Launch Youniversity

Turning Good Intentions into Reality in Your Career, Business and Life

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108: The Year in Review

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
108: The Year in Review
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Summary:

Join David, Jeff, Kevin, and Shane as they sit down and answer questions, talk about what went well, what didn’t go so well, and what they learned over the course of 2018.

Remember: it’s always important to look where you’ve been to improve where you want to go.

Welcome to episode 108 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

The Hype Men

Seth Godin Akimbo

Measure What Matters

Launch Youniversity Podcast Episode 100: 100th Episode Celebration Part 1 — Making The Leap

Launch Youniversity Podcast Episode 101: 100th Episode Celebration Part 2 — Building On Your Idea

Launch Youniversity Podcast Episode 102: 100th Episode Celebration Part 3 — How to Start Small

Four Takeaways:

1. Stretch More

This may sound a little silly, but it’s important to focus on your physical health. When you feel well, you perform well.

2. Envision a Triangle

Each point of the triangle has an important aspect to evaluate. The top of the pyramid: Identify the purpose. What is guiding and driving you? The bottom points of the pyramid ask yourself 2 questions: Where do we play (marketplace)? How do we win?

3. Ask Yourself Questions

Do I need to stop something? What do I need to stop? What do I need to keep doing?
How far did I get? What emotion am I currently feeling and is it holding me back? What is a regret that I can resolve? What can I celebrate this week? What is it only I can do?

Asking these questions can allow you and your organization to grow as you focus on top priorities.

4. Recognize the Little Things

This is known as the power of compounding. When you recognize the little things and do them with intentionality, it can lead to big results.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!

 

 

107: 7 Greatest Character Threats of a Leader with Carey Nieuwhof

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
107: 7 Greatest Character Threats of a Leader with Carey Nieuwhof
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Summary:

Companies invest time and money into growing a team member’s competency. However, most organizations will not invest in building your character. Most would argue, character is more important (and harder to improve) than competency.

Whether you are a team member at an organization or have your own startup, you must invest the time and work hard on your character. So, what are the biggest character threats and how do you improve?

Today, host Kevin Jennings is joined by Carey Nieuwhof — author, pastor, and speaker. Carey shares his personal experience towards self-improvement and about the 7 character challenges that no one expects, yet everyone experiences.

Welcome to episode 107 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Carey Nieuwhof Website

Didn’t See It Coming Book

Didn’t See It Coming Burnout Quiz

Didn’t See It Coming Cynicism Quiz

Three Takeaways:

1. Cynicism Roots Itself in Knowledge

Think back to when you were a child, or imagine a child you know. Children have this amazing ability to see the joy in everything. Why is it that all kids seem to be so optimistic? They lack life experience and knowledge. When we gain more knowledge, we begin to think we know everything. We shoot holes in plans, look at the negative, and predict how something in our life will turn out. When nothing satisfies, it leads to burnout.

2. Burnout is an Epidemic

Burnout has become an epidemic in our world today. People are discontent with their job, with their financial status, and the list can go on. When you simply live out the day-to-day functions but don’t experience joy, you have hit burnout. If this is your reality, it’s time to find a new normal. Like Carey shares in the podcast, you should live in a way today that will help you thrive tomorrow. Look at the 5 areas of your life (spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, financial) and see how you can become more optimistic in each area.

3. Leadership is Inherently Lonely

You can easily fall into loneliness when you are leading a team or launching a business. However, isolation is a tool of the enemy. You cannot stay isolated. Read more about startups failing due to isolation. Connect with leaders or peers you admire, and lean on other people for questions or advice. Sometimes you even need to disconnect to reconnect. Put down your phone, ipad, or tv remote and spend quality time with the people in your life.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!

 

103: What We Can Learn About Launching from Filmmaker Matt Chastain of Limesoda Films

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
103: What We Can Learn About Launching from Filmmaker Matt Chastain of Limesoda Films
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Summary:

Making ideas and dreams a reality can feel like art or science, depending on your perspective. However, over time, we at Launch Youniversity have come to realize the act of bringing your vision to light is a lot like building a muscle — it takes repetition, trial and error, and a whole lot of concentrated effort. No story illustrates this idea better than Matt Chastain’s. A writer and director at Limesoda Films, Matt has refined his launching muscle over decades of other ideas and jobs that seemed unrelated to creating and releasing his full-length feature film, Small Group: The Movie. While today’s episode will give you a peek behind the scenes into what it takes to bring a film to life, you’ll also learn key principles about how to successfully approach your next launch.

Welcome to episode 103 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Small Group: The Movie

Small Group: The Movie trailer

The 5 Elements of the Launch Loop

Validate: The Fourth Step in the Launch Sequence

Four Takeaways:

1. Use the skills you have.
Like Matt, you may have spent years in another industry. Despite spending years working in marketing, Matt was able to leverage his past work experiences and relationships to make Small Group: The Movie. Your last few jobs may be totally unrelated from your current passion — that’s OK. There is always an idea or principle you can apply to your current reality.

2. Your first draft will likely be your worst draft.
Nothing is ever perfect at the beginning, and the same goes for your idea and launch. Make a draft, tear it to pieces, get feedback, and try again. You may have to do this a few times before your idea is ready to launch.

3. Discover your emotional driver.
In the thick of the work, sometimes it’s difficult to remember what all of this is for. Keep the big picture at the forefront of your mind — this will drive you to continue to persevere when the development phase is taxing.

4. Connection over self expression.
This may be your dream, but the whole point of it is to better serve other people. Don’t lose sight of that — your ultimate goal is to create a solution, not stay in one spot honoring your gift.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!

 

101: 100th Episode Celebration Part 2 — Building On Your Idea

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
101: 100th Episode Celebration Part 2 — Building On Your Idea
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Summary:

At Launch Youniversity, we like to encourage launchers like you to think abundantly, plan intentionally, execute consistently, and celebrate frequently. To practice what we preach, we’re continuing to celebrate our 100th episode of the Launch Youniversity podcast with part two in our three-part series of some of our favorite interviews. This week, the podcast is all about building — your idea, your community, and your success. In today’s episode, you’ll hear some sage advice from some of our most trusted leaders about creating a culture you want, growing and developing leaders within your organization, and how to repeat success. We can’t wait for you to tune in!

As always, thank you for joining us on this journey to learn and grow together. Welcome to episode 101 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

044: Launching Customer Experiences and Dreaming Big with Billy Boughey of Elevate Live Events

055: Atlanta United’s Matt Moore on Launching a Sports Team and Building a Community

004: How to Leverage Social Media to Build an Online Family with Eryn Eddy

007: Learning How to Repeat Success with Chef Ford Fry

091: Creating the Culture You Want

043: Timeless Leadership In a Changing World with Tim Elmore

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!

 

099: MADE SOUTH’S Chris Thomas on Pivoting: How to Know When to Shift Your Business Model

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
099: MADE SOUTH’S Chris Thomas on Pivoting: How to Know When to Shift Your Business Model
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Summary:

The two most commonly recurring factors in any launch are you and uncertainty. This is why at Launch Youniversity, we spend so much time talking about how to lead yourself and deal with the unexpected that will inevitably occur. In today’s episode, we talk to Chris Thomas, CEO and founder of MADE SOUTH, a company that hosts crafted events that celebrate the South’s culture, food, and entertainment. Chris shares how he quickly had to modify his original idea for MADE SOUTH despite early success. For launchers, success is validating; however, if you’re not careful, it can be misleading. Hear Chris’s story about the shifts he made and how he was able to stay true to his passion and mission while shifting his business model and method.

Welcome to episode 99 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

MADE SOUTH

MADE SOUTH Holiday Market

065: Using Data to Launch Intelligently and Responsibly

Grace Works Ministries

Gospel Business Strategies podcast

Three Takeaways:

  • Sometimes you have to change your business model, and that’s OK.
    As Chris shared in today’s podcast, launchers only know what they know; when that knowledge changes, sometimes (see: most times) changes have to be made for your idea to be more effectively executed. Change is OK; in fact, it’s celebrated. Don’t be so married to your original idea that you miss out on all the good stuff that awaits you with a shift in your business model.
  • Ask yourself, “What kind of foundation have I laid for my business or idea?”
    Does your current foundation best support your current business model or a better one? Do you have sound processes in place that support your overall goal? If the answers to these questions are, “No,” then you’ll need to pivot your current business model toward something that makes more sense.
  • Lean into those around you. Launching your idea was never meant to be done alone.
    Some of your best business advice can come from those around you. Ask your trusted circle what they think of your current business model and how they would do things differently. Your closest allies can provide you with a much-needed fresh perspective.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!

096: Scott Harrison of charity: water Finds Purpose, Success Through His Non-Profit

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find purpose
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
096: Scott Harrison of charity: water Finds Purpose, Success Through His Non-Profit
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Summary:

In the world of charities, nonprofit organizations, and startups, there are plenty of success stories of someone’s “crazy” idea reaching meteoric success. But some rise to the top and find success according to the world’s standard is quite meaningless. This is the story of Scott Harrison, the founder and CEO of charity: water, a nonprofit organization that brings clean drinking water to developing countries.

Once a successful nightclub promoter, Scott found success driven by financial standards left him feeling unfulfilled, so he set out on a personal mission to find purpose. In today’s episode, he joins hosts, Jeff Henderson and Kevin Jennings, to talk about his transformational experience and how solid, communicated values drive any mission.

Welcome to episode 96 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

charity: water

charity: water spring subscription

Thirst

Three Takeaways:

1. Have a vision for your culture.
Be really clear on the culture you want to create. Then, carefully craft a team of people you not only want to work with, but whom you trust. These people will be on the front lines of your mission and you want to make sure they actually want to be there.

2. Be transparent about your values.
First, document your values immediately. Then, make sure you clearly communicate those values to your employees and potential new hires — this will make all the difference in your team’s investment in your mission.

3. Replicate what you admire.
Scott Harrison shared in today’s podcast how he looked to subscription-based business models such as Netflix, HBO, and Dropbox to model charity:water’s business model after. If you’re looking to make some changes to your business, you don’t always have to look to your competitor for ideas — fresh perspectives can be found anywhere you look.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!