech and payments industries. Savneet is currently CEO of PAR Technology Corporation, a provider of point of sale software to the retail industry. Under his tenure, the Company has transformed from a distressed provider of hardware to a fast-growing SaaS business. This work has included two significant capital raises, two large acquisitions and a dramatic change in workplace culture. Prior to PAR, Savneet has extensive experience as both an investor and Board Member, having served on a number of both public and private Boards, including a listed SPAC. About PAR Technology Corporation: PAR Technology Corporation develops and markets products that assist hospitality operators around the world to better manage money, materials, people and the guest experience. PAR has provided solutions, including software, hardware and services to the world’s largest restaurant chains and their franchisees for 40 years. Today our extensive offering includes technology applications for the full spectrum of hospitality and restaurant operations, from independent table service restaurants to international QSR chains and five-star destination resorts, all backed by PAR’s global service network. The Company has nearly 100,000 installations in 110 countries worldwide. PAR is also a leader in providing computer-based system design and engineering services to the Department of Defense and Federal Government Agencies. Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out PAR Technology Corporation website at https://partech.com/ Check out PAR Technology Corporation on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/partechnology Check out Savneet Singh on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/savneetsingh/   Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence:   We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

Navigating Leadership and Culture Transformation in the Post-Pandemic Era In a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show, host Josh Elledge engaged with Jahmad Canley, CEO of Potential Unleashed Consulting, to explore the shifting dynamics of leadership and organizational culture in the post-pandemic era. Potential Unleashed collaborates with a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and athletic teams, to drive leadership development and culture transformation. Their discussion highlighted the emerging trends, challenges, and strategies for fostering adaptive, inclusive, and high-performing work environments in today's evolving landscape. One significant trend Jahmad pointed out is the balance between in-office and remote work, which has become a pivotal aspect of organizational culture post-pandemic. Companies are now tasked with creating environments that support both remote and in-office employees. Actionable strategies include developing flexible work policies, investing in technology for seamless communication, and scheduling regular check-ins to maintain team cohesion. Additionally, Jahmad emphasized the importance of creating adaptive cultures that can evolve with new challenges while retaining their core strengths. This involves continuous feedback loops, leadership training, and celebrating organizational successes to reinforce positive behaviors and morale. Jahmad also discussed the impact of remote work on diversity and inclusion, noting that it can remove geographical barriers and create a more diverse workforce. However, leaders must be equitable and considerate of individual situations to foster an inclusive environment. Actionable tips include developing inclusive policies, providing diversity training, and encouraging employee resource groups. Creating a culture of belonging through proactive DEI assessments, coaching, and inclusive practices is crucial for fostering a high-performing and inclusive work environment. Jamal's insights underscore the importance of proactive assessment and support for leaders to navigate the post-pandemic landscape successfully. About Jahmad Canley: Jahmad Canley has an endless dedication to empowerment and education for all people. He is internationally known as a top level culture transformation consultant, peak performance coach, author and masterful story teller. Jahmad focuses on helping people and organizations accomplish their goals and fulfill their potential in their personal, professional, and organizational lives. His passion for helping others unleash their potential has provided him the privilege of working with top organizations such as Microsoft, Amazon, Western Union, LA Phil Harmonic Symphony, USA Swimming and many more. About Potential Unleashed Consulting: Potential Unleashed is a business coaching company specializing in providing solutions to companies, teams, and individuals of every description through improved performance and increased human effectiveness. Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out Potential Unleashed Consulting website at https://potential-unleashed.com/ Check out Potential Unleashed Consulting on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/potential-unleashed-consulting Check out Jahmad Canley on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmad-canley-he-him-his-b70ba9a Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence: We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

Mastering Digital Marketing: Understanding Your Audience and Crafting Compelling Content In a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show, host Josh Elledge engaged in a deep dive into digital marketing with Kris Britton, the founder of KAYBE Mega Marketing. This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone aiming to enhance their marketing strategies. Below, we summarize the key takeaways and actionable advice shared by Kris Britton, offering a detailed guide to mastering digital marketing. Kris emphasizes the importance of understanding your target audience through detailed buyer personas and market research. Creating comprehensive profiles of your ideal customers and utilizing tools like surveys and social media listening can help tailor your marketing messages effectively. Additionally, Kris highlights the significance of crafting compelling content through storytelling, value-driven posts, and SEO optimization. Engaging narratives and educational content can significantly boost your brand’s connection with its audience. Social media platforms are crucial for audience engagement, and Kris advises selecting the right platforms, maintaining a consistent posting schedule, and actively engaging with followers. Paid advertising, with targeted ads, A/B testing, and retargeting, can amplify your reach and conversions. Finally, building strong relationships through personalized email marketing, customer feedback, and community building is essential for long-term success. By following these strategies, you can elevate your digital marketing efforts and achieve remarkable results. For more expert advice, tune into The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show.   About Kris Britton: Kris Britton is the CEO and founder of international ‘mega-marketing’ company, KAYBE. A serial entrepreneur, with more than 10 years’ experience in digital marketing, Kris heads up an ever-growing team of experts who help hundreds of brands around the world drive revenue through innovative marketing strategies.   About KAYBE: KAYBE are an award-winning marketing agency, with clients across Europe, the USA and Australia. We deliver comprehensive marketing strategies and activities, designed to deliver true, tangible growth for a wide range of businesses, from small side hustles through to blue chip enterprises. Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest   Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out KAYBE website at https://marketing.kaybe.co.uk/ Check out KAYBE on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/homeofkaybe/ Check out Kris Britton on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisbritton/   Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence:   We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.  

Unveiling the Legal Landscape of Entrepreneurship In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show, host Josh Elledge speaks with Seth Kugler, a legal expert from the renowned law firm Grellas Shah LLP. They explore the intimidating legal challenges entrepreneurs face and offer guidance for navigating these complexities with confidence. Seth's experience provides listeners with a unique perspective on the legalities of starting and running a business. Seth delves into the critical importance of protecting intellectual property, understanding contracts, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. He shares strategies for safeguarding ideas and services, highlights what to look for in contracts, and discusses how to avoid common pitfalls. Seth also emphasizes the necessity of staying current with legal requirements to prevent costly penalties and ensure the longevity of a business. The conversation with Seth Kugler leaves entrepreneurs with valuable lessons: prioritize IP protection, carefully negotiate contracts, and maintain compliance with laws. His insights demystify legal concepts and empower entrepreneurs to approach legal matters with greater assurance. The legal side of entrepreneurship, while complex, can be navigated successfully with the right guidance and resources.   About Seth Kugler: Seth Kugler is an experienced business litigator in the tech space with focuses on corporate governance and fiduciary duties, unfair competition and the developing law surrounding the business of artificial intelligence.   About Grellas Shah LLP: Grellas Shah is a founder-focused law firm, dedicated to providing legal services to emerging ventures and other early stage and middle-market businesses, as well as founders, entrepreneurs, executives, directors, officers, key employees, and others associated with such business clients. Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest   Links Mentioned in this Episode:   Want to learn more? Check out Grellas Shah LLP website at https://grellas.com/ Check out Grellas Shah LLP on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/grellas-shah-llp Check out Seth Kugler on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-kugler-2218747   Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence:   We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

Embracing Excellence: The Path to Transformative Leadership and Organizational Success I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Hugh Blane, the founder and president of Claris Consulting, on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show. We explored the crucial roles that passion, innovation, and growth play in meeting strategic goals in the business realm, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Blane, with his extensive experience advising top organizations like Microsoft and Starbucks, highlighted the importance of aligning strategy, execution, talent, and mindset to set a high bar for excellence and commitment in both personal and professional pursuits. He also stressed the transformative power of love in leadership—not romantic love, but a deep care for our work and those we lead. In our dynamic business environment, leaders must be adaptable and attentive to the needs of their teams and clients. Blane passionately argued for the abandonment of obsolete practices and redefined leadership as a source of inspiration and a path to greatness for others. His upcoming book, "Lead Boldly: How to Coach Others to Greatness," is set to offer a blueprint for leadership transformation, targeting senior leaders and middle managers to reshape not just individual leaders but entire organizations. The book promises to catalyze learning and create a space where leaders and their teams can excel. To