April 8, 2025 • 29 mins
What if your hardest moments could become your greatest strengths? June An, entrepreneur and founder of The Group SD, joins us to share how he transformed a turbulent childhood into a life of purpose, leadership, and service.
Born to Korean immigrants and raised by a Hispanic family for six unexpected years, June's early life defied convention. Spanish was his first language. Reunion with his father brought challenges—but instead of resentment, June chose growth. "Nobody's going to save me, so I became that person for others," he says.
That mindset powers everything he does—from launching 71 businesses through his 386-member “non-networking networking group,” to leading a men's circle that redefines masculinity through emotional openness and accountability.
We talk jiu-jitsu as a metaphor for life, building community from scratch, and parenting with intention. June opens up about breaking generational cycles, embracing discomfort, and why his son telling him, “Dad, I’m proud of you,” was the ultimate full-circle moment.
This episode is packed with wisdom on resilience, leadership, and living with heart. Whether you're an entrepreneur, parent, or someone navigating your own path, you’ll walk away inspired to turn your struggles into strength.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
For me I've been a lifelong martial artist and
there's such a crossover inmartial arts and life, I think,
and business.
And for me, with jujitsu, withmartial arts, besides it
teaching you discipline, itteaches you to be comfortable in
uncomfortable situations and alot of times if you don't go
through adversity, you'll justgive up.
You won't even try to gothrough that struggle.
(00:21):
But if you struggle on a dailybasis, just training, everything
is easy.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Welcome to the Glamorous Grind where grit meets
glamour and law is always instyle.
I'm Alona Antonian, a trialattorney and a certified family
law specialist.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
And I'm Mila Aratunian, a trial attorney who
specializes in employment andpersonal injury law.
We are lawyers, friends andyour guides to real life legal
drama.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Each week, we're breaking down unforgettable
cases, sharing incrediblepersonal journeys and sharing
what keeps us motivated in ourcareers and personal lives.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
So whether you're hustling to make your own dreams
happen or just here for a goodstory, settle in with your
favorite drink, because we arebringing you wisdom, wit and a
whole lot of style.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
It's law, it's life, it's the Glamorous Grind.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Today we are thrilled to welcome a guest who truly
embodies the entrepreneurialspirit June Ann.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
A San Diego native, June has built a reputation as a
dynamic entrepreneur andcommunity leader.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
He is the founder of the Group SD, a business
networking organization that'sredefining how professionals
connect and grow.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
From launching businesses to earning a black
belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu,june's journey is all about
discipline, love, resilience andpassion.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
So let's kick things off.
June welcome.
Thank you so much for beinghere on your birthday of all
days.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Thank you for the invite we're going to try to
make it so much fun for you Likewe're going to try to make this
a memorable birthday for you,perfect.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Thank you for the invite.
We're going to try to make itso much fun for you.
We're going to try to make thisa memorable birthday for you
Perfect, thank you.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So when you walked in , I immediately noticed that
you're such a high energy person.
Can you tell us about yourself?
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Sure, I've always been hyper.
The funny thing too is that inschool, teachers would always
write kind of this you know thereport card.
June has so much potential, buthe can't sit still, and so my
father would always say you haveants in your pants, just calm
down.
I didn't know what it was, butI always have to do something.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
And you do a lot of things, right yeah?
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I try to stay busy, everything, everything.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
So you have a podcast .
I heard you do jujitsu.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Jujitsu.
He owns a jujitsu.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
He owns a jujitsu studio.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Where is it?
Yeah, in Encinitas.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
What is it called?
Speaker 1 (02:46):
General Arts, jujitsu For me.
I've been a lifelong martialartist and there's such a
crossover in martial arts andlife, I think, and business.
And for me, with jujitsu, withmartial arts, besides it
teaching you discipline, itteaches you to be comfortable in
uncomfortable situations and alot of times if you don't go
through adversity, you'll justgive up.
(03:07):
You won't even try to gothrough that struggle.
But if you struggle on a dailybasis, just training, everything
is easy.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Every day you do something hard Right At least
start your day.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
I always suggest to people.
It doesn't have to be martialarts, it doesn't have to be
jujitsu, but do somethingdifficult first thing in the
morning, it's a win.
The rest of the day is easy.
I started working when I wassix years old because my father
was an immigrant, so he hadseveral different businesses and
he always put me to work.
So from the beginning it wasconstantly me just working at
(03:39):
the dry cleaner, theconstruction site, the
janitorial service or therestaurant.
So it was kind of bred into me.
But not only that.
In school I distinctly rememberwhat I used to do is I used to
get an allowance, or when I'dwork I'd get tips.
I would take that money, go tothe store, buy a bag of candy
and then I would take out thecandy and sell the individual
(04:00):
candy to kids for a dollar each.
So I'd end up making a lot ofmoney.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
So I've kind of always had that.
How old were you when you didthat I?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
was in elementary school, so I was probably
somebody teach you.
No, it's honestly, I think itwas just I was born with an
innate certified hustler.
Yeah, I got in trouble a coupletimes, for you know selling
candy to kids for a marked upprice, but that that is really
cool.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
You said your family came here as immigrants.
Were you born in America?
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Yeah, I was born in Texas, el Paso, and so my father
he, fought in the Korean army,and then so they fought in
Vietnam, and so they were givingout visas, and so his visa was
about to expire so they camehere.
I don't know why they picked ElPaso, texas, but I was born in
El Paso, texas, and from therehe immediately went to the
construction site and startedworking.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Oh, how'd you make it to California?
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Well, that's an interesting story.
So when my father was workingon the construction site he kind
of has that entrepreneurialspirit he's like I'm not making
enough money.
So he asked one of the foremento watch me, Like if he can have
his wife watch me during theday while he's at the
construction site.
And so he did that for a littlebit for a couple of weeks.
And you know, I was a, I was aninfant, I was just born, and
(05:15):
one day my father was like toldthe foreman it was like, can you
watch my son for a little bit?
And he was like, sure, we wereready to watch him anyways.
What he didn't realize is thathe was going to leave for six
years.
So he ended up leaving El Pasoto find work and then he left me
with this Hispanic family,amazing family, and they raised
me for six years.
It's funny, people are alwaysshocked, but I lived it, so to
(05:38):
me it's normal.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
So being raised by a different family for first six
years of your life, that aredevelopmental years of your life
.
Yeah, what values did you learnthere versus you know when you
went back with your father?
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Yeah, no, really good question.
So since I was raised in aHispanic family, I thought, to
be honest, I thought I wasHispanic, I had no idea I was
Korean and so, being raised inthat family, they're very family
oriented.
You know, hispanics they wantto have a party for everything.
So it's this community feel andit's this just.
You know, they put a lot intotheir kids and so when my father
(06:14):
came, he didn't have any familyin the US, so when he came and
got me at six I thought I wasbeing kidnapped.
I see this Asian guy coming into take me.
I had no idea and I only spokeSpanish.
That kidnapped.
I see this Asian guy coming into take me.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
I had no idea.
And I only spoke Spanish.
That was my first language, ohwow.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
You still speak Spanish fluently.
You know, I understand a littleof it.
I don't really use it, so I'vekind of lost it, but that was my
first language.
Did your dad keep in touch withyou.
(06:48):
The first six years you werealive?
Not at all.
So he just shows and got me.
You know my family told me hey,this is your father, you got to
go with him.
So he took me and so hecompletely disconnected any
contact with that family oh myGod totally disconnected any
contact with that family.
Yeah, so I had no idea again.
You know, it's like I lost afamily and then I was taken.
(07:08):
But not only that is that assoon as we were going cause he
had reestablished hisconstruction company in Tucson
he stopped off at the airportand then I see this chubby Asian
kid coming out of the plane andhe's like that's your brother,
and I was.
I didn't know.
I had a brother for six years.
He was an older brother.
He only spoke Korean, so he wasin Korea.
They left him in Korea and thenthey got me and then he only
(07:31):
spoke Korean.
I only spoke Spanish and myfather spoke broken Spanish,
broken English, full Korean.
So it was interesting.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
That must have been so tough.
Can I tell you what I'mthinking, right?
Speaker 3 (07:40):
now, what's that that you're talking about this with
such strength and grace, and Ithink that 99% of the human
population would be sitting herefeeling sorry for themselves,
and you just took that pain andyou turned it into fuel.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Thank you.
Honestly that's amazing.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah, thank you.
Well, to me too, it's what I doremember growing up in that,
because I worked at Six on,because he immediately put us to
work and we were working and weworked the restaurants, and I
remember, distinctly rememberingthat I was like I wish I had a
rich uncle that could take me.
But the thing is I got to thepoint where I figured out I'm
not going to get, nobody's goingto save me, so I have to save
(08:21):
myself.
So I became that person thathelped other people.
So if there was a bully, I wasthe first one to fight the bully
because I knew how it felt andI wanted to be that person to
protect them.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
I still kind of see you as that today.
I mean, and I know we're adultsso people don't really get
bullied, but you formconnections between people and
that's what I mean.
You do a lot of things.
I know Lona mentioned you havea podcast with Coast News.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Right.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
You're also a consultant, right.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Right.
And then I have a handful ofother businesses and investment
interests and I'm just alwaysrelaxed, always happy, and if I
have any cocktails I'm going toget even happier, so you're a
fun guy to hang out with yeah,normally without drinks, I'll
tell you I love you.
But if I drink, I'm going totell you I love you about 20 to
30 times.
That's how it is, but it reallydoes go back to.
(09:10):
I've always kind of had thisheart, but I just want to be
that person that I didn't have.
So it's I see, whenever I lookat somebody and I speak to
somebody, I speak to a lot ofpeople.
When I sit down with them, it'sI see them in their highest
light and I see so muchpotential in everyone.
Because same thing I go back toI wish somebody was there for
(09:31):
me.
You know, cause I'm stillevolving.
You know I'm definitely notthere.
I'm going to continue to evolve.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
That's what drives you.
You wish somebody was there foryou, and that drives you to be
there for others, and you formeda men's group.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
I do everything that I want, that I need in my life.
So that's how I formed thegroup.
But as far as the men's group,it's one of those things,
especially hitting 51 now.
But you get to this age and menhave been kind of pushed to the
side and to be a strong malefigure, it's been considered
(10:04):
toxic.
I don't think that's right.
I think there's got to be abalance.
There's definitely a balance.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
There's a lot of pressure on men.
I think her and I we're kind oflike dudes because we're in
that role.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
But what do you think ?
Speaker 2 (10:16):
women expect from men .
But what do you think womenexpect from men?
Speaker 1 (10:19):
For the last few years.
What I guess the public hassaid about men is they want them
to be sensitive and if you tryto kind of stand up for yourself
, you're considered toxic.
And so the difficult part aboutthat especially navigating
business, especially inCalifornia it's difficult to
have a business in Californiabut just in life, to navigate
everything and then to be toldyou can't be a man.
(10:42):
That's what's happened the lastfew years.
So for me, you know I wanted toform this men's group and have
high quality men.
So I did this announcement, youknow, I just put it on
Instagram.
I was like starting a men'sgroup who wants to be involved?
55 men show up.
Starting a men's group whowants to be involved?
55 men show up.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Males, like forming connections and like having that
type of companionship isundervalued in our society.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
It is.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
It's cool for women Like it's a thing Like, oh,
let's go out for brunch, let'sgo get drinks, but men don't
really do that, right, and Ifeel like and not to say that
you should be sensitive, butthere are a lot of things that
men go through that I think itwould be helpful for all of you
to share.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
So with the men's group, there's certain things
and I tell the guys all the timethere's certain things that I
can't tell my wife.
There's certain things I can'ttell my friends, you know,
because they may not understand.
But to be able to get into amen's group with people that you
(11:47):
don't necessarily know butthey're high-quality people
Strangely enough it's a loteasier to open up to somebody.
That's almost non-biased, andso that's really helped.
And you're seeing people,everyone's really kind of
blossomed.
Their business is doing well.
At home they're doing well.
They're better fathers, they'rebetter sons, they're better
husbands, things like that.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Because of this, because of the fact that and
regularly we'll see people cry,which is fine, and it's a sense
of community and togethernessthat I think a lot of times men
lack Exactly.
So you've also, in addition tothe men's group, you started
another networking group calledthe Group SD, which is for men
and women, and it's a networkinggroup for local professionals.
(12:24):
You guys meet every Friday.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Every Friday it's actually the non-networking
networking group.
I have several differentbusinesses.
I do consulting as well.
I've been in investment bankingin the past, so I've done a lot
of business with differentcorporations, different people.
But it always seemed artificialto me.
I love to sit down, you know,sit down face to face and have a
conversation.
(12:46):
You can see people's, you caneven feel people's energies.
During COVID, everyone went toZoom.
Everything was just impersonal.
Everything was done via yourphone, facetime.
That's really not my style.
I really wanted to get to knowyou.
So with a buddy of mine who's astudent at the Jiu Jitsu Academy
, he's a financial planner, wehad coffee and he's like what do
(13:07):
you want?
And he asked me that question.
I was like well, I wantcommunity and I want to be a
pillar of the community.
And so we decided and we'relike let's each invite two
different people, two differentpeople, no business cards
allowed, and let's just havecoffee.
We were kind of like this,let's have a conversation.
And we just had a conversationand we didn't talk about
business at all.
(13:27):
And it did so well that theywanted to do it again.
And so they're like but can weinvite people?
And it kept doubling and itkept doubling.
No business talk at all, justpersonal, like about even about
your passion.
You know what do you do tomotivate yourself, questions
like that and we'd have greatconversations, but what ended up
happening was, as it keptdoubling, everyone's businesses
(13:49):
just blossomed.
So that's why I say it's anon-networking, because a lot of
people they're all business,and then you know what ends up
happening their home life lacks,they have stresses that have
nothing to do with business,it's all personal, and then
sometimes people are way toopersonal and then their business
lacks.
So in life and business you gotto have that balance, and
(14:10):
that's what the group is.
The group is now, I think we'reat 386 members.
We've had 71 businesses startedfrom scratch from the business.
Everybody's business isblossoming.
We've had 71 businesses startedfrom scratch from the business.
Everybody, everybody's businessis blossoming.
And then not only that, though,now everybody has friends and
they have family, and so now I'mseeing everybody, they tag me
all the time.
They're having dinners, andit's a sense of community,
(14:33):
because you know, the world iscrazy.
So every Friday we had over ahundred people show up.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Last Friday, and where do you guys meet?
Speaker 1 (14:40):
Good Anya in Encinitas.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
You have a very positive energy all around.
Yes, and I think you know whenwe connected, that was what like
drew me to you as a human,Because here comes this like
very big personality who does alittle bit of everything.
You just bring a lot ofpositivity to the world and I
can see that you find a lot ofpurpose in that.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Yeah, I do.
I mean, life is beautiful,really is.
I mean we live in a great city,you know, I know great people
and it's just it.
And then so I started thisinitiative April of 2023, where
I do coffee with one new personevery day.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Monday through.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Friday yeah, every day, except for holidays,
obviously.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
How do you find people to connect with?
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Before yeah, I would just ask random people, I would
just ask.
And so now I think that's howwe connect.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Yeah, absolutely, we've got coffee.
Yeah, we just got coffee.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
And I love it because for me it's like a lesson in
growth.
For me, every time I meetsomebody, no matter what they
look like on the outside, theyhave a different story.
No two people are alike, and sothat's so interesting to me.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
What's your conversation starter?
You just meet somebody forcoffee.
You don't know.
How do you get comfortable with?
Speaker 1 (15:55):
that, Honestly, I just say I'd love to, I'd love
to hear about your story.
Would you do coffee with me?
Speaker 2 (16:02):
That's it, that's it.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
That's how he approached me.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
I'm 10 out of 10, a hundred percent when I asked
somebody for coffee.
We end up doing coffee.
Now I'm a little behind becausewe, you know, we get 20 new
members per week and that's oneof the reasons why the group has
grown as big as it has is.
I'm very intentional.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
You are always trying to help everyone.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
I get that personal growth when I get to learn about
your story and your story Forme.
There's tidbits that I can takefrom it.
It's inspiring and so that andI have this, I've always had
this confidence Life will takecare of itself, funds will take
care of itself, trust theuniverse.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Just trust the universe Manifesting.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Just manifest it.
And what's ended up happeningis the more I help people
without me being selfish, thethe universe just brings
positive karma for yourself yeah, it really is.
I mean it's, it's, you know,and my son's 21, he's at the
naval academy, 21 year old, 21year old son, oh wow yeah he's,
he's an amazing.
I actually just got off thephone with him when before I got
here.
(16:59):
But he's in the Naval Academyand he's just an amazing human
being.
He really is.
But it's one of those thingswhere a lot of people they do
things growing up, they do itfor their parents' approval.
I've never been like thatbecause I knew I got to the
point where I was like my fatherwill never be satisfied, and so
when I had my son, I lived mylife for my son, my son.
(17:23):
I do everything so that hecould be proud of me and it's
funny, I've never, you know,pushed it, never said anything.
And then two years ago he'slike he randomly just said hey,
dad, I'm proud of you.
That broke me down.
I mean, that was amazing tohear that from him and other
people have said it.
But the fact that my son saidit, I'm like, all right, I'm
going to continue this missionand continue setting my legacy
(17:48):
by being an example for my son.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Considering your childhood, when you learned
you're going to be a parent,what values did you decide
you're going to instill in yourchild?
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Honestly, from early on, I wanted to be the exact
opposite of my father.
I will be firm, but I'm goingto give him support, I'm going
to give him encouragement andI'm going to give him love.
You have a choice.
You can either repeat theprocess and cycle, or you can
break it and just be somethingdifferent and set your legacy
and my son is my legacy.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
One thing about you that I think just stands out and
is so shining, and it remindsme of the shirt that's in
alona's office yeah it's likehanging on your tent and it says
turn shit into gold that's itand I feel like everything you
talk about it's hard things thathave happened to you, people
who are not very nice to you Imean, dad, you know, was not the
(18:39):
nicest raising you.
Your mom abandoned you, yetyou're so empathetic and kind
towards them when you talk aboutit.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
I never do anything expecting anything back, and so
even love I'll give everybody.
I'll give both you love, it'sjust you don't have to give it
back to me.
I'm completely fine with that.
I feel good that I gave it toyou and I hope I touched you in
some way and I'm okay with that.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
I think that's a secret to your happiness.
Yeah, it could be and like now.
It's my goal in life to justgive things without expecting
anything back, because I thinkthat's where so much
disappointment in our livescomes from.
Is we like do things for peopleor do things expecting some
return on investment and theother?
Speaker 2 (19:23):
person may not have the same expectation.
You'll be disappointed andyou're not going to be a happy
person.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Yeah, Well, that's what I see.
A lot of my friends, I seefamily members, kind of go
through it where they're theyget really disappointed by
somebody and they're like yeah,I did so much for them and you
know they're not doing anythingand they're they're just like
heartbroken, you gave himsomething, you shouldn't expect
something back.
If you're doing something,expecting something back, then I
(19:49):
feel like Unless it's your kidyeah exactly, unless it's your
kid, but just in general, youshould just do things If it's
right.
If you have the energy, do it,why not?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
I think I want to know more about all your
businesses and what you do.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
I have a mortgage company.
I do business consulting, I doconsulting for Fortune 500
companies.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
What kind of consulting do?
Speaker 1 (20:11):
you do.
It's basically operationalstrategy.
So it's basically I can take a.
I have this kind of innateability to look at your business
and see opportunities toincrease your revenue.
And I can see and sometimes itdoes take somebody from the
outside to look at your businessand look at your model, look at
your branding and to be to givethem your opinion, because
(20:31):
sometimes you're so invested inwhat your brand is or your
business you don't even realizeyou have holes in it.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Let's talk a little bit more about that.
I mean, we talked kind of aboutyour personality and that, your
energy levels and how you'realways looking to contribute and
finding purpose in that.
How do you apply those skillsets into your serial
entrepreneurship?
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Just curiosity, the thing I'm good at, I'm good at
looking at things and startingthings.
I consider myself a visionary.
I can see kind of anopportunity and I know how to
carry it through.
The issue that I run into ismaintaining it, because I do get
bored, and so again, I thinkthat goes back to just that
(21:13):
hyperactive personality.
I have to always be doingsomething and that's why I
always exercise first thing inthe morning.
It's that energy, it's doingsomething difficult and,
honestly, it's just challengingmyself.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Before you become successful, there are failures
along the way and you're turning51 today.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Can you?
Speaker 2 (21:30):
tell us about your journey and the failures from
which you've learned.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Right, that's a big thing and that's why I go back
to jujitsu, because with jujitsuit's such a difficult martial
art You're grappling.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
You're a black belt right.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
I'm a black belt, yes , exactly, and so I used to box,
did Muay Thai in the past.
But jujitsu, to me, is such adirect reflection of life and
business, because you'reconstantly failing.
You constantly are.
I mean, there's always gonna besomeone better than you, or
they just might happen to catchyou on a bad day, and so what
(22:07):
you have to do is you have toput your ego aside.
You still have to have thatdetermination, but you have to
become comfortable inuncomfortable situations.
So that's why, like in business, you're gonna run into
situations, you're gonna runinto failures.
Again, you have a choice youfail, just give up.
Just give up.
Give up on life, give up oneverything, or you learn from it
(22:28):
.
And it's like you know, likeJocko Willink, anytime something
bad happens, he says good.
I say the same thing Good.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
So what did you learn from your failures?
Speaker 1 (22:38):
One of the biggest things is I can't do it all
myself, and a lot ofentrepreneurs tend to try to
figure things out themselvesthat are on this island, and the
thing too is, a lot of times,as an entrepreneur, you have a
lot of people counting on youand you think you can't be
vulnerable.
You can't let them know that.
Well, honestly, I don't knowhow to do this.
You know, I don't know.
(22:58):
I'm good with what I do.
I don't know how to do this, sothey try to figure out.
There's a lot of missteps inthat.
So for me, I used to always tryto do everything myself.
Just let me figure it out.
But now I know I bring in goodpeople.
If I don't know how to say, dosomething marketing, whatever it
is, social media marketing Ibring in the right people to do
(23:20):
it, and then I learn from it.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Though, how do you know that that person is the
right person that you arerelying on?
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Give them as much opportunity as possible, but
there's a point where you haveto cut it.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
You got to know when to cut the cord.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
You do.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
Because I think that if you cannot trust the people
in your organization to runthings, to lead things, you need
to get new people, you don'tneed to do it yourself.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Do you believe in the laws of attraction?
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Oh yeah, I think this is one of the reasons why I'm
so positive that if I go throughlife with that idea that it'll
just work out, I'm going to putit in the work, because I know
myself and I always tell peopleyou got to believe in yourself.
I have this strong belief inmyself.
I can figure out anything.
Give me something, I'll figureit out.
And so, kind of, through life,what I've seen and it gets
(24:07):
stronger and stronger is that ifI go through life like that
that positive attitude goodthings will happen.
The right people always show upat the right time and that's
really what's happened to thegroup Weekly.
I invite both of you to come ona Friday.
Someone will come and someonewill have an issue.
I'll ask a question.
I try to keep it just veryinformal, but I usually come
(24:28):
with thought-provoking questionsand the questions sometimes
people will have are like I'mstruggling with this.
Well, whatever they arestruggling with, somebody in the
group that's brand new willliterally show up.
So if somebody is, I have thissupplement, I don't know how to
manufacture it, I want to get itout there.
Boom, somebody shows up.
So I think it's that energythat I put into the group and
(24:52):
it's that positive energy, it'lljust work out.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
And I want to touch on that because I mean we
connect on a lot of levelsbecause we're both kind of
strange people that no onereally understands.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Unique is a better word, avant-garde is a better
word.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
All right, I'll take that, but taking care of your
people, understanding your ownweaknesses, strengths and their
weaknesses, and putting theminto positions where they can
utilize their strengths to giveyou the most value and where
(25:32):
they don't really have to touchupon their weaknesses as much.
And part of being a good leaderis also knowing that about
yourself and your own strengths.
That part is kind of hardbecause you kind of have to call
yourself out like I'm not sogood at this, but you do such a
great job at that, so can youtell us a little bit about that?
Speaker 1 (25:50):
Yeah, it's one of those things where I always say
I'm going to be everyone'sbiggest cheerleader, and so same
thing with people that work forme or I work with.
I try to place them in theposition that, like you said,
will really concentrate in wherethey can utilize their
strengths.
But the other thing I do too isthat to be really an advocate
(26:11):
for somebody, you also have tocall them out.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Yeah, how do you give them a reality check?
Yeah and be authentic about hey, you want to do this, but I
don't see that.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
If you see somebody, they have a bad habit or they
keep making a mistake, youreally do have to call them out
and say look, I've been tryingto empower you to really succeed
, take this on, take thisproject on, but you're really,
you're behind.
You're behind what's going on.
And so for me I go into itagain on a personal level hey,
is something going on?
(26:41):
Normally you do great work, youknow, you've always been ahead
on these projects.
Why are you behind now?
Are you taking on too much?
Am I giving you too much?
And it really?
Are you okay at home?
Because inevitably, I typicallyfind out something.
Maybe they've taken on too muchprojects or they're having
issues at home, so now it'saffecting their work.
Okay, let's take care of that.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
What do we need to do ?
Well, you're talking aboutsomeone who was doing well, and
then they start going down thehill.
But what about someone new thathasn't yet proven themselves,
that's coming up with excuses?
How many chances do you givethose people and how do you
empower them to be better whenthey don't help themselves?
Speaker 1 (27:16):
I think it has to come down to kind of the
approach is if they work for you, they're gonna immediately kind
of be fearful of you.
It's just gonna be kind of oneof those things you're the boss.
If you can kind of convey thatyou're there for them, you want
them to succeed, you want themto be promoted, you want them to
get bonuses, so it's to be thatcheerleader.
But as far as chances go, aslong as you've been true to
(27:42):
yourself, because a lot of timeswe'll put a lot of pressure on
our staff without really lookingat ourselves.
Have we been the best boss?
Have we been the best boss?
Have we been the best leader?
And if we haven't, and someonekeeps messing up, have we really
trained them the best?
And I think a lot of that is tolook at ourselves first to make
sure that, hey, have I reallyput in the time to train them,
(28:04):
or did I just give themsomething and said, hey, do it.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Yeah, I mean, on one hand, I think training is
absolutely important to trainthem.
Or did I just give themsomething and said, hey, do it?
Yeah, I mean, on one hand, Ithink training is absolutely
important to set them up forsuccess initially, but then you
want to empower people to ownthe project and run with it and
prove themselves and see canthey rise to the top, or are
they going to give up and don'twant to try anymore.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
For someone who's just starting out building a
business, what would be yournumber one piece of advice that
you would give to them?
Speaker 1 (28:29):
Find a mentor, find somebody that's already done it
and just ask questions.
Be a sponge, absorb it.
Work hard, put in the work, getthe mentors, get ideas and then
I'm telling you, you'll succeed.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
Thank you so much for joining us.
This has been a pleasure,especially on your birthday.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
Again.
This is really fun, Thank you.
It was a gift to me for mybirthday.
I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
It's been an incredible interview.
Really nice to meet you I loveyour energy.
Like I said, you walked in.
I immediately felt positivity.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
Thank you, we're going to have to do coffee.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
And that wraps up another episode.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
If June's story inspired you, don't forget to
like, subscribe and follow us onYouTube and wherever you listen
to your podcasts and be sure tofollow us on social media for
behind-the-scenes moments andmaybe even a few surprises we
didn't share on the episode.
That's it for now.
Thanks for tuning in and we'llsee you next week.
(29:25):
Stay stylish, stay confident,and we'll catch you next Tuesday
on the Glamorous Grind.
Have a wonderful week.
We stylish, stay confident andwe'll catch you next Tuesday on
the Glamorous Bride.
Have a wonderful week.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
We love you.
For me I've been a lifelong martial artist and
there's such a crossover inmartial arts and life, I think,
and business.
And for me, with jujitsu, withmartial arts, besides it
teaching you discipline, itteaches you to be comfortable in
uncomfortable situations and alot of times if you don't go
through adversity, you'll justgive up.
You won't even try to gothrough that struggle.
(00:21):
But if you struggle on a dailybasis, just training, everything
is easy.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Welcome to the Glamorous Grind where grit meets
glamour and law is always instyle.
I'm Alona Antonian, a trialattorney and a certified family
law specialist.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
And I'm Mila Aratunian, a trial attorney who
specializes in employment andpersonal injury law.
We are lawyers, friends andyour guides to real life legal
drama.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Each week, we're breaking down unforgettable
cases, sharing incrediblepersonal journeys and sharing
what keeps us motivated in ourcareers and personal lives.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
So whether you're hustling to make your own dreams
happen or just here for a goodstory, settle in with your
favorite drink, because we arebringing you wisdom, wit and a
whole lot of style.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
It's law, it's life, it's the Glamorous Grind.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Today we are thrilled to welcome a guest who truly
embodies the entrepreneurialspirit June Ann.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
A San Diego native, June has built a reputation as a
dynamic entrepreneur andcommunity leader.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
He is the founder of the Group SD, a business
networking organization that'sredefining how professionals
connect and grow.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
From launching businesses to earning a black
belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu,june's journey is all about
discipline, love, resilience andpassion.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
So let's kick things off.
June welcome.
Thank you so much for beinghere on your birthday of all
days.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Thank you for the invite we're going to try to
make it so much fun for you Likewe're going to try to make this
a memorable birthday for you,perfect.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Thank you for the invite.
We're going to try to make itso much fun for you.
We're going to try to make thisa memorable birthday for you
Perfect, thank you.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So when you walked in , I immediately noticed that
you're such a high energy person.
Can you tell us about yourself?
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Sure, I've always been hyper.
The funny thing too is that inschool, teachers would always
write kind of this you know thereport card.
June has so much potential, buthe can't sit still, and so my
father would always say you haveants in your pants, just calm
down.
I didn't know what it was, butI always have to do something.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
And you do a lot of things, right yeah?
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I try to stay busy, everything, everything.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
So you have a podcast .
I heard you do jujitsu.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Jujitsu.
He owns a jujitsu.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
He owns a jujitsu studio.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Where is it?
Yeah, in Encinitas.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
What is it called?
Speaker 1 (02:46):
General Arts, jujitsu For me.
I've been a lifelong martialartist and there's such a
crossover in martial arts andlife, I think, and business.
And for me, with jujitsu, withmartial arts, besides it
teaching you discipline, itteaches you to be comfortable in
uncomfortable situations and alot of times if you don't go
through adversity, you'll justgive up.
(03:07):
You won't even try to gothrough that struggle.
But if you struggle on a dailybasis, just training, everything
is easy.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Every day you do something hard Right At least
start your day.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
I always suggest to people.
It doesn't have to be martialarts, it doesn't have to be
jujitsu, but do somethingdifficult first thing in the
morning, it's a win.
The rest of the day is easy.
I started working when I wassix years old because my father
was an immigrant, so he hadseveral different businesses and
he always put me to work.
So from the beginning it wasconstantly me just working at
(03:39):
the dry cleaner, theconstruction site, the
janitorial service or therestaurant.
So it was kind of bred into me.
But not only that.
In school I distinctly rememberwhat I used to do is I used to
get an allowance, or when I'dwork I'd get tips.
I would take that money, go tothe store, buy a bag of candy
and then I would take out thecandy and sell the individual
(04:00):
candy to kids for a dollar each.
So I'd end up making a lot ofmoney.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
So I've kind of always had that.
How old were you when you didthat I?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
was in elementary school, so I was probably
somebody teach you.
No, it's honestly, I think itwas just I was born with an
innate certified hustler.
Yeah, I got in trouble a coupletimes, for you know selling
candy to kids for a marked upprice, but that that is really
cool.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
You said your family came here as immigrants.
Were you born in America?
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Yeah, I was born in Texas, el Paso, and so my father
he, fought in the Korean army,and then so they fought in
Vietnam, and so they were givingout visas, and so his visa was
about to expire so they camehere.
I don't know why they picked ElPaso, texas, but I was born in
El Paso, texas, and from therehe immediately went to the
construction site and startedworking.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Oh, how'd you make it to California?
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Well, that's an interesting story.
So when my father was workingon the construction site he kind
of has that entrepreneurialspirit he's like I'm not making
enough money.
So he asked one of the foremento watch me, Like if he can have
his wife watch me during theday while he's at the
construction site.
And so he did that for a littlebit for a couple of weeks.
And you know, I was a, I was aninfant, I was just born, and
(05:15):
one day my father was like toldthe foreman it was like, can you
watch my son for a little bit?
And he was like, sure, we wereready to watch him anyways.
What he didn't realize is thathe was going to leave for six
years.
So he ended up leaving El Pasoto find work and then he left me
with this Hispanic family,amazing family, and they raised
me for six years.
It's funny, people are alwaysshocked, but I lived it, so to
(05:38):
me it's normal.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
So being raised by a different family for first six
years of your life, that aredevelopmental years of your life
.
Yeah, what values did you learnthere versus you know when you
went back with your father?
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Yeah, no, really good question.
So since I was raised in aHispanic family, I thought, to
be honest, I thought I wasHispanic, I had no idea I was
Korean and so, being raised inthat family, they're very family
oriented.
You know, hispanics they wantto have a party for everything.
So it's this community feel andit's this just.
You know, they put a lot intotheir kids and so when my father
(06:14):
came, he didn't have any familyin the US, so when he came and
got me at six I thought I wasbeing kidnapped.
I see this Asian guy coming into take me.
I had no idea and I only spokeSpanish.
That kidnapped.
I see this Asian guy coming into take me.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
I had no idea.
And I only spoke Spanish.
That was my first language, ohwow.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
You still speak Spanish fluently.
You know, I understand a littleof it.
I don't really use it, so I'vekind of lost it, but that was my
first language.
Did your dad keep in touch withyou.
(06:48):
The first six years you werealive?
Not at all.
So he just shows and got me.
You know my family told me hey,this is your father, you got to
go with him.
So he took me and so hecompletely disconnected any
contact with that family oh myGod totally disconnected any
contact with that family.
Yeah, so I had no idea again.
You know, it's like I lost afamily and then I was taken.
(07:08):
But not only that is that assoon as we were going cause he
had reestablished hisconstruction company in Tucson
he stopped off at the airportand then I see this chubby Asian
kid coming out of the plane andhe's like that's your brother,
and I was.
I didn't know.
I had a brother for six years.
He was an older brother.
He only spoke Korean, so he wasin Korea.
They left him in Korea and thenthey got me and then he only
(07:31):
spoke Korean.
I only spoke Spanish and myfather spoke broken Spanish,
broken English, full Korean.
So it was interesting.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
That must have been so tough.
Can I tell you what I'mthinking, right?
Speaker 3 (07:40):
now, what's that that you're talking about this with
such strength and grace, and Ithink that 99% of the human
population would be sitting herefeeling sorry for themselves,
and you just took that pain andyou turned it into fuel.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Thank you.
Honestly that's amazing.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah, thank you.
Well, to me too, it's what I doremember growing up in that,
because I worked at Six on,because he immediately put us to
work and we were working and weworked the restaurants, and I
remember, distinctly rememberingthat I was like I wish I had a
rich uncle that could take me.
But the thing is I got to thepoint where I figured out I'm
not going to get, nobody's goingto save me, so I have to save
(08:21):
myself.
So I became that person thathelped other people.
So if there was a bully, I wasthe first one to fight the bully
because I knew how it felt andI wanted to be that person to
protect them.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
I still kind of see you as that today.
I mean, and I know we're adultsso people don't really get
bullied, but you formconnections between people and
that's what I mean.
You do a lot of things.
I know Lona mentioned you havea podcast with Coast News.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Right.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
You're also a consultant, right.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Right.
And then I have a handful ofother businesses and investment
interests and I'm just alwaysrelaxed, always happy, and if I
have any cocktails I'm going toget even happier, so you're a
fun guy to hang out with yeah,normally without drinks, I'll
tell you I love you.
But if I drink, I'm going totell you I love you about 20 to
30 times.
That's how it is, but it reallydoes go back to.
(09:10):
I've always kind of had thisheart, but I just want to be
that person that I didn't have.
So it's I see, whenever I lookat somebody and I speak to
somebody, I speak to a lot ofpeople.
When I sit down with them, it'sI see them in their highest
light and I see so muchpotential in everyone.
Because same thing I go back toI wish somebody was there for
(09:31):
me.
You know, cause I'm stillevolving.
You know I'm definitely notthere.
I'm going to continue to evolve.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
That's what drives you.
You wish somebody was there foryou, and that drives you to be
there for others, and you formeda men's group.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
I do everything that I want, that I need in my life.
So that's how I formed thegroup.
But as far as the men's group,it's one of those things,
especially hitting 51 now.
But you get to this age and menhave been kind of pushed to the
side and to be a strong malefigure, it's been considered
(10:04):
toxic.
I don't think that's right.
I think there's got to be abalance.
There's definitely a balance.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
There's a lot of pressure on men.
I think her and I we're kind oflike dudes because we're in
that role.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
But what do you think ?
Speaker 2 (10:16):
women expect from men .
But what do you think womenexpect from men?
Speaker 1 (10:19):
For the last few years.
What I guess the public hassaid about men is they want them
to be sensitive and if you tryto kind of stand up for yourself
, you're considered toxic.
And so the difficult part aboutthat especially navigating
business, especially inCalifornia it's difficult to
have a business in Californiabut just in life, to navigate
everything and then to be toldyou can't be a man.
(10:42):
That's what's happened the lastfew years.
So for me, you know I wanted toform this men's group and have
high quality men.
So I did this announcement, youknow, I just put it on
Instagram.
I was like starting a men'sgroup who wants to be involved?
55 men show up.
Starting a men's group whowants to be involved?
55 men show up.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Males, like forming connections and like having that
type of companionship isundervalued in our society.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
It is.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
It's cool for women Like it's a thing Like, oh,
let's go out for brunch, let'sgo get drinks, but men don't
really do that, right, and Ifeel like and not to say that
you should be sensitive, butthere are a lot of things that
men go through that I think itwould be helpful for all of you
to share.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
So with the men's group, there's certain things
and I tell the guys all the timethere's certain things that I
can't tell my wife.
There's certain things I can'ttell my friends, you know,
because they may not understand.
But to be able to get into amen's group with people that you
(11:47):
don't necessarily know butthey're high-quality people
Strangely enough it's a loteasier to open up to somebody.
That's almost non-biased, andso that's really helped.
And you're seeing people,everyone's really kind of
blossomed.
Their business is doing well.
At home they're doing well.
They're better fathers, they'rebetter sons, they're better
husbands, things like that.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Because of this, because of the fact that and
regularly we'll see people cry,which is fine, and it's a sense
of community and togethernessthat I think a lot of times men
lack Exactly.
So you've also, in addition tothe men's group, you started
another networking group calledthe Group SD, which is for men
and women, and it's a networkinggroup for local professionals.
(12:24):
You guys meet every Friday.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Every Friday it's actually the non-networking
networking group.
I have several differentbusinesses.
I do consulting as well.
I've been in investment bankingin the past, so I've done a lot
of business with differentcorporations, different people.
But it always seemed artificialto me.
I love to sit down, you know,sit down face to face and have a
conversation.
(12:46):
You can see people's, you caneven feel people's energies.
During COVID, everyone went toZoom.
Everything was just impersonal.
Everything was done via yourphone, facetime.
That's really not my style.
I really wanted to get to knowyou.
So with a buddy of mine who's astudent at the Jiu Jitsu Academy
, he's a financial planner, wehad coffee and he's like what do
(13:07):
you want?
And he asked me that question.
I was like well, I wantcommunity and I want to be a
pillar of the community.
And so we decided and we'relike let's each invite two
different people, two differentpeople, no business cards
allowed, and let's just havecoffee.
We were kind of like this,let's have a conversation.
And we just had a conversationand we didn't talk about
business at all.
(13:27):
And it did so well that theywanted to do it again.
And so they're like but can weinvite people?
And it kept doubling and itkept doubling.
No business talk at all, justpersonal, like about even about
your passion.
You know what do you do tomotivate yourself, questions
like that and we'd have greatconversations, but what ended up
happening was, as it keptdoubling, everyone's businesses
(13:49):
just blossomed.
So that's why I say it's anon-networking, because a lot of
people they're all business,and then you know what ends up
happening their home life lacks,they have stresses that have
nothing to do with business,it's all personal, and then
sometimes people are way toopersonal and then their business
lacks.
So in life and business you gotto have that balance, and
(14:10):
that's what the group is.
The group is now, I think we'reat 386 members.
We've had 71 businesses startedfrom scratch from the business.
Everybody's business isblossoming.
We've had 71 businesses startedfrom scratch from the business.
Everybody, everybody's businessis blossoming.
And then not only that, though,now everybody has friends and
they have family, and so now I'mseeing everybody, they tag me
all the time.
They're having dinners, andit's a sense of community,
(14:33):
because you know, the world iscrazy.
So every Friday we had over ahundred people show up.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Last Friday, and where do you guys meet?
Speaker 1 (14:40):
Good Anya in Encinitas.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
You have a very positive energy all around.
Yes, and I think you know whenwe connected, that was what like
drew me to you as a human,Because here comes this like
very big personality who does alittle bit of everything.
You just bring a lot ofpositivity to the world and I
can see that you find a lot ofpurpose in that.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Yeah, I do.
I mean, life is beautiful,really is.
I mean we live in a great city,you know, I know great people
and it's just it.
And then so I started thisinitiative April of 2023, where
I do coffee with one new personevery day.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Monday through.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Friday yeah, every day, except for holidays,
obviously.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
How do you find people to connect with?
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Before yeah, I would just ask random people, I would
just ask.
And so now I think that's howwe connect.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Yeah, absolutely, we've got coffee.
Yeah, we just got coffee.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
And I love it because for me it's like a lesson in
growth.
For me, every time I meetsomebody, no matter what they
look like on the outside, theyhave a different story.
No two people are alike, and sothat's so interesting to me.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
What's your conversation starter?
You just meet somebody forcoffee.
You don't know.
How do you get comfortable with?
Speaker 1 (15:55):
that, Honestly, I just say I'd love to, I'd love
to hear about your story.
Would you do coffee with me?
Speaker 2 (16:02):
That's it, that's it.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
That's how he approached me.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
I'm 10 out of 10, a hundred percent when I asked
somebody for coffee.
We end up doing coffee.
Now I'm a little behind becausewe, you know, we get 20 new
members per week and that's oneof the reasons why the group has
grown as big as it has is.
I'm very intentional.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
You are always trying to help everyone.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
I get that personal growth when I get to learn about
your story and your story Forme.
There's tidbits that I can takefrom it.
It's inspiring and so that andI have this, I've always had
this confidence Life will takecare of itself, funds will take
care of itself, trust theuniverse.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Just trust the universe Manifesting.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Just manifest it.
And what's ended up happeningis the more I help people
without me being selfish, thethe universe just brings
positive karma for yourself yeah, it really is.
I mean it's, it's, you know,and my son's 21, he's at the
naval academy, 21 year old, 21year old son, oh wow yeah he's,
he's an amazing.
I actually just got off thephone with him when before I got
here.
(16:59):
But he's in the Naval Academyand he's just an amazing human
being.
He really is.
But it's one of those thingswhere a lot of people they do
things growing up, they do itfor their parents' approval.
I've never been like thatbecause I knew I got to the
point where I was like my fatherwill never be satisfied, and so
when I had my son, I lived mylife for my son, my son.
(17:23):
I do everything so that hecould be proud of me and it's
funny, I've never, you know,pushed it, never said anything.
And then two years ago he'slike he randomly just said hey,
dad, I'm proud of you.
That broke me down.
I mean, that was amazing tohear that from him and other
people have said it.
But the fact that my son saidit, I'm like, all right, I'm
going to continue this missionand continue setting my legacy
(17:48):
by being an example for my son.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Considering your childhood, when you learned
you're going to be a parent,what values did you decide
you're going to instill in yourchild?
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Honestly, from early on, I wanted to be the exact
opposite of my father.
I will be firm, but I'm goingto give him support, I'm going
to give him encouragement andI'm going to give him love.
You have a choice.
You can either repeat theprocess and cycle, or you can
break it and just be somethingdifferent and set your legacy
and my son is my legacy.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
One thing about you that I think just stands out and
is so shining, and it remindsme of the shirt that's in
alona's office yeah it's likehanging on your tent and it says
turn shit into gold that's itand I feel like everything you
talk about it's hard things thathave happened to you, people
who are not very nice to you Imean, dad, you know, was not the
(18:39):
nicest raising you.
Your mom abandoned you, yetyou're so empathetic and kind
towards them when you talk aboutit.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
I never do anything expecting anything back, and so
even love I'll give everybody.
I'll give both you love, it'sjust you don't have to give it
back to me.
I'm completely fine with that.
I feel good that I gave it toyou and I hope I touched you in
some way and I'm okay with that.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
I think that's a secret to your happiness.
Yeah, it could be and like now.
It's my goal in life to justgive things without expecting
anything back, because I thinkthat's where so much
disappointment in our livescomes from.
Is we like do things for peopleor do things expecting some
return on investment and theother?
Speaker 2 (19:23):
person may not have the same expectation.
You'll be disappointed andyou're not going to be a happy
person.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Yeah, Well, that's what I see.
A lot of my friends, I seefamily members, kind of go
through it where they're theyget really disappointed by
somebody and they're like yeah,I did so much for them and you
know they're not doing anythingand they're they're just like
heartbroken, you gave himsomething, you shouldn't expect
something back.
If you're doing something,expecting something back, then I
(19:49):
feel like Unless it's your kidyeah exactly, unless it's your
kid, but just in general, youshould just do things If it's
right.
If you have the energy, do it,why not?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
I think I want to know more about all your
businesses and what you do.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
I have a mortgage company.
I do business consulting, I doconsulting for Fortune 500
companies.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
What kind of consulting do?
Speaker 1 (20:11):
you do.
It's basically operationalstrategy.
So it's basically I can take a.
I have this kind of innateability to look at your business
and see opportunities toincrease your revenue.
And I can see and sometimes itdoes take somebody from the
outside to look at your businessand look at your model, look at
your branding and to be to givethem your opinion, because
(20:31):
sometimes you're so invested inwhat your brand is or your
business you don't even realizeyou have holes in it.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Let's talk a little bit more about that.
I mean, we talked kind of aboutyour personality and that, your
energy levels and how you'realways looking to contribute and
finding purpose in that.
How do you apply those skillsets into your serial
entrepreneurship?
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Just curiosity, the thing I'm good at, I'm good at
looking at things and startingthings.
I consider myself a visionary.
I can see kind of anopportunity and I know how to
carry it through.
The issue that I run into ismaintaining it, because I do get
bored, and so again, I thinkthat goes back to just that
(21:13):
hyperactive personality.
I have to always be doingsomething and that's why I
always exercise first thing inthe morning.
It's that energy, it's doingsomething difficult and,
honestly, it's just challengingmyself.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Before you become successful, there are failures
along the way and you're turning51 today.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
Can you?
Speaker 2 (21:30):
tell us about your journey and the failures from
which you've learned.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Right, that's a big thing and that's why I go back
to jujitsu, because with jujitsuit's such a difficult martial
art You're grappling.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
You're a black belt right.
Speaker 1 (21:47):
I'm a black belt, yes , exactly, and so I used to box,
did Muay Thai in the past.
But jujitsu, to me, is such adirect reflection of life and
business, because you'reconstantly failing.
You constantly are.
I mean, there's always gonna besomeone better than you, or
they just might happen to catchyou on a bad day, and so what
(22:07):
you have to do is you have toput your ego aside.
You still have to have thatdetermination, but you have to
become comfortable inuncomfortable situations.
So that's why, like in business, you're gonna run into
situations, you're gonna runinto failures.
Again, you have a choice youfail, just give up.
Just give up.
Give up on life, give up oneverything, or you learn from it
(22:28):
.
And it's like you know, likeJocko Willink, anytime something
bad happens, he says good.
I say the same thing Good.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
So what did you learn from your failures?
Speaker 1 (22:38):
One of the biggest things is I can't do it all
myself, and a lot ofentrepreneurs tend to try to
figure things out themselvesthat are on this island, and the
thing too is, a lot of times,as an entrepreneur, you have a
lot of people counting on youand you think you can't be
vulnerable.
You can't let them know that.
Well, honestly, I don't knowhow to do this.
You know, I don't know.
(22:58):
I'm good with what I do.
I don't know how to do this, sothey try to figure out.
There's a lot of missteps inthat.
So for me, I used to always tryto do everything myself.
Just let me figure it out.
But now I know I bring in goodpeople.
If I don't know how to say, dosomething marketing, whatever it
is, social media marketing Ibring in the right people to do
(23:20):
it, and then I learn from it.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Though, how do you know that that person is the
right person that you arerelying on?
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Give them as much opportunity as possible, but
there's a point where you haveto cut it.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
You got to know when to cut the cord.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
You do.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
Because I think that if you cannot trust the people
in your organization to runthings, to lead things, you need
to get new people, you don'tneed to do it yourself.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Do you believe in the laws of attraction?
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Oh yeah, I think this is one of the reasons why I'm
so positive that if I go throughlife with that idea that it'll
just work out, I'm going to putit in the work, because I know
myself and I always tell peopleyou got to believe in yourself.
I have this strong belief inmyself.
I can figure out anything.
Give me something, I'll figureit out.
And so, kind of, through life,what I've seen and it gets
(24:07):
stronger and stronger is that ifI go through life like that
that positive attitude goodthings will happen.
The right people always show upat the right time and that's
really what's happened to thegroup Weekly.
I invite both of you to come ona Friday.
Someone will come and someonewill have an issue.
I'll ask a question.
I try to keep it just veryinformal, but I usually come
(24:28):
with thought-provoking questionsand the questions sometimes
people will have are like I'mstruggling with this.
Well, whatever they arestruggling with, somebody in the
group that's brand new willliterally show up.
So if somebody is, I have thissupplement, I don't know how to
manufacture it, I want to get itout there.
Boom, somebody shows up.
So I think it's that energythat I put into the group and
(24:52):
it's that positive energy, it'lljust work out.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
And I want to touch on that because I mean we
connect on a lot of levelsbecause we're both kind of
strange people that no onereally understands.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Unique is a better word, avant-garde is a better
word.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
All right, I'll take that, but taking care of your
people, understanding your ownweaknesses, strengths and their
weaknesses, and putting theminto positions where they can
utilize their strengths to giveyou the most value and where
(25:32):
they don't really have to touchupon their weaknesses as much.
And part of being a good leaderis also knowing that about
yourself and your own strengths.
That part is kind of hardbecause you kind of have to call
yourself out like I'm not sogood at this, but you do such a
great job at that, so can youtell us a little bit about that?
Speaker 1 (25:50):
Yeah, it's one of those things where I always say
I'm going to be everyone'sbiggest cheerleader, and so same
thing with people that work forme or I work with.
I try to place them in theposition that, like you said,
will really concentrate in wherethey can utilize their
strengths.
But the other thing I do too isthat to be really an advocate
(26:11):
for somebody, you also have tocall them out.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Yeah, how do you give them a reality check?
Yeah and be authentic about hey, you want to do this, but I
don't see that.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
If you see somebody, they have a bad habit or they
keep making a mistake, youreally do have to call them out
and say look, I've been tryingto empower you to really succeed
, take this on, take thisproject on, but you're really,
you're behind.
You're behind what's going on.
And so for me I go into itagain on a personal level hey,
is something going on?
(26:41):
Normally you do great work, youknow, you've always been ahead
on these projects.
Why are you behind now?
Are you taking on too much?
Am I giving you too much?
And it really?
Are you okay at home?
Because inevitably, I typicallyfind out something.
Maybe they've taken on too muchprojects or they're having
issues at home, so now it'saffecting their work.
Okay, let's take care of that.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
What do we need to do ?
Well, you're talking aboutsomeone who was doing well, and
then they start going down thehill.
But what about someone new thathasn't yet proven themselves,
that's coming up with excuses?
How many chances do you givethose people and how do you
empower them to be better whenthey don't help themselves?
Speaker 1 (27:16):
I think it has to come down to kind of the
approach is if they work for you, they're gonna immediately kind
of be fearful of you.
It's just gonna be kind of oneof those things you're the boss.
If you can kind of convey thatyou're there for them, you want
them to succeed, you want themto be promoted, you want them to
get bonuses, so it's to be thatcheerleader.
But as far as chances go, aslong as you've been true to
(27:42):
yourself, because a lot of timeswe'll put a lot of pressure on
our staff without really lookingat ourselves.
Have we been the best boss?
Have we been the best boss?
Have we been the best leader?
And if we haven't, and someonekeeps messing up, have we really
trained them the best?
And I think a lot of that is tolook at ourselves first to make
sure that, hey, have I reallyput in the time to train them,
(28:04):
or did I just give themsomething and said, hey, do it.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Yeah, I mean, on one hand, I think training is
absolutely important to trainthem.
Or did I just give themsomething and said, hey, do it?
Yeah, I mean, on one hand, Ithink training is absolutely
important to set them up forsuccess initially, but then you
want to empower people to ownthe project and run with it and
prove themselves and see canthey rise to the top, or are
they going to give up and don'twant to try anymore.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
For someone who's just starting out building a
business, what would be yournumber one piece of advice that
you would give to them?
Speaker 1 (28:29):
Find a mentor, find somebody that's already done it
and just ask questions.
Be a sponge, absorb it.
Work hard, put in the work, getthe mentors, get ideas and then
I'm telling you, you'll succeed.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
Thank you so much for joining us.
This has been a pleasure,especially on your birthday.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
Again.
This is really fun, Thank you.
It was a gift to me for mybirthday.
I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
It's been an incredible interview.
Really nice to meet you I loveyour energy.
Like I said, you walked in.
I immediately felt positivity.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
Thank you, we're going to have to do coffee.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
And that wraps up another episode.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
If June's story inspired you, don't forget to
like, subscribe and follow us onYouTube and wherever you listen
to your podcasts and be sure tofollow us on social media for
behind-the-scenes moments andmaybe even a few surprises we
didn't share on the episode.
That's it for now.
Thanks for tuning in and we'llsee you next week.
(29:25):
Stay stylish, stay confident,and we'll catch you next Tuesday
on the Glamorous Grind.
Have a wonderful week.
We stylish, stay confident andwe'll catch you next Tuesday on
the Glamorous Bride.
Have a wonderful week.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
We love you.
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