Today we’d like to introduce you to Geo Derice.
Geo, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started for me when I decided to become a personal trainer. This was while I was in college. Personal training was something I enjoyed because I loved the idea of helping someone transform their bodies from where they were to ultimately where they wanted to be. It was a struggle for me in the beginning because I had no understanding of sales and marketing. This led me to search online for resources that can show me how to sell and market my personal training services. There was this one website called PtOnTheNet which had articles for personal trainers. I found two guys that helped me learn sales and marketing. Jim Labadie and Ryan Lee. These were fitness business gurus that taught personal trainers how to market and sell their fitness services and how to leverage your expertise. I ended up purchasing a sales training program from Jim Labadie that helped turn my stagnant sales into sales success. I then wanted more that is where Ryan Lee came into the picture. He was holding a conference and I could not afford the ticket, but I asked and begged to volunteer so I can attend and that wish was granted. At this conference, I met a gentleman by the name, Mike Geary who was a personal trainer at the time as well. Mike Geary would go on to create one of the biggest online fitness products of all-time and I got a chance to work for him as his customer service rep.
This is where I learned the power of the internet and how you can make money without having to exchange your time for it like personal training was. I worked for Mike for a little while before I ended up working for Ryan Lee. With Ryan I worked behind the scenes doing marketing, helping out his clients and helping with product creation. This is where I got bit by the entrepreneurship bug. I saw what it was like first hand working with Ryan Lee and that stayed in the back of my mind. I then would meet one of my mentors and dear friend Paul Reddick. Paul Reddick would give me my next job and ultimately open the door for me to do what I am doing now. I am now a professional speaker, speaking all over the country to youth helping them see that their dreams are possible and showing them the practical how-tos to get there. I also help thought leaders, speakers, subject matter experts, business owners, coaches, and consultants write their own books so they can gain credibility and stand out in crowded markets so they can make more money. Those two opportunities Paul Reddick helped me discover and develop through his belief in me and also the opportunities he provided. Today I have helped self-publish over 45 books in a little over three year’s time, spoken across the country at colleges and high schools and through 20/20 Living Inc. continue to help people create a vision that they are excited about and can clearly see so that they can live instead of merely existing.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was not a smooth road. Especially when I branched off on my own away from working for my mentors. Entrepreneurship is a lonely road. I remember my wife giving me a book when I started 20/20 Living Inc. on running your own business. I did not read the book except for one page, but that page said all I needed to know. It talked about the journey of entrepreneurship is one that is often traveled alone. This was hard for me because of my circle, my immediate network not being made of entrepreneurs. It was hard to relate my struggles in identity, the imposter syndrome of looking like a success to others but deep down my inner demons would remind me that I’ve done little to nothing impressive up to this point. There was also a knowledge gap. While I worked for entrepreneurs before, there was a big difference between seeing it done and doing it yourself. Discipline, dedication, determination were things I had to develop over time. My lack of knowledge and belief in myself at times would derail me from being able to create any kind of momentum. There were numerous rejections, where I felt I had to beg for business. There were business dealings that looked promising that unfortunately fell apart, and the obvious struggle was making money consistently since every two weeks a check was not coming to me. I had to chase the check or I would have nothing in my bank account. This pressure to produce isn’t for the faint of heart and I had to learn that the hard way or I should say the real way.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the 20/20 Living Inc. story. Tell us more about the business.
20/20 Living Inc. is my baby! I specialize in helping people change their perspectives so they can see clearly what is possible for their lives. I firmly believe that if you view it right, you’ll do it right. So, I take this message all over the country at high schools and colleges to inspire young people to know that their best days are ahead of them and what it takes to ENSURE that they see those days. In addition, I help people become authors so they can have the credibility and authority needed to have successful businesses and impact the lives of others at the same time. Those would be the two things I’m known for and specialize in.
I’m most proud that the company exists. I know many people want to have a business, to be CEOs but the road to becoming one is not an easy one. It takes persistence, patience, and hard work. It also requires you have great support and in my wife Marsha, I have that. She’s allowed me to grow as a businessman. I guess you can call her the mom of 20/20 Living because without her love and belief in me I don’t think I get to year four of the business.
There are some highlights though that stand out to me. In Bakersfield, California I had the opportunity to help 6 students become authors of a book through my Student Author Program where they wrote about overcoming obstacles and the successes they hoped to see in their futures. I remember them not believing that they could do it but nonetheless they did something that only 3% of people in this world ever do. Write a book.
Seeing also the many students that have heard me speak go on to graduate college and enter into the workforce or create their own businesses and hear that my words helped them see that was possible gives me chills.
Ultimately what sets me apart from others is that I genuinely love seeing others win. Their successes are my successes. My job which I take seriously is to inject faith and hope in others so they can drive towards their destinies. I spend every moment I can to sharpen myself so that their success is possible. I can’t say no one else cares about this, I just know I’m obsessed with the idea of winning and seeing others get it is my life’s purpose.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the world having more authors. Everyone has a story and everyone has experiences that can help others. Because of social media, podcasting, and publishing a book being more doable now than ever before many people will write books and more lives will be reached for the good. I do see in the speaking industry that things are going virtual more, but that is exciting because more people will have access to information and high-level experts from the comfort of their own homes. Coaching will also be a big wave as too much information will lead to what I call “information obesity” and we will need coaches to help us work off those information pounds and learn how to shift from information to application.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.geospeaks.com
- Email: geo@geospeaks.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/geoderice
- Facebook: facebook.com/geoderice
- Twitter: twitter.com/geoderice
Image Credit:
Virgil David
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