The Quarterback DadCast
I’m Casey Jacox, the host of the Quarterback Dadcast. As fathers, we want to help prepare our kids—not only to enter the professional world but to thrive in each stage of their lives. Guests of this show include teachers, coaches, professional athletes, consultants, business owners, authors—and stay-at-home dads. Just like you! They share openly about failure, success, laughter, and even sadness so that we can all learn from each other—as we strive to become the best leaders of our homes! You will learn each week, and I am confident you will leave each episode with actionable tasks that you can apply to your life to become that ultimate Quarterback and leader of your household. Together, we will learn from the successes and failures of dads who are doing their best every day. So, sit back, relax and subscribe now to receive each episode weekly on The Quarterback Dadcast.
The Quarterback DadCast
Balancing Fatherhood and Entrepreneurship: Insights from Jeff Staats
Imagine juggling fatherhood with the demands of entrepreneurship. It's hard and that is exactly what Jeff Staats, of Forest City Digital and MarketingQB, does daily, and he shares his insights with us on the ups and downs he faces.
From heartfelt stories about his three sons to lighthearted moments about bald heads and family mascots, Jeff opens up about what it truly means to be a dad. We reminisce about the joys and trials of raising kids while balancing a career, all wrapped up in a mix of humor and gratitude. This episode brings heartfelt discussions on the trials and triumphs of parenting in today's world.
Jeff shares personal insights on the importance of accountability, vulnerability, and open communication with his children, urging dads to foster their kids' growth while balancing their own expectations.
Additionally, we covered:
• Insights on allowing children to forge their paths
• Importance of gratitude in family life
• The value of owning up to mistakes
• Encouraging direct communication and honesty
• Emphasizing effort over perfection
• Nurturing curiosity in parenting
Our call to action: "Join us in fostering authentic conversations within our homes. Share your stories, and let's learn together!"
Please don't forget to leave us a review wherever you consume your podcasts! Please help us get more dads to listen weekly and become the ultimate leader of their homes!
Hi, I'm Riley and I'm Ryder, and this is my dad show.
Speaker 2:Hey everybody, it's Casey Jaycox with the quarterback dad cast. Welcome to season six, and I could not be more excited to have you join me for another year of fantastic episodes and conversations really unscripted and raw and authentic conversations with dads. If you're new to this podcast, really it's simple. It's a podcast where we interview dads, we learn about how they were raised, we learn about the life lessons that were important to them, we learn about the values that are important to them and really we learn about how we can work hard to become a better quarterback or leader of our home. So let's sit back, relax and listen to today's episode on the Quarterback Dadcast.
Speaker 2:Well, hey everybody, it is Casey Jaycox with the Quarterback Dadcast. We're in season six. You can see me on YouTube now thanks to my boy, ishmeet, who got us going here. We got some marketing clips. We're actually legit. We're not just on Spotify and Apple, but we're now you can see a couple of bald dudes, which is going to be fun and our next guest. I actually connected with him like about a year ago, and then we reconnected. We have a lot of similar connections in common, being living in the wild world of staffing His name is Jeff Statz.
Speaker 2:He is the founder of Forest City Digital. He's the founder of Command Marketing, qb Marketing QB. We'll learn more about that. He's a Blue Streak or or lobo, I'm not sure. We're gonna learn more about that. He does not have his bernie kozar jersey on, like I really was expecting. He might be in the dog pound. I'm not sure that either, but that has nothing to do with why we're having him on. We're going to talk to jeff the dad, and we're going to learn all about how he is working hard to become the ultimate quarterback or leader of his house. So, without further ado, mr Stats, welcome to the Quarterback Dadcast.
Speaker 1:Thank you, Casey, Appreciate it man. Yeah, it's like between two bald dudes, Like that's going to be the thing. But yeah, you're freshly shaven man. I am not Like I still. There's still some shine here, so it's okay, Do you?
Speaker 2:bickering.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, how many I'm like. Every two days now I am, I, you know, I'm close to like every four days. It was like every two weeks and then, like it's funny, like now I'm like man, this looks long, like oh my God, I think it's going to cover my eyes, Like, and I start feeling it. It's like you know it's over there. I'm like, oh my God, Like it's, it's too long I got to go do it.
Speaker 2:You're going to have to start using moose on that.
Speaker 1:I know, I know it's going to be sweet.
Speaker 2:All right, well, joking aside, I think I heard you with LJ and Rob and Leslie Kardak or Jeff, we were doing the you own the experience podcast.
Speaker 1:We usually do like an annual marketing predictions for staffing and I think we've done that like three years in a row or something like that. Yeah, Love it.
Speaker 2:It's always good. I'm excited to learn more about you. I appreciate you making time with us today. I always, we always start each episode with gratitude, so tell me, what are you most grateful for as a dad today?
Speaker 1:I'm grateful for you know, I have three boys and I'm 16, 14 and nine, and I'm a type a person and so like I control everything. Like when I was growing up I controlled, like I was talking to the guidance counselors. My parents didn't know what was going on, like I was controlling I'm going to this college and all this other stuff. So like I expect that and I know most kids, especially kids this generation, they don't even know how to turn a toaster on or do anything, and it's it's especially with two kids in high school. It's been really awesome to see their journey and like they're becoming like adults, ish.
Speaker 1:And I'm like, and it's like honestly I remember just having that thought the last couple weeks I'm like, oh my god, these, you know the ones driving and it's just, it's been really great just to see them navigate life. And it's hard for me because I want to navigate everything for them and tell them exactly what to do and quarterback, you know, their life. But like it's really cool, like just to see all of that. And it's this, this first semester where my, my freshman, you know he came in. So two of them are at the same high school. They're interacting, they hate each other, but they love each other. It's really cool to see them just navigating this awkward teenage years.
Speaker 2:Love it, man. I remember when my kids were at 16 and 14. Now I have 18 and 16. That's just a couple years ahead of you. It's going fast, man, as you probably well aware. And what I'm grateful for is we're recording everybody in December. This episode will come out early in 2025. But what I'm grateful for is just the noise in the house again. I love having my son home from college, and my daughters were right in the middle of high school basketball, so I'm grateful for her to be able to watch her compete and play, and. But it's just fun having both kids here when they are here. But it's because I know, come like three years from now, he'll be back to college and be like hey, where's my dude? Right, right.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:I will warn you when they go off to college. I don't know if you have buddies who have kids in college, yet that first week is awful. That's what I heard.
Speaker 1:I've got some friends that have like now they've got like freshmen in college and it's funny they talk about they're like I cannot wait till they're you know, till they're gone, I can do whatever they want and it's. I can't remember the one movie where, like the why the guys are this there they're like I don't know what to do. Should go to applebee's or something like I don't you know, and yeah, I could see where it's. Like you know, oh, my goodness, like now, what do I do?
Speaker 2:like I'm sad I don't have like those random conversations like oh, well, he was my sports dude, so, like watching, we're like hockey fans. Now, like for the krakens, we watch crack, all the kraken games. Oh yeah, games, seah, it's like. But what's crazy? He's got me into Snapchat, which I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd have Snapchat. I'm like bro, I'm 48. What do I need to be on Snapchat for? But like we got to, I don't know what a Snapstreak is. Now, jeff, I got like 100.
Speaker 1:Holy crap.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Look at me dude, not mess around.
Speaker 1:I don't even get on social media Like. I've got Facebook cause I have to, and it's usually for asking for donations and and raffle tickets for my kids' sports teams. And then I have like LinkedIn cause I'm all over LinkedIn and you got to practice what you preach, but I don't have anything else. And I'm like and people are like, are you kidding me? And I'm like, yeah, I don't know. They talk about Snapchat. I'm like, oh, I just snapped him and he's going to go pick me up. I'm like, what the hell does that mean?
Speaker 2:Like I don't even know what that means. It's crazy. So the only reason I well, two reasons. I got on Snapchat A, my son taught me, but I interviewed a dad who had kids to go to college and I told him I was worried about that. He's like you want to stay in touch with your kids? I'm like getting on Snapchat. It's like right, didn't you say you want to stay close? I'm like all right. So I kind of like wasn't sure if he's telling me the truth. So I he will respond back to a snap quicker than a text.
Speaker 1:Yeah, honestly, I felt that like I was texting. I was texting my son like one time to pick him up he was at a baseball training, and I'm texting him like I'm, I'm outside, I and I'm texting him like I'm outside, I'm here, I'm here. And then he gets in the car and he's like I don't check texts, like why didn't you snap me? I'm like, oh, is that another thing? Like I don't know how to get into that. I'm the curmudgeon old guy. I'm like I don't know. You figure it out. Here's the phone. Figure it out, you can be my snap coach.
Speaker 2:We'll start like a that's a new LinkedIn group. Dude, Snap for that. That's it.
Speaker 1:That's it. You can be snap coach, snap therapy, snap coach. Oh, Jesus, oh man, you can have a whole business on navigating dads in Snapchat.
Speaker 2:I'm going to get a. I'm talking to my lawyer tonight. I'm going to get this in. Actually, I probably just got sued by Snapchat. Hey, you're getting free marketing on Snapchat.
Speaker 1:Snap certified. Right, I'll go through a training program to get Snap certified. You can handle all the material I almost snorted right there everybody.
Speaker 2:It got blocked somehow.
Speaker 1:Well, I got your new revenue stream, so give me a little bit of cut, just 10%, that's it You're going to market it for me.
Speaker 2:We 100%. That's it. You're going to mark it up for me. We're going to use force.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, snap coach, I'll be the before and after.
Speaker 2:That's so good. Okay, well, bring me. So we got a 16, 14 and nine. I want to hear how you and your wife met, and I want to hear a little bit about what each boy's up to.
Speaker 1:Okay, all right, so yeah, so my wife and I met in college. So we went to a small liberal arts college right by in Cleveland, right by the airport, hopkins International Airport, but it's like literally two miles away. We were going there, I was, I was a year or a year older in school and it was funny. Small school, twenty eight hundred students, maybe twelve hundred, live on campus and never talked to her in college, like for the three years that we actually were like crossed over, never talked to her. I think she yelled at me once for something like I it was. It was some some sort of drama or something like that, but she didn't know who I was, I didn't know who she was. And then I was actually when I graduated I went back to school to visit a friend of mine, cause she's like hey, I'm you know, would you want to come back and visit? I'm like sure, whatever, and my wife was her roommate and so it was funny, like it was, this was September, I think or something, and I I don't know what I mean, I'm terrible with faces, names, everything, so it's probably doesn't help me at all, but I'm like I'm looking and I'm like who is that? And like I think my roommate, or my friend who was her roommate, liked me. So she was like, oh, don't worry about her, or whatever. I'm like, no, I'm gonna go talk to her. And she was so mad and so we talked that day. I got her phone number and then we just started talking, went on a date, like maybe three weeks later, something like that, and then that I mean that was 20. What is that? Twenty, twenty, three, 24 years ago, so married in 2005. And yeah, I mean that was it, but it was, it was a crazy, it was just funny. And I think that roommate still pissed at me about that. Like she was, like she was just the delivery, but like it was, yeah, she was so mad about it. So, yeah, it's been awesome.
Speaker 1:And then, yeah, the kids. So I've got three boys Colin, who's 16, dylan, who's 14, drew the bruiser, who's nine. And in typical, you know, you know, first, second, third kid, fashion. First kid is um, he's, he's sort of my like kind of hippie kid and just kind of lives by his own rules, does whatever. He's actually a runner, um, so he runs cross country and track and um he, he gets good grades. But he wants to think about things more than just kind of like believe in the, in the grading system and stuff like that. So it's funny he's.
Speaker 1:He's like always on his phone and uh, like we thought he was, it was funny. We there was one time I think it was five years ago we thought he was looking at something inappropriate because he was always like on his phone and like we had like one of those like kindle, ipad or fires whatever those fires were, the and so like he would go around and he would like like he would look at at the fire and then like like turn away or whatever, and I'm like I'm like, oh man, I think he was maybe 11 or something like that. We're like, oh, he's looking at something inappropriate, like I, you know, maybe I didn't put parental locks, you know as much of them on there.
Speaker 1:Whatever turns out, he was looking at minivans because he was so fascinated with, like, the doors that is inappropriate yeah, and we were like, yeah, I'm like, well, I'm not buying a minivan, so like I to this day I haven't bought a minivan, but like, but it was funny, like he's, it's just, he's so inquisitive and just like, and he, he is a content creator's dream because he watches every series Like he, like he'll just, but he'll, he'll do his work. Then he'll come home and he just wants to consume content and so it's just. It's fascinating to me because I hated reading, like I was sports, like I I mean, I hated reading, I was sports, I could pick things up fast and I have a photographic memory that basically said that I couldn't explain anything but I could remember things, which at least I got good grades because of that. He is this constant consumer of information, which is great. He's a junior in high school now, so it's all college visits and trying to figure it all out and everything.
Speaker 1:Dylan's my sports guy. He's very much like me, looks like my wife, but very much my mentality of basically, yeah, everything comes easy, you're just blessed with. Yeah, I don't really have to study, I don't do this, I don't do that. It's funny. He was always a little bit shy with that and now he's getting a little cocky. It's that freshman cockiness, you know. But I like it cause he's in baseball and that's kind of the if you're not the dude, you're not the dude. So he's kind of learned to be the dude and so he's been doing travel ball for the last five or six years. I'm doing well, I mean, we're you. You know he's in a good, good team. The high school that they both go to is like a top 10 baseball high school in the state um of ohio. So it's challenging, it's, it's competitive, which he's like, hey, if I don't make it, I don't make it, I'm going to school because it's it's a good school and I'll get a good education. I'm like, hey, that's great, what you need to do. So he's doing that.
Speaker 1:Then my nine-year-old is like you know, I always think of him. Like you know, maybe what would that be, probably 12 years from now? Like saying like drew stats iowa, like, where he's like a lineman or something like that, he's my bruiser and he's a typical third kid. You know, jerk, like uncoachable, um, you know, doesn't really like, doesn't apply himself at all, like wrestles everybody and it's just so funny. So like, yeah, he's bored with everything, like it's like there is no poker face with this kid at all and he's it's funny. So he's he's in a bunch of sports baseball and football is like his sports and um, but he's he's gonna be, yeah, like six, two, six, three and just you know, just a bruiser love it.
Speaker 2:So back to john carroll. Is it the blue streak or is it lobo?
Speaker 1:blue streak blue streak, yep, yep. So I went there for grad school okay, there we go.
Speaker 2:I have I have a random fascination with mascots and and how I associate people, so I saw that I was like I wonder if he's going to. And sometimes it's like when I talk to people they're like how the hell did you pull that? I'm like I don't know, I just did a little research and pulled out. That's good man, yeah.
Speaker 1:I did grad school there and then I actually teach. I teach an entrepreneurship class adjunct professor there. So I've taught at Kent State University, University of Akron, Notre Dame College, which is a smaller one, and then just started teaching at John Carroll. So it was cool to go back to where I went to grad school, because I've always admired the business school. So, yeah, it's cool, Very cool man.
Speaker 3:I've got a lot of NFL players.
Speaker 1:Professor, yeah, one of my buddies has Professor Jeff as my name in his phone and I'm like well at least it wasn't anything worse than that. It wasn't like you know.
Speaker 2:Officer.
Speaker 1:Dick Reed. Well, I saw the one. If you watch Yellowstone, there was a very inappropriate name that was on Beth's phone, the character in there. I was like, oh my god, I've never seen that before. I cannot say it on your podcast I can always be family friendly.
