#39 Building a Global Network of Leaders: Relationships, Referrals & Entrepreneurial Growth | Jose Escobar | G.O.Y.A. Mentorship Show
In this episode of the G.O.Y.A. Mentorship Show, Anil sits down with Jose Escobar, entrepreneur, business coach, consultant, speaker, and 26-time published author. Jose is the founder of Connected Leaders Academy and The Entrepreneurs Bookshelf, two businesses he launched in January 2022.
After spending 18 years in the corporate world with organizations including Capital One, PNC Bank, Liberty Mutual, and State Farm, Jose decided to take his experience, relationships, and passion for personal development into entrepreneurship.
Within 15 months, he scaled his businesses to seven figures through organic growth, without relying on paid advertising, websites, SEO, funnels, or an established email list.
Today, Connected Leaders Academy has more than 700 members across all 50 US states and 49 international countries. Built around relationships, referrals, collaboration, and servant leadership, the community brings together entrepreneurs and experts who want to create meaningful connections and make a global impact.
In this conversation, Jose explains why he created the Academy, what makes its culture different, and why simplicity, consistent action, and developing your network are essential to entrepreneurial success.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
1. Meet Jose Escobar: Entrepreneur, Author, and Family Man
Jose describes himself as a down-to-earth, lighthearted person who values faith, family, health, and meaningful relationships.
He is happily married to his wife, Katie, and they have six children. Family plays an important role in his life, and he enjoys including them in his travels and entrepreneurial journey.
Outside business, Jose has a strong interest in health and fitness, with 15 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing. He is also an avid reader and book collector, with thousands of books in his personal library.
Professionally, he is a coach, consultant, speaker, and 26-time published author.
2. From 18 Years in Corporate America to Entrepreneurship
Before starting his own companies, Jose spent 18 years working in the corporate world.
His professional experience included organizations such as:
Capital One
PNC Bank
Liberty Mutual
State Farm
He also served as a sales director for a global martial arts company, overseeing its US territory.
Over time, he recognized that although he was helping organizations grow, his own income was not increasing at the same pace.
That realization encouraged him to take his experience, relationships, and knowledge into the business world.
On January 15, 2022, he launched two businesses: The Entrepreneurs Bookshelf and Connected Leaders Academy.
Within 15 months, he says, the businesses reached seven figures through organic growth.
3. What Is Connected Leaders Academy?
Jose explains that Connected Leaders Academy was created to provide something different from traditional networking groups, industry-specific associations, and conventional business communities.
Throughout his personal development journey, he had participated in organizations such as BNI, Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, Facebook groups, and high-ticket masterminds.
Although these groups offered opportunities, he noticed several recurring challenges:
Many communities were focused on one industry.
Members often competed for the same prospects.
Some groups lacked meaningful interaction.
Certain high-ticket communities felt exclusive or disconnected.
Many networking environments became focused on selling to one another.
Jose wanted to create a community where successful entrepreneurs from different industries could build genuine relationships, exchange value, and collaborate.
His vision was to create a network based on trust, service, and meaningful connections rather than constant pitching.
4. A Carefully Curated Global Community
One of the most distinctive aspects of Connected Leaders Academy is its membership selection process.
Jose explains that every member is personally introduced, reviewed, and vetted by him.
At the time of the interview, he reported:
More than 700 members.
Representation across all 50 US states.
Members in 49 international countries.
Approximately 90% referral-based growth.
Around one new member joining per day.
More than 750 people turned away during the selection process.
He emphasizes that the goal is not simply to increase membership numbers.
Instead, he wants to protect the culture and ensure that members are aligned with the community's values.
5. The Culture Behind Connected Leaders Academy
Jose explains that Connected Leaders Academy is designed for established entrepreneurs, experts, and business owners who are serious about their craft and interested in contributing to others.
He looks for people who demonstrate:
Expertise in their respective fields.
A willingness to serve and support others.
Humility and openness to learning.
A healthy ego and respect for others.
A genuine interest in collaboration.
An understanding of reciprocity.
He is particularly interested in servant leaders and heart-centered entrepreneurs who recognize that success is not only about personal achievement but also about the value they bring to others.
The Academy is a paid membership community, with different membership options, including monthly, annual, and lifetime arrangements discussed during the interview.
Jose explains that the membership structure also helps maintain commitment and protect the community's environment.
6. Why Entrepreneurs Can Create Global Impact
Jose shares a bigger vision behind Connected Leaders Academy.
He believes entrepreneurs play an important role in changing the world because businesses solve problems through products and services.
Successful businesses also create employment opportunities and contribute to the economies in which they operate.
His thinking is that when you bring together entrepreneurs who are committed to solving meaningful problems, creating jobs, and serving others, their collective influence can extend far beyond their individual businesses.
For Jose, this is what global impact looks like.
It is about connecting the right people so they can accomplish more together than they could independently.
7. The Power of Relationships, Referrals, and Collaboration
A major highlight of the conversation is the importance of building relationships before needing something from someone.
Jose shares how years of serving people, providing advice, attending events, and developing relationships helped him build the foundation for his businesses.
He believes that strong networks create opportunities for:
Referral partnerships.
Joint ventures.
Business collaborations.
Client introductions.
Podcast guest opportunities.
Speaking engagements.
Increased visibility.
New revenue opportunities.
Anil also shares his own experience as a member of Connected Leaders Academy, explaining how members proactively reach out to connect, offer support, and explore ways to help one another.
The conversation highlights the difference between simply joining a networking group and becoming part of an active relationship-driven community.
8. Complexity Is the Enemy of Execution
When asked to share his most important business lessons, Jose offers a powerful principle:
Complexity is the enemy of execution.
He explains that many entrepreneurs spend too much time trying to master every strategy, platform, and system before taking action.
His own experience demonstrates that businesses can grow without having every marketing tool in place from day one.
He says his companies grew organically without initially relying on:
A website.
SEO.
Paid advertising.
Sales funnels.
Automation.
A CRM.
AI tools.
A podcast or YouTube channel.
An email list.
His message is simple: start with what you already have, take action, learn from mistakes, and improve along the way.
He would rather see someone make progress, encounter problems, and learn from them than remain stuck waiting for everything to be perfect.
9. Develop Your Skills and Stay in Prospecting Mode
Jose emphasizes that the marketplace rewards the value and skills you bring to it.
Entrepreneurs should continually improve their expertise while consistently building relationships and expanding their networks.
His recommendations include:
Continue developing your skill set.
Meet new people consistently.
Build meaningful professional relationships.
Stay active in relevant business communities.
Put yourself in environments where opportunities exist.
Learn to communicate and sell effectively.
Maintain discipline, consistency, and a strong work ethic.
He also stresses the importance of becoming good at sales because the ability to communicate value and convert opportunities is essential to business growth.
10. Take Massive Action and Position Yourself to Win
Jose encourages entrepreneurs to stop waiting for someone else to give them permission to participate.
Instead, they should be prepared, visible, and willing to get involved.
He believes that the next level of your life is often within reach, but you must recognize your own ability to create it.
His closing message is to simplify, take action, remain consistent, and make the most of the opportunities already available.
Key Takeaways
Build relationships before you need something from someone.
Surround yourself with people who genuinely want to see others succeed.
Create communities around shared values, not just shared industries.
Protect your business culture as carefully as you protect your brand.
Focus on contribution and reciprocity rather than constantly selling.
Don't overcomplicate your business before taking action.
Develop your skills because the marketplace rewards the value you provide.
Stay in prospecting mode and continue expanding your network.
Become better at sales and communicating your value.
Take action, make mistakes, learn, and improve along the way.
The biggest lesson: You already have more resources, relationships, and potential than you may realize. Stop waiting for everything to be perfect. Build relationships, develop your skills, take massive action, and create opportunities through the value you bring to others.
Connect with Jose Escobar
Founder of Connected Leaders Academy and The Entrepreneurs Bookshelf
Jose welcomes conversations with established entrepreneurs, experts, and business owners interested in expanding their networks, building strategic relationships, finding referral partners, exploring collaborations, and increasing their visibility.
If you're interested in learning more about Connected Leaders Academy, membership opportunities, or whether the community is the right fit for you, reach out to Jose through the G.O.Y.A. Mentorship and Connected Leaders Academy networks.
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