365 Driven

When building a brand, people often put their focus on the wrong areas and then wonder why the brand isn’t taking off. When we’re talking branding, especially apparel, people are usually buying into an idea or another person and what they stand for, and not necessarily just the products themselves. Building a message that you know other people need to hear is an essential first step in getting people to be interested in your brand. Find a community that will rally around that message, inspire them with your ideas, and they will want to buy what you create as their way of supporting your idea. This is the slow yet brilliant approach that led to the very successful launch of the apparel company Official Patriot Gear, owned by Ian Wendt. Ian Wendt is an expert in sales, an accomplished creative, speaker, and a marketing professional. Ian’s passion has always been about serving others by helping them to reach new levels of performance both in their professional and personal lives. With his successful history in communication sales, Ian turned his focus on launching his own brand and apparel company, Official Patriot Gear. Their message is simple: patriotism is not partisan or exclusive. He’s taking that message to the masses and drawing attention to some of the most controversial and polarizing subjects of today’s culture and society. At the age of 34, Ian has established himself as an influential leader and teacher. In this episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, Ian Wendt talks about the importance of always chasing fulfillment, focusing on adding value to others, embracing challenges, not being afraid to reinvent yourself, and what it means to be a Patriot. Ian credits a lot of his success to making the decision to stop caring what other people think about him. Although we hear this advice a lot, few people have actually put that into action. Releasing the fear of judgment or how others may perceive you will free you to do so much more and align with people that will resonate with your message. That is how you build an unstoppable brand.  Key highlights: Fulfillment should be constant  How to be successful: Find gaps and find a way to fill them Put yourself in challenging situations so you can grow from them Society’s two biggest problems: Apathy and entitlement  The 3 things that drive people: Money, power, and control About Official Patriot Gear: What is it and how did it start? Why building an identity around politics is dangerous How to build a powerful brand Putting your audience into perspective if you think you don’t have a big enough following to make a difference in the world For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit: 365driven.com/episode304

If you’re in the business world, you have probably heard of the term “vertical integration". But what exactly does that mean? This very strategic business approach could be part of a number of moves you can make to build a rock-solid business that would weather a recession. Jeff Fenster is back on the 365 Driven podcast, and Jeff is an expert in vertical integration and serial entrepreneurship. Jeff Fenster is the CEO of Everbowl, a best-selling author, and podcast host. Jeff is an award-winning entrepreneur who credits his success to one thing: the art of building and maintaining relationships. His businesses range from a quick-serve restaurant chain, Payroll & HR company, a digital marketing agency, and a construction company. He was named a Top 100 Entrepreneur in America under the age of 35, a Top 40 Executive under 40 by the Business Journal, a finalist for CEO of the Year by Ernst & Young, and was named a Top Entrepreneur to follow for 2022. He has appeared on over 500 podcasts, created courses for LinkedIn Learning, and speaks across the country on entrepreneurial mindset, authentic networking, and vertical integration.  In this episode, Jeff delivers so much gold when it comes to building, growing, and protecting powerful businesses. As someone that has built and scaled various types of businesses, Jeff reveals where so many entrepreneurs go wrong which doesn’t allow their business to flourish and thrive. If you are tied to your business and you can’t take a vacation without it falling apart, this episode is for you. Another very important aspect of owning a business is making sure it is profitable. Jeff offers a different perspective here. What if instead of focusing on how to make more money in your business, you use your entrepreneurial problem-solving ability to come up with ways to keep more money? That is what vertical integration is all about and you are going to want to hear how Jeff does it.  Key highlights: What is vertical integration? Where a lot of entrepreneurs go wrong What not to do when hiring team members How to build great teams in your business Being an effective leader Lessons on ego and self-awareness Don't solve problems, erase problems Making your business recession-proof Why experience is overrated in building businesses Do you need a business partner? Jeff’s advice to beginners About Jeff’s upcoming podcast: The Success Formula  For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit: 365driven.com/episode303

Sun Yi, an entrepreneur and TEDx speaker, discusses mastering authenticity on social media. He emphasizes the 'Goldilocks of personal branding,' balancing transparency without oversharing. Sun reveals his successful content strategy, highlighting the importance of genuine interactions over mere posting. He also illustrates the power of authentic storytelling and vulnerability in building deeper connections. Listeners will learn how to craft engaging content that resonates and fosters loyalty, transforming their approach to personal branding.

In the personal development space, we often hear the advice to be authentic and to ensure we are operating from a place of authenticity, but what happens if you don’t know who you are? This happens more often than you might think, and even celebrities deal with identity struggles. In the entrepreneurial world, you have to have clarity in who you are, and who you are speaking to, or the disconnect will be apparent. Jonathan George is here on the 365 Driven Podcast to dive deep into personal branding and offer a different perspective on what exactly it all means and how to achieve it the right way. Jonathan George is the CEO of a Personal Branding Agency called Unleash Your Rockstar. His clients have amassed over 150 million online followers leading him to be dubbed “The Human Hitmaker.” As a specialist in creating, positioning, and expanding authentic rockstar personal brands to scale business brands, Jonathan has worked with top brands including Chanel, Universal, Sony ATV, Hulu, FOX, and Disney. As a thought leader on the topic, he also utilizes it as one of the hottest tools for self-development for GenZers and Millennials. In this episode, Jonathan explains why it is so crucial to understand who you are in this day and age. With social media, so many of us get caught up in comparing ourselves to others, leading to anxiety and overwhelm. If we haven't taken the time to overcome the insecurities we had as children, we can carry them into adulthood without even realizing it, and then we let those insecurities turn into excuses as to why we can’t go after our goals. With mental health on the decline, it is becoming increasingly important to break through the walls and barriers that are holding you back and be the person you are meant to be. Unleashing your rockstar means unapologetically being who you are. Key highlights: The mental effects of social media The number one thing that will hold you back from reaching your dreams  Jonathan’s rebirthing experience and how he found real confidence Why personal branding is more than just colors and fonts How Jonathan helps people figure out how they want to show up in the world Why you need to understand your weaknesses Learning how to tell your story in a way that connects to your audience  Oversharing: how do you know when it becomes too much? Crisis Management: How to diffuse situations you are not proud of Controlling how people perceive you Why your personal brand shouldn't be built around your business Why a personal brand is portable and can be pivoted for any business For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit: 365driven.com/episode301

With the popularity of video content skyrocketing on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and of course YouTube, it is becoming more apparent that as an entrepreneur, you should be taking advantage of these platforms to reach your ideal customers. The most effective and powerful entrepreneurs are those that know how to tell their message, create engaging content, build that know, like, and trust factor, and bring people into their world. One of the most valuable skills in the modern era is knowing how to reach your customers through video content, and according to Sean Cannell, video podcasting is one of the biggest opportunities in 2023. In this episode of 365 Driven, Sean explains exactly what you need to get started with video content today. Sean Cannell is the CEO of Think Media and host of the Think Media Podcast. He is one of today’s leading online video experts and the world’s most-watched YouTube strategist. Sean has been featured on Forbes.com, CNBC, Social Media Examiner, Entrepreneur.com, and Success.com. After growing an eight-figure income as a “Tech YouTuber,” he built a multimillion-dollar online video education company that he still runs today. Sean is also an international speaker, coach, and prolific content creator. His mission is to help ten thousand purpose-driven people create a full-time living with YouTube. Creating video content can be intimidating and you might already have a bunch of excuses as to why you can’t get started. What is waiting for you on the other side of consistently releasing videos, is more leads, more impact, more customers, more purpose, more personal development, and more growth for your brand and business. Sean urges you to punch fear and perfection in the face, just get started where you are right now, and grow from there. Sean’s simple and accessible approach squashes any barriers or excuses you might have and sheds light on the important aspects that you should be paying attention to in order to gain traction with your content, whether that be long or short-form videos. If you haven’t thought about getting on YouTube, Sean reveals what you are missing out on, and why you should take advantage of the platform to optimize your brand. Key highlights: How Sean got started with video content Why entrepreneurs should release content on YouTube Getting over the fears and hurdles of starting with video content Do downloads, views, comments, and likes matter? Sean’s perfect video recipe for getting more views and attention on YouTube The biggest mistake that 99% of entrepreneurs are making with video content What makes a good YouTube thumbnail?  How to get people to click on your videos The importance of hooking people in within the first 3 seconds Key metrics for hacking the YouTube algorithm How to get started in the next 24 hours For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit: 365driven.com/episode300

Too often when people fail at something that they have been working hard toward, the default reaction is to give up or rebound hard in the opposite direction, but it doesn’t have to be so extreme. Or maybe the opposite is true and you reached a big milestone you have been aiming for, so you celebrate big and then fall off the wagon. When you fail at something or even reach your goal, that doesn’t have to be the end. Failure can be a great gift that teaches you very valuable lessons if you know how to pay attention. Success also teaches you a great deal, but don't lose sight of the habits that got you there. Sustainability and consistency are the keys. Chris Warnes is a great example of how to build and maintain a successful business and authority, and how to take failure as a lesson. Chris Warnes is a serial entrepreneur, independent watch dealer, business coach, life mentor, speaker, and author focused on self-awareness, purpose, spirituality, mindset, leadership, company culture, and the true meaning of entrepreneurship. After two tours in Iraq with the Army, Chris was awarded The Purple Heart and now lives, breathes, and teaches the warrior mindset. His companies operate from the culture and core values that he lives by and represents. His care for people, discipline, and accountability sets him apart from others. In over 15 years, Chris has built six companies, including online fitness coaching, a full-service gym, real estate investing, dealing high-end timepieces, Warrior Consulting, and most recently, a Non-Profit. Chris has recently also become two companies’ managing/equity partner for his leadership, expertise, and knowledge. In this episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, Chris shares what he learned from a near-death experience while serving in the military, and why we need to shift how we view failure and see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. The journey is more important than the finish line, and once you reach that finish line, don’t take it as an excuse to go back to old habits, but instead celebrate, and then get back to work. Chris also shares how he built his online presence and became an authority in the fitness industry, and now coaching space. People often think they don’t have the credibility or knowledge to be an authority in their space, but Chris and Tony offer a different perspective and share how you can get started creating content today.  Key highlights: What Chris learned about himself in combat after serving 2 tours in the military  Chris and Tony’s thoughts on 75 Hard Why you should see failure as a lesson How Chris pivoted his business to meet market demand How to create content that will build authority and an audience Chris’ words of advice for people that have a goal but are afraid to pursue it For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit: 365driven.com/episode299

To attract your ideal audience and the kind of people you want to be surrounded with, the key is to be your true self and stop trying to make everyone like you. No matter what you do, there will always be people that have negative things to say, and that can increase as you become more successful. Instead of being the person you think other people want you to be, or copying someone else you see online, build your own personal brand by being yourself and the right people will follow. Steve Currington has a great story of building his personal brand by being true to himself and following the guidance of a great coach. Steve Currington is a well-known mortgage banker and entrepreneur. He is a VP at CrossCountry Mortgage and has become a prominent figure in the industry. Steve has been recognized as one of the top mortgage originators in the United States. Steve is also known for his philanthropic work in the Tulsa community and has been actively involved in a number of charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and has been recognized for his contributions to the community. In addition to his professional and philanthropic work, Steve is also an avid car enthusiast and uses his love of cars to connect with people in the automobile industry. In 2019 Steve took his love of Lamborghini to the internet and created the YouTube channel LambroSteve to highlight his cars and share his experiences outside of the mortgage company he runs.  In this episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, Steve and Tony discuss the true value of hiring a business coach and how to know if you are ready to make that commitment. Steve shares how he got into the mortgage business, how he overcame substance addictions and traded them for Lamborghinis and airplanes, and how he uses them as marketing strategies.  Key highlights: The true value of a business coach  How to become a leader before you are recognized as a leader How Steve found his “purple cow” Steve’s reasons for having exotic cars and an airplane Benefits of having expensive hobbies Why Steve decided to utilize social media more, and how he went viral on YouTube The Lambo effect For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit: 365driven.com/episode298

Everyone wants to find their purpose and operate from that place, but what if we are chasing our purpose in the wrong way? Purpose is not something you have to achieve, it is what you are. You are either allowing yourself to be who and what you are, or you are restricting who and what you are. Every person has a unique function and by being who you are meant to be, there are amazing byproducts. Jesse Elder helps people dig into who they truly are and live a life that is authentically aligned with that unique purpose and vision. Jesse Elder is a speaker, mentor, entrepreneur, and all-around lover of life. He has devoted his life to sharing his principles of self-mastery with people all around the world. Through his popular Mind Vitamin videos, online courses, events, and private coaching, Jesse teaches others how to create their own success and fulfillment, reclaim their personal freedom, and master their reality.  In this episode of the 365 Driven podcast, Jesse shares his upbringing of being homeschooled, watching his dad get arrested and go to prison for standing up for his beliefs, and how that shaped his view of the world. Jesse talks about his experience growing up learning martial arts, and how getting into a fight at 19 gave him the reality check that propelled him to question everything he thought he knew. He realized everyone feels like they know the truth, but we all can’t think the same thing about everything. Jesse had been seeking the truth, but he came to realize that he never actually wanted to feel as though he had arrived at the truth. He stopped asking what is true and started asking what is useful. Tune in for more. Key highlights: The purpose of pain Our relationship with fear The problem with inauthenticity  How to stay connected to your intuition How Jesse helps people connect to their true purpose How to be emotionally sovereign  A simple exercise to get connected to your purpose  How to create content that people will resonate with For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit: 365driven.com/episode297

In this episode I share some mindset awareness, specifically around living with wants vs needs, materials vs memories, and why you should invest more in experiences and memories. I also announce our next live, in-person event! We're going to Portugal on July 3-7, 2023. The event is limited to 40 attendees. You will find information at 365driven.com

The definition of rehabilitation is to restore someone to their former condition, but a more helpful and empowering method is reinvention. We always want to be improving and gaining skills that make us better humans, and it is totally possible to completely reinvent ourselves into whatever version we want to be. Today’s guest has an incredible comeback story of going from facing prison time for a felony, to being a successful CEO of Elevate Addiction Services.  Angie Manson began drinking and using drugs at just 11 years old, was arrested and went to rehab at 16, and faced 10 years in prison at 21 years old. Due to a compassionate judge, Angie was sentenced to treatment instead. A couple of months in, she started working and giving back and realized her true purpose was to help others overcome the struggles she once faced. After completing 3-years of probation and working full-time in treatment, that same Judge erased all of Angie’s criminal record and gave her a completely clean slate. Angie used the opportunity to turn her life around and reinvent herself. Angie has now worked in alcohol and drug rehabilitation full-time for 28 years and empowers individuals to stay sober and reach their true potential with her unique and copyrighted method.  In this episode, Angie shares her story of what led to her addiction early in her life, and emphasizes the importance of parents having those tough, but very necessary conversations about drugs and alcohol with their children sooner rather than later. With the current opioid overdose crisis in our country, largely due to accidental Fentanyl ingestion, it has become even more important for parents to be aware of the hazards and prevention. Angie also dives into the topic of how to be an effective leader of an organization, personal branding, scaling, and using criticism to your benefit. Key highlights: Angie’s comeback story of being addicted to drugs and alcohol, facing prison time, and eventually completely reinventing herself as a successful CEO Angie’s advice to parents to look at clues that their kids may be getting into substance abuse What people need to know about the Fentanyl crisis  Why Angie’s approach to overcoming addiction works and changes lives How Angie grew her company from a small team to one of 100 team members currently  Why EQ matters more than IQ when it comes to running a company Qualities of a great leader Growing pains Angie saw as a business owner Angie’s advice to business owners in hiring team members Personal branding and owning your uniqueness  How to handle haters and critics and use criticism to your benefit For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit: 365driven.com/episode295