One day you will meet yourself back where you started, I think of the first time seeing my house. And a lot of people didn't believe that I could make it happen as a single black entrepreneur. And I did when I come back to the home now, two plus years later, I am reminded, and I have to be reminded when I open that door, who came before, but also like what that has given me the opportunity to be and to do because the doubt and the roadblocks during the process of renovation, you realize, like the true renovation is in your mind and in your soul coming back together again to say, I am worthy of this, you know, and so I feel that that historical evolution, it's remembering who you are, you know, and so I deeply feel that that home is constantly reminding me, don't you forget? Welcome back to the Since3000 Podcast. I am your host, Danielle Leslie, we've had an incredible season so far, and my guest today is gonna keep us going. I can't wait for you to Robert Hartwell is the founder of strength on stages and elite speaker training program for adult entrepreneurs. Robert has starred in five Broadway musicals, two national tours and performed at the Tony Awards. He went viral in 2020 when he purchased a large colonial home in Massachusetts. And now Roberts home renovation is being released in a TV show called taking back the House premiering this year on Discovery. Plus, I am so excited to welcome the incredible Robert Hartwell to Since3000. Thank you so much for being so honored. And I am so excited. I'm so excited to bring you today's episode. But before we do, I need to make sure you've heard about member up. So community driven products are the future. But Facebook groups are a thing of the past. And after 10 plus years in the online education space. I've taken all my learnings and I've built this incredible platform member up it's a customizable easy to use all in one platform where you can build a premium course community or membership site without the tech headache. Gone are the days of having to duct tape together, your content, your community, your payments, all on different platforms. I want you to do me a favor, do yourself a favor and head over right now to memberup.com/Danielle. And you can get started for free today. I promise you, I can't wait for you to see this platform. It's beautiful. Okay, the design is amazing. Your community is going to feel at home here and you are going to take pride in your online business. It is the place to start head over to memberup.com/Danielle. Now let's get into the episode. I'm really good. It's just been like, oh, June was unreal. Like closing one company starting another company starting to film the show. Oh my gosh, wait, what did you close in June so Broadway Collective, we were like, We're gonna it was our final like in person event. And then we said at the end of this year, we're gonna go to a fully licensed model. I love this, which is exciting. Because I saw you started Broadway collective in 2016, which is the same year I launched course from scratch. And I'm like you have been running that for a while, like six years. See people? Yeah. So tell me about how you're shifting because you were doing first you were doing in person? Yes. Then virtual. Yeah, hybrid combination. And now shifting to a licensing model. What does that mean? So when we started the company, it was fully in person in 2016. So the idea was, how can I essentially fill the top of our funnel right and with when you're working with teenagers who you are working so hard to like gain their parents, you know, trust and respect. You need to like be in person, you know? And so we did that for about a year. And then we went to a hybrid model in 2017, where I introduced our online training, so no one knew what it was like no one understood in 2017 like no no, you can learn to sing, dance and act like virtually virtually You know, and so by 2020 My gosh, so in 2020, like very grateful to, like, have that platform like established. And then, after the pandemic, when we came back in person 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 I started this six years ago. And who am I now, you know, and so who I am now it's like, it's time for a shift. And so I said, Alright, let's give the students a year to, you know, make this transition. I didn't want it to be abrupt for them. But this summer was our last and personal event. And then at the end of this year, we'll phase out our online training. And now I'm working with entrepreneurs, like working on their storytelling skills, which I love so much. So it's just like a hybrid. Now, I think of all of the things that I love, like marketing, storytelling, and all of it just like coming together. Yeah, love that. So what I love is, and I noticed this in my workouts and talk about the webinars that I used to do every week live, that's my stage. Yes, former. Yeah, maybe I'm not gonna be a singer in this lifetime. Or maybe that was like my stage in the webinar. Okay. And I was like a method 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, your background as a Broadway performer is so valuable for us, because it is about us telling our story, especially now, right? Like, where your culture, add your cultural advantage, makes all the difference and makes you stand out. I was like, you know, Robert just walks in, he doesn't even need to say anything, and you feel his energy, you just your aura, it just emanates. And so the fact that Yeah, so for you to be the person helping other entrepreneurs, like Have, have them bring that out with themselves, you know, have them have the magic inside, meet the magic outside and be expressed is going to be huge. So tell me about that. I love you, I love you. I think as entrepreneurs, a lot of times you create, when you're in the valley, you know, like you really have no other option, you know, and at the top of this year, I just knew something had to change, you know, but I'm just essentially like sitting in the valley. And my best friend, Rachael Rogers said to me, what is something that you've always wanted to create? And I'm like, I know exactly what it is. Because like, you were constantly working with entrepreneurs, and you're like, you have an incredible idea, or you have a beautiful presence, but you're not able to marry your story to the marketing materials to be able to like, get the press and get on the stages that you so desperately want to get on. Because you don't have the packaging together, right. But as a Broadway performer for 10 years, that's what I did, every single day was like, get my packaging together, so I could get in that audition room and look back, get a man. It was like, let's create that for entrepreneurs, you know, because that is like a piece of like the connective fiber that many don't have, you know, so I was like, Alright, who would they look like? What would they need? What would they want? You know, and like what would feel most spacious and alive to work with them. So one of the programs that we had created at Broadway collective, which I think is one of the most successful ones was our college prep program. And that program had a 97% success rate of getting students into the top 10 colleges and the country's amazing 97% success rate, but to define success rate is top 10 in the country. Yeah. So we would do a four week prep with them where it's like, first half, getting that mindset, getting that intention, getting that 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, what if we like spin that and turn that into something for adult entrepreneurs? And he's like, let's go I love the what if game, sometimes. Yeah, but isn't that though also like a testament to the energy that you keep in your life? Right and that you manifest to come because 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 go all the way in right now and it It works. Yeah, you know. And so I 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 you then get back, like the secret desires of your heart, like I knew, like the desire of my heart was that I wanted this to work. I wanted these people to be transformed. But the secret desire of my heart is I really wanted to be working with black and brown women. And that is what came, you know, like, because my first company, it was a lot of a fluid, white families, because of the price point, yes, we had scholarship programs. And we worked very hard to have a diverse classroom, but most of our students were from a world that I did not belong to, you know, so to be able to now, like help people that look like my aunties that look like my cousins. It's like, Oh, this feels so magical. Yeah. I love that. That sounds like you had the opportunity to listen to that inner voice, that secret desire. Is that something you've always been able to tap into? Is this like a new skill? Is it growing as you go through life? It's a beautiful question. I feel I've always heard it, you know, and it's more of a feeling than actual words that I hear, you know, from another realm. But it's like, when I feel completely in line, it takes me back to one of the first feeling states, 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. And you could smell the scenery, like the wood and the paint, and just the costuming and everything. It just like took me to another place. And I felt at home like my body. Like my entire spirit was like, who this is it, you know? And so, in those moments, I've like, felt those centering moments where you're like, Oh, you need to tap in and listen, you need to tap in and feel. And so that absolutely happened when I knew there needed to be a shift in the first company that I opened. And then when I started to open the next one, really getting intentional. You know if that makes any sense. I love that you took us back to seven year old Robert, because we talk a lot about embodying your past, present and future. So now and what that means is there are lessons like and 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 on my back at the end and the music was playing. And I had been interested in speaking with sixth grade Danny fourth grade Danny because there were things there. I knew she was driving the bus a little too often with when I got when I felt resistance. And she finally I finally went and got to visit her so first I visited fourth grade Danny and she was crying because she was just she got slapped by two twins on the on the playground and she was crying. Yeah. And I told her you're sensitive and that's okay. I said that's her superpower. That's, that makes you amazing, because I had a story 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 out she was doing a science project. Okay the protozoa, okay, she was researching today in protozoa, and she had the three part, you know, she had to be perfect. It really did. Okay, and of course, she waited until two days before to be like, Hey, Mommy, can you take me to Michael's supplies? Yeah. And printed it out. You know, I'm saying the ink cartridges are expensive back then. Yeah, I was talking about that the color cartridges for color. You had to get the three. Oh my god, and then the black one. Oh my god. $60. But I got to heal something with her because she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. She didn't own her process. Listen, I love to create my own timeline. We don't do 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 no way to the world like just be so I love ya know, that made all the sense in the world for you to have as meets seven year old Robert right now. Like that was beautiful. You know, that just reminded me. My therapist recently said what we need to do is have conversations with those versions of ourselves because I was telling her I said at the beginning of this year, I felt so tired and actually I wrote about it on Instagram and you DM me and we're like I love You, I hear you, because it's so easy as entrepreneurs, especially when we are in a service based business like of helping other people see their dreams and realize their futures, you get exhausted, right. And so I said to my therapist, I'm like, I am so tired. And she said, many of the behaviors that you're doing right now are things that really helped seven year old Robert, especially 21 year old Robert, and she was like, and then 28 year old Robert, when he was like, let's open a company she's like, so all of these behavioral links, like