Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

About the Guest:

Meet Matt Norman, the president of Dale Carnegie, North Central US. Matt’s career started in technology, where he struggled with confidence, building relationships, and communication. Over time, and by following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (both Dale Carnegie trainers), Matt learned to trade the comfort of solving tangible problems for a deeper understanding of the ambiguity of interpersonal relationships. His new book, Lead with Influence: A Proven Process to Lead Without Authority, helps people everywhere learn the importance of relationship-building and communicating ideas.

What You Will Learn:

• Strategies for blasting through self-perceptions to dig into unique leadership powers.
• Behind-the-scenes insights into the crafting of Matt’s new business book.
• Lessons on “slowing down to speed up” when it comes to crafting effective partnerships.
• Stories of Matt’s leadership growth and how you can get there too.

Join us for this insightful episode where you’ll learn how to be a leader without authority and how to gain buy-in through building quality interpersonal relationships. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Matt’s wisdom collected on his journey as leader of the largest North American operation in the Dale Carnegie network.

Episodes Notes:

Lead with Influence: A Proven Process to Lead Without Authority: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1722506822?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_2ANXW81GXVGANVP7ZW9Y_1 

Lead with Influence Course: https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en/courses/6629

Matt Norman's Blog: https://www.mattnorman.com/

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About the Guest:

Meet Suzanne Sutter Chesnutt, a dynamic leader with a rich corporate leadership, philanthropy, and organizational development background. Suzanne's illustrious career culminated in her role as the CEO of Things Remembered, overseeing a massive 650-store organization. Her journey is characterized by a deep commitment to leadership development and significant contributions to charitable endeavors, particularly with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since 2014, Suzanne has served as a Dale Carnegie Board Member.

What You Will Learn:

• Effective leadership strategies from a former CEO of a multi-store organization.
• The role of social responsibility in business and its impact on organizational success.
• The transformative power of personal and organizational change.
• Charitable endeavors and leadership development insights from a Dale Carnegie Board Member.

Join us for this enlightening event where you'll gain insights into effective leadership from a seasoned CEO. Discover the importance of social responsibility in business and the transformative power of personal and organizational change. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Suzanne's wealth of experience and wisdom.

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About the Guests:

Christina Dorr Drake & Rusty Drake are the co-founders of Willa’s Organic Oat Milk since 2020. The couple juggled launching their product while simultaneously navigating Christina's breast cancer diagnosis and facing the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode features Rusty, a former filmmaker & Dale Carnegie master trainer turned entrepreneur, and Christina, an advertiser, a resilient cancer survivor, a well-being enthusiast, and an entrepreneur. Together, they share their journey of self-care, entrepreneurship, resilience, and growth, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.

What You Will Learn:

Communication Skills in Entrepreneurship: Rusty, drawing from his Dale Carnegie training background and experience, emphasizes the critical role of clear, frequent, and honest communication in entrepreneurship. Discover how effective communication impacts negotiation, sales relationships, and team leadership in the day-to-day operations of a global brand.

Relationship Building in Sales: Rusty delves into the heart of his approach to sales, highlighting the importance of relationships. As Head of Sales at Willas, Rusty uses his Dale Carnegie communication and sales skills to navigate various industries, mastering the unique "language" of different stakeholders. Learn how building connections and friendships is the key to success in diverse markets.

Resilience and Personal Agency: Hear Christina's inspiring story of confronting breast cancer head-on. She shares her perspective on taking ownership of her treatment plan, maintaining agency in the face of a challenging diagnosis, and turning adversity into strength. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder to flip the script and find empowerment in difficult times.

Self-Care Culture in Entrepreneurship: Both Rusty and Christina emphasize the importance of mental health, therapy, and coaching for themselves, their teams, and their business. They discuss their commitment to adding self-care sessions to busy work calendars. Discover how prioritizing mental and physical health contributes to a stronger foundation for both personal well-being and business success.

Asking for Help and Empowering Teams: Starting a business is challenging and demanding. Rusty and Christina share the importance of asking questions and seeking mentorship and help. Learn about the value of hiring experts to complement your skills and foster a sense of empowerment within your team. They highlight the power of collaboration, delegating tasks, and the strength that comes from learning and problem-solving together.

Summary of the Story:

Amidst the challenges of a global pandemic and a personal health crisis, Christina Dorr Drake and Rusty Drake not only launched a successful product but also built a resilient business. From effective communication to relationship building, resilience, and prioritizing self-care, their journey offers a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs and a testament to the strength that can arise from facing adversity with determination and grace.

Join us to learn how Christina & Rusty successfully navigate family entrepreneurship, from self-care to team synergy, and collective growth!

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About the Guest:

Niren Chaudhary is the CEO & Chairman of the Board of Panera Brands, one of the world's largest fast-casual restaurant companies. With prior roles as President of Krispy Kreme and 23 years at Yum! Brands, including the Global President of KFC, his leadership is unparalleled. Fluent in four languages, he supports DKMS, a leading non-profit with the world’s largest stem cell donor registry.

What will You Learn:

Chaudhary offers a leadership framework based on his experience with four core elements: courage, gratitude, generosity, and congruency.

1. Courage: Focus on what you can control, not on external circumstances.
2. Gratitude: Start each day with appreciation for what you have, rather than dwelling on losses.
3. Generosity: Embrace a generous heart, seeking opportunities to serve others.
4. Congruency: Align your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions to present a consistent version of yourself.

Become self-aware of our strengths: Caution against overplaying strengths, which can become weaknesses. 

As a lover of people, Chaudhary acknowledges the potential pitfalls of trust and decision-making. To counterbalance, he encourages leaders to surround themselves with truth-tellers who provide honest feedback. 

As a lifelong learner, Chaudhary advises against excessive ideation without implementation. A strong leadership team helps maintain focus and holds leaders accountable.

Chaudhary’s wisdom: "Don't solely develop competence; invest time in deepening your character, committing to your values and principles."

Interview Summary:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Niren Chaudhary, Chairman of Panera Brands, discovered the profound privilege that comes with leadership. Quickly mobilizing his team, they prioritized the health and safety of both team members and customers. Recognizing the significance of clear and simple messaging, as well as the need for a calm demeanor, the company embraced the pandemic as an "unprecedented opportunity to get stronger and better."

Chaudhary acknowledges that throughout his career managing hotels and holding key positions in renowned food brands, two defining moments in his personal life have shaped him profoundly: the loss of his eight-year-old and 18-year-old daughters. His older daughter Aisha's courageous response to a five-year life expectancy continues to inspire him. Aisha wrote a book, delivered TedTalks, and became the inspiration for movies like "The Sky is Pink" and "Black Sunshine."

Join us and listen to Niren's leadership insights on leading with courage, gratitude, generosity, and congruency. Be self-aware to not overplay our strengths and present one version of ourselves.

Show notes:

Panera Brands

"The Sky is Pink" 

"Black Sunshine Baby"

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About the Guest:

Alvaro Nuñez Alfaro, originally from Madrid, Spain, found himself drawn to the world of tennis at an early age. His dreams of becoming a professional tennis player laid the foundation for his resilient and adventurous spirit. Graduating as a valedictorian student,Alvaro used his proficiency in tennis as a lever to secure a scholarship in the U.S., kickstarting a journey that would transcend sports and lead him into the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship. He is the founder & CEO of the real-estate company Super Luxury Group in Miami, FL, bestselling author of “Level Up”, based in Miami, FL.

Beyond the business suit, Alvaro is a risk-taker with a penchant for adventure and extreme hobbies—someone who has jumped out of airplanes, flown helicopters, and conquered ultra-marathons and Ironman competitions. His story is not just about business; it's about embracing challenges head-on and turning setbacks into stepping stones for personal and professional growth.

He was recently named the “Best Health Influencer of the Year” by Influencers Insider.

What You Will Learn:

• The Power of Passion and Leverage: Discover how Alvaro navigated a career shift by leveraging his passion for tennis, turning it into a catalyst for personal and professional growth.
• Innovative Approaches to Business: Explore Alvaro's visionary strategies, including influencer marketing before its mainstream popularity, and understand how these approaches contributed to the success of his luxury real estate business.
• Aligning Values with Business Success: Understand the importance of aligning personal values with entrepreneurial endeavors, and how courage, resilience, and fearlessness played pivotal roles in Alvaro's life and career journey.

Interview Summary:

Alvaro Nuñez invites us into his world, from the tennis courts of Madrid to the creation of Super Luxury Group, a formidable player in the luxury real estate market. His narrative unfolds with moments of setback, resilience, and strategic innovation. 

Join us to gain valuable insights from Alvaro's journey that goes beyond business and get a glimpse into the life of an adventurous, passionate, and forward-thinking individual. Learn how you can leverage your passion, develop an innovative approach to business, and align your values to business success.

Take Command and Level up your life now!

Additional Assets:

Website: https://alvaronunez.com/

IG:  @alvaronunez

Book: Level Up: Turning Your Obstacles into Superpowers

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About the Guest:

Chris Winton, from his early days in Memphis, initially struggled with his academic performance while juggling two jobs to support his family. However, an internship through the InRoads program at FedEx altered the trajectory of his life. This opportunity ultimately led him to become a key figure in both FedEx and Tesla, gaining profound insights from iconic CEOs Fred Smith and Elon Musk.

What Will You Learn?

• Authenticity in Leadership: Winton emphasizes the importance of authenticity in interactions, particularly in job interviews and leadership roles, encouraging genuine conversations over scripted responses.
• Setting Personal Goals: Addressing the challenge of decision-making in a world of endless choices, Winton advises setting clear personal goals as the starting point for a successful career journey.
• Mentorship and Humility: Highlighting the significance of giving and receiving support, Winton shares a mentor's lesson about the metaphorical image of "He Ain’t Heavy," stressing the value of seeking knowledge and humility in leadership.
• Preparation and Passion: From his journey to the C-Suite, Winton advocates doing thorough homework and cultivating a deep passion for the work, emphasizing that success requires dedication and an unwavering commitment to learning.

Story Summary:

Chris Winton's journey from a teenager in Memphis to influential roles in major corporations like FedEx and Tesla showcases the transformative power of opportunities. His experiences underline the pivotal lessons learned from mentors and CEOs, shaping his beliefs about authenticity in leadership, setting goals, fostering mentorship, and the importance of preparation and passion in achieving success. Winton's insights reflect a blend of personal growth and professional development, emphasizing the essence of authenticity, goal-setting, mentorship, and dedication in carving one's path to success in both life and business.

Join us to learn Chris’ insights on authentic leadership, setting goals, mentoring with humanity, and preparing with passion.

Thought Leadership Segment:

In today's 'Thought Leadership Spotlight' segment, Daren Howard, Managing Partner for Dale Carnegie Training Mid-South, guest underscores the importance of aligning with your leader's direction and recognizing the significance of servant leadership within your organization. Much like Chris Winton, our guest underscores that forging personal connections is the key to rallying people to your cause, with no limits to where they will follow.

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Who is Deena Ghazarian?

Deena Ghazarian is a former retail executive at Macy's who has transitioned into a tech executive and is currently the CEO of Austere, an award-winning technology accessories company. She is also the co-founder of Chloe Nickie, a women's shoe business that provides higher-end brands at reasonable prices and donates a significant portion of its profits to support autism spectrum disorders

What will you learn?

1. The Value of Listening and Collaboration: Deena Ghazarian highlights the importance of actively listening to others before making significant decisions. Takeaway: Actively engaging in conversations and seeking input from others can lead to more informed and successful choices.

2. Building a Strong Professional Network:  Deena emphasizes that her network has consistently led to career opportunities and advises against burning bridges. Takeaway: Nurturing and maintaining professional relationships can open doors to various opportunities and should be treated as an asset.

3. Being a Servant Leader and Mentor: Deena promotes mentoring others regardless of their age or experience, fostering a culture of mentorship. Takeaway: Mentoring not only fulfills but also helps individuals become better leaders and peers, fostering personal and professional growth for both mentors and mentees.

4. Embracing Leadership and Entrepreneurship: Deena's journey from fashion to technology leadership illustrates the transformative power of leadership and entrepreneurship. Takeaway: A willingness to adapt and seize opportunities, even in different industries, can lead to personal and professional growth, as well as the creation of innovative ventures.

Story Summary:

Deena Ghazarian's career journey took her from the fashion world as a retail executive at Macy's to becoming a tech executive and the CEO of Austere, a technology accessories company. She co-founded Chloe Nickie, a women's shoe business that supports autism spectrum disorders through its profits. Deena emphasizes the significance of listening to others, building a strong network, and being a mentor, regardless of age or experience, to achieve personal and professional growth. She encourages individuals to embrace the power of leadership and entrepreneurship.

Join us and listen to Deena’s experience and insights about the importance of open communication, networking, mentorship, and adaptability in our career journey.

Dale Carnegie Thought Leadership Segment:

Melissa Marshall, President of Dale Carnegie North Dakota & Northwest Minnesota, embodies servant leadership and resilience, drawing inspiration from a profound Dale Carnegie quote: "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." Much like Deena, Melissa emphasizes that during difficult times, we can overcome adversity and positively influence both ourselves and those around us.  Adopt a positive mindset, accept adversity with confidence, and look for opportunities.

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1. Who is Vala Afshar?

Vala Afshar is a prominent figure in the world of technology and digital transformation. He currently serves as the Chief Digital Evangelist for Salesforce, a leading international CRM software company. Vala has a remarkable life story that began with the Iranian revolution in 1979. At the age of 10, he and his family needed to immigrate to the United States as refugees, separated from his father. Vala's journey to this influential position is marked by his resilience and dedication. Today, Vala Afshar is renowned for his thought leadership, digital presence, and storytelling abilities. He has nearly one million followers on Twitter (now X), over 600 published articles, and is the author of two books: The Pursuit of Social Business Excellence and his newest book Boundless: A New Mindset for Unlimited Business Success.  Afshar is also the co-host of DisrupTV, a weekly podcast show covering the latest digital business and innovation market trends.

2. What Can you learn?

Vala's journey to success is characterized by his resilience and social skills. Despite earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees in electrical engineering, he only ventured into social media, writing, and book authorship in his early 40s. Vala's path led him to Salesforce, where he is now known as a prolific thought leader and the company's chief storyteller. Here are three pieces of advice he shares:

• Develop Your Personal Brand: Vala emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and a positive digital footprint. He believes that your online presence, coupled with what you share, can reveal a lot about you. He encourages avoiding negative criticism on social media and being mindful, especially when representing a public company like Salesforce.
• Build Better Habits: Drawing a parallel to athletes, Vala stresses the need for executives to establish habits that promote resilience, confidence, and adaptability. He underscores that building a strong brand, fostering communities, and nurturing trust requires consistent effort and commitment.
• Leave People Better: As a leader, Vala suggests leaving a positive impact on others as a hallmark of effective leadership. He believes that helping others succeed and adopting a beginner's mindset are key traits of a successful leader. Additionally, he underscores the importance of continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning as a fundamental aspect of achieving boundless goals.

Join us to hear Vala Afshar’s valuable insights on developing our personal brand, building healthy habits, and improving people’s careers and lives.

Thought Leadership Spotlight

Dr. Mohammad Odat serves as the President and CEO of Dale Carnegie of Jordan. Beyond his professional role, Mohammad is a respected thought leader within his community. In this episode, he illustrates the art of "Speaking in terms of the other person’s point of view" through a practical example. He shares valuable insights on taking command of communication, and fostering stronger relationships, and emphasizes that these efforts yield tangible results in both our personal and professional spheres

Show Notes and Links:

Boundless: A New Mindset For Unlimited Business Success  by Vala Afshar

The Pursuit of Social Business Excellence by Vala Afshar

Vala’s Twitter

DisrupTV Podcast

Take Command Book by Joe Hart and Michael Crom

A Minute in Leadership by Dr. Mohammad Odat

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Who is Aarash Darroodi?

Aarash Darroodi is General Counsel, Executive Vice President, and Corporate Secretary of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, one of the world’s global leaders in manufacturing instruments and amplifiers. 

He grew up in Iran with his grandparents and was able to move to his parents in the USA at the age of 7. His background and experience with immigration to the US shaped who he is today. With a background spanning over 19 countries, he connects cultures across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and beyond. His endeavors resulted in Fender's largest acquisition of PreSonus Audio Electronics. Darroodi attributes his success to several factors, including taking a Dale Carnegie course while he was a teenager. 

What will You Learn?

Aarash offers key pieces of advice that are core to his success and ingrained in his philosophy of life:

• Become a Storyteller: Uncover the art of crafting impactful stories that resonate with people's emotions and drive engagement.
• Navigate Cross-Cultural Teams: Gain strategies for fostering understanding and collaboration across diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Execute Innovative Leadership Strategies: Explore unconventional yet effective approaches to leading teams and driving innovation.
• Grow Through Networking: Learn how building authentic connections can be a catalyst for personal and professional growth.
• Make Strategic Decisions: Explore methodologies for making informed decisions that lead to strategic outcomes.
• Apply Adaptive Learning Techniques: Discover techniques for adapting your learning style to various contexts and challenges.
• Be Resilient in Adversity: Explore ways to cultivate resilience and thrive in the face of adversity and uncertainty.

Leadership Style & Story Summary

Unleashing Hidden Potential: Darroodi believes in humans' hidden potential. Often, external encouragement is needed to tap into greatness beyond imagination. He believes people are more capable than they think, and we all need someone to push us to go out of our comfort zone. When building a team, he seeks those who have a story, not just a great resume, those who overcame difficulties & challenges and showed resilience.

The Power of Learning: Daarrodi advises us to embrace constant discovery and to engage with novel concepts and people. He treasures wisdom from mentors, focusing on punch lines & pivotal phrases engraved in memory.

Nurture Growth: Darroodi champions empowering leadership. He promotes intercultural understanding, values GenZers, and dismantles hierarchical structures. As a guide, he aids individuals in pursuing their distinct North Star goals. He advises working with team members and learning from them.  Leaders and employees should learn about cultures and make a conscious effort to engage with the GenZers. When he works with individuals, he immediately asks them to figure out what they want to achieve in their lives and empowers everyone to have the freedom to share their ideas.

Leadership Style: His role as a leader is to guide, advise, and help teams achieve and reach where their North Star is. Aarash helps his team to get closer to whatever that North Star goal is. ”I see it more as a guide. That's how I see leadership.”

Join us and listen to Aarash's leadership insights about unleashing hidden potential, lifelong learning, and nurturing personal and professional growth.

Thought Leadership Segment

In today's Thought Leadership Spotlight segment, we welcome the President of Dale Carnegie of Arizona, Ken Beyersdorf, and highlight the core value of aligning actions with goals by applying one of the Dale Carnegie principles: "If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically”. Like Aarash, our guest emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and evaluating actions to achieve that vision. 

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*Note: This episode was recorded in March 2023 

About our guest:

Meet Britta Wilson, who most recently served as the Vice President of Inclusion & Outreach at Pixar Animation, where she led initiatives to discover, nurture and empower diverse voices. Her primary focus is on cultivating resonant content, fostering a culture of belonging, and promoting compassionate community service.

Prior to Pixar, she served as the Chief Diversity Officer/VP for Inclusion Strategies at Expedia, where corporate partners were often engaged in the filmmaking business, and as the SVP of Organization & People at Paramount Pictures.

Her journey was far from conventional, comprising a series of adventures that shaped her career and life philosophy. This perspective became her guiding principle: a closed door leads to new opportunities.

Britta's life journey also involved prioritizing her family and pursuing a Ph.D. in Education, specializing in organizational leadership. She consistently sought opportunities to make an impact and learn, even if it meant taking on roles with less prestigious titles. Setbacks were seen as learning moments, never reasons to wallow.

What you will learn:

• How to turn setbacks into opportunities for personal and professional growth
• How to embrace a unique and non-linear career path
• How to adopt a jungle gym approach to mindset and skill development
• The art of active listening and learning from team members at all levels
• How to cultivate a culture of belonging and empathy within an organization
• Strategic methods for driving change within diverse organizations.
• The power of storytelling as a platform for creating a lasting impact on people's lives

Leadership Style & Story Summary:

As a leader, Britta values the input and insights of her team members, firmly believing that everyone has the capacity to lead, regardless of their job title. To drive cultural change within organizations, she employs a strategic approach, engaging her team to collaboratively define the culture and envision a future where inclusivity thrives. The "Inclusion Summit" she organized serves as a powerful catalyst for fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion among all employees.

Her approach aligns seamlessly with Pixar's "Culture Trust Process," which involves actively involving everyone in the filmmaking process, irrespective of their role. Britta recognizes storytelling as a potent tool to impact lives and feels privileged to contribute to stories that will endure long after her involvement.

Join us in this captivating podcast episode as we delve into Britta Wilson's inspiring journey and her dedication to creating a positive impact through storytelling and inclusive leadership.

Dale Carnegie Thought Leadership Segment

Also, listen to Brittany Schmid, President/CEO at Dale Carnegie of San Diego, Los Angeles, Bay Area & Sacramento, as she shares insights on the profound influence of Empathy on both people and businesses.

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We appreciate your time, and we're excited that you are part of our journey!

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Who are Redfoo and Piers Ridyard?

Redfoo, born Stefan Kendal Gordy, is a multi-platinum-selling singer and two times Grammy nominee, songwriter, producer, and Web3 coder. Despite facing hurdles and criticism, Redfoo pursued his passion for music and achieved success. He is best known for his hit single "Party Rock Anthem" in 2011 and his performance for Super Bowl Half-Time Show in 2012. However, he has recently shifted his focus towards coding, considering it the ultimate creativity that combines math, science, engineering, and language.

Piers Ridyard is CEO of Radix, a Web3 and DeFi company. He collaborates with Redfoo to create accessible and user-friendly digital platforms. They both share a common goal of making Web3 and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) easily approachable for everyone. They collaborated to develop #Scrypto, a programming language that simplifies the process of building on Web3 and DeFi, enabling individuals to create projects in a short time frame.

What will you learn?

• The potential for personal growth and reinvention when transitioning to new career paths or passions.
• Effective leadership skills and strategies for driving transformative advancements in a chosen field.
• The idea process of development of user-friendly programming languages that facilitate easy participation in digital innovation.
• The importance of fostering relationships, nurturing communities, and promoting collaboration in driving innovation within decentralized technologies.

Story Summary:

Growing up, Redfoo harbored aspirations of becoming a professional basketball player, only to have his dreams dashed when his mother asserted that his height would prevent him from making it. Undeterred, he turned his attention to music, immersing himself in rap and showcasing his talent with a Casio keyboard. Despite facing further skepticism from his father, the influential music industry figure Barry Gordy, who doubted his vocal abilities, Redfoo defied the odds and achieved remarkable success as a multi-platinum rapper. These experiences taught him the importance of pursuing personal dreams and not allowing external opinions to sway his path.

Driven by a newfound passion, Redfoo has recently shifted gears towards coding, which he regards as the epitome of creativity. His journey led him to connect with Piers Ridyard, the CEO of Radix, who was impressed by Redfoo's knowledge and inquisitiveness about programming. Together, they organized Foo Hack, an event that brought together their shared love for chess and the objective of creating a non-hackable, web-based application. Their collaborative efforts aim to build digital platforms that are user-friendly and accessible, with the introduction of Scrypto, a programming language designed to simplify the adoption of Web3 and Decentralized Finance for individuals of all backgrounds.

Central to the endeavors of Redfoo and Ridyard is the recognition of the influence of building relationships and community. Redfoo emphasizes the significance of people skills, the ability to trust and judge character, and the desire to learn from others. His initial connection with Radix and Piers was fostered through shared humor, vegan food, and a shared affinity for dogs. Ridyard, as a CEO, emphasizes the importance of aligning people with a common vision and understanding their motivations. Both individuals firmly believe that networking is not solely about personal gain but about cultivating a network that nurtures collective innovation and inspiration. By bringing people together, they have witnessed the remarkable outcomes that arise from the mutual exchange of energy and ideas.

Join us and listen to Redfoo and Piers’ insights about building confidence, overcoming doubt, pursuing our passion, and recognizing the benefits of networking for our community, not just for ourselves.

Thought Leadership Segment:

In our Thought Leadership Segment Christine Ramirez, Managing Partner of Dale Carnegie South Florida, shares her valuable insights on building confidence in both our personal and professional lives. Listen to Christine’s insights on gaining confidence and get a valuable resource on how to face doubts, pause when needed, and continue to seek the inner strength to overcome challenges, pursue ideas, and our dreams, and thrive in various aspects of life.

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Who is Merrie Williamson

Meet Merrie Williamson, an accomplished leader with a diverse background. With 20 years of experience leading engineering teams at Intel and currently serving as the Corporate Vice President of Azure Infra at Microsoft, Merrie's career trajectory has been remarkable. In this episode, Merrie shares her personal journey of discovery and the pivotal moment that led her to embrace empathy and transition into her current leadership role as CVP of Azure Infrastructure and Digital & App Innovation at Microsoft.

Gain insights into the following key areas:

•            Merrie's Leadership Style: Discover how Merrie's unique leadership style, rooted in empathy, has helped her navigate the challenges of leading diverse teams in the tech industry.

•            Career Transition Moment: Learn about Merrie's transformative shift from engineering to sales leadership and the valuable lessons she gained from engaging directly with customers and understanding the intersection of technology, sales, marketing, and business transformation.

•            Diversity in the Tech Industry: Explore the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, as Merrie shares her experiences and insights on creating an inclusive work environment.

•            The Power of Mentoring, Coaching, and Executive Presence: Delve into the significance of mentoring, coaching, and developing executive presence, as Merrie highlights their impact on personal growth and leadership development.

Merrie’s journey from engineering to sales at Azure and Microsoft was a significant and eye-opening shift. She transitioned from working with complex technologies in the cloud supply chain to engaging directly with customers, understanding their technology needs, and guiding them through business transformation.

This transition became Merrie’s "empathy moment," where she gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of sales and developed empathy for engineering, sales, and marketing. As a leader, Merrie leverages a diverse "knowledge base" within her company, drawing expertise from various departments. She adopts a coaching approach to empower her managers and teams to make informed decisions.

Merrie emphasizes the importance of looking inward and approaching team members authentically. She values the support of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), such as women in tech and Black tech networks, as a sounding board for ideas, coaching, and peer mentoring. Through these communities, Merrie found her voice and was able to engage with senior managers and trusted individuals.

As a leader, Merrie recognizes the significance of role modeling and continuous learning. She prioritizes understanding when team members need breaks to rejuvenate and perform their best in challenging tasks.

Also, listen to our thought leadership spotlight featuring Travis Daniels, CEO of Dale Carnegie Washington, who reflects on the vital role of empathy in today's business environment. Learn how applying Dale Carnegie's principles and approaching situations with an open mind can elevate your leadership effectiveness.

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Who is Ron Carter?

Ron Carter is a veteran of the technology industry, an inventor, and a visionary whose work has helped great technology products enter the market. In 2003, he filed a patent for the first video doorbell—now known as Ring. He is revolutionizing the industry with his latest first-generation technology that addresses security in the e-commerce sector, using mobile applications for improved security, access, and logistics. Due to his tremendous technological contributions, he became a member of the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only organization of high-level technology leaders with deep knowledge and diverse experience in the industry.   Read on to meet the founder and CEO of 1AHEAD, Ron Carter! 

What will you learn from his story?

• How to build on your entrepreneurial and inventive mindsets
• How to build on the determination to transform an idea into reality 
• How to re-start your business from zero
• Why leading with a human-centric style is important?
• Build on each other’s ideas to motivate others and forms a highly effective team

Why do you need to learn about his leadership style?

Ron Carter's approach to leadership emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and empowerment, all of which can be useful in fostering a positive work environment and motivating team members to achieve their best work.

The Story:

Meet Ron Carter, a veteran of the technology industry and the inventor of the first video doorbell—now known as Ring. He is revolutionizing the industry with his latest first-generation technology that addresses security in the e-commerce sector using mobile applications for improved security, access, and logistics. Despite facing multiple setbacks, including losing everything and battling cancer, he never gave up and continued to pursue his dream. He founded 1Ahead Technologies, which is in the process of developing and manufacturing GLO, an AI-powered video doorbell that uses a patented digital key to create a one-time code that can be sent to package delivery drivers who can place packages in a secure lockbox or inside the home.

Carter's leadership style emphasizes recognizing the ability of others before oneself and building a team approach. He believes that a leader should only be a director to keep things on track and rely on the people around them because most leaders don't know it all. Carter advises trusting your instincts, being true to yourself, and focusing on how successful you can become instead of how wealthy you can become.

Our Thought Leadership Spotlight appearance this week is Neville de Lucia, President of Dale Carnegie Central & Eastern North Carolina.  He highlights how leaders can grow individuals and teams to become successful.

Join us and get inspired to take command of your ideas, leverage individual strengths, and build highly effective teams.

Related Information:

Home | Gloai (glo-ai.com)

About | Mysite (1aheadtechnologies.com)

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Silvina Moschini is an Argentinian entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is the founder, president & chairwoman of Unicoin, a next-generation cryptocurrency designed to be stable and profitable because it’s backed by a portfolio of equity stakes in the companies part of Unicorn Hunters,  is a new groundbreaking investment platform that will spotlight emerging growth companies looking to hit the coveted $1B “unicorn” valuation mark while rallying individual investors worldwide to help fund these breakout ventures. 

She is highly respected in the fields of technology and the digital transformation of the workplace. In 2020, she became the first Latin American woman to lead a company to unicorn status, with an evaluation of more than $1.6 billion through a Global Private Offering. 

In addition, she’s co-founder, president, and chairwoman of the board of TransparentBusiness for workplace transformation. She founded SheWorks!, a digital platform that provides women access to remote opportunities. She is a judge on Unicorn Hunters TV show that helps entrepreneurs find investors, attracting more than 300 million viewers in Latin America, Europe, and Africa. Silvina received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Women in Tech and was selected “Woman of the Decade” by the Women Economic Forum. She is now based in Miami.

When she was a child, Silvina’s dad told her that if she wanted to be a princess, she should be the one who made her own castle. From then on, that shaped her idea of becoming a “princess entrepreneur.” After holding a vice president job with a large company, Silvina left the corporate world. She was initially hired for her innovative mindset and energy but was almost fired for the same reasons. She decided that if she wanted to work in a company that she would love, she would need to create it.

In short fashion, she learned a great deal about entrepreneurship. “It was hard because I came from a corporate background with a lot of people doing a lot of things for me, and when you're an entrepreneur … you need to do everything.”

Silvina quickly realized that it was more difficult to raise capital and hire people as a woman. So, she tapped into her financial savvy to raise money through crowdfunding. Afterward, she created her own company to hire and train remote workers with a particular focus on women. She has learned many lessons in her career, but most importantly, you must be prepared when opportunities arise. She believes you live by design. We need to plan the things we want to happen.

Silvina’s restless entrepreneurial energy keeps her continuously innovating. She aims to transform the way people invest and transact. Her belief is that alternative forms of currency are needed to address the current instability of traditional currency markets. She’s already sold more than $315 million worth of Unicoin in less than a year. 

Her leadership style is grounded in several fundamental concepts: inspire others, bring out the best in everybody, and work together toward a goal. She admits that she picked up some of these principles from reading How to Win Friends and Influence People early in her career, helping her learn the importance of building relationships and communication. The use of communications and relationship building is a key anchor for creating businesses that always bring things together.

Our Thought Leadership Spotlight appearance this week is Adriana Cruz, General Manager of Dale Carnegie Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She describes how Dale Carnegie’s principle “Arose in the other person an eager want” helped her build her own castle and business.

Join us and get inspired to take command of your thoughts, chase your dreams, and build your own castle.

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Suneel Gupta is an accomplished entrepreneur and best-selling author whose mother immigrated to the United States from Pakistan. She secured a position as the first female engineer at Ford, and her inspiring story influenced Suneel's career trajectory. Suneel has helped thousands of individuals develop better habits and achieve success through his best-selling book, "Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind What Makes People Take a Chance on You." He is also the founding CEO of RISE, a company that partnered with then-First Lady Michelle Obama to provide affordable healthcare services to underserved communities. His start-up, which was named "App of the Year," was successfully sold to the NASDAQ-listed company One Medical. Additionally, Suneel serves as a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Medical School and as an Emissary for Gross National Happiness between the United States and the Kingdom of Bhutan. Suneel co-hosts a documentary podcast series with AmEx. Suneel's older brother is America's top medical correspondent for CNN, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Suneel grew up in the Detroit area. His mother's story of overcoming poverty in Pakistan and pursuing her dream of working for Ford in the USA inspired Suneel to embrace his mother’s rules of the "Game of Now," a philosophy that emphasizes taking action without waiting for the courage to arise. She also taught him that short-term embarrassment can lead to long-term success and that making mistakes is an essential aspect of growth. 

Suneel notes that many successful companies, such as Airbnb, faced significant challenges before achieving success. He personally experienced the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, starting two unsuccessful companies before founding RISE. He believes that the key to success is learning from failures and continuing to move forward.It's great to see that Suneel approaches both winning and losing as opportunities for growth. Rather than creating a typical New Year resolution list, he focuses on what he can learn and how he can continue to grow. Suneel's desire to create a TV show about leadership and how it differs in different parts of the world, similar to Anthony Bourdain’s food show, is a great example of his curiosity and willingness to take on new challenges.

It's also interesting to see the impact that Dale Carnegie has had on Suneel and his family. His mother's positive experience with the Dale Carnegie course and the relationship and communication skills she acquired through it encouraged Suneel to take the course himself, leading to increased confidence and speaking skills that he applies in his career.

Join us and listen to Suneel’s leadership and life insights and take command of your thoughts,  energy, and enthusiasm to become more successful.

In our Thought Leadership Spotlight, Phil Zeller's story about the power of positive thinking and doing our best is a great reminder that our mindset influences our success and opportunities for growth. By filling our minds with positive beliefs, we overcome our limitations.

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Ally Love is a multifaceted woman, pioneering the slash generation by wearing a multitude of hats. She is the CEO of Love Squad, a community organization empowering women; a Peloton instructor, Brooklyn Nets arena host; an inspiring speaker; and an Adidas global ambassador. Ally was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and moved to New York City (NYC) to pursue her dream of becoming a dancer. As a speaker and instructor, she has inspired audiences from major global corporations, including Google, JP Morgan, Amazon, Salesforce, and more. Ally has been featured in Vogue and the New York Times, has appeared on Good Morning America, and was a co-host at U.S. Open live show in 2022.

Curiosity and hunger are what drove Ally Love—curiosity of what’s next and the hunger of “I want to get to the point where I deserve to be.” She fought for her life from a young age. Her ambition to achieve more, combined with the desire to become a dancer, led her to move to NYC. She received a scholarship from Alvin Ailey, the international dance troupe, and graduated from Fordham University at Lincoln Center, NY. She later became a dancer for the New York Knicks, the professional basketball team based in Manhattan. She also performed with top-named artists such as Beyonce and Pitbull. But she still wanted more.

In her early days in NYC, Ally remembers that she struggled to make friends and adapt to the fast rhythm of the city. However, she did not step back, and she fought through those emotions. She got a modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models, start making money and friends, and learned to love NYC. 

Her boyfriend (now husband), Andrew Haynes, encouraged her to tap into her love of reading. Ally admits that Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People and How to Stop Worrying & Start Living are two key books in her life. These books have helped her understand herself and find her purpose in her early days in NYC, as well as recently when she needed to battle a stressful and busy year flying between NYC, where her full-time job is, and London, where she was recording a show for Netflix.

One of the core principles she has grown to believe is that we must be comfortable being uncomfortable. Her mom offered additional advice. “If you're uncomfortable, take a beat. Listen—you're learning something. It doesn't mean run. It doesn't mean change. It doesn't mean leave! So, anyone who's dealing with that fear of what’s next, or fear of making a transition . . . take a beat. Stay where you are. Be steadfast.”

Ally’s high energy, positive attitude, and desire to explore new things earned her a well-rounded knowledge of sports, fashion, public speaking, wellness, and activism. While she admits she’s never taken a course in business or leadership, she has learned to manage her team and business through experience, lots of hard work, and by loving her many jobs. 

Her style of leadership is grounded in understanding how to lead from the inside and grow and achieve goals together. Ally believes leaders should be able to bring out the best in people, figure out who's the best in a specific area, and let them do what they do well.

This episode's Thought Leadership Spotlight segment features Liz Haberberger, President of Dale Carnegie Missouri. Liz’s enthusiasm and passion aren’t easily matched. Her number one rule in life is to have fun. If it’s not fun, she’s not doing it. She is at her best in front of a group or working to solve a complex business challenge.

Join us to learn how to take command of our lives, learn what we are good at,  manage negative thoughts, overcome fear, and— grow and succeed— to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Learn more about the new Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Book on takecommand.com

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Happy New Year! 

Our first episode of 2023 is dedicated to Dale Carnegie & Associates' newest book, Take Command. The book, like our podcast, focuses on what professionals in the modern world can do to take command and succeed in their personal and professional lives. Our guests today are the book co-authors: Joe Hart, President & CEO of Dale Carnegie & Associates and Take Command Podcast host; and Michael Crom, author, Board member of Dale Carnegie & Associates, and Dale Carnegie's grandson. In this interview, Joe & Michael illustrate how building self-confidence, enhancing our network of support, and becoming more intentional can help us succeed in 2023. 

The episode is dedicated to a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Take Command book. It is a compilation of real-life stories. The use of Dale’s principles and other leadership philosophies will serve as a manual to take command of our lives.

Our guests have been influenced by Dale Carnegie’s principles. Joe started his career as a practicing attorney. After taking the Dale Carnegie Course, he reassessed his career path and founded an innovative e-learning company. He became the CEO of Dale Carnegie, the global professional development training organization, in 2015. He speaks around the world on leadership, culture, change management, resilience, creativity, and innovation. He is a contributor to Rolling Stone magazine, Newsweek, HR.com, and Forbes magazine. In 2019, the CEO Forum Group awarded him the Transformative CEO Leadership Award. He has hosted the Take Command Podcast since 2020. Michael is currently a board member of Dale Carnegie & Associates. Prior to that, he served in different leadership positions in the organization, most recently as Chief Learning Officer and Executive Vice President for Dale Carnegie & Associates.

In the episode, Michael & Joe share how they leverage the Dale Carnegie principles and apply them in different situations. Learn how to control our thoughts, build relationships, and envision our future. The book’s goal is to familiarize younger generations with core communication and leadership principles from Dale Carnegie and others.

Joe says that a fundamental purpose of this book is to offer readers some insights and learnings that he and Michael wish they had known when they were younger. The people interviewed and included in this book not only faced similar challenges as the authors did, but they thrived during that time period. This should become a guidebook for readers to follow, understand, and grab onto.

Michael & Joe conceived the book as a set of concentric circles, with each of the three sections—complementing and depending on each other.

In Part I, “Taking Command of Your Thoughts and Emotions,”  the authors focus on self-awareness, stresses, fears, and insecurities, and ways to understand and manage negative thoughts. 

Part II, “Taking Command of Your Relationships,” reviews building trustful relationships as a critical part of life success. Joe explains that today, building meaningful relationships has become more difficult because of our polarizing world. Part II principles and tips to deal with people come from How to Win Friends and Influence People.

The last section, Part III, “Taking Command of Your Future,” draws on the famous Dale Carnegie Course that asks participants to write their short- and long-term vision. When they follow through, they will ultimately get the most out of their lives. Part III asks: What are the things that are important to you? What are your values? How do you want to be remembered? What's the impact you want to have?

Both Joe and Michael want readers to act. Their goal is for this book to be a manual, a roadmap, and something that can activate people to really take control. It's not only there to help you think about your life, to study, or learn by research. The book says, “Hey, take command and make it happen.”

Also, Take Command is a guide to creating a “strength inventory.” The book influences readers and helps them build an intentional life. Intentionality is about giving people time and space to understand what’s important to them and how they can condition themselves for success so that every day, they become better and stronger. Having a North star helps us follow the steps to get us there.

Michael explains, “You know, we're made up of many great strengths and a few perceived weaknesses. So, let's begin to focus on those strengths, the positives that are going on in our life.”

Joe and Michael believe that young people can and will make a huge difference on this planet by bringing about unity rather than division. “Let's make a difference. Let's bring this to be a better place for all of us to live in.”

Join us and learn how building self-confidence, enhancing our network of support, and becoming more intentional can help us Take Command in 2023.

Order a copy of Take Command  in hardcover, eBook, or audiobook at your favorite bookseller or at takecommandbook.io.  Available online and in stores today, January 10th.

Visit takecommand.com for additional information on the book and more free resources.

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This end-of-year, special episode of Take Command features an interview with Dale Carnegie’s daughter, Donna Dale Carnegie, who is the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Dale Carnegie and Associates. Together with Simon and Schuster author Andrew Postman, they added, edited, and updated the bestseller, How to Win Friends and Influence People, with more contemporary stories and language.

Andrew Postman, a professional author and a fan of  Dale’s teachings, worked alongside Donna Dale Carnegie, going page by page through the first edition of the book, reading, discussing, debating, and revising. Donna delved into the archives and found interviews and biographies that Dale Carnegie had written, but never published. She would run those stories by Andrew, and they sometimes argued about what to keep and what not to keep. It reached the point that Donna needed to bargain and say, “All right, you can have that one, if I can have this one.” 

Donna’s goal in refreshing the book was to update it as close to her father's voice and writing style as possible. Andrew and Donna carefully reviewed each story to understand how certain references would work for a modern audience and to discern which stories stood the test of time. 

One of the obvious areas of concern involved the lack of representation of women in positions of power or decision-making, women “who weren’t mothers, wives, secretaries or domestics as they were referred to in 1936.” The reality is that in the 1930s, there were “free women”—as they were called—in prominent leadership positions in business. There were also other older phrases that Postman and Carnegie had to decide whether to include. 

Postman acknowledged early in the process that Dale Carnegie was a master storyteller. We hear the word storytelling so much now in marketing, and PR, but he doesn't think anyone has yet done it better than Dale Carnegie.

Join us to learn about the power of storytelling, communication, and seeing things from the other person's point of view.

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Dr. Vince Patton served as the Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer (a combination of a rank and a position) of the Coast Guard for more than 30 years until his retirement in 2002.

As the service’s top senior-ranking enlisted leader and ombudsman during that period, Master Chief Patton was the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, his directorates, and the secretaries of Transportation and Defense. Dr. Patton’s primary focuses were on quality of life, career development, work environment, and personnel matters, which affected over 45,000 active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel service-wide. 

Dr. Patton received his Doctor of Education from the American University, Washington; a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University, Chicago; a Master of Theology from Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley; and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Pacific College, Angwin.

Dr. Patton set his eyes on becoming the Coast Guard’s Master Chief Petty Officer after two weeks in boot camp in Cape May, New Jersey. He drew strength and inspiration from Pelé’s words, the legendary soccer player, who said, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, but most of all, love of what you're doing or learning to do.” 

In 1976, during his journey climbing the ranks, Dr. Patton took a Dale Carnegie class that helped him improve his confidence, communicate better, and discover his core values and vision. He is delighted that Dale Carnegie became a stepping stone to leadership and is still ongoing today. And he now understands what a good foundation this program is in helping individuals in their leadership journey & developing their personal philosophies.

Dr. Patton had a communication problem and overcame his stuttering by singing the Star-Spangled Banner every day. That gave him renewed confidence to sing out loud, to read articles and books out loud, and helped him become an influential leader in the U.S. Coast Guard.

When Dr. Patton finally reached his goal of becoming a Chief Petty Officer, he realized his job was a privilege and served multiple purposes. The best way to describe it is that he was a cheerleader, a consultant, an advisor, and a chaplain, and heard all kinds of things from people in terms of what's needed in the service.

The experience also helped Dr. Patton develop his core values centered on people, passion, and performance. Our capabilities and ability to handle responsibilities start with our core values. We are where we are today because we stood on somebody's shoulders. And wherever we are heading, we need to give back.

Join us to learn how to be better, do better, and excel in order to mentor other people to be the best they can be.

Listen to leadership and communication insights from Doug Escher, President of  Dale Carnegie Rochester, NY, Boston, MA, and Buffalo, NY.

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Susie Ma is the Founder and CEO of Tropic Skincare. She is a philanthropist with a focus on creating a healthier, greener, and more empowered world. Tropic Skincare has been recognized at numerous stages, including “Fastest Growing Skincare Brand in the UK” by the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 League Table. Most recently, it has been ranked the 14th best female-powered company in the UK by JP Morgan.

 The company’s commitment to sustainability and disrupting the industry has also been recognized internationally with Marie Claire’s Sustainability Awards. In 2018, Susie was listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Under her leadership, Tropic Skincare has funded a year’s worth of education for 4,000 children in rural Asia and a new forest with Forestry England in Hampshire in 2022.

At 15, Susie Ma and her mom moved from Australia to London. They struggled to make ends meet, so Susie decided to help her mom with the bills. That’s when she remembered spending time with her grandmother, who was a medicinal chemist, in tropical Nord Queensland, Australia. She taught Susie that our skin needs feeding with nourishing, healthy ingredients just as much as our bodies. Susie found her grandma’s recipe and began making body scrubs with natural ingredients. 

This was her lightbulb moment for Susie. She would join her mom at London’s Greenwich Market to sell her body scrub. That Saturday at the market initiated a life-changing moment. She borrowed and invested £200  in the products and after an exhausting day of selling, Susie remembers counting her money— nearly £1000 —and realizing that “this was the beginning of everything.”

As a high school student, she wanted to do more. She headed off to college, where she majored in business so she could land a job where she could “make loads of money.” Right out of college, Susie landed a job as a foreign exchange trader at Citi Group. She achieved her dream of making lots of money. But by the end of her first work week, she felt something was missing. She quickly realized that she didn't just want to be working to earn good money. Instead, she wanted a job where she could enjoy herself daily.

She applied to the United Kingdom’s version of The Apprentice, hosted by Lord Alan Sugar, a hugely successful entrepreneur, and investor. Out of 73,000 applicants, Susie made the final 16 candidates. She did not win, but while she was on the show, she restarted her Tropic Body Scrub business, counting on the show’s publicity to drive sales. It worked. She sold out of products instantly, which garnered the attention of Sugar, who wanted to help her. Susie convinced him to invest £200,000  to become a 50% partner in the company. 

While the investment helped, Susie built on her direct sales model, turning her first 400 customers into ambassadors who could generate up to a 30% commission on sales. That network of ambassadors has now grown to more than 20,000 around the UK and 400 full-time employees.

Susie has focused on positioning Tropic as a model for the beauty industry, using sustainable packaging, and donating 10% of its profits “to good causes to help towards that infinite purpose, which is to help create a healthier, greener, and more empowered world.” Susie wants to show the world just how much difference you can make and show people that no matter who you are or where you're from, and how old you are, you can make a difference. 

Join us to listen to how Susie embraces challenges and opportunities,  turns her Plan B into Plan A, and gives back to our planet and the underprivileged part of society.

Listen to Eudeshi Naidu,  our special appearance from Dale Carnegie London, on how we can make a difference by applying the Dale Carnegie principles, going the extra mile, and creating a memorable experience for all.

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