Jerred Moon

Try Harder

jerred

97: How Entrepreneurship Has Made Me A Better Father

·

Mindset Matters

Firstly, the importance of mindset in fatherhood and entrepreneurship cannot be overstated, and the same goes for parenting. In my earlier days, I struggled with a scarcity mindset, often feeling anxious and fearful about outcomes. These feelings, unfortunately, can easily transfer to our children. Recognizing this, I’ve made a concerted effort to adopt a more positive and abundant mindset, not only for my well-being but to set a better example for my kids.

The Power of Positive Self-Talk

In fatherhood and entrepreneurship, I constantly emphasize the power of positive self-talk to my children. It’s not uncommon for negativity and anxiety to be part of human nature, but combating this starts with how we talk to ourselves and handle challenges. Whether it’s sports or academics, I teach my children that how they talk to themselves influences their actions and outcomes.

Effort Over Outcome

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in fatherhood and entrepreneurship is to focus on effort over outcome. This is something I’ve taken from books like Mindset by Carol Dweck and Grit by Angela Duckworth. These principles have not only influenced my entrepreneurial journey but also how I raise my children. Whether it’s a test at school or a sports match, I stress the importance of trying hard, which isn’t necessarily about achieving the highest grade but about putting in the best effort.

Financial Literacy and Involvement

Fatherhood and entrepreneurship have also opened up opportunities to discuss and manage finances openly with my children. My wife, Emily, and I involve our kids in conversations about financial decisions, from real estate investments to business moves. This not only prepares them to be financially literate adults but also makes them feel included and respected as part of the family.

Leadership in Parenting

Lastly, the leadership skills I honed in college and through my businesses have been invaluable in parenting. Instead of following conventional parenting books, I’ve applied my leadership training to how I communicate and interact with my children. Ensuring they feel loved and maintaining high standards at home has been my approach to parenting, which I find more effective than any parenting strategy focused on control.

Fatherhood and entrepreneurship are both journeys of growth, mistakes, and victories. By integrating these entrepreneurial lessons into my parenting, I aim to raise children who are not only successful and resilient but also kind and thoughtful individuals.


Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

apple podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast
spotify podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast
overcast podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast

Time-Stamped Show Notes

  • [00:00:30] Introduction to applying entrepreneurship lessons to parenting.
  • [00:01:30] Call to action: Engage with Jerred Moon on Instagram for a chance to receive a free sticker.
  • [00:02:30] Discussing the importance of a positive mindset in parenting.
  • [00:04:30] Focusing on effort over outcome – insights from mindset and resilience literature.
  • [00:06:30] Involving kids in financial discussions and decisions.
  • [00:08:30] Applying leadership skills to parenting.
  • [00:10:30] Summary and key takeaways on fatherhood and entrepreneurship.

96: Personal Brand Update (things I am doing to grow a following)

·

Hello everyone, Jerred Moon here, and welcome back to the journey of growing my personal brand while balancing my entrepreneurial endeavors. It’s been a slow and steady process, but I’ve learned quite a bit about patience and persistence. Today, I want to share some strategies I’ve been implementing to grow various aspects of my brand, including newsletters, podcasts, and social media platforms.

Consistency: The Core Strategy to Grow Your Personal Brand

One of the key lessons I’ve learned in the process of building my personal brand is the importance of consistency. It’s not just about doing things; it’s about doing them regularly and reliably. For my podcast, “The Better Human Business Podcast,” I’ve established a no-fail publishing calendar with episodes going live every Tuesday and Thursday. This consistency has been crucial in maintaining and growing my audience.

Behind the Scenes: Laying a Strong SEO Foundation to Grow a Personal Brand

Much of the work in growing a personal brand happens behind the scenes. One significant project has been transforming podcast episodes into blog posts at jerred.com. By doing so, not only am I creating more content, but I’m also enhancing the site’s SEO. Every episode is meticulously turned into a blog post, optimized for search engines using tools like the Yoast SEO plugin, ensuring each post meets the green light standard before publishing.

