An Incredibly Powerful Lesson I Learned While Interviewing A Self Made Multi Millionaire!

 

Entrepreneur have you ever had one of those “aha” moments? You know sort of like those V8 commercials, where they show someone get whacked upside the head, for doing something questionable.

And when was the last time you had a chance to go one on one with a self made multi millionaire for free? Yea, that’s pretty cool! Not a paid consultation of any kind mind you. And not something that you earned by entering  some type of free drawing. But a real life honest to goodness sit down with a dynamic individual, that just so happens to have achieved multi millionaire status.

And they (for whatever) reasons had a “no holds barred” open forum type discussion with you! Regarding how to not only be more prudent and prosperous in business, but in life as general.

And the right type of mindset that it takes and the whole nine yards (if you will.) Well, believe it or not, this post relates to how I personally did get the chance to go one on one with a self made multi millionaire. But dime to donuts, it’s probably not the way you think…

An Extremely Powerful Lesson I Learned From An Interview I Did With A Self Made Multi Millionaire!

Well first of all, let me properly set the stage by sharing with you, that this particular (real life) interview that I did with a self made multi millionaire actually took place many (many) years ago. Say what? That’s correct. In fact, it  was when I was actually in my (green as grass) early twenties.

And you’ll just have to trust me when I tell you that – (that) was quite a few rodeos ago. Because way back then, and as totally clueless (about) how the real world works, as I was, that’s what makes what I learned from this extremely generous man so darn profound.(Even to this day!)

You see, the man I’m referring to (Angelo) was his real first name BTW. He was actually my employer at the time.

And I was one of his fast rising outdoor sales reps. But we didn’t actually canvas door to door per se. Instead, I would head off to various local malls and and a variety of different bookstores and or local Jr. college campuses or technical schools etc.

I/we had a really simple job. (Get this..) we gave away a free 30 day trial membership to our health spa. The recipient simply filled out a small one sided index card, (basically) your standard contact info and a valid home number. We then turned those completed cards into our robust inside (tele -marketing) sales team, who then invited them in to redeem their 30 day trial and wham!

Typically about 20- 35% of them were immediately up sold different levels of memberships that varied in price, anywhere from  a $99 dollar extremely limited six month extension or all the way up to a $499 dollar four year mega wiz membership deal of some kind.

And we outside sales reps got a cool 25%! (And my memory fails me as to how much of the remaining 75% that the in house sales reps, got and how much the house kept  on that very first sale etc.)

So the key was to simply get as many cards filled out as accurately as humanly possible!

And turned in at the end of each day as you could! Now of course, I’m skipping over tons of the nitty gritty details, in order to get to the crux of the story you understand!

But suffice it to say, there were myriad weeks where this (green as grass), but consistently productive (not formally trained) belly button to belly button, toe nail to toe nail, enthusiastic prospector, routinely cashed checks for anywhere from $1,100 to $1,500 per week! Say what? That’s correct!

Over time I found that if I could average anywhere from 75 -125 cards per day! I would be smiling come pay day!

 What Happens When Fantasy Finally Collides With Hard Cold Reality?

Here now; is in fact the crux of my tale. One day, while hanging around the back (business) office of the gym. And just after having cashed another rather large check! And definitely feeling full of myself, to say the least! I finally gathered the nerve to ask my boss Angelo, what exactly did it take to go from cashing big checks to hopefully one day writing them!

He laughed and responded that since he was between appointments, if I’d be so kind as to go across the street (to a local winery) and purchase one of his favorite , rather expensive bottles of this fancy type of wine cooler  (of which) at the time, I had never previously heard of!

On his dime! He’d more than willingly share some of his proven real world business knowledge, with this clueless (although) attentive wannabe! Well, let me tell you, for the next 90- 120 minutes give or take!

Oh Angelo, more than over delivered on his promise to explode my slowly evolving brain with plenty I had not heard and or (ever) even considered! But here’s the really funny part and what really inspired this particular post!

At one point, as  Angelo was busily going about openly sharing all of  of proven real world knowledge and experiences with me. I (Mr. Green horn!) was busily refuting, second guessing and questioning all that he shared.

Are You Coach-able?

When finally, Angelo dropped the bomb on me, in terms of the $64,000 dollar question! With a straight face and as cool and calmly as he could! He simply asked, “Mark, why is it, I have all the money and you have all the answers!” Hello!

After I stopped laughing hysterically,the obvious hit me like a ton of bricks! I (at that point) was un coach-able! And he in his brilliance was merely trying to point out the obvious!

That profound lesson (way back) on that fateful day,(which was just one of many) was- by far- one of the most powerful (and unforgettable), poignant lessons, that I learned when I had the  distinct pleasure of interviewing a self made multi millionaire, who was in fact my employer at the time! Thanks Angelo!

(Your words of extremely profound wisdom, have stuck with me even to this day!)

Please list your comments (in the comments section below) that you feel can add or shed insights on this rather critical subject matter.!

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