September 25, 2025 • 45 mins
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What do you do when the door doesn’t open—despite your credentials, your connections, and your calling?
You build your own.
In this powerful episode, Erin sits down with Norman Harris Jr., healthcare leader, podcast host, and founder of CMC Media & Advocacy. Together, they explore what it means to lead without permission, trust your purpose, and stay the course—even when the industry overlooks you.
Norman shares his journey from being a trusted voice in long-term care leadership to launching a nonprofit media platform that centers underrepresented stories in healthcare. This episode is a masterclass in ownership, identity, and the raw, uncomfortable—but necessary—process of becoming.
Whether you're a senior living leader, emerging entrepreneur, or someone who’s been waiting to be chosen, this conversation will remind you:
“If God gave it to you, it will not miss you.”
What You’ll Learn:
- Why influence starts before the title arrives
- The truth about trust, leadership, and turnover in senior care
- How to reframe rejection and invisibility as invitations to lead
- The power of story-based advocacy—and why your voice matters
- Why Norman believes no cap rate is high enough to cover a lack of trust
- How he started a podcast and media brand, without waiting for permission
Quotable Moments:
“You have to own the seat before you ever get it.”“I had the credentials, the connections, the experience—but no one was calling. So I created my own opportunity.”“There is no cap rate high enough to compensate for a lack of trust.”“Podcasting wasn’t my plan. But purpose has a way of finding you if you’re listening.”
Links & Resources:
- Follow Norman Harris Jr. on LinkedIn: here
- Learn more about CMC Media & Advocacy: here
- Subscribe to Aspire for More with Erin on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app
- 100% Leader Information: Here
Call to Action:
If you’ve ever felt like you were made for more—but the world wasn’t ready to see it—this is your sign to go anyway.
Listen now. Share with a leader you believe in.
And remember: becoming is a process, not a performance.
New ED's Playbook to Creating and IMpactful Community Cultrue
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Join my email list where I will lift you up, and send tactile advice weekly to support you to grow your experience in your senior living career.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Erin (00:00):
Some people chase titles and other people build tables.
And let me tell you, I'm excitedto have this conversation with
my friend Norman.
In healthcare, we are trained tofollow the chart, but what
happens when your career pathdoesn't have the classic
blueprint that we want it totoday?
My guest is Norman Harris Jr.
(00:20):
A healthcare professional, turnpodcaster consultant and founder
of Comfort Measures Consulting,media and advocacy, a platform
built to amplify the stories andvoices that too often go
unheard.
Norman didn't wait forpermission.
He saw a gap in how we tell thestory of long-term care and
decided to fill it with amicrophone, a mission, and a
(00:44):
whole lot of grit.
And personality.
He's now elevating leaders,building media that matters and
redefining what entrepreneurshiplooks like in healthcare.
In this episode, we're gonnatalk about what it really takes
to build something from scratch,because it's a lot harder than
it sounds.
Why leadership is aboutlistening and not titles, and
(01:07):
how storytelling can be a forcefor trust, advocacy, and
industry-wide change.
Whether you're launching a sideproject or leading a team, this
story of Norman's journey willchallenge and inspire you to
lead with intention and say thething that needs to be said.
Because it does need to be saidand of course, the right way.
(01:30):
Norman, welcome.
I'm so happy that you are heretoday.
Norman (01:34):
Thank you.
This is a, it's a majoraccomplishment for me.
we've been talking about this,for some time now, and you and I
have been connected for, awhile.
And, so this is like a.
A major accomplishment for mefor sure to land on your
podcast.
So aspiring for more baby.
Erin (01:52):
Just for people to know.
Norman reached out to me about ayear or so ago, just mm-hmm.
A random dude reaching out to arandom woman.
A random woman.
it was, it's been the start of abeautiful friendship, which has
been nice.
Norman (02:07):
Very much so.
Yeah, very much so.
So many people that I reachedout to before, I had my website
before I had the social mediapage and before, and you.
Responded, you gave me the time.
You, I, like, I always say, yourconsultation fees, I've ran up a
pretty lofty bill with you.
(02:29):
but I mean, just you taking thetime in so much to me, and I
told you back then, like, youcan't get rid of me anymore now,
like, you know, open the door.
So I'm in.
Yes.
Erin (02:39):
Friends for
Norman (02:39):
life,
Erin (02:40):
friends
Norman (02:40):
for life, for life.
And just to see someone that wasdoing what I was aspiring to do,
and then you're in a totallydifferent state and for you to
just open your arms to me, likeIt means the world, honestly.
It means so much to me.
Erin (02:53):
Well, thank you.
You know, it's fun.
It's fun that LinkedIn allowsthat opportunity.
And it really does blur the linebetween states.
the perspective's different, theexperience is different, but the
journey is the same.
And I love this idea that werenot about chasing titles.
(03:19):
Like titles were never my thing.
I think I insulted a lot ofpeople in my career because I
couldn't remember titles becausereally they didn't matter,
right?
but.
It's the table that matters,right?
Mm-hmm.
Norman (03:32):
The table.
Yes, for sure.
Erin (03:35):
It's the table.
It's, it's coming to the table.
It's, it's table is, I thinkimportant, which is kind of what
we're both doing, isn't it?
Norman (03:46):
Yes, for sure.
For sure.
Creating that table for,ourselves.
But to offer other opportunitiesfor other people that are
entrepreneurs, for us to make a,a lane for ourselves, the way we
wanna define our purpose andpassion and, provide, the
advocacy efforts to thecommunity.
(04:07):
but also if you, you even takethe table for your family, um,
you're allowing your family anopportunity to, have growth and
legacy, as well.
And opportunities.
so I always had a, a vision whenstart a ation consultant to have
my daughters a part of it.
my family, my wife, a part ofit, because, I see it as I make
(04:29):
it big.
Y'all gonna benefit from thistoo, so we all gonna work.
We That's right.
Erin (04:35):
That's right.
Okay.
So we know you as CMC, comfortMeasures Consulting.
CEO, founder.
But you didn't start there.
You had experiences before.
So where did it begin?
How did you enter intohealthcare?
Norman (04:53):
Well, I was on this quest, I'll take you back over a
decade now.
Well, I'm getting old, huh?
so like 2013, I just wanted morefor myself.
I was living in Tallahassee,Florida, which encompasses a
whole lot of state governmentagencies and really, university
system, but, not many Fortune500 companies, that allowed
(05:15):
different career paths.
Right?
so I had an aspiration for more.
Aspiring for more?
Uh, yeah, so I wanted morebecause I said, you know, I went
to school this long and Iremember my first job out of,
college was with Florida Fishand Wildlife Conservation
Commission, and my salary was$23,482.
(05:40):
uh, I remember that numberdistinctly because I was just
like, I was already workingpart-time for them, but I was
like, this what I went tocollege for.
No, this is why I'm in debt,college student loans.
I was like, no, I want more thanthat.
Like I, and I always hadaspirations to own my own
company, my own business.
my grandfathers, both of themwere entrepreneurs and, own
(06:02):
their own businesses as well.
So I always looked up to them,for that and.
So I moved, made the transitionto moving down here to Tampa,
Florida.
I moved here in 2014.
I started with USAA as a autoadjuster, really just trying to
get to the city.
Then I got into, long term carebecause I tell you what, people
(06:23):
that work in a call centersetting.
A double salute to you.
It is not an easy job.
So, and an auto adjuster too.
but, I worked in with MetLife inan account management and
long-term care division, as aclient care consultant as well,
and a long-term care consultantthere as well.
So in those roles, I had anopportunity to understand how.
(06:45):
You know, insurances, work andoperate, the, the system in
which is used in for accountmanagement within an
organization.
But I still was aspiring formore.
Um, I still was aspiring formore, but, and my cousin,
actually, he w became a nursinghome administrator and he said,
man, C you know, we was over aChristmas holiday break and he
(07:09):
said, man, um, I know you havethe skillset, the education, um,
and I believe you can do this aswell, and I.
Based on my research, I foundthat becoming a nursing home
administrator is the only careerpath in the US in which you can
go from.
I guess a entry level person oroutta college and to running
(07:31):
your own organization, being theleader of a hundred plus
individuals and, being sort ofthe CEO.
For a particular skilled nursingfacility's the, one of the only
career paths you could do that.
so I pursued it and um, fromthere I became, I, it took me
seven months to find a preceptorbecause that's one of the
(07:52):
requirements.
And I went through aadministrator in training
program for one year, non-paid.
and I, I had to get up close tothe camera on that one because,
at the time I was expecting adaughter.
I had a daughter, I had a home.
and so that was a big, a big,you know, investment at that
time.
And then COVID hit during thattime as well.
(08:15):
So it was, yeah.
And I started my a IT programright before COVID, but it was,
um, a trying time for me, but Iwas motivated and, you know, I
felt like God had given me thatopening and that door to what I
desire.
Um, and that's really how myjourney into becoming a, a
skilled nursing administrator,started from there.
Erin (08:36):
You know, it's fun to look back at our life and you can
look back even at yourleadership career if you're
inside of a community and like,where did you start?
Where, what turns did we take toget where we are?
And then what did we learn fromeach piece to take us to the
next level?
Which is really exciting whenyou think about it because how
(08:59):
many really bad negative things,which I'm sure in a IT getting
paid no money, it felt like sucha burden at that time.
Norman (09:09):
Right?
And
Erin (09:10):
yet, look where you are today because you sacrificed.
Norman (09:15):
Oh yes.
Oh yes.
The sacrifice was, I remember atthe time.
My preceptor, Reginald Eldridge.
I always give him honor and,praise.
'cause again, I went sevenmonths on my lunch break, breaks
at work, calling preceptors,emailing them.
I had a system in place where Iwould follow up trying to land a
preceptor.
(09:35):
It's very hard to do that, tofind one.
And, he said, man, if you'rewilling to do it, I'm willing to
give you a chance.
And so, That took some honestyto my wife, right?
You think about, Hey, you'remaking this money and now you're
going to not make any money, soI had to work, you know, at the
time, two part-time jobs, toprovide for my family.
(09:57):
But when you, pursue a missionand God has a plan for you, he
opened up doors that you didn'teven expect.
In the end, before I evenfinished my a IT program, I had
a a job offer.
So, and I actually started, atDolphins View Health and Rehab.
But that was my first, buildingand I was able to, get that
building before I actuallybecame licensed as an
(10:19):
administrator.
So you just think about just therisk, like you said, and just
jumping out of a leaf of faithand God just had everything, you
know, right there for me.
Erin (10:29):
Yeah.
So what made you, what was likethe turning point?
Like the, the moment that yousaid, it's time to create
something of my own.
what was that for you?
Norman (10:40):
my 35th birthday, like I was 35 years old, I woke up.
I can't remember what I wasdoing, but it just hit me.
Like my life, I had always beenchasing money.
I also had so many goals of,owning my own and building a
legacy for my family.
And it is like, you don't takeany risk.
I'm not a risk taker.
(11:01):
I'm not a person that believesin just losing money, but I also
realized you gonna be a shoulda,woulda, coulda.
You gonna, if you never takestep out on faith, what real
trust do you have in God?
and at that point in time, Isaid, you know what?
I'm gonna do it.
So I started a cohort, which Ifound on YouTube.
(11:22):
And it was event space.
So I started a cohort program tostart my own event space
business.
and I went through that program.
I found a, a venue.
Which was sort of like apartnership situation, and that
was like my first entrepreneur,experience and sort of getting
my feet wet in the industry.
But it really was just, mybirthday came, I was 35 years
(11:46):
old, still talking about dreams,still just, speaking things and
had been doing that for so manyyears.
So you gonna keep on talking oryou gonna put work to it?
That's so, I, I had to face themusic and that's what I did.
Erin (11:59):
Yeah, taking those risks.
Norman (12:01):
Yeah.
Erin (12:02):
It's not, it's not easy.
I mean, we think it's riskbecause you think about money as
being a risk, right?
Mm-hmm.
But like, there's so many thingsthat, that you don't realize
that are the real risks thatkeep you from, from trying that,
which is the, the fear ofjudgment, the fear of failure,
the fear of rejection.
All of these are the realreasons why.
(12:25):
People don't take risks
Norman (12:26):
100% I tried to operate that business behind the camera.
Like I tried to just do post andthat that wasn't the way to go.
Like, you have to really, whenyou're going to step out on
faith, you have to be all in.
Be all in.
And, uh, Steve Harvey saidsomething, I, I was listening to
him one day.
He said, in to, in order toaccomplish something you've
never accomplished before,sometimes you have to become.
(12:51):
Someone that you've never beenbefore.
And so that really stuck with meand I said, you know what?
Yeah, get out your element.
You know, if you're trying toexpand and grow, you can't just
remain the same person, in everyaspect, I should say.
Erin (13:05):
And become is like the key word there, because it's not, it
becoming is a process.
Yes.
It is not like a destinationlike one morning.
I'm Norman and then the nextmorning I am becoming Norman.
You know what I mean?
It's is a process.
(13:26):
It's a process of becoming,
Norman (13:28):
it's becoming that.
You hit that right on the headand I, that's the biggest,
probably the biggest issue Ihave with probably
entrepreneurship is patient.
Things happen in phases.
Yeah, it happens in phases.
it is gonna happen.
You want it to happen in God'stiming.
But I always pray'cause I have apersonal relationship with God.
(13:50):
I fuss at him, all of that, getmad at with him.
But, uh, you have to have theunderstanding and just knowing
that like God's timing is thebest timing for you.
and I'll, my prayer sometimesis, you know, God, can your
timing be my timing sometime,you know?
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
But, you know, you want it inhis timing,
Erin (14:09):
Yeah.
I, you know, I, we can bringthis home.
If you're listening and you arelike in a community.
What he's talking about from anentrepreneur standpoint, which
is becoming, and then likewanting some, knowing that in
order to get better, you have tobe better.
Mm-hmm.
Like that is a leadershipprinciple that is not a, an
entrepreneurship principle.
(14:30):
That is, and he soughtmentorship.
Yes.
Yes.
he just didn't.
Make these things happen byhimself.
You can listen to his story.
And when he was becoming an AIT, he very was very intentional
about his lunch break, sendingemails.
He was intentional about findinga mentor.
That's how he found me.
(14:51):
he reached out to other peopleas well.
And it's a process, it's anintent.
It is seeking out people to getyou there faster than you would
by yourself.
That's what success is.
Norman (15:07):
That's what success is.
And I think I was born with likea gift of being able to see
others' mistakes and notnecessarily having to make their
same mistakes.
'cause some people can know, butthey still have to experience it
for themselves.
They still have to go through itfor themselves.
so I believe in havingresources.
Resources a lot of time can bevery, I wouldn't say a lot of
(15:29):
times it's very impactful, verypowerful.
To have people that, well, youdon't, you don't necessarily
have to recreate the will.
if you get, ask God to send youpeople that are trustworthy,
have your best interests likeAaron does.
like my preceptor, ReginaldEldridge, like my mentor, Ben
Cardo, Gregory James, my cousin,my cousin Pat.
I have a lot of people that, andbut understanding how to pull
(15:53):
information from each one ofthem to build out your journey
and your path.
You don't have to listen toeverything someone tells you.
But, you know, choosing what toapply and understanding where it
coming from, it coming frompeople that has your best
interest.
So that's, that means a lot.
But it took, before I evenstarted, come from Measures
Consulting, I was alreadyreaching out to Aaron, reaching
(16:16):
out to BJU, who's the CEO ofFowler, Florida Assisted Living
Association.
Erin (16:20):
Mm-hmm.
Like.
Norman (16:21):
For research.
That's what I was doing.
I was researching,understanding, okay, where's the
need and how can my organizationfulfill that need?
how can I connect my passion andmy purpose to my business and
what I'm doing?
And providing that resolve formany families, out there in the
community.
mm-hmm.
It really took a lot ofresearch.
(16:41):
I didn't jump into this by anymeans at all, and people like
you.
You've been through it.
You told me Norman, it's goingto take time.
I can tell you that it's gonnatake what you said three to five
years.
I was like three to five years.
I don't wanna wait that long.
You know, I told you patient'smy key thing that I have a issue
with, but uh, but she's didn'tlie.
(17:02):
She did not lie to me at all.
So
Erin (17:04):
yeah, it's the process of becoming.
I wanna ask this question.
Mm-hmm.
When you join that group cohortcoming from healthcare and, and
the way healthcare is, you know,it feels very siloed.
It doesn't feel very, sometimesI will say that it doesn't feel
very supportive.
It feels very Gotcha.
It feels very, slipperysometimes.
(17:26):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
What did that group mentoringcohort.
What did that teach you?
I'm interested to know what thatwas for you, because for me it
was very, I had a very specificexperience.
But what was that for you?
What was it like for you?
Norman (17:43):
and that was with the venue space?
yeah, So
Erin (17:46):
group of people, like peers that had the same goals as
you did and who could speakabout it openly and not be
affected in a negative way.
Norman (17:57):
what in some cases, I'm not gonna say, all right, you
are who you hang around.
Your environment is veryimpactful.
So being in a forum or a grouplike that with other like-minded
individuals, and you guys areknowledge sharing, knowledge
sharing resources, uh, sharing.
Best processes or practices, whoto work with.
(18:18):
those things are very impactful,to do that and see other
people's growth, and gains.
And that use that as motivation.
Use that to challenge yourself,use that to set your own goals,
to grow.
we share books that to read, weshare.
So it's more than just from abusiness standpoint, but it's
also from a personal, growth.
elevation standpoint as well.
(18:39):
But, the biggest, so thoseprobably the biggest things
about being in that community.
But secondly, I would say, theowner, Ms.
Tanisha, she, I realized at thatpoint in time that the internet,
social media, can allow you tobecome this expert.
(18:59):
And if you're doing somethinglong enough, right?
And you've put processes inplace, you've built out a plan
to do these things, you can showother people how to do it right
and turn that into value, right?
And what value creates finances.
and I, I saw that how she builtout, the monetary, how,'cause
(19:21):
you had to pay for this cohort.
So you are basically creating acurriculum.
To how to start your event spacebusiness, create that
curriculum, and you're now ableto sell this curriculum four or
five, six times out of the year.
So that shows me, that showed methat there's ways to create your
(19:42):
own, your own platform.
There's ways to create your ownincome, right?
And you can become an expert.
One of the most searched thingson YouTube and Google is how to
videos.
Those, it's like one of the topsearches.
And so, that really from, sogoing back to your question from
that cohort, that really showedme a plan that I can have for
(20:04):
the future,
Erin (20:06):
right?
It, it shortens, it really doesshorten the time.
Like, oh yeah, it.
For me, it just changed so much.
It gave me perspective.
And you know what I realized?
Perspective is power.
It doesn't mean it's right, andit doesn't mean that I'm gonna
follow everything that thatperson said, but it means, it
gave me perspective.
Love it.
It gave me confidence.
(20:27):
It gave me, affirmation.
It gave me, Some to watch otherpeople go through the same
process I wanna go through andwho are seven steps ahead.
I knew what to expect, whichallowed me to have a little bit
more courage, you know?
Yeah, yeah.
So it was something that waspretty powerful.
And it kind of sets up the nextquestion, which, what is the
hardest part ofentrepreneurship?
