Aggie Growth Hacks Podcast

Wrap-Up Show of Aggie Growth Hacks with Greg and Chris

Howdy, Ags! Today, Greg and Chris reflect on the jam-packed Season 5 of Aggie Growth Hacks! In this episode, Greg and Chis discuss some of the challenges they faced over this season as well as some fantastic growth hacks they acquired from this season's roster of guests. So tune in and enjoy!
Season 5 Wrap-Up Show of Aggie Growth Hacks
Greg and Chris talk about their challenges in taking on the post-production and distribution for this season of Aggie Growth Hacks as well as some of the helpful growth hacks Season 5’s amazing guests talk about. What were some of your favorite moments from Season 5? 
Outline of the Episode:
[00:04] Intro
[01:01] Growth Changes for Greg & Chris
[03:40] Batch Recording & Podcast Tips
[07:20] Creating a System for any Podcast
[09:05] Season 5 Takeaways
[13:22] #1 Takeaway for this Season
[14:18] Sneak Peek into Season 6
[15:51] Close Out & Launch Date for Season 6
 
Resources:
Mcferrin Center Website:  https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/mcferrin
AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
 
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw

Remember Your Why, Your Passion, and Who You Serve with Sarah Martin

Howdy, Ags! Today, we have Sarah Martin '01, author, speaker, and wellness coach. In this episode, Sarah shares building a platform to serve an audience, all while never forgetting your why and your passion. If you are looking for inspiration, then this episode is for you. So tune in and enjoy!
Remember Your Why, Your Passion, and Who You Serve
Sarah is a multi-passionate person. She loves serving the Lord and serving people. Lately, her focus is on equipping men and women for these stormy days that we live in to help them know what matters most, to see revival in them and through them. She believes revival is imminent not only in the four walls of the church but also in the marketplaces. Sarah emphasized that to be an agent of rebirth, it is essential to be bold in who you are and what your voice is, regardless of whether people will like it or hate it. Those that are going to love what you say are going to come along for the ride, and these are also the ones that you would want to serve. 
With the challenges Social Media brings due to its unsteady algorithms that could sway you away from your core, Sarah overcomes this by not being afraid to try new things, honing her niche, and using the platform to reach and impact people.
About Faster Way to Fat Loss:
Regular and Vegan meal plan options are available each week, with ingredient lists and preparation instructions to help reach goals FASTer.
Effective 30-minute workouts with the entire FASTer Way community. Low-impact, at-home, and gym options are available each day.
Accountability and support from an active and like-minded community, along with one-on-one support from a certified FASTer Way to Fat Loss coach.
Outline of the Episode:
[00:04] Intro
[02:02] Late-night trips to Taco Cabana
[04:10] passion for leading women and men to a vibrant life
[05:21] Her tipping point that allowed the strong growth trajectory 
[07:58] Social Media and why is it a challenge for her
[13:53] Trying new things
[14:15] It's imperative to know who you're serving.
[21:05] The importance of having a realistic view of your family life and business
[23:35] Keep your why when setting goals.
[24:51] Lightning round
[29:30] Takeaways
 
Resources:
Website:         https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/home#SarahMartinVibrantLife
                       https://liveitoutblog.com
 
Higher Pursuites Book Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Higher-Pursuits-Positioning-Yourself-Everyday-ebook/dp/B0BFBTB6RL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31NIFRA4OIOQ6&keywords=higher+pursuits+sarah+martin&qid=1669487722&sprefix=higher+pursuite%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1
 
AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
 
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw

Invest In Yourself and Your People with Dr. Christopher Taylor

Howdy, Ags! Today, we have Christopher Taylor '07, CEO and founder of Taylor counseling group, a mental health company striving to take Texas from last to first in terms of mental health! In this episode, Chris shares how his group makes mental health accessible to everyone. So make sure to tune in to learn more!
Invest In Yourself and Your People
Mental health awareness opens more spaces for people to acknowledge the not-so-pretty side of things and encourages them to seek professional help. Yet, we do not have enough people in school to keep up with the demand for therapy. In addition to that, therapy is somehow considered a luxury good that only the haves can afford. To address these concerns, Christopher Taylor founded the Taylor Counseling Group to provide access to quality, affordable therapy. 
To achieve their goals, Chris considered his group the In-N-Out Burger of therapy, where they do one thing well: to provide outpatient mental health at a very affordable rate. And that's the end of their service. That is all they provide. They collaborate with people who are very good in other medical departments, but they focus on one thing, which allows them to be very successful in providing that one service. Another strategy is investing heavily in their therapists (education, health insurance, benefits, etc.) because he believes that when a company invests in its people, they show up and do their best work. 
About Taylor Counseling Group:
Taylor Counseling Group provides affordable, reliable, and accessible mental health services to communities across Texas.
They believe everyone should have access to premium mental healthcare, regardless of income level. With twelve locations in Texas and plans for rapid growth, they serve clients from age five through late adulthood. Their services range from traditional individual counseling to couples counseling, to family therapy, and more, and they believe each session should be at a cost you can afford. They are proud to offer a standard private rate of $100 per session, whereas many practices charge $150 or more for therapy of their caliber. Getting the help you need shouldn't be complicated, so they make scheduling an appointment easy with their online booking tool.
Taylor Counseling Group is a value-driven organization that believes in the power of community support. They are proud to donate $1 from every session to Okay to Say, an award-winning public awareness campaign that strives to break the stigma behind asking for help encourages people to talk openly about mental health, and communicates that most mental illnesses are treatable.
Outline of the Episode:
[00:05] Intro
[01:37] Being a Corps Cadet and other stuff he misses 
[02:34] How Chris started the Taylor Counseling Group.
[05:03] Business expansion strategy
[08:11] Affordable care and community support
[10:59] How does he invest in a new therapist?
[13:03] Elevating Texas from last in mental health care to first
[15:11] How he implemented the EOS system
[18:33] Career growth opportunities in Taylor Counseling Group
[21:26] His BHAG
[25:03] "It's okay to say that you are not okay" campaign
[26:21] Lightning round
[29:31] Empifany App and Grant Halliburton foundation
 
Resources:
Website:                 https://taylorcounselinggroup.com/
AGH Website:        https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
Empifany:               https://www.empathicholdings.com
Grant Halliburton:   https://www.granthalliburton.org
 
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw

Entrepreneur By Day, Student By Night with Brandon Cunningham

Howdy, Ags! Today, we have Brandon Cunningham '24, owner of C&R Lawn Care and Home Services! Brandon shares how he can do both academics and entrepreneurship in this episode. There's so much inspiration that we can take from this episode. So make sure to tune in to learn more!
Entrepreneur by Day, Student by Night
Brandon saw his dad receiving help from his grandfather when the former started his own business. For him, it was inspiring to see the camaraderie and collaboration among entrepreneurs in helping each other be successful in their chosen businesses. As a student, he sees himself as a third-generation successful entrepreneur through the help of his role models, both family, and those other Aggie 100 winners. To pay it forward, he encourages other student entrepreneurs by forming a student organization that helps students who want to start a business someday but have various questions about the nitty-gritty of the business world to prepare them for success in their trades.
Balancing academics, business, and student organization is a challenging feat. Yet, despite having a full load, Brandon remains successful in all of these by structuring his schedule, where he has plenty of time to work in the daylight hours and be able to take care of school stuff at night. As for the student organization, he welcomes other students and delegates tasks and be where he can be the most efficient.
C&R Lawn Care and Home Services:
Owned by Brandon Cunningham and Dustin Rees, specializes in lawn care and maintenance.
Outline of the Episode:
[00:05] Intro
[03:10] Origin story of the student organization
[05:50] Running his business
[08:01] What drives him to help other students?
[13:11] Brandon's advice for other students
[17:10] The importance of holding each other accountable
[21:23] Brandon's favorite hack
[25:45] Takeaways 
 
Resources:
LinkedIn|Brandon Cunningham:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-cunningham-a66481108/
AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
 
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw
 
#podcast #entrepreneur #clarity #resolve #purpose #AggieEntrepreneur #growth #business #entrepreneurship #Aggie #growthmindset #fastgrowth #knowledgeispower #innovation #CollegeStation #Bryan #TAMU

Love Your People - Demand High Performance with Bill Biggs

Howdy, Ags! Today, we have Bill Biggs '94, founder of Biggs and Associates! In this episode, Bill shares how CEOs can demand high performance while maintaining a positive disposition from employees. So make sure to tune in to learn more!
Love Your People - Demand High Performance
Bill Briggs believes that the common notion that pursuing one's passion will lead to success is a piece of bad advice. Instead, self-analysis, learning about your gifts, and becoming passionate about those gifts is the pathway to success. Once he realized his skills leaned more on using words to communicate the message, he pivoted into coaching and became a sought-after motivator and trainer.
As a coach, Bill comes into an organization and evaluates the culture and leadership. For him, culture and leadership are the most critical factors in an organization. The top-down approach means the leaders set the tone in an organization, not taking the credit when things go right but acknowledging it as a team's effort, and taking every problem as a leadership problem, pushing them to act and come up with a solution. In his research, he learned that culture is everything one does. It is primarily built upon the values and beliefs of a group of people. Culture in a company or organization draws out the performance in a group. The right cultural construct leads to getting high-performing individuals as it sets the bar higher for one to be able to enter into that organization. A strong culture yields a solid belief in the organization's purpose, of each other, and of the client, which produces people willing to give everything they've got joyfully. Additionally, an organization where leaders appreciate and love their people earns them the right to demand high performance.
 
About Biggs and Associates:
Biggs & Associates serves some of the greatest influencers in American business and sports. Their work energizes and equips them to leverage their platforms to impact the world effectively. In addition, they create elite communicators by crafting the perfect messages for the most critical moments. 
Their credits include the Heisman Trophy, the NFL Hall of Fame, and Walter Payton Man of The Year acceptance speeches. Best-in-class communications strategy for Fortune 500 Companies, NFL Hall of Famers, NCAA Champions, ESPN Broadcasters, and top NCAA athletic departments. Executive interview preparation for America's most sought-after and successful coaches and athletic directors. Media training and crisis management for some of the biggest brands in sports and numerous keynotes, shareholder presentations, and high-level public addresses. 
Their founder, Bill Biggs, is a sought-after motivator and trainer with a graduate degree in Psychology from Texas A&M, graduate studies at Harvard Business School, and years of experience on stage and in the boardroom. He's used his unique understanding of what drives communication and human behavior to accelerate performance in media, communications, education, and the corporate world. With leadership roles in pastoral ministry, as Chief Operating Officer of one of the largest law firms in Texas, and as mentor/friend to some of the most talented people in the country, he's devoted his entire professional life to bringing out the excellence in others.
Outline of the Episode:
[00:04] Intro
[01:43] What Bill misses about no longer being a student at A&M.
[03:51] Bill's passion and entrepreneurial journey
[08:18] What is the most crucial thing in an organization?
[12:46] What can a strong culture accomplish?
[13:50] How does culture fit into a business with a product instead of a business?
[16:15] Culture as a critical component for companies
[21:06] BHAG
[24:51] Lightning round
[29:30] Takeaways
 
Resources:
Website:          https://biggsandassociates.com/
AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
 
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw

Good Men, Good Leaders, and Good Citizens of Tomorrow with Dustin Stewart

Howdy, Ags! Today, we have Dustin Stewart '03 of Squad Stx! In this episode, Dustin shares how he translated what he does best into a business that adds value nationally as it provides a training avenue for boys to be better men of tomorrow. So make sure to tune in and enjoy!
Good Men, Good Leaders, and Good Citizens of Tomorrow
Dustin Stewart served our country as an infantry officer and realized his ability of leading men crawling around the woods. So when he got out of the army, he created a company that can be an outlet for boys to be trained in surviving in the woods to develop their character, confidence, and leadership skills. As someone who grew up doing Boy Scout as a kid, he knows that there is a need of this kind of outdoor activity especially in this age of technology. He incorporated Laser Tag guns aside from the usual camping and hiking activities to infuse something he is passionate about.
Dustin believes the key to success is to find something you're an expert in and use that to leverage your business. On the things that you are not, studying and being around people who’ve done it are some of the ways that can help.
About Squad Stx:
Nowadays we live in a cocoon of technology that shields us from real-world life lessons that are vital to success. Squad STX's perspective is that less screen time and more physical, action-oriented programs are essential for young men to become grounded in actual leadership. They use primitive camping and orienteering to promote the classic U. S. Army leadership values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage!
The executive leadership team is a group of U. S. Army buddies with a combined 35 years of active military duty that are passionate about imparting basic but very important leadership lessons often overlooked outside of the military. Squad instructors are cadets or newly commissioned lieutenants from ROTC programs at Texas A&M, University of Texas, and other Texas schools. 
They provide boys hands-on leadership experience and team building skills instead of just talking about them, and they do all this without the trappings of modern camp gear—they use tarps as shelters, not tents. Campers must be motivated to come, because they are not a boot camp for troubled teens, and they don't cancel for rain!
Outline of the Episode:
[00:05] Intro
[01:57] The Campus bonfire
[03:41] The genesis of Squad Stx
[06:48] What makes him successful as an entrepreneur
[09:46] His biggest challenge and how he is overcoming it
[14:37] His BHAG
[16:44] His favorite advice 
[18:40] What gets him out of bed in the morning
Resources:
Website:          https://www.squadstx.com/
AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
 
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://bit.ly/AGH-YouTube

Making WOW Possible in Eye Care with Dr. Matt Greene

Howdy, Ags! Today, we have Dr. Matt Greene '94 of Urban Optics! In this episode, Dr. Greene shares their best practices in the eye care business to give their patients that WOW experience. So make sure to tune in and enjoy!
Making WOW Possible in Eye Care
Driven by his core values and core purpose, which is to make life beautiful for others through his chosen eye care and eye ware niche, Dr. Matt Greene and his team provide unique, passionate, and optimal service to their patients, who are the heart of their practice. The difference in their service can be felt when the patient walks in, and a host greets him. A concierge technician will then accompany the patient to assist in every step, making it easy for the patient to navigate and avail of the needed services. True to his mantra of making life beautiful for others, he sets a time for a team meeting to learn the personal growth goals of his team and assign accountability partners to follow up and motivate each other in achieving the said growth plans.
Dr. Greene also shares the impact of zooming out and looking at the bigger picture when you feel stuck and listing the things one needs to stop doing.
About Urban Optics:
Led by Dr. Matthew Greene, the Urban Optics team has been carefully selected and trained to provide the ideal mix of professionalism and excellent customer service. Their goal is for the patients to be comfortable and ensure they get the help and assistance needed every time they visit the office. 
Knowing how hectic it can be to try and choose an eye care provider, schedule an appointment, and take time to see the eye doctor, they exerted effort to streamline the process by providing all the necessary items for the first online visit. Clients can go to the Online Patient Center to get the forms they need to complete for the initial appointment. For questions and concerns, they can also be reached by phone anytime during business hours.
Outline of the Episode:
[00:00] Intro
[02:03] Reminiscing the fall days on campus
[03:12] The genesis of Urban Optics
[04:30] Urban Optic's focus that sets them apart from their competitors
[06:12] The WOW experience
[08:08] How Dr. Greene came up with providing the WOW experience
[09:23] His and his team's personal growth goals 
[10:41] Biggest challenge
[12:44] Urban Optics BHAG 
[14:15] His life hack 
[14:54] His favorite advice 
[15:35] His superpower
[17:17] What gets him excited every morning
[18:07] How to get in touch with Dr. Greene
[19:48] Entrepreneurs Organization
 
Resources:
Website:          https://www.urban-optics.com/
AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
 
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://bit.ly/AGH-YouTube

A Servant’s Heart, Personal Growth, and Naps with Seth Ott

Howdy, Ags! Today, we have Seth Ott '14 of Ott Insurance Agency! In this episode, Seth shares life hacks that keep him vigorous both in his personal and business life. So make sure to tune in and enjoy!
A Servant's Heart, Personal Growth, and Naps
A man whose superpower is having a servant's heart, Seth is always on the lookout for people who needs help. When he enters a room, he finds ways to provide a solution to problems he sees. This kind of heart is evident in how he deals with his clients, where he loves helping them create a game plan and cut through the noise of all the confusion with all the different policies, to achieve their physical and financial goals. Furthermore, to be able to continue serving people, he keeps working on improving himself by doing a yearly self-review, listening to self-development audiobooks, and applying these learnings in his dealings with other people. Another thing that he does to maintain vitality, he practices quick power naps with Binaural beats. 
Seth also talks about helping small business owners with the insurance they need to protect their livelihood and their loved ones, explaining the risks this insurance entails and defining the value of these insurance products. 
About Ott Insurance Agency:
Ott Insurance Agency is on a mission to help communities protect what matters most and understand precisely how their policy will perform when they need to file a claim.
They evaluate current policies for free and build a custom plan for each client so the client can finally stop stressing about their insurance.
They lay out the facts and show the client exactly where they are protected and where they are vulnerable. The client will finally know what kind of coverage they have. By listening to the client's needs, family, or business, they customize a policy that reduces risk and covers their current blind spots. Once a part of the Ott Insurance family, the client can relax knowing no matter what happens, they are protected.
Outline of the Episode:
[00:00] Intro
[02:05] Things he missed as a student
[02:52] How Seth started with insurance
[04:01] Being a Farmers Insurance Agency owner
[05:12] The most challenging thing he faced and how he hacked it
[06:27] The type of Insurance Seth is handling
[09:18] The changes COVID brought to the industry
[10:53] Insurance advisor vs. insurance agent in this technological age
[12:22] Seth's BHAG
[14:03] Naps and Binaural beats 
[14:58] Seth's favorite advice 
[15:56] Seth's superpower
[16:24] What gets him excited and up every morning
[17:19] How to get in touch with Seth
 
Resources:
Ott Insurance Agency Website: https://ottinsurance.agency/
AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
 
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw