How a stand-up comedian used comedy to build two million dollar mortgage-broking businesses (and had a breakdown in between) | #429

“Stand-up comedy gave me an understanding of audience responsiveness. How to work with direct feedback and deliver a great experience. You could quickly ascertain what worked and what didn’t work. This was great in business because you need to be adaptive and responsive to both the client and the market. Also, it gave myself an understanding of the power of face to face contact and rapport.” - Marty Vids   There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview.    Marty also tackles the following questions: How can comedy influence how you grow a business? What do you do when no-one believes in you? What’s the secret to getting an audience onside? Why should we look to big business for ideas? How can I use humour to get through business challenges? And so much more ...   A little more about today’s guest, Marty Vids: Marty Vids cut his business teeth working in the family Milk Bar from the age of seven. At 16 his career teacher advised him he’d probably be a butcher, Marty started a stand-up comedy career which saw him make audiences laugh on some big stages in Melbourne and Sydney. When it was time to get serious, he took a job at Westpac bank until he realised that he wasn’t cut out for working for the man, and needed to get back to his small business roots. That lead to starting a successful mortgage broking business which he sold for what he calls “the cheque of a lifetime” … a cheque that enabled him and his wife to move to sunny Noosa, where he very quickly lost his identity and had a breakdown. In order to recover, they moved back to Melbourne where he got better then started a second mortgage broking business. After numerous awards, he got out of that, moved back to Noosa and now couldn’t be happier.   Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Marty Vids: Look for ways to add humour in to your business … with your staff, your clients, your suppliers, yourself. Learn more about this by listening to episode 208 with Troy & Zara. “Play to the light.” I love the idea that there will always be a group of people that love what you have to offer (those in the light as Marty puts it) … and there will be those that don't love what you have to offer. Tailor your marketing to those that love you. “Don’t ask how you can make more money. Ask how you can be better.”   But the marketing gold doesn’t stop there, in this episode: This week’s Monster Prize Draw winner is: Daniel Munday from DPM Performance   Resources mentioned: Interview with Shark Tank’s Andrew Banks Interview with Troy & Zara from Humour Australia   Please support American Express & DesignCrowd who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Let your business expenses reward you. Every year. And join me at the Idea Exchange in Melbourne (October 17, 2018) and Sydney (November 22, 2018).   DesignCrowd DesignCrowd is the world’s #1 custom design marketplace where, with access to 550,000 designers, you’ll get the perfect design every time. Get $100 off at DesignCrowd.com/Timbo   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing.   For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.