Speaker 2:Okay, real quick, before you. You made me think of something I wrote down. So we're talking about when kids are now like you've been grateful and seeing your kids do it for themselves. I went through that because I was a dad doing way too much for my kids. As a younger, like I was, didn't realize I was doing it until actually COVID made me realize, oh my God, I'm doing way too much for my kids. As a younger like I was didn't realize I was doing it until actually covid made me realize, oh my god, I'm doing way too much for my kids. I told my wife the same thing because we had all the time in our world. I'm like no, make your own lunch, sorry. No, fold your own laundry. Yeah, uh. And we're like listen, I, I tell you I don't want to do it for you, but if I keep doing it for you you don't learn, and then you're gonna be living in a van down by the river. It's like, right, I. And so there's this book I read I'm having this guy on the podcast and like season one, his name is Swen Nader and he wrote a book called you have not taught until they have learned.
Speaker 2:And it's nice, it's a short book, easy to read, and this dude's story. He actually played for John Wooden and John Wooden recruited him and his recruiting pitch was Swen, come play for me, but you're never going to play, you'll barely get in the game, but I guarantee I'll get to the NBA. And he's like how the hell are you going to do that? He's like well, you're going to play against the best player in America every day at practice. His name is John Bill Walton. So he played against Walton every day, and so he literally mopped up minutes.
Speaker 2:But he played 12 years in the NBA Damn, every day. And so he literally mopped up minutes and but he got. He played 12 years in the nba damn, yeah, hey, that works, man, cool story. So, yeah, yeah, it is true, though you have not taught until I've learned. If you're looking for a random book for, okay, well now I I like taking the conversation to you. My man and I want to learn, like, what was life like growing up for you? And, um, talk about the impact your parents had on you. Know your dad right now.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, I mean it was. You know I was born in Chicago. My dad was transferred. He actually played, you know, football. He played. He played baseball and football in high school and college and you know he was always a hero. He actually looked like Clark Kent. He had the Clark Kent glasses. You know, he's like six to like kind of guy or whatever, and so growing up he was always, you know and I think Luke Combs sings a song about that, like where it's like. You know, I think it was, I can't remember the title of it, but it talks about the S on his chest and and but like I it was, it was good, you know it was, it was typical growing up.
Speaker 1:I think that, you know, I enjoyed, you know, the early years. My sister is nine years younger than I am, so I was an only child for nine years, so I had a lot of attention on me and so it's funny when I talk to other dads or just other people who are only children, I'm like, oh, yeah, I get that Like there's always a little bit like a little off on that. And I'm like, yeah, I'm like, oh, yeah, I get that Like there's always a little bit like a little off on that and I I'm like, yep, I get it, I get it and um, but yeah, I mean it was a good, good upbringing. I mean, you know, my parents, you know, are still married. They celebrated their 50th this year and so, um, you know, I think, because of that, and just you know what, what they've been able to do and express and everything I mean it's, it's one of those things where you, yeah, you want to emulate it. You know, in a lot of ways, and and you know they, they gave me, you know they, it was funny, they gave me and they didn't give me the opportunities that I probably deserved. And so, like, because a lot of times, like, you can ask for everything, but like you either have to work for it or you've got to.
Speaker 1:Like, you know, there were things that I wanted to do, like I want to play soccer and go to travel and all that stuff, and they're like, no, you're not going to play, like I don't think that you actually are invested in it, so we're not going to do it. And you know, because in the eighties you played every sport. It wasn't like you have to specialize with your three. Like, you played every sport you like, you like. So every season you played something new. So, like I was always playing sports and it was funny.
Speaker 1:I played the traditional baseball, football, soccer, basketball, and then I wound up playing high school and college tennis. Like I started playing tennis with that when I was 12 and like, but like they supported all the way through their tennis is an expensive sport so they could only do what they could do and you know, but it like taught me resiliency and that you know, if you're going to invest in me, I got to invest in me. So it was a lot of cool life lessons. And even being a marketer like I always equated myself to. Like Alex P Keaton like says I love family ties. So like I knew I wanted to be a marketer at 16. I was walking around with a briefcase. I knew I wanted to do commercials. Like I told you earlier, I was type a.
Speaker 1:So my parents I felt bad for my sister. She got the brunt of like she couldn't do anything by herself. My, my parents babied her because they thought like they're like, well, we don't want them, you know her to turn out like Jeff or he's just like. Like I was like hey guys, I'm going to Baldwin Wallace college for my undergrad and then I'm going to go to John Carroll for my grad. And they're like, you're 17 years old and I'm like, yeah, like this is what I'm going to do. And they're like, oh, okay, I'm like, yeah, I already talked to the counselor, I got all the application stuff in.
Speaker 2:I already did all this stuff, like this is what I'm going to do, and so it was. It was interesting and, again, good for my kids, but also bad for my kids. Were you wired that way, or you think you were? Did you get? Did it kind of happen through like evolution, evolution so I don't, I don't know.
Speaker 1:I mean it's, it's one of those things where, like, my uncle is a entrepreneur, excuse me, he like he passed away like three years ago but he had a business in Pittsburgh Half my family's in Pittsburgh, half my family's in Cleveland which makes for a interesting rivalry every year. But he was an entrepreneur that lived by his own rules. He passed away when he was 84, but he had a billion dollar business called Centimark. It's the North America's largest commercial roofing and flooring company and so when I grew up there was a lot of that and I think you know part my other side of my family. We had the smart side. Like we literally have a rocket scientist. One of my cousins I have like 19 cousins like he's a rocket scientist, works at NASA. We've got kind of the Bon Jovi cousins that they had long hair and and some of them could play instruments. The other one did air guitar. We had all these facets of stuff.
Speaker 1:But I always, I always kind of looked at myself as my uncle and this I'm going to do what it takes. I'm going to do it Like and I don't know where that came from, cause my dad has always been a very like he's a saint he will definitely, you know he will die a saint and like he will do anything for anybody the nicest guy in the world, he will do it all. My mom was the headstrong, like directing everybody. She enjoyed like telling you all what you need to do, and so I think I got a little bit of her, but like it.
Speaker 1:But it was that like I always wanted to strive for more and I think that the entrepreneurial side was him, and so it was a weird thing because my dad's just like hey, I work my job, I'm going to retire, I'm going to live in Florida and that's good, and I'm like I'm making more money. I'm never retiring, like even now. I'm like, you know, even as I start different things and making moves, I'm like I know I want more, more, more, which causes issues when you know of the staying present, and that's the one thing that I struggle with and I've always struggled with is staying present. And I get yelled at a lot about it because you know you could tell when I'm not, like I'm here at a you know resort or whatever and I'm still like thinking like probably send that email campaign out, I could probably. So yeah, it's just I think that's where I got wired from, is just just, you know, just always hustling.
Speaker 2:There's a lot there, but I want to keep going back to to pop. So what did tell me what mom and dad did for jobs?
Speaker 1:So my mom was a homemaker, so she um yeah, I mean she, that was just what she wanted to do. My dad was actually. He was um, he basically was in HR, he was in procurement, so he worked at a number of different like um, he worked at like steel companies and different things like that and he was just in procurement and then up until about 30 or no yeah, about 30 years ago, and then he actually worked for my uncle and so my uncle with part of the roofing company. Actually he owned a bunch of buildings in the Cleveland area. So my dad was basically the property manager so for the last 30 years and they're like industrial parks and all these different things, not like, you know, little apartments or whatever. So he's actually managed a lot of his commercial real estate and doing that. So that's what he's been doing for the last 30 years or so and it's it's interesting because you get to see the deals that are going on and all the different things that are happening and and I that for me that's awesome.
Speaker 2:Do you now? Was that your dad's brother who passed away my mom's mom's brother? Okay, and what? What? So? What do you? What prevented you from getting in the family business?
Speaker 1:it okay, and what. So what do you? What prevented you from getting in the family business? So it was funny, um, when I so, it was in 2001. So I, I never thought commercial roofing was glamorous or whatever. I enjoyed the, the cool, like cars that he drove and everything else, but I didn't understand it at all and I was just like a commercial, like, but what was interesting is, like, my other uncle works for him, my dad works for him.
