Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Anna Ren Joins Us On The Steve Jobs Inspired Join Up Dots Podcast
To subscribe to the podcast, please use the links below:
Click Here to Subscribe via iTunes
Click Here to Subscribe via RSS (non-iTunes feed)
If you like the show, we would be so grateful if would consider leaving the show a review in iTunes as well as Stitcher Radio. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thank YOU!
Introducing Anna Ren
Anna Ren is our guest today on the Steve Jobs inspired Join Up Dots free podcast interview.
She is a lady who is on a mission to impact millions, not allowing the obstacles of life to get in her way.
As she says “I am from New Jersey in the U.S. and was the first person in my family to go to college. My parents only made it as far as elementary and middle school.
When I look back on everything, it seems as though my dots simply aligned to take me towards my goal of pursuing a purposeful life.
It’s quite amazing to see them all join up.
After graduating from Georgetown University, I went on to work in fashion and corporate marketing, before realizing that I didn’t want to wait to start living the life I want.
During that time, I was diagnosed with depression, got into a bad car accident and more importantly started volunteering as an admissions interviewer, which made me realize how much I loved working with high school students and guiding them through one of the most stressful and sometimes influential time of their lives.
How The Dots Joined Up For Anna
I have been a full time college admissions counsellor for almost 4 years now and have almost 10 years of experience. In addition to working one-on-one with students,
I have also developed an online college admissions planning course to make the knowledge and insight I have accessible to families everywhere for less than $1/day.
My goal in life is not to make a lot of money or become famous. It is to inspire our future generations to put their best into this world so that I may one day leave this world better than I found it through the lives I’ve touched.
I’ve had such amazing students, including a legally blind student who later went on to study at an Ivy league institution.
I will never feel like anything is hard or impossible after being blessed at the opportunity to work with her.”
Isnt this brilliant as so many people, and i think I at my heart I was in this group too, who start out with the goal to make a lot of money, and have a comfortable life just go through otions.
But this is actually the wrong way to do it, and instead we should look to find a way that helps as many people as possible, and makes us feel as good as possible.
Only then will we find true success.
So what made her realise that a life in education is what lights her up, when so many adults cant wait to get out the doors and never return?
And does she see a change in what students today think is possible, after so many amazing changes in the last few years?
Well lets find out as we bring onto the show to starat joining up dots with the one and only Anna Ren
Show Highlights
During the show we discussed such weighty topics with Anna Ren such as:
Why she found the support group created by Selena Soo at Impacting Millions so powerful and recommends it’s 100% to other wannabe entrepreneurs.
How she looks back at her depression and can now see it as a huge catalyst for her later success, even though it didn’t feel like it at the time.
How building a business that has a scalable aspect is so important as you develop. It is ok helping one on one, but the true value is to be found in group work.
and lastly….
When you leave an ego on the doorstep you have a great head-start on building the success that you want in your life.
How To Connect With Anna Ren
If you are inspired by the conversation with Anna Ren, then check out the amazing Joel Capperella, Cameron Brown, Kristin Addis and Selena Soo
If you want our whole collection of shows then jump over to the podcast archives here
Full Transcription Of Anna Ren Interview
Intro [0:10]
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 in 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 [0:34]
Now I tell you what he’s gonna be a fun day today it is going to be fun because I’ve got guest on the show today. She she’s more than she’s more than a guest she is a friend now we actually connect with each other on Facebook secretly messaging and doing secret stuff that only can go on behind the back of my wife but she’s gonna be alright she’s gonna be alive because she’s a long way away from me. So I’m so we keep the passion apart because there’s passion building up on this show. I feel passionate in my heart, I feel passion in the guest. And that’s what we’re going to bring out because this lady has got passion and she’s on a passionate mission to impact millions not allowing the obstacles of life to get in her way. Now, as she says, I’m from New Jersey in the US and was the first person in my family to go to college. My parents only made it as far as elementary and middle school and when I look back on everything, it seems as though my dots simply align to take me towards my goal of pursuing a purposeful life. It’s quite amazing to see them all join up. Now after graduating from Georgetown University, I went on to work in fashion and corporate marketing before realising but I didn’t want to start living the life I wanted at that time. I was diagnosed with depression got into a bad car accident and more importantly, started volunteering as an admissions interviewer, which made me realise how much I loved working with high school students and guiding them through one of the most stressful and sometimes influential time of their lives. Now I’ve been a full time college admissions counsellor for almost four years now and I’ve almost 10 years of experience In addition to working one on one with students, I’ve also developed an online college admissions planning course to make the knowledge and insight I have accessible to families everywhere. For less than $1 a day. My goal in life is not to make a lot of money or become famous, but it is to inspire our future generations to put their best foot into this world so that I may one day leave this world better than I found it through the lives I’ve touched. I’ve had such amazing students, including a legally blind student, who later went on to study at an Ivy League institution, I’ll never feel like anything is hard or impossible, after being blessed at the opportunity to work with it. Now isn’t this brilliant as so many people and I think at my heart, I was in this group to start out with the goal to make a lot of money and then have a comfortable life. Just kind of go through the motions, but it’s actually the wrong way to do it. And instead, we should look to find a way that helps as many people as possible and make us feel as good as possible only event where we find true success. So what made her realise that a life in education is what lights are When so many adults can’t wait to get out the doors and never return and does she see a change in what students today think is possible after so many amazing changes in the last few years? Well let’s find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots the one and only my Facebook stalker, Anna Ren. Goodmorning to you, Anna, how are you?
Anna Ren [3:22]
I’m great, David. Good morning to you. Thank you so much for having me on your show. I really appreciate it.
David Ralph [3:28]
So we’re way more than hosting guests now our way we were close friends we connect virtually
Anna Ren [3:36]
that is absolutely true. I’ve really enjoyed we do not only Facebook messages but Twitter messages too.
David Ralph [3:43]
He is amazing though, isn’t it? You know we’ve never personally met but virtual friends in in some regard are in my life. Certainly I seem to be more important. I get more support really about what I’m doing from virtual friends more than I do my own friends. Certainly the ones that I left behind. When I quit my corporate job, don’t really understand. So virtual world is a great support for people who want to follow their own dreams, aren’t they?
Anna Ren [4:09]
They are. I mean, I have found an amazing community on Facebook and I believe you’ve worked with a few with a few of them already, actually. And you know, we just work to inspire each other. And I think it’s amazing because most of the people that are in my life, they do kind of do that day to day corporate thing and there’s nothing wrong with that. But you know, for the people online, you know, we all have this passion and this desire to really impact millions and make a difference in the world. And I think it’s hard to find that so close to home sometimes. So you can you know, if you can find it anywhere, even online, it’s a wonderful thing.
David Ralph [4:50]
If you can find it very you’ll find it anywhere. You in New York. You just inspired me to sing.
Anna Ren [4:59]
I love You have a great voice David.
David Ralph [5:02]
Are you in New York? Is it Oh, did I just make a complete fool of myself?
Anna Ren [5:06]
No, you you you did not make a complete fool of yourself. I am actually from New Jersey, which is right next to New York. We are called the armpit of the country I believe in the US. But we’re also known as the Garden State so I’m just a short ride from New York City.
David Ralph [5:24]
only supposed to say Josie isn’t he’s not generally an English person.
Anna Ren [5:30]
I do. I my goodness, that’s very rare. I’ve heard that I sound like I’m from California. But I have a bit of a valley girl accent and I think my jersey accent only comes out with certain words like coffee, or awful. They say that those words tend to make me sound a little more jersey.
David Ralph [5:50]
Well, you sound half English to my mind is so is a good place to be. So let’s talk about this a virtual group because I know it well, but I don’t know. What actually happens in it, but it’s called impacting millions. And it’s run by one of my past guests, or Selena Sue. And I know that the people that talk about it being It’s amazing. So how did you find it? Because I’m sure there’s gonna be lots of listeners out there who are trying to find a support group which is going to be worthwhile for them. How did you find you and what you gain from it.
Anna Ren [6:21]
So I think some of us tend to run in the same circles. So I know kimbra Luna, which is another inspiring entrepreneur is also in my group and I had been following Ramit Sethi from I will teach you to be rich for a while. And Selena Sue is a student of his. And naturally you just end up meeting people from different circles. So I heard about Selena’s new programme impacting millions, and I was so excited because I wasn’t quite sure, you know, I was like, I want to do something and I want to reach more people. And my husband was like, you know, let’s figure out a way to do that. But be sustainable. At the same time he’s like, because I know you would just run a nonprofit if you could. And that’s absolutely true. I’d be happy running a nonprofit. But at the same time, I found Salinas programme and I had heard about impacting millions, which is a programme that enables you to connect. And I think there’s about 200 of us from all around the world, who are entrepreneurs are doing something but with the same mindset that we really want to help as many people as possible. And the way to do that is to find different opportunities in the media, to get our word out there and really get our message out there so that we can help as many people as possible.
David Ralph [7:44]
And is it something that has Yeah, well, I suppose the question is, how much do you pay for this? Is it a prohibitive cost is the cost quite small for the value you get back?
Anna Ren [7:55]
I can’t recall the cost. So that must be a good sign. But I do Do remember it has been worth every single penny. And the group is so supportive and anytime you have a win, or you have a question you can just ask the group and it’s not just limited to questions about the media necessarily, but anything related to your business or even if you’re having a rough day and you really need kind of a pick me up, you know, that’s what this group is there for to you kind of it’s all it is a support group, if you will. It’s not necessarily like a but it could kind of be seen that way because you know, you do have your ups and downs in business and being able to celebrate that with other people is just such a blessing and it’s so wonderful. And I know it has been worth every penny to be part of impacting millions. He’s
David Ralph [8:49]
so brilliant, isn’t it that one person Selena Sue can create something that is got huge value for 200 people, but is scalable and manageable. You know, I know So many people, when they start creating their own business think that they’ve got to almost operate on a one to one because, oh, I can’t have 30 clients, because how am I going to manage 30 clients, but once you get into this virtual world, again, it is something that you become more a facilitator. And the groups run away and sort of run themselves somehow.
