Carlos Gil is the Global Head of Social Media for BMC Software. Previously, he has led corporate social media for brands such as Winn-Dixie, Save-A-Lot, and LinkedIn. In addition, he is an industry speaker and thought leader on Snapchat and all things social media.

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Resources Mentioned

• Your Big Idea: Successful Entrepreneurs have One Big Idea. Follow JLD’s FREE training & you’ll discover Your Big Idea in less than an hour!
• Audible – Get a FREE Audiobook & 30 day trial if you’re not currently a member!
• Facebook Messenger – Carlos’s favorite online tool
• Crush It – Carlos’s book recommendation
• SnapChatforBusiness.com – Discover how to utilize Snapchat for your business’ (Sorry! This link was active when this episode was first published in 2016. This resource is no longer available.)

 3 Key Points

1. Build relationships and networks.
2. ‘No’ never means ‘no’ forever.
3. Picture your success, and work backwards.

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Time Stamped Show Notes

(click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.)

• [01:07] – Carlos started in banking when he was 19.
• [01:18] – He lost his job in 2008 and started his own business.
• [01:32] – He lives in California with his family.
• [02:22] – What’s been going on in the Snapchat world?
  • [02:41] – It gives people a glimpse into your life
  • [03:01] – Real and unfiltered material
  • [03:30] – Everyone is now jumping on “the Snapchat train.”
  • [03:55] – A great way to connect with your audience.
  • [04:45] – Follow John at JohnLeeDumas and Carlos at TheCarlosGil
• [04:55] – How do you generate revenue in your business? – Living in California is a “crash course lesson on the hustle.”
  • [05:38] – His corporate job “only gets him so far.”
  • [05:50] – Have multiple income streams besides a corporate salary.
• [06:25] -Worst Entrepreneurial Moment: Carlos started Jobs Direct USA.
  • [07:07] – He went broke and literally had nothing.
  • [07:15] – He had to choose to “up his game.”
  • [07:42] – Hitting rock bottom and realizing you need income fast.
  • [08:10] – He had no other option but to succeed and provide for his family.
• [08:55] – What do you want people to get from the lessons you learned in that difficult time? – Tenacity and believing in yourself.
  • [09:09] – Carlos was watching The Pursuit of Happiness and saw his own family headed in that direction.
  • [09:44] – He had to believe in himself and get through the rough patch.
  • [09:58] – ‘No’ doesn’t mean ‘no’ forever.
  • [10:09] – Planting seeds to see an eventual harvest
  • [10:47] – You hit a point where people want to help you and provide you as a resource.
• [11:18] –Entrepreneurial AH-HA Moment: It was a Friday afternoon at the end of 2010
  • [11:32] – He received a message on LinkedIn from a recruiter at Winn-Dixie.
  • [11:53] – She asked him to help promote their job fair
  • [12:10] – This moment defined his career
  • [12:28] – The job fair brought out more candidates than what they got from print ads.
  • [12:47] – Winn-Dixie ended up hiring him as a corporate social media manager.
• [14:05] – What do you want people to get out of your story? – A lot of entrepreneurs are just getting started
  • [14:19] – Being a student still has a lot of value
  • [14:41] – Let someone else tell you what value you have and what experience you need.
  • [15:20] – Decide where you want to be in five years, and reach out to the companies that will put you on that path.
• [15:54] –Biggest weakness? –Not knowing how much to charge for services
  • [16:30] – People see your value, but you don’t know what they are expecting to pay
• [17:09] – Biggest strength? –Not taking ‘no’ for an answer
  • [17:26] – Establishing a relationship-based business
  • [17:40] – Have patience
• [17:46] – What has Carlos most fired up today? – Snapchat
  • [17:54] – It has transformed his career as a marketer
  • [18:10] – Forcing people to step up their game
  • [18:30] – Where Snapchat is headed in the future
• [20:58] – The Lightning Round
  • What was holding you back from becoming an entrepreneur? – Lack of money and resources
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – His Dad said “The worst fear is the fear that you anticipate.”
  • What’s a personal habit that contributes to your success? – Reading up on current trends, and “jumping in early”
  • Share an internet resource, like Evernote, with Fire Nation – Facebook Messenger
  • If you could recommend one book to our listeners, what would it be and why? – Crush It
  • Imagine you woke up in a brand new world, and all you have is a laptop and $500. What would you do in the next 7 days? – I would try to find a way to multiply that $500 through networking.
  • Parting piece of advice – Keep your head focused on success and work your way backwards. Surround yourself with people that will inspire you to step up your game.
• [23:37] – TheCarlosGil on Snapchat, SnapChatforBusiness.com, and @carlosgil83 on Twitter (Sorry! This link was active when this episode was first published in 2016. This resource is no longer available.)

Killer Resources!

1) The Common Path to Uncommon Success: JLD’s 1st traditionally published book! Over 3000 interviews with the world’s most successful Entrepreneurs compiled into a 17-step roadmap to financial freedom and fulfillment!

2) Free Podcast Course: Learn from JLD how to create and launch your podcast!

3) Podcasters’ Paradise: The #1 podcasting community in the world!

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