Jake Kelfer Joins Us On The Steve Jobs Inspired Join Up Dots Podcast
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Introducing Jake Kelfer
Jake Kelfer is today’s guest joining us on the Steve Jobs inspired Join Up Dots business podcast.
When someone sends me a request to be a guest on the show, and during the email he says
“I am a huge believer in creating and achieving our own definition of success. We are all unique and we all have something incredible to share.
We are the authors of our own stories and I get fired up helping and discussing with people about their journeys.
I am still on my my journey and I still have a long way to go, but every day is another chance to continue growing and learning! The only short-cut in life is to start now and I try to make every day count.”
Then I know that he is a guy worth talking to.
How The Dots Joined Up For Jake
Since graduating from the University of Southern California last May he has been flexing the old hustle muscle big-time.
And this is not the old hustle muscle flexing where the doors are already half open, but the kind of grind it out flexing that takes time to achieve, with no guaranteed success waiting at the end.
He has worked for the Los Angeles Lakers, started a new business, and wrote a book, called Elevate Beyond: A Real World Guide to Standing Out in Any Job Market, Discovering Your Passion and Becoming Your Own Person
But Like most people the entrepreneurial rout was not evident at the beginning of his career, with several short terms roles being held such as Business Assistant for Relativity Sports and Samsung NBA Summer League Intern.
But you could see once he created Straight Curve Marketing, a company that offers a selection of products ranging from t-shirts to shot glasses that his career was only going to go one way.
And now with both this venture, and Fundamental Mindset, a lifestyle, entrepreneurial blog that shares stories, interviews, advice and experiences to help you maximize your potential, achieve success, and have fun doing it…it looks like he is having fun too.
So when did his mindset change to one of creating his own future, or perhaps it was there all along?
And does he see the link between the more fun he has the more success he gains?
Well lets find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots, with the one and only Mr Jake Kelfer
Show Highlights
During the show we discussed such weighty subjects with Jake Kelfer such as:
Why he feels that the famous basketball player Kobi Bryant is a benchmark of what can be achieved, by being willing to go for the shots even when potentially missing.
Why he always wants to wake up every morning with the statement “Today is going to be great day!” which sets the standard of what he is going to achieve.
Why he remembers the amazing advice, that his Dad gave him when he was a five year old, which simply meant “Hey son, relax and enjoy it!”
And Lastly…………….
How he is a surprised as anyone that he know has the title of “Best Selling Author” on his resume, but believes now that anything is possible.
Jake Kelfer Books
How To Connect With Jake Kelfer
If you enjoyed this episode with Jake Kelfer then why not listen to some of our favourite podcast episodes such as Ron Stelle, Ted Yoder, Sean Swarner or the amazing Yuri Elkaim
Or if you prefer just pop over to our podcast archive for thousands of amazing episodes to choose from.
Full Transcription Of Jake Kelfer Interview
Intro [0:00]
When we’re young, we have an amazing positive outlook about how great life is going to be. But somewhere along the line we forget to dream and end up settling. Join Up Dots features amazing people who refuse to give up and chose to go after their dreams. This is your blueprint for greatness. So here’s your host live from the back of his garden in the UK, David Ralph.
David Ralph [0:26]
Yeah, everybody, that’s me trying to be American. I was just talking to my guest today who is very, very American. And he said to me, you’re very, very English. And so we’ve decided to stick with the same accent. I think it’s gonna work better that way. But it’s an absolute delight to have him on episode 538 of Join Up Dots, the motivational, inspirational powerhouse podcast, because he was somebody who asked to be on the show by email. And when someone sends me a request to be a guest on the show and joonie email, he says, I’m a huge believer in Christ. Writing and achieving our own definition of success. We’re all unique. And we all have something incredible to share. We are the authors of our own stories, and I get fired up helping and discussing with people about their journeys. I’m still on my journey, and I still have a long way to go. But every day is another chance to continue growing and learning. And the only shortcut in life is to start now, and I try to make every day count brilliant stuff. Well, I read that and I thought, yeah, this is a guy that’s worth talking to. And since graduating from the University of Southern California last May, he’s been flexing the old hustle muscle big time, and this isn’t the old hustle muscle flexing well adores already half open, but a kind of grinding out flexing that takes time to achieve with no guaranteed success waiting at the end is worked for the Los Angeles Lakers started a new business wrote a book called elevate beyond a real world guide to standing out in any job market, discovering your passion and becoming your own person. But like most People the entrepreneurial route was not evident at the beginning of his career with several short term roles being held such as business assistant for relativity sports and Samsung MBA summer league intern. But you could see once he created straight curve marketing, a company that offers a selection of products ranging from t shirts to shot glasses, but his career was only going to go one way. And now we both this venture and fundamental mindset, a lifestyle entrepreneur blog that share stories, interviews, advice and experiences to help you maximise your potential achieve success, and have fun doing it. It looks like he’s having fun too. So when did his mindset change to one of creating his own future? Or perhaps it was bear all along and does he see the link between the more fun he has, the more success he gains? Well, let’s find out as we bring onto the show to start Join Up Dots with the one and only Mr. Jake Kelfer. How are you sir?
Jake Kelfer [2:54]
I’m doing great, David. That introduction just got me as fired up as the email I sent you. I’m pumped to be here.
David Ralph [2:59]
It was a good email. And as I was saying, just before we record, I get a lot of emails, and I get ones that going. Thank you very much for being on the show and you read it in your own head, but the way they sort of write it, you just hear it as a bland pitch that they’ve sent to everyone. Yours had passion, yours had enthusiasm. Is that your key spirit? Are you somebody that just just wants to do their best at every turn?
Jake Kelfer [3:27]
I always want to do my best and you know, one thing that I’ve always tried to do is find ways to stand out and you know, when I send an email, I try to make it like I’m having a conversation exactly how I would be in person excited, fun, energetic, passionate, because I want to deliver you know, my best value to you as well as you know, potentially being a guest on your show, which here we are today. And you know, it’s just going to be a great fun time with you.
David Ralph [3:51]
I can’t see these days. Now it is so I suppose we’re getting into an area of the conversation I wasn’t expecting to but it is a bit of gold for the As to sort of reflect on that. Everything that we do is about sales, it doesn’t matter what we’re doing in our life is about selling either to other people or to ourselves. But at the bottom, it’s about communication. And it’s about telling a story. We love stories, and an email like that works because there was a flavour to it, you could get a feel of that person behind the scenes behind the story. Now, do you see that? I know you’re a young man, you’re 23. But do you see that the world operates in a very different way from that they operate not in a storytelling way, not in a fun way. But that life has to be hard somehow. What do you think?
Jake Kelfer [4:43]
I mean, I think it’s an interesting question because I think it just depends on the different person the different time of their life and and you know, the situation that they’re in. You know, for me being so young, I see the world full of opportunity. I see the road to success and The Open Road, a road that I get to choose. Some people have already chosen their path and they want to change their path. Whatever somebody might be doing now, or someone might be doing in the future, or what I’m doing right now, I just think it’s all about enjoying the journey and just trying to make the most of every experience that we can, and then share those experiences with the people that you love and care about most. And if you do that, I think there’s gonna be happiness in your life. I think there’s going to be success in your life. And you know that that’s what it’s all about to me.
David Ralph [5:29]
All the guys coming out of college and university now in America are a very much focused on the entrepreneurial journey, or is it still, as it always was, in my time, get a job, you’ve got to get a job. Do you think it’s changing? Or is it still ingrained in that same belief?
Jake Kelfer [5:47]
I definitely think it’s changing. I think for the most part, people go to college for your university, and then you’re told to go get a job in corporate America, and that’s what a lot of people do. And honestly, that was what I had. planned on doing. For the longest time, I knew that entrepreneurship was something that, you know, I was passionate about I started a business was in college, but you know, my route was to go to school, get a great job and just hit that path to success and, you know, make make a great living and do all that. But something just triggered in me when I was finishing up college where I was like, This is my time to take a risk, this is my time to go out there and make a difference. And so that’s what I did. And a lot of people are doing that as well. But definitely, the trend is still get a job and and start you know, paying off either your loans or just start paying the bills and have a steady income and a steady paycheck. And, you know, I just think that it’s a it’s a great opportunity for me to go after what I want and follow my heart.
David Ralph [6:45]
Oh, I think so. I think so totally. I think it’s lunacy. Now. I was the employee. I was the guy who went to work. I was the guy going up the ladder, putting the suit on going to board meetings that board me stupid but I had to do it. You know And I look back on it now. And I think I just control my time. Now I control my time I control my money. I control my energies. I’m having fun. Why wouldn’t you want to do it? Now the thing is, Jake, because we will talk about on the show, and we talked about on literally every episode of Join Up Dots. It’s bloody hard. It’s bloody hard creating your own business. But it’s kind of it can’t be taken away from you unless you let it go. And more companies pivot and change direction and find their thing because you don’t allow it to go. Are you going to be somebody that finds their thing early? Or do you just feel that whatever you do at this age now is just the start Have you got big dreams have you got plans in your head or you just kind of make it up as you go along kind of guy?
Jake Kelfer [7:47]
I have I have huge dreams. Some people think I’m crazy for the things that I try to set out to do. But I think that’s what makes it so fun and exciting. So as big as the dreams that I have for myself may be going To enjoy every step of the way. Now, if you told me a year after college, I would have written a best selling book, I would have thought you were crazy. But you know, things change and questions are asked, and people need need your knowledge. And, you know, I’m just happy that I was able to be in a position where I could change what my path was. And, you know, working for the Lakers was an incredible experience getting to see Kobe’s last game was just awesome. And then also being able to write a book and start a blog and create a new company. I mean, those are all great opportunities and great things that I’m just taking advantage of. But, you know, that’s not necessarily where I’m going to end up and I don’t know exactly where I’m gonna end up. But all I know is that I’m going to enjoy the road and I’m going to try to have as much fun and help as many people along that road.
David Ralph [8:44]
Now I’m gonna put myself in a stupid position here because I’ve got no idea who Coby is, but I imagine he’s Is he a basketball player? Is he a baseball player? What is he?
Jake Kelfer [8:53]
Yes, Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest NBA players to ever play the game. And so this entire season, for the Los Angeles Lakers. This was his farewell tour. And so being at his game was his final game was one of the most incredible experiences. He went for 60 points scored 60 points, the Lakers pulled off an incredible win. And he finished his career on just an extreme high. No, it was it was like destiny happened. It was a story written from a book, it was just incredible. So being able to have that experience as an employee of the team and share that with a lot of my friends and colleagues was just an amazing and amazing experience.
David Ralph [9:33]
Now one of the things that you see sort of scattered around the internet on motivational sites and images is Michael Jordan’s kind of phrase that, you know, I’ve missed more than I’ve scored, but I can’t score without missing. And I think so Wayne Gretzky has said the same kind of things. God I’m sounding American, I’m quoting all these different people. Now. Is that the same with Kobe? Is he somebody that was willing to go for it? Did he play for the percentages did he For the big shots, how did he create success in your mindset? Because basketball to me seems like a kind of mirror of the entrepreneurial journey. You’ve got to go for hoops, you’ve got to just keep on going for it all the time.
Jake Kelfer [10:14]
Yeah, Colby is in that same category. He is a guy that prepared harder than anyone, you know, outwork his competition and had to drive to be the best, he was willing to take the tough shots when the game was on the line. He missed more field goals than almost anyone in NBA history. But that didn’t stop them from becoming one of the greatest players and most feared scores in the history of the game. And so, you know, I’ve actually been able to take a lot from him and from a lot of the other NBA guys who I was able to watch a season on their work ethic, on their desire to be great on their ability to keep going when the going gets tough, and Kobe has just been a great example for me to learn from and I’ve been able to translate some of that into my journey into to my business into my future path and the way I handle people in difficult situations.
David Ralph [11:03]
Now the difference between what he’s doing and what a lot of us do is, not only is he putting in the effort to become as good as he possibly can, he’s obviously worked out the things that he can do really well and he focuses in on a plays to his strengths. Now, you will probably know this, I will probably know this. Well, I do know this. It’s that when you start, you don’t you don’t focus in on your strengths. You believe that you can do everything and literally you burn yourself out by trying to be the accountant trying to be the sales manager trying to be the de entrepreneur, every single role within creating a business. Are you aware of that right at the beginning? Are you aware that you can go into a place where the machine that you create starts fighting back and starts beating you up?
Jake Kelfer [11:58]
Absolutely. And I think that that’s That’s actually a lesson that I’m that I’m learning right now. And as I go, I’m wholeheartedly aware of it, because great people like yourself, you know, tell that advice and share that advice. And it’s my job at such a young age to listen to all those people that have had success and learn from their mistakes, learn from their successes. And so for me, I’m really trying to figure out exactly what are, you know, the things that I do great in my business, and leverage those to continue to focus on notes. And from there, you know, then I bring in other people to help improve, you know, potentially my weaknesses are the things I don’t want to do or don’t like to do or don’t do, as well as my strengths. And you know, I’m definitely aware of it. And I’m always continuing to learn and improve. And, you know, it’s it’s great that I’m starting so young, because I’m able to really see these things early and be able to make the changes as I go along. And I think that that’s something incredible, and that’s something that is going to be very, very valuable down the road.
David Ralph [12:54]
So I said, What would you say Ben are your fun things because I know that As I said in the introduction, there is a direct link between the more fun you have, the more success you gain. It plays to your sweet spot as I say you enjoy it because you like doing it. And then it’s a fun thing. So when you’re laying in bed, and you’re thinking what you’ve got to do today, sometimes you will go Yeah, oh, that’s okay. Yeah, I can put up with that today and other days is a hell yeah, I’m really gonna go for that. What’s the ones that really get you excited?
Jake Kelfer [13:28]
Yeah, so I mean, I get out. First of all, I get up with the mentality every morning when I wake up, and I say, today’s gonna be a great day, because I just want the first thought in my mind to be a positive one, because that’s going to set the stage for the rest of my day. And after that, one of the things that I just absolutely love doing is when I have the opportunity to talk to new people, or to go to a meeting where there’s potential for a deal to be closed because I just love interacting with people. I love being you know, showing a great personality. I love hearing other people’s stories and their journeys. And that’s what really fires me up is being able to connect on a deeper level than just the surface. And I think that that’s the name of the game and in a business and in a world of extreme hustle. And you know, when I’m starting my own business and trying to build my coaching practice public speaking practice, I think it’s all about relationships and really developing those relationships, so that they know that I’m sincere and authentic and genuine. And I’m going to provide the best value that I can. And that’s what I also look for in other people too. I mean, I just I go out every day and try to have a good time and continue to make little successes every day because then the results are going to be big when it when it when they start to come in and start happening.
David Ralph [14:38]
Well, okay, that’s all sounds great. That all sounds brilliant, but you will be going through a journey yourself of self discovery. And so you start off going, I want to connect with people. I want to network with people. But how do you translate that into money bats, that’s the ball. That’s you know, that’s where it all goes wrong somehow for some people. They have this idea of what they want to do with their life, but they can’t quite translate it into income. Have you already got a plan of fat? Do you know how you’re going to do that?
Jake Kelfer [15:10]
Yeah, one of one of the big ways that I generate income now and that I’m going to continue to generate income is through the relationships that I’ve previously developed. And also through my mentorships. I have a lot of I’ve been very fortunate to develop some great mentors over the years, in sports, in education, and just all aspects of life. And so being able to learn from them and ask for their advice. And what they’ve done to close sales has really already translated into what I’m doing. Because my thought process is if someone’s already done it, and they’re very successful at what they’re doing, and they’re able to generate revenue doing it that way, then I should emulate what they do and add my own flair to it. Yeah. And I think that that’s so far been really successful for me, and it’s going to continue to be a ticket to my success as well.
David Ralph [15:58]
And then do you know your personal freedom Do you know the kind of thing that you can do that’s unique to you? And really sort of stamps? Jake Kalfa over everything?
Jake Kelfer [16:08]
Yeah, I mean, my personal flair is every time someone, someone meets me, I try to put a smile on their face. And when whenever I leave a conversation or leave a meeting, I want people to say, well, that Jake, he’s a great guy. He’s a fun guy, and I want to work with him. That’s what I try to leave other people with the thought of. So hopefully, at the end of this interview, yourself, the audience, Evans would be like, wow, you know, Jake, Jake’s a good guy, you know, he’s going places and he’s going to make a difference. And that’s what I that’s what I try to do, because I just want to, you know, have fun, like we said, and just positively influenced others around me.
David Ralph [16:42]
Why? Okay, so let’s take you back in time, which is the whole theme of Join Up Dots. And we’re going to take you back to the sort of five year old Jake, running around America doing whatever he was doing. What was he doing, what was the kind of thing that Jake loved doing as a little chap.
Jake Kelfer [17:00]
Yeah, five year old Jake was an interesting Jake. And I say that because it was my first year of playing basketball. And I’m a huge basketball fan played it my entire life. But at five years old, I was extremely shy on the on the basketball court, I was so scared and so timid. And my dad was just saying, Jake, like you could do it. Like, when you practice by yourself, like you’re always having fun running around, just pretend we’re on our driveway. And something clicked in the middle of the season. And I just became a tenacious defender, extremely energetic player, and I became one of the better players on our team. Now five years old, that may sound crazy, but something switched in my mindset. And I knew at that moment that I was going to have to put myself out there in order to gain some reward. Write
David Ralph [17:49]
down bad experience, because this is interesting. This is really interesting. So I’m gonna slow you down there. So your dad gave you advice, but at the age of five more often than not, we just kind of blow Blow advice away? What was it? What can you sort of reflect on why that actually hit home and it made a big difference to you? Because, you know, it’s a different ballgame. Being a five year old to a 15 year old to a 30 year old, what was it for the five year old that really grasp the words of your dad?
Jake Kelfer [18:18]
You know, it’s definitely a little bit difficult to remember. But my parents have been so supportive my whole life. And so I think one of the big things that that hit that trigger for me, was them constantly in my ear, and my dad and Meyer, who was my coach at the time, just saying, have some fun. Don’t worry about anything else. Just run around, go get the basketball and put it in the hoop. And if you do that, you’re going to have fun, everyone’s going to have fun, and you’re going to enjoy this max even more after the game. And that’s what happened. And that’s an attitude that I’ve tried to take with me throughout my athletic days in junior high in high school and even now when I play pickleball it’s it’s about having fun, and just You know, enjoying the opportunity because I get the chance to play basketball. And I think that that just has stayed with me throughout my life so far.
David Ralph [19:10]
Well what he was saying in a kind of adult way was just relax, just relax, you’re gonna play your better game, being relaxed and being sort of stressed out. And it’s something that we we struggled to remember don’t we we get up and we think we’ve got to really work hard. We really have to, you know, push for it and hassle muscle and all that kind of stuff. But when you are relaxed, I remember reading about Bill Murray and I’ve said this a few times, but it really struck struck home to me, this is the Ghostbusters guy. And he has these kind of seven steps to life and as I’m saying this, I’m googling it right now. I found it okay. And one of these steps is stay relaxed and success will follow and he says, but someone told me some secrets early on about living and you have to remind yourself that you can do the very best you can When you’re very, very relaxed, no matter what it is, no matter what your job is, the more relaxed you are, the better you are. And that’s sort of why I got into acting. He says, I realised that the more fun I had, the better I did it. And I thought, well, that’s a job I can be proud of, I’d be proud to have that job if I had to go to work and say, no matter what my condition or what my mood is, no matter how I feel about what’s going on in my life, if I just relax and enjoy what I’m doing, and then have fun with it, then I can do my job really well. And it’s changed my life learning there. And it’s made me better at what I do. I’m not the greatest or anything, but I just relax and I enjoy it. I think that is brilliant, don’t you?
Jake Kelfer [20:39]
I think it’s I think it’s incredible, cuz that’s definitely something that I always try to tell myself too, is take a few deep breaths and relax and just be yourself for a few minutes. Take a breath, take a break from everything that’s going on, and just collect your thoughts and then get back out there and go have some fun. And so that that’s a great, great quote. And I think I think Bill Murray didn’t credible job data is creating everything as well.
David Ralph [21:03]
Well, when I started to really relax on Join Up Dots, it was about 35 episodes in and up to that point, I was really on edge. Could I think of the next question, Can I do this? Could I do that, and at 35 or 37, I suddenly realised that I’d forgotten that I was recording a show and I was having a conversation, and I was enjoying it. And it was a real changing point of the quality of the shows. And subsequently, I’ve moved on, you know, you’re gonna move on when you’ve done nearly 600 shows. But the key learning to what I gained from that was, you’re not being a host. You’re not being a podcast creator, you’re being a person that is enjoying the process. And once I got that in my head, and which I never had an employee land when I was employee land, it was just do a job, get your money and you go home, but when I realised that I could actually just enjoy it. Relax. into it, and hopefully have a good time, the show started to rise up somehow. And I think the audience could pick up on that I think they could listen and think this guy sounds like he’s having a good time. And I can go on the journey with him because I’m gonna have a good time listening to it as well. It’s really interesting how that that just simple change of mindset really makes a difference, Jay?
Jake Kelfer [22:21]
Yeah, I totally agree. I think I think the mindset and the way we approach different situations is just could be life changing. And, you know, whatever your situation may be, whether it’s, you know, your 14 year old in junior high, getting ready for high school and I senior getting ready for the first year of college, or even, you know, down the road in employee land, like you mentioned, like, it’s just about having that mindset and just going for it and, you know, just trying to embrace every situation as an opportunity and make the most of it.
David Ralph [22:51]
Now, you went to employee land and kind of it seemed to me You went to employee land, but actually seemed quite fun as well. You was in environments It kind of played to your sporty element of your personality. Would that be right?
Jake Kelfer [23:06]
Yeah, absolutely. A lot of those were internships and opportunities that I had while I was in school. And then the Lakers was the first job that I had outside of school. That coupled with a lot of my entrepreneurial passions that I’m continuing to do today. But those jobs were pretty awesome working at sports agencies, or for the NBA Summer League, or for a sports marketing firm called Hall Pass media, all those different experiences, were able to put me in a situation where I’m around the game that I love the most around great people, ambitious people, people that have the same love for basketball as I do. And so those experiences were as fun as they looked. And I learned a lot from them as well, which I hope to parlay into the next stage of my adventure, my journey.
David Ralph [23:51]
Now on your adventure in your journey. You love basketball so much. Is it possible that you could create something within the field of butter basketball. Could you create a motivational coaching course based around basketball? That sort of elements of what makes Kobe Bryant great? Could you bring that in? Because people would kind of gain from that, wouldn’t they? I think men like talking about soccer and football and men like talking about basketball, so it’d be a win win.
Jake Kelfer [24:21]
Yeah, well, there’s two things that come to mind. First is the first one is one of my biggest dreams and goals in life is to become a sports agent for basketball or the NFL. And so I’m, you know, interested in doing that. And I’m constantly working on that and developing my relationships in that aspect of the world, but then also to tailor into the motivational speeches and stuff. I’ve started giving speeches to high school sports teams, and, and I’m really trying to tie in that message because sports were a huge part of my life. So to be able to channel sports and the lessons that sports can teach you and translate that into business and life success, I think is definitely going to play factor into what I do and what I can pose down the road for sure. And I already love making comparisons and, and one of my speeches that I gave a few a few months ago, I brought up Colby and what he offers the table and how people that were in high school can leverage and use what Coby does and how he does it for their success in college preparation.
David Ralph [25:22]
Well, let’s bring up some words, but I love and I play almost every show, so we’re gonna hear him again, he is Jim Carrey,
Jim Carrey [25:28]
My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn’t believe that that was possible for him. And so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an accountant. And when I was 12 years old, he was let go from that safe job. And our family had to do whatever we could to survive. I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which was that you can fail at what you don’t want. So you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.
David Ralph [25:55]
So what is your dad do Jake? Is he entrepreneurial or Are you a kind of black sheep of the family? Are you going a different path that your mom and dad don’t quite understand?
Jake Kelfer [26:08]
Oh, no, both my parents are extremely entrepreneurial. My dad is the he’s been an entrepreneur his entire life. He runs a T shirt and promotional product company called Idea Factory. And then he also just got a patent on a sweatshirt called skilled sportswear, which basically that takes the sweatshirt the shape of the pocket on the front and puts it into a sports ball. And so it’s kind of hard to visualise. But it’s an incredible new product. And he’s always been entrepreneurial. And so he’s always been able to fuel my fire and get me excited about that. And then my mom, she has been entrepreneurial whole her whole life. She actually is a part time professor at the University of Southern California and the Graduate School of Social Work. And she also had a very successful clinical social work practice. So both my parents have been extremely entrepreneurial. And I’ve always seen that the hustle muscle as you would say, constantly flexing for them. And I’ve just tried to emulate what they do and learn from them to get me going and get me started on my journey. And so I think that their experiences have also made me very excited. And they’ve made me very, you know, goal oriented. And I feel very supported in love because they’ve experienced it, and they know what it’s like to start from the ground up and, and just try to build your empire.
David Ralph [27:33]
So do you have any memories of the feast and famine but a lot of entrepreneurs go through when getting a business going, or as it always been, in your mind, a kind of rosy garden?
Jake Kelfer [27:47]
No, I mean, they’re definitely the times of struggle and, you know, when I was a lot younger, which was, you know, way before, you know, before I even played basketball at five years old. You know, my parents were figuring out what they were going to be best at and how they were going to do it. And, you know, they had their struggles, but they’ve always told me and this is what I’ve really learned from them is to keep going and keep going and treat people well, because at the end of the day, the way you treat people is going to translate into the way your business is run. And my mom is one of the most supportive, caring, loving person. And, you know, if I could ever emulate how great of a person she is, I’m going to be ultimately, extremely successful. And whatever I do, and so I’ve seen mostly the good from them, because they’ve worked so hard to provide a great lifestyle for myself and my younger brother. But I do know the struggle, and I’m very aware of that. And I know that it’s going to be part of the process. But I know that I can see the gold at the end of the rainbow if I just keep keep moving along, keep trucking along.
David Ralph [28:47]
So So do you have a partner in your life, Jake?
Jake Kelfer [28:51]
Not at the moment.
David Ralph [28:53]
Is that because of your hustle you’re going for it? Or is that just how life has dealt? It’s,
Jake Kelfer [29:01]
it’s, I would say it’s a combination of both. Definitely, definitely dating and things like that. But no one I haven’t found the right one at the time. But, you know, I’m very young and I’m just, you know, enjoying that part of my life and continuing to meet as many girls I can and, and just trying to find the one and I think it’ll just happen. But I’m just going to keep working hard and making sure that I always take time to have some fun outside of work, because I think that that’s really important too. And I think that’s where I’m going to, you know, find my my future wife.
David Ralph [29:35]
Well, the reason I asked that is yes, you’re a reasonably young man, you’re 23. And not having a partner at that time does give you freedom of choices, because it is quite difficult to but I think it’s easier, funnily enough and people are going to email me and say, What’s he talking about? But I think it’s easier to balance a wife, then a girlfriend, I remember having girlfriends in the past on one of them. became a wife. And they were a lot more high maintenance, I had to sort of be in connection with them a lot more to make them happy, and a wife who kind of, I suppose because you live with them, they sort of see you all the time. So you’ve got that ability to literally, you know, route up and go across the world if you want to without having that emotional anchor, but apart that gives you sometimes.
Jake Kelfer [30:24]
Yeah, definitely. And I think that’s a huge plus. But I also think that having you know, a partner for me in my life would be amazing just to be able to share my love with them to be able to talk to them at you know, at night and just go over the, you know, the intimate stuff, because I’m a sensitive guy. And as much as I’m goal oriented and driven and hustling my butt off, you know, I’d love to be able to share that with someone who you know, means the world to me. And so, when the time is right and the right girl comes along, I think it’s going to be an incredible fit, and I’m going to do everything I can to make her happy and to ultimate We make a great team and a great partner.
David Ralph [31:02]
You hear that ladies you hear that? You can you can email them, you can go over to Jake Kalfa and contact him straight away. And men, men, if Jake, Jake is your thing, you can contact him as well. Don’t Don’t push anyone away, Jake. I’m gonna give you 100% of the world’s demographics. Men and women are gonna be swooping around you and you can take your pick. That’s what I do on Join Up Dots. It’s like a dating agency. I’ve created it.
Jake Kelfer [31:28]
Hey, well, thank you, dude, I appreciate that. I’m, I’m always open to I can meet anybody guys or girls.
Unknown Speaker [31:33]
And they
David Ralph [31:36]
I have so much fun on this show. I don’t know why I do it. But okay, so let’s look at you now. Okay, so you are moving through your your journey and you’ve created straight curve marketing, which, when you were talking about your dad’s company, I thought, Oh, that sounds similar. That seems a sort of same company. Is it similar? Did you get the idea from what your dad’s doing?
Jake Kelfer [31:56]
Yeah, so you know, you nailed it right on the head. When I was a freshman in college, what I wanted to do was figure out a way to stand out and pay for my fraternity. And one of the ways that I thought I would do that would be by starting my own business, because that’s a unique thing for a freshman in college to do. But I also knew that I had the new app that I had access to my dad’s resources. And so I essentially created a smaller version of what he does, and was able to use his facilities. So he was really influential in my ability to get that going, and to help limit my expenses, but also teach me the ropes on how I’m going to be able to get my new clients how I’m going to create a marketing plan, how am I going to keep customers happy? How am I gonna do all the little things that are required to start a business and so having him be entrepreneurial, was able was able to have good reason for me to start my own entrepreneurial endeavours and start my own company. And it was a great learning experiences experience while I was in college, and I couldn’t be happier that I was able to have that experience and share that with some of my roommates and be able to provide some great t shirts for us. different clubs and fraternities and all these people because it makes you feel really good when someone’s wearing your shirt. And so I really enjoyed that that process,
David Ralph [33:09]
you’ve done something very wise. I mean, you, you, you’ve surrounded yourself with mentors, you, you aren’t trying to make it up as you go along. You’re very aware. But one of the quick routes to find your thing, I’m not saying a quick route to success, but a quick route to find your thing is actually by mimicking something that already works, which is brilliant, because I think so many people think they’ve got to create something new. But you don’t know Well, there’s so abundance of opportunities, you can literally do the same thing but hundreds and thousands of other people have done and still get your piece of the pie. Can you?
Jake Kelfer [33:45]
I totally agree with you on that. I think that’s definitely a huge portion of what I do. And what I think I can do is, you know, learn from those around you learn from what makes other people and other businesses successful and emulate that, like we said with your own flair So I’m constantly learning constantly listening to great podcasts such as Join Up Dots. But also, you know, some other great people that have really inspired me like Lewis Howes, Gary Vaynerchuk and other people that have been through it. They started, you know, on their sister’s couch or they started with the hustle and they continue to hustle and continue to grind and share what their experiences with everyone else so that they can learn from them. And you know, that’s that’s just what I’m trying to do is continue to learn.
David Ralph [34:25]
We I don’t think we’ve ever had this ability to tap into people like Lewis Howes and Gary Vee, you know, 10 years ago, even five years ago, I don’t think there was that, that tsunami of podcasts and blogs, where people are being so open and people are saying, you know, I screwed up. I learned from this it’s a real masterclass and it’s it’s a resource that can’t be touched, can it Really?
Jake Kelfer [34:55]
Yeah, I mean, I think I’m so blessed to be in a, you know, generation has the opportunity for all these great resources. You know, when I talked to my parents about it, they were going door to door just to figure out who was around, what could they learn from them and figure out those types of things, talk to their college professors. But for me to be able to have all these great technological resources at my disposal, I’d be stupid not to take advantage on them. So I just tried to, you know, figure out what I can learn from all the different types of people and, you know, see and connect with all different people around the world, because it’s so much easier to do than it was just, you know, seven to 10 years ago,
David Ralph [35:33]
when I started my first when I started my first business, I was talking to my wife about this the other day, and it was a betting site, you know, gambling site. Yeah. And I was, I was in employee land, and I was talking to a guy, and he was saying, wouldn’t it be interesting if you could do this and you could do that and you could make money on on sports betting, and I’m naturally against all that kind of stuff. And I went now it’s not gonna happen. It’s not gonna happen. And I remember getting a bit of paper out one day because I was bored. And I started to sort of sketch out this mathematical equation. And I started to think to myself, Oh, I bet I reckon there’s something here. Now, I’m sort of risk averse. So I started betting on paper. So I looked at a sporting event, and I thought, why I bet that person is going to win because of these odds. And effectively, they literally all came in, it just kept on working, working, working, working. And so I found tuned it anyhow, I created this business that went off like a rocket. It was the very first thing I did. And I was making so much money off of this. It was unbelievable. And I had colleagues from my office saying to me, I’m earning more money from this and I am doing the job for a month. You know, can you keep it going? Can you tell me the tell me the system? And I didn’t. And I didn’t, because I realised deep down because I was so risk averse. I’d created something I didn’t like doing Didn’t like that fear. But ultimately you could lose somebody’s livelihood, you know, because gambling, it’s 5050. And although I had eliminated literally 95% of the risk, I still in my head was thinking, well, it could be the case, but I go on a losing streak, you know, you see it time and time again. And so I closed the business down, and there was sort of personality clashes with the person I was doing it with, and he wasn’t happy with it. So I just sort of closed it down. But my wife was saying to me yesterday, do you remember that we made so much money from that? And I said, Yeah, but it was the wrong business. And she said, Why don’t you start it up again? I said, What cuz I don’t want to, I don’t want to do something that can be profitable, if it doesn’t ultimately make me happy. And as I was saying that I thought, well, I want to change over the last few years. When I started this, I would have said, Show me the money Show me the money, you know, and that would be it. If I was making a million dollars a month, that would be it. But once you get past that point, Jake, you will But it’s about giving back, isn’t it? It’s about finding a solution and not actually adding to people’s problems, which ultimately, I might have done. What do you think?
Jake Kelfer [38:10]
Yeah, I think that’s, that’s a great story. First of all, that’s a great story. Um, but yeah, I mean, I, I definitely think that we all are going to have our own situations, we’re all going to have our own things that we’re going to create, you know, it’s it’s ultimately up to us to decide what we do with that, how we share it, how we keep it to ourselves. And, you know, I just enjoyed that story. I just got, you know, in a whole different train of thought when you were starting to tell that story because, you know, I just started thinking about the different ways that people such as yourself, were creating businesses, you know, just a while ago, and I look at some of my friends now who had do gambling and sports betting and it’s just a whole different world. So it’s very interesting to me to hear that story.
David Ralph [38:54]
And once you get to the point listeners, but you have tasted fat you I was very, very lucky. I look back on it now. And it was wrong for me, it wasn’t the right business. But I could see that you could make money, you could make money. And it was a huge shift. Once you get to that point, but your work starts to give some kind of reward. That is literally like Rocket Power. And the brilliant thing about having the internet as I keep on saying, it doesn’t take that much. You don’t need hundreds of thousands of customers. You just need the right customer. And what Jake is doing very, very well is he is fine tuning. He’s creating his avatar, he’s building a business but he knows that he will love and ultimately he’s providing a solution to the people that he wants to work for. He’s not saying I’m gonna work with everyone, just pay me you’re being very specific on who you are targeting your demographic is getting narrower and narrower, but ultimately, it’s going to be more rewarding for you to think Jake
Jake Kelfer [40:00]
Yeah, definitely. I mean, for me starting off, you know, I can’t tell somebody how to make a million dollars, because I haven’t done that yet. But what I have done is I have figured out a way to live and extremely happy, and soon to be extremely, extremely successful way. And so I believe that I’m able to offer that unique proposition of providing great value, adding happiness, providing little tips and pieces that are going to really help anybody in their overall life. But even more so, you know, one of the reasons that I wrote the book was to give back to the people that I thought I could help the most, which was high school students, college students and recent grads. And so like you say about targeting that demographic, that’s exactly what I’ve done, and hopes to ultimately help the majority of people. And so when you talk about narrowing down your market, that’s something that I believe is something I’m continuously learning about and continuously trying to improve on so that I could reach the most success with what I do and with what I know
David Ralph [41:00]
Love this. I love this conversation well, without the part of the conversation that I’ve got to bring in a man who if he was around now, he would still be inspiring us because he did so much. And he was somebody who went on his own journey of ups and downs. And he could have stopped at any time, but he kept on going. This is Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs [41:20]
Of course, it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards 10 years later. Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path and that will make all the difference.
David Ralph [41:55]
Well, you’re not actually on the well worn path but what you are doing is creating Your own path? Do you know that it started already? Or do you feel like you’re still walking towards where the proper one is going to be waiting for you?
Jake Kelfer [42:10]
Well, I think I think that my path is gonna be a path that has a lot of windy roads, it’s gonna have a lot of turns and stop signs, but I’m on that path right now. And, you know, something that I want to share with you is, is a quote that that my dad created when we were talking business and talking shop, and he said, the only shortcut in life is to start now. And that quote just has hit me. And it’s become like a mantra of mine, because everyone is on our own path. We’re all on our own journey, it’s going to be completely different. But the only shortcut in life is to start now. Meaning that if I take the first action, if I take that first action of having the mindset that what I’m going to be doing now is going to set the stage for my future, then that means I’ve started now. So 10 years down the road, I’m gonna be able to look back and say, I started, I took action, and I started to live My life the way I wanted to live it. And I think that that’s so powerful and so powerful because so many people are afraid to take that first step of whatever it may be, whether it’s applying for a job, whether it’s quitting your job to start your own business, or whether it’s just workout for five minutes a day, but taking action, and starting now is the only shortcut. And so, you know, I’m on my path, and my path is going to continue to make turns that are unexpected, but I’m going to go with it. Because I know that the end of the road is going to be great. I don’t know where the end of the road is yet. But I know that it’s going to be a place that’s going to bring me happiness. It’s going to bring my family, my future wife, my kids, my parents, my friends, everyone that I love, great happiness and great success.
David Ralph [43:42]
Never lose that belief, Jake, never lose that belief. Because it is it’s difficult. And there are turns that you will be walking for, you know, a mile or so and then you come to a dead end and you’ve got to go round and just back up. But even on those dead ends, you learn something of the process. And because you’ve started you’re absolutely right. So the question I always ask and I’m gonna ask the same to you when you listen to that Steve Jobs speech. Do you have a big.in your life? I know you’re quite young, you’re starting getting going, but do you look at a moment a conversation or something where you think? Yeah, I think I think that would that was kind of where, where things started to move in my mind.
Jake Kelfer [44:23]
I think, you know, like you said, being so young, I don’t think I’ve had that, you know, hey, this conversation is gonna set the stage for my future. But I think that what I’ve had is a lot of small conversations that over time have added up to me being confident enough and me feeling that I can take that risk and take that plunge to be and create the person that I want to be. And you know, I’m gonna go back to it but my, my family is everything to me. And what my parents their love for each other, their love for me and my brother, that has meant so much to me and so Being able to see that makes me just want to have that. And so all the conversations that they’ve had all of my friends, parents conversations with me, those companies have all added to what now is my journey and my entrepreneurial desires and my entrepreneurial passions, because they’ve all been so supportive. And they’ve all given that courage. And they’ve shown me that it can be done with hard work, discipline, mentors and things like that. And so that’s kind of my connection. And that’s where my dad is right now. And that’s where I’m going to continue to ultimately find other dots down the road.
David Ralph [45:35]
Brilliant stuff, love this, love this. But unfortunately, this is at the end of the conversation, Jake. So I’m going to be sending you back in time on a journey. And this is the part of the show that we call a sermon on the mind when we send you back in time to have a one on one with your younger self. And if you could go back in time and speak to a little five year old Jake, what advice would you give? Well, we’re going to find out because we’re going to play the theme tune and when it fades Europe, this is sermon on the mic
Unknown Speaker [46:09]
with the best bit of the show.
Jake Kelfer [46:28]
Hey little Jake, how you doing, buddy? I’m doing good chick boys. You know one thing a little Jake, that that I want to tell you is I’m very proud of you. And I know it’s only been about 18 years since you know I last saw you but I’m really proud of you. And I want you to know that you shouldn’t ever be afraid to take a chance. Because as the great say, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. So when you when you go out there and you know you continue living your life If you continue being that person that I know you can become and will become, don’t be afraid to take chances. And that could be anything in school, with women with sports, with anything in life. So make sure to do that. Thanks big Jake. That means a lot. I’ll keep doing my thing and try to make you proud.
David Ralph [47:21]
I love little Jay. He sound like Mickey Mouse when he first started, his voice went very much deeper at the end.
Jake Kelfer [47:27]
Yeah, you know, I tried to try to start off that way, but then I realised I just wasn’t gonna be able to maintain that voice. And, you know, I thought I’d give it a try because I wanted to make make it entertaining because I know my voice is a little deep and I hit puberty early. So five years old was was a while ago.
David Ralph [47:43]
You’re too manly. That’s the problem. Jake, you’re too manly. So Well, what’s the number one best way that our audience can connect with you?
Jake Kelfer [47:51]
Yeah, the number one best way is to check out my website which is just www dot j kalfa.com. also extremely proud. tremely active on all social media platforms and you can find that on my website. But if you’d love to get some, you know, video stuff, check me out on Snapchat at j Cal, which is just the letter J ke l. f.
David Ralph [48:13]
And of course if you want to date him as well, we’re going to change this to Join Up Dots. That’s what we’re gonna do this episode. And he he’ll be open to it. He doesn’t mind where you are across the world, send him emails and tweets galore and tell him what a sexy guy he is. Well, Jake, thank you so much for spending time with us today. joining up those dots. Please come back again when you have more dots to join up because I do believe that by joining up the dots and connecting our paths is the best way to build our futures. Jake Kelfer. Thank you so much.
Jake Kelfer [48:42]
Thank you so much, David. This was a blast.
David Ralph [48:47]
So a wish I had that sort of passion. When I was younger. I kind of thought that things were just gonna come to me if I worked really hard, and went every single day to my job that things naturally were going to occur Now I look back and I realised No, you need a lot of passion, you need a lot of hustle you need all the things that we talked about on Join Up Dots and Jake’s got it in spades. And so it will be absolute delight when I get to invite him back on the show, in another couple of years or so. And we can continue to join up those dots and we can see how he has progressed because you can hear it, you can hear it in his voice. He wants something of his own. He wants something that he can create, that he can be proud of his parents can be proud of, and ultimately gives him the dream life. Great stuff. Well, thank you so much for listening, as always, connect with us. And if you don’t want to connect with us, just listen again because we’ll be here. Look off yourself just fine.
Outro [49:42]
David doesn’t want you to become a faded version of the brilliant self you or wants to become. So he’s put together an amazing guide for you called the eight pieces of advice that every successful entrepreneur practices, including the two that changed his life. Head over to Join Up dots.com to download this amazing Guide for free and we’ll see you tomorrow on Join Up Dots.
