Leaders Across America With Steve Acorn

126 | John Magoto – Eat the Frog and How To Build a Six-Figure Life

How does a 19-year-old go from zero business experience to running a six-figure painting company, and then go on to build a thriving career as a State Farm agency owner? In this conversation, Steve Acorn reconnects with John Magoto, one of the top-performing alumni from the early 2000s who helped shape the very foundation of YEAA. They reminisce on John's three-year journey in the program, how he trusted the process even when it felt overwhelming, and why he's still using the lessons of "Eat the Frog" and "Start the Next Day the Night Before" two decades later. John shares how YEAA didn't just teach him how to run a business. It taught him how to lead people, create systems, and develop a work ethic that gave him a massive head start. Now a successful business owner in Denver, John reflects on how those early summers planted the seeds for the freedom, lifestyle, and leadership he enjoys today. Timestamped Highlights [00:02] – "It feels like yesterday"—John reflects on 22 years since running his YEAA branch [00:04] – Getting the call in his dorm room: how one phone call changed his life [00:06] – How Scott Snyder "sold the dream" without ever selling [00:08] – Paint cans, ladders, and asking if he could bring his parents to the Award Trip [00:10] – Rookie year numbers: breaking $100K+ in the early 2000s [00:14] – The second-year breakthrough: two vans, paint sprayers, and a killer crew [00:17] – Why John hired a marketing team and prioritized lead flow over painting [00:21] – The power of delegation and the gift of learning what you don't want to do [00:24] – Eat That Frog: the book that changed how he works and lives [00:27] – "Start the next day the day before"—his planning system still used today [00:30] – Work-life balance: is it real? John shares his honest take [00:34] – Building joy into the work: a ladder, a speaker, and friends singing on the job [00:36] – His biggest mistake: waiting too long to let go of the wrong hires [00:38] – His proudest moments: client tears, transformation, and impact [00:42] – Why he chose insurance, and how he became a State Farm owner at 24 [00:46] – Challenges in entrepreneurship: freedom comes after the grind [00:49] – What he tells every young person: "Trust the process, and trust yourself" [00:52] – Advice for new interns in YEAA's 40th year: if you've got the bug, do it About the Guest John Magoto spent three years in the YEAA program and became one of the top-producing branch managers of the early 2000s. After launching his entrepreneurial career through Student Painters, he went on to become one of the youngest agency owners at State Farm. Now based in Denver, John runs a successful insurance practice, leads a thriving team, and spends his free time skiing, biking, and chasing adventures with his wife and young son. 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmagoto/] Mentioned Resources * Eat That Frog [https://www.amazon.com/Eat-That-Frog-Great-Procrastinating/dp/162656941X] by Brian Tracy * State Farm Insurance [http://statefarm.com] * Miami University of Ohio [https://miamioh.edu/graduate-school/index.html] (John's alma mater) Important Links * Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website [https://rebrand.ly/yeaa-internship] * Watch our case study: Leaders Across America [https://rebrand.ly/leaders-across-america] * Find more success stories here: Our Alumni [https://rebrand.ly/7bfe90] * Connect with Steve: * LinkedIn: Steve Acorn [https://rebrand.ly/steve-acorn-linkedin] * Instagram: @steveacornyeaa [https://rebrand.ly/steve-acorn-ig] Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://podcastyourbrand.co/].

125 | Sigi Loya | Raising Entrepreneurs: A Father's Take on Grit, Growth, and Letting Go

What if your kid called you and said they were going to run a painting business with zero experience? Would you think it was a scam? That's exactly how this episode kicks off with Sigi Loya, father of two YEAA alums (Emilio and Maggie), and a seasoned entrepreneur himself. In this rare, raw, and honest conversation, Sigi reflects on what it was like watching both of his kids go through the Young Entrepreneurs Across America program: from knocking on doors to managing payroll, to learning hard lessons in leadership and growth. If you're a parent who's hesitant—or even skeptical—about whether this program is too much for your son or daughter, this is the episode you need to hear. Because Sigi gets it. He's been there. And his perspective will help you see that real growth comes from real challenges. Tune in to hear how this program didn't just build confidence. It gave his kids a serious head start in business, leadership, and life. Timestamped Highlights * [00:03] – "He thought it was a scam…" Sigi shares Emilio's first reaction to the program * [00:09] – Why being a business owner helped Sigi recognize the opportunity for his kids * [00:14] – From roof jobs in Texas heat to teaching his kids the value of work * [00:17] – Sigi breaks down the five business pillars YEAA interns actually experience * [00:23] – The surprising leadership growth in his daughter Maggie—and how she changed * [00:29] – The key mindset Sigi instills in his kids: Radical responsibility and self-reflection * [00:34] – Why Sigi pushed Emilio to come back as an exec—and the power of teaching others * [00:39] – "What's the worst that could happen?" Sigi's message to skeptical parents * [00:42] – Entrepreneurship vs. employment: The overlooked risks of corporate "safety" * [00:44] – Why multiple income streams (and confidence to lead) matter more than ever About the Guest Sigi Loya is a longtime entrepreneur, business coach, and the proud father of two YEAA alumni, Emilio and Maggie. After a 12-year corporate career, Sigi launched several businesses and now leads a coaching organization that supports business owners across multiple industries. As a parent and business leader, he brings a rare dual perspective on what it really takes to raise independent, confident, and capable adults and why the YEAA program helped accelerate that process for his children. 🔗LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sigi-loya/] Mentioned Resources * YEAA Internship Program – yeaainternship.com [https://www.yeaainternship.com] Important Links * Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website [https://rebrand.ly/yeaa-internship] * Watch our case study: Leaders Across America [https://rebrand.ly/leaders-across-america] * Find more success stories here: Our Alumni [https://rebrand.ly/7bfe90] * Connect with Steve: * LinkedIn: Steve Acorn [https://rebrand.ly/steve-acorn-linkedin] * Instagram: @steveacornyeaa [https://rebrand.ly/steve-acorn-ig] Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand [https://podcastyourbrand.co/].

124 | Eric Fraser | Grit, Guts and the $750K Mobile Oil‑Change Pivot

What if sharing a car and knocking on doors as a student became the launch pad for a six‑figure business? In today's conversation, Steve welcomes Eric Fraser — once a rookie branch manager with the YEAA program (via Student Painters) and now the founder of PitStop Mobile Oil Change. Eric drops the story of how he and his brother shared one vehicle, hustled through logistics and cold‑calling, and eventually scaled a mobile oil‑change business to nearly $750K in revenue. They explore the mindset of radical responsibility, the value of early accountability, and how hard‑earned habits from a summer business translate into both corporate and entrepreneurial success. Listen now to avoid staying stuck in "what‐if" mode, gain a unique blueprint you won't read in textbooks, and commit to the kind of execution that turns ideas into action. Timestamped Highlights * [00:01:15] – The ROTC‑to‑entrepreneur pivot: Why physics major Eric chose the summer business route * [00:03:45] – How Eric and his brother ran one car, shared gas funds and built their first branch manager launch * [00:08:45] – Why having "just one car" forced discipline, marketing, and accountability * [00:14:51] – The journey from $60K in sales his first year to managing and mentoring a team * [00:17:16] – The mobile oil change business idea: from Jiffy Lube job to fleet contract with 500‑700 oil changes/month * [00:22:17] – Cold‐calling Avis/Budget fleet accounts: the prompt and process behind the break‑through deal * [00:28:15] – The three big takeaways: start messy, delegate for leverage, radical responsibility wins * [00:43:33] – What's next: "Messy growth year" 2025 and goal to build a ~$1M‑sale business in 3‑5 years About the Guest Eric Fraser is the founder of PitStop Mobile Oil Change, a growing mobile fleet and retail vehicle maintenance service with locations in Columbus, OH and San Diego, CA. A former branch manager with Student Painters/YEAA, Eric leveraged early leadership and sales experience to transition into data analytics and consulting roles (including at Booz Allen Hamilton and Intuit's QuickBooks division) before returning to scale his own business. His blend of operational discipline, sales grit and leadership mindset offers a rare blueprint for students, corporate professionals and entrepreneurs alike. 🔗LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericfraser55/] | PitStop Website [https://www.pitstopmobileservice.com] | eric.fraser@pitstopmobileservice.com Mentioned Resources * Student Painters / YEAA internship program * Jiffy Lube [https://www.jiffylube.com/] (as early job context) * Data analytics consulting: Booz Allen Hamilton [https://www.boozallen.com/], QuickBooks Payments [https://quickbooks.intuit.com/] Important Links * Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website [https://rebrand.ly/yeaa-internship] * Watch our case study: Leaders Across America [https://rebrand.ly/leaders-across-america] * Find more success stories here: Our Alumni [https://rebrand.ly/7bfe90] * Connect with Steve: * LinkedIn: Steve Acorn [https://rebrand.ly/steve-acorn-linkedin] * Instagram: @steveacornyeaa [https://rebrand.ly/steve-acorn-ig] Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

123 | Emilo Loya | Real-World Wealth Behind the $420K Success at 23

What if the summer job you take in college becomes the foundation of a multi-business career before you're even 24? In this eye-opening conversation, host Steve Acorn sits down with Emilio Loya, former Pennsylvania Manager of the Year and now founder of Affordable Business Valuations and Staff Edge Assessments. Emilio's story begins with cold calls and paint quotes, but quickly turns into an entrepreneurial blueprint that merges leadership, valuation strategy, and DISC-based team building. From breaking $420K in student-run revenue to impressing C-suite decision-makers as the youngest in the room, Emilio shares how YEAA transformed not just his resume but his mindset. If you think you need to "wait your turn" to be successful in business, this episode will change your mind. Press play now to discover how to skip the corporate ladder, close high-trust deals, and build the kind of business that actually sells. This episode delivers rare, proven strategies—don't miss out. Timestamped Highlights [00:03] – Why Emilio launched a valuation company before age 24 [00:06] – The shock most owners face when they hear their business's real worth [00:10] – The two questions that determine if a business can actually be sold [00:14] – "I walked in 10 years younger than everyone. Here's what happened next." [00:16] – Referral marketing vs cold calling—what works better in B2B [00:19] – DISC assessments decoded: How they prevent hiring disasters [00:22] – The single YEAA skill Emilio says made the biggest difference [00:35] – How his exec-year leadership prepared him to manage teams today [00:43] – The mindset shift that helped him avoid stress and scale fast About the Guest Emilio Loya is the founder of Affordable Business Valuations and Staff Edge Assessments, where he helps small business owners understand their company's true worth and build stronger teams through behavioral assessment tools. A two-time YEAA intern, Emilio went from winning Manager of the Year in Pennsylvania to mentoring rookies and managing $420K+ in business by his second year. Now he brings that same process-driven mindset to helping entrepreneurs make smarter, more profitable decisions. 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilio-loya-06a617204/] | Website [https://www.affordablebusinessvaluations.net/] Resources & Links Mentioned * DISC Personality Assessments [https://www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/] * Staff Edge Assessments [https://staffedgeassessments.com/] * TTI Success Insights [https://www.ttisi.com/] (DISC partner) * YEAA Internship [https://www.yeaainternship.com] Important Links * Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website [https://rebrand.ly/yeaa-internship] * Watch our case study: Leaders Across America [https://rebrand.ly/leaders-across-america] * Find more success stories here: Our Alumni [https://rebrand.ly/7bfe90] * Connect with Steve: * LinkedIn: Steve Acorn [https://rebrand.ly/steve-acorn-linkedin] * Instagram: @steveacornyeaa [https://rebrand.ly/steve-acorn-ig] Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

122 | Jimmy Smith | How to Start an E-commerce Business the Right Way

In this episode of the Leaders Across America Podcast, Steve Acorn reconnects with Jimmy Smith, a two-year veteran of the YEAA program who has gone on to build a thriving Amazon business, train over 10,000 students, and create one of the most recognized online communities for e-commerce sellers. Jimmy shares how Student Painters gave him the foundation for entrepreneurship, the work ethic to push through challenges, and the confidence to build a business from scratch. He discusses the evolution of his business from retail arbitrage to wholesale partnerships and training programs, the hurdles he had to overcome, from cash flow struggles to learning to let go and outsource, and why consistency is the key to success in any venture. Whether you're a student entrepreneur or an aspiring business owner, Jimmy's story is packed with lessons on resilience, mindset, and building a business that supports your life. Thinking about starting an Amazon business? Don't guess, but learn the proven strategies that helped Jimmy scale from scratch. If you've enjoyed this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today! Enjoy! Key takeaways: * How Student Painters set the stage for Jimmy's career and business success * Why confidence gained from early challenges carries through to future ventures * The evolution from side hustle to a seven-figure Amazon business * Why outsourcing and letting go is essential for growth * The importance of consistency and following proven processes * How to manage cash flow and time effectively while scaling a business * Why entrepreneurship can be more stable than a traditional job * Practical tips for starting an e-commerce business the right way * And much more… Guest Bio: Jimmy Smith is an experienced entrepreneur, Amazon expert, and founder of AskJimmySmith, where he has trained over 10,000 students to build successful Amazon FBA businesses, with more than 1,000 documented success stories. He is the creator of Replen Dashboard, co-author of the Amazon best-selling book Side Hustle to Full Time Income, and the leader of Business Building Legends, a community helping entrepreneurs grow multiple streams of income. Jimmy also co-hosts the daily YouTube show AI Driven Business, where he demonstrates how to leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to build and scale businesses. Resources YEAA Website [https://www.yeaainternship.com/] Leaders Across America [https://www.leadersacrossamerica.com/] Connect with Steve on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-acorn/] Connect with Jimmy on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmysmith1/] AskJimmySmith.com [https://www.askjimmysmith.com] Books: Side Hustle to Full-Time Income: From $0 to $100k per Month with Retail and Online Arbitrage [https://www.amazon.com/Side-Hustle-Full-Time-Income-ebook/dp/B0878ZP1W5] Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Leaders Across America podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.