We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eliot Popkin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eliot below.
Eliot, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
In my lifetime I have walked through a lot of challenging moments, scary things – that I would not wish onto others. Just being here, safe and sound, in my life today… it is such a gift and that is the energy I try to promote. There were many moments dealing with abuse as a child, financial insecurity, lack of trust, public assistance, car repossessions, losing homes, living in unsafe situations; and I made it through those. Your past does not have to dictate your future. That is my message to others.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I have been a business coach for the last 22 years. My clients have earned over $150 Million to date as a collective. I love helping people grow! Often business owners find me when they are struggling. I have a passion for fixing each item that we can and helping them learn how to sustain success in the future.
As well, I recently gave myself a challenge (inspired by Undercover Billionaire) to build a brand new business to a $1 Million valuation in 90 days. Happy to report we recently finished the 90 days and I received a business valuation of $4.05 Million. I built a company that focuses on ERC – which is an amazing tax credit available to help businesses that struggled during the pandemic. It is very rewarding work and we are able to help businesses in all 50 States.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Perseverance – my willingness to just not give up. Looking back, I have no idea how I made it through some of those moments. My spiritual beliefs were really helpful during those times. Sometimes, all you have to do is ‘not quit’…. there were days when I did not feel a lot of energy or momentum, yet those were the times that were key to my journey. Eventually, I was able to pick myself back up again.
Determination – as an entrepreneur, the ability to ‘pause and pivot’ is so key. You will hear a lot of No’s and your ability to not take in personally, to change and update your process and approach… that is how businesses can break through. I have heard a whole lot of No’s in my life. Happy to say, I am still here.
Focus – I mention this often in the businesses that I coach. Often, businesses try to be everything to everyone. I tell people that you can be successful and earn $6 Million per year just by selling brownies. Hopefully you make the best brownies in the world, but focus is so key. Be the best YOU that you can be, and let that be your focus.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My Mother
My mother displayed a lot of courage to me. She was battling cancer in the 1970s and 80s when very little was known about that disease. She eventually lost her battle but my memories of her was that she was kind to each person she met. She had a heart filled with love and appreciation for others. I do carry that with me today.
One of my favorite movie quotes is that “courage sometimes skips a generation” – I hope that my journey can inspire others in the same way that my mother’s journey inspired me. She may be gone from this world but I do hope I have inherited just a bit of her spirit and spunk… and I hope that she is proud of me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eliotpopkin.com
- Instagram: eliotpopkin
- Facebook: eliotpopkin
- Linkedin: eliotpopkin
- Twitter: eliotpopkin
- Youtube: eliotpopkin
- SoundCloud: eliotpopkin
Image Credits
Elijah Jamal photographer
