The Conscious Entrepreneur

EP15: The Conscious Handover: Embracing Change at the Top

In this deeply personal episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond welcomes his friend Chris Schwalbach, founder of AVL Growth Partners. Chris shares his journey of self-discovery and the pivotal decision to replace himself as CEO of his company, a choice that significantly impacted both his professional and personal life.
Chris's story is a compelling tale of introspection, personal development, and the transformative power of self-awareness. He discusses the challenges he encountered in realizing that relinquishing his CEO role was the best path forward for his company's future. This episode provides an intimate glimpse into how this decision transcended business strategy, marking a step towards personal alignment and growth.
Central to Chris's journey is the influence of community, executive coaching, and the profound impact of journaling on his growth. He speaks openly about how his relationships with peers, mentors, and coaches, and own personal development practices have deepened his self-awareness and empathy, and how these skills manifest in his life. Chris's experiences underscore the importance of self-reflection in leadership and the value of understanding one's own journey to better lead and connect with others.
His narrative is a testament to the belief that true leadership is about continuous learning and evolving, benefiting not just one's business but also personal fulfillment. Listeners will be inspired by Chris's candidness and the insights he offers. This episode is notable for its depth and the moving story of a leader embracing change, self-discovery, and the ongoing journey of becoming a more conscious entrepreneur.
 
Quotes:
“I'm like, I don't know what the next level of systems is. I don't know how to discipline the process. So, you know, that was almost like putting the shareholder hat on and saying, if I were a shareholder, are you the right CEO for the next five years? And I'm like, to me, probably not. Probably not.” (11:23 | Chris Schwalbach) 
“I think this awareness is just the work that I've done to understand what's actually happening right now, and how can I pick my head up and see what's going on around me?” (14:25 | Chris Schwalbach) 
“To me, the conscious entrepreneur is the one that's focused on bringing the awareness to the present in knowing what's happening around them.” (27:12 | Chris Schwalbach)
“I think it's really hard for someone with an ego to figure out what their own values are because you do have a lot of imputed values or ‘should’ values when you write your values. I think when you really do a neutral values job, then you uncover behaviors and patterns.” (34:48 | Chris Schwalbach)
 
Links
Books & Movies mentioned:
"Tiny Habits" by BJ Fogg"Atomic Habits" by James Clear"The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz"The Values Factor" by John Demartini
"What the Bleep Do We Know?"
 
Connect with Chris Schwalbach:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cschwalbach/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP14: Balancing Act: Kristin Darga on Entrepreneurship, Self-Discovery, and Well-Being

Every entrepreneur faces challenges, but what happens when those challenges become overwhelming? In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, host Alex Raymond dives deep into the world of entrepreneurship and mental health with guest Kristen Darga, Founder of Impact Founder. Kristen's journey from a simple photography exhibit to a beacon for entrepreneurs struggling with mental health issues is both inspiring and eye-opening.
Through their conversation, they explore the surprises and challenges Kristen faced, the profound impact of her work, and how it has evolved in response to the pandemic. They discuss the importance of reshaping the narrative around entrepreneurship and mental health, and the need for open conversations and support systems.
As a conscious entrepreneur, Kristen emphasizes the value of building connections, having a support network, and taking care of mind, body, and soul. She shares her personal experiences with imposter syndrome, panic attacks, and long COVID, and how she navigated through them with self-reflection, therapy, and a focus on overall well-being.
This episode is a powerful reminder that being a conscious entrepreneur means prioritizing personal well-being while building a successful business. If you're an entrepreneur looking for tools and resources to thrive and succeed, this conversation will resonate with you.
 
Key Takeaways:
Building connections and having open conversations about mental health before it becomes a crisis is crucial for entrepreneurs.
Giving yourself space and time to hear your own thoughts and desires is important for personal and professional growth.
Engaging in fun adventures and surrounding yourself with a supportive community can contribute to overall well-being as an entrepreneur.
 
