1270: Reid Hoffman Says Your Job is Extinct by 2034... Here’s Your Escape Plan w/ Jess Lane

Feeling stuck, burned out, or trapped by the "golden handcuffs" of a corporate job? This episode is your permission slip to design a new future. Guest Jess Lane, founder of The Full Cup Co., shares her powerful story of being laid off from a unicorn tech company and turning that crisis into a catalyst for purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Jess breaks down her concept of "human sustainability design," a framework for creating a career and business that fuels you instead of draining you. This conversation is a masterclass for any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur who wants to build a business that is not only profitable but also deeply fulfilling and sustainable for the long haul.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessLearn how to build a concrete plan to transition from your corporate job into entrepreneurship without starting from scratch or sacrificing stability.Discover how to identify and leverage your unique combination of skills, life experiences, and values to create an "AI-resistant" business that no one else can replicate.Understand why the perceived stability of a 9-to-5 is an illusion and how entrepreneurship can offer more control and security in a rapidly changing workforce.Jess shares her "Five Pillars of Well-Being" (physical, financial, mental/emotional, social, and professional) and how to assess them to prevent burnout before it starts.Hear how a major career setback can become the single greatest opportunity to build the business and life you've always wanted.Learn why finding a supportive community is non-negotiable for successfully navigating the emotional rollercoaster of starting and growing a business.📝 About Jesseca Lane Jesseca Lane is the founder of The Full Cup Co., a firm dedicated to Human Sustainability Design. After a 20-year career in marketing and advertising for Fortune 500 companies and helping build a tech company to unicorn status, a sudden layoff became her pivotal moment. This experience led her to pursue a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and create a system to help others navigate their own career transitions. Jess now helps high-achieving executives and entrepreneurs design purposeful, sustainable careers that align with their deepest values and prevent burnout.🎯 Jess’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Always remember, no one has your special sauce. If you feel called to solve a problem or a challenge or build something on your own, just remember, no one will do it exactly like you do it."📢 Memorable Quotes"No one has your special sauce... your background, your values, the desired impact you want to leave in the world, your exact skill set times, the experiences you've had. No one has that." – Jess Lane"If you're coaching someone to not be burnout and then sending them right back into the same environment that affects like 90% of their well being, you really can only do so much." – Jess Lane"You would be amazed at how people [open up], especially when you tell your own story and they understand that not only do you have the credentials to help them, but they also went through something really similar." – Jess Lane🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit The Full Cup Co.’s WebsiteConnect with Jess on LinkedInFollow The Full Cup Co.™ on LinkedIn

After nearly two decades in the high-stakes tech and finance industries, Mike Conway traded his corporate career for the entrepreneurial grind. He’s now the founder and CEO of Arcodo, a SaaS platform designed to help indie game developers plan, manage, and launch their games. In this episode, Mike shares the raw and real journey of bootstrapping a business, from finding a scalable idea to overcoming the introverted engineer’s fear of marketing and community building. This episode is a masterclass in practicality for any wantrepreneur, revealing why your product doesn't have to be perfect to succeed and how focusing on solving a real problem is the ultimate key to building a valuable business.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessWhy "ugly" products that solve a real problem will always beat beautiful products that don't.How to leverage your past career experience (even the parts you didn’t like) to build a better business on your own terms.The bootstrapper’s mindset: How to build a sustainable company without VC pressure by being your own (and only) stakeholder.How to use AI as a strategic tool to solve specific problems, not as a buzzword to chase.Actionable strategies for introverted founders to get out there, talk to customers, and build a community around their product.The power of time-blocking: a simple daily habit to manage the chaos of entrepreneurship and actually get things done.Why the barrier to entry in entrepreneurship is much lower than you think, and how to use that knowledge to take action today.📝 About Mike Conway Mike Conway is the founder and CEO of Arcodo, a SaaS startup dedicated to empowering indie game developers. With nearly 20 years of deep experience in technology, spanning development, cloud architecture, and security, Mike left a successful career in the finance industry to build something of his own. He combines his technical expertise with a lifelong passion for gaming and creativity, offering a unique perspective on building a community-driven platform from the ground up as a solo, bootstrapped founder.🎯 Mike’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Ultimately it comes down to the fact that the bar is lower than you probably think."📢 Memorable Quotes“If you're legitimately solving a problem for someone, they don't care what it looks like. They don't care about the marketing and all that. They just care about solving a problem in their day-to-day life.” – Mike Conway“AI is a tool just like a hammer is a tool... it's built for a very specific purpose. Before you go chasing an AI strategy, you need to figure out what problem you're trying to solve first.” – Mike Conway“I'm the only stakeholder that I have to appease. I can build it correctly... versus trying to appease an army of shareholders out there somewhere. It's a really nice change of pace and it gives me a lot of pride in what I'm building.” – Mike Conway💡 Actionable Takeaways✅ Start your day by time-blocking your calendar. Instead of a massive to-do list, assign realistic time slots to your most important tasks to ensure they get done.✅ Step outside your comfort zone and talk to your potential customers. Find out what they are passionate about and what problems they truly need solved.✅ Embrace imperfect action. Focus on building a solution that works, even if it's not perfectly polished, and get it into the hands of users.🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Arcodo’s WebsiteConnect with Mike on LinkedInFollow Arcodo on LinkedIn

In this powerhouse episode, revenue growth architect Jen Manswell dismantles the myth that business growth is a game of chance. With the powerful mantra "growth isn't guesswork," Jen shares her framework for building predictable, scalable, and repeatable revenue systems. She reveals why connecting marketing, sales, and finance is non-negotiable for creating a true revenue engine, not just a cost center. For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur tired of chasing trends and ready for a sustainable strategy, this episode provides a masterclass in architecting success by focusing on fundamentals, deeply understanding customer psychology, and making decisions with intellect, not just emotion.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business💰 What Revenue Architecting Is: Learn how to design a complete system that attracts, nurtures, closes, and scales sales opportunities, moving you beyond unreliable referrals.🚀 Strategy Before Tactics: Discover why focusing on who your customer is and how they think is the essential first step before ever choosing a marketing tactic like an ad or social media post.🤝 The Marketing-Sales-Finance Bridge: Understand how to position marketing as a core business driver by proving its ROI and getting your finance team invested in its success.🧠 Beyond Customer Surveys: Learn the art of persuasion and framing your narrative to connect with customers on a psychological level, building rapport that leads to long-term relationships.📬 The Power of Unconventional Channels: Hear why Jen successfully went back to print and direct mail, proving that the best strategy is the one that reaches your customer, not the one that's trending.🤖 A Founder’s Guide to AI: Get a practical, hype-free perspective on AI as a tool that is only as good as its user, and learn how to leverage it to enhance your skills, not replace them.🌪️ How to Thrive in Chaos: Learn the executive mindset for navigating constant change by leaning into fear, learning from shifts, and pivoting with purpose.📝 About Jen Manswell Jen Manswell is a Revenue Growth Architect and the CEO of Mieileen Consulting, where she has helped companies unlock over $100 million in new revenue. With a dynamic background that began in the performing arts and evolved through 20 years in marketing, sales, and demand generation, Jen brings a uniquely holistic perspective to business growth. She doesn’t just focus on one department; she architects comprehensive systems that align the entire business around creating repeatable, scalable revenue. Jen’s approach is a potent mix of strategic discipline, creative candor, and a deep understanding of human psychology, making her a formidable guide for founders ready to build an engine for success.🎯 Jen’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs “Your emotions have utility, but they don’t have intellect.”📢 Memorable Quotes“A lot of people, when they hear marketing, they think an ad or they think a logo… However, those are the results of how you've made the decision as to how you are going to go after your customer.” – Jen Manswell“Just because the world is changing doesn't mean you need to be... The strategies that we're going after then fully align with the customer and only pivoting with the trends and with the changes if it ultimately makes sense.” – Jen Manswell🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Mieileen Consulting’s WebsiteConnect with Jen on LinkedInFollow Mieileen Consulting on LinkedIn

Ever wonder why some entrepreneurs can launch a podcast, website, or social media channel and see immediate traction, while others do the same things for months or even years with nothing to show for it? In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian Lofrumento dives deep into one of the most common—and costly—misunderstandings in business: the difference between a tool and an engine. Brian reveals that success isn't about having the best tools (like a podcast, a website, or even AI). It's about building a powerful engine around them. This episode will challenge you to stop merely collecting tools and start strategically building the systems that actually drive growth, generate leads, and establish you as a thought leader.✨ Why This Matters for YouUnderstanding the "Tool vs. Engine" concept is a game-changer for your business:It’s the difference between being busy and being productive. You’ll learn how to connect your daily activities to a larger, goal-oriented strategy.It ends the cycle of "shiny object syndrome." Instead of jumping to the next tool, you'll focus on building a sustainable system for success.It turns your marketing efforts from a collection of random assets (like MP3 files or blog posts) into a lead-generating machine.It empowers you to see that you don't need more or better tools; you need a better strategy to leverage the ones you already have.📝 Key TakeawaysTools Don't Build Businesses. A podcast, website, book, or AI subscription is just a tool. On its own, it accomplishes nothing. Anyone can buy a microphone; not everyone can build an audience.Success Requires an Engine. Successful entrepreneurs don't just use tools; they use tools to build engines—the systems, strategies, and workflows that create results.An Engine is Your Strategy in Action. Brian’s podcast isn't just a collection of recordings; it's plugged into an engine of content distribution, guest promotion, social media repurposing, and lead generation.Turn Your Microphone into a Megaphone. A tool (like a microphone) only amplifies your voice to those already listening. An engine (like a content distribution system) acts as a megaphone, pushing your message out to the world.Ask Yourself: "Is It Plugged In?" The most important question you can ask about any marketing activity is whether it’s "plugged in" to your broader business goals and strategy. If not, it’s just a tool sitting on a shelf.🚀 Put It Into ActionThis week, conduct a "Plug-In Audit" for your business:Pick one key tool you’re using (your newsletter, your Instagram account, your blog, etc.).Honestly assess: Is this tool just existing, or is it part of a larger, intentional engine? List all the ways it's currently connected to your other marketing efforts and goals.Identify one specific way you can "plug it in" better this week. Could you repurpose a blog post for LinkedIn? Could you create a quote graphic from your latest newsletter to share on social media? Take one step to build out your engine.🔗 Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the show so you never miss an episodeConnect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs to stop collecting tools and start building an engine

In this episode, Brian sits down with Victoria Balkissoon and Matthew Proetsch, the co-founders of NightShift Codes, a software engineering company that started by helping local businesses streamline their operations. They share their incredible journey from working as civilian scientists for the U.S. Navy to building a thriving company that solves real-world business problems with custom code. Victoria and Matt reveal how their complementary skills—her creative front-end expertise and his back-end problem-solving—create a powerhouse partnership. This episode is packed with value for any entrepreneur who feels limited by off-the-shelf software, is curious about leveraging AI, or dreams of turning their service-based skills into scalable products like SaaS tools and educational resources.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to identify operational bottlenecks that custom software can solve, moving you from manual chaos to automated efficiency (like their client’s inventory system).The power of "vibe coding" to prototype ideas quickly and how to know when it’s time to bring in professional developers to take your project to the next level.Strategies for "bidirectional learning" during client consultations to uncover deep needs and co-create solutions that truly solve their problems.Why a "free-flowing" co-founder structure can spark more creativity and quicker innovation than rigid, overly-structured planning sessions.The art of under-promising and over-delivering by managing client expectations with radical transparency around project timelines.📝 About Victoria Balkissoon & Matthew ProetschVictoria Balkissoon and Matthew Proetsch are the co-founders of NightShift Codes, an Orlando-based software engineering company. With backgrounds as civilian scientists for the U.S. Navy, they bring a unique blend of creativity and analytical rigor to the world of software development. Victoria excels at creating beautiful, user-friendly front-end experiences, while Matt loves diving into complex back-end problems and using technology in unconventional ways. Together, their mission is to develop practical software solutions that empower creatives and entrepreneurs, evolving from a local-first client agency to building their own suite of SaaS and educational products.🎯 Victoria’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Take risks. Take the plunges... When we finally did, it was like a bright new world, opening of possibilities. And so you're in charge of what possibilities you have."🎯 Matt’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Be open to feedback, be open to changing what you're working on... If it just doesn't work out, you still gotta be able to cut your losses and move on to the next thing."📢 Memorable Quotes"I like the creative aspect of coding... it's like bringing to life something that's so beautiful and making your own masterpiece, like creating an outfit basically for the code." – Victoria Balkissoon"My favorite thing to do is just tackle a problem, jump right in with no knowledge of how that piece of the world works, and then sort of build that up." – Matthew Proetsch🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit NightShift Codes’ WebsiteConnect with Victoria on LinkedInConnect with Matt on LinkedInFollow NightShift Codes on LinkedInFollow NightShift Codes on Instagram

In a world saturated with general AI tools like ChatGPT, Eshan Chordia is carving a new path for entrepreneurs. As the founder and CEO of Impulse AI, he's on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence and make it a powerful, accessible tool for everyone—no coding skills required. This episode dives deep into the world of custom AI, explaining why specialized models trained on your own data can solve business problems that generic tools can't touch. For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur looking to gain a competitive edge, this conversation is a masterclass in leveraging next-gen technology to automate tasks, create new revenue streams, and build a smarter, more efficient business from the ground up.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessWhy custom AI models outperform generic tools like ChatGPT for specific, high-value business tasks.How to build and deploy your own AI tool simply by using plain English prompts, no coding or engineering team needed.A framework for identifying opportunities in your business where a custom AI can save you time, money, and resources.The future of AI accessibility and why costs are plummeting, making powerful technology available to startups and solo founders.How to not only use AI but also monetize your own creations by building and sharing specialized models with others on a marketplace.The critical importance of data privacy in the age of AI and how to ensure you maintain ownership and control over your business intelligence.An insider's look at the iterative process of building an AI agent and how it’s becoming faster and more intuitive than ever.📝 About Eshan Chordia Eshan Chordia is the founder and CEO of Impulse AI, a platform empowering anyone to build and use custom AI without knowing how to code. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with degrees in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Cognitive Science, Eshan is a true AI visionary. His impressive background includes building an AI infrastructure company, developing the world's most advanced AI-powered wildfire risk model at ZestyAI, and designing cryptoeconomics at Protocol Labs. Eshan brings a wealth of deep technical expertise and a passion for making cutting-edge technology accessible, offering a unique perspective on how entrepreneurs can harness the true power of AI.🎯 Eshan’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Be extremely proactive and aggressive in talking to your customers and understanding what their pain points are."📢 Memorable Quotes"The imagination of our customers is always going to be more than my personal or our team's imagination.""We're here to build you the best customized model based on your own data. And so the privacy and security thing is super important to me.""Most people in the world would rather use a good AI built by someone else than think through [it themselves]... if someone can build the best customized AI... me as a user, I don't have to think through how I would do it."🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Impulse AI’s WebsiteConnect with Eshan on LinkedInFollow Impulse AI on LinkedIn

Tim Cassidy shares his incredible journey from a 14-year career as a "clipboard commando" for the federal government to co-founding Online CE Credits, a seven-figure online education platform. Tim gets brutally honest about the realities of scaling a business, detailing the inflection points, the mental toll, and the near-crippling fear that comes with downturns after periods of massive success. This episode is a masterclass in perseverance, revealing how Tim’s company experienced 350% revenue growth in its first year and grew into a multi-million dollar business, while also exposing the critical strategic mistakes made along the way. For any entrepreneur feeling the pressure of growth, this conversation provides a transparent look at the challenges of scaling and the vital importance of diversifying before it’s too late.📝 About Tim CassidyA recovering 14-year “clipboard commando” in the federal government, Tim Cassidy is the Co-Founder & CEO of Online CE Credits, a 7-figure continuing education platform for licensed mental health providers. Under his full-time leadership, the company saw 350% revenue growth in its first year, hitting $1M in 2023 and $2M in 2024, while consistently maintaining profit margins over 40%. In 2024, the platform was named “Most Investable” at a global business competition—a reflection of Tim’s systems-driven approach and commitment to creating scalable success. His ultimate goal: to share that success and build intergenerational wealth for future generations to pursue their own dreams.