INspired INsider Podcast

Jennifer Martin is a co-founder of Pip Snacks. She and her older brother Jeff started Pipsnacks in 2012 with $3,000 in the bank, first handing out their product in hand-stamped brown bags. Along the way, the pair received funding on an episode of Shark Tank from Barbara Corcoran. Their better-for-you popcorn brand, which comes in flavors like rosemary, truffle, and sea salt, now sells in Whole Foods, Target and more. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [0:40] Jennifer Martin joins the podcast to talk about Pip Snacks. [2:50] Popular flavors and products. [4:20] When did heirloom snacks come from? What is it like working with family? [6:40] Why it's a good idea to grow slow. [8:00] Closing thoughts. In this episode… Did you know that slow growth can actually be healthy and beneficial for your business? It's true! While fast growth is desired by many, the truth is - it's often unsustainable. On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from business leader and innovator Jennifer Martin. In her conversation with Jeremy, Jennifer opens up about how Pip Snacks started, challenges they have faced along the way, what it was like appearing on Shark Tank, and so much more. You don't want to miss a minute of this fascinating episode featuring Jennifer's story! Small business owners are an ambitious bunch. These business leaders see the market and they dream of building something they can be proud of and put their name on. But what if the very desire and impulse to build something quick is harmful to their efforts? According to Jennifer Martin, the best thing they could have done for their small startup is to slow the growth to a manageable level. What good is all the traffic if you can't fill the orders? Sometimes, slow growth is the way to go! Would you ever work with your family? Seriously! While some people dream of working with the people they love - others cringe at the thought. Is there a way to run your business with family members why maintaining healthy roles and responsibilities? Jennifer Martin and her brother Jeff were excited to launch Pipsnacks in 2012, but they knew that the deck was stacked against them. To keep their roles clear and their relationship healthy, Jennifer and Jeff focused on staying within their areas of expertise. What can you learn from Jennifer's story with Pip Snacks? Make sure to check out the link to their site located in the resources section! Resources Mentioned on this episode www.pipsnacks.com Shark Tank Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We connect you with strategic partnerships through our done for you podcast solution which is the best thing I have done for my business. Our Done for you Podcast service - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast and make sure you get ROI from it. We distribute your show across more than 11 different channels (spotify, google play, itunes, and many more) including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner, podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. The most important piece that most are missing is the right strategy and we make sure our clients get ROI so it becomes one of the most valuable parts of your strategic partnerships. Since this requires a lot of humans (we have operations, developers, writers, audio editors, video editors) to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. If using a podcast for strategic partnerships, content marketing, and increasing clients and referrals sounds interesting to you go to www.Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran. For larger conferences and software companies we have done an onsite podcast booth and created a years worth of content in just a few days. So if you are holding an event or your company will be having a booth at an event let us know. Check out Rise25.com and also some see some examples of our VIP Events below. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

Wanda James is the founder and CEO of Simply Pure Dispensary. Along with her husband Scott Durrah, they became the first African Americans, legally licensed in America, to own a dispensary, a cultivation facility and an edible company. As a leading advocate in the cannabis industry, Wanda's political and entrepreneurial work on cannabis reform has led to her being named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis by High Times magazine in 2018, one of the 2016 Cannabis Business Executive (CBE) 50 Most Important Women in the Cannabis Industry, and has been featured in numerous shows including The BBC, Democracy Now,The Atlantic, MIC.com, MSNBC, Smile Jamaica, ViceLand, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, CBS Sunday Morning Holiday Special, "Eat, Drink and be Merry" and CNBC's Marijuana USA. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [2:45] Jeremy welcomes his guest, Wanda James. [4:40] Wanda talks about cannabis and the history of slave labor in the US. [15:00] What was Wanda's childhood like? [18:45] Why did Wanda join the armed service? [22:00] The decision to open up a cannabis dispensary. [26:30] Security measures that Wanda and her team take. [29:30] Writing the rules for edibles. What are the most popular products? [34:15] The most surprising uses for cannabis. [38:00] The joys and challenges of working with your spouse. [42:50] Common misconceptions for THC and CBD. [48:30] Future plans for Simply Pure and closing thoughts from Wanda. In this episode… What does the social justice movement have to do with cannabis? Do THC and CBD really have all the benefits that many advocates list? How does someone even get started in the cannabis industry? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from business leader and entrepreneur Wanda James. In her conversation with Jeremy, Wanda opens up about her childhood, what she learned from her brother's experience in prison, why she decided to get involved in the cannabis industry, challenges she has faced along the way, and much more. You'll want to pay close attention to this fascinating episode featuring Wanda's story! Can you imagine what it would be like to learn that your long lost sibling was just released from prison? What type of thoughts would be going through your head at that moment? Would you be worried about outbursts of violence? As it turns out, thousands of Americans have been locked up for years for merely possessing a certain amount of cannabis at the time of their arrest. When Wanda James learned this was part of her brother's story - she was filled with rage. Instead of letting her anger drive her to a negative place - she decided to harness that anger and turn it toward social justice. Today, Wanda is a champion and advocate for criminal justice reform and full legalization of cannabis across the nation. When you look back on your childhood, what stands out? Do you remember all the things you had and special treats you received or do you remember the way you felt and the people who you grew up around? While you might think that children grow up with an acute sense of their family's financial situation - the truth is - many never notice until adulthood. Wanda James remembers calling up her father while she was attending college to complain that she never realized that they were poor. Wanda's father quickly corrected her and explained that they were often "Broke", but they weren't poor - poor is a mindset. Did you have a similar experience to Wanda's childhood? How did you respond when you realized the financial situation of your family growing up? Why would someone change gears and go from a successful career in the business world and restaurant industry and decide to work in an industry that the federal government still considers "Illegal." To many, Wanda and her husband, Scott's affinity for cannabis can as a surprise, and they were quickly warned that this foray into cannabis would destroy their career. Thankfully, the naysayers were wrong - Wanda and Scott's businesses increased and expanded due to cannabis legalization in Colorado. Leveraging their experience as uses and advocates of cannabis, Scott and Wanda enjoy a loyal following as they continue the effort to see cannabis legalized nationwide. Make sure to check out the link to Simply Pure located in the resources section at the end of this post! Resources Mentioned on this episode www.SimplyPure.com Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We connect you with strategic partnerships through our done for you podcast solution which is the best thing I have done for my business. Our Done for you Podcast service - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast and make sure you get ROI from it. We distribute your show across more than 11 different channels (spotify, google play, itunes, and many more) including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner, podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. The most important piece that most are missing is the right strategy and we make sure our clients get ROI so it becomes one of the most valuable parts of your strategic partnerships. Since this requires a lot of humans (we have operations, developers, writers, audio editors, video editors) to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. If using a podcast for strategic partnerships, content marketing, and increasing clients and referrals sounds interesting to you go to www.Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran. For larger conferences and software companies we have done an onsite podcast booth and created a years worth of content in just a few days. So if you are holding an event or your company will be having a booth at an event let us know. Check out Rise25.com and also some see some examples of our VIP Events below. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

Joy Thompkins and Carol Podolak are the founders of Bnutty - a gourmet peanut butter company. With 10 exciting flavors such as Irresistible Pretzel, Blissful Blueberry, Salted Caramel and S'mores - Bnutty has a unique and exciting take on peanut butter. Starting with a honey roasted nut, this crunchy peanut butter snack has a satisfying texture and delicious flavor. All flavors are available in 2 sizes; 12 oz jars and a 2 oz individual serving. All products are gluten free. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [0:40] Joy Thompkins and Carol Podolak join Jeremy on the podcast. [1:40] Getting featured on QVC. [3:30] What was the original Bnutty product like? In this episode… What does it take to get a niche, speciality food business off the ground and running? Do you need to have a long history in the food industry? Do you need to have a culinary degree to be successful? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from business leaders Joy Thompkins and Carol Podolak. In their conversation with Jeremy, Joy and Carol open up about what it was like getting featured on QVC, how they got their business started, challenges they have faced along the way, and much more. You'll want to pay close attention to this engaging episode featuring Joy and Carol's story! Can you imagine what it would mean for a small business to get featured on a platform like QVC? How does that type of media exposure benefit and impact a small business that isn't used to scaling rapidly? As you can imagine, when Joy and Carol got the call that they'd appear on QVC - they went to work doing their homework. As a result of their hard work - Joy and Carol and their team at Bnutty were able to handle the increased orders. Make sure to check out the link to Bnutty located in the resources section at the end of this post. Where does the idea come from to create a gourmet peanut butter product that people can feel good about eating? According to Joy and Carol, it all comes down to their kids - they wanted to make sure they had good nutrients in the snacks they ate for their afterschool activities. What started as a small project idea soon blossomed into a large scale operation. Today, Joy and Carol are taking their business to the next level of growth, promoting Bnutty at expos and events all over the country. Keep an eye out for Bnuty on store shelves near you! Resources Mentioned on this episode www.bnutty.com Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We connect you with strategic partnerships through our done for you podcast solution which is the best thing I have done for my business. Our Done for you Podcast service - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast and make sure you get ROI from it. We distribute your show across more than 11 different channels (spotify, google play, itunes, and many more) including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner, podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. The most important piece that most are missing is the right strategy and we make sure our clients get ROI so it becomes one of the most valuable parts of your strategic partnerships. Since this requires a lot of humans (we have operations, developers, writers, audio editors, video editors) to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. If using a podcast for strategic partnerships, content marketing, and increasing clients and referrals sounds interesting to you go to www.Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran. For larger conferences and software companies we have done an onsite podcast booth and created a years worth of content in just a few days. So if you are holding an event or your company will be having a booth at an event let us know. Check out Rise25.com and also some see some examples of our VIP Events below. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

Stormy Simon is the former president of Overstock.com. She joined in 2001 during the formative years of e-commerce and at the time revenue was less than $20M and with a staff of under 100. In her career, she has gone from executive assistant to VP of Branding to VP of customer care to CMO to eventually becoming President. During her tenure, Overstock became a top 25 e-tailer by traffic and grew to nearly $2B in revenue and had approximately 1600 employees. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [2:40] Jeremy introduces his guest, Stormy Simon. [4:40] Stormy shares her career trajectory and how it has changed over the years. [12:40] A story from Stormy's Hard Rock Cafe days. [16:30] What Stormy wanted to do when she was a child. [20:00] How having a child shifted Stormy's perspective. [22:00] Stormy talks about her time at Overstock. [33:00] What were some of the early products featured on Overstock? [36:30] Hard decisions Stormy made as the president of Overstock. [41:20] Why the founder of Overstock has been featured in the news lately. [44:00] How did Stormy end up working in the Cannabis industry? [56:20] Why Stormy is passionate about keeping Cannabis away from the FDA. [1:05:15] What is Tribe Talks? [1:07:30] Closing thoughts from Stormy. In this episode… What does it take to work your way up through the business world to find yourself at the top of one of the nation's leading ecommerce businesses? Where do you go once you've reached that level of success? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from business leader and cannabis advocate, Stormy Simon. In her conversation with Jeremy, Stormy opens up about her career path, how she ended up at Overstock, what it was like navigating work and family life, how she ended up as a cannabis advocate, and much more. You'll want to pay close attention to Stormy's power story! When was the last time you decided to challenge the status quo? Let's face it; most people are happy keeping everything the same - it's not easy embracing change or leading the charge for it. Each person needs to decide for themselves which issues they are willing to take a stand for and which ones they are willing to compromise on. When Stormy witnessed gender discrimination during her tenure at The Hard Rock Cafe - she decided to make a stand and voice her concern. As you can imagine - that didn't go over too well with her superiors, but Stormy was able to hold her head high, knowing she made a worthwhile stand for her convictions. Can you remember what you used to dream about doing as a career when you were a child? Did those dreams ever go anywhere, or did they evolve over time? From an early age, Stormy had a mind for business and more specifically - marketing. She recalls coming up with jingles and advertisements for brands she was exposed to as a child - who does that? Looking back now, you can see how those early thoughts about marketing helped nudge Stormy on the career path she took in her adult life. What can you learn from Stormy's story? When was the last time you reflected on your journey as a business leader? Have you recently celebrated your accomplishments and wins? Most business leaders are quick to analyze and pick apart their failures, but they don't take the time to look at what they've accomplished. Looking back at her tenure as an executive at Overstock, Stormy takes note over several proud moments. At the time, there weren't many ecommerce businesses advertising on television - Stormy wanted to change that at Overstock. While it took persistence - Stormy was able to move the needle and get the Overstock board to take a chance on her idea for a TV commercial. Stormy's creative gambit was a success, and the organization enjoyed a surge of traffic! How does a seasoned business leader go from a career in the