Rise and Climb: Recent Episodes
Lori Lynn
Your go-to podcast for candid conversations with successful entrepreneurs who are willing to talk about what it really looks like to take the “road less traveled.”
Rise and Climb will feed your soul, raise your vibration, and shift your mindset, so that you can stop feeling overwhelmed and distracted, finally face your fears, reignite your dreams, and live that wild and wonderful, regret-free, extraordinary life you were born for.
We explore how to make the shift from living an ordinary life to living an extraordinary one — from just getting by to really thriving.
We get vulnerable about life and love and health and business — the things that really matter — and talk candidly about all the things that tend to get in the way of you truly living your best life, a life by design instead of by default.
If you’ve ever looked at your life and thought, “I was made for more than this,” then the "Rise and Climb" podcast is for you.
This podcast speaks to entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives — world-changers, impact-makers, culture-shapers, and risk-takers — who want practical strategies and actionable advice for growing their business, expanding their reach, and attracting their tribe.
Your host is Lori Lynn, also known as Her Royal Excitedness, "Two Comma Club Editor," book midwife, freelance actress and voice-over artist, copywriter, marketing enthusiast, educator, and lover of impromptu dance parties, karaoke, and green tea.
Her favorite karaoke songs are L.L. Cool J's "I Need Love" and Bette Midler's "Otto Titsling" from the movie Beaches.
If you want to become instant friends, you need only quote The Princess Bride.
Today we are joined by a man that I have been stalking for a little while now. The great Dr. Myron Golden.
Myron teaches Financial Literacy from a Biblical perspective. He also teaches Business Success from a Biblical perspective. He teaches these in his coaching programs and his podcast, Bible Success Secrets. He also teaches from multiple books he has authored.
The first one I've ever read was From the Trash Man to the Cash Man, which has become a staple in my house. His latest book B.O.S.S. Moves I actually had the pleasure of editing.
Back in 1985 was the time when Myron got started in sales, did it for 18 months, 18 months of presentation after presentation after presentation. No after no after no after no after, no. Before getting that first sale.
If something's not working for you, it's not working for you because it's designed to work on you until you become the kind of person for whom it can work.
Fast forward and now Myron is the kind of person is a very sought after sales trainer and people will pay him hundreds of thousands and sometimes even millions of dollars to teach them how to sell stuff, which is absolutely amazing.
Myron goes into what he called "the greatest discovery that I've ever discovered in my life. Discovered it in Genesis Chapter One."
This discovery has much to do with his Million Dollar Identity. Are you ready? Tune in and learn from the legend Dr. Myron Golden!
On this second episode of Making Money Makers, I bring on an incredible guest Anthony Blair or Ant as he is better know.
Ant is a published author, TedX Speaker, Online Advertising Agency Owner for over 25 years, and most importantly, a father.
Since this series is about making money and since Ant and I are "Start your own business" kind of people, I started with the initial question of "what would you say to your son or what have you said to your son that would help instill those money-making values in him?" Ant's answer?
"It's more modeling than telling."
You need to tune in to hear the full answer, with a few stories, of course!
What else are we talking about today?
Currency Circulates
Money Mindsets
What Will The Market Bear
Get Your Money to Work For You
And so much more...
Thank you all for listening and I have another special guest coming next week, so stay tuned!
In today's first official episode of my Making Money Makers series, I am joined by a very special guest: the incredible Nadia Todd!
We discuss every way she is currently making money from jewelry to singing and a few things in between.
We discuss where she plans to be in 10 years.
And we discuss where she learned about money (besides watching her mom).
You'll find out that among the books she's read on financial literacy, Myron Golden's From the Trash Man to the Cash Man has had the biggest impact.
We even touch on what making money means to Nadia.
Tune in to this fun conversation I was able to have with my own 11-year-old daughter!
Ever since my youngest daughter told me she wants me to write a book called MAKING MONEY MAKERS, I've paid more attention to the ways that we make money. In this episode, I share some of the creative ways that we've found to generate cash flow.
In the beginning, I would do everything under the sun to try to make a little money. I would clean houses, work for very little, and rejoice when I got tips.
When my daughter decided she wanted to pay to have the iPad screen repaired to the tune of $75, she drew up a contract with me for repayment. When she realized she would need to give me her first payment in a week, she said, I need to make some money starting now.
You see my daughter has made money making jewelry, acting, and singing. She's offering singing telegrams, personalized birthday songs, and more.
So why are we talking about this,? Because it is time to think about my future book Making Money Makers and a weekly show regarding this subject.
Thank you for listening, and until next time!
Warning: I get fed up with the f-word in this episode and get pretty weepy. No, not that f-word. The word FRICTION.
Today I am sharing a few points of friction in my life causing me to use excuses for not doing what I would like to, one example of that is recording and publishing podcast episodes consistently this summer and even little things would show up as friction. Tune in to hear the story I tell about it and why my word for this next season of my life is frictionless.
I believe that I need to take you along on this journey I'm going through in my life right now as I've been taken along on other people's journeys. And I'm cheering for my friends who are on the other side of the world, Nikki Green posted something this morning about her partner, Josh Cousins, and all of these extreme circumstances that they've walked through. It is so incredible to be part of the journeys that people are taking.
And I think I take each step in this journey and as points of friction come up I oftentimes find myself learning and referencing some incredible books.
I love books. I love them. Some people love fancy cars and shoes and trips and dogs. And I love books. I'm surrounded by books.
Every fiber of my being believes that books are the best way to change the way the world.
That's all for now! Tune in and hear me discuss today's topics and I will see you on the next episode.
Angered by Donald Miller and Fueled by the Widow
After a little hiatus of being a podcast host and focusing more on being an editor, saleswoman, CEO, and most importantly a mom, I'm back and ready to start sharing again. Ready to start giving you as much value as I possibly can each and every week.
So, in this episode, I wanted to share a memo I found that I recorded back in May of 2020. You see, this story is not about all the success that my company has had over the last 12 months; instead, it is about where I was back then. It is real and raw and I just had to share it with you.
"I was living according to American standards, right at, or below the poverty line as I learned how to build a business. And that year--2020--I built a six-figure business. Now, I didn't take home six figures. I built a business that generated six figures."
Things were not easy as I began my journey. Like the widow in scripture (2 Kings 4, NIV), I learned to "go and sell."
Here's the full story:
"The wife of the man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha your servant. My husband is dead and you know that he revered the Lord, but now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves, Elisha replied to her, how can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house? Your servant has nothing there at all."
She said, except a small jar of olive oil. Elijah said, go around and ask all of your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few, then go inside and shut the door behind you and your. Pour oil into all the jars. And as each is filled, put it to one side. She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons.
They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring when all the jars were full, she said to her son, bring me another one. But he replied, there is not a jar left. Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God and he said, "Sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."
There is hope in this story for all of us and I know that I can sell and I know that those of you listening have the power to sell and that we can all live the way we are meant to.
Thank you so much for listening and I will see you on the next episode!
Elizabeth Adams is back and today we are talking about the new book she recently launched, How to Fall in Love with a Man You Thought You Hated. We discuss what are the things that she wishes that she knew when she first got started in self-publishing. Now that she's written nine books and bootstrapped her way to becoming a successful, published author, she's full of all sorts of self-publishing secrets.
A few pieces of advice when you are out there writing your book. It is so important to get feedback and get feedback from your ideal audience. We all know that everyone has an opinion but it is important to get the correct people giving your their thoughts about your work.
Read your book out loud and make sure that the ideas in the book are clear and that they do not leave any holes and that they are stimulating.
You know the episode has a few other gold nuggets but you will need to listen in to get them!
During a recent writers mastermind retreat, I had the honor and privilege of meeting The Great Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
Jack interviewed me on his show, so I am THRILLED to be able to share that interview with you!
As we chat about the book I'm co-authoring with Timothy R. Johnson, UNEMPLOYABLE: Confessions of a Serial Killer's Kid, Jack tells me about his experience as a teacher in inner-city Chicago and what he did in the classroom to boost the confidence of the so-called "misfits, outcasts, and renegades."
We also discuss who the book is for and why it's so important for such a time as this.
You do not have to be a starving artist, you just need to talk with Craig Alexander to learn all the details that you need to sell your art for a ridiculously low price for the training. Head over to Lori Lynn Art to learn more. Remember this is as much to help you get your art sold as it is to help make people happy in the world--people like me when I buy the perfect art piece to go in a room.
For over 40 years, Steve Ames hid behind his success as a real estate investor, presenting himself as a published author, a bilingual professor, and an extensive world-traveler.
He didn’t want anyone to know what he had been through as a child. He didn’t want to remember living in a railroad car or being severely beaten by his dad or not being able to speak or hear or read until far beyond what was considered normal.
Only a few years ago did he develop the courage to start sharing these stories. As he's told each one, he's begun to realize how empowering it is for him and how helpful it is for other people.
As you listen to his stories, keep in mind two things:
- If you’re struggling with disadvantages or disabilities that seem impossible to overcome, you are not alone.
- If you have a child or a loved one who is struggling, there is hope.
Where you came from doesn’t have to determine where you end up. It doesn’t matter where you came from. What matters is what you believe.
If you need help writing, editing, or publishing your first or next bestselling book, get in touch with me and my team, and we'll point you in the right direction for YOU.
Find me at Facebook.com/heylorilynn or email lorilynn@lorilynnenterprises.com.
If you need help writing, editing, or publishing your first or next book, get in touch with me and my team, and we'll point you in the right direction for YOU.
Find me at Facebook.com/heylorilynn or email lorilynn@lorilynnenterprises.com.
After completing a monster, blood-filled book last year, titled Sons of Pemberley, Elizabeth is back at it and has written another 75,000 words on her next book.
Now it's time to get ready for the fast and furious promotional tour to get the word out on the book that will be released on April 26, 2021!
https://eadamswrites.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Adams/e/B00BZYDF1G%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
What started as a challenge to write a noteworthy JAFF book turned into an unexpected career as a full-time author.
Elizabeth Adams is a book-loving, tango-dancing, Austen enthusiast. She loves old houses and thinks birthdays should be celebrated with trips—as should most occasions. She can often be found by a sunny window with a cup of hot tea and a book in her hand.
She writes romantic comedy and comedic tragedy in both historic and modern settings.
She currently lives in Baltimore with her husband, children, blind cat, dog, and a growing flock of parakeets.
So many great tidbits of information in this episode! Tune in to hear all about how Elizabeth Adams bootstrapped her way to becoming a published author.
You do not want to miss this one!
https://eadamswrites.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Adams/e/B00BZYDF1G%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
The parent of an adult child with autism, Leisa Hammett has a fresh perspective on navigating the unknowns.
Below are a few statements directly from the episode.
I don't believe that we've snapped our fingers and changed, I think we're in for a lot of change, I think positive change. But it's gonna take time. We've been through a really rough period and it's gonna take time to transition.
Last year, the pandemic was about re-invention. If we didn't drug ourselves out, you know, with television or alcohol or whatever, not that I'm knocking any of that. We hadn't, I think even still, we all had an opportunity whether we wanted it, whether we embraced it or not to go within.
I think we still have that opportunity. I think we had to take a long look at many things that weren't working in our lives and that I feel like I've come out. And what I'm hearing from other people is we're coming out into creation, a year to create and what a better way to give back to the world than every person saying, you know, I've come out of this.
I'm clearer, I've cleaned my house, and I'm on purpose. I'm going to create those things that I've maybe thought I weren't good enough to do and put on the back burner. There are some other things ... radical self-care ...
Yeah, you do not want to miss this one...
I guess when you are six years old, people do not think that they need to tell you that a penpal letter is not meant to be edited and sent back with corrections.
Jennifer didn't stay my penpal for very long, but it is sure exciting to think about when I really first got into editing.
Fast forward a few years and dozens of books later, and I am finally doing it full-time and loving every second of it.
I paid a lot of money to learn from the great Jack Canfield, and when you listen in you will hear all about why the co-author of my upcoming book wasn't going to write it with me unless my name went first on the cover. Jack set us straight.
I also was able to get such an incredible affirmation that I am doing things the right way with my editing business and giving my own author clients the directions that they need to continuously show up on the best-selling charts.
Oh, and did I mention that this was the most money that I have ever spent in a weekend?
Michelle Cunninghan managed to knock out the first draft of her manuscript in ONE WEEKEND.
She knew that there was no part of her life that she could take off from to write a book, so she took her kid's backpack and a bag of groceries from Trader Joe's, and she wrote her first draft in two days.
Michelle Cunningham is on a mission to empower women to live their BEST LIFE by simplifying all areas of life!
How did a shy girl from humble beginnings go from being frozen in fear for six years in her network marketing business to reaching Top 1% status in her organization?
Do It Anyway, Girl Shows You How To Get Unstuck, Shut Off Limiting Beliefs, And Get Into The Right Action That Brings Big Results.
https://www.michellecunninghamonline.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MichelleCunninghamOnline/
https://www.doitanywaygirl.com/
This episode could have been titled, "How to practically guarantee future sales by giving away too much."
What if you could unlock your true potential, achieve any goal, and outperform your competition? Former professional athlete and successful entrepreneur David Keesee became obsessed with answering this question.
After decades of battle-tested experience and front-line research, Keesee has uncovered the secrets to how champions of their industry move from amateur to professional to champion.
Over the past decade, David Keesee has worked with thousands of high achievers-peak performers, business owners, military personnel, and professional athletes to help them perform at extremely high levels and become unmatched in their professions.
And now you have the opportunity to learn the same tools, strategies, and approaches of the elite-to apply the success principles that work, no matter the circumstances.
Find A Way is not just an expression. It's a series of success principles and mindset secrets for champions. It is a way of life and business that takes you from who you are now to the person you need to be if you're going to reach the goals you've set.
Connect with David:
DAVIDKEESEE.com
FINDAWAYBOOK.com
https://www.facebook.com/CoachDavidKeesee/
Affordable Ghostwriting is not what people think. In this episode, find out what it truly is, and why you should avoid it like a fire swamp filled with R.O.U.S.s!
What if, when you finally achieve your “I’ll be happy when” goal, you’re still not happy?
“I’ll be happy when I get the raise I deserve at work.” ✅
Not happy.
“I’ll be happy when I get married." ✅
Still not happy.
“I’ll be happy when I can afford a bigger house.” ✅
Still not happy.
“I’ll be happy when we have another child.” ✅
Still not happy.
“I’ll be happy when I buy a new car.” ✅
Still not happy.
What if you just keep going on to the next thing that you think will make you happy, but you never really achieve happiness?
Jared Springer began his entrepreneurial journey at the age of nine and worked tirelessly to build a life of success that most people can only dream of.
Unfortunately, happiness continued to elude him despite all of his successes—until a medical emergency rendered him helpless, causing Jared to rethink what it really means to be truly "happy.”
With a passion for sharing the secret to finding happiness, Jared is now not only an entrepreneur but also an author and coach.
Join me for this episode as we hear Jared share some of the details of his entrepreneurial and personal journey, and what steps you can take to identify the things that make you tick ... and how you can use those to truly find happiness and enjoy life.
Connect with Jared Springer:
DefiningmyHappiness.com
jaredspringer.com
Have you ever wondered if BMI is a good tool to measure your health? You may be surprised when you hear what Dr. Matt Chalmers has to say about it!
Dr. Matt Chalmers received his degree of Doctor of Chiropractic from Parker Chiropractic College in Dallas, TX. Shortly after graduation, he started post-graduate work in the field of Neurology and is now a Certified Clinical Chiropractic Neurologist.
Dr. Chalmers also received certification in Spinal Decompression for the management of disc pain, making him one of only a handful of doctors in the Dallas Metroplex to have such a certification.
Dr. Chalmers has been an athlete all his life and really enjoys working with athletes and their families.
Nutrition is a very large part of a healthy lifestyle, so Chalmers Wellness offers a wide range of dietary counseling from weight loss to weight gain.
Connect with Dr. Matt Chalmers
https://facebook.com/ChalmersWellness
ChalmersWellness.com
CWellStore.com
Dr.Chalmers@ChalmersWellness.com
Learn the GREATEST Competitive ADVANTAGE for Your Business And Life!
Jeff's expertise is all around starting your day on fire so you can not burn out by the end of the day, but burn through those hours, being as productive as possible and as happy and content and having this life-giving force inside you come out and affect everything around you.
Jeff shares what his routine on Friday mornings looks like.
Jeff shares that his routine starts the night before--the last 30 minutes to set you up for success in the morning, he sents out a glass of water and workout clothes, so when that alarm goes off in the morning, he knows exactly what to do, what to execute on.
And you can get these small wins easily when you set yourself up for success the night before. And when they build up and you continue down that path, you get tremendous energy focus. You get in a grateful state.
Remember, if you hit the snooze button, you're snoozing on your life.
Learn how Jeff went from thinking meditation was very religious: “A bald monk on the side of a mountain, sitting there for hours, cross-legged, hands up in the air" to now experiencing meditation as an absolute game-changer.
This is the perfect episode for people looking to make a difference in their life by igniting their morning fire.
Website: themorningfire.com
CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JEFF AS A COACH
Grab the Book here: Rise by Love, Repeat. Ignite Your Morning Fire.
Social media links: Facebook | Instagram
While anxiety, depression, and insomnia are all considered “normal,” they don’t have to be.
With her candid and gentle “Me First” approach, Kajal Khurana has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and even expectant mothers over the past 10 years move from feeling tired, distracted, and stressed to energized, focused, and stress-free.
Her Amazon Bestseller Why Me First: How to De-stress Yourself Through the Art of Self Love is not another external prescription to remedy stress. It is an internal approach to health and happiness. As Kajal Khurana says, “A golden bed cannot give peaceful sleep.”
If stress and anxiety are keeping you up at night or you can’t explain why you feel tired all the time, then tune in to this interview and then grab your copy of K.K.'s new book. You may be holding the key to unlocking your potential energy and life force.
Kajal Khurana is a Mindset & Health Coach, Nutritionist, Podcast Host, and Bestselling Author.
Through her knowledge and experience, she has learned that there are no "ONE SIZE FITS ALL" approaches to anything in life. Every individual is UNIQUE and has different needs for their body, mind, food, relationships, and career.
As a certified Yoga Therapist with a Masters Degree in Yoga and Meditation, Nutritionist, and the knowledge of Reiki, Kajal has been helping groups and individuals to either retain or regain their mental, physical & emotional health.
She has a deep inner desire to promote holistic well-being to high achievers, entrepreneurs, working mothers, and the younger generation so this world can be a happier and healthier place to live.
Kajal resides in Singapore with her husband and their two daughters.
Since 2011, she has taught over 2000 group yoga sessions, helped many pregnant females stay calm, eat healthy, and be mobile during pregnancy. She also conducts one to one coaching and leads stress-management workshops.
She is on a mission to support people on their journey to happiness through holistic healing tools, techniques, and resources that she uses in her private practice and workshops to help people live a happy and healthy life.
Whether you're a working professional, a busy mom, an entrepreneur wanting to balance life, or someone who is simply trying to figure out their true purpose of life start your healing journey today.
K.K. believes that you have the power to take control of your health and be a new you!
Are you ready to take action together?
Let's Reconnect. Recharge. Renew.
Website: CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KK
Grab the Book here: Why Me First?: How to Destress yourself Through the Art of Self-Love
Social media links: Facebook | Instagram
For Julianne Kirkland, Inspired Living is all about "NEXT LEVEL" Living.
Drowning in debt, overwhelmed by chaos, and surrounded by suffering, Julianne Kirkland finds the strength, faith, and resilience she needs to overcome life’s obstacles.
As she tries to keep her business afloat while mothering two young boys, she discovers she’s pregnant—with quadruplets. After fighting not only for their lives but also her own physical and mental health, she can finally breathe again.
That is, until she faces the unforgiving disease that ravages her father’s mind. While wading through her family’s battle with Alzheimer’s, she ends up supporting another family member struggling with alcoholism.
She finds herself in the midst of a failing business and a fragile marriage as she mothers six young children.
Told with vulnerability and infused with humor, The Water Walker is a mother’s story of courage and hope. If you’ve ever questioned your faith in God, your worthiness as a parent, or your purpose in life, you’ll find inspiration and comfort here.
Get Julianne's Book:
The Water Walker: A Mother’s Resilient Journey of Manifesting God’s Strength to Overcome Life’s Obstacles
Find Julianne on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredlifementor
Follow her on Instagram:
@thejuliannekirkland
Learn about more about Julianne:
https://www.inspiredlifementor.com
Jo Hawkins believes that the purpose of business is lifestyle and financial freedom—powered by passion and packed with potential.
Find Jo Hawkins online:
https://johawkins.online
https://influencrmagazine.online
This is one of the most enlightening and energizing interviews I've done so far!
Here are just a few juicy quotes from Career Coach, Leslie A. Butler, M.S., C.P.C.:
"When someone contacts me, I listen to their story because that's where the clues are to how they're feeling and what they've been through, and then helping them to locate their heart through that process.
"They begin to remember who they are, remember what they are made to do, their gifts, their talents ...
"Let's look internally first ...
"The shift can happen so fast ...
"Instantly, as soon as you raise your vibration, as soon as you get your heart into a more joyful loving place, as soon as you get into a place of appreciation, then—immediately—what you start attracting changes, and there are infinite possibilities ...
"there are infinite positive opportunities ..."
Leslie has put together a resource for anyone seeking emergency help in this Covid-19 economy.
She has taken all of her done-for-you services and packaged them in a DIY format ...
and she's offering them for a limited time for those who are feeling stuck and struggling to find what they need to switch gears FAST—without the price tag of a career coach.
AMAZING! 💥
I can't wait for you to hear her talk about how to create your own meta-life shift.
https://leslieabutler.com/c19-emergency-membership/
Shayna Norwood founded her company, Steel Petal Press in 2011 to share beauty and humor with the world through her collection of handmade stationery. She is a professionally trained visual artist with a BFA from San Francisco Art Institute and has been letterpress printing since 2004.
Steel Petal Press has been featured in Proof to Product, Pop Sugar, BuzzFeed, Brit + Co, Refinery29, Southern Bride, Paper Crave, Oh So Beautiful Paper, Stationery Trends, Style Me Pretty, Brides, Inside Weddings, The Knot, Apartment Therapy, CBS News, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times and more.
When not thinking up funny greeting card ideas or working with wedding clients you can find her riding her bike around Chicago, enjoying tacos, hanging out at home with her cats and plants, or out dancing to her favorite DJs and bands.
Website: https://www.steelpetalpress.com
Press: https://www.steelpetalpress.com/pages/press
Social media links: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Lori Lynn's Interview from Susan Leonardson’s Podcast 🎙
AMPLIFY Your Impact 💥
If you listen to the Interview, here are some of the missing pieces — as well as a quick update!
1) I never got around to the reason behind the Sonic story (meeting people where they are and communicating with them in their preferred “language”) — we had a deaf customer that no one felt comfortable serving, so I would just take a note pad and pencil out to take his order and ask questions. He kept coming back, thankfully. 💕
2) The dog daycare and boarding business I mentioned made $8,000 more in July 2019 compared to July 2018, after we started incorporating more stories & social media engagement (as well as a bit of basic SEO). As of today, their gross sales have increased by 35% over the past 12 months (even though sales had declined during the previous 12 months! That's the power of story and making an emotional connection with your audience!) 😎
3) I decided not to become a high ticket closer for my friend’s business — instead, I’m now working on putting together a digital course with an award-winning filmmaker. We have a free, actively engaged FB Group to empower busy entrepreneurs to tell their stories & capture them through video automation. Join our free FB Video Marketing Unleashed FB group! 🎬
facebook.com/groups/videomarketingunleashed
As the late, great Jim Camp says, “Vision Drives Decision.”
Tell your brand's stories to create vision in the minds of your prospective clients and watch your business grow exponentially this year!
Connect with Sumeena Gupta on Instagram @sumeena_gupta
www.pesonaresort.com
TRANSCRIPT
INTRO: 00:02 You are not here by accident. You are here by design. And you are here to find courage in the face of fear, to replace isolation with connection, to push back that feeling of overwhelm, and to start feeling confident. And you know how you're going to do it? By listening to other people's stories. There's no better way to feed your soul and raise your vibration and shift your mindset than to hear the stories of those who have gone before you. I'm your host, Lori Lynn, also known as Her Royal Excitedness, and I invite you to Rise and Climb.
LORI LYNN: 00:49 Welcome back to the Rise and Climb podcast with your host, Lori Lynn. Today's guest is an entrepreneurial woman who has been on this journey of finding her own way and carving her own path. And she has a beautiful resort that she oversees and I would love for you to meet her. Her name is Sumeena Gupta and she is my beautiful guest today. Thank you so much, Sumeena, for being on the show.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 01:18 Hi Lori. Thank you for having me. So good to be here.
LORI LYNN: 01:23 So I know we've connected over being women in the entrepreneurial space and having sort of alternative views with regard to raising our children and homeschooling and travel. And just to give the listeners an idea of where you are right now. I am in Nashville, Tennessee and you are in ...
SUMEENA GUPTA: 01:44 I'm currently sitting in Mendoza in Argentina, which is the wine country and it's a beautiful place if you've never been. I encourage everybody to get to Argentina. It's a, a big country, but there's so much to offer. Um, and I'm traveling minimum 10 months, possibly longer with my three kids and my husband, um, we left about seven weeks ago from, um, our homes in Bali, Indonesia, where we've been living for the last 12 years. Um, and maybe you can hear from my accent. I'm actually really UK, so, um, is it all a bit of a mix, but yeah, currently in Argentina. It's lovely to see you. You too.
LORI LYNN: 02:25 Now you said, um, you're leaving for Peru too
SUMEENA GUPTA: 02:28 soon, is that right? Yes, we fly to Peru tomorrow. Um, we'll be there probably also a month because, um, I've been to Peru before, actually, my husband and I traveled South America for eight months, about 12 years ago, which is when we actually started our business as well. Um, as you do when you travel, serendipity takes over. And, uh, that's how we stumbled across our adventure. But, uh, yeah, I love Peru because of the Inco history and Machu Picchu and this, uh, it's this very beautiful country also. So we're headed there tomorrow and then over the next two months we'll travel some more and end up in Antigua in Guatemala in February where we've signed the kids up to a Montessori Cambridge green school, um, Antigua green school. And the kids will spend at least two or three months at that school, which looks fantastic. Um, and tick Y, which is a UNESCO heritage city.
LORI LYNN: 03:28 So I'm so excited for that. Can't wait. That's incredible. Yeah. And that's the type of education that you can't get sitting in a classroom.
SUMEENA GUPTA: Yeah, exactly. I, uh, I've, I'm one of these people that when I do something, I really investigate it. So when I had children, I read all the children parenting books, how to do it right, what not to do, what to do wrong. And, and as we know, as parents, you learn on the job. So those books, those books just get thrown out the window. But, um, I've really, I've really, uh, investigated education actually and where it's headed. Um, and I do think as parents, I mean, I was brought up in this way as well where education is the one gift that you give your kids. Um, but nowadays I think the education is not necessarily kind of the degree or the exam results.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 04:19 It's hard to survive in this world and the world is changing so much that I really believe going forward, our kids need a lot more, uh, arsenal or, or more toolkit, more tools in their kit to survive. Um, so I'm currently apparently unschooling my children. So taking them out of the system and trying to teach them other things, survival skills, um, you know, being in a different place, learning different languages, you know, figuring out how to jump on a bus, dealing with boredom, dealing with lack of wifi in social. I mean, you know, where in remote places where there is no social media, making friends with kids who don't speak your language in the park because obviously, you know, kids always need that community and interaction. Um, so yeah, it's just amazing. And also I just think the year in a life of a child is nothing to take them out of the system and to actually give them this journey and their gifts and their, you know, they may not remember all of it, but they're writing diaries and drawing pictures then and something sticks.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 05:23 And also we're loving it. We get to spend this intense time with our kids who will soon be grown up and fly the roost and we'll remember these times. So, you know, it's just such a powerful year for us and I'm really glad we've, we've orchestrated it and it wasn't easy. We've had to do a lot of things to make this happen, but it's just the right thing to do. And I know that and I feel it. Tell me how old your children are. The oldest is 11. Um, the second one, the oldest is, he's a boy. He's 11. Ishaan. Then I have a daughter who's nine. She's called Layla. She's a budding actress, I think I mentioned. And uh, the youngest is seven. So EMEA, I feel like those are the perfect ages for traveling. Yeah, you don't have toddlers and you don't have teenagers.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 06:09 This is like the [inaudible] you did it. I had the will, I'm very close in age, obviously within five or five years. And they've always been really good friends so that, that helps with the company because they have each other to play with, which cause kids, I think kids when they're out a school that's you homeschool, so maybe you understand this, but they do need that social interaction. Um, and they get that from each other, which is really handy. And they love each other. They're really good kids, so they fight, but they do play together as well. Um, but yeah, this is such a special age. They still listen to you and they still love you and they still, you know, the, they respond to what you say, they respect you.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 06:51 They, they old enough to kind of question and learn and take an interest. So yeah, it's really fun for loving it. There's challenges though. It definitely is not bed of roses. Yeah. It's not for the faint of heart traveling with three children to other countries. And I have to say one of my, so the reason I started on my entrepreneurial journey, which was, um, when I attend 30 actually, cause prior to that I'd worked in the corporate world. Um, I was on the treadmill. That's how I always say, or plugged into the matrix. We, you know, I studied, I'd got my degree. I, I've, I'm Asian, I mean Indian background and we're expected to do certain things like, you know, get a good job, buy a house, get married, have kids, et cetera, et cetera. And I know it was very much on that path, very much following, you know, doing, doing really well and, and just doing what I thought I had to do.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 07:45 And then my husband and I decided to travel at 30. Um, and it just changed everything. It derailed us completely. We decided that there was way more to life than what we were up to at that time and it just didn't suit us. And we realized we could start seeing the cracks in, in what we were doing. And, and traveling opened our eyes to that and made us realize we have to change something. And that's where we ended up as part of our travels in Indonesia. We came across this Island called [inaudible], which is only seven kilometers. The conference, it's about two hours from Bali. Um, beautiful. It's a diving Island. It's just nature. You know, it's got sunset sunrises, sun dandy beaches. It's just gorgeous blue water. And we had some money in the bank cause we'd been working and we bought this plot of land and that was it.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 08:34 That was the change, change our trajectory completely. Um, and as soon as we started, we kind of raised our kids on this Island. Um, they've always, they've grown up there. And then couple of years ago we moved to the big Island barley. And for those of, you know who barley, who know barley, it's a very big Island and it has great schools actually. Um, so we put them into a school that had a very big emphasis on growth mindset, which we love and it's an expert school so it's got lots of children with parents who have alternative views and you know, really open minded, you know, education is important but so is everything else which we really value. Right. Um, and then yeah, a couple of years in to Bali we've decided to take this year off and travel and, and kind of do it while the kids at the right age. Like you said, cause as the oldest gets older and they all do, they have to focus on different parts of their education, et cetera.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 09:25 So, but one of the great things about starting my business, our business is that it gives us freedom. And you know, if I, if anyone out there, I would say if freedom is one of your really key values and your life jumping onto the entrepreneurial bandwagon is a really good way to kind of find that time that you want for yourself. And it seems contradictory cause I feel that people think if you run your own business, you, you actually work all the time, 24 seven really hard. And I have to say that is very true in the early stages. But if you're smart and if you're willing to let go and if you follow kind of an 80 20 rule, you can really, you know, trust. I have some really good stuff that I trust. My job now is to mentor my staff and help them and let them get on with it.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 10:14 And that's kind of the entrepreneurial journey. If you value freedom, which we do. So, you know, we opened a restaurant a month ago while we were on the road by just managing our team and working very closely with our staff and just being there for them and guiding them and encouraging them and helping them with the hard parts and kind of leaving them to the bits we know that they could do. So being able to let go like that gives you so much freedom and then it allows you to earn the money that you need to do the other things like this, like traveling. So, you know, we don't stop working, but we don't have to work all the time. So yeah, it's really good. Yeah. So as an entrepreneur, I think it's very important to know why you go to it. Why do you want to have your own business?
SUMEENA GUPTA: 10:58 What are your values that you're looking to really emphasize? And then focusing on those. So you mentioned the 80 20 rule. I don't know that everyone is familiar with that. Can you talk about that a little bit and how you applied it to those early days in growing your business? Okay. Um, two, I look at it two ways. First way is you can never ever get everything 100% right. So just letting that extra 20% go and I feel in every part of your life just makes life so much more livable. So, you know, even with, I see people with like really frenzied on diets and with exercise and just anything, if you try and do, and I do think that people like, like perfection and that's great, but if you try and do 100%, you're just setting yourself up for failure. I feel. So it has really helped me in my life to have a real kind of 80, 20 mindset with almost everything.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 11:53 So in my business, if certain things don't go according to plan or, um, you know, it isn't exactly what I expected or it's not making the money that I thought it would, it's okay because we're 80% there and that's, that's fine. And it's, it's enough. So, you know, I just think that you've, maybe you have to know your own tolerance, but for me, 80 20 works and then the other 80 20 is almost the other way round, which is giveaway 80% of the work and keep the 20. That really adds value. And that's what I do. So the 20% that actually I bring to the business and that's the strategy. The idea is the guidance, the support, kind of a bit of the financial knowhow, you know, the understanding of the Indonesian laws and how that works. And now I'm really good at networking. So the networking side of things and queen and calling in people when we need them.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 12:44 That's my 20% and the other 80% just gets shoved out to everyone else. And it's great because you create an economy. So we have almost a hundred staff and only two of them and only two of them are Westerners. So I have um, a spa, a dive shop, a restaurant and a hotel with 26 rooms. And then another restaurant we've just opened and we have, I think over 10% of my staff are from abroad and 90% are from Indonesia. So we've created an economy around that. And that makes me really proud because we train our staff. It's a very poor country. So there are, you know, hospitality's very big. It creates opportunities. But we really work with our staff. We train them, we educate them, we try and get them to see, not just turn up to work but actually try and, you know, get better, promote them, try and make them work their way up the ladder.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 13:39 So I have some really, really strong Indonesian staff who basically are doing the 80% along with my, um, a couple of the Westerners that we hire because we always kind of need that in Indonesia. And in these Asian countries, it can be quite difficult to find the trustworthy staff as well. We've, I mean, we've been burnt, so we've learned a little bit from that, um, where we had money stolen, et cetera, like everybody has. So, you know, just being able to, to find that balance of the 80, 20 helps, I feel entrepreneurs just live their lives actually, which is the whole point is the whole point of those, you know, there's no point in having these successful businesses if you can't enjoy the money or the, or the freedom or the time that you have. So yeah, that's, that's what I, uh, that's how I would define the 80, 20 rule.
