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  • 34: Inside Tech Company Leadership: The Real Secrets to Success with Daniel Usenko

    34: Inside Tech Company Leadership: The Real Secrets to Success with Daniel Usenko
    2024/01/01
    In this episode of Building Bigfoot, Daniel, CEO of Pixellu, recounts his path from an immigrant to a thriving entrepreneur in the US. He discusses the initial failure of their first app and the successful pivot to Smart Albums, highlighting the significance of customer validation and word-of-mouth in business growth. Daniel and Jonathan explore the transition from one-time software fees to a subscription model, the costs of running a tech company and the importance of solving real customer problems. They also touch on personal growth, with Daniel recommending continuous learning and sharing how stoicism and certain books have influenced his mindset. Daniel Usenko is a film photographer based in Seattle. He is a co-founder and CEO of Pixellu, a software company that helps other photographers run successful businesses. What We Discuss: (00:04:20) The initial failure of Pixellu's first app, Touch Albums, and the subsequent pivot to develop Smart Albums. (00:14:58) The challenges faced in the early stages of Pixellu, emphasizing the need to solve real problems and the difficulty of bootstrapping a business. (00:16:58) Daniel explains how Pixellu was funded and the pivotal moment when the app succeeded in generating substantial revenue. (00:19:26) The importance of customer validation. (00:21:28) Daniel reflects on Pixellu's growth journey over ten years, highlighting the role of word-of-mouth and investing in branding, email marketing and other strategies. (00:22:15) Daniel discusses the various strategies used to grow the business, including trade shows, advertisements and product pricing. (00:23:24) The challenges of transitioning from a one-time fee model to a subscription-based model and the impact on revenue. (00:24:33) The high costs of starting a tech company, including development, product, design, customer support and marketing. (00:26:35) Daniel reflects on the unexpected blessings of working with a global team and the experiences gained from meeting people worldwide. (00:28:08) The high cost of starting a business, particularly related to team expenses and the need for investment. (00:29:52) Strategies to mitigate business risks, including hiring international talent and seeking investors. (00:31:57) It's important to focus on solving customer problems rather than just pursuing a business idea. (00:35:13) The difference between innovation and continual improvement. (00:43:17) Daniel shares his vision of personal growth and leadership, aiming to be a better version of himself and a capable leader in the future. (00:50:09) Challenges faced in releasing new features and troubleshooting for continuous feature shipping. (00:51:36) The importance of passion for improvement and the mission in software development. Book Recommendations: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig The Jobs to Be Done Playbook by James Kalbach Episode Resources: Pixellu | Instagram Pixellu | Website Daniel Usenko | Instagram Daniel Usenko | LinkedIn Daniel Usenko | Website
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    54 分
  • 33: Aligning Your Business With Your Soul's Purpose with Calvin Correli, CEO and Founder of Simplero

    33: Aligning Your Business With Your Soul's Purpose with Calvin Correli, CEO and Founder of Simplero
    2023/12/25
    In this episode of Building Bigfoot, host Jonathan interviews Calvin Correli, the CEO and founder of Simplero, a platform to make your business more simple! Calvin shares his journey of self-discovery and the realization of his purpose, which led to the creation of Simplero. They discuss the importance of authenticity, self-worth and simplicity in both life and business. Calvin also shares his insights on the soul of a company, the process of healing and finding self-love, and the significance of humility in leadership. The conversation provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs seeking to align their business with their soul's purpose. Calvin Correli is a serial entrepreneur, speaker, author, investor and the founder and CEO of Simplero. Using Simplero, businesses have generated more than $500 million in revenue. What We Discuss: (00:01:29) Calvin shares the moment of his spiritual awakening and how it led him to the idea of integrating spirituality and entrepreneurship. (00:03:13) Calvin explains that we each have a reason for coming to Earth and that our job is to figure out our purpose and live it, especially in the context of business. (00:09:39) Calvin shares his story about how he stumbled upon the course creation space in 2008 and how it led him to explore online courses as a way to teach others. (00:11:03) Calvin's journey of trying different things and feeling wrong until he found his purpose. (00:11:54) How Calvin realized that his purpose is to integrate spirituality and entrepreneurship, and how everything he did after that fit into that lens. (00:13:04) The value of simplicity in work and life and how it is Calvin's medicine to counteract the tendency to complicate things. (00:21:49) How early childhood experiences shape our sense of self-worth and the pursuit of love and achievement to compensate for it. (00:24:22) Why many entrepreneurs are driven by the need for achievement and external validation, and how it can lead to a lack of fulfillment. (00:28:59) The fear of losing drive when seeking fulfillment from within, and the importance of replacing external validation with a stronger internal drive for long-term success. (00:33:56) The negative impact of self-judgment on personal growth and opportunities for others. (00:35:52) The importance of being able to repair relationships and mistakes, both in personal and business environments. (00:40:11) How products and companies have a soul, and the importance of understanding and nurturing that essence. (00:46:01) The challenges Calvin faced early on in building his business and how he overcame them. (00:47:33) Calvin reflects on what advice he would give himself 20 years ago, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and feeling worthy of success. (00:48:48) The importance of visualization in uncovering negative beliefs and how to deal with them by being aware and allowing the feelings to move through. Episode Resources: Simplero | Website Calvin Correli | X (formerly Twitter) Calvin Correli | LinkedIn
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    52 分
  • 32: Windy Goss ON: Building A Thriving Real Estate Business

    32: Windy Goss ON: Building A Thriving Real Estate Business
    2023/12/18
    In this episode of Building Bigfoot, host Jonathan interviews real estate professional Windy Goss. Windy shares her journey in real estate, her transition to EXP and her approach to client satisfaction. She emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset, being coachable and utilizing social media for business growth. Windy also discusses her experience with property management, the role of her assistant and the significance of having a supportive team. The conversation highlights Windy's passion for helping other agents improve their skills, her belief in prioritizing clients over commission and her philosophy of detaching from outcomes for long-term success. Windy is a real estate tech influencer, speaker and community leader. Not only is she a top-producing agent selling more than 60 homes a year, but she is also a broker running a successful team of agents in the Las Vegas area. She's constantly giving back to the community and sharing her strategies. What We Discuss: (00:01:25) Windy explains her transition into EXP and what the benefits are, as well as her motivation to grow without increasing her workload. (00:11:38) The natural tendency of empathetic individuals to allow pain to exist before moving forward. (00:12:21) The choice individuals have in moments of pain and the impact their mindset has on themselves and others. (00:13:33) Windy shares her background growing up in a small town, her experiences in different careers and her decision to pursue a career in real estate. (00:23:31) The power social media has for staying connected with friends and clients. (00:24:18) Windy's eight-year journey of building confidence and eventually opening her own brokerage. (00:33:54) Why it's important to have a team in real estate for improving productivity and efficiency. (00:36:21) The need for agents to focus on high-value activities and delegate tasks to assistants or team members. (00:40:27) Windy shares her experience of implementing a morning routine and how it has positively impacted her productivity and mindset. (00:44:34) In order to be coachable, you need to have a mindset of learning and accountability. (00:46:31) Conversation about the challenges of navigating changes in the industry and the need for a strong "why" to stay motivated. (00:51:38) It's important to surround yourself with people who set inspiring goals and have a positive mindset. (00:56:39) The danger of being emotionally attached to outcomes and how detaching from them can lead to better results as well as client satisfaction. (00:59:33) The power of selfless service, giving to others without expecting anything in return, and how it can lead to loyalty, referrals and business growth. (01:04:32) Windy reflects on her past experiences and shares advice she would give to her younger self, including staying positive, pouring oneself into work and embracing a mindset of growth and positivity. Episode Resources: Windy Goss | Website Windy Goss | Instagram
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    1 時間 9 分
  • 31: Brett Watts ON: Increasing Efficiency and Profits in Business

    31: Brett Watts ON: Increasing Efficiency and Profits in Business
    2023/12/11
    In this podcast episode, Brett, a successful entrepreneur, shares his journey from a corporate job to building and selling his own business. He discusses the importance of designing a business that enhances life rather than controlling it, the role of discipline in achieving freedom and the significance of outsourcing tasks and trusting others. The two discuss the importance of not only setting clear goals but also understanding the 'why' behind them and staying disciplined in their execution. Brett helps agency owners build businesses that amplify their life versus controlling it by leveraging the right people, systems and processes, removing the owner from day-to-day decision making without the constant fear of fires or a drop in service quality. Brett and his partner grew their business to more than 16 employees and sold it for more than 7 figures. Now he helps other business owners design their own sellable business. What We Discuss: (00:07:15) Accepting that it's okay to delegate tasks and trust others to make decisions because this can lead to increased autonomy and growth in the business. (00:11:08) Even if you're not a great salesperson, if you focus on activities and outreach it will lead to results. (00:12:30) Brett shares his background and how he naturally gravitated towards entrepreneurship. (00:18:16) How building systems, processes and documentation makes a business scalable and attractive for potential buyers. (00:20:42) Discipline is an important virtue in maximizing outcomes and achieving business growth. (00:21:19) Creating a to-do list and learning how to prioritize tasks will lead to an increase in productivity and efficiency. (00:28:06) Finding purpose in the day-to-day journey of building a business, making an impact and achieving personal and professional growth. (00:31:11) Brett shares his initial emotions and experiences after selling his business. (00:34:03) Brett discusses why it was important to him to create a business that aligns with his desired lifestyle, including the ability to travel, spend time with family and have personal freedom. (00:39:07) Brett's current mission and purpose of helping businesses or agencies build a business that can amplify their lives through systems, processes and empowering the team. (00:41:41) Shifting from a top-down approach to a more autonomous and initiative-driven team dynamic. (00:42:39) Why it's important to be consistent with goal setting and weekly one-on-one meetings to identify goals and provide the necessary resources for team members to achieve them. (00:47:58) Tools and methods for documenting processes, including the use of project management tools like Monday.com and the importance of concise and easily accessible written and video instructions. (00:50:35) The challenges of organizing files and documents in Google Drive and the benefits of using project management tools for easier access and searchability. (01:00:27) Failure only happens when we allow ourselves to quit. Episode Resources: The Sellable Agency | Website Brett Watts | Instagram Brett Watts | Facebook
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    1 時間 9 分
  • 30: Lynea Carver ON: How to Build a Successful Real Estate Business

    30: Lynea Carver ON: How to Build a Successful Real Estate Business
    2023/12/04
    In this podcast episode, Jonathan sits down with Lynea Carver, a successful real estate agent and social media expert. Lynea shares her journey from corporate America to real estate, and how she leveraged video marketing and social media to differentiate herself in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of having the right team, being consistent, and having a solid business plan. Lynea also discusses her approach to content recycling and the importance of tracking marketing efforts. She shares her experience with chatGPT for her fitness routine and her quest to read 100 books in a year. Lynea Carver is a trusted and experienced real estate agent with eXp Realty in Tacoma, WA. As a team leader, marketing guru, and teacher, she has dedicated her career to helping busy professionals upgrade their homes and assisting sellers in maximizing their property's value. With a passion for systems and innovation, she is the Founder of the Dream Method, an innovative solution designed to simplify the process of achieving your dream lifestyle. Dream Method is a personalized approach that tailors services to your specific needs. Understanding that every client has unique goals, the team is committed to delivering exceptional service with exceptional results. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing in real estate, her team is here to guide you on the path to achieving your dream home. What We Discuss: (00:00:00) The significance of surrounding oneself with the right people who can understand and support one's vision. (00:03:17) The importance of business acumen, structure, systems, and organization in running a successful business. (00:09:46) Lynea discusses the significance of consistency in running a successful business and the need for a solid plan and system. (00:12:19) The importance of strategizing and focusing on the main objectives before diving into the details of marketing and planning. (00:14:09) Recycling content and optimizing it based on its performance on different platforms. (00:19:10) The importance of tracking and measuring marketing efforts, including the need to try marketing efforts for a minimum of 90 days. (00:28:52) Lynea discusses her goal of making $1 million in 12 months and her commitment to learning and implementing various financial strategies. (00:32:23) How reading fiction has expanded Lynea creativity and allowed her to think of different ways to help others and grow personally. (00:37:12) The importance of having a strong team and recognizing her own strengths and weaknesses as a visionary in her real estate business. (00:39:18) Lynea talks about outsourcing tasks such as finances and focusing on aspects of her business that are within her control, despite external challenges in the real estate market. (00:41:29) Lynea shares her journey of hiring her first assistant and gradually expanding her team to include salespeople, a marketing VA, buyer's agents, and an admin, with plans to bring on an ops director and an office manager. (00:47:49) The importance of curiosity and asking more questions to foster growth and avoid stagnation. (00:49:11) The conversation explores how curiosity can lead to discovering the essence of a problem or opportunity, using examples of Kodak and Amazon. Episode Resources: Lynea Carver | Website Lynea Carver | Instagram Lynea Carver | Youtube Lynea Carver | Facebook
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    56 分
  • 29: Jesse Beaudoin ON: The Rise of AI In Sales, Friend or Foe?

    29: Jesse Beaudoin ON: The Rise of AI In Sales, Friend or Foe?
    2023/11/27
    In this podcast episode, Jonathan sits down with Jessie Beaudoin, the founder and CEO of Call Action, to discuss the importance of building trust in business and personal branding. He shares his journey from starting a lemonade stand as a child to working in the mortgage business and eventually founding Call Action. Jesse also talks about his interest in surfing and snowboarding, and how these activities have influenced his approach to business. The conversation also covers the potential impact of AI on sales, the role of social media in creating a sense of community and trust, and the importance of being present and engaged in tasks. Jessie Beaudoin is the Founder and CEO of Call Action. He is an entrepreneur, speaker and leader in real estate tech. What We Discuss: (00:01:04) The impact of being present and building brand awareness through social media and personal interactions. (00:11:19) Jesse shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from a young age with a lemonade stand and expanding to selling Coca-Cola and peanuts at a car swap meet. (00:17:18) How Call Action started as a solution to help business owners get customers and scale themselves more efficiently. (00:30:15) Jesse discusses his early experience with affiliate marketing and building websites related to real estate and mortgages. (00:31:41) Jesse talks about being inspired by the first map search tool and building his own version for sale by owners, which eventually grew into a successful website. (00:43:58) How the idea for Call Action began and how it addresses the problem of following up with leads in the real estate industry. (00:50:09) The process of inquiry, conversation, outcome, and nurture in building relationships with potential customers. (00:52:35) The increasing importance of establishing trust and building real-life connections in a world of AI and immediate gratification. (01:03:26) Using AI to automate repetitive tasks and improve salesperson efficiency as well as building relationships through AI-generated questions. (01:10:29) The power of AI in creating personalized advertisements based on individual interests and preferences. (01:18:16) The potential for AI to be used as a tool by professionals, such as doctors, in diagnosing and providing expert advice. (01:20:46) Explains the significance of following up immediately after someone responds to advertising to earn their attention and trust. (01:22:07) The effectiveness of remarketing in building trust and developing relationships with potential customers. (01:31:57) The importance of having a clear vision and staying focused on it, using examples of Apple and Microsoft's different visions leading to their success. (01:34:44) The significance of focus and patience in achieving success, discussing the need to slow down, regain focus, and overcome distractions to progress faster. (01:43:00) How boredom can lead to creativity and innovation in problem-solving. Episode Resources: Call Action | Website Call Action | Twitter Jessie Beaudoin | Instagram Jessie Beaudoin | Facebook
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    1 時間 48 分
  • 28: Mastering Multifamily Wealth: Insights from 20+ Years of Real Estate Entrepreneurship with Stacey and Jen Conkey

    28: Mastering Multifamily Wealth: Insights from 20+ Years of Real Estate Entrepreneurship with Stacey and Jen Conkey
    2023/11/20
    In this podcast episode, real estate investors and authors, Stacey and Jen Conkey, share their journey into real estate investing, focusing on multifamily properties. They discuss the time commitment required for new investors, the importance of continuous learning, and strategies to mitigate risks. They share their experiences with variable rates in the Canadian market, the impact of interest rates on investments, and the current state of the real estate market. They also provide advice on starting as a passive investor, the concept of monthly distributions, and the potential for growth in multifamily properties. Stacey and Jen Conkey have 20+ years as entrepreneurs and real estate investors. Featured in WSJ, The New York Times, Financial Times, Reuters, and CNN. Through their diverse real estate experiences, Jen and Stacy know what it takes to identify deals and make offers on properties that will build a long-lasting wealth portfolio. They are passionate about sharing actionable strategies that make cash flow real estate fun and easy. What We Discuss: (00:02:28) Jen and Stacey share their individual stories of how they got started in real estate investing and their motivations for pursuing this path. They discuss their early experiences with flipping properties and their transition to a buy-and-hold strategy for cash flow. (00:10:09) Jen and Stacey share their experiences of starting a business independently and the challenges they faced. (00:14:07) The difference between active and passive real estate investing and the steps involved in each approach. (00:18:54) The impact of rising interest rates on smaller multifamily properties and the shift towards looking for seller finance deals. (00:19:52) The benefits of seller financing, including lower interest rates, and how it allows for deals to work when bank financing becomes challenging. (00:25:21) The shortage of single-family homes, the affordability issue, and the opportunities in the rental market, including build-to-rent projects, RV parks, and mobile home parks. Also, the discussion of the foreclosure wave and the potential for acquiring distressed properties. (00:29:04) The challenges of variable rates in the Canadian real estate market and the potential negative impact on property owners. (00:33:24) Advice on starting with smaller properties and gradually scaling up to larger ones to gain experience and mitigate risks. (00:35:37) Tips on conducting thorough due diligence when investing passively, including assessing the operator's track record, market conditions, and contingency plans for unforeseen circumstances. (00:39:39) The advantages of working with a real estate investor compared to investing on their own from a risk standpoint. (00:42:25) The four stages of mastering real estate investing, from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence, and the time it takes to reach that level. (00:57:21) Exploring opportunities to increase property value through rent charges and premium services like fiber optics installation. (00:58:43) The impact of rising land values on property values and the potential for tearing down properties to build high-rises. (01:02:01) Reflecting on the difficulties of entrepreneurship, the importance of mindset, and celebrating wins along the way. (01:09:00) The tendency of real estate investors to constantly strive for more without recognizing their accomplishments. They emphasize the need to celebrate and acknowledge progress. They also discuss the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity and not being afraid to take chances. Episode Resources: RMFI Academy | Website
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    1 時間 15 分
  • 27: Mindset Mastery: Unleashing the Power of Intentionality for Business Growth and a Fulfilling Life with Jonathan Whiting

    27: Mindset Mastery: Unleashing the Power of Intentionality for Business Growth and a Fulfilling Life with Jonathan Whiting
    2023/11/13
    In this podcast episode, host Jonathan Whiting discusses the significance of mindset and intentionality in business growth and personal development. He highlights the impact of mindset on outcomes and encourages listeners to be mindful of his thoughts and actions. Jonathan shares personal experiences and scientific studies to support their points, touching on topics like neurogenesis and consciousness. He also draws parallels between business growth and professional sports, emphasizing the power of belief and practice. What He Talks About: (00:00:00) How mindset affects outcomes and emphasizes the need to be intentional in personal and business development. (00:02:22) An example of a real estate agent who achieved success by having a positive mindset and putting in the work during a traditionally slow season. (00:06:32) Achieving anything is often preceded by being hungry for success, humble to learn, and smart in understanding one's impact. (00:10:25) The impact of mindset and intentionality on personal growth and sharing their own experiences and examples. (00:11:17) A hypothesis that intelligence is something that can be developed and improved, regardless of the starting point. (00:14:21) The discovery of neurogenesis and its potential for brain regeneration, as well as the relationship between microtubules and consciousness. (00:20:40) The impact of mindset on outcomes and personal development, using an example of brain transformation through mindfulness practices. (00:21:50) The brain's response to frustration when learning something new. (00:23:43) Jonathan shares the story of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team and how their belief in themselves contributed to their success, highlighting the importance of belief in achieving goals. Studies Mentioned: Neurogenesis In Adult Brains Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is abundant in neurologically healthy subjects and drops sharply in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Moreno-Jiménez, E.P., Flor-García, M., Terreros-Roncal, J. et al. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is abundant in neurologically healthy subjects and drops sharply in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Nat Med 25, 554–560 (2019). Learn More IQ and Effects of Motivation: Effort impacts IQ test scores in a minor way: A multi-study investigation with healthy adult volunteers. Timothy C. Bates, Gilles E. Gignac. Effort impacts IQ test scores in a minor way: A multi-study investigation with healthy adult volunteers, Intelligence, Volume 92, 2022, 101652, ISSN 0160-2896 Learn More Growth Mindset Study in Children Yeager, D. S., Hanselman, P., Walton, G. M., Murray, J. S., Crosnoe, R., Muller, C., … Dweck, C. S. (2019). A national experiment reveals where a growth mindset improves achievement. Nature, 573, 364–369. Learn More Video: BBC Report Rewires Brain in 6 Weeks Recommended Reading: Canning, E. A., Muenks, K., Green, D. J., & Murphy, M. C. (2019). STEM faculty who believe ability is fixed have larger racial achievement gaps and inspire less student motivation in their classes. Science Advances, 5(2), Article eaau4734 Moser, J. S., Schroder, H. S., Heeter, C., Moran, T. P., & Lee, Y.-H. (2011). Mind your errors: Evidence for a neural mechanism linking growth mindset to adaptive post-error adjustments. Psychological Science, 22, 1484–1489. Learn More Paunesku, D., Walton, G. M., Romero, C., Smith, E. N., Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2015). Mind-set interventions are a scalable treatment for academic underachievement. Psychological Science, 26, 784–793. Learn More
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    26 分