ecommerce industry to become a cannabis advocate? After her tenure at Overstock - Stormy quickly came across an opportunity to work in the cannabis industry. Stormy had been a cannabis enthusiast for a while and was eager to bring her business skillset to the table. Today, Stormy serves on the Advisory Board for CannaKids - a California-based brand with a focus on supplying medical cannabis oil tinctures and products to patients of all ages. She also serves as the Director of the Board for High Times. You can learn more about these organizations that Stormy serves by visiting the resources section at the end of this post. Resources Mentioned on this episode www.TheTribeTalks.com www.CannaKids.org Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We connect you with strategic partnerships through our done for you podcast solution which is the best thing I have done for my business. Our Done for you Podcast service - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast and make sure you get ROI from it. We distribute your show across more than 11 different channels (spotify, google play, itunes, and many more) including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner, podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. The most important piece that most are missing is the right strategy and we make sure our clients get ROI so it becomes one of the most valuable parts of your strategic partnerships. Since this requires a lot of humans (we have operations, developers, writers, audio editors, video editors) to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. If using a podcast for strategic partnerships, content marketing, and increasing clients and referrals sounds interesting to you go to www.Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran. For larger conferences and software companies we have done an onsite podcast booth and created a years worth of content in just a few days. So if you are holding an event or your company will be having a booth at an event let us know. Check out Rise25.com and also some see some examples of our VIP Events below. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

Suzie Yorke is the founder of Love Good Fats. She is also a mom, a triathlete (11X Ironman Finisher), a yogi and Marketing Executive and now, on a fierce mission to spread the word that fat is back and sugar it out. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [0:40] Jeremy welcomes his guest, Suzie Yorke. [1:40] What let Suzie to start Love Good Fats? [3:00] Making fat bombs. [4:30] Suzie talks about work-life balance. [6:00] Getting the right people around you can make all the difference. In this episode… What if you never had to worry about low-fat foods ever again? Can you imagine how nice it would be to enjoy that steak guilt-free or spread butter on a piece of toast without worrying about how it will affect your health? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from entrepreneur and innovator Suzie Yorke. In her conversation with Jeremy, Suzie opens up about her journey, why she started Love Good Fats, what it was like navigating a work-life balance, and much more. You don't want to miss a minute of this fascinating episode featuring Suzie's story! Have you ever read a book that changed the course of your life? Imagine an idea that inspires you to change your diet and sets you on the path to starting your own business. For Suzie Yorke, that moment came when she picked up the book, "The Big Fat Surprise" by Nina Teicholz. The Big Fat Surprise was named a 2014 *Best Book* by The Economist, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Mother Jones, and Library Journal. After reading Teicholz's book, Suzie went to work improving her diet, which led her to create her business, Love Good Fats. You can find a link to both Suzie's business and Teicholz's book located in the resources section at the end of this post. What should come first, career or family life? The grand balancing act of sustaining a positive family life and a thriving career can seem impossible. Few people can navigate their career and their family obligations in a healthy way. As a single mother, Suzie Yorke had to choose when to prioritize her career and when to make family the top priority. Unfortunately, Suzie reveals that there is no "Secret sauce" when it comes to finding work-life balance - each person needs to figure out what works best for their situation. Resources Mentioned on this episode Love Good Fats The Big Fat Surprise Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We connect you with strategic partnerships through our done for you podcast solution which is the best thing I have done for my business. Our Done for you Podcast service - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast and make sure you get ROI from it. We distribute your show across more than 11 different channels (spotify, google play, itunes, and many more) including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner, podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. The most important piece that most are missing is the right strategy and we make sure our clients get ROI so it becomes one of the most valuable parts of your strategic partnerships. Since this requires a lot of humans (we have operations, developers, writers, audio editors, video editors) to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. If using a podcast for strategic partnerships, content marketing, and increasing clients and referrals sounds interesting to you go to www.Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran. For larger conferences and software companies we have done an onsite podcast booth and created a years worth of content in just a few days. So if you are holding an event or your company will be having a booth at an event let us know. Check out Rise25.com and also some see some examples of our VIP Events below. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

Lee Bellinger is the founder of Independent Living News which has a private subscription and they have products for off the grid living, survival in an emergency, gaining independent income and much more. He is the inventor of the PowerWhisperer Home Power Backup System. Independent Living is noted for its successful predictions and in February 1998, Lee published a front page illustrated prediction story on the destruction of the World Trade Center by terrorists.s Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [0:37] Jeremy introduces his guest, Lee Bellinger. [1:50] What does Lee's morning routine look like? [3:30] Lee talks about predicting the World Trade Center attack. [13:00] What was it like living off the grid on a yacht? [15:10] Lee opens up about his childhood. [17:20] Stories from Lee's yacht. [21:40] How did Lee end up in publishing? [24:45] Early popular articles that Lee published. [27:40] What is Lee's research process? [29:30] Why Lee is worried about the national power grid. [31:00] Developing a reliable power generator. [37:50] The ultimate guide to self-reliance living. [43:45] Lessons learned from unsuccessful products. [46:10] Teaching others to become self-reliant. [49:20] Adding value to people's lives. [54:15] Lee explains why silver is such a great resource. [57:20] Why make the shift to Independent Living? [1:01:30] The benefit of joining masterminds and connecting with other leaders. [1:06:50] What is the most controversial article Lee published? [1:09:40] Lee talks about the lowest moment from his journey. [1:14:20] How Lee ended up proposing with a movie advertisement. [1:17:00] Proud moments from the journey. [1:20:45] Closing thoughts and predictions from Lee. In this episode… How would you describe your lifestyle - are you independent, or would you say that you are dependent on others? Let's face it - no one wants to be dependent on help from other people, but is there really a way to live independently in today's interconnected society? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from business leader and publisher, Lee Bellinger. In his conversation with Jeremy, Lee opens up about his background, how he got started as a publisher, why he decided to create and market his own product, and much more. You'll want to pay close attention to this fascinating episode featuring Lee's story - don't miss it! Can you imagine what it would be like to become so in sync with the news cycle that you feel like you can begin predicting news events before they happen? Chances are, your answer to that question is, "No." Lee Bellinger accomplished what many believe is impossible - he has become such a student of the news that he can accurately predict major events like the fall of the World Trade Center. Lee has a fascinating take on how he keeps a finger on the pulse of world events, make sure to check out the link to his website located in the resources section at the end of this post! What would you do if you found yourself in the room with key leaders and politicians? Would you try to strike up a conversation, stand away in awe, or would you respond with apathy? Let's face it - politicians aren't the most popular group in our society, but they do hold powerful influence. Lee had the privilege of networking with many politicians when he would give cruises of the Potomac River. While Lee could have exploited his political connections - he chose to take a different route. If given a choice between helping others or accumulating wealth and power - most people would choose wealth and power. Which one would you choose? Working with politicians and focusing solely on the political angle quickly wore thin for Lee, so he decided to change gears. Lee wanted to make a more meaningful impact on his readers by empowering them to take control of their situations and prepare for the future. This direction eventually led Lee to develop and manufacturer his hit product, the PowerWhisperer. You can learn more about Lee's fascinating creation by visiting the link to his website located in the resources section. Too often, business leaders get so caught up in their own goals and efforts that they fail to grow as business leaders. What is your plan to grow and develop as a leader? What role does mentorship play in your plans? Lee was content to keep his business headed in the same direction until he connected with like-minded business leaders. Once he connected with the right leaders - Lee was convinced that masterminds and mentoring relationships were essential for professional growth. What are you waiting for? If you haven't participated in a networking event or reached out to key leaders in your industry for mentorship - now is the time! Resources Mentioned on this episode Independent Living News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K34uGjZ7EZk Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We do this in 3 ways… Our Done for you Media - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast. we distribute your show across more than 11 different channels including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner..podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. Our Done for you Lead Generation- We manually send a consistent flow of customized outreach messages to your ideal clients and referral sources that you want to connect with to generate more business and clients - this is not paid traffic by the way. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few. Since these each require a lot of humans to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. so if any sound interesting to you go to Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Eugene Levin is the Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer at SEMrush - a SaaS product used by over 4,000,000 marketers worldwide. For the past eleven years, SEMrush has grown into an all-in-one marketing suite consisting of more than 33 tools and reports that help companies market better online. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [2:30] Jeremy introduces his guest, Eugene Levin. [4:35] Eugene talks about his childhood and growing up in Belarus. [9:20] A low moment in Eugene's career. [14:00] Eugene's only regret. In this episode… What does it take to overcome adversity and succeed both personally and professionally? How do you resist the negative power of your circumstances and keep them from knocking you off course? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from the resilient leader - Eugene Levin. In his conversation with Jeremy, Eugene opens up about his childhood in Belarus, how he overcame adversity, what led him to take pride in his career, challenges he has faced along the way, and much more. You'll want to pay attention to all the helpful insights that Eugene has to share! Think back to the hardest day of work you've ever endured. Did that day involve grueling manual labor when you were a child? Chances are you haven't experienced quite the ordeal that Eugene Levin experienced as a child in Belarus. While some might look back at a difficult childhood and use it as an excuse - Eugene sees it as fuel. Moving forward in his life and career - Eugene has been able to channel the focus and drive he needs to succeed. Today Eugene works with a high performing team at SEMrush. What can you learn from Eugene's story? As a business leader, you are likely wired to tackle new challenges and think of the big picture - but when was the last time you reflected on your accomplishments? Let's face it - life has a way of keeping you distracted and only paying attention to the most pressing issues. You deserve an opportunity to celebrate what you've accomplished with your career! Refusing to let the moment pass, Eugene took in all the pride he could when we finished up his first sale of a business. That moment of joy and accomplishment released a surge of confidence that would fuel Eugene on his journey. Resources Mentioned on this episode SEMrush - Online Visibility Management Platform Sellerly Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We do this in 3 ways… Our Done for you Media - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast. we distribute your show across more than 11 different channels including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner..podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. Our Done for you Lead Generation- We manually send a consistent flow of customized outreach messages to your ideal clients and referral sources that you want to connect with to generate more business and clients - this is not paid traffic by the way. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few. Since these each require a lot of humans to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. so if any sound interesting to you go to Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Justin is best known for helping marketers and business owners to convert their offers on cold traffic. He grew his own supplement company from 0->$23 million in sales in just under three years by focusing on cold traffic growth. After selling his supplement company in 2017, Justin now helps some of the biggest names with their marketing like Golden Hippo, Dan Lok, Agora Financial, V-Shred, 4Patriots, Mike Geary, Danette May, Six Pack Shortcuts, Natural Health Sherpa and more. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [3:10] Jeremy introduces his guest, Justin Goff. [6:00] The most difficult email Justin ever sent. [14:00] The story behind the "I pooped my pants" email. [19:00] Why Justin started his email list. [21:10] Chasing happiness and finding answers. [30:00] Looking to the future and Justin's decision to not have children. [35:30] The biggest marketing mistake most businesses are making. [40:40] Client success stories. [46:00] Upsale examples. [53:30] More marketing tips from Justin. [1:03:10] How Justin connected with Dr. Sebring & what it takes to find a spokesperson. [1:08:30] What led to Justin's exit from Patriot Health and what the fallout was like. [1:15:30] Closing thoughts. In this episode… Have you tapped into the power of email lists? You've likely heard that email marketing is either dead or dying - it's not true! People use their email regularly - don't you want to get your message in front of them? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from business leader and renowned marketer - Justin Goff. In his conversation with Jeremy, Justin opens up about why he is so vulnerable in his emails, how to connect with an email list, what it was like to exit his business, success stories, and much more! Have pen and paper ready - you don't want to miss a minute of this powerful episode featuring Justin's story! Have you ever had someone open up and share something personal with you that you never thought they would? Imagine getting an email explaining how someone's mother wouldn't support or encourage their career - that's what Justin Goff did! While opening up to thousands of strangers via an email sounds crazy (It is) it is also incredibly effective. As a result of that deeply personal email - Justin saw a huge increase in the engagement he had with his email list. The lesson is this - vulnerability can go a long way! On the other side of the coin - some will be turned off by intensely personal stories. Justin shared a story about suffering from Crohn's Disease, which involved descriptions of struggling with painful bowel movements. As you can imagine - that wasn't the cup of tea for everyone on Justin's email list! The mixed and somewhat negative feedback that Justin received from that email didn't slow him down one bit. Today, Justin is committed to being honest, raw, and real with his following. Have you ever found yourself struggling with fulfillment in your life? What have you tried to fill that void? Have you found anything that works? Business leaders all over the world struggle every day to find their life's purpose beyond what they do and what they can produce. If you've ever struggled with your self-worth - you aren't alone! Struggling to find meaning in his life - Justin set out on a quest to learn from other leaders who have had similar challenges and made it out the other side. What Justin learned changed the course of his life for the better! Here is a hint - Justin's turnaround didn't involve making more money. When you get the chance to learn from a marketing expert like Justin - you don't take it for granted. In his conversation with Jeremy, Justin was kind enough to reveal his take on marketing strategies and methods that work and ones that need to fade away. Here are three upsell approaches that Justin says work every time. More of the same - where you offer an increased amount of the same product. Results faster - offering a product that will fast track the results they are looking for. Done for you - proven and prepackaged methods that deliver results. If you'd like to go deeper with the significant insights and resources that Justin discussed with Jeremy, make sure to check out his website and apply to his email list! You can find all the information you need to connect with Justin in the resources section at the end of this post. Resources Mentioned on this episode Justin Goff www.justin123.com Ready, Fire, Aim Brian Kurtz Finish Big Intro Music by Kidd Russell [box type="download"] Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We do this in 3 ways… Our Done for you Media - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast. we distribute your show across more than 11 different channels including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner..podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. Our Done for you Lead Generation- We manually send a consistent flow of customized outreach messages to your ideal clients and referral sources that you want to connect with to generate more business and clients - this is not paid traffic by the way. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few. Since these each require a lot of humans to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. so if any sound interesting to you go to Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Josh Linkner started his career as a jazz guitarist. He has been the founder and CEO of five tech companies, which sold for a combined value of over $200 million. Josh built the largest digital promotions agency in the world, serving 74 of the top 100 brands when he founded ePrize which he later sold. He has twice been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is a President Barack Obama Champion of Change award recipient. Josh is the author of, two New York Times Bestsellers: Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity, and The Road to Reinvention: How to Drive Disruption and Accelerate Transformation, as well as, Hacking Innovation. He is also the Founding Partner of Detroit Venture Partners with Dan Gilbert and Earvin Magic Johnson, investing in and mentoring over 100 startups. His work on innovation has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, CNN, and The New York Times. And yes, he still plays a mean jazz guitar. For more information, visit JoshLinkner.com. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [2:10] Jeremy introduces his guest, Josh Linkner. [4:00] How Josh learned to remove "Strings" in life and business. [6:40] Putting yourself out of business. [8:30] Josh talks about his work with Platypus Labs. [10:15] The three flavors of innovation. [13:00] A prison-themed gym. [16:25] The qualities investors look for. In this episode… In what ways does your business need to innovate and think ahead to the next area of growth? Are you moving in the right direction, or do you need to rally the troops? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from innovator and entrepreneur Josh Linkner. In his conversation with Jeremy, Josh opens up about lessons learned from Jazz, why he tires to put himself out of business, the three flavors of innovation, and much more. Have pen and paper ready - you don't want to miss a minute of this powerful episode! Innovation is one of those industry words that everyone tries to capitalize on, but few actually have the accomplishments to back up the buzz word. Josh Linkner does more than preach the wonders of innovation - he's put in the work to push the ball forward. According to Josh, there are three "Flavors" of innovation. INNOVATION - a drug that saves lives. Innovation - meaningful innovations that don't make headlines but they make a difference. innovation - little micro innovations that are made by regular folks every week. Which flavor of innovation best describes your approach? What do you plan to do to increase innovation in your organization? Make sure to check out the link to Josh's website where you can learn more about his take on innovation in the business world. If you were asked to sit down and decide which startup founder to invest in, which qualities would you look for? Would you look for someone who is brimming with confidence? How would your knowledge base or life experience factor into your decision making? Having had multiple opportunities to invest in startups - Josh Linkner shared the qualities he looks for when sizing up a startup. Josh says that he looks for coachable, openminded, and humble individuals who have a track record of working through adversity toward a positive outcome. What do you think of Josh's approach? Would you add anything? Resources Mentioned on this episode www.joshlinkner.com www.PlatypusLabs.com Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We do this in 3 ways… Our Done for you Media - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast. we distribute your show across more than 11 different channels including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner..podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. Our Done for you Lead Generation- We manually send a consistent flow of customized outreach messages to your ideal clients and referral sources that you want to connect with to generate more business and clients - this is not paid traffic by the way. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few. Since these each require a lot of humans to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. so if any sound interesting to you go to Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Eugene Levin is the Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer at SEMrush - a SaaS product used by over 3,000,000 marketers worldwide. For the past nine years, SEMrush has grown into an all-in-one marketing suite consisting of more than 33 tools and reports that help companies market better online. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [2:30] Jeremy introduces his guest, Eugene Levin. [4:35] Eugene talks about his childhood and growing up in Belarus. [10:00] What was Eugene's early career interests? [17:45] Eugene explains the solutions SEMrush brings to the marketplace. [23:00] Why does SEMrush offer free versions of their service? [27:30] What was it like rasing funds for SEMrush. [32:15] Underserved niches that Eugene and his team serve. [36:30] Why Eugene raised the amount of funds that he did. [44:00] How Eugene would start a successful ecommerce business today. [51:30] If Eugene were to acquire a business, what type of business would that be? [56:00] A low moment in Eugene's career. [1:01:00] Eugene's only regret. In this episode… Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get in a room with a marketing and data expert? What questions would you ask? Would you take tons of notes as they shared their marketing tips and insights? Good news - you are in luck! On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from business leaders Eugene Levin. In his conversation with Jeremy, Eugene opens up about his childhood growing up in Belarus, how he ended up at SEMrush, why he loves his work, challenges he has faced along the way, and much more. You don't want to miss a minute of Eugene's engaging story on this episode! As you look back on your life - what stands out as formative experiences? Did you move a lot as a kid? Did you have a stable and secure childhood? Did you experience family trama? It's no secret that many successful leaders arise from difficult childhoods - that is also the case when it comes to Eugene Levin. Having grown up in Belarus right around the collapse of the Soviet Union, Eugene's childhood was filled with memories of hard labor on the family farm. To this day, Eugene uses those memories as fuel on his journey toward success. When was the last time you encountered an opportunity that was too good to pass up? Did you seize the opportunity, or did it pass you by? Too often, business leaders of all backgrounds fail to take a close look at the details and miss out on significant opportunities. When Eugene Levin got the chance to sit down and look at the SEMrush business model and data - he knew he couldn't let this one get away. He was so convinced that SEMrush was on to something great that he took lower pay to get some steak in the business. What is the process like in your organization when it comes to setting prices? Are you focused on delivering value, or are you more concerned about the volume of customers that come your way? Each approach has its own benefits and drawbacks - Eugene Levin and the folks at SEMrush decided to opt for delivering value. Right now, you can get access to all the services that SEMrush offers without any cost. While many business leaders may balk at their efforts - the numbers don't lie - people are willing to pay more for something they've seen work. Where is your business headed? Do you expect it continue on the trajectory that its currently on or do you foresee some positive change occurring down the road? All too often, business leaders are more focused on maintaining the status quo rather than paving a new path forward. Hearing from Eugene - you really get the sense that he is ready to push SEMrush forward with his innovative insights and high-quality solutions. It wasn't an easy path, but Eugene's story serves as a helpful reminder of what vision and good leadership can accomplish. What can you learn from Eugene's story? Resources Mentioned on this episode SEMrush - Online Visibility Management Platform Sellerly Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers. We do this in 3 ways… Our Done for you Media - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast. we distribute your show across more than 11 different channels including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner..podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners. Our Done for you Lead Generation- We manually send a consistent flow of customized outreach messages to your ideal clients and referral sources that you want to connect with to generate more business and clients - this is not paid traffic by the way. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few. Since these each require a lot of humans to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. so if any sound interesting to you go to Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com. If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.