Nov 4, 2016
Summary:
In this episode, Dave shares the E.O. mic with Phil Randazzo, founder of American Dream U, an organization that helps people transition out from the military and into civilian life. He’s also the founder also the founder of Text Safe Teens, a patented app that prevents teens from using their phones when they’re in school or behind the wheel. Listen as Phil talks about his transition from life as an insurance salesman in Las Vegas, to the founder of a non-profit organization dedicated to helping men and women in uniform.
Time Stamped Show Notes:
- 00:34 – Dave introduces Phil
- 02:34 – Phil’s path to success has been a path of ADD
- 03:18 – Phil highlights his background
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- 03:20 – Born in Chicago
- 03:23 – He got his now-wife for 25 years pregnant during his senior year of college
- 03:50 – They moved out to Las Vegas
- 04:24 – Phil’s mom and sister were excited for the baby
- 05:03 – His in-laws thought he was a devil
- 06:00 – Phil’s friend said he’d help him sell insurance in Vegas
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- 06:18 – But selling insurance didn’t work out
- 06:34 – Phil didn’t study the art of selling
- 06:39 – Phil worked 3 jobs while his wife worked 2 to makes end meet
- 06:55 – Phil applied to sell fire extinguishers but got rejected
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- 07:22 – This was Phil’s turning point
- 07:26 – Phil turned his car into a ‘university’ and became a student for the first time in his life
- 09:17 – Successful sales don’t manipulate
- 09:38 – Phil started to make insurance sales
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- 10:32 – He opened an insurance business in 1994 that is still live today
- 10:51 – Nevada Benefits
- 12:24 – Phil’s first big win was when he was able to buy land in Las Vegas
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- 12:44 – After having lunch with a guy, he decided to be his partner on a building
- 13:03 – Phil put the land in Escrow with some money
- 13:16 – Phil figured out a way to get a dozen credit cards with a $100K credit limit
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- 13:30 – Yes, he bought his first piece of land with credit cards
- 14:40 – Phil kept buying land, building buildings, and selling them
- 15:26 – He was putting money aside for future opportunities
- 15:54 – Phil started investing in parcels of raw land
- 16:17 – When 9/11 happened Phil looked into joining the military
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- 16:34 – Instead he started the process for creating American Dream U
- 18:30 – Phil looked for the support for the military
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- 18:46 – In 4 days, Phil had 5,000 people in his office parking lot
- 19:06 – Phil started calling people and decided to start a non-profit
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- 20:16 – The process took weeks, but his application eventually got approved
- 21:36 – What American Dream U is and how it works
- 24:11 – American Dream U is 100% FREE
- 25:36 – Tim Jennings, a ranger that Dave met at Fort Bragg was a guest on the EO Podcast
- 27:06 – From American Dream U, the soldiers get a little inspiration on where to start
- 27:56 – All about Mission Next
- 28:24 – Phil wanted to find out what soldier-entrepreneurs did to become successful
- 29:20 – The book is totally FREE for veterans and family of veterans
- 30:16 – Spend 20 mins on the phone with somebody and guide them in life
- 31:56 – People often attribute success to how much money you make, this is a mistake
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- 32:33 – When Phil started, it was just about the bank account
- 35:10 – Phil wants to travel and sell his house in Vegas
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- 35:50 – What Phil’s wife, Jennifer feels about Phil’s plans
- 36:28 – Generally, entrepreneurs love and appreciate change
- 37:22 – Phil is struggling with his plans and his family
- 39:05 – EO has a great community of entrepreneurs
- 40:20 – Strategic Coach –another group of entrepreneurs
- 42:30 – The book Mission Next is available on Amazon
- 42:34 – To make a donation, go to American Dream U
- 43:00 – Phil is having a podcast soon!
3 Key Points:
- Learning doesn’t stop with school—in fact, many times learning doesn’t start until after we’re done with school.
- Always, always, ALWAYS follow your passion.
- The world is littered with uncertainty—face it as best you can.
Resources Mentioned:
- Entrepreneur's Organization – The EO Network
- American Dream U– An organization founded by Phil
- Text Safe Teens – A company where Phil is also an owner
- Shark Talk, Funding Your Bigger Venture, Mission Next – Phil’s books
- How to Make Millions with Your Ideas by Dan Kennedy – The first entrepreneurial book Phil read
- Nevada Benefits – Phil’s insurance business
- Tim Jennings – A former ranger who was interviewed in the EO podcast
Credits:
Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives