Candid Career Advice that Every Business Student Should Hear Right Now

College debt has grown by 43% in the last decade, but another investment metric that young people in the early stages of their careers need to consider is time. How are you spending it to get the education you need to reach your goals? With the fast-paced changes coming from the AI revolution how you get skills, whether in the classroom or through on-the-job experience can make a huge difference to your future marketability as an employee who can bring value to a business. Joe shares his perspective as an entrepreneur, as a C-suite executive in a publicly-traded company and most importantly as someone who has been hiring recent MBAs.

Key Questions and Discussion:

• What has higher ROI: skills or degrees?
• Is specialization enough if AI is coming for your job?
• What does it actually mean to follow your passion?
• What's the real value of an MBA ... to your employer?
• What's the no bullshit difference between a CEO and an entrepreneur?

An Unbelievable Story of Defying Expectations That Is a Lesson for All Entrepreneurs

When a 61-year-old Australian potato farmer showed up to run a 540-mile ultra-marathon in rain boots, everyone laughed. Joe unpacks the unlikely legend of Cliff Young and what his story reveals about innovation, disruption, and the power of not knowing the “right” way to do things. From herding sheep to building startups, this conversation unlocks how not knowing the rules can become your biggest advantage in business.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Ignorance can be an advantage. Maybe you see the norms and then break them, but what if you never see them at all?

2. Everyone does it the same way until... someone does it differently...and better. And THAT changes EVERYTHING.

3. Disruption is a context race. The biggest innovations often come from those who see how the world is changing and then get their first.

4. Results beat credentials. Cliff’s steady “shuffle” outlasted the pros. A start-up's "attribution" software beats a publicly-traded company.

5. Belief is fuel. Whether it’s a marathon or a new venture, conviction is a mighty propellent. And having a chip on your shoulder doesn't hurt.

With references to Uber, Airbnb, Go Brewing, Easy Man and Dealer Inspire.

A Story About Sales, Service, Generosity and Being Open to the Unfamiliar

Joe shares how a small gesture from a customer early in his career—a box of CDs—shifted his entire mindset about success, leadership, and service. This story traces how a simple act of generosity helped shape the principles behind Go Brewing and the belief that helping others get what they want is the real key to getting ahead.

5 Takeaways:

1. Accept the unexpected. The smallest gifts can hold the biggest lessons—if you’re open to them.

2. Succeed by helping others. Success follows from making others' lives better.

3. Connection beats persuasion. Great sales—and relationships—start with relatability.

4. Ask boldly. Sometimes all it takes is the courage to simply ask for what you want.

5. Pay it forward. When generosity shapes your actions, opportunity has a way of finding you again and again.

Shout-outs to Zig Ziglar, Ford and Alex Banayan.