How To Become The Executive Producer of Your Life

0:00One day you will meet yourself back where you started, I think of the first time seeing my house. And a lot of people0:14didn't believe that I could make it happen as a single black0:20entrepreneur. And I did when I come back to the home now, two0:27plus years later, I am reminded, and I have to be reminded when I0:33open that door, who came before, but also like what that has0:38given me the opportunity to be and to do because the doubt and0:45the roadblocks during the process of renovation, you0:50realize, like the true renovation is in your mind and in your soul coming back together again to say, I am0:57worthy of this, you know, and so I feel that that historical1:04evolution, it's remembering who you are, you know, and so I1:10deeply feel that that home is constantly reminding me, don't you forget?1:16Welcome back to the Since3000 Podcast. I am your host, Danielle Leslie, we've had an incredible season so far, and my1:23guest today is gonna keep us going. I can't wait for you to Robert Hartwell is the founder of strength on stages and elite1:32speaker training program for adult entrepreneurs. Robert has1:37starred in five Broadway musicals, two national tours and performed at the Tony Awards. He went viral in 2020 when he1:47purchased a large colonial home in Massachusetts. And now Roberts home renovation is being released in a TV show called1:57taking back the House premiering this year on Discovery. Plus, I2:02am so excited to welcome the incredible Robert Hartwell to Since3000. Thank you so much for being so honored. And I am so excited.2:19I'm so excited to bring you today's episode. But before we do, I need to make sure you've heard about member up. So2:26community driven products are the future. But Facebook groups are a thing of the past. And after 10 plus years in the2:33online education space. I've taken all my learnings and I've built this incredible platform member up it's a customizable2:40easy to use all in one platform where you can build a premium course community or membership site without the tech headache.2:48Gone are the days of having to duct tape together, your content, your community, your payments, all on different2:54platforms. I want you to do me a favor, do yourself a favor and head over right now to memberup.com/Danielle. And you3:01can get started for free today. I promise you, I can't wait for you to see this platform. It's beautiful. Okay, the design is3:09amazing. Your community is going to feel at home here and you are going to take pride in your online business. It is the place3:17to start head over to memberup.com/Danielle. Now let's get into the episode.3:22I'm really good. It's just been like, oh, June was unreal. Like3:29closing one company starting another company starting to film the show. Oh my gosh, wait, what did you close in June3:36so Broadway Collective, we were like, We're gonna it was our final like in person event. And then we said at the end of this3:43year, we're gonna go to a fully licensed model. I love this,3:48which is exciting. Because I saw you started Broadway collective in 2016, which is the same year I launched course from scratch.3:55And I'm like you have been running that for a while, like4:00six years. See people? Yeah. So tell me about how you're shifting because you were doing first you were doing in person?4:08Yes. Then virtual. Yeah, hybrid combination. And now shifting to4:14a licensing model. What does that mean? So when we started the company, it was fully in person in 2016.4:21So the idea was, how can I essentially fill the top of our4:26funnel right and with when you're working with teenagers who you are working so hard to like gain their parents, you4:34know, trust and respect. You need to like be in person, you know? And so we did that for about a year. And then we went4:42to a hybrid model in 2017, where I introduced our online4:49training, so no one knew what it was like no one understood in 2017 like no no, you can learn to sing, dance and act like4:58virtually virtually You know, and so by 2020 My gosh, so in5:122020, like very grateful to, like, have that platform like established. And then, after the pandemic, when we came back in5:21person with our students, like, I just felt a shift in me, you know, and I was like, you know, I am not who I was when I5:28started this six years ago. And who am I now, you know, and so5:35who I am now it's like, it's time for a shift. And so I said,5:43Alright, let's give the students a year to, you know, make this transition. I didn't want it to be abrupt for them. But this5:50summer was our last and personal event. And then at the end of this year, we'll phase out our online training. And now I'm5:57working with entrepreneurs, like working on their storytelling6:03skills, which I love so much. So it's just like a hybrid. Now, I6:09think of all of the things that I love, like marketing, storytelling, and all of it just like coming together.6:14Yeah, love that. So what I love is, and I noticed this in my6:20workouts and talk about the webinars that I used to do every week live, that's my stage. Yes, former. Yeah, maybe I'm not6:27gonna be a singer in this lifetime. Or maybe that was like my stage in the webinar. Okay. And I was like a6:35method actors, like, every week, I would do the same show for new audience, you know. But what I love is that you're so right that as entrepreneurs,6:44your background as a Broadway performer is so valuable for us,6:50because it is about us telling our story, especially now, right? Like, where your culture, add your cultural advantage,6:57makes all the difference and makes you stand out. I was like, you know, Robert just walks in, he doesn't even need to say7:02anything, and you feel his energy, you just your aura, it just emanates. And so the fact that Yeah, so for you to be the7:10person helping other entrepreneurs, like Have, have them bring that out with themselves, you know, have them7:16have the magic inside, meet the magic outside and be expressed is going to be huge. So tell me about that.7:24I love you, I love you. I think as entrepreneurs, a lot of times7:30you create, when you're in the valley, you know, like you really have no other option, you know, and at the top of this7:39year, I just knew something had to change, you know, but I'm just essentially like sitting in the valley. And my best friend,7:48Rachael Rogers said to me, what is something that you've always wanted to create? And I'm like, I know exactly what it is.7:57Because like, you were constantly working with entrepreneurs, and you're like, you have an incredible idea, or8:05you have a beautiful presence, but you're not able to marry your story to the marketing materials to be able to like,8:11get the press and get on the stages that you so desperately want to get on. Because you don't have the packaging8:17together, right. But as a Broadway performer for 10 years, that's what I did, every single day was like, get my packaging8:24together, so I could get in that audition room and look back, get a man. It was like, let's create that for entrepreneurs, you8:33know, because that is like a piece of like the connective fiber that many don't have, you know, so I was like, Alright,8:41who would they look like? What would they need? What would they want? You know, and like what would feel most spacious and8:48alive to work with them. So one of the programs that we had created at Broadway collective, which I think is one of the most8:55successful ones was our college prep program. And that program had a 97% success rate of getting students into the top 109:04colleges and the country's amazing9:0997% success rate, but to define success rate is top 10 in the country. Yeah.9:15So we would do a four week prep with them where it's like, first half, getting that mindset, getting that intention, getting9:22that y locked in and then building the skills on top of that. So I said to our Director of Operations down and I'm like,9:28what if we like spin that and turn that into something for adult entrepreneurs? And he's like, let's go I love the9:36what if game, sometimes. Yeah,9:43but isn't that though also like a testament to the energy that you keep in your life? Right and that you manifest to come9:51because there are so many people who are not What if people you know, and they're like, Well, what if it No, no, what if we go9:57all the way in right now and it It works. Yeah, you know. And so10:03I said to Dallin, hey, this is what I'm thinking. And he's like, Let's go for it. And you know, those moments where you10:13then get back, like the secret desires of your heart, like I knew, like the desire of my heart was that I wanted this to10:20work. I wanted these people to be transformed. But the secret desire of my heart is I really wanted to be working with black10:28and brown women. And that is what came, you know, like,10:34because my first company, it was a lot of a fluid, white10:40families, because of the price point, yes, we had scholarship programs. And we worked very hard to have a diverse10:46classroom, but most of our students were from a world that I did not belong to, you know, so to be able to now, like help10:56people that look like my aunties that look like my cousins. It's like, Oh, this feels so magical. Yeah.11:05I love that. That sounds like you had the opportunity to listen to that inner voice, that secret desire. Is that something11:12you've always been able to tap into? Is this like a new skill? Is it growing as you go through life?11:19It's a beautiful question. I feel I've always heard it, you11:24know, and it's more of a feeling than actual words that I hear,11:32you know, from another realm. But it's like, when I feel completely in line, it takes me back to one of the first feeling11:42states, I was seven years old. And I was in the theater for the first time, and the lights went out, and it was freezing cold.11:51And you could smell the scenery, like the wood and the paint, and11:57just the costuming and everything. It just like took me to another place. And I felt at home like my body. Like my12:03entire spirit was like, who this is it, you know? And so, in12:10those moments, I've like, felt those centering moments where12:16you're like, Oh, you need to tap in and listen, you need to tap in and feel. And so that absolutely happened when I knew12:25there needed to be a shift in the first company that I opened. And then when I started to open the next one, really getting12:32intentional. You know if that makes any sense. I love that you took us back to seven year old Robert,12:40because we talk a lot about embodying your past, present and future. So now and what that means is there are lessons like12:47and I believe in multi-dimensional So you know, seven year old Danny I've actually visited her fourth grade Danny visited her and I was in a hot yoga class and on12:57my back at the end and the music was playing. And I had been interested in speaking with sixth grade Danny fourth grade13:05Danny because there were things there. I knew she was driving the bus a little too often with when I got when I felt13:10resistance. And she finally I finally went and got to visit her so first I visited fourth grade Danny and she was crying13:18because she was just she got slapped by two twins on the on the playground and she was crying. Yeah. And I told her13:25you're sensitive and that's okay. I said that's her superpower. That's, that makes you amazing, because I had a13:30story that it made me weak. So I was able to heal that in her. And then I visited sixth grade Danny and she was stressed out13:38she was doing a science project. Okay the protozoa, okay, she was researching today in protozoa, and she had the three part, you13:45know, she had to be perfect. It really did. Okay, and of course, she waited until two days before to be like, Hey, Mommy, can you13:53take me to Michael's supplies? Yeah. And printed it out. You know, I'm saying the ink cartridges are expensive back13:58then. Yeah, I was talking about that the color cartridges for color. You had to get the three. Oh my god, and14:03then the black one. Oh my god. $60. But I got to heal something with her because she14:09felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. She didn't own her process. Listen, I love to create my own timeline. We don't14:16do it at the last minute and it's gonna be beautiful and amazing. She was stressed out about that. So I helped her own her process. And I told her you know, you're good. There's no14:25way to the world like just be so I love ya know, that made all14:30the sense in the world for you to have as meets seven year old Robert right now. Like that was beautiful. You know,14:37that just reminded me. My therapist recently said what we need to do is have conversations with those versions of ourselves14:49because I was telling her I said at the beginning of this year, I felt so tired and actually I wrote about it on Instagram and14:57you DM me and we're like I love You, I hear you, because it's so easy as entrepreneurs, especially when we are in a15:06service based business like of helping other people see their dreams and realize their futures, you get exhausted,15:15right. And so I said to my therapist, I'm like, I am so tired. And she said, many of the behaviors that you're doing15:24right now are things that really helped seven year old Robert, especially 21 year old Robert, and she was like, and then 2815:33year old Robert, when he was like, let's open a company she's like, so all of these behavioral links, like really worked. She's15:39like, but now that you're 35, she's like, we get an opportunity to go back and thank seven year old Robert for not15:48being afraid to ask for a scholarship, right? Or we get to thank 14 year old Robert for like having the courage to kiss15:56a guy for the first time. You know, like, we get those opportunities, she said, but now we also get to say you can nap.16:04Yeah, you can, like you can. Because you don't have to work that hard. You've done the work. And seven year old did the work16:12and 14 year old did the work and 21 like they did the work so that those behaviors don't have to shift into your relationships16:20in your 30s. Now, you know, and you can honor and you can celebrate. But you can also choose a new set of skills, you16:28know, and I was like, laid out and I love this process of thinking those versions of ourselves. Oh16:34my gosh. So I want to know, now that you are here as 35 year old16:41Robert Yeah. Tell me about a day in your life right now. That really shows us okay, this is Robert embodying his whole being16:51right now. I'm curious, because I know you're working on an amazing project we're gonna get into, but I'm curious what day16:58what's a day in the life when you're like, oh, yeah, this is the new mate. This is the This isn't me right now.17:03Oh, wow. Oh, you better get all up in it.17:09I don't know that. I want to be right there with you. When you wake up what's happening when you wake up? Yeah, I don't want you talking to what you work in this.17:16So what is like? Amazing, and we were just laughing a little17:21earlier about the idea of like, where did this summer season go?17:27When I think of the days right now. There's just so many17:33different moments and parts going on. So it usually starts with a meeting with our Director of Operations Dallin. And we17:42just get focused about what are the need, like what do we need today. And I feel that when you are in transition, it has to be17:52immediate, you know, so we are really sitting and dealing with phasing out this company that we built for six years. And so18:02there are a few programs that are still moving right now. And so going with our students. So the first half of the day is18:10always spent on the Broadway collective. And then we switch18:15to TV meetings, which is wild, how much work goes in to even18:25just one episode. And I believe our show is six or seven episodes. But the amount of people that not only are18:33weighing in on decisions, but then are weighing in on distribution and weighing in on creative. I mean it is just18:39unreal. But what I tell them all of the time and they are like oh18:45my gosh, we forget this is I'm not a traditional homeowner, in the sense that many homeowners are I believe coming to the18:54renovation process with a partner, you know, I am a single person and so there is no other person that I'm checking in with19:02other than like meet, you know, like various versions of me what we doing but that19:08listen seven year old Robert, their primary sweet, so be here19:13for it. He's gonna love it. But I tell them all the time as entrepreneurs, we are never out of options, right? Like if we19:21make up in our mind to renew our mind daily and to truly know that like goodness is following us. Like, you can't tell me it's19:30not gonna work, right? So when they come to me and they say, oh my gosh, Robert, there is a leak and it's gonna cost X amount.19:37I'm like, Hey, okay, amazing. Well, now what I get to do as an entrepreneur, is go into one of my companies that I built and19:46figure out how to now financially plugged that leak. We're not going to get behind right because as long as I keep19:53this mind sharp and this spirit alive and awakened to possibility, it does not even yet appear what is ahead. You20:00know, so a lot of meetings go from probably collected in the20:05morning. And then in the afternoon, it's TV. And so TV goes from anything to speaking with the producers about the20:12show and distribution, but then the designer, so there's the architect, the contractor and the interior designer. And so20:19there's constant conversations of like, do we like the Brushed Nickel, or the, you know, lacquered nickel you know, so20:31it's like, a lot of like, tactile touching things, which is like, as an artist, and creative, you know, that's just20:37like, so yummy and delicious. So that is like, the second half of the day. And then the third half20:50a new Master never a lack of options, like, of course, every half, of course. So the final third, and final third is I go into our20:59strengthen stages work. And that is like, where I get to see a lot of the creative that our team has built for these21:07clients. And I just get to say, Oh, I mean, literally, yesterday, I was in a meeting, there was a color palette that21:14they had made from one of the clients for her website that we're building. And I literally was like, this blush doesn't21:22feel like her essence. You know, and so we like, we just dialed21:30it up like two Pantone shades. And I was like, now that's her. We're here. We're here. Now, you know. That's the word.21:41Love about just the synchronicity of the work you're doing designing your home. And even you mentioned the brush21:49nickel versus the lacquered nickel. Yeah, we got that wrong. No, you're right. Yeah. And it's almost like that awareness that21:59you're now being called to have to those details, and how they vibe with you. With seven year old Robert Wood. 22 year old,22:06Robert, all the versions, you get to also apply that with your client. Yeah, like that attention to detail. Oh, this is22:14not quite a couple of bands. So I was like, I love that synchronicity. Yeah. And it's like, and I know, you feel this when you're with your,22:20you know, your clients as well, this idea of listening, because22:26you can hear when the truth is coming out, or the version of the story that they believe you should hear or the audience22:34should hear. Right. And I know you feel that when people are talking to you about their courses, or the content that22:40they're creating, or the businesses, but also like, the lives they're creating, but that's what I love most about22:45the work that you're doing is you're like, let's look into the future. You know, like, let's see that, that next version that22:53that other realm of possibility, you know, so thank you. I mean, that literally as we were sitting23:00here, and I was like, Oh my gosh, romper is being so transparent and honest. Like, I valued that so much. So you're I23:07mean, your ability to just, you're I am myself, and you make people feel safe to be their full selves and to speak their23:13truth. I love you. Yeah. Thank you. This is so fun. Doing chairs because we're going to talk about your house. We're23:21going to talk about what led to it the purchase. Okay, okay, let's do a chairs. And then let's go23:27cheers to you. Cheers to you. And this new venture? Oh, my23:33God. Thank you for being a part of the when you hit me up. I was like, Are you even kidding? I was like, when were Let's go.23:40Like it's a done deal. Are you kidding me? Yeah, I mean so much. We would do anything for you. Oh, seriously. Serious. You23:51show up and you are changing people's lives. Like it's it's a no brainer, always. So please always ask. Always be there24:00so much. So much, truly. Oh my god. It's always a blessing to have you here. I'm so glad you got to the sip and paint that24:06was so fun. And you know, I have my painting. I have my painting. It's on my desk and in the guest room. I'm like your 3000 Boom.24:18Oh my gosh. So one of the things I love. This is like a detail that I was24:24like light that you were featured in Entrepreneur in the video for all and Jay Z song is one of my favorite songs. So24:32that clip I was like wait, we wait, Rob, Rob. Back, Robert is24:40in front of his house. So tell us where did the idea come from?24:45How did you find the house and what are you creating? You know it came from death is really where it came from. In24:53June 2020. My aunt Paulette had been diagnosed with COVID she,25:00and she passed in June from COVID. And in 2020, as black and25:08brown people in this country, we were definitely afraid to go outside because of the pandemic, we were deathly afraid to go25:16outside because of the riots and the racial reckoning that was happening in our country, I found out that she had passed on25:25a Friday and I went into my bedroom, and I shut the blinds.25:31And I have these big, thick black velvet curtains and I just shut them and I just got under my covers, and I just cried and25:40just said, I'm just gonna stay here. And then my stepmom called me the next morning and she said, Open, your blinds wake up,25:48you have to go outside, like you have to live like you cannot. You get in grief, you still have to see the sun, like you will25:59feel the darkness. And that is a part of the healing process. But we must journey with it and you can't journey with it in your26:05bed. And so I had an attitude. Here, like, I just want to sit26:12in my bed of sorrow. But okay, I'm glad that I got up because I26:18grabbed a house beautiful magazine, and I went out into the park. And I sat in the park and I read, flipping through26:27this magazine, and I saw an article have a family that26:33during 911 Right after 911 they had moved from New York City to go get what they called a sanctuary property in Great26:42Barrington, Massachusetts. And I'm thinking I just lost my aunt. I am scared of my existence as a black man in26:51America. I needed a sanctuary property. And so that word sanctuary just like hit my spirit so deeply. And I said27:00Great Barrington, Massachusetts. What is that? Where is that? And so I went on Zillow on my phone, and I typed in Great Barrington,27:09Massachusetts. And that was the third house that I saw. And when I saw it, I'm scrolling. I'm like, okay, okay. And then I saw27:16that house. And I was like, that's it. And it's that knowing, right, it's like seven year old me sitting in that27:22theater for the first time I literally heard in my entire body. This is what you're meant to do with your life. Like you27:29were meant to be an actor, you are meant to tell stories you are meant to create and these spaces, and I felt that sitting27:35there in June of 2023 2020. This is like jumping into the future.27:431000s When 49. And so I'm sitting there and I go, this is it. This is it. I27:50literally that same moment. I picked up the phone. I called the realtor. I made an appointment to see the house27:57that that Monday. I saw the house on Monday. I paid for it that Friday on Juneteenth. And then the following Wednesday, I28:06went to pick up the keys and then took that picture. And then it went viral. But it all happens within about a 10 days.28:16Of course it's no Oh, when the universe is waiting on you. And28:21I know that that home was waiting on me because it sat on the market for years and years when there has not been a28:28neighbor that has not come up to me and said, I went to put in an offer for that house. And it ended that like everybody that I28:36meet in Great Barrington is like I toured that everyone wanted to buy it everyone was for you and waiting for you. She was waiting28:42for me to show up. Yes, it's time for my saying. Yeah. So you were asking, what is it and my aunt Gloria said to28:54me last week, you are making a capsule for our family's history29:03that will live on this earth. And that people will be able to29:08go and learn who the heart rolls are people will go and be able to feel an energetic spirit of it's not time to give up you29:16know, and truly be able to learn not only the history of the family that built the home, but also the black servants that29:24lived in the home and my family and that history of how it all connects. And when she said that, like the history nerd in29:33me just like lit up because like, again, little seven year old Robert was obsessed with history because it was a way to29:39escape to another time period to see like gorgeous costumes and29:45like I always I always was confused as a child like why am I in this year this year? Because I was like I am an29:53Egyptian king. Like I feel like a disco queen. You are like that's where I belong. That was my era.30:01You know, I feel Yes. Oh, Egyptian counselor like, you30:07know, it just it felt like it was all waiting. And so when my30:12aunt Gloria said that the other week, I was like, Oh my God, that's exactly what we are doing right now.30:19It's been proven that procrastination can be one of our biggest enemies to success. Now, contrary to belief,30:25procrastination is not based on a lack of time management or organizational skills. Procrastination is directly30:31linked to to our emotions. Now, the reason I know this is because of Patty Johnston. Patty Johnson is incredible. She's of30:38course from scratch member. But even more importantly, she's built multiple multimillion dollar businesses once she30:44learned how to overcome procrastination. So she's created a program where she shares her system on how to30:49overcome procrastination. And it's based on emotional intelligence, neuroscience and accountability. She's gonna show30:56you step by step how to overcome negative feelings. So you can start taking action and start seeing a difference from day31:03one. So text this number right now to schedule an appointment with Patti and her team to see if this is right for you, and31:09what steps for you to take to overcome your procrastination 813-789-1097. And again, the number to text right now is31:18813-789-1097. Let's all overcome procrastination together. Now31:25let's get back to the episode. So we have a shared interest in time travel. And it is the opportunity to travel to the31:33future also traveled to the past. On another episode, I was talking about how the Lion King is that story of returning back31:42to yourself because I talked about how I see my life as three different phases. The first was discovering who I am, then it31:49was creating who I am. And that's when I created course from scratch. I'm like, Oh, who is this? Oh, then I created my31:54dream life. And then that started to not quite fit anymore. And then it was remembering who I am. And when I32:01thought right, and I feel I'm there now. And when I think about the Lion King, it is a story of Simba remembering who32:08he is. Yeah, right. Discovering as a kid from Mufasa from everyone, this is your legacy. And he's like, Oh, that's a lot32:15of pressure. And then second, he ran away created who he wasn't the jungle Pumbaa Timon, he's like, let me try on a new32:20philosophy. Hakuna Matata, let me see if it fits me. And then the final one was running into Nala having Rafiki guide him32:27back to remember who he was, and to do it his way, right and not not necessarily being the shadow of his father. And so I think32:33about that story of remembering who you are. And I was looking through my notes this morning. And I was like, Oh, I wrote a32:38quote down from blackest king. And I want to ask what this means to you. It says history is your future. One day you will32:45meet yourself back where you started.32:54One day, you will meet yourself back where you started, I think32:59of the first time seeing my house. And a lot of people33:08didn't believe that I could make it happen as a single black33:15entrepreneur. And I did. And when I come back to the home33:23now, two plus years later, I am reminded, and I have to be33:31reminded when I open that door, who came before, but also like33:37what that has given me the opportunity to be and to do because the Dow and the roadblocks during the process of33:48renovation, you realize like the true renovation is in your mind33:53and in your soul coming back together again to say I am worthy of this. You know, and so I feel that that historical34:04evolution is exactly what you just said. It's remembering who34:09you are. You know, and so I deeply feel that that home is34:14constantly reminding me, don't you forget? I love that. What I love is You're like an executive34:23producer on the show along with others. And I'm like way, way, way, way way. First home, all cash. Yeah. Okay, so we do that.34:33And then we're creating we're executive producing our first TV34:39show, and our first like, we're executive and we're starring in it like creative directing all the things. So I mean, how and34:50yes how Robert and what is you know, executive because you get to be the creative director of of your life. It's not just34:57executive producing a show but it's really like your If it's this next phase, so what tell me more about how you even landed35:05or created that role for yourself? I think anything in life is our relationships. Right? And I have35:13a father figure here in New York City, who is my theater dad, you35:20know, Charles Randolph, right. And he is also from North Carolina. And he has had an incredible career as a TV35:29director and also a Broadway director and has just really taken me under his wing. And what I love watching most about35:39him is he's not afraid to put himself in the room. And to come prepared, right. So when the when that post went viral, I35:49didn't want first off know that it had gone viral because I had turned my phone off. Oh, yeah, I was like, I'm just going to35:55enjoy this day if like having the keys. So when I got home, like maybe 12 hours later, I realized that what had happened,36:02and my did you learn my mom? So I thought, yes, so I call my mom and I was just like, hey, I just wanted to let you know, I got36:09home safely. And she's like, so out of breath. And I'm like, are you okay? Like, you know, it's like, almost midnight. I'm like,36:17what's going on? And she's like, Robert, every major news outlet is calling trying to have an inner calling her. The news is36:25what they will find you. Okay, they will find you. And so I'm like, what? And she's like, go look at the post. It has 1000s36:33and 1000s of comments and likes, and I'm like, oh my god, I'm like, she is buggin. Right? Like, I'm like, No, truly, I36:39thought there were like, 10 people that you know, and so I looked and I was like, okay, she's not lying. Okay. And I was36:47like, Okay, I have to call Rachel. So I called my best friend. And I'm like, What in the world? And she asked, she36:53was like, what have you always wanted to create? You know, and she said, when I first met you, I think was that like 2015 2016?37:02She said, You were working on your own YouTube show where you were decorating Broadway dressing rooms. She was like,37:10what? Yes. I had my own YouTube show called Broadway quick37:15change. And I would go into Broadway dressing rooms. And I would do one day renovations on Broadway star dressing rooms.37:24And those creative moments that aren't actually teaching you for the neck. So when people ask, like, how are you confident37:30selling on a webinar? I just learned behind that camera on that YouTube show that we were put together in five minutes.37:37Like you better do the ass. Yeah, better do the CTA booboo, you know? And so I was like, okay, she's like, well, what if37:46instead of doing a Broadway dressing room, you go to your big ass house?37:51Wow. And that sounds exactly like Rachel.37:58Okay, okay. So that night, we literally stayed up all night, we came up with a working title of black man, white house,38:06bought the domain, called one of my dearest friends and designers, Becca Hayden. We put together a website, literally in38:13the midnight hour, then the next morning, people started going to that site. And that's actually when the Scott's brothers38:21reached out to me to have a meeting. And so they were the first production company that had reached out. And so and that38:27was another learning curve of like, I just thought you went to the Oprah Winfrey Network, and then the show happens, no, you38:32have to get a product. You have to get a production company, they have to say yes, you go into a deal with them. And then38:37you begin to shop the show to the different networks. Got it. So I'm like, Oh, my gosh. So how did it happen? I think one,38:46having an idea that was really good. And really out there. You38:51know, we had creative materials. And it's like, okay, if these folks put this together in 24 hours, it's like, what could we38:59then do with like, a longer Yeah, in a few months of a creative process. And so what ended up happening is Charles,39:06called me and he goes, we have to get you at home. Like we have to get you out on and at this point, Charles had directed39:12numerous shows for Miss Winfrey's network. And so I'm like, Oh, my gosh, if this happens, and so when their team39:19reaches out, and they said, we'd like to set up a meeting, it was like, I think, a month and a half, two months out, and I'm39:25thinking two months. 24 hours. Because as entrepreneurs, we're39:32like, oh, you know, Jenna No, but I'm so grateful that we had that time because it really allowed me and then the team at39:42Scotts brothers to get really clear about why we were doing this show and who This show could affect and how like change39:49can happen, not only with the viewers but also within the industry, from everybody to like the banks and how black people39:57are treated in the construction loan process. To even like bringing in a black interior designer, in an industry that is40:05so white and not very inclusive of amplifying black voices in the design world. So that took time to get to those discoveries40:14into realizing like, this is why we have to tell this story. And this is why we have to do it with this network. And so I went40:22into that meeting. And I had my publicist Yvette Noel Shore was40:27in there, and she's like, proud mom, you know, she's just like, she's just everything, you know. So we're sitting there on that40:36meeting, and the night before I called my friend divine joy Randolph, and she went through the pitch with me, and she's40:42like, Okay, do you have an hour, and like, completely reworked so many things and just like, got me in a place of feeling40:50confident and prepared to, like, truly do my best work. And so we went into that meeting, and none of us were without tears40:58streaming down our face. Like, it just felt like a spiritual experience. It was supposed to be, I believe, a 20 minute41:05meeting that went about an hour and a half. Wow. And it just41:10felt so right. You know, I was like, because in a way, you are41:15really going into a relationship with the production company, or the network, or your agents or your publicist, or whoever. And41:23it really, it has to be right, you know, because you're creating something that has the power to change people's lives.41:32So the home, the foundation has to be right, you know. And so when we went into that meeting, I knew they couldn't say,41:40obviously, on the call, you have a green light, I was like, this is done, I called my mom. I love your mom,41:48I saw her in your story. And I was like, Oh my gosh, sweet, she's gorgeous. That's the same like energy put, like,41:54she's, she's the best, that green light came pretty soon42:00after that meeting. And then we just like, got to work. But that was the really beautiful thing of like having a friend like42:08Rachel who said, Let's be prepared. And then having a champion like Charles who said, I'm going to make the call, and42:17you're going to get this meeting. It's just what other fathers are able to do. Like say your, you know, dad went to an42:24Ivy League, and then went to work at a big law firm, they just call that law firm and say, My son just graduated, bring him42:30in. And there are many spiritual gifts and things that my parents have been able to give me and doors they've been able to open.42:39But this is why it's so important for black and brown people to be in these positions of power, because we then have42:46the responsibility and the opportunity to open the door for the next line of storytellers. And had he not done that. I42:54don't think everything would have come to fruition like it did, you know. So that's how the executive producer title was43:04able to be attached to the host. And I just, I feel very43:09grateful. Very grateful. Oh, my God. Yeah. So you said eight episode season? Yes. Whoo. And then when43:18is it dropping? Oh, my gosh. So we are in production right now, which is43:25really exciting. And so I'm hoping early to mid 2023, we'll43:30be able to see it. It's just been such a process, you know, and it's just, and something that I'm learning right now. And43:37I'm sure you feel this in your many ventures as well, we really have to tell ourselves and calm our central nervous systems to43:48enjoy the process. It's so easy to tell our clients sit in the process and enjoy the process. But like when you are the CEO,43:55and you have to think 10 steps ahead of the rest of the team. It's hard for you to do that for yourself, you know. And so I've44:04been saying, Robert, when these filming days, get hard, and you start to get tired, and you start to get cranky, because you44:12need food and you're hangry you have to remember like what a gift this is to be in this space and to be in this time and to44:19get the opportunity to tell this story and like you'll blink just kind of like the summer will blink and she will have44:27moved on through her merry way. You know, that's another thing I keep telling myself.44:33It's like, hey, enjoy this. I mean, even yesterday, I was actually one of my girlfriends from high school called me she44:41was in the park in Saratoga Springs, New York. And she said there is this woman doing a soundcheck. I have never heard a44:48voice like this in my life. And I'm like, What is her name? She's like, legacy. I'm like, Oh my God. I've been following her44:55since 2009. I was like and then two months ago, I was coming from LA and we were sitting beside each other And delta one45:00and I was like, I love your music so much like you are everything. And so I ended up just like driving up, you know45:08what, like, it was literally a three hour drive concert started, got off the car, I guess too low. On the way45:17driving back yesterday, I was like, I'm going to stop at my house, and I stopped because right now where we are in the45:23renovation process, all of the walls are down. So you see all of the live edge wood of these trees that were cut down 20045:32years ago. And I'm like, Oh, wow, just sit and so I just45:37walked around by myself in that home for two hours and just let her talk to me. Because it's part of the process that in the45:47next few weeks, all of the drywall will be back up and the what you know, and the framing will begin. And so it's like45:54taking the time in our own unique processes to sit in it46:00versus just get to the final product, which is very, very46:05easy for our CEO brains to want to do. Absolutely. I relate to that. 3,000% I was having a46:12conversation with my business manager, maybe like a year ago, and this is when I was in transition had ended my46:20relationship was in that inquiry of you know, who am I? Yeah, what are what's happening? And, and then I knew I wanted to do46:28something different, but I wasn't sure what it was. And he's like, Yeah, you're pregnant right now. And he's like, Oh,46:36you're just you're pregnant, you know, you got a baby in Saudi, you don't know the gender yet. There's gonna be a gender reveal. Right now it's46:43developing. They have I have an ear, in my head, the legs, but still working out the organs. It's working out its eyes. It's46:51developing. Yeah, you don't know what the gender is. But you're gonna have a gender reveal. And that's when you'll know when it's born. You know, that's when you know who it is what it is,46:59what's the energy. And as you were speaking, I related that to47:04our, you know, the things were developing the ventures, the projects, it is in these development cycles, you know,47:10when parents have a child haven't been blessed with that yet. But hopefully, one day, when I do I know that they tell47:18you to savor every moment, they're only going to be two months old, one time, they're only going to be four months47:23old, they're only going to be one year old one time, and that development is gonna be like, Yep, and then you blink your47:29eyes, and it's eight years old, and then 18. And then 48. So that's what I saw when you said that. And I'm like, oh, yeah,47:37that was like the four month, whatever point you're at, and you're like, I want to see this baby or four months old. Correct? Because it's just learning to sit up. I want to be47:45there for that. Yeah. And then you want to be there for when it crawls. Like, I want to see that. I love that47:50you said it perfectly. You literally said it perfectly. And I'm grateful that my contractor, he is so sensitive, and such a47:58delicate man, that he's like, Hey, because he's a father. And48:03so I think he has a different sensitivity, you know, than probably many of the other contractors we were looking at.48:12And he's like, You have to be here for as much of the process as possible, you know. And so it's like, I just love that you48:19said that. Yeah, so right. It's interesting, because I reached a point where I was getting told by coaches, outsource everything48:27you want to, you know, elevate out of it. And which I did. And then I realized, oh, wait, what there are parts of this process48:34that are creative. They're my creative expression. So I love that he's like, nudging you to say, hey, like, you're gonna48:40feel more connected. Yeah, to the home, you know, this is like your expression. Yeah. So there are so many parts of that coaching practice of48:51building like, taking yourself out of your business that I just48:57do not agree with. There's so many parts of a god I'm so here for. And then there are other pieces that I guess the core49:05pieces, you were given the calling, like you were tapped on the shoulder by the universe, and it was placed inside of you49:14that this is what this is going to be. And I believe in many ways, it's nonsensical to then believe that these other people49:21who have come into our lives can move the mission completely forward, without you being there in some way. So good, simply49:31because it's like, people are coming not just for the content, anybody can build content. They're coming for that49:37energetical resonance, that soul of that CEO, you know, and I think there is a problem in our industry, where it's like, get49:47out, get out, get out, well, you then get out and then you realize, oh, shit, what happened and then you have to come back49:54in to an emergency cleanup on Aisle Five, and you're like, No,50:00Oh, and you're happening? And it's like, well, because you left when the spirit left, like the messes they did there50:17Oh, and here's the thing. Oh, be a visiting minister. Oh, absolutely. Oh, listen, just for the service50:32that we talked about was so right, we cannot leave our congregation. The congregation50:42to like our people need us but also the team in many ways to oh my god, I'm glad. Yeah, cuz50:49a lot of people are out there talking about the NIT, there are many aspects that I completely, completely agree like, get cut50:55out, cut out. And also, you were given the call. That's so good. What I love about what you're saying is51:03there is this distinction that was missing for me. And I was hearing the message from coaches that were the Get out, get out,51:10get out. And without the distinction of what parts to51:16have someone take over and leaning into your unique genius and that like visionary role. And I guess what I, what I found51:25was, it was useful for me to like re identify myself as how I would describe myself as a CEO, which is not a CEO, because I'm51:32like, nothing executive about me leadership. What does that mean? How do you spell it? I don't know. So what I51:38did identify with was being a CIO. So a chief inspiration,51:43innovation and investment officer. So my number one goal is to keep myself inspired. Okay, because then I will show51:51up and inspire passion and be able to inspire the message the people the congregation, yes. And then the innovation, you51:57know, that ability to, I usually say, I live in the future, and I'm just visiting the present. You know, it's all happening at52:04the same time, eternal, eternal presence, but it's like, you know, my role is to I have already seen and visited the52:09future. I'm just coming back to tell y'all what I'm seeing. That's the innovation and we're like, Okay, what was the next52:15thing? What are we like, what are we doing? And then the investment is okay, like, Is this what's the biggest52:21opportunity we can give this person so they can help the business grow? 10x? Right. What are those investments we're52:26making that are making sense? So that was so helpful for me to refrain realize, okay, that's my domain. Yes. That's me at the52:34pulpit. Come on. The other thing. We have more amazing52:39people who I can do that like this. Yeah. So that's such an important distinction.52:45You're you saying, I'm in the future. I'm just here visiting and sharing. I recently a few weeks ago, went on a date with52:52this stunning cumin. And they said, I'm a reincarnation. So I'm like, Oh, my God, tell me every Never. Why? I said, Yeah,53:02I said, and then they said, I'm here on vacation. And I said, I53:07love you already. Like, like you had53:12a stressed bone or muscle in their body. We were going to see53:18the ballet that night. And I was like, Oh my gosh, we were like having a drink. And then I'm like, Oh, my goodness, we need53:23to run like literally, this show is starting in five minutes. And they were like, I'm on vacation. And I'm like, I you know what? I53:32need to be on vacation. Because they were they were handling life, but just really, just really here.53:41carnation is to me. When I tell you we didn't get that far and that there wasn't a second53:46date. Okay, there was a second date. So I didn't, I didn't get all of the info. Got it. But what I do know, they shared with53:57me that they had been here before and that there was going to be another life and what they learned from the previous life54:04was, it's not that serious. And to truly sit into I believe the54:12idea of the mantra of I'm on vacation, not just don't care,54:17but truly enjoy. You know, like, why would we just throw our drink down and run to the theater? The ballet is going to54:25be two, two and a half hours. We can continue this drink for another 10 minutes. Yes, walk on over to the theater. We'll still54:34we'll still get the show. And I'm like, You know what? You are not wrong. Yeah, you are not wrong. So I wish I had more to54:43tell you but I'm gonna just do it. No, but that explains it. That explains it.54:48Wow. It's interesting because I thought that was their like profession. So I'm like, Oh, they help others realize how but54:55you know, that was the identity. I have. Yeah, that makes me that example. makes me think of I went to Elton John's concert,55:02like maybe three weeks ago. Yeah. Incredible. And we got there, like 20 minutes late, of course that was on me. And so we55:10rolled up and I was like, Oh, he's definitely got to have an opener. No, it was just him. Of course, this is final tour. And55:16this thing has been in motion for like, a few years because he had to take the pause, right? Because what was happening? And so he's like, Okay, this is it. This is your last time. And so I55:25remember on the way I was like, Oh, I can't wait to hear Benny in the dip. Just like I'm like that is. And so we were walking in,55:32and I'm like, I hear Hey jet and55:40I was like, Are we missing any of the Jets right now? I was like, Elton, on stage. Yes. On the keys.55:49And we're not in the stadium. We're not We're not on the ground. We're not. We're not there.55:55But then I got in. You know, I'm saying, like, Oh, my God, you look incredible. I was like, thank you. And then I remembered, you know, it's a56:02good day. Like, we're here to see Elton. We're gonna see the rest of it. Yeah, to56:07hear Rocket Man. That's all we needed. I just love that. He's like, I'm at a point in my career. I don't56:13do openers, right? Like he's out. Right on time. Here. We got 75 years old. What a career. I56:24know. It was super inspiring. I don't think I want to be on a stage at 75.56:29I know. That's why I have all the more respect. I did webinars for two years straight. And I was like, Oh,56:36we're getting off this stage. And it was a virtual stage from my living room. Okay. And I was like we could we could right now56:42thinking you think singing the same song. I seriously did not56:48realize that was alive. We wouldn't mean those webinars over two years. I did it 10056:54Over 100 times, almost every Wednesday, and we took a few off over two years.56:59Oh, my goodness. I had the shift where57:10I said what happens if I keep my word to myself? What happens if I do this webinar for a year? And I knew I wouldn't make a57:16million if I did it for a year and it happened in six months instead. And I was like, let's just keep going. Because we57:21talked about this. I think you also identify as an introvert. Yeah. And I recently realized I'm an introvert because I57:27always glamorized idolized the extrovert identity. Yeah. And so57:33I always thought I was one because like, of course, I'm gonna. And then I was like, Oh, you're an introvert. But that's57:38why I loved doing it. That's why it never got old for me. Because I was like, Cool. I get to, like, interact from over here.57:44And then behind the screen, exactly. disappear into the good nights. Yep. Yes, I get it. It's actually quite generous to share57:52your gifts. Like what you sharing your gifts. It is so generous, so many people get to be impacted. So when I see that58:00I'm like, Thank you, like, I see you. And also thank you. But I also think that's why our self care of coming back in the house. And58:11recharging and allowing those cells to regenerate is so important.58:20We're gonna time travel to the future. And it could be five years from now. 10 years from now, 20 years from now, and I58:27want to know, who is Robert? What are you doing? When you58:32wake up? Where are you? What are you looking at? Who's in your life? What projects are happening? What's going on?58:39Yeah, let's go 10 years. Okay, let's go 10 years. 45 year old Robert,58:44we're giving 45 year old Rob for Yes, she is so drunk, stupid in58:50love with his husband. And we've got I think we've got like 28358:59Babies running around the house. And I think that our time is59:06split between Italy and Massachusetts, and probably LA,59:14you know, and I see a private tutor, you know, so that we can59:20really like curate a beautiful, inclusive curriculum and education for our kids. Yes, there are some big dogs. I don't59:28like no little tiny dogs, you know, seeing big big dogs. But59:33there's just a lot of family. There's a lot of love. There's a bunch of travel and the work is deeply creative. You know, and I59:43think I do see moving more so into production, you know, and I59:49could see like 45 year old me having a field day making59:55creative decision decisions and the morning that date that I was on Actually, they asked me, What is your greatest ambition in1:00:03life? And I said, Honestly, I, at this point in my life want to have a giant room filled with stationery, and stamps and1:00:13crafts. And I want to go in there and I want to journal and write people like thank you notes. That was like, that's1:00:20like, that's my 45 year old me is like doing stationery and1:00:27crafting, you know, but like, that's my you work hard now. You know, build it now. I put family babies travel. Lots and lots of1:00:38great, great, solid, exhilarating sex. Thank you. I was hoping. I was like, What is he going to end1:00:45that way? Thank you for going there all the way. We're Keeping love alive. Yeah, you know, reminding constantly.1:01:03am so proud of you that they? Seriously, I'm proud of you. Thank you so inspiring.1:01:13Now, now's our time to share a truth that is on your heart right now, what is a truth that's coming up. And it may be1:01:20something you haven't shared with anyone maybe even like yourself yet? That love is so deep and confusing and beautiful. And I1:01:34am deeply confused by it. I last week, I lost one of my dearest1:01:42friends who was also one of like, the greatest loves of my life. And thank you, I think the truth is, you can love your best1:01:54friend, you know, and you can support your, your friend1:02:01through so many things. And that friendship can be so deep and love can be so deep and they can run and be so confusing. And you1:02:10can go through so many different phases of life with that person. I think the truth is like even in the transition, they are1:02:17still rooting for your heart and loving you and the residents1:02:23that they had, I believe the territory just enlarges as they1:02:29transition into the next phase of their being. Yeah, so I think that's the truth that I am learning right now. And you1:02:40know, learning right now, you know, because I asked my mom, I1:02:46was actually talking to my sister about this on because she's a therapist. I'm like, why is this so hard? And she said1:02:52you've journeyed through so many seasons in life together. I met him when I was 22 years old, you know and so I got to spend 131:03:01years of my life in New York City with him Yeah, and he was1:03:07my brother and my friend and my love and just so much goodness1:03:14and so I think the truth and I'm learning is it's a winding road1:03:20you know, but the core the core truth is love. That's beautiful.1:03:28I love oh my gosh seriously, I know that everyone everyone who sees1:03:36this episode is going to want to know where to find you for is the best place to find you and follow you and get all the1:03:42goodness you are to kind and I feel the absolute same like this has been just1:03:48healing and joy to be here. You can follow me on Instagram @SirRobertTakesPics. Or you can find me online at1:03:57strengthonstages.com Thank you so much. Fine, follow check it all out.1:04:05Yeah. You're here you've been listening to me on Since3000 You're probably on my newsletter, you probably know my1:04:11story, right that I've been able to turn my story my life experiences into an incredible online business that I'm1:04:17passionate about. And I've been able to impact people's lives on demand and chances are you want to learn how to do that too. So1:04:24people always ask me Danielle, how can I work with you? So there are two ways you can work with me. The first way is in1:04:31course from scratch course from scratch is our incredible program. We've helped over 10,000 people and you will learn1:04:37how to launch your very own online business in 30 days. Now the second way to work with me is my course alchemy program and1:04:44of course alchemy is going to walk you through how I've been able to launch my own webinar and scale my business past the1:04:51seven figure mark. 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