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An Incredibly Powerful Lesson I Learned While Interviewing A Self Made Multi Millionaire!

An Incredibly Powerful Lesson I Learned While Interviewing A Self Made Multi Millionaire!

Entrepreneur have you ever had one of those “aha” moments? You know sort of like those V8 commercials, where they show someone get whacked upside the head, for doing something questionable.

And when was the last time you had a chance to go one on one with a self made multi millionaire for free? Yea, that’s pretty cool! Not a paid consultation of any kind mind you. And not something that you earned by entering  some type of free drawing. But a real life honest to goodness sit down with a dynamic individual, that just so happens to have achieved multi millionaire status.

And they (for whatever) reasons had a “no holds barred” open forum type discussion with you! Regarding how to not only be more prudent and prosperous in business, but in life as general.

And the right type of mindset that it takes and the whole nine yards (if you will.) Well, believe it or not, this post relates to how I personally did get the chance to go one on one with a self made multi millionaire. But dime to donuts, it’s probably not the way you think…

An Extremely Powerful Lesson I Learned From An Interview I Did With A Self Made Multi Millionaire!

Well first of all, let me properly set the stage by sharing with you, that this particular (real life) interview that I did with a self made multi millionaire actually took place many (many) years ago. Say what? That’s correct. In fact, it  was when I was actually in my (green as grass) early twenties.

And you’ll just have to trust me when I tell you that – (that) was quite a few rodeos ago. Because way back then, and as totally clueless (about) how the real world works, as I was, that’s what makes what I learned from this extremely generous man so darn profound.(Even to this day!)

You see, the man I’m referring to (Angelo) was his real first name BTW. He was actually my employer at the time.

And I was one of his fast rising outdoor sales reps. But we didn’t actually canvas door to door per se. Instead, I would head off to various local malls and and a variety of different bookstores and or local Jr. college campuses or technical schools etc.

I/we had a really simple job. (Get this..) we gave away a free 30 day trial membership to our health spa. The recipient simply filled out a small one sided index card, (basically) your standard contact info and a valid home number. We then turned those completed cards into our robust inside (tele -marketing) sales team, who then invited them in to redeem their 30 day trial and wham!

Typically about 20- 35% of them were immediately up sold different levels of memberships that varied in price, anywhere from  a $99 dollar extremely limited six month extension or all the way up to a $499 dollar four year mega wiz membership deal of some kind.

And we outside sales reps got a cool 25%! (And my memory fails me as to how much of the remaining 75% that the in house sales reps, got and how much the house kept  on that very first sale etc.)

So the key was to simply get as many cards filled out as accurately as humanly possible!

And turned in at the end of each day as you could! Now of course, I’m skipping over tons of the nitty gritty details, in order to get to the crux of the story you understand!

But suffice it to say, there were myriad weeks where this (green as grass), but consistently productive (not formally trained) belly button to belly button, toe nail to toe nail, enthusiastic prospector, routinely cashed checks for anywhere from $1,100 to $1,500 per week! Say what? That’s correct!

Over time I found that if I could average anywhere from 75 -125 cards per day! I would be smiling come pay day!

 What Happens When Fantasy Finally Collides With Hard Cold Reality?

Here now; is in fact the crux of my tale. One day, while hanging around the back (business) office of the gym. And just after having cashed another rather large check! And definitely feeling full of myself, to say the least! I finally gathered the nerve to ask my boss Angelo, what exactly did it take to go from cashing big checks to hopefully one day writing them!

He laughed and responded that since he was between appointments, if I’d be so kind as to go across the street (to a local winery) and purchase one of his favorite , rather expensive bottles of this fancy type of wine cooler  (of which) at the time, I had never previously heard of!

On his dime! He’d more than willingly share some of his proven real world business knowledge, with this clueless (although) attentive wannabe! Well, let me tell you, for the next 90- 120 minutes give or take!

Oh Angelo, more than over delivered on his promise to explode my slowly evolving brain with plenty I had not heard and or (ever) even considered! But here’s the really funny part and what really inspired this particular post!

At one point, as  Angelo was busily going about openly sharing all of  of proven real world knowledge and experiences with me. I (Mr. Green horn!) was busily refuting, second guessing and questioning all that he shared.

Are You Coach-able?

When finally, Angelo dropped the bomb on me, in terms of the $64,000 dollar question! With a straight face and as cool and calmly as he could! He simply asked, “Mark, why is it, I have all the money and you have all the answers!” Hello!

After I stopped laughing hysterically,the obvious hit me like a ton of bricks! I (at that point) was un coach-able! And he in his brilliance was merely trying to point out the obvious!

That profound lesson (way back) on that fateful day,(which was just one of many) was- by far- one of the most powerful (and unforgettable), poignant lessons, that I learned when I had the  distinct pleasure of interviewing a self made multi millionaire, who was in fact my employer at the time! Thanks Angelo!

(Your words of extremely profound wisdom, have stuck with me even to this day!)

Please list your comments (in the comments section below) that you feel can add or shed insights on this rather critical subject matter.!

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14 Responses to An Incredibly Powerful Lesson I Learned While Interviewing A Self Made Multi Millionaire!
  1. Very cool story, Mark.

    I’d say that part of the wisdom Angelo imparted was not what he told you, but what he allowed you to discover for yourself.

    And you did!

    Now, if he simply said… “it’s essential that you listen to what I have to say, and not second guess me”… you’d agree.

    But by letting you second guess him, and then showing you the mirror… it allowed you to see what you were doing, instead of being told.

    I’ve found that so many (and there are many!) folks online are un-coachable because they just don’t really want to do what’s necessary to have good results. They just want to enjoy the good results. As soon as I outline some “action steps” they start finding reasons why they shouldn’t really have to do them all. And because they don’t implement, they don’t succeed.

    It reminds me of my first year of high-school football. My coach told me I had to run a series of 30-yard sprints each day. When I complained that it had nothing to do with playing football, he told the rest of the team that he was going to let me sit and drink water while they all did the sprints. It didn’t make me too popular with my team-mates. At the end of the week, he split the squad into scrimmage teams. I was on pass defense and everyone ran circles around me. He made the offense do nothing but throw passes to the guy I was defending. One pass after another. No huddles. Just pass, pass, pass.

    After about 2minutes I had to crawl over to the sidelines with stomach cramps. Coach came over and asked me if there was anything he could do for me. I asked him if he’d let me take part in the wind-sprint sessions again.

    He agreed. I thanked him.
    David Merrill 101 recently posted…Building An Online BusinessMy Profile

    • What an awesome story and message!

      It looks and sounds like we were both graduates of the same University coach!LOL!

      Yea, sadly there was a time when I truly was the poster boy for being too full
      of myself and totally uncoachable!

      But an empty wallet sort of bends the will and the mind!LOl!

      And we both know there are and always will be far more wannabees, than will do’s!

      Your coach knew exactly what you needed, just as Angelo knew the prescription I needed!LOL!

      Thanks for sharing such a coo story and for your continuous support!

      Both as always, are greatly appreciated!

  2. Hi Mark,

    There are many things which matter in our life and we learn a lot from them. many times when we dream and know about the hard truth of real life then it feels really broken. But we shouldn’t leave our dreams to follow.
    If we are determined to fulfill our dream then for sure we would one day. It just patience and hard work is required.
    You have included many things here.
    Thanks for writing this.
    Have a nice day ahead.:)
    ~Ravi
    Ravi Chahar recently posted…Advanced Minify Settings Of W3 Total Cache PluginMy Profile

  3. Hey Mark,

    It’s funny how we question the very people that already made it. I always wonder why that is LOL.. Is it an ego thing? Do we make it a lot more complicated than it really is?

    I was very uncoachable at one point. I saw a pattern and learned to open up my ears more so then trying to block all the information that went against my beliefs. Another funny thing is many of us are amazed at what we learn and can put together when we do this.

    This actually got me to question our education growing up. We tend to believe that if it’s not in the book then it must not be true. I’ve found that a lot of what we learn as far as history, psychology, and sociology are nothing but person perspectives and opinions.

    But it must have been great to interview a self made millionaire. Thanks for sharing your story and I hope you have a great weekend!
    sherman smith recently posted…Why Blogging Would Be A Great Branding Tool For Network And Affiliate MarketersMy Profile

    • Thanks Sherman!

      You make such an excellent point about how we tend to (in the beginning anyway) to question the
      very people, that are the most qualified to help us!LOl!

      Man, if that isn’t the truth! I don’t know, bu it’s something about being both young and clueless and never having
      the opportunity to be constantly exposed to financially successful people, that plays a role in your mindset as well.

      And there’s simply no doubt, like you mentioned, that school and other major influencers shape our thinking as well!

      Thanks for the extremely valuable input! It’s much appreciated! And thanks for your continuous support!Both are greatly appreciated!

  4. Hi Mark,

    I loved this post and savored every word! A story well done with a great moral to it. I loved the way you described yourself at that time.

    Angelo is a wise man. He pointed out the obvious to you. But taking into consideration your age at the time…it is what I call “the know it all” age. Now, most of us have fallen into this category, but the ones who didn’t are the ones who made themselves successful.

    I see it now with so many young people on the internet. I learn from them all the time! They are the coachable ones…they listen and apply and never give up.

    Besides age, there is that personality type who will always think they have “the answer.” In truth there is no specific answer, but unique ones for each and every person that is an entrepreneur.

    I was always an entrepreneur, and a long long time ago, I was “coachable” because I learned from others. Yes..I was successful and with each and every venture I made in my life the most important thing of all was to learn from someone that was doing what I wanted to do. I was and still am very coachable.

    Thanks so much for this wonderful post!

    -Donna
    Donna Merrill recently posted…The Perfect BlendMy Profile

    • Thanks so much Coach!

      I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this post. I gotta tell you Donna, when I
      think back to that point in my life, Angelo was actually one of the few people
      that whatever reasons, I really wasn’t initially listening to!LOL!

      How ironic is that! He was a great mentor in so many ways! He taught all how
      to make really good money!

      Because before I worked for him, I’d never consistently made that type of money before!

      Boy you sure are right, not only about some of the youngsters online nowadays, but the
      average wannabe online marketer in general.

      Far too many continuously struggle, simply like you pointed out, they’ve got all the
      answers! Just like I thought I did way back when!LOL!

      Glad you enjoyed, it really was fun to recount my experiences with Angelo and that particular period
      in my life!

      As always, thanks for your extremely kind words of encouragement and for continuous support!

      I truly appreciate both!

  5. i dont think there is any one who want to do job under someone, everyone want to own a business and i think this the way by which we can grow not only as a person but also financially.
    carnica recently posted…मराठी वाढदिवसाच्या शुभेच्छा-Birthday wishes for friends marathiMy Profile

    • That’s so true Carnica!

      And hopefully if we’re lucky,we will have the opportunity to mentored by a qualified source, that can guide
      us to where we’re trying to get!

      And avoid a lot of the pitfalls! Thank so much for sharing your thoughts! It’s truly appreciated!

  6. Great story Mark! You know it’s kind of funny – over the weekend I posted a question on my Facebook page asking “What’s the best advice you ever got” and shared a similar story of my own. I had to smile when one of the entrepreneurs replied that she doesn’t need advice from anyone else, because no one can give her better advice. I thought WOW, now that is supreme confidence! Personally I don’t intend to ever shut myself off from learning from others – I just think it’s a matter of gaining clarity about your strengths and weaknesses so that you know what advice to tuck away and what to let go. Thanks for the great read!
    Marquita Herald recently posted…Challenging Your Perspective Toward ChangeMy Profile

    • Awesome M!

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Just writing it made me relive a really cool learning experience!LOL!

      And as far as the reply on FB is concerned, like you I feel it’s far too limiting to rely merely
      on what we may or may not know yet!LOL!

      Angelo (my old boss) was quite the character, I gotta tell you!LOL!

      He really did try his best to teach the clueless rookie back in the day!

      As always M, I’m so grateful for your extremely kind words and continuous support!

      Both are truly appreciated! And the best with your release of your collection of
      essays later on this year! I know one way or the other, you’ll hit it out of the park!

  7. It always takes another to point out your strengths and weaknesses, and then for you to accept them.

    I think this is why I hated being employed by others and why it’s taken a long time to get where I have. I definitely 10 times better off then last year alone, but seriously… it was after speaking in confidence to a much more successful colleague.

    I’m working to the same path that they are on, but this time, with the tweaks they suggested for me to apply.
    Nile recently posted…#WordPressWednesday 2014 Volume 10My Profile

    • That’s so what it’s all about Nile!

      If we’re lucky, we can find others that are qualified to help us!

      And hopefully we are wise enough to heed their timely advice! Thanks for stopping by
      and sharing your thoughts! It’s greatly appreciated!

      As well as your continuous support!


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