Leaders Across America With Steve Acorn

Young Entrepreneurs Across America
  • 4.8 (155)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome To The Leaders Across America Podcast. This show is dedicated to young driven individuals who truly want to choose a path of their life, step out of their comfort zone and create a better future for themselves and in the end, control their own destiny. Each week, we will be interviewing a graduate from our program. You will hear some amazing stories of how being part of the Young Entrepreneurs Program helped transformed them into who they are today. You can determine if you want to be like these individuals and you will understand what it will take to get there. Learn more: https://www.yeaainternship.com/

  1. Jun 17

    138 | Sean Gregory - How Radical Ownership Built Leaders for Life

    What would you give to hear the untold truth from one of the very first student entrepreneurs who helped build a movement? In this exclusive, raw conversation, Steve Acorn sits down with Sean Gregory, an original Student Painter from 1987, to uncover the gritty, hilarious, and brutally honest stories that shaped the YEAA legacy. Together, they revisit sleepless launches, wild leaps of faith, and the make-or-break lessons still echoed across today's leadership ranks. This is not a highlight reel. It's the real story behind 40 years of "work hard, play hard" success and the relentless mindset that separates doers from dreamers. Miss this episode, and you risk overlooking the patterns that breed lasting leaders. Listen now for first-hand insights you won't find anywhere else, straight from the roots of YEAA and the heart of entrepreneurship.     Timestamped Highlights 00:30 – The wildest leap of faith in Student Painters history 02:55 – Why entrepreneurship still isn't taught in college (and how Sean hacked the system) 06:18 – The tools, grit, and chaos behind launching a business in '87 10:16 – "I've never felt so alive." The real rewards of radical ownership 13:43 – The eye-opening mistakes that nearly killed his profits 16:04 – Campfires, banquets, lifelong friends: The bonds that outlast the business 22:23 – The moment Sean realized he could out-earn his first 'real' job 35:08 – Brutally honest advice for every new leader in the arena right now     About the Guest Sean Gregory is a 30+ year veteran in residential real estate, executive producer of the Heart of Influence podcast, and one of YEAA's original Student Painters from 1987. With decades of sales, coaching, and entrepreneurial experience, he brings unmatched perspective on leadership and the long game of transformation. 🔗 LinkedIn   Resources & Links Mentioned Heart of Influence podcast Unblinded with Sean Callagy Sherwin-Williams GMC Gaucho     Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa      Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  2. Jun 3

    137 | Noah Jones and Addison Oberhouse – From Nervous to Unstoppable: How Rookies Win Big

    What happens when you hand the reins of a real business to college rookies, then ask them to build something big, with everything on the line? In this high-energy conversation, Steve interviews first-year interns Addison Oberhouse and Noah Jones as they open up about the surprising challenges and lessons from launching their own painting businesses with YEAA. They dive into what no classroom teaches: brutal doubt, real sales lost, friends laughing at "voicemails," and the relentless rollercoaster of managing a team for the first time. Listen now to discover the overlooked truth about college internships, how "trust the process" unlocks exponential wins, and why resilience—not a perfect spreadsheet—separates those who finish from those who bail. Miss this episode, and you risk staying stuck on the sidelines, while these rookies quietly sprint past you.     Timestamped Highlights 00:51 – The unexpected lesson college never prepared them for 02:04 – Why working hard here feels totally different (and way more rewarding) 06:08 – The rookie mindset shift: believing the "unreal" offer is real 10:42 – The 3-day "business bootcamp" that left their heads spinning 12:32 – How time management became their secret weapon 17:24 – The one thing they wish they asked their mentor sooner 25:06 – Losing $20,000 in sales and getting up again 32:06 – Pro-level time and relationship juggling, rookie edition     About the Guest Addison Oberhaus is a business management student at BGSU and a first-year Entrepreneurial Intern with YEAA, already producing standout results and managing her own team. 🔗 LinkedIn Noah Jones studies biochemistry at Michigan State and is in his inaugural summer with Student Painters, focusing on learning real-world business while overcoming setbacks with resilience. 🔗 LinkedIn   Resources & Links Mentioned Student Painters Eat That Frog! (Book) Sherwin-Williams MapMyRun (app) Aiden Licata's Podcast     Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa      Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  3. May 20