(20:49):
Because for you, because peoplethink.
I know I did because I had noidea about entrepreneurship and
building a business that I justthought if you build it, they
will come.
Norman (21:01):
Yeah.
Erin (21:02):
Okay.
That doesn't happen.
Norman (21:04):
No, that
Erin (21:04):
doesn't happen.
Norman (21:05):
Doesn't happen at all.
you know that certain industriesit probably happens with, um, if
you found a, a niche that isjust.
almost like, well, even thoughit's very a volatile industry,
the food industry, people willbuy food if it's good.
Like they could be from thelowest bracket of finances as a
(21:26):
family income to the highest,they'll spend money on food if
it's good.
Erin (21:30):
Mm-hmm.
Norman (21:31):
Um, but our particular niche is we're introducing
something, um, to the industrythat everyone isn't doing that.
There's not a whole lot of, Idon't know, investment right
into personal entrepreneurs,right?
Mm-hmm.
in this space that we're in, so,mm-hmm.
I mean, it's, it's, it was veryhard.
(21:53):
It's very hard to be consistentmm-hmm.
And persistent.
But one thing, it's research.
Like I said, stated before,before I started this, I
targeted my research.
To focus on the failures.
I know that's probably soundbad, but I, when I Google or
YouTube, I would watch peoplethat talk about the things that
(22:13):
they didn't do, the things thatthey wish they would've done.
And that's what I kindaincorporated and said.
And one of the key things that.
Everyone that was consistent.
Everybody said, I wish Iwould've never stopped.
I wish I would've not taken thatsix month break.
I had a kid and I had to take ayear off.
I wish I wouldn't have took thatyear off because I could have
(22:36):
done this, and this.
So I said, at the bare minimum,the one thing that I'm gonna do
is be consistent.
Erin (22:43):
Yeah, it's true.
And again, that's leadershipinside of a community too.
That's leadership as a regionaldirector, it's not just
entrepreneurship, but it is likeconsistency is going to set you
apart from everybody elsebecause everybody else will get
defeated and discouraged andwill give up.
Norman (23:03):
100%.
scaling, I learned the impact ofscaling.
it is very important with thatwhere you always, like, you're
elevated.
And my cousin, he's in anentirely different industry than
me.
he's a chef and he has his ownrestaurant, but I used, I would
monitor him on social media andhe would post like four times a
day.
(23:23):
You know, of course I, I niche,you can't really post that many
times per day.
But he told me this.
He said, man, always stay intheir face.
He said, even if they get tiredof you.
Even they get tired of you.
It's gonna be people, it'sgonna, majority of people will
continue to follow you.
Mm-hmm.
When they see that you'reconsistent.
'cause you earn their respect.
Yes.
Right.
You become that trustedresource.
(23:45):
So, and that entertainment,their purpose and that they see
all the time.
so I say, you know what?
And I took that value and I justapplied it and he was right.
He was right.
Erin (23:55):
He was right.
I will tell you the greatestcompliment I ever received is
when people say to me, for thefirst time that they meet me, I
feel like I already know you.
Norman (24:04):
And I'm like, yeah,
Erin (24:06):
it's because you do.
It's because you do.
Yeah, man, that's,
Norman (24:12):
that's a big compliment too.
It really is.
It really is.
But you also have thatpersonality, you know, I think,
the difference between you and Iis.
Your per you, you have, youintegrated more of like your
real true day-to-day encounters,you know?
Erin (24:30):
Mm-hmm.
Um,
Norman (24:31):
and with your, so that's one area that I don't think I
have a strong suit in.
Like I'm not the type that justwant to be in front of the
camera all the time.
Yeah.
It's hard.
It's hard to do that.
And
Erin (24:42):
you know, some days the hair's curled.
Some days it's straight, somedays it's up in a ponytail.
Norman (24:47):
But that's what people like though.
People like that raw realness.
They don't wanna see you don upevery single time, can your
Sunday dance, as they used tosay.
Mm-hmm.
You know?
But so, um, and that's why Iwatch you.
Like, you show me all facets ofyou.
The college football era, the,you know, professional errand,
the conference era, the errandwith her kid, like, and so
(25:09):
mm-hmm.
That really builds your coatfollowing, you know?
Mm-hmm.
And I think that's probably myissue or my problem.
Like I don't do that.
Erin (25:18):
I saw that picture with your little girl, and I knew she
was your little girl because shehas a smile just like yours.
Norman (25:24):
yeah.
So they love doing this.
Like, they complain abouteverything except podcasting.
Mm-hmm.
Like, they like coming andwatching me.
Erin (25:31):
Yeah.
I will tell you this, when wetalk about kids, and I think
it's really important becausefrom like a leadership
standpoint, and, and this isprofessional, this is personal
and it's professional.
My daughter has more confidencegoing on a stage and speaking to
the cafeteria, or now she's in aplay, because she sees me do it.
(25:56):
And even though she came to thecommunity and she knew that I
was, you know, running thatcommunity and that was a big
part of her life, what she seesnow, she's emulating.
Hmm.
And if nothing else happens, Iknow that I have done my job
because she has seen me besuccessful inside of a
community.
She has seen me separate fromthat community and be really sad
(26:20):
about it.
And then she has seen me dothis.
Wow.
And she is now on the stagedoing things that she's scared
of.
Which is fascinating.
And you're gonna have the same,you're gonna have the same
experience with your daughters.
Norman (26:36):
Oh yeah.
They already want their ownshows.
They practice, like we havevideos of them.
But, the biggest compliment andI, and accomplishment I've
probably had during this journeyis one day, my daughter,'cause
they have aftercare, so they dolike, things on the computer.
She said, daddy, what's yourYouTube channel again?
I wanna show my friends atschool.
(26:58):
Your YouTube page, your channeland everything, your videos.
And that probably, that almostbrought me to tears.
'cause the fact that my daughteris proud of me, enough to share
it with her friends at school,and, brag about it.
Like that's, that's been mybiggest accomplishment and
moment honestly.
Erin (27:16):
Absolutely it is.
my daughter tells me that I'm aninfluencer and that I'm famous,
and I say to her, I say to her,I'm not an influencer.
I am, I like to be a person ofinfluence, but I'm, I am your
principal famous.
You know what I mean?
Like I, I'm like, you'reprincipal famous.
Here are certain people who knowwho I'm, I'm not famous.
(27:38):
Do you know what I mean?
Norman (27:39):
no.
That is so funny.
It feels good to be recognizedand the fact that we understand,
and, and my cousin Chris, alwaysmention him, he helped me
understand that and own who youare.
Yes.
Own who you are.
Yes.
And much of my life, and my, andmy dad kinda raised me this way.
(28:00):
I always used to, he alwaysraised me to like be prepared
for the worst, right?
And so that in turn, always, Idon't know if it, this is the
cause of this, but I alwayslooked at fixing myself.
I always looked at how do Iimprove me.
Mm-hmm.
But that made me not focus on mystrengths.
Yes.
Now focus on what Norman have tobring to the table.
(28:21):
What I offer.
Yes.
And once I really own that, likethat year of when, when I was 35
or two years ago, almost a yearand a half.
When I own who I am, I embracedit.
I start showcasing, oh, I workfor hospice.
I became the hospice guy.
oh.
I work for, in businessdevelopment now and people see
me and I just start taking pridein who I am and what my
(28:44):
strengths are and just startshowcasing it.
And God just really justelevated it from there, to be
honest.
Erin (28:51):
Oh my gosh, that is so good.
Because when we try to fixeverything that we're not.
The only thing we can become isaverage.
Yep.
Yep.
Nobody wants average.
Nope.
Well, when you stop comparingyourself to everybody else, and
you start owning who you are,and you start sharpening those
areas that are your God-givenstrengths, right?
(29:12):
Your innate abilities, all of asudden you stand out and you
remove yourself from the peoplewho never wanted your strengths
and who didn't appreciate them.
Norman (29:21):
Oh yeah.
So I heard a wise man say, Dr.
Miles Monroe actually.
He said, you want riches, youwant finances, you want
opportunities, whether it's jobsor deals.
He said, make yourself valuable.
Erin (29:36):
Mm-hmm.
Norman (29:36):
Make yourself valuable.
And those things were attractedto you.
And so I said that I have tomake creative.
I want my company to.
Be valuable, right?
I want people, I want to buildit out to the point where people
are, we are being approached aswe like to say, a business hot
leads, right?
(29:56):
Mm-hmm.
Hot leads when someone iscalling you, right?
That's a, you have moreopportunity to convert on that,
right?
And that's been my goal is justto make myself valuable.
Erin (30:09):
God, I feel like I'm in
Norman (30:10):
church.
Erin (30:11):
so here, here's, it's, it's funny, it's.
This is two entrepreneurstalking and Norman still has a
job, right?
Yeah.
He still has job, his W2
Norman (30:22):
job, I said, my job, job that pay my bills.
Bills.
Yes.
Erin (30:25):
Yes.
Yeah.
And, and I, I want to say isthat this is how entrepreneurs
talk because this is howentrepreneurs are trained.
This is not how healthcareleaders are trained.
And this is why I started thispodcast for conversations like
these.
This is why I started thementoringship programs because
why do entrepreneurentrepreneurs get trained like
(30:46):
this and healthcare leaders donot?
Mm.
Why?
Why is it so important to be anentrepreneur?
And it's not quote unquoteimportant to be.
A healthcare leader, likehealthcare leaders should be
hearing this type of informationbecause if I had, if I had
understood that my strengths arewhat I need to work on, if I
(31:08):
could have understood the fearof rejection, the fear of
failure, the fear of judgmentwas what was holding me back.
If I would've understood that Ineed to understand my own value.
Ooh.
So my team could understandtheir value and worth in a way,
and for me not to wait forsomebody to look at me and deem
that I was valuable by giving mea title up the ladder or
(31:30):
whatever it is, right?
Norman (31:31):
chasing titles,
Erin (31:33):
chasing affirmations from people who don't have the time
to give it to you, right?
like all of a sudden retentionshifts in a positive way instead
of a negative way.
Norman, you have just proved mypoint.
Norman (31:50):
Yes.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Erin (31:52):
That is amazing.
and I think it's a, when we talkabout it from this, from this
standpoint.
Because you and I are bothvisible and vocal and are
showing up for ourselves and forothers.
Why do you think it's soimportant, knowing what you know
now, the training and theinvestment that you've made in
yourself for leaders inside ofthe community, the pro, the
(32:16):
senior living profession, thehospice profession, you know,
the healthcare profession ingeneral.
Why do they need to be visibleand vocal?
Norman (32:25):
that's a great question.
I'll say this.
Finding your purpose.
I sought God for weeks prayingthe same prayer.
God give me direction.
After the event, space thingfizzled out.
It didn't work.
I said, God, I'm not aboutlosing money now.
You know that.
You know, you doing it.
So, I said, but I want you togive me the discernment.
(32:47):
build out the plan and the paththat you have for me, Lord, and
show, show it to me.
And I just would pray that everyday, and it start just coming to
me over time.
I would meditate about it aswell.
I, the goal for me was to takewhat I had accomplished.
'cause again, like I said, I'm35, 36 years old.
Like, it's still kinda in mymind.
It's never too late in my mind.
(33:10):
You know, I'm not a, like, Iknow people say lifelong
learners and everything, but Ibelieve in learning what
interests me.
I know that sound bad, okay?
But that's the truth.
but so I said I wanted to takemy credentials.
What I've learned, myexperiences, how do I maximize
those things and createsomething for myself, right?
(33:31):
And then I want it to besomething that has not worked
for me.
That's something that I could be70 years old and still have an
interest in doing, and it's nota job.
I feel good about doing it.
Erin (33:43):
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Norman (33:43):
So, and that's what I created with my own company.
I, IUI utilize my skillsetthat's natural.
I utilize my education, myexperiences, and I said I'm
going to do that for myself.
I'm gonna provide the care thatI feel like I'm able to provide
to the community the way Iwanted to provide it.
(34:04):
and that really what, that'sreally what happened.
So it is important to vocalizewhat you do.
I said my, my thought process issimple.
Everybody show everything else.
You go on social media, you seeeverything else, but why does
healthcare has to be hidden ormm-hmm.
Not as important or I don'tknow.
(34:25):
So cring, right?
Mm-hmm.
It's, it is a lot of greatstores and great people.
funny aspects, enjoyment,laughter that happens in
healthcare.
It is, that's, those are facts.
Right.
there's a lot of drama, spicy,conversations and everything
that happens in healthcare.
but so I, I challenge, leadersand not only in healthcare, but
(34:47):
in general, own who you are.
and first of all, mostimportantly, connect with your
passion and purpose.
Erin (34:54):
Yeah.
and allow that to shine throughyour leadership.
To be visible and to be vocal inthe areas in your strength zone,
so your confidence and yourauthenticity can shine.
Okay?
You have enlightened us and youhave motivated and inspired us.
I, again, feel like I am talkingto John Maxwell or Steve Harvey,
(35:17):
or faster somebody, you knowwhat I mean?
But tell us about comfortmeasures, consulting, media, and
advocacy.
I wanna make sure I give youtime.
you have a podcast.
Yeah.
yours are in person, which arefun, and you're hosting and, and
now you are a, a platform forother voices.
(35:38):
You are creating the table.
So I wanna make sure that youhave time to talk about that.
Norman (35:42):
Thank you so much.
comfort Measures Consulting wasjust originally started out
with.
Me learning, working in hospiceat the time, I saw that families
needed opportunities to connectwith the best facilities for
care for their loved ones.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
I didn't realize that there weresenior living, agents out there
(36:05):
that helped.
Families out in the communityactually find placement.
I didn't even know that was theindustry.
I just saw it as an area ofneed.
And then based on my research, Iwas like, oh man, people already
doing this.
You have a place for mom, youhave care, you have all of these
entities that's doing thisalready.
so that's really startedconfirmation consulting from
(36:26):
there.
and then I always watchpodcasts.
Podcasts is like, I watch thosemore than television and.
I would dream about a podcastfor healthcare.
to give a, to give people thatare, I guess not as celebrated
as they should be.
but have so much knowledge andthey really do the groundwork
out here.
(36:47):
and COVID showed us that, COVIDshowed us the industries that we
could not live without.
And one of those industries wasthe care industry, the
healthcare industry.
So I said, well, I'm gonna turnthose people into celebrities.
The movie stars, they couldn'twork at the time, right?
Mm-hmm.
Nobody was shooting.
I mean, you would find movieshere and there, but, but we saw
(37:09):
that healthcares, if they didn'tshow up to those nursing homes,
to the hospitals, to theseclinics, to do those testings,
to gown up every single day,what would've happened?
And, so I said, those are thetrue heroes and those are the
people I'm gonna shine a lighton.
because they had so many, it's,it's so much knowledge and it
really just expanded from there.
(37:30):
Mm-hmm.
and then that's when I saw anopportunity to consult.
I said, okay, well, I've givenout advice to, and I al that's
my personal care advocacy.
That's where that came in
Erin (37:41):
from.
Mm-hmm.
Norman (37:41):
Um, just me working in n in nursing homes is so many
family members.
Coming into the skilled nursingsetting, don't know anything
about their mom.
Right.
And I'll give you an example.
Mom have a stroke, is up in thehospital.
The kids being that they don'thave the conversations about
power of attorney, knowing howto evaluate a skilled nursing
(38:02):
facility or a LF appropriately,knowing what Mama insurance
plans covered, knowing howMedicaid work, knowing any of
those things.
Um, and I would sit beforefamilies.
Day after day, week after week,and they just weren't prepared.
And I look at my own life, myfamily, that wasn't a
conversation that my parentshad, early on.
(38:23):
and, and I have a lot of familymembers that way, and I'm pretty
sure the world is right.
we only think about healthcarewhen we need.
So I wanted to create a platformthat would enable people with
resources, right.
But also shine a light on, otherindividuals that are really and
truly doing, good things outhere in the community.
Mm-hmm.
(38:43):
and that's what I did.
So that's really the origin, theorigins of Comfort Measures
Consulting.
Erin (38:50):
Yeah.
It's definitely a missiondriven.
Um.
Passion project, which isexciting, and if you can support
it where there's a YouTubechannel.
Norman (39:00):
Yes, yes.
So now we're, building, um, andwe're expanding, of course, that
come from scaling the business,and growth.
Uh, we've been blessed to,created the Comfort Measures
Media Division.
You can find us on YouTube atComfort Measures Media.
definitely subscribe to thechannel and hit the notification
bell as well.
check us out on Facebook atComfort Measures Consulting and
(39:21):
Instagram at CMC Media as well.
so we're building out a platformof other podcast hosts that
they, so that they have a, avoice.
So the pillars of ComfortMeasures Media is, empowerment.
leadership advocacy, those arethe pillars.
So I want people to understandthat this is going to, this is
(39:42):
Florida's number oneentertainment station.
and it's not only just ahealthcare focused platform.
it's for other leaders similarthat has niche like yours, you
know?
Mm-hmm.
That want to inspire others.
And, um, I'm so excited to haveJennifer Eatings, on the
platform as our first, podcast,host, and her show will be
coming out here, in this fall.
(40:04):
Uh, the call, like collective isthe na, is the name of her show,
and she's advocating for nursesand, and being there for them to
share their journey and theirpassions, um, but also for
people that have trauma as well.
So, um, I love her initiativeand we'll be signing other
podcast hosts as well, um, uh,here in the future through
conference managers media.
(40:25):
so wanna build out the mediaspace and then move into the
community.
So the ultimate goal with, mediaand advocacy is to, create
community, seminars, webinars.
About, different resources thatcould benefit family members in
regards to prevention andawareness in the healthcare
(40:45):
area, right?
Mm-hmm.
Uh, not only healthcare, but inthe financial aspect.
in marriage.
Uh, so the other podcast hostthat I'm signing, I want them to
have some sort ofdifferentiation.
from my platform as well, um,because I truly want to empower
the community and move it inperson, right?
Where I have these liveworkshops and events, that the
(41:07):
community can actually, attend.
And I have those podcast hostsas the guest speakers, as the
person that sort of, um, puttogether those workshops and,
for the community as well.
So that's the.
That's the goal overall, andthat's what we're working
towards right now, is to reallybecome more hands-on in the
community, and providing themthem resources outside of the
(41:30):
content space.
Erin (41:32):
I think what you're doing there is a point that I truly
believe is that when you giveinfluence, away, influence will
come back to you.
Norman (41:42):
Wow.
That's a big one.
That's good.
Erin (41:45):
give, you'll receive.
know
Norman (41:47):
that's true.
And, and God will send you thepeople in your life, that could
help you bridge that journey.
Your friends.
And that's another one Dr.
Miles Monroe said.
He said, your friend should bepeople that are dedicated to
helping you reach your vision.
Those should be your friends.
So I pray that prayer, God sendme people that have my best
(42:07):
interests.
No shady people over here.
No people that stand on theirword and, have morals and values
on.
That's one thing I do not do.
I don't lie myself with someonethat doesn't have morals and
values.
'cause I, I'm, I manage andgovern my life off of
principles, right?
Mm-hmm.
My, me giving you my word onsomething and not being able to
(42:28):
live up to that, that crushesme.
Like that crushes me.
I, I love, I, I cannot, I don'tlike not keeping my word.
I'll just say that, right?
Sure.
Yeah, it's true.
Erin (42:39):
Well, when consistency is your superpower, we understand,
you know what I mean?
I, my cup is full.
Thank you so much for thisconversation.
I just love it.
I know that it was a lot aboutentrepreneurship.
But what I have learned now morethan anything is that leadership
inside of a community is a lotlike entrepreneurship.
(43:00):
There are people that want us.
To own or be the CEO of ourcommunity.
Well, that's gonna requireownership and entrepreneurial
thought.
So thank you for sharing thosethoughts, those pearly wisdom
full of nuggets.
it had no, it has filled my cup,so thank you.
you can find Comfort MeasuresConsulting on YouTube, so make
(43:22):
sure to check him out.
Listen to his podcasts.
He is Norman Harris, Jr.
And, thank you for listening.
Thank you for your time today.
Have a great day, and as always,aspire for more for you.
Yes, ma'am.
Alright.
Norman (43:36):
Thank you all.
Thank you for having me.
Some people chase titles and other people build tables.
And let me tell you, I'm excitedto have this conversation with
my friend Norman.
In healthcare, we are trained tofollow the chart, but what
happens when your career pathdoesn't have the classic
blueprint that we want it totoday?
My guest is Norman Harris Jr.
(00:20):
A healthcare professional, turnpodcaster consultant and founder
of Comfort Measures Consulting,media and advocacy, a platform
built to amplify the stories andvoices that too often go
unheard.
Norman didn't wait forpermission.
He saw a gap in how we tell thestory of long-term care and
decided to fill it with amicrophone, a mission, and a
(00:44):
whole lot of grit.
And personality.
He's now elevating leaders,building media that matters and
redefining what entrepreneurshiplooks like in healthcare.
In this episode, we're gonnatalk about what it really takes
to build something from scratch,because it's a lot harder than
it sounds.
Why leadership is aboutlistening and not titles, and
(01:07):
how storytelling can be a forcefor trust, advocacy, and
industry-wide change.
Whether you're launching a sideproject or leading a team, this
story of Norman's journey willchallenge and inspire you to
lead with intention and say thething that needs to be said.
Because it does need to be saidand of course, the right way.
(01:30):
Norman, welcome.
I'm so happy that you are heretoday.
Norman (01:34):
Thank you.
This is a, it's a majoraccomplishment for me.
we've been talking about this,for some time now, and you and I
have been connected for, awhile.
And, so this is like a.
A major accomplishment for mefor sure to land on your
podcast.
So aspiring for more baby.
Erin (01:52):
Just for people to know.
Norman reached out to me about ayear or so ago, just mm-hmm.
A random dude reaching out to arandom woman.
A random woman.
it was, it's been the start of abeautiful friendship, which has
been nice.
Norman (02:07):
Very much so.
Yeah, very much so.
So many people that I reachedout to before, I had my website
before I had the social mediapage and before, and you.
Responded, you gave me the time.
You, I, like, I always say, yourconsultation fees, I've ran up a
pretty lofty bill with you.
(02:29):
but I mean, just you taking thetime in so much to me, and I
told you back then, like, youcan't get rid of me anymore now,
like, you know, open the door.
So I'm in.
Yes.
Erin (02:39):
Friends for
Norman (02:39):
life,
Erin (02:40):
friends
Norman (02:40):
for life, for life.
And just to see someone that wasdoing what I was aspiring to do,
and then you're in a totallydifferent state and for you to
just open your arms to me, likeIt means the world, honestly.
It means so much to me.
Erin (02:53):
Well, thank you.
You know, it's fun.
It's fun that LinkedIn allowsthat opportunity.
And it really does blur the linebetween states.
the perspective's different, theexperience is different, but the
journey is the same.
And I love this idea that werenot about chasing titles.
(03:19):
Like titles were never my thing.
I think I insulted a lot ofpeople in my career because I
couldn't remember titles becausereally they didn't matter,
right?
but.
It's the table that matters,right?
Mm-hmm.
Norman (03:32):
The table.
Yes, for sure.
Erin (03:35):
It's the table.
It's, it's coming to the table.
It's, it's table is, I thinkimportant, which is kind of what
we're both doing, isn't it?
Norman (03:46):
Yes, for sure.
For sure.
Creating that table for,ourselves.
But to offer other opportunitiesfor other people that are
entrepreneurs, for us to make a,a lane for ourselves, the way we
wanna define our purpose andpassion and, provide, the
advocacy efforts to thecommunity.
(04:07):
but also if you, you even takethe table for your family, um,
you're allowing your family anopportunity to, have growth and
legacy, as well.
And opportunities.
so I always had a, a vision whenstart a ation consultant to have
my daughters a part of it.
my family, my wife, a part ofit, because, I see it as I make
(04:29):
it big.
Y'all gonna benefit from thistoo, so we all gonna work.
We That's right.
Erin (04:35):
That's right.
Okay.
So we know you as CMC, comfortMeasures Consulting.
CEO, founder.
But you didn't start there.
You had experiences before.
So where did it begin?
How did you enter intohealthcare?
Norman (04:53):
Well, I was on this quest, I'll take you back over a
decade now.
Well, I'm getting old, huh?
so like 2013, I just wanted morefor myself.
I was living in Tallahassee,Florida, which encompasses a
whole lot of state governmentagencies and really, university
system, but, not many Fortune500 companies, that allowed
(05:15):
different career paths.
Right?
so I had an aspiration for more.
Aspiring for more?
Uh, yeah, so I wanted morebecause I said, you know, I went
to school this long and Iremember my first job out of,
college was with Florida Fishand Wildlife Conservation
Commission, and my salary was$23,482.
(05:40):
uh, I remember that numberdistinctly because I was just
like, I was already workingpart-time for them, but I was
like, this what I went tocollege for.
No, this is why I'm in debt,college student loans.
I was like, no, I want more thanthat.
Like I, and I always hadaspirations to own my own
company, my own business.
my grandfathers, both of themwere entrepreneurs and, own
(06:02):
their own businesses as well.
So I always looked up to them,for that and.
So I moved, made the transitionto moving down here to Tampa,
Florida.
I moved here in 2014.
I started with USAA as a autoadjuster, really just trying to
get to the city.
Then I got into, long term carebecause I tell you what, people
(06:23):
that work in a call centersetting.
A double salute to you.
It is not an easy job.
So, and an auto adjuster too.
but, I worked in with MetLife inan account management and
long-term care division, as aclient care consultant as well,
and a long-term care consultantthere as well.
So in those roles, I had anopportunity to understand how.
(06:45):
You know, insurances, work andoperate, the, the system in
which is used in for accountmanagement within an
organization.
But I still was aspiring formore.
Um, I still was aspiring formore, but, and my cousin,
actually, he w became a nursinghome administrator and he said,
man, C you know, we was over aChristmas holiday break and he
(07:09):
said, man, um, I know you havethe skillset, the education, um,
and I believe you can do this aswell, and I.
Based on my research, I foundthat becoming a nursing home
administrator is the only careerpath in the US in which you can
go from.
I guess a entry level person oroutta college and to running
(07:31):
your own organization, being theleader of a hundred plus
individuals and, being sort ofthe CEO.
For a particular skilled nursingfacility's the, one of the only
career paths you could do that.
so I pursued it and um, fromthere I became, I, it took me
seven months to find a preceptorbecause that's one of the
(07:52):
requirements.
And I went through aadministrator in training
program for one year, non-paid.
and I, I had to get up close tothe camera on that one because,
at the time I was expecting adaughter.
I had a daughter, I had a home.
and so that was a big, a big,you know, investment at that
time.
And then COVID hit during thattime as well.
(08:15):
So it was, yeah.
And I started my a IT programright before COVID, but it was,
um, a trying time for me, but Iwas motivated and, you know, I
felt like God had given me thatopening and that door to what I
desire.
Um, and that's really how myjourney into becoming a, a
skilled nursing administrator,started from there.
Erin (08:36):
You know, it's fun to look back at our life and you can
look back even at yourleadership career if you're
inside of a community and like,where did you start?
Where, what turns did we take toget where we are?
And then what did we learn fromeach piece to take us to the
next level?
Which is really exciting whenyou think about it because how
(08:59):
many really bad negative things,which I'm sure in a IT getting
paid no money, it felt like sucha burden at that time.
Norman (09:09):
Right?
And
Erin (09:10):
yet, look where you are today because you sacrificed.
Norman (09:15):
Oh yes.
Oh yes.
The sacrifice was, I remember atthe time.
My preceptor, Reginald Eldridge.
I always give him honor and,praise.
'cause again, I went sevenmonths on my lunch break, breaks
at work, calling preceptors,emailing them.
I had a system in place where Iwould follow up trying to land a
preceptor.
(09:35):
It's very hard to do that, tofind one.
And, he said, man, if you'rewilling to do it, I'm willing to
give you a chance.
And so, That took some honestyto my wife, right?
You think about, Hey, you'remaking this money and now you're
going to not make any money, soI had to work, you know, at the
time, two part-time jobs, toprovide for my family.
(09:57):
But when you, pursue a missionand God has a plan for you, he
opened up doors that you didn'teven expect.
In the end, before I evenfinished my a IT program, I had
a a job offer.
So, and I actually started, atDolphins View Health and Rehab.
But that was my first, buildingand I was able to, get that
building before I actuallybecame licensed as an
(10:19):
administrator.
So you just think about just therisk, like you said, and just
jumping out of a leaf of faithand God just had everything, you
know, right there for me.
Erin (10:29):
Yeah.
So what made you, what was likethe turning point?
Like the, the moment that yousaid, it's time to create
something of my own.
what was that for you?
Norman (10:40):
my 35th birthday, like I was 35 years old, I woke up.
I can't remember what I wasdoing, but it just hit me.
Like my life, I had always beenchasing money.
I also had so many goals of,owning my own and building a
legacy for my family.
And it is like, you don't takeany risk.
I'm not a risk taker.
(11:01):
I'm not a person that believesin just losing money, but I also
realized you gonna be a shoulda,woulda, coulda.
You gonna, if you never takestep out on faith, what real
trust do you have in God?
and at that point in time, Isaid, you know what?
I'm gonna do it.
So I started a cohort, which Ifound on YouTube.
(11:22):
And it was event space.
So I started a cohort program tostart my own event space
business.
and I went through that program.
I found a, a venue.
Which was sort of like apartnership situation, and that
was like my first entrepreneur,experience and sort of getting
my feet wet in the industry.
But it really was just, mybirthday came, I was 35 years
(11:46):
old, still talking about dreams,still just, speaking things and
had been doing that for so manyyears.
So you gonna keep on talking oryou gonna put work to it?
That's so, I, I had to face themusic and that's what I did.
Erin (11:59):
Yeah, taking those risks.
Norman (12:01):
Yeah.
Erin (12:02):
It's not, it's not easy.
I mean, we think it's riskbecause you think about money as
being a risk, right?
Mm-hmm.
But like, there's so many thingsthat, that you don't realize
that are the real risks thatkeep you from, from trying that,
which is the, the fear ofjudgment, the fear of failure,
the fear of rejection.
All of these are the realreasons why.
(12:25):
People don't take risks
Norman (12:26):
100% I tried to operate that business behind the camera.
Like I tried to just do post andthat that wasn't the way to go.
Like, you have to really, whenyou're going to step out on
faith, you have to be all in.
Be all in.
And, uh, Steve Harvey saidsomething, I, I was listening to
him one day.
He said, in to, in order toaccomplish something you've
never accomplished before,sometimes you have to become.
(12:51):
Someone that you've never beenbefore.
And so that really stuck with meand I said, you know what?
Yeah, get out your element.
You know, if you're trying toexpand and grow, you can't just
remain the same person, in everyaspect, I should say.
Erin (13:05):
And become is like the key word there, because it's not, it
becoming is a process.
Yes.
It is not like a destinationlike one morning.
I'm Norman and then the nextmorning I am becoming Norman.
You know what I mean?
It's is a process.
(13:26):
It's a process of becoming,
Norman (13:28):
it's becoming that.
You hit that right on the headand I, that's the biggest,
probably the biggest issue Ihave with probably
entrepreneurship is patient.
Things happen in phases.
Yeah, it happens in phases.
it is gonna happen.
You want it to happen in God'stiming.
But I always pray'cause I have apersonal relationship with God.
(13:50):
I fuss at him, all of that, getmad at with him.
But, uh, you have to have theunderstanding and just knowing
that like God's timing is thebest timing for you.
and I'll, my prayer sometimesis, you know, God, can your
timing be my timing sometime,you know?
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
But, you know, you want it inhis timing,
Erin (14:09):
Yeah.
I, you know, I, we can bringthis home.
If you're listening and you arelike in a community.
What he's talking about from anentrepreneur standpoint, which
is becoming, and then likewanting some, knowing that in
order to get better, you have tobe better.
Mm-hmm.
Like that is a leadershipprinciple that is not a, an
entrepreneurship principle.
(14:30):
That is, and he soughtmentorship.
Yes.
Yes.
he just didn't.
Make these things happen byhimself.
You can listen to his story.
And when he was becoming an AIT, he very was very intentional
about his lunch break, sendingemails.
He was intentional about findinga mentor.
That's how he found me.
(14:51):
he reached out to other peopleas well.
And it's a process, it's anintent.
It is seeking out people to getyou there faster than you would
by yourself.
That's what success is.
Norman (15:07):
That's what success is.
And I think I was born with likea gift of being able to see
others' mistakes and notnecessarily having to make their
same mistakes.
'cause some people can know, butthey still have to experience it
for themselves.
They still have to go through itfor themselves.
so I believe in havingresources.
Resources a lot of time can bevery, I wouldn't say a lot of
(15:29):
times it's very impactful, verypowerful.
To have people that, well, youdon't, you don't necessarily
have to recreate the will.
if you get, ask God to send youpeople that are trustworthy,
have your best interests likeAaron does.
like my preceptor, ReginaldEldridge, like my mentor, Ben
Cardo, Gregory James, my cousin,my cousin Pat.
I have a lot of people that, andbut understanding how to pull
(15:53):
information from each one ofthem to build out your journey
and your path.
You don't have to listen toeverything someone tells you.
But, you know, choosing what toapply and understanding where it
coming from, it coming frompeople that has your best
interest.
So that's, that means a lot.
But it took, before I evenstarted, come from Measures
Consulting, I was alreadyreaching out to Aaron, reaching
(16:16):
out to BJU, who's the CEO ofFowler, Florida Assisted Living
Association.
Erin (16:20):
Mm-hmm.
Like.
Norman (16:21):
For research.
That's what I was doing.
I was researching,understanding, okay, where's the
need and how can my organizationfulfill that need?
how can I connect my passion andmy purpose to my business and
what I'm doing?
And providing that resolve formany families, out there in the
community.
mm-hmm.
It really took a lot ofresearch.
(16:41):
I didn't jump into this by anymeans at all, and people like
you.
You've been through it.
You told me Norman, it's goingto take time.
I can tell you that it's gonnatake what you said three to five
years.
I was like three to five years.
I don't wanna wait that long.
You know, I told you patient'smy key thing that I have a issue
with, but uh, but she's didn'tlie.
(17:02):
She did not lie to me at all.
So
Erin (17:04):
yeah, it's the process of becoming.
I wanna ask this question.
Mm-hmm.
When you join that group cohortcoming from healthcare and, and
the way healthcare is, you know,it feels very siloed.
It doesn't feel very, sometimesI will say that it doesn't feel
very supportive.
It feels very Gotcha.
It feels very, slipperysometimes.
(17:26):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
What did that group mentoringcohort.
What did that teach you?
I'm interested to know what thatwas for you, because for me it
was very, I had a very specificexperience.
But what was that for you?
What was it like for you?
Norman (17:43):
and that was with the venue space?
yeah, So
Erin (17:46):
group of people, like peers that had the same goals as
you did and who could speakabout it openly and not be
affected in a negative way.
Norman (17:57):
what in some cases, I'm not gonna say, all right, you
are who you hang around.
Your environment is veryimpactful.
So being in a forum or a grouplike that with other like-minded
individuals, and you guys areknowledge sharing, knowledge
sharing resources, uh, sharing.
Best processes or practices, whoto work with.
(18:18):
those things are very impactful,to do that and see other
people's growth, and gains.
And that use that as motivation.
Use that to challenge yourself,use that to set your own goals,
to grow.
we share books that to read, weshare.
So it's more than just from abusiness standpoint, but it's
also from a personal, growth.
elevation standpoint as well.
(18:39):
But, the biggest, so thoseprobably the biggest things
about being in that community.
But secondly, I would say, theowner, Ms.
Tanisha, she, I realized at thatpoint in time that the internet,
social media, can allow you tobecome this expert.
(18:59):
And if you're doing somethinglong enough, right?
And you've put processes inplace, you've built out a plan
to do these things, you can showother people how to do it right
and turn that into value, right?
And what value creates finances.
and I, I saw that how she builtout, the monetary, how,'cause
(19:21):
you had to pay for this cohort.
So you are basically creating acurriculum.
To how to start your event spacebusiness, create that
curriculum, and you're now ableto sell this curriculum four or
five, six times out of the year.
So that shows me, that showed methat there's ways to create your
(19:42):
own, your own platform.
There's ways to create your ownincome, right?
And you can become an expert.
One of the most searched thingson YouTube and Google is how to
videos.
Those, it's like one of the topsearches.
And so, that really from, sogoing back to your question from
that cohort, that really showedme a plan that I can have for
(20:04):
the future,
Erin (20:06):
right?
It, it shortens, it really doesshorten the time.
Like, oh yeah, it.
For me, it just changed so much.
It gave me perspective.
And you know what I realized?
Perspective is power.
It doesn't mean it's right, andit doesn't mean that I'm gonna
follow everything that thatperson said, but it means, it
gave me perspective.
Love it.
It gave me confidence.
(20:27):
It gave me, affirmation.
It gave me, Some to watch otherpeople go through the same
process I wanna go through andwho are seven steps ahead.
I knew what to expect, whichallowed me to have a little bit
more courage, you know?
Yeah, yeah.
So it was something that waspretty powerful.
And it kind of sets up the nextquestion, which, what is the
hardest part ofentrepreneurship?
(20:49):
Because for you, because peoplethink.
I know I did because I had noidea about entrepreneurship and
building a business that I justthought if you build it, they
will come.
Norman (21:01):
Yeah.
Erin (21:02):
Okay.
That doesn't happen.
Norman (21:04):
No, that
Erin (21:04):
doesn't happen.
Norman (21:05):
Doesn't happen at all.
you know that certain industriesit probably happens with, um, if
you found a, a niche that isjust.
almost like, well, even thoughit's very a volatile industry,
the food industry, people willbuy food if it's good.
Like they could be from thelowest bracket of finances as a
(21:26):
family income to the highest,they'll spend money on food if
it's good.
Erin (21:30):
Mm-hmm.
Norman (21:31):
Um, but our particular niche is we're introducing
something, um, to the industrythat everyone isn't doing that.
There's not a whole lot of, Idon't know, investment right
into personal entrepreneurs,right?
Mm-hmm.
in this space that we're in, so,mm-hmm.
I mean, it's, it's, it was veryhard.
(21:53):
It's very hard to be consistentmm-hmm.
And persistent.
But one thing, it's research.
Like I said, stated before,before I started this, I
targeted my research.
To focus on the failures.
I know that's probably soundbad, but I, when I Google or
YouTube, I would watch peoplethat talk about the things that
(22:13):
they didn't do, the things thatthey wish they would've done.
And that's what I kindaincorporated and said.
And one of the key things that.
Everyone that was consistent.
Everybody said, I wish Iwould've never stopped.
I wish I would've not taken thatsix month break.
I had a kid and I had to take ayear off.
I wish I wouldn't have took thatyear off because I could have
(22:36):
done this, and this.
So I said, at the bare minimum,the one thing that I'm gonna do
is be consistent.
Erin (22:43):
Yeah, it's true.
And again, that's leadershipinside of a community too.
That's leadership as a regionaldirector, it's not just
entrepreneurship, but it is likeconsistency is going to set you
apart from everybody elsebecause everybody else will get
defeated and discouraged andwill give up.
Norman (23:03):
100%.
scaling, I learned the impact ofscaling.
it is very important with thatwhere you always, like, you're
elevated.
And my cousin, he's in anentirely different industry than
me.
he's a chef and he has his ownrestaurant, but I used, I would
monitor him on social media andhe would post like four times a
day.
(23:23):
You know, of course I, I niche,you can't really post that many
times per day.
But he told me this.
He said, man, always stay intheir face.
He said, even if they get tiredof you.
Even they get tired of you.
It's gonna be people, it'sgonna, majority of people will
continue to follow you.
Mm-hmm.
When they see that you'reconsistent.
'cause you earn their respect.
Yes.
Right.
You become that trustedresource.
(23:45):
So, and that entertainment,their purpose and that they see
all the time.
so I say, you know what?
And I took that value and I justapplied it and he was right.
He was right.
Erin (23:55):
He was right.
I will tell you the greatestcompliment I ever received is
when people say to me, for thefirst time that they meet me, I
feel like I already know you.
Norman (24:04):
And I'm like, yeah,
Erin (24:06):
it's because you do.
It's because you do.
Yeah, man, that's,
Norman (24:12):
that's a big compliment too.
It really is.
It really is.
But you also have thatpersonality, you know, I think,
the difference between you and Iis.
Your per you, you have, youintegrated more of like your
real true day-to-day encounters,you know?
Erin (24:30):
Mm-hmm.
Um,
Norman (24:31):
and with your, so that's one area that I don't think I
have a strong suit in.
Like I'm not the type that justwant to be in front of the
camera all the time.
Yeah.
It's hard.
It's hard to do that.
And
Erin (24:42):
you know, some days the hair's curled.
Some days it's straight, somedays it's up in a ponytail.
Norman (24:47):
But that's what people like though.
People like that raw realness.
They don't wanna see you don upevery single time, can your
Sunday dance, as they used tosay.
Mm-hmm.
You know?
But so, um, and that's why Iwatch you.
Like, you show me all facets ofyou.
The college football era, the,you know, professional errand,
the conference era, the errandwith her kid, like, and so
(25:09):
mm-hmm.
That really builds your coatfollowing, you know?
Mm-hmm.
And I think that's probably myissue or my problem.
Like I don't do that.
Erin (25:18):
I saw that picture with your little girl, and I knew she
was your little girl because shehas a smile just like yours.
Norman (25:24):
yeah.
So they love doing this.
Like, they complain abouteverything except podcasting.
Mm-hmm.
Like, they like coming andwatching me.
Erin (25:31):
Yeah.
I will tell you this, when wetalk about kids, and I think
it's really important becausefrom like a leadership
standpoint, and, and this isprofessional, this is personal
and it's professional.
My daughter has more confidencegoing on a stage and speaking to
the cafeteria, or now she's in aplay, because she sees me do it.
(25:56):
And even though she came to thecommunity and she knew that I
was, you know, running thatcommunity and that was a big
part of her life, what she seesnow, she's emulating.
Hmm.
And if nothing else happens, Iknow that I have done my job
because she has seen me besuccessful inside of a
community.
She has seen me separate fromthat community and be really sad
(26:20):
about it.
And then she has seen me dothis.
Wow.
And she is now on the stagedoing things that she's scared
of.
Which is fascinating.
And you're gonna have the same,you're gonna have the same
experience with your daughters.
Norman (26:36):
Oh yeah.
They already want their ownshows.
They practice, like we havevideos of them.
But, the biggest compliment andI, and accomplishment I've
probably had during this journeyis one day, my daughter,'cause
they have aftercare, so they dolike, things on the computer.
She said, daddy, what's yourYouTube channel again?
I wanna show my friends atschool.
(26:58):
Your YouTube page, your channeland everything, your videos.
And that probably, that almostbrought me to tears.
'cause the fact that my daughteris proud of me, enough to share
it with her friends at school,and, brag about it.
Like that's, that's been mybiggest accomplishment and
moment honestly.
Erin (27:16):
Absolutely it is.
my daughter tells me that I'm aninfluencer and that I'm famous,
and I say to her, I say to her,I'm not an influencer.
I am, I like to be a person ofinfluence, but I'm, I am your
principal famous.
You know what I mean?
Like I, I'm like, you'reprincipal famous.
Here are certain people who knowwho I'm, I'm not famous.
(27:38):
Do you know what I mean?
Norman (27:39):
no.
That is so funny.
It feels good to be recognizedand the fact that we understand,
and, and my cousin Chris, alwaysmention him, he helped me
understand that and own who youare.
Yes.
Own who you are.
Yes.
And much of my life, and my, andmy dad kinda raised me this way.
(28:00):
I always used to, he alwaysraised me to like be prepared
for the worst, right?
And so that in turn, always, Idon't know if it, this is the
cause of this, but I alwayslooked at fixing myself.
I always looked at how do Iimprove me.
Mm-hmm.
But that made me not focus on mystrengths.
Yes.
Now focus on what Norman have tobring to the table.
(28:21):
What I offer.
Yes.
And once I really own that, likethat year of when, when I was 35
or two years ago, almost a yearand a half.
When I own who I am, I embracedit.
I start showcasing, oh, I workfor hospice.
I became the hospice guy.
oh.
I work for, in businessdevelopment now and people see
me and I just start taking pridein who I am and what my
(28:44):
strengths are and just startshowcasing it.
And God just really justelevated it from there, to be
honest.
Erin (28:51):
Oh my gosh, that is so good.
Because when we try to fixeverything that we're not.
The only thing we can become isaverage.
Yep.
Yep.
Nobody wants average.
Nope.
Well, when you stop comparingyourself to everybody else, and
you start owning who you are,and you start sharpening those
areas that are your God-givenstrengths, right?
(29:12):
Your innate abilities, all of asudden you stand out and you
remove yourself from the peoplewho never wanted your strengths
and who didn't appreciate them.
Norman (29:21):
Oh yeah.
So I heard a wise man say, Dr.
Miles Monroe actually.
He said, you want riches, youwant finances, you want
opportunities, whether it's jobsor deals.
He said, make yourself valuable.
Erin (29:36):
Mm-hmm.
Norman (29:36):
Make yourself valuable.
And those things were attractedto you.
And so I said that I have tomake creative.
I want my company to.
Be valuable, right?
I want people, I want to buildit out to the point where people
are, we are being approached aswe like to say, a business hot
leads, right?
(29:56):
Mm-hmm.
Hot leads when someone iscalling you, right?
That's a, you have moreopportunity to convert on that,
right?
And that's been my goal is justto make myself valuable.
Erin (30:09):
God, I feel like I'm in
Norman (30:10):
church.
Erin (30:11):
so here, here's, it's, it's funny, it's.
This is two entrepreneurstalking and Norman still has a
job, right?
Yeah.
He still has job, his W2
Norman (30:22):
job, I said, my job, job that pay my bills.
Bills.
Yes.
Erin (30:25):
Yes.
Yeah.
And, and I, I want to say isthat this is how entrepreneurs
talk because this is howentrepreneurs are trained.
This is not how healthcareleaders are trained.
And this is why I started thispodcast for conversations like
these.
This is why I started thementoringship programs because
why do entrepreneurentrepreneurs get trained like
(30:46):
this and healthcare leaders donot?
Mm.
Why?
Why is it so important to be anentrepreneur?
And it's not quote unquoteimportant to be.
A healthcare leader, likehealthcare leaders should be
hearing this type of informationbecause if I had, if I had
understood that my strengths arewhat I need to work on, if I
(31:08):
could have understood the fearof rejection, the fear of
failure, the fear of judgmentwas what was holding me back.
If I would've understood that Ineed to understand my own value.
Ooh.
So my team could understandtheir value and worth in a way,
and for me not to wait forsomebody to look at me and deem
that I was valuable by giving mea title up the ladder or
(31:30):
whatever it is, right?
Norman (31:31):
chasing titles,
Erin (31:33):
chasing affirmations from people who don't have the time
to give it to you, right?
like all of a sudden retentionshifts in a positive way instead
of a negative way.
Norman, you have just proved mypoint.
Norman (31:50):
Yes.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Erin (31:52):
That is amazing.
and I think it's a, when we talkabout it from this, from this
standpoint.
Because you and I are bothvisible and vocal and are
showing up for ourselves and forothers.
Why do you think it's soimportant, knowing what you know
now, the training and theinvestment that you've made in
yourself for leaders inside ofthe community, the pro, the
(32:16):
senior living profession, thehospice profession, you know,
the healthcare profession ingeneral.
Why do they need to be visibleand vocal?
Norman (32:25):
that's a great question.
I'll say this.
Finding your purpose.
I sought God for weeks prayingthe same prayer.
God give me direction.
After the event, space thingfizzled out.
It didn't work.
I said, God, I'm not aboutlosing money now.
You know that.
You know, you doing it.
So, I said, but I want you togive me the discernment.
(32:47):
build out the plan and the paththat you have for me, Lord, and
show, show it to me.
And I just would pray that everyday, and it start just coming to
me over time.
I would meditate about it aswell.
I, the goal for me was to takewhat I had accomplished.
'cause again, like I said, I'm35, 36 years old.
Like, it's still kinda in mymind.
It's never too late in my mind.
(33:10):
You know, I'm not a, like, Iknow people say lifelong
learners and everything, but Ibelieve in learning what
interests me.
I know that sound bad, okay?
But that's the truth.
but so I said I wanted to takemy credentials.
What I've learned, myexperiences, how do I maximize
those things and createsomething for myself, right?
(33:31):
And then I want it to besomething that has not worked
for me.
That's something that I could be70 years old and still have an
interest in doing, and it's nota job.
I feel good about doing it.
Erin (33:43):
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Norman (33:43):
So, and that's what I created with my own company.
I, IUI utilize my skillsetthat's natural.
I utilize my education, myexperiences, and I said I'm
going to do that for myself.
I'm gonna provide the care thatI feel like I'm able to provide
to the community the way Iwanted to provide it.
(34:04):
and that really what, that'sreally what happened.
So it is important to vocalizewhat you do.
I said my, my thought process issimple.
Everybody show everything else.
You go on social media, you seeeverything else, but why does
healthcare has to be hidden ormm-hmm.
Not as important or I don'tknow.
(34:25):
So cring, right?
Mm-hmm.
It's, it is a lot of greatstores and great people.
funny aspects, enjoyment,laughter that happens in
healthcare.
It is, that's, those are facts.
Right.
there's a lot of drama, spicy,conversations and everything
that happens in healthcare.
but so I, I challenge, leadersand not only in healthcare, but
(34:47):
in general, own who you are.
and first of all, mostimportantly, connect with your
passion and purpose.
Erin (34:54):
Yeah.
and allow that to shine throughyour leadership.
To be visible and to be vocal inthe areas in your strength zone,
so your confidence and yourauthenticity can shine.
Okay?
You have enlightened us and youhave motivated and inspired us.
I, again, feel like I am talkingto John Maxwell or Steve Harvey,
(35:17):
or faster somebody, you knowwhat I mean?
But tell us about comfortmeasures, consulting, media, and
advocacy.
I wanna make sure I give youtime.
you have a podcast.
Yeah.
yours are in person, which arefun, and you're hosting and, and
now you are a, a platform forother voices.
(35:38):
You are creating the table.
So I wanna make sure that youhave time to talk about that.
Norman (35:42):
Thank you so much.
comfort Measures Consulting wasjust originally started out
with.
Me learning, working in hospiceat the time, I saw that families
needed opportunities to connectwith the best facilities for
care for their loved ones.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
I didn't realize that there weresenior living, agents out there
(36:05):
that helped.
Families out in the communityactually find placement.
I didn't even know that was theindustry.
I just saw it as an area ofneed.
And then based on my research, Iwas like, oh man, people already
doing this.
You have a place for mom, youhave care, you have all of these
entities that's doing thisalready.
so that's really startedconfirmation consulting from
(36:26):
there.
and then I always watchpodcasts.
Podcasts is like, I watch thosemore than television and.
I would dream about a podcastfor healthcare.
to give a, to give people thatare, I guess not as celebrated
as they should be.
but have so much knowledge andthey really do the groundwork
out here.
(36:47):
and COVID showed us that, COVIDshowed us the industries that we
could not live without.
And one of those industries wasthe care industry, the
healthcare industry.
So I said, well, I'm gonna turnthose people into celebrities.
The movie stars, they couldn'twork at the time, right?
Mm-hmm.
Nobody was shooting.
I mean, you would find movieshere and there, but, but we saw
(37:09):
that healthcares, if they didn'tshow up to those nursing homes,
to the hospitals, to theseclinics, to do those testings,
to gown up every single day,what would've happened?
And, so I said, those are thetrue heroes and those are the
people I'm gonna shine a lighton.
because they had so many, it's,it's so much knowledge and it
really just expanded from there.
(37:30):
Mm-hmm.
and then that's when I saw anopportunity to consult.
I said, okay, well, I've givenout advice to, and I al that's
my personal care advocacy.
That's where that came in
Erin (37:41):
from.
Mm-hmm.
Norman (37:41):
Um, just me working in n in nursing homes is so many
family members.
Coming into the skilled nursingsetting, don't know anything
about their mom.
Right.
And I'll give you an example.
Mom have a stroke, is up in thehospital.
The kids being that they don'thave the conversations about
power of attorney, knowing howto evaluate a skilled nursing
(38:02):
facility or a LF appropriately,knowing what Mama insurance
plans covered, knowing howMedicaid work, knowing any of
those things.
Um, and I would sit beforefamilies.
Day after day, week after week,and they just weren't prepared.
And I look at my own life, myfamily, that wasn't a
conversation that my parentshad, early on.
(38:23):
and, and I have a lot of familymembers that way, and I'm pretty
sure the world is right.
we only think about healthcarewhen we need.
So I wanted to create a platformthat would enable people with
resources, right.
But also shine a light on, otherindividuals that are really and
truly doing, good things outhere in the community.
Mm-hmm.
(38:43):
and that's what I did.
So that's really the origin, theorigins of Comfort Measures
Consulting.
Erin (38:50):
Yeah.
It's definitely a missiondriven.
Um.
Passion project, which isexciting, and if you can support
it where there's a YouTubechannel.
Norman (39:00):
Yes, yes.
So now we're, building, um, andwe're expanding, of course, that
come from scaling the business,and growth.
Uh, we've been blessed to,created the Comfort Measures
Media Division.
You can find us on YouTube atComfort Measures Media.
definitely subscribe to thechannel and hit the notification
bell as well.
check us out on Facebook atComfort Measures Consulting and
(39:21):
Instagram at CMC Media as well.
so we're building out a platformof other podcast hosts that
they, so that they have a, avoice.
So the pillars of ComfortMeasures Media is, empowerment.
leadership advocacy, those arethe pillars.
So I want people to understandthat this is going to, this is
(39:42):
Florida's number oneentertainment station.
and it's not only just ahealthcare focused platform.
it's for other leaders similarthat has niche like yours, you
know?
Mm-hmm.
That want to inspire others.
And, um, I'm so excited to haveJennifer Eatings, on the
platform as our first, podcast,host, and her show will be
coming out here, in this fall.
(40:04):
Uh, the call, like collective isthe na, is the name of her show,
and she's advocating for nursesand, and being there for them to
share their journey and theirpassions, um, but also for
people that have trauma as well.
So, um, I love her initiativeand we'll be signing other
podcast hosts as well, um, uh,here in the future through
conference managers media.
(40:25):
so wanna build out the mediaspace and then move into the
community.
So the ultimate goal with, mediaand advocacy is to, create
community, seminars, webinars.
About, different resources thatcould benefit family members in
regards to prevention andawareness in the healthcare
(40:45):
area, right?
Mm-hmm.
Uh, not only healthcare, but inthe financial aspect.
in marriage.
Uh, so the other podcast hostthat I'm signing, I want them to
have some sort ofdifferentiation.
from my platform as well, um,because I truly want to empower
the community and move it inperson, right?
Where I have these liveworkshops and events, that the
(41:07):
community can actually, attend.
And I have those podcast hostsas the guest speakers, as the
person that sort of, um, puttogether those workshops and,
for the community as well.
So that's the.
That's the goal overall, andthat's what we're working
towards right now, is to reallybecome more hands-on in the
community, and providing themthem resources outside of the
(41:30):
content space.
Erin (41:32):
I think what you're doing there is a point that I truly
believe is that when you giveinfluence, away, influence will
come back to you.
Norman (41:42):
Wow.
That's a big one.
That's good.
Erin (41:45):
give, you'll receive.
know
Norman (41:47):
that's true.
And, and God will send you thepeople in your life, that could
help you bridge that journey.
Your friends.
And that's another one Dr.
Miles Monroe said.
He said, your friend should bepeople that are dedicated to
helping you reach your vision.
Those should be your friends.
So I pray that prayer, God sendme people that have my best
(42:07):
interests.
No shady people over here.
No people that stand on theirword and, have morals and values
on.
That's one thing I do not do.
I don't lie myself with someonethat doesn't have morals and
values.
'cause I, I'm, I manage andgovern my life off of
principles, right?
Mm-hmm.
My, me giving you my word onsomething and not being able to
(42:28):
live up to that, that crushesme.
Like that crushes me.
I, I love, I, I cannot, I don'tlike not keeping my word.
I'll just say that, right?
Sure.
Yeah, it's true.
Erin (42:39):
Well, when consistency is your superpower, we understand,
you know what I mean?
I, my cup is full.
Thank you so much for thisconversation.
I just love it.
I know that it was a lot aboutentrepreneurship.
But what I have learned now morethan anything is that leadership
inside of a community is a lotlike entrepreneurship.
(43:00):
There are people that want us.
To own or be the CEO of ourcommunity.
Well, that's gonna requireownership and entrepreneurial
thought.
So thank you for sharing thosethoughts, those pearly wisdom
full of nuggets.
it had no, it has filled my cup,so thank you.
you can find Comfort MeasuresConsulting on YouTube, so make
(43:22):
sure to check him out.
Listen to his podcasts.
He is Norman Harris, Jr.
And, thank you for listening.
Thank you for your time today.
Have a great day, and as always,aspire for more for you.
Yes, ma'am.
Alright.
Norman (43:36):
Thank you all.
Thank you for having me.
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