Unveiling Fake Influence - with Ken Okazaki - EP 383
Ever wondered about the truth behind those glamorous Instagram profiles flaunting thousands of followers? This special episode features Tony as a guest on The Content Capitalists Podcast with Ken Okazaki, and together they pull back the curtain on the world of social media influencers.
Tony and Ken tackle the ethical quagmire of fake influence, the notorious "fake it till you make it" mentality, and why authenticity is the ultimate currency in today's digital age.
Tony and Kevin also take a humorous spin on the influencer phenomenon, poking fun at the extravagant and often absurd lengths people go to portray success. From posing in rented luxury cars to creating parody awards like the One Comma Award, it's a satirical look at how far influencer culture can go in the quest for recognition. But beneath the laughter, there's a serious message: the digital world is evolving, and the demand for genuine, relatable content is rising, leaving behind the overly polished and manufactured personas.
The episode also offers a dose of inspiration, discussing personal growth stories and lessons in perseverance. As Tony and Kevin explore strategies for success, they emphasize the need for honest self-assessment and relentless dedication in content creation. With insights from figures like Mr. Beast, they underline that true success demands more than just consistency; it requires passion, presentation, and a bit of business savvy.
Key highlights:
- Exposing Fake Influence on Social Media
- Uncovering Deception in Brand Building
- Digital Deception and Self-Representation
- Navigating Authenticity in Influencer Marketing
- Strategies for Success in Content Creation
- Building Strength Through Patience and Persistence
Connect with Ken Okazaki:
Connect with Tony Whatley:
- Website: 365driven.com
- Instagram: @365driven
- Facebook: 365 Driven
Building a Business Beyond the 9-to-5 - EP 382
What happens when a side hustle becomes your main hustle, surpassing your traditional career in income and fulfillment? This special episode features Tony as a guest on the Headsmack Podcast hosted by Paul Povolni. In this interview, Tony takes you through his journey from an engineering career in oil and gas to launching a seven-figure automotive online business. He shares the invaluable lessons he learned on this transformative journey, emphasizing the power of side hustles as a creative outlet and a path to personal and financial success. You'll learn how overcoming the fear of leaving behind past investments in education and experience can lead to discovering new opportunities that align with your true passions.
Tony dives into the distinction between entrepreneurship and business ownership, offering insights on scaling a business that can operate independently of the owner. By highlighting the importance of establishing systems, processes, and a strong team, he provides a blueprint for creating a business as a valuable asset rather than just a self-employment endeavor. Tony and Paul discuss the loneliness often associated with entrepreneurship and how Tony's platform, 365 Driven, aims to create a community that fosters personal drive and support, transforming ambition into sustainable success.
From overcoming the fear of judgment to knowing when to pivot in business, Tony provides guidance on navigating the entrepreneurial landscape with courage and purpose. Don't miss this inspiring episode packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to turn their side hustle into a thriving business.
Key highlights:
- Side Hustle Millionaire
- The Path to Entrepreneurship
- Becoming a Business Owner
- Discovering Your Entrepreneurial Purpose
- The Path to Successful Entrepreneurship
- Unleashing Potential Through Courage and Impact
Connect with Paul Povolni:
- Headsmack Podcast
- Instagram: @voppa
Connect with Tony Whatley:
- Website: 365driven.com
- Instagram: @365driven
- Facebook: 365 Driven
Mental Health and Emotional Resilience with Alison Lager - EP 381
Psychotherapist and entrepreneurial powerhouse Alison Lager joins Tony on the 365 Driven podcast to uncover the vital connection between mental health and entrepreneurship. With her extensive experience in psychotherapy and business ownership, Alison offers a fresh perspective on managing stress and burnout. As societal pressures and significant events intensify the mental health crisis, Alison passionately emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness for entrepreneurs striving for holistic success in wealth, health, mindset, and relationships.
Alison tackles the theme of emotional sobriety and its significance during tough financial times. Personal stories illustrate the challenges of juggling multiple jobs and the stress of debt, offering insights into planning and prioritizing tasks to ease overwhelm. Alison introduces the concept of an internal locus of control, showing how turning inward can provide emotional stability and resilience in the face of external stressors.
Alison and Tony challenge conventional notions around personal identity and the impact of societal labels. By questioning and unlearning restrictive beliefs, we can unlock the door to self-improvement and empowerment. From cultivating self-awareness to cutting out negative influences, this discussion underscores the transformative power of introspection. As Alison navigates the pressures of social media, she offers strategies to curate a positive digital environment, advocating for a healthy mindset and the strength that comes from mastering emotions.
Key highlights:
- Rewiring the Mind for Success
- Finding Inner Calm Through Emotional Sobriety
- Personal Power and Confidence Building
- Identity Formation and Self-Improvement
- Self-Improvement for Entrepreneurs
- Cutting Out Negative Influences
- Mastering Emotions for Inner Strength
- Navigating Social Media for Mental Health
Connect with Alison Lager:
- Instagram: @alisonanswers | @lagercounseling
- Website: LagerCounseling.com
- YouTube: Alison Answers
- Facebook: Alison Lager Lcsw Casac
- Purchase Alison’s book: “The Wake Up Call”
Connect with Tony Whatley:
- Website: 365driven.com
- Instagram: @365driven
- Facebook: 365 Driven
How to Decide Which Business to Start
My thoughts on business types.🤔
When people ask me for advice on which business type they should start, they usually expect a specific response. Maybe even a list of business ideas that are "hot" or worth considering.
The reality is that there isn't a perfect answer for everyone, because everyone has different interests, skills, needs, and goals in life.
Only you can determine which business model works for YOU.
Here's my own thought process on evaluating businesses for myself. It's based on decades of discoveries, mistakes, and wasted money and years of time.
I start with the end in mind.
1. What do I want my lifestyle to look like?
2. How much time freedom will I be able to realistically create from this business idea? Does it require set business hours and 40+ hour weeks?
3. How much location freedom will it allow; Will I be able to work anywhere in the world, or will I have to show up to an address each day?
4. Does this business idea have the potential to scale to arrive at my own financial goals? How much do I need to profit in order to live my desired lifestyle?
5. Does this business model carry enough profit margin to sustain economic cycles going up and down? Is it something that potentially thousands of customers need, and will always need?
6. Most importantly: Will I be happy and fulfilled doing what I do? Is this something I'm actually passionate about, and have a lot of energy to pursue? Is there purpose behind my performance?
Most business owners start something without truly asking themselves these questions. The majority of them I've spoken with, pursued something primarily to earn enough money to avoid having a W2 job for themselves.
Too many start businesses that will never be able to scale in order to reach their financial goals, or their time freedom goals. They are self-employed but run a company that has no value if they ever wanted to sell it.
Others start businesses within industries that have a razor thin profit margins, working insane hours weekly just to keep their head above water. They can't ever seem to get ahead. Business feels like a trap.
Some start businesses around their hobbies, only to discover the financial limits and time restrictions a couple years into the business. They didn't think far enough ahead...
There are endless ways to make money. There are only a few that do so, while also creating enterprise value and keeping your sanity, and potentially your time freedom.
If the business idea passes the sniff test on those initial questions, I'll then assess the idea with these further questions:
7. Is this business idea within a growing industry, or at least a long-term stable industry that won't easily be replaced by technology or shut down due to risky govt regulations or changes to laws?
8. Is there potential to operate with a prepaid, positive cash flow business model? Bonus if there is monthly or annual recurring revenue (MRR or ARR).
9. Does the potential exist to scale profit at a higher percentage than increasing overhead costs? Meaning, does it scale profit faster relative to adding employees? Few employees, higher output.
There are other questions to consider, but these are where I start when it comes to assessing ideas. If it doesn't make it past the first group of questions, I'm not interested. If it makes it past the second group, I'm increasingly interested.
Tony
Economic Strategies in Uncertain Times with Tony Arterburn - EP 380
National debt is spiraling out of control, adding a trillion dollars every 90 days. In this episode, Tony Arterburn, host of the Arterburn Radio Transmission Paratruther Podcast and CEO of WiseWolf Gold and Silver Exchange, unpacks the alarming trends in national debt accumulation and currency devaluation. He explains the immediate and long-term effects of an increased money supply and how governments' reliance on printing money during crises contributes to the depreciation of the dollar. Gain a deeper understanding of these economic shifts and why it’s crucial to recognize the signs of currency collapse.
Reflecting on his journey from paratrooper to entrepreneur, Tony recounts the transformative years around 9/11 and the early 2000s, examining the drastic shift in public trust toward media and governmental narratives. The rise of the internet changed everything, fueling skepticism and altering information dissemination. Listen to Tony’s personal stories from Kosovo to Iraq, and hear about how witnessing currency collapse firsthand shaped his passion for precious metals and entrepreneurship. These experiences offer a unique perspective on economic realities and the importance of financial resilience.
You will also hear about why appreciating assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin are essential in a world of rising inflation and economic instability. This episode also delves into the future of currency, highlighting the enduring value of gold and silver, and the emerging role of cryptocurrency. Understand why true wealth lies in assets with intrinsic value, and learn how to navigate these turbulent financial times with informed strategic decisions.
Key highlights:
- The Economy and Global Currency Trends
- Currency, Entrepreneurism, and Precious Metals
- Silver, Inflation, and the Money Supply
- The Future of Currency and Assets
- Cryptocurrency, Precious Metals, and Value
- Financial Preparation
Connect with Tony Arterburn:
- Website: arterburn.news | wolfpack.gold
- Instagram: @paratruther
Connect with Tony Whatley:
- Website: 365driven.com
- Instagram: @365driven
- Facebook: 365 Driven