Leaders Across America With Steve Acorn

56 | Tom Pivoso | Showing Resilience and How to Gain Massive Momentum Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

How can you make the most of your formative years? And, what are some things that you can do right now to gain massive forward momentum in the long run?

On today's show, we interview Tom Pivoso, Founder Campus Well who shares with us his distilled wisdom on resilience, confidence, and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Back in 1989, Tom was a sophomore at the University of Delaware when he chanced upon a YEAA flyer. Tom signed up on the dotted line and this decision dramatically changed the course of his life and career.

In his first year, Tom earned a handsome $20,000 profit on revenues of $63,000 – which was admittedly, more money than he had ever imagined.

Subsequently, lured by the idea of coaching, Tom signed up as a district manager with YEAA in his second year. In his last year as a district manager, Tom supervised 10 student painters while running a large $7 million painting business.

This experience stoked his entrepreneurial spirit, and upon graduation, Tom started a new venture wherein he helped student organizations connect with national marketers to raise the necessary funds.

Currently, Tom manages a subscription-based content platform, Campus Well that helps improve the health and wellness of students.

Among other things, on today's show, you will learn the importance of accountability, clear communication, and developing confidence.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

Why accountability is key to the success of a relationship
Why a YEAA internship is the surest way to fast track your career
Why taking head-on challenges and developing resilience
Why you need to work on developing skill sets that you can leverage for your whole life
And so much more…

Resources

Campus Well

Leaders Across America

55 | Scott Snyder | The Joy of Developing People and The Importance of Building a Stellar Mindset Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

On today's show, we interview Scott Snyder who shares with us his thoughts on entrepreneurship, faith, and mindset.

Scott interned with Young Entrepreneurs back in 1998 when he was a student at the University of Miami. In his first year as a student painter, Scott ended up earning a respectable $11,000 in profits on sales of $43,000.

However, bogged down by the stress of managing a business, Scott decided to "take it easy" in his sophomore year by taking up an internship with General Motors.

But he was quick to realize that he had walked away from the better alternative that would do greater good for him in the long run.

So in his third year, Scott was back to re-commence what ended up being a long, fruitful 10-year relationship with Student Works.

Upon graduation, Scott decided to pursue his passion by teaching physics to seventh-graders. Nevertheless, he continued working as a student manager until he had to take a step back to fulfil his fatherly responsibilities.

Currently, Scott serves as a church pastor in Butler Town

Other topics discussed on today's show include the importance of a stellar mindset.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

Why did I continue as a student painter for 10 years after graduation?
How to shed negativity and develop a stellar mindset
What does it take to be a successful student painter?
And so much more…

Resources:

54 | Marty Kelchner | How COVID Has Disrupted World-Wide Industrial Operations Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

Ever wondered about the interconnectedness of the global economy? And how COVID has disrupted industrial operations across the world?

On today's show, we interview Marty Kelcher, Purchasing Manager, Mainline Supply Company. He will share us his thoughts on entrepreneurship, delegation at the workplace, and the macro-economy.

13 years ago, in 2008, Marty ran a $50,000 painting business in Dayton and Cincinnati while interning with Young Entrepreneurs. This internship proved to be massively impactful for Marty as he learned some lifelong lessons that set the tone for a successful career.

In this segment of the show, you will learn how YEAA gives 18–20-year-olds opportunities that they would typically get when they are in their mid-thirties or forties. Here, you will also learn the many advantages of working in a proven, franchise business model.

In the latter half of the show, Marty gives us a peek into his role at the Mainline Supply Company.

As the purchase manager of a large industrial distribution house, Marty manages operations that are strongly affected by macro-economics. Specifically, you will learn how covid has led to huge raw material increases which have disrupted supplies and projects across the world.

This is a show that you do want to miss.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

How covid has disrupted worldwide industrial operations
The interconnectedness of the global economy
How a YEAA internship teaches you valuable lessons in
And so much more…

Resources:

53 | Ken Hansell | How Resilience Can Overcome Obstacles In Running Your First Business Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

How do you know that you are cut out to run a business? And what are some of the biggest challenges that you are likely to encounter as you make your foray into entrepreneurship?

On today's show, we interview former YEAA painter and manager, Michael Page, Ken Hansell who shares with us his distilled wisdom on stepping out of the comfort zone, fostering the right team culture and the meaning of resilience.

As a sophomore at the College of Charleston, when Michael first came across the YEAA opportunity, admittedly, he thought that it was too good to be true. But when he visited the sales conference, he was blown away by the energy and excitement.

In his first year as a student painter, Michael ended up running a $82,000 painting business in Charleston. In this segment of the show, he particularly talks about the challenge of building and managing a dream team.

Upon graduation, he first worked for Elbeco Inc., a uniform manufacturer in Kansas City. However, in 2017, he transitioned to the international recruiting firm, Michael Page.

The last segment of the show is particularly interesting as you will get an inside peek into Ken's life at Michael Page. You will learn how the jobbing market went into a sharp slump when the pandemic first struck. And how the current market situation is in sharp contrast as companies are desperately looking for great talent.

You will also learn about Michael Page's Five Core Values in today's show.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show

Why did I decide to run a business in my sophomore year?
How to build a dream team, foster the right culture, and find buy-in
How a YEAA internship can teach you some important lifelong lessons in resilience
How keeping an open mind is a must for growth and success
And so much more…

Resources:

52 | Aaron and Josh | The Benefits of Being Part of YEAA Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

In today's episode of the Leader Across America podcast, Steve sits down with Aaron Acorn and Josh Drushel, both Vice Presidents of the Young Entrepreneurs Across America program for the final episode of their special four-part series. The topic for today's show involves the benefits students can gain by being part of the Young Entrepreneurs Across America program.

As the summer winds down and we approach the end of this year's internship, Steve, Aaron and Josh take some time to reflect on why this year's executive team may be the strongest yet, and highlight some of the benefits of the program.

Beyond the growth potential that the program provides to participants - offering opportunities to build new skills and helping to make themselves more marketable - it also answers a question many have asked: "Is there anything left to learn?" What they quickly realize however, is that learning never really ends. As you gain experience in business and get better at your job, your learning opportunities actually increase.

Networking is another powerful benefit of the program. Working with like-minded people on an executive team provides powerful opportunities for connection and learning, whether it be from your own class, the executives above you or the people that come after you. Once you reach the executive level, you're able to create that connection with the top 10% of the entire country.

Steve, Aaron and Josh also take time to discuss the deep level of interaction and hands-on learning present in the program. Many internships are based on "shadowing," offering small glimpses of what that office actually looks like. However, what's missing is real world experience, a hands-on approach that provides more opportunity for learning.

Enjoy!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

Why this year's executive team may be the strongest they've ever had going into 2022.
The answer to the perennial question: "Is there anything more for me to learn?"
How the networking opportunities offered by the program allow you to build connections with the top 10% in the country.
Why internships that only allow participants to "shadow" office environments are missing out on a powerful learning opportunity.
And so much more...

Resources: