Jean Santos’ Post

For those who know me, you know that hard work and ambition have always been at the core of who I am. My entrepreneurial journey has taken me across industries—from health to security to media—each step driven by a desire to build something meaningful. For years, I struggled to define myself and my work, but one thing is clear: I’m a serial entrepreneur. My wife, Alexis, and I have a shared vision for building a family enterprise. To outsiders, it might look like we’re juggling too much, but to us, every business we build is a strategic piece of a larger puzzle—a portfolio designed to support our family’s long-term success. With that in mind, I’m thrilled to officially announce the launch of LJA New Media, our AI Marketing and Consulting company. Over the past year, we’ve worked with four companies to integrate AI tools and strategies into their operations. The results? An average 16% increase in top-line revenue, 26% decrease in overhead operational costs, and a net 4.1% EBITDA growth. This isn’t just about embracing innovation—it’s about delivering measurable impact. Looking ahead, we’re excited to unveil several new ventures and launch a family business podcast. Our goal is to inspire other entrepreneurial families by sharing the journey Alexis and I have been on over the last five years—lessons, wins, and everything in between. Here’s to building a legacy, one business at a time. Stay tuned.

As a military spouse, Bonnie Conrad was tired of starting at a new job everywhere she moved. In 2018, she decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship by founding I Built This, a furniture building company. Through selling furniture, she discovered digital marketing and decided to dive into it full-time by founding Second You. In 2023, she merged her business with Inn8ly, a website technology company, to expand her impact in the digital space. Want to learn more? Check out Bonnie's interview on the Side Hustle to Small Business Podcast, the the top 1% globally ranked show from Hiscox!

"The universe abhors a vacuum." I recently watched The School of Greatness episode where Lewis Howes interviewed Rhonda Byrne, creator of The Secret- and it struck a chord with me, especially in the context of my entrepreneurial and founder journey. Usually I operate from a place of "more." Pushing for more time, more ideas, more revenue, more execution, more this, more that. But THIS idea suggests that by creating s p a c e, we invite the universe to fill it with what we desire. Think about it – if you're longing for a new wardrobe, you start by clearing out the old. Dreaming of welcoming a new life? You prepare a space for it, like building a crib. The more I thought about it, the more I realized this principle can beautifully apply to our business ventures, too. For us entrepreneurs and founders, our 'space' could be our mindsets, our teams, or our product lines. Sometimes, making room for innovation means letting go of outdated practices, decluttering our product offerings, or even reshaping our teams to welcome fresh talent and ideas. By consciously creating a void, we signal our readiness to embrace new opportunities, partnerships, or strategies that propel us forward. I’m still unpacking this and what that would look like for me, but I'm curious, what space would you consider clearing in your professional life or within your ventures? What new beginnings could you make room for?

"The universe abhors a vacuum." I recently watched The School of Greatness episode where Lewis Howes interviewed Rhonda Byrne, creator of The Secret- and it struck a chord with me, especially in the context of my entrepreneurial and founder journey. Usually I operate from a place of "more." Pushing for more time, more ideas, more revenue, more execution, more this, more that. But THIS idea suggests that by creating s p a c e, we invite the universe to fill it with what we desire. Think about it – if you're longing for a new wardrobe, you start by clearing out the old. Dreaming of welcoming a new life? You prepare a space for it, like building a crib. The more I thought about it, the more I realized this principle can beautifully apply to our business ventures, too. For us entrepreneurs and founders, our 'space' could be our mindsets, our teams, or our product lines. Sometimes, making room for innovation means letting go of outdated practices, decluttering our product offerings, or even reshaping our teams to welcome fresh talent and ideas. By consciously creating a void, we signal our readiness to embrace new opportunities, partnerships, or strategies that propel us forward. I’m still unpacking this and what that would look like for me, but I'm curious, what space would you consider clearing in your professional life or within your ventures? What new beginnings could you make room for?

🍑🎙️ Get ready for an incredible journey in Episode 9 of “Underdogs, Bootstrappers, Gamechangers”! 🚀 Join us as we delve into the captivating story of Shannon, a librarian-turned-entrepreneur, who reigns supreme in South Carolina’s peach stand scene. 🍑 Shannon’s transformation into the peach stand queen is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, showcasing how she pivoted to prosperity with minimal resources and no reliance on big-name investors. 🌟 Discover the secrets behind Shannon’s success, from selecting prime stand locations to gracefully navigating challenges. Her story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a roadmap for anyone passionate about revitalizing a cash-based, hyper-local business model. 🍑 Our conversation is infused with the magic of creating unforgettable customer experiences. Shannon paints a vivid picture of warm summer evenings, friendly chats, and the juicy delight of freshly picked peaches. Learn how she transforms simple transactions into enduring memories, weaving stories that linger long after the last slice of peach pie is enjoyed. 🌱 We also glean valuable insights into running a seasonal business with finesse. Shannon shares her strategies for hiring partners, minimizing waste, and prioritizing community and sustainability. Discover how small businesses, with their unique narratives and commitment to exceptional service, can foster loyalty that rivals corporate giants. 🎧 If you’re intrigued by the entrepreneurial journey and its potential for community impact, this episode is ripe for the picking! Tune in now to be inspired by Shannon’s remarkable tale. #UBG #Episode9 #PeachStandQueen #entrepreneur #smallbusiness Shannon Houchin https://lnkd.in/gsusW-ya

It took 17 minutes 52 seconds. Unlocking genuine business breakthroughs in under 20 minutes may seem impossible, but at ClimbUK, we made it happen. Georgia's innovative startup allows you to speak your book into existence. Imagine writing your book while walking your dog. Sounds unbelievable. But that's what her app lets you do. Here's what we learned from Georgia's breakthroughs: 1. 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬. Georgia should share her real motivations for building the startup. It's a more interesting brand story and will connect with - and help motivate - her ideal customer. 2. 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮. Georgia is a creative, but she's suppressed this identity, believing it's not relevant to her being a better entrepreneur. That's a myth she needs to debunk. 3. 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝. The freemium level of her app should have an endpoint to create scarcity. 4. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐲. She needs to talk to customers who bought and didn't buy her app to find out the reasons why. 5. 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬. She should look at potential distributors of her product, people that have access to her ideal customer. 6. 𝐓𝐚𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. To get customers to go through the pain of creating a book, we need to understand their deep motivations. Active listening with a committed counterpart led to these breakthroughs. If Georgia recognised and shared the real version of her, her business would improve. She should send her signal. It's much more interesting than some clever product features. The problem is never the problem. It is how you are 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 about the problem. This was the first and ONLY live recording of my new podcast - Break Through. It is a PRIVATE podcast, because the guest only tells you the REAL truth when it's not being broadcast. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡. Alongside my NYC deal making buddy Tom Moore 🏴☠️ I am hosting Break Through podcast interviews with founders that qualify. Why? - We want to anonymously gather data on the biggest issues that founders face - Then write a book on it - Plus roadtest some of the tools we use in Counterpart OS If you would like to join a Break Through podcast then just comment BREAK THROUGH below ps This is a cut down version of my newsletter - which I send on a Friday. Sign up from the link in my bio #stayinthegroove #breakthrough #founders #mindset #interview

🌐 Boost your business with innovation and strategic growth! This week on The Covert Code, I’m joined by Rachel Soper Sanders, CEO of Rootine, who shares how she’s leveraged digital marketing to build a thriving company. 🚀✨ From tech-driven approaches to wealth-focused strategies, Rachel’s insights are a must for any entrepreneur looking to scale. Don’t miss out! 🎙️ 🎧 Episode drops Friday! #MarketingInnovation #RachelSanders #Rootine #TheCovertCodePodcast #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurialInsights

Entrepreneurship isn't a path to a 'normal' life—it's a journey of relentless growth, sleepless nights, and massive rewards. If you're ready for more than just average, tune into Episode 290 of the #GCAPodcast.

🎙️ Unlocking Startup Success: Lessons from Shafqat Huq Had an insightful conversation with entrepreneur Shafqat Huq, uncovering valuable tips for launching and growing a business. Key Takeaways: 🚀 Embrace the Scrappy Approach: Starting small can give your business an edge while keeping ambitious goals alive. 💡 Progress Over Perfection: Don’t wait for perfection. Take action early and refine along the way. 📈 The Power of Delegation: Delegate tasks to focus on what truly drives success and growth. 🔄 Pivot with Purpose: Learn when and how to pivot effectively when plans change. Witnessing Shafqat’s ability to turn complex tech into practical solutions that drive results has been impressive. For actionable advice at any stage of your entrepreneurial journey, don't miss this episode. 🎧 Catch the Full Episode – Link in comments ❓ What lesson from Shafqat resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments!

👀 Imagine building a business where success isn’t measured by profit, but by how many lives you’ve transformed.   In episode 117 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life, Matt Parfitt, Founder and CEO of Grace Enterprises shares how he turned this radical idea into a reality—creating opportunities for those that society often overlooks. In our discussion, Matt shares his journey from teaching to becoming a social entrepreneur, the challenges and triumphs of creating businesses that provide life-changing jobs for the most deprived people, and how his faith fuels his mission. You’ll find his approach to business counterintuitive yet very effective, as he focuses on people first and then creates opportunities around their skills. What I find fascinating are these three contrarian rules of running an impactful business, according to Matt: 👉🏾 Success for us is when employees leave to pursue better opportunities We celebrate when people leave us for better opportunities because it means we’ve done our job. Our goal is to be a stepping stone, not a final destination. 👉🏾 I didn’t start with a business plan or a product I started with people. The business came afterwards, built around their skills and needs. 👉🏾 I own zero percent of the businesses I’ve created It’s not about personal gain—it’s about reinvesting 100% into the mission of transforming lives. So, get ready to be inspired and challenged by Matt's story, philosophy, and the incredible work he's doing. ❓ Which of Matt’s rules inspires you the most? Let me know! 🔗 The show notes and YouTube video of the episode are available in the comments #MWMLpodcast #MeaningfulWork #LeadersonaMission #SocialEntrepreneurship #TransformingLives #SustainableJobs #SocialImpact