Quotes:
“In growing Impact Founder over the years, I was told many times people wouldn't want to talk about it or that it wasn't relevant. And it becomes relevant when someone takes their life. And that's not the kind of relevancy that I want to have, unfortunately. But it's very real and it's something that founders really do deal with. And luckily more people are talking about it.” (6:35 | Kristin Darga) 
“That committed listener, no matter what name we give it, coach, therapist, friend, partner, that is imperative to having someone to go to when you really do feel that way. And having that ahead of time allows you that if you are in that place, that you have someone or you have something there for you.” (10:15 | Kristin Darga)
“I am alone in a bubble at home in my thoughts. I can hear things, but I really then need to actually be in conversation with someone to build it. The quiet allows me to hear it, and then the conversation allows me to create it.” (33:14 | Kristin Darga) 
 
Links
Connect with Kristin Darga:
Website:https://www.impactfounder.com/ 
Instagram: @kristindarga
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristindarga/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP13: The Joy Formula

Can a simple formula transform the culture of a company and the lives of its employees? In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond interviews Patty Condon, the innovative owner of FBC Remodel. Patty introduces his groundbreaking Joy Formula, a unique concept that redefines the essence of workplace satisfaction and success.
Patty's Joy Formula, encapsulating the equation 'joy equals success plus wellbeing to the power of purpose,' has reshaped his company's culture. He explains how success is not just about business metrics but also includes wellbeing, measured through the seven F's: Family, Friends, Fitness, Finance, Faith, Fun, and Future. This comprehensive approach has turned his team into a community of passionate, fulfilled individuals, each aligned with their purpose.
The discussion also ventures into the realms of finding and refining one's purpose. Patty shares an effective exercise from his company that assists individuals in uncovering their purpose, encouraging them to embrace it fully to see if it truly resonates with their life goals.
A significant part of Patty's narrative is his personal evolution from a fear-based to a love-based leadership style. He talks about his journey towards consciousness, emphasizing the transformative power of gratitude and the importance of daily practices like meditation and exercise for a balanced mindset.
This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and leaders seeking to infuse their businesses with joy, purpose, and a deeper sense of fulfillment, both for themselves and their teams. Patty Condon's journey and insights offer valuable lessons in creating a positive and supportive workplace culture.
 
Key Takeaways:
Patty's Joy Formula shows that combining business success with personal wellbeing and purpose leads to a more satisfying work environment.
Finding and aligning with one’s purpose is key to both personal and professional growth.
Transitioning from a fear-based to a love-based approach in leadership can significantly transform personal development and company culture.
 
Quotes:
"The joy formula is truly a formula. It is joy equals success plus wellbeing to the power of purpose." (02:25 | Patty Condon) 
“What we have found is that when people are aligned with their purpose, and they have success and well-being, then you have a whole team of people who are really maximizing their joy and they show up just in such an incredible way because they're lit up. They're passionate about what they're doing. They're passionate about life. And furthermore, they feel really well supported in their life and at the company and being at a company that really looks at them and says, hey, you're not just a project manager or a designer. You're not just an employee. You're a human being. ” (05:58 | Patty Condon) 
“It's only through intentional work that we become conscious. And that journey from fear to love, from running business in an unconscious state of fear to a conscious state of love, I believe is what conscious entrepreneurialism is all about.” (47:57 | Patty Condon)
Links
Connect with Paddy Condon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-condon-b037581/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP12: The Power of Having Internal and External Support Systems

In the tech industry, where success is typically gauged by milestones and metrics, Miroo Kim introduces a wellness dimension to this conventional definition. In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, host Alex Raymond explores Miroo's transition from her roles at leading tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook to establishing her own venture, People & Culture. This story is about redefining success to prioritize well-being and personal values in the entrepreneurial journey.
Miroo shares the pivotal moment that shifted her perspective: a breakdown on a bus ride home, leading her to seek a support system that resonated with her personal struggles and values. She discusses her efforts to integrate mindfulness and compassion into the workplace, starting an employee-run Mindfulness Club at Facebook, and offering programs like Search Inside Yourself and Compassion Cultivation Training. This initiative revealed a hidden community of individuals silently seeking support and underscored the importance of a culture that nurtures individual well-being.
Reflecting on her transition to solopreneurship, Miroo emphasizes redefining success based on personal values and the necessity of both internal and external support systems in navigating entrepreneurial challenges. She advocates for the creation of a personal board of directors for guidance and the formation of coaching circles with peers for shared learning and support. Listeners will find in this episode a wealth of insights into the challenges and rewards of being a conscious entrepreneur, with a strong emphasis on the importance of well-being, values alignment, and the power of a supportive community.
 