📢 Memorable Quotes"When you're inviting someone in to try you or if you want someone to become a customer, oftentimes you want to give before you have an expectation to receive.""Your perfect customer is someone that you're never going to hear from.""At one point, 80% of our revenue was coming from meta ads... I remember when I figured this out, I laughed at it, but then the hair also stood up on the back of my neck."💡 Actionable Takeaways✅ Audit your customer acquisition channels this week. If more than half your revenue comes from a single source, begin brainstorming at least two new channels to develop over the next quarter.✅ Dedicate time in your calendar for proactive networking. Identify and reach out to potential strategic partners who serve the same audience you do.✅ If your business is new, embrace doing things that don't scale. Personally answer customer emails and calls to build foundational trust and get positive word-of-mouth reviews.✅ Document your core workflows and processes now, even if you're a solo founder. Creating these SOPs early will save you from chaos as you begin to hire and scale.✅ For digital products, consider creating a free offering to lower the barrier to entry for new customers and give them a chance to experience your value before they buy.🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Online CE Credits’ WebsiteConnect with Tim on LinkedInFollow Online CE Credits on LinkedIn

Tired of only talking to your accountant during the stressful tax season? Garrett Paul is here to completely change your perspective. With a powerhouse background in sales, Garrett brings a unique, growth-oriented mindset to the world of accounting as the co-founder of a CPA and Business Advisory firm. He reveals how pairing complementary skills—like sales and technical expertise—can create an unstoppable business partnership.This episode is a masterclass in building a business that thrives on genuine relationships and smart, data-driven strategy. You'll learn why viewing your financials as a monthly "story" is critical for making game-changing decisions, how to build a referral network that generates endless opportunities, and why the most powerful sales strategy is simply to listen. Garrett breaks down complex business concepts into simple, actionable advice that will help you stop working in your business and start working on it.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🚀 How pairing complementary skills (like sales and accounting) can create a dynamic co-founding duo that covers all bases.💰 Why you should transform your CPA relationship from a once-a-year transaction into a year-round strategic partnership for continuous growth.📊 How to read the "story" your financials are telling you every month to make proactive, data-driven decisions instead of reactive ones.🤝 The "Listen First" Sales Strategy: Discover why letting your prospect talk first gives you the "answers to the test" and builds immediate trust.🌐 How to become a super-connector by building a powerful referral network that drives good karma and business opportunities back to you.🛠️ Why simple, free tools like Trello can be more effective for managing your client pipeline than complex, expensive CRMs.🤖 How to use AI as a "red zone" tool to get 80% of the work done, freeing you up to focus on high-value, strategic tasks.📝 About Garrett PaulGarrett Paul is a business strategist and relationship builder who cut his teeth in the high-stakes world of kitchen equipment sales, helping drive over $16 million in revenue. He then brought his sales and operational expertise to the finance world, co-founding The Jones Group, CPA and Business Advisory, with his childhood best friend. Garrett’s mission is to shatter the stereotype of the distant, seasonal accountant. He focuses on building genuine, year-round partnerships with clients, acting as a strategic advisor to help them understand their numbers and scale their businesses effectively.🎯 Garrett’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Needing nothing attracts everything."📢 Memorable Quotes“If you don't understand your numbers, you're not able to make decisions. And if you look at a P&L or a balance sheet… and they're not telling you a story, then they're probably screwed up and we need to figure out what's going on.” – Garrett Paul“Listening to your clients and your prospects is going to give you the answers to the test. It's really simple, and people make it really difficult.” – Garrett Paul“AI to me is the start. It's not the finished product… AI should get you to within the red zone at best.” – Garrett Paul🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit The Jones Group’s WebsiteConnect with Garrett on LinkedInFollow The Jones Group on LinkedInFollow The Jones Group on YouTube

Every business, regardless of size, struggles with a costly disconnect between their sales and finance systems. This gap leads to revenue leakage, delayed payments, and poor business visibility. In this episode, Sandra Bustos, founder and CEO of Meshly, breaks down how she’s tackling this universal problem head-on. She shares her journey from being a "dot connector" in major tech companies to building a solution that acts as a "Google Translate" between go-to-market and finance teams. This episode is packed with insights on how to leverage technology to build trust, why a solid data foundation is more critical than chasing AI hype, and how to ensure you're capturing every dollar you’ve earned.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to identify the "upstream" errors in your sales process (like a missing PO) that cause massive downstream revenue delays and leakage.Why a solid data schema is often more important than AI for building trust and ensuring accuracy in high-stakes financial workflows.How to turn deep-seated corporate frustration and personal experience into a scalable, problem-solving business idea.The critical reason why founder-led sales is a non-negotiable for achieving and maintaining product-market fit, long after you’ve hired a sales team.A simple "pilot" strategy to start diagnosing exactly where your business is losing money and why your teams might be working with conflicting data.How to build a solution that meets customers where they are—even if that means exporting back to a CSV—to earn their trust and drive adoption.📝 About Sandra BustosSandra Bustos is the founder and CEO of Meshly, the real-time trust layer for go-to-market and finance systems. A lifelong builder and natural dot connector, Sandra spent a decade leading go-to-market and customer success teams at major tech companies like Talk Desk and Autodesk. This firsthand experience exposed her to the costly and frustrating disconnects between teams and systems, driving her to found Meshly. Sandra's unique perspective combines a deep understanding of complex business workflows with a passion for creating technology that empowers finance leaders to capture revenue faster and with more confidence.🎯 Sandra’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"If you have that itch to build, there's never going to be a right time."📢 Memorable Quotes“In the age of AI, one thing's for sure, you can actually get to the wrong answer faster. If you put dirty inputs upstream of the AI solution, you're going to get really wonky, not valuable output.” – Sandra Bustos“It wasn't just about tedious work or manual disconnects, but it was really about business owners not having a grasp on their business. And that felt like a disservice.” – Sandra Bustos“The best founders I've ever worked with are truly founder-led sales, even beyond hiring their VP of sales. It forces you to stay engaged in those customer conversations… Product-market fit, I don't believe it's a one and done.” – Sandra Bustos🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Meshly’s WebsiteConnect with Sandra on LinkedInFollow Meshly on LinkedIn

From firefighter and paramedic to the CEO of a multi-location lighting company, Chris Rios shares the gritty details of how he turned a simple side hustle into a thriving, multi-service business. His journey with Ultra Shine Holiday Lights is a masterclass in grit, strategic growth, and the power of continuous learning. This episode is packed with value for any entrepreneur feeling stuck, as Chris breaks down how he navigated pricing a premium service in a small town, leveraged technology to manage a massive seasonal sales influx, and expanded his services to create year-round revenue. Get ready to learn from someone who embodies excellence and a relentless drive to make things shine.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to transition from a passion-fueled side hustle into a full-time, scalable business.The critical mindset shift required to price your services as a premium, luxury offering—and stop discounting yourself.A breakdown of a multi-channel local marketing strategy using yard signs, door hangers, Facebook Ads, and direct mail to dominate a market.How to use systems like GoHighLevel to manage a huge influx of leads, track proposals, and automate follow-ups during your busiest season.The strategic advantage of expanding your service lines (like from holiday lights to permanent lighting and window cleaning) to create year-round cash flow and serve the same customer base.Why continuous learning through conferences, forums, and courses is the single most important habit for avoiding plateaus and ensuring long-term success.📝 About Chris Rios Chris Rios is the founder and CEO of Ultra Shine Holiday Lights, a full-scale professional lighting company serving Kansas and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. After 15 years as a dedicated firefighter and paramedic, Chris transformed his side hustle into a booming business built on passion and a sharp eye for design. He brings a hands-on approach and a commitment to excellence to every project, whether it's a home glowing for the holidays or an entire downtown square showing its town pride. Chris’s story is a powerful example of how a service-oriented mindset can build an incredible and scalable business.🎯 Chris’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Never stop learning. The moment you quit learning is the moment that you kind of hit a plateau or stall or even fail."📢 Memorable Quotes“It was about three or four years into it before I really realized this is a luxury product and service that we provide and it needs to be taken care of that way.” – Chris Rios"I didn't want to lose a customer. I was discounting here, discount there. Then I really started weighing the risk of being on a roof that's two or three stories up in the air." – Chris Rios“If the moment you quit learning is the moment that you kind of hit a plateau or stall or even fail. So never stop learning. Always be an open book.” – Chris Rios🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Ultra Shine Holiday Lights’ Website (Kansas)Visit Ultra Shine Holiday Lights’ Website (Dallas)Connect with Chris on LinkedInFollow Ultra Shine Holiday Lights on LinkedInFollow Ultra Shine Holiday Lights on Facebook