Speaker 1:Um, obviously, my uncle had four kids. Two of them, two of the boys, worked for him, two of the of the girls, they were sort of you know, the modern day, um, kim kardashians. You know they enjoyed the, the, the trust, maybe the trust side of it or whatever, but uh, but no, they, he, they worked for him for a little bit or whatever, and and did that. But, um, but I, when I was I think it was 2001 or two I was laid off. I worked for a company that was in chapter 11 and it took about three months and they were like yep, we're going to chapter 13. We're done, no-transcript. But you know, and even my mom was like, are you really going to make him do that? And he's like it's what he's going to do. I actually love that.
Speaker 1:It was interesting because my cousin is actually the CEO now. He's been the CEO for a while Now he's the CEO and chairman. But he did the same route and he started when he was 12, 13, climbing on roofs when it was a smaller business. But I never, and none of my cousins we would always get together, None of them worked for him, because a lot of this was like you got to start there.
Speaker 1:I mean, I lasted probably like honestly, two months because I was still kind of looking for marketing jobs because they didn't have a marketing department. So I was like, well, I can be the marketing department and I didn't know anything. And I'm like but I could be this or whatever. And he's like, marketing, we're sales and ops. Like you know, we don't need marketing. So, like, I never like yeah, I wasn't going to go and knock on doors, Like I was. I was shadowing a guy who was like knocking on the front door, then running around to the bay and talking to the you know, to the forklift drivers about how to clean, and I'm like I don't, I don't, I don't have it, I don't have the tenacity, I don't have it like.
Speaker 2:And it was a humbling experience, but I lasted like two months and I'm like thanks, but no thanks. Yeah, you know, but that's like. But those are the fun things to talk about sometimes because they'll shape us.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know, yeah it because that's entrepreneur, like entrepreneurship, and I like it. It was humbling because, like and it actually affected the next probably 15 years of my career, because, now, granted, I was working for a company, but like, for my own, like, well, man, I could have said, all right, I'm gonna take a territory, I'm gonna crush it, I'm gonna you know, I'm gonna sell, I'm gonna do all this stuff, I'm gonna make a ton of money, and you know what? Yeah, you're gonna see it. Like, I could have taken that approach and who knows what would happen. But I sort of backed away and I was like, no, I want a cushy. Like, I want a marketing job, or like.
Speaker 1:I was like, hey, like, I'm better than this, and but, like, as I went through my career, I always had that itch to start a business, or to like, take the leap or whatever. And I never did, and I would. I always went back to that example of like man, like yeah, like no, I'm good. No, I'm just going to, like I'll go to another job or I'll. Do you know, if I've ever felt like I wanted to take a leap?
Speaker 1:I was always like, nah, because, like, that's a lot of work and it it, it delayed, I think, for the better, but it delayed a lot of the stuff, like if I would have just believed in myself a little bit more. I didn't believe in myself at all and I think that was that's it. I know, like, like I didn't, like I was like it even. You know, you, the imposter syndrome. But it's like, you know, when people tell you and they give you these things and they give you these the compliments, and even when I teach, they're like, oh, my god, you brought real world and you know you, you want to suck all that stuff up and then blast it out and talk to everybody about it, but it's like it's still for me. I'm like, yeah, yeah, I mean I, I probably could have done better, yeah, but it was that leap that. I mean that delayed any sort of jump in anything. Yeah, at least 15 years interesting, yeah, word.
Speaker 2:So everybody, there's a if you're listening on and where we are and you can't see us. If you can't see us, you see the belief side behind me. But at age 41, a client of mine actually I was his client, he was, he was, we were doing a sales transformation and he asked us, he talked about the word you got to believe what you do matters. He said and I was like and I didn't want to think about it and he kind of kept pounding into us. He says you know, did you believe what you do matters? Because I remember challenging him on. We were learning this like sales transformation work, and I said I just don't, I don't want to manipulate people. It seems like like what you're kind of teaching me feels like I'm manipulating people. He's like he goes Casey, do you believe what you do matters? I go yeah, he goes would you ever try to convince somebody to do something where you win and they lose? I go no, you never do that. Why would I do that? He's like of course you wouldn't.
Speaker 2:If you believe what you do matters, you're going to ask questions to help someone If you see they have a problem.
Speaker 2:They might not see they have a problem yet. But you're going to ask questions, you're going to be patient and you're going to help them see it and once they see it, but that's and that's called value-based selling. Now, if you don't think that problem, if you don't think you can help them, you tell them right away and you walk away and you and that's where the kind of my mind, the window relationship not the deal came from, but it just further gave me the idea of like this is actually the sign behind, not only for me but people I work with, from the guy upstairs but you, you got to believe in yourself more than anybody, like your son's swagger in baseball. It's like doesn't need to be. Like I would say, ride the fence of cocky and and and, hump and hump Always, but not not not a douchey where people think you're a tool, but like confident because you believe in yourself Right, and that was, I will tell you, like that has been the biggest deterrent.
Speaker 1:Like I said, I mean it was like and it was funny because you know I would speak, just like you. I mean I'm speaking at staffing events, like I spoke at staffing world and and AS group and all these different events, and I had the luxury of doing that because of being a vendor on some sides and then working on the staffing side for a little bit at Talent Launch, and you know I go into it and I'm like all right, yeah, like do they care about this? Like you know, they probably already know this. Like what I'm saying is stupid, my angle is terrible. And then, you know, you deliver it. And then you come back and you're like oh my God, you know, I just I actually thought about what you did and what you said.
Speaker 1:I actually thought about what you did and what you said and it makes total like why am I not thinking that way? Like you transformed the way I'm thinking and now I'm taking it in a little bit and accepting those compliments. Before I was like, ah, this person is stupid. Like I don't even in, I'm trying to think of the right words, like that it matters, but also that it's a definitive side. You're decisive, like you are actually telling somebody to do this and there is an absolute reason and you're making them think differently. And it is powerful when you do that because I get I mean people, I get LinkedIn notes like, hey, I read that post that you did. And it is powerful when you do that because I get I mean people, I get LinkedIn notes like, hey, I read that post, you know that you did, and it was short, but like, oh my God, did it resonate with me and I'm like and those little things like I mean now.
Speaker 1:I'm like that's awesome, like that's great, because, like that's the whole purpose is like be kind, educate and give away your stuff for free Because, honestly, status quo and apathy are going to deter people from doing any of this stuff. Like, just tell people what do you believe is the right thing to do in these different things and you will get more from that than if you pay wallet. Well, if you pay me $10,000, I'll tell you what to do. Or you don't believe in what you're saying and what you're selling. I mean, they, they can spot those people out now, especially as I get older and now I'm 46, like I can spot the BSers and the douchebags and like all. Like you can spot them all out and you're like man. Authentic Like that's my word for you know a little bit of the rest of this year and next year is like intentional authenticity. Like just be you and then you can believe. Like it's, it works.
Speaker 3:Hi, I'm Betsy Robinson, ceo of Tier 4 Group, a women owned and diversity certified technology recruiting and executive search firm that connects exceptional talent with extraordinary companies in 43 states across the US talent with extraordinary companies in 43 states across the US. At Tier 4 Group, relationships are at the heart of everything we do, whether it's with our clients, our candidates, our vendor partners or with each other. Our mission is to go beyond transactions and create long-lasting partnerships. We don't just help companies find talent. We help them find the right talent, and that starts with truly understanding our clients and candidates. It's not just about filling roles. It's about fostering success for the long term. This is the recipe for success that's landed us on the Inc 5,006 consecutive years and has us outpacing our competition across the country, and I'm thrilled to support Casey Jaycox's podcast.
Speaker 3:Casey's philosophy aligns perfectly with ours prioritizing relationships over transactions. His insights on building trust, empathy and connection resonate deeply with the way we do business at Tier 4 Group. We were honored to have Casey as our keynote at our 2024 kickoff, and all of our new hires read his book Win the Relationship, not the Deal, when they start here with us. So if you're looking for a partner who values relationships as much as results. Visit us at tier4groupcom or connect with me, betsy Robinson, directly on LinkedIn. And, while you're at it, keep tuning into Casey's podcast. You'll walk away inspired to strengthen your own relationships, both personally and professionally. And, as Casey always says, stay curious.
Speaker 2:Going back to how you grew up, what were some of the values that were most important that your parents really instilled in you that you've now, you and your wife, have shared with your boys?
Speaker 1:So I think it's it's. I think the biggest one is accountability. I think they're like you know you own the outcome. I think that's the biggest thing. I think we hide behind you know, like well, I didn't do it. Well, I didn't do it. Well, I didn't. You know it's. Well, I didn't do it, well, I didn't do it, well, I didn't. You know it's.
Speaker 1:It's always, and especially now, like I never grew up in the, in the, the phone, social media era, and I mean there's a lot of bad stuff, like in all of these things, and I think you know accountability is is one of the biggest ones. That I think like you are accountable for what you do, say and act, and so think about it before you do all of it and then own up to it if you make a mistake, and that it's okay to make mistakes. I mean that's the other one is, and it's hard for me, like being type A and being just I was just blessed with again, not things came easy to me, like I I mean it's taken me 20 years to know that maybe things don't come easy to everybody, because I set the bar, like my parents set the bar high on me because they knew like that I could achieve it. And I think that I probably unfairly set the bar high on my kids and that you know, I think I think there's, you know it's the whole thing about potential and just reaching your potential. And so I've shifted that. You know you have this high bar expectation you have to achieve. I've actually switched that for my kids and saying, like it's about potential, find your potential, like reach it, find your potential, like reach it and then and that.
Speaker 1:So that's one thing that that has changed, you know, with my wife and I is just because I think and she's even like Jeff, like they're not, they're not gonna get 4.0, like they're not, like oh my god, let's celebrate a B, like it's one B and I'm like I mean like he's dumb, like I'm just gonna like I think he's dumb and it's like no, there's more than that and so but yeah, I think, like, yeah, accountability, I think is is the big one.
Speaker 1:I think, you know, and I think the the other one that has always worked for me has been just direct communication, like mean what you say, say what you mean, like like direct me, don't beat around the bush, don't, don't sit here and like you know, like if you, if you have a thought, say it, be respectful and say it. And say it at the time that you think it, because I think a lot of times we we hide behind. Like you know, I don't really believe that at all. And then you go around, you start talking about how that whatever you heard was just terrible and that person's an idiot and all this stuff, and it's like no, like have those conversations and be direct with somebody and respectful.
Speaker 2:Was there a story for you growing up with your parents where you you learned those skills maybe the hard way, where you were really stuck for you? That's why it's important to you that you teach your kids that.
Speaker 1:So the one that about accountability was, it was the typical, like you know, early I think it was early 90s Like I went to Walgreens and I was into sports cards and so I went like we would ride our bikes up, we'd get sports cards they weren't, like you know, so expensive as they are now, but we do all sorts of upper deck cards and all this. And you got this beckers and it was the, the sport card pricing guide and I remember I wrote up and I didn't have any money. I was like doing a paper route, um, and I remember I wasn't getting paid. So I went up and I stole the beckers and like, and I got caught. And I remember the guy was like, what do you do? It was a $4 magazine or $5, whatever it was. And I'm like I put it in there. I'm like, oh, I don't know how that got in there, I don't, I don't know. And he's like um, I think you do. Like you know, you put it like there and I'm like, oh, my god, are you gonna tell my parents? And he's like, well, yeah, and he's like, but I'm telling, I'm telling your parents because it's the right thing to do. So you know, like I don't, I don't want to get you in trouble.
Speaker 1:And so I remember he told my parents and, like my parents were, I mean they were pissed and like I was, like I mean it wasn't like I brought the bank, like I I was such a jerk back to them and they grounded me for like two weeks and I couldn't see my friends. I was so pissed. But they're like at the end of that I remember they they took, they're like do do you know why we grounded you? And I'm like like, yeah, you know, like I don't know, like you guys just being jerks or whatever like they go, we grounded you because you didn't own up to it, you weren't accountable to your action. Like you gave every excuse in the world about like that you didn't do anything. Like if you would have just owned up to it, we wouldn't have grounded you.
Speaker 1:And I'm like your kids know that story. They don't. They don't actually like I, I'm gonna tell yeah, I know, I know I need to because it was, it was, it was traumatizing, because I was always like the straight edge, like I I mean I never, you know, drank smoke, any of that stuff like growing like I was, like I was afraid of all that stuff. But I just remember I was like the entrepreneurial, like well, it's right, there'm going to procure this and take it, and it was funny Like yeah, but like it was so funny, like that was like I remember that they're like.
Speaker 1:They're like Jeff, like what are you doing? Like you got to be accountable to your actions. Like, like what Don't do that Number one, think before you do this. And then like, if you really need this, tell me the value of why you need this and we'll help pay for it. It's $4. And I'm like, yeah, I don't know. And they're like no, no, no, no, no, no. You got to think before this, you got to think during it, you got to think after it.
Speaker 1:And so, like I always like, especially in sports, you know this, I mean just playing sports, I mean they're the mindset is a huge thing. And accountability like own, own your outcomes. You make a mistake, own it. And I think that's the biggest thing that I've been able to teach my kids, because you, I mean youth sports, I mean it's. It's crazy what youth sports is. Even down to my nine-year-old, parents are crazy, kids are crazy. Everybody's going D one, everybody's going the MLB, and I think what's lost is accountability. And I think, because it's everybody else's fault if you strike out. And I think like, I think that's resonated. Having three boys, that resonated. A lot is just, guys, you got to own your outcome. You have to, and you've got to think about what you're doing and and you know, because that all becomes a team player and all the other things.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think, um, after interviewing 200 and I'll be, you'll be getting I mean, by the time this comes out, I might be getting close to like 290, maybe close to 300, which is crazy. And I've learned, I've learned so much from so many dudes and it's like free therapy every time I'm talking to dad and um it one of the things it's, it's further cemented me, like the three I'd say these are superpowers in life that I keep working on each and every day, which is um humility, vulnerability and curiosity. And I think when those are present in leadership, in customer work, even as dads, like I try to be as humble as I can as a dad to like say, don't talk about how, hey, dad's kind of a big deal. I've met many leather bound books and like I wear you know, like joking ron burgundy stuff, but like I love sharing where I sucked and reminding him that because I find when I do that, my kids aren't afraid to fail, um, and they're they're more interacting, so like that's why I was joking Like whenever I always like when I dad tells stories, I'm like your kids know, I'm like cause if you decide to do it, it's pretty cool, like I've found, at least for me and like other dads I've talked to, like just seeing a new conversation spawn like oh my God, I thought you were perfect, cause you're like a dad, I thought you'd never mess up.
Speaker 2:And like I told my kids stories when I got shit canned like from like jobs as a kid and I I lied. I told stories where I got coached hard by um you know all this stuff like throwing four interceptions in the first half, getting booed in the stadium, Like um, I don't know, it's just kind of. It's kind of fun to sometimes do Cause like or I found like like or I found like sometimes your kids when they're ready to hear it, it's actually pretty fun to go through. If you did, if you decide to do it, I'd love to hear how it goes.
