In a recent episode of “Connecting with Intent,” host Muhammad Awais sat down with Michael Rager, CEO and founder of Whiteboards and Whiskey. Here’s a summary of their enlightening conversation:

Inspiration and Journey Michael Rager shared that his journey began after a business deal left him feeling shortchanged. Motivated to ensure this didn’t happen again, he sought guidance from mentors like Alex Howard and Don Mattlock, and learned from leadership expert John Maxwell. These experiences fueled his passion for helping business owners grow better businesses.

Higher Purpose Michael’s higher purpose revolves around being a good father to his son, Cameron, and helping people succeed. He aspires to be an inspiration to his son and others, emphasizing the importance of being a good person and providing assistance to those in need.

Overcoming Challenges

1. Family Expectations: Michael had to diverge from his family’s expectations of a labor-oriented career and pursue his own path.
2. Personal Biases: Overcoming his initial resentment towards strong women, influenced by his mother’s strong personality, was another major challenge.
3. Procrastination: Constantly battling procrastination remains an ongoing challenge for Michael.

Greatest Failure Michael recounted a failed acquisition attempt where a funding deal fell through, resulting in significant financial loss. This taught him the importance of thorough preparation and careful investment. He recovered by taking his lawyers’ advice and learning from the experience to avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Impactful Book “The Motivation Manifesto” by Brendon Burchard had a profound impact on Michael. The book helped him understand his thought processes and identify the “three-headed demon” of doubt, defiance, and delay, which often hinders progress.

Goals for the Next 12 Months Michael aims to franchise the Whiteboards and Whiskey model across the US, Australia, and the UK. His goal is to have 25 franchises operational within the next year, helping business coaches attract high-end clients and achieve their business goals.

Advice to Younger Self Michael would advise his younger self to learn about business earlier, improve relationship-building skills, and work on communication and leadership abilities.

Support and Engagement Michael appreciated the ease and professionalism of the podcast experience. He encourages spreading the word about their work to help more business owners succeed.

Closing Thoughts Michael emphasized the importance of self-belief and pursuing happiness. He encourages people to focus on making themselves and others happy, fostering a supportive and friendly global community.

For more insights from Michael Rager, listen to the full episode on the “Connecting with Intent” podcast