The Leader Mentality
The Leader Mentality
Beyond Billboards: The Power of Social Media Influence
Rob Clemons welcomes digital creator and Myrtle Beach influencer JBL to discuss the power of authentic content creation and community connection in today's business landscape.
• Comparing Myrtle Beach's intimate, family-like community to Atlanta's sprawling metropolis
• Experiencing CCMF (Carolina Country Music Fest) and its impact on local businesses and tourism
• Participating in community events like Polar Plunge for Special Olympics and Dragon Boat races
• Creating content that balances timing and quality—when to post immediately vs. when to polish
• Building authentic relationships with local businesses who trust you to promote their offerings
• Finding content ideas through community groups, invitations, and local happenings
• Understanding platform priorities for 2025: Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube (especially Shorts)
• Overcoming self-doubt through authenticity rather than trying to meet others' expectations
• Learning the importance of sharing experiences and showing the real you in content creation
Whether you're a business owner looking to enhance your digital presence or an aspiring content creator, remember that authenticity and community connection are your greatest assets. As JBL says, "Just start" and be true to yourself—people want to connect with the genuine you, not a persona.
Welcome to the Leader Mentality Show with Rob Clemens. It is a special day in Myrtle Beach, south Carolina. We are recently coming off of the CCMF Festival right here in Myrtle Beach and just so many beautiful things happen in the summer in Myrtle Beach and I got to thinking about meeting a different kind of a guest than we've had recently, because there is something we're going to talk about today that is so critical to all of our businesses, to all of the clubs we're in. If we're in clubs, it might be important to your church. If you go to church, to your sports team, you play sports, and we're talking about digital content and creation In modern times, 2025, a company you know, sure you need to still spend some money on getting your advertising out there. You still need to maybe put up a billboard if that's important to your company, but businesses are made sometimes off of what they're doing online and how creative they are. So today I actually have a digital creator on with me. We're going to talk all about things that you could do to make creative content, how he's going about it. He's also a local influencer in Myrtle Beach and when I say local, I mean you know how it goes. It's all over the country, but Myrtle Beach is his home base and his name is none other than JBL.
Speaker 1:Welcome to the show, my friend. Absolutely Good to meet you. Man, it's good to meet you. You know, we've been around a little bit recently. We have, you know, I used to see your social media posts, so you're already doing good stuff. I didn't really know you and all of a sudden we go out and we're doing some dragon boat together. Yeah, and you have this great vibe about you. You know came up, there's a positivity in you that.
Speaker 1:I think, is important to all leadership, you know for sure. And then zoom forward a little bit. It's social influencer night over at the Greg Rolls Theater. So I got invited and guess what? I see this guy again.
Speaker 2:I'm like dog.
Speaker 1:oh man, he's everywhere and it's ever since then I've been noticing you all over the place. Dude, what kind of stuff have you been up to, man? It seems like you're everywhere.
Speaker 2:Oh, man, I could go into grave detail about that, right, yeah, so yeah, myrtle Beach has just been so good to me and you know it's honestly because I'm originally from Atlanta, georgia, ok, but I don't know Ever since I came to Myrtle Beach I've only been here for about three years, ok, but I've always just kind of had that love for the beach and I kind of come by that honestly.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because.
Speaker 2:I have a family full of beachy people. Ok, so yeah, so ever since I came, if you look, my family's always on vacation at the beach. So I kind of came by that, honestly. So. But these three years in Myrtle Beach, man, it's honestly the sense of community here has. It has just been so amazing, like seeing everybody show up and show out for one another. You know, the community here is really something to be proud of.
Speaker 1:I like that you're saying that, man, because the thing is that, like I said, Myrtle Beach, we have so many people from so many areas, whether you're coming from Atlanta, whether you're coming from up north, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania but when you come down here, there is a sense of community and I feel like every time there's an event, somebody's doing a ribbon cutting or somebody's doing something that's important People just show up to support each other. So that's really cool. I like that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely so you know, and when you, the more you see of it. It's just it really shows, wow. We're like and I was telling somebody too, it's like Myrtle Beach feels like a family. You know it feels like one big family. You know so. You know, and you know, you see that every day. You know with new businesses that open, you know like, even you know when somebody passes away, like if we lose a community member, you know, you see the amount of love and support and the impact. You know so.
Speaker 1:Oh man, that's so true.
Speaker 2:It's honestly a beautiful thing to see.
Speaker 1:Coastal lost one of their influential people recently. They did His name is just escaping my mind, but when he did it was just amazing to see the community outreach and outpouring of support and it was like there's something bigger than just any individual person when you understand the community heartbeat. How was it different here than Atlanta? Tell me what the difference is.
Speaker 2:You know it's kind of funny because, um, when I was in atlanta I didn't I mean I was out a lot but I wasn't I'm not, I wasn't really like involved in like the community per se. As you know, like I am here in myrtle beach, you know myrtle beach is atlanta's. Myrtle beach is so much different from atlanta because, you know, atlanta, atlanta is like a city. Well, first of all of all, Atlanta's like 20 million times bigger.
Speaker 1:Yeah, population wise it's huge.
Speaker 2:Yeah, atlanta is huge, so it's like, you know, it's kind of like a city, whereas Myrtle Beach is a little. It's kind of like we're still in town. Yeah, we're still in town, but it's more like intimate, if you know what I mean. So you know it's easier to get around, um, but it's. But it's funny, dude, I was in Atlanta. I don't think I was really out this much. Oh, okay, I mean I was out, but not like going to everything.
Speaker 2:Right, right, you know like as involved in the community, like too involved, as I am here.
Speaker 1:Too involved. He's like man. What am I doing today? I know you went to CCMF recently. How was the experience there?
Speaker 2:Oh man, ccmf was the most, was one of the most, it was one of the absolute funnest weekends of my life and what's funny is that, um, I you know, like I said, I've never really been a huge country music fan, but you know I like going to stuff for the experience yeah you know.
Speaker 2:So I've seen, you know, photos and videos of CCMF. Everybody's in their cowboy gear and cowboy boots and you know the artists are good. You know there's so many free and fun activities to do. You know my friends, you know you get to be around friends and you get to be around. So that was more so the appeal for me for CCMF. So you know I said I could dress up as a cowboy and you know, go Now I will say that some of the artists that I've seen this year I was kind of like you know already a fan of, like my favorite artists. I have like a top three. Okay, okay, I enjoyed Rascal Flatts he was awesome. Biggie Jelly Roll was absolutely electric. And then you had the Beach Boys that played on Sunday.
Speaker 1:Now even though the Beach Boys is not necessarily my era Right, I was going to say that a little bit. They're not even my era. I'm a lot older than you.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So even though they're not my era, I've grown up on a little bit of their songs, my top three, and they actually performed them at CCMF, which I was actually happy to see, and was John Stamos there with them?
Speaker 1:John Stamos was there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he was there along with Uncle Jesse.
Speaker 1:There you go, uncle Jesse.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it was radical seeing them and then. But the three songs that I really like by them is the Good Vibrations they had Surfing USA. They did that one, of course, yep. And then they did Barbara Ann, which I think is like I've really grown to like that one you want to talk about legendary music man that came down.
Speaker 1:Well, the coolest thing about CCMF is that that's exactly what it's about, you know. It's like I don't think anybody looks at the Beach Boys and says, oh well, here's a country music act. Yeah, nobody says that, yeah you know, and nor Kid Rock was there. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Kid Rock was there.
Speaker 1:He's not what most people call true country, yeah, but they're out there and, number one, you are getting to experience things that you haven't maybe been to a country music festival for yeah. And then you're hearing all these cool things and people are experiencing I like what you said things they never experienced before. Right, exactly, it's a crazy crowd. I saw the drone shots on some of the social media yeah, there's drones up there.
Speaker 2:It's crazy yeah, and you really see, like the malco ccmf is pretty popular here in myrtle beach it sells out every year.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, you really see, because they just had 10 years of ccmf and I wasn't even here for 10 years. Right, right, they started doing this 2015. Yeah, so, and you know, it's always good seeing an event grow year after year, and I heard ccmf is like really good for businesses because it's when everybody shows up, not even just locals, people from out of town come here every year. There's people I've seen people with general admission badges from every year, yeah, from every year. People are like loyal ccmfers. So you know, and it was.
Speaker 2:You know, I'm always open you, ever since I've been to Myrtle Beach, you know, I've always. You know, because people say you're everywhere, dude, you're at everything, you are. Yeah, you know. So I feel like um, and also to be honest with you, and ccmf was also one of those things. It's like you kind of do just to say you did, you know, but it's fun though, you know and um. Another thing I was going to say was I feel like you can't truly say you've been everywhere in myrtle beach if you have not been to ccmf I think.