Speaker 1:I'll let you know. Yeah, because honestly it is funny because they think that like it's not even that like you know you're perfect or whatever, like the the amount of pressure that that sometimes, knowingly and unknowingly, I put on my kids to never make mistakes and like you know, and all this stuff there, like I think that would help them out to be like, oh my God, like dad like actually made, like he was dumb, he made a dumb decision and yeah, this isn't like life altering or whatever, but it was like I think that would help them because I've, you know, I've learned. I mean, again, it's a high bar, like and I'm trying to get away from that Like you know, you guys gotta be perfect, you gotta do this, you gotta do that, and like they need to see and understand failure and they're and it's the fun failure stories. You know it's not the, you know bad ones.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, definitely, my, um, my, what was I going to say? Maybe you maybe think about like, like not only do those stories, but it also connects. I think it just it kind of gives grace a little bit. And one thing that like cause I, I think, my kids, my kid, my son, was a Hooper and then COVID turned him into a golfer and luckily it's been a great path for him. He's playing college right now, but my daughter's in the AAU basketball world. It's very, very competitive and intense and crazy and but it's fun for so many reasons. But one thing that kind of came to me through this journey is, like the thing that I value the most. Do I want to see you make great golf shots? Yes. Do I want to see you get good grades? Yes. Do I want to see you make threes? Yes. But the most important thing is I want you to be nice, to be a great husband, a great wife, a great friend, a great worker, someone who shows up on time, someone that says like, like, like.
Speaker 2:I had someone recently, like when my son was in high school. One of the best comments I ever got was when he was a senior in high school. He's captain the golf team and I got a phone call from my dad like at nine o'clock on a night and the guy didn't really know that one, why is this call me? And I was like I'll call later, so I didn't answer. It leaves me a voicemail. I'm like shoot, maybe it's important. So I check it. He goes hey case, call me back. So I called him back. I said hey, sorry, mr claudia, okay he goes. Yeah, sorry to call so late. Can I tell you a story? So, yeah, he goes.
Speaker 2:Well, we were at tryouts today and, um, my son made it, but I only think he made it one. He's, he's decent, but I hope that my son, um, when he's a senior, he treats people like your son treated my son like well, what are you talking about? Did something happen? It's like no, in a good way I go what happened? He said my son was struggling big time in the first two or three holes and your son like followed him. He was because he might have 100. Mid team is like the score you need. Like was coaching and picking him up like dude, keep your head in there, head in there, you're good. Like don't worry about, like he and he literally the next like five holes he went part Indian and making the golf he goes. I just want to say you should know that and I'm like I remember I went into my son at night and I said, right, I 65 and get home one.
Speaker 2:I actually value the story that this dad told me more than that. Yeah, because that tells me you're going to be a good dude in life, you're going to be nice to people, you're going to be, you know, I think, like as we learned about, as we're growing through all this post COVID stuff, the power of EQ and how people forgot how to communicate, and you know, cell phones have definitely not helped with that, because it's this text, happy culture. But like I've had some of my, like some of my clients today said, oh my god, like it felt good to call somebody. They actually answered weird.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like my kids say irl, so I learned what irl.
Speaker 1:But like it is and it's funny because that is like the, the conferences we go to, all you know now staffing, because we're that's an industry that we're in, and like it's just great to have conversations that aren't like where you can see people's like in 3d body movements, not just on a screen or you're not, because I think there's.
Speaker 1:I almost value that more. I mean being someone who like I've been working for 20 plus years and like you're always going into an office and now everything shuts down and you're working from home, so you lose just the power of the water cooler talk, and there's something to having those like interpersonal, just quick conversations that I think sometimes can really do a lot for just how you communicate in general. Now everything's on the phone and and it's. I mean it's just it's so hard, it's and it's it's hard and I think EQ, yeah, I think it's been lost, I think critical thinking has been lost. I think that you know, it's just we got to get back to some of that stuff and we're humans and we want to be with other humans.
Speaker 2:I think we lost. I think critical thinking got lost because people lost their curiosity. I think leaders lost their curiosity. I think parents lost their curiosity and that's why I I think Ted Lasso helped me get my curiosity back. And then now I'm like a curiosity psycho, where I'm just like obsessed with it. And whenever my kids and I got taught the Socratic method of leadership, which is, since you ask questions, you never get an answer, and so my kids ask questions, or my clients, I said I don't know, tell me what you think. Well, sometimes you're like I don't know. I'm like, well, you got to take a guess. I mean I'd rather see you just make up red balloon, or just make up something. At least you know you've tried, because not trying is actually not okay, that's not, that's not going to work, but at least if you try and you get it wrong, who cares? At least you try.
Speaker 1:Well, it's job. I worked for this insurance company it was truck insurance and I had a boss who was a three time national champion at mountain union. He was the center and he like, he was a jerk and he like rode me like I was young, whatever, and I remember I I brought him a problem. I can't remember the problem now but I like this was 2001 or something like that and I remember I was like I said, hey, like you know, here's my problem.
Speaker 1:And he goes all right and I'm like I will like, like, what do you want me to do? And he's like, and like he was, you know, he's football like. He was like what the hell? Like, what are you doing? Like, why are you coming to me? And I was like, what the hell? Like, what are you doing? Like, why are you coming to me? And I'm like what, what are you like? Whoa? Like what, what? Why he goes, he goes. I'm going to teach you one thing he goes. You got to figure this out.
Speaker 1:He's like you never come to me with a problem without three answers, three versions, like one that you think, one that you think I would want and then one that we should do.
Speaker 1:And he's like if you come to me with a problem, you come to me with those three answers and I'm like why he goes, because I know you thought about it and he's like and I don't want and it's funny because I now now it's this guy is, now he's the, I think, ceo and chairman of that company Like he rose up it's national interstate insurance company like one of the largest transportation insurance companies they're out of Cleveland, massive. But like I hated the guy, I hated him Like and I told him this. It was funny. I saw him about five years ago at an event and I was like Tony, I'm like, I hated you, I'm like, but you taught me this one lesson that I tell everybody who works for me, even peers, anything like young marketers that work for me or whatever I'm like you never come to me with a problem without you know two or three answers.
Speaker 2:Your kids know that. Sorry, yes, they actually know that.
Speaker 3:Sorry, I told them that.
Speaker 1:Yep, there we go, but like, but it was funny, like it, like that. That changed me a lot because and I think that's the like don't you just want me to answer the question for you? I mean, it's just, and that's not even a marketing thing, that's just like life, like guys, figure out the answer, take the time. Don't just be like, well, what do I do? And I'm like, oh, but I think we've lost that. People just don't want to make decisions.
Speaker 2:I think the one thing I'm excited about and about in Cleveland but where I live, like South of Seattle, like like kids in high school, are starting to get back into the trades, which I love. I said we don't need the people who can type and talk like me we need. We need people who can fix shit. Like, cause I can't fix anything, my wife can fix a lot of stuff. I wish I could fix things. I'm horrible at that stuff.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we need. I mean, it was funny we had a renovation done in our house and this was about two years ago and the Masons were out and they were doing we had like a crawl space or whatever. They're doing this. And it's a Saturday morning, you know. Our general contractor comes in. He's like, yeah, the guys are coming out today, saturday morning.
Speaker 1:I'm like, cool, all right, I love looking at it, like I can do some mild home renovations and stuff like that, nothing crazy. But I was like looking at it, these two dudes are 71 and 73 years old and I'm like are these guys going to like be okay? And my, my contractor, he's like, yeah, I'm like what, why, why, like, and he goes, nobody wants to do it anymore. Like it's grunt work and nobody wants to do it. He's like there's so much money in this and electrician and plumber it's like, but nobody wants to do it anymore. And then so I told my kids I'm like there is all the honor in the world If somebody wants to be a carpenter, if somebody wants to be electrician, a plumber, I can help you build that business up. So don't worry about that. I'm like I can help you with the marketing. I'm like if you like something, go do it. So I'm hoping somebody, somebody does something.
Speaker 2:Who knows, that'd be awesome, what. Um and we've talked about a lot and you've helped help answer some of my questions Like I think, like one of the questions I like to ask dads is like an area, your dad game, that maybe you, you don't like where it's at that. Like for me, I have to constantly work on patience and, um, I think but talking to so many dads, my patience has gotten a lot better because I'm honest about it and like there's and there's times when I'm not patient, I'm like damn it, and I'm like I went, I'll go apologize to my kids. It's like that's not the best version of me. Or I'll say, hey, how can tell me how dad?
Speaker 2:Sometimes I'll just surprise and I'll say, hey, tell me how dad can be a better dad this week, you're like what? But it's like I want to know, like if I, if I'm expecting you guys to go get better, I want to get better and I'm not full of shit like kids, give me the answer and I might not like the answer, but I'd rather know the truth. Um, so like, maybe for you, jeff, tell me what comes to mind like an area of your dad game that maybe you know it's not always your best, but you're willing to work at it. That might connect with other dads at home.
Speaker 1:I think it's my, so I already said being present, I'll throw that out. I think everybody has that problem, especially ones that are starting their own business. There's always an area of that. So I think that that's probably understood. I think mine is and I kind of touched upon it a little bit.
Speaker 1:But, like, I think I struggle with what I want my kids to be and what they want to be, and it's the macrocosm of whatever you want to be when you're 45. I don't know what you're going to be, but I almost want to dictate that Like, well, you need to do this, then you need to do this, and then why aren't you doing this? And I remember my oldest will do whatever I tell him and that's not good. And because he's like I'm like you got to think for yourself. He could be so inquisitive and curious, curious with everything, he's always consuming content, but he just wants to please.
Speaker 1:My second is like, like, dude, relax, like I'll, it'll, it'll be done, relax. And then my third's like, ah, whatever dude. Like he doesn't even tune me in, but like. But I have this vision of what they should be. But the problem is I don't have a vision, I just like. It's almost like if I were creating myself again with, with their skill sets. This is what I would do and I, every day, I have that problem and I have to say like no, they're their own people, like wherever they land is going to be great if you give them support. And but I have this puppeteering gene where I'm just like no, you need to do this. And then you've got to go apply here, and then you've got to go do this.
Speaker 2:I think that'll speak to a lot of parents at home. I know that. Do you ever talk to your wife about that? Ask for help? Yeah, all the time. Yeah, it becomes. You ever talked to your?
Speaker 1:wife about that, like ask for help.
Speaker 1:Yeah, all the time yeah because she, it becomes the expectations, like what are you doing? Like let them do whatever they want to do and let them fail, and let them do well and let them do mediocre. And I'm like, no, no, they're not on this path. And like, and I find myself like almost daily, like just making those mistakes, and it's, it's really hard because it affects the relationship and it affects, like I've heard them say, like dad, like you know, you're going to be mad at me if I tell you what I did, you know, and it's, you know, I struck out three times Like I didn't even, like they don't tell me things because of that.
Speaker 1:And then like, and then they may not want me at games because they're like, well, dad, like you just think I'm gonna, you know, score 20 points or whatever. And I'm like, oh my god, like it's to that point where you're just like you know, and and so I've, I've had a hold back and it's hard because I, I have a temper and and you know, and it's just, but it's, it's just like impatience and all that. So it's, it's hard because, you just see it, I think it's it's you, all the things you want to change in in your, you know in your previous self. Like man, if I would have known all this, I would have done this. Like you almost use that for your kids and it's so wrong.
Speaker 2:But I think just talking about it, dude, is like half the battle and getting out and like that's. I appreciate you being so honest because I think this, this is what people want to hear. I'm learning, I like, I think to me as once as I've gotten more experiences of dad and I shoot, I'm going to be worrying for till I'm 60 about my kids, like that's what we do as parents. But like, um, I think, just talking about it and like if that's something that's really hitting home for you and the more you keep talking about it's going to get better, you know. But it's like when, and then I think the the days, like I don't know if I told you this story when we first met, but I, when I first got into coaching, um, I didn't need to do it, I didn't mean to become a coach and speaker, it just kind of happened and but it's like a calling for me and so, like the first couple of years, I was loved it. I've told the story before the pockets. We'll loving it and all I want to talk about and I remember like all of a sudden, like I was like texting podcast episodes, my friends, all of a sudden they're like dude, you know, like we're happy for it, but we don't, we don't fucking care. Like chill out and like my, my wife's, like I'm like do you listen to stuff? Such like no, I didn't have time yet. And all of a sudden I find myself like, do you not like it? You know? Like being totally sensitive about it for no reason.
Speaker 2:And then I found, when I got into coaching, I was so excited to tell these stories and like it's, I was helping this person though, and like then, all of a sudden, I started coaching the kids and my wife on accident. And my wife God bless her she's fricking beast. She's like hey, we want Casey back. I'm like, what do you mean? She's like we don't want to get coached, we just want, we want you to dad. I'm talking about getting kicked right in the Johnson without a cup on and a huge shout out to her for calling me out, and but great.
Speaker 2:And now I'm grateful for my parents and like other coaches who and business leaders who've like taught me humility in life. And thank God I'm wired that way because I was like, oh my God. And now I love telling that story to my kids. I love telling people. I work with a business perspective because we all can get coached. And like, when my like I have a, I joke with, like my buddy who's a cop, I'm like you're not telling me who you pulled over and um, and like, hey, I got a guy going 35 and a 25. Can you believe that? Like that's, it's just your job. I want my buddy, steve the buddy, but it's just like these are good reminders, like for us to like that's why I like I had this podcast been so fun, jeff and I'll wrap up here because we don't get it going is we? We think our jobs are so cool and they're so awesome and we're really good at what we do about our kids could get two shits.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, they really don't even know what I do, like in my wife like you know, if you've ever watched friends like my wife thinks I'm a transponster. So he's like she goes all I hear Cause I'm in the basement, like that's, and then she's upstairs we both work from home and they're like I don't know that you say marketing, like those are just words to me. I don't even know what they mean and it's funny because I'm a partner at a performance marketing agency and you know, like whatever. And they're like dude, we don't care, you're a dad.
Speaker 2:You know you're an ATM machine in an Uber.
Speaker 1:So, like you know that's and it's so funny when you like, that's what they think and again, because you have these expectations of your kids, they have these expectations of you and if you're not aligned at all, you will never have like meaningful conversations.
Speaker 2:No, you're not aligned at all, you will never have like meaningful conversations. No, I think the one expectation every dad should be able to, it's just expect effort, that's all I care about. Expect effort Whether you're going to read, read, read your best. If you're going to give homework, if, if, if you can look me in the eye and you got to see, and that's your best you can do and you truly believe you, just okay, I accept it. Now, it is what it is. But I think sometimes the world's run by C students not all of them, but like a lot, of a lot of C students are out there because they're just, they don't apply themselves, but they, they like, apply themselves to other areas. But, and I don't know, I just it's been fun. I can keep talking forever. Dude, this is like it's good.
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, I will say one thing it's funny. Every time practices, school, whatever I say, attitude and effort, I'm like that's what I need Attitude and effort, solid, and I've said it probably a million times. I actually totally vibe on it.
Speaker 2:I used to have a hat that said attitude is everything.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Love it, man. That's because those are two things you have control over.
Speaker 1:Right, right, yeah. You have control over Right Right, yeah. You have no. Like you the way you approach something and what you do when you're given the opportunity. That's what you got to do. Like you, you have only yourself to blame if it doesn't work out.
Speaker 2:All right, Before we get into learning more about you and your company, 4City Digital, tell me about, if you had to like summarize, two or three actionable words or themes or nuggets of wisdom that you can. You can draw from our conversation today that dads can take, like man Casey and Jeff. You guys talked about A, B and C and I'm going to really use these three things, or two things, to become a better leader in my home. Uh, tell me what comes to mind.
Speaker 1:I think you know stay present. I think that's you know the work-life balance thing, or life-work balance, whatever you want to say. I think you know being a good dad means you know being there and making sure that your kids know that you're there, and so I think that's it. I think you know the vulnerability like you've shown with me not telling my kids that story. I think being vulnerable, I have a hard time with that and my wife knows it. And like I can you know I have a hard time when I make a mistake, I can't, I can't like own up to it because it's like, and so I think that's it and then that that actually moves into like let your kids live your lives. You know support them. You know work on expectations together versus what you are expecting of them, because it really does affect them.
