1019: Entrepreneurial Mindset on Life, Business, and Scaling with Chad Price

Robert Plank 0:05 Hey, and welcome back to the podcast. Shad price is back. He was here previously at marketer of the day.com/ 905. And shadow price if you don't know him, he's a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in multiple industries. And his company is called kettlebell kings, which he started from scratch in 2012. And it's still a million dollar Inc 5000 international company. But Chad also owns many other companies. There's life grows green, which promotes health and wellness. And his latest project is an amazing book that you want to check out called preparing for battle, which is his debut novel and covers a wide range of topics from developing a winning mindset, creating a solid business plan, building a strong team, and navigating the challenges of scaling a modern day Brit business. So Chad price from share price.com Wonderful speaking with you again,

Speaker 1 0:57 thanks for having me back. It's awesome to be making my rounds and having the opportunity to be back on the show. So I appreciate it. Yeah, and

Robert Plank 1:05 I appreciate you too. And that's something to think about, right? That layers like how wide and how deep that you want to go. There's, there's, we there's and there's a need for like a healthy mix of both right, you revisit your existing relationships, but also get outside your comfort zone and to appear on other podcasts and other speaking gigs. And so in the since we last spoke, you came up with this amazing book, and you have many things to talk about. So what's the latest news? What's the scoop?

Speaker 1 1:29 Quite a bit, you know, you know, I obviously I, you know, I put out my first debut book. And that book is really designed to try to help an entrepreneur prepare his mindset for entrepreneurship, but really kind of tackling the hardships of entrepreneurship, or that kind of the daily battle, if you will. So the title kind of says in itself, as you're trying to prepare yourself for more difficult tasks than you're used to, especially if you're coming from an employee type situation. And the book kind of starts off by telling my story. And the second part of the book goes into talking about kind of 10 bit basic building blocks of business and how to utilize some of these building blocks in kettlebell kings in that store. And then I finished the book with a workbook section that kind of help you map out your vision and your particular idea, whatever that niche may be. Wonderful.

Robert Plank 2:23 And, you know, I've spoken with you and other people about this idea that there seems to be somewhat of an overlap of like the mental aspect of entrepreneurship and the athleticism, right that when if you're an athlete, if you're playing a sport, there's the team aspect, and there's like, but most of all, like building the muscle, and of of not psyching yourself out, because even just this morning, I was like sitting down doing computer stuff. And I was thinking like, Can I really sustain this? Like, every day, I'm juggling all these tasks? And you and I both know, as entrepreneurs? Well, well, yes, as long as you believe it's possible. And as long as you don't fall into all these little kind of like, employee mindset type excuses, like saying, I'm burned out, or I'm tired. And it's like, no, you, you need to strengthen the muscle, because the productivity and the person you are now is is way stronger than two years ago. And then two years from now, you're going to be even stronger than you are today. So I mean, tell me about, um, what you think we need to know about as far as just preparing for battle and this kind of mental side of entrepreneurship. Yeah,

Speaker 1 3:28 I think like, I mean, I think you hit the nail on the head when you you kind of compare it to sports. And for me, you know, having played sports in my entire life, it's really easy for me to kind of think about the days in which I've heard it in every different kind of way, you know, I've heard a coach tell me not to be a, you know, some derogatory word, you fill in the blank, you know, with whatever words you need to be in terms of pushing through the hard times, and being more tough than you think you can be. It's not until you get to the point in which you feel overwhelmed and what you really have the chance to grow. And I think when you become an entrepreneur, that is a day to day thing, because you can do 1000 things for your business every single day. So it's, it's really a matter of trying to organize your ideas and your vision and, and turn those things into action items that can actually be achieved. And you always feel overwhelmed. I think, you know, I used to argue, and not even argue, but I used to tell my partners you know, it's a good thing that we have customers complaining is a good thing that we have more customers than we had last year, more complaints, more more problems, that that means that there's more things that are trying to flow through the system and those are problems. As soon as we fix more things can flow through the system and it will never stop. So you know, every kind of aspect of your emotional and kind of mental well being he's be prepared for what entrepreneurship is and that's gonna it's going to stress test you. And you know, it's something that is supposed to be hard and when you see it being hard, I think that's it is the opportunity to really dig in and grow.