Speaker 1:I think that's fair man, you got to get out and try it at least once. Yeah, um, you know, the thing is is it's a commitment of time? Yeah, you know, when you go it's tons of crowds. You've got to find the parking and all that, yes, but boy, it is unlike anything else. All right, so let's go past the CCMF. Yeah, that was a super cool thing. You probably go back next year, I'm guessing. Oh yeah, what else have you done? That's kind of cool lately, anything that you'd say. Man, that was also really cool.
Speaker 2:Oh man, that question is always hard because I literally do so much cool stuff it's hard to pinpoint. Well, actually, something just came off the top of my head. Yeah, now, this year I did something. I did the Polar plunge this year. So you know that's Special Olympics of South Carolina does that, and you know I always think it's fun to. You know, do stuff for a good cause.
Speaker 1:You know, when you did the polar plunge, did it like they're supposed to be supposed to make you feel good? Did you feel good or be honest? Actually, no, it was pretty exciting.
Speaker 2:It was pretty exciting to do it because you know I always say it's fun to do things for a good cause. So you know Special Olympics of South Carolina. You know they want to raise money for. You know people that you know that may be a little I'm trying to find the right word. You know like disabled kids, you know you know, they still have dreams.
Speaker 2:They want to. You know they want to follow. So you know I feel like. You know, by us doing that it helps us to. You know, raise, not only raise money for them, but you know it gives them opportunities to. You know, do things. So when I did the polar plunge, it was I had never.
Speaker 2:First I was a little nervous at first because you know, I know what the polar plunge entails. You know, you know it's hundreds of people out there, you run into cold water. But what was funny about that was it wasn't. It was pretty warm that day when we did it and the water was I want to say it was about 45 degrees oh man, that's no polar plus, that's like a sauna yeah, well, the water was still pretty cold, no, but yeah, it was honestly fun, you know saying running in with all.
Speaker 2:There's a video on my youtube channel you know, we're all hundreds of people running in to the water at the same time. Everyone's excited. Everybody is. I actually have a polar plunge shirt at home. It says freezing for a reason a freezing for a reason I like it well you know we talked about leadership earlier.
Speaker 1:I said you know, leadership, there's that altruism side it's like what are we doing for others to lift others up? Absolutely so when. So, when you said what you just said, I do believe we always need to everything we do, I believe we need to come back and say what am I doing for everybody else? Yeah, exactly, you know what I mean Like if I just found a way to make a billion dollars this year. If it's all for my good, what good is it?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, what good is it? Yeah, so you want to kind?
Speaker 1:of make sure you're doing the right things for people and helping people out.
Speaker 2:I like it. I like it Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Well, dude, we got a lot to talk about. Man, we did Dragon Boat this year, like I said that was absolutely fun.
Speaker 2:It was craziness man. That was fun. Raised a lot of money, got a little workout in.
Speaker 1:Yeah for sure. I feel like I saw you doing a fun run or something.
Speaker 2:Yes, I did Ed's Hurricane Hustle.
Speaker 1:Ed's Hurricane. Shout out Ed Piotrowski. Shout out, Ed Piotrowski. Yep.
Speaker 2:What a goal. Yeah, and that was what's so funny is that that was my second 5K that I did. Yeah, Because I did the Myrtle Beach 5K Marathon in October. Okay, okay and Are you a runner Are you a runner by trade? No, not, I'm not necessarily a runner.
Speaker 1:But you know I'll be clear.
Speaker 2:I'm saying I know you can run, but I'm saying like, hey, man, let's go do a 5k for the fun of it yeah, I mean, like I say, you know you just always do, but um, yeah, that was my first time um, because I walk a lot you know I'm pretty active as far as, like you know, walking, getting my exercise. So I kind of figured a 5k would be nothing for me. And it's's so funny my mom whenever I go to do these things she's still a mama bear at the end of the day.
Speaker 2:So she always is like Jane, are you going to be okay doing?
Speaker 1:that.
Speaker 2:Even with polar plunge and stuff, she's like what?
Speaker 1:That's cold water You're not going to get any heat. Was she here or did she call you? Was she actually here during the run?
Speaker 2:Oh, no, no, I tell her about these things before I do them. Make sure you eat your carbs tonight, mom's never changed, dude.
Speaker 1:Even when you get older, she's still going to be doing that.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, she's still going to make sure you're good, absolutely.
Speaker 1:That's mama at the end of the day.
Speaker 2:I love her. She always wants to make sure I'm all right when I'm doing these things, because she's like I know you're out a lot, so just make you you know, stay safe out there, stay safe and ahead of yeah for sure.
Speaker 1:Well, dude, I'll tell you what. Look, let's, let's get into a little bit about your background, because I feel like a lot of what you're doing that's relevant for people to know where you came from.
Speaker 2:So yeah, we have so many great local influencers here. Um, I want to shout out a few of them. We have rebecca logan brown, we have, uh, jenny fitzpatrick. We have retro myrtle beach guy um, we have. We also have one by the name of mj myrtle beach. We have myrtle beach foodie babe, which is amy everhart. We have bob's restaurant review and we just there's so many of us here. So I feel like and that's another thing too is like, you know, through doing this stuff, you find like-minded people that are trying to get the same message out there like no, myrtle beach is great, like here's what it has to offer. Yeah, so I feel like all of us banding together and, you know, coming into one space and, you know, I feel like it also helps to get the message out there and it also helps to show people hey, you know, because I've had people comment on my stuff before you you know they say, oh well, this looks nice, I got to go check this out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it's the same thing for them.
Speaker 2:So it's like you know, you know, and I feel like that's what influencing is supposed to be, that's what influencing is?
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that's kind of what I'm getting at. You know we talk about. What does it even mean At its base level? You're trying to create an inspiration. You're trying to create an excitement and enthusiasm about something that people may not know about. Because if all you're doing is hyping things that everybody knows about. Well, who cares? I can sit here and be like you guys should check out NFL football, and here's why it's like well, everybody knows about NFL football, but when you talk about Myrtle Beach, but not even just Myrtle Beach.
Speaker 1:you start drilling down and you're like, hey, I did this, the heads run and you did the dragon boat. People start saying, hey, I want to try that. Yeah, and I always find it weird. I've heard that thing too, where sometimes people say there's nothing doing.
Speaker 2:Myrtle Beach.
Speaker 1:I'm like have you been to Blyville, arkansas? Now there's where I'm an Air.
Speaker 2:Force kid growing up.
Speaker 1:I've been some places where there's nothing going on.
Speaker 2:But we've got plenty right. There's plenty going on here.
Speaker 1:You know Well, tell me this. So you have to make a lot of content when you're a creator and this is where I like to get into talking about those people who are listening today and it's a challenge, I think, every good marketing person. Sometimes you're thinking what am I going to do for content? Yeah, yeah, and it's a lot of pressure on you because, as a creator, that's all you do, right? What do you do to come up with these ideas? Like, how do you do it, man?
Speaker 2:Um, and that's actually a great question. Um, sometimes, you know, and I and I've actually gotten this question before because, um, all the events that I go to and that I cover, they're like, well, how did you find out about that? Or like, what's like your, you know, how do you come up with these ideas? Yeah, and I'm like, well, you know, I've always I search for things sometimes or something, because I'm a part of a lot of myrtle beach groups. Oh yeah, so sometimes I'll see a lot of events, you know, going on here, going on here. So sometimes, and being that there's so much going on, you can't necessarily get to everything right so that's another thing.
Speaker 2:It's like you have to really pinpoint. You know what exactly you want to cover that day. So like say, for instance, sun fun festivals going on that day. But then you got fireworks that brought way this day and then you got a concert here this day. Now sometimes I can make it to. You know it's harder, but you know, sometimes I can go to two events and one day and say, well, hey, this is going on, and then this is going yeah, I mean that cameo appearance, click, click and then get out of there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so but yeah, it's mainly through um, and sometimes I even throw this out there sometimes, um, I, um, I get invited you know what I'm saying To go and, uh, cover things like um, it was a little before CCMF Um, I've gotten invited. There's a local attraction here, it's called hop on adventures and, um, the guy that runs it is actually he's actually, he works at grand strand brewing but he goes by the name of jam Harrison and he actually reached out to me and he was like hey, jay, we need like some um, you know, would you be down to come? And you know, cover the bus for us for Sunday, cause they have, you know. So he was like you know we can let you on, you know you can show your audience what it's like, you know, cause we need help promoting it.
Speaker 2:So sometimes businesses will reach out and say, hey, we're doing a soft opening here, you know, um, another, there's a, there's a couple that I've gotten and there was another one, um, for the national house of pancakes. They reached out. They were like hey, you know we're small, you know we've been here for 50 years. You know we would like for you to come and you know, cover it. You know, come and come and, yeah, so you know, national House of Pancakes getting at you now. Yeah, so I was about to say the videos, you know, and stuff, more people are starting to see them because you know, the more you get up there, people start. And also Another thing that shows that you're trusted. You know people trust you, you know, to get the word out there. So I feel like when you get invited to things you know, people are like, well, hey, he does this, you know. Well, we trust him to get the word out there.
Speaker 1:Oh man, hey, look, you know. So you know. Something you just said I think is like one of the pro tips that comes from the show today If you want to be an influencer, if you want to be out there when you get your opportunities, you do have to promote it. I believe in that heavily because there's nothing less inspiring to a business than saying hey, why don't you come on my event and somebody doesn't talk about it at all.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they don't talk about it and always know the good guest on the show, because I bring guests on the show because I believe that you might have a brand of leadership. It's not like leadership like you're always a manager, I mean like you're leading the way at what you're doing and I'm amazed by sometimes. You know we'll do all these cool clips and everything and some people just they don't even talk about they were on the show. There's like an inherent responsibility when you're invited to kind of be like yeah this is something I'm doing.
Speaker 2:I'm out there and you do a great job with it. So I do think you got to be.
Speaker 1:People have to trust that you're going to get the word out and that's something that's key man Dude, I love that. Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 2:Exactly. So yeah, and that definitely, and plus it gets you, it gets you more opportunities as well, you know. So I feel like you know and I'll even throw this out there I've only been doing this for like a year, so you know, I'm still, you know you still Getting in your groove, yeah, yeah, I'm still getting in the groove, still learning some things, but the experience is fun, you know, and I tell people and people even ask me like how do I start?
Speaker 2:You know, I had one guy ask me like how do I start a YouTube channel?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And I tell start man, yeah, because put it out there. You just put it out there because you know people. Sometimes people think you gotta have this big old game plan, like okay, so I'm gonna make this and then I'm gonna introduce it with that and, dude, it's really not, you know, it's not that serious you know because literally me the way I got my start, dude.
Speaker 2:I just uploaded, like the way I started my youtube channel. I just uploaded a video from July 4th. Right, right, right. It's just me walking around the beach filming the crowd, filming the fireworks, and that's literally how I started All right.
Speaker 1:So pro tip number two just get some. Get the experiences out there on the film. You know, look, we've all been there, like my wife and I. We go to a place called Universal Studios. I love that place.
Speaker 2:I love the way I said it, like nobody would know what I was talking about.
Speaker 1:It's a place called Universal. But, dude, it's so cool and they got Halloween, horror Nights and stuff. And sometimes, when we're just thinking about going back there, you know you're on YouTube or you're on Instagram and you see somebody pop up something where they could be doing something as simple as walking through a line and you're like well, I want to watch that. I just want to get immersed in it.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Just show the experiences online Dude.
Speaker 2:I love it. Pro tip number two right there already. Exactly yes.
Speaker 1:Let me ask you about this and this is my thoughts. Have you found that your posts are more successful based on the time of day? Because the content's got to be good, we always know that yeah, yeah but are you careful about when you're posting, to make sure that you're giving yourself the max success, or you're not worried about all that?
Speaker 2:I worry about it not all the time, because you know I tell people content takes time to post and my people will tell you that too. Like you can't always, you know. Especially so I feel like sometimes the timeframe is important, you know. That way it's fresh on people's mind.
Speaker 2:Like for example you know like's, like, for example, um, there was one video that I did about I filmed that food truck fest. Okay, there was one. You know, I kind of try to get um with that and I actually was um, what's the word? Um, I was invited to do that as well. So with food truck fest, with that particular content, you know it's a three day event, so what I'll do with my content sometimes is most of the time it's story posts. So, like for food truck fest, I want to make sure that I get at least day one out the same day so that people can see, you know, hey, you got two more days to know experience this. And with CCMF I kind of did the same thing, except it was more so story posts, like I show people, hey, this is what day one was like you still got three more days.
Speaker 2:Now I'm going to show you what day two is like. I'm going to show you what day three is like. So I kind of try to give people sometimes in real time you know what something is like. But now, with content like food truck fest, I just want to you know what something is like, but now, with content like food truck fest, I just want to you know. Show people what day one is like. Slap a video together and say boom, here's what day one's like. You got three more days to come out.
Speaker 1:I think that's important. You know, I think there is a timing game. It's very important in it. You know, when I do my CCMF special which we're just coming off of I usually try to get something out during the day. Now that thing during the day because it's done quickly. That can't be the most polished version of it.
Speaker 2:So that thing you did that day.
Speaker 1:It might be more raw and in the moment, but sometimes those are the better viewed stuff to your point. But then at the end of it I like to do kind of a summary thing where we'll put it all together and put it together. So there, there's a time and place for both, but you have to know which one's which right. Are you a fan of going live more, or do you try to just do it? Uh, post stuff after the fact um, what's funny is that?
Speaker 2:um, I do I do a lot of after the fact posts, you know, because I'll film and I do, and that's something I was thinking about, you know, maybe because I haven't went live on my YouTube before or on my Instagram, but I've been thinking about doing it because, you know, with live and that's.
Speaker 2:But live is kind of something that I do with my story posts. Yeah, now YouTube videos are a different ballgame because, you know, you know, of course you have to film it, you have to edit it up, you know, and something you know that takes time. So, you know, and it's really just about, you know, trying to get it, like I said, when it's fresh on people's mind. But with the whole live thing, I mainly do it with my story posts okay, so that you can kind of see, you know, what's going on in that moment. Yeah, but as far as like youtube and videos like that, or even like after movies, because I do a lot of recaps, yeah, on my, on my page too, so it's like now on instagram, you're gonna get maybe like the quick version, you know, maybe like a minute recap of like the most important stuff and then on youtube you may get a longer version.
Speaker 2:You know where I'm talking and I'm walking around saying, hey, we're at myrtle beach classic arrest. You know so, with youtube, it may take a little while, but I do try to get like recaps and stuff out. You know so, with youtube, it may take a little while, but I do try to get like recaps and stuff out. You know, like, I said, within the time frame, if possible. Now, youtube videos it's not always promised, yeah, and I think and I was joking about this with somebody I think I make a lot of extra. I make a lot of extra work on myself, if I'm being honest with you, because you know I do a lot of stuff every day so it's like.
Speaker 1:It seems like I'm always out. So, yeah, you probably get a lot of stuff that never even makes it out yeah, I still have videos that haven't made it on my youtube yet that I'm still editing to this day.
Speaker 2:So it's like I'll go out. Okay, I'll be at this event one day, like I'm at sun fun festival this day, or I'm at bike week this day. Then the next day it's like well, there, there's this going on. You might want to go check that out. I'm like, okay, well, I'm going to go check that out too.
Speaker 2:Or hey, such and such invited you to come and cover this so it's like all these videos end up piling up and it's like you know it becomes a full-time job after a while, but it's honestly, but it's honestly fun. You know what I'm saying. And, um, you know and that's something that I was always encouraged to do they say you know, find something. My dad always used to tell me find something that you love to do. And you know, everything's a building block. You know what I mean.
Speaker 1:So well you're you're, you're young into it, but you know you do find a passion for it. It is important to find something you enjoy, because if you don't have a passion for what you're doing and this is something I learned early in life I find these jobs I make a lot of money doing, but I really didn't like the job, and so when you don't have a passion for something, what happens is the first time you run into some roadblocks, which you will in every career, no matter what you're doing. I always love telling sports stories where a player had a failure and they felt like man, this is tough, but they have a passion to keep getting better, rather than saying I'm quitting, I don't want to do this anymore.
Speaker 2:I don't want to do it anymore. Exactly.
Speaker 1:So I think that's a powerful thing. Let me kind of get to. We got a few minutes left, so I want to get to some questions, maybe about social media, maybe about you. When you're going to high school, would you say you were outgoing, or are you more shy, oh man?
Speaker 2:I was about to say that.
Speaker 1:We're getting to the good part now.
Speaker 2:So when I was in high school, oh man, and this was when I was still living in Atlanta. So I always tell people, myrtle.