really worked. She's like, but now that you're 35, she's like, we get an opportunity to go back and thank seven year old Robert for not being afraid to ask for a scholarship, right? Or we get to thank 14 year old Robert for like having the courage to kiss a guy for the first time. You know, like, we get those opportunities, she said, but now we also get to say you can nap. Yeah, 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 work and 14 year old did the work and 21 like they did the work so that those behaviors don't have to shift into your relationships in your 30s. Now, you know, and you can honor and you can celebrate. But you can also choose a new set of skills, you know, and I was like, laid out and I love this process of thinking those versions of ourselves. Oh my gosh. So I want to know, now that you are here as 35 year old Robert Yeah. Tell me about a day in your life right now. That really shows us okay, this is Robert embodying his whole being right now. I'm curious, because I know you're working on an amazing project we're gonna get into, but I'm curious what day what'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. Oh, wow. Oh, you better get all up in it. I 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. So what is like? Amazing, and we were just laughing a little earlier about the idea of like, where did this summer season go? When I think of the days right now. There's just so many different moments and parts going on. So it usually starts with a meeting with our Director of Operations Dallin. And we just 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 be immediate, you know, so we are really sitting and dealing with phasing out this company that we built for six years. And so there are a few programs that are still moving right now. And so going with our students. So the first half of the day is always spent on the Broadway collective. And then we switch to TV meetings, which is wild, how much work goes in to even just one episode. And I believe our show is six or seven episodes. But the amount of people that not only are weighing in on decisions, but then are weighing in on distribution and weighing in on creative. I mean it is just unreal. But what I tell them all of the time and they are like oh my gosh, we forget this is I'm not a traditional homeowner, in the sense that many homeowners are I believe coming to the renovation process with a partner, you know, I am a single person and so there is no other person that I'm checking in with other than like meet, you know, like various versions of me what we doing but that listen seven year old Robert, their primary sweet, so be here for it. He's gonna love it. But I tell them all the time as entrepreneurs, we are never out of options, right? Like if we make 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's not 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. I'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 and figure out how to now financially plugged that leak. We're not going to get behind right because as long as I keep this mind sharp and this spirit alive and awakened to possibility, it does not even yet appear what is ahead. You know, so a lot of meetings go from probably collected in the morning. And then in the afternoon, it's TV. And so TV goes from anything to speaking with the producers about the show and distribution, but then the designer, so there's the architect, the contractor and the interior designer. And so there's constant conversations of like, do we like the Brushed Nickel, or the, you know, lacquered nickel you know, so it's like, a lot of like, tactile touching things, which is like, as an artist, and creative, you know, that's just like, so yummy and delicious. So that is like, the second half of the day. And then the third half a 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 our strengthen stages work. And that is like, where I get to see a lot of the creative that our team has built for these clients. And I just get to say, Oh, I mean, literally, yesterday, I was in a meeting, there was a color palette that they had made from one of the clients for her website that we're building. And I literally was like, this blush doesn't feel like her essence. You know, and so we like, we just dialed it 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. Love about just the synchronicity of the work you're doing designing your home. And even you mentioned the brush nickel versus the lacquered nickel. Yeah, we got that wrong. No, you're right. Yeah. And it's almost like that awareness that you're now being called to have to those details, and how they vibe with you. With seven year old Robert Wood. 22 year old, Robert, all the versions, you get to also apply that with your client. Yeah, like that attention to detail. Oh, this is not 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, you know, your clients as well, this idea of listening, because you can hear when the truth is coming out, or the version of the story that they believe you should hear or the audience should hear. Right. And I know you feel that when people are talking to you about their courses, or the content that they're creating, or the businesses, but also like, the lives they're creating, but that's what I love most about the 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 that that other realm of possibility, you know, so thank you. I mean, that literally as we were sitting here, and I was like, Oh my gosh, romper is being so transparent and honest. Like, I valued that so much. So you're I mean, your ability to just, you're I am myself, and you make people feel safe to be their full selves and to speak their truth. I love you. Yeah. Thank you. This is so fun. Doing chairs because we're going to talk about your house. We're going to talk about what led to it the purchase. Okay, okay, let's do a chairs. And then let's go cheers to you. Cheers to you. And this new venture? Oh, my God. 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. Like it's a done deal. Are you kidding me? Yeah, I mean so much. We would do anything for you. Oh, seriously. Serious. You show up and you are changing people's lives. Like it's it's a no brainer, always. So please always ask. Always be there so 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 that was 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. Oh my gosh. So one of the things I love. This is like a detail that I was like light that you were featured in Entrepreneur in the video for all and Jay Z song is one of my favorite songs. So that clip I was like wait, we wait, Rob, Rob. Back, Robert is in front of his house. So tell us where did the idea come from? How did you find the house and what are you creating? You know it came from death is really where it came from. In June 2020. My aunt Paulette had been diagnosed with COVID she, and she passed in June from COVID. And in 2020, as black and brown people in this country, we were definitely afraid to go outside because of the pandemic, we were deathly afraid to go outside because of the riots and the racial reckoning that was happening in our country, I found out that she had passed on a Friday and I went into my bedroom, and I shut the blinds. And I have these big, thick black velvet curtains and I just shut them and I just got under my covers, and I just cried and just said, I'm just gonna stay here. And then my stepmom called me the next morning and she said, Open, your blinds wake up, you 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 will feel 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 your bed. And so I had an attitude. Here, like, I just want to sit in my bed of sorrow. But okay, I'm glad that I got up because I grabbed a house beautiful magazine, and I went out into the park. And I sat in the park and I read, flipping through this magazine, and I saw an article have a family that during 911 Right after 911 they had moved from New York City to go get what they called a sanctuary property in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. And I'm thinking I just lost my aunt. I am scared of my existence as a black man in America. I needed a sanctuary property. And so that word sanctuary just like hit my spirit so deeply. And I said Great Barrington, Massachusetts. What is that? Where is that? And so I went on Zillow on my phone, and I typed in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. 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 saw that house. And I was like, that's it. And it's that knowing, right, it's like seven year old me sitting in that theater for the first time I literally heard in my entire body. This is what you're meant to do with your life. Like you were meant to be an actor, you are meant to tell stories you are meant to create and these spaces, and I felt that sitting there in June of 2023 2020. This is like jumping into the future. 1000s When 49. And so I'm sitting there and I go, this is it. This is it. I literally that same moment. I picked up the phone. I called the realtor. I made an appointment to see the house that that Monday. I saw the house on Monday. I paid for it that Friday on Juneteenth. And then the following Wednesday, I went to pick up the keys and then took that picture. And then it went viral. But it all happens within about a 10 days. Of course it's no Oh, when the universe is waiting on you. And I know that that home was waiting on me because it sat on the market for years and years when there has not been a neighbor 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 I meet in Great Barrington is like I toured that everyone wanted to buy it everyone was for you and waiting for you. She was waiting for me to show up. Yes, it's time for my saying. Yeah. So you were asking, what is it and my aunt Gloria said to me last week, you are making a capsule for our family's history that will live on this earth. And that people will be able to go 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 you know, and truly be able to learn not only the history of the family that built the home, but also the black servants that lived in the home and my family and that history of how it all connects. And when she said that, like the history nerd in me just like lit up because like, again, little seven year old Robert was obsessed with history because it was a way to escape to another time period to see like gorgeous costumes and like I always I always was confused as a child like why am I in this year this year? Because I was like I am an Egyptian king. Like I feel like a disco queen. You are like that's where I belong. That was my era. You know, I feel Yes. Oh, Egyptian counselor like, you know, it just it felt like it was all waiting. And so when my aunt Gloria said that the other week, I was like, Oh my God, that's exactly what we are doing right now. It's been proven that procrastination can be one of our biggest enemies to success. Now, contrary to belief, procrastination is not based on a lack of time management or organizational skills. Procrastination is directly linked to to our emotions. Now, the reason I know this is because of Patty Johnston. Patty Johnson is incredible. She's of course from scratch member. But even more importantly, she's built multiple multimillion dollar businesses once she learned how to overcome procrastination. So she's created a program where she shares her system on how to overcome procrastination. And it's based on emotional intelligence, neuroscience and accountability. She's gonna show you step by step how to overcome negative feelings. So you can start taking action and start seeing a difference from day one. So text this number right now to schedule an appointment with Patti and her team to see if this is right for you, and what steps for you to take to overcome your procrastination 813-789-1097. And again, the number to text right now is 813-789-1097. Let's all overcome procrastination together. Now let's get back to the episode. So we have a shared interest in time travel. And it is the opportunity to travel to the future also traveled to the past. On another episode, I was talking about how the Lion King is that story of returning back to yourself because I talked about how I see my life as three different phases. The first was discovering who I am, then it was creating who I am. And that's when I created course from scratch. I'm like, Oh, who is this? Oh, then I created my dream life. And then that started to not quite fit anymore. And then it was remembering who I am. And when I thought right, and I feel I'm there now. And when I think about the Lion King, it is a story of Simba remembering who he is. Yeah, right. Discovering as a kid from Mufasa from everyone, this is your legacy. And he's like, Oh, that's a lot of pressure. And then second, he ran away created who he wasn't the jungle Pumbaa Timon, he's like, let me try on a new philosophy. Hakuna Matata, let me see if it fits me. And then the final one was running into Nala having Rafiki guide him back 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 think about that story of remembering who you are. And I was looking through my notes this morning. And I was like, Oh, I wrote a quote down from blackest king. And I want to ask what this means to you. It says history is your future. One day you will meet yourself back where you started. One day, you will meet yourself back where you started, I think of the first time seeing my house. And a lot of people didn't believe that I could make it happen as a single black entrepreneur. And I did. And when I come back to the home now, two plus years later, I am reminded, and I have to be reminded when I open that door, who came before, but also like what that has given me the opportunity to be and to do because the Dow and the roadblocks during the process of renovation, you realize like the true renovation is in your mind and in your soul coming back together again to say I am worthy of this. You know, and so I feel that that historical evolution is exactly what you just said. It's remembering who you are. You know, and so I deeply feel that that home is constantly reminding me, don't you forget? I love that. What I love is You're like an executive producer 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. And then we're creating we're executive producing our first TV show, and our first like, we're executive and we're starring in it like creative directing all the things. So I mean, how and yes how Robert and what is you know, executive because you get to be the creative director of of your life. It's not just executive producing a show but it's really like your If it's this next phase, so what tell me more about how you even landed or created that role for yourself? I think anything in life is our relationships. Right? And I have a father figure here in New York City, who is my theater dad, you know, Charles Randolph, right. And he is also from North Carolina. And he has had an incredible career as a TV director and also a Broadway director and has just really taken me under his wing. And what I love watching most about him is he's not afraid to put himself in the room. And to come prepared, right. So when the when that post went viral, I didn'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 to enjoy this day if like having the keys. So when I got home, like maybe 12 hours later, I realized that what had happened, and 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 got home 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, what's going on? And she's like, Robert, every major news outlet is calling trying to have an inner calling her. The news is what 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 1000s and 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, I thought there were like, 10 people that you know, and so I looked and I was like, okay, she's not lying. Okay. And I was like, Okay, I have to call Rachel. So I called my best friend. And I'm like, What in the world? And she asked, she was 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? She said, You were working on your own YouTube show where you were decorating Broadway dressing rooms. She was like, what? Yes. I had my own YouTube show called Broadway quick change. And I would go into Broadway dressing rooms. And I would do one day renovations on Broadway star dressing rooms. And those creative moments that aren't actually teaching you for the neck. So when people ask, like, how are you confident selling on a webinar? I just learned behind that camera on that YouTube show that we were put together in five minutes. Like you better do the ass. Yeah, better do the CTA booboo, you know? And so I was like, okay, she's like, well, what if instead of doing a Broadway dressing room, you go to your big ass house? Wow. And that sounds exactly like Rachel. Okay, okay. So that night, we literally stayed up all night, we came up with a working title of black man, white house, bought the domain, called one of my dearest friends and designers, Becca Hayden. We put together a website, literally in the midnight hour, then the next morning, people started going to that site. And that's actually when the Scott's brothers reached out to me to have a meeting. And so they were the first production company that had reached out. And so and that was another learning curve of like, I just thought you went to the Oprah Winfrey Network, and then the show happens, no, you have to get a product. You have to get a production company, they have to say yes, you go into a deal with them. And then you 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, having an idea that was really good. And really out there. You know, we had creative materials. And it's like, okay, if these folks put this together in 24 hours, it's like, what could we then do with like, a longer Yeah, in a few months of a creative process. And so what ended up happening is Charles, called 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 directed numerous shows for Miss Winfrey's network. And so I'm like, Oh, my gosh, if this happens, and so when their team reaches 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'm thinking two months. 