Robert Plank 5:01 I love it that like, when it's hard, that's your opportunity to dig in and grow, you're saying that overwhelm is normal, that's what you should want. And just yeah, all these things that maybe are counterintuitive that it's so easy to make all these excuses, especially if you don't have the tools in place, like the like the a mentor or a coach, or even just like the constant kind of just getting yourself like tolerating your stress, I guess. And so when since you've written this book, there's kind of this, I don't know if it's a secret among authors, but you kind of like realize things about yourself from you're a different person from when you start a book to the end, and it takes on a life of its own. And it goes in places you never expected. And so that happened with you to like, in this book, did you kind of uncover something deep and dark and hidden within yourself?

Speaker 1 5:55 I don't know about dark and hidden. But I would say I definitely discovered lap because, you know, I think always wanted to write a book. And we grew kettlebell King starting in 2012. And we sold or we started the the three year acquisition at the beginning or the end of 2020, I mean, the beginning of 2022, let's say. So that was really a 10 year journey from starting something from scratch to becoming, you know, a global brand and actually being acquired. So that journey was, I think, a good time for me to look back and reflect on what that decade was like, and try to put anything that I could to help someone else who was going through that or who was about to begin a journey like that. And that's kind of the the frame point in which I looked at preparing for battle was I'm really trying to envision myself 10 years ago, and what can I do to make this journey a little smoother and more efficient than it was for me?

Robert Plank 6:48 I love it, you're paying it forward. And I'm not really a big sports guy, we hear about this in sports, right? There'll be like some legendary coach that that started off. And then once they kind of aged out of their career, then they take all the things that they learned, and they pay it forward. And that just seems like a really easy way to get out of writer's block of any kind, right? If you're trying to write a book, or come up with podcasts, or YouTube content, or blog posts, whatever. It's like, if you sit down and say, Well, let me let me list out 10 facts about building a business? Well, that's boring. But if you say, Well, you know, other, I struggled so much, and there's so many things I wish I'd known. And then I put myself in the mindset of myself 10 years ago, and then those people kind of more or less exist, right? There are people who are in the exact position that you were 10 years ago. So when you could tap into that mindset of the paying forward and helping the person instead of reciting facts, then that can that can really kind of get the juices flowing and make the make the helpful advice. And not just the filler words come out. And then so as far as you mentioned, some things like there's like a 10 step process you have. And so I know we don't have time to like, unpack every little step. But as far as just like the straightforwardness of it right, it's easy for someone to say, well, I need to build a business. But there's all these things I could do. And I'm not even sure like what to do first and in what order and what the bottlenecks are. So as far as like the the straightforward process, is there a way to easily explain, like how someone can go from from that idea and building it and getting acquired.

Speaker 1 8:22 Yeah, I mean, I think it should be a journey. And I think that's kind of what I talk about in the book is everything. I use my lessons and experiences from life that helped me learn things. So you know, I talk about things from high school that I learned that helped me when I was, you know, 25. You know, it was things that were even younger than that, when I was you know, a little kid growing up playing sports. You know, I tell the story all the time of I used to play pretty much every sport growing up. So, you know, I played tennis, baseball, basketball, track, soccer, every sport and you can't be good at them all. But it was good for me to play the sports that I wasn't good at, because I was able to learn how to use how to use strategies that I wouldn't have used them or my athletic gifts, let's say in tennis, didn't get me as far as they did in basketball or football. Those types of lessons give me perspective, even now, when I'm trying to achieve a task, I don't have to necessarily always be the expert, I need to be self aware enough to know what needs to be done to achieve my goal. And so that's really what I talk about in the book. And I think that changes. So you know, I tried to tell people like my social media strategy for making sales in 2012. When I started kettlebell kings is not going to be the same as your social media strategy in 2023. And there's not going to be really, you know, some book that was written, let's say a year ago, even that can tell you a strategy for social media that will be successful as you as as efficient as it could be. So you kind of have to be in the game at all times. And I think that's really the point that I tried to get across in the book is jump into the game and start seeing yourself as a lifelong learner. You know, you're working for a company now try to Put yourself in a position of ownership at that company take responsibility for things that you don't have to take responsibility for. Because you want to grow as a person and as a as a potential leader in the future. And once you see you can handle that stuff, it's very much easier to take that first step to start your business when, when you know, you can run the entire operation that you're currently working at, you have no you know, you have no real fear of starting your own business, it's just a matter of getting the resources in place. But when you don't have the resources, and you don't have the experience and knowledge, then you know, I don't know if you really should start your own business in that way, that is kind of a risk. And, you know, I think that that's where I tried to look at kind of preparing for battle is, every single person is going to have to have a different regiment to get themselves to a point in which they can take that leap and starting their own company. And I think that's, that's the biggest point. Wonderful.