Leveraging SEO to Amplify Personal Brand Growth

SEO isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a strategic foundation for any online presence. The backlog of podcast episodes being converted into blog posts is not just for content—it’s for creating a substantial SEO footprint. This groundwork will ensure that the content continues to attract visitors organically, which is crucial for sustainable growth.

Cost-Effective Outsourcing: A Smart Scaling Strategy to Grow Personal Brand

Outsourcing has been a game changer in managing workload and focusing on strategic tasks. Hiring someone to help with the backlog of podcast episodes and manage ongoing content uploads has been both cost-effective and efficient. It allows me to focus more on content creation while knowing the technical aspects are handled expertly.

Interactive Engagement: Key to Growing Your Personal Brand’s Newsletter

To grow the newsletter, I’ve introduced a referral program, rewarding subscribers who bring in new readers with exclusive incentives. This approach not only enhances subscriber engagement but also expands the newsletter’s reach organically. Additionally, regular mentions of the newsletter in podcast episodes serve as a direct call to action, funneling listeners toward email subscriptions.

Early Social Media Strategies to Grow a Personal Brand on Instagram

Although it’s still early days, my approach to Instagram has been to start small with high-quality content, specifically reels, and to boost these to gain visibility and followers. This method has shown promising results, with a notable increase in followers in just a short period. As time and resources allow, I plan to scale these efforts and dive deeper into content creation and engagement strategies.

Reflecting on Progress: Strategies to Grow a Personal Brand Further

Despite these efforts, there’s always room for improvement. For instance, increasing calls to action on the website could help convert more visitors into newsletter subscribers. Monitoring traffic and engagement will help refine strategies and ensure that efforts align with goals.


Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

apple podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast
spotify podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast
overcast podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast

Show Notes (Time-Stamped)

  • [00:00:30] Introduction and context on the focus towards growing a personal brand.
  • [00:01:30] The importance of consistency in content creation, specifically podcasting.
  • [00:03:30] Behind-the-scenes work on converting podcast episodes into SEO-optimized blog posts.
  • [00:05:30] Details on the outsourcing process and the benefits of cost-effective scaling.
  • [00:06:30] Tactics for growing the newsletter, including the introduction of a referral program.
  • [00:08:00] Early strategies for Instagram engagement and follower growth.
  • [00:09:30] Reflections on the overall progress and plans for increasing website conversion rates.
  • [00:11:30] Final thoughts and future updates on growing a personal brand.

👨🏻‍🌾 Beets (The Athlete’s Treat), Clarity that Scales, and Doing What Others Won’t

·

Edition #007: 👨🏻‍🌾 Beets (The Athlete’s Treat), Clarity that Scales, and Doing What Others Won’t

Hey Risers,

Welcome to EDITION 007 of the TRY HARDER Newsletter.

All I have to say about today’s edition is that if you’re not eating a beet like an apple while crafting a marketing message after this newsletter… you’re doing it wrong.

Save it for later. Read it now. But don’t ignore this one!!
​
And if you like it, share it with a friend 🙏🏻.

Enjoy!

In this Edition:

​
Building the Business

Clarity That Scales

Building the Human

Better-Human BEETS

Try Harder

Do What Others Won’t

Building the Business:

Clarity that Scales 📊

Online business all started as a side hustle because my wife and I were in a lot of debt 💰.

Our minimum debt payments were about 65% of my military take-home pay. So, it was a lot of pressure. But the funny thing about pressure is that it can crush things or produce diamonds 💎.

Within a year of starting my business, I made some, albeit very little, money. However, I quickly realized I was hitting a wall, and “revenue that SCALES” 📈 was going to be very hard.

And it was hard, but here’s what I have learned in scaling a business.

The Clarity Formula

Clarity is being able to communicate what I offer, why I’m different, and the value I can add to someone’s life… In 5 seconds or less ⏱️.

People DO NOT care about my business.