24 hours. Because as entrepreneurs, we're like, oh, you know, Jenna No, but I'm so grateful that we had that time because it really allowed me and then the team at Scotts brothers to get really clear about why we were doing this show and who This show could affect and how like change can happen, not only with the viewers but also within the industry, from everybody to like the banks and how black people are treated in the construction loan process. To even like bringing in a black interior designer, in an industry that is so white and not very inclusive of amplifying black voices in the design world. So that took time to get to those discoveries into 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 went into that meeting. And I had my publicist Yvette Noel Shore was in 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 that meeting, and the night before I called my friend divine joy Randolph, and she went through the pitch with me, and she's like, Okay, do you have an hour, and like, completely reworked so many things and just like, got me in a place of feeling confident and prepared to, like, truly do my best work. And so we went into that meeting, and none of us were without tears streaming down our face. Like, it just felt like a spiritual experience. It was supposed to be, I believe, a 20 minute meeting that went about an hour and a half. Wow. And it just felt so right. You know, I was like, because in a way, you are really going into a relationship with the production company, or the network, or your agents or your publicist, or whoever. And it really, it has to be right, you know, because you're creating something that has the power to change people's lives. So the home, the foundation has to be right, you know. And so when we went into that meeting, I knew they couldn't say, obviously, on the call, you have a green light, I was like, this is done, I called my mom. I love your mom, I saw her in your story. And I was like, Oh my gosh, sweet, she's gorgeous. That's the same like energy put, like, she's, she's the best, that green light came pretty soon after that meeting. And then we just like, got to work. But that was the really beautiful thing of like having a friend like Rachel who said, Let's be prepared. And then having a champion like Charles who said, I'm going to make the call, and you're going to get this meeting. It's just what other fathers are able to do. Like say your, you know, dad went to an Ivy League, and then went to work at a big law firm, they just call that law firm and say, My son just graduated, bring him in. 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. But this is why it's so important for black and brown people to be in these positions of power, because we then have the responsibility and the opportunity to open the door for the next line of storytellers. And had he not done that. I don't think everything would have come to fruition like it did, you know. So that's how the executive producer title was able to be attached to the host. And I just, I feel very grateful. Very grateful. Oh, my God. Yeah. So you said eight episode season? Yes. Whoo. And then when is it dropping? Oh, my gosh. So we are in production right now, which is really exciting. And so I'm hoping early to mid 2023, we'll be 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. And I'm sure you feel this in your many ventures as well, we really have to tell ourselves and calm our central nervous systems to enjoy 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, and 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've been saying, Robert, when these filming days, get hard, and you start to get tired, and you start to get cranky, because you need 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 to get the opportunity to tell this story and like you'll blink just kind of like the summer will blink and she will have moved on through her merry way. You know, that's another thing I keep telling myself. It's like, hey, enjoy this. I mean, even yesterday, I was actually one of my girlfriends from high school called me she was in the park in Saratoga Springs, New York. And she said there is this woman doing a soundcheck. I have never heard a voice 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 her since 2009. I was like and then two months ago, I was coming from LA and we were sitting beside each other And delta one and I was like, I love your music so much like you are everything. And so I ended up just like driving up, you know what, like, it was literally a three hour drive concert started, got off the car, I guess too low. On the way driving back yesterday, I was like, I'm going to stop at my house, and I stopped because right now where we are in the renovation process, all of the walls are down. So you see all of the live edge wood of these trees that were cut down 200 years ago. And I'm like, Oh, wow, just sit and so I just walked 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 the next few weeks, all of the drywall will be back up and the what you know, and the framing will begin. And so it's like taking the time in our own unique processes to sit in it versus just get to the final product, which is very, very easy for our CEO brains to want to do. Absolutely. I relate to that. 3,000% I was having a conversation with my business manager, maybe like a year ago, and this is when I was in transition had ended my relationship was in that inquiry of you know, who am I? Yeah, what are what's happening? And, and then I knew I wanted to do something different, but I wasn't sure what it was. And he's like, Yeah, you're pregnant right now. And he's like, Oh, you'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's developing. They have I have an ear, in my head, the legs, but still working out the organs. It's working out its eyes. It's developing. 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, what's the energy. And as you were speaking, I related that to our, you know, the things were developing the ventures, the projects, it is in these development cycles, you know, when parents have a child haven't been blessed with that yet. But hopefully, one day, when I do I know that they tell you to savor every moment, they're only going to be two months old, one time, they're only going to be four months old, they're only going to be one year old one time, and that development is gonna be like, Yep, and then you blink your eyes, 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, that 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 be there for that. Yeah. And then you want to be there for when it crawls. Like, I want to see that. I love that you said it perfectly. You literally said it perfectly. And I'm grateful that my contractor, he is so sensitive, and such a delicate man, that he's like, Hey, because he's a father. And so I think he has a different sensitivity, you know, than probably many of the other contractors we were looking at. And 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 you said that. Yeah, so right. It's interesting, because I reached a point where I was getting told by coaches, outsource everything you want to, you know, elevate out of it. And which I did. And then I realized, oh, wait, what there are parts of this process that are creative. They're my creative expression. So I love that he's like, nudging you to say, hey, like, you're gonna feel more connected. Yeah, to the home, you know, this is like your expression. Yeah. So there are so many parts of that coaching practice of building like, taking yourself out of your business that I just do 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 core pieces, you were given the calling, like you were tapped on the shoulder by the universe, and it was placed inside of you that this is what this is going to be. And I believe in many ways, it's nonsensical to then believe that these other people who have come into our lives can move the mission completely forward, without you being there in some way. So good, simply because it's like, people are coming not just for the content, anybody can build content. They're coming for that energetical resonance, that soul of that CEO, you know, and I think there is a problem in our industry, where it's like, get out, get out, get out, well, you then get out and then you realize, oh, shit, what happened and then you have to come back in to an emergency cleanup on Aisle Five, and you're like, No, Oh, and you're happening? And it's like, well, because you left when the spirit left, like the messes they did there Oh, and here's the thing. Oh, be a visiting minister. Oh, absolutely. Oh, listen, just for the service that we talked about was so right, we cannot leave our congregation. The congregation to like our people need us but also the team in many ways to oh my god, I'm glad. Yeah, cuz a lot of people are out there talking about the NIT, there are many aspects that I completely, completely agree like, get cut out, cut out. And also, you were given the call. That's so good. What I love about what you're saying is there is this distinction that was missing for me. And I was hearing the message from coaches that were the Get out, get out, get out. And without the distinction of what parts to have someone take over and leaning into your unique genius and that like visionary role. And I guess what I, what I found was, 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'm like, nothing executive about me leadership. What does that mean? How do you spell it? I don't know. So what I did identify with was being a CIO. So a chief inspiration, innovation and investment officer. So my number one goal is to keep myself inspired. Okay, because then I will show up and inspire passion and be able to inspire the message the people the congregation, yes. And then the innovation, you know, that ability to, I usually say, I live in the future, and I'm just visiting the present. You know, it's all happening at the same time, eternal, eternal presence, but it's like, you know, my role is to I have already seen and visited the future. 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 next thing? What are we like, what are we doing? And then the investment is okay, like, Is this what's the biggest opportunity we can give this person so they can help the business grow? 10x? Right. What are those investments we're making that are making sense? So that was so helpful for me to refrain realize, okay, that's my domain. Yes. That's me at the pulpit. Come on. The other thing. We have more amazing people who I can do that like this. Yeah. So that's such an important distinction. You'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 with this stunning cumin. And they said, I'm a reincarnation. So I'm like, Oh, my God, tell me every Never. Why? I said, Yeah, I said, and then they said, I'm here on vacation. And I said, I love you already. Like, like you had a stressed bone or muscle in their body. We were going to see the 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 need to 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? I need to be on vacation. Because they were they were handling life, but just really, just really here. carnation is to me. When I tell you we didn't get that far and that there wasn't a second date. 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 with me that they had been here before and that there was going to be another life and what they learned from the previous life was, it's not that serious. And to truly sit into I believe the idea of the mantra of I'm on vacation, not just don't care, but truly enjoy. You know, like, why would we just throw our drink down and run to the theater? The ballet is going to be two, two and a half hours. We can continue this drink for another 10 minutes. Yes, walk on over to the theater. We'll still we'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 to tell you but I'm gonna just do it. No, but that explains it. That explains it. Wow. It's interesting because I thought that was their like profession. So I'm like, Oh, they help others realize how but you know, that was the identity. I have. Yeah, that makes me that example. makes me think of I went to Elton John's concert, like maybe three weeks ago. Yeah. Incredible. And we got there, like 20 minutes late, of course that was on me. And so we rolled 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. And this 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 I remember 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, and I'm like, I hear Hey jet and I was like, Are we missing any of the Jets right now? I was like, Elton, on stage. Yes. On the keys. And we're not in the stadium. We're not We're not on the ground. We're not. We're not there. But 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 a good day. Like, we're here to see Elton. We're gonna see the rest of it. Yeah, to hear Rocket Man. That's all we needed. I just love that. He's like, I'm at a point in my career. I don't do openers, right? Like he's out. Right on time. Here. We got 75 years old. What a career. I know. It was super inspiring. I don't think I want to be on a stage at 75. I know. That's why I have all the more respect. I did webinars for two years straight. And I was like, Oh, we'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 now thinking you think singing the same song. I seriously did not realize that was alive. We wouldn't mean those webinars over two years. I did it 100 Over 100 times, almost every Wednesday, and we took a few off over two years. Oh, my goodness. I had the shift where I 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 a million if I did it for a year and it happened in six months instead. And I was like, let's just keep going. Because we talked about this. I think you also identify as an introvert. Yeah. And I recently realized I'm an introvert because I always glamorized idolized the extrovert identity. Yeah. And so I always thought I was one because like, of course, I'm gonna. And then I was like, Oh, you're an introvert. But that's why 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. And then behind the screen, exactly. disappear into the good nights. Yep. Yes, I get it. It's actually quite generous to share your gifts. Like what you sharing your gifts. It is so generous, so many people get to be impacted. So when I see that I'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. And recharging and allowing those cells to regenerate is so important. We're gonna time travel to the future. And it could be five years from now. 10 years from now, 20 years from now, and I want to know, who is Robert? What are you doing? When you wake up? Where are you? What are you looking at? Who's in your life? What projects are happening? What's going on? Yeah, let's go 10 years. Okay, let's go 10 years. 45 year old Robert, we're giving 45 year old Rob for Yes, she is so drunk, stupid in love with his husband. And we've got I think we've got like 283 Babies running around the house. And I think that our time is split between Italy and Massachusetts, and probably LA, you know, and I see a private tutor, you know, so that we can really like curate a beautiful, inclusive curriculum and education for our kids. Yes, there are some big dogs. I don't like no little tiny dogs, you know, seeing big big dogs. But there'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 I think I do see moving more so into production, you know, and I could see like 45 year old me having a field day making creative decision decisions and the morning that date that I was on Actually, they asked me, What is your greatest ambition in life? And I said, Honestly, I, at this point in my life want to have a giant room filled with stationery, and stamps and crafts. And I want to go in there and I want to journal and write people like thank you notes. That was like, that's like, that's my 45 year old me is like doing stationery and crafting, you know, but like, that's my you work hard now. You know, build it now. I put family babies travel. Lots and lots of great, great, solid, exhilarating sex. Thank you. I was hoping. I was like, What is he going to end that way? Thank you for going there all the way. We're Keeping love alive. Yeah, you know, reminding constantly. am so proud of you that they? Seriously, I'm proud of you. Thank you so inspiring. Now, 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 be something you haven't shared with anyone maybe even like yourself yet? That love is so deep and confusing and beautiful. And I am deeply confused by it. I last week, I lost one of my dearest friends who was also one of like, the greatest loves of my life. And thank you, I think the truth is, you can love your best friend, you know, and you can support your, your friend through 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 you can go through so many different phases of life with that person. I think the truth is like even in the transition, they are still rooting for your heart and loving you and the residents that they had, I believe the territory just enlarges as they transition into the next phase of their being. Yeah, so I think that's the truth that I am learning right now. And you know, learning right now, you know, because I asked my mom, I was actually talking to my sister about this on because she's a therapist. I'm like, why is this so hard? And she said you'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 13 years of my life in New York City with him Yeah, and he was my brother and my friend and my love and just so much goodness and so I think the truth and I'm learning is it's a winding road you know, but the core the core truth is love. That's beautiful. I love oh my gosh seriously, I know that everyone everyone who sees this 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 the goodness you are to kind and I feel the absolute same like this has been just healing and joy to be here. You can follow me on Instagram @SirRobertTakesPics. Or you can find me online at strengthonstages.com Thank you so much. Fine, follow check it all out. Yeah. You're here you've been listening to me on Since3000 You're probably on my newsletter, you probably know my story, right that I've been able to turn my story my life experiences into an incredible online business that I'm passionate 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. So people always ask me Danielle, how can I work with you? So there are two ways you can work with me. The first way is in course from scratch course from scratch is our incredible program. We've helped over 10,000 people and you will learn how to launch your very own online business in 30 days. Now the second way to work with me is my course alchemy program and of course alchemy is going to walk you through how I've been able to launch my own webinar and scale my business past the seven figure mark. 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