Key Takeaways:
Embracing mindfulness and compassion in the tech industry can enhance individual well-being and create a more supportive work environment.
There is a need to expand the definition of success in entrepreneurship to incorporate alignment with personal values rather than traditional metrics.
Creating a robust support system, including a personal board of directors and coaching circles, is a good technique for entrepreneurs who are trying to succeed in tech.
 
Quotes:
“If you expect people to bring their whole self to work then there's got to be a system that actually really can contain that whole self. The whole self contains all that suffering from the previous, the personal life and all that too, right?” (9:06 | Miroo Kim) 
“We know that the secret to success and happiness is a good relationship, a meaningful kind of work, and all that. But when you actually see people around, there are not many people who are actually practicing it. And why? It's because these measures of success feeling kind of a satisfaction that you have from the good relationship, things like that are not really measurable, so to speak, quantifiable. And then as a result, we kind of take that out from the evaluation. So I don't know if the answer is to quantify it necessarily. So I don't know if the answer is to quantify it necessarily. Maybe that's one way. But the other thing is that you really proactively think about how do I take that as part of my self-evaluation of the life or work and create our own kind of measure of success instead of kind of adopting what was given to us.” (19:34 | Miroo Kim) 
“What we are trying to do as conscious entrepreneurs might seem counterintuitive to what entrepreneurship is viewed in society. So it actually requires extra courage for us to be who we want to be and then really stay grounded.” (53:33 | Miroo Kim) 
Links
Connect with Miroo Kim:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirookim/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP11: Why Happiness is the Secret to Optimal Human Performance

Are you tired of chasing happiness, always thinking it's just one step ahead? In this insightful episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond sits down with Ashish Kothari, founder of Happiness Squad and author of "Hardwired for Happiness." They delve into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of entrepreneurship: the integral role of happiness in achieving success and fulfillment.
Ashish brings a fresh perspective, challenging the common notion that happiness is a distant goal. He argues that happiness is a key driver of human performance and an essential state for operating at one's best. This isn't about chasing external rewards; it's about nurturing an internal state of contentment and joy.
The discussion pivots to Ashish's book, "Hardwired for Happiness," which presents nine practical strategies to combat stress and live a fulfilling life. These strategies range from developing self-awareness and defining personal purpose to embracing gratitude and investing in well-being. Ashish explains that these practices are grounded in comprehensive research across neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy.
Ashish also shares his personal transformation from a high-achieving consultant to a happiness-focused entrepreneur. His journey underscores the importance of aligning one's career with their core values and purpose, a realization that came from confronting his own anxiety and lack of fulfillment.
A key takeaway from the episode is the power of community in the pursuit of happiness. Ashish highlights how collective efforts can lead to transformative experiences, both personally and professionally. He encourages listeners to start with small, manageable practices like brief daily meditations to gradually build a more mindful and aware lifestyle.
Key Takeaways:
Happiness is linked to human performance. When we are happy, we operate at our best and are more successful, productive, and resilient.
Happiness is an internal game. It is not something we can find externally or in future achievements. We need to cultivate happiness from within by practicing self-awareness and other key habits.
Self-awareness is a foundational practice for happiness and conscious entrepreneurship. By understanding ourselves and our beliefs, we can better navigate challenges and make conscious choices.
Mastering our emotions is a challenging practice but essential for happiness. By learning to sit with difficult emotions, witness them, and respond rather than react, we can increase our emotional resilience and well-being.
Building a community is crucial for personal growth and transformation. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who are also on a journey of self-discovery and personal development can provide support, inspiration, and accountability.
Quotes:
“The data is so clear from the science of happiness, right? That as individuals, if we can teach people to be happy, they are more successful, more productive, more creative, more innovative, are kinder, are more resilient. (3:48 | Ashish Kothari) 
"The hardest practice is mastering your emotions." (19:49 | Ashish Kothari)
"The power of meditation is paying attention on purpose at the present moment without judgment." (41:44 | Ashish Kothari)
 
Links
Connect with Ashish Kothari:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/
Website: https://happinesssquad.com/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP10: The Courage to Move from Corporate to Creative

Is it possible for your business to be a true reflection of your values? That's the question at the heart of this episode of "The Conscious Entrepreneur," where host Alex Raymond and Kayleigh O'Keefe, founder of Soul Excellence Ventures, delve into the intersection of personal growth and entrepreneurship.
Kayleigh recounts her significant shift from a decade-long corporate career to launching her own venture—a move that resonates with many entrepreneurs seeking less hustle and more meaning in their work. In February 2020, Kayleigh took the leap into the entrepreneurial world, a space where a significant portion of startups struggle to find their footing. She shares how the concept of "soul excellence" became her guiding principle, steering her through the common challenges of self-doubt and the pressure to conform. Soul Excellence Ventures has been a tremendous success under her leadership, creating and publishing 17 books, with 450 people who have come together to express soulful excellence leadership.
She candidly discusses the lessons learned in this experience, real challenges she faced with issues like pricing services and aligning and managing talent — key factors in the sustainability of any new business. Kayleigh also touches on the shift from a corporate to a creative mindset, a change that has helped her and many entrepreneurs find their authentic voice and vision.
The episode wraps with Kayleigh's advice to entrepreneurs, which is grounded in the reality of running a business: trust your intuition, surround yourself with the right people, and prioritize your soul's work. This conversation offers listeners a blend of practical advice and inspiring personal insight.
 
Key Takeaways:
The shift from corporate to creative involves moving from a linear path to a spiraling path of growth and learning.
The motivation in the corporate world is often external, driven by societal expectations, while in the creative world, the motivation is aligned with personal fulfillment and making the soul proud.
Shifting from a focus on identity to essence and energy allows for greater self-expression and the exploration of different aspects of oneself.
Building self-belief and finding one's voice through writing, reflection, and sharing can unlock potential and pave the way for a successful transition from corporate to creative.
Surrounding oneself with a supportive tribe of like-minded individuals who understand and support the journey can provide the necessary encouragement and inspiration to make the leap.
 
Quotes:
"This episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur is all about awakening. Awakening to your purpose, living in your zone of genius, and finding your tribe." (1:00 | Alex Raymond)
“I just like waited a really long time to even believe that I could attract someone to the vision or to the model, or that this is what I wanted to do. So that was another mistake of like, just like going it alone and having you know, advisors and constantly people who are helping me with stuff, but not to the level that's required to really push an idea or a movement forward.” (24:09 Kayleigh O’Keefe)
"When I am reminded of the phrase, I approve of myself, it just makes life easier because so much of our self-talk can still be so negative, even when we're on this conscious path." (55:19 | Kayleigh O'Keefe) 
Links
Connect with Kayleigh O'Keefe:
Soul Excellence Ventures: https://soulexcellence.com/
Website: https://kayleighokeefe.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleighokeefe/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP09: Ingredients for Entrepreneurial Success: Grit, Persistence, Perseverance and Passion

Imagine building a successful tech company, selling it to GoDaddy, and still feeling like an imposter. That's exactly what Brian Nolan, founder and CEO of Book Outdoors, experienced. In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, Brian opens up about his journey as an entrepreneur, the challenges he faced, and how he manages imposter syndrome. He shares valuable insights on the importance of being gritty and resilient, combatting entrepreneurial loneliness by surrounding yourself with like-minded entrepreneurs, and taking care of your mental health. Brian's story is a reminder that success doesn't always eliminate self-doubt, but with the right mindset and support, you can thrive as an entrepreneur. 
 
Key Takeaways:
The willingness to push harder, venture further, and take bold risks distinguishes successful entrepreneurs from the rest. Tenacity sets entrepreneurs apart.
Knowing when to harness your energy for maximum productivity and when to step back for rejuvenation to prevent burnout is part of mastering your energy management.
Brian's concept of a 'conscious entrepreneur' highlights the advantage of those who can tap into their emotional landscape, using self-awareness of strengths, weaknesses, and feelings to inform pivotal decisions.
Entrepreneurs require more than business networks; they need authentic emotional backing. There is profound importance of such support in facing obstacles, confiding fears, and counteracting feelings of isolation and burnout.
 
Quotes
I've always thought this in my life and my career - I've always felt like if it doesn't work out, I know what my skill set is and my strengths, and I could just go back to getting a job. If I really need to, I could go back to getting a job. And so that's always given me the safety net and the comfort of taking these risks. (10:51 | Brian Nolan)
"Imposter syndrome is a real thing, even now. Even now that I've built and sold and had some success at building a company. It creeps in all the time." (18:39 | Brian Nolan) 
“I actually gave a little talk on this back in the day about grit and about persistence and perseverance and passion. Those are sort of the things that go into grit. That's one of the things as an entrepreneur, you just have to have, you have to be able to go a step or more further than most people would. And so you have to find that energy and figure out how to push forward through burnout.” (26:19 | Brian Nolan) 
“This is what I think a conscious entrepreneur is actually, it’s  that awareness of what your strengths and weaknesses are, and awareness of how you're feeling and your emotions so that you can use them to your advantage.”  (49:22 | Brian Nolan)
“Part of our employee perks are that we reimburse for any kind of mindfulness app that somebody wants to subscribe to, or gym membership, or Peloton or whatever it is, those are the perks that we offer since we don't have the office.” (53:39 | Brian Nolan)
 
Links
Connect with Brian Nolan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancnolan/Website: ​​https://bookoutdoors.com/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP08: The Soul of Startups

Modern entrepreneurship demands conscious leadership. In the latest episode of "The Conscious Entrepreneur," host Alex Raymond sits down with Julie Penner, a seasoned startup coach and investor who has worked with over a hundred early-stage companies. Together, they discuss the evolving role of founders and the new expectations they face. Julie shares her insights on a range of “startup killer” dysfunctions, from focusing on culture too late, failure to delegate responsibilities, to co-founder conflicts and more. She emphasizes the value of self-awareness for founders, noting its role in attracting and retaining top talent and building successful companies. Creating positive company culture is crucial for early-state companies, and it brings major benefits in the long run. Julie provides actionable advice based on real-world situations. She also provides great advice for start-up founders around accelerator programs - what to look out for and how they can accelerate your company.
 
Key Takeaways:
The role of the entrepreneur is evolving, and conscious leadership is becoming increasingly important for attracting top talent and building a successful company.
It is crucial for entrepreneurs to do their own personal work and be aware of their impact on others in order to create a positive company culture.
Many VCs are not actively evolving their behaviors and expectations, and often only recommend founders to get a coach without addressing deeper issues.
Ineffective management of co-founder conflict can be a major obstacle for startups, and it is important to practice disagreement and have tools for effective communication and resolution.
Building a strong co-founder relationship requires trust, open communication, and the ability to repair and learn from mistakes.
 
Quotes:
"I think our tolerance for leaders that aren't aware of how they're coming across and aren't aware of their impact on others is decreasing." (04:13| Julie Penner )
"If you want to build a great company, you have to attract great people. And if you want to have great people, you have to treat them well. And to treat them well, you have to understand how you're impacting them. And that starts with your own work." (04:54 | Julie Penner) 
"The worst thing that can happen is building a company that you end up hating that's successful." (07:23 | Julie Penner)
"So you as a founder, who you are, your shadows - you are the limiting factor on the success of this business." (17:04 | Julie Penner) 
“My working definition of a conscious entrepreneur is someone who's aware of their own patterns of thought, actions, and behaviors, as well as at a minimum being curious, if not aware of how their impact is on others. And, this path of building companies, if you think about it for a while, can be a spiritual path.” (52:42 | Julie Penner)
 
Links:
Connect with Julie Penner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepenner/
Website: https://soulofstartups.com/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP07: Overcoming Stress with Coherence Healing

Do you feel you are on a tightrope walk between ambition and anxiety? Jeff Benton and Brett Weinroth, the dynamic duo behind Paragon Performance Evolution, share the message we all need to hear: stress isn't dictated by what's happening around us but by our body's internal reactions. For entrepreneurs who may feel overwhelmed and dysregulated, it’s a welcome message. By mastering the art of shifting our body's chemicals and engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, we can foster clarity, enhance communication, and deepen empathy. The pair also spotlight the transformative power of self-awareness. By disrupting detrimental thought cycles and embracing techniques like deep breathing and heart-focused meditation, we can ignite positive emotions and foster internal harmony. Sharing wisdom taken from ancient texts, meditation, breath work and tools and insight from HeartMath Institute, Jeff & Brett explain the concept of Coherence and even lead Alex and our listeners on a quick coherence exercise!
 
