[quote style=”boxed”]Buy a dozen copies of your favorite movies and books and then send them as gifts to people you want to befriend in business. Include personal notes with the gifts, and keep sending those people cool stuff every quarter.[/quote]
Dr. Sean Stephenson was predicted not to survive at birth because of a rare bone disorder that stunted his growth and caused his bones to be extremely fragile. Despite his challenges, he took a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world, including Sir Richard Branson, President Clinton, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Dr. Stephenson has appeared on everything from The Oprah Show to YouTube videos with millions of views. The Biography Channel did an hour feature on his life called Three Foot Giant.
Dr. Stephenson’s message has been heard at live events in more than 15 countries and 47 states over the past 16 years. His latest book, Get Off Your But, has swept the country and been released around the world in more than a half dozen languages. As a board certified therapist, Dr. Stephenson uses humor and compassion to develop a fun environment where individuals open their hearts and minds for lasting empowerment to occur.
What are you working on right now?
I’m launching several new programs. The biggest is a five-day course on confidence. The program is called, “The Key Is Confidence: 5 Days to Sustainable Self-Confidence.” It will be available in September. I’m also getting married in September, so it’s kinda busy over here.
Where did the idea for Sean Stephenson Enterprises come from?
My company came out of necessity. My job application was rejected by several companies because of their fear of my disability. I took matters into my own hands and dubbed myself CEO of Sean Stephenson Enterprises LLC. I’ve been receiving income under my own guidance since 1996, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What does your typical day look like?
It depends on the day. If I’m wearing my speaker hat, I travel on planes around the world, get whisked in cars to venues, and pop on stage to belt out everything I’ve got. If I’m wearing my therapist hat, I meet with a client for more than 12 hours in a row at my office to get to the bottom of his or her most limiting mindset(s). If I’m wearing my product hat, I can be found in a studio, recording video or audio clips, or in front of my computer screen, writing books/tweets/blogs/emails.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I first tweet a concise, 140-character thought. Then I build out a blog post with 2-5 videos. From there, I might build out a video/course or book. Most ideas come through me so fast that I have to get them on Twitter so I don’t forget them. All my tweets can be found at @theseantourage.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Positive quotes being circulated on Facebook/Twitter/blogs. The more humanity is focused on empowerment, the better. I’m also happy that giving back to charity is seen as cool and trendy now.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I’ve never had a job. The worst gig I had was speaking at a high school in the cafeteria; I was placed by the napkin dispenser on hot dog day.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would have put more time into building my email lists and cultivating passive income generators that I had full control over.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Physical exercise. A person in great shape needs less sleep and has less brain fog (at least that’s been the case in my life).
What is one problem you encountered as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Getting prospective buyers of my products/services. I overcame this problem by making friends with industry leaders, learning everything I could from them and adding value to their lives. This opened me up to reciprocity.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Buy a dozen copies of your favorite movies and books and then send them as gifts to people you want to befriend in business. Include personal notes with the gifts, and keep sending those people cool stuff every quarter. Never let up. Consistency will keep you at the top of their minds.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
I would rid the world of insecurity. I’m doing it by making insecurity seem like a lame waste of time.
Tell us a secret.
I ran away from home at the age of 32. I disappeared for a month. No one knew where I was. I birthed my masculine powers on this sojourn.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
- My Kindle. I love having an entire library on me at all times.
- My iPhone. I can run my whole business off of it.
- My Twitter account. It gives me a platform to voice my inner wisdom channel.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Get Off Your But: How to End Self-Sabotage and Stand Up for Yourself by yours truly.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
- @TheSeantourage, because I’m always producing fun thoughts.
- @MindieKniss. She’s the love of my life and is way smarter than I am when it comes to matters of the heart.
- @LarryWinget tells it like it is, and I admire his success.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
A few minutes ago. My fiancee threw a t-shirt at me in order to break my concentration and tease me because I was lip-reading my answers to these interview questions out loud.
Who is your hero?
Will Smith. That guy is a machine.
What’s the biggest mistake people make in business?
Not having a plan, or having a plan and then not following it.
How often do you dance?
Several times a day, in front of my computer, while listening to my favorite music.
Connect:
Dr. Sean Stephenson on Twitter: @theseantourage
Dr. Sean Stephenson on Facebook: facebook.com/sean.livingatcause
Dr. Sean Stephenson’s email: [email protected]
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.