Leaders Across America With Steve Acorn

What happens when you push past fear and self-doubt to take on a leadership role? In this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn sits down with Grace Lemerise, a standout Student Works alumna, to discuss how she transformed her confidence, leadership skills, and career path through the program.   Grace shares how she went from feeling uncertain about entrepreneurship to running a $100,000 business in her rookie year and later overseeing $348,000 in revenue as an executive. She opens up about the skepticism she faced from her university advisors, the resilience it took to push through outside doubt, and how the program helped shape her into a confident leader.   Now working as a Senior SDR at demandDrive, Grace explains how the skills she learned—accountability, persistence, and leadership—continue to drive her success in her career today. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone looking to step outside your comfort zone, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on growth and mindset shifts. In This Episode You'll Learn: * Why you don’t have to have everything figured out to start * How mentors and surrounding yourself with the right people accelerate growth * Why pushing through fear is a sign you’re on the right path * How to overcome skepticism and doubt from others when making bold career decisions * The power of accountability and mindset shifts in achieving long-term success * And much more…     Resources YEAA Website [https://www.yeaainternship.com/] Leaders Across America [https://www.leadersacrossamerica.com/] Connect with Grace on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-lemerise-552674194/]

What does it really take to scale from six figures as a young entrepreneur to running an eight-figure business—and how do the lessons learned at YEAA can shape that journey?   In today’s episode of the Leaders Across America Podcast, Steve Acorn welcomes Chandler Bolt, a successful entrepreneur and proud alumnus of the Young Entrepreneurs Across America program. Chandler shares how his early experiences knocking doors, hiring crews, and learning to follow proven systems became the foundation for building Selfpublishing.com, an industry-leading company helping thousands of authors around the world.   Chandler opens up about his journey from a rookie branch manager to Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, including the milestones, challenges, leadership lessons, and growth strategies that fueled his remarkable success. This episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom on persistence, goal setting, scaling a business, and why mastering the basics during the YEAA program can set you up for life.   If you've enjoyed this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!   Enjoy! In This Episode You'll Learn: * Why the fundamentals you master during the YEAA program set the foundation for long-term success * How Chandler turned early sales experience into a global brand serving thousands of customers * The difference between chasing growth versus building sustainable, profitable businesses * How to use goal setting and daily focus to consistently drive results * Why resilience and extreme ownership are non-negotiable for future leaders * The power of sticking with proven systems instead of reinventing the wheel * How YEAA's lessons prepared Chandler to lead, scale, and thrive in business * And much more…   Resources: YEAA Website [https://www.yeaainternship.com/] Leaders Across America [https://www.leadersacrossamerica.com/] Chandler’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandlerbolt/] Selfpublishing.com [https://selfpublishing.com]  7-Figure Principles  [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/7-figure-principles/id1499734154] 74 Chandler Bolt | 34 Million In Sales After YEAA Program [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/74-chandler-bolt-34-million-in-sales-after-yeaa-program/id1517899682?i=1000551972556] Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win  [https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057]

In this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn talks with Jacob Zegowitz, a UMass Amherst graduate, who shattered expectations in the Student Painters Management position.   Jacob shares his journey of running a $180,000 business during his first year with the program, earning nearly $40,000 in profit, and how the experience challenged him to grow as a leader. He reflects on how perseverance and grit helped him navigate the ups and downs of running a business, from building a strong preseason marketing strategy to overcoming rejection and leading a motivated team.   Jacob also explains the importance of coachability, time management, and holding himself accountable, emphasizing how these lessons have shaped his success not only in the program but in life. Now, as a full-time mentor with Student Painters, Jacob is dedicated to helping others achieve extraordinary results by following the same principles that drove his success.   This episode is packed with valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, interns, and anyone striving to achieve personal and professional growth. Enjoy!   In This Episode You'll Learn: * Why embracing challenges and setbacks is key to growth * How to build and motivate a team that drives results * The importance of marketing and a strong preseason effort in scaling success * Why grit, resilience, and adaptability are the cornerstones of leadership * How Jacob's journey with Student Painters has set the foundation for his future goals * And much more…     Resources: YEAA Website [https://www.yeaainternship.com/] Leaders Across America [https://www.leadersacrossamerica.com/]

Success in the sports industry doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built through resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to step far outside your comfort zone. In this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn welcomes back Jillian Walker for the special "Where Are They Now?" segment.   Jillian, a proud alumna of the Young Entrepreneurs Across America (YEAA) program, has carved an impressive career path in professional sports, transitioning from the Detroit Tigers to the Memphis Grizzlies, then to the Detroit Pistons, and now serving as the Senior Manager of Premium Sales and Service with the Florida Panthers NHL team.   Jillian reflects on how stepping out of her comfort zone, a lesson learned during her time with YEAA, helped her thrive in a male-dominated industry. From moving across the country for leadership roles to leading premium sales during the Panthers' historic Stanley Cup Championship run, Jillian shares valuable lessons in leadership, resilience, and how to build a career that aligns with your passions.   This episode is packed with inspiring insights for anyone ready to chase their dreams and build a fulfilling career, no matter how challenging the path. Enjoy! In This Episode You'll Learn: * How stepping out of your comfort zone leads to massive personal and professional growth * Why consistency and mindset are critical to long-term success * How to navigate and excel as a woman in male-dominated industries * The importance of mentoring and supporting others as you grow * How Jillian turned her internship experience into a thriving career in professional sports. * And much more…   Resources: YEAA Website [https://www.yeaainternship.com/] Leaders Across America [https://www.leadersacrossamerica.com/] 38 | Jillian Walker | How to Set Yourself Apart, Mindset Strategies, and Overcoming Your Biggest Failures [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/38-jillian-walker-how-to-set-yourself-apart-mindset/id1517899682?i=1000514182986]

What drives a college student to break records and lead a six-figure business before graduation? In this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn speaks with Ashton Benkert, a junior at Adrian College who shattered Michigan’s rookie production record by running a $180,000 business in his first year with the Young Entrepreneurs Across America (YEAA) program.   Ashton shares how his relentless determination, coachability, and focus on building a strong marketing team helped him double the average rookie sales. He opens up about the mindset shifts that fueled his success, the lessons he learned from facing setbacks, and how staying consistent through mental slumps gave him a competitive edge.    Now, Ashton is setting his sights on reaching $250,000 in revenue while mentoring rookie managers to follow in his footsteps. This episode is packed with practical strategies and powerful insights for anyone ready to take on leadership challenges and push beyond their limits. Enjoy! In This Episode You'll Learn: * How determination and being coachable are key drivers of success in the YEAA program * Why developing and leading a high-performing marketing team is essential for business growth * How to stay focused and overcome mental roadblocks when challenges arise * The impact of mentorship and collaboration on personal and professional development * Why trusting the process is critical to achieving long-term goals * And much more…   Resources YEAA Website [https://www.yeaainternship.com/] Leaders Across America [https://www.leadersacrossamerica.com/]