All Episodes

June 28, 2025 21 mins
Caroline Biesalski welcomes Marcus Norman to discuss mindset in business and his journey from military service to entrepreneurship. Marcus shares insights on the importance of identity beyond one's profession and explores opportunities in the CBD industry. The conversation highlights the role of podcasting in building connections and the value of addressing taboo topics. Marcus emphasizes the impact of mentors and coaching, sharing his approach to goal-setting. He provides information on where listeners can connect with him and leaves them with parting advice. Caroline wraps up the episode with closing remarks and a special offer for listeners.
Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
And that's one of the things, the criteria Ilook at when investing in or working in a
particular industry is, is this necessary, andhow does this help people?
Again, I think there's a better mindset whenyou enter an industry, you start a company for

(00:20):
money, money, money, money, money.
Right.
I want to make money.
I want to be rich.
I want to drive Lamborghinis.
I want to have fast cars and fast women.
That won't last.
But if you go in and say, I want to serveenough people, I want to help people, that'll
last.

(00:41):
Welcome to Inspired Choice Today.
I'm your host, Caroline Biesalski, here tobring you authentic stories, surprising
lessons, and powerful takeaways to fuel yourjourney in business and life.
In each episode, I'll take you from oneinspiring guest to the next, blending their
experiences with my expertise to uncoverpractical strategies you can use right away.

(01:06):
Whether you're starting out or stepping up,stay tuned for insights and actionable tips
that make a difference, and stick around untilthe end for a special freebie just for our
listeners.
Hello, and welcome inspired podcast community.
This is your new episode.
My name is Caroline, and my today's guest isMarcus Norman, and I'm so happy that he said

(01:31):
yes to our interview.
How are you doing today?
I'm doing very well.
How about yourself?
Yeah.
I'm fantastic, and I'm so excited about ourinterview.
I would like to introduce you to the audiencefirst.
Okay.
You are a dynamic serial entrepreneur hailingfrom the Caribbean island of Saint Croix,

(01:54):
bringing fresh perspectives to business, realestate, and culture.
As a former U.S.
Navy serviceman, you honed your leadershipskills, which you now channel into managing a
real estate investment firm and hosting theGentleman's Style podcast with ventures
spanning real estate, alternative investments,and even the CBD vending machine industry.

(02:18):
You are driven to empower others throughinsightful conversations on business,
relationships, and personal growth.
Welcome to the Inspired Choice Today podcast,Marcus Norman.
Thank you for having me.
I appreciate that.
Glad to be here.
I'm so happy that you are here.

(02:39):
And my first question is what mindset shifthelped you transition from military service to
becoming a successful entrepreneur acrossmultiple industries?
What mindset shift had to happen was a lot ofveterans, I think it's a form of PTSD.

(03:02):
But a lot of veterans make their militaryservice who they are.
And I had to come to realize that the military,although as rewarding and necessary as our men

(03:23):
and women who are serving our country are, it'snot an identifier of who I am.
It's just something I did.
And once I realized that, I was able to expandmy mind past my military service and past what
I did in my military service.

(03:45):
So to be more specific, when you go to the VAhospital, you bump shoulders with a lot of
warriors, a lot of heroes at the VA, and theyoften identify by what they did in the
military.
And it's become a form of identity for them.

(04:07):
And so, you know, I was a master chief ofmechanics, or I was a supply officer, a
logistics officer over here.
And they identify by that.
But I found that that's not who I am.
Right?
That's something I did in a period of time, andI can do something else.

(04:28):
I don't have to stay in this box.
I can leave the box and I can do other things.
And so when I dove into real estate,entrepreneurship, cannabis, in the cannabis
business, those are all different avenues, butthey're not who I am.

(04:51):
They don't make me the man I am.
They're just things that I do that help otherpeople.
And so that was the mindset shift I had to takeon.
What a great answer.
Thank you so much for sharing.
So you don't identify with the things you dowith the activities.
Right?

(05:12):
Correct.
Because it doesn't matter what we do.
Right?
It's what matters how you make people feel andhow people remember you.
Our time on this earth is finite.
Yeah.
Mhmm.
Our time on this earth is finite.

(05:32):
Right?
It'll end.
Yes.
And so what makes a more lasting impression iswhat people will write on your
And that's, I think that's important.
Wow.
What a great—so I'm inspired already.
This is the inspired podcast and also theinspired choice.
So we get to choose how we identify if weidentify at all.

(05:58):
You talked about
I don't know the, yeah, the post-traumaticPTSD, whatever.
So we can leave this behind and take on acompletely new identity of our choice.
Yes, ma'am.
Yes, ma'am.
Okay.
Let's have a look at my next question.

(06:21):
How do you identify—oh, you see the word.
How do you identify?
Cannot.
New business opportunities like your recentventure into CBD.
Pen?
Digging machines.
I think yes.
Mhmm.
I identify the need by, what does the worldneed?

(06:44):
What does the world need?
What do we need?
What do I need?
What are some common things that people aresuffering with every single day?
And cannabis was a growth market that allowedme to help enough people, maybe not worldwide
for now, but locally in my neighborhood, in myown community, I can have an impact, a direct

(07:12):
impact in helping people live better and muchmore satisfying and quality lives.
As a whole, people are not doing wellmedically.
We're having some of the most insane medicalailments, medical problems, and it's getting

(07:34):
worse.
We're getting younger and younger, and we'resuffering in silence.
And so cannabis and the industry that Iinvested in and own and operate, various
dispensary locations allows me to help peoplein a small way.

(07:55):
And that's one of the things, the criteria Ilook at when investing in or working in a
particular industry is, is this necessary?
And how does this help people?
Again, if you—I think that's a better mindsetwhen you enter an industry, you start a company

(08:15):
for money, money, money, money, money.
Right?
I want to make money.
I want to be rich.
I want to drive Lamborghinis.
I want to have fast cars and fast women.
That won't last.
And so but if you go in and say, I want toserve enough people, I want to help
people—that'll last.

(08:36):
That, I think, has a better chance ofwithstanding the test of time.
Yes, I understand what you mean.
So it is important to serve people, to helppeople, and to find out first what they need.
And you did this so brilliantly that you areable to do this, and I'm happy that we can talk

(08:56):
about this today.
Thank you.
Me too.
Me too.
Thank you for that.
Another question for you.
What's the secret to building genuineconnections through your podcast and creating
impactful conversations?
So my podcast builds connections from theaudience perspective to a professional, not

(09:24):
necessarily myself, but the guests that Iinterview on my show.
Forgive me, who are experts in helping people.
They're experts in areas that we're strugglingin and we're not doing well at.
So my podcast is called Gentleman's StylePodcast, God Family Finance Self.

(09:46):
And so that may sound cliché, but I'veinterviewed—so when you hear the word God, you
think, oh, it's a Christian-based podcast.
I've interviewed atheists on my show, notbecause I want to argue or convert them, but we
can have an intelligent conversation and sharevery powerful points from both perspectives in

(10:12):
a healthy way and not be bloodied and batteredat the end of it, and we can learn and grow
from one another.
And so I've interviewed experts in finance.
I've interviewed experts in real estate.
I've interviewed experts and professionals andcelebrities who have the kind of heart that we

(10:36):
need to succeed in life.
And so the areas that we are struggling with,there wasn't a singular point to get the data
that you needed.
Forgive me.
And so I wanted to develop a podcast wherewhatever it is you're looking for, whatever it
is you're struggling, I've interviewed sexexperts, and that is often taboo in the

(11:04):
Christian faith, right, to talk about sex.
But guess what?
Not talking about it isn't helping, and we'renot doing well in that area of life.
Right?
That's a part of life.
If God created all things, he created sex.
And so why aren't we talking about it?
There are ways to talk about it in a healthyway so that we can do better at it and get

(11:31):
better at it and not make it so obscure oruncomfortable to talk about.
So we need to talk about it.
That's how you improve.
That's how you learn.
That's how you grow.
Not talking about it is not the answer.
And so my show connects people and connectsaudience.
It connects experts, real experts, not thefinancial gurus who want to take your money.

(11:56):
Real experts who help you do better in life sothat you can win.
And so the show is just a start, but I thinkit's a great start.
It is.
Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you somuch for doing this.
I love podcasts as you assume.

(12:17):
The inspired podcast has also to do with, it iswhat if inspiration is the breath of God.
Right?
Some people say it is.
Yeah.
And God created us.
Therefore, he created sex because without sex,no creation of other human beings.
So you pointed this out.

(12:38):
It's important to talk about it, not hiding.
And I think taboo is something like what wemake of it.
We don't have to.
So we are here today.
I was not speaking two years ago, so this is amiracle in itself.
And I love what we do.
So another question.
Have we a question?

(12:58):
What about your coaches and mentors?
Do you have coaches and mentors, and who wasthe best coach you ever had?
I do have coaches and mentors and greatexamples in my life.
One of them lives here in Virginia with me.

(13:20):
His name is Reynaldo Randle.
Great gentleman and just a wealth of knowledgeand great perspective.
He's someone I oftentimes find myselfemulating, but also, I think my first mentor
and best example was my father.

(13:43):
And I oftentimes praise his advice and hismentorship and his guidance.
You know, my father didn't leave me, and he'sstill with us.
But my father, you know, upon moving out,didn't leave me a bunch of money or inheritance
or wealth, but he gave me the ability tocritically think about problems in life and in

(14:07):
the world and around me.
And I think that was one of the most powerfulthings he had ever given to me because it
allowed me to not only survive, which is whatthe goal is and what every parent wants for
their children or should want, but it alsoallowed me the opportunity to thrive no matter

(14:27):
where I was in the world.
What a great answer.
And I love when we have powerful examples inour own families.
Not everyone is blessed by that.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Because it takes courage as well, I think, toname parents as great coaches and mentors.

(14:50):
Yes.
It does.
It does.
Especially in this world where the familyecosystem is broken, and it's divided, and it's
separated.
So to hear what can come out of a healthyfamily dynamic is rare, but still necessary.

(15:12):
It is.
And we can improve this as well.
We can encourage our podcast listeners as wellto look in their own families and to improve
the relationships.
How about that?
Because it all starts with us.
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
So great.
So let's talk about goals.
Do you set goals for yourself or intentions,and what is one of your next projects?

(15:39):
I do set goals for myself.
My goal right now and project was and is mygoal was to open a franchise, which I have done
and in the works of doing.
My lady and I, my girlfriend and I are nowopening a mental health practice, where we

(16:04):
live, and it's needed.
And so the goal was to open a franchise, wasn'tparticularly sure what franchise.
And now, we've decided to open this mentalhealth facility because that's what's needed in
our local community, but overall worldwide.

(16:26):
People are dealing with the most traumatic andnot dealing with the most traumatic things ever
imaginable.
And the body follows the mind.
And so if we can help the mind, help the persondevelop and cope, I think you overall have a

(16:52):
better quality of life, and you live a betterquality of life if we can help you work through
the scariest nightmarish things out thereimaginable to the human condition.
And so I often set goals 99.9% of the time, Iachieve those goals.

(17:14):
I don't talk about it.
I do it.
Yeah.
Set a goal.
Give yourself time.
Give yourself grace to make mistakes, but set agoal, work towards it, and then achieve it.
Go after it because no one ever regrets nothelping someone.

(17:37):
Everybody wants to help someone, and so do it.
Whatever it is.
Do what you love.
No.
No.
Forgive me.
Do what you need to help people and so and theoutcome is you'll end up doing what you'll
find.
You're doing what you love.

(17:57):
Yes.
I understand.
For example, like, helping other people toachieve their dreams and goals and thereby
finding out what you love
to do.
Absolutely.
Yes.
I love it.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Then please tell us where we can find you.

(18:18):
I see your URL already, your website.
Where can we find you when people want to reachout to you after listening to this episode?
Absolutely.
So the best way to find me, on social media,you can look me up by my name, Marcus Norman,
or my podcast, www.gentlemanstylepodcast.com.

(18:45):
And that's the links to all our socials orInstagram, everything on every platform.
iHeartRadio, Apple iTunes, Spotify, Gaana,LinkedIn, everywhere.
So check us out, and let me know how we can beof service, how I can be of service.

(19:05):
Wow.
I love that.
Thank you so much.
I'll check it out.
I put the link in the show notes.
Of course, you mentioned it.
Please follow the Gentlemen's Style Podcast.
Right?
Yes.
What a nice word, and we can learn so much fromyou and your experience.
And I love what you said about tell the world.

(19:26):
You did not say this, but it's a famous quote.
Tell the world, but show them first.
That comes, I think, from Napoleon Hill.
He also lived in Virginia.
Right?
Yes, ma'am.
Yeah.
Wise Virginia.
I love that very much.
I assume you studied Think and Grow Rich too.
It's the business bible.

(19:47):
Maybe not.
I have.
I have.
Thank you so much for our interview.
And now it's time for your final thoughts tothe audience, please.
My final thoughts to the audience is whateveryou do, however you're feeling, your feelings

(20:11):
matter, but try to lead with love in all thingsthat you do.
Try to change that front-facing mindset and tryand have some love behind there and show love

(20:33):
first and show empathy first and try to leadwith love because we need it.
Again, we're not doing well as a society.
We're not doing well as a whole, and everybodyis uptight and angry and frustrated.
And in cases, justifiably so, try.

(20:55):
It's not easy, but try to be the one to changeyour surroundings by changing yourself.
So lead with love first and see what happens.
What a great advice.
Wow.
Thank you so much.
I'm highly inspired now.

(21:16):
Thank you.
Glad.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
See you in the next episode.
Thank you for listening to Inspired ChoiceToday.
I'm thrilled to have you on this journey ofgrowth and transformation.
Don't forget to hit follow or subscribe to stayconnected and never miss an episode.
And here's something special.

(21:38):
Grab your free 20-minute breakthrough sessionwith me.
It's designed to help you kick-start or levelup your business.
Just check out the show notes for more.
Until next time, keep making those inspiredchoices.
See you in the next episode.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.