The Edge Of Excellence Podcast Matthew Stewart

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Sean Phelps, as they explore the concept of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of gaining practical experiences outside traditional educational pathways. Sean reflects on his journey, highlighting his involvement with College Works, where he developed essential business skills by managing teams and projects while still in college. He shares insights about the value of real-world applications of business concepts, advising aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on technical skills in college and seek out entrepreneurial experiences in the broader world, using resources like the Kauffman Foundation and Y Combinator.
During the discussion, Sean elaborates on his career trajectory, including the tough decisions he faced when offered a full-time position that conflicted with his existing commitments. He shares a critical turning point where he chose to prioritize his role at College Works, attributing his professional skills and opportunities to the experiences he gained there. This choice led to him eventually being fired from the FinTech company he was involved with, underscoring the challenges and sacrifices inherent in balancing multiple career paths and the unpredictable nature of startup environments.
Matt and Sean also explore the personal aspects of entrepreneurship, discussing the integration of work, family, and personal life. Sean credits his entrepreneurial flexibility with allowing him to commit time to family and personal interests, advocating for a balanced life where work does not overshadow other responsibilities. They conclude by stressing the importance of building a solid reputation through hard work and reliability, which in turn fosters professional relationships and opens up opportunities for future ventures and collaborations.

Join Matt and Sean for this fascinating episode. 

Enjoy! 


What You Will Learn In This Show:
How hands-on experience in the field can surpass traditional education paths for aspiring entrepreneurs.Why challenging economic times, such as the 2008 financial crisis, can serve as the best periods to hone entrepreneurial skills and lead businesses.How adapting to circumstances by working smarter and harder can set a foundation for success.Strategies for managing a successful career while maintaining strong family ties and personal wellbeing.How entrepreneurship offers the flexibility to prioritize life events without sacrificing professional growth.How past failures and humility in leadership can enhance team performance and drive better results.The importance of empowering team members by recognizing their potential to surpass your achievements.How strategic time investment in work, relationships, and hobbies can lead to a more fulfilled and balanced life.The concept of 'investing time' vs. 'spending time,' and how this perspective can lead to more effective personal and professional life management.And so much more...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by entrepreneur Steve Kearley, from Benson Kearley Insurance as they discuss the elements of success, the entrepreneurial mindset, and personal growth through business endeavors. Steve shares his journey from selling designer jeans out of his high school locker to becoming a prominent figure in the insurance industry. He emphasizes the significance of self-measurement and personal growth over comparing oneself to others, highlighting how his definition of excellence has evolved over the years. Steve's narrative is peppered with insights on overcoming societal expectations and focusing on one's strengths and unique abilities.
Throughout the discussion, Steve stresses the importance of networking, not in the traditional sense of merely exchanging business cards, but in building meaningful, reciprocal relationships without immediate expectations. This approach to networking, according to Steve, involves connecting people, helping others without a direct benefit to oneself, and ultimately, building a network based on trust and mutual respect. Both Steve and Matt reflect on their experiences within the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), underscoring how such networks have facilitated their business growth and personal development.
The conversation also delves into Steve's strategic approach to his insurance business, where he shifted focus from traditional metrics to providing real value to customers through educational seminars and resources that go beyond insurance. This value-driven approach helped differentiate his company in a competitive market. Steve's commitment to his team and ethical business practices, even post-business sale, reflects his dedication to ensuring the welfare of his employees and maintaining a legacy of integrity and trust. This episode not only explores the nuances of entrepreneurial success but also provides practical advice for personal and professional growth.

Join Matt and Steve for this fascinating episode. 

Enjoy! 


What You Will Learn In This Show:
How excellence isn't about surpassing others but measuring personal growth over time, understanding and leveraging your unique abilitiesThe true value of networking: building authentic relationships and helping others without expecting something in return, rather than merely exchanging contacts for personal gain.Embracing failures as learning opportunities, fostering resilience, and continuous personal development.The characteristics that often define entrepreneurs, such as a dislike for being employed, the necessity for freedom, and the ability to see and seize opportunities for innovation and leadership.How to differentiate your business in a competitive market by providing additional value beyond the core services, using Steve’s approach in the insurance industry as a model.How setting and adhering to clear company values can simplify decision-making processes and contribute to long-term business success.Advice for young entrepreneurs on setting and sharing goals, the importance of mentorship, and why it's vital to understand and align with your core values.And so much more...

Resources:
Benson Kearley IFG
Steve's LinkedIn

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Brett Apel as he shares his journey from a college student to becoming an entrepreneur and business executive. Bret emphasizes the importance of hard work, continuous learning, and pushing boundaries to achieve success. He discusses his initial uncertainty about his career path and how his experience with College Works Painting opened the door to entrepreneurship, teaching him valuable business and life skills. Bret's story is a testament to the idea that with the right mindset and work ethic, one can turn challenges into opportunities and achieve remarkable success at a young age.
The conversation explores the concept of excellence, exploring how Bret's definition of excellence as a constant pursuit of self-improvement and challenging oneself has propelled him forward. They highlight the importance of resilience, open-mindedness, and taking ownership of one's actions to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities. Bret stresses the significance of not resting on past laurels but instead, using previous successes as a foundation for future achievements.
The episode touches on the sacrifices required for success, with Bret recounting the social pressures and the need for balance between work, personal growth, and social life he faced during college. He emphasizes the value of making tough choices early in life to set oneself up for long-term success, framing his sacrifices as a means to gain a head start in life. Bret's journey underscores the message that embracing challenges, maintaining a positive and resilient attitude, and continuously striving for excellence can lead to fulfilling and successful outcomes.
Join Matt and Brett for this fascinating episode. 

Enjoy! 


What You Will Learn In This Show:
Brett's decision to pursue entrepreneurship, emphasizing hard work, the desire to learn, and the ambition to succeed without constraints.His personal definition of excellence as the continuous pursuit of challenging oneself to be the best version possible.The significance of resilience and keeping an open mind to overcome obstacles and find one's path.The role of effort and time in developing strong relationships, whether with friends, coworkers, or family.Brett's approach to learning from both successes and failures, without dwelling on the past.The importance of balance and prioritizing long-term goals over short-term pleasures.Brett's belief in embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.And so much more...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by John Bruckner, a consultant and advisor with a unique blend of legal and financial expertise. John shares his journey from being a finance major to becoming an influential figure in the legal consulting world, emphasizing the importance of being open to opportunities and seeking mentorship. He recounts his decision to pursue law school while working, which ultimately led him to meet Byron McFarland, who played a pivotal role as his mentor. John's story highlights the value of curiosity, perseverance, and the willingness to seek and listen to advice from those more experienced.
Throughout the discussion, John stresses the critical skills needed for success in his field, including active listening, follow-through, expertise, and perseverance. He suggests that aspiring professionals should immerse themselves in learning opportunities and build relationships with mentors to navigate their careers effectively. John's approach to becoming a successful consultant involves a mix of continuous learning, understanding the importance of client relationships, and the ability to provide expert advice while admitting when further research is needed. His insights into building a career path that blends law and finance shed light on the non-linear nature of professional growth and the benefits of cross-disciplinary knowledge.

The conversation also explores the concept of work-life integration, where John advocates for a mindset of always being "on" but in a way that allows for flexibility and geographical freedom. This approach, he argues, is made possible by a career that aligns closely with one's interests and unique abilities, thus blurring the lines between work and personal life. By accepting the opportunity costs associated with prioritizing work, John suggests that professionals can achieve a form of freedom that allows for significant personal and professional satisfaction. The episode wraps up with a reflection on the journey to finding one's niche in the professional world, emphasizing that success comes from aligning one's work with their passions and strengths, leading to a fulfilling career.

Join Matt and John for this fascinating episode. 

Enjoy! 

What You Will Learn In This Show:
How actively listening to clients and seeking mentorship can lay the foundation for a successful career in law or any professional field. How John's background in finance and his decision to pursue law school led him to a unique niche in legal consulting for businesses. The core skills essential for success in legal consulting, including writing, case law analysis, and the application of law.The business side of law, including the job market dynamics and the financial implications of pursuing a career in law.Strategies for setting oneself apart in the legal field, such as embracing curiosity, networking, and leveraging unique skill sets. The concept of work-life integration as opposed to strict work-life balance.The sacrifices required for professional growth and how understanding opportunity cost can guide career decisions.And so much more...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt encourages listeners to engage in the process of brainstorming goals, emphasizing the importance of setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals as a fundamental approach to achieving personal aspirations. He illustrates how such goals can transform everyday objectives into actionable plans, offering the example of a fitness goal to lose 30 pounds within a year by going to the gym five days a week and burning a specific number of calories. Matt's method underlines the necessity of defining goals that are not only ambitious but also grounded in reality, highlighting the principle that what gets measured, gets done.
Matt extends the discussion to include a wider array of goals, touching on life planning and the significance of considering one's legacy. He encourages listeners to think about their goals in a holistic manner, covering aspects of life such as relationships, career, personal development, and even one's impact on the world. The episode explores the importance of writing down goals to increase the likelihood of achievement and advocates for a dynamic goal-setting process that is adaptable and regularly reviewed. This process is illustrated through the introduction of concepts like BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) and SMART goals, stressing the power of written and flexible goals that are regularly evaluated.

