Episode 013 - Brad Formsma

Today, Brad’s on the podcast solo to discuss the impact the coronavirus has had on his life and those around him. While we’re all hunkered down in our homes practicing social distancing, it’s important to use this time to reflect on the things that we may be taking for granted and slow down to realize the amazing things that you do have in your life.

Highlights:

• A reminder to check in with yourself and your loved ones/staff

• The awareness that you’re taking things for granted

• The virtual sense of community that will increasingly become the new norm

• Finding the humor in this situation – The Colorado Sherriff tweet and the Penguins in the Aquarium

• Coming out of tragedy with a new outlook on life

• Using this time to reflect and connect inwardly

• Helping those who are suffering during this tragic time

• Using the isolation to find opportunities to be creative in generosity

Key Takeaway: Slow down and keep stock of all the great things around you that you’re thankful for. Stop taking for granted the little things like having food to eat, a roof over your head and being surrounded by loved ones.

Feelings Chart:

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Growth Skills
Website: https://growthskills.org/

Episode 012 - Jack Herschend

Listen Now

On today’s episode we are joined by Jack Herschend, Co-Founder and former CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment. Today, they are considered the nation’s largest family-owned themed attractions corporation. As a part of the family of entertainment companies within the Herschend Enterprises portfolio, their team of more than 10,000 employees creates, develops and operates entertainment, tourism and hospitality properties that currently span 23 locations in six states. Jack takes great pride in owning and partnering in leading theme parks including Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, and Dollywood in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, of which Dolly Parton is a partner. For most of the company's first 50 years, Jack served as Chairman, President and CEO. 

In this episode…

You’ll hear Jack talk about his childhood, getting into a Family Entertainment Business, and leadership. 

Highlights: 

• Jack’s upbringing and establishing a good work ethic 

• The “cave business” and 50 stories worth of steps

• “God sent the right people at the right time.”

• Opening Silver Dollar City 

• Jack’s outlook on profitability and debt

• Learning the other person’ s perspective and the Big Idea

• The biggest successes are dependent on failures

• Theme Park Business vs Family Entertainment Business 

• “Share it Forward”

• Honing your phony filter

Key Takeaway:

Life is about partnering with the right people and having faith in God to see you through the up’s and downs. 

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Jack Herschend
Website: http://www.hfecorp.com/
http://www.hfecorp.com/our-businesses/#Theme%20Parks

Hopefully, this episode has helped you become a better leader in business and beyond. As we reach more leaders we would love your thoughts and feedback.

The best way to do that is to rate the podcast and leave a brief review on Apple Podcasts.

Thank you for listening and sharing The Wow Factor with friends, family, co-workers, and beyond.

Key Quotes:

“Share it Forward”

“The job of a CEO is encouragement”

“We learn so much from stories”

Episode 011 - Charles Bollinger Jr.

Listen Now

On today’s episode we are joined by Charles Bollinger Jr., CEO of Gulf Crane Services, Inc. Established in 1982, Charlie saw a need for a reputable crane service company in the offshore oil industry in Louisiana and was determined to meet that need. Gulf Crane Services has grown from a small crane service company to a leading provider of services and products in the Gulf of Mexico.  His leadership and entrepreneurial spirit have led Gulf Crane Services to thrive in the last 30 years, establishing itself as a key partner with many large-scale corporations and business across the world. 

In this episode…

you’ll hear Charlie talk about his upbringing, entrepreneurship, and why faith in God is essential to both family and business.  

Highlights: 

• Charlie’s childhood and developing a strong work ethic 

• The Cattle Business and owning land 

• A Faith-based life 

• Charlie’s 3 Guiding Principles

• “We were created to work.” 

• How Charlie got into the Off-shore Crane Business 

• When God sends you an opportunity- Grab it! 

• “I am going to break that curse…. Marriage and Christ are the two most important things in your life.” 

• Being your child’s best friend and mentor

• “You’ve got to make sure you’re right with God.” 

Key Takeaway:

Notice things others don’t notice. Do things other people don’t do.  And think of things other people don’t think of.  

“We were created to work.” 
“You’ve got to make sure you’re right with God.” 
“I look at the little things, because it’s the little things in business that make a big difference”

Charles Bollinger Jr.

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Charlie Bollinger 
Website: https://gulfcraneservices.com/

For an experience of southern hospitality at its finest. Great kingdom fellowship with the Bollinger’s in a Sportsman's paradise!

Contact Trey Bollinger: Treybollinger@hotmail.com, @bollingertrey

https://2brotherswhitetails.com/ @2brotherswhitetails

Episode 010 - Terry Hartshorn

Listen Now

On today’s episode we welcome Terry Hartshorn, the former CEO and President of PacifiCare Health Systems, to the show. Terry sits down with us and shares his experience about designing a high-performance work culture and inspiring employees to take risks within his company. His wisdom on developing yourself and encouraging others is advice entrepreneurs won’t want to miss.  