LORI LYNN: 14:25 It's funny, I, I understand the principle and I would not have applied it the way that you just described it. So I'm so glad that I asked that question. I thought I understood and I was like, wow, that was actually really good. Okay, cool. Yeah, I mean I feel like it's different for everybody. And this is one thing that I, what I try not to do is listen to all the noise. There are me.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 14:46 So, um, so many people tell you so many things and everyone says everything different and you know, there's all these morning routines and then you feel like you should be doing them. And then there's all these kinds of exercise regimes. And you feel you should be doing them. And this is kind of ideal. Everything. And I just think parenting, Oh my gosh, this is how you should raise your children. This is exactly. And if, honestly, if I listened to even half of what I heard, I'd have no idea what I was doing. So I think it's just for me, it's like what? What is clarity around what I want? What do I am I man, I'm so sure that this is what I want, that I can talk to anybody about it and no one can tell me otherwise. You know, it's almost that inner inner confidence or arrogance, I guess.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 15:29 You don't have to shove it in people's faces. You don't have to be rude about it, but you know it for yourself to your core. So, you know, again, Indian families do not take their kids out of school and go traveling. It's just like what? They're not going to school. What is going to happen. I mean, I've got, you know, my parents and my ma, my inlaws and they're like, what about education, education, education? And I know to my core that this is so important that nobody can tell me that I'm doing the wrong thing and it's fine cause I have to live with the consequences so it doesn't matter. So again, with business, if, you know, when we opened our dive shop, everyone's like, Oh well we don't need another dive shop. There's already 10 on the Island. I mean at that time they were 10 others 20 so we were number 11. Wow. And I was like, yeah, yeah. I was like, Nope, this is going to be successful. It's going to be fine. And I think if you know that your, your make it work from almost like a a pride point of view as well as like, no, I'm going to make this work. So, um, yeah, it's just, it's just defining for yourself what it means I think is really helpful and really important.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 16:36 So
LORI LYNN: 16:37 how do you have the courage to launch into something that is undefined? So there had to have been some things along the way that led you, you know, you said you had that epiphany when you did the first trip and saw, okay, this is a completely different way of living that we could live. So how would you recommend getting a taste for something different if you feel that unsettled feeling? Um, and then where do you find the courage to, you know, to actually launch yourself onto that path and take that trajectory that's, you know, pulling you away from the traditional pull, you know, trying to keep you back where you were and where, you know, your family went and your answer.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 17:22 Yeah. You know, that's such a good question actually because, um, I would have probably about a couple of years ago I would have said, I'm not sure, but I've actually thought about that because I really do want to help other people to be able to make those decisions. So I've had to, I've sort of thought, okay, what, how does, how do I make this happen? Like, what allows me to take risks, because, you know, although I said at 30 is when we sort of went, decided to start a business and my twenties I went through two full corporate careers. I worked for a.com. I worked for a big accountancy, I worked for a massive bank, but, and I always jumped ship because I was like, ah, this is not right for me. Like, so I was always quite happy to take these kind of risky decisions that were like, well, you're not gonna earn salary and then I'd get another job and it was fine.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 18:15 Um, I feel that I'm really good at doing, uh, kind of making calculated risks. So, you know, like a kind of almost like a pro con list where I just say, okay, if I do this, what are the, what's the impact? What's the positive impact? Was negative impact. So, you know, sometimes it's in my head, sometimes it's an actual physical list and I'm just like, so what is the worst that can happen? And kind of write that down and go, what's the best that can happen? And write that down. And then try and give myself some security around like my risk-taking so that I know, okay, well, yeah, maybe I won't earn a salary for the next two years, but you know what, I've got a house I can rent out and therefore I can have some passive income from the rental. So there's my calculated risk possibly, or you know, okay, well why don't I just work another year and buy this asset and then I can maybe have that, you know, ticking over at the same time as, as I'm doing this.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 19:15 So just really looking at really, but you have to do some like thought, you know, brainpower, soul-searching, writing lists or talking to someone that you really trust even, um, and just going, okay, what are the pros and cons? What's the worst that can happen? What's the best that can happen? How about we give it a go and no pressure. So how about we give it a go for six months and if it all goes pear shaped, we'll go back to this. So like, you know, no pressure to stay. So when I, when we first quit our jobs to start our business, we said to my husband and I were like, well, if it all goes pear shaped, we'll go back and we'll get another job, you know, and within a month we knew we were never going back. So just giving ourselves that little security blanket or a comfort, you know, cause it is really hard and there is a lot of risk taking and you do feel uncomfortable even with this travel, you know?
SUMEENA GUPTA: 20:02 Yes, we've plugged in that we'll be away minimum 10 months if it's not working, if it's not the right thing. If we find that financially it's not viable, et cetera, et cetera, we'll buy a ticket and we'll go home and we'll just go back to where we were. And that's okay. Because again, we're not doing this for anyone else. We're just doing it for ourselves. We've got nothing to prove to anyone. So yeah, I'm a real kind of like calculated risk person. I just think that's, yeah, they're risks. But you know, I've thought about it, I know what I'm doing, I know the pros and cons. It's okay. So I don't know if that answers the question, but yeah, I think to kind of something that you mentioned that maybe sort of glossed over is being able to see beyond the present and having a vision for what you want,
LORI LYNN: 20:48 what you want to grow, how you want your kids to grow up. You could see the business, you could see the dive shop, you could see, you know, your children learning new languages and interacting with people from other countries and different cultures. So when you have that vision in mind, then you know, that drives you toward it. And then it sounds like there, the courage comes from knowing that you've calculated the risk, you understand what the pros and cons are and you know that there's a backup plan. Like if this doesn't work out, you know what, no big deal. We can always go back to what we were doing before and switch gears.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 21:24 Exactly. Yeah, that's, yeah, I don't, I think a lot of people are worried what other people will think in all honesty. And, and I could have fallen into that where I'd be like, Oh God, my parents told me that I shouldn't do this. And it would be a big mess. But if you thought, if, honestly, if I thought like that, and I say this often, I would have done nothing. Nothing. I would, I would probably, I probably wouldn't have gone to university because my parents, my dad was really conservative and he's like, Oh no, girls don't go to uni because they have to leave home and live out of the house. And you know, we kinda allow that. And I was like, I'm going to uni, like it's happening. So I just think if you really, if you keep thinking about what other [inaudible], and the thing is, they value education, but they kind of worry they've got, the security element was outweighing that.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 22:08 And it was just like, I'm going, um, without being a rebel or being kind of slamming doors about it. It was just kind of like, I'm going like, why wouldn't I go to university? So yeah, I think just having a real kind of note, don't care really what people think. It's okay. Like I don't need to justify myself to them. And yeah, sometimes I get to a moment, I'm like, I already saw this. I, I've been here. It's almost like a deja VU. But you're right. It's that vision. So, you know, like I talked about the school, the kids are going to go to, I can already see it. I can see it's living in Antigua. I can see what we're going to do. We're possibly going to start a business. They're like, I've already said this to my husband. I'm like, let's, let's have a look at opportunities.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 22:50 I've told the kids it's happening. You'll be learning Spanish, but, right. So, yeah, when I get there and be like, I've been here. So yeah, I, it's, it's true. It's, the visioning is very powerful. It's really gives you something to work towards. It's the GPS. I tell my kids, I'm like, if you have a GPS and you don't know where you're going, you won't get anywhere. And we use GPS a lot while we're traveling. Cause obviously we're like where are we, where are we going? And it's like you have to plug in the destination. Otherwise you're really aimless. And that is actually very true. What you said that, that's a good insight. Thanks.
LORI LYNN: 23:25 Also seeing into this um, business relationship that you have with your husband, how do you maintain that marriage relationship alongside working together in a business relationship? So do you have advice for anyone who is either in the throes of trying to build a business together or like has the heart to do it, like might be able to see themselves doing it, but what practical advice do you have for people who are considering going that route?
SUMEENA GUPTA: Well, it, that's such a powerful question because it's actually one of the things I want to mastermind over when in the future apparently were called CRA. Couple of printers cause we're a couples working together. Um, it is cause on, on this Island, many bit, many couples started businesses together because it's just, it feels so idyllic. Like, Oh, let's go to this little Island and start a business or a restaurant or a hotel or whatever, you know, a spa. And I have seen so many separations and they're friends of mine and it's so heartbreaking and I just think, Oh gosh, there are some really key elements that can help.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 24:35 I feel couples work together. And one of them is you treat each other like business partners in the business space and you come home and you treat you sorta as a couple in the couple space. So, you know, I, from a very early, early on in our business career, we would have scheduled meetings with each other. Um, so like, Hey, you know, in work time we'd be like, can I need a meeting with you tomorrow to talk about this? Let's put it into the diary rather than 11 o'clock at night when you finally collapse into bed and you're just kind of starting to switch off and read your book. Or just, you know, reply to your WhatsApps from your family and it's like, Oh by the way, you know that wallpaper that we were choosing, I was like, no. And then that's when you lead, it leads to fights.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 25:19 It's a complete passion killer. You know, you just don't want anything to do with that person anymore. And we really have worked together for almost 12, 13 years intensely. Um, almost sometimes where we don't see other people, but we're really good at going, work time is over. We're now in relationship time or I'm now having my own time as well. So you know, I'm going for a run or I'm going to the gym or I'm now switching off to you. I'm reading my book or you know, I need this space. So just being really kind of clear and we actually have a little bit silly, but we have WhatsApp groups with each other where we, you know, if you think of something, cause sometimes you are creative at different times, we have different, you know, mine schedule. So we WhatsApp each other. Oh by the way, blah blah blah.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 26:05 And then you can read them in your own time. So it's out of your head. It's gone to the other person and it's done. And the other thing that we're really good on is we clear cut who's in charge of which part of the business. So my, my husband's so into the detail and he's into the kind of the real nitty gritty kind of project management financial stuff. Whereas I'm more of the strategy and the operations and the people and was so clear which part of the business we take a lead on. Um, and then that allows us to kind of go, okay, that's my area actually. I'm happy to listen to your input the same way I would at anybody else, but I think we should this and respecting that and going, okay, you are that person who makes a decision for that. I respect that.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 26:49 So just the way you would raise your kids, just the way that you would kind of have your family life. It's separating the business life and the family life and just being treating each other like coworkers and treating each other as, as partners. Outside of that, it's really important cause I do have a very, I'm very lucky. I met my husband very young and we do have very good relationship and I do believe that's helped me make, take some of the risks. So, you know, that's, that's part of my calculated risk is that I'm in a, in a really tight relationship with my partner, um, and also having three kids and he's very supportive with that. So just, I do feel lucky about that, but I think that you can work on it and we do work on it. We work on it all the time. We've had plenty of, have bad periods and we work on it and we try and try and have good periods. Again, I read around it, I research, I try and look at, you know, what makes successful couples, what makes good business people who work together, et cetera, et cetera. So yes, I think it's education. I don't know if we ever stopped learning. Just educating yourself again and again, isn't it on everything? So, yeah. Yeah.
LORI LYNN: 27:58 One of my homeschool heroes is, um, a woman named Charlotte Mason. And one of the things that she's known for saying and writing is education is a life. And I think that it's so important just to be lifelong learners, to be people who love to learn and who love to read books and who loved to explore and have adventures and travel and love each other. Well. And um, I saw that in everything that, you know, we talked about before this interview,
SUMEENA GUPTA: 28:31 I thought, Oh I'm going to get her on my show. Yeah. Cause we just had a couple of interactions but I could tell that we were a good fit for each other in that way. Um, I would love to pick up on the education element actually because you know, I have always been very academic. I do love to learn and, and so, you know, I've always reading or learning something new or picking up something new and I only came, I was telling you to came to this sort of self development self helps you know, growth world in the last six months. Um, and one thing that did for me was kind of finally stopped me feeling like the odd one out or an outcast or kind of the person who's trying to go against the norm or you know, she's all, you know, the one who doesn't do what everybody else wants her to do type of person and just go, Oh my God, there's a whole load of people who think just like me and actually, you know, feel the same way.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 29:26 And it's just so I feel like I found my tribe within not only the knowledge business blueprint, which is the course that we've signed up to, but also just this whole kind of self-development self, how I bettering contributing kind of ethos that will, lots of us have. Um, and just simple things like, you know, I didn't, I refuse to watch the news intensely and I have done for almost 15 years probably because I think, yeah, it's good to know. I do. I do know what's going on. I know the highlights I caught that comes to you, but just to go too deep into the news, it's really dark. It's really depressing. And a lot of it is just fear mongering. And recently, um, Dean I think said, don't you know, if you want to gain some hours back, just don't watch the news for two hours a day. And I was like, Oh my God, I haven't watched the news for 10 years. I'm not the only one.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 30:22 So just simple things like that make you suddenly go, Oh okay I'm 43 but I'm actually finally with people that I understand and understand, possibly understand me as well, which is great. So yeah, it's, it's, and it's okay to feel like the odd one out I think. And just, you know, fit. I mean, I am not estranged from any of my family. I still have the same friends that I did at school. I don't see them so often cause I live in a different country, but I connect with them often when I go home, I spend time with them. So you don't have to, you know, alienate yourself. You can still be who you need to be for those people. And then you can still live kind of almost a parallel life of what you need to do to be successful in your own, in your own terms.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 31:05 So as you said in your blurb, living in Georgia Canary life, I love that you said, I think you've said it in your blog for your podcast, where we live it to live an extraordinary life. It's exactly right. And not everybody does. So you have to do something different, I think to do that. Yeah. Yeah. I catch a lot of Slack for not having a television. I've never owned a television [inaudible] entire adult life. Okay. So I moved out of the house when I was 17, started going to college then and there was a television in our dorm room and there was a television at my parents' house. They never had cable growing up. They had maybe two, three channels at the most. Um, but there was just never any draw. I just couldn't bring myself to just sit for hours. And even now, if I sit for very long, I'm standing as I do this podcast, I like to stand all the time.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 32:01 I'm either eating or I'm asleep. Like there's, Oh my gosh. Yeah. Great. Perfect. It gives you energy. Keeps you guys, yeah, I mean, what, chink television and you know, everyone talks about Netflix and how it's just, it's a kind of a black hole at the time and you just do sit there and you go, I think Netflix has its place and it's, and it does, you know, it, it, there's some interesting programs on there. There's some really good educational stuff or just interesting stuff and we all need to switch off. You know, I do love going to the cinema to watch a good movie. If there's something great on it. It's just, it's one of the things that we love doing as a, as a family actually. But, um, it's kind of that the daily habits isn't it? It's five hours a day, even two hours a day, you know, rather than possibly two hours a week or three hours a week.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 32:45 It's that balance of, of saying, well, what else could I do with those two hours? I could do something else. I could work out or I could spend time with my kids or I could, you know, figure out these emails or, or just switch off in different ways. So exercise, I love yoga. This year I qualified as a yoga teacher, which was amazing. Um, and so yeah, just a couple of hours of yoga. It was just so fun. And this, this, those sort of things is really good. You know, too. You said something about knowing when to cut it off and it can be filled with something else. Those things can be filled with things that are just as distracting. And so I noticed that, um, I had signed up for, um, Facebook dating. I just wanted to see what was out there. You know, I had never been on an online dating platform and it didn't take long for me to realize that I'm not missing out.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 33:37 Yeah. So true. But I just realized, um, just this weekend, what a waste of time it was. Okay. I got up to vision for what I want in a relationship and I looked at a handful of profiles and I thought, it's not here. I'm not going to find it here. There's nothing about any of these profiles that says, you know, this matches up with your vision for your life and it was easy to decide and just cut that away and I thought I went how many minutes a day I have that. I'm not like scrolling through profiles now. So true. Actually it's really interesting that you said that because recently I read something really cool which was rather than see what you want, it's almost like define who you want and what you would have to be for that person. And so you would be like, okay, well if I were this type of person they would probably want to be with someone who is like this.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 34:33 Am I that person and do I want to be that person shows, do I have to change or you know, or this is me, therefore I'm probably going to be with this type of person. And when you know that it's again, it's the vision. Those people will suddenly appear. You know how it is when you are concentrating on something and suddenly you see all of it, like suddenly yellow is your favorite color and then everything's yellow. So you'll suddenly be like, Oh that was sort of person I was looking forward and they just appeared at the super bar or in the, you know, wherever you are at the gym or whatever. So I thought that was really interesting and I, and I feel that because you know, I've been with my partner and I have 23 years and we met our 20 really young and you know, we'll be together forever probably just because of our values of, of kind of relationships, et cetera.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 35:16 Hopefully we'll see. But I often am like, Hey, what does he need? And I know he does that as well, like right now with what's happening. Yeah. And you know, even with the F and he does it with me and that's possibly also how our business life has been successful. Because when I was having kids and breastfeeding and you know, I was really adamant I wanted to breastfeed a long time. Obviously that was demanding. And I, and I was physically drained as well as could not invest in the business as much. And he did take over a bit more without making a deal of it without stomping or you know, just like an understanding like she needs me to be this person right now. And that was like, so just recognizing that, that we both do that for each other yet. So, uh, I see that, I see how we do that and I feel I've learned that from my parents because my mom just passed away, but they were married 44 years, so you know, it's just, and then many Asian parents are, and they have lots of issues that they skirt over, but there are also some really sweet, powerful things like being there for each other and always trying to supporting each other and seeing what the other person needs and yeah.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 36:22 So yeah, that might work with relationships if you're in that space to look at what other people might need from you and then be that person that's so beautiful. It makes me a little teary.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 36:37 I recognize that we do it for our kids as well. Right. That's what I thought when you said that. I thought I do that with my children. Like, okay, what do they need? What do they need today? What do they need in this moment? And um, and it's easy, you know, because you love them. It's easy to be present and, and to help meet those needs. And like we said, when we were talking before the interview started, sometimes you know, there are times when you say, I need this block of time where I work on something else. And then explaining like to my youngest right now that when she's in the middle of creating, if she's writing a song or she's, you know, making some sort of craft or something, I'm not interrupting her constantly saying, Hey, I need, I need to do this. And so just letting her know that this is what I'm focused on. This is my song, this is my craft. It looks different from yours. It's not as colorful.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 37:29 Something I need to create. I think as parents we should speak to our kids as if they do understand because they do. And you know what you've just said there, where you're telling your daughter, giving her some comparison, letting her understand what your needs are as well. I think as parents they need to understand we have needs and often I'll, you know, when I was doing my yoga courses like kids, this is going to take time, but it's important for me and also I want to live a long healthy life and be active so I can play with your kids and I need this time and this is going to help me. So giving them some sort of like, okay, well this isn't just mom kind of disappearing this, there's a meaning behind it. And we do that all the time where it's like, okay, the reason that you're going to go to school here, the reason that we're traveling, the reason that we just giving them, not letting them, keeping them in the dark.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 38:14 I think that the cap, the capacity to take that on and actually going back to entrepreneurship, doing that with your staff as well. And doing it with your E like I do it with my managers all the time where I'm like the thinking behind this, the reason that we would like to do this. What do you think? Do you agree? And also taking it back to the point being what they need you to be as the owner of a business, as the sort of the, the chief of the business, if your team needs you to be a certain person on a certain day is almost an obligation to do that. So, you know, if my managers need me to listen and I listen if they need my guidance or guide, if they just need me to go out for a drink with them, I will take them out for a drink if I need to buy them a present to make them feel special.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 38:59 So just as business owners, as entrepreneurs, it's kind of being who they need you to be and that's your 20% that's where your energy. So, you know, being kind of really in tune with what your team needs rather than kind of going in with what you need, this is what I need. You know, a lot of us do that. Like, this is what I need you to do and I need it done by tomorrow where I was going, what do you need from me? So that you can make that happen by tomorrow. So just that little bit of a change cold. Yeah. Well it gives you freedom. It really, from a really selfish perspective, it gives you freedom. Cause they're like, I just need this and then you can piss it off. And it's like, okay. So it's just kind of the element of, you know, just give me this and then you can actually disappear. And you're like, Oh, okay, fine.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 39:52 Yeah. It's surprising. So your team needs you and you actually empower them, which is fantastic. It's beautiful. Yeah. That's, that's why we go into doing our own thing, really, isn't it? I feel to, to make decisions to be the, the owners of the decision of our destiny. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like that's a beautiful stopping place. I feel like that sort of brings the whole thing all the way full circle. Um, unless there's anything else that you know is just burning in you to, to share. But that was just so beautifully spoken. Um, and I feel like kinda ties a lovely little bow on this interview that I haven't so much. It's been so fun. I think the only dish that I would really like to, um, really hammer home to anyone who's listening to this, especially I will emphasize, you know, moms, women who really want to be present for their children as well as obviously be successful because sometimes we think it has to be one or the other.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 40:56 So I can either be really successful in my career and my children are raised by the nanny or I'm a mom who's at home, but possibly slightly frustrated, et cetera. So I would just like to say that if you're kind of verging on doing your own thing or you have an idea for a business, take some calculated risks and try and buy yourself that freedom to be both, to be really successful in your own mind of, you know, I am happy with what I'm doing, what contribution I'm making, you know, what financial, my financial situation. But I'm also really present for my children at the times that they need me to be. And I can be, I can be both. You can be both. You can be both. So I think that people, most people do know that, but I would like to emphasize that it can be successful in business and, and financially and also be a really, really good present mum. I love that.
LORI LYNN: 41:50 Yeah. And I completely agree with you. Perfect. We are representing many. Thank you so much for your time and I thank you to our listeners for listening. I hope they uh, enjoyed it.
LORI LYNN: 42:07 Oh, I'm sure. I'm sure you're a lovely, lovely person.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 42:12 Well thank you. Everyone's invited. Just maybe put the link to my place somewhere and everyone is invited to visit. It's an absolutely gorgeous part of the world. And remind us again the name and what it means. Okay. So it's called persona beach resort and spa, which is the resort. And the spa is called as your spa persona in Indonesian means charming. Um, it's just got, it's got a beautiful feel about it. The sun, it's got an energy because it's on the ring of fire. I mean, actually last year, yeah, we had a very big earthquake, but we've managed to survive that and come through. But it does have a big energy about it. It has sunrise in the front of it. The sea is absolutely bursting with sea life, with, you know, turtles and fish and, and just, it's a diving Island. So you will definitely snorkel and possibly dive if you, if you really want to.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 43:01 And we encourage, one of the things we encourage all our customers to do is push themselves and be inspired by the environment. So we encourage them to dive or to try something different. And we have a strong emphasis on sustainability. So we don't, we, you know, we don't have plastic bottles. Everything is, is kind of very sustainable and we work with the Island on that. So the Island's very working very hard to be very sustainable and environmentally friendly. So yeah, it's a great place. Um, and the dive shops called di central Gilley yeah. Come and visit. It's gorgeous.
LORI LYNN: 43:32 I will, I absolutely will. I can see myself there right now. I can't do it. I love it. Oh, I they would be beside themselves. Yeah, that would be, we went to the city museum, um, a few weeks ago I guess. I guess it was spring break, so it's been months ago now. Um, it feels like yesterday and we just had so much fun just climbing. We climbed on everything. Like, Whoa, can we do this every year? And so it'd be so fun to just surprise them. You know, when we're going to go to Bali this year, let's make a plan. We'll make it happen as lovely. Thanks so much, Lori. Yeah, thank you. And I will definitely put the link in the show notes. So if anyone wants to come and check out your beautiful Island, your resort on the Island, um, they can do that. And if they want to hear more about what you're doing, do you have a way to, to get in touch with you?
SUMEENA GUPTA: 44:28 Um, I'll give you my email. I'd be more happy for people to email me over the next two months. I'll be launching my first mastermind, which is actually, um, and uh, women who are in their early thirties and successfully in, in their education and their career, but they're not feeling the fulfilled extraordinary life. So they're on the past that they thought they should be on, but not necessarily they want to be on. So that's called mastering serendipity, um, a way to an extraordinary life. And then after, I feel that my next mastermind after that will be the couple per no ones, because I think there's so many couples that are so good together, but then they've decided to go into the business, into business together. They've fallen apart. And I find that really tragic. So I would love to be able to speak to that a little bit.
SUMEENA GUPTA: 45:14 So that's the kind of intro, that's where my energy is going over the next couple of years, um, to focus in on, on those sort of high impact, um, things as well as possibly opening another restaurant and as far around Bali, et cetera. So yeah, just, just kind of piling things in that yeah, it's really interesting. Entrepreneurial fashion. Yeah, exactly. You've been busy trying to keep many strings. Yeah. So, uh, I guess we'll see you out there soon.
LORI LYNN: Yes, absolutely. Yeah. Thank you so much again for being on the show and thank you for staying in touch. Yes, for sure. I take care. Okay.
OUTRO: 46:00 Hey, thanks for listening. If you thought of someone while you were listening to this episode, would you send it to them? Just let them know you were thinking about them or that they came to mind and make that connection. If you would take a minute to rate and review my show, that would mean the world to me--and let me know about topics that you want us to cover in future episodes. Oh. And don't forget to subscribe. What are you waiting for? Go hit the subscribe button right now. I'll see you next time.
What if “Shiny Object Syndrome” is really just the adult version of:
“What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up”?
Do you ever feel like you're reinventing yourself after half a lifetime of feeling unfulfilled or trying to fit into a mold that just wasn’t designed for you?
*Raise your hand with me right now if you're just trying to figure it out.
I want to tell you a quick story — so stick with me here … I promise it comes full-circle.
Remember the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale, “The Fisherman’s Wife”?
If not, here’s a little recap:
A fisherman who lives in a small cottage near the sea catches a fish that claims to be a prince.
He lets the fish go and heads home to tell his wife about this unusual experience.
She says he should have asked for a wish to be granted from the magical fish. She would really like to live in a nicer home.
Reluctantly, he goes back to the fish to ask for a nicer house, gets it, and finds his wife is still not content.
Her wishes keep getting grander and grander until finally they go back to their modest life and the fisherman finds peace and contentment again.
Here’s my takeaway from that story:
Sometimes, taking the “Shiny Object” path is what brings us right back to where we were — but with new perspective.
Let me explain.
When I found myself facing the death of my marriage after a decade and a half of being a stay-at-home homeschool mom, I knew I was going to have to do something drastic to change my financial situation.
I got married at 25, thinking I was doing the “right” thing. We decided together that we wouldn’t rely on my income so that when or if we had children, it wouldn’t put a financial strain on us if I wanted to stay home with them (like my mom did with me and my sister).
During those years, I volunteered more hours than I can count
— including teaching at a boarding school for orphans in Uganda —
I worked part-time as the underwriting director for a local non-profit radio station,
I taught language arts part-time to junior high homeschool students, I picked up the occasional acting gig, I wrote resumes for people, and I edited several fiction and non-fiction books, but my income was still just a drop in the bucket compared with his.
Fast forward 17 years.
I now find myself a single mom with three child actors who have been homeschooled since day one.
There was NO WAY I was going to give up
being able to homeschool them and run them to auditions and rehearsals and gigs.
I had to figure out something else.
First, I tried network marketing.
Man, the people who run those businesses successfully are cut from a different cloth.
I love my network marketing friends, and I frequently buy from them, but I didn’t have what it took to build that kind of business and stay on top of it.
Next, I tried SEO because one of my network marketing mentors turned me on to Bob Proctor, who turned me on to SEO through a coaching program called OMG.
Holy smokes. It felt like someone kept handing me a technical manual written in Russian every time I would tune in to the training.
But … I met some remarkable people in that group and really wanted to meet them in person.
So … I decided to attend their live event since it was being held in my city, which is Nashville, Tennessee.
It was there that I was introduced to Myron Golden, who gave us a copy of his book. I plowed through it and then read it aloud twice to my kids as part of our homeschool curriculum.
Through listening to Myron’s podcast, I was introduced to Russell Brunson.
Russell Brunson was going to be holding an event in my hometown called Funnel Hacking Live (FHL) just two months after I met Myron Golden. When I found out Myron Golden would be speaking at that event, I decided to go.
Through the ClickFunnels community, I met Jamie Atkinson, who later became my podcast coach.
He helped me to launch this podcast —
and recently told me that Dan Henry (who has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, Business Insider, among other places) was writing his first book and was willing to do podcast interviews to help promote it.
I reached out to Dan Henry to ask about getting an interview with him on my podcast and congratulated him on writing his first book because, as a book editor, I know what a grueling process it can be.
He jokingly said he should hire me to edit his book.
I said, “Yeah, you should.”
We sent a few more messages back and forth.
He needed someone who could get the job done FAST because he’s going to be one of the speakers at Funnel Hacking Live 2020 and he wanted to have his book ready for that event.
Guess who just wrapped one project and was waiting on a manuscript and could squeeze in his book in between?
Yep.
Me!
By the way, the book I was waiting on wasn’t completed until AFTER I completely wrapped Dan’s book. Talk about synchronicity!
Oh! And guess who wrote the foreword?
Mr. Myron Golden.
After working my magic on Myron’s foreword and sending it back to him for approval, I got a message back saying, “I love what you’ve done with it, Lori ... You are a phenomenal editor, and I will have to do some work with you moving forward.”
Serendipitous, right?
Now … remember what was I doing before I started “chasing Shiny Objects”?
Editing books.
Today I feel like the Fisherman who was content with his lot, tried on a bunch of new, shiny things because he wanted to please his wife, and then found himself back at the beginning.
(If this were a video, I would totally add a clip right here from The Princess Bride — the one where Inigo shouts, “You told me to go back to the beginning! So I have.”)
Ok, so WHAT IF what people are calling “Shiny Object Syndrome” is really just your path to discovering the beauty and the value in who you are RIGHT NOW
and what you have to offer RIGHT NOW —
without all the fancy bells and whistles.
And MAAAAAYBE … while you’re on that path, you’re making the connections that will help you
“get back home”
To the place where you find the most peace, contentment, and joy.
Hindsight is 2020, right?
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that entering into the New Year —
the year 2020 —
finds me looking back over the past few decades and discovering a Yellow Brick Road that seems to be leading me back home.
Oh! remember how I said I used to teach part-time? Well, guess what?!
I’ve been invited to teach a couple of masterclasses recently as well as participate in an online speakers summit!
I’ve been teaching people things like:
how to sound awesome on your podcast,
how be confident on camera,
how to sell stuff using the power of story,
and how to juggle entrepreneurship as a single parent.
This month I’ll be working alongside an award-winning filmmaker friend to help teach small business owners and entrepreneurs how to create stunning DIY marketing videos that increase sales without hiring an expensive production company or buying a bunch of gear they don’t need.
By the way, if you’re interested in joining us, just head on over to our free Facebook group. It’s called Video Marketing Unleashed, and you can find a link to it in my bio on Facebook
facebook.com/groups/videomarketingunleashed
Over the past year,
I’ve helped a friend launch her “Ideal Career Search” program …
I edited four full-length books and a handful of short stories …
I started this podcast …
And I co-founded Video Marketing Unleashed.
I’d say this year has been the year of Discovery.
I’m naming 2020 the Year of Massive Growth.
I invite you to come along with me, embrace the process, enjoy the journey, and absolutely CRUSH 2020!
If you're an entrepreneur in your middle years, then you may especially appreciate Chapter 11 of Napoleon Hill's famous work: Think and Grow Rich.
Chapter 11 is one of those chapters that I kept coming back to and really wanted to share with other people particularly those of us who are in the middle decades of our lives.
Here is my gift to you, a reading of "The Mystery of Sex Transmutation," from Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich.
NOTE: Think and Grow Rich is in the public domain.
Are you an entrepreneur or small business owner in search of community around capturing stories on video?
Join our Facebook Group for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners Looking to Grow Their Brands without Taking More Time Away from their Families -- facebook.com/groups/videomarketingunleashed
Free Buyer's Guide for Creating Stunning DIY Videos on a Shoestring Budget:
👉 Grab Your FREE Video Creation Buyer's Guide! ►
https://www.videomarketingunleashed.com/buyers-guide
And, finally:
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Yeah? Single mom here. Totally get it. Me, too. But ...
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✅ How to Start Experiencing the Flexibility of Time Freedom
✅ How to Make Money FAST Using Little-Known Tricks to Help Your Business Grow Year after Year
✅ How to EASILY Leverage the Power of This New Skill on a Shoestring Budget
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✅ The ULTIMATE METHOD for Creating, Marketing, & Profiting from The Future of Online Engagement—2020 is almost here!
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This Free Web Class is a LIVE Online Event.
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See you there! 😘
Look who's up next on the Rise and Climb Podcast! 😎
He's spoken and shared the stage with today’s leaders including Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Dan Kennedy, Mark Victor Hanson, Michael Gerber, and Zig Ziglar. 🤩
He’s a respected bestselling author, columnist, talk-radio and TV personality. 🔥
Martin Wales of martinwales.com is an "all-around business dude" who is an absolute BLAST to interview! 💥
He's incredibly personable and witty, so you might be surprised to find out that he has:
☑️ catapulted startups from $1,000 per month to millions in annual revenues
☑️ doubled a $4 million dollar enterprise’s sales
☑️ catalyzed $1,000,000 in single-day, online sales for his clients
☑️built a million+ email subscribership with 75% of all new cash sales resulting from just one of his strategies
Tune in to hear Martin Wales talk about his strategies for "Catching Customers" -- on the Rise and Climb Podcast! 🎙
Find Bill Crane online at billcrane.com or twocommacoach.com.
Want a FREE consultation (value $997)? Use the coupon code LoriLynn.
Bill will also give you a copy of his book if you let him know you found out about him on the Rise and Climb Podcast.
What a heart of gold this one has!
With her back against the the wall, after six years of struggle, she discovered Expert Secrets, attended Funnel Hacking Live, and relentlessly pursued her vision.
After she perfected the online marketing process, she made 1,000 in the first week, 140K the first month, and has generated almost 4.5 million in the past year and a half.
I hope you have a pen ready because I have a feeling you're going to want to take some notes.
Find Jaime Cross at thehereffect.com
After completing a $100K degree in film-making, Cris Cunningham found himself on government assistance. He was referred by a college professor to work with a non-profit organization in Haiti, which kicked off his 7-figure career in film. The company had plateaued but Cris managed to take them from $2M to $10M in just two years. Today he is an award-winning cinematographer, television producer, and video marketing consultant/digital strategist.
EPISODE NOTESCris Cunningham is a television producer, documentarian, and video marketing consultant/digital strategist that helps coaches, consultants, course creators, and service-providers stop settling and start living life on their own terms.
Find Cris on Facebook by searching for the FREE Video Marketing Unleashed Facebook Group or by requesting membership HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/videomarketingunleashed
Cris Cunningham is a television producer, documentarian, and video marketing consultant/digital strategist that helps coaches, consultants, course creators, and service-providers stop settling and start living life on their own terms.
Find Cris on Facebook in the FREE Video Marketing Unleashed Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/videomarketingunleashed
To get to know more about Carla White, check out:
carlawhite.org
You can find The Gratitude App at this link:
thegratitudeapp.com
And if you're interested in her One Habit Challenge:
onehabitchallenge.com
Featured on Oprah, NPR, The New York Times, Forbes, Business Insider, USA Today, our guest today is Carla White, "Top Woman in Tech."
While working at NASA over 10 years ago, she became the first woman to create an iPhone App--The Gratitude App!
She is on a mission to help people find nerdy, geeky, fun ways to take care of themselves and overcome depression naturally.
She leads One Habit Challenges to help people "lower their stress, increase their income, and make the journey a lot more fun."
Personally, this may be the most impactful interview I've conducted so far.
Make sure you download, rate, and review this episode!
If you're looking for more balance, joy, and energy in your health, wellness, or relationships, you can schedule a FREE 15-minute call with Dr. Jennifer Shaw to see if she might be a good fit for you.
Head on over to her calendar link here: bit.ly/15NWT
Find Dr. Jennifer Shaw on Facebook here:
Looking for the Natural Wellness Tips website? Here you go!
https://www.naturalwellness.tips
Anthony Ambriz, YouTube Growth and Content Strategist, has helped countless companies scale and grow through the power of video.
He reveals everything he's learned on his YouTube channel: Video Creator Secrets
Subscribe to his channel: http://bit.ly/SubscribeVCS
You can also find him on LinkedIn and Facebook.
FB Group: http://bit.ly/FBGroupVCS
Website: http://bit.ly/YTchecklistdownload
Check out Jamie Atkinson online and on your favorite podcast app. His podcast is called Entrepreneur Junkie Movement. The link to Apple Podcasts is below.
Podcast Host at Entrepreneur Junkie Movement:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-junkie-movement-with-jamie-atkinson/id1456194303
Find Jamie Atkinson on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jamieatkinsonlive/?eid=ARAJkglCB3Ozh-7jA-2HYlAGXeyr9zVbYH9aoBjdnkaGHEyX8m6nHJVTjZsAI2Fa-ZG9qlLbC5pQ6vZK
For his ALMOST FREE Fabulous OFFER, go HERE:
https://www.thepodcastjunkie.com/content-launch-secrets-offer
Brandon Vanderstappen is a Transformation Life Coach and the Founder of LIVE OPEN:
https://www.facebook.com/LIVEOPENOFFICIAL/
LIVE OPEN - More Than a Business Or A Brand This Is A Movement Whose Message Is To Get You Out Of Your Head And Into Your Heart, and Empower You To Live Life From Your Heart With Arms Wide Open And Give Your Dreams The Wings To Fly!
Every heart has a story to tell, a life to live, and a gift to give!
There will never be another you! You are not just one in a million you are one in a never gonna be again! There will never be another who can create and express life the way that you can.
This IS your shot at life! Allow the story of your heart to be told!
Live like you believe!
Be You!
Live Open!
You can find Nic Fitzgerald on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/nic.fitzgerald.92
To find out more about his Facebook Live Secrets Digital Course, check out:
https://www.friendlygiantfilms.com/fblivesecrets
Recently featured in Forbes, digital nomad Stephanie Conway of Northern England began her career as an aspiring actress in LA, but she quickly discovered that EVERYONE in LA was an actor looking for a big break.
Seeking more financial stability, Stephanie started up the corporate ladder, helping to market brands like Samsung, Audi, and T-Mobile.
A sudden turn of events took her back to Northern England, where she quickly realized she wasn't cut out for the climate.
Taking the reins again, this time Stephanie decided to become a Virtual Assistant and move to sunny Bali where not only her business but also her SOUL is thriving.
Looking to grow your business by elevating your brand's online presence and extending your audience reach?
Find Stephanie at: www.symphonyva.com
On Instagram, she's symphony.va, and she's also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/symphonyva/
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Check out Becki's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTG10qvgLMRSoB9OIc6xNxA
You can find her on Facebook and Instagram, too!
Becki Biermaier
everybodylookup@gmail.com
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
INTRO: You are not here by accident. You are here by design. And you are here to find courage in the face of fear, to replace isolation with connection, to push back that feeling of overwhelm and to start feeling confident. And you know how you're going to do it? By listening to other people's stories. There's no better way to feed your soul and raise your vibration and shift your mindset than to hear the stories of those who have gone before you. I'm your host, Lori Lynn, also known as Her Royal Excitedness and I invite you to Rise and Climb.
Lori Lynn:
Welcome to another episode of Rise and Climb with your host, Lori Lynn. Our guest today is Becki Biermaier, Becki and I met about 20 years ago at a party with a mutual friend and we had this instant connection and I was like, "I think I found my new best friend."
Becki Biermaier:
Yeah, that's exactly how it was because when we left I was like, we just talked straight for five hours. I was at a party with like a hundred people and only talked to one person and then we were like:
"Do you wanna get together tomorrow? What are you doing?"
"Yeah, absolutely. Let's go hang out."
And here we are almost 20 years later doing that.
Lori:
Becki is one of the people that I admire most. She is the Queen of Overcoming. Um, Becki grew up as a little person.
Becki:
(laughs) And still am.
Lori:
She grew up to about three and a half feet tall. When my three kids made it past three and a half feet, they all felt like they achieved something great. They were taller than Auntie Becki.
Becki:
Absolutely.
Lori:
One of the things that I have enjoyed most about being friends with Becki is, um, I feel like I should talk to you. I feel like we should have a conversation. So I'm going to stop talking to my listening audience and I'm just going to let you guys have a window into our conversation so that I can stop talking about her in third person.
Becki:
Lord, help the listening audience to track with us.
Lori:
Well, one of the beautiful things about having you as one of my best friends is how intentional you are. I would love for you to share some of the stories about how intentional your parents were and then how that led up to today and how you interact with kids and strangers and my kids -- how you're able to basically impact and educate people just all over the globe now on ways to handle situations with people who are disabled, who look different, who do things differently and just really normalize it and just make it like, you know, this is just how different people do different things. And how cool is that? Like God made us all different and isn't that beautiful? Um, so can you talk to me a little bit about like little, little Becki?
Becki:
Absolutely. Um, growing up my parents were average height and my oldest brother has diastrophic dwarfism, which is what I have as well. And then the next brother is average type. And then there's me, it's a hidden recessive gene that we have in our family. So it could go back as far as like biblical times. And Mom and dad were obviously at the children's hospital a lot with us and saw children being raised all ends of the spectrum. So there were kids who were extremely spoiled because mom and dad felt guilty and tried to overcompensate for disability. And then you had parents who were just raising normal kids and even though they were disabled, they weren't treated any differently. And they very much saw this huge divide of these kids who were over compensated for being spoiled brats and the kids who are being treated like average height kids are average, you know, um, non-disabled kids were turning out great.
And so that's what they decided to do. And one of my favorite stories is growing up. We had a fall day, probably mid October, so the leaves were down here in Minnesota and mom and dad said on the night before, you know, everybody cancel your Saturday morning plans because we've got something different for you to do tomorrow. We all got up, had to be in the yard at like 8:00 AM. And, uh, they divided our backyard into three equal portions. And so my dwarf brother had a portion, my average-height brother had one and then of course I did. And they said the three of you are going to rake the yard and you're only responsible for your personal portion and it's going to take, you know, Mike and Becki the longest being disabled, but you guys need to see that you can do the exact same job that your average height brother can do.
It's just you're going to have to go at it differently and it's going to take you longer. But that is how all of life is going to be for you. You're going to have to prove yourself. And so today you can, and they said, you know, tonight your feet are going to be super sore but dad and I will rub your feet and we'll give you some Ibuprofen and soak your feet so they feel better and today we'll give you breaks and things like that. They also said, you know, your other brother, he is not required to help you. He can if he wants to, but when his portion is finished, he's free to move on and go and play. And um, and so we got busy and of course my average-height brother finished right away. It didn't take him long and he helped Michael for about 10 minutes and me for 10 minutes.
And I know a lot of people when I tell that story, they're like, gosh, that's really cruel for your parents to do that to you -- making handicapped kids rake the yard, you know. But it was actually one of the better things they could have done for us because I really did see at the end of the day, I can do what other people can do. I just have to go about it differently. And it may take me longer, but I can do just as good of a job. And that was one of the main lessons that really stood out to me when we were growing up.
Lori:
Wow. Well, I know you've told me the story about having to like clean up after dinner. Would you tell the that as well?
Becki:
Yeah, it was crazy because you know, chores. We all had the same chore rotation that you know, tall kids have except for obviously I didn't have to mow the lawn thankfully, but my dwarf brother, he did.
And he was told just to figure it out and not in a cold way, but in a way of like, you can figure this out. And so I remember one night, it was my night, I was probably seven or so, so they had me starting on the after dinner rotation of clearing the table, putting away leftovers, throwing all the dishes. And I said, well, how am I going to get the dishes off the table? I'm not even as tall as the table. And just with great confidence they say, you know what? You are a very, very smart, smart girl. And if you're not sure you can ask the Lord and quite your heart and listen for a strategy and God will show you what to do because someday you're going to be a woman and you're going to have your own house and your own kitchen table in your own guests.
And you'll have to figure this out. So let's do it now where we can practice at home and if you get stuck, we'll be in the next room. If you need ideas or you just feel like you need somebody to brainstorm with. So off they went. I think they were probably watching Wheel of Fortune and (still, that's what we watch as family -- how is Pat Sajak that old?) But anyway, I did what they said. You know, I quieted my heart and asked the Lord for help. "God, show me how am I going to get these dishes off this table." And literally I just thought of this idea of climbing up on the table, pushing the dishes to the perimeter, getting down from the table. Now, with everything, you know, serving dishes at all, right at the perimeter, I could easily carry them over to the kitchen from the dining room, drag a chair over, and do the dishes.
And when I couldn't the silver out at the bottom in the sink and I tried everything. I did call my mom and I was like, "Mom, I need you to do the silverware," which was kind of me wanting to be rescued. And I love what she did because she was intentional. She said, how about if I brainstorm with you how you can do the silverware? And so she said, do you see anything around you that will help you reach the silverware from the bottom of the sink? And of course at this time I'm tired and I don't want to be doing dishes anymore. And I said, no. And she said, well, look closer. And there was a ladle that was already drying in the drying rack. And so we decided I would try that, and sure enough, the ladle worked and I could use the ladle to push the silverware up the side of the sink so I could grab them.
The only thing I couldn't get out were the sharp knives. That didn't work so well. But she was glad to help me with those. And then tell me how proud she was that I had figured things out and she said, you know, someday when you have sharp knives, um, and I'm not there to get them out for you. You'll have to really think about a solution that'll work for you and maybe we can work on that. Even now, start praying, brainstorming ideas.
And so stories like that where they were loving, they were kind, but they did not at all take away my, um, need to be a problem solver and they did not rob me of that. And I think that's one thing today parents can do is they just want to fix everything for their child and that doesn't serve them well in the long run. Let them struggle it out. Let us fail. But greater than that, let them see that they can be victorious on their own. If they can do it, let them do it.
Lori:
Yeah, I love the whole, you know, you're a smart kid. You'll figure it out. Um, I've used a lot of that, a lot of that in my own parenting. Um, you told me a story this weekend about a boy in your class who is really struggling and, um, I would love for you to share that story just because I feel like it kind of goes hand in hand with your parents believing in you and that really, um, oh, what is the word I'm looking for? Like galvanizing your belief in yourself. Um, eventually moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Nashville, Tennessee. Right. Completely on your own there. 19 years for 19 years. Um, but I feel like you're able to then turn around and impart that to other people and so would you mind, talking about the kid in your class?
Becki:
Yeah, this past year (I've been teaching for over 20 years and different times I've been principal or head of school, but it's great to be back in the classroom). And this year I had a boy in my class who just was so pressured by his parents for good grades and he was also, you know, really shall we say behaviorally challenged. And just was really struggling and trying to please mom and dad and battling with himself with, he'd rather be obnoxious kid who didn't do his work and just that struggle that happens in middle school so often and he really needed to have a good grade and just wasn't feeling confident. And I said, no, just study extra this weekend cause I really think you can do this one. It is a really hard test but you're smart enough for it.
And if you study I think you'll surprise yourself but you're not going to get a natural A on this when you're going to have to really work. And um, you know, I go home and I do the weekend and don't even think twice about it. We come in Monday and he takes his test. I happen to turn it around in class and at grade it and it's sitting on my desk and he comes up to my desk to ask me a question and sees that he had gotten 98% on this test and he was so excited. And so this kid who is one of the ringleaders of the bullies is just like this giddy little boy, which is probably who he truly is on the inside. And he says, can I take a picture of this on my phone so I can text it to my dad?
And I was like, absolutely, absolutely. And of course, you know, at school, no phones allowed, right? But in that moment, this little boy who truly is a little boy, even though he's a teenager, would know he could make his dad proud and he felt proud because he really pushed himself any overcame. So I let him take a picture of the grade and texted off to his dad. And, um, it was just a really sweet, sweet reminder of, you know, all you gotta do is believe in somebody and give them a little push because boy, don't we all have enough people telling us we can't, but let's find a few who tell us we can.
Lori:
No, it's beautiful. I love that. So when you are out and about in public and you encounter people who are not intentional about kind of normalizing um, you know, disabilities and you know, just people who look different or have different abilities or different ways of having to do things. How do you handle when like if a kid is staring at you or says something out loud parent or super awkward.
Becki:
Can I tell you a really funny story? So back in Nashville, I'm headed to this great pizza place, Pie in the Sky, and I am on foot, I'm not on my mobility scooter. And so I go into the restaurant, I'm the first one there with my friends and I say of course to the hostess, I'm going to need a table for four please. And she said, sure, give me just a second. Well across the restaurant is this very, very curious and surprised four year old boy, let me guess, he's around four and he sees me and he yells while he is pointing, "Mama! Look! A real life puppet!" In front of the whole restaurant.
I just think that's really adorable. I mean that is like, that's pretty amazing, is really cute, you know? And of course it's my job to make sure he's comfortable and I want him to have a really great grade, all of those things. So I smile really big, big at him and then I wave and he goes me, which is amazing and I'm totally laughing inside. Mom, however, wasn't finding it as amusing as I did and she was smacking the kid on the head and saying, "Shut up, shut up, shut up," knocking him down in the booth. Really what I would have loved to do is go over to her and say, please don't do that. Please, please don't do that. Because I think that is why shame is so attached to disability. It's because the parents themselves are embarrassed by the children's behavior, but that's not what the child is translating. That's not what they're getting out of it. Right? They're getting out of it. Shame on you for, you know, the whole situation with a disabled person and it translates into disability being known with shame. And I think that's the wrong approach. So better is the parent who says, yes, I see that person over there in a wheelchair or I see that that man is using sign language or that man has no arms. And just politely say that and say, yeah, God makes everybody different. And sometimes that's just enough and the kid can, you know, move on. But it does require some times that parents actually take the initiative and bring the child over and say, you know, we noticed that you're writing in a really cool wheelchair and this is my son Joey. And can we ask you some questions? Because majority of disabled people want that and we're happy to say yes, that'd be great because we want you to have a positive experience. And so we're prepared for that. We obviously chose to go out with public. We know that we looked different and so we kind of expect that now you do randomly, you know, run into, you know, sister crabby pants or whatever. Everybody has a bad day.
My job is to engage with the child and you as the parent can even just say: Tell us about your wheelchair. How fast can you go? Or tell us about the cool things that you've learned to do without having arms. Can we ask you how you brush your hair or things like that. Because then what you're doing is you're creating a new normal for your child that disability isn't a bad thing. It's just a different thing. And so you're setting your child up to have a great experience. The other thing is if you can try to keep them from hiding behind you and so at least make them come out and say hello while they're absorbed, absorbing everything that's happening around them because they're taking in all of it and they may not be able to do more than just watch. And that's okay too. When they're like four or five, three, four or five older than that, you really shouldn't expect your children to engage more in conversation and for the parents to lead the way. That's really the way to go with that. Yeah. Good stuff. So when it's done right, it's positive for everybody.
Lori:
Okay. You had talked about a little bit even showing pictures and oh my gosh. Have you seen, what is it called? The Butterfly Circus? No. Oh Becki, we're gonna have to watch that later. Yeah, it's a short film. It's so beautiful. But that would be an excellent example of something to share with your kids before encountering people who have, you know, I don't know deafness or loss of limbs or something like that. And I actually have resources available for parents then if they email me, it's very user friendly for parents to walk with their kids through at home to help prepare them for having good positive encounters with disabled people. And it's easy enough to print off just a few sheets that will help you know how to train your children I head of time, so you're not stuck in one of those horribly embarrassing moments.
Becki:
And so it really teaches parents how to help prepare and then how to provide conversation starters with disabled people. And then after the encounter, how to help your child process, what they just experienced. So I do have that available that I can get to families easily.
Lori:
How do they get that?
Becki:
Email me, everybodylookup@gmail.com and I can email you back and I can attach what you need for that.
Lori:
So everybodylookup@gmail.com. Awesome. And I know you've got some videos too that are great resources. Yeah. What is the name of your Youtube Channel?
Becki:
I believe it's Everybody Look Up. I should check that. Or you can just search for Becki Biermaier.
Lori:
And how do you spell your name?
B. I. E. R M. A. I . E. R. And Becki has an I. Not a Y because I was an 80's child and all the girls in sixth grade, we all decided to get a rid of our Y's. Turn them into I's. So Shelli with an I. Becki with an I.
Lori
I'm Lori with an I.
Well our final question of course we have to like dial down, go deep, do some soul searching for the final answer to the biggest question.
And that is what is your favorite Karaoke song?
Becki:
If you ever catch me doing karaoke, please carry me off to the hospital because something must be seriously wrong if I'm ever in that moment. I never a great visual artists. Yeah. You know, my only hope could be that there would be something on stage that's three and a half feet tall that I could hide behind. Um, but I guess I would have to go with "Jesse's Girl" by Rick Springfield because he was supposed to be my husband. I had a poster on my wall and I, I really thought if you just had the chance to meet me, he would totally marry me. Now I don't know who Jesse is and I certainly don't want his girl. He can keep her, but it is a song that I, I know through and through. So I guess my karaoke choice would be "Jesse's Girl" by Rick Springfield.
This is why we're friends. Love it. What's your song? I gotta know this one cause you know the night is young. It's actually not. We're approaching 11 o'clock the night is young for a young people ending for old people like us. It's true. I shouldn't get in the shower and tend to go out. I know. It's so crazy. [inaudible] started at like 11 o'clock and now we're like, hey, it's almost 11 o'clock where's my sleepy time tea. I'll knit a few rows, turning the bed with my heating pad, take my medication. (Laughs).
All right, Lori, close us out. What's your favorite karaoke song?
Lori:
All right. Well, I don't sing, but I like to rap.
Becki:
Oh. Oh my gosh. 20 years. How did I not know this?
Lori:
And my husband ...
Becki:
Yes?
Lori:
Was supposed to be LL Cool J.
Becki:
Oh, you guys would be so great together.
Lori:
Let me tell you why. Because -- all right, so my ex-husband is named James Todd. Right? Okay. LL Cool J? His name is James Todd Smith. And the girl who lived on the next street over that was like my honorary daughter? Her last name was Smith. Oh my gosh. I was so close. And I'm Lori Lynn -- LL --
Becki:
Look at all these conditions. Let's go out with you and your rapper soon to be husband and go sing Karaoke. And what will you be singing or rapping?
Lori:
"I Need Love." Literally. (Laughs)
Becki:
I think this is where we end the podcast. Probably better on some blue eye shadow and I'll meet you in the car.
Lori Lynn Outro:
Thanks for listening. If you thought of someone while you are listening to this episode, would you send it to them? Just let them know you were thinking about them or that they came to mind and make that connection. If you would take a minute to rate and review my show, that would mean the world to me. And let me know about topics that you want us to cover in future episodes. Oh! And don't forget to subscribe. What are you waiting for? Go! Hit the subscribe button right now! I'll see you next time. MWAH!
Do you ever look at your life and think, “I was made for more than this”? 🙄
Yes? Then this podcast is for you. 😉
But the question is, “How do you make the shift from just getting by and living an ordinary life to really thriving and creating an extraordinary one?” 😎
That is the question we will be asking each of our powerhouse guests as we have honest conversations about taking the road less traveled.
This podcast is for entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives — world-changers, impact-makers, culture-shapers, and risk-takers — who want practical strategies and actionable advice for growing their business, expanding their reach, and attracting their tribe.
We’ll get vulnerable about life and love and health and business — the things that really matter — and talk candidly about all the things that tend to get in the way of you truly living your best life, a life by design instead of by default.
“Rise and Climb” is the go-to podcast for feeding your soul, raising your vibration, and shifting your mindset, so that you can:
• stop feeling overwhelmed and distracted
• face your fears
• reignite your dreams
and truly LIVE that wild and wonderful, regret-free, extraordinary life you were born for. 💕
Hosted by Lori Lynn, also known as Her Royal Excitedness, freelance actress and voice-over artist, book editor, copywriter, marketing enthusiast, educator, and lover of karaoke (but she can’t sing, so would like thank L.L. Cool J for the best karaoke song ever: I Need Love). 👊