conclude our conversation, I pointed our listeners to the resources and self-assessment tools available on the Claris Consulting website, which can help refine strategic priorities. Blane invited anyone seeking further insight or assistance to reach out to Claris Consulting for their expertise. His insights are a treasure for those aiming to enhance their leadership capabilities and organizational success. Embracing a mindset of passion, innovation, and growth, and aligning our strategies to these values, is essential for transformative leadership. I urge you to ponder your leadership path and how you can apply these principles to become a revered leader. The journey to greatness starts with you. About Hugh Blane: Hugh Blane is a renowned leadership, athletic, and financial coach with over forty years of coaching experience. Hugh, the founder and principal of Claris Consulting, has coached successful CEOs to transform their leadership, which transforms their culture and results. As a coach, Hugh has generated over $75 million of client and enterprise value over the last ten years, and clients include Sony Pictures, Starbucks, Costco, Stanford University, Nordstrom, REI Co-op, and Wells Fargo. About Claris Consulting: We help executives, entrepreneurs, and investors accelerate business value by transforming human potential into inspired performance. About Lead Boldly: How to Coach Others to Greatness: This book has the potential to transform leadership and the results leaders achieve in unprecedented ways. Specifically, this book makes the case that there is a vast level of untapped potential in every nook and cranny of our personal and professional lives. Many leaders have employees on their teams or organizations who have great potential but do not perform at their peak abilities. When a reader internalizes the content of Lead Boldly with courage, humility, and discipline, they will coach themselves and others to deeply love the work they do, learn daily how to master their talent and mindset and lead boldly in a world of lukewarm and milquetoast ideas and aspirations.  Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest   Links Mentioned in this Episode:   Want to learn more? Check out Claris Consulting website at https://clarisconsulting.net/ Check out Hugh Blane on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughblane/ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence: We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

Harnessing Intuition for Entrepreneurial Success In a riveting episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show, I had the opportunity to converse with Simone Wright, a leading expert on intuition and its role in entrepreneurship. Simone, who has always been attuned to her intuitive intelligence, shared valuable insights from her book "First Intelligence: Using the Science and Spirit of Intuition," highlighting how intuition can be a powerful asset in business. She emphasized the concept of intuition as a muscle that can be developed, and the necessity of being in a state of flow to enhance leadership skills. Simone Wright's perspective on creating mental space to foster flow was particularly impactful. She suggested that engaging in activities that relax the mind, such as walking or meditating, can unlock our intuitive insights. Moreover, she drew a parallel between the intuitive and innovative mind, suggesting that innovation stems from giving our intuition the space to process information. Our discussion also explored the intuitive abilities of animals and their natural disaster awareness, underscoring the widespread presence of intuitive intelligence. Wrapping up our enlightening discussion, Simone Wright offered guidance for entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their intuitive fitness, sharing a success story of a client who achieved remarkable business growth by tapping into their intuitive potential. For those seeking to delve deeper, Simone recommends her master class and book on entrepreneurial intuition, along with one-on-one coaching. As we concluded, I encouraged listeners to explore Simone's resources for further inspiration and to subscribe to our show for ongoing motivation in their entrepreneurial endeavors. About Simone Wright: Simone Wright is an internationally respected authority on Intuition, Evolutionary Creativity and Entrepreneurship. She started her first business at the age of 9 and has used her understanding of Intuition, Creativity and entrepreneurial focus to build a globally respected coaching and education business – and to become an internationally collected artist, who has become the highest selling artist of her kind in the world. Simone developed her Intuition ‘street cred’ by using her skills to successfully assist law enforcement in missing children’s cases and other criminal investigations. Her groundbreaking Intuition training program, and book, First Intelligence, have helped people from all walks of life (including established and emerging entrepreneurs, multi-million-dollar CEO’s and every level in between) develop profound Intuitive clarity, and Vision to help them expand their businesses in ways that are in alignment with the individual, not the crowd. She helps people SET the trends in their life and in business … not follow them. She has appeared in over 100 media outlets and been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. About First Intelligence (Book): First Intelligence is a multifaceted language that communicates with and through us in a number of sophisticated yet elegant ways. The third P in the Peace/Perception/Precision triad ~ Precision ~ plays the strongest role in how we begin to effectively and consistently recognize the voice of our higher wisdom. Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out Simone Wright's website at https://simonewright.com/ Check out First Intelligence Book website at https://simonewright.com/programs/first-intelligence-the-book/ Check out Simone Wright on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/simonewright1 Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time! More from UpMyInfluence: We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

