This episode is for anyone who's closing in on 50 years of age, or maybe you're older but your professional purpose still eludes you.

Perhaps you've been running a business for ages but you want to extend your entrepreneurial boundaries and pivot into doing something different, something that is more interesting and meaningful than what you're doing currently?

If so, you're going to love this conversation with Mark Masters, founder of You Are The Media, as we discuss his journey of discovering purpose through continuous effort.

Mark's story is a testament to the power of persistence, as he shares how a side project evolved into a thriving community-driven business.

Mark takes us through his transformation from running a small but traditional marketing and advertising agency to building a fully sustainable marketing learning community called You Are The Media.

He emphasises the importance of finding your voice and choosing yourself, rather than waiting for opportunities to come knocking.

Evolution of a side project

We discuss how Mark's newsletter, which began in 2013, gradually grew into a multifaceted platform including:

• A paid membership space
• Live events across the UK
• Educational initiatives

Mark highlights the challenges and rewards of nurturing a side project into a full-fledged business, stressing the value of patience and persistence.

Building a community-centric business

A key theme of our conversation is the shift from a "me-centric" to a "we-centric" approach in business.

Mark shares insights on:

• Creating opportunities for community members to step up and lead
• Fostering a culture of mutual support and learning
• The importance of trust in delegating responsibilities

Finding purpose and staying relevant

For professionals in their third decade of business, Mark offers valuable advice on:

• Aligning your values with your work
• The power of continuous learning and adaptation
• Embracing new challenges to maintain relevance

We also touch on the loneliness of entrepreneurship and how joining communities can combat isolation and fuel personal growth.

Key takeaways for aspiring community builders

Mark provides practical tips for those looking to start their own communities:

1. Choose a medium you're passionate about and can consistently produce
2. Align your project with your core values
3. Focus on participation and engagement, not just content creation
4. Be patient and prepared for the long haul
5. Join other communities to learn and grow

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to find their purpose, build a community-driven business, or stay relevant in an ever-changing professional landscape.

QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM MARK

"I realized that the strength is when you feel a part of a community with everybody, with everyone else on your side. Community is central to what I do."

"I am an example of how a community became the business and that's really empowering."

"Side projects can be risky, but they can also create the most joy and reward that we've ever stepped into."

"I'm with my heroes now and that's a liberating place to be."

CONNECT WITH MARK

• Website
• LinkedIn

Transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship can be daunting, especially when you're in your early 50s and have been handed a 'pink slip' from your employer of two decades.

But for Graham White, this leap became an opportunity to reinvent his professional life and create a thriving solo communications consulting practice..

In this episode, Graham shares his journey from being a seasoned PR executive to launching his own business at 53.

He offers valuable insights for professionals considering a similar path, emphasising the importance of self-belief, strategic planning, and leveraging decades of experience.

Key takeaways from Graham's entrepreneurial journey:

• Embrace change: Sometimes, unexpected career shifts can lead to new opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
• Leverage your network: Tap into professional relationships built over the years to find clients and collaborators.
• Start lean: Keep overheads low and focus on delivering value to clients from day one.
• Find your niche: Specialise in areas where you have deep expertise to differentiate yourself in the market.
• Maintain work-life balance: Structure your business to allow for personal time and pursuits outside of work.

Graham also discusses the emotional journey of leaving a long-term corporate role, the importance of having a supportive family, and how to navigate the initial challenges of solo entrepreneurship.

Practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs:

• Assess market opportunities before making the leap
• Secure a good accountant for financial guidance
• Build a network of fellow entrepreneurs for support and advice
• Be prepared to handle all aspects of the business yourself
• Stay open to collaboration and new opportunities

Whether you're contemplating a career change or simply curious about the realities of starting a business later in life, Graham's story offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for navigating this exciting transition.

CONNECT WITH GRAHAM ON LINKEDIN

Thank you for listening to CRANK THE 3RD - in this quick solo edition, I recap the episodes published since relaunching the podcast, previously known as 'Reputation Revolution'.

Catch you in the next episode!

Look up the word 'eclectic' in the dictionary and there will be a picture there of this week's guest - her name is Valerie Khoo, and when it comes to professional evolution, Valerie is the Queen of Reinvention!

Valerie has who has successfully navigated careers in accounting, PR, journalism, public speaking, entrepreneurship, and the visual arts.

She’s a published author and the founder of the Australian Writers' Centre, which has trained over 100,000 students worldwide since opening its doors in 2005.

Valerie also hosts the popular podcast - So You Want to be a Writer - which has over three million downloads - and, if that wasn’t enough, she was for several years the curator of Sydney's Lunar Festival, which is one of the city's major arts and cultural events.

Valerie’s creative journey took an unexpected turn when she picked up a paintbrush and discovered her passion for visual art.

If you’re keen to better understand what it takes to reinvent yourself professionally - perhaps you’re keen to get out of corporate and do something new, or take on a different project outside of the business you run - if building a portfolio career is on your radar - then you will love this inspiring conversation with Valerie Khoo!

CONCLUSION:

Valerie's story is a testament to the power of curiosity and adaptability in forging a fulfilling and creative career. Her journey encourages us to explore new avenues, embrace lifelong learning, and challenge conventional career paths for personal and professional growth.

VALERIE'S QUOTABLE QUOTES:

“Always give in to your curiosity because for sure it’s leading you somewhere that you’re actually meant to go.”

“It’s never too late. It’s just never too late.”

“Embracing new things and learning new things is so important for your health.”

“I think mentors are really important, and that was something I discovered way too late in life.”

“You can leap. You don’t have to ladder climb.”

CONNECT WITH VALERIE ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/valeriekhoo

Welcome to the belief and conviction episode of Crank The 3rd!

While many of us have, after three decades in the business trenches, experienced a decent amount of professional success, not everyone is fulfilled.

A lot of middle aged people remain stuck in their comfort zone, and are not playing as big a game as they could be.

Or, in the words of this week's guest, they're not living a "10 out of 10 life".

So I invited Richard Sauerman on to the show to deliver a 'kick in the pants', and he delivers!

Richard - aka 'The Brand Guy' - is a thinker and an humanist, with a massive interest in people and 'the human condition'. He has written two books and appears in the media on brand-related issues.

Richard has done the strategic thinking, brand planning and communications for over 200 brands in his career, but he's probably best known these days as a high-voltage motivational speaker (and reality TV contestant!).

Wow! We covered some ground in this episode, with lots of laughs, F-bombs, motivational nuggets and food for thought, all delivered at pace!

Across the course of the conversation, Richard:

• Discusses overcoming fears of mediocrity and societal pressures, urging listeners to challenge limiting beliefs and embrace risks for growth.
• Emphasises authenticity, particularly for those over 50.
• Explores the link between happiness and service to others, drawing on research in positive psychology.
• Shares insights from Ralph Kelly’s Stay Kind organisation, and James Clear’s “Atomic Habits,” emphasising daily acts of kindness and continuous improvement.
• Addresses the challenge of forming connections, particularly in workplace settings, and how small gestures can improve relationships.

As the oldest contestant on the TV's Married at First Sight (Australia), Richard reflects on his experience of being on the show and the personal growth it prompted, especially after being diagnosed with ADHD at 63.

This revelation, he says, reshaped his understanding of his life, marriage, and career, leading him to advocate for increased awareness of adult ADHD.

Richard plans to write a book to educate others about ADHD and its misconceptions, using writing as a therapeutic outlet.

Strap yourselves in folks, this conversation is high energy!

___________________

QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM RICHARD:

“So if you like waiting for some day or one day to be a 10, you might not get the chance.”

“A lot of people are not fulfilled and happy and satisfied in the way they want to be, despite and in the face of their successes.”

“Don’t delay. Don’t wait for tomorrow. Don’t wait for the next day or next week.”

“Stop trying to be right ... just choose to be happy.”

“You can change the world in your way through those little small acts.”

“Tiny steps, small actions.”

___________________

In this episode, I chat with Jackie Goddard, founder of Power to Speak, a coaching business focused on helping individuals, particularly authors and entrepreneurs, communicate confidently and effectively.

Jackie emphasises the importance of owning one’s story and voice, overcoming fears of public speaking, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Through her experiences, she illustrates how vulnerability and authenticity can enhance connection and engagement in both personal and professional realms.

Jackie highlights the value of experimentation, risk-taking, and continuous learning in building a successful business and personal brand.

She also embraces change, and discusses the significance of stepping out of comfort zones, trying new things, and adapting to changing circumstances.

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

“If you don’t believe it, the audience won’t believe it either.”- JACKIE

“There is no failure, only feedback.”- JACKIE

“Done is better than perfect.”- JACKIE

“If you don’t believe what you’re doing, then the audience won’t believe it either.”- JACKIE

“We are all our own unique selling point, and it’s those stories that make us unique because we all have had a different journey.”- JACKIE

Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn.

Creative director and self-confessed corporate troublemaker, Stanley Johnson, joins us on the podcast to chat all things curiosity, networking, and the impact of pop culture and social media on maintaining relevance.

Reflecting on his journey from humble beginnings, Stanley highlights the role of creativity and diverse experiences in tackling business challenges.

The conversation explores the evolution of advertising due to the emergence of digital media, with Stanley sharing his changed perception of Twitter and the enduring value of blogging.

He discusses the importance of writing and social media for honing communication skills, the need for creativity and risk-taking in corporate settings, and critiques society’s tendency for snap judgments.

Stanley also touches on his transition from agency work to freelancing, his passion for music, and the challenges of staying relevant later in life, underscoring the significance of cultural engagement and maintaining curiosity.

KEY TIME-STAMPED MOMENTS:

02:06 The role of a creative director

07:11 From weights and measures to creativity

10:11 Curiosity as a key to creativity

14:07 Navigating social media and digital trends

19:00 The impact of blogging

22:14 Staying tech savvy

26:31 Taking risks in creativity

29:30 Judgment without context

31:00 The creative journey: embracing change

32:40 Finding home in the hills

35:01 A day in the life of a creative consultant

44:09 Staying relevant in your third chapter

49:02 The value of experience and risk

ABOUT STANLEY:

Stanley Johnson is a seasoned creative director and co-founder of the creative consultancy stan/lee, based in Melbourne, Australia.

With several decades' experience in the industry, he has led innovative campaigns for major brands, including a transformative role at major tech company, MYOB.

Known for his strategic insight and storytelling prowess, Stanley is also an advocate for nurturing young talent in the creative field.

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

“If I worry about what people are going to think, then I’ll never do anything interesting.”

“You’re as old as you think you are and it’s as simple as that.”

Welcome back to the podcast formerly known as 'Reputation Revolution', now called CRANK THE 3RD!

In this episode, I explain what the rebranded show is all about: Who's it for, and what can you expect from future episodes from now on.

About the 'new' podcast:

CRANK THE 3RD is the show for motivated individuals aged around the 50 mark and over - those who have been in the business and professional trenches for some three-plus decades and have the metaphorical ‘scars on the knuckles’ and the ‘scuffs on the knees’ to prove it!

You've seen and done a lot over the journey, and now have reached an age and stage of life where you might be thinking:

“What next?” ...

• Do I continue with, sell, or downsize my business?
• Do I pivot my career so I can focus on doing something more meaningful?
• Do I adopt a portfolio approach to my work and build out numerous streams of income?
• Do I wind back my workload and develop a side-hustle around one of my passions?
• Do I take the plunge and move to another country altogether and work from there?
• Do I write that book I’ve always wanted to do, or start a YouTube channel and become a full-time ‘content creator’?

Bottom line: Those of us in this stage of professional life have oodles of experience under our belts, having racked up years’ worth of practical knowledge and vocational expertise, not to mention we’re a lot more sure of ourselves and confident in our own abilities.

But, we also live in a fast-paced volatile world. Technology is ever-changing, and the AI wave has only just begun. A sense of uncertainty is never far away. We know that if we stand still, we run the risk of losing relevance.

No matter how savvy, experienced and connected we are, certain challenges remain.

But on the upside, the number of opportunities staring us in the face is enormous, and unprecedented!

The goal of CRANK THE 3RD is to inspire energised, forward-thinking 50-somethings to continue to think expansively and creatively about their current situation, and to ponder, plot and plan the exciting road they have ahead of them.