Post-exit entrepreneur and host of the Deep Wealth Podcast, Jeffrey Feldberg, speaks with Aaron Marcum, a remarkable entrepreneur boasting a 20-year track record of scaling businesses and receiving top industry awards. Aaron shares his expertise, passion for positive psychology, and his transformative journey from a stressed-out entrepreneur to a thriving individual. Jeffrey and Aaron discuss strategies from the trenches that get results.
Introducing Aaron Marcum
Aaron Marcum holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He studied under renowned Dr. Martin Seligman, referred to as the father of positive psychology. For 20 years, Aaron has thrived, receiving industry awards for his leadership, vision, and service. Since 2006, he has been a highly sought-after speaker, empowering individuals to create positive changes both personally and professionally.
Around 2017, Aaron found himself fascinated by positive psychology. He asked the critical question of why some people thrive while others don’t. This curiosity led him to pursue a master’s degree in positive psychology, which heavily influenced his book, *Entre Thrive*.
“About 2017, I really identified with positive psychology. And then in 2022, I went back to get my master’s degree in positive psychology from UPenn,” Aaron shares, highlighting a pivotal moment in his journey.
Aaron recently authored “Entre Thrive – The Entrepreneur’s 8 Laws to Accelerate Financial Freedom While Creating the Good Life.” This book guides entrepreneurs on achieving financial freedom without sacrificing their personal well-being.
The Journey of an Entrepreneur
Aaron’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2002 when he launched his first business, a home care agency. Despite having no background in this sector, he managed to create a successful venture while raising six children. However, success didn’t come without challenges. Aaron recounts the early days, filled with long hours and burnout, juggling a growing business and family responsibilities.
“The grind was relentless,” Aaron explained. “I was burning it out and going to work until two or three in the morning after playing with my kids.”
Realizing the toll this was taking, Aaron became fascinated with positive psychology, a field focusing on why some individuals thrive while others do not. His fascination led him to pursue a master’s degree from UPenn in 2022, a transformative experience that had a profound impact on his professional and personal life.
Entre Thrive: The Good Life
Aaron’s book, “Entre Thrive,” discusses eight essential laws to help entrepreneurs achieve financial freedom while creating a good life. Jeffrey Feldberg delves into these principles, discussing their applications and significance with Aaron. The first law, Entre Clarity, underscores understanding what you want out of life. Aaron describes the importance of having guiding truths that keep you aligned with your goals, even during challenging times.
“Guiding truths act as your North Star,” Aaron shared. “They help you navigate through tough decisions and ensure you’re living a life aligned with your values and aspirations.”
Another critical aspect covered is Entre Grit. Entrepreneurs often exhibit immense passion but can fall prey to obsessive passion, risking burnout. Aaron differentiates between harmonious passion, which fosters resilience and sustainable success, and obsessive passion, which can be detrimental.
One of the foundational laws Aaron emphasizes is Entrepreneurs’ Faith. While discussing this, Aaron reveals the internal struggle he faced about including the concept of faith in his book. After much deliberation and recognizing the substantial research supporting the positive impact of faith on well-being, he decided to keep it in.
“There’s a powerful aspect to having faith,” Aaron noted. “Whether in a higher power or in oneself, faith can elevate your well-being and resilience as an entrepreneur.”
Built by Business Owners, for Business Owners
The Deep Wealth Mastery Program, highlighted by Jeffrey in the podcast, is designed to prepare entrepreneurs for future liquidity events. This program emphasizes planning a post-exit life, recognizing the importance of having a clear direction and purpose beyond financial gain.
Jeffrey shares, “Our Deep Wealth Mastery Program recognizes that money alone doesn’t guarantee happiness. We help entrepreneurs plan their post-exit lives, focusing on personal fulfillment during and after their business journey.”
Aaron echoes this sentiment, acknowledging that achieving a significant financial exit doesn’t automatically equate to contentment and satisfaction.
Creating Connections and Building Resilience
The discussion takes a compelling turn when they address the importance of building meaningful connections. One of the laws in “Entre Thrive” focuses on fostering high-quality connections that bring positive energy into an entrepreneur’s life.
