In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, host Jesse interviews Joseph Richards, the owner and chief takeoff officer at Flooring Takeoffs. Joseph discusses his unique career path, transitioning from an English teacher to a business owner, and the challenges he faced along the way. He talks about the importance of transparency, learning from mistakes, and the role of AI in the estimating world. The discussion also delves into the value of social media in growing a business, the significance of transferable skills, and the necessity of being able to delegate tasks in order to scale effectively.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

02:46 Joseph Richards' Journey to Flooring Takeoffs

05:07 Challenges and Learning in the Estimating World

15:18 Starting a Business: Support and Initial Steps

20:31 Delegation and Scaling the Business

28:30 Finding the Right Clients and Staying in Your Lane

34:32 The Struggles and Cycles of Editing

36:30 Teaching vs. Creating: Finding the Balance

39:12 The Importance of Social Media Presence

47:41 Navigating AI in Estimation

56:52 Joseph Richards' Services and Insights

01:00:29 The Promise You Are Intended to Be

Design the Life You have Always Wanted: https://www.depthbuilder.com/do-the-damn-thing

Download a PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be
https://www.depthbuilder.com/books

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, host Jesse engages with Dr. Alejandra Rodriguez-Mielke, an expert in talent development and organizational analysis, who offers insights on cultural competence and adaptability. Dr. Alejandra shares her journey from Monterey, Mexico, to the United States, highlighting the importance of learning and teaching throughout her career. She emphasizes the significance of interpersonal skills, understanding cultural scripts, and being respectfully curious to thrive in diverse workplaces. This enlightening discussion delves into how cultural awareness can impact workplace dynamics, especially in safety, and offers valuable advice for young professionals seeking growth. Tune in to gain practical tips on overcoming fear, embracing flexibility, and fostering meaningful connections at work.

00:00 Introduction and Adapting to Change

00:44 Meet Dr. Alejandra Rodriguez Mielke

02:43 The Power of Curiosity and Action

04:52 Organizational Analysis and Human Dynamics

15:04 Challenges in Leadership and Management

29:10 Cultural Competence and Personal Growth

32:30 From Teen Dreams to Professional Realities

33:08 Embracing Human Connections Beyond Credentials

34:04 Understanding and Developing Cultural Competence

36:03 Cultural Differences and Workplace Safety

37:40 Respectful Curiosity and Cultural Cruise Control

39:08 Personal Stories of Cultural Cruise Control

47:13 The Courage to Connect and Overcome Rejection

53:38 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Dr. Alejandra

Design the Life You have Always Wanted: https://www.depthbuilder.com/do-the-damn-thing

Download a PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be
https://www.depthbuilder.com/books

The Guilt-Free Future Planning method helps prioritize personal goals that consistently get pushed aside when we're busy making things happen for everyone else. This three-step process—Brain Dump, DAMN Matrix, and Walking the Plank—creates a framework for getting your goals out of your head, prioritizing them, and committing to action.

• Brain Dump: List all your goals in three categories—business/professional growth, personal growth, and meaningful connections
• Focus only on what YOU want, not what others expect of you
• DAMN Matrix: Prioritize goals based on impact (high/low) and effort (high/low)
• Start with high impact/low effort goals to build momentum
• Walking the Plank: Commit to goals one at a time in priority order
• Block time in your calendar specifically for your personal goals
• This method is part of a larger Self-First Time Mastery approach
• Momentum matters more than completion—just start making progress

If you want to try this method, download the template using the link provided. For those who prefer learning with community, sign up for the full Self-First Time Mastery workshop where we'll cover guilt-free future planning, strategically selfish scheduling, and daily domination.

Check out the Video Demonstration on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EXj7NpfBpzo

Download a PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be
https://www.depthbuilder.com/books