May 21, 2025 • 45 mins
Ever find yourself questioning whether the entrepreneurial journey is worth it? That moment when you look at the calendar, realize half the year has passed, and your goals seem further away than ever? You're not alone.
After a transformative weekend of back-to-back events kicking off our busy "selly season" (that perfect blend of selling and silly that defines entrepreneurial life), I'm sharing the raw truth about what keeps me going after nearly five years in business. This Memorial Weekend marked not just the start of our busy season, but a profound realization - we're approaching five years of Share the Struggle Podcast without missing a single episode, alongside five years of building Loud Proud American from the ground up.
The weekend reconnected me with fellow entrepreneurs, loyal customers, and my own purpose. Through conversations with like-minded business owners facing similar challenges, I rediscovered something powerful: the community that forms when we're transparent about our struggles creates strength we can't find in isolation. One conversation particularly struck home - "I give you credit for not giving up, for continuing to fight... and I know if you keep going, it's going to happen."
Drawing from research and personal experience, I'm sharing five actionable strategies that will help you push forward when giving up seems like the only option. From expecting challenges to reconnecting with your why, these aren't just business tips - they're life practices applicable to any dream worth fighting for. The most surprising insight? If I could have seen where I'd be after five years of hard work, I probably wouldn't have started this journey. But the relationships built, personal growth experienced, and impact made can't be measured in simple metrics.
Ready to transform your perspective on business challenges? Looking for that boost to keep pushing forward? This episode is your reminder that small victories matter, perseverance pays off, and the journey itself holds value beyond the destination. Plus, I'm thrilled to announce our acceptance to the Syracuse Nationals event - a testament that persistence eventually opens doors you've been knocking on.
Subscribe to Share the Struggle Podcast and join our community of resilient entrepreneurs who are committed to never giving up, no matter what challenges arise.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This week on Share the Struggle Podcast.
It is a double feature recap.
Back-to-back events kick offthe busy season.
Lots of positive conversationreconnect us with our reason.
So get ready to hit the highsand lows and remind ourselves of
what keeps us on the go.
(00:21):
Let me tell you somethingEverybody struggles.
The difference is some peoplechoose to go through it and some
choose to grow through it.
The choice is completely yours.
Which one you choose will havea very profound effect on the
way you live your life.
If you find strength in thestruggle, then this podcast is
(00:46):
for you.
Do you have a relationship thatis comfortable with
uncomfortable conversations?
Uncomfortable conversationschallenge you, humble you and
they build you.
When you sprinkle a little timeand distance on it, it all
makes sense.
Most disagreements, they stemfrom our own insecurities.
(01:09):
You are right where you need tobe the whole day gone from
behind.
Way too fast, way too fast.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.
(01:32):
What it do, what it haaaat,do-do-do-do.
Good Lord, almighty, you knowyour boy is excited to be back
with you.
Oh, it's true, it is damn true.
You know your boy is excited tobe back with you.
Oh, it's true, it is damn true.
Man, welcome back y'all as weprepare for a memorial weekend.
(01:54):
Can you believe that?
Man, may, may.
And if it's Memorial Weekend,then a couple things come true.
Number one that means that thefloodgates have opened in our
state and we are about to getdown to business.
Which man am I ready to be downwith business, because we need
(02:17):
it.
We need it.
Dark and desperate times, myfriend, that's what comes with
the winter season when you are aNew Englander At least if
you're a New Englander.
That depends on traffic, thatdepends on population, that
depends on face-to-face retailsales, because we don't have
(02:39):
much going on through the wintertime.
That is going to bring thecrowds that we depend on.
Hence the reason why weattempted heading south, and we
might do that again in thefuture.
But it's nice to be able to getbusiness in our own state and
in our surrounding states.
So that's what this weekendsignifies and that's also really
what last weekend was thebeginning to.
(03:02):
So I'm excited to outline allthat with you.
But another thing that comeswith Memorial Weekend is that we
are almost halfway through theyear.
Can you guys believe that?
It always seems strange to mebecause our season doesn't
really start as far as like ourbusy time of year doesn't really
start till May.
(03:22):
So we get May, june, july,august, september, october.
That's really like the meat andbarreras of what we do.
So it's scary in my mind to lookat a calendar and realize half
the year is over and really, boy, your year ain't gotten started
.
So you start to feel a littlebit behind the eight ball
(03:44):
because, based off the calendar,you should be halfway to your
goal.
You know what I'm saying?
And we set some lofty goals andwe ain't halfway to them goals.
So it'll rattle your cage alittle bit.
It'll leave you questioning andsecond guessing, because you're
looking at it and saying, boy,is this going to be another year
(04:06):
of me believing in just notachieving.
What are you going to do?
What are you going to do withyourself?
Dust yourself off, figure outyour life.
You're not doing so hot Bucky.
And then you realize, oh, youkind of have a really strange
business that doesn't tend tomake money for several months
out of the year, which we'vedone better at this year with
(04:28):
our custom orders and stuff.
But I don't want to get off on atangent.
I just want to remind everybodywe're nearly halfway, end of
the year 2025.
That just seems strange to me.
I almost have a one-year-olddaughter.
This is wild, wild times, y'all.
It's got me a little scared,okay, I don't know.
(04:54):
Yeah, I shouldn't think, liveon the air like I just did, but
I didn't come on here preparedto talk about how much of the
season's already gone by, howmuch of the 2025's gone by, so
it just gets me a littleemotional.
So I mean, oh God, talk amongstyourselves.
He's doing it again.
He's doing it again.
(05:17):
Episode 254.
That's another thing that'llmake you realize something.
I was talking to the wife theother day and we were talking
about 254 episodes and that theseason was just getting started,
which means the year is kind ofhalfway over.
And then I realized, hotdiggity, damn, when we get to
(05:38):
July, that is going to signifyfive years of Share the Struggle
podcast.
Are there day ones out therelistening?
I know there's day ones.
Get your ones up.
I recognize you.
I acknowledge you.
I thank you for being you andfor being a loyal one for
(06:01):
listening since day one.
We've been doing this week toweek to week for nearly five
freaking years.
I don't know what we're goingto do to celebrate y'all.
We should do something, butfive years is fastly approaching
.
It doesn't feel like five years.
It's kind of strange to me tothink that every single week we
(06:22):
have gathered here 254 weeks andjust put out episodes.
Man, it's crazy.
We've been consistent.
We have not missed one episodein nearly five years.
If you're a day one, Iappreciate you.
If this is your day one, then Iwelcome you and I encourage you
to go back and listen, to takethings in, to ride along this
(06:46):
spiritual journey to unity thatwe've been brewing over here.
You can find all things podcastrelated over to
sharethestrugglepodcastcom.
Don't forget to hit subscribeto grow the tribe, to share the
show with someone you know.
That's important to each andevery one of us to know that
(07:16):
this show is reaching more earsand developing more listeners
and spreading that positive vibethat concludes with a positive
tribe.
So I appreciate you.
I thank you.
That's not what you're here tolisten to today.
What you're here for today is arecap today.
How did the weekend go?
Last week we talked about thisis the start to the selly season
.
Did I say selly season?
That's like probably a goodterm.
Actually, we just made up sellyseason, which is a combination
(07:37):
of selling and silly, and thatreally is what's about to begin,
the selly season S selling.
And silly because this shit isso silly it makes my head spin
every damn year, but I sign upfor it every damn year and it's
also the selling season, so it'sthe selly season.
Well, here we are, folks.
It has happened.
(07:59):
We hit the road for the firstback-to-back double feature
weekend of the season.
You know there's going to bemore of these.
We started things off onSaturday with the fam over at
Allegway Farm, which is always agreat time.
It does not matter how high orlow your sales are.
The important thing is thatyou're there and you're
supporting the family and theirsmall business as you're there,
(08:21):
surrounded by other smallbusinesses and you're pulling
for each other, you'reencouraging each other and
you're helping to foster growthfor other small businesses.
And that conversation, thatenvironment, has really inspired
our conversations today Because, as I just mentioned, in Maine,
in New England, if you'redependent on face-to-face retail
(08:43):
sales and getting out there andtraveling, then you really
haven't seen that part of yourseason.
And another side of the coin tothat is, when you're out there
doing those things, you aresurrounded by other businesses
that are doing and depending onthe same things as you.
So if your season isn't open,if you're not out there doing
those things, then you might notbe out there seeing those other
(09:06):
fellow businesses that aredoing those things.
And there's a lot of growth insharing our struggle.
When you have the courage andthe ability and the transparency
to share the shit that you aregoing through, that you are
(09:26):
growing through, then you candrag people along, you can
encourage others and you canprovide strength to others.
So over the weekend, starting onSaturday at Ledgeway, meeting
and reconnecting with a lot ofthose business owners and
sharing those conversationsthere is fruitful conversations
that provoke positive thought.
(09:48):
It's nice to get back amongstyour people that are fighting
the good fight, that areembracing the struggle, that are
dedicated to their journey, totheir craft, to their business.
That in itself can be inspiringto set you into your Sally
season.
You understand what I'm saying.
So it was nice to get out thereand start having some of those
(10:10):
conversations, havingconversations with like-minded
business owners, reconnectingand having conversations with
dedicated, loyal customers.
And then seeing friends andfamily and having conversations
with them, and thoseconversations really,
surprisingly, left me feelingrather encouraged.
It left me feeling rejuvenatedand excited and ready for my
(10:33):
Sally season, you understand.
So it's crazy.
I was having a conversation withsomebody that I consider, you
know, a family to me, my brother, steve Violette.
Steve actually lives a coupleof miles down the road from the
farm and he'd never actuallybeen to the farm or realized
that it was there.
(10:54):
But I reached out to him, askedhim to come over and he came
over and we just startedreconnecting and checking in and
seeing each other and Steve isthe fella that came to my rescue
on very short notice.
Steve really saved the daybecause when we were at the
Windsor Fair and a littlepaisley rain was about to arrive
(11:14):
, steve ran from his house, cameto our side and then ran the
Loud Pod American business tentat the fair for two days, saving
us, allowing us to make themoney that we needed to fulfill
the commitment to the fair andallowing me to be present for
the birth of my baby girl.
So I'm going to be forevergrateful to Steve and I'll
(11:36):
always always owe him and I'llalways appreciate him and we've
had a great relationship eversince we met.
So it was nice to see him andreconnect and have some
conversations and I just startedsharing some of the struggles
and we were recapping theFlorida trip and some of the
risks that I keep taking and theinvestments I keep making and
the challenges that we'recreating, the obstacles we're
(11:58):
overcoming, the plans that we'restriving for, the things that
we're shooting for.
And he just said man, Iseriously give you credit for
not giving up, I give you creditfor continuing to fight.
Now, if I stop right here onthis conversation, I've heard
this from other people that I'veconfided in and told what I'm
(12:22):
up against and they've stoppedat this point and they've taken
a different road and said man, Idon't know how you keep doing
it and how long are you going tokeep doing this, man?
How long before you think yougot to try something else?
That's one fork in the road.
That's not the road that Stevetook.
(12:43):
Steve said to me that's not theroad that Steve took.
Steve said to me man, I can'tbelieve that you're still going,
that you haven't given up, butI'm proud of you and I know if
you keep on going, it's going tohappen.
It's going to happen.
There's a whole differentmindset, there's a whole
different energy when you'rehearing somebody on the other
(13:03):
side that knows your story, thatknows your truth.
No-transcript.
I see it for you and this iswhat it takes for businesses
that make it.
This is what you hear.
These are the growths, thestruggles, and we outlined some
things and we brainstormeddifferent things and we had an
(13:25):
amazing conversation, which iswhat we always do, but I didn't
realize the lasting effects thatit would have, and I think
there's grand intervention inthe Lord's timing when you have
these things right, because youhave the conversation from him
and I won't share all thedetails.
But then you have conversationswith other business owners that
(13:47):
are facing similar struggles andthey're continuing to fight,
and then you're making money.
Your business is open.
You're seeing people come toyou that you haven't seen in a
long time and you're makingmoney.
Your business is open.
You're seeing people come toyou that you haven't seen in a
long time and they're buyingstuff.
You see people walking aroundwearing your stuff and it's that
just shot of encouragement,it's that dose of dopamine, it's
the instant rush of positivityand at the end of the day you
(14:11):
say to yourself hey, I made afew bucks.
And you spend some timeunwinding and just letting loose
and enjoying friends and familythat you haven't seen in a
while and you connect with andyou smile with, and it was the
first event that we broughtPaisley to where she's really
interacting with people, wavingto people, playing with people,
(14:34):
just kind of being a part of it,having all these folks that you
have good relationships withthat are welcoming her and
they're being happy to see her.
Like your business is growingand your family is growing and
you're in the circle thatsupports both of those, and
that's an amazing feeling.
That's something new to us andit was something that we just
(14:56):
really just couldn't get enoughof, so much so that you know, we
were supposed to leave thereand go set up at another event
before we left and we didn't gethome until after 9 pm.
I decided that I wouldn't goset up at the next event until
(15:20):
morning.
So I got up Sunday around 5 amand headed out and headed to the
next event.
Now we can't have all ups,we've got to have some downs.
We rolled into Ledgeway Farmand our buddy Jim said hey, man,
you're leaking somethingeverywhere.
Rolled into Ledgeway Farm andour buddy Jim said hey, man,
you're leaking somethingeverywhere.
And I looked and we picked upmassive coolant leak, which I'm
(15:42):
just going to be thankful andgrateful that didn't happen when
we were coming back fromFlorida.
It happened when we were herein Maine and she's leaking
pretty good, but we've got kindof a busy schedule here, so
we're just pumping the waterthrough her and letting her eat.
You know, I mean letting thatold girl drink so large.
Marge has been staying hydratedand releasing some fluids.
But uh, we've, we'll get it tothe, we'll get her to the shed,
we'll get her to the old gearagehere soon.
(16:03):
You know what I mean.
But uh, we didn't have time forthat this weekend so we just
top her off and head on to thenext journey.
So sunday 5 am we head on overto, uh, bonnie eagle 45 years 45
years, bonnie Eagle car showPretty impressive.
So we roll in there in themorning, get our spot, get set
up and, um, it's a fun timebecause we know a bunch of
(16:24):
people that are going to comethrough.
But we're also going to meetsome new people.
And right next to us is ourfriends over to flip and
customize Scott.
He sets up there and, um, it'sjust great because again we have
another business, somebodythat's invested in himself,
betting on himself.
His business keeps growing.
(16:47):
He's got a massive YouTubechannel as well, and somebody
that you can view as aninspiration, someone that you
can draw strength from,confidence from.
So it's nice to be aroundsomebody else and and and even
though, like all these businessowners, we're all doing
something different but we'reall believing in our product and
our mission.
So it's so nice to be aroundpeople with that mindset.
So it was nice to be aroundScott and to bounce some ideas
(17:08):
and um and hopefully both makemoney and, uh, it was a great
event for us y'all.
It was a great event.
I was so encouraged by a fewthings.
Number one, we're starting toreally iron out a system with
the bus.
We and I say we as me and mymom we set up our entire display
in about an hour, which istremendous for us, and we tore
(17:30):
down in a half an hour.
So when we're doing these showswhere you don't have to be
there, you know, for super longperiods of time, you don't have
to go through a lot of the stuffthat we go through, like
locking in walls, secure underthe ground, doing all these
different things.
And if you're going with alighter display, as far as
inventory wise, you can be a lotmore nimble to get in and out
(17:51):
of things.
So the bus was a major benefitto us to speed up that whole
process for us.
So super excited about that andwe had a tremendous day.
Man, we crushed our numbersfrom last year.
If I take the entire weekendand put it all together, it
really is a little bit betterthan we did last year, so that's
(18:12):
encouraging.
So, number one we beat numbersfrom the previous year.
Number two we were encouragedto be out because you're
realizing that this is the startof what's going to happen.
And it's really easy to be homebeating yourself up, feeling
defeated, feeling depleted,because you're not making the
(18:32):
money you should be making andthat you think that you need to
be making or you know you needto be making because you don't
have those opportunities.
And it's really easy to be downin the dumps and running
everything into the red andrunning ragged and feeling woe.
Is me like this, is it for us?
Is it for us?
(18:57):
So when you get that big shotin the arm of excitement, that
boost in cash, the business, thetransfer of enthusiasm, all
those good things starthappening, you realize shit, we
can do this, we're about to dothis, let's get to it.
So you start feeling encouraged.
You look at your schedule andyou say, hey, I got more stuff
coming, I'm going to be back onthe road this week and you
realize this can happen and youjust start feeling just an
(19:20):
overwhelming amount ofpositivity and optimism.
And then, when you startedsprinkling in those
conversations and you start torealize, hey, man, this could
happen.
So I ride this tremendous wayfrom the weekend and then that
brings me to Monday, of pickingup the pieces, trying to make
(19:40):
our next move, reload what wecan afford to get ready for the
next show.
And all along I'm thinking aboutthe conversations that I've had
and all along I'm asking myselfwhere did this big shot of
energy come from?
Where did this positive outlookcome from?
And, as I mentioned alreadyhere today, you start going back
(20:02):
to those conversations.
But it's a melting pot.
It's everything right, it'sabsolutely everything.
But I started thinking aboutsome of the conversations that
me and Steve had, and it wasabout being proud that we
continue to keep going.
But why is it and how is itthat we can continue to fight?
And I started doing a little bitof research because I wanted to
(20:23):
take this positive experiencefrom the weekend and I wanted to
implement some actionable items.
I wanted to outline some thingsthat we can share, that maybe
all of us can go to right.
I know there's a lot of otherentrepreneurs out there, small
business owners out there thatare going through some of these
struggles.
Let's share some of thesethings and if you don't own a
(20:46):
business, then this trickulatesinto all other avenues of life.
If it's a relationship thatyou're trying to work on, that
you're trying to make the bestof, if it's your current work
situation, if it's somethingthat you set your sights on, if
there's this major goal or dreamin your life that you really
(21:06):
want to achieve in your life,then we can use these things, we
can go back to these things.
So this whole mission and modelthat we're about to attack is
how to continue to fight.
What are those things that youneed to go to when you're
feeling down and depleted, whenyou're feeling like giving up?
Whatever that dream is for you,never give up.
(21:30):
I'm going to outline someactionable items to implement
when you feel like giving up.
Whatever it is you see for you,whatever it is you believe for
you, whatever it is you dreamfor you, never give up.
You cannot give up.
We are going to outlineactionable items, tips, tricks,
techniques to keep you fromgiving up, because we know what
(21:54):
happens when we give up.
We can never give up and as Ioutline some of these things
that we're going to get intohere, you're going to be able to
connect to draw some parallelsfrom my weekend and understand
why I'm feeling a little bitrejuvenated, which should, in
turn, show you, prove to you,that this shit works.
(22:15):
So I did a little research.
I got a few articles here.
One of them is from a paramountbusiness coach.
There was a blog on five thingsto do when you feel like giving
up in your business.
Like I said, I think thesebusiness practices work for all
avenues of life, whether it's arelationship, whether it's a
promotion or it's a dream thatyou just want to achieve.
(22:37):
So I got a few different thingshere.
I'm going to bounce back andforth from a couple of different
articles here, but they allreally correlate.
So this is going to be goodstuff.
So let's get into the five tipsthat will help you get up when
you feel like giving up.
Implement these tips and helpto get your A game on.
Number one from this article isexpect to struggle with
(23:02):
challenges.
Kind of fitting for a podcastcalled Share the Struggle Expect
to struggle.
Challenges are a part of lifeand it's also a part of growing
your business.
A wise person taught me a longtime ago a person's reaction is
based on their expectation.
I love the living hell out ofthis line right here.
(23:22):
Folks, a person's reaction isbased on their expectation.
I absolutely love that.
That trickles into blends, intomolds, into so many avenues of
my life.
We've had multipleconversations and episodes about
this without ever really sayingthis right.
A person's reaction is based ontheir expectation.
(23:43):
How many times have we built upthis grand illusion in our mind
about how an event was going tobe, how an achievement was
going to feel, how a tangibleobject was going to give us
satisfaction, and then itdoesn't right.
Our reaction is well, thiswasn't all that great.
It's because of ourexpectations.
But getting back to businesshere, challenges are all part of
(24:05):
life and it's also part ofgrowing your business.
A person's reaction is based ontheir expectation.
If you set the rightexpectation, I think you can
prevent the overreaction when itcomes to business.
So I love that line.
Number two connect withlike-minded entrepreneurs.
It's pretty hard to encourageyourself when you're in the
midst of a massive anxiety andfrustration.
(24:26):
First, you've got to make adecision to get out of solitary
confinement and not operate yourbusiness like an island.
Don't try to climb out of yourdiscouragement alone.
That, right there, withoutknowing it, outlines what's been
going on for me over the pastcouple of months, because I went
from Florida to isolation.
I went to being on the roadtrying to make money with my
(24:49):
friends and my family andmeeting new people and not
paying out the way we wanted to,getting home and then putting
myself in isolation.
My state shut down.
It's hard to figure things out.
I'm going in different avenuesfor the business to try to make
it work, but you're alsobuilding massive layers of
anxiety and frustration.
And I got to get out ofsolitary confinement.
(25:10):
I just got to do it Right.
And it's weird to me to readthis and express this, because
not too long ago I said to thewife hey, maybe I should change
my direction and just work fromhome and just do custom orders
and not be on the road anymore,because it would make my
schedule so much easier.
And, um, I don't know how muchI like being out and around
people anymore and the wife hadsaid to me like I could never do
(25:33):
that, I need to be aroundpeople.
But reading this makes merealize I was trying to isolate
myself.
Right, I didn't want to get outand face those things.
So number one getting out theredoing those things, getting out
of solitary confinement andconnecting with like-minded
entrepreneurs and people, whichis really what we just did over
the weekend.
So it really kind of shows thatthere is a massive benefit in
(25:56):
that I'm talking about.
Those conversations have reallychanged the direction and mold
of this episode.
If I bounce articles, they haveanother one here saying connect
with others, don't isolateyourself.
Network with other businessowners, join mastermind groups
or find an accountabilitypartner to build support and
encouragement.
(26:16):
I love that tip Finding groups,networking, any ways to build
layers of accountability.
I think that's tremendousbecause if you're a small
business owner and you make yourown decisions and you decide
your own day and do all thosethings, if you don't have
anybody to answer to, it can betoo easy for you to give in or
(26:41):
to isolate yourself.
So I think having some of thosegroups is tremendous.
Number three on this article isreconnect to your why.
I find that people think mostabout quitting and giving up
when their business is notmaking enough money.
Amen, sister, can I read thatagain?
Folks, I find that people thinkmost about quitting and giving
(27:04):
up when their business is notmaking enough money.
A business won't survive longif you're just in it for the
money.
Yes, it must make money inorder to thrive as a business,
but there has to be a muchgreater meaning that drives you
in business.
Reconnect with your purpose andfocus on the impact you want to
(27:25):
make through your business.
I think for me, I'm extremelyfortunate because right now
there's a turning of the tidesin this country.
There's a recommitment andfocus on American manufacturing,
thanks to our president,there's a mission to give back
to American made and it falls inline with my business and I
(27:49):
have not been taking enough ofadvantage over that.
I've got some things that we'reabout to do, to push that, to
preserve that, to embrace that,to do to push that, to preserve
that, to embrace that, and Ithink that that really the
direction of this country,thanks to our president, and the
direction of our business andthe mission and the reason for
our business really line upquite well right now.
So reconnect with your why.
The other article was reconnectwith your purpose.
(28:11):
Reflect on your initial why forstarting your business.
This can reignite your passionand motivation when things get
tough.
Amen.
I have really been focusing onleaning into why we started this
business, the mission forAmerican manufacturing having an
American-owned company.
And my why has also molded intoanother layer of why, and that
(28:33):
is that I want to keep thisbusiness going.
I want to keep this businessrunning because I want to create
experiences and opportunitiesfor my daughter.
I want to build lastingopportunities and memories for
my daughter.
I want her to travel thecountry with her parents, seeing
everything, experiencing thingsthat so many kids don't get to
experience and then hand to hera legacy and a business so she
(28:55):
can continue to own, operate andrun if she decides to do so.
So our why just keeps gaininglayers.
Number four find an experiencedguide.
Discouragement can feel asinsurmountable as climbing Mount
Everest when you're notsupported by an experienced
guide.
I think that's tremendous Ifyou don't have anybody to go to,
(29:17):
to talk to, to listen to, thenfind them on social media, find
them in motivational books orspeeches or whatever it is.
See if you can find somebodythat you can get some guidance
from.
For me, this weekend beingaround other business owners was
extremely helpful Seekingguidance.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Find an experienced mentor or acoach who can offer advice and
(29:41):
support.
I love all of those Number fiveon.
This first article was evaluateyour equipment.
Evaluate your equipment.
And this other article wasevaluate resources.
Assess your equipment, toolsand resources.
Identify areas where you canimprove, optimize your
operations.
When you're down and businessisn't really rolling the way
(30:04):
that it should, it might not bethe right time to invest in new
equipment, but maybe how can youutilize the equipment that you
have to open up differentavenues than what you might
expect?
You know what I mean, like whatelse can I do with what I have?
How can I better use myresources to make things happen?
Understand why you're stuck.
Identify the root causes ofyour challenges.
Understand why you're stuck.
(30:25):
Identify the root causes ofyour challenges, and this will
help you develop targetedsolutions.
I sit down so many times andwork backwards on what my
problem is to figure out whatthe reasoning is.
If I outline what's my biggestobstacle and then I start going
backwards and understanding whyI got there, then I can find the
(30:48):
reason for why I have thisproblem and then attack it right
.
There might be layers that youcan beat and defeat to unlock
that achievement if you startworking backwards on those
things.
So I love that part of it.
There was a bonus tip from theParamount Business Coach article
that said the ParamountBusiness Coach article that said
(31:11):
shift your focus from seeingproblems to seeing opportunities
, and I absolutely love that.
We've been in business for fiveyears.
There were so many times where Ididn't do something because I
looked at it as a problem.
Right, I didn't go to a certainevent because I felt like, man,
maybe I don't have enoughinventory or I'm not quite ready
to do this event.
And then now I look at it andgo can I just get there and
(31:34):
create the opportunity to bebetter prepared for the next
event, meaning previous years.
I would say to myself I don'thave enough stuff to sell this
event correctly.
Now I might say here's anopportunity to sell what I have
so I can prepare myself to havemore inventory for the next
event.
A lot of it's just a framing inyour mind, a reframing as to
how you look at things.
But if you shift your focusfrom problems to seeing
(32:00):
opportunities, then that's amassive difference, because when
we're always looking forproblems, it can prevent us from
chasing things that are infront of us.
It can prevent us from takingadvantage of opportunities that
are right there in front of usbecause we're looking at them as
problems, not as opportunities.
So that's a big one for me, manPrioritize and focus.
Concentrate on your mostimportant task and goals and
(32:22):
make progress.
If you prioritize what'simportant, what's going to have
the greatest impact on yourbusiness, just concentrate on
that and make progress.
When you start feeling progress, positive momentum, positive
movement, then it's going tototally change the outlook on
your business.
Make time for your business,schedule dedicated time for your
(32:43):
business activities to avoidprocrastination and maintain
momentum when you're workingfrom home, when you're balancing
being a stay-at-home dad at thesame time.
This is one of my greatestchallenges.
I'm trying to get better atthis.
I'm recording this podcast.
I started this podcast before6am today.
Right, I get up around 5, bringmy mom to work, come home, do
(33:06):
the barn chores, roll into myoffice, record my podcast first
thing in the morning so now Ican go take care of my little
girl, have my wife head off towork and embrace and take on my
day knowing I've accomplishedthis podcast.
So that's one thing that I'vechanged.
But I have to structure,prioritize and book time for my
business.
(33:26):
I'm trying to get better atthat one.
Keep moving forward.
Don't let setbacks derail you.
Continue to take action andmake progress, even if it's in
small steps.
When I was talking with myfriend, steve over the weekend,
during the middle of all of ourconversations he said small
victories.
A wise man once told me to takesatisfaction in small victories
(33:49):
, count small victories.
A wise man once told me to takesatisfaction in small victories
, count small victories.
And he threw it right back inmy face.
That's something that I've saidfor years, back when we worked
together, and it always justwarms my heart and makes me feel
so proud that somebody thatworked with me on my teams
remembers some of the educationthat I put out there, my mantras
, my missions, and to have thatfed back to me on my teams.
Remember some of the educationthat I put out there, my mantras
(34:09):
, my missions, and to have thatfed back to me.
Number one was a proudfulmoment, but number two was an
inspiring moment that says he'sabsolutely right, man, what
you're doing right now, the factyou're still here, the fact
we're talking about five yearsof business, the fact you've
accomplished all these thingsthose are positive steps, man.
Those are small victories.
Keep moving forward.
(34:30):
Don't let setbacks derail you.
Continue to take action andmake progress, even if it's
small steps.
And perseverance pays off y'all.
Success in business is rarelyimmediate.
It often requires sustainedeffort over time.
So don't be discouraged bysetbacks.
As I sit here and I think aboutthe fact that Loud Proud
(34:52):
American has been in businessfor five years, share, the
Struggle podcast has beenrecording episodes week after
week after week for nearly fiveyears and neither one of these
have achieved the heights that Ibelieve they can achieve.
The heights that I believe theycan achieve, neither one of
these are at a point where Iexpected to be at this time in
(35:15):
our journey.
Right, we're not as widelylistened to as I thought we
would be.
We're not as widely known as Ithought we should be.
We're not a self-sustainingbusiness paying for everything
that it needs to be paying for.
I can wholeheartedly take theCabela's catalog, put my hand on
that catalog, my beady littleeyes of the sky, and confess the
(35:39):
truth for this guy, when I satdown and said number one, would
I even be doing a podcast fiveyears from now?
Well, yes, I thought I would beNumber two.
Where would this business be?
What would it be providing?
How would I be feeling fiveyears in?
Would we be known?
All these goals I set formyself?
(35:59):
I'm nowhere near them.
If I, literally, five years ago,let's say if I could go back,
let's say I could go back, let'ssay I could take today and I
could write down here's whereyour podcast would be.
Here's the people that wouldlisten Like.
Here's the number every week.
This is what you're looking at.
Write that down on a piece ofpaper, put it in an envelope,
(36:21):
write down on the business.
Here's your yearly sales, yearto year.
Here's your total five-yearsales.
Here's how much you would make.
Here's how yearly sales, yearto year.
Here's your total five-yearsales.
Here's how much you would make.
Here's how much money goes toyour family.
Here's where you'd be.
If I wrote both of those thingsdown, sealed them up, and I
(36:42):
could travel back in time fiveyears ago and give those to me
and I would open those and seewhere I would be.
I wouldn't have done it.
I would have made theresponsible decision to say
listen, financially that's notwhat my family needs.
And on the podcast side, maybethat's not enough of an impact
(37:03):
for me to carve all this timeaway from my family.
I would have walked away fromboth of them had I known where I
would be in five years, Iwouldn't have started either.
If I didn't start either, didyou know all I would have missed
out on the experiences that Iwould have missed out on the
(37:24):
relationships, the friendships,the family that I've been made?
It's crazy to backtrack things,to work backwards, to peel the
onion, to get to the core and torealize if you were looking at
a financial number, a statistic,just a number, if you were
making all your decisions inlife based on numbers, you
(37:47):
wouldn't live the life thatyou're living today.
If I went back five years andknew where I would be five years
later, I wouldn't have started.
But I'm thankful, and I'mgrateful that we did, because
the experiences, the places I'vebeen, the things that I've done
, tremendous.
Would I be a dad?
(38:07):
I don't know.
Would I have the same circle ofdad?
I don't know.
Would I have the same circle offriends?
I don't know.
Probably not, because I metmost of them on the road.
A lot of you that are listeningtoday, right, start thinking
about these things the podcast,the impact that we've had, when
I don't care about the finalnumber but we drill down on the
(38:28):
minutiae of the number andrealize the impact we've had on
people.
Some of the messages, phonecalls, meetings and greetings
that we get from people thatsaid you made a difference, that
this episode right here made adifference.
The relationships that we'remaking throughout the country
with people we never would haveactually met in person or
(38:51):
encountered is tremendous.
It's not always the end.
All number it's how we getthere, the experiences, the
memories and the things weaccomplish, the lessons, the
connections, all those things.
So now, knowing that five yearsago, if I looked at the numbers
(39:11):
, I wouldn't have made thisjourney, I need to worry less
about the numbers that I'mexpecting in five years.
You understand, because I can'tlet those things change my
direction.
I can't let those things impactmy decisions.
I need to focus on smallvictories and the fact that we
are making progress and thingsare happening and things are
(39:34):
opening and hot diggity damn, wecan do this.
This outline these things thatwe've shared today.
Clearly it has a focus onbusiness, but this works in all
avenues of life.
Whatever that dream is for you,whatever it is that you hold on
to, whatever that is that youwant for you to never give up
(39:57):
these resources, they work.
For all of those things, thinkabout it.
Connect with like-minded people, reconnect with your why?
Reconnect with your purpose,expect to struggle all of those
things?
They're business tips, butthey're life tips y'all.
Why are you doing this?
What's the reason?
Why do you want that goal sobad?
(40:17):
Why do you hold that dream sotight inside?
When you reconnect with thosethings, when you expect the
challenges, it all makes sense,guys, it all makes sense, man.
I'm telling you right nowbusiness practice, life practice
, they all go together.
The truth is, the underlyingsecret here is whatever you want
in your life, never, ever giveup.
(40:39):
Chase it and embrace it andmake it happen.
With all that said, I want tosay thank you to each and every
one of you for embracing me andmy journey.
If you're here listening to thepodcast, whether you've been
listening for 254 weeks, hotdamn.
I owe you a hug If you werehere for day one.
(41:00):
I appreciate you and I hopethat you heard something today
that makes you want to come backtomorrow or, you know, next
week, because I only do thisonce a week.
But tomorrow there's 253 moreepisodes.
You can go back and listen toman.
It's great to go back and justpull random episodes with random
subjects that you want to getinto or maybe see some of the
(41:20):
growth that we've had along theway.
So I appreciate each and everyone of you that have been
supporting this journey.
We're pushing five years forStrangler's Trucker Podcast.
If there's something you wantto hear or experience with five
years coming up, please let usknow.
I'd appreciate that.
Find all things podcast relatedat sharethestrugglepodcastcom.
I'd appreciate you guyschecking that out.
Please share the show.
(41:41):
We're on all major podcastingplatforms.
If you're listening on acertain platform like Spotify or
something, make sure you checkoff.
Follow.
Those things all make a bigdifference for us, but I
appreciate it and, moreimportantly, you absorbing the
message is what's most importantto me.
So I thank you and I appreciateyou For those of you that have
(42:01):
been pulling along this journey,that have been helping us,
encouraging us with LoudProudoud American supporting us,
whether you're buyingmerchandise.
You're sharing our story.
You're spreading our mission.
I appreciate you.
It's because of each and everyone of you that we continue to
be in business.
Five years in business, we aremaking new obstacles for
(42:24):
ourselves, we're making andcreating new opportunities for
ourselves and I'm excited andencouraged for all the things
that are happening that we areattempting this year.
I can proudly, happily, beexcited and share with you today
, because last week I wastelling you guys there's some
new events that I've beenpushing for, that we've been
trying to connect with, thathaven't really been coming into
(42:47):
fruition.
People are not getting back tous.
I can happily come to you todayand announce one of those new
events for us.
We stayed resilient and we had alot of people helping to try to
get us in and I'm excited tosay we have been accepted to the
Syracuse Nationals.
It is a massive car show inSyracuse, new York, at the New
(43:10):
York State Fairgrounds, and Iwas looking at the numbers.
It looks like nearly 90,000people go to this car show in
three days.
We're coming off of a car show,so it just makes so much sense.
I know there's like-mindedindividuals.
It's our customer base.
It's going to be fantastic and,most importantly to us as a
family, it's going to connect uswith our family.
(43:32):
We're going to get out toSyracuse.
Little baby Paisley is going tobe able to spend some time with
her godparents and the rest ofour New York fam.
So this is an absolute win, win, win.
I'm so excited for this.
So look forward to moreinformation from us about more
events that we're going to begoing to, and we'll put out some
more information about us beingaccepted to the Syracuse
(43:53):
Nationals.
With that said, y'all, I can'ttruly thank each and every one
of you enough for all thatyou've done for us, all that you
mean to us, and I hope today'smessage encouraged you to never
give up.
Whatever it is that you wantfor yourself, don't lose sight
of it for yourself.
Never, ever give up.
Thank you for supporting myAmerican dream.
(44:14):
That's it and that's all.
Biggie Smalls.
(44:36):
If you're a loud, proud Americanand you find yourself just
wanting more, find me on YouTubeand Facebook at loud, proud
American Put a face page, as mymama calls it.
If you're a fan of the GrahamCracker, you want to find me on
Instagram.
Or all the kids bytickety-talking on the TikTok.
You can find me on both ofthose at Loud underscore, proud,
(45:01):
underscore, american, a big old.
Thank you to the boys from theGut Truckers for the background
beats and the theme song forthis year's podcast.
If you are enjoying what you'rehearing, you can track down the
(45:22):
Gut Truckers on Facebook Justsearch Gut Truckers.
Give them motherfuckers.
(45:46):
A like too.
I truly thank you forsupporting my American dream.
Now go wash your fucking hands,you filthy savage.
This week on Share the Struggle Podcast.
It is a double feature recap.
Back-to-back events kick offthe busy season.
Lots of positive conversationreconnect us with our reason.
So get ready to hit the highsand lows and remind ourselves of
what keeps us on the go.
(00:21):
Let me tell you somethingEverybody struggles.
The difference is some peoplechoose to go through it and some
choose to grow through it.
The choice is completely yours.
Which one you choose will havea very profound effect on the
way you live your life.
If you find strength in thestruggle, then this podcast is
(00:46):
for you.
Do you have a relationship thatis comfortable with
uncomfortable conversations?
Uncomfortable conversationschallenge you, humble you and
they build you.
When you sprinkle a little timeand distance on it, it all
makes sense.
Most disagreements, they stemfrom our own insecurities.
(01:09):
You are right where you need tobe the whole day gone from
behind.
Way too fast, way too fast.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.
(01:32):
What it do, what it haaaat,do-do-do-do.
Good Lord, almighty, you knowyour boy is excited to be back
with you.
Oh, it's true, it is damn true.
You know your boy is excited tobe back with you.
Oh, it's true, it is damn true.
Man, welcome back y'all as weprepare for a memorial weekend.
(01:54):
Can you believe that?
Man, may, may.
And if it's Memorial Weekend,then a couple things come true.
Number one that means that thefloodgates have opened in our
state and we are about to getdown to business.
Which man am I ready to be downwith business, because we need
(02:17):
it.
We need it.
Dark and desperate times, myfriend, that's what comes with
the winter season when you are aNew Englander At least if
you're a New Englander.
That depends on traffic, thatdepends on population, that
depends on face-to-face retailsales, because we don't have
(02:39):
much going on through the wintertime.
That is going to bring thecrowds that we depend on.
Hence the reason why weattempted heading south, and we
might do that again in thefuture.
But it's nice to be able to getbusiness in our own state and
in our surrounding states.
So that's what this weekendsignifies and that's also really
what last weekend was thebeginning to.
(03:02):
So I'm excited to outline allthat with you.
But another thing that comeswith Memorial Weekend is that we
are almost halfway through theyear.
Can you guys believe that?
It always seems strange to mebecause our season doesn't
really start as far as like ourbusy time of year doesn't really
start till May.
(03:22):
So we get May, june, july,august, september, october.
That's really like the meat andbarreras of what we do.
So it's scary in my mind to lookat a calendar and realize half
the year is over and really, boy, your year ain't gotten started
.
So you start to feel a littlebit behind the eight ball
(03:44):
because, based off the calendar,you should be halfway to your
goal.
You know what I'm saying?
And we set some lofty goals andwe ain't halfway to them goals.
So it'll rattle your cage alittle bit.
It'll leave you questioning andsecond guessing, because you're
looking at it and saying, boy,is this going to be another year
(04:06):
of me believing in just notachieving.
What are you going to do?
What are you going to do withyourself?
Dust yourself off, figure outyour life.
You're not doing so hot Bucky.
And then you realize, oh, youkind of have a really strange
business that doesn't tend tomake money for several months
out of the year, which we'vedone better at this year with
(04:28):
our custom orders and stuff.
But I don't want to get off on atangent.
I just want to remind everybodywe're nearly halfway, end of
the year 2025.
That just seems strange to me.
I almost have a one-year-olddaughter.
This is wild, wild times, y'all.
It's got me a little scared,okay, I don't know.
(04:54):
Yeah, I shouldn't think, liveon the air like I just did, but
I didn't come on here preparedto talk about how much of the
season's already gone by, howmuch of the 2025's gone by, so
it just gets me a littleemotional.
So I mean, oh God, talk amongstyourselves.
He's doing it again.
He's doing it again.
(05:17):
Episode 254.
That's another thing that'llmake you realize something.
I was talking to the wife theother day and we were talking
about 254 episodes and that theseason was just getting started,
which means the year is kind ofhalfway over.
And then I realized, hotdiggity, damn, when we get to
(05:38):
July, that is going to signifyfive years of Share the Struggle
podcast.
Are there day ones out therelistening?
I know there's day ones.
Get your ones up.
I recognize you.
I acknowledge you.
I thank you for being you andfor being a loyal one for
(06:01):
listening since day one.
We've been doing this week toweek to week for nearly five
freaking years.
I don't know what we're goingto do to celebrate y'all.
We should do something, butfive years is fastly approaching
.
It doesn't feel like five years.
It's kind of strange to me tothink that every single week we
(06:22):
have gathered here 254 weeks andjust put out episodes.
Man, it's crazy.
We've been consistent.
We have not missed one episodein nearly five years.
If you're a day one, Iappreciate you.
If this is your day one, then Iwelcome you and I encourage you
to go back and listen, to takethings in, to ride along this
(06:46):
spiritual journey to unity thatwe've been brewing over here.
You can find all things podcastrelated over to
sharethestrugglepodcastcom.
Don't forget to hit subscribeto grow the tribe, to share the
show with someone you know.
That's important to each andevery one of us to know that
(07:16):
this show is reaching more earsand developing more listeners
and spreading that positive vibethat concludes with a positive
tribe.
So I appreciate you.
I thank you.
That's not what you're here tolisten to today.
What you're here for today is arecap today.
How did the weekend go?
Last week we talked about thisis the start to the selly season
.
Did I say selly season?
That's like probably a goodterm.
Actually, we just made up sellyseason, which is a combination
(07:37):
of selling and silly, and thatreally is what's about to begin,
the selly season S selling.
And silly because this shit isso silly it makes my head spin
every damn year, but I sign upfor it every damn year and it's
also the selling season, so it'sthe selly season.
Well, here we are, folks.
It has happened.
(07:59):
We hit the road for the firstback-to-back double feature
weekend of the season.
You know there's going to bemore of these.
We started things off onSaturday with the fam over at
Allegway Farm, which is always agreat time.
It does not matter how high orlow your sales are.
The important thing is thatyou're there and you're
supporting the family and theirsmall business as you're there,
(08:21):
surrounded by other smallbusinesses and you're pulling
for each other, you'reencouraging each other and
you're helping to foster growthfor other small businesses.
And that conversation, thatenvironment, has really inspired
our conversations today Because, as I just mentioned, in Maine,
in New England, if you'redependent on face-to-face retail
(08:43):
sales and getting out there andtraveling, then you really
haven't seen that part of yourseason.
And another side of the coin tothat is, when you're out there
doing those things, you aresurrounded by other businesses
that are doing and depending onthe same things as you.
So if your season isn't open,if you're not out there doing
those things, then you might notbe out there seeing those other
(09:06):
fellow businesses that aredoing those things.
And there's a lot of growth insharing our struggle.
When you have the courage andthe ability and the transparency
to share the shit that you aregoing through, that you are
(09:26):
growing through, then you candrag people along, you can
encourage others and you canprovide strength to others.
So over the weekend, starting onSaturday at Ledgeway, meeting
and reconnecting with a lot ofthose business owners and
sharing those conversationsthere is fruitful conversations
that provoke positive thought.
(09:48):
It's nice to get back amongstyour people that are fighting
the good fight, that areembracing the struggle, that are
dedicated to their journey, totheir craft, to their business.
That in itself can be inspiringto set you into your Sally
season.
You understand what I'm saying.
So it was nice to get out thereand start having some of those
(10:10):
conversations, havingconversations with like-minded
business owners, reconnectingand having conversations with
dedicated, loyal customers.
And then seeing friends andfamily and having conversations
with them, and thoseconversations really,
surprisingly, left me feelingrather encouraged.
It left me feeling rejuvenatedand excited and ready for my
(10:33):
Sally season, you understand.
So it's crazy.
I was having a conversation withsomebody that I consider, you
know, a family to me, my brother, steve Violette.
Steve actually lives a coupleof miles down the road from the
farm and he'd never actuallybeen to the farm or realized
that it was there.
(10:54):
But I reached out to him, askedhim to come over and he came
over and we just startedreconnecting and checking in and
seeing each other and Steve isthe fella that came to my rescue
on very short notice.
Steve really saved the daybecause when we were at the
Windsor Fair and a littlepaisley rain was about to arrive
(11:14):
, steve ran from his house, cameto our side and then ran the
Loud Pod American business tentat the fair for two days, saving
us, allowing us to make themoney that we needed to fulfill
the commitment to the fair andallowing me to be present for
the birth of my baby girl.
So I'm going to be forevergrateful to Steve and I'll
(11:36):
always always owe him and I'llalways appreciate him and we've
had a great relationship eversince we met.
So it was nice to see him andreconnect and have some
conversations and I just startedsharing some of the struggles
and we were recapping theFlorida trip and some of the
risks that I keep taking and theinvestments I keep making and
the challenges that we'recreating, the obstacles we're
(11:58):
overcoming, the plans that we'restriving for, the things that
we're shooting for.
And he just said man, Iseriously give you credit for
not giving up, I give you creditfor continuing to fight.
Now, if I stop right here onthis conversation, I've heard
this from other people that I'veconfided in and told what I'm
(12:22):
up against and they've stoppedat this point and they've taken
a different road and said man, Idon't know how you keep doing
it and how long are you going tokeep doing this, man?
How long before you think yougot to try something else?
That's one fork in the road.
That's not the road that Stevetook.
(12:43):
Steve said to me that's not theroad that Steve took.
Steve said to me man, I can'tbelieve that you're still going,
that you haven't given up, butI'm proud of you and I know if
you keep on going, it's going tohappen.
It's going to happen.
There's a whole differentmindset, there's a whole
different energy when you'rehearing somebody on the other
(13:03):
side that knows your story, thatknows your truth.
No-transcript.
I see it for you and this iswhat it takes for businesses
that make it.
This is what you hear.
These are the growths, thestruggles, and we outlined some
things and we brainstormeddifferent things and we had an
(13:25):
amazing conversation, which iswhat we always do, but I didn't
realize the lasting effects thatit would have, and I think
there's grand intervention inthe Lord's timing when you have
these things right, because youhave the conversation from him
and I won't share all thedetails.
But then you have conversationswith other business owners that
(13:47):
are facing similar struggles andthey're continuing to fight,
and then you're making money.
Your business is open.
You're seeing people come toyou that you haven't seen in a
long time and you're makingmoney.
Your business is open.
You're seeing people come toyou that you haven't seen in a
long time and they're buyingstuff.
You see people walking aroundwearing your stuff and it's that
just shot of encouragement,it's that dose of dopamine, it's
the instant rush of positivityand at the end of the day you
(14:11):
say to yourself hey, I made afew bucks.
And you spend some timeunwinding and just letting loose
and enjoying friends and familythat you haven't seen in a
while and you connect with andyou smile with, and it was the
first event that we broughtPaisley to where she's really
interacting with people, wavingto people, playing with people,
(14:34):
just kind of being a part of it,having all these folks that you
have good relationships withthat are welcoming her and
they're being happy to see her.
Like your business is growingand your family is growing and
you're in the circle thatsupports both of those, and
that's an amazing feeling.
That's something new to us andit was something that we just
(14:56):
really just couldn't get enoughof, so much so that you know, we
were supposed to leave thereand go set up at another event
before we left and we didn't gethome until after 9 pm.
I decided that I wouldn't goset up at the next event until
(15:20):
morning.
So I got up Sunday around 5 amand headed out and headed to the
next event.
Now we can't have all ups,we've got to have some downs.
We rolled into Ledgeway Farmand our buddy Jim said hey, man,
you're leaking somethingeverywhere.
Rolled into Ledgeway Farm andour buddy Jim said hey, man,
you're leaking somethingeverywhere.
And I looked and we picked upmassive coolant leak, which I'm
(15:42):
just going to be thankful andgrateful that didn't happen when
we were coming back fromFlorida.
It happened when we were herein Maine and she's leaking
pretty good, but we've got kindof a busy schedule here, so
we're just pumping the waterthrough her and letting her eat.
You know, I mean letting thatold girl drink so large.
Marge has been staying hydratedand releasing some fluids.
But uh, we've, we'll get it tothe, we'll get her to the shed,
we'll get her to the old gearagehere soon.
(16:03):
You know what I mean.
But uh, we didn't have time forthat this weekend so we just
top her off and head on to thenext journey.
So sunday 5 am we head on overto, uh, bonnie eagle 45 years 45
years, bonnie Eagle car showPretty impressive.
So we roll in there in themorning, get our spot, get set
up and, um, it's a fun timebecause we know a bunch of
(16:24):
people that are going to comethrough.
But we're also going to meetsome new people.
And right next to us is ourfriends over to flip and
customize Scott.
He sets up there and, um, it'sjust great because again we have
another business, somebodythat's invested in himself,
betting on himself.
His business keeps growing.
(16:47):
He's got a massive YouTubechannel as well, and somebody
that you can view as aninspiration, someone that you
can draw strength from,confidence from.
So it's nice to be aroundsomebody else and and and even
though, like all these businessowners, we're all doing
something different but we'reall believing in our product and
our mission.
So it's so nice to be aroundpeople with that mindset.
So it was nice to be aroundScott and to bounce some ideas
(17:08):
and um and hopefully both makemoney and, uh, it was a great
event for us y'all.
It was a great event.
I was so encouraged by a fewthings.
Number one, we're starting toreally iron out a system with
the bus.
We and I say we as me and mymom we set up our entire display
in about an hour, which istremendous for us, and we tore
(17:30):
down in a half an hour.
So when we're doing these showswhere you don't have to be
there, you know, for super longperiods of time, you don't have
to go through a lot of the stuffthat we go through, like
locking in walls, secure underthe ground, doing all these
different things.
And if you're going with alighter display, as far as
inventory wise, you can be a lotmore nimble to get in and out
(17:51):
of things.
So the bus was a major benefitto us to speed up that whole
process for us.
So super excited about that andwe had a tremendous day.
Man, we crushed our numbersfrom last year.
If I take the entire weekendand put it all together, it
really is a little bit betterthan we did last year, so that's
(18:12):
encouraging.
So, number one we beat numbersfrom the previous year.
Number two we were encouragedto be out because you're
realizing that this is the startof what's going to happen.
And it's really easy to be homebeating yourself up, feeling
defeated, feeling depleted,because you're not making the
(18:32):
money you should be making andthat you think that you need to
be making or you know you needto be making because you don't
have those opportunities.
And it's really easy to be downin the dumps and running
everything into the red andrunning ragged and feeling woe.
Is me like this, is it for us?
Is it for us?
(18:57):
So when you get that big shotin the arm of excitement, that
boost in cash, the business, thetransfer of enthusiasm, all
those good things starthappening, you realize shit, we
can do this, we're about to dothis, let's get to it.
So you start feeling encouraged.
You look at your schedule andyou say, hey, I got more stuff
coming, I'm going to be back onthe road this week and you
realize this can happen and youjust start feeling just an
(19:20):
overwhelming amount ofpositivity and optimism.
And then, when you startedsprinkling in those
conversations and you start torealize, hey, man, this could
happen.
So I ride this tremendous wayfrom the weekend and then that
brings me to Monday, of pickingup the pieces, trying to make
(19:40):
our next move, reload what wecan afford to get ready for the
next show.
And all along I'm thinking aboutthe conversations that I've had
and all along I'm asking myselfwhere did this big shot of
energy come from?
Where did this positive outlookcome from?
And, as I mentioned alreadyhere today, you start going back
(20:02):
to those conversations.
But it's a melting pot.
It's everything right, it'sabsolutely everything.
But I started thinking aboutsome of the conversations that
me and Steve had, and it wasabout being proud that we
continue to keep going.
But why is it and how is itthat we can continue to fight?
And I started doing a little bitof research because I wanted to
(20:23):
take this positive experiencefrom the weekend and I wanted to
implement some actionable items.
I wanted to outline some thingsthat we can share, that maybe
all of us can go to right.
I know there's a lot of otherentrepreneurs out there, small
business owners out there thatare going through some of these
struggles.
Let's share some of thesethings and if you don't own a
(20:46):
business, then this trickulatesinto all other avenues of life.
If it's a relationship thatyou're trying to work on, that
you're trying to make the bestof, if it's your current work
situation, if it's somethingthat you set your sights on, if
there's this major goal or dreamin your life that you really
(21:06):
want to achieve in your life,then we can use these things, we
can go back to these things.
So this whole mission and modelthat we're about to attack is
how to continue to fight.
What are those things that youneed to go to when you're
feeling down and depleted, whenyou're feeling like giving up?
Whatever that dream is for you,never give up.
(21:30):
I'm going to outline someactionable items to implement
when you feel like giving up.
Whatever it is you see for you,whatever it is you believe for
you, whatever it is you dreamfor you, never give up.
You cannot give up.
We are going to outlineactionable items, tips, tricks,
techniques to keep you fromgiving up, because we know what
(21:54):
happens when we give up.
We can never give up and as Ioutline some of these things
that we're going to get intohere, you're going to be able to
connect to draw some parallelsfrom my weekend and understand
why I'm feeling a little bitrejuvenated, which should, in
turn, show you, prove to you,that this shit works.
(22:15):
So I did a little research.
I got a few articles here.
One of them is from a paramountbusiness coach.
There was a blog on five thingsto do when you feel like giving
up in your business.
Like I said, I think thesebusiness practices work for all
avenues of life, whether it's arelationship, whether it's a
promotion or it's a dream thatyou just want to achieve.
(22:37):
So I got a few different thingshere.
I'm going to bounce back andforth from a couple of different
articles here, but they allreally correlate.
So this is going to be goodstuff.
So let's get into the five tipsthat will help you get up when
you feel like giving up.
Implement these tips and helpto get your A game on.
Number one from this article isexpect to struggle with
(23:02):
challenges.
Kind of fitting for a podcastcalled Share the Struggle Expect
to struggle.
Challenges are a part of lifeand it's also a part of growing
your business.
A wise person taught me a longtime ago a person's reaction is
based on their expectation.
I love the living hell out ofthis line right here.
(23:22):
Folks, a person's reaction isbased on their expectation.
I absolutely love that.
That trickles into blends, intomolds, into so many avenues of
my life.
We've had multipleconversations and episodes about
this without ever really sayingthis right.
A person's reaction is based ontheir expectation.
(23:43):
How many times have we built upthis grand illusion in our mind
about how an event was going tobe, how an achievement was
going to feel, how a tangibleobject was going to give us
satisfaction, and then itdoesn't right.
Our reaction is well, thiswasn't all that great.
It's because of ourexpectations.
But getting back to businesshere, challenges are all part of
(24:05):
life and it's also part ofgrowing your business.
A person's reaction is based ontheir expectation.
If you set the rightexpectation, I think you can
prevent the overreaction when itcomes to business.
So I love that line.
Number two connect withlike-minded entrepreneurs.
It's pretty hard to encourageyourself when you're in the
midst of a massive anxiety andfrustration.
(24:26):
First, you've got to make adecision to get out of solitary
confinement and not operate yourbusiness like an island.
Don't try to climb out of yourdiscouragement alone.
That, right there, withoutknowing it, outlines what's been
going on for me over the pastcouple of months, because I went
from Florida to isolation.
I went to being on the roadtrying to make money with my
(24:49):
friends and my family andmeeting new people and not
paying out the way we wanted to,getting home and then putting
myself in isolation.
My state shut down.
It's hard to figure things out.
I'm going in different avenuesfor the business to try to make
it work, but you're alsobuilding massive layers of
anxiety and frustration.
And I got to get out ofsolitary confinement.
(25:10):
I just got to do it Right.
And it's weird to me to readthis and express this, because
not too long ago I said to thewife hey, maybe I should change
my direction and just work fromhome and just do custom orders
and not be on the road anymore,because it would make my
schedule so much easier.
And, um, I don't know how muchI like being out and around
people anymore and the wife hadsaid to me like I could never do
(25:33):
that, I need to be aroundpeople.
But reading this makes merealize I was trying to isolate
myself.
Right, I didn't want to get outand face those things.
So number one getting out theredoing those things, getting out
of solitary confinement andconnecting with like-minded
entrepreneurs and people, whichis really what we just did over
the weekend.
So it really kind of shows thatthere is a massive benefit in
(25:56):
that I'm talking about.
Those conversations have reallychanged the direction and mold
of this episode.
If I bounce articles, they haveanother one here saying connect
with others, don't isolateyourself.
Network with other businessowners, join mastermind groups
or find an accountabilitypartner to build support and
encouragement.
(26:16):
I love that tip Finding groups,networking, any ways to build
layers of accountability.
I think that's tremendousbecause if you're a small
business owner and you make yourown decisions and you decide
your own day and do all thosethings, if you don't have
anybody to answer to, it can betoo easy for you to give in or
(26:41):
to isolate yourself.
So I think having some of thosegroups is tremendous.
Number three on this article isreconnect to your why.
I find that people think mostabout quitting and giving up
when their business is notmaking enough money.
Amen, sister, can I read thatagain?
Folks, I find that people thinkmost about quitting and giving
(27:04):
up when their business is notmaking enough money.
A business won't survive longif you're just in it for the
money.
Yes, it must make money inorder to thrive as a business,
but there has to be a muchgreater meaning that drives you
in business.
Reconnect with your purpose andfocus on the impact you want to
(27:25):
make through your business.
I think for me, I'm extremelyfortunate because right now
there's a turning of the tidesin this country.
There's a recommitment andfocus on American manufacturing,
thanks to our president,there's a mission to give back
to American made and it falls inline with my business and I
(27:49):
have not been taking enough ofadvantage over that.
I've got some things that we'reabout to do, to push that, to
preserve that, to embrace that,to do to push that, to preserve
that, to embrace that, and Ithink that that really the
direction of this country,thanks to our president, and the
direction of our business andthe mission and the reason for
our business really line upquite well right now.
So reconnect with your why.
The other article was reconnectwith your purpose.
(28:11):
Reflect on your initial why forstarting your business.
This can reignite your passionand motivation when things get
tough.
Amen.
I have really been focusing onleaning into why we started this
business, the mission forAmerican manufacturing having an
American-owned company.
And my why has also molded intoanother layer of why, and that
(28:33):
is that I want to keep thisbusiness going.
I want to keep this businessrunning because I want to create
experiences and opportunitiesfor my daughter.
I want to build lastingopportunities and memories for
my daughter.
I want her to travel thecountry with her parents, seeing
everything, experiencing thingsthat so many kids don't get to
experience and then hand to hera legacy and a business so she
(28:55):
can continue to own, operate andrun if she decides to do so.
So our why just keeps gaininglayers.
Number four find an experiencedguide.
Discouragement can feel asinsurmountable as climbing Mount
Everest when you're notsupported by an experienced
guide.
I think that's tremendous Ifyou don't have anybody to go to,
(29:17):
to talk to, to listen to, thenfind them on social media, find
them in motivational books orspeeches or whatever it is.
See if you can find somebodythat you can get some guidance
from.
For me, this weekend beingaround other business owners was
extremely helpful Seekingguidance.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Find an experienced mentor or acoach who can offer advice and
(29:41):
support.
I love all of those Number fiveon.
This first article was evaluateyour equipment.
Evaluate your equipment.
And this other article wasevaluate resources.
Assess your equipment, toolsand resources.
Identify areas where you canimprove, optimize your
operations.
When you're down and businessisn't really rolling the way
(30:04):
that it should, it might not bethe right time to invest in new
equipment, but maybe how can youutilize the equipment that you
have to open up differentavenues than what you might
expect?
You know what I mean, like whatelse can I do with what I have?
How can I better use myresources to make things happen?
Understand why you're stuck.
Identify the root causes ofyour challenges.
Understand why you're stuck.
(30:25):
Identify the root causes ofyour challenges, and this will
help you develop targetedsolutions.
I sit down so many times andwork backwards on what my
problem is to figure out whatthe reasoning is.
If I outline what's my biggestobstacle and then I start going
backwards and understanding whyI got there, then I can find the
(30:48):
reason for why I have thisproblem and then attack it right
.
There might be layers that youcan beat and defeat to unlock
that achievement if you startworking backwards on those
things.
So I love that part of it.
There was a bonus tip from theParamount Business Coach article
that said the ParamountBusiness Coach article that said
(31:11):
shift your focus from seeingproblems to seeing opportunities
, and I absolutely love that.
We've been in business for fiveyears.
There were so many times where Ididn't do something because I
looked at it as a problem.
Right, I didn't go to a certainevent because I felt like, man,
maybe I don't have enoughinventory or I'm not quite ready
to do this event.
And then now I look at it andgo can I just get there and
(31:34):
create the opportunity to bebetter prepared for the next
event, meaning previous years.
I would say to myself I don'thave enough stuff to sell this
event correctly.
Now I might say here's anopportunity to sell what I have
so I can prepare myself to havemore inventory for the next
event.
A lot of it's just a framing inyour mind, a reframing as to
how you look at things.
But if you shift your focusfrom problems to seeing
(32:00):
opportunities, then that's amassive difference, because when
we're always looking forproblems, it can prevent us from
chasing things that are infront of us.
It can prevent us from takingadvantage of opportunities that
are right there in front of usbecause we're looking at them as
problems, not as opportunities.
So that's a big one for me, manPrioritize and focus.
Concentrate on your mostimportant task and goals and
(32:22):
make progress.
If you prioritize what'simportant, what's going to have
the greatest impact on yourbusiness, just concentrate on
that and make progress.
When you start feeling progress, positive momentum, positive
movement, then it's going tototally change the outlook on
your business.
Make time for your business,schedule dedicated time for your
(32:43):
business activities to avoidprocrastination and maintain
momentum when you're workingfrom home, when you're balancing
being a stay-at-home dad at thesame time.
This is one of my greatestchallenges.
I'm trying to get better atthis.
I'm recording this podcast.
I started this podcast before6am today.
Right, I get up around 5, bringmy mom to work, come home, do
(33:06):
the barn chores, roll into myoffice, record my podcast first
thing in the morning so now Ican go take care of my little
girl, have my wife head off towork and embrace and take on my
day knowing I've accomplishedthis podcast.
So that's one thing that I'vechanged.
But I have to structure,prioritize and book time for my
business.
(33:26):
I'm trying to get better atthat one.
Keep moving forward.
Don't let setbacks derail you.
Continue to take action andmake progress, even if it's in
small steps.
When I was talking with myfriend, steve over the weekend,
during the middle of all of ourconversations he said small
victories.
A wise man once told me to takesatisfaction in small victories
(33:49):
, count small victories.
A wise man once told me to takesatisfaction in small victories
, count small victories.
And he threw it right back inmy face.
That's something that I've saidfor years, back when we worked
together, and it always justwarms my heart and makes me feel
so proud that somebody thatworked with me on my teams
remembers some of the educationthat I put out there, my mantras
, my missions, and to have thatfed back to me on my teams.
Remember some of the educationthat I put out there, my mantras
(34:09):
, my missions, and to have thatfed back to me.
Number one was a proudfulmoment, but number two was an
inspiring moment that says he'sabsolutely right, man, what
you're doing right now, the factyou're still here, the fact
we're talking about five yearsof business, the fact you've
accomplished all these thingsthose are positive steps, man.
Those are small victories.
Keep moving forward.
(34:30):
Don't let setbacks derail you.
Continue to take action andmake progress, even if it's
small steps.
And perseverance pays off y'all.
Success in business is rarelyimmediate.
It often requires sustainedeffort over time.
So don't be discouraged bysetbacks.
As I sit here and I think aboutthe fact that Loud Proud
(34:52):
American has been in businessfor five years, share, the
Struggle podcast has beenrecording episodes week after
week after week for nearly fiveyears and neither one of these
have achieved the heights that Ibelieve they can achieve.
The heights that I believe theycan achieve, neither one of
these are at a point where Iexpected to be at this time in
(35:15):
our journey.
Right, we're not as widelylistened to as I thought we
would be.
We're not as widely known as Ithought we should be.
We're not a self-sustainingbusiness paying for everything
that it needs to be paying for.
I can wholeheartedly take theCabela's catalog, put my hand on
that catalog, my beady littleeyes of the sky, and confess the
(35:39):
truth for this guy, when I satdown and said number one, would
I even be doing a podcast fiveyears from now?
Well, yes, I thought I would beNumber two.
Where would this business be?
What would it be providing?
How would I be feeling fiveyears in?
Would we be known?
All these goals I set formyself?
(35:59):
I'm nowhere near them.
If I, literally, five years ago,let's say if I could go back,
let's say I could go back, let'ssay I could take today and I
could write down here's whereyour podcast would be.
Here's the people that wouldlisten Like.
Here's the number every week.
This is what you're looking at.
Write that down on a piece ofpaper, put it in an envelope,
(36:21):
write down on the business.
Here's your yearly sales, yearto year.
Here's your total five-yearsales.
Here's how much you would make.
Here's how yearly sales, yearto year.
Here's your total five-yearsales.
Here's how much you would make.
Here's how much money goes toyour family.
Here's where you'd be.
If I wrote both of those thingsdown, sealed them up, and I
(36:42):
could travel back in time fiveyears ago and give those to me
and I would open those and seewhere I would be.
I wouldn't have done it.
I would have made theresponsible decision to say
listen, financially that's notwhat my family needs.
And on the podcast side, maybethat's not enough of an impact
(37:03):
for me to carve all this timeaway from my family.
I would have walked away fromboth of them had I known where I
would be in five years, Iwouldn't have started either.
If I didn't start either, didyou know all I would have missed
out on the experiences that Iwould have missed out on the
(37:24):
relationships, the friendships,the family that I've been made?
It's crazy to backtrack things,to work backwards, to peel the
onion, to get to the core and torealize if you were looking at
a financial number, a statistic,just a number, if you were
making all your decisions inlife based on numbers, you
(37:47):
wouldn't live the life thatyou're living today.
If I went back five years andknew where I would be five years
later, I wouldn't have started.
But I'm thankful, and I'mgrateful that we did, because
the experiences, the places I'vebeen, the things that I've done
, tremendous.
Would I be a dad?
(38:07):
I don't know.
Would I have the same circle ofdad?
I don't know.
Would I have the same circle offriends?
I don't know.
Probably not, because I metmost of them on the road.
A lot of you that are listeningtoday, right, start thinking
about these things the podcast,the impact that we've had, when
I don't care about the finalnumber but we drill down on the
(38:28):
minutiae of the number andrealize the impact we've had on
people.
Some of the messages, phonecalls, meetings and greetings
that we get from people thatsaid you made a difference, that
this episode right here made adifference.
The relationships that we'remaking throughout the country
with people we never would haveactually met in person or
(38:51):
encountered is tremendous.
It's not always the end.
All number it's how we getthere, the experiences, the
memories and the things weaccomplish, the lessons, the
connections, all those things.
So now, knowing that five yearsago, if I looked at the numbers
(39:11):
, I wouldn't have made thisjourney, I need to worry less
about the numbers that I'mexpecting in five years.
You understand, because I can'tlet those things change my
direction.
I can't let those things impactmy decisions.
I need to focus on smallvictories and the fact that we
are making progress and thingsare happening and things are
(39:34):
opening and hot diggity damn, wecan do this.
This outline these things thatwe've shared today.
Clearly it has a focus onbusiness, but this works in all
avenues of life.
Whatever that dream is for you,whatever it is that you hold on
to, whatever that is that youwant for you to never give up
(39:57):
these resources, they work.
For all of those things, thinkabout it.
Connect with like-minded people, reconnect with your why?
Reconnect with your purpose,expect to struggle all of those
things?
They're business tips, butthey're life tips y'all.
Why are you doing this?
What's the reason?
Why do you want that goal sobad?
(40:17):
Why do you hold that dream sotight inside?
When you reconnect with thosethings, when you expect the
challenges, it all makes sense,guys, it all makes sense, man.
I'm telling you right nowbusiness practice, life practice
, they all go together.
The truth is, the underlyingsecret here is whatever you want
in your life, never, ever giveup.
(40:39):
Chase it and embrace it andmake it happen.
With all that said, I want tosay thank you to each and every
one of you for embracing me andmy journey.
If you're here listening to thepodcast, whether you've been
listening for 254 weeks, hotdamn.
I owe you a hug If you werehere for day one.
(41:00):
I appreciate you and I hopethat you heard something today
that makes you want to come backtomorrow or, you know, next
week, because I only do thisonce a week.
But tomorrow there's 253 moreepisodes.
You can go back and listen toman.
It's great to go back and justpull random episodes with random
subjects that you want to getinto or maybe see some of the
(41:20):
growth that we've had along theway.
So I appreciate each and everyone of you that have been
supporting this journey.
We're pushing five years forStrangler's Trucker Podcast.
If there's something you wantto hear or experience with five
years coming up, please let usknow.
I'd appreciate that.
Find all things podcast relatedat sharethestrugglepodcastcom.
I'd appreciate you guyschecking that out.
Please share the show.
(41:41):
We're on all major podcastingplatforms.
If you're listening on acertain platform like Spotify or
something, make sure you checkoff.
Follow.
Those things all make a bigdifference for us, but I
appreciate it and, moreimportantly, you absorbing the
message is what's most importantto me.
So I thank you and I appreciateyou For those of you that have
(42:01):
been pulling along this journey,that have been helping us,
encouraging us with LoudProudoud American supporting us,
whether you're buyingmerchandise.
You're sharing our story.
You're spreading our mission.
I appreciate you.
It's because of each and everyone of you that we continue to
be in business.
Five years in business, we aremaking new obstacles for
(42:24):
ourselves, we're making andcreating new opportunities for
ourselves and I'm excited andencouraged for all the things
that are happening that we areattempting this year.
I can proudly, happily, beexcited and share with you today
, because last week I wastelling you guys there's some
new events that I've beenpushing for, that we've been
trying to connect with, thathaven't really been coming into
(42:47):
fruition.
People are not getting back tous.
I can happily come to you todayand announce one of those new
events for us.
We stayed resilient and we had alot of people helping to try to
get us in and I'm excited tosay we have been accepted to the
Syracuse Nationals.
It is a massive car show inSyracuse, new York, at the New
(43:10):
York State Fairgrounds, and Iwas looking at the numbers.
It looks like nearly 90,000people go to this car show in
three days.
We're coming off of a car show,so it just makes so much sense.
I know there's like-mindedindividuals.
It's our customer base.
It's going to be fantastic and,most importantly to us as a
family, it's going to connect uswith our family.
(43:32):
We're going to get out toSyracuse.
Little baby Paisley is going tobe able to spend some time with
her godparents and the rest ofour New York fam.
So this is an absolute win, win, win.
I'm so excited for this.
So look forward to moreinformation from us about more
events that we're going to begoing to, and we'll put out some
more information about us beingaccepted to the Syracuse
(43:53):
Nationals.
With that said, y'all, I can'ttruly thank each and every one
of you enough for all thatyou've done for us, all that you
mean to us, and I hope today'smessage encouraged you to never
give up.
Whatever it is that you wantfor yourself, don't lose sight
of it for yourself.
Never, ever give up.
Thank you for supporting myAmerican dream.
(44:14):
That's it and that's all.
Biggie Smalls.
(44:36):
If you're a loud, proud Americanand you find yourself just
wanting more, find me on YouTubeand Facebook at loud, proud
American Put a face page, as mymama calls it.
If you're a fan of the GrahamCracker, you want to find me on
Instagram.
Or all the kids bytickety-talking on the TikTok.
You can find me on both ofthose at Loud underscore, proud,
(45:01):
underscore, american, a big old.
Thank you to the boys from theGut Truckers for the background
beats and the theme song forthis year's podcast.
If you are enjoying what you'rehearing, you can track down the
(45:22):
Gut Truckers on Facebook Justsearch Gut Truckers.
Give them motherfuckers.
(45:46):
A like too.
I truly thank you forsupporting my American dream.
Now go wash your fucking hands,you filthy savage.
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