• 041: From Paper Routes to CEO: Building Success From the Ground Up
    Jan 28 2025

    Send us a text

    Ever wonder how early life experiences can shape your business destiny? From the humble beginnings of paper routes and restaurant gigs, find out how these formative roles laid the groundwork for a career in entrepreneurship and technology. We share stories of how sports like wrestling fostered determination and teamwork, and explore the unexpected twists that transformed early tech interests into a thriving career. This episode promises valuable insights into how foundational experiences can ignite entrepreneurial passions and carve out unforeseen paths to business ownership.

    When faced with challenges in equity and ownership, how do you leverage existing relationships to launch a business? Discover the motivating factors behind such bold decisions, including family milestones and the importance of choosing the right partners. We delve into the strategic implementation of the Enterprise Operating System (EOS) for business growth, highlighting how structured planning and the right team can elevate service offerings. Join us as we unpack the journey from IT support roles to pioneering a new venture, underscoring the indispensable role of teamwork and strategic foresight in achieving sustained success.

    Williams Logistics:
    https://waionline.com/transport-usa

    Micheal McKeen on LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/michealmckeen

    Support the show


    Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

    • https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.threads.net/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
    • https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

    Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • 040: Was Selling My Business the Right Move?
    Jan 21 2025

    Send us a text

    What happens when selling your business isn’t about financial necessity but a gut feeling? In this episode, Marc Thomas sits down with Michael McKean, a seasoned entrepreneur who shares his personal journey of selling his thriving company. Discover the emotional and practical considerations behind his decision and why aligning personal and professional goals played a key role.

    Michael provides a behind-the-scenes look at the post-sale experience, discussing how financial health, client relationships, and strategic planning were critical during the transition. Learn how he evolved from a technical mindset to a financially savvy business leader and the pivotal lessons he gained through networking and business roundtables.

    Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode offers valuable insights into contingency planning, financial literacy, and the emotional impact of business transitions.

    Williams Logistics:
    https://waionline.com/transport-usa

    Micheal McKeen on LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/michealmckeen

    Support the show


    Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

    • https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.threads.net/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
    • https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

    Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 43 mins
  • 039: 3 Simple Rules to Win in the Digital Age of Customer Service
    Jan 14 2025

    Send us a text

    How can customer complaints become your greatest opportunities for success? In this episode, Marc Thomas is joined by John DiJulius to uncover the 3 simple rules that every business needs to follow to thrive in the digital age of customer service. Explore how smartphones, social media, and instant feedback have reshaped the way businesses manage trust and accountability.

    Discover the service recovery paradox, where well-handled complaints transform dissatisfied customers into lifelong advocates. Learn how to foster trust between employees and customers by going the extra mile, addressing skepticism, and driving loyalty. This episode offers actionable strategies to turn customer feedback into fuel for growth and build a loyal community that stands by your brand.

    John R. DiJulius III on LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/dijulius

    The DiJulius Group
    http://www.thedijuliusgroup.com

    Believe in Dreams®
    http://www.believeindreams.org

    The Customer Service Revolution Podcast
    https://thedijuliusgroup.com/the-customer-service-revolution-podcast

    John R. DiJulius III on YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@dijuliusgroup

    Meet as Strangers Leave as Friends | John DiJulius | TEDxAkron
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfWgKZzsuMc

    ===================================
    📒 The Books Referenced in this Episode: 📒
    ===================================

    The Employee Experience Revolution: Increase Morale, Retain your Workforce, and Drive Business Growth, Hardcover | Jun 10, 2024
    https://amzn.to/4cEsfNg

    Secret Service: Hidden Systems That Deliver Unforgettable Customer Service Paperback
    https://amzn.to/3W0sJYD

    What's the Secret?: To Providing a World-Class Customer Experience Hardcover
    https://amzn.to/45JyLQG

    The Customer Service Revolution: Overthrow Conventional Business, Inspire Employees, and Change the World Hardcover
    https://amzn.to/3VGT2C4

    The Best Customer Service Quotes Ever Said Paperback
    https://amzn.to/4bx0Pby

    Support the show


    Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

    • https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.threads.net/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
    • https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

    Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • 038: Why Taking Risks Is the Smartest Strategy for Success
    Jan 7 2025

    Send us a text

    Join host Marc Thomas and special guest Raffi Jamgotchian as they explore the transformative power of risk as a strategy for success. This episode dives into Raffi’s inspiring family journey, from Armenian heritage and migration to a career shaped by technology and innovation. Hear how risk-taking became a cornerstone of personal and professional growth, paving the way for a family legacy in engineering and technology.

    Discover the critical role of mentorship in business, including the balance between guidance and independence. Learn why too many advisors can lead to chaos and how strategic risk-taking drives leadership and innovation.

    Marc and Raffi also delve into the role of IT and cybersecurity in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. From AI-driven strategies to cutting-edge tools, they share actionable insights for protecting and growing your business. Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers a roadmap for turning risks into rewards and building a lasting legacy.

    Raffi Jamgotchian - Cybersecurity for Investment Firms on LinkedIn
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffijamgotchian

    Triada Networks, LLC
    https://triadanet.com

    On Thin Ice Kindle Edition
    https://a.co/d/25hHMYk

    Support the show


    Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

    • https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.threads.net/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
    • https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

    Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • 037: How Meditation Transforms Lives
    Dec 31 2024

    Send us a text

    Can one practice unlock infinite paths to growth and connection? In this introspective episode, we explore the profound ways meditation bridges spirituality, religion, and personal transformation. Journey from the heart of Cape Town, South Africa, to the West as we follow the story of a passionate teacher guided by the remarkable Gururaj Ananda Yogi Learn how meditation enhances spiritual beliefs, deepens connections to the universe, and fosters a community of growth and enlightenment.

    Through touching personal stories, including a humorous narrative about a father’s skepticism transforming into pride, we uncover the powerful impact of self-realization on family dynamics. This heartfelt episode offers insights into how personal growth not only enriches individual lives but also leaves an indelible mark on loved ones.

    Whether you’re seeking to deepen your spiritual journey, explore meditation, or understand its transformative effects on relationships, this episode is your gateway to infinite paths of growth.

    FISU Meditation:
    https://www.fisu.org

    The Meditation Guru on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@themeditationguru8032

    Rajesh Ananda on LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajesh-ananda-198a34a

    FISU – Foundation for International Spiritual Unfoldment
    International Headquarters
    58 Marlborough Road
    London E4 9AL, United Kingdom
    Tel: +44 (0) 843 289 9898
    Email: courses@fisu.org

    ===================================
    📒 The Books Referenced in this Episode: 📒
    ===================================

    The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself Hardcover – November 1, 2013
    by Michael A. Singer (Author)
    https://amzn.to/3LzPCfB

    Support the show


    Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

    • https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.threads.net/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
    • https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

    Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • 036: Finding Strength in Sobriety and Transformation
    Dec 24 2024

    Send us a text

    What happens when the dream of entrepreneurship turns into a nightmare? At just 25, our guest found themselves at the exciting yet tumultuous crossroads of owning restaurants in Las Vegas, only to face bankruptcy and personal upheaval. Join us as we uncover the raw journey from the thrill of owning two chicken restaurants and a milkshake shop to navigating the depths of addiction and the struggle of returning to a conventional job. This candid episode invites you to witness the fall and rise of an individual who discovered that personal growth and mental resilience are the keys to overcoming life’s most daunting obstacles.

    Listen in as our guest shares how a commitment to sobriety and self-improvement paved the way for profound transformation. Discover how their passion for storytelling and relentless pursuit of mentors and opportunities launched a successful career in public speaking and sales. Experience the ups and downs of their personal journey, including the challenges of a long-distance relationship that blossomed into marriage. As we explore the evolution of an entrepreneurial identity, we emphasize the urgency of seizing life’s opportunities and the determination to live without regrets. This episode is a testament to the power of reinvention and the courage to embrace life’s challenges head-on.

    That Follow Up Guy:
    https://www.thatfollowupguy.com

    Manny Vargas on LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/manny-vargas-86ba4449

    Support the show


    Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

    • https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.threads.net/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
    • https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

    Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • 035: STOP Feeling Alone! Discover the POWER of Support
    Dec 17 2024

    Send us a text

    Imagine navigating life with a chronic illness that demands every ounce of your resilience, yet still finding moments of joy and indulgence. That's the inspiring journey Zach shares with us, as he recounts the challenges and triumphs of living with a restrictive diet from a tender age. From relying solely on medical formula, rice, and pears for eight years to celebrating the removal of his G-tube in 2022, Zach's story is one of hope, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of dietary freedom. He opens up about the mental fortitude needed to maintain a positive outlook and how swimming became a cherished escape. Listen as Zach candidly discusses those daring, delicious moments when he chose to savor forbidden foods, despite the consequences.

    Beyond his personal experiences, we also explore the transformative role of community support and technology in fostering meaningful connections across generations. Discover how mentoring and guidance from older individuals can inspire and empower young people facing life's hurdles. This episode underscores the incredible power of community involvement and modern tools to uplift and encourage, showing us all that a fulfilling life is within reach when we lean on each other. Join us for a heartfelt discussion on resilience, hope, and the boundless strength found in unity and support systems.

    Follow and Listen to RICE CAKES AND PEARS, Zach Barber by visiting these links:

    Apple Podcasts
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rice-cakes-and-pears/id1536076222
    Spotify
    https://open.spotify.com/show/1jverkGnB6GCgTdTlII6FI?si=1e4823ab3c3f44de
    Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/ricecakesandpears?
    Linktree
    https://linktr.ee/RiceCakesAndPears

    Support the show


    Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

    • https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.threads.net/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
    • https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

    Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • 034: From Fear to Freedom: Transforming Limiting Beliefs
    Dec 10 2024

    Send us a text

    Unlock the secret to dismantling fear and transforming your mindset with actionable insights that can elevate your personal growth journey. In our latest episode, explore the powerful acronym F-E-A-R, standing for "False Expectations Appearing Real," and learn how unfounded fears like rejection can stifle your potential. Drawing inspiration from Sally Field’s iconic acceptance speech, we delve into the universal longing for acceptance and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone to foster meaningful change. Through compelling stories, including Marc's journey from rejection fear to confidence, we unpack how embracing discomfort can lead to a more fulfilling life and deeper connections.

    Curious about what might be holding you back from uncovering your full potential? Delve into the concept of cognitive blind spots, or scotomas, and their surprising impact on both personal and professional development. Through relatable examples, we highlight how these hidden barriers might be clouding your judgment and keeping you from seeing solutions that are right in front of you. We’re joined by Mark Panciera, CEO Emeritus and Partner of The Pacific Institute, shares his expertise on pushing past comfort zones and the role of cognitive dissonance in achieving remarkable breakthroughs. With practical tips on transforming limiting beliefs into liberating opportunities, this conversation is an eye-opener for anyone ready to move from good to great.

    Feeling fatigued in the aftermath of COVID and struggling to reignite your drive? Discover strategies to combat complacency and maintain the pressure needed for sustained growth. Mark emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, innovation, and adaptation in both your personal and professional life. Shifting your mindset for growth isn’t just about setting goals; it’s about challenging existing habits and beliefs to unlock new levels of achievement. Let this episode serve as your motivational call to action, encouraging you to embrace discomfort and strive for excellence in every facet of life.

    Mark Panciera: https://www.markpanciera.com
    Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpanciera
    The Pacific Institute: https://thepacificinstitute.com
    Mark on TedX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH49Sqtc8lE

    ===================================
    📒 Resources Referen

    Support the show


    Links to Follow Empower & Elevate Podcast 24/7:

    • https://linktr.ee/empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.youtube.com/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.threads.net/@EmpowerElevatePodcast
    • https://www.twitter.com/EmpowerElevateP
    • https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerelevatepodcast
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerelevatepodcast

    Hi, I’m Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of Current TEK Solutions and CYBER GUARDIANS. If you or someone you know could benefit from our cutting-edge IT and cybersecurity services, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn how we can secure and elevate your business. https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins