Episode 61: Turning Rejection Into Opportunity

What do you do when your family is about to lose everything? For John Vagueiro, the answer was simple: build a business from scratch and never look back. In this unfiltered conversation, John Vagueiro, founder and CEO of Adapting Social, joins host Lawrence LeBrocq to share how he turned personal adversity into entrepreneurial fuel. From growing up in a chaotic household to knocking on doors in the dead of winter offering free websites, John’s story is a masterclass in grit, hustle, and heart. With no college degree and no formal training, John built Adapting Social into a full-service digital agency that now serves clients in over 20 countries—including Ferrari, Bentley, and Columbia University—while staying true to his roots by supporting small businesses and startups. What to expect in this week’s episode: - From IEP to CEO: John opens up about growing up in a working-class family, struggling in school, and how being labeled “remedial” never defined his potential. - The $500 Website That Changed Everything: Hear how a single client’s leap of faith launched John’s career—and how he reinvested every dollar to save his family from foreclosure. - Scaling with Soul: Learn how John grew Adapting Social from a one-man hustle to a global agency by focusing on speed, quality, and building a team that mirrors his passion. - Lessons from Billionaire Clients: John shares the two most powerful lessons he learned from working with ultra-successful entrepreneurs—and how they shaped his leadership style. - Why Rejection is a Gift: From being laughed at in oversized suits to giving away 50 free websites, John explains how rejection fueled his growth and why he still bets on himself every day. Guest Resources: Website: www.AdaptingSocial.com Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/adaptingsocial/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/adaptingsocial/ GGL Resources: Website: https://www.gglwins.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GarcesGrablerLebrocq/ Twitter (X): https://www.x.com/ggl_wins Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ggl_wins https://www.instagram.com/gglwins_espanol LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/garces-grabler-lebrocq/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@garcesgrablerlebrocq New Clients: 855-GGL-WINS [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices