Chris Lenyszyn

Chris Lenyszyn is a true expert when it comes to Direct Response Marketing. With an impressive 30-year span of knowledge, skills, and experience, he has won the admiration of his peers in the industry and achieved remarkable success in his endeavors. His passion for marketing excellence and his unique ability to think strategically make him especially suited for creating customized solutions that will produce outstanding results. Chris Lenyszyn is an exemplary worker and has had a remarkable career trajectory achieving many of his goals. Starting with a Sales Representative position and then moving through the ranks to Operator Specialist, Sales Supervisor and Regional Sales Manager, Chris Lenyszyn is very much dedicated to his hard work and created success. His tenacity in meeting client demands and pushing projects forward earned him respect from his peers. Aside from his marketing career, Chris Lenyszyn has dedicated the past 20 years working as a sports official, officiating three different sports with the Georgia High School Association annually. But his real passions in life are his two teenagers, his Golden Retriever Levi, and officiating Folkstyle Wrestling. Above all else, Chris Lenyszyn loves helping guide children and young adults toward their goals through officiating and coaching. Chris Lenyszyn is an admirable individual whose kindness and generosity go beyond the wrestling mat. Not only did he recently donate all his earnings from a BIG Wrestling event to help raise money for Shriner’s Children, but he is also actively involved in his community by volunteering at Must Ministries in Cobb County. He puts a lot of effort into ensuring everyone has enough to eat by helping cook meals, providing people with emotional support and through counseling.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I wanted to start a side business for myself doing something that I loved which happened to be becoming a sports official.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I start every morning with prayer. Thanking GOD for the things I have and praying for family and friends in need. Next, I like to eat a small healthy breakfast followed by some sort of exercise. Whether it’s going to the gym or walking my dog LEVI I like to clear my mind and plan out a successful productive day. I find that if you get your heart rate up a minimum of 20 minutes a day doing some sort of cardiovascular activity you feel great! After prayer and exercise it’s time to work. I am a Direct Response Marketing Consultant by day and sports official at nights and weekends. The remainder of my day is mostly spent on helping new small business customers grow their business with creative direct marketing campaigns that I designed. After work you can find me either on the ball field or in a high school gym officiating my favorite sports.

How do you bring ideas to life?

For me it is finding something that works and make it better. I am passionate about working in direct response marketing. I help build relationships and bring greater ideas to life by contacting customers directly. While most marketing strategists focus on blasting ads to a large segment of the population to promote a brand, I drive sales by contacting customers directly and make them an irresistible offer that they cannot refuse. I use sales funnels to help drive sales that can be used in any business.

What’s one trend that excites you?

TikTok! Build a huge audience and become famous overnight by making trending videos! LOL. My daughter and her friends love to make dance videos. By no means am I the expert at this exciting trend. It amazes me how many people are into TikTok. I am happy for those that have worked hard to build a huge number of followers. It seems like every time I turn around to look I see my two teenagers watching the latest greatest video. I needed help so I made a video called “Trying to get my daughter off TikTok!” Go check it out!

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Follow up. Sales is a numbers game. People do not like to make decisions right away. They like to think things over and take their time to make a decision. I find that follow up is key to every sale and helps me be more productive. ABC – Always Be Closing is one habit of mine that I do not break.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Invest in yourself early. Read and learn everything you can about investing money. Reach financial freedom and build wealth with a millionaire mindset. There are many experts that offer beginners investment advice. I only wish I started sooner. Find the Financial Strategy That is Right for You! Compound interest really pays off. Most importantly enjoy yourself and have fun investing. You will thank yourself when you can retire early!

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

I believe the Georgia Bulldogs can win three National Championships in a row! Most of my officiating friends at work did not agree with me two seasons ago that Georgia could do it. I say it is time for a three – peat! Georgia also has a remarkably comfortable schedule in 2023, with a late season trip to Tennessee probably the biggest obstacle to another unbeaten regular season and trip to the SEC title game. “Go DAWGS!”

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Set high expectation goals. I plan every day with specific outcomes I want to achieve. If something is not working the way I expect it to I adjust. Plan your day with specific outcomes you want to achieve. Having a healthy balance between high and low expectations will make a big difference to your life. Setting high expectations is a powerful way to bring the best out of yourself. When you have high expectations for yourself, what others expect of you will not have as much importance as what you expect of yourself.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Asking for referrals and reviews. Gaining referrals can be one of the most effective strategies for acquiring new clients and growing your business. They are not given you must ask for them. Most companies do not ask for referrals because it looks like they are asking for a favor. I recommend contacting customers and politely asking if they would be willing to provide you with a testimonial that could benefit your business. My business nearly doubled when I simply asked this question. As a way of saying thank you I give good referrals and reviews right back without them ever having to ask me.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

When I first started my career in Direct Response Marketing, I made the mistake of not personalizing my campaigns. For direct response marketing to work, it needs to directly address a specific audience you are trying to reach. I needed to find ideal customers who benefit most from my product. It is impossible to sell to everyone so I simply spoke directly to those who benefited most in a way they cannot resist. I created a successful customer sales funnel and it worked. The lesson I learned starting out in this business is my prospect didn’t know I existed. They heard about me but do not seem to care about me yet. The sales funnel made the prospect slightly interested in hearing what I had to say. Now the prospect compares me to my competitors. My prospect is to become a customer.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Start your own side hustle business. Mine is a Sports Official. The 3 Top Reasons You Should Consider to Become a Sports Official. #1 Give back to the sport that you love. The sport that has not only influenced your life but helped develop true values that taught you character and life principles we carry throughout life. #2 Setting a standard for young people, showing them that you value them by giving your time week after week as they grow in the sport. It is all about the kids performing for their coaches and parents, cheering for them whether they win or lose. #3 The average age of a Sports Official is 54 years old. We need more younger officials to come out for the love of the game. Being a Sports Official keeps you involved. It puts you right back into the action and gives you a part in the game that you will never get as a spectator. It is not the same thrill as playing, but I’d say it is the next best thing to getting paid doing what you love. For a side hustle becoming a Sports Official is as rewarding an avocation as you will find.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I recently spent $100 on a new gym membership for the whole year! Best part is I can invite a guest for free anytime. I hate working out alone. Now I do not have one either! My favorite work out buddy is my son CJ. Money well spent and enjoying quality exercise time with my son getting ripped PRICELESS!

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Zoom. The most popular used tool that provides cloud-based remote conferencing services. Also widely used by everyone during the pandemic. I like that you can see as many as 500 people at one time from a laptop computer. I was able to conduct business, have Bible Study meetings and watch my kids in an online classroom from the privacy of our own home.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Yes! My favorite books and podcast are The Power of I Am: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today by Joel Osteen. This interview helped me think more about who I Am and what works for me. I like Joel Osteen and listen to his podcast and TV shows weekly. His words of encouragement along with daily prayer with GOD have helped my faith continue to grow stronger.

What is your favorite quote?

A great memorable quote from the Armageddon movie. Harry Stamper: AJ, I have only five words for you: “Damn glad to see you boy!”

Key Learnings:

• Start every morning with prayer and exercise. Just 20 minutes a day is all you need to make your day stay productive and focused.
• Help your business grow more with follow up, referrals, reviews and more.
• Start your own side hustle business and become a Sports Official. Get paid doing what you love.
• Why you should start investing early and set high expectations.