Tell Us Your Story

Breaking Free: From Silence to Storytelling with Jamie Perez

Jamie Perez's storytelling journey takes us from the quiet streets of Sacramento to television newsrooms in the Midwest and ultimately back to California as a thriving entrepreneur. Her path exemplifies the transformative power of authentic stories—both in business and in personal reinvention. Despite growing up in an emotionally unavailable household with a father with narcissistic personality disorder, Jamie channeled her innate drive into academic excellence. This same determination would later fuel her entrepreneurial success when life threw devastating curveballs her way. Jamie's career in broadcast journalism took her from Los Angeles to Iowa and Wisconsin, where she honed her storytelling craft while facing the harsh realities of the news industry—low pay, constant relocation, and the emotional toll of covering primarily negative stories. When a non-compete clause destroyed her attempt to transition careers, Jamie found herself at a crossroads. Rather than giving up, she secretly launched her own video storytelling business while working at a nonprofit. Within a year of being legally free to promote her services, she achieved remarkable success, hitting six figures by helping businesses and nonprofits connect emotionally with their audiences. What makes Jamie's approach to storytelling exceptional is her unwavering focus on the "why" rather than the "what." As she explains, "People are going to forget all those facts, but they will never forget the emotion and how you made them feel." This philosophy has become the cornerstone of her business, creating videos that serve as powerful, enduring marketing assets for her clients. After leaving an abusive relationship and returning to California, Jamie now navigates another rebuilding phase with the same determination that has carried her through previous challenges. Her willingness to share her story while still in progress—not just in retrospect from the mountaintop—offers a rare glimpse into authentic resilience in action. Ready to transform how your business connects with customers? Discover how emotional storytelling can elevate your brand by visiting Beyond Words Production or reaching out to Jamie directly to create content that makes people truly care about your mission.

Resilience & Real Estate with Sandy Finley: Remax Dream Homes

What does it take to build a successful career when the odds are against you? Sandy Finley's remarkable journey from Southern California surfer to innovative real estate broker-manager reveals powerful lessons in resilience, mentorship, and finding purpose through life's most devastating challenges. Sandy's story begins in the beachside communities of Southern California, where she balanced high school with surfing Huntington Beach and racing cars—unusual pursuits for young women in the 1980s. With no family emphasis on higher education and feeling she had something to prove, Sandy's path took unexpected turns: from opening (and losing) a restaurant in her early twenties to working multiple jobs while raising three daughters and supporting her ex-husband through his MBA. When Sandy finally entered real estate in 2006, just before the market crash, she turned what many would consider terrible timing into an advantage. The slower market allowed her to master fundamentals that would serve as her foundation for the next 20 years. Her approach—combining door-knocking persistence, client advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to honesty—contrasts sharply with industry stereotypes. The heart of Sandy's story lies in how she's redefined success. From initially measuring achievement through financial gain, she now finds fulfillment in mentoring agents and creating a collaborative brokerage culture at her newly-opened REMAX Dream Homes. The beautiful facility, complete with a communal kitchen and podcast studio, reflects her vision of real estate as a people-centered profession built on relationships rather than transactions. Perhaps most compelling is how Sandy built this dream while navigating unimaginable personal tragedy. Through this devastating loss, Sandy found that focusing on her professional vision provided crucial purpose and an opportunity to create meaning from suffering. Ready to hear how resilience, mentorship and personal growth can transform both challenges and opportunities? This episode offers wisdom for anyone navigating their own journey through adversity, whether in business or life.

Building Success Through Family Values and Client Trust: Commercial Insurance Insights with Hunter Rappleye

Ever wonder how someone discovers their true career calling? In our conversation with Hunter Rappleye from InterWest Insurance Company, we explore exactly that journey—from competitive collegiate golfer to thriving commercial insurance agent. Hunter's story begins as the youngest of five in a bustling household, where his competitive spirit was forged chasing his older siblings' accomplishments. Those early experiences shaped his approach to golf, which became his pathway to higher education. Though initially focused on potentially playing professionally, Hunter eventually recognized his natural affinity for numbers and business problems—talents that led him to the insurance industry. What makes Hunter's approach to commercial insurance particularly refreshing is his client-first methodology. Rather than overwhelming business owners with insurance terminology, he prioritizes understanding their specific challenges. "If they don't have a problem or if you don't know what their problem is, it's just jargon to them," Hunter explains. This perspective transforms the traditional sales approach into genuine problem-solving. Perhaps most remarkable is Hunter's redefinition of success through the lens of family. As a father to two young daughters (who occasionally paint his nails before client meetings!), he measures accomplishment not by sales targets but by his ability to provide while remaining present for life's important moments. Starting his family during the pandemic brought unique challenges that further crystallized these priorities. Whether you're contemplating a career change, seeking to improve client relationships, or struggling with work-life balance, Hunter's journey offers valuable insights about finding fulfillment through alignment of personal values with professional choices. His story reminds us that sometimes our greatest strengths emerge from unexpected places—and that success looks different for everyone.

Finding Your Path: Becky Jansen's Journey Through Military, Entrepreneurship, and Creating What You Want

Becky Jansen's path to owning Blissful Beauty by Becky exemplifies the resilience, adaptability, and courage required to build a fulfilling career on your own terms. From her early days as an academically-gifted but directionless high school graduate to becoming an Air Force veteran and successful business owner, Becky's journey reveals the power of perseverance and self-discovery. At 19, lacking clear career direction and determined to create better opportunities, Becky enlisted in the Air Force. As one of the first women at Fort Drum, a predominantly male infantry base, she faced significant challenges that tested her resolve but strengthened her character. When she candidly recalls supervisors telling her she'd "need to work twice as hard and complain half as much," we glimpse the fortitude that would later serve her entrepreneurial endeavors. After military service, Becky spent 21 years as a dental hygienist while also building experience in real estate. But the most inspiring chapter begins at 48, when newly divorced and seeking a fresh start, she pursued her long-held dream of becoming an esthetician. Balancing school with part-time work in both real estate and dental hygiene, she worked seven days a week to build her future – a testament to her determination and work ethic. What distinguishes Becky's approach to business is her refreshingly authentic perspective on success. Rather than chasing rapid growth or conforming to others' expectations, she's built a practice focused on meaningful client relationships and maintaining the flexibility to live life on her own terms. Her definition of success – "having a life that you love, that your work supports" – offers a valuable counterpoint to conventional metrics of achievement. Whether you're considering a career pivot, starting a business, or simply seeking inspiration from someone who's navigated significant professional transitions with grace, Becky's story delivers powerful insights about finding your path, even when it isn't straightforward. Listen now to discover how sometimes the most rewarding journeys are those that take unexpected turns.

Faith, Freedom, and the Future: Daniel Baarns' Journey

Daniel Baarns sits across from us, his energy infectious as he recounts his journey from childhood in Los Angeles to owning Baarns Detailing in Sacramento. What unfolds is not just a business story, but a testament to intentional living and the courage to pursue dreams. Growing up homeschooled as one of five siblings, Daniel developed an early entrepreneurial streak. By age 12, he was working as a background actor on shows like iCarly and films like Hancock, managing his own bank account with surprising maturity. This foundation of financial independence would later serve him well when testing business ideas and funding his dreams. The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Daniel reveals how he launched his detailing business using a methodical approach. Rather than investing in supplies first, he knocked on 30 doors to gauge interest—a practical application of advice he'd received: "Every idea is a bad idea until it's been tested in the marketplace." This test-first mentality has guided his business decisions ever since, helping him detail over 600 vehicles in just three years. Perhaps most compelling is Daniel's story of pursuing a seven-year dream to immerse himself in Spanish-speaking culture. Despite having the financial means to visit Ecuador, he still had to overcome the fear of taking the leap. This experience eventually inspired his upcoming book "Someday is a Lie," exploring how the decisions we make in our twenties and early thirties shape our future success. The central message resonates throughout our conversation: "If you think it's going to be easier later, you're wrong. It's actually easiest today." As Daniel defines success through his core values of love, adventure, and growth, we're left inspired by his practical wisdom: start something today, however small. Whether you're launching a business, pursuing a dream, or seeking personal growth, the time to begin is now.