Category: Business

How One Entrepreneur’s Coming Film ‘RiseUP’ Is Uniting Global Leaders Across Industries

Meet Kate Maloney, a master of sharing herself and enrolling others in their visions. Over the last several years, Maloney has started ten different companies and sold seven of them. Maloney’s current project? A summit and a movie called RiseUP that is redefining the conversation about how we view success.

“RiseUP,” the upcoming movie, will include some of the most accomplished and high-impact leaders of our day, who are redefining this new model to uplift and empower people to live radically fulfilled, purpose-driven lives.

As Maloney, a RiseUP cofounder, sees it, “A film is the tip of the arrow into culture. It is not that it’s the end, or the final destination it is just the beginning and RiseUP is a movement that begins with the voices of the film.”

Maloney’s ability to take an idea and inspire the right people to help her see it to fruition has enrolled the Dalai Lama, Tony Robbins, Arianna Huffington, Alanis Morissette, John Mackey, Tony Hsieh, and many others global leaders to join her in actualizing this vision.

Maloney and I caught up on this week’s podcast episode where she shares the secret behind enrolling powerful influencers in your vision.

Maloney says, “what any one of us can do as an individual is nowhere near as powerful as what we can all do together — particularly when we unleash our unique gifts and our unique selves.”

It is one thing to have an idea or a vision and another thing to actualize it into the world.

Each of us as individuals has something unique to offer and contribute to the world. When you begin the inquiry of owning your “piece” of the puzzle, you open yourself up to something larger that seeks to move through you. Timing is everything, and being able to know when an idea is ripe for the world is at the core of gaining momentum quickly. The fastest way to test if the world is ready or hungry for your vision is to start sharing it and see what happens.

Maloney’s vision started just a few years ago when she and Whole Foods cofounder John Mackey and a number of other business and thought leaders got curious about how to inspire a new definition of success in culture. Maloney says we are in a time where “we are seeing this cultural evolution and revolution happening where people are waking up to what is possible for themselves and for humanity, in a way that has not been present before historically”.

It is a message of personal initiative and agency to create the life you desire, no matter the circumstances.

Maloney believes we are currently living in a crucial tipping point for humanity and it is up to us to initiate a new direction toward sustainability and positive social change inside of our lives and our business and companies. Themes like conscious capitalism, buy-one-give-one models like Tom’s shoes, donating a portion of profits to social causes, and conducting business that is mindful to environmental resources is essential in this new paradigm.

That is one of the power we have as millennials. “What millennials are bringing forth into culture is not necessarily what most of society has inherited as an acceptable path or discourse,” according to Maloney which is why “more than ever this is an opportunity for millennials to be supported by the RiseUP movement and be partnered with it.”

The film represents a movement to embrace this opportunity, and—quite literally—RiseUP, together. This movement requires participation on a mass scale to step into a reality that supersedes the limitations of the current one. Through sharing the voices of dozens of individuals who are already beginning to test these new waters, Maloney and her team hope to invite others to do the same.

The invitation: How will you rise up and invite others into your vision?

If you want to win the Success Talks package featuring content never released before from Tony Robbins, Arianna Huffington, Marie Forleo, Michael Beckwith, Jack Canfield, Black Mycoskie, Alanis Morisette and more simply subscribe to the podcast here and then enter to win by following this link. Kate has made this offer exclusively to Unconventional Life readers and listeners.

This article was originally published on Forbes

February 28, 2018
How One Entrepreneur’s Hustle Secured His Future As A Game Developer In The U.S.

There is something beautiful about the spirit of the hustle. The take charge, get it done mentality, with the drive to just go-go-go.

Earlier this afternoon, I was talking with my friend in Tel Aviv about Israeli culture. He shared with me how the people relentlessly go after what they want–work, relationships, renting an apartment, etc. Often, resources are limited and the atmosphere is competitive so the only way to get ahead is to fight for it; go after it or someone else will win.

Unlike life in the U.S., the hustle for some young professionals in Israel is not a choice. It is a hustle out of necessity and survival.

My Israeli friend had been living in California for the last few years and was just sent back to Tel Aviv after no longer being able to extend his visa. Now he’s back to the hustle, working his way through the system to obtain another visa and be able to resume his life in the U.S. again.

My friend is not alone in this reality.

Aradhya Malhotra, founder of Skyless Games, faced a similar situation just last year. Arad, a 2016 30 Under 30 honoree and an immigrant from India, moved to the U.S. 8 years ago. Even after going to college here and starting a company that designs video games to promote social causes, he was faced with an expiring visa and would have to leave behind everything he had created.

Arad shares all of the details in this week’s podcast episode.

Instead of giving up, Arad decided to fight the system and took U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) head on. With the support of several friends and community members, Arad was awarded one of only a small amount of special category work visas reserved for “Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement” that exist in the world.

In the face of a threat that would keep him from creating what he was passionate about, he chose not to succumb to fear and instead claimed his power to do something about it.

On the surface, the chances of getting one of the few visas that would allow him to stay were incredibly slim. He knew he had a mission to carry out so he chose to defend it and was able to convince the people who said he had to leave to see the value in his staying.

Arad’s story demonstrates that you don’t ever have to accept a reality that you don’t want. By believing in your own vision, you can pave a new path for success where it didn’t seem possible. And who knows, the people who were doubting you might just become your biggest supporters.

Here are seven reasons why should never settle for less than what you want:

You never know what will happen next. If Arad hadn’t challenged his deportation, he never would have made the 30 Under 30 list and attained the success that resulted from his staying. Stay in the game, the outcome will often surprise you.
You always have a choice. When it seems you are stuck in a difficult situation, you always have the power to choose to stand up for yourself. Don’t underestimate how far raising your voice and utilizing your resources can take you.
It builds character. After winning his visa, Arad became recognized in the immigrant entrepreneurial community and serves as inspiration for others. Sometimes the experiences you encounter are meant to mold you into a greater leader.
The world needs you. Arad’s company is helping change the world one social cause at a time. Had he settled, the world would be missing out on the positive impact he is making. The actions you take create a ripple effect of impact on others.
You set a new standard. By choosing yourself, you help redefine the standard for dealing with obstacles and empower others to do the same.
It’s fun. Even though the hustle can be tiring it’s also exciting. Every day, millions of individuals hustle to make their dreams possible, and aren’t willing to take no for an answer. Stay present and enjoy the process.
You have nothing to lose. Even if you don’t get the outcome you had hoped for, you can’t lose. When you fight for what you want, you gain confidence and experience what it is like to really stand behind what you believe in.

This article was originally published on Forbes

February 28, 2018
Why People Buy You And Not Your Business

Have you ever wondered what makes one artist or business successful and not the other, especially if the two are seemingly identical, or have a similar look and sound? What is it about the one that gets more views and traction while the other stays stagnant?

A little over a year ago, I created my first music video. It had been finished for an entire month before I finally decided to post it to YouTube. I was terrified. I felt like I was exposing one of my biggest vulnerabilities, my voice, for people to judge under a microscope. But, one day, I got the courage to show the world. I posted it to YouTube and then to Facebook, and then shutdown the computer and walked away. Almost 24 hours later, I logged back in and I was astonished. It had over 4,000 views, hundreds of likes on my facebook post, tons of shares, and almost 100 comments.

People came out of the woodwork to tell me they saw my video. The number one comment from my network: “I had no idea you sang.”

For years I never wanted anyone in my professional network to see that part of me. I was worried that sharing my art and creative self-expression would reveal “too much” about me personally- that people would judge me, get the wrong impression, and turn away. In retrospect it’s actually comical because the opposite turned out to be true. My voice became a gateway for people to connect to me and “feel me” faster.

Now, my singing has become my secret weapon in relating with people, especially in business.

Located in Boulder, CO, Michael Grab, a professional stone balancer and the founder of Gravity Glue, has also found this to be true.

Michael and I caught up recently on this podcast episode where he shares about his craft and how he has built his business by leading with himself.

Since Michael quit his 9-to-5 in 2011 to pursue Gravity Glue full-time, he has gradually accumulated hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. He shares that when he started his Facebook page, his only agenda was to “share my daily photos with whoever wanted to look, I never went through friends lists inviting every friend, or paying for sponsorships or promoted posts, I just made the page and posted a photo each day.”

Now Michael travels the world balancing stones as his form of art, he does it at many notable events and venues, including the World Economic Forum. He is one of only a few people in the world who does what he does, which is why he can charge $5,000 for a seven-minute performance, even when just last year the Boulder police were trying to kick him out of the creek for stacking too many rocks.

As Michael says, “I pretty much just get paid to be me.”

Michael’s willingness to keep going day after day without attachment to what people think or what will happen next in his journey has attributed to his success. He has spent countless hours practicing his art and has been unwilling to compromise on his personal values. The way he sees it is, most people “focus too much on a business model and not enough about the creative process.” Instead, he lets the internet do the marketing for him in helping his photos and videos go viral.

In this information age where there are infinite options and choices, it can become increasingly challenging to separate yourself and to stand out. It is easy to obsess over the “bells and whistles” like a perfect website, or multi-thousand dollar ad budget, or the right professional photos, social media strategy, promotional offers, etc.

Michael’s willingness to keep going day after day without attachment to what people think or what will happen next in his journey has attributed to his success. He has spent countless hours practicing his art and has been unwilling to compromise on his personal values. The way he sees it is, most people “focus too much on a business model and not enough about the creative process.” Instead, he lets the internet do the marketing for him in helping his photos and videos go viral.

In this information age where there are infinite options and choices, it can become increasingly challenging to separate yourself and to stand out. It is easy to obsess over the “bells and whistles” like a perfect website, or multi-thousand dollar ad budget, or the right professional photos, social media strategy, promotional offers, etc.

This article was originally published on Forbes

February 28, 2018
3 Reasons Why Every Millennial Should Lead By Example

Yesterday, on the Brussels’ metro, my sister Mary and I talked about what leadership means to her. My sister is from the states, but she’s living in Belgium for the next three years studying at a world-famous circus school. She spends her life training 10 hours a day, practicing handstands, and juggling hula-hoops with her feet. For Mary, leaving her life in Chicago to move across the world was a price she was willing to pay to pursue a path she feels destined to take.

Since leaving the U.S., dozens of people in Mary’s community have reached out to tell her that she’s been an inspiration to them. Incidentally, Mary created a ripple effect for others to take action in pursuing their passions in their own lives.

Mary says leadership is “being a living embodiment of the work you feel called to do, even if the vehicle to get there hasn’t been created. That means recognizing that you have the power to say how your life goes. Even if it seems uncertain or scary, you keep going.”

For the first time, being a leader is no longer optional. Success is no longer guaranteed by following the traditional system. Instead, for the millennial generation, success comes by choosing yourself first and by choosing to create meaningful relationships.

One example of this is Gerard Adams, the cofounder of Elite Daily, an online news publication for millennials. Gerard decided to turn his 19-year-old intern into the CEO of the company and, together, and with his two other cofounders, they grew Elite Daily to a site with 80 million monthly readers in just three years. Last year, Daily Mail acquired it for $50 million.

Listen to this week’s podcast episode where Gerard shares the secret behind how he did it.

Gerard says, “Leaders create leaders.” He believes we all have a story to tell, we all have something to offer each other and something to help each other grow. His mission is to help others cultivate their passion and motivate their spirit.

He has spent the last 12 months committed to this mission. He’s traveled the globe in search of today’s leaders so that he can share their stories with the world. By showcasing examples of leaders leading people, he believes others will turn around and lead in their own life too. Gerard is sharing the first of these stories in his web video series, “Leaders Create Leaders,” which launches tomorrow.

Gerard believes this generation can and will be the best generation of all time. If you want to own your own business, launch an app, travel, become an artist, you can starting today. Millennials are a generation of entrepreneurs whether you are working for yourself or a company. The way he sees it is “every entrepreneur has their moment when they go from being an admirer to a leader.” Making that transition is vital in navigating the world today.

Here are three reasons leadership is the most important skill you can master:

Reason #1: Your Success Depends on It. We are no longer rewarded for following the system. In today’s working world, you must learn to think for yourself. By taking initiative, you can become an entrepreneur of your life. In fact, you must. As Gerard says, it is “0% luck, 100% hustle.” The model is changing; you will thrive only when you cultivate the ability to step outside that past prescriptive model for a life and business. Success is the reward for those with the ability to recognize that there is no longer a set route — you create it.

Reason #2: We Live in a Relationship Economy. People are the new currency. “Return on Relationship” or ROR has become the new ROI. In order to achieve success, you must learn how to cultivate relationships and empower the people around you. The key to empowering others is to first lead by example. Learn the 5 Ways To Profit From Growing Your Personal Network and hone the skills that you might not yet..

Reason #3 The World Needs You. In 2016, we are faced with global problems with an urgency like never before. With 7 billion people on the planet, the earth’s resources are under immense strain. For the first time in history, a small group of everyday leaders can make a difference in the lives of billions of people. Mastering how to lead is crucial now. Will you become a leader among them?

To win a free 1 hour consulting session with Gerard Adams to take a deep dive into your vision, strategy, and mindset subscribe to the podcast here and then enter to win by following this link. Gerard has made this offer exclusively to Unconventional Life readers and listeners.

This Article was originally published on Forbes.

February 28, 2018
What Digital Nomads Know That You Don’t (Yet)

It’s 9:26 p.m and I’m just getting started on work today. I’ve spent the last 48 hours skiing in 2 feet of deep powder. It’s like Christmas on a Tuesday.

For the past few days, I have been anticipating the snow storm, reorganizing my schedule and plans around its arrival. No need to call in sick or take off work, prioritizing a strong internet connection and securing my friend’s condo for a few nights, was all that was in order.

This is what my life looks like. I work from my computer wherever and whenever I have wifi. I choose to be on the move constantly, travelling to as many places and experiencing as many things as I can. A few weeks ago, I was hiking a glacier in Iceland. Today, I was skiing in Colorado. In a few days, I’ll board a plane to see my sister in Belgium.

I’m a digital nomad, or as Vice refers to it, “a certain breed of travelers who have given up permanent homes for the chance to see the world, constantly on the move…in the age of remote employees, full-time freelancers, and entire industries that take place not in an office but on the internet, they’ve found a way to do it without sacrificing regular income.”

Digital nomads are redefining what making a living looks like. You no longer have to sacrifice personal happiness for a paycheck, or wait to travel until after you’ve retired. New digital nomads are popping up daily, like Shannon O’Donnell, National Geographic’s Traveler Of The Year and Founder of the blog A Little Adrift.

Shannon left her life in Los Angeles in 2008 with a one-way ticket to Australia.

Listen to Shannon’s podcast episode where she shares her story, detailing how to get paid to travel the world.

When Shannon left for Australia, she hadn’t been planning or saving money in preparation. It was a spur-of-the moment decision. She had a little money set aside, a part-time online freelancing gig, and an idea to start a blog to chronicle her journey.

Seven years, a thriving blog, and 55 countries later and she is still going.

Every day, through online community, Shannon lives her dream of telling stories. Through Grassroots Volunteering — a sister site she started as a way to connect travelers to local causes and communities — she gives a voice to the people and cultures she immerses herself in that often remain silent in the media.

Shannon shares, “What differentiates me from many round the world and gap-year travelers is that I worked the entire time. In the past seven years, I have only truly taken two long breaks from my SEO consulting work, my freelance online work, and the weekly upkeep on my blog.”

For Shannon, and for so many other digital nomads, there is no separation between life and work. Instead of planning a “vacation,” work becomes an extension of your self-expression. There is no difference between working at home in an office or working out of a coffee shop in Mexico.

As Software Recruiter, Nicole Tucker says, “If you’re a pro and you’re holding to your deadlines you can probably do it from anywhere.”

If creating your own schedule, working from anywhere around the world, and harmonizing work and play sound appealing, consider these tips for a nomadic existence:

Money is about experiences, not material things

Many people stress over the amount of money in their bank account. Whether your number is $500 or $5,000,000, it may never seem like enough. There will never be a “right time” to take that trip or vacation you’ve been wanting. Instead of buying a new TV or a new car, take yourself or your family on an experience that you can forever look back on. Money is a tool, you get to decide how to use it.

Honor the path you’re on, not someone else’s path

The work you do, the life your build, it should only look like the version of your life you want to live. Some digital nomads start from scratch on new, mobile career paths, others are able to tap into skills they honed in college. There is no “right” way to work as a digital nomad, only the way that works for you and your goals. As Shannon says, “what would it look like if you could create [your vision] from the ground up?”

You don’t have to sacrifice money for happiness

We have an unprecedented ability to craft our lives — the availability of internet access around the world means that we can find a way to balance those big goals in life with the need to earn an income as well. Don’t wait to read another blog post like the the “20 Brutally Honest Things Women Turning 40 Want All Women In Their 30s To Know” to regret not traveling or delaying your own happiness.

Opportunities exist everywhere

Shannon’s secret was to remain open to each new opportunity and not be stuck in the planning. “If you are only working towards this one idea you envisioned for the future then you miss all these other tiny pathways that may create something even bigger.” Part of that path is taking in lessons and information from everyone you meet. Whether you identify as a digital nomad, aspire to be one, or think the group of us is crazy, there are lessons to learn from every person and story.

If you want to win a free copy of Shannon’s book “The Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook” subscribe to the podcast here then enter to win by following this link. Shannon has made this offer exclusively to Unconventional Life readers and listeners.

This article was originally published on Forbes.

February 28, 2018