The Marketing Umbrella Podcast

089: AI-Powered Sales Agents...The Future of Sales with Yoni Belson

Curious about how AI can revolutionize your business? In this episode of the Marketing Umbrella Podcast, Yoni Belson, the co-founder of DreamCrew, shares his journey. From his time at UCLA to developing innovative AI solutions for sales and content production, Yoni's story is an inspiration to all of us. 
 
DreamCrew started by helping small businesses with project documentation. Today, they have created a state-of-the-art AI sales representative that engages website users in a personalized, real-time manner. This intelligent agent not only increases engagement but also boosts conversion rates by mimicking the personalized sales experience of a physical store.
 
Originally from Los Angeles, Yoni began his entrepreneurial journey by founding a company that guaranteed admissions to prestigious universities. Realizing that traditional college education wasn't the best path for everyone, he decided to pivot. At 22, he was recruited by the CEO of a leading commercial real estate debt broker to help start their equity division, giving him his first startup experience within a larger corporation.
 
Yoni's career then shifted towards the startup ecosystem, with roles in real estate and Web3 startups. Eventually, he partnered with his father to launch DreamCrew, an AI sales agent platform. 
 
Join us as Yoni shares the challenges and successes of developing an AI system that offers a personalized sales experience and its potential for various industries.
 
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:
 
AI technology can enhance business communication and sales efficiency by using AI-driven sales agents. These agents provide personalized, real-time interactions with website visitors, increasing engagement and conversion rates.
AI sales agents must focus on selling, avoid irrelevant topics, and deliver accurate information to ensure their success.
Future AI advancements will incorporate voice capabilities and personalized avatars to enhance human-like interactions with customers through text, images, or voice.
Partnerships and reseller feedback have significantly improved product development, streamlined onboarding processes, and enhanced content agents' SEO and business profile management capabilities.
A demo tool is being developed to improve the reselling experience by allowing resellers to showcase AI salespeople on potential clients' websites, offering real-time ROI calculations.
AI sales agents are versatile and can be integrated into various businesses, particularly those requiring consultation before purchase, including service-based industries and home services.
 
As a closing thought, "Leveraging AI to personalize and streamline business processes is the future of sales and content creation.”
 
Listen to the full conversation here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@frintmedia
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-umbrella-podcast/id1564111428
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoiR10nazd9zVIStLkcjk
 
Connect with Yoni:
LinkedIn: https://il.linkedin.com/in/yoni-belson
Dreamcrew AI: https://dreamcrew.ai/
 
Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to ⁠https://umbrellaus.com

088: How to Exit the "Time for Money World" with Sujan Patel

What if you could scale your business without burning out? Sujan Patel, a marketing veteran with two decades of experience and a former collaborator with industry giants like Salesforce and Mint, shares his riveting journey from launching his first digital marketing agency to mastering the SaaS space. Learn firsthand about the difficulty of early success, the risks of heavily relying on projections, and how to manage the uncertain waters of sustainable growth. Sujan's honest insights on managing profitability in a cost-heavy agency environment are a treasure trove for anyone aiming to scale their business effectively.
 
Sujan Patel is a seasoned marketing expert, recognized for his instrumental role in shaping the digital strategies of major corporations. Transitioning from the agency world due to challenges in sustainable growth, Sujan ventured into the SaaS sector where he co-founded Mailshake, a sales automation tool that revolutionized sales efficiency. Throughout his career, he has not only consulted for numerous companies but also cultivated his own SaaS businesses including Mailshake and Right Inbox. With a focus on scaling businesses, managing work-life balance, and aligning personal passions with professional ventures, Sujan offers invaluable insights and guidance to entrepreneurs and industry professionals alike.
 
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:
 
Early success may not always indicate sustainable growth. It's important to manage profitability and be wary of projections.
Implementing tools like Mailshake can significantly improve sales efficiency and effectiveness, leading to better conversion rates.
SaaS companies and sales professionals should target customers with a budget for long-term investments and set realistic timelines to manage expectations effectively.
Aligning your business with your personal passions can help prevent burnout and ensure that you're investing your energy in fulfilling work.
A business that provides excellent service is likely to receive referrals, which are a strong growth lever. Not receiving referrals may indicate a need to improve the product or service, or a failure to actively ask for referrals.
Focusing on areas of excellence and rejecting others can lead to exceptional service, retention, expansion, and referrals while narrowing down offerings and market targets can enhance profitability.
Build a business that can operate without your constant presence to achieve true scalability and personal freedom.
 
As a closing thought, “The insights serve as a reminder that the journey to success involves more than just financial gain—it's about creating a balance that sustains both professional growth and personal well-being.”
 
Listen to the full conversation here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@frintmedia
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-umbrella-podcast/id1564111428
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoiR10nazd9zVIStLkcjk
 
Connect with Sujan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sujanpatel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patel_sujan/
Sujan Patel: https://sujanpatel.com/
Mailshake: https://mailshake.com/
 
Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.
 
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to ⁠https://umbrellaus.com

087: Marketing is a Function of Revenue, not Communication with Ryan Deiss

Digital marketing maven Ryan Deiss lights up this episode with insights learned in necessity-driven entrepreneurship, from his dorm-room launch to his current post at Scalable.co. Ryan's journey exemplifies dynamic marketing expertise with operational savviness, offering a blueprint for success that breaks down the complexities between generating demand and delivering on your brand promise. This episode of Marketing Umbrella Podcast is a masterclass in effective marketing and business scaling, as we explore the customer acquisition process, the importance of 'power stages,' constructing SOPs, and establishing strategic direction. For those grappling with growth, our discussion on debunking scaling myths and developing strategies to alleviate bottlenecks offers pragmatic solutions.
 
Ryan Deiss - influential entrepreneur, author, and investor in digital marketing, with companies described by Daymond John as "practically owning the internet." Now the Founder and CEO of The Scalable Company, DigitalMarketer.com, Recess.io, and a Founding Partner at Scalable Equity, LLC, Ryan created the "Customer Value Optimization" methodology and pioneered key digital selling strategies. DigitalMarketer, his training company, has over 15,000 paid members and half a million subscribers. He also founded the Traffic & Conversion Summit, North America's largest digital marketing conference, and has shared stages with leaders like Sir Richard Branson, Gary Vaynerchuk, Sarah Blakely, Martha Stewart, Tim Ferris, Daymond John, and Dave Ramsey.
 
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:
 
Marketing and Scaling is a strategic approach to sustainable business growth by combining marketing expertise with operational efficiency, creating revenue-generating marketing systems and operational systems that ensure quality and customer experience during expansion.
Mapping the Customer Journey Framework is a process of outlining and understanding the various stages a customer goes through from the initial awareness of a product or service to the final purchase and beyond. Here are the steps for Mapping the Customer Journey Framework:Identify initial customer awareness strategies.
Chart the customer's journey to a closed sale visually.
 Identify critical 'power stages' prone to errors and develop playbooks, checklists, and SOPs.
Assign team responsibilities and establish scorecards for process stage efficacy.
Align business strategy with core goals, mission, values, and competitive advantages.
Building scalable businesses with effective systems requires addressing core system issues before considering expansion and recognizing that personal productivity tools alone won't guarantee success.
Entrepreneurs should aim to create businesses that operate efficiently even in their absence.
Growth alone does not solve all problems. Robust systems are essential for sustainable growth.
To achieve long-term success and sustainable and scalable businesses, entrepreneurs must prioritize building effective systems 
Effective and strong operating systems ensure efficiency, prevent burnout, and enable independence from constant founder presence.
Dispelled Scaling Business Myths:More People as a Solution: The belief that hiring more staff solves core issues is a myth; broken systems can overwhelm even capable individuals, highlighting the fallacy of relying solely on manpower to fix structural problems.
Personal Efficiency as a Savior: Despite the belief that an entrepreneur's personal productivity can save a business, the reality is that successful entrepreneurs rely on independent operational systems, emphasizing that personal efficiency alone cannot ensure a business's success.
Growth as a Cure-All: Confronting the notion that growth solves all, the narrative underscores the peril of rapid expansion without robust infrastructures, highlighting the risk of failure in the absence of proper systems.
The 'Magical Unicorn Integrator': The belief in a single individual's ability to fix all business issues is countered by the necessity of a functional operating system for effectiveness, debunking the notion that one person alone can revolutionize a business without proper systems.
 