Robert Plank 10:51 And this, this analogy you're mentioning here of being in the game, I love that and it kind of it sparks so many things in my brain because there's that kind of that stereotype of like the armchair quarterback, right like like, some guy's sitting in his easy chair with like a with a cylinder or something and watching the football game and saying, Oh, I would have done this way better. And that way better. It's like, it's easy for you to say you would have because you're just watching the output versus getting in the game and actually taking some action and making some progress. And and we all know that once we're in something, it's way harder than just looking at it from the outside. And so So you're saying that in whatever your dream is, don't just think about it, do it. And especially if you're in a situation where you're like an employee in some similar business, then go above and beyond and don't just stick to your role. But see if there are other responsibilities and other things you can do and learn about the ins and outs of that business because it'll it'll pay off in the future. And that's even kind of a lesson I'm getting from speaking with you here is that there's just there's so many little things that in the moment when you're 10 years old, or 12 years old, and you're you're playing tennis, or you're playing baseball or something. And it's just one little just mental trick or one little kind of lesson. And then it pays off, like decades later, and you don't even realize it. And so if we pay attention, nothing is a waste, especially the mistakes, which again, at the time, we think is just like the thing that's beating us down, but it's something that can really help us out in the future. And so I'm kind of looking at the table of contents in your book here. And you talk about things like building a team and creating this roadmap you mentioned and having a clear vision. So out of all these chapters is there one that like is your favorite or one that stands out to you.

Speaker 1 12:40 I think I don't know if it says particular chapter, but chapter but I think, you know, the idea of self awareness probably stands out to me the most is, and that's just because that's what I noticed people fail with, you know, one of the fortunate things I was able to do is be in kind of in charge of all kinds of b2b operations and kettlebell kings. And so I got to talk to tons and tons of small business owners, I even did a project once, which I literally talked to, I think it was 60 plus small business owners just to see if we could be of help if from a financial standpoint, like it were, you know, if they want to make a sale, but also just from a business owner to business owner standpoint, and going through those types of conversations. And you know, I've started executive coaching and things like that now, as I kind of develop my career, but going through those conversations helped me really understand that a lot of people are just so overwhelmed that they don't really self reflect that often. There, they don't have a mentor that can give them a point of view that they trust and respect that's maybe objective and outside of themselves. And it's hard to see everything about yourself when you're in the fight every day, day in day out. And I encourage people to try to do that before you get in the fight. So try to take that self evaluation before you start fighting, you know, measure yourself, try to find ways in which you can test pressure test yourself. So you know what's going to happen when you panic, you know what's going to happen when you know the bills can't get paid, you kind of have at least some support system that you've established around yourself to help you through the hard times. Because you're heading for hard times. That's what entrepreneurship is. It's not you know, glitz and glory every single day, this is going to be a battle before you have the reward. If it wasn't, you know, it wouldn't be worth it in the first place. So, sports has taught me that and you know, I know that the season is going to get more difficult playoffs are going to be harder games like I get that kind of that concept and idea and I think a lot of people if you don't have a sports or athletic background, or even just some type of competitive background, especially in today's age with millennials and kind of the participation trophy atmosphere that we live in and you kind of get overwhelmed just with the harsh reality of entrepreneurship or capitalism or business in general.

Robert Plank 14:57 So you're saying that it is hard, it's supposed to be hard, it's going to get even harder. And there is some kind of an emergency coming. And you probably don't even know when it will be or how huge it will be or what it will be. And so that's that's seems to be where the preparing of the preparing for battle title comes in, that we need to just have that support system in place, maybe even ahead of time, and then know what is coming. And even when that that battle does come. It's not the end of the world, right? Let's like you play a sport, if you if you lose a game, there'll be other games. But then it's important to have these tools in place. So that way, you don't quit forever, right? Because you could be an athlete, and you could be playing a sport. And you could have such a bad game that just crushes your spirits. So you never played pick up the football and never pick up the baseball ever again. And that's a real shame. And so if you're in business, you want to continue on and learn and grow and be strengthened by these failures. And so you're saying, Have the account of your self awareness in place and have these tools and journal and have a coach and talk with your team and communicate, and all these things, because the battle is coming, the big surprise is on its way somewhere in the future. But embrace it and enjoy it use it as an opportunity to move on to bigger and better things. And I think that it's very inspiring message that you have here, Chad, and I want to make sure that we fit in, like, is there anything that you like you wish that I'd asked you? Or is there anything that's just like really powerful III think our audience can really benefit from today?

Speaker 1 16:32 I wouldn't say anything, necessarily, you know, wish you as you know, one of the things that I didn't really mention, I you know, I talked about it briefly kind of my executive coaching that I'm doing now. And that's kind of a big thing that I'm doing. I'm doing it for universities and student athletes as well. So I've started doing like workshops. And, you know, I have a workshop, for example, where you know how to apply How to Apply sports concepts on the business playing field. So really trying to think about what lessons can be learned and applied. And some lessons don't, can't be applied necessarily from the sports playing field to business. But anyone that's kind of interested in that journey of transitioning your life experiences into kind of being that leader you envision yourself to be those are kind of the people that that I'm looking to work with, especially from an executive coaching standpoint. And then I also obviously, you know, I talked about starting my podcast. So I'll be dropping a lot more information about the you know, name and where you can find that podcast here shortly. But you can find all that information on share price.com And my socials.

Robert Plank 17:37 Wonderful. So Chad price.com is the place to go. And I assume the book is also linked there, correct? Yes,

Speaker 1 17:42 the book, the book is linked there as well. You can also find it on Amazon. You know, it's, it's available for ebook and hardcopy paperback ebook, I think it's only like 299 right now. So real, real cheap pickup for you, if you if you're looking just to consume some information to get your your mindset and the kind of the correct place for starting your own business. And that

Robert Plank 18:02 is the Dinis that we live in right, where you can just go and get a $2.99 cent Kindle, or YouTube or a podcast and it's all free. And there's more information than ever before. But the the key is in applying it. And you can learn all the books on football and soccer and tennis etc. But if you don't actually practice and know how that fits with your own strengths and weaknesses and put in the repetitions and all those things, then it's just words on a page. And the same is true for you in your business, where if you just kind of tried to go it alone or go with it without a plan or give up too easily. Those are all the traps that you might fall into. And instead, the way forward is to do some of these things that Shad is explaining to us. And most importantly, pick up Chad prices book preparing for battle. It's on Amazon. It's linked from Chad price.com. And you can find out all about everything else Chad has going on with kettlebell kings. And you know, I love what you have going on here, Chad, because you accomplish these things with your company. And then you're applying this whole thing called leadership where you're saying, Well, I've done these things. Now let me pass it along and explain to others what I've done and help others out. So that way, it's not just about me being selfish, but also giving back so I love what you have going on. So Chad price from shad price.com And the book preparing for battle. And as we wrap up our conversation here, Chad, it's always fun to ask about a favorite quote or lesson that has really like helped my guests and can help others since we're all about that today on paying it forward. So what comes to mind for you when I asked about a quote or lesson that you just think is worthy of mentioning right now?

Speaker 1 19:39 Probably gratitude, you know, I think Well, that's one of the things you don't see a lot of, especially in today's world is you know, I think we we live in a time of turmoil and the people around us the customers we have the people that support our ideas, you know, I think we can show them a lot more gratitude and then we currently do As a leader and as kind of a an owner of a company I think that goes a long way inside your company and the morale of your of your employees and the morale and brand kind of culture you want to build. So my advice would be you know more gratitude to go around.

Robert Plank 20:14 I love it it's a wonderful message it cost nothing and it's inspiring and I'm grateful for you here being here yourself Mr. Chad price for you're kind of inspiring me I have all these ideas in the back of my head like oh, I need to go and like record like a quick video for this person and thank them for that. And so it's it's catching on like wildfire. So I appreciate you Chad price from Shadow price.com And the book preparing for a battle how to overcome life's challenges, unlock your full potential and build a successful business. Chad, I really appreciate you and thank you for stopping by.

Speaker 1 20:45 Thanks for having me on. Again. Nice to be back.

Robert Plank 20:53 Thank you for tuning in to the marketer of the day podcast. marketer of the day is managed by de FY podcast, claim your 12 podcast boosters at Def Why podcast.com/free