chris brogan

Raul Colon on Getting Rid of the Limones and Nurturing Quality Business Relationships (Misfit Series)

June 11, 2014 By Berni

Thanks to my cousin Chris Brogan, I got to meet today’s featured guest back in 2011 when I was just getting acquainted with the online world. My primo Raul Colon joins me today in a revealing conversation about how he shifted his focus from chasing the dollar to nurturing quality relationships in business and the community. We get to reminisce about where we started and how far we’ve come since our #KTCO days (small business community run by Chris Brogan and Joe Sorge). Check out this episode if you want help getting rid of the dud clients and improving your business inside and out.

Watch the show (uncensored & unedited)

Listen to the podcast

SHARE SOME SHUT UP LOVE:

I’m not fearless. I’m very scared at times. But that fuels me to focus more and make better decisions. @rj_c #shutupshow (click to tweet)

RAUL ON NURTURING QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS IN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY:

Stop looking for “What’s in it for me?”
Focus on quality, not quantity.
Find a way to connect to and relate with others.
Give to others and help.
Be consistent about who you are online or offline.

CONNECT WITH RAUL:

RaulColon.net (personal blog)

Limonade Inc. (new company inspired by misfit Eric Proulx)

Photo credit: Raul Colon

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Love in the Time of the Owner with Chris Brogan – SUS14

December 5, 2013 By Berni

Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Today’s episode marks a very important milestone in Phil’s and my journey… we are now 25 episodes old! We couldn’t think of a more fitting guest than Phil’s brother-from-another-mother (Hi Diane!) and my long lost cousin (Hi #KTCO!), Chris Brogan.

Though Chris is well known for his savvy ways with social media tools, those who evangelize his work like Phil and I do know he is truly a prolific writer and teacher above anything else. This guy has been writing since before Al Gore invented the Internet and when blogging wasn’t even called blogging yet! He’s taught us about braving through clinical depression, learning to love the grind, telling bigger stories, building a platform of value, and how to improve your business.

In today’s episode, Chris tells us what scares him as he embarks on a major change and one of the most exciting shifts in his business.

Share Some SHUT UP Love –> Don’t ask ‘how can I help?’ because it’s the least helpful thing you can do. Show up and participate. @chrisbrogan #shutupshow (click to tweet)

See video blog and full show notes at https://theshutupshow.com/chrisbrogan

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Backstage Special: First 25 Recap Show – Episode 29

September 2, 2013 By Berni

What do you get when you cross a Polish who can do math with an Asian who is allergic to alcohol? You’ll find out soon enough when you watch a very, special backstage episode Phil and I recorded off the cuff after fueling up on some margaritas.

I happened to be in Phil’s neck of the woods giving a shin kicking development training workshop on Friday. So Phil and I decided to huddle up at our Milwaukee hub (Phil’s coworking office at Hudson Lounge in the Third Ward) to record our first ever in-person backstage episode to recap the first 25 episodes of The SHUT UP Show!

Watch the show (uncensored & unedited)Listen to the show (coming soon)

Share Some SHUT UP Love:

We are not the authority in anything. We are guinea pigs and this show is an experiment. @BerniXiong on #shutupshow (click to tweet)

We all have feedback to give. We all have insight that someone needs. @PhilGerb on #shutupshow (click to tweet)

Fun Facts:

Berni and Phil do the robot dance right before every episode goes LIVE ON AIR
None of the questions are contrived. They are asked off the cuff to keep the conversation real and raw.
Phil may or may not have been twerking before this special backstage episode went LIVE
Berni really has Asian Flush, which means she “experiences flushes or blotches as a result of an accumulation of acetaldehyde, a metabolic byproduct of the catabolic metabolism of alcohol” (via Wikipedia)

Defining SHUT UP Moment:

Berni nixed a weight management coaching project the week she was about to launch it to the public because it was excruciating work. Even though she had clients lined up and a clear plan to monetize as a newly certified weight management specialist, she decided to instead pursue what she truly enjoyed. That’s when Berni shut up and chose to go all-in with The SHUT UP Show, a project that has no guarantee of monetization, because she’s having the time of her life.

Phil recently got his ass kicked by his accountability coach only days before he was about to launch a new project. His coach helped him to realize the project was not in alignment with his core values. After 3 hours of crying and reflection, Phil decided to follow his heart, instead of leading with the prospect of making a ton of money, and completely derailed his original plan to stay true to his values.

SHUT UP Tips (Highlights from First 25):

I told people to shut up a long time ago and decided now, as my life is changing and I want to start a family, is the time to shut up myself. – Scott Ginsberg

Don’t be afraid to look stupid. Get over it. It’s just a part of being an entrepreneur. You’re going to do things that don’t work. Lean Startup: fail fast, learn, regroup, retrench, relaunch. – Catherine Morgan

If you try to play this game on an island, you’re not going to succeed. If you think you have your little baby–your idea–and you’re almost afraid to show people because you’re afraid they’re going to tell you the truth that maybe its an ugly baby. You need the flip side too; you need good people to be honest with you. – Greg Hartle

If you don’t come up with ideas every day, after 2 weeks your idea muscle will atrophy. – James Altucher

Do what you love in the service of those who love what you do. – Steve Farber

The day it really hit me I realized this is my life and it is my one and only. There are no encores. There are no redos. I don’t get another one. This is it. When you recognize this is not your practice life. This is all you have. Everything changes when you really get that because your choices become more urgent and that fear of “Am I gonna make it?” is much less relevant. – AJ Leon

Special Thanks to Guests from Our First 25:

Scott Ginsberg – Scott Ginsberg on Shutting Up and Not Giving a Shit – Episode 2
Bryson Andres – Bryson Andres on Becoming Discovered by Playing From the Heart – Episode 4
Amy Clover – Amy Clover Moves Us to Be Strong Inside Out – Episode 7
Srini Rao – Srini Rao Teaches Us About the Art of Being Unmistakable – Episode 8
John Haydon – John Haydon Helps us Flip Our Middle Finger to Fear and Doubt – Episode 9
AJ Leon – AJ Leon Helps Us Define Our Moments So They Don’t Define Us – Episode 10
Greg Hartle – Greg Hartle Teaches Us How to Succeed Starting From Scratch – Episode 11
James Altucher – James Altucher Takes Us From Broke to Choosing Yourself – Episode 13
Dat Phan – Death, Sex and Fear: What the Hell Dat Phan? – Episode 15
Craig Price – Craig Price Gives Us a Reality Check & Lots of Laughs – Episode 16
Susan Baroncini-Moe – Susan Baroncini-Moe Breaks World Records & Runs a Profitable Business in Blue Jeans – Episode 18
Jia Jiang – From Foe to Friend: Jia Jiang’s Love Story with Rejection – Episode 19
Catherine Morgan – Catherine Morgan Helps Us Get from Point A to Point B – Episode 20
Steve Farber – Steve Farber On Being More You & Infusing Your Voice with Work You Do – Episode 21
Matthew Kimberley – Matthew Kimberley Helps Us Get a Grip & More Clients – Episode 22
Paul Jarvis – How to Be Whole-Assed & Awesome at Online Business Like Paul Jarvis – Episode 23
Bob Burg – Go-Givers Have More Fun (and Make More Money) with Bob Burg – Episode 24
Chris Brogan – Love in the Time of the Owner with Chris Brogan – Episode 25

Find Berni & Phil:

Love in the Time of the Owner with Chris Brogan – Episode 25

August 23, 2013 By Berni

Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

In today’s episode, Chris tells us what scares him as he embarks on a major change and one of the most exciting shifts in his business.

Watch the show (uncensored & unedited)Listen to the podcast

Share Some SHUT UP Love –> Don’t ask ‘how can I help?’ because it’s the least helpful thing you can do. Show up and participate. @chrisbrogan #shutupshow (click to tweet)

Fun Facts:

Chris is CEO & President of Human Business Works
Chris is the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Impact Equation
It took 8 years for Chris to get his first 100 subscribers
Chris is a sought-after professional keynote speaker
Chris co-founded PodCamp
Together with his lovely lady, Jacqueline Carly, Chris plays in a band called D3one3

Defining SHUT UP Moment:

One fear that drives me I share in common with Jay Leno. Jay is still to this day afraid he’s not gonna have enough money to live and support the people he loves. So he works really really hard at everything he does. Jerry Seinfeld called him out once on their video show very similar to yours, called Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, he said “I think you still think one of these days you’re gonna be back at a restaurant somewhere having to push a broom as if that is really true.” Jay said, “More than you probably know.” That’s one fear, not being able to provide.

The other fear I have is, am I ever gonna shake this child actor label of “guy who is really into social media” because I’ve always felt like “guy who is into doing interesting stuff.” That pigeon hole is not really gonna be useful for my next project. I’m writing a new business magazine that’s going to really contend with the magazines you have at the news stands. I guess my fear is people will say “I don’t want to read about social media” and not want to pick it up.

SHUT UP Tips:

I’m reading this book by George St. Pierre, The Way of the Fight. He talks about how great fear is. How fear is really useful. And people who try to blunt fear or pretend that they don’t feel fear or sadly maybe they don’t feel fear are missing a great opportunity and a great set of tools. – Chris

I was trying really hard to write and publish really depressing bad fiction that nobody wanted and so I learned I could just publish it myself on the web. Then I started getting readers and people starting liking it. But, it took me 8 years to get my first 100 subscribers. – Chris

People are really aligning their identity with the output they type into a keyboard or phone and I think that it’s gonna be a long while before people shred their identities up again into coleslaw and really pay more attention to what really matters to them. But in the interim, we all have to endure strange, weird social issues that didn’t exist before. I’ve just been checking out of that a lot more than I used to. – Chris

It takes a certain level of bravery to say “Look, this is madness. One of us has to stop.” Dr. Seuss covered this a long time ago–some of us have stars on our belly and some of us don’t–and we have to eventually realize the silliness. When we do, there’s such a great value waiting afterwards if we just connect genuinely and try to build out a relationship with people who care. – Chris

I might not be someone’s cup of tea. I talk about poop. – Chris

If you pay enough attention and give enough love to the community you have a pleasure to serve, when you turn that corner and try something new, a big chunk of them will come with. – Chris

There are people who are life long fans. To get there to have any longevity with a fan is to not have fans and instead have people you care about. I embrace community becuase if you love the people who give you their attention and you show them you’re paying attention as well, you’re going to get a lot better opportunities out of the ordeal. – Chris

Be helpful. It’s the same advice I’ve been giving well over a decade. Don’t ask ‘how can I help?’ because it’s the least helpful thing you can do. Show up and participate. – Chris

I’m the gateway drug and the prime drug. I’m the one someone gets the idea from and they stick around because when the next hit comes its gonna be good. – Chris

As we all evolve, improve, change, or pivot, hopefully we keep enough with us that who we are will continue to shine through. Customers that love us will love us regardless of what we do because it’s about being a human business working with other humans. – Phil

Chris Recommends:

George St. Pierre – The Way of the Fight

Chris is launching a new digital magazine, Owner, coming soon to an electronic shelf near you in September 2013!

Find Chris:

Visit www.chrisbrogan.com and sign up for the newsletter (Chris says “It’s the best thing I love to do and the one you’ll fall in love with fastest and deepest.” Phil and I have both been subscribed for years and couldn’t agree more.)

Susan Baroncini-Moe Breaks World Records & Runs a Profitable Business in Blue Jeans – Episode 18

July 28, 2013 By Berni

It’s not often we get to feature on our show a Guinness World Records® record holder who has shared the stage with business giants like Michael E. Gerber, Larry Winget, Bob Burg, David Meerman Scott, Michael Port, Chris Brogan, Scott Stratten, our very own Phil Gerbyshak, among other business and marketing bestselling authors, speakers, and thought leaders. She may be running her business in blue jeans from the Midwest, but Susan Baroncini-Moe is a force to be reckoned with in the world of business and marketing strategy.

Lucky for Phil and me, we get to chat with our friend Susan on a fairly regular basis so this chat was just like a conversation with an old friend. In this episode, you’ll get a glimpse inside the mind and heart of a veteran of the web industry who shares how she tackles the “brain junk” that can often overwhelm a small business owner or entrepreneur.

Watch the show (uncensored & unedited)Listen to the show (coming soon)

Share Some Shut Up Love –> No man is an island. We all have to reach out & connect with each other. @suebmoe on #shutupshow (click to tweet)

Fun Facts:

Susan is a Guinness World Records® record holder for the world’s longest uninterrupted live webcast.
Susan has worked with clients on 4 continents and her clients include startups, well-established companies, and best-selling authors.
Berni hired Susan as her business & marketing strategy coach and made back her monthly investment tenfold within the first 48 hours working together.

Defining Shut Up Moment:

Every once in a while I get a little scared, but I don’t dwell on it. I chose a lifestyle where fear runs as an underlying current of everything I do. If I let it, it can paralyze me. But I focus on the work and what I know works. If you’re shoring up your business and you have lots of places where you’re earning revenue, you’re not going to see that big of a change if something happens like the economy crashing. When you’re doing a lot of things with consistency and regularity, that’s what holds the underlying current of fear at bay.

Shut Up Tips:

Don’t underestimate the power of connection. What you can do for people and what they can do for you along your journey. I could have not fathomed where I am today doing what I’m doing with who I’m doing it had I not been open to the connection being made. – Berni

None of us are alone. No man is an island. We all have to reach out and connect with each other. That is a part of dealing with all the fear of being an entrepreneur because it’s part of the lifestyle. – Susan

There’s a difference being by yourself and being completely alone. – Phil

The smartest thing to do is start your business on the side while you’re still working in your day job. One great way to do that is by telecommuting. – Susan

I am so persistent and have so many irons in the fire at one time, so I don’t let things get to me that often. It’s not as scary as it used to be when I first started. – Susan

If you can prepare, you should. If you can’t, stop and relate. Then it ends up not just your experience you’re drawing from. It’s the experience of others who have been there before you. Really, this is the whole purpose of The Shut Up Show. – Phil

Susan Recommends:

Susan’s newest book that just launched in June 2013 –> BUSINESS in BLUE JEANS: How to Have a Successful Business on Your Own Terms, in Your Own Style.

Find Susan:

Follow Susan on Twitter

Susan’s website