The episode wraps up with a comprehensive overview of goal setting across different life stages and areas, from immediate, everyday objectives to long-term aspirations. Matt's advice encompasses setting goals with a clear, sound mind and body, the value of brainstorming in both personal and group settings, and the structured approach to translating these goals into actionable plans. He emphasizes the role of goal setting in fostering a purposeful life and achieving personal and professional growth, and invites listeners to consider their legacies beyond mere accomplishments. The episode serves as a motivational guide for listeners of all ages, particularly those in their twenties, to start setting and pursuing their goals with intention and discipline.

Join Matt for this fascinating episode. 

Enjoy! 


What You Will Learn In This Show:
How to establish Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely goals to transform everyday aspirations into actionable plans.The significance of writing down your goals to significantly increase your chances of success. The comprehensive nature of goal setting, covering aspects such as time management, stress management, relationship management, and more.Why being flexible and adaptable with your goals is crucial, especially in the face of unforeseen circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic.The importance of considering a broad range of life aspects when setting goals, including personal relationships, financial stability, physical health, and spiritual wellness, among others.The often-overlooked aspect of celebrating achievements, big or small.Setting visionary goals that challenge and inspire you or your organization to stretch beyond current capacities.Setting goals appropriate to different life stages and time frames, from immediate daily goals to long-term aspirations, and how to align them with your ultimate life vision.The necessity of a regular review process for your goals, allowing for necessary adjustments and ensuring alignment with changing circumstances or priorities.Goal setting as a dynamic, ongoing process essential for both personal development and professional advancement.And so much more...

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by entrepreneur Gavin Lantzy, CEO of SaaviHome, a company specializing in home technology installation and now venturing into franchising. Gavin discusses the importance of accountability and discipline in achieving business goals, emphasizing a culture of determination where goals are pursued ‘hell or high water.’ He shares his journey from an executive in home entertainment to taking over the family business from his father, transforming it into a leader in its industry. This transformation was fueled by his belief in continuous improvement and his passion, not just for the business itself, but for the process of learning and growth.
Gavin's story also explores personal challenges and pivotal moments, including a serious injury that shifted his path from aspiring professional skier to entrepreneur. This adversity led him to embrace new opportunities, including starting his own business through the entrepreneurial training program College Works Painting. He credits his early start and the mentors who guided him for his success, highlighting the sacrifice and time investment required to achieve long-term goals. Gavin's approach to balancing life and work emphasizes the necessity of occasional imbalance to ensure overall life balance and success.

The conversation transitions into Gavin's current challenges and aspirations as he leads Savvy Homes into the franchising world. He discusses the need to develop new skill sets, such as strategic vision, execution framework, and financial management, crucial for navigating the complexities of a growing business. The loss of his father in a tragic accident emerges as a profound moment, inspiring Gavin to honor his father's legacy through his work. This personal loss transformed into a driving force for Gavin, underscoring the episode's theme of finding opportunity in adversity and the continuous journey towards excellence.

Join Matt and Lisa for this fascinating conversation. 

Enjoy! 


What You Will Learn In This Show:
The necessity of creating a culture where goals are pursued with utmost dedication.Gavin's transition from a potential skiing career to entrepreneurship after a significant injury.His evolution from working in home entertainment to taking over and expanding the family business into a leading brand.Gavin's personal definition of excellence as a continuous process of improvement, rather than a final destination.The nuances of transitioning leadership within a family business, including setting up a formal buyout and aligning on a shared vision.The new skills and mindset required as SaaviHome shifts towards franchising, from strategic vision to financial management.How the tragic loss of Gavin's father became a driving force, the power of legacy and the motivational aspect of personal connections in business.Gavin's choice to prioritize his career in his youth, setting a foundation for future freedom and success.And so much more...

Resources:
SaaviHome