Hey #MeetCoolPeople listeners! Today I sat down with Charles Ambrosecchia, a guy with a deep background leading IT, telecom, and cybersecurity projects at the enterprise level. What stood out right away is how Charles brings real-world corporate strategy down to small and mid-sized businesses, giving them the stuff big companies rely on, but without the bloat or overwhelm.

Charles and I first met at a networking event. Neither of us expected much, but we hit it off over geeky talk (think old Commodore 64 days.) That conversation set the tone for what you’ll hear in this episode: down-to-earth advice, zero sales pitch, just clarity on what actually makes businesses tick.

Here’s some of what you’ll get out of our conversation:

• Don’t chase shiny objects. Charles stressed that technology should always serve a purpose, not just be the latest thing you see online. It needs to improve your business, not slow it down or create headaches.
• Your time has real value. We talk about the trap entrepreneurs fall into by trying to do everything themselves. Outsourcing tech or admin tasks often saves money in the long run because it frees you up to do your highest value work.
• Plan first, then act. Charles is a big believer in clear, executable plans with actual deadlines. Perfectionism slows you down. Get your basics ready, then get out there and sell or serve.
• Ultra-focus beats being a generalist. As tempting as it is to offer everything to everyone, Charles learned to narrow his services and client base. Quality and customer satisfaction became his measure for success, not just revenue.
• Communication wins. We both agree: lose the jargon, speak in plain language, and solve actual problems for your clients. It builds trust and relationships fast.

Connect with Charles: Find him on LinkedIn (search Charles Ambrosecchia) at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cambrosecchia/

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Thanks for tuning in to another solo episode of #MeetCoolPeople. The response after my last crossover with 7th Fold Projects was huge, so I’m keeping these solo deep-dives in the mix. Today’s topic is one that hits home for just about anyone—especially if you’re running your own business: resilience.

Let’s be real. The past few years have been tough, with challenge after challenge to overcome. I break down my five go-to questions that help me figure out whether I’m truly stuck, burned out, or just facing a bump in the road. Whether you’ve been tempted to quit or feel stuck procrastinating, these questions have helped me get clear and move forward.

Here are a few things I touched on in this episode:

• Pinpoint the real problem: Sometimes what you’re running from isn’t what you think.
• Will it follow you? If you quit, will you face the same challenge somewhere else?
• Build your toolkit: Sticking around may mean learning valuable skills by pushing through.
• Who else matters: Someone could be relying on you to see it through, even when you want out.
• Measure your future regret: Which choice, leaving or staying, will you wish you’d handled differently?

I shared how my own cycle of burnout happens when I don’t take time to rest. Sometimes, your brain is just desperately trying to get away from the grind. Other times, you may really need a change and that’s okay too… just make sure you’re clear on your reasons.

I truly believe most people give up too soon. Ask yourself better questions and you’ll get better answers. This episode is about slowing down, tuning in, and being honest with yourself.

As always, I love hearing your thoughts on these topics. Let me know what resonated and if this helped you see resilience in a new light. Want to connect or share your story? Shoot me an email or reach out on LinkedIn.

Want to see how my team and I can help you convert more casual connections into clients? Grab my FREE 8-part audio mini-course at https://buildyourfollowupmachine.com/ and discover the step-by-step flow I help clients with in their email follow up machine!

I’m excited for today’s #MeetCoolPeople episode, because I caught up with my friend Julie Jones, and wow, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear if you want to discover the post powerful skills you can learn to stand out and get ahead. Both in business and in your personal life!

Julie is a people skills strategist and business etiquette expert. She runs Today’s Professional Consulting and Development, helping others upgrade their leadership, people skills, and overall professionalism. We first connected at an event I was speaking at (shoutout to Sheryl Powers for connecting us!), and immediately clicked around our shared love for better communication.

Julie shared how she pivoted from classroom teaching to entrepreneurship, after seeing the gap between what’s taught in schools and what businesses actually want. She told the story behind getting certified in etiquette training, the pushback she faced, and why she stuck with it anyway.

We also talked a lot about why soft skills matter more than ever, especially post-pandemic. Julie explains how everything from showing up prepared to having a real conversation (not just texting) makes a difference.

Here are a few takeaways:

• The way you show up matters. People notice how you dress, how you greet others, and your overall presence, even on video calls.
• Being professional isn’t about expensive clothes, it’s about effort. Looking put-together leads people to trust you more.
• Face-to-face time is valuable. Isolation drains creativity and weakens relationships. Even introverts need community.
• Social skills are learned, not just “natural.” Anyone can improve with simple steps around etiquette, greetings, and active listening.
• Emotional intelligence is huge for leaders. Knowing your own triggers, reading others, and communicating across styles can boost your impact.

You’ll especially want to hear Julie’s thoughts on teaching kids these skills early and why family dinners may be the best training ground for young professionals.

Be sure to connect with Julie and let her know you heard her on the #MeetCoolPeople Podcast:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealjulieajones/
• Website: https://todaysprofessionals.com/

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Want to see how my team and I can help you convert more casual connections into clients? Grab my FREE 8-part audio mini-course at https://buildyourfollowupmachine.com/ and discover the step-by-step flow I help clients with in their email follow up machine!