Jeremy Fetzer

Jeremy Fetzer, also known by the people close to him as Jake, is determined to turn his life and career experiences into a comprehensive program for the benefit of others. His passion for helping people recover from high-pressure and high-anxiety professional situations is his calling.

From childhood, Jeremy knew he wanted to enter the world of business. The entrepreneurs and business owners he encountered at a young age inspired him to distinguish himself in academics and sports. He excelled in all areas of school, found success in all the sports he attempted, and brought that same innate determination and talent to his efforts in college. Jeremy viewed his post-secondary education as a crucial aspect of his life. As such, he dedicated himself to earning his bachelor’s degree with every ounce of his energy, and because he was paying tuition out of his pocket, this meant holding down a job as he undertook his studies. This taught him quite a bit about independence, as well as proving to himself that he could accomplish anything he set his mind to. It also set him on a course towards success by learning the value of hard work and setting goals. Additionally, this early lesson in fiscal management served him well later in life when he began his first entrepreneurial venture.

After graduating from college, Jeremy Fetzer moved into sales. This area of business felt natural to him. During his tenure in several sales positions, he earned recognition and accolades both from the companies he worked for and outside organizations alike. After a certain point, having mastered the art of sales and having achieved many of his life’s goals, Jeremy developed a strong desire to share his knowledge with others. He made it a point to mentor new salespeople, encouraging them to reach their goals in a manner that didn’t sacrifice their physical health and mental wellness. As he shared his skills, he increased his knowledge, becoming a widely-acknowledged expert on the subjects of balancing life and fostering a healthy lifestyle.

The global COVID-19 pandemic became a pivot point for Jeremy Fetzer, as it introduced him to stressors and obstacles unlike he had encountered previously. Although these new elements posed great challenges, Jeremy credits them with putting him on a path to better understanding mental health issues. Being the natural mentor he is, once he recovered from his own challenges, he began sharing what he had learned. This inclination would eventually become a mission.

As Jeremy renewed his dedication to helping others, he has begun taking the necessary steps to establish a company meant to provide resources and knowledge to those enduring high-pressure, difficult situations, with a special emphasis on those in the sales profession. He is also in the process of authoring a book on the subject of good mental hygiene, tentatively titled ‘MindfullyEmotionallyBornAgain.’ Both the company and the book are scheduled to launch in the coming months.

Jeremy’s free time is largely spent with his son, family, and friends. This carefully-maintained balance in his personal life comes from his love of people, and his knowledge that nothing is more important than living a healthy lifestyle that includes his loved ones as much as possible.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

The idea for my mentorship and coaching program grew from my experiences as a top salesman. I encountered many obstacles that I overcame, but even still, every day the pressure was the same. It took time to learn to manage it properly.

Once I began exercising, eating better, watching my sleep, and working hard, I found things came together without feeling pressure in the same way. It didn’t go away completely, but I was better equipped to manage it. Realizing this led me to mentoring others. Over time, this became a passion for me. I saw so many others experience the same anxiety or difficulty managing high-pressure and high-anxiety situations. It wasn’t just for those with high-pressure jobs, but those who faced pressures from home as well. I developed resources that could help others. It is my goal to make these resources available to anyone who might be experiencing similar difficulties and are ready to address them.

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

As I am in the early part of this adventure, I spend my days doing research on platforms, research on local laws as they apply to my business, and producing the materials my clients will need. I consider a day productive if I reach the end of it having made inroads with something tangible. Another thing that has been crucial is networking. It is important to network with others, both within the industry, as well as with those who may benefit from the tools and resources I am developing.

How do you bring ideas to life?

After vetting the idea for viability, I take time to research the development process, then proceed to take action to bring it to life. It takes time to ensure the project or product is exactly what will help others.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I am thrilled to see people embracing a healthy understanding of their mental health. For so many years, we were given the wrong impression of taking care of our mental health. Generations of men were forced into high pressure situations with the expectation that if they needed a mental health recovery moment, they were weak. That couldn’t be further from the truth. It is this fact that many people are now embracing, and leveraging their options to take care of themselves and their loved ones in a manner that is healthy for the whole body. That trend excites me very much.

In an interview with the American Psychological Association, Dr. Wizdom Powell, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina, delves deeply into this topic, discussing how rigidly adhering to the old norms of masculinity can prompt poorer health outcomes, including depression. She then proceeds to offer some ways to deal with this socially-entrenched behavior that encourages better outcomes.

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

Being present in the moment has been a tremendous help for me. Getting healthy with meditation, exercise, and proper eating habits gives the body a lot of excellent results, including a clear mind best equipped for whatever task lies ahead.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to be more patient, both with myself and those around me. Many of the things that don’t go as we plan aren’t within our control, no matter how it might feel in the moment. Patience is key to properly dealing with these situations. I would also tell my younger self to stick with it. Things work out for the best when we don’t give up.

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

When you are in a high pressure situation, not everything will always work out the way you want it to. Many things are beyond your control. Remember that it is okay when it happens. To get the results you want, all the pieces have to fall into place. For example, if you are in sales, this would mean you are in the right territory with clients ready to buy right now, who also have the money on hand. If you don’t have all of those components in place, it won’t make a difference to your bottom line.

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

Two things: Be an active listener and persistent networker. Connecting with people from all walks of life provides a balance in social connections both with clients and peers. It empowers you and provides you with new options and avenues for action which you can, in turn, provide to others. Networking alone can be very powerful, but when you couple that with being an active listener, you get a full picture of the person or company you’re connecting with. According to a white paper published by McGill University, active listening not only brings with it the benefits of better information gathering and stronger comprehension, it can expand professional networks exponentially. Many more doors open this way for everyone involved.

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

Using social media has enabled me to connect with people from all over the world at many stages of their career and begin building a robust community of contacts. It is important to utilize social media to the fullest. Don’t stretch yourself too thin, but leverage this resource to build a larger community and a more diverse and effective network.

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

Learning how to build the right channels and paperwork pathways has been a challenge. Between getting the right paperwork in place for business registration and developing the systems that will help propel the business forward, there can be a lot of details that get overlooked. To get all of that organized, I have found that making notes and putting deadlines on a calendar has proven to be the most efficient way to ensure my personal success.

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

Although I don’t have a specific business idea to share, the renewable energy sector is fertile ground for any would-be entrepreneur. An academic study published by Boston University suggests that renewable energy sources such as biomass, hydropower, and wind power will inevitably overtake fossil fuels as the primary means by which societies generate power, and likely within the next few decades. Needless to say, this sector of the economy has tremendous potential for growth.

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

I purchased a fun project for my son and I to do together. It will allow us to build and explore something he absolutely loves doing. There is nothing like seeing my child smile while I spend quality time with him.

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

Trello is a great tool for project management, as it connects your current systems with the future of your business. Using it, you’re able to plan out every element of a project in great detail. This web service aids in scheduling follow-ups, easily enables keeping notes about each interaction with clients, and ensures that you are prepared when you do connect with them.

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

Life 101 is a great book written by Evan L. Lipkis, M.D. It is a guide to being a good parent, developing rewarding relationships, and finding happiness. I found it to be an easy book to read with a wealth of useful information to share. I’m so glad it was given to me. Everyone should read it.

What is your favorite quote?

“When you lose your money you lose nothing. When you lose your health, you lose something. When you lose your character, you lose everything.” — Robert Lacey

Key Learnings:

• Don’t neglect your mental health.
• Take care of your priorities in life, both personal and professional.
• Network to build solid connections and friendships in business and in life.
• Stay organized as you start and build your company and you’ll see the benefits.
• Develop your systems from the beginning so you don’t miss anything important.
• Have fun.