$12K Credit Card Gamble that Changed Everything with Paul Tembunde & Joan Ekobena

0:01Boom! Shake the room, Fire Nation. JLD here and welcome to Entrepreneurs on Fire. Brought to you by High Level. It's time to take your agency to the next level. Today, we'll be breaking down the$12 ,000 credit card gamble that changed everything. To drop these vibe bombs, I brought to Paul and Joan at EO Fire Studios. Paul is a business executive mindset coach based in the DC area. In 2002, he and his wife, Joan, launched a home care agency with just a$12 ,000 loan, growing it into a multi-million dollar business. Now through Premier Destiny LLC, they help others unlock their potential, live with purpose, and build a life of success.

0:36And today we'll be talking about that leap of faith with that$12 ,000 credit card loan. We'll talk about uncertainty and fear. We'll also talk about standing on the edge of a big decision and how friends and family can be challenging and how to handle that and oh so much more. And a big thank you for sponsoring our episodes goes to Paul, Joan, and our sponsors. Are you ready for the ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies, build funnels, automate follow-ups, manage clients, and even white label your own software. Say hello to our featured partner, High Level, and visit highlevelfire.com to start your free trial today.

1:20All right, we have Paul and Joan with us right now. And Paul, I want you to say what's up to Fire Nation and share something that you believe about becoming successful that most people disagree with? Greetings, Fire Up Nation. Delighted to be here. Thank you so much, John, for having us. My name is Paul Timber, and I have my beautiful wife, Joan, here with me. Seven years ago, we used a credit card, a cash-in-advance loan of a little over$12 ,000 to start a home care business. We did not know everything, honestly. In fact, we hadn't run a business before. We had no experience, but we had big hearts, right?

1:56We had big hearts, wanted to serve people in our community. Folks, that one decision, John, changed our lives. Now through our coaching company, Premier Destiny, we help others believe in themselves, think bigger, and live better. We love helping people grow into who they were meant to be. That's the big thing for us. John, to your question about what is something that I believe about success that others don't. To me, John, most people think success is about working hard. We believe, Joe and I believe, it starts in your mind. Okay? That's the big thing for us. We've learned over the years that success is 90 % mindset and 10 % strategy.

2:38When Joe and I started a home care business, we didn't know much about running a business, as I said earlier. In fact, we had never owned or operated a business before. Now, I had been in Amway. I had been in Amway distributor before for a few years. But this wasn't the same thing. This was much bigger. it was a real deal to us, okay? I mean, we had to have license. We had to serve clients. We had to have employees. We had to meet payroll. We had to pay taxes. So this was a big business for us. But we believed we could do it. We believed we could do it. We imagined helping people. We pictured success.

3:14That belief helped us keep going, even when things were hard. And let me tell you, we had some pretty hard times. We can't meet payroll. I mean, you know, when you, you don't have caregivers to go to work. It's a challenge, okay? But we made it head on. But we learned that if you believe in yourself, you can do amazing things, even without knowing all the answers. Well, I can tell you that both Paul and Joan Fire Nation have done amazing things. And Joan, that was such a bold leap of faith. I mean, with a$12 ,000 credit card loan to launch what you've launched, to build what you've built, What do you want to add to what Paul just shared about your story?

3:54From my experience going through business school, I thought that strategy was everything, right? You have to have the right strategy, work on it, you know, execute and you're successful. But when we started our business along the way, we learned that you have to have the right mindset for whatever you're doing. So that's the premise on which, you know, Paul was coming about saying 90 % strategy, 90 % mindset, 10 % strategy. But to your question, why did we use it? $12 ,000 credit card loan to start our business. Man, it was a big risk for our nation. It was a big risk. But we believed in our dream, like Paul said earlier.

4:32And let me just back up a little bit to give you a little bit of context here, John. So Paul and I were high school sweethearts. And after high school, I went to England and he came to the U.S. for us to follow our studies. Having been separated for over 10 years, Paul was like, well, John, this is time for us to start our family. And I came over here armed with an MBA from a great business school in England, ready to take on corporate America. But well, it didn't start that way. So I had to go back. My friends advised me to go into nursing. So I started from the bottom. I mean, real rock bottom as a CNA.

5:11Walked my way up to an LPN. Then the IT boom came. We went into IT, Paul and I. So we landed our corporate jobs and we're like, great, this is it, right? This is it. But along the way, having, you know, achieved that goal, that dream, we just felt called to do this home care business. We just felt called to work for ourselves, to be our own employers, right? So we decided, how are we going to make this happen? How are we going to make this dream happen? How are we going to make this calling happen? Yes, we landed our dream jobs, but we had three little kids under seven. We didn't have the startup capital, so we had to take a loan.

