Have you ever had a story you wanted to tell but you had no idea how to get it out to the masses? Have you ever felt like you didn’t know where to start? My guest today did it on his own and took his book Eat Less and Move More to the best sellers list along with two more books that also had the same level of success. 

The journey made him realize that it's not easy to write a book, get it edited, published and marketed with limited resources. He thought why not do something that would help others in the same situation and so Brody Consulting Group was born.

Paul Brody is the founder and CEO of Brody Consulting Group. He works with his clients to write, publish and market their books with a proven system he designed. He is also the host of the Get Published podcast. 

We chat about his journey in writing his books and taking them to the best sellers list on his own steam and how that experience catapulted him into the business he leads today.

Show Notes:

• [03:32] A health crisis caused Paul to reevaluate his life when his doctor told him if he didn’t lose weight and get his act together, he’d be dead in five years.
• [04:14] He lost the weight, kept the weight off and beat the odds, he wanted to tell the story about his own journey.
• [04:42] He had no idea how to get his story out there or get a book published.
• [05:02] Sitting by the pool at the Mirage in Vegas everything started to flow, opened up his notes app on his phone and sketched out the entire outline for the book. A week later he wrote 20,000 words and that became his first draft.
• [05:39] He spent 8 hours a day learning the publishing side but then he had to figure out the marketing side. He then spent more days learning how to launch a book successfully and how to evolve with a changing market.
• [06:08] A month later, in August he launched the book “Eat Less and Move More.” It became his very first bestseller.
• [06:24] Paul was also a motivational speaker and wanted to write a couple of books based on those seminars, he wrote Motivation 101 and Positivity Attracts. They both became best sellers.
• [06:31] He started having other authors ask to be shown what he did to become successful so early on, how to market and publish their books.
•  [06:52] He started coaching people one on one on writing, publishing and marketing their books. Within a year and a half, his company was up and running.
• [07:03] They then expanded into hybrid publishing where they do, done for your publishing services, done for your book marketing and this last year they have added executive ghostwriting.
• [07:31] One book from a health crisis completely changed his life. Everyone has a story you just have to get it out there.
• [08:53] The most typical mistakes that first time authors make is trying to edit their own book.
• [09:51] Always do a final proof even when you have an editor and always read the book out loud.  
• [11:06] Paul’s company takes a holistic approach with writers, they don’t pitch ideas, they just want to know about your book, your situation and what you want to get out of it. He tells his clients that it's not a book launch, it’s a product launch.
• [14:23] He tells people that he is a farmer because all he does is plant seeds.
• [15:20] His proven system is breaking down everything into bite-size portions, simplify.
• [18:05] Having a great looking professional book cover is very important for a successful book launch.
• [23.37] He never even thought about starting a podcast until people around told him he should spread his knowledge and that it would be a great medium to do that.
• [24:17] He started the podcast Get Published recording one episode a week, went to 5 episodes a week and at one point was doing four episodes a day. They have done 350 episodes in the year since the podcast was launched.
• [26:15] After authors build their platform, having a podcast to get the information out to more people is definitely a great way to get their brand out there.
• [27:33] Social media is a great way to drive brand awareness and push people towards your website to bring that traffic in.
• [30:22] LinkedIn’s sales navigator is something he recommends for the ability to reach out to people and send traffic your way.
• [31:30] The challenge he faces in his business is setting expectations early with clients, making it clear that they are not going to make millions of dollars on the front end with royalties.
• [34:01] You can not be an introvert as an author and expect to sell tons of books, you have to get out there to keep the momentum going.
• [36:24] Online speaking and virtual summits are great ways of getting out there without having to physically be in front of people.  
• [38:50] Paul always says he gives his information away for free, clients pay for implementation.

Links:

• Eat Less Move More
• http://www.brodieedu.com/
• Get Published Podcast
• MGM Resorts
• Motivation 101
• Positivity Attracts Improve Positive Thinking
• https://www.linkedin.com/sales

Why do we sometimes find ourselves in relationships with partners that aren't right?  Everybody wants to find joy and love. Being trapped in a relationship that is hurtful or harmful isn't good for your health. The right partner can bring so much joy into your life, but how do you avoid those hurtful and harmful relationships? My guest today is an expert on this topic. 

Iris Benrubi is a psychotherapist and marriage counsellor. She is also a dating and relationship expert who has spent the last 20 years coaching and counseling men, women, and couples on how to find true love. She is also the author of Lonely & Single to Loved & Adored. On today’s show, Iris shares her journey, her dating expertise, and tips from her book. 

Show Notes:

• [03:16] This is Iris's fourth career. She was a psychotherapist and marriage counselor for many years. When her 18 year marriage ended in divorce, she had an identity crisis and had to do a lot of soul searching.
• [04:26] A couple years later, she entered the wild west of dating. She realized she had to own that she couldn't see her own blind spots.
• [04:53] For the last few years, Iris has been teaching women how to find and maintain the relationship of a lifetime, they don't have to go through what she went through. 
• [05:33] Her book and programs look at three components. The first one is finding who are you and how do you show up? Women often compromise to make relationships work and come from a place of fear. 
• [06:15] Once we know our own value we start to look for someone different. Women need to be clear on what they are looking for.
• [07:40] We have a blueprint that we are born into from our families. Babies are a blank canvas, but what gets imprinted on us is how relationships work.
• [08:04] We get an identity, and we also look at how our parents interact. Even though we may not like it, this relationship blueprint is imprinted on us.
• [08:43] It takes work, but you can shift your relationship blueprint.
• [11:53] We pick our partners based on the wounds we have from childhood. If we pick a partner who is conscious, we both get to heal from those wounds, and create a happy and safe relationship.
• [12:22] Ask what the shift is that you need to make to be attracted to a better kind of partner.
• [13:20] Go for 80% and work to grow the rest.
• [14:30] If you cut people out for tiny little things, it may be because you have a fear of intimacy and getting your heartbroken.
• [15:29] When there is safety and you can feel what you feel, you can then negotiate and reach a compromise.
• [16:08] We either do exactly what our parents did or the exact opposite.
• [19:00] What we don't see and challenge is our blind spot.
• [20:43] You don't have to agree with what people are saying, they just want to be heard and acknowledged for what they are feeling.
• [21:46] Relationships are about how safe do I feel with you. The more we can allow someone to be who they are, the more space there is for them to want to be with you.
• [23:34] One thing Iris learned was that it was difficult for her to express what she needs.
• [27:16] Make sure you get into relationships that are in alignment with your values. 
• [28:49] The first six months is the honeymoon stage. After this, we start to see reality. How do the two of you show up when there is conflict. 
• [30:52] People often think dating is a numbers game, and that's a recipe for exhaustion. You need to know how to screen potential partners.
• [31:32] You need to write a profile that attracts the kind of people that you are looking for, and you need to know how to screen and sort potential dates.
• [32:01] Women need to be the buyer not the seller.
• [32:51] Online dating becomes fun when you start picking people who are fun for you.
• [34:57] Am I having fun? Do I feel safe? Am I happy?
• [35:57] It's about the quality of time that you spend together. 
• [38:09] Iris's clients keep her going. Helping people excites her.
• [39:15] Be introspective and responsible for yourself. This is where you get to create inner peace. Invest in yourself and get the skills you need to upgrade yourself. 

Links and Resources:

• Iris Benrubi Website
• Spark a Man’s Desire Free eBook
• Iris Benrubi on Facebook
• Iris Benrubi on Twitter
• Lonely & Single to Loved & Adored

In business, does growth equate to bigger means better? What if you could scale your business and find more freedom and success with a company of one mindset? Today's guest has a lot to share on this topic. Paul Jarvis is a designer who likes writing. Paul has been working for himself since the 90s. He is the creator of the online courses Creative Class and Chimp Essentials. 

He is also the author of Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business and the co-founder of Fathom Analytics. 

His work has been featured in WIRED, Fast Company, and more. He has been noticed and mentioned by Ashton Kutcher and Arianna Huffington. 

Some of his clients include Microsoft, Danielle LaPorte, Mercedes-Benz, Maria Forleo, and too many to mention. He is here with us today to share the mindset of a company of one. We talk about what it means to scale your business, be profitable, and find freedom. We’ll learn that sometimes in business, bigger isn't always better.

Show Notes:

• [03:31] Paul wasn't planning on being an entrepreneur. He worked for an agency in Toronto. He loved the work and the clients, but he didn't like the company. 
• [03:57] When he left the company, clients started calling him. He then realized that he might be able to do this on his own.
• [04:30] Paul became an entrepreneur by accident. His planned trip to the library to learn how to write a resume turned into a trip to learn how to start a business. 
• [05:20] The biggest benefit of running his own business is being able to have a direct client contact. It's a lot harder to get a new customer than to keep an existing one.
• [06:03] He preferred to focus on retention as opposed to acquisition by offering excellent customer service.
• [07:35] One of the biggest client misconceptions is that they will let you know when they need more work done. Paul started contacting his clients and discovered that they did want more from him.
• [08:07] Keeping in touch also keeps you top-of-mind.
• [09:50] Paul can run a business with a very small group of people and outsource things without having everyone on the payroll.
• [10:24] Paul doesn't want to run a big company and manage other people. He doesn't want to build a business that will put him into that role.
• [11:36] It's hard to be skilled at every area of a business. Focus on what you are good at and get others to help with the other stuff. 
• [14:17] Paul is extremely driven when he decides to do something. He didn't plan to be a writer, but he enjoys it, and it's a great way to share ideas. 
• [15:22] Paul's favorite story is about his friend's dad who was an architect that started working at home. Above his computer he had a sign that said "overhead equals death."
• [17:08] Expressing personality is attractive to clients. Sharing your personality can draw in the people who are the right fit and push away the people who aren't.
• [20:51] People buy based on how they feel they are treated. Fostering success and making customers happy is the best way to sell. 
• [22:34] One of his friends encouraged him to start a podcast. He now has two shows and is starting another one. 
• [24:29] A business has to make enough to keep going. Helping people also makes you feel really good. 
• [26:31] We often put self-inflicted pressure on ourselves in business. 
• [28:07] Growth is beneficial in the beginning of starting a business. People are happier if they make more money, but only up to a certain point. 
• [30:18] Freedom is important, so working 16 hours a day isn't a requirement.
• [31:05] Doing less is Paul's biggest productivity hack. He also turns off distractions. Take on less stuff. 
• [32:10] “No” should be the default for everyone. This way you only do what needs to be done. 
• [34:50] Find the types of projects and clients you enjoy working with and that can really move the needle. Say “no” to the other stuff.
• [35:22] Overtime you can narrow your niche down. In the beginning, you may have to be more open to trying different things.
• [36:04] Paul likes routine. He wakes up early. He makes himself a coffee and then goes on to work on creative stuff. After that, an hour or two on admin. Then he'll garden or exercise. 
• [38:05] Paul's biggest “aha” moment was when he wrote an article about why he doesn't put growth at the top as priority for his business. He got 1,200 or 1,300 replies from people who had the same sentiment. He realized that there was probably a book that could focus on this topic.
• [39:48] The byproduct of business success isn't growth it's freedom.

Links and Resources:

• Paul Jarvis
• Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business
• Fathom Analytics
• Creative Class
• Chimp Essentials
• @pjrvs on Twitter
• Sunday Dispatches
• Company of One, the podcast
• Invisible Office Hours

Are you reaching your full potential? What does this even mean? How do you find your flow and feel more fulfilled? Sheila Murphy spent a really long time in Corporate America. She was a senior legal counsel at a Fortune 50 company. She trained teams, built leaders, and knew what clients were looking for in their lawyers and their law firms. 

Today, she is a coach and career consultant specializing in working with lawyers and law firms to help them reach their full potential. Which means building a book of business, developing their networks, and their reputations. She is also the founder of Focus Foreword, LLC. Sheila shares her story and we talk about how it’s possible to find a career that you really love.

Show Notes:

• [03:45] After years in the corporate world, Sheila felt like she wasn't being challenged anymore.
• [04:01] She started talking to her network and thinking about what she was good at and what she loved to do.
• [04:38] The core of her being was to help people develop and empower them to reach their full potential.
• [05:15] As she was contemplating her career transition, she kept telling herself to focus on going forward. This is also how she came up with the clever name for her coaching and consulting business.
• [05:57] She was strategic about thinking about what her next chapter would be. She was also strategic about where she spoke and how she branded herself and her use of social media.
• [06:11] When Sheila launched her business, she had certain people lined up from her network. She also had a plan to grow.
• [07:07] It's not as easy for women as it is for men in law firms. The pay gap with women is getting worse. 
• [08:11] The overall way that women are treated on a macro-level could be improved and then individual coaching on a micro-level could help women equalize the pay and respect they receive in law firms.
• [09:12] Sometimes women don't sell themselves, and they just stay behind the desk and do the work. Selling yourself is important in the corporate world. The biggest indicator of success is your network.
• [10:04] A mentor is someone who gives you advice. A sponsor is someone who moves you forward and speaks for you when there are opportunities.
• [10:46] Having a sponsor can really propel your career especially for women and people of color. Someone has to believe you're going to go in a 120% to sponsor your career.
• [12:18] It's really critical to find a sponsor, because it will make such a difference in your career.
• [13:02] Networking doesn't have to be that scary, it's just a conversation with another human being. Networking is also about giving value to the other person.
• [15:26] It takes 7 to 20 contacts in the legal field to convert somebody from meeting them to doing business with them. 
• [16:28] As soon as you meet someone send them a personalized LinkedIn invitation. Also respond when something happens on their profile like when they post an article or get a reward. 
• [19:21] Social media can give you amplification and help you do some of the lighter touches without meeting in person. So, it can be very helpful.
• [21:16] One of the most important skills a leader can have is to listen to people with an open mind.
• [23:15] Challenges Sheila faced when she switched to being an entrepreneur included losing her corporate title and not having an assistant. She always strived to be a better leader and better communicator. 
• [26:04] Having someone do administrative tasks helps you focus on what you need to focus on as an entrepreneur.
• [26:49] Blocking time allows Sheila to fit in important things like going to the gym or meeting with friends or just sitting and thinking.
• [30:08] Sheila loves finding her purpose and being happy. People often think they can't control their career, but they can. It's really about finding your best place that makes you the happiest.
• [34:22] Early in your career path, talk to other people about what the journey is like.
• [36:53] The stresses of being an entrepreneur are much more self-imposed.
• [39:01] Sheila's corporate legacy was giving the company very strong employees that were engaged and effective. Making an impact on these people's careers to her was a success. This is what she hopes to have in her new business. 
• [40:06] Push yourself out of your comfort zone and believe in yourself, and you can have a healthier, more fulfilled career. 

Links and Resources:

• Focus Forword Consulting
• @SheilaMurphy_ on Twitter
• Sheila Murphy on LinkedIn