As a closing thought, “Build a business that not only thrives but also makes a significant impact for generations to come.”
 
Listen to the full conversation here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@frintmedia
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-umbrella-podcast/id1564111428
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoiR10nazd9zVIStLkcjk
 
Connect with Ryan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandeiss/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryandeiss/
Scalable.co: https://scalable.co/
Get Scalable Book: https://www.getscalable.com/free/ 
 
Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to ⁠https://umbrellaus.com

086: It's The Thanks That Matters with Logan Mallory

Logan Mallory's career journey from sales to marketing is nothing short of inspiring. As the Vice President of Marketing at Motivosity, he shares how a pivotal networking event in Utah's thriving tech scene led him to where he is today. His story is a testament to the value of seizing opportunities and making the most of every connection. In this latest episode of the Marketing Umbrella Podcast, Kevin and Logan showcased the importance of strategic networking and continual career development, emphasizing that the right moves can lead to transformative changes.
 
Logan Mallory is a renowned professional speaker and Vice President of Marketing at Motivosity, with a distinguished career in leadership. He has inspired audiences globally with his engaging storytelling and practical insights, empowering them with tangible takeaways. Logan has held leadership positions at LogMeIn, Jive Communications, and Workfront, and was recognized as a Utah "40 Under 40" honoree in 2023. He shares his knowledge as an adjunct professor at BYU's Marriott School of Business and is currently finalizing his debut book, slated for release in the fall of 2024.
 
Motivosity transforms employee recognition in companies by providing weekly affirmations that align with the needs of today's workforce. This timely approach has proven to be highly effective, particularly for younger employees who value frequent and sincere recognition.
 
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:
 
Applying marketing principles internally can foster employee engagement and motivation. Innovative recognition programs can create positive work cultures and potentially decrease turnover while boosting productivity.
Emphasize personalized and frequent acknowledgments that resonate with younger employees who value authentic appreciation over traditional reward systems.
Great ideas can blossom from anywhere, but it takes a specialized skill set to navigate the vast seas of marketing.
It is recommended to have a unique onboarding process that includes personality assessments to facilitate communication and identify preferred motivation techniques.
Improved metrics like turnover and absenteeism show hard ROI, while improved workplace culture, employee morale, and organizational interpersonal relationships demonstrate soft ROI.
Strategic career planning and networking within a vibrant local economy are keys to professional growth and opportunity.
Visibility, competition, and a little healthy competition can combine to create a vibrant office environment that motivates and engages.
 
As a closing thought, “Innovation in employee recognition isn't about dusty trophies. It's about creating personalized experiences that resonate.”
 
Listen to the full conversation here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@frintmedia
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-umbrella-podcast/id1564111428
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoiR10nazd9zVIStLkcjk
 
Connect with Logan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loganmallory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logan_mallory/
Logan Mallory Speaks: https://www.loganmalloryspeaks.com/
Motivosity: https://www.motivosity.com/
 
Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to ⁠https://umbrellaus.com

085: Leveling the Marketing Playing Field with Sandro Okropiridze

Join the ranks of marketing mavens and startup enthusiasts as Sandro Okropiridze the mastermind behind STORI, unveils his entrepreneurial odyssey to becoming the CEO of an AI-powered branding revolution. In this episode of the Marketing Umbrella Podcast, Sandro shares the trials and triumphs encountered while transforming Stori from a straightforward no-code solution into a sophisticated social media storytelling powerhouse. His insights into customer-centric product evolution, the pivotal role of honest feedback, and the surprising truths about automation preferences will certainly encourage and enlighten anyone hungry to understand what truly powers innovation in today's fast-paced tech landscape.
Sandro Okropiridze, CEO of Stori, is a curious and visionary leader in the tech realm. He has transformed Stori from a no-code website development platform to a cutting-edge AI-powered brand automation platform. Sandro's expertise lies in the innovative application of AI in branding and marketing while advocating for the democratization of marketing tools. With Stori AI, he aims to revolutionize digital content creation.
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:
Product interaction studies indicate that users favor a blend of automation and customization, challenging the assumption of a preference for fully automated solutions devoid of personalization or interaction.
AI's role in maintaining brand essence is to ensure that the content created aligns with a brand's DNA, demonstrating the potential of AI to automate yet personalize branding efforts.
Customer feedback, particularly from paying customers, plays a pivotal role in refining products, underscoring the necessity for businesses to actively engage with their customer base, listening attentively to their insights to guide product development effectively.
"Brand identity as a dynamic construct" emphasizes that a brand's identity evolves through interactions with customers and market changes, highlighting the importance of adaptability to audience perceptions and evolving trends.
Democratizing Marketing: A vision to make advanced tools accessible to all businesses, leveling the playing field and amplifying diverse voices.
As a closing thought, “mastering customer engagement involves the subtle art of balancing user desires with product scalability.”
Listen to the full conversation here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR
 
Connect with Sandro:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrookropiridze
Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrookropiridze/
Stori AI: https://storiai.com/
 
Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to ⁠https://umbrellaus.com

084: Enterprise Productivity and AI with Andrew Mounier

In today’s episode of The Marketing Umbrella Podcast, we grab a few minutes with Andrew Mounier, a true marketing guru who's journeyed from the hustle of agency life to leading the charge on user growth at Xembly, a cutting-edge AI company that's changing the game in marketing. We dive into how he's switched up the marketing game, moving from classic SEO tactics to using some cutting-edge AI tools that are making waves in the industry.
Andrew's been in the marketing world for over 15 years, doing everything from marketing at startups to being the marketing boss at companies pulling in as much as $500 million a year. Now at Xembly, as the head of user acquisition and growth, he's mixing his deep knowledge of what makes people tick with the power of storytelling to get people hooked. He's not just about the numbers; Andrew's all about sharing what he knows, popping up on larger sites like FastCompany and Forbes, and even hosting his podcast, 'AI Unboxed', and newsletter, 'Turing's TOFU', chatting tech, strategy, and scaling up.
Here are the key takeaways from this conversation:
Xembly isn’t just another AI tool. Xembly is a virtual assistant that streamlines tasks for professionals with AI-powered features that go beyond meeting facilitation. It helps knowledge workers with rewriting emails, learning communication styles, and freeing up time for strategic work.
Xembly's unique pricing strategy involves offering free trial signups which has revolutionized the user experience. 
Diverse teams bring significant benefits by offering a broader range of ideas, enhancing problem-solving efficiency, and preventing groupthink. They also foster a better understanding of customer needs, attract and retain talent, and contribute to global market competitiveness.
By implementing these strategies, businesses can more effectively attract and retain strategic enterprise clients, positioning themselves for sustainable growth in the AI-driven market:
Offer Trial Signups Without Cost Barriers: Free trial signups improved user experience for enterprise clients, reducing initial hesitation to try and appreciate the product's value.
Tailored Pricing Strategy: tailoring the costs to each client's needs ensures a personalized approach that fosters a sense of value and partnership.
Provide White-Glove Onboarding: Emphasize a white-glove onboarding process with a Customer Success representative to help clients integrate the product into their operations.
Focus on Larger Organizations: target larger organizations to maximize the compounding benefits of the platform. 
Closing Thought:  “It's finding what works for you in your organization and what you need to help take you to the next level.”
Where to find Andrew:
LinkedIn: ♜ Andrew Miller (Mounier)
Xembly
Turing’s TOFU Newsletter
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to https://umbrellaus.com

083: Going Deep With Linkedin with Braden Wallake

Could a LinkedIn faux pas be the best thing to ever happen to your business? Braden Wallake, CEO of HyperSocial and OttoMatey, joins us to recount the viral sensation he never saw coming—a social media post that unexpectedly boosted his profile and taught him, and many others, invaluable lessons. 
Meet Braden Wallake, the CEO and founder of HyperSocial and OttoMatey. Despite being a 5x college dropout, he leads a team of marketing experts in creating personalized, effective B2B marketing campaigns. His responsibilities include managing the team, developing strategies, and working with clients to achieve their unique goals.
Braden unpacks the intersection of AI and marketing, spotlighting the potential and pitfalls of letting algorithms take the wheel in professional communications. Listen to this episode that's part business masterclass, part survival guide, and all about turning a leap of faith into a forward march.
Here are the key takeaways from this conversation:
Strategies how to reassure the team amidst media attention and uncertainty
Communicate openly and transparently with the team about the company's challenges, decisions, and the context behind the viral event and its consequences.
Address concerns about stability and employment directly.
Offering Support such as free consultations and LinkedIn profile optimizations
Focusing on Moving Forward by directing attention to future actions and growth
Handle the situation with grace and dignity. 
It is important to have open and honest conversations with individuals in order to maintain positive morale while still addressing areas that need improvement.
The Risk of relying on white-label services: Using white-label services without proper knowledge can harm your service quality, value, personalization, client engagement, and agency growth.
Leveraging Viral Attention for Good: Braden and his team chose not to take advantage of the viral moment for their own benefit. Instead, they used the attention to help others. They offered free consultations and LinkedIn profile optimizations to those who had lost their jobs
Enhancing personalization in LinkedIn marketing:
Use AI but add a unique human touch.
Craft original messages that stand out.
Lead with value instead of aggressive pitches.
Build relationships, not just sales agendas
Closing Thought:  “Owning your mistakes has the power to transform individuals and organizations. It strengthens leadership, trust, and continuous learning, and can turn blunders into strategic triumphs.”
Where to find Braden:
LinkedIn: Braden Wallake - HyperSocial
Instagram: Braden Wallake | Instagram
Website: HyperSocial
The Most Viral Post on Linkedin
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to https://umbrellaus.com

082: Detract Bad Prospects with Andy Neary

If there's one thing that both sports and business have in common, it's the relentless pursuit of excellence. But how often do we connect the dots between the strategies that drive success on the field and those that propel victories in the business world? In this episode of The Marketing Umbrella Podcast, our guest, Andy Neary of Complete Game Consulting, draws these parallels and provides listeners with a masterclass in marketing strategies, influenced by the principles of athletic competition.
Andy Neary is a former Professional Baseball Player and two-time Iron Man finisher. He's the founder of Complete Game Consulting and helps business and insurance professionals succeed in their careers and lives. His programs help people cultivate off-field habits and mindsets that lead to all-star performances.
Here are the key takeaways from this conversation:
Turning athletic experience into business success: Sports mindset and strategies can benefit marketing and business by addressing imposter syndrome and performance pressure.
Identifying ideal clients: Knowing your target audience's demographics and psychographics is crucial for successful marketing and customer acquisition. The five questions that one needs to answer to get a clear picture of their ideal buyer are:
Who is my favorite client today?
Why are they my favorite client?
What is the one problem my company solves better than anybody else?
What is my process for solving that problem?
What does the result look like when we solve that problem?
Complete Game Marketing Playbook: This playbook outlines a sales process that includes clarity, content, capture, and conversion. It emphasizes the significance of marketing for client retention.
Clarity - Understanding who your audience is and what they truly need.
Content - Establishing credibility by creating and distributing valuable, relevant content that resonates with your audience.
Capture - Implement strategies to capture leads by encouraging potential clients to engage with your content and provide their contact information.
Convert - Converting those leads into clients through a systematic process that guides them from initial interest to the final sale, while providing value every step of the way
Closing Thought:  “The best thing that could ever happen with a good marketing strategy is you literally detract the people who you don't want to do business with.”
To Connect with Andy:
Website: Complete Game Consulting - Andy Neary - Speaker, Author, Consultant
LinkedIn: Andy Neary | LinkedIn
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to https://umbrellaus.com

