Success Defined with Ben McDonald

Success Defined 008: Balance of Running Two Companies at the Same Time- Erin Padgett

Erin Padgett owns and operates Erin Padgett Events and Paige & Elliott Bridal Boutique. After starting and growing her events company for a few years, Erin was ready for more. She saw a gap in the market and knew that she could fill that gap well. Now she bounces back and forth between two locations and working with 9 employees.

 

Erin talks about how she has been able to empower her employees so each company can run while she is at the other location. She goes in to how she maintains focus on her personal life outside of work. This is a great story to show not only can you take control of your own life and schedule, but you can grow and try new things if you set your mind to it.

Check out Erin's event planning company at www.erinpadgettevents.com and her Bridal Boutique at www.paigeandelliott.com.

Please reach out to me with questions or comments about the show at BenMcDonaldFA@gmail.com.

Success Defined 007: 5 Business Exits, $75 million in Capital Raised, and a Unique Life Wealth Philosophy- Mac Lackey

Mac Lackey had 2 business exits each for 8 figures- in his 20's. He went on to create and sell 3 more businesses so far. Mac has sat on the Board of Directors for public companies, he is passionate about entrepreneurship and has invested in many startups. Possibly most impressive of all, Mac has been able to make his wife and daughters a top priority through it all with his philosophy called Life Wealth.

We go in to what Life Wealth is compared to Work Life Balance. We talk about the benefits and downfalls of starting a business with a partner. Mac shares his thoughts on building a startup team, raising capital, building a company to sell, and so much more.

Be sure to check out www.maclackey.com for all of his content. Specifically, we reference a tool he has built to guide entrepreneurs in raising capital. You can find that at www.maclackey.com/secrets.

Questions or comments about the show? Reach out to me at BenMcDonaldFA@gmail.com.

Success Defined 006: How Sweat Equity and Building Great Teams Has Led to A Passion Venture- Cliff Gardner

Cliff Gardner has been a CFO and a NASCAR and MLB licensee He created and eventually sold the largest online auto parts platform. Now, Cliff runs Schedule Any Lesson, a site that connects instructors, coaches, and teachers with lesson takers. A passion for baseball and a dedication to his family highlight the well rounded person Cliff has become. In this podcast, we discuss the turning point that got Cliff out of Corporate America. Cliff also goes in depth on how he built great teams through culture and setting expectations.

Cliff used the sweat equity he received from creating and selling the largest online auto parts platform to begin a venture he and his son were passionate about. Schedule Any Lesson is disrupting the instructor marketplace by not taking the 30-40% most sites take from instructors. Cliff believes teachers and coaches are the backbone of our country, and he wants to create a platform that is not only a strong business opportunity, but also a place for lesson takers to find great instructors.

Cliff is offering an entire year free for all instructors interested in creating an online presence. If you are a coach, teacher, or other instructor, be sure to jump on this opportunity! Just check out www.scheduleanylesson.com and email Cliff at cliff@scheduleanylesson.com. 

With any other questions or comments about the show, email me at BenMcDonaldFA@gmail.com. 

Success Defined 005: Stand Out, Grow, and Impact Others the Yellow Tux Way- Jesse Cole

Jesse Cole owns and runs a multi million dollar company, is a successful author, and a keynote speaker around the country. He can also be simply known as The Yellow Tux Guy. Jesse began by running a fledgling baseball team as General Manager. He took risks, thought differently, and created an exciting atmosphere at the ballpark. Today, his company Fan's First Entertainment, focuses on creating a show filled with entertainment. There happens to be a baseball game going on at the same time.

In Jesse's recent book, Find Your Yellow Tux, he helps people running businesses begin to think about their brand differently and find ways to stand out within the crowd. In this episode, we hit on a lot of his primary focuses as Jesse gets extremely practical and offers listeners and viewers real strategies you can implement today. We also go in to how he has created a culture within Fan's First that has allowed primarily people in their first job flourish. Jesse and his employees measure their success and weigh their decisions on the amount of impact they can make. This, along with countless other takeaways, fill this jam packed episode of Success Defined.

Jesse challenges the listeners and viewers to reach out to him with questions. Use him as a resource and email him today at Jesse@FindYourYellowTux.com. Check Jesse out at www.findyouryellowtux.com, and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. He's easy to find- simply search Yellow Tux Jesse Cole!

For additional questions or comments about this episode or Success Defined, you can reach me at BenMcDonaldFA@gmail.com. 

Success Defined 004: Finding Fulfillment and Steering Your Own Ship- Joel David

In this episode, we talk with Joel David. After achieving his initial vision of success, being a strength and conditioning coach for a professional basketball team, his definition of success began to evolve. Joel is now focused on using his knowledge and experience to have a larger positive impact through his company My Fitness Foundation, an in person and online personal training company. We talk about how Joel's experiences have helped him identify how to best reach and add value to more people. We dig deeper in to his motivations of impact and fulfillment.

Joel takes us through habits such as a morning routine that has turned around his focus and efficiency. We also discuss why too many people fall for instant gratification.

Check out Joel at www.myfitnessfoundation.com, on Facebook @JoelDavidFit, or on Instagram @JoelDavidFit.

With questions or comments about the podcast, or if you know somebody who we should have on as a guest, feel free to reach out to benmcdonaldfa@gmail.com.

Success Defined 003: Taking the Leap to Pursue Passion Over Materials- Nate Andreu

In this episode, we talk with Nate Andreu. Nate is an Engineer turned Crossfit Gym Owner. Nate bought Crossfit Eternal Davidson and began the massive turnaround while still holding down his full time engineering job. We talk about the evolution of his priorities and what pushed him over the edge to leave his comfortable career to pursue his passion of health and fitness.

We go in to the surprises Nate faced of taking over an existing business. We also go in to how his business has thrived by valuing his employees and lining the coaches up with the business goals. You can quickly tell through his constant reinvesting in to the gym that his priorities are focused on making his members' experience the best part of their day

Check out Nate at www.cfedavidson.com, on Instagram @CFEDavidson, on Facebook @CFEDavidson.

With questions or comments about the podcast, or if you know somebody who we should have on as a guest, feel free to reach out to benmcdonaldfa@gmail.com.

Success Defined 002: Acquiring Their Dream Practice and Running a Business Together- Drs. Marc and Jolene Fondino

In this episode, we talk with Drs. Marc and Jolene Fondino. Marc and Jolene own Davidson Chiropractic in Davidson, NC. We talk about how they handle running a business together as spouses, as well as how their son helps them step away from the business when they get home. You also get to hear about how they went from both losing their income at the same exact time to buying their dream practice- without the ability to get a business loan. The creativity and problem solving to achieve this is incredible.

We look at their past and how life experiences led each of them to becoming a Chiropractor. Each of them share what success means to them. How have these two built a practice for years and been able to stay true to their priorities without giving in to external pressures? 

Check out Marc and Jolene at www.davidsonchiro.com or reach out to Marc with any questions at doc41075@gmail.com. 

With questions or comments about the podcast or if you know somebody who we should have on as a guest, feel free to reach out to benmcdonaldfa@gmail.com. 

Success Defined 001: Selling My First Company

Today we take a quick look at the journey of my first company and the future of this podcast.