“Choose relationships that elevate you,” Aaron emphasized. “Surround yourself with people who align with your values and support your growth.”
Jeffrey resonates with this idea, sharing how critical it is to minimize time with people who drain your energy, and to invest in relationships that foster positivity and drive.
The Eight Laws from Aaron’s Book
- Law of Entrepreneurial Clarity (EntreClarity): This law emphasizes the importance of getting clear on what you want from your life and business. It involves identifying your guiding truths and breakaways to achieve your goals.
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Law of Entrepreneurial Creation (EntreCreate): This law focuses on the need for entrepreneurs to continuously create and innovate. It’s about using creative flow to work on the business rather than just in the business.
- Law of Entrepreneurial Grit (EntreGrit): This law addresses the importance of grit and perseverance in entrepreneurship. It involves understanding the levels of grit—curiosity, interest, practice, passion, and calling—and recognizing when to quit and when to push through.
- Law of Entrepreneurial Connections (EntreConnections): This law highlights the significance of building high-quality connections. It involves being congruent, present, and mindful of the energy dynamics in your relationships.
- Law of Entrepreneurial Faith (EntreFaith): This law speaks to the role of faith in entrepreneurship. It covers faith in oneself (self-efficacy), faith in others, and faith in a higher power to help navigate challenges and create success.
- Law of Entrepreneurial Habits (EntreHabits): This law discusses the importance of cultivating habits that support your entrepreneurial journey. It involves developing routines and behaviors that align with your goals and contribute to your overall success.
- Law of Entrepreneurial Vigor (EntreVigor): This law focuses on maintaining physical and mental health. It emphasizes the need for energy management, physical fitness, and mental clarity to sustain high performance.
- Law of Entrepreneurial Agency (EntreAgency): This law is considered the keystone law. It involves self-efficacy, imagination, and optimism—creating a mindset that enables entrepreneurs to take control and drive their success.
The Breakaway Accelerator Program
Aaron introduces the Breakaway Accelerator Program, an initiative specifically designed for home care founders, CEOs, and COOs. The program begins with a three-day immersive experience, followed by a 12-month journey focusing on growth and development in five key areas: clarity, culture, strategy, transformation, and personal well-being.
“We guide participants through a transformative process,” Aaron explained. “Our goal is to help them break away from the norm and create their unique path to success.”
This holistic approach ensures that entrepreneurs build robust, sustainable businesses while also prioritizing their personal well-being.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with Aaron reflecting on the importance of perspective and presence in an entrepreneur’s life. He shares a heartfelt message for aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to keep a balanced outlook on their personal and professional endeavors.
“Remember, you impact countless lives through your business,” Aaron advises. “When you take care of yourself, your business and everyone around you benefits immensely.”
The conversation between Jeffrey and Aaron offers valuable insights into achieving lasting success and personal fulfillment as an entrepreneur. By implementing the eight laws discussed in “Entre Thrive,” aspiring and established entrepreneurs can build thriving businesses while ensuring they live a good life.
For those interested in diving deeper, Aaron’s book and the Breakaway Accelerator Program provide excellent resources to further develop these principles and create a sustainable, fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.
The conversation between Jeffrey and Aaron offers valuable insights into achieving lasting success and personal fulfillment as an entrepreneur. By implementing the eight laws discussed in “Entre Thrive,” aspiring and established entrepreneurs can build thriving businesses while ensuring they live a good life.
For those interested in diving deeper, Aaron’s book and the Breakaway Accelerator Program provide excellent resources to further develop these principles and create a sustainable, fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.
Reflecting on his journey, Aaron says, “I’d tell my younger self to spend more time with family. Success will follow, but you need to maintain perspective on what truly matters.”
Deep Wealth Nation, these insights aren’t just theories. Aaron’s journey reveals that achieving financial freedom and creating a good life aren’t mutually exclusive. By following these eight laws, you can navigate the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship while living a fulfilling life.
Deep Wealth Nation, reflect on these insights and consider how you can apply them within your own entrepreneurial journey. Remember, your success isn’t just about financial gain but also about creating a life filled with purpose, fulfillment, and meaningful connections.
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