Leaders & Legacies

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the Owner of Lesix Agency, Robert Lee. Lesix Agency, a marketing agency that has a bold vision to help companies double their sales in just 90 days. Robert, with over 15 years of marketing experience, is a certified partner of Digital Marketer, a world-class community of marketers and marketing educators.Robert's journey started as a marketing consultant for a small engineering firm in Chicago, driven by a desire to help people tell their stories better and connect with their audiences more effectively. Over the years, he has built multiple companies, weathered successes and failures, and forged strong relationships in the industry.The conversation took a deeply personal turn as Robert reflected on the loss of his father and son. His father, a car salesman known as the "deal maker," was excited about raising his grandson. Robert finds comfort in the belief that his father is now raising his son for eternity, eagerly waiting to share stories about him when they reunite. Robert emphasized the importance of personal happiness and self-validation. He believes that it doesn't matter if others express their happiness with his decisions, as long as he can look at himself in the mirror and say he is happy with where he is.To learn more about Robert's work, check out their website at https://lesix.agency/.Connect with Robert on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwlee2/.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 Life Coach of FitWithDerick, Derick Johnson. Derrick, shared his story of overcoming hate and using it as fuel to drive his life. He opened up about his childhood, marked by the challenging circumstances of growing up in a home where alcoholism and rage were prevalent. Despite these circumstances, Derrick was able to stay calm in moments when most people would break down or snap.To deal with the trauma, Derrick turned to fitness and faith. Pushing his body and mind past their pain thresholds helped him find calmness, while his faith gave him the motivation to help others. He believes that people who have experienced trauma have the gift of being able to connect with others on a deeper level and give them the love and support they need.Derrick shared his experiences in leadership and the lessons he has learned. He discussed both positive and negative examples of leadership. He criticized the "my way or the highway" approach, emphasizing that it can lower team morale and create an uncomfortable environment. He highlighted the importance of good leaders who can read people and adjust their approach accordingly. Derrick believes that emotional awareness, or emotional intelligence (EQ), is crucial for effective leadership.To learn more about Derick's work, check out their website at https://fitwithderick.com/.Connect with Derick on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/derickjohnson1/.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 Director and Founder of Proverbial Door, Moeed Amin. Moeed is no ordinary guest, his unique approach to sales, backed by his expertise in neuroscience and psychology, has helped his clients generate over £200 million in additional revenue and funding. His journey into the world of sales began with a rather unusual incident - a neuroscience textbook falling on his head; this event sparked a realization about the importance of understanding the buyer's perspective, a concept often overlooked in traditional sales training.For the next 15 years, Moeed became a high performer in sales, attributing his success to his newfound perspective. As obvious as it may seem, thinking from the customer's perspective can be challenging, especially for companies that are ego-centric. Moeed explains that our brains are naturally self-centered, making it difficult to be truly empathetic.To learn more about Moeed's work, check out their website at https://www.proverbialdoor.com/.Connect with Moeed on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/moeedamin/.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 Keynote Speaker, Subject of Patagonia Film "The Scale of Hope," Founder of Systemic Impact Strategies, and Former White House Climate Advisor, Molly Kawahata. Molly's work focuses on climate strategy consulting and organizational development around hope-based leadership. She believes that hope is not just a wish or optimism, but a belief that the future can be better and that individuals have the agency to make it better. Molly shared that increasing hope levels in organizations can have profound effects on retention, productivity, employee engagement, and team dynamics. She explained that hope counters fear and that by activating the hope circuit in the brain, the fear circuits turn off. This simple yet effective approach can significantly improve mental health and well-being in the workplace.Molly introduced the framework of hope, which consists of three building blocks: goals, agency, and pathways. Goals refer to the daily objectives that individuals set for themselves, both short-term and long-term. Agency, also known as willpower, is the energy and motivation to execute strategies and achieve goals. Pathways are the roadmaps or strategies individuals use to reach their goals.She emphasized the importance of aligning employees' goals with their desires and providing them with a sense of control over their goals. By understanding the specific problem, interventions and performance improvement plans can be tailored to address the root cause.To learn more about Molly's work, check out their website at https://mollykawahata.com/.Connect with Molly on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollykawahata/.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 Accountability Coach, Kandas Rodarte. Kandas is a force to be reckoned with within the digital marketing world. She launched a custom furniture e-commerce website in 1999, a YouTube talk show in 2012, and her long-running podcast in 2014. Her drive and motivation stem from living with metastatic breast cancer, a journey that has only fueled her determination to get things done.Kandas shared three lessons she learned from a mechanic named Hans, a former Nazi soldier. Hans' respectful treatment and exceptional service left a lasting impression on Kandas. However, it was his confession about his past and his remorse for admiring a fascist leader that taught Candace the importance of kindness, going above and beyond, and being cautious about whom to place one's belief in.Kandas and her husband transitioned from being newlyweds to business partners and parents, they had a journey that was not without its challenges. Their first website was a disaster, and they had to start from scratch. By 2004, they had 40 dealers in 25 states carrying their furniture. However, the 2008 recession forced them to rethink their business model. They tripled their prices, improved quality, and shifted their marketing strategy to target direct-to-consumer sales. Their resilience paid off when their bed was featured in Elle Decor, becoming their best-selling product for the next nine years.To learn more about Kandas' work, check out their website at https://momgeek.com/.Connect with Kandas on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gratitudegeek/.Check out Kandas' podcast, Gratitude Geek, at https://momgeek.com/subscribe/.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 President and CEO of 20four7VA, Catherine vanVonno. Contrary to popular belief, the role of a virtual assistant extends beyond administrative tasks. As Catherine explained, VAs can be web developers, marketers, bookkeepers, and more. The only requirements are access to a computer, phone line, and internet connection. This flexibility allows VAs to work remotely from anywhere in the world, breaking down geographical barriers and opening up a world of opportunities.The rise of remote work opportunities has had a positive impact on countries like the Philippines and India, the two biggest hubs for virtual assistants. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this shift, with companies realizing that many jobs can be done remotely. This has led to workers leaving expensive areas like Silicon Valley in search of more affordable living conditions.There is great importance in providing job opportunities that are safe and free from exploitation, as many workers in the Philippines face unsafe conditions and exploitation continuously. Catherine explained that by offering lower labor rates, offshore job opportunities enable businesses to provide safer and fairer work conditions.To learn more about Catherine's work, check out their website at https://20four7va.com/.Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinevanvonno/.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 Core Authenticity, Jeff Koziatek. Jeff is a man of many talents, as a coach, speaker, performer, podcast host, and author. Jeff's journey from a juggler to a coach is as fascinating as inspiring. Jeff began juggling at the tender age of 11. It was a decision made by his mother, who chose a juggling workshop over a magic one for him. Despite his initial reluctance, Jeff stuck with it and honed his skills over time. Jeff's transition from entertainment to coaching was a significant shift in his career. He now uses his juggling skills to give back to the community by offering free presentations to kids in areas where he is hired for keynotes or coaching packages.Jeff introduced the concepts of the challenger mindset and the champion mindset. The challenger mindset is focused on comparing, competing, contending, and controlling; the champion mindset, on the other hand, is about engaging, equipping, empowering, and encouraging. With the concept of intentionality and its connection to meaning and purpose in life, Jeff believes that many people feel lost and frustrated because they are searching for purpose and worth.To learn more about Jeff's work, check out their website at https://www.coreauthenticity.com/.Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkoziatek/.Check out Jeff's book, Blueprint For Value, at https://www.coreauthenticity.com/author/.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 Co-Owner and Founder of Weinstein Wealth Insurance Solutions, Bruce Weinstein. Bruce Weinstein, fondly known as the "Plan Man," has over 35 years of experience in the insurance and wealth-building space. Bruce's journey began in 1986 as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch. As the industry evolved, he shifted towards financial planning, addressing both investment and insurance risks. His mantra is simple yet profound: "Without a plan, it's difficult to know if you'll reach your desired destination and have enough money when you get there."Bruce describes his role as a financial advisor, emphasizing the importance of education and making sure clients fully grasp information before moving forward. He likened a financial plan to a GPS, constantly rerouting based on market changes and life events. He also shared a personal story of a health scare that made him realize the importance of having a solid financial plan in place.Bruce touches on the challenges faced by insurance companies in areas prone to natural disasters, like hurricanes in South Florida. Bruce explains how the departure of carriers and increasing risk have led to rising insurance rates, emphasizing the need for insurance companies to have enough capital.To learn more about Bruce's work, check out their website at https://weinsteinwealth.com/.Connect with Bruce on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucemweinstein/.Check out Bruce's podcast, Ask the Plan Man, at https://asktheplanman.com/.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 Wall Printer, Paul Baron. Paul is a seasoned business professional with experience in various sectors such as B2B, B2B, retail, manufacturing, distribution, international business, and franchising. He is known for his ability to develop and launch successful business concepts, leading to revenue growth and successful exits for startups and established businesses. Paul thrives in fast-paced, high-energy environments and values diversity and a positive culture.Paul is frequently invited to speak at industry events and serves as a mentor to business owners and student interns at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He participates in a mentoring program where experienced individuals from various fields come together to help businesses and individuals with their challenges and opportunities. Due to his recognition in the community, Paul is often asked to guest lecture at relevant classes, sharing his journey and insights with students.To learn more about Paul's work, check out their website at https://thewallprinter.com/en/.Connect with Paul on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbbaron/.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 Co-Founder and Business Strategist of Visionary Horizons Consulting Group, Craig Paxson. Craig is a seasoned strategist and co-author of the best-selling business book Unstuck: Ten Proven Strategies for Breaking Through the Barriers to Small Business Growth. Craig emphasizes the importance of true strategy over mere long-term planning. He believes that many businesses, especially those with less than 100 employees, focus too much on planning and not enough on developing a winning strategy.Craig's approach involves helping businesses identify their target market, understand their competitors, and determine how to differentiate themselves to attract customers. He also assists businesses in developing pricing strategies that align with their value proposition.To learn more about Craig's work, check out their website at https://vhconsultinggroup.com/.Connect with Craig on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpaxson/.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/.