The Solopreneur Hour Podcast - First 50 Episodes

As a solopreneur, adversity is something nearly all of us are familiar with – but what do we do with it? Do we play the blame game or do we channel it into a greater cause, a greater purpose and gift in our lives? In episode 43, Vasavi Kumar shares how she has done the latter. As an author, coach, and freedom strategist, Vasavi has dealt with decades of difficulties. From growing up in an ultra-conservative Hindu home, to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in college, Vasavi has embodied the phrase: I was born ready.  Listen as she shares her experiences, and the wisdom they have taught her. You’ll be struck by her willingness and commitment to find the lesson in every challenge, and not only the lesson but the strength and GIFTS of that lesson. She has been, and continues to be, unwilling to fall victim to any experience, event or circumstance. Instead, she hustles like her life depends on it with every action she takes. She truly walks her talk; she is transparent, honest, and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She talks about her early college years, her drug and alcohol addictions and hypersexuality. And she has shaped her life and her offerings to the world around the belief that in all adversity there is knowledge, wisdom and a gift. Things you’ll learn from this conversation: * The only two things any solopreneur must do to succeed. * The secret to successful “shameless self-promotion” * How to “fake it til you make it” like she did * Her “secret formula” to success * Why she treats everyone – no matter how “big” or “small” they are – with kindness and fairness Throughout this episode you’ll hear how Vasavi has taught herself to not to be a victim, and how to take 100% ownership of everything in her life, including her own happiness. And you’ll find a path to creating your own happiness just as she has done. Love what you heard Vasavi cookin’ on this episode? Give her some Soloist love on Facebook and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/VasaviSource https://twitter.com/askvasavi Resources from this episode: https://www.stuartdavis.com https://vasavikumar.com Vasavi’s Book: Succeeding In Spite of Everything Episode 25 on Branding Vasavi Featured on VH1 Basketball Wives: https://www.vh1.com/shows/basketball_wives/season_5/series.jhtml  https://artofconfidentaction.com  https://sourceofyoursuccess.com

Despite being one of the most well-renowned drummers in the world, Mike Johnston always had a fear of doing drum solos. This fall, he was asked to do a solo in front of 1000 of the most educated and accomplished drummers in the world. Preparing for this challenge not only changed his drumming life, but how he views business as well. Listen to this episode to learn what a drum solo can teach us about being a Solopreneur.  To hear more about Mike’s background, check out episode 20.  In this episode Mike and I talk about his passionate commitment to his personal brand, the lengths he recently went to to maintain the integrity of his brand while being featured on the cover of DRUM magazine – and why it’s important for ANY solopreneur to embody that same level of commitment. We also get into tackling and overcoming fear: there’s the proverbial 900 lb gorilla that EVERYONE faces wherever they are in their lives. For Mike it was doing a live drum solo for the elite crowd of PASIC. And there are many lessons woven into his drum solo tale that all of you can take to heart: * No matter how successful someone is they too have a 900 lb gorilla: it could be leaving their comfortable 9-5 to strike out on their own or giving a speech in public or performing a drum solo for their peers. * The steps to take in facing that gorilla and successfully defeating it. * Why you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to be a success. * Why it works when you find what you’re comfortable with and follow it. Throughout this episode you’ll hear Mike’s commitment to not just drumming but to personal excellence in all he does. You’ll hear how deeply passionate he is about providing value for people that helps them and not focusing on how much money something will bring in. He genuinely cares about making a difference for others in their drumming and their lives. It’s clear his commitment to others’ success has been the key to his success. As you listen ask yourself: how can I relate this to my business? Then hear the invaluable wisdom Mike drops. This episode features stories about drumming: those stories provide  lessons about life and business as a solopreneur. One of those lessons is something we talk about here A LOT: find what you love, learn everything you can about it doing it and surround yourself with people who will support you every step of the way. And once you’ve mastered your craft, give back and show others how to do the same successfully. After you listen and enjoy, connect with Mike Johnston on Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook https://www.youtube.com/drumteacher76 http://twitter.com/mikeslessons https://www.facebook.com/drumteacher76 Links mentioned on the show: http://www.mikeslessons.com https://solopreneurhour.com/20 http://www.drummagazine.com/lessons/post/10-day-plan-for-faster-hands/ http://www.gretschdrums.com http://www.pas.org/index.aspx

Despite being one of the most well-renowned drummers in the world, Mike Johnston always had a fear of doing drum solos. This fall, he was asked to do a solo in front of 1000 of the most educated and accomplished drummers in the world. Preparing for this challenge not only changed his drumming life, but how he views business as well. Listen to this episode to learn what a drum solo can teach us about being a Solopreneur.  To hear more about Mike’s background, check out episode 20.  In this episode Mike and I talk about his passionate commitment to his personal brand, the lengths he recently went to to maintain the integrity of his brand while being featured on the cover of DRUM magazine – and why it’s important for ANY solopreneur to embody that same level of commitment. We also get into tackling and overcoming fear: there’s the proverbial 900 lb gorilla that EVERYONE faces wherever they are in their lives. For Mike it was doing a live drum solo for the elite crowd of PASIC. And there are many lessons woven into his drum solo tale that all of you can take to heart: * No matter how successful someone is they too have a 900 lb gorilla: it could be leaving their comfortable 9-5 to strike out on their own or giving a speech in public or performing a drum solo for their peers. * The steps to take in facing that gorilla and successfully defeating it. * Why you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to be a success. * Why it works when you find what you’re comfortable with and follow it. Throughout this episode you’ll hear Mike’s commitment to not just drumming but to personal excellence in all he does. You’ll hear how deeply passionate he is about providing value for people that helps them and not focusing on how much money something will bring in. He genuinely cares about making a difference for others in their drumming and their lives. It’s clear his commitment to others’ success has been the key to his success. As you listen ask yourself: how can I relate this to my business? Then hear the invaluable wisdom Mike drops. This episode features stories about drumming: those stories provide  lessons about life and business as a solopreneur. One of those lessons is something we talk about here A LOT: find what you love, learn everything you can about it doing it and surround yourself with people who will support you every step of the way. And once you’ve mastered your craft, give back and show others how to do the same successfully. After you listen and enjoy, connect with Mike Johnston on Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook https://www.youtube.com/drumteacher76 https://twitter.com/mikeslessons https://www.facebook.com/drumteacher76 Links mentioned on the show: https://www.mikeslessons.com https://solopreneurhour.com/20 https://www.drummagazine.com/lessons/post/10-day-plan-for-faster-hands/ https://www.gretschdrums.com https://www.pas.org/index.aspx

Happy (American) Thanksgiving everyone.  I’m so grateful for every one of you.  Thanks for being part of this whole thing. Michael (and Dexter)

Happy (American) Thanksgiving everyone.  I’m so grateful for every one of you.  Thanks for being part of this whole thing. Michael (and Dexter)

Welcome to Episode 40! Visiting with us this week is Facebook advertising consultant extraordinaire Shane Johnston. Shane and I met at Nick Unsworth’s Life on Fire weekend in San Diego a few months ago. We instantly bonded over our mutual passion for helping people grow their businesses. Shane has helped some of the most successful solopreneurs launch their campaigns via Facebook advertising. He has worked with such noteworthy clients as Amy Porterfield, Pam Hendrickson, and Nick Unsworth.  In fact, one tip he offered me led to 5,000 likes for my fan page. This guy is the real deal! In this episode he shares stories about growing up on an island in northern Canada where his dad taught him the all-important lessons: “Every job deserves to be done well.” and “Find out what people want and give it to them.” Shane took these lessons to heart and applied it to every endeavor he tackled from his own lawn-cutting business in his pre-teen years to creating a $100 million project under then-GE CEO Jack Welch to building his own present-day successful Facebook marketing campaigns. Additional insights Shane and I talk about are: * The true definition of hustle * How to turn “likes” from your fan page into buying customers on your list * The 80/20 rule of Facebook ads * The 3 steps for a successful Facebook campaign * Why using any other marketing outlet besides Facebook is like digging a well when you’re thirsty – instead of putting your cup under Niagara Falls Throughout the show, Shane shares his passion and deep wisdom for seeing the value in every situation. Through every experience and lesson he has learned in his life it’s clear Shane has sought to bring his very best to the table and to deliver what others want most of all. You’ll hear his intelligence, versatility and focus as he talks about how to establish yourself, create a relationship and educate your audience no matter what niche you’re in. This episode is a great look at the ins and outs of podcasting and about what it takes to create a successful podcasting business. Before you do ANY advertising on Facebook listen to this show – it could save you countless dollars and any solopreneur’s most valuable commodity: time. Show Shane Some Solopreneur Love! Connect with him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaneDJohnston If you really love what you heard from Shane get even more wise words from him here, totally FREE: http://Area51FBads.com/topgun. You’ll discover what he does to be so successful with his Facebook campaigns with mind maps, videos and REAL case studies. Did I mention it’s FREE? Check Out These Other Valuable Resources: Malcolm Gladwell: http://solohourbook.com Solo Lab launches on Monday Dec 2nd: https://solopreneurhour.com/SoloLab/

Welcome to Episode 40! Visiting with us this week is Facebook advertising consultant extraordinaire Shane Johnston. Shane and I met at Nick Unsworth’s Life on Fire weekend in San Diego a few months ago. We instantly bonded over our mutual passion for helping people grow their businesses. Shane has helped some of the most successful solopreneurs launch their campaigns via Facebook advertising. He has worked with such noteworthy clients as Amy Porterfield, Pam Hendrickson, and Nick Unsworth.  In fact, one tip he offered me led to 5,000 likes for my fan page. This guy is the real deal! In this episode he shares stories about growing up on an island in northern Canada where his dad taught him the all-important lessons: “Every job deserves to be done well.” and “Find out what people want and give it to them.” Shane took these lessons to heart and applied it to every endeavor he tackled from his own lawn-cutting business in his pre-teen years to creating a $100 million project under then-GE CEO Jack Welch to building his own present-day successful Facebook marketing campaigns. Additional insights Shane and I talk about are: * The true definition of hustle * How to turn “likes” from your fan page into buying customers on your list * The 80/20 rule of Facebook ads * The 3 steps for a successful Facebook campaign * Why using any other marketing outlet besides Facebook is like digging a well when you’re thirsty – instead of putting your cup under Niagara Falls Throughout the show, Shane shares his passion and deep wisdom for seeing the value in every situation. Through every experience and lesson he has learned in his life it’s clear Shane has sought to bring his very best to the table and to deliver what others want most of all. You’ll hear his intelligence, versatility and focus as he talks about how to establish yourself, create a relationship and educate your audience no matter what niche you’re in. This episode is a great look at the ins and outs of podcasting and about what it takes to create a successful podcasting business. Before you do ANY advertising on Facebook listen to this show – it could save you countless dollars and any solopreneur’s most valuable commodity: time. Show Shane Some Solopreneur Love! Connect with him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaneDJohnston If you really love what you heard from Shane get even more wise words from him here, totally FREE: https://Area51FBads.com/topgun. You’ll discover what he does to be so successful with his Facebook campaigns with mind maps, videos and REAL case studies. Did I mention it’s FREE? Check Out These Other Valuable Resources: Malcolm Gladwell: https://solohourbook.com Solo Lab launches on Monday Dec 2nd: https://solopreneurhour.com/SoloLab/

My buddy Darren Roebuck (http://fiverr.com/djrvoiceover/) and I have been playing music together for over 15 years.  We were in a band called “Bambi’s Apartment” for 5 years in 1998, he on the bass, me on the drums. We toured all over the country together, and played lots of great shows. Darren is a mega-talent, with loads of hustle.  He’s good at just about everything he does, because he really focuses on getting better at everything. He’s also got an incredible voice, and that’s what led to this conversation. A few helpful links: The workout me and John Lee Dumas are doing: http://www.levofitness.com/ Darren’s Voiceover Fiverr Page: http://fiverr.com/djrvoiceover/ A lot of great quotes in this one:  “unhappiness is unhealthiness” “happiness is worth SO much more than money” “every opportunity is a good one” Tips for building business on Fiverr: * Perception is reality. * Look great.  Well lit photos.  Good sound on your video. * Make people want what you offer. * Offer something reasonable for your 5 bucks * learn the art of the upsell Books (Besides The Five Recommended) Secrets of the Millionaire Mind (Get it FREE at http://solohourbook.com) Everything I Know About Business I Learned from the Grateful Dead: The Ten Most Innovative Lessons from a Long, Strange Trip

My buddy Darren Roebuck (https://fiverr.com/djrvoiceover/) and I have been playing music together for over 15 years.  We were in a band called “Bambi’s Apartment” for 5 years in 1998, he on the bass, me on the drums. We toured all over the country together, and played lots of great shows. Darren is a mega-talent, with loads of hustle.  He’s good at just about everything he does, because he really focuses on getting better at everything. He’s also got an incredible voice, and that’s what led to this conversation. A few helpful links: The workout me and John Lee Dumas are doing: https://www.levofitness.com/ Darren’s Voiceover Fiverr Page: https://fiverr.com/djrvoiceover/ A lot of great quotes in this one:  “unhappiness is unhealthiness” “happiness is worth SO much more than money” “every opportunity is a good one” Tips for building business on Fiverr: * Perception is reality. * Look great.  Well lit photos.  Good sound on your video. * Make people want what you offer. * Offer something reasonable for your 5 bucks * learn the art of the upsell Books (Besides The Five Recommended) Secrets of the Millionaire Mind (Get it FREE at https://solohourbook.com) Everything I Know About Business I Learned from the Grateful Dead: The Ten Most Innovative Lessons from a Long, Strange Trip

Sales. Yea, you read that right. The dreaded “S Word”. We are indoctrinated to think that, by default, being in sales is “cheesy”. It’s that kind of thinking that keeps us from achieving the goals we really want to achieve with our finances, and our overall lifestyles. In this solo show, I break down the sales cycle…and how you’re probably in it, whether you realize it or not!

Sales. Yea, you read that right. The dreaded “S Word”. We are indoctrinated to think that, by default, being in sales is “cheesy”. It’s that kind of thinking that keeps us from achieving the goals we really want to achieve with our finances, and our overall lifestyles. In this solo show, I break down the sales cycle…and how you’re probably in it, whether you realize it or not!

Jerry Rocco has followed a circuitous path to becoming a solopreneur, but he, like me, committed to the lifestyle.  Listen in as we talk mountain biking, living in Boulder CO, the reason NOT to build a regular website, and why audiobooks (Get your free audiobook at http://solohourbook.com) are so badass. http://www.22s.com Sololab™ Officially launching December 2, Cyber Monday! 

Jerry Rocco has followed a circuitous path to becoming a solopreneur, but he, like me, committed to the lifestyle.  Listen in as we talk mountain biking, living in Boulder CO, the reason NOT to build a regular website, and why audiobooks (Get your free audiobook at https://solohourbook.com) are so badass. https://www.22s.com Sololab™ Officially launching December 2, Cyber Monday! 

So great to have my buddy John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire back on the show, talking all things podcasting.  John has a new group “mastermind” membership out there called Podcaster’s Paradise.  In this show, we dig into PP, and why it should be part of every upcoming podcaster’s arsenal. Check out https://solopreneurhour.com/paradise for more info, and to view the FREE webinar! Become Dumbass Material:

So great to have my buddy John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire back on the show, talking all things podcasting.  John has a new group “mastermind” membership out there called Podcaster’s Paradise.  In this show, we dig into PP, and why it should be part of every upcoming podcaster’s arsenal. Check out https://solopreneurhour.com/paradise for more info, and to view the FREE webinar! Become Dumbass Material: