It’s always interesting how people get their start in entrepreneurship.  Our guest this week shares how back pain took him into becoming a serial entrepreneur.  Jory Mack is a serial entrepreneur who started his career managing the family pawn shop until he made a leap out into the fitness industry which propelled him into owning kiosks in malls, a phone repair shop, carpet cleaning business, a garage door repair and installation company, and now, a solar company.  In this episode, Tom and Jory get into their humble beginnings, sharing their “fuck it” moments that led them into entrepreneurship.  Jory shares how back pain connected him to a product he loved so much he decided to buy the company and sell it himself.  Tom and Jory discuss the importance of establishing core values, mission statements, creating company culture through independence, empathy, hard work and they’ll share some of the hacks they used along the way to develop them into serial entrepreneurs. Bring your notepad, cause this episode is packed with huge, yet simple takeaways.    What You'll Learn:   How back pain lead Jory to owning his first business Being hard-headed can be a huge benefit when it comes to managing a business Setting core values, standard operating procedures, and mission statements created a better culture and a scalable company culture What college does and doesn’t teach you Effectively managing difficult personalities  Cleaning up a company in one meeting  How to deal with family doubt  Why micromanagement is a counterproductive pursuit as an employee and entrepreneur Jory’s favorite book on sales that changed the game for him And much more!  FAVORITE QUOTE: “You see what they do in colleges and schools and all that stuff.  They say you gotta learn this and get a job. They don’t ever teach you to go get a business or learn a trade.  They say, you do this and go get the best job you can. And go get a job, and go get a job, and go get a job.  I’ll tell you if I wasn’t in an entrepreneurship actual major, even then you hear this stuff of go get a job.  At least I heard a little bit about starting a business, which is good. It’s crazy, but that’s how people are taught.”    Jory Mack     Connect with Jory Mack: Facebook Text: 775-846-9371   How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

GPS Tracking Installers Podcast

EP 102- Jory Mack: Pain Inspired Entrepreneurship

  This week, we continue with our compelling interview with Dan Ward who can best be described as a business Machiavelli in every sense of the word.  How many guys do you know own a Llama and love minivans?  In this segment, Dan showcases his in-depth knowledge and acumen in business as it pertains to best practices, systems, processes, and diving into his thoughts on side hustles and the new way to capitalize on growing a business $10 at a time over the long-term.  In this episode of Step It Up Entrepreneur, Tom and Dan discuss an industry full of people who fall under the nickname “Fucktards,” and the simple fact that sometimes people focus on using the wrong principles to build and scale a business.  They have a candid discussion and break down how knowing your numbers will predict the trajectory of your future in business. Dan and Tom also discuss the power of looking for additional streams of revenue inside of an existing business, and share a little about the network that makes it possible to collapse time and bring everything together with a flawless, systematic approach.    What You'll Learn:   The one industry known affectionately as “Fucktards”  Why being a leader requires you to be a talent scout and the efficiency at which you need employees to perform How knowing your numbers will allow you to narrow down your troublespots and scale your business effectively Golden nuggets of how to know it’s time of when to start a business The type of person you have to become to run and operate a successful small business Getting to know the type of employee you’re looking for in your organization to effectively maximize results  Dan’s response to the question of when it’s time to take a side-hustle and make it into a full-time business A book shared that will allow you to implement recurring revenue models in any company And much more!  FAVORITE QUOTE: “You can put recurring revenue models in any business.  Let’s go back to the barbershop. Instead of saying, $25 haircuts, why not do unlimited haircuts for $20 per month.  People are doing it on a small scale, but if you can get that and blow it up...it’s a high margin anyway, and you can do it with a lot of businesses.  The biggest thing is recurring revenue.”    Dan Ward     Connect with Dan Ward: Facebook Instagram    New Podcast Coming Soon: The Dirt Road CEO Podcast    How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

EP 101- Part II - Dan Ward: The Minivan Monster Truck School of Business

While most people are Jet setting across the country, around the world, living that Instagram lifestyle, there is one man who is defying convention by simply keeping common sense infused in his life and businesses.   Dan Ward started his work life like many who have come before him by taking a journey into the college system, graduating and quickly learning that working for FedEx, Darden Restaurants, and other companies in Corporate America would not be enough to keep him free from the “golden handcuffs.” Today, Dan is a serial entrepreneur who has figured out how to replace himself as the technician and become the owner in various industries including gutter replacement, barbershops, real estate, and much more.  In this episode of Step It Up Entrepreneur, Tom and Dan get raw and real as they discuss the American educational system, the pros and cons of a college education, slugging it out in a comfy corporate lifestyle, and pivoting into the fulfilling world of entrepreneurship.  They’ll discuss business hacks that have led them to get business in any industry up and running quickly and profitably.  This episode is so good, there are two parts to it.     What You'll Learn:   Why Dan prefers minivans to private jets  Two things Dan learned while working in corporate America The longstanding discussion of the value of a college education in today’s technology-infused world  How applying a common sense approach to life and business saved him thousands of dollars  Being resourceful will keep you from having to learn hard lessons if you simply mimic what’s already proven to be successful How to spot a good location for a brick and mortar One hack that will allow you to open any franchise type model without paying exorbitant fees And much more!  FAVORITE QUOTE: “So when I graduated college, I went to FedEx and was like, “I got this degree, bro!”  They told me they had an opening in Memphis as a Dock Supervisor and it was a position that required a 4-year degree.  They came back saying it started at $35,000. And I was like, but I have this piece of paper. Where’s the money?”    Dan Ward     Connect with Dan Ward: Facebook Instagram    New Podcast Coming Soon: The Dirt Road CEO Podcast    How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

EP 101: Dan Ward- The Minivan Monster Truck School of Business

To celebrate the 100th episode of the Step It Up Entrepreneur Podcast, we brought in someone who represents the epitome of humility, tenacity, and hyper-achievement. He’s helped thousands of individuals and companies grow in life and business by sticking to one simple mindset…...Do the Work!  On a hot summer day back in July of 2008, Ryan Stewman left federal prison with $25 to his name and a vision; to become the most elite version of himself. In the last 12 years, he’s done just that and currently operates over 20 businesses.  He’s known as “The Hardcore Closer,” and founder of Break Free Academy and his flagship program, Apex where sales professionals, solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, CEOs and investors gather as a community to dial in the four main areas of their lives: Gratitude, Genetics, Grind, and Group. By focusing on these four main areas, Ryan has single-handedly helped thousands of people transform their lives personally and professionally.  Ryan has been published in Forbes, Inc and Entrepreneur magazines, host of two podcasts, The HardCore Closer Podcast and ReWire, and is a 10X best selling author.  In this episode of Step It Up Entrepreneur, Tom and Ryan reminisce about one of their first flights together, the difference between core value-driven companies, and those flailing, barely making it by in one of the most abundant times in human history.  In this episode, Ryan shares “the test” he puts all of his employees through, and discover the best practices for running successful businesses…..it’s simpler than you might think.    What You'll Learn:   What you should and shouldn’t say when 4 police and government agencies greet you on the tarmac at the airport  How to fly private without breaking the bank The best practices when it comes to scaling your business What it means to do the best thing for the client  Creating a winning culture that supports itself in life and business One simple test that will determine if you’ll continue working with the people you’ve hired on your team  Crucial steps required to outlast your competition no matter the state of the economy.  And much more!  FAVORITE QUOTES:  “I had an 8-year brain dump.  Most people can have a 10-minute brain dump and they’re fucking empty. I had so much shit stored up there, I went on an 8 year run of podcast after podcast, video after video, post after post, but eventually, as my skill level rose to a 10...I’m a level-10 writer, level-10 video maker, level-10 podcaster, level-10 speaker, level-10 business leader, but once I got my skills to a level 10, then all of a sudden, I started attracting, 7s, 8s, 9s, and other 10s”   Ryan Stewman    Connect with Ryan: Facebook Instagram    Podcast: The HardCore Closer Podcast Podcast: ReWire Podcast  JoinTheApex.com    How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

EP 100: Ryan Stewman- Hardcore Closer Jet-Fueled Business

Our guest today is not a regular human being, but one of the nicest, and friendly people you could meet in person.  Steve Schabacker doesn’t mince words and he doesn’t waste time when it comes down to doing the work.  He’s currently operating 4 companies including an IT Services Company, a Security Services company, 2 Gun Shops, an Online Gun Store, and a gun manufacturing business.  The name of his brand is one you won’t forget: SheepDog Firearms, named for the SheepDog that lives his life in hopes one day the wolf that never arrives, does.  Guns. Ammo. Training.  In this episode of Step It Up Entrepreneur, Tom and Steve take a sledgehammer to a mountain of business gold as they dress down in detail the intricacies of establishing a mission statement, core values, and taking care of their clients by doing the hard work and being willing to do what 98% of businesses won’t in today’s world.  Steve will outline how he gets his clients to drive over an hour away to see him every single month and what he does to make such an impact. They discuss the pivotal moments during the pandemic that exploded Steve’s business into the empire he’s continuing to build today.    What You'll Learn:   3 things that have allowed Steve to dominate and change the face of the firearms industry  How the size of your store does not equate to the profitability of your business Why taking the extra steps in connecting with clients while they’re in person is so important What happened when hand-written cards and gift cards were sent out to key people in his industry  The why and how Steve and his business partner tanked a $10 million dollar a year business One activity Steve does to maximize his time when he’s traveling that’s added to his bottom line consistently  And much more!    FAVORITE QUOTES: “If you treat people right, they’ll drive farther than you think they will drive.” “We can come together over here under things in the Constitution and we don’t have to worry about what this group or that group is telling us.”   Steve Schabacker    Connect with Steve: Facebook Instagram    Podcast: The Tactical Entrepreneur Podcast SheepDogFirearms.com    How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

EP 99: Steve Schabacker- Killing Your Clients With Service

Matthew Kondrup aka “Matty K  El Capitan” is a New York Native who took a side hustle and with a little help from the Universe and life circumstances, developed into a thriving business.  For the last 16 years, Matty K has been a public servant for Nassau County Police Department as a Paramedic coming to the aid of thousands of people over the course of his career. An unfortunate injury left his femur and back broken and forced him into “retirement.” He’s also the founder of Matty K Travel arranging various travel accommodations for families, wedding parties, and entrepreneurs. On this episode of Step it Up Entrepreneur, Tom and Matty K discuss the challenges of living in New York, the power of choosing how to work and live life on your own terms.  They take a deep dive into the importance of doing little things for people today, that lead to bigger opportunities tomorrow. Matty K will share how he took life-changing defeat and pivoted into creating a business that has transformed the lives of his clients, family, and employees.      What You'll Learn:   The importance of setting up your life to serve the needs of your family Serving people at a level where they get to know, like and trust you How breaking the strongest bone in your body can change your life and what he did to bounce back  A unique way of attracting employees to help build your business organically Why firing bad clients is a good thing to do from time to time  Reasons why taking a vacation is important for your mental health, especially if you’re running a business How Matty K took a part-time hustle and exploded the business by doing 3 simple things  And much more!    FAVORITE QUOTES: “I said if I ever start a company, I’m gonna run a company where the employees respect the people they work for and run it with common sense.  I try really hard.  We have 50 people that work for us around the country.  I would hope that they would all stand up and say, “Hey, Matt’s great to work for.  He’s got some common sense. He’s sticking up for us and going to bat for us with people.”   Connect with Matty K Travel: Facebook Instagram    MattyK Travel Group   How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

EP 98: Matty K- Traveling from Police Beat to the Beach

There are exactly 729 details that have to be assembled in order to have a successful live event. Is that a true statement? Depending on how detailed your event planner is, the answer is yes.  At the ripe age of 26, Tyler Shane Dozier is an anomaly for his age, and experience. He currently serves as the Events Coordinator for Break Free Academy in Addison, Texas where he works tirelessly to  successfully bring the magic of live events to life with entertainment, music, atmosphere, and a pleasant end-user experience.  Over the last 9 years, he’s run over 900 events with anywhere from 10 to 4,000 people in attendance.  On this episode of Step it Up Entrepreneur, Tom and Tyler discuss his journey from high school through the last 8 years of working with youth, working in the fast-paced music industry, serving as the Director for Gymnastics academies in Dallas-Fort Worth, and the most important lessons he’s learned along the way.     What You'll Learn:   How Tyler took each opportunity to build a massive event-planning machine by simply doing the work  The logistics required to successfully conceptualize and execute a successful live event  Negotiating and leveraging resources and budgets with various vendors 3 Key elements required to “manage chaos” in any situation Lessons that helped him collapse time and take advantage of new opportunities  His favorite prop when entertaining large audiences  And much more!    FAVORITE QUOTES: “I’ve spent the greater part of 10 years being the technician in every business. I haven’t taken the step to see what I could do on my own and I don’t know that I necessarily want that .  I always want the people I’ve met here to be a part of what I’m doing and I think there’s a huge amount of opportunity around me.  I’d be dumb to not stick around for that.” “My biggest goal….I’ve always wanted to serve people and I want to be able to do that in the entertainment side of things, especially pole dancing, with the pole between my cheeks.  I’m all about that.”    Tyler Shane Dozier    Connect with Tyler: Facebook Instagram      How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

EP 97- Tyler Shane Dozier: Event Planning with Maximum Impact

What is the worst thing you could ever do to yourself?  I’m sure a few images popped in your mind.  Brian Lewis is not what most people would call an “average man.”  He’s a Licensed Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty, a Real Estate Investor, and works in his family’s HVAC company while running a successful non-profit organization, and raising 6 children.    On this episode of Step it Up Entrepreneur, Tom and Brian get real, raw, and talk about hustling as kids in the streets, flipping cars for cash, working for the family business, the multitude of opportunities in the world to make a great living, and the painful lessons learned from doing the one thing most people make the mistake of in their lives…….chasing money.      What You'll Learn:   The stark contrast between being well-educated versus self-employed  Brian’s mindset when it comes to creating massive connections that go deep creating the perfect storm for receiving unsolicited referrals 4 + ways to make money as a side hustle   The severe consequences he paid as a result of simply focusing on chasing the money Important considerations when you choose one thing over everything else Surviving Covid-19 Making the most of unfavorable circumstances in life and business  The transformative effects of 75 Hard  “There are certain people in life when we just know.  Like in the Apex Community, we’re just having conversations.  You know we’re not just the average people.  And I hate to say that, cause a lot of people are happy trucking through life, running the hamster wheel.  We’ve never been there.”   Brian Lewis Jr.   Connect with Brian: Facebook Instagram    BrianLewisRealtor.com    How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

EP 96 Brian Lewis - The Journey from the Dark Night of the Soul

What if James Bond and Laura Croft are your parents?  What would they do for work?  Where would they vacation? What would their philosophies be on life, love, business and raising children?  Jeff and Kirstin Smith are real-life versions of hi-performance superheroes.  They currently run a successful gym, business consulting, and fitness and nutrition wellness businesses, and real estate investors.  Jeff’s life has taken him to play college football, insurance, and ultimately into special operations for the armed forces.  Kirstin started her education at Rice University in Arabic and Islamic studies with a focus on Counter Terrorism. As a team, they are beasts in marriage, raising their four children, and business.   On this episode of Step it Up Entrepreneur, Tom, Jeff and Kirstin discuss how they met, their journeys on their individual paths, the importance of creating core values in business, and family.  They’re not your typical parents or entrepreneurs and they’ll share how they’ve managed to create the most ideal versions of their lives that work best for them and their family, and will share how you can do it, too.     What You'll Learn:   Why it’s important to duck in a bar fight  How to channel the drive of being high achievers An alternative way to raise your family, educate them and run successful businesses from home  Their philosophy behind the core values in their companies and the expectations of their employees  Making your own rules on your own terms no matter what the economy or the world dictates   Favorite Quotes:    “We both share the core value of Freedom, and we want the freedom of our time and  movement to do what we want to do and do what makes us happy.  Jeff has worked from home for years. We have a great team in place at the gym. I work virtually with clients so we have the ability to load our 4 kids in the RV and go wherever we want.”    Kirstin Smith      “We’re not real resume heavy on our transferable skills. We go to fill out resumes and ask, “what the fuck can I do?    Some of these guys are IT techs and hackers.  I can go in the civilian world and become a contractor, become a security guard, or I can go and shoot people…….that resume doesn’t go very far in most circles.  As a former operator, most go into the corporate world.”     Jeff Smith     Connect with Jeff: Facebook Instagram   Connect with Kirstin:  KirstinSmith Facebook Instagram   How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

EP 95: Jeff and Kirstin Smith - Family Driven Impact

What does it take to pull yourself out of the depths of poverty, food stamps, alcoholism, drug abuse, and negativity?  Michael “Doc” Rannigan has one motto:  “No Give-Up Attitude.”  It’s the very attitude that took him from the rough streets of Oak Cliff in Dallas to the isolation of country living which led him to pursue a better life through service in the medical field in the U.S. Navy. Today, “Doc” operates the #1 Veteran Owned Roofing company in North Texas.  On this episode of Step it Up Entrepreneur, Tom and “Doc” discuss the mindset that led him from a life of poverty and dead ends, into a life that took him around the world serving and caring for injured military personnel in war zones, and eventually to the revelation and meaning behind “why” we’re doing what we do on this planet.    What You'll Learn:   The initial spark that led him to serve in the U.S. Navy Where he was when the planes hit the twin towers  How his unit became a huge part of American history  The number one revelation he had when he was in the streets of Iraq during war time Why creating a legacy starts with knowing the end result and the importance of removing yourself from the center of it all.    “Like, why are we in Iraq? We were being told it’s weapons of mass destruction.  Oh, it’s this, oh, it’s that…..and we were like, this was all bogus. But when we got down to it and started seeing all the help we were giving to these kids, to these people…..they were just wanting to live a little bit freer than they were living yesterday.”  Michael “Doc” Rannigan  Connect with Doc:  Doc’sRoofing Doc’sRoofingTX- Facebook   Facebook Cell: 214-284-0695    How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next. 

EP 94: Michael "Doc" Rannigan- No Give-Up Attitude

George Randle is a 20 Army Veteran, Managing Partner at Talent War Group, co-author of “The Talent War,” and host of the Talent War podcast.  He’s leveraged his experience in human capital management and has become a strategic and masterful recruiter in large organizations from the US military to companies such as Hewlett Packard and other global organizations. He’s known for selecting, building, reorganizing teams and companies to reach their full potential. On this episode of Step it Up Entrepreneur, Tom and George take a deep dive in discussing the challenges that come with attracting, recruiting, motivating, and empowering talented individuals to lead successful companies.  They also discuss how George became a co-author with Mike Sarraille and wrote and published the best-selling book, “The Talent War.”    What You'll Learn:     The power of leveraging LinkedIn for recruiting  Updating and Utilizing social media for professional development and growth  The lowest form of communication on social media  Solving big problems in business with talent  Processes and systems used to attract, motivate, train, and retain special operations for your business    Favorite Quote:  “It isn’t the gear, the technology that makes special operations special.  It’s the people and that goes for every small business and every big business.   If you don’t get the people right, it doesn’t matter your product and there’s a slew of companies you can look at that got it wrong and are no longer around.”    - George Randle   Connect with George: Talent War Group Talent War Group FB  Facebook.com  Instagram LinkedIn  Book:  The Talent War  Email: george@talentwargroup.com     How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.  

EP 93: George Randle- Solving Business Problems Through Talent

How do you determine whether moving forward with your business idea during shaky economic times is wise? And what can you do to ensure that this new business is set up for success?   When Alex Cantaboni started his pest control business in 2009, he heard from his share of naysayers on the heels of the recession. Not only was the timing called into questioning, but Alex was also entering an exceedingly competitive market. In Texas, there are hundreds of these companies, all warding off Texas-sized pests. But a few things set Alex’s operation apart and, 12 years and 32 employees later, have made it into the success it is today.    On this episode of the Step It Up Entrepreneur podcast, Tomas and Alex talk about his journey from working 90-hour weeks for others to owning his company, how he’s transforming the way fumigation as a career path is seen (“I want it to be a respectable industry”), and the impact core values have had on his turnover rate.   What You’ll Learn:   Why never offering discount services has been one of Alex’s keys to success The hiring trick that’s saved him “hundreds and hundreds of hours” Why he does a quarterly review of his customers — and ultimately chooses to “fire” some And much more! Favorite Quote:   “Firing customers is one of the most liberating things you can do… when you get rid of a**hole customers, the morale of your team increases, and you can take that effort and energy and put it into the right people.”     Alex Cantaboni   Connect with Alex:   LinkedIn   Facebook   How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next. 

EP 92: Alex Cantaboni — Starting a Business In Shaky Times

As a former Navy SEAL who spent 26 years serving the U.S., William Branum knows what it looks like to push the human body past its limits. And he also knows how it feels to emerge on the other side of that, in need of mental, emotional, and physical healing.    “At some point along the way, I started self-medicating with alcohol because alcohol is a great way to turn stuff off,” William recalls. “It’s a great way to mask things that are going on in your head. I would use pharmaceuticals, and I would use alcohol to kind of turn the noise off.”    And after completing any number of missions that most people would consider impossible, including swimming out of miniature submarines on the ocean floor up to the surface and back, William had plenty of noise and, more specifically, pain. After he retired as a SEAL, he discovered something that helped with his discomfort: CBD... Now, he operates a CBD business that focuses on helping veterans and first responders recover from pain, stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, and more.   In this episode of the Step It Up Entrepreneur podcast, Tomas and William discuss the challenges William faced becoming and serving as a Navy SEAL and how CBD has helped him recover.   What You’ll Learn:   How William ultimately became a SEAL (it involved a few failed attempts — and an unexpected exchange with the Navy’s highest-ranking member) Why attempting to better himself, post-the Navy pushed him in the direction of CBD “before it was popular” The dosages and types of CBD he recommends to those just starting out And much more! Favorite Quote:   “When things get out of balance, your endocannabinoid system gets out of balance. CBD helps your body heal itself. It doesn’t heal your body.”     William Branum     Connect with William:   Naked Warrior Recovery    Instagram   LinkedIn   How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop.   Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next. 