In this episode…

you’ll hear Terry talk about leadership, why failing can be beneficial to you, and how to develop humility and integrity in your life. 

Highlights: 

• Terry’s childhood and going to UCLA 

• Business lessons learned on the golf course

• “I learned to lose” 

• Advancing through your reversals

• “God gave me the gift of relating to people”

• Having a high trust level within the company and learning from mistakes

• Using time efficiently, being extremely focused, and being present 

• “You have to start to start” 

• “The faster you get to NO the faster you can get to YES”

• Humility shows people you are a real person

• Balancing being a parent and business owner

• The power of a joke 

Key Takeaway: 

Being a leader means facilitating growth among the team and fostering trust and honesty. Leaders also need to have a strong moral compass and impeccable integrity. 

---

Hopefully, this episode has helped you become a better leader in business and beyond. As we reach more leaders we would love your thoughts and feedback.

The best way to do that is to rate the podcast and leave a brief review on Apple Podcasts.

Thank you for listening and sharing The Wow Factor with friends, family, co-workers, and beyond.

“I learned to lose” 

“The faster you get to NO the faster you can get to YES”

“God gave me the gift of relating to people”

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Episode 009 - Cary Summers

LISTEN NOW

On today’s episode we are joined by missionary, entrepreneur, and CEO, Cary Summers. Cary was the president and CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment/Silver Dollar City Corporation, one of the world’s largest theme-attraction operators. He previously served as Vice President for retail, catalog and wholesale for Bass Pro Shops and was general manager of Abercrombie and Fitch when it was the world’s oldest sporting goods company. Cary has spent his life glorifying God and currently oversees the design, programming and building of the 430,000-square foot Museum of the Bible, located in Washington, D.C. 

In this episode…

you’ll hear Cary talk about his story, how to uphold a level of excellence to everything you do, and what makes a great leader. 

Highlights: 

• Carey’s background in business

• “Keep your rag in hand”

• Learning to take your time in business

• Always know your customer 

• “Uphold a level of excellence” 

• Practical compassion and action 

• Following Jesus’s example of compassion and redemption

• “Shut up and listen and ask a great question.”

• Running to the goal line and then to the Lord 

• Daily Prayer: “God give me something crazy good in my life today!” 

Key Takeaway:

The more you connect to God, the more you will have more fun, love, and success. 

Quotes to share: 
“Keep your rag in hand”
“Shut up and listen and ask a great question.”
“Uphold a level of excellence” 

---

Hopefully, this episode has helped you become a better leader in business and beyond. As we reach more leaders we would love your thoughts and feedback.

The best way to do that is to rate the podcast and leave a brief review on Apple Podcasts.

Thank you for listening and sharing The Wow Factor with friends, family, co-workers, and beyond.

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Carey Summers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carysummersmotb/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-summers-8b8a7b60
Museum of the Bible Website: https://www.museumofthebible.org/

Episode 008 - Lynsi Snyder

Listen Now

On today’s episode of the Wow Factor, we are joined by Lynsi Snyder, an American billionaire businesswoman, and the sole owner and heiress of In-N-Out Burger. She is one of the world’s top female CEO’s and runs the In-N-Out Burger Foundation. She uses her faith to guide her business practices and utilizes her platform to spread God’s message of goodwill, generosity, and forgiveness. 

In this episode…

you’ll hear Lynsi talk about her childhood and the pressures of the industry, how God has helped her overcome intense struggle and take control of the multibillion-dollar company, and what it means to inspire the next generation of leaders. 

Highlights: 

• Growing up and the complexities of being a part of the In-N-Out empire. 

• The History of In-N-Out

• Family troubles and father’s substance abuse

• Taking control of the company and what it means to handle that responsibility

• “I can’t lean on man, to have a God-sized need.” 

• What is Servant Leadership?

• Using your platform to help, be guided, and help him change in the world. 

• Sometimes the lord acts FAST… and sometimes at a glacial pace. Being patient and trusting the process. 

Key Takeaway: 

Take the risk of being transparent. Don’t pretend like you know all the answers. Ask for counsel and trust your team. 

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Lynsi Synder
Website: https://www.in-n-out.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innout/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innout

SWAG BAG GIVEAWAY:

Check out Brad Formsma’s Instagram page for details to enter the items in the photo below!

Doing the Right Thing Even When Nobody’s Looking

I’m reminded of a conversation I had with Tim. He sold a business (it was more of an asset sale) and he had to close it down. They had a lot of payables to take care of, which many could have seen as a perfect opportunity to avoid fully paying all of their vendors.

Yet after meeting with his partners, he felt that the right thing to do was to get another round of investment for this failing business, money they would never get back, in order to pay the bills and do the right thing for their vendors.

What I didn’t tell you about Tim is that a year earlier, he had purchased new wheels and new tires for his car from a company called Discount Tire. They were one of the venders of this business that he was closing down.

He tallied up what the business owed them, yet he was unaware that he left out the $1,600 for the tires and the rims he had purchased earlier in the year. He paid off what he thought was the remaining balance and considered Discount Tire taken care of. Not long after, Discount Tire sent a note saying, “You’re all set, you don’t owe us anything. You’re paid in full. Thanks for making it right.”

Six months after the business was completely closed, Tim was on a run and it came to his mind, “Did I include the $1,600 for new wheels and tires when I paid that bill?” He went back in a file and found, sure enough, the tires and rims weren’t paid for. No one ever would have known.

Discount Tire said they were already satisfied.

But Tim knew.

And call it conscious, call it what you want, he couldn’t shake the thought day after day.

So, Tim decided to write a check to Discount Tire for sixteen hundred dollars and mail it to their CEO. He explained, “We found an error on our end that we didn’t pay for one set of tires and rims. Even though you cleared our account, we still owe this to you.”

Soon, Tim received a personal note from the CEO saying, “I wish we saw more of this in the world.” He shared that he was so appreciative of Tim’s honesty.

For Tim, this wasn’t about getting the recognition and note back as much as it was about following his conscious and doing the right thing.

Now am I proposing that we go back in our lives and try to correct every wrong? No, but perhaps you can think of a situation or a time where something didn’t go quite right, and it would make sense for you to go back and clean it up.

Tim later shared with me how that one decision helped him face other moments and make things right immediately.

It really was a reset for him to do the right thing, and do it right away.

Don’t let it linger, because if you do, you’ll begin to justify it. We can so easily talk ourselves out of doing the right thing.

Do the right thing, even when nobody is looking, and even if you think it’s too late. 

Episode 007 - Greg Campbell

Listen Now

Today, Greg S. Campbell joins us. Greg is a best-selling author and revered leadership consultant. Mr. Campbell’s vast experience working in executive management positions at top corporations has lead him to coach a number of high-profile executives, as well as young professionals, on leadership and company management. Additionally, he assists with strategic thinking, including issues such as buying, selling and refinancing.

In this episode…

you’ll hear Greg talk about his journey in the business world, what he considers good leadership to be, and how to harness the power of the “Coil.”

Highlights: 

• The formation of Greg’s work ethic in rural Minnesota 

• “You did what you had to do to take care of the family” 

• The importance of Mentorship

• What does it mean to be a servant leader? 

• It’s about connecting authentically to others

• Consistent Culture within the workplace 

• Accepting the “WHY” and how to act on it

• Pulling the trigger: Inquisitive, Intentional, Implication 

• The Coil: opening up the commonality and building relationships 

• “I can’t help but notice…” 

• Adapting to new realities/to the next experience

Key Takeaway:

When we genuinely care about other people, good things happen. 

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Greg Campbell 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-campbell-90024017/
Books: “The 5-2-1 Principle: Five Processes + Two Questions + One Routine = Success” https://www.amazon.com/5-2-1-Principle-Steve-Halliday-ebook/dp/B016EVUNBE
“The Surprising Power of the Coil”: https://www.amazon.com/Surprising-Power-Coil-Greg-Campbell/dp/0996759204
Antje Campbell Art: Antjecampbell.com

The Question Behind the Question: What’s the Secret to Your Success?

I was recently interviewing Paul Altieri who owns Bob’s Watches, and he mentioned how he’s often asked by younger people, “What’s the secret to your success?” He said he hears it over and over, and he used to go through and give a bunch of his different business principles and so on, until one day he used a different approach. 

He would say, “Hey, I’m gonna give it to you simple, and you don’t want to tell anybody. It’s actually a four-letter word.”

And they would lean in, intrigued, “Oh, what is it?” 

The answer would shock them. “WORK!!” 

This always left them sitting back disappointed, kind of like, “Oh… No. Really? That’s what it is?” 

He would then explain how work, perseverance, and grit is what it took for him to grow his business and become successful. 

We’ve all heard the old adage, “I’m an overnight success after working twenty years;” but there’s something powerful about what he said with, ‘WORK!’

I believe we’re all created to work. But I also believe that most of us have an opportunity, especially when we’re younger, to begin to look for work that we are wired to do and that we enjoy. This idea that there’s an easy button, that I can just fall into it and I don’t have to struggle or fight for it is a LIE. This mentality sets us up for dashed expectations once we go after it. 

Work has a way of refining us. It’s humbling. We do things in our early jobs and even in our later jobs where things don’t work out and we discover more about ourselves. They create environments for us to make mistakes, sometimes publicly. Work. It’s a privilege to be able to work, and it’s a privilege to work all lifelong. 

The alternative to work is not working. Everybody I’ve ever met who doesn’t have to work seems to be missing out on a clear path towards a life of meaning. I think as we discover a life of meaning, the value of work, and of earning, giving and saving, it’s a very rewarding process.

Often times another four-letter word comes into play: WAIT. Many people work years, decades even, to accumulate and build up an organization. They diligently plod along, trying to create. 

So, when the question is asked, “What’s the secret to your success?” and the answer is ‘work,’ the question asker is shocked. It’s as if they’re hoping for some simple scratch and sniff card where you take your penny out and scratch to find the answer. The question really is an attempt for a short cut, though it really begs a different question, “Are you trying to get through life on easy street?” You’ve just asked them for the secret, thinking that it would make life easy for you and you wouldn’t have to discover it on your own, though now you’re left with an answer that isn’t what you want to do: Work.

Work involves sweat. Work involves pain, and struggle. Yet it also results in enjoyment by being able to take some of what we’ve made and share it with others. 

Episode 006 - Paul Altieri

Listen Now

Paul Altieri is on the show today.  Paul is the founder and CEO of Bob’s Watches, one of the world’s foremost authorities on Rolex watches, from vintage to modern. Well-known online through Bob’s Watches and Rolex forums, Paul and his team have been providing quality used and new Rolex watches for true fair market value for over 20 years.

In 1999 the Internet was booming and eBay was slowly making a name for itself in e-commerce. Paul saw this and wanted a piece of the online business world. So, in 1999 he bought “Bob’s Watches” and turned it into an online e-commerce powerhouse, that also currently has a storefront in Newport Beach, Ca. Paul credits his success to being honest, customer-driven and following his 18 Philosophies, which are business and life rules to live by.

In this episode…

Brad and Paul discuss what it’s like building a business with integrity and seeing a gap in the marketplace and capitalizing on it. They also touch on the history of Rolex and the importance of investing in good employee’s who fit your culture and that are willing to follow your vision.

Highlights: 

• Building a more user-friendly experience than eBay 

• The huge demand for new and used Rolex watches

• Being mistaken for “Bob”

• The Rule of 18

• Stating a business without any venture capital 

• Learning about SEO and running online Ad’s

• The importance of listening to your customers 

• Putting high-res photos on the internet, in the early days

• “Invest in good people”

• Finding out that Rolex is a non-profit

• “Be the good guys, be honest and straight up, it’ll come back in spades”

• “Constantly be on the lookout to hire good people who will help you with your vision”

• “Technology is always changing, you have to stay on top of it”

Key Takeaway:

Working hard and finding good, like-minded people to help you along your business journey is the key to success.

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Bob’s Watches
Websites: https://www.bobswatches.com/  http://www.paulaltieri.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobswatches
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobswatches/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bobswatches

Why it’s Stupid to Work on Your Weaknesses

The earlier in life that you can find out who you are and how you’re wired the better your life will be, and it will certainly reduce frustration. 

I was twenty-eight years old, and for ten years I had been in business pounding my head against the wall, trying to figure out why was I frustrated with having to actually do the work with my hands, but so energized by being able to meet and sell the customer. 

Then one day, I came across Strength Finder. Complete game changer. The idea was simple: Take a short test (which worked well for me and my limited attention span) and within twenty minutes of answering a series of random questions, I was informed of my top five strengths. You see the author had determined that a person has thirty-four unique strengths, five of which are primary. 

Mine came out as: Activator, Belief, Communication, Positivity, and Woo. Woo was interesting to me because it literally stands for winning others over, which explains my focus on relationships and it basically meant that the world is full of friends I haven’t met! It also explains why I wanted to meet with the customer to sell and be connected to people. Completely eye-opening. I began to realize that my strengths weren’t in accounting, or in legal, or engineering. And I got freed up. I got delivered! I realized I could go hire people with those strengths, and I could work on mine. 

Then I learned of another test that had a secondary impact on my life, because it gave me focus and insight on how I’m wired. The Kolbe Test. If you haven’t heard of it, I suggest you give it a google, and take it. This test helped me determine that there were four areas of operation in any given individual: Fact Finder, Follow Thru, Quick Start, and Implementor. It’s all based on associated colors and numbers to help you recognize which category you fall under. I learned that those in the Red zone labeled as the Fact Finder, when rated as a nine or ten, love all the facts they can get. But I’m a three in that category! Which means everything I need to know better be on a page or less. And yet in the Green zone, labeled as the Quick Start, I was a nine, which is off the charts high! It’s true, when I get new ideas, I love it. I am energized by new ideas. So, after taking this test, I began to realize that I am excited with all things Green related to the Quick Start, and I get the life sucked out of me when I need to absorb lots of facts, or for that matter, having to find lots of facts. 

Now, this is where it all comes together. Looking back on my early days of having my own business in my twenties and being frustrated with all that entailed, what did I learn? I discovered that on the construction side, which is the Implementor, I’m a three. Which means every time I go to pick up a shovel or put something together, it would just suck the life out of me. Once I discovered that I could spend time in the Green, I came alive and thrived. 

I challenge you to find out who you are and how you’re wired and go make a difference in the world, and enjoy doing it! 

Episode 005 - Jerry Foster

Listen Now

On today’s episode we are joined by Foster Group’s Founder and Chairman of the Board, Jerry Foster. Foster Group is a SEC-regulated fiduciary, priding itself on offering financial services for individuals and institutions, qualified retirement plan consulting, and advanced financial planning services to its clients. Jerry Foster’s unique combination of knowledge, skills, expertise, and interests formed the perfect background to create the Foster Group, whose mission is “to be a catalyst for positive life change, providing financial solutions that reduce complexity and establish a high probability of success”.

In this episode…

you’ll hear Jerry talk about how he got started in the financial sector, how he leads his company effectively, why you should take the Kolbe Test, and the awesome power of giving back! 

Highlights: 

• Are you a “Saver” or a “Spender”?

• “I wanted to be responsible but didn’t know how to be”   

• Peoples first experiences with money

• Leaving a legacy

• Striving for excellence in business and the importance of creating your own personal mission statement 

• Developing employees and identifying their strengths within the company

• How to break down your results of the Kolbe Test 

• Strength finders

• Why giving back to your community and the world is the secret to life

Key Takeaway: 

Identify and celebrate your strengths and weaknesses. Once you have discovered what makes you, YOU, you can begin to operate more efficiently and become happier in your career. 

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Jerry Foster
Website: https://www.fostergrp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FosterGrp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foster-group
Twitter: https://twitter.com/foster_group
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvjzIN7CWlR7c-uvQbrEUDA

Episode 004 - Grant Van Cleve

Listen Now

On today’s episode, we are joined by the CEO of Buy It Installed, Inc., Grant Van Cleve. Buy It Installed is a service where the product purchase and the “production installation service” is streamlined into one transaction. Grant’s revolutionary service allows the consumer to be automatically paired with a local, Brand-Certified Craftsman, and then the contractor schedules the appointment at the consumer’s convenience. The company prides itself on implementing A.I while also facilitating technology to create seamless workflow across the Installed-Sales EcoSystem™ through One-Click Simplicity. Grant has been named one of Orange County’s top 50 influencers and is the Chairman of the prestigious Tech Coast Angels. Grant has a passion for real estate development, locally and in Eastern Europe, and is interested in clean-tech and education projects globally.

In this episode…

you’ll hear Grant tell his amazing story of faith and business, what he does as an Angel Investor, and why focusing on the human connection will always help you succeed in business.    

Highlights: 

• How the Campus Ministry at Wharton changed his life

• Meeting his future wife during missionary orientation 

• Utilizing his real estate background during his mission trips in Europe

• Can your entrepreneurial skills be useful in God’s work?  

• Connecting the dots with networking 

• What is Early Stage Investing in start-ups?

• You need a thick skin to succeed in Angel Investing 

• Why a leader needs to be “coachable” and demonstrate humility 

• The GRIT Lifestyle 

• “We advance through our reverses.”

• What is an Angel Group? 

• Being less technical and more relationship-focused

Words of Wisdom from Grant Van Cleve

What investors look for in leaders.

Grant is an angel investor for Tech Coast Angels, and he has personally invested in more than 50 ventures, so he knows what good leadership looks like. For anyone seeking investors for their startups, listening to Grant’s advice on leadership is a great place to start. It’s one thing to have a certain level of intelligence and expertise, but there are other more critical features investors look for when investing in people.

Grant shares that coachability is one of the most significant traits he looks for in people when deciding to invest in a company. Coachability is crucial because he explains investors look for leaders who are humble enough to take advice from others. Along with coachability, leaders should have some grit to be able to sustain the ups and downs of business.

Being less technical and more relational.

As business leaders, we can often become mechanicalized in how we deal with situations and how we deal with people. We forget that the work we do impacts others beyond ourselves. Not only do our businesses affect people, but we have employees who are working for us, and those employees most often have families. When Grant is investing in a business, he often asks his leaders how things are going at home. He knows that if anyone is struggling at home, then the business will suffer.

Being relational also goes beyond your businesses and investments. For Grant, he was able to establish an extensive network of people when he returned from Eastern Europe because he knew how to develop relationships with people. 

Talking to your spouse about financial decisions.

The most important partner you will ever have is your spouse, and they need to be aware of the financial decisions you make for your business. Whether or not your spouse is involved in your business, they still should be aware of the financial decisions because it does affect them. 

Grant shares that he makes sure his wife is on board with his financial decisions. He also explains that she has become high-risk tolerant and understands if something doesn’t go right with an investment. Grant and his wife have learned to live off a conservative amount of money, so his wife is prepared if something went wrong financially.  

Grant Van Cleve
Website: http://www.buyitinstalledinc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuyItInstalled/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantvc/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/buy-it-installed/about/

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Four Ways to Become a Coachable Leader

I had a conversation on The WOW Factor podcast with my friend, Grant Van Cleve, CEO of Buy It Installed, Inc. and Chairman of Tech Coast Angels, and asked him about investing in leaders. Grant has invested in over 50 startups, so he knows what he's doing when it comes to investing in businesses and people. It goes without saying that leaders should have a certain level of intelligence and expertise in their field. Beyond that, handling the ups and downs of starting and maintaining a business requires courage and persistence.

Grant emphasized that the number one quality he looks for is a coachable entrepreneur. These are the people who demonstrate a level of humility and a commitment to growth.

Here are four ways to become a more coachable leader:

Establish clear goals

I can't stress enough the importance of setting goals when leading a business. Not only does your team need to understand your goals, but outside investors need to see a clear plan of where you are going. The business environment is continuously changing, and people need to know that you can keep a clear vision. Investors and people on your team won't be able to trust you as a leader if you don't know what your goals are and don't have a clear path for how to get there.

Be vulnerable and accountable

One of the biggest red flags to investors is someone who can't admit to making a mistake. A coachable leader will know when to own up to errors and when to ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of coachability. Vulnerability and accountability will also help to build trust between you and your team.

Demonstrate curiosity

Coachable leaders never stop learning and improving. Entrepreneurs and leaders often have a grasp of what their strengths are, but a true sign of coachability is a leader who seeks feedback and is willing to listen to the input. Showing curiosity also demonstrates the desire to try something new and applying the knowledge from those experiences.

Take action

Let's face it, as a leader, we have an endless list of tasks and "to-do's," but we need to know how to take action with the growing list. By taking action, we show that we are not afraid to get the work done and stick to our commitments. Investors want leaders who are committed and can handle the daily grind of the business.

Episode 003 - Marty Ozinga III

Listen Now

On today’s episode we talk with Marty Ozinga III, the former CEO of Ozinga Inc. As an American-owned, fourth-generation family business, Ozinga provides concrete, bulk materials, and energy solutions, along with transportation services through an extensive network of truck, rail, barge and ship terminals.  Established in 1928 in Evergreen Park, Illinois, Ozinga survived the Great Depression, World War II and continues to be one of the most successful concrete and bulk material companies today. 

In this episode…

you’ll hear Marty talk about the history of the Ozinga family business, how he empowers Ozinga employees, and how by serving God you will reach unbelievable heights in your business. 

Highlights: 

• The Ozinga Family History 

• Taking over the company at age 23 

• Understanding other people’s gifts and talents 

• Faith as a foundation 

• Eight  “Around the World” tickets, no cellphones, no google, and a lot of adventure

• The Ups and Downs of the concrete business 

• Transitioning out of being CEO

Words of Wisdom from Marty Ozinga III

Do what you like to do

Many of us are faced with the challenge of doing what we like to do or doing what our parents expect and want us to do. Marty discusses the challenge of having to choose between working in the family cement trucking business or working in banking with his father.
Discovering what you like to do will benefit you in the long run when starting out in business. Marty took over the cement trucking business at the age of 23, but he liked the work, which helped him continue to grow the legacy of the 4th generation owned company.

Hire smart people

It’s easy to think that we can do everything, and as business leaders, we try to do everything. Marty understood that he couldn’t do everything. He explains that it’s important to seek out people with skill sets and talents in areas we don’t excel in.
One of the biggest factors in growing a business is all about who you hire. Understanding the skills and strengths of employees is something that made Marty a great leader because he wanted everyone to work to their full potential.

Understanding you are not the center of the universe

Businesses will not become successful if you have selfish motivations for growing you company. Marty learned early on that we can’t work for ourselves, but we need to figure out how to serve God and how to serve others.
Marty points out that business leaders need to take their egos out of the picture, and the envy that can lead to problems. Instead, he says to think about what God’s plan is for you and to work according to His will and not your own. 

Marty Ozinga III  
Website: https://www.ozinga.com

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Episode 002 -Jim Franklin

Listen Now

On today’s episode, we welcome Jim Franklin to the show! Jim is the CEO of Harbro, an emergency service and restoration company specializing in property damage restoration due to fire, water, earthquake or other catastrophes. As a veteran of the industry, Jim’s 40-year experience with the company has allowed him to develop the confidence and expertise needed to oversee all the functions of the corporation. He is also the RMO (Registered Member Officer) for many of the company’s contractor licenses for branches in Nevada, California, and Arizona. Jim is notably recognized for his charitable contributions with various non-profit organizations and is a current member of the Southern California Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO/YPO Gold).
In this episode, you’ll hear Jim talk about how he got started in his career, what great leadership looks like, how to reignite your passion for your job, and the work he does with The Free Wheelchair Mission.  

Highlights: 

• Jumping into a new position headfirst 

• Graduating high school at 16 and dropping out of college at 18

• Seeking approval of his father and “The Father”

• All leaders need to handle situations with integrity and infuse core values into the work 

• Always take the high road in business 

• Work Attitude: We are here to have fun, do the job, be efficient, and make money

• Dealing with the emotional tragedy of property damage 

• Keeping your priorities in order

• Giving back to the world through good works

Words of Wisdom from Jim Franklin:

Leaders will always face issues of integrity.

Business leaders are going to face issues of integrity constantly, and it’s how these situations are handled that make all the difference. Jim shares a story in the podcast of a situation where he chose to be honest, and even though the company lost money, he believes it was the right thing to do.
Integrity is not just about making the right decisions, but it is also about demonstrating your values and the values of the company that will have an impact on your employees. Modeling integrity will encourage employees to make decisions that will add value to your company beyond the bottom line.

Understanding your priorities.

We spend most of our day working, but work is not everything. Jim discusses the importance of setting your priorities as you grow in business. Entrepreneurs spend a lot of their waking hours working because they’re constantly thinking about growth. Jim learned the hard way that it’s important to prioritize your spouse and your family.

Understanding your leadership style.

How you lead can make a huge impact on your team. Jim shares leading can take the role of wearing different hats. We have to be able to listen to our team and give advice. We also have to be intentional with our words. 

Jim Franklin 
Website: https://harbro.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HARBROINC/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HARBROinc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HarBroRestoration
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/har-bro-emergency-services-and-restoration/

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Episode 001 - Matt McPherson

Listen Now

On today’s episode of The Wow Factor, we welcome Matt McPherson to the show! As the Founder and CEO of Mathews Archery, Matt has dedicated his life to providing the best in bow performance, creating breakthrough technologies with state-of-the-art bow designs, and raising “industry standards in accuracy, speed, and stealth.” 

In this episode, you’ll hear how Matt got started with archery, how a message from God changed his life forever, and how to balance ambition with thoughtful planning and long-term strategy. 

Show Highlights

• Matt’s love for archery and his life’s mission

• Hearing God’s Message 

• “Keep your eyes wide open and look for opportunity”

• The secret of taking away inhibitions of customers

• “If you fail to plan you plan to fail.”

• Impacting people in a positive way 

• The dangers of branching out too soon 

• Paying attention to the advice of others will serve you in the long run

Words of Wisdom from Matt

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”

Matt mentioned the famous quote to emphasize that a great business doesn’t become successful out of thin air, but becomes successful with strategic planning. Matthews Archery became successful because Matt took the time to research and test bows to the extreme until he felt he developed a high caliber bow. 

Matt also saw the importance and power in prayer when starting a new company. He asked God to help him create the best bow in the world. He believes that if you ask big, you receive big and he took this seriously when it came to his business. He pointed out that people who plan and take big risks in business never look back and wish they had done less.

Pay attention to the advice of others

As an entrepreneur or business leader, we are at times reluctant to hear advice from others because we think we know the best way to approach a situation. Matt shares the importance of having someone, whether an assistant or colleague, that we can bounce ideas off of to gain a different perspective. Matt values the opinion of others, especially when they don’t think exactly the same.
Great advice can come from anyone or anywhere. Matt shared a story about a guy who worked in his warehouse who suggested a different layout for shelving, and how listening to that advice helped overall sales. 

Boys do what they want, men do what they should

The biggest word of wisdom from Matt was about making adult decisions. He emphasizes that when we start to make adult decisions, others will trust you. Trust is imperative when working with colleagues and employees, especially when the decisions you make as a leader are impacting everyone else. 

When you’re young, you make decisions based on impulse and you can’t make decisions that way when you’re leading a company. Decisions you make have to be based on planning, advice, and consideration of those who your decisions will impact.

The WOW Factor
Website: https://www.bradformsma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradformsma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.formsma
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradformsma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-formsma-a9a06424/

Matt McPherson  
Website:
https://www.mathewsinc.com
https://mcphersonguitars.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathewsinc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mathewsinc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mathews_Archery
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Mathews1992?feature=guide

Four Ways to Demonstrate and Maintain Integrity in Business

Four Ways to Demonstrate and Maintain Integrity in business

I had the opportunity to interview my friend Jim Franklin, CEO of HARBRO, for The Wow Factor podcast. During our conversation, Jim emphasized the concept of integrity and how he approaches decision making at work. HARBRO Emergency Services & Restoration states that their “mission is to provide victims of disaster with immediate restoration services with the utmost integrity, quality, and customer service.” In an industry where integrity is not always a priority, HARBRO is a bright light. 

Maintaining integrity at work is not just for those who are dealing with tragedy; it’s a concept worth practicing in every workplace. So what is integrity? It’s doing the right thing even when you know that no one will be aware of what you did. I like how MH Mckee puts it -

“Wisdom is knowing the right path to take … Integrity is taking it”.

Here are four ways to demonstrate and maintain integrity in the workplace:

Lead by example

You don’t have to be the CEO or the business owner to lead by example. However, those in leadership positions should exemplify what it means to act with integrity. Your employees or your team observe how you act, and whether you realize it or not, they may mimic your behavior. By treating others with respect and showing positive behavior, you are setting the bar for how your team should be treating others.

