Leaders & Legacies

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the Owner of 360 Sales Consulting, Ben Brown. Ben is the author of the book "Master the Art of Closing the Sale," available on Amazon. He encourages readers to connect with him and offers a 50-minute session on his website, 360 Sales Consulting, for individuals seeking assistance with their sales strategies. Ben firmly believes that by identifying and addressing gaps in their sales approach, most people can easily increase their sales by 30-40%. Ben's decision to join the Marine Corps was driven by limited opportunities in his small hometown and a desire to stay close to his roots. Serving as an artilleryman, Ben's deep love for the Marine Corps shines through as he shares how this experience has profoundly shaped his life.Delving into a more personal aspect of his life, Ben opens up about being adopted as a child. After spending three years in foster care, Ben embarked on a journey to reconnect with his birth mother. After 42 years, they were finally reunited, discovering a strong resemblance and forming a close bond. Reflecting on the significance of this reunion, Ben emphasizes that every adopted child has a unique story. Reconnecting with his birth mother was a pivotal moment in his life, allowing him to forge a deeper connection with his roots and gain a better understanding of his identity.The conversation also explores Ben's leadership experiences, both in the Marine Corps and as a sales coach. Drawing from his time in the Marine Corps, Ben highlights the importance of action-oriented leadership and the value of having a team that believes in your leadership. He shares a personal story about a difficult decision he had to make regarding his marriage, drawing parallels to the tough choices leaders often face in a business setting.To learn more about Ben's work, check out their website at https://www.360salesconsulting.com/.Connect with Ben on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/360sales/.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the Founder and CEO of The Business Growers, Laura Johns. Laura's journey is as inspiring as it is impressive. She spent 18 years managing marketing efforts for tech startups and global multibillion-dollar businesses in the telecommunications industry. Her roots are in a small town in Mississippi, where her father was a judge. This upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility and a drive to succeed.Laura's husband, Jay, is a significant figure in her story. They both hail from the same small town, and their families now live less than a mile apart. Laura humorously notes that marrying someone from her hometown means she knows all the dirt about him. But more importantly, she emphasizes the crucial role Jay's support has played in her journey as a business owner.Laura is a firm believer in making decisions as a team, both in her marriage and in her work life. She recently sent out a survey to her team to gather feedback and suggestions for the upcoming year. While she acknowledges that it may be difficult to read some of the feedback, she values everyone's input and wants them to feel like they are part of the decision-making process.Laura explained that she is not personally administering the survey, but her assistant is, to ensure anonymity and encourage genuine responses. She emphasizes the importance of trust and immediate feedback in her organization's culture, and how she values open communication with her team.To learn more about Laura's work, check out their website at https://thebusinessgrowers.com/.Connect with Laura on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapickardjohns/.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Craig Andrews interviews Tom Kereszti, a Leadership Expert, who emphasizes the importance of people skills over technical knowledge in leadership. Kereszti, influenced by John Maxwell, believes that a leader's success is more about their character than their technical abilities. He advises leaders, particularly those in small businesses, to deeply understand their own values, passions, and strengths, as this self-awareness is key to effective leadership.Kereszti underscores the need for introspection and feedback in developing a strong leadership identity, using personal anecdotes to illustrate his points. He also discusses the Maxwell Leadership Model, focusing on servant leadership and the importance of prioritizing team needs over personal goals. Kereszti's experience of firing a top salesperson for violating company values highlights the significance of upholding a strong ethical standard in leadership. These insights offer a concise guide for leaders looking to enhance their skills.To learn more about Tom's work, check out their website at https://www.leadershipdisciples.com/. Connect with Tom on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaskereszti/. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

In this episode, host Craig Andrews interviews Lauren Goldstein, a doctor, host of the Biz Doctor podcast, and founder of Golden Key Partnership. They discuss Goldstein's background and her experiences living in different parts of the world. The conversation then shifts to leadership, with Goldstein emphasizing the importance of allowing employees to make mistakes and learn from them. She shares a personal experience of a significant mistake she made in her family's business, highlighting the lessons she learned from it. Goldstein also shares her definition of leadership and the qualities she believes good leaders possess.To learn more about Lauren's work, check out their website at https://www.goldenkeypartnership.com/. Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenegoldstein/. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the Owner of The Marketing Shop, Vicky Winkler. Vicky is no stranger to the marketing world. With a career spanning over three decades, she has seen it all. From her time in Nicaragua as a small business consultant to her tenure at Saturn Corporation, Vicky's experiences have shaped her unique approach to marketing and branding.She firmly believes in the power of branding and graphic design as key drivers of business success. According to Vicky, many businesses underestimate the impact of these elements, which can result in them falling behind their competitors.Vicky's experience at Saturn Corporation provided another valuable lesson. The company used an ad agency that none of the other car companies had used, incorporating unique elements like the iconic voice of Hal Riney in their marketing.Vicky emphasized the importance of understanding your target market and tailoring your branding and messaging to their preferences and interests. She shared an example of a client who wanted to brand their new company based on their personal preferences. However, Vicky advised that it's crucial to align the brand with the target audience's preferences and expectations, not just personal likes and dislikes.To learn more about Vicky's work, check out their website at https://www.tms.marketing/.Connect with Vicky on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickywinkler/.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

In this episode, Craig Andrews discusses with Julia Huang, CEO of Intertrend Communications, her journey from a Taiwanese American upbringing in Japan to leading a major creative agency. Julia shares how a candid remark about an airline's service during a dinner led to an unexpected advertising opportunity, highlighting the importance of seizing chances in business.She reflects on a crucial business lesson learned from resigning a significant telecommunications account, which resulted in a ten-year gap to regain a similar client. This experience taught her the value of diversifying client portfolios and preparing for economic uncertainties.Throughout the conversation, Julia emphasizes resilience and adaptability in the volatile advertising industry. She explains how Intertrend has expanded beyond traditional advertising, launching initiatives like the Intertrend Imprint Lab to support creative startups. This approach underscores the necessity of remaining vigilant and adaptable in business.Julia concludes by inviting listeners to contact her through the Intertrend website for further engagement, demonstrating her commitment to continuous innovation and industry leadership.To learn more about Julia's work, check out their website at https://intertrend.com/.Connect with Julia on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-y-huang-178960/.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the CEO of The Johnson Leadership Group, Kevin Johnson. Kevin's journey is an inspiring one. After graduating from college during a recession, he found it challenging to secure employment. However, following his mother's advice, he applied for a job in the federal government and was selected. This marked the beginning of his 34-year career in government, where he worked in various roles related to acquisition and contracting.His responsibilities ranged from purchasing goods and services for his agency, from office supplies to major weapon systems. He enjoyed his role as it allowed him to be a property manager, negotiator, and even part attorney. After 25 years, Kevin transitioned to a different work role to gain more experience and perspective.During our conversation, Kevin shared some valuable leadership lessons. He emphasized the importance of communication and understanding in leadership. Leaders, he believes, need to have conversations with their team members to determine the best fit for them and address any stagnation. By being good listeners, leaders demonstrate that they care about what their team members have to say.Kevin also highlighted three fundamental needs that everyone has: affirmation, a sense of belonging, and inclusion. Leaders should appreciate and acknowledge their team members, make them feel part of a tribe or community, and ensure they feel included. These three needs are crucial for individuals' well-being and can contribute to their overall happiness and productivity.Kevin's involvement in suicide prevention is another aspect of his work that he shared. He noticed an increasing feeling of isolation, loneliness, and depression among people, leading to thoughts of suicide. Kevin is passionate about raising awareness and educating others on this topic. Kevin was appointed as the faith community commissioner on the Commission for Suicide Prevention in Maryland, where he works to share information, manage state plans, and collaborate with faith community leaders.To learn more about Kevin's work, check out their website at https://thejohnsonleadershipgroup.com/.Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwaynejohnson/.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Lauren Cockerell, Kwedar Company's founder, emphasized the value of embracing change and making brave choices in leadership. Her decision to quit golf at Rhodes College showcases a crucial leadership lesson: knowing when to step away from what no longer benefits you. This choice illustrates effective leadership’s necessity to recognize and act upon change for the greater good.Lauren's transition from an unexpected job loss during pregnancy to founding her own company, Kwedar, exemplifies turning adversity into opportunity. This move demonstrates resilience and adaptability, key traits of effective leadership. Her experience highlights how challenges can become pivotal moments for professional and personal growth.Kwedar's growth under Lauren’s leadership underscores the importance of trust and empowerment. Facing her partner's departure, Lauren prioritized her team, demonstrating a people-first leadership approach. Her team's trust and encouragement, especially in projects like "The Impatient Entrepreneur" podcast, reflect strong leader-team relationships. This approach highlights leadership’s role in creating a collaborative environment for mutual growth.To learn more about Lauren's work, check out their website at https://www.kwedarco.com/.Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Mauricio Berber's conversation offers key leadership insights. An immigrant from Mexico, he quickly rose to be the youngest bank manager at 21 but then switched careers to install safety cameras under garbage trucks. This unconventional move, driven by a desire to prevent accidents, underscores the importance of adaptability and pursuing impactful goals.Facing initial rejections and financial struggles, Mauricio's resilience and persistence stand out. He used personal savings to survive tough times, highlighting the sacrifices often inherent in entrepreneurship. His current venture, Predictive Coach, demonstrates his leadership qualities. This technology-driven solution aims to reduce risky driver behavior, reflecting Mauricio's commitment to societal impact and innovative employee engagement.Mauricio's journey exemplifies key leadership traits: adaptability, resilience, risk-taking, and a focus on positive change. His story illustrates that success can follow diverse paths, anchored by a clear vision and strong values.To learn more about Mauricio's work, check out their website at https://predictivecoach.com/.Connect with Mauricio on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricio-berber-a72280a/.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the CEO of Let’s Go Win, JM Ryerson. JM Ryerson is a man of many talents. He has founded and sold three businesses, authored best-selling books, and now dedicates his time to helping leadership teams achieve their peak performance. His mission is to enhance culture, increase leadership, and inspire people to live their best lives by overcoming self-limiting beliefs.When asked about the current economic situation, JM shared an interesting perspective. He believes that even in challenging times, individuals have control over their attitude and activity. He recalled how his business grew during the 2008-2010 recession because he adapted to the challenges. JM's experience is a powerful reminder that companies must evolve and change to succeed, regardless of the economic climate. He hasn't seen any negative impact on his business and sees many people thriving despite the economic situation.To learn more about JM 's work, check out their website at https://www.letsgowin.com/.Connect with JM on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jm-ryerson/.Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.