Embracing the Marketing Revolution: Using an AI-powered business growth tool Welcome to another insightful entry on my blog, where I, Josh Elledge, bring you the latest from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show. In a recent episode, we had the honor of hosting Menekse Stewart, the mastermind behind Marketing Magic, and I'm eager to share the valuable insights gleaned from our conversation. Menekse story is a beacon of inspiration, showcasing her dedication to redefining marketing strategies with her innovative company. Throughout our talk, she highlighted the critical need for businesses to evolve with the digital era, utilizing new tools and technologies to stay competitive. Delving into the core of Menekse's marketing philosophy, we uncovered the foundational pillars that underpin her successful approach. She emphasized the significance of audience understanding, the art of storytelling, and the crafting of a resonant brand identity. Menekse deep dive into these principles provided a wealth of knowledge for entrepreneurs and marketers. Furthermore, she generously offered actionable strategies that businesses of any size can immediately apply to spur growth and success, drawing from her extensive experience and impressive track record. As our episode neared its end, Menekse and I tackled the challenges inherent in marketing, discussing strategies to surmount common obstacles such as budget limitations and fierce competition. Menekse's forward-looking insights into the future of marketing and emerging industry trends equipped listeners with guidance to future-proof their marketing strategies. To summarize the key takeaways: adaptability to change, deep audience insights, the power of storytelling, a blend of traditional and innovative tactics, and anticipation of future trends are essential for marketing success. I hope these lessons from Menekse Stewart will inspire and guide you as much as they have me. Remember to catch more episodes of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Show for continued inspiration and guidance. Keep marketing thoughtfully and magically until our next thought-provoking session! About Menekse Stewart: Menekse Stewart is an award-winning AI & marketing specialist, and the creator of Marketing Magic, an AI-powered business growth tool that helps thousands of small business owners save 40+ hours a month. About Marketing Magic: Marketing Magic is an AI-powered business growth tool that helps small business owners grow their brands, not their to-do lists. Craft ready-to-use sales and marketing assets that use your brand’s tone of voice in minutes, with over 62 tools that will help you create things Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out Marketing Magic website at https://marketingmagic.app/trial-sign-up Check out Menekse Stewart on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/menekse.stewart/ Check out Menekse Stewart on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/meneksestewart/ Check out Menekse Stewart on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmX2qzZ3u1R6gqB-NC0NDkg Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence: We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

Real Estate Syndication: A Golden Opportunity for Diversifying Your Portfolio In my role as the host of "The Thoughtful Entrepreneur," I had the opportunity to delve into the world of real estate syndication with Emma Powell, the driving force behind Rise Capital Investments and High Rise Group. Emma's journey began with a single-handed effort to syndicate commercial real estate deals, which quickly grew into a collective of investors forming Rise Capital Investments, while High Rise Group concentrated on investor marketing. Her insights are particularly valuable for business owners and leaders looking to add passive income through stable, risk-adjusted real estate investments, offering an alternative to the stock market's fluctuations. Emma Powell highlights the potential for real estate syndication to deliver returns between 10% to 30%, emphasizing the need to outperform the stock market and the importance of being prepared for the associated risks, such as undercapitalization. Her expertise extends to the art of attracting investment through well-crafted pitch decks, leveraging her background in graphic and information design. Emma believes in building trust through personal connections and recommends taking proactive steps, such as signing up for email lists and booking calls to explore investment opportunities more deeply. To conclude, Emma Powell's insights into real estate syndication serve as a guide for those aiming to diversify their portfolios and secure their financial futures. She underscores the importance of personalized engagement and the courage to take the first step towards investing. As a gesture of gratitude for her contributions, I invite listeners to access a free video on creating high-ticket sales appointments and encourage them to subscribe to "The Thoughtful Entrepreneur" for ongoing inspiration and empowerment in the world of business and investment. About Emma Powell: Emma Powell is a seasoned commercial real estate investor specializing in multifamily properties. With a strong belief in the importance of knowledge and risk mitigation in investments, Emma has dedicated their career to mastering the art of passive real estate investing. Leveraging various financial tools, such as self-directed IRAs, 401(k)s, 1031 exchanges, dividend-paying whole life insurance, HELOCs, and discretionary income, Emma has successfully built a diverse portfolio while enjoying passive cash flow, tax advantages, and substantial returns. About Rise Capital Investments: Rise Capital Investments is a pioneering, primarily women-owned investment firm specializing in real estate investments, with a primary focus on delivering exceptional returns for our clients. Our firm is committed to empowering individuals and businesses to achieve their financial goals by providing access to unique debt and equity investment opportunities in the real estate sector. Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out Rise Capital Investments website at https://risecapitalinvestments.co/home Check out Rise Capital Investments on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/rise-capital-investments/ Check out Emma Powell on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmapowell28/   Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence: We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the CEO and Founder of TRANSDEFY, Leenna Jayachaandran. Leenna Jayachaandran, the CEO and founder of the innovative company TransDefy, shared insights into sales performance improvement, the critical role of perspective in sales, and the dynamic shifts in B2B sales. This blog post highlights the valuable advice Leenna provided, which could transform sales strategies for organizations. TransDefy is not just another sales consultancy. Under Leenna's leadership, the company excels at transforming sales teams into high-performing units. Their approach transcends traditional training methods by instilling a deeper understanding of the sales process and its psychology, enabling sales teams to adapt to various scenarios and customer needs. Leenna emphasized how salespeople view their roles and how client interactions can significantly impact their success. Salespeople who see themselves as problem-solvers and partners with their clients rather than just vendors are more likely to build trust and long-term relationships. This shift in perspective leads to more meaningful engagements and better sales outcomes. Leenna also discussed the challenges sales teams face in the current environment, noting that resistance to change within sales organizations is a significant hurdle. However, she highlighted that these challenges present opportunities for growth and innovation. By embracing new technologies and methodologies, sales teams can differentiate themselves and deliver exceptional value to their clients. Key Points from the Episode: TransDefy's work in sales performance improvement The importance of perspective in sales Changing dynamics of B2B sales Challenges and opportunities in the sales environment Recommendations for organizations to upskill their sales teams About Leenna Jayachaandran: Leenna Jayachaandran is a distinguished CEO at TRANSDEFY and a consummate sales and transformation leader with deep-seated expertise in strategic planning and client relations across top-tier Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Dell. With over 25 years of experience in sales leadership, career coaching, and mentoring, Leenna has driven substantial revenue growth and enhanced service excellence. Her approach combines a rigorous methodological discipline, including Miller Heiman’s Strategic Selling, and a keen focus on building robust global teams, consistently leading to strong ROI and improved bottom lines for her clients. Leenna’s recognition as a leading Sales Consultant and a member of CHRO Asia’s “100 Best Global Coaches” underscores her ability to exceed client expectations and foster competitive success in fast-paced environments. Her awards in “Execution Excellence” and “Excellence in increasing the Market share” are testaments to her proficiency in turning around sales strategies and winning back crucial accounts. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Leenna is passionate about painting and reading leadership books, activities that enhance her creative and strategic thinking. About TRANSDEFY: TRANSDEFY is dedicated to redefining the sales landscape by focusing on boosting numbers and transforming the entire sales ecosystem. With deep insights into the complexities of the sales process, TRANSDEFY provides a tailored suite of solutions to optimize performance, enhance sales skills, and foster a culture of sales excellence. Their holistic approach ensures that every aspect of an organization’s sales operations is addressed, from skills training to strategic planning, providing a comprehensive enhancement of sales capabilities. The company prides itself on its client-centric methodology, which involves a three-step process of close collaboration with clients to understand their unique challenges and goals. This leads to customized solutions that directly align with each client’s business objectives. TRANSDEFY’s offerings include B2B sales assessments, training, consulting, and recruitment, all designed to equip businesses with the tools needed for sustainable success in the dynamic market landscape. They also integrate methodologies from the Miller Heiman Group™ to provide a structured, repeatable process that adapts seamlessly to current business opportunities. Tweetable Moments: 13:38 - "Perspective really helps you build that trust with your customers. It drives you to be more customer-centric, which is what your customers perceive as valuable." Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out TRANSDEFY’s  website at https://transdefy.com/ Check out TRANSDEFY on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/transdefy-fzc/ Check out TRANSDEFY on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/transdefy Check out TRANSDEFY on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/transdefy/ Check out TRANSDEFY on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBkIvDHXOAI5yFBad4b4R5g Check out  Leenna Jayachaandran on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainer-sales-consultant-coach/ More from UpMyInfluence: We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.