On the last episode, John Saccheri joined the show to talk about building a brand based on your personality.
Now, John returns to ask me three questions.
What did you do before you do what you do now?
Financial Analyst. I measured interest rate risk for a commercial bank. This job was as exciting as it sounds. But it did give me a strong background in numbers, which serves me well today.
Park Ranger. Becoming a park ranger was the fulfillment of a boyhood dream. I would not be who I am today without having been a park ranger.
Marketing Manager. This job was the catalyst for launching my own business to help businesses with marketing.
John asking this question reminds me, your background is not as important as you think it is. People are concerned with what you are doing now and what direction you are heading. Your background is not as important as you fear. Or as important as you hope, depending on how you look at it.
Don't let your background get in your way.
When was the last time Lee Cockerell surprised me with something he said on Creating Disney Magic?
Although I do know what direction each episode of Creating Disney Magic will go, every once in a while I am surprised. As an example, we did an episode where we talked about people who get by doing as little as possible while they wait for retirement to arrive. Lee's opinion on the topic was stronger than I expected it would be. You can listen to that episode here.
How important is family?
This could either be the easiest or hardest questions anyone has asked. Easy because my family is the most important thing in my life. Hard because how do I explain it? Well, I do my best on the episode to explain what family means to me.
John Saccheri has built a brand based on the power of his personality.
John, also known as Big Fat Panda, has created a YouTube channel based on weaving his personality into his love for Disney.
The creation of the Big Fat Panda brand is a story of love and hard work. What began as John creating videos to show his experience at Disney, has led to getting added to the Disney media list. Now, John can be found at all of the Disney events, invited by Disney because Big Fat Panda has become an influential brand.
John was just being himself when Disney noticed him and the work he was doing. This is an important lesson for anyone trying to build a personal brand. Be yourself. Your personality is the best thing you can bring to any of the work you do.
John advises us to put more of yourself into your videos, blogs, or podcasts. If you are working on something you love, you are more likely to infuse more of your personality and opinion into the work.
John on Facebook - Big Fat Panda
John on Twitter - @BigFatPandaShow
John on YouTube - Big Fat Panda Show
Phil Gaines, Director of South Carolina State Parks, recently retired after 27 years with the agency.
On his last day as Director, Phil did one final act of leadership that has people talking. What does a true leader do on his last day?
Well, if that leader is Phil Gaines, he returns to the same park where he began his career, 37 years to the day he first worked at that park. He didn't return to the park for a ceremony.
Phil Gaines spent the day working. He cleaned the bathrooms. He picked up trash. He talked with campers.
Phil orchestrated the perfect ending to a great story.
On this episode, Phil talks about his final day with South Carolina State Parks.
Phil also offers advice to leaders;
1. Focus on the Journey. Joy is found in doing, not finishing.
2. Leave Your Mark.
3. Document your journey and enjoy the ride.
We are celebrating on this episode of The Jody Maberry Show.
This episode marks the milestone of 100 episodes.
To help me celebrate three people join me.
Jared Easley from Starve the Doubts podcast and the Co-Founder of Podcast Movement.
From Jared we get 3 lessons:
Mike Simmons from Catalyst Sale joins us to talk about his experience with the Catalyst Sale podcast.
And Mike Kim, who was with me on the first episode of the Jody Maberry Show, stops by to say congratulations and tell us what he has been up to the past few months.
After talking with all three people, a common theme emerged about just sticking with it and the opportunities will come.
I also noticed that all three of them started with an idea and then made something happen with it. The difference is they decided to act today.
This could be the day it all changes for you, too. Today could be the day where it all begins. You just have to decide so and then make the first step.
On the last episode of The Jody Maberry Show, Matt McWilliams joined us to talk about Affiliate Marketing.
This week, Matt returns to ask me three questions. The questions are unfiltered, unprompted and whatever Matt wanted to ask.
Here are Matt's questions;
Best burger I have had?
Best burger is Capone's in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Matt was asking a loaded question here because Matt and I have eaten together at Capone's, and he knew how much I enjoyed the burger. More than I enjoy eating the burger, I like taking people there and dining with them when they try the unique burger for the first time.
Best Fiction book I have read in the past few years?
Hands down the best fiction book I have read is To Kill a Mockingbird. I don't know it took me so long to read this book, but once I did, I read it twice because it was so good.
The Bourne Identity has to get a mention, though. One line in that book made a big difference for me. "Rest is a weapon." That lined changed my viewpoint on sleep. Since then I have focused on getting more sleep. In turn, I get more and better work done.
Most intimidating wildlife I have seen?
Although I have had a few encounters I could mention, with moose or a squirrel, the one that ranks at the top is a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park. During the encounter, there was a brief moment when I did not know what would happen or how it would turn out. In a situation like that, the rest of the world stops. All there is is the grizzly bear.
Finally, I am on Instagram. If you want to connect with me there, you can find me at @sugarjmaberry.
Matt McWilliams has a mission to help 100,000 people make their first dollar online.
One area many people overlook to make money online is affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing is a way to serve your audience and customers by putting products and services in front of them that you don't offer. By finding a product that works for your customer, you can make sure there is not a gap in the progress or service of your customer. By recommending a product or a service, you get a piece of the sale.
Matt describes affiliate marketing as recommending a product enthusiastically.
Here is an example of affiliate marketing. Currently, I am reading the Go-Giver Influencer by Bob Burg and I am loving it. I like it so much I encourage you to click here to get the book. If you click the link and buy the book four things will happen; Bob Burg will get a sale. I will get a small percentage of the sale. You will get an excellent book. We all win.
Matt will explain how you can use affiliate marketing to serve your customers, build relationships, and make more money.
Matt has a gift for you if you are interested in learning more about affiliate marketing. Click Here to get a free report, a case study interview, and a min-course.
Matt and I were both featured in the book the Art of Work by Jeff Goins. Both Matt and I have a chapter that tells our story. Have you read the Art of Work yet?
Last episode we had a great conversation with Jevonnah Ellison. This episode, Jevonnah asks me three questions.
Listen in to hear my answers to these questions from Lady J.
What has been one of your greatest lessons learned as it relates to dealing with people and building solid relationships?
In a word, curiosity. Being curious enough to ask people questions, and truly be interested in the answer, is the first step in building a solid relationship.
Tell me what happened as a park ranger that led you to become a business coach.
My time as a bike patrol instructor for the International Police Mountain Bike Association is what eventually led to me becoming a business coach. Over 5 years, I taught bike patrol classes to park rangers and other law enforcement officers. Often, I would have to coach individuals to help them learn the proper skills. Being involved in someone else's success was rewarding. The skills I learned coaching law enforcement officers helped me coach people in podcasting, brand building, and business.
Tell me about one of your favorite books and why.
My Southern Journey by Rick Bragg is currently one of my favorite books. Since the beginning of 2017, I have listened to the audio version of the book 6 times. Read Bragg does a wonderful job narrating the book and I enjoy hearing his southern accent. But the book helps me explore the world of telling short stories. Rick Bragg inserts humor and entertainment in telling a short non-fiction story with a point.
You are your best marketing. If you don't already believe that, you will change your mind after you meet Jevonnah Ellison.
From the first time I met Jevonnah, I wanted to know more about her. She made such a great first impression.
Jevonnah has taught me how YOU, the way you present yourself to other people, is the best marketing you can do.
In this episode of the Jody Maberry Show, Jevonnah will share stories to help you understand how you can be more intentional and mindful about how you present yourself to other people.
"The greatest testament is oftentimes not in what we say, but in how we let our life speak for itself." - Jevonnah Ellison
Jevonnah on the web - jevonnah.com
Jevonnah on Twitter - @JevonnahEllison
Jevonnah on Facebook - Jevonnah Ellison
"Are you almost done?"
With those four simple words, a young boy nearly knocked me off my seat.
There I was in front of a group of campers, standing proudly in my park ranger uniform, giving my first campfire interpretive talk.
But a young boy stood up and asked me if I was almost done.
In this episode of the Jody Maberry Show, I explain what happened and why it matters and what it led to today.
Last week, Jennifer McClure joined the Jody Maberry Show to talk about developing a signature story.
This week, Jennifer asks me 3 questions.
The week after there is a guest on the show, they ask me three questions about anything. Business, life, parks...anything. I don't prompt them in any way.
Here are the 3 questions from Jennifer McClure, with short answers. Listen to the entire episode to hear the whole story.
What have I revealed about myself during my 10,000 steps per day walking streak?
So far, after over 800 days, I have learned plenty. I even did a podcast episode focused on the step steak. But if I had to pick one thing I have revealed about myself it would be this; If I can do this, what else can I do?
It has not been easy walking so many steps in a streak that stretches over 800 days. If I have it in me to accomplish this, what else can I accomplish? I look forward to finding out.
What is my fondest memory of being a park ranger?
Believe me, there are many. After being a park ranger for 8 years, I have enough fond memories to last a lifetime. But the best came during my first week as a park ranger.
Jack Hartt, the park manager and the person who hired me into parks, told me to spend time falling in love with the park before I worried about doing the work. That advice served me well as a park ranger and I still practice his advice today, no matter what I am doing.
What is my favorite National Park and why?
Not a fair question, but I will give an answer. For many reasons, my answer should be Yellowstone National Park. But for some reason, I can't shake the thought that Glacier National Park is my favorite.
I have spent much time in the backcountry at Glacier and seen things that most people who visit Glacier never see. Glacier is a backcountry park. As beautiful and stunning as the park may seem from Going to the Sun Road, you haven't seen the park until you walk into the wild.
If you want to make a mark as a speaker, you have to develop a signature story. Jennifer McClure joins the show to discuss developing your signature story and using it to connect with people.
Jennifer is a full-time speaker following a career in Human Resources.
In this episode, Jennifer will explain the value of a signature story and help you realize how you can use it to connect with people in the audience.
Jennifer has been a tremendous help to me in getting started in speaking. If you are interested in speaking more often, or just want to understand how to do better when you have to give the occasional talk in front of people, you will get plenty of inspiration and ideas from Jennifer.
Jennifer on the web - jennifermcclure.net
Jennifer's podcast - Impact Makers
Jennifer on Twitter - @JenniferMcClure
Jennifer on Facebook - UnBridled Talent
Not long ago, I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel when I spoke the annual conference for Magical Vacation Planner.
As I like to do when I visit anything related to Disney, I paid attention so I could see what I could learn. This episode is devoted to those lessons I discovered while staying at the Disneyland Hotel.
Here are the six lessons:
Create the environment for the feelings you want customers to feel.
Make a great first impression.
Magic is created by the small things.
Tap into as many senses as possible.
Your people are your brand.
Find ways to surprise people.
Special thank you to Jeff Noel for contributing to this episode.
Dan Cockerell was recently a guest on the Jody Maberry Show. As a follow up to that episode, Dan Cockerell asks me three questions.
Dan recently left his role of Vice-President of the Magic Kingdom to launch his own business. His three questions are related to building a personal brand.
What advice do you have for someone leaving the corporate world and starting their own business?
What are some apps or programs you use to run your business and keep your life organized?
What is your best 2 or 3 tips to create a great podcast?
After 27 years at Walt Disney World, Dan Cockerell is leaving the Magic Kingdom for a home office.
Dan began his Disney career parking cars at Epcot as part of the college program. He finishes his career as the Vice President of the Magic Kingdom.
During his time at Disney, Dan had 19 different jobs and learned how to manage operations and culture from the parking lot to the iconic castle. Now, Dan is launching his own business to work with organizations to improve organizational structure, build a magical culture and select the right talent.
You can find out more about Dan at dancockerell.com.
Lee Cockerell and I hosted a one-day Creating Magic Mastermind event in Orlando. In this episode, I share nine things I learned during the Mastermind.
Here are the nine lessons;
The opportunity is there if you are willing to take it. We are all surrounded by opportunities. You have to be open enough to see it and bold enough to act.
Family comes first. Don't let your job get in front of your family. The work you do is not more important than the people in your house.
An Organization will adjust to lack of clarity. If you aren't clear with expectations, people will adjust, and you probably won't like the direction of the adjustment.
Make sure the right people know who you are. If people don't know who you are they can't help you.
Don't practice on your customers. Make training a priority and don't practice on your customer.
There are only 4 things to make people change. The only things that will lead people to change their mind or change their behavior are education, emergency, experience, and exposure.
Beware of the HIPPO. The HIPPO is the Highest Paid Person's Opinion. Make sure everyone's opinion is heard, no matter what their position or pay grade.
Treat a customer like a member of the family. If your mother was in the situation your customer is in, how would you want your mother treated?
You will have to repeat your message often. When you are starting to get sick of hearing yourself say your message, people are just beginning to listen. Stick with it.
It can be scary to try something new. What if you mess up? What if it doesn't go as planned?
No matter what happens, there is one way to gain value from any situation. Reflection.
Reflection is how you get the most out of any experience. The insight you gain from reflection can be used for anticipation. Mess up today, reflect on it, and you are more likely to be able to anticipate what will happen in the future.
Exerpeince isn't worth much unless it is ran through the wash of reflection.
Donald Miller built a reputation as an author with popular books like Blue Like Jazz and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Through writing books, Donald learned the elements of a great story.
Now, in his book, Building a StoryBrand, Donald Miller helps businesses tell a clear and compelling story.
StoryBrand has had an impact on nearly everything I do with my business. Once you understand StoryBrand, you will get clarity in your message. When your message is clear, your marketing and content become clear.
Listen to this interview with Donald Miller, and then get a copy of the book, and apply what you learn. It will be the first step towards attracting more customers.
Get the book - Building a StoryBrand
Donald Miller on Twitter - @DonaldMiller
Donald Miller on Facebook - Donald Miller
Donald Miller on the Web - Storylineblog.com
Find out more about the StoryBrand workshop.
Lee Cockerell, retired EVP of Walt Disney World, and Carol Quinn, CEO of Hire Authority, team up to discuss hiring and employee motivation.
If you want to stand out in your job and get noticed by your boss, there are 12 things you can do to set yourself apart from everyone else.
1. Do the job in front of you.
2. Be in service of the boss.
3. Remember, your boss has a job to do.
4. Think of your boss as a customer.
5. Consider if there is a difference between what your boss wants and what your boss needs.
6. Attitude stands out.
7. Raise your hand when something needs done.
8. Bring a solution not a problem.
9. Bake your bosses goals into your goals.
10. If you have something to say, say it to your boss not a co-worker.
11. Keep your boss informed.
12. Produce results.
If you want to have more impact, find someone who has had an impact and talk to them.
On this episode of the podcast, we ask Dan Ashe, Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service how we can have an impact.
Director Ashe outlines three steps to have an impact;
1. Be engaged personally. Know your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Professional engagement. Think larger than what is around you.
3. Persistence. Pick a course and stick with it.
Being married to an entrepreneur can give you heartburn.
Being married is always work. Worthwhile work, but still work. Being married to an entrepreneur brings a whole new level of challenges.
To help us navigate the tricky world of marriage and entrepreneurship, two special guests join the show. First, Joanne Miller gives encouragement to spouses of entrepreneurs. Next, Susie Miller offers advice for both entrepreneurs and their spouses.
To help you have better conversations with your spouse, Susie Miller has a free guide for you. CLICK HERE to get Fast and Fun Conversation Starters for Entrespouses.
Susie Miller on the web - susiemiller.com
Susie Miller on Twitter - @susiemiller5
Susie Miller on Facebook - Susie Miller
Susie Miller's Book -Listen Learn Love
Joanne Miller on the web - joannefmiller.com
Joanne Miller' book - Creating A Haven of Peace
Sometimes things just don't go right.
Our plans get knocked over. People don't show up. We make bad decisions and get in uncomfortable situations.
This week's episode of the Jody Maberry Show is a message of encouragement when things don't go right.
You only get one chance to make a first impression on a new employee.
How you handle the first day for a new employee will go a long way with shaping their attitude about your organization.
What do you want them to know? What do you want them to feel?
Design your new employee's first day to answer those first two questions.
Have you ever been lost in the woods? It has happened to me more than once.
Once, deep in the wilderness of Wyoming, I was so lost I thought I may never find my way back to civilization.
According to Jonathan David Lewis, there is little difference physiologically between people lost in the wilderness and leaders in a boardroom dealing with an unexpected challenge. In both cases, there is a predictable response to disruption.
People make bad decisions when they are in a difficult situation.
At some point, your business is going to face a disruption. And people will react as if they are lost in the wilderness.
In his book, Brand vs. Wild, Jonathan David Lewis presents research to show what organizations can learn from wilderness survival to survive disruption in business.
Find your one thing to help you stand out. Be unique. Be different.
Whatever is normal, do the exact opposite.
Jesse Cole, often seen in a bright yellow tuxedo, wants you to understand you don't have to do things the same way everyone else does it.
Jesse is the owner of the Savannah Bananas baseball team, author, podcaster, and business disrupter.
When Jesse first became the owner of a minor league baseball team, he realized no one cared about the team. There were no fans at the games. There was no money in the bank account.
Instead of getting discouraged, Jesse tackled the problem head-on. He knew people thought baseball was long, slow, and boring.
Jesse encourages you to find what frustrates you about your business. Also, find what frustrates your customers about your business or industry. Now, tackle those problems directly. Do the opposite of what people expect or what others are doing.
Get a copy of Jesse's book, Find Your Yellow Tux.
Jesse Cole's website - FindYourYellowTux.com
Jesse Cole on Facebook - YellowTuxJesse
Jesse Cole on Twitter - @YellowTuxJesse