Key Takeaways:
Stress is not caused by external circumstances, but rather by our body's physiological reaction to those circumstances.
Being in a constant state of stress impairs key brain functions, such as problem-solving, communication, and empathy.
We have the ability to shift our body's response to stress through tools and techniques that promote coherence and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
By slowing down our breath and focusing on the area of the heart, we can send signals to the brain that everything is okay and reduce the stress response.
Developing awareness of our thoughts and emotions is crucial for making positive changes and breaking free from negative thought patterns.
Quotes:
"When we feel stressed, we limit key parts of the brain. In particular, our frontal cortex, which is the smart thinking part of the brain. So we're limited in our problem solving, in our communication, a number of other things, and also our ability to have empathy and see somebody else's point of view." (7:49 | Jeff Benton)
"If we don't teach people how to get out of a stress response, they're going to be limited in how they can show up. And this is just science. And the beautiful thing is we've seen it with thousands and thousands and thousands of executives. As we teach them these tools and techniques, and they go from a stressed response to a more optimal state, which we call coherence, it literally enables them to think more clearly, communicate more effectively, and have deeper empathy." (8:27 | Jeff Benton)
"I think a conscious entrepreneur is heart centered. They operate from a high level of emotional intelligence and awareness. And I would say a conscious entrepreneur is less concerned with maybe what others are thinking of them. And they're more focused on prioritizing how they're showing up in the moment. So their own state of being is important to them. I also think a conscious entrepreneur thinks of others in a more empathetic or compassionate way. And as a leader, they're seeking to empower others rather than dictate. (59:40 | Brett Weinroth) 
 
Links
Connect with Jeff and Brett:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bweinroth/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-robert-benton-51240a4/
https://www.performanceparagon.com/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP06: Creating the Life You Want

"Hustle culture is bullshit," says Dave Mayer. And he knows a thing or two about suffering through hustle culture. 
 
Alex Raymond sits down with Dave, the CEO and founder of Technical Integrity, to discuss his journey from burnout and exhaustion to building a successful business with a focus on cultural fit. Dave shares his personal struggle with burnout and how he overcame it by embracing a service-led, give-first approach. He emphasizes the power of slowing down, practicing breathwork, and giving yourself space to breathe and reflect so you can create the life and business you want.
 
Key Takeaways:
Prioritize self-care and well-being as an entrepreneur. Taking care of your mental and physical health is crucial for long-term success.
Giving without expecting anything in return can lead to meaningful connections and opportunities.
Take time to breathe, reflect, and avoid the pressure to solve all problems immediately.
Foster a culture of curiosity and safe spaces for asking questions. Embrace co-elevation, where everyone holds each other accountable towards a common goal.
Ensure you are well-rested to do your best work.
 
Quotes:
“Give everything space. Nothing needs to be solved right now. The immediacy of all of these problems in your head actually can afford space and can afford breath. And the more time you give them, the better. Slow replies to emails are actually a good thing. You don't need to solve all these problems on your own, right? You're a member of a team, you're a member of a community.” (08:11 | Dave Mayer) 
"The older you get, you know, the more you just, you slow down, you sort of appreciate and savor more." (08:50 | Dave Mayer)
"Asking questions in a safe space means growth for you and growth for us." (32:30 | Dave Mayer)
"Rest is a core component of becoming and really accessing your creativity, accessing your productivity, accessing your profitability." - Dave Mayer (35:19)
"A conscious entrepreneur is somebody who shows up as their best selves to the best of their ability on an ongoing basis." (37:07 | Dave Mayer)
 
Links
Connect with Dave Mayer:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveincolorado/
Website: https://technicalintegrity.com/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm