Build a Mission Driven Business - with Trevor Farnes - EP 310
Having a mission that serves as your “why” is so valuable when building and scaling a business. A business that operates around a set of core values is going to stand out to customers as having integrity which will in turn build trust that will set you apart from competitors. Trevor Farnes and his business MTN OPS are an amazing example of what it looks like to filter all decisions through core values, stay true to a mission, and foster a culture of interdependence in which each team member plays a key role.
Trevor Farnes is the Co-Founder and CEO of MTN OPS, which is a supplement company that Trevor originally started in an effort to combat his father’s heart disease. MTN OPS’ mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families and believes that the journey of transformation spiritually, physically, mentally, and socially is a journey to conquer. Through their program Conquer Hunger, Trevor’s company has been able to donate over 5 million meals to local families in need. Trevor looks at business not only as a means to an income, but also as an asset to do the things we’re supposed to do in life, and he strives to make a difference and help as many people as he can.
In this episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, Trevor talks about his own experience with depression, losing everything, and how he was able to fight back and become a hero to his younger self. Tony shares his story of how he overcame his pride and learned to ask for help during a difficult time in business. Tony and Trevor explore the advantages and disadvantages of franchising versus creating your own brand, and they emphasize the importance of core values and how they can help guide decision-making. They also discuss the importance of creating a safe space for employees and how interdependence is key to success. Finally, Tony and Trevor discuss the growth of MountainOps and how it has become a platform to help others.
Quote from the episode:
“You're most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were.” - Trevor Farnes
Key highlights:
- Trevor’s story of losing everything after getting involved in a franchise business model and how he was able to come back from that experience
- Why MTN OPS was created
- Franchise vs. starting your own business
- How MTN OPS’ core values have built trust with their customers
- Interdependance = teamwork
- Why trials and hard times are important lessons
- Viewing business as an asset to help others
Connect with Trevor Farnes:
Website: mtnops.com
Instagram: @mtnops | @trevorfarnes
LinkedIn: MTN OPS | Trevor Farnes
Facebook: MTN OPS | Trevor Farnes
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley
Uncovering the Ego Trap - with Zach Babcock - EP 309
Zachary Babcock needs no introduction as he is a three-peat guest on the podcast and always has a powerful message to share. On this episode of the 365 Driven podcast, Tony and Zach discuss their frustrations with gurus in the personal development industry who have big egos that get in the way of being authentic, providing consistent value, and not getting caught up in always looking for the next shiny object. Tony and Zach share their own experiences with ego and self-awareness, emphasizing the importance of staying humble and true to your values.
Zach and Tony share their insight on how to evaluate influencers and spot scammers, and emphasize the importance of doing your own research on who you decide to listen to and pay attention to.
Zach shares his recent struggle with getting burnt out on making content when he realized it wasn’t aligned with who he is, and he dives into the importance of energy and intention when creating content. Zach and Tony discuss the importance of making ethical choices, the power of karma, and the dangers of buying fake followers.
Tune in to hear this engaging conversation about how to make sure you're following the right people, and how to live a life of integrity.
Key highlights:
- Quick recap on Zach’s story: He went to prison twice, was released in 2014, and completely turned his life around
- Why Zach and Tony are anti-guru
- Not letting your ego get the best of you
- The significance of working on your past, traumas, and triggers
- Tony’s perspective on social media: If you see it as a drain, that might be an indicator that you are following the wrong people
- “Posturing” on social media and why you shouldn’t do it
- Fake influencers and fake followers
- Doing the right thing always: Karma is real
- Don’t compromise on your values in the pursuit of money
Episode resources:
Check social media analytics at: socialblade.com
Check out Zach’s upcoming event in St. Peters, MO on July 14: alphadogpoundlive.com/whatley
Connect with Zach Babcock:
Website: zachbabcock.com
Instagram: @realzachbabcock
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley
Mastering SEO: Increase Traffic Without Ads - with Damon Burton - EP 308
In the business world, we hear a lot about the importance of SEO, but what exactly is it, and what do you need to know about it? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and learning the basics could mean much more eyes on your content, which means more sales without increasing your advertising. That is what Damon Burton breaks down for us in this episode.
Damon Burton is a search engine marketing expert who has beat billion-dollar companies at their own game and has proven strategies to grow your business. Damon is a Forbes contributor and an Amazon best-selling SEO book author that helps you show up higher on Google, without paying for ads. His clients include the Utah Jazz’s Team Store and businesses that have been featured on Shark Tank and recognized by Inc.
In this episode of the 365 Driven podcast, Tony and Damon discuss the importance of SEO for online businesses. They cover topics such as website redesign pitfalls, the basics of SEO, and the significance of blogs as a doorway to a website. Damon explains the importance of website structure and content, as well as the role of AI in creating and repurposing content. Damon shares his expertise and offers actionable tips for improving website visibility. He also emphasizes the need to show personal individuality and authenticity in order to build a personal brand that people can relate to.
Key highlights:
- Where is the best place to host your website?
- What's the deal with SEO plugins?
- What goes into SEO?
- Key pieces that most sites are lacking
- Damon’s advice for someone that is just getting started with SEO
- How to target people in a specific location
- SEO for real estate agents
- How to build a personal brand
- Life lessons: learning and growing from your mistakes and other’s people's mistakes
Episode resources:
Join 365 Driven in Portugal July 3-7
Getmetrix.com
Connect with Damon Burton:
Website: damonburton.com
Book: freeSEObook.com
Facebook: Damon Burton
LinkedIn: Damon Burton
Instagram: @entrepreneurdamon
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley
Unlock Your Business's Purchasing Power - with Jack McColl - EP 307
Right now is a crucial time to build up your purchasing power. With an uncertain economy and banks collapsing, it's only going to get more difficult to get access to the type of capital that Jack McColl breaks down in this episode. if you have this knowledge and you are prepared, that is going to put you that much further ahead of your competition. If you want to scale your business, buy more inventory, or hire employees without giving away any equity, then this episode is for you. Guaranteed you won’t learn this in business school, so take advantage of the knowledge Jack drops here.
Jack McColl is the founder of CreditStacking.com where he helps entrepreneurs finance their businesses with 0% interest. Jack is a self-made mogul who went from having zero dollars in business credit to being approved for $500,000 in a little more than a year. He took what he learned and created Credit Stacking to share his technique with others.
On this episode of the 365 Driven podcast, Jack shares his expertise on how business owners can increase their purchasing power by building their credit. Jack explains the importance of having access to capital to fund and scale businesses, and how he was able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars using 0% interest business credit cards.
Join Tony and Jack on this episode as they discuss how to maintain a low-risk business entity, how to avoid paying interest, and which banks offer the best business credit cards. They also share tips on building a strong personal credit profile and getting high-limit credit cards. Jack discusses the importance of having a business checking account and how it can help build a relationship with lenders. He also explains how to liquidate credit cards into cash and use it for real estate deals or other investments.
Quote from the episode:
“Funding businesses on zero percent interest business credit cards is the easiest way to raise money, hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you're not giving away any equity, you're not paying any interest, you're not bootstrapped.” - Jack McColl
Key highlights:
- Personal vs. Business credit
- Why business credit cards are better than giving away equity in your business
- Will business credit cards affect your personal credit score?
- How to get 0% interest for several years
- What do banks look at when approving you for credit?
- How to optimize or repair your personal credit profile
- Are there hidden agendas of 0% offers?
- How to liquidate credit into cash
Episode resources:
Join 365 Driven in Portugal July 3-7
Connect with Jack McColl:
Website: creditstacking.com
Instagram: @kingofdebt
LinkedIn: Jack McColl
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley
Create Momentum Through Micro-Actions - with Jason Starbuck - EP 306
Jason Starbuck shares his journey from running e-commerce stores to living in Thailand, competing in Muay Thai, and creating his current business MOVD - Entrepreneur Evolved. He emphasizes the importance of micro-actions in physical, mindset, and personal business areas to achieve success as an entrepreneur.
Over the last 14 years, Jason Starbuck has created multiple web developments, owned 7 e-commerce stores, traveled to 13 countries, built a highly efficient call center, hired over 350 employees across multiple continents, and has generated millions of dollars through lead gen and e-commerce.
Jason decided to create MOVD to help other entrepreneurs evolve and grow in all areas of life. Having money and material items alone will not bring fulfillment and happiness. All too often, people sacrifice their body, health, relationships, and peace for money, and then at some point realize it wasn’t worth it. Achieving peace, fulfillment, and happiness are ultimately the most important things in our lives, and that can be done through finding a balance while at the same time, having a very successful business and income that brings financial freedom.
In this episode, Jason and Tony talk about their realization that so many people skip over important aspects of life in their pursuit of money. Pick up a fun hobby, prioritize important relationships, have a fitness routine, set boundaries with others, and keep promises to yourself. In today’s world, so many people walk around in a very stressed state, and we need to examine why. Money is not worth your peace, so tune in to hear how to achieve a more balanced life through micro-actions that build momentum.
Quotes from the episode:
“Create boundaries, learn to say no, and guard your happiness. Saying yes to everything means saying no to yourself.”
"Money does not buy happiness, and there are too many people out there focusing on the financial things and thinking that, hey, I'm unhappy, I'm depressed. Focusing on peacefulness, fulfillment, happiness - these are the most important things in my life nowadays. Health is the number one priority.”
Key highlights:
- Why Jason created his business MOVD
- How physical fitness rewires our brain and makes us successful in other areas
- Why you need a micro-action system in 3 areas: physical, mindset, and personal business
- What Jason learned from Martial Arts and living in Thailand
- Examining our stress and finding peace and fulfillment
- Creating boundaries and learning to say no
- The importance of doing things just for fun
- Why people criticize others
- The fitness side of entrepreneurship
- Tony’s mindset hack for consistent exercise
Episode resources:
Join 365 Driven in Portugal July 3-7
Connect with Jason Starbuck:
Website: movd30.com
Facebook: Jason Starbuck
LinkedIn: Jason Starbuck
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley
Maximizing Business Valuation - with Lance Bachmann - EP 305
Lance Bachmann, also known as the Digital Lion, shares his journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a highly successful serial entrepreneur. According to Bachmann, the key to success in business is to focus on three essential areas: numbers, sales, and communication. Knowing how to read a P&L statement, understanding the sales process, and being able to communicate effectively are crucial for success. Bachmann also stresses the importance of believing in oneself and taking action.
Lance Bachmann is a true son of Philadelphia: he was raised in the Northeast alongside his 14 brothers and sisters. With strong roots in his hometown and an unparalleled commitment to his family, Lance is a professional family man that can be trusted with anything. He was the youngest vice president in AT&T history and helped start YellowPages.com before leaving to start his own company, 1SEO, in 2009. Since then, Bachmann has become a best-selling author, international keynote speaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and owner of multiple home service companies.
When it comes to private equity deals and acquisitions, Lance emphasizes the importance of having processes, systems, teams, leadership, and cash flow in place for managing and operating a business with valuation in mind. He stresses the importance of being transparent and honest when it comes to partnerships and acquisitions, and all parties being upfront about expectations. Overall, Lance Bachmann's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and a never-give-up attitude. His insights and experiences provide valuable guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build successful businesses. So take action, believe in yourself, and unlock the secrets of successful entrepreneurship with Lance Bachmann.
Quotes from the episode:
"If you're gonna go start your own company, take action, and don't be afraid to fail. Failure is just a stepping stone to success."
"I truly believe to own a company and see its scale, the leader has to be able to sell and communicate articulated vision and have people believe in them."
Key highlights:
- How Lance got involved with SEO
- Advice to new business owners
- Why Lance chooses service-based businesses
- How do you create valuation or enterprise value?
- Why your business isn’t worth anything
- Achieving generational wealth
- Selling with private equity
- Two things that kill deals: ego and time
- Why you should be operating your business with valuation in mind
Episode resources:
Join 365 Driven in Portugal July 3-7
Connect with Lance Bachmann:
Instagram: @lancebachmann
Website: lbachmanncapital.com
LinkedIn: Lance Bachmann
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley
Patriotism Is Not Exclusive - with Ian Wendt - EP 304
When building a brand, people often put their focus on the wrong areas and then wonder why the brand isn’t taking off. When we’re talking branding, especially apparel, people are usually buying into an idea or another person and what they stand for, and not necessarily just the products themselves. Building a message that you know other people need to hear is an essential first step in getting people to be interested in your brand. Find a community that will rally around that message, inspire them with your ideas, and they will want to buy what you create as their way of supporting your idea. This is the slow yet brilliant approach that led to the very successful launch of the apparel company Official Patriot Gear, owned by Ian Wendt.
Ian Wendt is an expert in sales, an accomplished creative, speaker, and a marketing professional. Ian’s passion has always been about serving others by helping them to reach new levels of performance both in their professional and personal lives. With his successful history in communication sales, Ian turned his focus on launching his own brand and apparel company, Official Patriot Gear. Their message is simple: patriotism is not partisan or exclusive. He’s taking that message to the masses and drawing attention to some of the most controversial and polarizing subjects of today’s culture and society. At the age of 34, Ian has established himself as an influential leader and teacher.
In this episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, Ian Wendt talks about the importance of always chasing fulfillment, focusing on adding value to others, embracing challenges, not being afraid to reinvent yourself, and what it means to be a Patriot. Ian credits a lot of his success to making the decision to stop caring what other people think about him. Although we hear this advice a lot, few people have actually put that into action. Releasing the fear of judgment or how others may perceive you will free you to do so much more and align with people that will resonate with your message. That is how you build an unstoppable brand.
Key highlights:
- Fulfillment should be constant
- How to be successful: Find gaps and find a way to fill them
- Put yourself in challenging situations so you can grow from them
- Society’s two biggest problems: Apathy and entitlement
- The 3 things that drive people: Money, power, and control
- About Official Patriot Gear: What is it and how did it start?
- Why building an identity around politics is dangerous
- How to build a powerful brand
- Putting your audience into perspective if you think you don’t have a big enough following to make a difference in the world
Episode resources:
Join 365 Driven in Portugal July 3-7
Connect with Ian Wendt:
Instagram: @iwendtster | @theofficialpatriotgear
Website: Officialpatriotgear.com
Join The Free Collective Coaching Group
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley
Recession-Proof Your Business - with Jeff Fenster - EP 303
If you’re in the business world, you have probably heard of the term “vertical integration". But what exactly does that mean? This very strategic business approach could be part of a number of moves you can make to build a rock-solid business that would weather a recession. Jeff Fenster is back on the 365 Driven podcast, and Jeff is an expert in vertical integration and serial entrepreneurship.
Jeff Fenster is the CEO of Everbowl, a best-selling author, and podcast host. Jeff is an award-winning entrepreneur who credits his success to one thing: the art of building and maintaining relationships. His businesses range from a quick-serve restaurant chain, Payroll & HR company, a digital marketing agency, and a construction company. He was named a Top 100 Entrepreneur in America under the age of 35, a Top 40 Executive under 40 by the Business Journal, a finalist for CEO of the Year by Ernst & Young, and was named a Top Entrepreneur to follow for 2022. He has appeared on over 500 podcasts, created courses for LinkedIn Learning, and speaks across the country on entrepreneurial mindset, authentic networking, and vertical integration.
In this episode, Jeff delivers so much gold when it comes to building, growing, and protecting powerful businesses. As someone that has built and scaled various types of businesses, Jeff reveals where so many entrepreneurs go wrong which doesn’t allow their business to flourish and thrive. If you are tied to your business and you can’t take a vacation without it falling apart, this episode is for you.
Another very important aspect of owning a business is making sure it is profitable. Jeff offers a different perspective here. What if instead of focusing on how to make more money in your business, you use your entrepreneurial problem-solving ability to come up with ways to keep more money? That is what vertical integration is all about and you are going to want to hear how Jeff does it.
Key highlights:
- What is vertical integration?
- Where a lot of entrepreneurs go wrong
- What not to do when hiring team members
- How to build great teams in your business
- Being an effective leader
- Lessons on ego and self-awareness
- Don't solve problems, erase problems
- Making your business recession-proof
- Why experience is overrated in building businesses
- Do you need a business partner?
- Jeff’s advice to beginners
- About Jeff’s upcoming podcast: The Success Formula
Episode resources:
Join 365 Driven in Portugal July 3-7
Connect with Jeff Fenster:
Instagram: @fensterjeff
YouTube: @JeffFenster
Get Jeff's book: Relationship Bank Account: How to Make Friends, Have Fun, and Attract Lifelong Success
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley
Be Authentic as F*ck - with Sun Yi - EP 302
You might already know about the importance of being authentic, but maybe you’re not exactly sure how to translate that over social media in order to attract your ideal customers. You don’t want to be so authentic and transparent that you don’t leave any mystery about you, and you also don’t want to share so much that you become uninteresting to listen to. There is definitely an art in owning who you are and what your unique talents are, and conveying that appropriately to your audience so that you stand out while showcasing your expertise. Sun Yi calls this the “goldilocks of personal branding.”
Sun Yi is an entrepreneur, storyteller, and TEDx speaker. He is the founder of Night Owls, an award-winning digital agency in NYC. In 2022, he started Night Owl Nation, a community that practices storytelling together.
Sun gained over 50k Instagram followers in only 6 months, and in this episode of the 365 Driven Podcast, he reveals his content strategy and the common mistakes he sees people making on social media, and what you should actually be doing instead. So many people think if they post consistently, that will be enough to grow their following, but they are missing a key component. It is called “social media” for a reason. The interactions are meant to be a 2-way street. No one likes when someone just takes without giving anything in return. Instead of “posting and ghosting” think about how you can use your knowledge and abilities to serve with authenticity, and the right clientele will take notice.
Key highlights:
- Sun’s content strategy and how he got 50k followers in 6 months
- Repurposing and recycling content
- What is a carousel on Instagram?
- The 3 necessary pieces of great content
- Why Sun has a consistent theme and colors on his Instagram page
- Don’t “post and ghost”
- Nuances about social media that Sun didn’t realize before
- The problem with influencer mentality
- How to land high-caliber clients
- Where to start if you are new to social media
- Why really great content might not perform well
- Common storytelling mistakes
- The importance of being relatable
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Join 365 Driven in Portugal July 3-7
Connect with Sun Yi:
Website: sunyi.co
Instagram: @sun.yi
YouTube: Sun Yi
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley
Unleash Your Rockstar - with Jonathan George - EP 301
In the personal development space, we often hear the advice to be authentic and to ensure we are operating from a place of authenticity, but what happens if you don’t know who you are? This happens more often than you might think, and even celebrities deal with identity struggles. In the entrepreneurial world, you have to have clarity in who you are, and who you are speaking to, or the disconnect will be apparent. Jonathan George is here on the 365 Driven Podcast to dive deep into personal branding and offer a different perspective on what exactly it all means and how to achieve it the right way.
Jonathan George is the CEO of a Personal Branding Agency called Unleash Your Rockstar. His clients have amassed over 150 million online followers leading him to be dubbed “The Human Hitmaker.” As a specialist in creating, positioning, and expanding authentic rockstar personal brands to scale business brands, Jonathan has worked with top brands including Chanel, Universal, Sony ATV, Hulu, FOX, and Disney. As a thought leader on the topic, he also utilizes it as one of the hottest tools for self-development for GenZers and Millennials.
In this episode, Jonathan explains why it is so crucial to understand who you are in this day and age. With social media, so many of us get caught up in comparing ourselves to others, leading to anxiety and overwhelm. If we haven't taken the time to overcome the insecurities we had as children, we can carry them into adulthood without even realizing it, and then we let those insecurities turn into excuses as to why we can’t go after our goals. With mental health on the decline, it is becoming increasingly important to break through the walls and barriers that are holding you back and be the person you are meant to be. Unleashing your rockstar means unapologetically being who you are.
Key highlights:
- The mental effects of social media
- The number one thing that will hold you back from reaching your dreams
- Jonathan’s rebirthing experience and how he found real confidence
- Why personal branding is more than just colors and fonts
- How Jonathan helps people figure out how they want to show up in the world
- Why you need to understand your weaknesses
- Learning how to tell your story in a way that connects to your audience
- Oversharing: how do you know when it becomes too much?
- Crisis Management: How to diffuse situations you are not proud of
- Controlling how people perceive you
- Why your personal brand shouldn't be built around your business
- Why a personal brand is portable and can be pivoted for any business
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Book: The Four Agreements
Join 365 Driven in Portugal July 3-7
Connect with Jonathan George:
Website: unleashyourrockstar.com
Instagram: @jonathangeorgee
Facebook: Jonathan George
LinkedIn: Jonathan George
Connect with Tony Whatley:
Instagram: @365driven
Facebook: 365 Driven
LinkedIn: Tony Whatley