Speaker 1:Like I've seen my kids, it's affected them in a negative way when I think of them differently or where they should be versus them. And I think the the the sooner you do that. I'm sure it comes natural to some dads Like they probably they just know it, they, they, they have that gene. But when you're almost that entrepreneurial spirit, like you want everybody on your same path and like, well, if I can do it, you can do it, you should be doing it. And so I think that you know, I think it all comes back to that vulnerability and just kind of like you know, just just let them live their lives and have great communication with them.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love that dude, that's gold buddy. And I think sometimes, whenever it happens, again, the power of just telling your kids hey dad, sorry, I didn't mean to do that, that's not the dad I want to be, but like saying, actually one of the first episodes I did, like maybe episode nine with one of my good buddies, I golf, with which I could not believe he did this Cause he's like a, he's a really good dude, but he was like I want to do an episode with you on saying I'm sorry, I'm like love it, so we literally. And he's like a stud golfer, stud athlete, great guy, and he's an entrepreneur too, in insurance. But he's like the power of saying I'm sorry Ends all drama, it ends.
Speaker 1:And it's hard. I I have a hard time doing that and admitting that I was wrong and I will. I will tell you that, like I totally agree with that. I mean it is that is the hardest thing to do because I'm so stubborn and like. But it like when I do it and when it's heartfelt, it's like you save yourself two days of not talking to each other and like just angry looks and everything else, and it's like all you could have just could have said I'm sorry, just like when I stole that Becker's book. If you would have just owned up to it and said you were sorry, you would have been good. And I'm like man.
Speaker 2:I got to find a Becker's book. I got to find a Becker's book and I should like put that in. We post this on LinkedIn a picture of it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 2:Okay, tell us about what Forest City Digital is, cause people are like what the who are they, and so how can people learn more about you? How can they learn more about Command the Huddle, and how?
Speaker 1:can people find you? Yeah, so you can always find me on LinkedIn, jeffrey, hyphen stats, I think and so I always know if you don't know me, you'll say Jeffrey, if you do know me, you'll say Jeff. So I just gave away my secret, but I know. But, yeah, forest City. So it's actually a cool story. Forest City started from a buddy of mine, business partner now, who I actually spoke at his class about 13 years ago his college marketing class and he was the only one that came up to me and said could you mentor me? And I'm like sure, whatever. And I figured he'd never follow up with me. He followed up with me almost every three months for like 10 years and he started this as sort of an e-commerce performance marketing agency. And then he was like, I want you to come, you know, and be a co-founder with me and be a partner and everything. And I said, because I want to do this full time, and I said, all right, and so I made the switch earlier this year and so we do.
Speaker 1:Basically it's SEO, social automation for e-commerce, and then we have a staffing area of focus too. So we work with staffing firms and it's really on the performance marketing side. So like, are you getting, you know, the most applicants you can get? Are you getting the most leads and job orders you can get? So focusing a lot on that and, I think really you know, incorporating strategy into a lot of that, because I think that's lost a little bit. Sometimes the tactics take over. So we focus a lot of that, because I think that's lost a little bit. Sometimes the tactics take over. So we focus a lot on just strategy and just execution making it smart, getting it done, being proactive and, um, so we've had a good run.
Speaker 1:I mean we've we've forexed our revenue over the last seven months like it's been great yeah, it's been cool, like people are really like they get it, they're supporting us, and it's been great. Again, you never know your network is your net worth and you just never know how people connect or who connects or what they do, especially on LinkedIn. And it's only in these times, and I've always said it, when I need my network, they'll reward me with just connecting, you know, with just like connecting and stuff like that. And cause I've always been a matchmaker, a love cat, as my one buddy tells me, I'm always the love cat like connecting people and making sure they, you know there's a buyer for every seller and he's like dude, you're going to get it back when you need it. And I mean it's happened and it's been great. So, yeah, you can find four city digitalcom, find me on LinkedIn. Yeah, it's cool.
Speaker 2:Awesome dude. Well, congrats to you and your, your company. It's awesome to hear the success. You know kind of what you just described, actually that what you do. That's probably why we've had a good enjoyed getting to know each other. It's like I call that. I call it boomerang mindset, where you're constantly throwing boomerangs or you're constantly connecting, but I know you never keep score Right, you never keep score. And um, actually I got a call this week from a, um, uh, a former client who just got added to a vendor list that I introduced her to somebody else and it's she says you just changed my life. You just changed, um, you just changed my company's life, cause it's like a huge account they're going to get into now, they're going to hit the jackpot.
Speaker 2:I'm like awesome and I don't. My first mind said, well, can I get? No, I don't want anything about it. She's like I need to send you something. Like no, you don't, you're not. She's like I want to. I just love like.
Speaker 2:I've had my time in corporate, I've had my time on stage. Now it's. It's like it's serving others and seeing it like come back tenfold, like just by others having success it's. And when I do that, all of a sudden, I meet people like you. I meet, I get you know. All these things keep coming. So it's, I don't know, it's fun, all right, we're going to end it with a lightning round. This is what I just show you the negative hits of having too many hits in college. Not bong hits, but football hits. Uh, uncle rick, a moment playing quarterback there. Your job is to answer as quickly as you can and hopefully my job is to make you laugh. Okay, okay, true or false. They called you the yvonne lindell of john carroll. False, okay, um, true or false. You have a tennis ball tucked in your shorts right now. False, okay, we tied after.
Speaker 1:Tell me the last book you read. Oh geez, Blue Ocean Strategy.
Speaker 2:Okay, favorite comedy movie ever is. Dumb and Dumber. Tell me there's a chance. Okay, if you could go vacation right now, you and your wife, no kids, where are you going? Ooh, italy, okay, if I went into your phone and went to maybe the last 10 songs played, what would be one song? Your kids?
Speaker 1:would make funny about. Oh geez, it was probably man. I have a lot of Def Leppard, probably Hysteria.
Speaker 2:Let's go.
Speaker 1:A little 80s rock. I love it when I work like I put on a little hairband music and I'm like it just helps me. For some reason they're like what is that like? Is that classic rock? And I'm like well, sadly it is now wow, you ever wear leather pants uh, no, try not to. I don't have the legs for it. I I have chicken legs, so it would not. It would be like Ross when he had those made a pace.
Speaker 2:Oh God, okay. Um, if there was to be a book written about your life, tell me the title.
Speaker 1:Uh love cat.
Speaker 2:Okay, love cat. Now, uh, love cat is killing it. It's in every bookstore Amazon can't keep enough. It's in every airport Barnes, noble, it's sold out. But now Netflix wants to make a movie. You were the casting director and they didn't know who was going to star you in Love Cat.
Speaker 1:Oh boy. Well, my doppelganger is Brian Hoyer, the backup quarterback, but I don't think he can act. I think Jude Law I feel like he could give English make some sound better. He'll make me sound better, so I think I'll go with that He'll bring out the vulnerability in you. Yeah, he's still struggling a little bit up top, but he's got enough hair that he looks cool.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think we'll go with that, All right. And then last question tell me two words that would describe your wife.
Speaker 1:Beautiful and stubborn.
Speaker 2:There we go. Lightning round is complete. We both laugh, we both giggle. Dude, I love learning a little more about you. I love that we don't have a script and we just let the conversation flow. We let curiosity do its magic, and every time I get done with one of these, I feel like I went through therapy. So I'm grateful for you and even though you said you want to work on vulnerability, just coming on a podcast and talking about this stuff is vulnerability. So shout out to you, bro, appreciate you doing that. We'll make sure all this is linked. Wishing you and your family the best for this holiday season. This episode will come out in 2025, but I'm grateful our paths have crossed and wish you the best brother.
Speaker 1:Yeah, thanks, man, same here. You've been great. It's awesome learning about you and, um, yeah, you're doing a great thing with this podcast. I've already listened to a couple episodes and, yeah, I think this is needed, so I hope you continue with it. I'm sure I'll be sending some people over your way that can get some good conversations, so that's awesome, man. Thank you, yep. All right, bye-bye.