Matt is a lifelong entrepreneur, a software developer since age seven, and the founder of over 30 startups. A world traveler who has visited more than 70 countries, he hosted and produced “Places to Go” for Amazon Prime. He holds a commercial pilot’s license, a real estate broker’s license, and is a musician with over 30 published songs. A GIA-certified gemologist, black belt in Karate and Aikido, scuba diver, and photographer, Matt is a U.S. expat splitting his time between Colombia and Switzerland. He’s also a proud father to a pilot and a firefighter.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn what it really takes to transition from employee to entrepreneur, navigate ups and downs in business, and create lasting client loyalty.

Matt and I discuss:

• Lessons from early work experiences and rapid advancement [00:01:46]
• The difference between employee and entrepreneur mindsets [00:04:01]
• How setting and evolving goals drives success [00:04:55]
• Navigating ups and downs, from the 2008 crisis to COVID [00:05:44]
• Adapting business models and finding new income streams [00:06:17]
• The power of treating clients with genuine care [00:08:29]
• Building loyalty and relationships that endure transitions [00:10:09]
• Standing out by offering a “concierge” approach [00:19:29]
• How to leverage community, stay lean, and find support [00:16:22]

Learn more about Matt at https://theamericano.com

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Prosper Taruvinga is the founder of Live Long Digital, where he helps coaches and consultants scale from six to seven figures with ease and flow. A Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur based in Australia, Prosper blends digital strategy with heart, helping experts stop relying on algorithms and build profitable, enjoyable businesses they love.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to embrace unexpected opportunities, the importance of owning your media, and how building the right community can transform your business success.

Prosper and I discuss:

• Prosper’s journey from Zimbabwe to Australia and into digital marketing [00:01:54]
• The role of mentorship and models in shaping career paths [00:05:02]
• How Prosper turned being fired into a business opportunity [00:04:01]
• Navigating economic uncertainty and adaptability [00:05:53]
• Why owning your media is crucial for entrepreneurs [00:10:12]
• The tools and platforms Prosper uses to grow his business [00:12:41]
• Why he transitioned from working with restaurants to coaches and consultants [00:15:04]
• The biggest mistakes coaches and consultants make—and how to fix them [00:17:50]
• How to clarify your message and identify your target market [00:18:58]
• The transformative power of community in business and life [00:21:36]
• Prosper’s thoughts on collaboration and leveraging collective strengths [00:22:00]

Learn more about Prosper at https://onlineprosperity.com.au/

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Wagner Denuzzo is the author of Leading to Succeed, a book on essential skills for the new workplace. He is currently a consultant and coach at his own firm. Previously, he served as the VP and Global Head of Leadership Development at IBM, as well as the VP and Head of Capabilities for the Future of Work at Prudential Financial.

He is a seasoned leader in organizational development, human capital strategy, and leadership transformation, with over two decades of experience across global enterprises, consulting firms, and startups.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to effectively transition from corporate roles to entrepreneurship and the importance of collaboration in achieving success.

Wagner and I discuss:

• Wagner's journey from humble beginnings in Brazil to a successful corporate career [02:16]
• The pivotal moment that led Wagner to become an entrepreneur [04:41]
• The role of community in organizational success [07:13]
• How to leverage personal experiences for professional growth [10:04]
• The significance of listening in consulting engagements [13:14]
• The importance of shared leadership and collective purpose [20:12]
• Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur [22:48]
• Insights on building effective teams through the lens of quantum physics [25:10]

Learn more about Wagner at https://a.co/d/azLLRXK.

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Nathan Tanner is an executive coach who helps CEOs, founders, and high-impact leaders scale themselves and their companies. He's coached leaders from companies including Electronic Arts, EA, LinkedIn, Lyft, and Google. Prior to becoming a full-time coach, he held several HR executive roles, including leading the HR team at DoorDash.

Nathan has served as an advisor at Y Combinator and has written for Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company. He's an IRONMAN triathlete, holds an MBA from BYU, and lives with his wife and their four children in southern Utah.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to navigate career transitions and build meaningful relationships that enhance your leadership journey.

Nathan and I discuss:

• The unexpected path of Nathan's career journey [01:48]
• Insights on pursuing a career in finance and HR [03:27]
• The importance of finding your passion [05:24]
• How to identify the right business model for your skills [08:00]
• The distinction between the external and internal aspects of leadership [10:14]
• Why trust is essential in coaching relationships [12:46]
• Techniques for building connections with decision-makers [15:07]
• The role of community in personal and professional growth [18:48]

Learn more about Nathan at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVJWJR3H?ref_=pe_93986420_775043100 and https://nathantanner.substack.com/

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Dorie Clark has been named three times as one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50. She is a keynote speaker and teaches executive education at Columbia Business School.

She is also the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You, and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine. A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, she writes frequently for the Harvard Business Review. Learn more at dorieclark.com.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to navigate the challenges of moving from a corporate environment to building your own business.

Dorie and I discuss:

• The top tactical challenge for transitioning professionals [02:20]
• The emotional hurdles of leaving a corporate job [04:15]
• Strategies for effective business development [06:27]
• The importance of community during your transition [07:25]
• How to market yourself as an expert [10:32]
• The role of content creation in establishing credibility [18:36]
• The significance of social proof in building your reputation [19:16]
• Dorie’s recommended resources for aspiring entrepreneurs [27:16]

Learn more about Dorie at https://www.dorieclark.com/subscribe.

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Lyndsay Dowd is a speaker, founder, author, coach, podcast host, and disruptor. She is an accomplished leader and decorated seller who has successfully managed large, diverse, high-performing sales teams over the last 25 years, 23 of which were spent climbing the ranks at IBM. Lyndsay was also a featured guest lecturer at Harvard University.

In creating her company, Heartbeat for Hire, she has devoted her career to transforming leadership by building irresistible cultures and implementing modern leadership practices to achieve the best results from teams. She has been featured in Fortune Magazine, HR.com, Authority Magazine, ABC, NBC, FOX, and more than 90 podcasts. Lyndsay is a two-time author of both “Top Down Culture” and a contributing author to the anthology “Voices of Women.” She also hosts the globally ranked podcast, Heartbeat for Hire, which is in the top 5%, and is a frequent guest speaker on live and recorded shows.

Today, she is the Chief Revenue Officer for Intry, where they are merging the best of technology with the best of humanity to help job seekers and those in transition land the jobs of their dreams.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship and build a successful business model with your expertise.

Lyndsay and I discuss:

• Lyndsay’s journey from IBM to entrepreneurship [02:01]
• The inspiration behind Heartbeat for Hire [04:14]
• How to build a culture that drives results [05:46]
• Strategies for effective leadership in today’s world [08:35]
• The importance of investing in yourself during transitions [09:15]
• How she became a TEDx speaker [10:20]
• The role of community in personal and professional growth [16:15]
• Insights from her forthcoming book [21:11]

Learn more about Lyndsay at:

https://www.instagram.com/lyndsaydowdH4H

https://www.facebook.com/LyndsayDowdH4H

https://www.tiktok.com/@lyndsaydowdh4h

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9asGvE8Ks4XjR2UNwNmKDw

https://heartbeatforhire.com/

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She has an innate curiosity, which she has leveraged to build business relationships and teaches others how to do the same. Her passion lies in working with people who want to grow their businesses through relationship marketing and networking—and she accomplishes this using both online and offline strategies. LinkedIn training is a significant part of Janice’s business. She believes that all business professionals need to have a magnetic LinkedIn profile and that LinkedIn is THE platform for attracting new clients, strategic partners, and referrals.

Staying connected and nurturing relationships come next, and Janice shows clients how to implement a "tangible touch" follow-up system to achieve that.

Janice truly values the friendships and business relationships she cultivates, and when she meets someone new, she is always thinking, "How may I support you?"

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to leverage your relationships and effectively use LinkedIn to expand your professional network.

Janice and I discuss:

• Janice's journey from teaching to entrepreneurship [01:18]
• The challenges she faced transitioning to self-employment [02:47]
• The importance of networking and follow-up [06:54]
• How Janice utilized the Chamber of Commerce for business growth [09:20]
• The role of LinkedIn in building relationships [10:36]
• Strategies for effective communication on LinkedIn [13:44]
• The significance of consistency in social media engagement [20:32]
• How to protect and nurture your community connections [21:57]

Learn more about Janice at www.janiceporter.com and connect with her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/janice-porter.

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Jane Wesman is the creative force behind the public relations agency that bears her name. An expert in book marketing and publicity, she is the author of Dive Right In - The Sharks Won't Bite: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Guide to Success, which has been called "a clear and concise blueprint for the tasks of operating a business" by The New York Times. Wesman is a hands-on strategist who is deeply involved in every project that her company undertakes.

Her articles on marketing and entrepreneurship have appeared in such media outlets as CEO World, American Bookseller, Inc., and entrepreneur.com. Wesman served as President of the New York City chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners for four years and is currently on the board of the Women's Media Group. Her videos about book publicity and marketing can be viewed on YouTube at Book Marketing Pro.

Jane and I discuss:

• The top challenges faced by corporate refugees transitioning into entrepreneurship [02:33]
• How to clearly define your service offerings [04:13]
• The importance of finding and understanding your niche [04:54]
• Strategies for building a targeted marketing plan [08:38]
• The role of cash flow in sustaining your business [10:04]
• Creative ways to structure your service offerings [12:20]
• The impact of AI on consulting practices [15:30]
• The value of community support for entrepreneurs [20:01]

Learn more about Jane at https://www.wesmanpr.com.

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