Decoding the Hustle With Lenny Wood

Keep Hustling

In this episode of "Keep Hustling," Aaron Gordon speaks with Lenny Wood, the podcast’s first international guest, about his career journey from retail to becoming a successful business owner. Lenny delves into his early experiences working at a video game store and a hardware chain in the UK, which helped shape his social and professional skills. He details his transition into marketing, ignited by a chance opportunity. Lenny's pivotal moment came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when furloughs prompted him to start his own business. Despite the challenges, he has built a thriving marketing enterprise by leveraging his network. Lenny emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of opportunities and shares his favorite inspirational quote from John D. Rockefeller, highlighting the power of collaboration over solo effort. Join us for an insightful conversation on resilience, opportunity, and the relentless pursuit of success. Get To Know Lenny Wood With over 29,000 hours of practical marketing experience, Lenny has worked in the marketing and design industry for over 18 years for several European corporate companies. The Covid pandemic presented an opportunity to move away from employed work and into the arena of self-employment. Three years later, Lenny is the founder and director of Marketing Outsource Limited, an on-demand marketing service providing marketing tools, skills and experience but without the ongoing costs and responsibilities of full-time employees. Website LinkedIn Calendly

3 Episode Key Takeaways 1. The Power of Practical Experience: Lenny Wood's journey from retail to marketing underscores the irreplaceable value of hands-on experience. His early jobs in customer-facing roles helped him develop crucial social and professional skills, proving that every job, no matter how small it seems, contributes to long-term career growth.

2. Pivoting in Crisis: Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lenny seized the opportunity to start his own business when many were paralyzed by uncertainty. His ability to adapt quickly and leverage his existing skills and network is a powerful reminder that crises can be a fertile ground for innovation and new beginnings.

3. Building a Scalable Business: Transitioning from doing it all himself to leveraging a network of experts, Lenny highlights the importance of scalability in business. His approach of earning a commission from multiple experts rather than relying solely on his own efforts demonstrates how strategic partnerships can lead to sustainable growth and efficiency.

Show Overview: 02:00 Lenny's on-the-job learning after high school and college.

04:55 Practical marketing experience of over 29000 hours.

08:34 Transitioned from corporate to gig economy jobs.

12:16 Transitioning from furlough to entrepreneurship amid COVID.

15:38 Seize opportunities in hard times for strength.

18:55 Starting business during COVID, facing stagnation.

19:44 Understanding benefits of experience in predicting recessions.

22:45 Built solid network, leverage others' expertise.