Take yourself as an example. How much do you sit around and think about a product or service? Probably very little. Because you have a life (which is good).

I realized I could not expect my customers to care about my product enough to read a 2,000-word about page 📄 to truly understand what I do and how I am different.

So here’s the formula I use to communicate in marketing:

Marketing Clarity =
​
Problem + Unique Solution + Results/Expectation

Here’s a fictitious example:

  • Problem: You don’t have a lot of time to workout
  • Solution: I provide effective workouts that can be done in under 30 minutes
  • Results Option: We’ve helped 200 men lose 20+ pounds with our training
  • Expectation Option: Cut the weight you want in 3 months, or it’s free

Putting the message together Option #1 (results):

Most people don’t have enough time to work out, so we developed a 30-minute system that can be done anywhere and anytime. The coolest thing is that this new approach has helped 200+ men lose 20+ pounds!

Problem: ✅

Unique Solution: ✅

This message focuses on our “system.” That simple wording differentiates you from just providing “workouts.” In my business, we developed an entire programming methodology, so don’t lie about what you do. Instead, start to focus on how you are different and create your method. Bonus points if you give it a name! “The CX-11 Protocol” – it doesn’t matter.

Results: ✅

You will use the “results” option if you have client testimonials to back you up. Now, the next option.

Putting the message together Option #2 (expectation):

Most people don’t have enough time to work out, so we developed a 30-minute system that can be done anywhere called the “The CX-11 Protocol”. We’re so confident in our protocol that if you don’t achieve your goals in 3 months, it’s free (you actually get a refund)!

Problem: ✅

Unique Solution: ✅ “The CX-11 Protocol”

Expectations: ✅ 3 months = results or it = FREE. Strong Expectation!

You could use the “expectation” option to communicate what they can expect and how they can mitigate their risk (a guarantee).

Prerequisite: YOU MUST BE GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO!

Takeaways:

  • Clarify Your Message and Watch Your Business Grow!

Building the Human:

Beets: The Athlete’s Treat 👨🏻‍🌾

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should know how powerful the beet is…

Oh, you’re not a super nerd like me…? Ok, ok…let’s talk about it.

The Beet.

First, I have to say I think Dwight Schrute was right and Michael Scott was wrong (The Office reference, watch here, if you didn’t get it). Everyone will soon love beets!

So what is so special about the beet?

Well, it is not necessarily the magic of the beet, it is the nitrate in the beet.

Research says, that consuming beets will:

  • Enhance recovery ❤️‍🩹
  • Reduce muscle soreness
  • Improve Exercise Economy 🚴🏻
  • Give you energy for longer
  • Reduce the amount of oxygen cost of your exercise 🫁
  • And more!

Beets can increase the amount of energy extracted from the oxygen in your blood 🩸; A.K.A it increases your performance. Being able to do more work with less oxygen is a very desirable trait for those who are looking to move faster or do more (a better-human quality, if you ask me).

And not only does the research say you can put out more work, but you will also last longer ⏱️ while working because you burn less energy due to the nitrate in beetroot juice.

How does it work??

Well, I am sure you have been to a supplement shack that carries the latest “nitric oxide” formula, right? You know, the one with an ingredient list longer than your arm with chemical compounds that could put down a small animal 🦔. Yea, that one! Well, they work because nitric oxide is a real thing, with real benefits.

Dietary nitrate (from beets) hits the saliva in your mouth 👄 and introduces itself to the bacteria on your tongue 👅; this brings the compound from NO3 to NO2 (active nitrite). Next, this new couple heads into the stomach and meets another new friend – stomach acid 🧬. BOOM! NO2 is now reduced to NO, or nitric oxide. This nitric oxide increases blood flow to your muscles and increases your ability to produce energy.

So far the studies on consuming beet juice before exercise have shown increased performance in running and cycling as well as a decrease in the rate of perceived exertion. There are also more recent studies coming out proving its efficacy in strength, strength endurance, and hypertrophy.

What else…?

  • A 2022 Systematic Review Suggests That Dietary Nitrate May Facilitate Gains in Strength and Hypertrophy
  • A small body of evidence indicating that nitrate dosed at 400-800mg can enhance power and strength endurance.
  • Dietary supplementation with beetroot juice speeds VO2 kinetics and enhances exercise tolerance during severe-intensity exercise when initiated from an elevated metabolic rate.
  • Beetroot juice treatments increase plasma NO concentration and decrease cardiac afterload and myocardial oxygen demand at rest and during 3 submaximal levels of aerobic exercise.
  • Beetroot juice positively affects performance of swimmers as it reduces the aerobic energy cost and increases the workload at anaerobic threshold.
  • A single dose of beetroot juice lowered VO2 during submaximal exercise and enhanced time trial performance of trained cyclists in normobaric hypoxia.
  • Has been show to improve 2,000m rowing performance in highly trained athletes.

And that’s seriously just the tip of the iceberg on the research 🔬 of dietary nitrate and beets.

And I HATE beets… To me, a beet tastes like I am eating a shovel of fresh earth put on my plate.

But I’ll eat them anyway!

Takeaways:

  • Eat your beets!! What other takeaway could there be!?

Try Harder:

Do What Others Won’t 🛑

I’ve got a short TRY HARDER lesson for you today…

If I have learned anything over the years it is that…

To get what you want, you have to do what others won’t.

Just think about that for a minute.

This is so true in my life right now in building a house, selling a house, parenting, building a business, having good relationships, running an ultramarathon, etc.

That sounds simple, but it’s NOT!

And it gets harder as you get older.

Comfort will call your name as clear as can be.

You cannot respond.

You have to be willing to do the hard thing over and over again. You don’t do something hard once and call it quits. It’s a lifestyle.

Eventually, people give up on hard and they settle.

And that’s fine…

But don’t complain about what you don’t have if you have become friends with comfort.

Comfort remains my enemy.

Try harder,

JM

THE PODCAST

My Weekly Effort (Content I published this week)…

Podcasts #94 & #95 can be found HERE.
​
​Listen to the episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform by searching “Better Human Business.”

95: Crazy Things I’ve Done to Change My Mindset

·

As an entrepreneur and a veteran, my journey through the realms of business and personal growth has taught me an invaluable lesson: the power of mindset. Today, I’m not just going to share my insights; I’m going to take you through a transformative journey that reshaped my outlook on life, success, and the art of thriving amidst challenges.

From Military Discipline to Entrepreneurial Resilience

Transitioning from the military to entrepreneurship presented a unique set of challenges. The military, with its structured environment and clear-cut objectives, instilled in me a sense of discipline and resilience. However, stepping into the entrepreneurial world meant facing uncertainties that tested my mindset like never before.

The Struggle with Scarcity, Anxiety, and Skepticism

My early days as an entrepreneur were marred by a scarcity mindset, anxiety, and skepticism. The fear of not having enough, the constant worry about the future, and doubting every opportunity that came my way were my biggest hurdles. These weren’t just minor setbacks; they were formidable barriers that threatened my progress and well-being.

The Turning Point: Embracing a Positive Mindset

The transformation began with a simple yet profound challenge: the no-complaining challenge. This exercise wasn’t just about avoiding negative statements; it was a deep dive into self-awareness and reframing my responses to life’s inconveniences. It was a test of my ability to find learning opportunities in every situation, no matter how frustrating.

Tools for Transformation: Meditation, Breathwork, and Journaling

My journey to a positive mindset wasn’t just about stopping complaints; it involved a holistic approach to mental well-being. Meditation and breathwork became my sanctuary, helping me calm the storms of anxiety and fear. Journaling was my mirror, reflecting my thoughts and emotions, allowing me to process and understand them better.

The Ongoing Battle: Keeping the Volume Down on Negativity

Despite significant progress, the battle against negativity is ongoing. The key is not to silence these feelings but to turn down their volume, to manage them so they don’t overpower the positive strides I’ve made. It’s a continuous effort of self-care, mindfulness, and, most importantly, recognizing when the negativity starts to creep back in.

The No-Complaining Challenge: A Starter for Mindset Shift

For those feeling overwhelmed by negativity or stuck in a pessimistic loop, I recommend starting with the no-complaining challenge. It’s a simple yet effective way to initiate a change in perspective. Give it a try for 72 hours or a week, and observe how it alters your reaction to daily annoyances and challenges.

An Invitation to Continue the Conversation

If my journey resonates with you or if you’re curious about the specific strategies and tools I’ve used, I invite you to connect with me. Sign up for my newsletter at jerred.com, and feel free to ask about the meditation soundtrack that guided me through many sleepless nights. Your mindset is your most powerful asset; let’s work together to make it your greatest strength.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

apple podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast
spotify podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast
overcast podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast

Show Notes (Time-Stamped)

  • [00:00:30] Introduction: The importance of mindset in personal and professional growth.
  • [00:01:30] Personal struggles with scarcity, anxiety, and skepticism post-military life.
  • [00:03:00] The turning point: Engaging in a no-complaining challenge and its transformative impact.
  • [00:04:30] Incorporating meditation, breathwork, and journaling into daily routines for mindset improvement.
  • [00:06:00] The ongoing journey: Recognizing and managing negative emotions to maintain a positive outlook.
  • [00:07:30] Encouragement for others: Starting with the no-complaining challenge to initiate a mindset shift.
  • [00:09:30] Conclusion and invitation for further engagement through the newsletter.

94: How to go from Side-Hustle to Full-Time

·

How do you go from Side-Hustle to Full-Time?

My journey began in the structured world of the military, where my initial career path was set to be a pilot. However, life had other plans, and an injury redirected my course towards entrepreneurship. Starting a side hustle while maintaining a demanding job taught me the true meaning of commitment and hard work.

Knowing When to Take the Leap

Many of you, like Hunter, who reached out via our community newsletter (shoutout to you!), are standing at this crossroads, wondering if it’s time to dive into your passion project full-time. The question is not just about financial readiness but also about mental and emotional preparedness.

My Advice: The Three Pillars

1. Clarity of Offer: Know what you’re selling inside out. Can you articulate your offer clearly and succinctly? If not, refine it until you can.

2. Understanding Your Audience: Who are you selling to? Narrowing down your target audience is crucial for creating a focused and effective strategy.

3. Validation and Momentum: Have you made sales? Is there a repeatable process in place? This step is about proving your business model and ensuring it’s sustainable.

The Path Forward

Taking your side hustle full-time is a significant risk, but it’s also an opportunity for tremendous growth and fulfillment. I transitioned from my military career to full-time entrepreneurship, and while the journey was challenging, the rewards have been immeasurable.

Embrace the Journey

For those of you on the fence, consider this: the leap from side-hustle to full-time is as much about belief in yourself as it is about the viability of your business. It’s about making a calculated decision but also about trusting your ability to make your vision a reality.

To Hunter and everyone else pondering this leap, my parting advice is to strive for clarity, seek validation, and, above all, believe in the value you bring to the table. The journey from side-hustle to full-time is a testament to your resilience, creativity, and passion. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it propel you to new heights.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

apple podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast
spotify podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast
overcast podcasts, jerred moon, better human business podcast

Time-Stamped Show Notes

  • [00:00:30] Introduction to transitioning from a side-hustle to full-time.
  • [00:00:50] My personal journey from the military to entrepreneurship.
  • [00:01:20] Addressing Hunter’s question and the common concerns of making the leap.
  • [00:01:50] The importance of clarity in your offer and understanding your audience.
  • [00:02:20] The role of validation and momentum in deciding to go full-time.
  • [00:02:50] Practical advice for those considering the transition.
  • [00:03:20] Emphasizing the value of belief in oneself and one’s vision.
  • [00:03:50] Conclusion and encouragement for future entrepreneurs.