Enforce and follow company policies

Company policies are developed for a reason. These policies are guidelines from codes of conduct to the dress code, they also set the standard for professionalism and, hopefully, maintain efficiency in the workplace. Having a written document for employees to reference is helpful when they have questions about policies and procedures. Some of us are not inclined to live by policies, but ask yourself this, how do you want your team to handle themselves when situations arise? 

Listen to others

There are going to be instances at work when you don’t agree with someone. The key here is to keep an open mind and listen to what that person has to say. Take time to consider their ideas or point of view because they might have a fresh solution to the problem.

Maintain accountability

We are inevitably going to make mistakes, and the most challenging part of this is owning up to it. By taking responsibility, we are demonstrating honesty and opening up the environment for feedback. Maintaining accountability goes beyond admitting to wrongdoing, but it should also include being able to explain to our team what went wrong and how the situation can be improved or avoided in the future. Turn a mistake into a learning opportunity, not just for yourself but for your team as well.

The interview with Jim Franklin, CEO of HARBRO on The Wow Factor, is now live on Google Play or Apple Podcasts.

3 Steps to Creating a Better Work-Life Balance

3 Steps to Creating a Better Work-Life Balance

Entrepreneurs are continually striving to make their businesses better and to make them grow. However, this constant desire to improve can eventually consume all our time, including our time off, or when we should be sleeping. The Harvard Business Review published a study in 2018 that revealed CEO's work an average of 62.5 hours a week. Anyone in a leadership position at a company is not far behind the working hours of a CEO, or they're working more!

While growing a business is a focus, it’s important to establish where our priorities are. If you decide to put business growth at number one, it is going to create a significant challenge in balancing your personal life. Perhaps you have thought it was priority two or three, but you allowed it to become number one. The challenge is to become self-aware of our priorities and to reassess when work has consumed more time than it should.

Here are three ways you can create a better balance.

1. Self-Care

Self-care encompasses spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental health. It also includes prioritizing our relationship with our spouse and our family. This must become a priority because we need to be  self-aware of our self-care. Proper self-care tends to lead to better health, which avoids costly sick days and loss of productivity at work.

2. The Challenge to Unplug (What is that?)

A lot of our device usage has become a habit. Among smartphone users in the US, time spent with their device is 3 hours, 10 minutes per day. This study also calculated that people are now spending more time on their devices than watching television. I found turning off notifications and not working after dinner to be a difficult but rewarding goal. Unplugging our devices should be the easiest task but is often difficult because of how convenient our devices are. When we're on our them, we run the risk of not being fully present with others.

Unplugging is about setting boundaries with your devices, rather than ignoring them completely. If I become more aware of my device usage around my family, I have realized how true it is that I am not fully present and the impact it has on them. I would rather have my kids here. As I become more aware of the reality of time spent on my device, I am more conscious of wanting to set up a boundary and leave my phone behind during dinner or my kids' events. Business Insider published a study that found that the typical cellphone user touches his or her phone 2,617 times every day. I bet you'll think about this statistic the next time you reach for your phone - I have.

3. Weekly and Annual Rest

Take an intentional break one day a week that goes beyond limiting your device usage. We have to tell ourselves it’s OK to create space for rest; we have better performance and better productivity. I have found it to be true in my life. We need time to reset. Take time for yourself.

The more we grow in our self-awareness, the more balance we will create between work and our personal lives. I challenge you to assess your priorities and put into action one of the steps above.

PS: The Wow Factor podcast is live on Google Play or Apple Podcasts.

4 Reasons You Shouldn’t Fail to Plan

4  Reasons You Shouldn’t Fail to Plan

Have you heard the phrase, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail?" This phrase is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, and my friend Matt McPherson brought it up during our conversation on The Wow Factor podcast. Matt's right, you need a plan, whether you're an entrepreneur starting out or a leader who's been around for decades. 

A business plan is essential to communicate company goals, to be more efficient with time and resources, and necessary for growth, especially when the plans have to change. 

Having a written plan is not fail-proof, but it gives the tools to adapt to the continually changing environment.

Set Goals

One of the reasons for having a well-developed business plan is to identify and set the goals for the company. Looking to the future helps business leaders and investors understand where the company wants to go and how it plans to get there. Additionally, they help everyone on the team to get on the same page.

Efficient Use of Time and Resources

Planning allows time for a company to determine which tasks bring value along with identifying tasks that are not necessary. This will empower management to prioritize projects which will result in efficient use of time and resources.

Adaptable to Change

Several factors contribute to the ever-changing environment in business - technology, customer needs, and competition. When a company has a plan in place, it is better equipped to adapt to these changes.

Grow Business

Planning gives a company a roadmap to grow and expand along with giving management the tools to analyze the company's strengths and weaknesses. Company leaders can determine how to understand their weaknesses and grow in their areas of strength. Planning helps leaders to identify growth opportunities they may not have otherwise seen.

PS: The interview with Matt McPherson is live on Google Play or Apple Podcasts.