Anna Ren [9:18]
Absolutely. And I think that’s the amazing thing. Whereas Selena does share her tips and everything like that. I think the most value is from the group where everyone comes from a different background, and they have different experiences. So you know, there are some people that are already and like you said, on a previous podcast, I don’t know why people always say six figures, I’ll show you how to make six figures. But there are so many members in our group that already do make six figures. But then there’s also people in the group that are new and just starting out, and I think it’s so generous because you can find mentors and there’s not any, you know, how do you say you’re not interested? mandated by these what we deemed to already be successful people, because they’re just so grounded and they’re so willing to help. And you know, there’s so much that you can take away from each other.
David Ralph [10:12]
But the trouble with meeting successful people or becoming successful yourself, there’s always somebody ahead of the curve, isn’t it? You know, I’ve spoken to so many people who in my view are like, Oh, my God, you know, you never have to work again. But then they go into a room where they’re surrounded by billionaires, and they feel not worthy somehow, but I haven’t achieved the success. What I like about you is it’s not the monetary it’s not the status. It’s who you’re working with. That seems the most important thing in your life.
Anna Ren [10:43]
Absolutely. And you know, it’s kind of ironic because typically, first generation kids your parents do kind of focus on the monetary aspect. And actually, my brother is very successful. I’m very proud of him.
David Ralph [10:56]
And you’re no no, you know, deep down. Yeah,
Unknown Speaker [10:59]
you I really am I know Yeah, really? Yeah.
David Ralph [11:02]
No sisters want their brothers to do well No brother wants their sister does he does he still beat you up when he comes out?
Anna Ren [11:09]
He doesn’t. He’s actually my younger brother. But uh, but he is actually physically bigger than me. So he couldn’t beat me up, he actually threw me into a table once accident accidentally kind of when we were growing up because he was taking karate lessons at the time. But now he is, he is a much more supportive brother, and he doesn’t throw me into tables. But now I’m very proud of him. He’s actually very successful. He’s a year younger than I am. But he’s really making, you know, an impact in in the finance industry. And we are very proud of him. But you know, as the first child, it’s very ironic that because it’s kind of role reversal, because typically they say like, oh, the second child is the more free spirited one. Whereas in our family, it’s kind of the reverse. So even though my family grew up, kind I would say, lower income family, I just always knew I had to pursue something I love because kind of like we mentioned before, in some aspect, life isn’t worth living if you’re not doing something you love. And for me, success is not measured by money because you know, money, you can’t take it with you anyway. So it’s really by the memories you create and the lives that you touch. And that’s how I measure my success.
David Ralph [12:26]
So let’s jump back into your history because that’s what we do in Join Up Dots. And I’m always fascinated when I’m talking to somebody on the show, they have achieved a certain amount and that’s why they’re on the show. And it’s the journey that we like to sort of delve into. More often than not, when you delve back in there are dark times. there’s times where you know, no person should go through but actually makes you stronger because of it. In the introduction. We were talking about that you was diagnosed with depression and then got into a bad car accident. Do you look back on that as one of those things Well, actually, I’m quite pleased. I went through that now because it’s given me more strength to move forward with conviction.
Anna Ren [13:07]
Absolutely. And I honestly think those were both dots that were catalysts in bringing me to where I am today. So in terms of depression, it does kind of run in the family. So I believe it can sometimes be hereditary, but I believe at the time I was working alone, at a company where I didn’t have any support around, I did have friends, but no family and I was working 80 hours a week, and it was very exhausting. And I was like, even running numbers in my sleep. And at that point, you know, I hadn’t been eating as well and sleeping as well. And when I went to see the doctor, they were like, you have depression and I can write you a prescription for some antidepressants. And it just, it was like a trigger. It was like an alarm went off in my head and I and I thought to myself, I really love the people around me, but I don’t want to live my life dependent on pills. So I just told her, you know what? Thank you, I know how I can fix this. And I just decided I was going to quit my job and just leave Ohio and go back home. And you know, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going back home, you know, and I think, you know, sometimes going back home is where you need to kind of settle yourself and think about your priorities and really what you care about, and that’s when I thought about it, and I was like, you know, what, money brands, any of that stuff that’s just not as important to me as really doing something purposeful because at the time, I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror. I was not I was a bit ashamed of what I was doing and my job and you know, we do whatever we have to do to kind of make ends meet. But at the same time, you do kind of want to be proud of the person you are at the time. And I just wasn’t So I knew Okay, I have to make a change.
David Ralph [15:03]
I think that’s very open and honest of you because I think most of us go through times when we feel complete losers. And I’ve probably gone through it three or four times. And I actually remember I moved back in with my mom and dad, I’d moved out. And we I was married, I wasn’t married. No, I wasn’t married. I had a child with my my wife now. And we had to move back into my mom and dad’s while we sort of redeveloped a new property that we were going to have as a family house that I’m recording today. And I did you know what i did Anna, do you know, even though I’d had a child, even Mo, I was effectively and I wasn’t that I was about 26 years old with my wife to be. I had to sleep in my old room and my wife and my child had to sleep in a different room. They kept us apart. They wanted to stop sexy time happening in the house. Is that is that is that wrong?
Anna Ren [15:56]
That is wow, I guess it kind of makes sense. In terms of I think our parents will always view us as our children. And I don’t know that they can perceive us in that way that you know, we can have sex and be adults. So maybe that could be part of it.
David Ralph [16:15]
De Novo. Do you know, I’m gonna share this with you and because no one else is listening. I’m a very silent Walker. I can move through houses during the evening and no one can hear me so it happened. It happened every now and again. It still happened. They didn’t stop me. They didn’t stop me.
Anna Ren [16:32]
Are you like James Bond? Just like stealthy like that.
David Ralph [16:35]
Yeah, I don’t actually go into my wife’s bedroom in a tuxedo that that would be a little bit weird. But yeah, I am like stealth. I am. I can move through. I’m like a sexual ninja I can fight through and nobody will know what I’m doing.
Unknown Speaker [16:50]
I don’t know. Like really appreciate that.
David Ralph [16:53]
She loves it. She loves my lightsaber. I don’t know why I’m even talking about it. So you’ve got me off the track anyway. Right. Let’s get back into To the show, because I am a professional. That’s what I’m all about. So you depression, I find that fascinating, but you, you was aware enough to go now actually, this is a stage I’m going through, I know the symptoms. It’s the environment I’m in, I can sort this out myself. Are you always somebody that can sort things out yourself? Do you sort of look at things very logically and practically?
Anna Ren [17:24]
I typically do. I it depends on who you ask. So some people would say, I am a dreamer. And that makes me very idealistic. So certain things are probably not practical. But when it comes to my health and well being I I do tend to be practical. And I can recognise Oh, this isn’t, this isn’t quite right. And, you know, I think part of transitioning and I was a young adult at the time, is being able to advocate for yourself despite the pressure because at the time it was actually shortly after The recession hit in America. So at the time stocks were low people were already losing jobs. I mean, there were layoffs going on at the company I was at. And here I was saying, okay, I’ve been really fortunate, you know, I did a good job. So I haven’t been laid off, but I’m going to quit anyway, in a recession when it’s very difficult to find a job just because I know that that’s the right thing for me. And was it difficult? It was difficult I mean, like you said, you know, going home, parents have their rules. So you know, for you, you know, you got to be a ninja and still have your sexy time. But for me, it was about a still I also like you ended up back in my old bedroom. And I did kind of feel like a failure. Because I had graduated high school, you know, first of my class, gone to a great university. And here I was back in this one square mile town, and without a job and I actually connected with with someone that I’ve worked for before, and I went back to waitressing and you know, the truth is there is nothing, I think embarrassing or shameful about doing, you know, different kinds of work, right? Because I had gone from like an office job and now I was a waitress. But it was the best thing for me. It grounded me. I heard so many great stories to the people I met. And if anything, it just solidified that, you know, it’s okay. It’s okay to kind of take a step back in life so that you can move forward.
David Ralph [19:32]
I agree with you totally. And I don’t think I’ve ever shared this story. But I was in the City of London. I was at my absolute peak of a job. And I knew I was going to be made redundant. And so I walked beforehand because I didn’t fancy the tidying up of everything. And I just, oh, let me get out of here. So I did, and I went from the highest paid job that I’d ever had to the lowest paid job where I was literally just picking up a phone and taking phone calls. But I did it. I did it because I knew it was just part of the journey. It was another stepping stone wise, I looked around and reconsidered my options, and I decided to become a student. And I went back to university and started studying different things. And I look back on it now. And I think the way that success is built is the fact you leave your ego on the doorstep. You know, whatever room you go in, you make sure that you’re one of the most humblest PR people there. And people will either look around and try to help you. Or you can accept those moments when you’re doing something that maybe two years beforehand or maybe two weeks before and as it was in my case, I was never dreaming that I was be doing what do you think?
Anna Ren [20:45]
I think you’re absolutely right. I think when you leave your ego at the door, that’s when you can start to be happy. I am they had this statistic come out recently because my friend was saying like, oh, he hasn’t been on Facebook as much recently because people People who are on Facebook more supposedly are more depressed, because they’re always comparing themselves to others. I don’t know if there’s truth in that I haven’t been on as much lately for different reasons. And I do think though, when you can stop comparing yourself to others, and you leave your ego at the door, that’s when you start to really do things for yourself, you know, and you’re not a slave to what other people think. And I think that’s when you know, you can really move forward and also be happy.
David Ralph [21:31]
I hate Facebook for so many reasons. But I also think, you know, the connectivity, the fact that you can connect with people and be very specific and intentional, I think is great, and the groups and the communities are worth their weight in gold. But the kind of the timeline where you could spend hours scrolling up and down, seeing people whizzing around on jet skis and having dramatic holidays and it’s just a line of success. It’s very rare that you see anyone going, really, I’ve just lost my job. It’s been terrible. It always seems to be some kind of fake success or in my view, so the only thing I do on it is I post stupid jokes. It just amuses me. And I particularly like the ones but a play on words, about half the people don’t understand. And then the other half do so the other half are laughing at the people that don’t understand and vice versa. It’s a it’s a win win for me. But there is there’s a kind of fake success on Facebook, but I don’t think is healthy.