EP 91: William Branum — A Navy SEAL And CBD Expert’s Road To Recovery

Ever wonder how a confident person conquers every industry, every challenge, every skill they set foot in? It’s not because of a magic wand or a handful of self-help books. That kind of victory comes from a set of solid principles, a willingness to fail, and a welcome attitude toward adversity.  Chris Duffin is an author, entrepreneur, thought leader, innovator in the health and fitness industry, and co-founder and chief visionary officer of Kabuki Strength. Having overcome a chaotic upbringing, Chris became a record-holding powerlifter who often uses his lifting to raise funds for charity. Now, he puts his engineering background to work with companies across various industries and build up his own.   On this episode of the Step It Up Entrepreneur podcast, Tomas and Chris dig into finding the perfect middle by chasing challenges and extremes, the mission and approach of Kabuki Strength, how Chris structures his business’ values, his teams, his days, and his role as a leader, and getting clear on what you want in life and why you want it so you can focus on the fundamentals and smash goal after goal. Listen in for an interview with one of the world’s (literal best) and get some insanely valuable gems to put to work in your life and your business.    What You’ll Learn:   Why the “easy life” most people chase all their lives is the thing that’s going to kill them faster How Chris is pursuing his goal of changing the entire face of fitness through his companies and their one-of-a-kind processes and teams What Chris’ book has in store for readers, including the process of finding extreme clarity and becoming a relentless learner And much more!   Favorite Quote:   “I know exactly what I want in life. I know my values, and I know how I want to live, and I cut out the non-essential, and I chased that shit like it's fucking everything - because it is everything. And I take care of the fundamentals. I'm there with my family. I make sure I get my sleep. And I spend tons of time with my wonderful wife every day."   Chris Duffin   Connect with Chris:   Kabuki Strength   BuildFast Formula   Bearfoot Footwear   Facebook   Instagram   LinkedIn   ChrisDuffin.com (make sure you grab a copy of the book!)   Kabuki on YouTube   Kabuki on Instagram   Jacqueline Duffin on Instagram How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop. Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.

EP 90: Chris Duffin - Ground Your Roots And Take Over The World

The ideal business partner is your better half as you run your company...sometimes literally. Two driven, talented brains are always better than one, and synchronicity is the ideal ingredient to add to systems and sales skills for a successful business.   Amy and Ray Cattaneo run Infinity Personal Training together, with Ray serving as CEO and Amy in the role of Director. The couple takes a holistic approach to health and fitness based on natural healing. In addition to Infinity, Amy runs an essential oils business and helps women grow healthier and happier on the way to their goals.   On this episode of the Step It Up Entrepreneur podcast, Tomas sits down with Amy and Ray to cover the growth of their franchise from staffing to revamping their organization systems and establishing their specific approach to health and fitness training, how they both built up their most valuable skills from scratch and leveraged them into stellar careers, and how solid processes and systems make a good idea into a great business. Join in to get a rare glimpse into the life of a high-powered team with a unique dynamic. What You’ll Learn:   Why you need to be able to step back and work on your business rather than being stuck working in it - and how Amy and Ray created that type of space for themselves What Ray’s early sales experience gave him in terms of business skills he’s still using to this day How Amy and Ray navigate running their business together as a married couple, and some of the boundaries they set to keep their roles and priorities in place And much more! Favorite Quote:   “We were constantly trying to grow [the business] past what it was, and just trying to make it bigger and better in terms of serving our clients and giving value, because we wanted it to be completely different from the typical big-box gyms of just, ‘You’re a number, we're all about the sales.’ We don't want that. We want it to be, get results, get our client’s value, what can we do to serve this person and change their life?"   Amy Cattaneo   Connect with Amy and Ray:   Amy’s website   Infinity Personal Training   Amy on Facebook   Ray on Facebook   Amy on Instagram How To Get Involved:   From his start in the GPS tracking industry to founding the Step It Up Academy, Tomas Keenan is on a mission to break out of the concept of “average” and reach the success that is anything but. And he wants you to join him.   Check Tomas out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and don’t forget to visit tomaskeenan.com and sign up to make sure you never miss an episode drop. Enjoyed the episode? Hop over to Apple Podcasts for more! Like and share to help spread the word. We appreciate your support—and we hope to return the favor: Leave a review to let us know what you want to hear from Tomas next.

EP 89: Ray and Amy Cattaneo - How To Grow A Healthy Business As A Couple

Welcome to The GPS Tracking Installers Podcast. Listen to Tomas Keenan (CEO and Co-Founder of Top Class Installations and author of Unf*ck Your Business) take deep dives into the intricacies of the telematics industry. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an old-school veteran, learn how to cover your business from A to Z with his new-school outlook and methods. Topics covering vision, software, marketing, sales, and systems and processes will elevate your mindset and income over the next decade. Become one of the millions who will benefit. Check out all the episodes and other valuable resources by visiting http://www.tomaskeenan.com

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GPS Tracking Installers Podcast

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