Next Level Pros

Chris Lee
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Next Level Pros

Welcome to Next Level Pros, where we explore the journeys of some of the most successful and inspiring entrepreneurs from around the world. I'm your host, Chris Lee. Throughout my career, I've founded multiple nine-figure companies and learned a thing or two about what it takes to succeed in the world of business. Now, I want to share those lessons with you by bringing on guests who have their own incredible stories to tell. I'm on a mission to find the most unique and entertaining individuals that have done it the right way.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    #129: will.i.am Unplugged: Will AI take over the world?

    Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In today’s conversation, our guest is Will.i.am—artist, tech innovator, and futurist. Will dives into a range of topics including his journey from music to technology, the future of AI governance, and his thoughts on Universal Basic Income (UBI). He shares unique insights into his creative process, the importance of collaboration, and how curiosity has driven him to pioneer in the tech space. This episode is a deep dive into what it takes to innovate fearlessly and the mindset needed to push boundaries in both art and technology. Apply to be on the show: https://forms.gle/hwDijQPFyKCEtHNs8  Highlights: "Curiosity is the fuel that drives innovation; stay curious, and you'll find the answers." "We’re headed towards a world where companies run themselves with only a few people overseeing data."  "You don’t need to own something to find value in it, but own your data and your identity." "True collaboration happens when minds gel, ideate, and challenge each other without ego." Timestamps: 00:00 – The Future of AI and Business 06:56 – Creative Thinking and Influence 14:00 – Autonomous Vehicles 20:20 – Universal Basic Income Debate 26:57 – Data Ownership and Modern Society 29:32 – Craftsmanship vs. Planned Obsolescence 33:02 – Pioneering in Tech 39:34 – Learning at Harvard 47:29 – Pitching Success Stories 50:21 – Principles for Success Looking to scale your business? Want to learn directly from the same team that helped me sell my last business for 9 figures? Click this link below to check out how you can work with us. https://nextlevelhomepros.com/grow-home-service-vsl  Join my community - Founder Acceleration ⁠https://www.founderacceleration.com  ⁠ Apply for our next Mastermind: h⁠ttps://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⁠  Golf with Chris: h⁠ttps://www.golfwithchris.com ⁠  Watch my latest Podcast Apple- ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281S ⁠ Spotify- ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2 ⁠ YouTube - @thefounderspodcast

    54 min

  2. OCT 23

    #128: A company that helps you automate your profits, isn’t making profit.

    Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, we're joined by Andrew Schultz, a budding entrepreneur who's navigating the challenges of turning his marketing firm, Profit Automation, into a profitable business despite its current unprofitable state. We'll dive deep into the issues holding Andrew back, including a detailed analysis of his financials and marketing strategies, along with some personal obstacles that are impacting his professional progress. Apply to be on the show: https://forms.gle/hwDijQPFyKCEtHNs8  Highlights: "I mean, when you asked me what my biggest challenge was, I don't know what I'm selling."   "Your secret sauce is identifying what the problem is around their customers in their pipeline, so you can pull them into action." "I will help increase your conversion, or I will add another 2% to your conversion, or you don't pay anything." "I haven't done a whole lot of marketing or talked to a lot of people about it, so I find it hard to believe that you have enough data to say that this doesn't work." Timestamps: 0:00:00 Profit Automation is not turning a profit 0:04:13 Describing the Business 0:06:03 Explaining the Lead Conversion Offering 0:08:15 Identifying the Biggest Challenge - Packaging the Offer 0:13:25 The Pipeline Crisis and how to fix it 0:19:21 Addressing the Perception of Free vs. Paid Offers 0:20:24 Exploring Performance-Based Pricing Options 0:25:47 Shifting from Scarcity to Abundance Mindset 0:27:08 Comparing Eliminating Downside vs. Eliminating Risk 0:41:00 Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses in the Business 0:48:30 Refocusing on Sales and Marketing as the Priority 0:55:47 Balancing Personality Types within the Team 0:57:41 Shifting Mindset from Home Runs to Consistent At-Bats 1:03:29 Overcoming the Need for Certainty 1:11:08 Adopting a Scientific Approach to Testing and Measuring 1:17:07 Final Plan and Closing Thoughts Looking to scale your business? Want to learn directly from the same team that helped me sell my last business for 9 figures? Click this link below to check out how you can work with us. https://nextlevelhomepros.com/grow-home-service-vsl  Join my community - Founder Acceleration ⁠https://www.founderacceleration.com  ⁠ Apply for our next Mastermind: h⁠ttps://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⁠  Golf with Chris: h⁠ttps://www.golfwithchris.com ⁠  Watch my latest Podcast Apple- ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281S ⁠ Spotify- ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2 ⁠ YouTube - @thefounderspodcast

    1h 20m

  3. OCT 15

    #127: Risk the $600K in His Home or Play it Safe?

    Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Join us as we delve into a compelling discussion with Seth Shaner, who shares his candid experiences about the financial and emotional challenges of being house poor. Discover how these challenges are impacting his business operations and family dynamics. Seth, who has a rich background in the restaurant industry, opens up about his journey through business failures, relocations, and the intricate balance of financial decisions and family life. Don't miss this deep dive into the real-world consequences of living beyond one's means. Apply to be on the show: https://forms.gle/hwDijQPFyKCEtHNs8  Highlights: "I always said I would never be house poor, but here I am because the house is the expensive part."   "You can't have high society desires overcome what your income is."  "Being in proximity to people you know can be helpful too."    "I'm not going to go in as the president of a company this big very often."  Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction  04:15 - Seth discusses his early business failures 08:54 - How past business experiences and financial choices impact Seth 13:16 - Seth’s current financial strategies and his consulting work dynamics 17:25 - Emotional and financial challenges post-divorce 20:31 - Benefits of relocating for financial and family stability 30:08 - Past financial disasters and their influence on present decisions 34:43 - Seth discusses shifting focus from consulting to what he truly enjoys 39:42 - Strategies for utilizing resources effectively in business  50:57 - The potential impacts of moving to more affordable locations. 55:30 - The pros and cons of staying in California versus relocating. 01:05:22 - The impact of financial stress on mental and emotional health. 01:15:39 - Closing thoughts  Looking to scale your business? Want to learn directly from the same team that helped me sell my last business for 9 figures? Click this link below to check out how you can work with us. https://nextlevelhomepros.com/grow-home-service-vsl  Join my community - Founder Acceleration ⁠https://www.founderacceleration.com  ⁠ Apply for our next Mastermind: h⁠ttps://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⁠  Golf with Chris: h⁠ttps://www.golfwithchris.com ⁠  Watch my latest Podcast Apple- ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281S ⁠ Spotify- ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2 ⁠ YouTube - @thefounderspodcast

    1h 13m

  4. OCT 4

    #126: Race Car Driver Questions God

    Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Join us today as we dive into the electrifying world of racing with none other than Lucas Di Grassi, the godfather of Formula E. From his early days racing go-karts to his profound insights into professional struggles and personal growth, Lucas shares his journey through the high-speed turns of his career and life. We explore not just the exhilaration of the race track but also the challenges and philosophical questions that come with being at the top of one's game. Apply to be on the show: https://forms.gle/hwDijQPFyKCEtHNs8  Highlights: "You can never be satisfied. You can always improve." "Being happy could be an enemy of performance."  "Happiness is not a state. It is a moment."  "Imposter syndrome is real. You always question how good you are."  Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Lucas and the world of Formula E 01:32 - The creation of Formula E and its impact 03:07 - Lucas's lifelong racing career and personal background 05:04 - Challenges in Lucas's personal and professional life 10:40 - The intersection of happiness and performance in sports 15:18 - Lucas's battle with imposter syndrome and aging in sports 19:03 - The clash of pragmatism and religious belief 22:34 - Debating the role of science and God in the universe 27:54 - The concept of E + R = O: Event plus Response equals Outcome 31:21 - Skepticism and self-examination in personal growth 35:07 - Leadership principles and the willingness to be wrong 37:19 - Lucas's take on social media and the importance of showing humanity Looking to scale your business? Want to learn directly from the same team that helped me sell my last business for 9 figures? Click this link below to check out how you can work with us. https://nextlevelhomepros.com/grow-home-service-vsl  Join my community - Founder Acceleration ⁠https://www.founderacceleration.com  ⁠ Apply for our next Mastermind: h⁠ttps://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⁠  Golf with Chris: h⁠ttps://www.golfwithchris.com ⁠  Watch my latest Podcast Apple- ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281S ⁠ Spotify- ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2 ⁠ YouTube - @thefounderspodcast

    39 min

  5. SEP 24

    #125: Scaling Fails: How Financial Blind Spots Cost Him Big

    Welcome to a New Episode of Next Level Pros! Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with PR expert, Ulyses Osuna. Known for his remarkable work with top industry figures, Ulyses shares a candid look into the financial hurdles and strategic pivots of scaling a business. Dive deep into the practicalities of growth, the importance of understanding financial metrics, and how Ulyses recalibrated his business model to align better with both his professional and personal life. Apply to be on the show: https://forms.gle/hwDijQPFyKCEtHNs8  Highlights: "You can grow, but it doesn't work like that if you don't understand the underlying metrics."  "The right reasons to grow a business are about making it the vehicle for your life, not just your life itself."    "Scaling isn't just about growth; it's about smart, sustainable actions that align with your long-term vision." "When you truly understand your business numbers, you unlock the power to scale effectively."  Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The pivotal decisions in business growth 05:24 - Ulyses discusses the challenges of scaling too quickly 11:00 - Breaking down the cost of goods sold and gross margins 17:00 - Importance of fixed and variable costs in scaling 23:16 - The strategic recalibration for better business health 29:45 - The psychological impact of rapid business changes 36:05 - Sales strategies and maintaining quality during growth 42:11 - Leveraging existing resources to maximize output 48:22 - Effective financial strategies for sustainable growth 50:37 - Closing thoughts Looking to scale your business? Want to learn directly from the same team that helped me sell my last business for 9 figures? Click this link below to check out how you can work with us. https://nextlevelhomepros.com/grow-home-service-vsl  Join my community - Founder Acceleration ⁠https://www.founderacceleration.com  ⁠ Apply for our next Mastermind: h⁠ttps://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⁠  Golf with Chris: h⁠ttps://www.golfwithchris.com ⁠  Watch my latest Podcast Apple- ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281S ⁠ Spotify- ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2 ⁠ YouTube - @thefounderspodcast

    55 min

  6. SEP 17

    #124: Next Level Pros - A New Chapter Begins

    Welcome to a New Episode of Next Level Pros We’re excited to bring you this episode of what we used to call the Founder Podcast—now rebranded as Next Level Pros! Join Chris and Daryl as they dive into the essence of always striving for the next level in entrepreneurship and life. They discuss the importance of designing lives that impact the world through entrepreneurship, embracing change, and setting new directions with meaningful missions and core values. Apply to be on the show: https://forms.gle/hwDijQPFyKCEtHNs8  Highlights: "If you are not actively progressing and working towards the next level, you are either maintaining or dying."  "Designing lives that impact the world starts with deliberate choice and action."  "Culture is built by design, and we're all about designing positive changes." "Trust is gained one drop at a time but can be lost with one swift kick." Timestamps: 00:02 - Introduction to Rebranding 05:00 - Core Values of Next Level Pros 07:51 - Designing the Mission Statement 10:00 - The Role of Financial Success 14:08 - Realizing the Importance of the Big Picture 18:12 - Encouraging Listener Engagement 20:00 - New Format of the Show 24:45 - Defining the Core Values (NEXT) 30:00 - Defining Trust and Excellence 32:59 - Balancing Trust in Character and Ability Looking to scale your business? Want to learn directly from the same team that helped me sell my last business for 9 figures? Click this link below to check out how you can work with us. https://nextlevelhomepros.com/grow-home-service-vsl  Join my community - Founder Acceleration ⁠https://www.founderacceleration.com  ⁠ Apply for our next Mastermind: h⁠ttps://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⁠  Golf with Chris: h⁠ttps://www.golfwithchris.com ⁠  Watch my latest Podcast Apple- ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281S ⁠ Spotify- ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2 ⁠ YouTube - @thefounderspodcast

    35 min

  7. SEP 7

    #123: Escaping the Broken Education System for Success with Jerome Maldonado

    Welcome to a new episode of The Founder Podcast! Today, we're excited to have real estate investor and entrepreneur Jerome Maldonado joining us. Jerome has built an impressive $600 million real estate portfolio over the past 28 years, focusing on sustainable and workforce housing. What's fascinating about Jerome's journey is his unique perspective on working with immigrant business partners versus those from the US. He believes immigrants who aren't "jacked up" by the US education system often make better partners, as they're more eager to learn. Dive into Jerome's insights and lessons learned over his 30+ years in the industry and discover a new perspective on education. Highlights:  "You know, what's great about America is that I love and I tell people, this is I'll take an immigrant as a business partner over somebody from the United States nine times out of 10." "If I would have known 10 years prior that people would have really believed in me, I would have grown exponentially." "What I caught it big is when we're going to the 2008 recession, I bought a bunch of subway stores." Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 03:42 - Scaling Through Outside Capital  05:07 - Lessons Learned Over 28 Years in Real Estate  11:21 - Dealing with "Bottom of the Barrel" Employees  15:00 - Navigating Economic Challenges  21:00 - Dealing with Investor Emotions  24:40 - Adapting Strategies Amidst Rising Costs  27:51 - Transitioning to a More Hands-Off Role  37:59 - The Curious Case of American Food 50:16 - Jerome’s Tips for Better Relationships01:02:30 - Jerome’s Future Goals and Plans 01:12:50 - The Power of Enjoying the Now & Conclusion Looking to scale your business? Want to learn directly from the same team that helped me sell my last business for 9 figures? Click this link below to check out how you can work with us. ⁠https://nextlevelhomepros.com/grow-home-service-vsl⁠  Join my community - Founder Acceleration ⁠⁠https://www.founderacceleration.com⁠  ⁠ Apply for our next Mastermind: h⁠ttps://⁠www.thefoundermastermind.com⁠ ⁠  Golf with Chris: h⁠ttps://⁠www.golfwithchris.com⁠ ⁠  Watch my latest Podcast Apple- ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281S⁠ ⁠ Spotify- ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2⁠ ⁠ YouTube - @thefounderspodcast

    1h 16m

  8. SEP 4

    #122: 3 Strategies to Scale Your Business to 9 Figures

    Welcome to a new episode of The Founder Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to sit down with Mick Hunt from the Mick Unplugged Podcast to explore the essence of entrepreneurship. Together, we dive into why culture is the cornerstone of any successful business. We discuss the challenges that most entrepreneurs face, including the importance of understanding your business identity, the true competition entrepreneurs face, and how focusing on people over profits can lead to transformational success. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your entrepreneurial journey. Highlights:"You're not in competition with anyone but the pain you’re solving for your customers." "Culture isn't just something; it is the only thing." "Success is not a destination; success is a trajectory, and there is always a next level." Timestamps:00:01 - Welcome & Introduction02:06 - Chris’ Deeper Reason Behind His Entrepreneurial Journey.04:27 - Changing Society Through Entrepreneurship06:41 - Common Mistakes in Scaling09:13 - The Pricing Dilemma14:41 - Business Identity & Competition20:58 - The Power of Culture In Business23:15 - Building Culture by Design25:22 - Chris' Platform & Rebrand26:27 - Final Thoughts Join my community - Founder Acceleration ⁠https://www.founderacceleration.com  ⁠ Apply for our next Mastermind: h⁠ttps://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⁠Golf with Chris: h⁠ttps://www.golfwithchris.com ⁠ Watch my latest PodcastApple- ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281S ⁠Spotify- ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2 ⁠YouTube - @thefounderspodcast

    27 min
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4.8
out of 5
95 Ratings

About

Welcome to Next Level Pros, where we explore the journeys of some of the most successful and inspiring entrepreneurs from around the world. I'm your host, Chris Lee. Throughout my career, I've founded multiple nine-figure companies and learned a thing or two about what it takes to succeed in the world of business. Now, I want to share those lessons with you by bringing on guests who have their own incredible stories to tell. I'm on a mission to find the most unique and entertaining individuals that have done it the right way.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Lee
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chris Lee
  • Show Website
    Next Level Pros

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