Anna Ren [22:30]
That’s absolutely true. And I think, you know, even whether it be in your career, or in relationships even and they said, I read another article recently that said, people that are happily in a relationship rarely post on Facebook and social media. And I think it’s partially because we don’t have anything to prove in terms of how our marriage or relationship is going. So you know, I think you know most of us, if we’re happy and we’re enjoying life, we live our life outside of Facebook. That’s where our interaction happens. And you know, I think for those, there’s nothing wrong with spending time on Facebook, but I just feel like you can spend that time somewhere else and it could be more productive.
David Ralph [23:18]
And the pub, what about that we could all go down the pub and meet people and touch people and just be face to face, that would be good.
Anna Ren [23:27]
That would be amazing. I actually have recently found out I have some pubs near me, I had spent some time abroad in Australia. And I should say that my favourite time was spent in the classroom, but it was actually at the pubs. And I just loved how you could just strike up a conversation with anyone. And I feel like you learn so much more about life and everything. talking with someone that just like random strangers that you meet in places like pubs, then you could ever learn from a textbook.
David Ralph [23:58]
We could create face pop, what do you think? That.
Anna Ren [24:00]
I like it, David, let’s do it.
David Ralph [24:03]
Let’s do it. You say businesses just pop out of me willy nilly? Well, let’s listen to some word spin. And then we’re going to delve back into your history again. Because I’m fascinated about that moment when you realise what you were doing with the students could actually become a business. He’s Jim Carrey.
Jim Carrey [24:20]
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
David Ralph [24:45]
love. You know, sometimes I feel like not playing back anymore. And then I get to those last few words and I think now I’m gonna stick it in again. He always gets me back.
Anna Ren [24:55]
I do. I love that clip that you play here and on some of your other episodes, too. I’m I’m like, oh, wow, like there are points when Jim Carrey can be serious. And he did. It’s just such a meaningful message. And it kind of reminded me of, so just like his father was an accountant. My parents had told me, you know, working energy and there was a company here that’s really big, that was really big at the time is fortune 100. And they’re like, you know, if you have the opportunity to work there, you should, and lo and behold, Doc lined up, I did end up there through an internship and then later on in my career, and I was doing corporate marketing, and it was a great experience. But you know, how could you possibly lose your job and energy, right? My dad’s like, everyone needs natural gas and electricity and all that stuff. You know, it’s so stable, and lo and behold, the company got sold. And so a lot of people did lose their jobs. I was fortunate. I got to hold on to mine. But despite that, you You know, at the time, it was also around the same time that I got into a car accident. And the idea that people are like, okay, you can work from home and just come back in a week. And I was like thinking at the time with my, I guess he was my fiance at the time, and I was like, you don’t have to marry me anymore, you know, I could be potentially paralysed, you don’t have to marry me. He’s like, Don’t be silly, I’m still gonna marry you. And we talked about it. And I was like, wow, you know, corporate, they don’t really care as much about the person necessarily. And it is a business and that’s something you know, that just, that’s true when it comes along with it. But I was like, you know, I really want to surround myself with people that care. And, you know, something that’s more meaningful because I could be gone the next day, and it wouldn’t make a difference for these people. And so it was the it was the second catalyst and, you know, my, my husband was like, you know, I think it’s time to leave. I think it’s just Time to do your own thing. Because you’ll always wonder what if if you don’t, you know,
David Ralph [27:05]
I’ll you totally into your thing. Now let’s talk about the business. So you have provided an online college admissions planning course for less than $1 a day. So it’s very cost effective. Is this a sole income producing business? Or have you got spin offs? How did the idea come to you?
Anna Ren [27:26]
So I actually started with one on one consulting and that’s still my main thing. And but I was telling my husband, I was like, I meet so many people and I know you know, I go speak at local libraries, where you know, in the community, they wouldn’t be able to afford one on one consulting because it can be quite expensive. And it does kind of seem like something that’s only available to the higher middle to upper class families in the area. And for me, that’s just not fair because I didn’t come from that background. So I talked to my husband about it. And we decided, Okay, you can still do one on one consulting. But why don’t you add on something. And so I decided to do my online course, to make it affordable, so that any family could get access to college admissions planning assistance, because it shouldn’t be like insider information, where only the wealthy get access to it, you know, and a lot of the information, you know, is what I give my students, you know, it’s just not given in a one on one environment. But you know, at the same time, similar to Salinas community, you know, my students can ask me questions anytime, and I am there answering them, and I’m very much still active in the community. And you know, and the nice part is I can work with people from all over the world that need help, but we it really started not because I was trying for some people, they create online courses because the idea is that you create something once and then you have a revenue that generates and you can make a lot at the same time because you have a lot of students or something like that. But for me, it was really about giving back to the community, and society. And I actually told my husband, I was like, What if I just made it free? And he’s like, maybe we start collecting a little money first, and then later on, when we’re a little more financially set, you can make it free. But what he doesn’t know is that I still do give it away sometimes for clients that, you know, say they can’t afford certain things. Because I think everyone kind of deserves help in life. And you know, that’s really important to me. No,
David Ralph [29:40]
no, no, no, no, I’m not having this, Anna because I have had that in the past when people say, Oh, I can’t afford something. And then you find and this comes from Facebook. I’ve had people that say to me, now I can’t afford one of my earliest products was about $20 a month or something, you know, nothing. And then two seconds later, they’re showing me back they’re going After dinner every night and buying new cars and stuff, I don’t think anyone can not afford something. It’s the priority. That’s the key thing. And so I would stop giving it away for nothing, because the person who has taken it for nothing is not going to get the value from it. People have to put skin in the game, they’ve got to invest something, even if it’s a small amount. And I know from background experience, the cheapest the products I’ve created, even though they were worth hundreds and thousands, people didn’t really use it. I created some ads that people bought, and they never even logged in. And I know they never even logged in because I had a record of it, because I didn’t pay enough to get value from it. So I think you’re actually doing a disservice to these people by giving it away to them for nothing, because they’re not going to really use it or believe that they should be using it.
Anna Ren [30:51]
That’s a great point that you raised David, and I’ve had other people told me that before and so I will definitely reevaluate that. I think at the time, I was just thinking Wow, my family was poor. I wish I’d gotten this kind of assistance. But you know, you do bring some truth because especially in So, I know you can’t see me right now, but you probably know, I’m Asian, especially in our families, you know, education is really important. And you know, especially abroad, they would do anything to help their kids, you know, with their future. And so, you know, I will definitely take your advice to heart and maybe, also, and I guess he’s kind of sound like my husband too. So you could be kinda like my online husband. Don’t tell my real husband.
David Ralph [31:34]
Well, don’t tell me well, either. But is we I tell you, we start with that passionate beginning and it just it’s a fire in it. We create a fire within our hearts on this show. What do you mean, Anna?
Unknown Speaker [31:44]
I absolutely agree with you. Now,
Unknown Speaker [31:47]
if you look
David Ralph [31:48]
at that, again, about the product now I know some people that there’s a guy called Mike Johnston I’ve heard on other podcasts and he is a drum teacher. And he was a very good drummer. One of the best drummers in the world and he decided that he wanted to teach drumming, which is kind of like the drummer’s graveyard. People always want to be supporting Led Zeppelin at Madison Square Garden or something and not actually doing teaching. But he charges his people, some big like, I don’t know, $1 a month for something, you know, something stupid. And he makes about 100 grand a month based on that very simple principle of over delivering value, but he’s delivering it to a target audience that wants to improve, you know, they can come to him to get expert advice. Now with yourself, I totally agree that, you know, $1 a day is absolutely acceptable for E dollars a month, you know, that’s fine. That is an amount that people could actually afford. But then you spin it off, don’t you and you can have high level areas about people that have more access to you. You know, that’s how it’s built a business. I’m kind of talking to the listeners here and for the people out there that are thinking about building a business and want to connect with clients and become, you know, a scalable business. But you do actually have to start by providing your value First of all, and whether it is free at the beginning or by a consultancy calls, or 30 minute Skype sessions, whatever, that is the way that you start the momentum. But it comes to a point that you’ve got to nip it in the bud and start actually saying, it’s it’s money, it’s catching time.
Anna Ren [33:25]
Absolutely. And I think, you know, the other reason we created the online business for my own personal reasons, is my my consulting one on one consulting business is pretty successful, actually. But you can only take on so many one on one can, you know, clients, so my husband was like, if you want to reach more people, then you know, you might want to develop a course. And that way it won’t take up as much of your time necessarily is the one on one clients too. But like you said, You know, I kind of I think I went backwards. But you know, when I do have clients that really enjoy what they’re learning, you know, There is that opportunity, like you say, to kind of cross sell or upsell into more expensive services, such as private consulting or essay revisions and things like that.
David Ralph [34:12]
And what people are actually buying isn’t actually the course. It’s your knowledge, isn’t it? It’s your three years of experience. Now, I’ve got a course called podcasters mastery, which we we launched, and we’re dis revamping at the moment to sort of go big on it. And I was looking at it the other day, and I was thinking, no, this isn’t videos. This isn’t tuition. This is three years of hard slog, but I put into it, but I didn’t have myself. That’s what you’re giving to people. And that’s where the true value is, isn’t it? It’s the fast tracking. That’s why having a coach or a mentor is so important when you’re getting into the game.
Anna Ren [34:50]
Absolutely. And they have more knowledge and I think you know, for families it also saves them stress and time because they’re not scouring the internet for you know, thousand different resources trying to figure out which one is the right one. Whereas, you know, I have, in addition to applying for college myself, I went back, and I got my certificate and then dependent educational consulting. And you know, I am part of associations and we go to conferences, and we also get to network with admissions, and learn more about what they’re looking for in students, and also what their turn offs are, in some cases, but you know, all that knowledge is so valuable, and you wouldn’t be able to find that otherwise. And that’s the benefit of students that you know, that do work with me.
David Ralph [35:35]
Now, looking back on it, did you have a coach or a mentor in the early days, or did you do it like like I did, and most of the entrepreneurs I speak to, where you kind of spend your time googling on YouTube and just trying to find the information and not truly investing in yourself.
Anna Ren [35:52]
I first started exactly like you did, actually, until recently until this past year where I did hire a business As coach, and then I joined programmes like Salinas, because you know, I think it’s really important to pay for knowledge and to learn. And I love to learn whether it be you know about how to grow a business or just other things that I enjoy. And I think when you can connect that earlier, the better you are off for it, I did have a mentor in terms of my one friend, she left corporate to become a yoga teacher. And one of the best things she said to me is, you cannot try to do both. So you cannot try to because the stability of working for a company is that you’ll have a paycheck, right? And she said, but the problem is, then you cannot put 100% into the thing that you really want to work on. So you know, it was kind of like, Okay, I got a foot in each boat, and I’m straddling two boats, and I was doing this for a few years. And then after my car accident, I was like, This doesn’t make any sense. Just like my friend said, I should just listen to her earlier and I was like, I just need To jump out of that other boat, take my foot out and put both feet in the boat of, you know, wanting to work on my educational consulting business. And I think you know, my business has really grown as a result of that. And if there was any advice I could give to listeners, it would just be to dive, dive right in the earlier you dive in, the better your business will grow.
David Ralph [37:24]
So you think this the slide of faith that we talked about on Join Up Dots where you’ve got one foot in each camp until it’s it’s comfortable enough to sort of leap? You don’t think that’s a good idea?
Anna Ren [37:35]
I don’t know. I think part of it like for me, I needed it for my own sanity and security. And I think, you know, the only way I was able to do it is my husband has a job and he’s kind of like probably, I guess my boat in the other foot potentially in the background. But I think at some point also, you know, if you begin to rely too much on you know, keeping your foot instability, then, you know, it becomes even harder to move it all the way over sometimes. And I do have friends who are just like, Oh, you know, this is so good. And you know, I can continue to grow both at the same time. And it really depends on the person because you know, everyone has a limit. So if you can do it with both and you know, and I think there’s a benefit to that where you do start out with booth, but I would say don’t stay there too long. Because then you might get too comfortable.
David Ralph [38:29]
I juggled three jobs at the very beginning. And then I dropped one job off and then I jumped. And so my leap of faith, my legs stretched very wide, because I was sort of in each camp and the camps for further and further and further apart until something had to give. And I can honestly say once I actually did leap as I say, it wasn’t as scary as I’d kind of made out because I realised I could always go and do something else. And I did in the early days, I earn money doing other jobs because I didn’t have the income Buy was bringing in at that beginning. And to be honest now, I think it’s a great way of developing a business by realising that you’re short of cash. And so reducing your overheads and all the kind of wastage. And I look back on it now and I think thank God for my, my tight period of about six or seven months where I was literally, you know, two thirds down on my salary, but I was previously earning because I looked at everything in my house. And did we really need to have free cars? Do we really need to have you know, four holidays a year? Do we really need to have all that? And now I could do it again. I could do it again and quite simply create any business I want because I haven’t got the wastage around me. Do you understand what I’m saying?
Anna Ren [39:46]
Absolutely. And I think you know that what you bring up is a great point you realise you can live with less, and my friends had the same thing and I think that was her point with you know, not having to keep so many feats in different direction. Is that you know, you will you will be okay. You know, if you do not give your up, give yourself the option to fail, then you won’t fail. And you know you at the same time you realise, Oh, actually, I don’t need this and I don’t need that. And it’s kind of like, again, leaving your ego at the door. And I think you do find more happiness in some ways that way.
David Ralph [40:23]
But let’s play the words of Steve Jobs that we always play roundabout, this part of the show, and then let’s ask the question that pretty much we always ask us, well, what was your big dog, his Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs [40:34]
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 come 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 [41:09]
So looking at those words, and I know you’ve listened to many episodes of Join Up Dots and heard similar stories, would yours fall into the same place? Do you have a big dot that has led you to this path? Or is it a collection of bloated dots?
Anna Ren [41:26]
That’s a really great point. I think it might be a few larger dots that got me to this point. And I think one of the biggest dots if I was to just pick only one would be when I choose to become a volunteer interviewer for my school. And at the time, I don’t know, I knew I just wanted to give back to my school, but I didn’t really think much more beyond that. And it really wasn’t until I was you know, I would have like 20 interviews a year with students from everywhere and And that I really realised, wow. You know, if you listen to teenagers, they have so much passion, and it’s just at the start, you know, their dreams, they’re just beginning to, you know, wander into the world to start fulfilling their dreams, and to be able to listen to them and feel inspired. I was like, you know, I want to do this all the time. Because it part of it is it makes me feel good, right? That you can surround yourself with people that are just at the beginning of life in some ways, and are that are, you know, really excited to go out there. And at the same time, I realised that this was what I wanted to do, because I had talked to my husband, I was really upset. I think one time because I was like, watching the media. I was like, you know, these celebrities, they have so many fans and, you know, they could do so much to you know, make the world a better place by sending certain messaging to the people that follow them, you know, and I was like, Why, you know, you know, the most influential are like the teenagers and you know, kids, and I was like, if we could give them uplifting messages and positive messages and really give them the ability and the tools to believe they can change the world, I mean, the world would be a much better place. And you know, my husband’s like, Well, you know, if you think about it, you you do talk with these kids, and they ask you questions, and you do guide them. And he’s like, maybe look into, you know, if you could do this full time, and I realised that there were people that help kids and families with the college admissions process, and I knew I was lost for mine, because my parents could barely speak English. And like you’d said they’d bear they hadn’t even gone to high school. And so we were kind of like trying to figure out well, how do I apply to college all on my own, but there’s other families out there to like that, and I was like, I really want to help these families. And at the same time, I can be in Inspired by the kids I work with, but hopefully I can also inspire them, you know, and guide them to really put good into the world as well.
David Ralph [44:10]
What a powerful statement to make, it really is. And as she was talking, I was thinking, there are so many people that could be listening to this episode who also work in schools that could create a really valuable business exactly like yours, and it won’t affect you at all with it that you know, there’s so much abundance out there, it is totally a blueprint for success every single episode, you can do the same thing and still create a lovely living for yourself.
Anna Ren [44:36]
Absolutely, there could be you know, there is just because every child could use help, right? So, you know, there is no fear of competition necessarily. And you know, anybody could try to do this, you know, you get the proper training. And you know, as I think as long as you have a passion to really work with these people and help them you know, show their best To admissions that, you know, I think anything is possible.
David Ralph [45:04]
But just before we send you back in time on the Sermon on the mic, let’s ask you the question, Is this your thing? Or is this the beginning of your thing? Can you see that it’s going to spin off into different areas, or it’s just going to grow bigger as it is?
Anna Ren [45:19]
Ah, I think I think this is my thing. And I do hope it continues to grow bigger, especially the online course and I will take your advice to heart because, you know, I think these are the two main areas of focus for me. I do work with international students as well. But I think my main thing is I I hope to reach more people and touch more lives through the wonderful thing that is the internet that has connected us for example, and you know, I think this is where my business will grow.
David Ralph [45:51]
And our business face pop, is that gonna be doable as well. You’re not just gonna leave me high and dry on this one.
Anna Ren [45:58]
No, no, absolutely. I think we need to continue to connect and set up face pub. I think it’s gonna be a hit.
David Ralph [46:04]
I think so and we just get drunk and forget about it. That’s the trouble with all these great ideas in it.
Anna Ren [46:08]
I think it’s a no you know, and now we can even share video so we can all be drinking together.
Talk about life.
David Ralph [46:17]
Absolutely. We’ve created something remarkable. Live. That’s what it’s all about. Well, this is the bit that we’ve been leading up to, and in its own way. It’s also remarkable because this is 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 young Anna, what age would you choose and what advice would you give? Well, we’re gonna find out cuz we’re gonna play the theme. And when it fades, you’re up. This is a sermon on the mic.
Unknown Speaker [46:55]
My man
Anna Ren [47:05]
So I would say if I could talk to my former self, it would be right after college, actually. So when I was around 22, and at the time, I was like, oh, everyone’s telling you, you have to get a job in finance, you have to get a job in business. And I kind of gave into that. And if I could go back and talk to myself, I’d say, stick to your gut. You know, it’s trust yourself. And you know, I had taken the Myers Briggs test at the time, and it had said I should be a counsellor. And now that I think about it, had I listened to it earlier on, I could have been doing the thing I love to do right now like 10 years ago. And you know, time is a gift. And you know, don’t wait for something like a car accident to happen or something like that. start living your life now. Because the most beautiful surprises lie ahead of you. And you know, you won’t know until you start taking chances. And you know, there’s a favourite quote of mine and it’s from Paulo Coelho. And he wrote the book, The Alchemist, which I think is so apt because we’re talking about journeys, but the boat is safest when it is important. But that is not what boats were built for. So let your dreams really guide you and you know, have courage because, you know, everything is just going to be so just fine, and you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish.
David Ralph [48:37]
Absolutely. And time does move on, doesn’t it having as David Bowie says, time might change me but I can’t change time that’s profound in that
Anna Ren [48:47]
is I had never heard of that quote before, but that is really profound.
David Ralph [48:51]
Yeah, listen to the song changes by David Bowie google it I’ll put a link on the show notes. She can’t have enough of Maui Kenya. Anyway, Anna back this is the end of the So the big question, what’s the number one best way that our audience can connect with you?
Anna Ren [49:04]
So they can reach out to me, my website is www dot elite advantage prep calm. And you know, I also have all my contact information there. Or you can take advantage of the online course that you know David and I were talking about earlier at WWW dot prep dash four dash success calm and you can find me on Twitter and Facebook as well.
David Ralph [49:33]
Oh, yo, good. I only asked for the number one best way he gave us about four. You’re gonna market yourself. We’ll have all that links on the show notes. And I 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 and aren Thank you so much.
Anna Ren [49:56]
Thank you so much, David. It’s been a pleasure.
David Ralph [50:01]
Anna Wren who was in a job, and she found a job within a job. And I think most of us could do that. There’s always some aspect that people need help with within an environment. And I look back on my past, and I was in insurance and banking. And I think to myself, there was so many jobs I could have created for myself. But I didn’t because my mind wasn’t in that kind of entrepreneurial mode, I suppose. And that’s what we hope from Join Up Dots. So you listen to these conversations, and you get a glimmer of, I think I could do something like that. And if you need any help on it, obviously connect with us at Join Up Dots. Or you can connect with Anna as well. Any of the entrepreneurs that you hear on the show are always open to helping somebody get going. And that’s what the important thing is, that’s the only reason that we do the show. Thank you so much for listening. And thank you so much for being part of who you are, which is a Join Up Dots listener. See you again, cheers, bye.
Outro [50:54]
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.