081: The Culmination of the Campaign Drives Growth with Aditya Varanasi

What is it like to trade the comforts of a corporate gig for the roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship? Join us as we welcome Aditya Varanasi, CEO of Awarity, to unlock the secrets of a successful transition from corporate stability to entrepreneurial success. From analyzing Cheetos at PepsiCo to spearheading a digital marketing agency, Aditya's story is full of insights on leveraging integrated marketing strategies and the courage to pursue passion over comfort.
Aditya Varanasi is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Awarity. He graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and started his career at PepsiCo in the R&D group.  Here he helped develop and launch new products like Lay’s Stax and Tostitos Scoops and earned multiple US Patents for his work.  It was during this time he had an opportunity to work alongside brand marketing teams and developed a passion for consumer marketing. 
Here are the key takeaways from this conversation:
Leverage Integrated Marketing Strategies: Using an orchestrated mix of TV ads, in-store promotions, and strategic pricing, as seen in PepsiCo's analysis of Cheetos, can create a compounding effect on consumer behavior.
Tailor Your Approach: Customize marketing strategies to suit different business sizes and types. Small businesses must focus on strategic market niches to compete effectively, and larger enterprises require a different approach.
The Power of Brand Awareness: Brand recognition and consumer recall are crucial for a business's success. It measures the familiarity of consumers with a brand and how well they associate it with the products or services offered.
Innovate to Differentiate: Awarity has made world-class marketing tools accessible and easy to use for small businesses by offering affordable minimums and real-time reporting without retainers.
The 4Ps of Product Marketing:
Product: This involves the development of the right product or service that meets the needs of the target customer. It includes the design, features, quality, branding, and variety of the product.
Price: This relates to the strategy around setting a price that is acceptable to consumers while still yielding a profit. Pricing strategies take into account costs, competition, market demand, and perceived value.
Place (Distribution): This concerns the channels through which the product or service is sold and how it is delivered to the consumer. It includes the selection of distribution channels, market coverage, locations, and logistics.
Promotion: This encompasses all the communication tactics used to inform, persuade, and remind customers about the product or service. It includes advertising, sales promotions, public relations, personal selling, and direct marketing.
Closing Thought:  “There's very little we can ultimately control. We can control our efforts. We can't always control the outcome.”
To Connect with Aditya Varanasi:
Website: https://www.awarity.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityavaranasi/ 
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to https://umbrellaus.com

080: How Much Power is Making It to the Wheels? with Tim Calise

In this episode of the Marketing Umbrella podcast, Kevin Prewett interviews Tim Calise, an entrepreneur who has had a diverse career. He started as a financial expert, then became a fitness enthusiast, and is now a tech entrepreneur and podcast host. Tim co-created ALAN, which is an AI-powered SaaS platform, with Alexi and Leila Hormozi. Within six months, the platform grew from zero to $20 million in annual recurring revenue. 
Listen to hear Tim's story, including the key decisions that shaped his journey. He talks about how he strategically closed his hedge fund just before the 2008 financial crisis, his foray into the fitness and tech industries, and what he learned from those experiences.
Here are the key takeaways from this conversation:
Living with intentionality: Success is more than just being busy or making money. It's about living intentionally, making choices that align with your values, and staying true to yourself.
The art of saying "no": saying "no" to certain opportunities can be as critical as seizing others, allowing for strategic focus and alignment with one's strengths.
Redefining success: Don't equate personal worth with professional accomplishments. Focus on relationships and presence over constant hustle.
Leveraging unique strengths and recurring revenue: To build a successful business, focus on opportunities that match your expertise and passion. Look for business models that include membership, subscription, and recurring revenue components.
Capitalize on what came easily to you, that which translated into significant value for others.
Seek out opportunities that are rooted in a relationship-based approach to the business.
If you're an entrepreneur, you are constantly seeing opportunities in front of you, and everything is like a challenge to figure out how to do it better, how to make it better, and how to improve the process.
Closing Thought:  “You don't need to just do more, you need to do it differently.”
To Connect with Tim Calise:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.calise 
Website: https://timcalise.com 
Leveling The Field Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cE6i6IpWBgZQUYl9ldYvU 
If you're feeling isolated or confused as an entrepreneur, Tim's got your back. Head over to his Instagram and DM the word "umbrella". That'll get you his super helpful product expansion formula framework.
To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to https://umbrellaus.com