1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,200 So without further ado, Richard Blank, 2 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:04,200 I've made some assumptions. 3 00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:05,400 Tell me about your vision. 4 00:00:06,720 --> 00:00:08,880 My vision is to pay it forward. 5 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:12,600 How many dinners can you eat? 6 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:14,240 I'm fine. 7 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:18,540 And so one day, Jackson, the golden jewels lose its luster. 8 00:00:18,540 --> 00:00:23,540 My vision now at 52 years old, I have nothing to prove. 9 00:00:24,080 --> 00:00:25,440 I have my run. 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:28,340 It's still going on, but it's really about 11 00:00:28,340 --> 00:00:31,600 building up others and doing it the old school way 12 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:33,840 that I learned in Northeast Philly. 13 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:36,280 I call the balls and the strikes. 14 00:00:36,280 --> 00:00:37,960 I size you up. 15 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:39,440 I balance. 16 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:40,800 Give you those suggestions. 17 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:43,040 And if you're coachable and you're willing to be mentored, 18 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:45,560 then I will pay it forward that way. 19 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:47,640 And I'll do it with your linguistics, as you know. 20 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,840 Being bilingual bears the mark of higher education. 21 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:52,760 And not like what Hollywood does, 22 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:54,880 there's some incredible call center agents 23 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:58,200 that retain clients, can get up sales referrals. 24 00:00:58,200 --> 00:00:59,840 Save companies, build companies. 25 00:00:59,840 --> 00:01:02,000 It just doesn't have to be stocks and sweet steaks 26 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:03,680 and things like that. 27 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:07,040 And so when I first came here in August of 2000, 28 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:10,480 I saw the most incredible, vibrant speakers 29 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:12,080 in these call center environments. 30 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:14,200 And I gravitated towards it. 31 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:16,560 It still seemed renaissance to me. 32 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:19,400 People were proud of what they invested in 33 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:21,320 and were willing to show it. 34 00:01:21,320 --> 00:01:26,320 And I guess when you surround yourselves with people 35 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:29,680 that can shed anything else and just have a conversation, 36 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:32,260 that's the core of relationship building. 37 00:01:32,260 --> 00:01:35,920 So when people speak in other languages, 38 00:01:35,920 --> 00:01:38,440 regardless of the stage that you're at, 39 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:40,740 it really is a bond that we all have in this world. 40 00:01:40,740 --> 00:01:42,600 And if you have something advanced, you assist. 41 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:43,720 If you're behind, you get helped. 42 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:47,360 And so it's one of those things that I had a lot of 43 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:51,580 positive reinforcement Jackson along the way, 44 00:01:51,580 --> 00:01:52,640 which got me here. 45 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:56,360 Wow, there's a lot of wisdom unpacking that. 46 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,720 I'm gonna go back to the very first thing you said. 47 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:03,120 I hope you take it well, 48 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:04,480 because it's gonna keep coming. 49 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:06,040 I can feel that. 50 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:11,040 So one of the people listed in the sponsorship up here, 51 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:13,840 his name is James Bond. 52 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:16,180 Literally, that's his name. 53 00:02:16,180 --> 00:02:19,800 And James wrote the book Brain Glue, 54 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:23,840 which Jack Canfield claimed is, 55 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,480 he said if any entrepreneur would be an idiot 56 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:27,580 not to buy this book. 57 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:31,080 That's a big claim by Jack there. 58 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:34,360 But when I got to know James, 59 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:37,360 I said, tell me about your vision. 60 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:39,520 And his response was, 61 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:41,760 have you ever seen that movie Pay It Forward? 62 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:44,320 He said, I love that movie. 63 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:45,200 He said it right on my mic. 64 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:46,020 Oh my gosh. 65 00:02:46,020 --> 00:02:47,080 I was like, I love that movie. 66 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:49,960 I was about the kid's age when I saw it. 67 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:51,720 And so too funny. 68 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:57,640 That concept is what you gravitated towards. 69 00:02:57,640 --> 00:03:00,480 We just put that up here a couple days ago. 70 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:05,480 So alignment of timing is something I don't take for granted. 71 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:10,480 I almost want to talk about where the vision came from, but, 72 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:16,080 I want to know where you're going. 73 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:18,320 So let's talk about that. 74 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:19,560 Where are you going with the vision? 75 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:23,080 You got this call center, I'm assuming in Costa Rica. 76 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:26,920 I don't know how many people work for it currently, 77 00:03:26,920 --> 00:03:28,760 but what do you see yourself 78 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:31,360 and what do you see that community expanding to 79 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:32,200 on the horizon? 80 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:34,280 Two things, I see it more virtual, 81 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,400 which means I can expand faster. 82 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,120 I don't need to find more locations. 83 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:40,720 I'll still have my headquarters, which I own. 84 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:44,640 We're currently at 150 seats, celebrating our 17th year. 85 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:48,600 It's been a run in a competitive industry. 86 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:50,880 But where do I see things going? 87 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:55,880 Well, this younger generation, they prefer virtual work. 88 00:03:55,960 --> 00:04:00,960 So what I'm used to is I'm used to the virtual world. 89 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,800 What I'm used to, because I collect pinball machines 90 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:05,840 and arcade machines, I used to have a great game room 91 00:04:05,840 --> 00:04:08,280 and I used to walk the roads. 92 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:10,200 We don't have that much anymore. 93 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:12,840 You kind of lost that synergy. 94 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:15,120 It's more, as I say, it's virtual. 95 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:15,960 It works. 96 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:18,520 I was able to survive COVID and I'm very grateful. 97 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,720 There's a huge difference between a painting and a print. 98 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:24,920 When people were here, 99 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:26,840 they could really feed off of the energy. 100 00:04:26,840 --> 00:04:28,360 There's a lot of high fives. 101 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:33,360 I loved it and that got taken away from me. 102 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:37,040 And so I'm a relic of the old school 80s movies 103 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:38,040 where we didn't have phones. 104 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:40,600 We had to talk to each other and be cool. 105 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:45,240 And also today, this younger generation, which is fine, 106 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:48,520 they're used to chat, emails and texting, 107 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:51,800 which means that they need to increase 108 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:55,840 their soft interpersonal speaking skills. 109 00:04:55,840 --> 00:04:58,160 It's not like laziness, it's just lack of practice 110 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:01,080 compared to the opposite for us back in the day. 111 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:03,240 And so what I need to do is readjust. 112 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:04,960 I need to get rid of some bad habits 113 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:09,200 and start them on, as you say, locator, 114 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:10,520 portavolles, intermedio. 