Speaker 2:Beach did something to me, and I'll tell you what I mean by that, because when I was in high school I was very kind of in the back. Yeah, you know I didn't really interact with a lot of people. You know the confidence I because I dealt with a lot of confidence issues you know kind of growing up about. So you know I didn't really feel like I related to anybody. You know, because everybody was into, because I wasn't the kind of kid that was into like TikTok and trap music. You know all the newer stuff, all the new dances, and when I trained I wasn't a trendy kind of guy. Okay, you know, I kind of stayed. I was. I was an old. I'm an old soul still to this day, but I was an old soul all my life. You're a Beach Boys fan, for god's sake.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm playing. That was a callback, that was funny, but yeah.
Speaker 2:So I didn't really feel like, you know, I could really relate, Because I'm like nobody, you know. I felt like I was boring to people, Plus, you know, getting picked on throughout school, you know for, Because, you know, a lot of times when you're different, you know People yeah.
Speaker 2:People tend to think something's wrong with you or they tend to think that you know you're just this lame guy. So you know, I'm not even going to lie to you. You know some of that, you know. It kind of got to my head a little bit because I'm like well, what if I am lame? You know what if I am man? I hear you, yeah, yeah. So that's part of the reason why I never really was like you know out there.
Speaker 2:You know, cause I was different, I got picked on a lot throughout school, so, um, so I kind of had to learn over the years to be comfortable, you know, be be proud of who I am, cause I used to tell even my parents I used to say, well, I don't feel like I can relate to anybody, like I don't feel like anybody's into what I'm into, I feel like a lame guy. You know I'm not into it. And they're just like, and you know, people used to always tell me well, you mean something to somebody, somebody's going to like who you are, and I used to always be like no, no, I don't think so.
Speaker 1:Because nobody. I mean, I felt like I was a boring guy. Man, high school can be tough on your emotions, you know too.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it can be.
Speaker 1:Like you're at trying to grow up and find out who you are and you got that adversity coming at you. Absolutely yeah, I understand yeah.
Speaker 2:So yeah, you know, and I always say that the road is different for certain people so yeah, high school, I mean don't get me wrong you know I was still very likable People. Still, you know, I still had friends.
Speaker 1:Oh, you had your clinic, but it just was it.
Speaker 2:But it just, you know ear can kind of you know, get to you and then you know tell you, you know, well, you're nobody's gonna like you. You know what I mean nobody's gonna. People are gonna think you're like you know a lot of you know. You kind of let that stuff get to your head sometimes. So I would say but it's just crazy, because I see the drastic difference from after the three years that I've been here in myrtle beach. Now it's like Myrtle Beach, now it's like you see me everywhere.
Speaker 2:Yeah Now it's like every you know. So it's like I felt like when I came here, you know, being that, it started off with just like a love for the beach and just kind of you know, cause when I, when I moved here, you know, I was just like bopping up and down the beach, you know, I started to learn, and I also had to tell myself, too. I had to look myself in the mirror one day, you know, and I had to be like now, jaden, I was like, you know, it's kind of like a conversation with just you and yourself, you know, and I was like now, I want you to look me in the eye and I want you to. I want you to think about this question when have you ever had to switch up who you were, anybody that's ever liked you? When have you ever had to switch up anything about yourself? And I had to think about that because, like I said, though, you know, I thought I was a lame guy, but they were like no, I want you to really think about it. When have you ever not acted like yourself?
Speaker 2:And I was like, and I thought long and hard about it. I was like you know what you are, and I looked myself. You are absolutely right. Hmm, you're right. So then that's kind of where the epiphany came. It was like you know what I am. You know people do like like me for who I am. I don't have to be like this image. You know that. You know I don't have to be like this image. You know that. You know I don't have to be what people necessarily like think I should be like.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know because.
Speaker 2:I tell people all the time and now I'm trying to tell people that, like, just be yourself, because when you try to be somebody else, you know it's not. People are liking a fake version of you. Yeah, you know they're not falling in love with the genuine version of you or who you are. Yeah, because the character that you're playing as is not you Exactly. You're just trying to please these people that you know like that so-called quote-unquote version of you. But if they don't appreciate you for who you are, then they're not really your friend.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely yeah. So well, I feel what you're laying down. I mean, I think one thing and um, dude, that that's, that's really cool stuff. Uh, reason I say it's cool is I feel like that's your pro tip number four of the day, um, and that is be authentic in what you're doing. Um, my message to to kids would be and again, I'm, I'm older now but I was a kid at one point and I'm not as old as some of the other people that are out there, right, you know three ladies at their own stage.
Speaker 1:But that would be my message. We're all at our own stages and there's. You know, we always hear that thing about the kids who are like really super cool in school and they only go anywhere in life, and then some people are just at a stage or a phase that it may not be even the phase for them.
Speaker 1:Maybe as you're being authentic to yourself. Your stage is going to hit a few years later. So always have hope. And if there's somebody sitting out there listening today that has depression, self-doubt, things like that, that's what the leader mentality is about. It's about that, when you have that inner ability to keep proceeding and thriving, even when it feels like maybe everybody's not with you. Yeah, exactly, because in this world we have lots of more people like us than we think. Yes, so the fact that you're able to kind of come through and share that story where you're having those doubts, but you said, hey, you were always true to yourself. You're always authentic. Yes, people who like you, like you. Now, the message is you need to find more people who are feeling your message, and that's kind of what you're doing now, man. So I'm going to recap a couple of those social media and your favorite not the ones you think are the most important to post on.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because there's a lot of business owners out here right now who we know. We still got to be posted on Facebook, absolutely. Most of our buyers are on Facebook, but I'm talking about you, a young guy. What are your top three social media, in order?
Speaker 2:Okay, so top three would media, in order Top Okay, so top three would be Okay.
Speaker 1:So Instagram Is one Is one.
Speaker 2:TikTok and YouTube.
Speaker 1:Okay, yeah, bro, I love a simple answer because the reason I'm asking that question is look, if you're out there today and we're trying to give you guys some tips on how to do your social media, how to get ahead, first of all, we need to know what people are really interested in. Oh yeah, you know, if I'm trying to hit up the baby boomers, that's cool. Let's be on Facebook.
Speaker 2:Let's get that done.
Speaker 1:Yeah, older Gen Xers yeah, let's be on Facebook, and those are some of the best buyers out there right now. You need to listen to that, because what you just said is pretty straight up Instagram TikTok YouTube YouTube's still a king. Yeah, exactly We've got to be looking at that YouTube Shorts. I think people need to be more on top of that.
Speaker 2:Yes, YouTube Shorts.
Speaker 1:Because you post a full YouTube video and then you post a short and you look at your views and they're up there Shorts, right there Shorts get the most views. Yes, that's some good pro tips, Jay, what I got from you today. You had some things I wrote down. You talked about sharing the experience. You listen out there. You want to make a good social media content.
Speaker 2:Share the experience.
Speaker 1:Let the emotion come through in the video. I love that you said that Be time sensitive, Sometimes in the heat of the moment we're very busy and you've got this video that you shot and it's like I'll post it tomorrow, I'll post it three days.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, shoot it in the moment. Get the time sensitivity, which ties back to the experience you said uh, you're making connections locally. I think that's a beautiful thing for you to do. Oh, yeah, if you're out there in business and you're trying to establish your social media presence, hook up with other people who are already doing it on social media.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1:That's part of the reason this guy and I got to know each other. We're both running some circles and then be authentic. Don't try to copy Nike. More importantly, don't try to copy the other company that does what you do.
Speaker 2:Yes, exactly that is a killer to me, man.
Speaker 1:I think being authentic and showing who you are, because then you'll attract your real clients Absolutely. When they finally meet you from that cool social media video. You are you Exactly. That's my biggest fear, like you know you come out, you're faking who you are and they meet you in real life and they're like, oh, he's different.
Speaker 2:Like that's not what we meant. No, that's not what we thought, that's not what we remembered, Right?
Speaker 1:right, jb Ill man, I've enjoyed having you on. Tell people how they can find you on social media and everywhere.
Speaker 2:Absolutely so. You guys can find me on YouTube. I am J the Myrtle Beach Encyclopedia and I am also JB Ill on Instagram.
Speaker 1:Oh man, Very good. Well, hey, thank you for being on the show. Absolutely Thanks for having me. I know we'll see you around in Myrtle Beach and elsewhere and look, if you guys are listening today. We're always just trying to give you some good ideas for how you can inspire somebody else to be your best self and really, at the end of the day, use these tips because sometimes they feel obvious, but if they're so obvious, more people will be doing them Exactly so get out there and make a difference.
Speaker 1:We do want to thank our sponsors Carolina-Based Real Estate and Construction. Thank you to all of our friends out there, social media, greg Rolls, legacy Theater always Thank you guys for your support Absolutely, and we will see you all next time on the Leader Mentality Show with Rob Clemens Yep.
