Becoming An Entrepreneur

What Stage Are You In? In this episode of Join Up Dots, David Ralph takes listeners on a candid, conversational journey through the five major stages of moving from employee to affluent entrepreneur, explaining how awareness, preparation, bold action, steady growth and eventual mastery unfold in real life rather than in textbooks. Blending honest reflection with personal stories — from late-night frustrations at the kitchen table to quiet moments of clarity that sparked change — David shows how freedom, resilience and the courage to evolve shape the path to wealth far more than luck ever could. It's a reminder that every entrepreneur starts with uncertainty, stumbles through the messy middle and becomes stronger by embracing the lessons hidden in setbacks. If you know someone dreaming of building a life on their own terms, share this episode and spread the message using #JoinUpDots #EntrepreneurLife #BuildYourDreams. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

How To Eliminate Distractions (TIME) Todays guest joining us on the show is a man who has created something, that as soon as I saw it I thought "Wow, I know many people who could do with this system" It's all down to giving you the ability to focus in on a task, when the world of distractions are flying around your head. You know what its like, you have an important piece of work to finish, but you just need to check Facebook for a second, and then of course the football results, and before you know it that piece of work takes longer and longer. Pressure and stress abounds Well as our guest says " After I left my corporate job, I spent several years struggling to build a life that allowed me the creative freedom to realize my potential, while still paying my bills. I worked as a freelance writer and tutor, started a business, and pursued numerous side hustles before eventually establishing myself as a professional coach for entrepreneurs, growth company executives, and Fortune 100 managers. Along the way, I tried everything I could find that promised to boost my productivity, and to stop myself from procrastinating and wasting time. I found productivity apps that helped me organize my to-do list, stay off social media, and manage my calendar. I also developed my own systems to set long-term goals, to plan my weeks more strategically, and to stick to a strong morning routine. After helping my coaching clients implement some of these tools, I realized that today's digital workers need a solution for procrastination that didn't exist: A community to connect with like-minded individuals committed to holding each other accountable, hour by hour, for actually doing the actions contained in those todo lists, productivity tools, and goal trackers. I created Focusmate to help independent workers break free of the shame and anxiety caused by chronic procrastination, and to enjoy the same benefits of accountability as clients paying thousands of dollars for coaching. Love this, truly love this. So when this idea popping into his head did he think like most people seem to do "That must be out there already, so what's the point?" And where does he find the biggest need for his services, from people who are just beginning or ones much further into the game who should know better. Well let's find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Taylor Jacobson Show Highlights We discussed so many deep subjects on the show such as: Why so many people fail to get an idea of the ground quite simply due to the fact that they have too many ideas. Taylor talks about "blundering" around in his career, which allowed him to experience many things that has led him to where he is today. We chat about finding the minimum viable product for any business as soon as possible, no matter how ugly it might be. And lastly……….. What would it be like if you didn't have to worry about business and only do what you love doing in life? Then perhaps its time to find a business partner who does.

To Get REALLY RICH You Need A WEALTH Filter In this episode of Join Up Dots, we dive deep into the idea of creating your own personal "wealth filter" — a way of stripping out the noise, the gurus, the hacks, and all the financial overwhelm that keeps you stuck. It's an honest, conversational look at how simplifying your inputs can massively increase your clarity, reduce stress, and help you finally focus on what genuinely makes you richer in every sense of the word. Using real stories, practical insights, and a calm, grounded approach, the episode helps listeners understand how much easier wealth becomes when you remove distraction and tune into what truly matters. If this resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it today using hashtags like #WealthMindset #SimplicityWins #JoinUpDotsPodcast. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

The First Lady To Climb Everest By Both Sides Todays guest is a lady who could literally be singing "I'm on the top of the world, looking down at the creation"every-time she jumps out of bed.Because since University, she has had a fascination for climbing, and took part in her first mountain expedition,to the Ruwenzori in central Africa at the age of 21.And something clicked in her.Was it the challenge?The camaraderie?Or simply the thrill of doing something that so few people have seen or done before?Whatever it was since that first climb she has tackled mountains across southern and central Africa, in South America, in the Alps and of course in the Himalayas when she stood on the top of the world and made history by becoming the first woman to reach the summit from the North and South peaks. But though her days on the worlds highest peak now seem to be at an end (in her words "I have not intention in going back" )her thirst for adventure seems unquenchable and in spring of 2004 she joined British woman Rona Cant and Norwegian Per-Thore-Hansen on a dog-sled expedition of 650 km through the remote wastes of the Norwegian Arctic to the most northerly point in Europe.With all these experiences just bursting from her, its no surprise that she has also climbed twice to the top of the book charts too,with her two self penned books Everest: Free To Decide and Just for the love of it"So before I mispronounce any more words and names, let me say it gives me great pleasure, to bring onto the show to start joining up the dots that have made her life, the one and only Cathy O'Dowd.

