In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Dennis DM Meador, a lifelong entrepreneur with a diverse background in business and pastoral work. Dennis shares his journey from early entrepreneurial ventures, including door-to-door hustles, to building a successful legal podcast network. He discusses the lessons learned throughout his career, the importance of leveraging strengths, and the challenges faced during personal transitions. Dennis also provides valuable advice for aspiring podcasters and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and adaptability in business.

Takeaways

Dennis started his entrepreneurial journey at a young age.
He learned the importance of leveraging others' strengths.
Transitioning from business to pastoral life shaped his perspective.
Dennis emphasizes the value of relationships in business success.
He built a successful legal podcast network from scratch.
Planning for future growth is crucial in business.
Overcoming adversity can lead to personal and professional growth.
Dennis encourages others to blaze their own trail.
He believes in creating frictionless processes for clients.
The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with lessons and opportunities.

Connect with DM:

Website: https://www.thelegalpodcastnetwork.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismeador/

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Order a copy of Jordan's new book The Life-Changing Power of Adversity

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is exclusively sponsored by CityGate Studios

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Ronald Bolden Jr., founder of Shy Marketing. Ronald shares his journey from a shy child in Oakland to a successful entrepreneur in the marketing industry. He discusses the importance of active listening, the impact of sports on his life, and how his experiences in door-to-door sales shaped his approach to business. Ronald emphasizes the value of partnerships and technology in achieving business success, and he offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

Ronald Bolden Jr. founded Shy Marketing to create win-win relationships.
Active listening is a key component of effective communication.
Sports taught Ronald the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
Transitioning from engineering to sales opened new opportunities for Ronald.
Door-to-door sales experience helped Ronald develop strong communication skills.
Shy Marketing focuses on leveraging technology and partnerships for revenue growth.
Leads have a limited effectiveness if not acted upon quickly.
Building relationships is more important than transactional interactions.
Surrounding yourself with supportive people is crucial for success.
Time is a valuable resource that should not be wasted.

Connect with Ronald:

Website: https://www.shymarketingllc.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldboldenjr/

Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/pinole-ca/business-development-2

Connect with Jordan:

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Order a copy of Jordan's new book The Life-Changing Power of Adversity

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is exclusively sponsored by CityGate Studios

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Adam Torres, a successful entrepreneur and podcaster. Adam shares his journey from a childhood in Detroit, where he developed an entrepreneurial spirit, to his career in finance and eventual transition into media and podcasting. He discusses the evolution of his podcasting journey, the lessons learned along the way, and the importance of listening to your audience. Adam emphasizes the potential of podcasting as a platform for storytelling and business development, encouraging aspiring podcasters to take the leap and start their own shows. He also shares valuable insights on setting realistic expectations and finding a sustainable pace for podcasting.

Takeaways

Adam Torres grew up in Detroit with an entrepreneurial spirit.
He transitioned from a finance career to media and podcasting.
Podcasting is a powerful platform for storytelling and business development.
Listening to your audience is crucial for success.
Setting realistic expectations is key for podcasters.
The podcasting industry is still in its early stages.
Creating a podcast can lead to generational wealth.
Consistency and sustainability are important in podcasting.
Building a community around your podcast is essential.
Adversity can be a source of strength and growth.

Connect with Adam: https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/

Buy a copy of Adam's Book: https://1billionpodcasts.com/

Connect with Jordan:

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Order a copy of Jordan's new book The Life-Changing Power of Adversity

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is exclusively sponsored by CityGate Studios

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Vicky Ferrer, a financial educator and personal power coach. Vicki shares her journey from the Philippines to the Middle East, her experiences in scuba diving, and her transition to the United States after the loss of her husband. She emphasizes the importance of cultural intelligence, empowerment, and effective communication in both personal and professional settings. Vicky offers valuable insights on public speaking, language learning, and the significance of sharing one's story.

Takeaways

Vicky is a financial educator and personal power coach.
She emphasizes the importance of cultural intelligence in diverse environments.
Vicky's journey includes living in the Middle East for over two decades.
She encourages individuals to pursue their passions and not wait for the right moment.
Effective communication involves simplifying complex ideas for audiences.
Vicky learned Arabic to connect with the local community in the Middle East.
She believes in empowering women to share their stories and voices.
Public speaking can be enhanced through storytelling and humor.
Vicky's personal experiences shape her coaching philosophy.
She advocates for taking immediate action towards personal goals.

Work with Vicky: https://paperbell.me/victoria-ferrer

Connect with Vicky:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vmferrer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vferrerbdbamboo/

Connect with Jordan:

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Order a copy of Jordan's new book The Life-Changing Power of Adversity

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is exclusively sponsored by CityGate Studios

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Brenden, the founder of MasterTalk, who shares his inspiring journey from overcoming childhood adversity to mastering the art of communication. Brenden discusses his early struggles with language and physical disability, his academic transformation in high school, and the pivotal role of case competitions in developing his public speaking skills. He emphasizes the importance of individual paths in education and offers practical tips for improving communication skills, encouraging listeners to invest in themselves for personal and professional growth.

Takeaways

Brenden faced adversity from a young age, learning French while struggling with a physical disability.
His early interest in math led him to choose accounting as a career path.
Brenden's transformation in high school was driven by a crush, motivating him to improve academically.
He emphasizes the importance of individual paths in education, especially for immigrant families.
Brenden discovered case competitions as a way to enhance his communication skills and secure internships.
His journey into public speaking began as a necessity to escape poverty and improve his career prospects.
Brenden's YouTube channel, MasterTalk, was born from a desire to share effective communication strategies.
He encourages practicing communication skills through exercises like the random word exercise.
Brenden believes that consistent practice leads to mastery in any field, including communication.
He highlights the importance of investing in oneself to achieve personal and professional goals.

Connect with Brenden:

https://www.instagram.com/masteryourtalk/

/www.linkedin.com/in/brendenkumarasamy/

https://www.youtube.com/c/MasterTalks

Connect with Jordan:

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Order a copy of Jordan's new book The Life-Changing Power of Adversity

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is exclusively sponsored by CityGate Studios

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Keenya Kelly, a video marketing expert known as the 'TikTok queen.' Keenya shares her entrepreneurial journey from childhood, her experiences in network marketing, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. She discusses the importance of personal development, the challenges of success and failure, and her transition into coaching and consulting. Keenya emphasizes the power of video marketing and collaboration, providing insights on how to go viral and build a personal brand.

Takeaways

Kenya Kelly teaches video marketing and social media strategies.
She was entrepreneurial from a young age, selling candy and pickle juice.
A supportive teacher helped her excel in school despite challenges.
Kenya's college journey led her to network marketing, which changed her life.
Personal development books transformed her mindset and success.
She became a top trainer in her network marketing company.
After losing everything, she rebuilt her life and career.
Kenya launched a successful natural hair care convention.
She embraced TikTok during the pandemic, leading to viral success.
Collaboration is key to growth and success in business.

Connect with Keenya:

Website: https://www.keenyakelly.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keenyakelly

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keenyakelly

Connect with Jordan:

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Order a copy of Jordan's new book The Life-Changing Power of Adversity

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is exclusively sponsored by CityGate Studios

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews social media marketer and entrepreneur Austin Armstrong. Austin shares his journey from a challenging academic background to becoming a successful social media and SEO marketing agency founder. He discusses the importance of consistency, the evolution of social media platforms, and the strategies he used to build audiences on platforms like MySpace and TikTok. Austin emphasizes the need to diversify social media presence, own your audience, and leverage AI tools for content creation. He also provides actionable tips for growing on Facebook and maximizing engagement through collaboration and consistent posting.

Takeaways

Austin Armstrong has been a social media marketer for 20 years.
He started his first company focused on social media and SEO marketing.
Austin emphasizes the importance of consistency in business and sports.
He learned valuable lessons from his experiences in sports that apply to entrepreneurship.
Social media marketing has evolved significantly since the MySpace days.
Building an audience requires testing and iterating strategies.
Owning your audience is crucial to avoid losing your business.
Diversifying your social media presence protects against platform changes.
AI tools can automate content creation and scheduling.
Facebook is still a viable platform for growth and monetization.

Connect with Austin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinarmstrong90/

Check out Syllaby.io

Connect with Jordan:

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Order a copy of Jordan's new book The Life-Changing Power of Adversity

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is exclusively sponsored by CityGate Studios

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Laura DiBenedetto, an entrepreneur and author who shares her journey from a rambunctious child in Charlton, Massachusetts, to a successful business owner and coach. Laura discusses her early influences, the challenges of starting a business at 19, and the evolution of her marketing agency. She emphasizes the importance of personal development for business growth, the impact of AI on marketing, and her experience with self-publishing her book. Laura provides valuable insights and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to achieve success.

Takeaways

Laura helps business owners realize their potential.
She had a rambunctious childhood filled with outdoor adventures.
Started her first business at 19 due to being unemployable.
Her marketing agency has evolved over 25 years.
AI is a tool that can enhance business efficiency.
Personal development is crucial for business success.
Self-publishing allows for creative control and higher profits.
Writing her book was a journey of self-discovery.
She emphasizes the importance of strategy in business.
Assuming challenges will be hard leads to better preparation.

Connect with Laura:

Website: https://lauradibenedetto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraldibenedetto/

Get a FREE Signed Copy of Laura's Book: https://www.thesixhabits.com/offers/Z34ZBxtd/checkout

Connect with Jordan:

LinkedIn

Instagram

TikTok

Order a copy of Jordan's new book The Life-Changing Power of Adversity

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is exclusively sponsored by CityGate Studios