    136 | Blake Winkley – Simple Hacks That Guarantee You Stand Out Fast

    What does it take to launch a truly standout career while your peers are just getting started? In this galvanizing episode, Steve Acorn sits down with private equity rising star Blake Winkley to unravel how student leaders can leapfrog the status quo by stacking bold experiences and embracing brutal discomfort.  From hustling side gigs in high school to running a six-figure business as a college sophomore, Blake Winkley reveals the mindset shifts and tactical moves that turned relentless rejection into career rocket fuel. Don't settle for an average trajectory. Listen now to discover why your "story" matters more than ever, what hiring managers are secretly looking for, and how the way you handle this summer could radically change your life. You'll miss out on proven, exclusive frameworks you won't hear anywhere else if you let this episode slip by.     Timestamped Highlights 00:42 – The unexpected truth behind private equity's allure 04:03 – Why missing the "ideal" internship was the best thing that happened 07:00 – The strategic move that turned rejection into opportunity 12:03 – The inside story that made hiring managers say "yes" 16:08 – Unlocking the hidden ecosystem of million-dollar deals 20:19 – Fresh eyes, real impact, and how to outgrow your comfort zone 27:23 – Why brutal honesty and relentless discomfort are career multipliers 41:43 – Crushing imposter syndrome and trusting the process for success     About the Guest Blake Winkley is a Capital Raising Associate at KKR, one of the world's largest private equity firms. With a track record spanning institutional sales on Wall Street to unlocking high-value real estate funds, Blake's career showcases what's possible when student entrepreneurs apply relentless grit, strategic networking, and the right leadership mindset. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website   Resources & Links Mentioned VanEck Noria Capital Book: "Eat That Frog" Philadelphia 76ers "Trust the Process"     Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa      Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  4. May 5

    135 | Brooke Fausey and Celeste Valencia – How Two Students Built an Amazing $650K Business

    What's the real difference between feeling like an impostor and building a life that stands out from your peers? In this high-voltage episode, Steve sits down with Celeste Valencia and Brooke Fausey, two unstoppable student leaders who turned setbacks into six-figure stories (and counting). If you think business success is only for business majors, think again. Hear unfiltered truths about failing forward, breaking brutal comfort zones, and building teams when you'd rather hide. This conversation uncovers proven, practical secrets for anyone ready to crush fear, own their results, and accelerate into leadership even before graduation. Miss this, and you could spend the summer playing small. Listen now for exclusive, hard-earned knowledge you can't find in the classroom and join an elite group writing their own future.     Timestamped Highlights 00:08 – The career-defining mindset shift every new leader must hear 04:05 – From LinkedIn to $100K: Brooke's unlikely leap and the mistake that made her 06:38 – How a criminal justice major shattered limits with a six-figure business 10:43 – The two rookie mistakes that nearly sabotaged Celeste's summer 13:58 – Why over-recruiting isn't optional (and how to bulletproof your team) 18:02 – The brutal truth about sales pipelines and the anxiety no one warns you about 26:24 – Owning it: The secret mental switch top earners use every day 35:35 – Leadership vs Boss: The tiny actions that change everything for your team     About the Guest Celeste Valencia is a Senior Executive at Young Entrepreneurs Across America (YEAA) and a senior at Grand Valley State University, where she majors in Criminal Justice with minors in Arabic and Psychology. Known for her rapid growth from rookie manager to leading a $350,000 branch and coaching the next generation of student leaders, Celeste is passionate about resilience, transformative leadership, and servant management. 🔗 LinkedIn Brooke Fausey is currently a General Manager for the Michigan division at Young Entrepreneurs Across America (YEAA), after graduating from Grand Valley State University. Brooke skyrocketed from running a $104,000 branch to coaching a team of managers with combined sales topping $540,000. She is respected for her commitment to mentorship, time management mastery, and her outstanding track record in leadership development. 🔗 LinkedIn   Resources & Links Mentioned Student Painters Sherwin Williams Servant Leadership Grand Valley State University Eat That Frog!     Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa      Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  5. Apr 22

    134 | Ryan Shepherd – Inside the Mind of a Champion: Proven, Unexpected Tactics Student Leaders Really Use

    Are you hungry to stand out, lead, and create the kind of transformation that pays off for life? Wondering why some student entrepreneurs seem to win big while others plateau or burn out? On this electrifying episode, Steve Acorn sits down with legendary Student Painters GM Ryan Shepherd, an architect behind hundreds of success stories and recognized as one of the top minds in the industry. They break down the entire YEAA internship experience, revealing not just what to do, but how to do it smarter, turning grueling work into unstoppable growth and outsized rewards. Tune in for practical, rarely shared insights on personal mastery, building powerhouse teams, and squeezing life-changing value out of every step, plus learn the insider secrets that separate the profitable leaders from the overwhelmed.  Don't wait to hear this: miss it, and you risk falling into the same pitfalls holding back your true potential. Listen now and grab the blueprint top performers don't want you to see.     Timestamped Highlights 00:00 – "You're going to work really hard but probably pretty stupid at first" (and how to fix that) 07:47 – The uncommon time hack that propelled Ryan's early career 10:43 – Pressure washing fails, wild stories, and what it really means to learn as you go 12:11 – Why the Quality Control Checklist will save your sanity (and profit) 14:34 – The #1 rookie mistake even elite interns make every year 17:00 – How to "suck less" by delegating time-suckers and building your painter pipeline 24:14 – Turning "our business" into a winning team—best crew incentives revealed 30:06 – Why coasting in phase four will cost you the BIGGEST payday     About the Guest Ryan Shepherd is a veteran General Manager and lead mentor for Student Painters at Young Entrepreneurs Across America. Known for his fifteen-year track record developing top-tier student leaders and a relentless dedication to game-changing mentorship, Ryan has shaped the careers of hundreds of driven undergrads and personally built systems that power the best-of-the-best results in the industry. His coaching is legendary for a reason, and it's all focused on future-proofing your success. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website   Resources & Links Mentioned University of Dayton Scott Snyder Quality Control Checklist Google Docs Kings Island Amusement Park Indeed Facebook Instagram Snapchat Hello Neighbor flyers Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy     Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa      Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  6. Apr 8

    133 | Sherv Sadr – Astonishing Growth: From Grassroots to 220 Clients Strong

    What would you do if your dreams, your crew, and your confidence vanished in a single afternoon? If you're building a business, career, or even your sense of self, the fear of failure and the pressure to deliver can feel overwhelming. In this exhilarating reunion, Steve Acorn welcomes back YEAA alum Sherv Sadr, whose journey from devastated rookie to thriving financial entrepreneur and biotech founder is packed with raw lessons and electrifying energy. Sherv reveals how surviving his darkest hour and learning to choose action over comfort unlocked exponential business and personal growth. If you're tired of hoping and ready for proven, exclusive strategies to conquer adversity, reclaim your confidence, and scale your future, press play now. Every moment you wait is a moment lost. Don't miss the hard-won wisdom in this episode that you simply won't find anywhere else.     Timestamped Highlights 00:14 – Why Sherv's first episode became one of YEAA's all-time most listened-to downloads 01:43 – From door-knocking to financial planning: The business principles that work anywhere 06:38 – Founding a biotech company after a friend's life-altering brain cancer battle 10:09 – Cold calls, rejection, and wild pivots: The gut-punches no one warns you about 16:18 – Grit when you want to quit: The untold story of Sherv's "grass moment" 24:33 – Scalable business growth: Investments, not costs, and building a winning team 31:03 – The Student Painters alumni effect: Why one summer can change your life and your future hires 50:09 – 75 Hard, discipline as a perishable skill, and what it really means for future leaders     About the Guest Sherv Sadr is a financial entrepreneur, business owner, and proven resilience architect. Since his transformative years with YEAA and Student Painters, he has scaled a thriving financial planning practice serving over 220 households, mentored future leaders, and co-founded a biotech startup with a mission to revolutionize traumatic brain injury recovery. Sherv is known for his radical candor, story-driven leadership, and commitment to giving back through mentorship and alumni networks. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website   Resources & Links Mentioned 75 Hard (created by Andy Frisella) Alex Hormozi Aaron Griffin Luke Snyder Traumatic Brain Injury research and biotech entrepreneurship     Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa      Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  7. Mar 25

    132 | Michael Menaker – How to Scale a Business to Over $170K as a Student

    What if you could transform your student hustle into a $170,000 business and secure job offers while your classmates are struggling to get interviews?  Michael Menaker, Penn State senior and YEAA legend, sits down with Steve Acorn to reveal the step-by-step reality (not the myth) behind his explosive growth from door-knocking teen to Student Painters' all-time Pennsylvania revenue leader. This conversation is packed with rarely shared tactics, raw truths about failure and resilience, and actionable systems for anyone serious about changing their trajectory starting now. From the relentless grind to building an unbeatable resume story, you'll hear how money motivation, organization breakthroughs, mentorship, and tireless marketing turned a campus side hustle into a national showcase. Listen now to escape career mediocrity, fast-track your learning curve, and get the actual playbook top interns use to win big. This episode is your invitation. You won't find its real-world, step-by-step lessons anywhere else.     Timestamped Highlights [00:01] – A 9-year-old with an obsession for money—how shoveling snow led to a record-breaking career [00:03] – The "$10,000 summer" email that changed everything for a college freshman [00:05] – Inside high-stakes training: the moment Michael Menaker realized he wasn't the smartest person in the room [00:07] – From $110K to $170K: what REALLY changes and the shocking truth about profits at 19 [00:10] – The 10,000+ flyer drop method—why relentless marketing is the x-factor for student success [00:14] – The podcast hack: how binging alumni stories 2-3 times gave Michael Menaker the advantage over everyone else [00:16] – The organization revolution: inside the "hour by hour" that made stress evaporate and business explode [00:20] – Mentors, money, and motivation: how real-world accountability unlocked rocket growth [00:25] – Stacking the deck: the job search tsunami and why "the right story" makes recruiters beg for meetings [00:32] – Turning down offers and picking your path—unfiltered truth on life after massive student wins     About the Guest Michael Menaker is a senior at Penn State and the all-time Pennsylvania revenue leader for Student Painters, shattering records by scaling his business to over $170,000 while still a student. Known for his relentless drive, money motivation, and willingness to get uncomfortable, he's mentored others to six-figure success and now leverages his story to command top-tier job interviews. Michael is currently focused on launching a career in commercial real estate or tech sales while finishing his real estate minor. 🔗 LinkedIn   Resources & Links Mentioned Penn State University Whirlpool Corporation     Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa      Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

  8. Mar 11

    131 | Abby Metzger $207,000 All time Ohio Sales Leader

    Are you craving a breakthrough moment to transform your leadership, confidence, and career trajectory, but secretly worry you might not be cut out for the challenge? In this electrifying episode, Steve Acorn sits down with Abby Metzger, the all-time sales and production record holder for Ohio, and living proof that mindset and grit override privilege or luck. You'll discover how Abby went from small-town student to earning $45,000 as a freshman, outpacing every manager in forty years and learning the often-painful secrets of true leadership. Expect raw breakdowns of highs and lows, including near-mutiny moments, unstoppable motivation, and practical tools for unlocking next-level results. Listen now and don't wait. If you want to avoid mediocrity, get ahead of your peers, and understand what separates good from legendary, these insights could change everything. This episode is packed with exclusive, actionable wisdom you won't hear anywhere else.     Timestamped Highlights 00:00 – Abby reveals the surprising truth about what real leadership means and why empathy—not control—is the ultimate power move 05:40 – How a bold study-abroad goal turned hustle into victory, and what happens when you bet on yourself 14:00 – Near-disaster: Abby's team threatens to quit—hear the pivotal lesson she'll share in every future job interview 18:07 – Incentive secrets: How Abby's unconventional rewards and ice cream breaks unlocked $60,000 in two weeks 26:39 – Crushing records: Her honest confession about wanting to shatter the previous Ohio sales leader's legacy 30:56 – The tough preseason grind nobody talks about—how losing an $11,000 job actually set up a game-changing comeback 40:30 – The expensive mistake: What happens when you don't color-test paint and why owning the fix became her power story 44:01 – Elite job offers: Abby reveals how her business story landed her a prized career at PwC in New York, and how you can replicate her pitch 46:26 – Abby's rapid-fire advice for new interns from radical ownership to selling yourself, not just your product     About the Guest Abby Metzger is a senior at The Ohio State University, slated to join PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in New York City as a Deals Transformation Associate. She holds the all-time Ohio sales and production record for YEAA's Student Painters, earning $45,000 while running a six-figure painting business as a freshman and was named Ohio Manager of the Year. Abby is recognized for her uncommon drive, championship mindset, and ability to turn adversity into advantage for herself and her team. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website   Resources & Links Mentioned Semester at Sea (Study Abroad Program) Student Painters Ohio State University Sherwin-Williams MapMyRun     Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa      Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

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Welcome To The Leaders Across America Podcast. This show is dedicated to young driven individuals who truly want to choose a path of their life, step out of their comfort zone and create a better future for themselves and in the end, control their own destiny. Each week, we will be interviewing a graduate from our program. You will hear some amazing stories of how being part of the Young Entrepreneurs Program helped transformed them into who they are today. You can determine if you want to be like these individuals and you will understand what it will take to get there. Learn more: https://www.yeaainternship.com/

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