Easy Biz Ideas To Pay For YOUR Xmas In this episode of Join Up Dots, we dive into how anyone can fund their entire Christmas without stress, debt, or panic by launching a simple, local, service-based business right in their own neighbourhood. It's all about tapping into the skills you already have, solving small but meaningful problems for people nearby, and discovering just how quickly local income can flow when you show up, get visible, and offer real value. This episode is a reminder that you don't need a huge plan, a website, or months of preparation — you just need to start. If you've ever wanted proof that earning extra money before Christmas is possible for absolutely anyone, this is your moment. Share this episode with someone who needs that nudge using #JoinUpDots #SideHustle #EarnLocal #ChristmasCashFlow. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

Travel The World And EARN ! Todays guest joining us on the Steve Jobs inspired podcast interview is one of those ladies, who will inspire so many people out there that would love to leave the safety of their positions and travel the world feeling inspired. The kind of freedom that comes with choices and excitement at every turn. Your sitting at your work and you start wondering where you could go if you weren't chained to the desk. Your mind wanders. You love the image. But then you shake it off and get back to living in the real world. Well our guest today had those same feeings but instead of staying in the office environment, following the career she had created, she made living in the real world all about travelling new paths, experiencing adventure on every corner and having a kick ass life. She was an investment banker in California and worked in the stressful environment until she realised that it was burn out time. She realised that she had travelled a path that was not for her, and as Duran Duran once sang "Im on a ride and I wanna get off, but they won't slow down the roundabout" So she jumped off the roundabout herself.,bought a one way ticket to Thailand, sold her belongings and left everything she knew behind on September 27, 2012, with nothing but a carry-on backpack. She had never done this before, and certainly had never travelled on her own, but she still did it. Was she scared to say goodbye to everything ? Was she able to plan enough to make sure that she wasn't literlaly going into the unknown? And of course the key question that everyone will want to now is how has she managed to fund the travelling lifestyle? Well lets find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots, on the top rated business podcast, the one and only Kristin Addis.

Why Do I Keep On FAILING To Get RICH? In this episode of Join Up Dots, we dive into the real reason so many people try to get rich but never quite make it. It's not the lack of effort, talent, or desire — it's the mindset behind the actions. We explore the shift from living like a poor person trying to get rich to thinking like someone who already has wealth, freedom, and choice. I share the turning point in my own life, when saving every penny, scrimping, and playing small finally gave way to asking a better question: *What do the rich do differently?* That mindset change opened the door to a life built on abundance rather than fear, and it's a shift anyone can make. If you're ready to stop chasing and start choosing, this episode will help you take that first step toward real financial transformation. Share this message far and wide using **#JoinUpDots #MindsetShift #WealthBuilding**. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

Welcome To Paddlesmash Paddlesmash creators Tim Swindle And Scott Brown have been entrepreneurs for over 10 years, having launched multiple companies. His first Kickstarter in 2013 was successfully funded for a game he co-created called, Utter Nonsense. It achieved rapid commercial interest and ultimately went on to be sold in Target, Walmart and other major retailers around the country. He has since brought numerous products to market in the toy, game, and novelty space. How The Dots Joined Up For Tim As an early investor and employee at PointDrive, a Chicago-based sales software company, he had roles leading sales, marketing, and operations before the company was acquired in 2016 by LinkedIn. During this time, he worked on his own future making the most of all the time he had available. In 2018 Tim co- founded Playtacular, a boutique publishing company that designs and creates innovative toys and games. In addition to this he also is heaviliy involved in Paddlesmash a great new family game brought to him by its inventor Joe Bingham. Tim lives in Nashville, with his wife, daughter and his dog Tucker. So what is it about the uber competitive toy market that excites him and keeps him moving forward daily? And how can someone listening today with an idea for a toy move it to the shops quickly? Well lets find out as we bring onto the show, to join up more dots with the one and only Mr Tim Swindle

The ONE Thing You MUST Think About Today In today's episode of Join Up Dots, we dive into a single, powerful question that could change everything about the way you live your life. Are you building your own dreams, or spending your days building someone else's? Most people never pause long enough to recognise that the freedom they want—financial freedom, time freedom, location freedom—starts with a decision. A decision that the people they admire have already made. This episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and confront the truth about who really controls your destiny. If it resonates, share it far and wide using #JoinUpDots #LifeOnYourTerms #BuildYourDreams. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!

Stephanie Keenan Tells Us All Stop Chasing Skinny With Online Fitness Advice Today's guest joining us on the Join Up Dots Steve Jobs inspired podcast is a lady who has made very happy. As this is the second time I have had the pleasure of grilling her on the show, as she last appeared back on episode 208, where we talked about her rise to the top of the fitness industry from a starting point that was more than a bit unusual. Yep, that's all i'm saying, so you will have to go back and listen to that one to find out her unusual past occupations. So when she connected with me again and said "David, have I got more dots to share with you and your listeners" then I knew it was going to be good stuff. And it as this is a lady that is tackling one of the hardest fitness courses the world has scene "The Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge" created by Jo De Sena who also appeared on the show back on episode 312 And the big question to this desire to get down, muddy and sweaty is why? She is a beautiful lady, has a great business that is rocking and rolling, has clients across the world, and could stay in her comfort zone quite happily. But she doesn't want to. She wants to prove herself and go after bigger and bigger challenges, which really joins up the dots to our first interview. As this is not your usual uber glamorous fitness guru. But this is a lady will drive, commitment and passion to do the unusual. To create her own path, And to go to bed each night content to know that she has given it her very best. So what was the appeal of going onto the hit TV show "Spartan Ultimate Challenge"? And did she discover things about herself that were a complete surprise, or only cement what she already knew? Well let's find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Stephanie Keenan. To listen to more from Stephanie Keenan and the Stop Chasing Skinny Podcast go to: Podcast: Stop Chasing Skinny Podcast SKFitlife Description: NBC's SPARTAN RACE TV Series Season 1 Contestant... Founder of the SKFitLife Challenge and www.skfitlife.com, Stephanie Keenan is a wellness expert and fitness coach. Do you want to learn how to LOOK as fit as you FEEL? Have you thought to yourself, yeah, I DO want to reach my fitness goals in a more concise way! Listen each week to learn how to bring it all together. We know you have more important things to do with your time than slog away on the treadmill or elliptical chasing skinny.