115 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:14,160 We need to have them love the art of speech 116 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:15,760 where you put your phone down, speak, 117 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:18,600 and talk to somebody and increase your rhetoric. 118 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:22,040 And so I find it's the art of speech. 119 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:24,000 It's something that is being reduced 120 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:26,040 because of more AI, which is gathering, 121 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:27,400 but they can't reduce. 122 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,160 They can't replace the empathy that two people can have. 123 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:31,800 They can bring us to the 10 yard line. 124 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,600 We're putting the ball in the end zone when it comes to that. 125 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:37,520 So I see my industry being more custom made, 126 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:42,120 niche market, just towards a certain company 127 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:45,880 where if you press zero, you get the concierge department. 128 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:47,080 It's almost like a kiosk. 129 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:48,160 I don't wanna wait in line. 130 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:51,280 I'd rather use the money machine and get my cash quick 131 00:05:51,280 --> 00:05:52,120 or self-serve. 132 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:54,480 I don't need to have the whole bells and whistles. 133 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:56,760 Sometimes time is of essence. 134 00:05:56,760 --> 00:05:57,840 So I accept that. 135 00:05:57,840 --> 00:05:59,960 It's, remember like the buggy whip industry 136 00:05:59,960 --> 00:06:02,320 or people that were afraid of the industrial revolution 137 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:03,200 or the steam engines. 138 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,920 Well, just like Anthony Quinn and Zorba the Greek, 139 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:07,280 I'm not saying my ship is sinking, 140 00:06:07,280 --> 00:06:09,880 but I am willing to put my arms out and start dancing. 141 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:10,720 You know? 142 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:14,240 Because we're not the beta and VCRs anymore. 143 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:16,400 I mean, you see things changing. 144 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,640 And today my thing was the essence of the human contact 145 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:23,160 of people having to be here and having preventative measures 146 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,120 so they don't burn out and really being able 147 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:28,200 to go onboard them and do side-by-side and shadowing. 148 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:29,880 It was a pure environment. 149 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:31,760 You got the best out of somebody. 150 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,960 And right now I'd be lucky to get 60% out of that, 151 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:36,840 the same sort of fidelity and passion. 152 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:40,640 It works, but it's just been adjusted. 153 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:42,120 And I don't think it's our favor. 154 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:44,280 People get lonely when they work at home. 155 00:06:44,280 --> 00:06:45,320 Correct. 156 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:47,160 We're gonna have some fun. 157 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:50,080 We're gonna start mastermind about virtual workspaces. 158 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,880 I'm gonna reveal a number of the truths that I've learned 159 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:54,560 over the last 14 years. 160 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:56,440 I've been working from home since 2010. 161 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:00,600 I think you're gonna write a few notes in relation to that 162 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:01,840 that you absolutely love. 163 00:07:01,840 --> 00:07:05,000 And I'm looking for your counter examples as well. 164 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:06,440 You'll help me, I'll help you. 165 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:08,480 On the audience will benefit. 166 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:12,680 So we have a very vibrant work culture 167 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:15,040 and we do happen to all be remote. 168 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:17,600 It was not like that in 2010. 169 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,200 It was a very difficult process to understand 170 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:21,560 how do you build a work culture 171 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:23,480 when you don't see each other on a daily basis 172 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:26,160 and you don't have those camaraderie events. 173 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:29,320 When you're in an office and you can hear somebody 174 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:31,200 in a cubicle that just got yelled at, 175 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,920 one cubicle over from you and cursed out, 176 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:38,360 you can easily go, whoa, Richard, you okay over there? 177 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:39,200 What happened? 178 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:40,160 High five. 179 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:42,280 And energy is restored instantly 180 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:43,920 because you have that protection. 181 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:45,600 You have that, or they make fun of you, 182 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:47,560 be like, I would have yelled at you louder. 183 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:50,320 But there's this rapport that exists. 184 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:52,840 When you're on your own and on an island, 185 00:07:52,840 --> 00:07:55,360 you don't have that type of recovery. 186 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:56,920 And that's just one example. 187 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:00,320 Example number two, life becomes a 188 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:02,800 what did you do for me today culture 189 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:05,600 because nobody wants to stick around on Zoom meetings. 190 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:06,680 No, no more meetings. 191 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:09,360 Let's just get off and be fast. 192 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:13,600 So here we were, business partners, a year into it, 193 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,320 going to the National Restaurant Association show. 194 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:21,120 I ran a restaurant software firm at that time. 195 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:24,320 And we got to that conference. 196 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:26,720 Man, we still loved each other. 197 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:28,560 We were still friends. 198 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:30,600 We could hang out and enjoy each other's company, 199 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:33,320 but the next year, same thing happened. 200 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:35,680 We hadn't really seen each other in a year. 201 00:08:35,680 --> 00:08:37,160 But every time we would get together, 202 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:39,120 the relationship would start to restore a little bit, 203 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:41,600 but it just felt like there's something wrong. 204 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:44,240 Well, when I moved to video power marketing, 205 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,080 we made some adjustments. 206 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:50,760 We decided that one, we would make sure to bring 207 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:53,720 the team members anytime we went to a speaking engagement 208 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:55,520 and we went to four per year. 209 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:57,280 So basically just a quarterly retreat, 210 00:08:57,280 --> 00:08:58,680 making sure everybody got together. 211 00:08:58,680 --> 00:09:00,160 And at the quarterly retreat, 212 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:04,480 day one was an opportunity to get settled in 213 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:09,480 and prepare the day two, full day two was we would do, 214 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:14,960 everybody could prepare 15 to 45 minute topics. 215 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:18,200 We have a little internal expo with the team. 216 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:20,240 Everybody got a leadership opportunity though. 217 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:22,560 But the rest of the day, we would go and explore Vegas 218 00:09:22,560 --> 00:09:23,920 or we would go explore something else. 219 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:26,880 We would just spend time together as a culture. 220 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,240 The next day, everybody would have their own time 221 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:31,120 to do the same while Jake and I 222 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:33,160 would go and rock the conference. 223 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:34,840 So Jake and I would go rock the conference. 224 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:37,320 He'd go to VIP meetings and stuff, 225 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:39,560 but the team would get reinvigorated 226 00:09:39,560 --> 00:09:42,840 every time we did these little get togethers. 227 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:47,680 Nowadays at First Class Business, every Friday, 228 00:09:47,680 --> 00:09:50,480 we do what's called level up calm down. 229 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:52,760 Level up calm down is our office break room. 230 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:58,240 So at 12.45 p.m., which is enough time 231 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:01,400 to take care of any fires or any problems on the day. 232 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:03,440 12.45 we come in and nobody's allowed 233 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:05,160 to talk about problems. 234 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:07,400 Nobody's allowed to talk about fires. 235 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,240 There's something going on and burning alive, we don't care. 236 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:11,800 It's not the time to talk about it. 237 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:14,960 We can wait an hour and 15 minutes. 238 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:17,920 Sometimes karaoke breaks out. 239 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:20,320 Sometimes we're talking about the cultures 240 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:24,120 of Peru versus Columbia versus Mexico. 241 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,360 Sometimes we're not as on track with productivity. 242 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:29,760 Sometimes we just talk about team celebrations. 243 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:31,880 What did so and so do today? 244 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,320 Always led by the newest person first. 245 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,160 We want the newest people to speak first. 246 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:39,640 I learned that from Jeff Bezos. 247 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:42,440 It gets them to open up their shell 248 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:46,160 and feel like they have space to contribute. 249 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:48,680 And then by the time we're done at 2 p.m., 250 00:10:48,680 --> 00:10:50,200 nobody's quite quitting. 251 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:53,720 Everybody's back off to the races reinvigorated. 252 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:56,720 Usually with a chuckle, usually happy as can be 253 00:10:56,720 --> 00:10:59,600 because we took some time to really get to know each other. 254 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:01,320 And then of course throughout the week, 255 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:03,120 I'm there making sure that all the people 256 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:05,840 who serve our clients, are you happy? 257 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:08,000 Do you like what you're doing? 258 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:09,000 Do you not like what you're doing? 259 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:10,880 How can we make it better? 260 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:11,720 What do you need to learn? 261 00:11:11,720 --> 00:11:14,600 What areas of doubt do you have or concern? 262 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,320 So those are some of our secret sauce recipes 263 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:20,840 for creating environments where our team members, 264 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:22,360 I mean we are family through and through. 265 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:25,640 None of us have ever met in person, ever. 266 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:27,160 We don't have the same luxury 267 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:29,520 that video power marketing did. 268 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:33,400 We will one day, but for now, it's all virtual 269 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:37,080 and I'd give my life for my people 100% and they know that. 270 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:40,080 I don't have to, thank goodness. 271 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,800 Oh, let's hope it never gets to that point, Richard. 272 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:45,200 But on your side, what are some of the things 273 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:50,200 that you're doing for creating a strong culture virtually 274 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:53,640 since it is a factor that we do need to, 275 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:57,600 we need to honor given that people want it? 276 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:03,280 Of course, we could be highly selective prior to hiring. 277 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:04,920 So we find the right fit, I believe, 278 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:06,800 in right bus, right seat. 279 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:08,400 It's not 100% virtual. 280 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:10,520 They actually have to come into the office one day 281 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:13,800 to sign paperwork and get interviewed and stuff. 282 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:17,200 So we might not have the luxury of that much time, 283 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:18,840 but at least there's some handshakes 284 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:20,360 when we get to meet somebody. 285 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:23,600 And then, you know, besides the bells and the whistles, 286 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:25,320 I ask them to turn the paper over 287 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:27,640 and give me a coming of age moment 288 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:29,640 so I can find out when they beat up a bully, 289 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:30,680 saved a kitten. 290 00:12:30,680 --> 00:12:31,760 I can give you a nickname 291 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:35,240 and pump you up a little bit on a rainy Wednesday. 292 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:37,640 And naturally, they're gonna be involved with supervisors 293 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:39,680 that will contact them via chat 294 00:12:39,680 --> 00:12:41,480 or if they wanna do the video calls. 295 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:44,920 And the luxury of my industry is the interaction 296 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:46,120 because when they're on the phone, 297 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:48,200 we get to do quality control. 298 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:50,160 So we're listening and grading their phone calls 299 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:51,240 and discussing that with them. 300 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:54,640 So A, there's an excuse to speak with them. 301 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:57,040 B, since it's their recording, it's the mirror. 302 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:58,600 They can listen to it. 303 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,320 We pause it, say nothing, and they'll tell us what they did. 304 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:03,920 They missed the marker, forgot to add something, 305 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:06,280 or just did an incredible job where we're just cheering. 306 00:13:06,280 --> 00:13:10,280 And it's a great reinforcement for them in our industry. 307 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:11,760 When we are on the Zoom calls, 308 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:14,160 we sometimes get to see the goodies in the background. 309 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:18,480 Like my 1961 Rocolo Regis. 310 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:20,200 People might talk about things like that. 311 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,280 So you see like a stuffed animal on the corner 312 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:23,440 and you start talking about it. 313 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:26,040 So it's nice to see what's happening in their homes, 314 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:29,920 which you wouldn't have seen if they were here. 315 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:33,000 And just not forgetting anniversaries 316 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:35,680 and reminding them all the years they've been with us. 317 00:13:35,680 --> 00:13:38,320 And when there's something cool, 318 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:41,680 we've been doing bowling parties for the Christmas party. 319 00:13:41,680 --> 00:13:43,840 And it's interesting because 80% of my staff 320 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:45,160 have never bowled before. 321 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:49,400 They don't hit the bumpers, 322 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:51,880 but you should see how they're bowling and their styles, 323 00:13:51,880 --> 00:13:53,320 but it's the laughing and fun. 324 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:56,680 So if I am able to get that sort of time 325 00:13:56,680 --> 00:13:59,200 when everyone's together as a whole company, 326 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:00,960 that Christmas party's the best. 327 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:01,800 And so- 328 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:02,620 Oh man. 329 00:14:02,620 --> 00:14:04,580 Yeah. 330 00:14:04,580 --> 00:14:06,380 That's so awesome. 331 00:14:06,380 --> 00:14:08,900 There's so much life that comes from doing 332 00:14:08,900 --> 00:14:09,740 what you're doing. 333 00:14:09,740 --> 00:14:12,580 And again, no offense to the dentists out there 334 00:14:12,580 --> 00:14:13,700 and the lawyers out there 335 00:14:13,700 --> 00:14:16,860 and all the people who have traditional responsibilities 336 00:14:16,860 --> 00:14:17,700 in North America. 337 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:19,100 I like the look you just made. 338 00:14:19,100 --> 00:14:22,380 I feel the value of that look. 339 00:14:22,380 --> 00:14:26,020 Cause it's just, there's a different level of rewarding 340 00:14:26,020 --> 00:14:27,820 to experience things like that. 341 00:14:27,820 --> 00:14:28,660 Right? 342 00:14:28,660 --> 00:14:30,380 Go, go. 343 00:14:30,380 --> 00:14:33,300 You went to the future, where's the vision? 344 00:14:33,300 --> 00:14:37,340 And we didn't go about how in God's name I even got here. 345 00:14:37,340 --> 00:14:40,420 I bet you that the majority of your audience 346 00:14:40,420 --> 00:14:43,140 was under an enormous amount of pressure back in the day 347 00:14:43,140 --> 00:14:45,380 to study certain things, 348 00:14:45,380 --> 00:14:49,020 go to certain schools and devote your life and career. 349 00:14:49,020 --> 00:14:52,820 And some people through comfort and connection, 350 00:14:52,820 --> 00:14:53,860 go through that path. 351 00:14:53,860 --> 00:14:57,220 And as you say, doctors, attorneys, that's fine. 352 00:14:58,140 --> 00:14:59,820 I went against the grain. 353 00:14:59,820 --> 00:15:02,620 And since nobody in my family spoke the second language, 354 00:15:02,620 --> 00:15:06,420 they were in law and finance and business school. 355 00:15:06,420 --> 00:15:08,180 I wanted to speak Spanish. 356 00:15:08,180 --> 00:15:09,860 It was the easiest class and the most fun. 357 00:15:09,860 --> 00:15:12,980 And I didn't want to sacrifice that box 358 00:15:12,980 --> 00:15:15,380 that I had to be in for the rest of my life, 359 00:15:15,380 --> 00:15:16,700 just for money. 360 00:15:16,700 --> 00:15:17,540 It's not right. 361 00:15:17,540 --> 00:15:19,700 And you'd be very unhappy. 362 00:15:19,700 --> 00:15:22,020 And so I needed to take that chance. 363 00:15:22,020 --> 00:15:24,980 And so I doubled down by studying that at the university 364 00:15:24,980 --> 00:15:26,740 and then tripled down by coming to Costa Rica 365 00:15:26,740 --> 00:15:28,700 and staying and falling in love with the girl 366 00:15:28,700 --> 00:15:30,340 my dreams marrying and started company. 367 00:15:30,340 --> 00:15:34,260 So you sometimes have to get past certain guilt 368 00:15:34,260 --> 00:15:37,180 and you may need to make selfish decisions. 369 00:15:37,180 --> 00:15:38,940 But as long as it's not hurting anybody 370 00:15:38,940 --> 00:15:42,500 and it's not gonna extinguish the spark that's inside of you, 371 00:15:42,500 --> 00:15:44,540 you need to live with yourself. 372 00:15:44,540 --> 00:15:46,940 And so you could be responsible, test waters 373 00:15:46,940 --> 00:15:47,780 and see how it goes. 374 00:15:47,780 --> 00:15:50,620 But my goodness, if you have a good run, 375 00:15:50,620 --> 00:15:51,900 then you should take it 376 00:15:51,900 --> 00:15:53,260 because it could be a one in a million 377 00:15:53,260 --> 00:15:55,540 and it might never ever happen again. 378 00:15:55,540 --> 00:15:57,460 And then you'll regret it for the rest of your life. 379 00:15:57,460 --> 00:16:01,380 And so I kind of held on and never let go Jackson. 380 00:16:01,380 --> 00:16:03,340 And this is kind of where we are today. 381 00:16:05,420 --> 00:16:07,460 Well, don't get me wrong. 382 00:16:07,460 --> 00:16:09,500 You could be selfish, right? 383 00:16:09,500 --> 00:16:10,500 That could be there. 384 00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:12,540 But I think there's a strong difference too 385 00:16:12,540 --> 00:16:16,580 between selfish and self-serving, right? 386 00:16:16,580 --> 00:16:19,220 And so again, only you know, 387 00:16:19,220 --> 00:16:21,220 and I'm talking to you visionary leaders out there too, 388 00:16:21,220 --> 00:16:23,100 if you're truly being selfish 389 00:16:23,100 --> 00:16:27,780 or you're doing something that actually hurts other people, 390 00:16:27,780 --> 00:16:28,620 right? 391 00:16:28,620 --> 00:16:31,460 Or if you're doing something that is self-serving 392 00:16:31,460 --> 00:16:35,020 that actually impacts and helps a lot of people, 393 00:16:35,020 --> 00:16:38,380 even though other people may blame you or be jealous 394 00:16:38,380 --> 00:16:41,380 or maybe frustrated that they didn't get what they want 395 00:16:41,380 --> 00:16:43,580 out of your life, right? 396 00:16:43,580 --> 00:16:44,420 It's your life. 397 00:16:44,420 --> 00:16:48,220 So I'm still very much, and I did the same thing. 398 00:16:48,220 --> 00:16:50,540 I didn't go the traditional route. 399 00:16:50,540 --> 00:16:52,780 I saw very much the opportunity to dive in 400 00:16:52,780 --> 00:16:55,380 and maximize life itself. 401 00:16:55,380 --> 00:16:59,620 And it came with its own pros and cons and pains, 402 00:16:59,620 --> 00:17:02,740 but I've looked around and life is just as hard 403 00:17:02,740 --> 00:17:05,780 for the person who's 400 pounds 404 00:17:05,780 --> 00:17:08,340 as it is for the person who's 2% body fat. 405 00:17:10,140 --> 00:17:13,660 You don't escape the hard aspect of life. 406 00:17:13,660 --> 00:17:14,740 Life is meant to be hard. 407 00:17:14,740 --> 00:17:16,580 There's lots of lessons to learn. 408 00:17:16,580 --> 00:17:19,140 And I get to enjoy things 409 00:17:19,140 --> 00:17:22,940 because I'm not bogged down by a 400 pound 410 00:17:22,940 --> 00:17:26,340 mentally disturbed individual who's stuck 411 00:17:26,340 --> 00:17:28,740 never having lived their true self. 412 00:17:28,740 --> 00:17:30,420 So I'm with you. 413 00:17:30,420 --> 00:17:32,580 Let's do it and I'll go after it, make it happen. 414 00:17:32,580 --> 00:17:35,180 If you have the opportunity, seize the day 415 00:17:35,180 --> 00:17:36,860 as Richard Blank just talked about. 416 00:17:36,860 --> 00:17:40,460 So we're gonna wrap up here in just one minute, 417 00:17:40,460 --> 00:17:43,740 but I think you got one more pressing matter to talk about. 418 00:17:43,740 --> 00:17:46,220 I can feel that I could see a little bit of a move forward 419 00:17:46,220 --> 00:17:47,740 and I'm like, Richard, go ahead and give us. 420 00:17:47,740 --> 00:17:48,860 So close us out today. 421 00:17:48,860 --> 00:17:51,020 What would you like to leave with the audience? 422 00:17:51,020 --> 00:17:53,660 I guess just not to be too hard on yourself 423 00:17:53,660 --> 00:17:54,940 regardless of the outcome. 424 00:17:54,940 --> 00:17:58,980 Look at your eyes in the mirror, have some self-respect, 425 00:17:58,980 --> 00:18:00,980 make your bed in the morning. 426 00:18:00,980 --> 00:18:04,660 And I like first downs compared to touchdowns. 427 00:18:04,660 --> 00:18:05,900 I can grind this thing out. 428 00:18:05,900 --> 00:18:08,940 It's okay, pan for the gold. 429 00:18:08,940 --> 00:18:13,300 And as long as you keep that momentum, it's all right. 430 00:18:13,300 --> 00:18:15,180 Just don't make it a forced to Mars. 431 00:18:15,180 --> 00:18:20,060 Just try to be proud of what you've accomplished that day. 432 00:18:20,060 --> 00:18:22,180 And if it even not even earning money, 433 00:18:22,180 --> 00:18:24,660 but you can pay it forward with a compliment, 434 00:18:24,660 --> 00:18:28,140 or I myself just being on your amazing podcast, 435 00:18:28,140 --> 00:18:31,860 Jackson, my main man, that made my day too. 436 00:18:31,860 --> 00:18:34,660 Remember tomorrow we shall die. 437 00:18:34,660 --> 00:18:37,940 So today is the day to dance and sing and be merry 438 00:18:37,940 --> 00:18:40,020 and compliment what you need to compliment 439 00:18:40,020 --> 00:18:41,860 and feel good and do a hundred pushups. 440 00:18:41,860 --> 00:18:43,660 And that's a great day. 441 00:18:43,660 --> 00:18:44,820 All that stuff adds up. 442 00:18:44,820 --> 00:18:47,300 Motivation comes and goes, the structure and discipline. 443 00:18:47,300 --> 00:18:50,220 That's where the ACEs and the division one come from. 444 00:18:50,220 --> 00:18:52,260 And if you can do any sort of dedicated practice 445 00:18:52,260 --> 00:18:55,620 above and beyond what is expected of you, 446 00:18:55,620 --> 00:18:59,820 then don't be surprised if you're faster, stronger, 447 00:18:59,820 --> 00:19:01,300 and you jump higher. 448 00:19:01,300 --> 00:19:02,900 And so you stay with it. 449 00:19:02,900 --> 00:19:04,500 It's like the Rocky movies. 450 00:19:04,500 --> 00:19:07,060 You only really see somebody when they step in the ring 451 00:19:07,060 --> 00:19:09,180 or they perform, but what about the 99 hours 452 00:19:09,180 --> 00:19:10,380 to get them there? 453 00:19:10,380 --> 00:19:12,740 That's you behind the curtain, behind the scenes, 454 00:19:12,740 --> 00:19:15,260 when no one's around, do those pushups. 455 00:19:15,260 --> 00:19:16,980 You don't need your best friend there. 456 00:19:16,980 --> 00:19:18,260 Be your own motivation. 457 00:19:18,260 --> 00:19:19,380 Thank you, Jackson, my boy. 458 00:19:19,380 --> 00:19:21,220 I hope I was able to add something today. 459 00:19:21,220 --> 00:19:22,260 I love it. 460 00:19:22,260 --> 00:19:23,300 I love it. 461 00:19:23,300 --> 00:19:25,700 And what I'm taking away from that, my friends, 462 00:19:25,700 --> 00:19:29,260 regarding those first downs is there's hope 463 00:19:29,260 --> 00:19:31,700 for my Cowboys someday, Stephen A. 464 00:19:31,700 --> 00:19:33,740 So you can leave my Cowboys alone. 465 00:19:33,740 --> 00:19:35,660 We're gonna figure it out eventually. 466 00:19:35,660 --> 00:19:38,300 Stick with our disciplines and we will get there. 467 00:19:38,300 --> 00:19:39,660 Thank you for being here today. 468 00:19:39,660 --> 00:19:42,140 I'm really happy that you tuned in to Vision Pros Live. 469 00:19:42,140 --> 00:19:44,780 I'm looking forward to seeing your reactions 470 00:19:44,780 --> 00:19:47,060 as these episodes continue to move forward. 471 00:19:47,060 --> 00:19:48,780 This is gonna get more and more fun. 472 00:19:48,780 --> 00:19:50,580 We'll have more and more engagement as well. 473 00:19:50,580 --> 00:19:52,700 We'll invite people to participate in the show. 474 00:19:52,700 --> 00:19:55,060 And thank you for giving us your time and attention. 475 00:19:55,060 --> 00:19:57,780 Have an excellent time building out your vision 476 00:19:57,780 --> 00:20:12,780 and becoming a Vision Pro yourself.