5:56We took this credit card loan because we didn't have the money, but we had the calling, we had the heart to take care of people. We wanted to provide care to seniors. I had a little nursing background there, so it just felt natural, and we just wanted to do it, even though we didn't have the funds. We made that decision, that build big, big, big decision to start something. And that was something big for our lives and for many others too along the way. Now, Joan, I want to stay with you because you built this agency from scratch. I mean, that's so impressive. So what were the biggest lessons, Joan, that you learned in the early stages of doing just that?

6:39You know, sometimes we say we want to start a business, we want to be successful. but we need to have clearly defined goals. What does that success mean to you? What does it mean to you? You have to have it clearly defined so you know how you're hitting your goals and you're achieving them. In fact, if a pilot took off and a plane took off from an airport, they know exactly where they're going, what time they're going to get there, where the destination is. So you have to know what your goal is. You have to clearly define your goals. That will help you along the way because when we started, some of the challenges we faced were because we knew we wanted to help seniors.

7:18We knew we wanted to be successful, but we hadn't clearly defined what those goals were. And Paul, what could you add to that? Like, what were some of the biggest lessons that you learned from the early stages of building this business? We learned that it took a mentor. We had to kind of lean on somebody who had walked that path before us so they could kind of hold their hands and guide us. In fact, we were lucky because we're smart. I mean, I'd say blessed, really, to be honest, because we had prayed about this, and God led us to a franchise that opened the doors for us, accepted us, and guided us.

7:53So it's important to have someone who's been down that path before so you can learn, so you don't have to remake the same mistakes that they had done. That is number one. You've got to know what you want. You've got to know what you want in life. You know, like they say, you're either a meaningful, specific, or you're wandering generality, as Zig Ziglar used to say. You got to know what you want. And you got to know that it's going to take commitment, okay? It's going to take some sacrifice, you know? It's going to take some work, okay? You're going to have to change. Anything great is going to involve change.

8:26And you're going to have to be a better person. I'll tell you, we've learned through the process here, John, and we're going to talk about it as we go forward, is that it's who you become in the process, okay? Success is a journey. It is not a destination, okay? It's who you become. We've become better people, and we'll talk about that as we go here. We've become better spouses, okay? We've been more loving parents for our kids. I would say better team members for our folks in the office too. We just learn to serve, okay? And we've learned that serve is a noble profession. Being of service is a noble profession.

9:02And it's helped us be able to do so much for others, okay? And the other thing also, John talked about money. You know, one of the things about business, you got to learn how to use other people's money, right? OPM, right? Again, you get that by linking with folks that have walked the path before, that can guide you and can show you how. That's why, John, we're so happy that, and we'll talk about this as we go here, that once we got our business, our home care business, to a certain point, we decided to get into coaching. which is where we help other folks do what we've done. Other folks are excited, want to do more for themselves.

9:38We help them be able to do that. We've coached other business owners, other folks who are in home care, and even other professions. That's what we do. But we'll talk about that some more as we go, John. Oh man, Fire Nation, you can just tell that Joan and Paul are dropping value bombs left and right on their journey, what they're learning, their lessons, what they're doing going forward. And we have a lot more to talk about around this topic when we get back from thanking our sponsors. You've got AI helping you write emails and name your dog. Shouldn't you be using AI to help you invest too? Seriously, I know investing can seem a bit overwhelming.

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13:06So visit highlevelfire.com to start your free trial and see why thousands of businesses are switching. That's highlevelfire.com, where marketing, sales, and automation finally come together. High level, join the revolution. So Paul, we're back and I want to stay with you here because if somebody's listening right now and they're standing on the edge of just a big decision, maybe it's a huge decision and it feels risky, but at the same time, it's just necessary. What advice would you give to that person? We were scared. Listen, when you're going to take a big move or change your career or take a big move out to do something, you're going to be scared.

13:48Being scared is natural. Okay. We were scared. We started out. We were scared. but we did not let the fear stop us. This is the key. The important thing is that you have to have a big why. Your why has to be so big and much more bigger than your fears. Because remember, we all have fears. But make your why a lot bigger than your fears, which means that what you're going after, let it be a lot bigger. Okay? Let it be stronger on you than whatever challenges you may face. Folks, I got to tell you, John and Fire Nation, we felt nervous when we get into this business. We felt nervous. What if it didn't work?

14:23We asked ourselves. We kept on going. We kind of believed in our heart that we're called to do something bigger than us. Okay? But we kept going. Okay? We just kept going. Each day, we reminded ourselves why we started, why we got into the business in the first place. We took small steps, baby steps, if you will. Okay? And little by little, our courage grew. Okay? We learned that being brave means doing it even when you are scared because you're going to be scared at some point. But again, what is your dream? What are you after? Hey, in our case, it was making a difference. We were sick and tired of being sick and tired, John.

15:05We used to work long hours for less pay. We did not see ourselves most of the time because we were out working. Our kids were in daycare. I mean, we could not save enough money for our family. Matter of fact, most times, John, there was a lot more money left at the end of the money, let me tell you. A lot more money left at the end of the money. So we had to fix that. And we discovered pretty quickly that the only way we could change that was to work for ourselves. Hey, we're not working. I think most people on the financials love working too. Why not bet on yourself so at least you can reap most of the benefits?

15:42that's what we decided to do. You know, that's what we decided. So, go ahead and finish it. So, there's so many takeaways from this Fire Nation that I just want to kind of go back over that Paul shared that I love. Make your why bigger than your fears. Being brave means doing it even when you're scared. And hey, who can resonate with this? Being sick and tired of being sick and tired. Absolutely. I mean, some people are listening to this right now, driving to a job that they hate. Maybe they're at a job that they hate and they're kind of squeezing this in during a break or even maybe during work.

16:15And guess what? You're taking a step closer. But Joan, I want to talk to you about friends and family because they can be challenging during these times. I mean, they can really say, hey, that's not the safe move. That's not the right move. How did yours react to this decision? And what advice would you give to our listeners who might face the same situations? You can imagine, John, after what I shared with Fire Nation about how we got started, my journey here and our dream, and then make that big decision, that bold decision, it was a leap of faith to quit the corporate jobs that we had dreamed for to start our own business.

16:54I mean, some of my family members thought I had just lost it. They thought, well, maybe coming to America has changed, John. anyway so some people supported us others didn't sometimes was a bad idea but we had this vision in our hearts we had this belief that it could work sometimes people can't see your dream like you do but that's all right so we just kept going anyway and because it was a dream we had to make it work, right? We finally had the job, like I said earlier. We're making some good money, what we thought was good money. But in fact, I had gotten promoted and my boss even asked me when I put in my resignation, if it was about my money, if I wasn't happy about my pay.

17:46I was like, nope, it wasn't none of that. And I had to leave that good paying job that I had dreamed for to start a home care business. So some of you listening, Fire Nation, maybe in that same situation, I think we would just say, know your why, like Paul said earlier. If that why is strong enough and you believe in yourself, believe in yourself. Don't let those thoughts of fear overwhelm you. Just believe in yourself and you can make that right decision and change your life for good. John, if I may just add Fire Nation, if it's your dream If it's put in your heart Then it was meant for you If it's put in your heart, it was meant for you Go for what's yours If you sleep with it Wake up with it, you can't shake it off Then it is yours, let's put it for a reason And you have all the means within you to make it happen Go for it, why not Even though you who, even though now when Folks, no one's going to come to save you Right You have, like John and I tell a lot of folks that work with that, the answer is in every one of us.

18:57But we have to step out in faith to make it happen. It is there. The help will show up. The help will show up. I mean, we have podcasters like John here with the information he shares. The help is out there, folks. It's not like a help. Are we willing, though? We have to have that willingness to step out in faith and make it happen. And if you have a dream in you, it's meant to come out. It's meant to realize. Go for it. Why not? Joan, if you could go back in time, if you could turn back the clock, would you do it all over again? We were glad we took the risk, not just for the lifestyle it has afforded us and our family, but like Paul mentioned earlier, success is who you become in the process.

19:38It's a journey, who you become in the process. It's not just achieving that goal, right? For example, I have been able to write an international bestseller, Money Locates You, which is on Amazon, by the way. But like we are willing to offer Fire Nation, you know, an e-book copy. Free e-book version. Free e-book version of this, of my book, Money Locates You. Because of the time and money freedom, better time and money freedom that we can enjoy now, I was able to take the time to do that. And also, we've been able to start our coaching business, Premier Destiny, where, like Paul mentioned, we coach business owners, especially those in the home care industry, where we've, you know, we've served for over two decades now to become successful and prosperous.

20:34So I would do it again. Absolutely. No doubt. John, just to add to John and Fire Nation, this leap of faith that we took has changed our lives, folks. It has changed our lives big time. We've got to help thousands of people, employ hundreds of people over the years, right? And we've grown as a couple. We've grown as parents. We've grown as employers, okay? We've stretched so much. Even though it was hard, we learned so much along the way. And we're going to help others to also find their way. I mean, isn't that grateful? That's what this means to us. That's why I said that it's not the journey.

21:12It's not the journey. It's not the destination. It's the journey. It's who you become. And this has done it for us. Like I said, we're not taking this deadlift of faith years ago. We're probably sitting in a cubicle someplace hoping for the best. But we followed it. So yeah, absolutely, we'll do it all over. It was well worth it. Now, Paul, Joan did just mention that she has this amazing book. And you both are being incredibly generous and kind. And you're willing to offer it to Fire Nation for free. So tell us a little bit more about that. where Fire Nation can go and what is that call to action?

21:48Joan's book is an international bestseller. She wrote that book in record time. I would say under a year, Joan, right? Actually, a few months. Yeah, Joan wrote it under a year. It was inspired by God. Okay, we believe that strongly. People of faith was inspired by God. The words, when you get this book, Fire Nation, it's called Money Locates You. Like Joan said, it's an international bestseller available on Amazon. John, we're going to give you the website to be able to get it. It's www.askjohnandpaul.com. All one word, askjohnandpaul.com. If you get in there, finance, you can go in there. You can just answer one or two questions in there.

22:30You can have access to it. You can download an e-book version of that book. It's a gut-inspired. John tells you how to go through the process of attracting money to yourself and that's what it's all about. You see, John, if you're listening today, your foundation, if you're listening today and feel like there's something more inside of you, like you're made for greater, you're right. John and I took a big risk of the credit card and the credit advance. It changed everything for us. We didn't come from money, folks. Oh, we didn't have all the answers. We believed in ourselves and also believed in, believed that God had a purpose for our lives and so we kept going.

23:10Now we have all this. like you take brief steps too. Better yourself, like I said. Better yourself. Folks, when I met my mentor years ago, I was in a different place. I did not know how to really, I thought I was stuck. We're doing pretty well in our home care business, but I thought there was more for me. So I prayed and God led me to my mentor, okay? And what my mentor told me was, shared with us was that, you know, a lot of folks don't succeed in life, they don't succeed in life because they don't know what they want, all right? and they're ignorant. That's what he said. I felt a little bit offended.

23:45Well, you call me ignorant. Well, but I come to find out. He said, listen, everybody's ignorant of something. Ignorant means you just don't know. I said, wow. You just don't know yet. Yeah, exactly. You just don't know yet. He says, well, what changes, what drives away ignorance? Knowledge. Once you get the knowledge, it drives away ignorance. You get to know. And he said that the reason why a lot of folks don't succeed in life is because they don't know where they're going. That's why I got into pen touch. that's why I got him as a coach and it changed my life. In fact, I signed up for his course unbeknownst to Joan.

24:18Joan did not know I signed up for this man's course. Okay. I mean, but I took a little faith. I took a chance on this gentleman and it changed my life. Later on, Joan found out, joined me, was excited. I was able to write a book out of it. Okay. So knowledge can change people's lives. And that's why, Joan, we're willing to share this, Joan's book with Fire Nation, Money No Catch You. so it can help change lives. John, I'll tell you this. If I have a candle, okay, and I light your candle, it doesn't take away light from my candle. It just makes our room brighter. That's what we're out to do. That's what we're about.

24:53That's what our mission is, John. It's not just coaching. It's a calling for us. We want to help other people light their candles so the world can be better for you. Man, that is a powerful visual, Fire Nation. I really hope you're just picturing that like I was as well, just this dark room with this little candle flickering. and then Paul and Joan walked into the room and they both had candles and they lit it from my candle and all of a sudden the room's just brighter. It's happier, it's warmer. So Paul, you ended with a bang brother. Joan, what are your final words for Fire Nation? Fire Nation, you are in the right place with Joan.

25:26If you ever thought of starting your own business or whatever dream you have, go for it. Go for it. Like Paul said, if that dream is in you, it was meant to be realized. It was meant to be manifested. So go for it. You don't have to know it all. We didn't know it all when we started. You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to have all the money. We didn't. You have to be resourceful. You have to be persistent. You have to keep that why strong and keep going. And Joan, one more time, how do we get our hands on that free ebook? They can go to askjoanandpaul.com, www.askjoanandpaul.com.