Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience in Entrepreneurship (video)

Listeners heard an enlightening conversation with Matthew Boyer in a recent episode that John Golden, who represents “Sales POP! Online Sales Magazine” and “Pipeliner CRM,” hosted. Matthew, an accomplished entrepreneur, coach, and world-champion martial artist specializing in taekwondo, shared his journey of overcoming adversity and achieving success as a seven-figure business owner. This blog post delves into key themes and insights from the episode, offering actionable advice and thorough explanations to guide aspiring entrepreneurs.

Lessons from Childhood: Building a Strong Work Ethic

Key Takeaways:

• Early Struggles: Matthew faced academic challenges and was not an exceptional student.
• Discovery of Martial Arts: At ten, he found martial arts, which instilled a strong work ethic.
• Value of Perseverance: He learned the importance of hard work and perseverance despite not being the most talented.

Actionable Advice:

• Embrace Challenges: Use early struggles as a foundation to build resilience. Challenges are growth opportunities.
• Develop a Strong Work Ethic: Consistently put in the effort, even when results are not immediate. Persistence pays off.
• Focus on Personal Growth: Concentrate on improving yourself rather than comparing yourself to others.

Martial Arts and Self-Competition: The Essence of Personal Growth

Key Takeaways:

• Self-Competition: In martial arts, the primary competition is with oneself, not others.
• Personal Improvement: Focus on being better than the person you were yesterday.

Actionable Advice:

• Set Personal Goals: Establish clear, achievable goals for personal improvement. Track progress and celebrate small victories.
• Avoid Comparisons: Resist the urge to compare yourself to others, especially on social media. Everyone’s journey is unique.
• Learning: Commit to lifelong learning and self-improvement. Seek new skills and knowledge to enhance your life.

Early Surprises in Entrepreneurship: Creativity and Resourcefulness

Key Takeaways:

• Limited Resources: Matthew opened his martial arts school in 2009 with limited funds for advertising.
• Community Engagement: He relied on his ability to connect with people, offering free classes and demonstrations.
• Creativity and Resourcefulness: His lack of resources forced him to be creative and resourceful, leading to success.

Actionable Advice:

• Leverage Community Engagement: Engage with your local community through events, free classes, or demonstrations. Build relationships and trust.
• Be Resourceful: Use creativity to overcome financial constraints. Look for low-cost or no-cost marketing opportunities.
• Adapt and Innovate: Be open to trying new approaches and pivoting strategies when necessary.

Authenticity in Business: Building Genuine Connections

Key Takeaways:

• Staying True to Yourself: Matthew chose to remain authentic in his interactions, despite advice to be less “raw.”
• Genuine Connections: Authenticity resonated more with potential students, building a loyal community.

Actionable Advice:

• Be Authentic: Stay true to your values and personality in all business interactions. Authenticity builds trust and loyalty.
• Build Relationships: Focus on building genuine relationships with customers and clients. Understand their needs and provide value.
• Communicate Openly: Be transparent and honest in your communication. This fosters a sense of trust and reliability.

Building a Community: Empowering Leadership and Fostering Bonds

Key Takeaways:

• Empowering Students: Matthew empowered long-term students to take on leadership roles, fostering bonds with newer students.
• Sense of Family: The martial arts school created a sense of family, extending relationships beyond the dojo.

Actionable Advice:

• Empower Others: Delegate responsibilities and empower team members to take on leadership roles. This fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.
• Create a Supportive Environment: Build a community where members support and uplift each other. Encourage collaboration and teamwork.
• Maintain Personal Connections: As your business grows, find ways to maintain personal connections with customers and clients.

Navigating Growth and Change: Balancing Expansion and Culture

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional Challenges: Saying goodbye to students who move on to new phases in their lives can be difficult.
• Balancing Growth: The challenge of balancing growth while preserving the original culture of the school is common.

Actionable Advice:

• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of your customers and clients, even when they move on.
• Preserve Core Values: As your business grows, ensure that your core values and culture remain intact. Communicate these values consistently.
• Adapt to Change: Be flexible and adaptable to change. Embrace new opportunities while staying true to your mission.

Overcoming Adversity During COVID-19: Adaptation and Community Support

Key Takeaways:

• Pandemic Challenges: The pandemic posed significant challenges, requiring adaptation.
• Transition to Online Classes: Initially, Matthew transitioned to online classes but quickly realized it wasn’t effective.
• In-Person Classes with Safety Measures: He pivoted to in-person classes with safety measures, allowing his school to thrive.

Actionable Advice:

• Adapt Quickly: Be prepared to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Stay informed and flexible in your approach.
• Prioritize Safety: Implement safety measures to protect your customers and staff. Communicate these measures clearly.
• Leverage Community Support: Rely on community support during challenging times. Build strong relationships with local businesses and organizations.

The Importance of Community and Networking: Building Strong Relationships

Key Takeaways:

• Community Support: Matthew highlights the value of community support among local businesses.
• Networking: Building relationships with other entrepreneurs and community members is crucial.

Actionable Advice:

• Engage in Networking: Join local networking groups and organizations. Attend events and build relationships with other entrepreneurs.
• Support Local Businesses: Collaborate with local businesses and support each other. This creates a strong, supportive network.
• Give Back to the Community: Organize events and initiatives that give back to the community. This fosters goodwill and strengthens relationships.

Conclusion: Embracing Resilience and Authenticity in Entrepreneurship

Matthew Boyer’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, authenticity, and community support in entrepreneurship. His experiences in martial arts taught him valuable lessons about hard work, personal growth, and genuine connections, which he applied to his business endeavors. By embracing these principles, aspiring entrepreneurs can navigate challenges, build strong relationships, and achieve lasting success.

Connect with Matthew Boyer:

• Social Media: Follow Matthew on his social media platforms for more insights and updates.
• Upcoming Website: Stay tuned for Matthew’s upcoming website, where you can access resources related to entrepreneurship and martial arts.
• Book: Check out Matthew’s book, “The Tell Show Do Process,” for practical strategies on engaging with the community and building authentic relationships.

This episode serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of resilience, authenticity, and community in building a successful business. By applying these principles, entrepreneurs can overcome adversity and create lasting impact in their communities.

Our Host

John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.