Blaze Your Own Trail

In this episode, Minesh Baxi shares his inspiring journey from India to the US, his insights on education, career skills, and parenting, and details about upcoming events for aspiring speakers and entrepreneurs.
Key Topics
Minesh Baxi's childhood in India and move to the US
The importance of skills over degrees in today's world
The value of growth mindset versus fixed mindset
Parenting strategies for developing life skills
Upcoming speaking and networking events in Florida
The role of assessments in career and personal development
The significance of persuasion and results-oriented skills
Financial literacy and investing for children
Lessons learned from cross-cultural experiences
Takeaways
Most people (only 20%) should attend college, focusing on specific knowledge areas.
Skills like decision-making, persuasion, and results orientation are crucial for success.
Parents should actively teach values, skills, and decision-making to children.
Networking and personal branding are vital; attending events can open doors.
Early investment and financial literacy can significantly impact future wealth.
Sound Bites
"Only twenty percent of people should go to college."
"In a fast-changing world, a fixed mindset is a trap."
"Master persuasion and results orientation to succeed."
Chapters
00:00 — Introducing Minesh Baxi
02:22 — Growing up in Agra and learning to adapt
03:43 — Cricket explained for new fans
06:51 — Cricket strategy and the role of the bowlers
09:52 — Minesh’s perspective on who should go to college
12:33 — Fixed mindset versus growth mindset
15:46 — Moving from India to the United States
17:06 — First impressions of America
21:20 — Why engineering wasn’t the right fit
22:17 — What school teaches—and what it leaves out
23:41 — Decision making as a vital life skill
28:25 — Using assessments to find career fit
30:48 — Teaching kids results orientation and persuasion
34:15 — Writing books that help readers and grow a business
38:53 — Financial literacy and Millionaires in Training
42:20 — The Lake Mary speaker event
45:01 — Networking and who should attend
Connect with Minesh:
Website: https://mbaxi.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stophiringlosers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minesh_baxi/
Register for Minesh's next event: https://mbaxi.com/eventtickets


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In this episode, Dr. Jen Thomas shares her inspiring journey from childhood in Buffalo to becoming a leadership speaker and author. She discusses the importance of human connection, embracing life's ups and downs, and redefining pathways into the workforce.
Key topics
Journey from childhood to leadership
The importance of human connection in work and life
Redefining pathways into the workforce and education
Resilience through life's challenges
The role of mentorship and coaching
Takeaways
Embrace life's ups and downs to discover your true self.
Human connection is the foundation of effective leadership.
There are multiple pathways into the workforce beyond traditional education.
Resilience and adaptability are key to overcoming challenges.
Mentorship and coaching can significantly impact personal and professional growth.
Get a copy of Dr. Jen's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Second-Miracles-Finding-Wonder-Everyday/dp/B0HB11HSGL
Connect with Dr. Jen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasja/
Website: https://www.jen-connects.com/

Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Actor, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 30 tools to help you take action an grow your business and brand for just $97 per month!

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In this episode, Steve Walsh, known as the hands-on angel, shares his journey from a successful corporate career to becoming an entrepreneur and investor. He discusses lessons learned from sports, leadership, building teams, managing multiple business units, and the importance of authenticity and bold outreach in business growth.
Key Topics
Steve Walsh's background and journey from corporate to entrepreneurship
Lessons learned from sports that apply to business
Top leadership qualities for team building
Managing multiple business units and global teams
The importance of authenticity and boldness in outreach
Lessons from building and investing in startups
The impact of family and personal relationships on career
Strategies for effective networking and relationship building
Insights into fundraising and investor relations
Encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs
Chapters
(00:00) Introducing Steve Walsh, the Hands-On Angel
(01:19) Growing up with sports and strong family foundations
(02:23) Choosing sales over law school
(04:24) What sports teach us about resilience
(07:29) Why sales is a life skill
(09:34) Steve’s rise through corporate leadership
(12:17) Three principles for building strong teams
(14:13) Career moves, family impact, and leadership’s hard decisions
(17:54) Leading large, distributed teams
(23:52) Finding success beyond big titles and companies
(25:16) Mentorship and leadership development
(27:22) How the Hands-On Angel brand began
(34:23) What Steve looks for in startup founders
(38:06) Authentic outreach and bringing value first
(43:36) Why it’s a good time to bet on yourself
(44:47) Action, momentum, and taking the first step
(45:49) Final advice: keep building

Work with Steve: https://www.handsonangel.com/
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/handsonangel/
Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehandsonangel
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehandsonangel

Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Actor, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 30 tools to help you take action an grow your business and brand for just $97 per month!

Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/

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In this inspiring interview, Kaleb and Kyler Cook share their journey from small-town Illinois to becoming filmmakers with a faith-driven mission. They discuss their creative process, the importance of community, and how their faith shapes their work, culminating in the of their recently released impactful film 'Just One More' which has won several awards in multiple categories

Takeaways
-Consistent practice and honing craft over years is essential to success.
-Surround yourself with people better than you to elevate your work.
-Faith and community are foundational to impactful filmmaking.
Sound Bites
"Surround yourself with people better than you."
"High quality storytelling makes much of Jesus."
"Embrace the long journey to mastery."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to TwinBolt Media and the Cook Brothers
02:11 Growing Up in Southern Illinois: Culture and Influences
04:46 The Impact of 90s Comedy on Their Creative Journey
08:12 Transitioning from High School to Filmmaking
09:28 The Journey Through Education and Early Career
12:09 The Birth of TwinBolt Media During the Pandemic
13:55 Finding Purpose in Filmmaking and Faith
15:02 The Evolution of Christian Filmmaking
19:00 Addressing Addiction and Community in Their Films
22:37 Growing Up with Brothers and Wrestling
23:57 The Birth of TwinBull: A Partnership in Filmmaking
28:18 The Role of Faith and Family in Filmmaking
30:21 Creating High-Quality Content for a Higher Purpose
34:28 The Inspiration Behind 'Just One More'
38:12 Building Community and Collaboration in Filmmaking
42:08 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
Learn more about Kaleb & Kyler's current & future projects: https://www.twinboltmedia.com/
Watch 'Just One More" here: https://www.angel.com/movies/just-one-more
Connect with Kyler: https://www.instagram.com/kylercook/
Connect with Kaleb: https://www.instagram.com/kaleb_cook_filmmaker/
The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is Sponsored by CityGate Studios.
If you are looking for a world-class team to help with your Film, T.V., Podcast or other creative production project in a clean, safe and Christ-Centered environment, look not further!
Visit their website to learn more: https://citygatestudios.com/



Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Actor, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 30 tools to help you take action an grow your business and brand for just $97 per month!

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Jordan Mendoza sits down with Eddie Konialian, co-founder of Netwrk.VIP, for a conversation about resilience, leadership, and why networking should be measured by generosity, not extraction. Eddie shares how growing up in Beirut during the civil war, immigrating to Los Angeles, and building his career in finance shaped his belief that real success comes from helping other people win. They discuss Eddie’s path from sports and early jobs into banking leadership, the lessons he learned from managing teams, and why he built a platform focused on ownership, trust, and relationship quality. The episode centers on one big idea: in a world full of AI and automation, being human is becoming a competitive advantage.
Key topics
Eddie’s origin story: growing up in Beirut during the civil war and immigrating to the United States in the mid-1980s
Overcoming language barriers and finding confidence and community through sports
Lessons from athletics and John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success
“Raise the floor, not the ceiling”: why results matter more than potential or promises
Eddie’s reflections on college, completing what you start, and the value of education
His early jobs, sales experience, and career at Countrywide Home Loans
Becoming a manager at 23 and learning to lead and coach a team
The 2008 financial crisis, rebuilding his career, and developing the idea for Netwrk.
Chapters
00:00 — Introduction to Eddie and the episode’s mission
01:22 — Why Jordan wanted Eddie’s full story before talking business
01:53 — Leaving Beirut because of war and starting over in the U.S.
02:17 — Language barriers, being held back, and learning to belong
03:13 — Sports as a bridge to friendship and confidence
04:18 — John Wooden, sports culture, and lessons for business
07:28 — “Raise the floor, not the ceiling”
09:48 — Family pressure, a partial scholarship, and choosing work over college
12:16 — Eddie’s perspective on the value of finishing school
16:57 — First jobs, copier sales, and landing at Countrywide
17:51 — Managing 30 loan officers at 23
19:40 — Why helping employees and customers became the real reward
23:20 — The hardest thing to teach is care
24:47 — Leaving Countrywide, the 2008 crash, and rebuilding at Bank of America
25:45 — Comerica promotion and leading 105 employees
27:33 — Tracking referrals and spotting the Netwrk.VIP idea
30:21 — Eddie’s definition of networking: “sum of all effort”
33:29 — Why CRM data and social profiles need real action behind them
35:15 — What Netwrk.VIP does and why it exists
39:35 — Netwrk.VIP features: dashboard, global reach map, digital passports, and groups
41:04 — The upcoming "netwrk score"
42:45 — Measuring character instead of credit score
44:03 — Where to find Netwrk.VIP and Eddie’s contact information
44:27 — Final thoughts: “Be good people”
Connect with Eddie:
https://netwrk.vip/
https://www.instagram.com/coacheddiek/



Are you an Entrepreneur, Coach, Author, Actor, Podcaster or Creative?
Join my FREE Group Coaching Community where we have live calls, Q&A and more!
Our Trailblazer Ecosystem also enables you to network with other entrepreneurs and the creator hub eliminates multiple subscriptions and logins creating a one stop shop with 30 tools to help you take action an grow your business and brand for just $97 per month!

Join here: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/

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