Episode 46 - The Power Of An Influencer

Nicky Saunders: 0:00

What's poppin'? What's poppin'? What's poppin'? Welcome to Nicky and Moose! I'm Nicky! That's Moose! Whats up Moose?

Mostafa Ghonim: 0:08

What up, y'all?

Nicky Saunders: 0:09

And we are on episode 46! I almost forgot. We got a lot to talk about today. As always, y'all need to help me say something different. But we're talking about influence. We're talking about the formula of social media. We're talking about negotiations. That's going to be a serious talk. I feel it already. And we're going to talk about taking a back seat. Moose, how are we feeling about this?

Mostafa Ghonim: 0:42

Yeah, this one is a I think we might have to call this one the social media formula, because it is very personal brand heavy. And for those of you who have been rocking with the podcast, I think you're gonna really enjoy this one, because it does have a breakdown feel to it. So yeah, I'm excited.

Nicky Saunders: 0:57

Let's get into this intro.

Jaymie Jordan: 1:00

Two kids from Queens, cut from a different cloth. Now joining forces helping you to elevate your personal brand. Yeah I'm talking about Nicky and Moose! Bringing you a never before seen perspective into the mindset, the mentality, the behaviors, the driving force, but more importantly, the stories behind the people and brands that you know and love the most.

Nicky Saunders: 1:29

And you already know what time it is, it is the review of the week. And this one says, "Always great advice and content. I hate when I missed the lives on IG." It's on YouTube, but maybe you meant that. I'm cool with that. "But I love being able to catch the podcast and applying everything given. Content revolutionaries. Thank you."

Mostafa Ghonim: 2:01

That's pretty good content revolutionaries. I've never heard of that before. It's cool. It's a cool term.

Nicky Saunders: 2:04

Listen, may have to take it. So shout out to you and shout out to everybody who leaves us a review. That's very, very important to us. And we love it. And we're on the charts because of you guys. So please, please, please, please leave a review. Side note, shout out to all our new viewers, our new listeners shout out to our day ones, as well as everybody who is part of the All Access Squad, which is only on Apple podcast. Go check that out. But Moose, how are we feeling?

Mostafa Ghonim: 2:44

Man, feeling good. Feeling good. It's um, it's been a really exciting week. I'm finding that balance I think through this time over the summer, which is interesting, because August is usually a month that most people pull back. So I'm finding some good balance. And it's been really good. It's been really really good.

Nicky Saunders: 3:00

Why do people pull back on August?

Mostafa Ghonim: 3:03

Yeah, typically typically in in the business world, August is like that real last opportunity to kind of catch your break and kind of reset before picking back up when school starts. Typically, typically, yeah, yeah.

Nicky Saunders: 3:18

Okay. I didn't know that. I learn something new every day, just every day. I thought that was December. I though everybody lays back in December.

Mostafa Ghonim: 3:29

Well it's it's not really December. I think that December's it's a it's a it's a one off scenario. It's that that caught me by surprise. That was like, where are we at? We supposed to be pushing. I think that's a one off scenario.

Nicky Saunders: 3:49

For people who are lost, there are certain companies not many, maybe 1% of the companies that like take off in December so if that is you, um, companies, entrepreneurs, all that great stuff, salute to you because I I do believe in rest during the holidays, if you have the means to because if you could make a whole gwap of money in the beginning and can take off for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Kings Day, Easter...

Mostafa Ghonim: 4:26

Yeah, big fact shout out to you. But typically, that's like a big rush. And then people start slowing down a little bit again in Januaryish. But again, I think every business or every industry is gonna change but at least for myself, balance has been good. How are you feeling? We update us on the new salad addition, it seem like you got some stuff happening in there. We talked about that a little bit.

Nicky Saunders: 4:50

So for those who don't know, Nicky's chubby this year. And I'm gonna give air horns.

Mostafa Ghonim: 5:00

Desert season.

Nicky Saunders: 5:01

Right, right, right, right. Um, we we talked about how in Mexico I gained seven pounds, one for each day. And then, you know, just, it didn't stop from there. And then Costa Rica happened. So my whole year has been a cheat meal. So, yesterday, depending when you hear this on August 13, I did a little juice cleanse with a salad at the end. Still, day two of it, and I had a grain bowl. Shout out to SaladWorks because I'll plug it in, because I think I'm now highly addicted to you guys. So trying to be okay by 120. I will say that, trying to be okay.

Mostafa Ghonim: 5:55

Okay. Okay. Still got a month and a half.

Nicky Saunders: 5:58

Yeah, yeah.

Mostafa Ghonim: 5:59

Okay, that's not bad. That's not bad. Six weeks is good. It's a good little spot. Yeah.

Nicky Saunders: 6:04

Right. And then, um, I'm going back to Mexico. So I know for sure I'll be good for Mexico in October.

Mostafa Ghonim: 6:13

Nice.

Nicky Saunders: 6:14

I'll definitely be good for October. So listeners and viewers. You have all permission to check up on me. Be like, so how's your challenge? How's that? What we doing, right?

Mostafa Ghonim: 6:31

Right. How's that weight?

Nicky Saunders: 6:32

Yeah, just just make sure. No, well, don't ask the weight. You can't ask a female.

Mostafa Ghonim: 6:40

I thought he was down for that tough accountability.

Nicky Saunders: 6:43

Because I'm not putting out my weight. What are you talking about? I'm not doing that. I've said enough as far as that I keep increasing. But I...

Mostafa Ghonim: 6:53

Gotcha. Gotcha. So the most you'll let out is the seven by seven but not okay.

Nicky Saunders: 6:59

Yeah. Goodness. Anyways. Males, please, please do never, no matter what kind of female it is, never ask about their weight. Maybe their age if they feel like it, but don't do that either. But definitely not the weight. I'm just saying because if somebody comes into my DM's, yo, how's that weight? Yo, who are you? Like? How's yours chubby? What are you talking about? I'm not I'm not it. I will find something wrong, if anybody please. Do not ask me that. I will find something wrong with you. And I'll be like, how's yours? Like, how's the big head you have? Like, what are you talking about? Yeah, I'm not the one. I'm not the one but...

Mostafa Ghonim: 7:56

Welcome to Episode 46 everyone! Here we go. Its going to be a good ride. Don't ask Nicki about her weight. Now you know what's up, and just encourage her to keep going to what is it? Salad?

Nicky Saunders: 8:07

Salad Works. You never been to Salad Works?

Mostafa Ghonim: 8:10

I have not. I've never even heard of them.

Nicky Saunders: 8:11

It's like Subway for salads.

Mostafa Ghonim: 8:15

Oh, interesting. Okay.

Nicky Saunders: 8:16

It has everything.

Mostafa Ghonim: 8:21

But yeah, now, we have one out here, but I forget I forget the name of it.

Nicky Saunders: 8:27

Well, I'm gonna find it when I go over there. Because I already told Mommy, listen. This is why my trip is going to be short because I do not trust neither one of us. Okay, neither one of us as far as these meals.

Mostafa Ghonim: 8:46

Yeah, just leave a place for like leave a place for at least one bagel or something.

Nicky Saunders: 8:49

No, this is no, no.

Mostafa Ghonim: 8:52

Oh, we can't even announce the special announcement yet, cuz. Okay. Okay. All right. Let me stop. It was I'm ready for Episode 46.

Nicky Saunders: 9:01

Yeah,

Mostafa Ghonim: 9:01

I'm ready.

Nicky Saunders: 9:04

All right. So let's talk about this. So Complex, did a report which was really dope, right? About they surveyed Gen Z people. And they said, yo, who do you do we view as the most influential person in youth culture and why? And based off their survey, it was Travis Scott. So let me give you the order real quick. Little Nas X 3%. ASAP Rocky, 3%. Drake, Drake. 3% right, which really confused me, but this is Gen Z. Alright, Jaden Smith. 7% Gretta Thunberg, which I never heard before, and I am going to research after this podcast.

Mostafa Ghonim: 9:59

I know her Yeah. Yeah

Nicky Saunders: 10:00

7% Kim Kardashian 8% Kanye 15%, LeBron James 15% and Travis Scott 20%. So, the cool thing about this report because I don't want people to be like, Nicky y'all, did a whole, you know, episode on Travis like, What are you talking about? We're not gonna go over. We're not trust me. But I was very curious about how did they, they measure this, like, what gave them these percentages. And they went over and this is where I find everybody should write this down. Take a screenshot if you're watching this on YouTube, like this is literally what people feel that will make you influential. So association and collaborations, quality skills, I can't even talk today. Squeals what is squeals? I don't I don't get it anyways. Say that word for me.

Mostafa Ghonim: 11:15

Multi dimensionality

Nicky Saunders: 11:17

Yep, that one, okay, giving back authenticity and consistent output. Okay? That right there, if you can have all of these in one, people will find you influential. Now, you could probably have one or the other. And you have a bit of influence, but to truly have impact, I believe in culture based off Complex, not based off, like real life or anything, but based off Complex off their survey. These are the skills and the things that you need to pretty much say, yo, you're an influencer, and you have a good grasp on culture. So Moose, I don't know if you wanted to say anything about this, because I thought this was fire. I was like,

Mostafa Ghonim: 12:10

This is dope.

Nicky Saunders: 12:11

I'm gonna apply this for every brand we work with. And be like, Yeah, okay. Who have you collaborated with? What records have you broke? What accolades do you have? You know, where? What are the different activity act? Oh, I really can't talk today. This is crazy.

Mostafa Ghonim: 12:31

You're warming up. You're warming up.

Nicky Saunders: 12:33

Yeah. I know. Um, what activities are you in in the culture? Like the different areas? Right? Are you giving back to your community? Like, are you really engaging with the people? Or is your social media just there? Right? And how often do you put stuff out like that right there!

Mostafa Ghonim: 12:59

Yeah, yeah, that's a it's a whole blueprint right here. I mean, you talk about six, six simple areas that you can follow. But you can start doing right now, or start building up in, depending on what, regardless of what level you're at. So I love that. I mean, of course, I'm still a little bit surprised about just a percentage of influence or how it was calculated based on you know, those people there. Yeah, but that'll be a whole different conversation. But I love this right here. Super simple. Again, I think for anyone building a brand, whether you're pushing a product, a service, or even yourself online, this is a great thing to just follow, because simple process, right? That you can kind of level up in each category. Quick question for you, though. I'm curious, would you attack all of these at once? Or would you take these and kind of like, season by season look to like, Yo, this is going to be my, you know, associations and collab season? Or maybe there's...

Nicky Saunders: 13:49

Yeah that's a season situation. Like you want to put like, all thoughts into it. All power, all relationships with it. I don't think you could do all of them at once. I think that's weird. That's just me. Yeah.

Mostafa Ghonim: 14:08

And I'm with that. I'm with that, for sure.

Nicky Saunders: 14:10

But yeah, like I said, y'all write this down. Ya'll take this screenshot, because this this is fire. But on to the next right. Ah, I was torn about this. I was really torn about going over this because of the person right? However, I am big on regardless of what people say. And since facts are not out there, I have to go based off your talent, you are an entertainer. So what I'm talking about is Torey Lanez reportedly sells 1 million copies of $1 NFT album in 57 seconds according to the source, which came from his Instagram, right? He did a whole video about it. Um, but what people, what people don't know, is he put out an album, I believe August 10. On NFT only, right non fungible tokens. We've gone over it multiple times. For my new listeners. It's like digital ownership. Okay. So in Torey's situation, he has his album, he gave it up as an NFT. Meaning those people who bought those million people who bought it have now ownership. And no one else has that besides those millions of people, which still sounds like a lot, but it's not with billions of people in the world, right? So he sold it for $1. But other people could resell it for so much more. Because once it's gone, it's gone. He's not going to reproduce this NFT. So I found this really, really amazing, because he sold it for $1. And if I remember how this all works, he probably is going to get a percentage off the resale. So not only did he make a mill in 57 seconds, he is now going to continuously make money after re purchasing or reselling not repurchasing. Yeah, reselling, and resells over here, and there. People are gonna want it. He made a lot of noise into it. So I thought that was amazing. And the way NFT's are going lately, its pretty dope. I don't know if you've looked at the whole crypto punk situation. But they're selling for millions. Just for a weird avatar of like a monkey or something.

Mostafa Ghonim: 17:17

Insane. Yeah, it's a it's a very intelligent move, honestly, I mean, if you think about it, this roll out one of my favorite parts, and I actually watched the video, I think that you're referring to on his Instagram, where he was saying that there's great opportunity for the people who purchased it to also make money off of the resale. Yep. Right. Because if it's a you know, he sold for $1, let's say they at minimum are going to resell for 10, then he's given people an opportunity to make money back. So I kind of thought that was cool. Like, you know, you're, you're giving us like economic opportunity for your fan base. And it's like, okay, I've never really seen artists do that. So I think that's pretty unique in that sense. Of course, outside of the fact that you put your entire album, on that platform, in an up and coming technology that you never know where it's going, you know, where it can go. Obviously, it's had a great track record since its come out, or at least gained popularity over the last six months or so. But I think this is really just a key lesson for us, you know, in this entrepreneurship space, are young, when things like this are coming out, don't be afraid to try new things like we've been talking about innovation and technology and things of that nature a little bit more, just because the marketplace has really shifted since the pandemic. So I don't know, for me, I just think it's really cool that you know, an artist who's already very popular, you know, doesn't necessarily need to do something like that. But it shows that that's how you stay, you know, ahead of trends. So my man put that out there, I think I'll be excited to see what happens or what's the value of some of these albums, you know, six months a year from now, maybe even five years from now, with with just being an early adapter on that platform.

Nicky Saunders: 19:04

And what I've realized with the NFT situation is that it's more towards community than anything, right? And we've covered it before Floyd actually came out with another NFT. Right? And what I've noticed about the difference is that it's different characters of him. Right. So those who are paying attention to the NFT world if this is over your head, just listen real quick, right? So with the crypto punks and you may have seen some monkeys out here you may have seen just different colored backgrounds, the Gary Vee Vee Friends, these are all different characters and each character is worth a certain amount of money. So it brings a sense of status when you have These particular characters, because no one else has that character besides you, right, and maybe a few others. So what creators are doing, whether you're a personal brand, whether you're artists, whatever it is, right? They're creating different characters for people to say, Yo, I have this one in purple, I have this one with the hat, I have this one. And it can unlock different access or different content, and things like that. But it's really for, like, how we look at cars, like how we look at luxury cars, like, not everybody that's a 2 of 2 what or what, like, that's, that's limited. And so that's what they're trying to do to bring extra value to it. And I'm like, because we've discussed it and, I've always said I was gonna drop one for E but now I'm like, yo, how do we make different characters? Do we make the flight assessment? Right, the characters on those come to life? As far as you know, the pilot, flight attendant grounds crew, air traffic control, right? And have people get into those. So the NFT world is pretty dope. If you haven't really looked into it. I suggest you do, because this isn't going anywhere. And if you could think of this from a five year standpoint, not just a one off thing, but a five year standpoint. Yeah, I think I think you'd be good. But let's get into the clips, the clips. Moose found is really dope clip about contracts, which we may have to censor me about. And I'm interested to see what Moose is gonna say about this. But we got a really dope EYL, shout out to EYL clip with Ryan Leslie, talking about negotiations,

Ryan Leslie: 22:06

One of the most uncomfortable conversations to have and unless you have an advocate, or you have the wherewithal to have that conversation right there in the session, that uncomfortable conversation is, hey, what part of this record do I own? When do we get paid? How is it all going to be broken down? And where's the paperwork for it? It almost seems that antithetical to, to the creative process, right? Because the creative process, you want to be open, you want to be open to ideas, people want to be sharing back and forth. And the last element of of that process is to be sitting back and saying, Okay, what percentage of the song... its like a prenup messes up the love. But it's, I just believe you, you get what you negotiate. You may not even get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate.

Mostafa Ghonim: 23:01

Yeah, that's interesting, man, I've actually listened to that interview, at least twice. At least twice. I was actually a big Ryan Leslie fan, back, like, I don't know, 2011. And if you watch like, just the trajectory of his brand, some fun facts about my man. He's a Harvard grad. He can produce, he writes his own music, he obviously sings and raps, where he's like, very, very, very talented. And then option to walk away from the music game. For the most part, like he's still obviously involved in music, but not like heavily involved in music, to go into entrepreneurship, he's really in the tech world now. So like, as you learn about his moves, I was really just fascinated by what he did. Right? He was one of the first people to say, yo, social media is cool. But I want to have direct access to my fan base. So he was the very first person I think, in 2013, to go direct to consumer with given his phone number. So we've seen that trend really kind of popularized over the last, whatever, 18-24 months or so. So again, big fan of his music, didn't know a lot of these lessons about him are just some of the moves that he made. Until I don't know how I stumbled across this interview, and then kind of just watched it and started getting into it. So I'm listening to the interview. And right before he goes into this part, and then man, for those who are like, you should go check out that interview after you know, you listen to this episode too, like just a lot of great game in there. But he's setting up the conversation and he's just like, yo, information is readily available today. You just got to know what to search for. Right? So that was the first piece he said, he said, You've got to know what to search for. So then he goes on to this negotiation piece. And in my mind, I'm literally like, I'm literally brought up on this idea of yo you get what you work for. So then he takes it in the concept of You don't just get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. And I was like, yo, that's crazy. I have never thought of it that way. Because in my mind, I'm always thinking, yo, if you work hard, you're always gonna get done right by, which is not necessarily true. And the main thing behind it Nicks, I just think back of like how uncomfortable those conversations are, when you start talking money, how much am I getting paid? What's the split on these contracts? When does this expire? How can we renegotiate the terms, those are very uncomfortable conversations, especially if the partnership was brought about off of some form of mutual connection, right? Because at some point, when you start to go into business with somebody, even if you guys met as business people, you still want to have some common interest, right, some common ground. So it does feel uncomfortable, but I just really appreciate how he laid it out there like Yo, you don't get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate. So it shows you how much effort needs to go on a front end of a project. It's not just Yo, I can't believe so and so wants me to collaborate, this is great opportunity for me, or I can't believe that this is the thing that's in front of us, we can make a ton of money together. No, there's a lot more that needs to go into that dialogue. And, and not to be shady or foul, or let me get the upper hand on you. But let's do what's fair, let's do what's right. And again, the lesson I think for you know, for us and for all the listeners is like, Yo a lot of these conversations need to happen upfront, because you know, I always say, you cannot hold someone accountable to something you've never communicated. So yeah, I just really love that boy. Right? That was a that was awesome.

Nicky Saunders: 26:45

So I'm gonna try to be good with this, I'm gonna try. Talking money and contracts is not my favorite thing. Making money is one of my favorite things. Hey, talking about it. And like, what is because I go based off, you know, you should work with people that understand your worth. Right? I feel that way I understand. Kind of like the groundwork of you know, you got to do certain things to prove and, you know, and we'll get into that proof of concept. And, you know, you see what I can do? And we've experience of, you know, situations where it's not that all the way fair. And I'm more like, I don't want to negotiate. I want you to understand, what's the deal? Like, you can't, you can't tell me you saw this. And you thought this was cool. All right. Even for those who draft up these different contracts and, and agreements, like there should be a sense of like it, I get it, it's it's really about what's the best interest for yourself. And for the company. I fully get it. But yeah, like, come on. So I'm already fully aware that I'm not the one to go into negotiations, I probably have to get somebody to talk about it. Because I already am aware of if I have a relationship with you, oh, this is what we're gonna do. Right, right. And nine out of 10 times, I know its not right. My way of combating that is making a situation that I know is right. And so for the few I'm not going to say for every because then it'll sound like I'm in mad bad contracts. That's not situation right? Before every not in the best interest situation that I'm in, right. I have something in place that makes it fair, and that maybe the other people that are in similar situations or can be put in those situations can come to Death Row and feel treated fair, right. And I'm fully in that whole not in the negative violence way that death row does. But the fact that there's different options for you to see, hey, this is one side, right? And if you're smart, you know how to use that side. But then here's a different side that you can see that there's somewhat of fairness. Now, here's a really big grown conversation. In the beginning stages, that's all good. And that's to the point of things. But then when you get real deep in big money status, it's like, will I become one of that? Like, really, like, I don't think people are like, reading all these different contracts and like, okay, I deliberately want to give not everybody, okay, some are just like, formality. This is what we give everybody in protection of the company, blah, blah, blah, will, will we be one of those as well, when it comes to maybe smaller projects and things like that, like, I'm, I'm now like, hmm.

Mostafa Ghonim: 31:05

No. You know why? There's just too many competitive opportunities in the marketplace, or in today's economy. Taking advantage of other people isn't one of them. Like, it just it doesn't have to be that way. Because at least the way I'm seeing now, yo business is truly abundant. Like there is so much opportunity out there. If you could just, if you could just sit still, for a moment, think and stop being so desperate, you would unlock a ridiculous amount. And I'm not saying you as in you. I'm just talking to the to the general concept. There are so many opportunities that are out there that it can be unlocked. At some point, I think we as a society need to get away from selling, need to stop being so salesy. Like I think the consumer base, just the overall consumer market has gotten so much wiser about the tactics that are used against them to spend their money, that selling I think is at some point, it's gonna be outdated, like you can you can, I think, sales. Yeah, that concept of like hard salesmanship, at some point is gonna, it's gonna run out of business. But educating the consumer working together on something, doing reasonable things, like the fair way working off of the equitable value, like value system, that's what I think is going to be the long term play. But right now, stuff like that, I just don't see it clicking, and then how, and also, if you're thinking under your feet, like, if you're thinking about this deal, then sure, you're gonna want to get the leg up. But if you start looking at some of these relationships, really as a long term opportunity, and it's like, okay, maybe Nicky got the best from me on this deal. But on the next one, we can create more of that win-win. Right. Like, if you think about it that way, I don't know me personally, I just can't see taking advantage of people as a competitive opportunity or a competitive advantage. I'm just do it don't make sense. Don't make sense.

Nicky Saunders: 33:11

Okay. So here's my devil's advocate, even though I don't want to do it. Random, right? When we get to those situations, where we would have to give out the agreements and contracts, how will we know a person's worth unless they do negotiate?

Mostafa Ghonim: 33:37

Are you saying, like, we're giving out a contract to somebody? How do we know their worth, the less they negotiate to us that they want more kind of thing?

Nicky Saunders: 33:46

So how do we know that what we're doing is fair to them? Because maybe the people who are giving out these contracts, based off what they've built, and what they've done, feel as if, Yo, what I'm giving you is fair, based off who you are, and I'm not giving this opportunity to everybody, right? And but the other person on the other side is like, Ah, what are you talking about this a real and, um, unless you are that type that speaks up or has proper, you know, that proper person there, right, because I should say the big word that I wanted to for some reason, so I wasn't even gonna bother, right? But then you almost are like, Okay, I'm gonna take it, right and then feel a certain kind of way. Because you didn't negotiate. Right? So for you who will be giving those things out? How do you know a person's value unless they do negotiate?

Mostafa Ghonim: 34:56

Yeah, well, to be honest with you, I think for me, the way I would measure value as I'm looking at a lot of the intangibles, right? There, there are certain things like characteristics and traits that I think you can't put a price tag on, right? You can't put a price tag on someone's dedication to the partnership or to the business that you're that you're working on. You can't put a partnership put a price tag on someone's loyalty, right? Like someone, someone being trustworthy and honest. They're not stealing from you. They're not, you know, doing things that are misleading. So I look at some of those just like common character principles. And I'm like, if someone has those, I'm gonna do right by them, because it's more important to, number one, have them continue to walk the world with those types of principles, right? Like, I wouldn't want to do bad to somebody. And then like, you know, like, I always laugh at this concept, because I think at some point, I kind of started thinking this way, like, yo, if good guys finished last, then I'm not going to be a good guy anymore. And it's like, whoa, hold on, hold on, don't Don't, don't go down that path. We still need you as a good guy in this world. Right? So I mean, but but now I'm just being silly. But really, it's like, yo, there are some intangibles. When you think about if you're given out a contract, how do you know you're being fair? All I gotta say is measure the intangibles, there are some things you can't put a price tag on. And if you take those things into consideration, you'll realize oh, okay, they don't have to negotiate, I should probably be able to do a little bit better on my side. And again, different people are gonna disagree with this, because there are some people who are some like serious Shark Tank, kind of, you know, swag with the way they negotiate contracts. That's your, that's your game, do your thing. But again, I think for the way the world is moving. If you're going to be successful again, a decade from now, you got to change the way you do business, and taking advantage of people is definitely not it.

Nicky Saunders: 36:47

I agree. You know, try and play both ends, right. So for the person who is getting into this business world without the true vibes of negotiation, or person that represents you on that. Be careful. Okay. Please be careful. And for those who are giving out these agreements and contracts, hopefully, you can be fair.

Mostafa Ghonim: 37:19

Yeah measure the intangibles, measure the intangibles, if you've giving out contracts.

Nicky Saunders: 37:23

It's just one of those things. But, um, to this next clip, I found, first off, I'm a big, Big Pun fan. All right. huge, big Fun, Fun. Fun. I said, fun. Great. Big Pun. Fan today is not my day. I think it's because it's juices. So, um, I found a clip of Fat Joe, speaking about Pun, but taking a backseat and I wanted to have the conversation of when do you do that if you do.

Fat Joe: 38:01

My whole career to put the energy behind Pun and use every relationship I ever made in the music business, to make sure that Pun blew up because I knew the world needed to hear Pun. And so you know, we got like Wycliffe Jean had just sold 30 million records. I pulled that favor from Joe the singer just went number one Drake numbers at the time, like he just did 500,000 albums...every favor I could pull, I pulled it for Pun.

Nicky Saunders: 38:38

So, here's my thing. Like Joe had two albums already out. And he was introduced to Big Pun, think when he was like 19 right? When Pun was 19. I think Fat Joe was like around 21. Right. And Joe was already somewhat of a success. And he stopped everything to give to Big Pun because he felt like he was the one. We've heard this story before with CJ and E.T. Right where C was already talking. And he took a backseat. So I want to have the dialogue of what what would make you want to take a backseat if you've already have a proven track record like what what would be that thing like clearly, Joe saw, like something way bigger than him. Right? He even said it later on like Yo, he's the one that opened the doors for us. Right. Big Pun was like, was the biggest Latin artists At that time, right rap Latin artists. And so I'm like, yo, you that could have went really bad. And I remember the times where when Pun died, people question Is he going to stay relevant? Right? You are nothing without Pun. Like, what? What are you doing? Right? And till this day, we're still talking about Fat Joe. Fat Joe is still very relevant in the culture. Still coming out with random hits that I still don't understand about, but they're great. Right? Um, he made his his dent in social media with his IG lives, right? It even got a deal. Right? So I'm just like, yo, that's a lot, to, to give up and just stop your whole career. And leave it to, you know, he said, he was like, Yo, I want to be the Puff Daddy to Pun. Right? How Puff was to Big, I want to be Puff to Pun and he actually emulated a lot of like, what his crew did and how he acted based off Bad Boy. Right? Um, which I have another point to bring up like, Is that why? When you emulate somebody, is that also why maybe you're not past them? But that's another? That's another situation. But I wanted your take on? Huh? Like, what would make you want to do that?

Mostafa Ghonim: 41:47

Yeah, so that's a, that's a very interesting concept. Like I could understand people who are serving others, because you look up to them, alright, to be past them. And to go back that that is different, right like that, you got to give a lot of respect to him for doing it. Now, the only way I can make sense of it in my mind as to like, when is the right time to do something like that. And when I personally do something like that, it's when it's a part of your values, to duplicate or push ahead certain people of your community, your culture, like, it has to be something deep in the core, that would make you put your own career on hold to go back and bring somebody else forward. Because I've jokingly but pretty seriously probably made a comment a lot saying that I know by nature, humans are selfish, meaning that they are quick to think of themselves first, right and protect their own personal interest, before lending a hand up to somebody else, to win this case that Fat Joe would put his own career on hold to go back and help out Pun that only the only way I can make sense of it is he's really someone who's big or has a core value on Yo, let me make sure that I'm bringing people at the community back to the front. Yeah, no. And that's got to be such a big value of yours, like so much so that you're willing to put yourself on hold to make that, you know, still happen. So, other than that, though Nicks, I can't, I can't logically think of something to say, Yo, this would make me do that. I mean, because like I again, I'm not saying don't help nobody, by all means of course we're saying help people like we see people. I always I think of Kevin Hart, who, you know, again, he's kind of taking a lot of care of the people in his team, although they're still working together. That's a good sign. But to put here, like Kevin Hart didn't put his career on hold for that. Obviously, he kept building and helped them establish. So yeah, that's that's what that's that's, that's unique. I don't know. But what's your what's your take on that? That's interesting,

Nicky Saunders: 43:59

But if we think about Kevin Hart all his friends told jokes, and I think they may have taken a backseat a little bit. They for him. Yeah, for him. Yeah, right.

Mostafa Ghonim: 44:12

But I'm saying imagine imagine the story was the other way around. Yo, Kevin Hart puts his career on hold to make his friends blow up.

Nicky Saunders: 44:20

But I honestly think that Fat Joe saw that he was way better than that like Pun was better than Fat Joe. Easy.

Mostafa Ghonim: 44:32

You see like he's he felt he was better than him. I mean that but again, I that only makes me good want to give Fat Joe even more props like for you to have that much humility. That much just awareness to be like, Yo, I you know what, respectfully, I really see this person as being better than me. Because like, the male ego was awesome, like, Oh, you think you're better than me? I'm gonna compete like that's, that's the natural wiring of a man. Yeah. So and anyone, I'm not just going to make it just specific to men, I think it's a natural thing. It's like, yo, if that's the next person up, I already got two albums, he got none. I'm gonna compete. So I think that's just me, that makes me want to give him even more maturity. But I still can't think of something that will make me do the same. That's a very interesting question. I don't know. I don't know if you've got anything but, man, that's, that's dope. That's mad, mad respect to him for that.

Nicky Saunders: 45:27

So I think for, for me. First off, it would have to be something that is so unique, that it's, it's undeniable that this will go far. Period, right. And if I already have some of the footwork done, and I know with my leverage my relationships and tutelage and everything like that, that you could probably go way further, which will still bring money back in, like he he Fat Joe is big on like everybody eats, right? Like he was very big in that particular that particular interview and I hope you guys go, go watch that which is the all Oh, [All the Smoke] one? What's that one?

Mostafa Ghonim: 46:24

Man I forget, I know they're on Showtime, but it's the Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson podcast.

Nicky Saunders: 46:29

Go check that out. No disrespect, we I just totally forgot what it was called. But I think it's all called [All the Smoke]. But, um, but go check out that that interview real quick. But he was big, like, yo, my friends. Now the people that I came up with in the music, they're all millionaires, right? And we've we continuously hear that, that kind of cadence as far as like, yo, the people that I came up with my team, like, they're all millionaires. And if they're not, I'm not successful. Right. So Fat Joe may have already even back then thinking a very boss standpoint of, you know, what, let's make him big. Let's make him huge in the culture, which then brings back opportunities for us when when Pun was, you know, was alive, and that is prime, you know, he had a, he put Terror Squad on his back, he had his, he made a group of it and everything. And each album that came out, you know, clearly because of his, his, uh, his death, he only had two albums. But he had that. And then he had the Terror Squad album, he was on features, and Fat Joe, and not to make it about money, but got paid off of all of that. Right, in which I believe that's why there was even some beef between him and the family. But not to get into that. It's really about big picture. At that point. It's really about, let me put my pride and my ego aside kind of vibe, and understand that there's a bigger goal. And if the bigger goal is to be millionaires and billionaires at one point, let's put the person who is undeniable with talent, undeniable with the skills, put him up front, I could come in the back end. Right. I all we need is the doors open? All we need is that is you know, as we always say, the seat at the table. Right? We need to be in the elite field. And then I'll come back. And as we see Fat Joe has come back. Lean Back came out after Pun. What's another one what's the All the Way Up after Pun? After his his tax situation after he went to jail. Right. So I think it just takes a real big like, what is the end goal? What is really the the point of all of this? And if you are the better one? I'm going to make you point. I'm still I'm still getting a I'm still getting rebounds for you. Don't get it twisted. I'm still very needed in this. But I'm making you point. And you're going to get us to the ship.

Mostafa Ghonim: 49:39

That's genius. I like that. I like that not super respect. I mean, at the end of the day, not everyone has that type of discipline. But and I'm not I'm not like a naive. I'm not a I'm not a pessimistic person. But I do recognize that there can only be number one number one, right, right. Like I recognize that too like okay. So like, in reality, you can build on your own, or you can join a winning team kind of thing. So like, I can see that, but I like how you put it though, because it's true. Like there are certain situations where you got to be able to step aside. And both humbly and strategically say, you know what, this is the right move, right? If, if not for today, but definitely for tomorrow, I can see how I can create some benefit and also do a good thing for the culture and for the community. So yeah, smart, definitely a good way that you put that

Nicky Saunders: 50:38

I try once in a while.

Mostafa Ghonim: 50:39

That was good.

Nicky Saunders: 50:40

But, uh, this next clips next two, um, I am a huge, huge fan of this individual, right? And how he is on social media is super unique, right? And if you don't know who I'm talking about, I'm talking about Wallo. If you don't follow him, you will after this, right? So I was sitting down like he has to have a formula there has to be a reason. My man was in prison for 20 years, 20 years, and came on social media blazing like I felt like all 20 years even though probably the internet and social media wasn't even that popular when he first came He's like, Yo, I'm just studying how this is really happening. So um, recently he went on Inky's podcast. Shout out to Inky. Serendipity with Inky Johnson which is also on the Resonance Network. I don't know if I said that right. But the podcast network. I always say that wrong. Listen, new listeners. I say that word wrong all the time. Ok. So um, he did an interview with Ink and pretty much broke down the whole social media formula.

Wallo: 52:06

People love the human connection of regular stuff. So now I'm like damn, okay, the regular people winning. So as I'm studying social media at the time, I'm like, me personally, I got a message. Because even when I was in prison, I used to walk around talk, I used to talk speak to groups in prison and all that type of stuff. I say damn, I got to compete with the stripper, rapper, the dope boy, the athlete on social media. Now I'm doing doing the research the average attention span seven seconds and all this stuff. I said, alright, I got something for them. So I had to battle for attention on the timeline. When I come down this timeline. I got it. I'm gonna be jumping off a roof and I'm going to be running across the highway. Because the person will say Yo, this is crazy. So you stop. But when you stop, I jump off the roof and then I give you some information about working before the celebration. Now you like Oh, he got, that was good.

Nicky Saunders: 53:15

So this is, that was so good.

Mostafa Ghonim: 53:20

That's what's up. Yeah.

Nicky Saunders: 53:22

To really observe that is amazing, right? So if you didn't catch it, if you didn't catch it, Wallo was doing a lot of research before jumping in the scene. That's one of the first things you should do before you, which may be too late for some, right. But before you start your brand on social media before you get on any new social media platform, do your research. Right. He researched what was happening, he realized that people still want that human connection still want to know that you're a person. And we really rock with real people, real authentic people, right? So and then he was aware of how engagement and views go. He was like, yo the attention span ain't there. Shoot, I got to figure out something in the very, very front, what a lot of people tend to do is that they say a whole story. And then they'll get the point at the end. I think everybody has seen I'm exaggerating. But when I was five, you know I've always desired to be a speaker. And then you know at 17 and my dreams went away because my mommy told me I couldn't do it. But now I'm a speaker and I'm making thousands of dollars. Yo tell me that part in the front, you would have caught my attention at what the point of this is instead of leaving it at the end. And so he realized that and he was like, Yo let me do something crazy to get Get your attention. And now when pouring into you and you got, you're already hooked, you're like, Okay, this is pretty dope. And if you've seen Wallo's videos, my man comes from like garbage cans off the roofs, from the car, everything like that. And he'll come with crazy energy and a really dope message, you're just so captivated. Because you're like, Where is this man coming from? What? Why are you all the way two miles? And then the cameras? Why isn't it closer? Right? So just even that particular strategy of how are you going to get people's attention in the first five, seven seconds is very important to understand that yo my engagements going to go up, my views are going to go up because I'm giving them the point and the value or some type of entertainment to really keep you there. And then I'll give you the point of this, and you kind of love me afterwards. You like, oh, yo, he or she did this as though you know what? Bump it. I'm a follow bump. I'm a comment. That was pretty dope. So I truly, truly love how Wallo broke that down and how Wallo was just so observant of it in such like, before he was on social media before he was really doing this.

Mostafa Ghonim: 56:22

Yeah, yeah, I will say my favorite ones of him I definitely where he's out in the rain. You know and it's just pouring rain...

Nicky Saunders: 56:28

No excuses, content still needs to come out.

Mostafa Ghonim: 56:30

Yeah, he's still making a work. Those are definitely my favorite clips of him. But no, I will say what I what I appreciate about what he said, though, is that he didn't shy away from what he saw to be his opportunity, because nobody was doing it at the time. Like, outside of him. I don't know that anybody else is doing that type of entrance right? Now. I think it's unique. Because a lot of us, you know, when you tell somebody like, hey, make sure before you enter the space that you do your research, a lot of people are doing that. And they're probably catching a glimpse of something, which could be their opportunity to enter. But they don't do it because they're like, oh, but nobody else is doing it. My friend. That's the point. Like have had everyone else been doing it enter like Wallo, what his entrance wouldn't be so unique. So we give a lot of props and credit to him today. And obviously it shows in the amount of influence and growth that he's had. And in a very short time period, because he saw something as an opportunity, and he actually acted on it. So again, just wanted to add that like, yo, if you see something and you're hesitant because you're not seeing anyone else doing it. That's the point. That's the point. So like, Don't let the the rarity of what you're thinking about scare you away from it. Like you should try it because of that reason.

Nicky Saunders: 57:48

I'm just saying pay attention, pay attention to the influencers, on social media, they will break it down to the tee of why they came up with this concept. I love Wallo. Look, let me let me shoot my shot real quick. Hold on, hold on. Wallo, you know Nick. Hi, Nick. Right, maybe pass this on to him or whatever. We have Episode 50 coming up, and would love to have you on Nicky and Moose to break down this social media formula you just said on Inky's podcast, but we probably want a little bit more detail. And how you've became your own media company just through your phone, I just want to say that I'm shooting my shot, Episode 50. Everybody go tag Wallo, right now send it to a person who may know Wallo, however you want to do this @wallo267 just, you know, this might work. But we're not done. We got one more. Um, and this is for people who may have an idea of product or service and then want other people to believe that it works. But how?

Wallo: 59:07

What I did was I went to these businesses. And I just did it for free to get my proof of concept. I had to get, Listen, I had to show you I had to have some proof. So I could take the proof of concept and be able to say when you go on my page and to be able to say, Oh my god, or just be able to say, be like, Oh my god, I seen that, uh, that that commercial you did at the Rib Shack. I want one of them how much?

Nicky Saunders: 59:32

I got that clip just because we have to prove that it works. Right. And sometimes we have to sacrifice and do it for free. To get that proof. C is always big on the whole, you know, masters have proof. Right? It's so much easier to sell an idea. Right? Which I'm always big on saying Ideas are just like you selling clouds, there's nothing really concrete, there is no but with proof, it starts to become a little bit more concrete, you're like, Okay, this is going to work, I know what I will pay you. So you could talk about us on our, on your social media, on your podcast, because I seen, when you do do that, what it does, how much engagement it gets, how, what the reach is, you know, how many people are converting from that, right. And that's just, once again, the power of influence, we may have to call this thing, power influence you may or may have. But that's the whole point about he understood, Yo, I'm going to grab your attention, based off the first clip, I'm gonna grab your attention. And then with that attention, I'm going to show you and talk to you about all the stuff that I got going on, right, I'm going to talk about these local companies, I'm going to talk about this car dealership, I'm going to talk about this restaurant. And because I'm already got you locked in, and because I've poured into you with the other messages, my influence is going to now kick in. And you're going to want what I say. And people find value in that. That's why you hear all about these different brand deals and collaborations. Because the power of influence is truly real. Right, I mean, people are going to want the "Just Execute" shirt,

https: 1:01:36

//grindgearstore.com. People are gonna want the shirt. Alright, because they see, see me wearing people are going to question what's Extreme Execution, because you're wearing the shirt. Right?

Mostafa Ghonim: 1:01:52

Talk about it.

Nicky Saunders: 1:01:53

Um, etinspires.com/certify. But understanding that when we have an idea, when we have maybe even a product or service, there is going to be a part where we're going to have to give that for free, there's going to be a part where we and don't take it as you're giving out free stuff, you're serving the people, and in the means of serving the people, you're collecting data, right with that data, then you can convert it into actual money. Because data is so important for these companies in these brands.

Mostafa Ghonim: 1:02:33

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I do believe that, if you think about it, nobody's gonna pay you to be a part of your experiment, like no one wants to pay you and feel like, they're, they're a part of your test product, you know, like, like you're experimenting on them. So if you really are in that phase, because hey, there is a phase where even the Apple iPhone was in the research and development stage, right. But But Apple wasn't trying to sell the phone to people at that time. Right, like I was listening to, we talked about that interview with Ryan Leslie, he was talking about, like, you know, they had this concept from the very beginning. But they had, it had to roll it out slowly, so that the consumer can adapt to right just like actually getting used to that much information or that much usability into the phone. So my point is, even with some of the biggest products, there is a point where they are testing it out. But they're not trying to get their consumer, the customer to pay for it. So if that's where you're at, that's cool. But don't expect people to pay to be a part of your experiments. So yeah, I think it's brilliant. And again, like when you when you think about how somebody people have accomplished your success, it really is like, simple fundamental concepts. You know, like this is really cool is like, man, you'll be surprised at how how much when simple things are practiced and executed on a daily basis. Like you'll be surprised how that can really flip into a big thing. So I think that's what you're seeing here you know with Wallo and yeah, man, hopefully we see you here on episode 50. Man, we're coming up right around the corner. So come come and hang out with us virtually, you know?

Nicky Saunders: 1:04:12

But even the proof of concept goes with free trials too. So don't feel absolutely don't feel like you have to give that all away for free for so long. You can create a deadline and be like, Hey, I'm gonna do this for a certain amount, free trial. And then I'll charge your card.

Mostafa Ghonim: 1:04:34

Seven days, whatever it is absolutely. Right.

Nicky Saunders: 1:04:37

So with a slight plug of All Access Squad is free for three days. All right. All Apple podcast listeners, go join, go try that out. All Access Squad, you get access to the after show, which is pretty much all the thoughts, the real thoughts and a little bit tangible strategies right? Right. From me and Moose. So go try that out. This was good. Yeah. I like this one.

Mostafa Ghonim: 1:05:09

I'm looking at the time, I'm like yo, we're in over an hour like...

Nicky Saunders: 1:05:13

I was like, I honestly thought that we may have struggled today. Like I said we'll talk about this in the after show how these episodes always get formulated is the most hilarious things. But we're here. Shout out to everybody on YouTube shout out to everybody on the podcast, audio world. We appreciate you. We love you. Every Tuesday 8pm Eastern 7pm Central. Three hours back, five. There you go five, West Coast time. YouTube Live. Go check us out is always a vibe. This is where... How would you define that? How would you define the Tuesday joints?

Mostafa Ghonim: 1:05:57

Yeah, so we really talk we focus on the person in the personal brand, right? Like we noticed that there is a, you are the most important part of your personal brand. So we try and focus on that part of it on Tuesdays, right? Where it's really more of like a professional development kind of day where we tackle the things that could stop you from getting to whatever your success will look like. So that's what as we create the content for Tuesdays. That's what we have in mind going into it.

Nicky Saunders: 1:06:29

So check tha out please. You already know

Mostafa Ghonim: 1:06:36

Yeah, I read something this week man is said that the most important conversation you have is the conversation you have with yourself. I'm saying as you go on into this week, yo be kin to yourself, alright, ext nd yourself some grace, rea ly give yourself an opp rtunity to like not be so har to yourself because at the end of the day, that's the most imp rtant conversation to have. So ave a good conversation with you self.