What does it take to build a wildly successful business? Author and entrepreneur Frank Fiume shares his deeply personal story on the highs and lows of creating a business based on passion. What looks like a linear journey is rarely that clearcut: Frank shares how he worked his way through each low and the lessons about life and leadership along the way. Why you should listen: Learn from Frank’s experience of turning adversity and a life in poverty to an advantage in shaping his ambitions Three strategies to make through the tough times: hire for your weakness, restructure to make sure you get the balance right and join a group of peers for sounding board and advice Anticipate the three stages of entrepreneurial growth: hunger, resilience, and fulfillment. We explore: When Frank worked out that he was more than his business, and his business was more than him The terrible chasm he experienced between a life of poverty and a life of wealth as he swung between his divorced parents’ very different circumstances How the Pizza Man’s insults fueled a fire of ambition The ‘hit between the eyes’ moment when he heard Tony Robbins say, “Success without fulfillment is the definition of failure’ How we can change from a PUSH worldview to a PULL worldview through our success journey Getting past Founder-itis and focus on growing the business, not your ego *** SHOWNOTES: About Frank Fliume II: Frank Fiume II is a pioneer in the franchise industry and the founder of i9 Sports-- the nation’s first and leading franchisor of youth sports leagues and camps, which has, since 2003, generated over $300 million - with more than 2 million participants in 900 communities across 30 states nationwide. A baseball fanatic and native of Queens, New York, Frank graduated from St. John’s University and began a career as a medical equipment sales rep, though he was determined to follow his true life purpose. In l995, he created his own adult men’s softball league, ABA Sports. The start-up company quickly grew to over 900 teams making it the largest adult sports organization on Long Island in just six years. In 2003, Frank sold ABA Sports to create i9 Sports, a business that catapulted him to national recognition and that Entrepreneur magazine ranked as the #1 children’s fitness franchise. Frank has been featured on Fox Business News, HBO Real Sports, and in dozens of publications and national news media outlets, including USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and The Wall Street Journal. Frank sold i9 Sports in 2017 to a private equity firm in 2017 but remains a minority shareholder and member of the board of directors. He oversees the charitable Fiume Family Foundation and has recently written his debut business book, Running With My Head Down: An Entrepreneur’s Story of Passion, Perseverance, and Purpose which is available on Amazon as well as retail and airport bookstores nationwide on October 1, 2019. www.frankfiume.com *** Related episodes: E117 - You gotta love what you do - the entrepreneurial mindset with Khaysan Kimberlin E81 - 4 factors for success as an executive, a riveting chat with Ron Carucci, co-author of Rising to Power E47 - Breaking through barriers to your leadership success ***