Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do

Thom Singer talks about why he is excited to have had a long career in sales and how sales should be celebrated in a company. "Social Selling" does not work for most companies, and we have to get back to being focused on the human-to-human, belly-to-belly sales skills in order to grow a businesses bottom line. People want to know they matter and a "like", "link", "share" or "follow" is not the same as a business relationship. Thom recommends before every conversation with client or prospects that you ask yourself what it is they want from this interaction. Zig Ziglar said it best.... "You can have anything you want in life, if you help others get what they want in life" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Great entrepreneurs often work inside companies. In this episode Thom chats with Scott Ingram from Certain, Inc. As a Strategic Account Executive Scott is more than a sales person, but someone who is helping drive not only his own visibility but that of his company.Hear how he worked with his employer to launch a book and a podcast ("Making Rain with Events") as a way to drive awareness and revenue for the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Miller is a middle school teacher who in his 30s realized he had never pursued his dream of becoming an actor. While he was active in high school theater, he followed a traditional career path in education. Now married and the father of three he decided it is not too late to go for it, and with the support of his family, co-workers and his students he has begun a path toward acting. Headshots, acting classes, auditions, and a part in a local play have all begun to happen in just a few months.You MUST listen to Kevin's story. Most listeners will find a way to relate to how he never wants to look back and say "What If". In addition to following his passion, he is trying to show his kids that they need to follow their heart and try for the career they desire. While sometimes trying leads to disappointment, it can also lead to great things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thom Singer recently jumped off the 108 story Stratosphere in Las Vegas. He is not a "thrill seeker" and is usually scared of such things, but on this day he decided he was going to try something out of his comfort zone. Thom landed safely, but in business when we try new things we often fail, but that is okay too. It is the doing that leads us to finding ourselves. Hoping and wishing are not a business plan. Be someone who is inspired by attempting to grow and see what happens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"When you do good things - Good things happen" says Eliz Greene. Eliz is an entrepreneur who has made it a habit of saying "YES" to opportunities. From owning a dance studio, to becoming a expert in the women's health industry, to becoming professional speaker, consultant and hybrid meeting host she has grabbed hold of new career paths as they have appeared.In this episode Eliz Greene and Thom Singer share their experiences as the livestream hybrid meeting hosts for the National Speakers Association Annual Conference. By saying yes to helping their trade association they created a an online talk show that was a huge success in making the live meeting and virtual meeting more successful.Now they have created a new business with "Conference Talk Show". As more associations and companies look to simulcast their educational meetings, the idea of having experienced hosts who will engage the virtual audience is becoming key to making the hybrid meeting a more integrated part of the overall conference. Thom and Eliz

Much of our businesses are run from computers and mobile devises, and yet few entrepreneurs and small business owners give much thought to cyber security. Scott Augenbaum is a special agent with the FBI and for 11 years he has been focused on cyber crimes.His goal in being on "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do" is to get people thinking about how they behave online, and be smart about how they are protecting their mission critical information.According to Augenbaum, each person needs to become "their own firewall". Setting up multi-factor authentication, creating "pass phrases" instead of passwords, and using a separate computer for all banking transactions are just a few of his pieces of advice. This episode is an important one, as 95% of the cyber crimes he sees impacting small business could have been prevented. Tags and Keywords: cyber security, cyber crime, FBI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Don't wait for opportunity, go make something happen". This is the lesson Greg Merrill learned from his Uncle Tito. And he has done just that all throughout his eclectic career. The son of a military doctor he moved around a lot as a kid, but his outgoing personality has made it easy for him to network and make serendipitous connections. Greg went from the manager of a Gym to being an entrepreneur in the Green Technologies industry and the fashion footwear world (at the same time).Join in this conversation and hear some awesome advice for anyone who is wanting to be more entrepreneurial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Meadows always had the desire to have his own business. While he worked for others after college, he quickly knew that the entrepreneurship desire was strong. Today he oversees a growing company that touches several different solutions to help people be more productive.Join in for a great conversation as Andy shares his journey and gives great advice and information about learning, sales, and the Entrepreneurs Organization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Linda Smith was named "The Meanest Woman Alive" by Corporate Board Member Magazine. As a partner in the Los Angeles office of DLA Piper she specializes in "bet the company" and complex litigation. For over 38 years Linda has built a reputation and brand as one of the top women lawyers in the United States. She has represented high profile organizations and fought her way to the top in a traditionally male dominated business. Successful lawyers, even those in top firms, are solopreneurs, as the business requires them to build a solo-practice even as part of a large organization. If they do not bring in business, they do not survive. Linda shares her advice for those in all businesses on how to get ahead.Join the conversation as Thom Singer chats with Linda about her entrepreneurial journey. This episode is longer than most -- as this is what happens when two people who earn their living talking (a professional speaker and a litigator) have an open ended and in-depth conversation about success. Learn more about

