547: ACTION SATURDAY w/ Stephen Custer (DO YOUR RESEARCH!)

Embark on a journey of transformation as Eduardo Lopez, who scaled the heights to become a CFO for Fortune 500 giants, now turns his sights on mentoring the next wave of leaders at VSharp. Our conversation peels back the layers of leadership, unlocking the principles that can catapult you to the top of the corporate ladder. Eduardo's transition from corporate success story to entrepreneurial mentor captures the essence of our episode's theme: the pivotal role of self-belief and mentorship in personal and professional metamorphosis.The episode also shines a light on the inspiring saga of Anthony Robles, the one-legged wonder who wrestled his way to a national championship. His story, a beacon of overcoming adversity, threads through our discussion on the importance of 'finding your why' for maintaining zeal amid life's challenges. As Eduardo and our host Brian Lofrumento traverse the emotional landscapes of entrepreneurship, we underscore the necessity for sturdy support systems and the fortitude it takes to pursue your true calling in life.Rounding out our dialogue, we reflect on the entrepreneurial odyssey, weighing the patience required for long-term triumphs against the constructive restlessness that propels us forward. Echoing throughout our exchange is the vital understanding of the 'what,' 'why,' and 'who' in business endeavors—principles that have galvanized Eduardo's own journey, which he generously shares through his website, complete with resources and a special offering for our listeners. Join us every week for more enriching discussions, and engage with us directly through our website, as we continue to shape the world of Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur.ABOUT EDUARDOEduardo Lopez is a former a CFO and executive at Fortune 500 companies who fully attributes the achievements throughout his 30+ year career to a relentless pursuit of his passion of developing world-class teams and talent.Eduardo feels privileged to have worked in seven cities across four countries, and to have partnered with top-notch individuals who he empowered them to be their own best versions. This focus on continuous talent development and capacity building resulted in Senior Executives that went on to lead their companies to breakthrough results and sustained improvements in share growth and profitability. Former members of his team have grown to become CFOs, Presidents, and senior business leaders at premier global companies.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit VSharp’s WebsiteGet Access to the FREE online Training on Executive PresenceDownload the Free eBook: ‘Tools to Boost your Growth’Give Eduardo your InsightsConnect with Eduardo on LinkedIn

Elevate your leadership game as we explore the intricate dance of accountability with Erik Berglund, the mastermind behind the Language of Leadership. Erik's story is a testament to the transformative power of early entrepreneurial ventures, shaping his insights into the vital role language plays in guiding teams to success. From his high school DECA days to the pivotal challenges he faced at Victaulic, you'll be privy to the experiences that forged his groundbreaking approach to communication and leadership.Discover the secret to unlocking the potential of your team through meaningful conversations that drive performance. Erik’s narrative is a deep dive into the uncomfortable, yet necessary, journey of learning how to hold others accountable—a pivotal skill that many leaders struggle to master. The pathway to effective leadership, as Erik reveals, is paved with the stones of self-improvement and strategic communication. As he shares the core principles of his Language of Leadership system, our discussion illuminates a clear path forward for leaders seeking to enhance their team's independence and foster a culture of growth.We wrap up with actionable leadership strategies that can revolutionize your approach to team management. Erik generously unveils resources such as his free ebook and the immersive courses available through his academy, designed to arm you with the skills to navigate excuses and tailor communication styles. By the end of our session, you'll have the insights necessary to inspire commitment and confidently navigate the complex dynamics of leadership in any business environment. Join us for a conversation that promises to reshape the way you think about leadership and accountability.ABOUT ERIKErik Berglund is the Founder of The Language of Leadership, a system he created over nearly a decade of leading sales professionals. Erik grew frustrated with his own inability to hold people accountable, only to realize nearly everyone felt the same way. He spent 3 years developing the program with his team, and then began coaching managers through it in 2020. Erik is passionate about empowering leaders to be more effective with the team they already have, helping them enjoy their jobs more and get their time back.He lives in Bend, Oregon with his wife and two daughters - they love to ski, rock climb, camp, and adventure together as a family.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit The Language of Leadership’s WebsiteGet the Free eBook: ‘The Big 4 Excuses and How to Handle Them’Check Out Erik’s CourseConnect with Erik on LinkedIn

In today's episode we'll talk about the super simple strategy to WINNING more in life, in business, in sports, or in any endeavor that you want to get results in.

Today's action is one that EVERYONE can benefit from, including all of you wantrepreneurs all the way up to the 7- and 8-figure entrepreneurs! Setup Google Alerts for free on both YOUR personal name as well as the name of your business, course, book, podcast, or any other projects that you have to constantly monitor your presence and mentions on the internet. Plus, you'll hear some strategic ways that you can monitor your local competitors to gain insights into their traffic sources, marketing channels, and lead sources.

Today we are joined by a special guest with a wealth of experience spanning over three decades in the world of architecture: Burck Schellenberg.As an accomplished architect who took the plunge into entrepreneurship, Burck has not only shaped physical spaces but also navigated the intricate process of building a successful business. In this engaging session, he sheds light on the vital role of crafting a long-term vision peppered with achievable short-term goals and the unpredictable nature of project management, drawing from his challenges including those faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.Host Brian Lofrumento will explore with Burck the parallels between architecture and entrepreneurship, such as the importance of active listening, managing a team akin to a quarterback, and the transition from fostering a persona of a solo genius to a collaborative business owner. Burck's personal leap into the realm of entrepreneurship reveals the fears, thrills, and sheer determination involved in taking a chance on oneself.We'll delve deep into the relationship-building aspect of the business, with Burck enlightening us with a dating analogy to client interactions, and how this has influenced his approach to his work and the industry at large.This episode is a treasure trove for anyone who wants to understand the symbiotic relationship between one's craft and the business skills vital to surviving and thriving. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned pro, Burck's story and insights offer a real-world perspective on the passionate pursuit of one's business dreams.ABOUT BURCK Burck Schellenberg has been working in the architecture industry since the age of 18 as a summer internship and has worked in multiple aspects of the field including as a TA, Designer, Contractor, 3d Visualization, Researcher, Project Architect, Project Manager and now Founder of Burck Schellenberg Architecture. Over the past 32 years, he has worked at all scales and through many different project types, developing a comfort in diving into new arenas and continually looking for new things to learn. Burck Schellenberg Architecture is currently focusing on single and mutli-family housing and commercial office spaces while carving out time for research and speculative architecture. After being extant for a little over a year, Burck has managed to create a firm that satisfies his intellectual curiosity while also being a viable, growing company that has high hopes for future growth. LINKS & RESOURCES Visit Burck Schellenberg Architecture’s Website Follow Burck on Instagram Connect with Burck on LinkedIn

Prepare to unlock the secret blend of artistry and analytics that can skyrocket your  business growth. Nick Hart, the visionary behind Opra, joins us to illuminate how combining stunning design with functional user experiences can captivate customers and elevate your bottom line. We journey through Nick's artistic evolution to the entrepreneurial realm, revealing how his agency crafts experiences that are not only visually stimulating but also strategically designed to prompt user action and drive revenue.Embarking on the quest for perfection in product usability, we dissect the critical design principles and growth strategies pivotal for any SaaS venture. Discover why the distinction between clickable buttons and natural reading paths can be a game-changer in product design, and why startups and established businesses require distinctly tailored approaches. We share wisdom on the iterative process, harnessing user feedback to refine offerings, and the transformative power of audits to sharpen your competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.Today's episode (and UX in general!) is about much more than just design; it's about challenging the status quo and sparking innovation within traditional business mindsets.ABOUT NICK Nick Hart is the founder of Opra, a result-oriented UX and SaaS growth agency. Nick has close to 8 years of experience leading design and strategy for growth-driven companies. He audits, analyzes, and designs to deliver customer-centric experiences that evoke action and drive revenue. Nick has helped deliver impactful work within green tech, logistics, sports, healthcare, fitness, and many more industries.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Opra Design’s WebsiteConnect with Nick on LinkedIn

Prepare to be enlightened by Ryan Chesterfield as he shares his riveting odyssey from a curious tinkerer to an automation virtuoso. With a treasure trove of experiences ranging from the pulse of startups to the rhythm of established corporations, Ryan distills the essence of material handling and robotics into wisdom that goes beyond mechanical expertise. As he recounts his evolvement into a strategic salesperson, you'll uncover how the delicate interplay of customer needs and team chemistry can lead to the successful implementation of complex automated systems. Through his eyes, witness the power of agility and innovation in revolutionizing workflows and the importance of a nuanced approach to tech adoption—where understanding the client's operations is as vital as the technology itself.Strap in for a pragmatic discussion on the art of aligning technological investments with tangible returns. As businesses stand at the crossroads of adopting new automation tools, Ryan's anecdotes emphasize that a surplus of technology does not equate to superior performance. The narrative pivots around the hard truth that the efficacy of any system lies in its harmony with a company's unique DNA and the competency of its operators. This segment peels back the layers of decision-making that business owners face, championing the need for sagacious counsel over the siren songs of vendors. Listeners will gain a fresh perspective on the untapped gold mines in warehouses still operating under manual power, and the potential for bespoke tech solutions to drive efficiency in line with each enterprise's vision.The conversation culminates with a foray into the technological renaissance of warehousing, where AI and automation are not just buzzwords but catalysts for transformation. As we dissect the potential for smaller operations to level the playing field against industry behemoths, Ryan debunks the myth of robots as mere usurpers of jobs. Instead, he envisages them as allies in the workforce, reshaping roles and fueling the demand for tech-savvy professionals. We'll explore how even a B-minus robotic system can outperform with the right data diet, and the cruciality of visionary thinking in steering through the waves of technological upheaval. For anyone curious about the future of warehousing, this episode with Ryan Chesterfield offers a compelling glimpse into the strategies and mindset needed to harness the full potential of AI and automation.ABOUT RYANRyan Chesterfield's journey into engineering began with a childhood full of disassembled appliances and the occasional near-miss house fire, all of which revealed his knack for mechanical systems. His passion led him to a degree in mechanical engineering, where he specialized in the nascent field of warehouse conveyor systems—a key element of automation before the age of advanced robotics.Fresh out of college, Ryan dove straight into the practical side of his field, working hands-on with conveyor belts and gaining an invaluable understanding of warehouse operations. His early days were spent on the warehouse floor, troubleshooting and perfecting the systems that kept goods moving efficiently. This experience didn’t just make him a skilled engineer—it laid the foundation for Ryan to become a transformative figure in the world of systems engineering.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Auto-FC’s WebsiteConnect with Ryan on LinkedIn

Have you ever felt like you're running on a treadmill while juggling work, health, and personal life, only to find the 'have it all' lifestyle is a myth? Today our host Brian unravels this narrative and shares the raw truth behind the sacrifices that entrepreneurs make on their journey to success. Far from the effortless balance portrayed by some, Brian gets real with personal stories that reveal the occasional necessity of putting certain aspects of life on hold. This episode provides a grounded look at what it really takes to climb the entrepreneurial ladder, offering comfort and guidance for those feeling disillusioned by the seemingly perfect lives of industry leaders.

In today's episode we'll talk about ONE powerful and simple question to ask yourself today (and ideally every week!) in order to find the thing that will be MOST effective in helping you move forward.

Join us on an inspirational journey with Tim Whitmire, the co-founder of F3 and founder of CXN Advisory. In a heart-to-heart conversation, Tim narrates his unexpected pivot from the world of journalism and finance to igniting a fitness revolution. His own health scare served as a catalyst along his journey as an entrepreneur in service, reinforcing the indispensable value of community and leadership in personal recovery and well-being. Prepare to be moved by stories of how the principles of F3 have not only reshaped bodies but also built resilience and camaraderie among men worldwide.As we row through this episode, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the crucial role of alignment in both sports and the corporate realm. Reflecting on Tim's time with the Harvard crew team, we draw powerful parallels to the business world, examining how synchronized efforts and a unified vision can propel an organization to new heights. Tim's insights into the parallels between a coxswain's guidance and an advisor's direction in steering a company are enlightening, offering a profound understanding of how teamwork is intrinsic to fostering success.Wrapping up our session, we dissect the essence of carving out a unique niche in the marketplace, using Lyft's differentiation from Uber as a case study. We delve into the strategic implementation of objectives and key results (OKRs) and the mastery of goal setting, providing a blueprint for entrepreneurs to navigate both short-term challenges and long-term aspirations. Personal anecdotes shed light on the strength of relational networks, especially in times of crisis, underscoring the episode's underlying theme: in business, as in life, the bonds we forge are as vital as the goals we pursue.ABOUT TIM After more than a decade in journalism, primarily with The Associated Press, Tim Whitmire began working in middle market finance in 2007 as an officer at a Charlotte-based middle market investment bank, then as a founder at another firm. On New Year's Day 2011, he and a friend led the first gathering of a global movement of free workout groups for men that would come to be known as F3. From that first workout for 35 men at a Charlotte middle school, F3 (it stands for Fitness, Fellowship and Faith) has spread across the United States and to dozens of foreign countries, offering participants a way to get in shape, bond closely with peers and take leadership roles in their own lives and the life of their community. In 2018, Tim began working with growth stage businesses to apply the lessons he had learned growing F3 to their unique challenges around alignment and scaling that those organizations face. Through his firm, CXN Advisory, he works with leadership teams from around the country to put strategic planning into action. Tim suffered a serious stroke in the fall of 2022, and credits the fitness and fellowship developed through F3 (along with support from his wife and three kids) as having played a significant role in his recovery and ability to continue his work.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit CXN Advisory’s WebsiteConnect with Tim on LinkedInSchedule a Call with Tim