Jason Blessing created an eclectic career large companies and growth oriented ventures, and today serves as the CEO at Plex. Along his career path he learned from experience and from mentors.Jason has extensive experience setting corporate strategy and leading sales, marketing, services, product and G&A functions for market leaders. He is and expert at building and leading teams that dramatically increase share holder value in both venture backed and large enterprise software companies.Join in on this conversation as Thom Singer chats with Jason about his entrepreneurial journey, his advice for others, and how he and his company give back to the greater good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Griffin is an expert on men's relationships and how these impact business and career. He is an author and speaker who is transforming the conversation about what it means to be a man in the 21st century.After leaving a government job (and the salary, benefits and pension that went with it) Dan launched out to follow his passion for training and helping others deal with complex issues around relationships. Dan says if you want to start your own company you need to be thoughtful about becoming and entrepreneur, don't just jump, but have a plan. This episode is longer than most, but I think you will agree that Dan Griffin shares from his heart, and will get you to think deeper on the many topics discussed. www.dangriffin.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thom Singer met Jeff Root at a SDSU Alumni Happy Hour in Austin, TX. Within five minutes he knew Jeff had to be a guest on the podcast. Jeff has been working for himself or in 100% commission roles since graduating from college. As a life insurance salesman he converted his agency to being online, and now teaches other agents how to grow their business with the internet.Join the conversation about business, travel, family life and how to create the life you want as an entrepreneur as Thom and Jeff chat about success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrate 100 shows of "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do" with Thom Singer. In this show Thom shares life advice he would give his kids (who are starting college and 8th grade)... but the advice is perfect for all of us who want to live the life of an entrepreneur. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Don't ask for permission, go do it" is the advice from business celebrity Jeffrey Hayzlett. Hayzlett says that business is hard work... yes WORK!! Being an entrepreneur will take more time and money than you think up front... but when you listen to this episode you can tell from his voice that he is excited about growth and success.Hayzlett is the author of the soon to be released book "Think Big, Act Bigger". Listen as he shares all the cool things they are doing to launch this new book (including free chocolate!!).Listen in on this episode and you will be inspired. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Lahey is an executive recruiter and the host of the Small Solo Business Podcast. He has a great head for business and knows a lot about the world of solopreneurs.Tune in for a great interview and high level advice for everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Barth has re-invented and re-launched his life. Starting with fitness he has gone from an average 40 year old, to a fitness trainer who has recreated how he looks, eats and feels.In this episode Greg and Thom talk about going from average to great by focusing on thoughts and actions. Greg works in the software industry, but is a wonderful example of an entrepreneur who is growing a successful business on the side.Tune in and be inspired by Greg Barth. http://www.getfitwithgreg.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Speakers Bureaus are not always understood by speakers or the clients who hire speakers, trainers and masters of ceremonies. Nancy Vogl has been in the business of connecting speakers and meeting organizers for over 25 years. A life-long entrepreneur, Nancy fell into the speaking business through her love of the industry. One day she found she was booking speakers (for free) when Og Mandino told her she should make it her full time career. The rest is history. This year Nancy is taking her business on the road and will travel to 39 states to visit her clients, prospects, and speakers. Listen to this episode and hear about her business, and learn from her years of experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thom Singer believes that we all have blind spots, and that hiring a business or life coach can be a great way to open up doors that are right in front of us. Often the smallest things that someone with a fresh point of view can suggest can have the biggest impact on our careers. Nobody is an expert on everything, and getting formal coaching from somebody will allow you to make the changes you are seeking. Finding a coach can be hard. The right person is out there, and not all coaches cost more than you can afford. When the student is ready the teacher will appear, but you have to know what you are looking for in order to find the right person whom you can afford. You have to invest in yourself, but you should not spend more than you are comfortable with spending. In this episode Thom shares his experiences with coaches, talks about some of his experiences as a coach, and pushes everyone to do more and achieve at their highest potential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thom Singer is excited about the inspiration, ideas, and accountability he gets from mastermind groups. He is active in two, and participates in others. In this episode he shares why you should be active with other people who want to help you succeed (and who you want to help in their own journey). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thom Singer chats about what inspired him at the National Speakers Association, his Canadian vacation, and his hope we all get inspired by the things around us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices