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The battle for your brand's credibility is fought in the digital realm, where reputation can make or break your business overnight. Scott Bradley and DJ Sprague, the self-proclaimed "Reputation Kings" from Utah, dive deep into the often misunderstood world of online reviews, ratings, and reputation management that impacts every business with an internet presence.

These seasoned experts reveal the critical difference between open review platforms (where anyone can post) versus verified platforms that only allow genuine customers to share feedback. This distinction becomes increasingly vital as AI technology advances, potentially flooding the internet with convincingly fake reviews. Their solution? A strategic approach that distributes authentic customer feedback across multiple platforms, creating a consistent positive presence throughout the web.

The conversation takes a surprising turn when they explain how negative reviews, when handled properly, can become your most valuable asset. Scott shares that he personally responds to every one or two-star review as CEO—a practice that signals to potential customers that your business genuinely cares about the customer experience. "One review that you've replied to that's one star with empathy is worth 100 five-star reviews all day long," Scott explains, challenging conventional wisdom about online feedback.

For small businesses without the instant recognition of major brands, reputation management isn't just important—it's everything. Without decades of built brand equity, your online reputation effectively serves as your social proof, the digital equivalent of word-of-mouth recommendations. The Reputation Kings provide a roadmap for businesses of any size to take control of their digital narrative through intentional, systematic processes that reflect their true customer satisfaction.

Ready to transform how customers perceive your brand online? Visit reputationking.com for a free digital and audio copy of their book, and discover how to become the undisputed reputation king in your space.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Follow The Brand! We hope you enjoyed learning about the latest marketing trends and strategies in Personal Branding, Business and Career Development, Financial Empowerment, Technology Innovation, and Executive Presence. To keep up with the latest insights and updates from us, be sure to follow us at 5starbdm.com. See you next time on Follow The Brand!

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What if getting hit by a car could be the best thing that ever happened to you? For Jason Yarusi, this seemingly catastrophic moment became the catalyst that transformed his life from angry, unfulfilled NYC bartender to multimillion-dollar real estate investor and mentor.

In this riveting conversation with Grant McGaugh, Jason reveals how rock bottom became his foundation for extraordinary success. Born and raised in New Jersey, Jason found himself working dead-end jobs in Manhattan, blaming everyone but himself for his circumstances. Then came the night that changed everything – flying through the air after being struck by a vehicle, his first thought in the hospital was getting back to the job he hated to make rent. This jarring realization forced him to confront a powerful question: would he continue accepting chaos and complaining, or finally take control of his destiny?

Jason walks us through his remarkable journey from small, intentional changes to massive transformation. From owning bars and restaurants to helping scale his family's construction business after Hurricane Sandy, he continually bumped against the same limitation – being "the cog in the wheel" that prevented true freedom. Everything changed when he discovered apartment building investing as a solution to the time-freedom problem, building teams and systems that could operate without his constant presence.

The conversation delves deep into the mindset shifts that powered Jason's success: understanding the difference between working IN versus ON your business, learning to let go of perfectionism, surrounding yourself with capable team members, and viewing problems as opportunities rather than obstacles. Now with over 30 real estate transactions totaling more than $300 million, Jason shares how his Live 100 program helps others transform their lives through accountability, self-awareness, and strategic action.

Whether you're struggling to break free from limiting circumstances or looking to scale your existing business beyond dependence on your personal time, this episode offers actionable insights on building sustainable success. Connect with Jason through the Live 100 podcast or visit jasonyarusi.com to learn how you can apply these principles to your own journey.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Follow The Brand! We hope you enjoyed learning about the latest marketing trends and strategies in Personal Branding, Business and Career Development, Financial Empowerment, Technology Innovation, and Executive Presence. To keep up with the latest insights and updates from us, be sure to follow us at 5starbdm.com. See you next time on Follow The Brand!

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The journey from frontline nurse to respected healthcare leader rarely follows a straight path. Nicole Dieudonne's story—spanning 37 years in nursing with 30+ years in leadership positions—proves that sometimes the most powerful leadership emerges from unexpected beginnings.

As a Bahamian American of Haitian and Cuban descent who became a teenage mother, Nicole's multicultural perspective infuses her approach to healthcare leadership. What began as simply "choosing something" blossomed into a passionate career where she discovered her gift for compassionate leadership. Her framework, aptly named "The Compassionate Leadership Circle," centers on creating psychological safety, practicing empathy, and—perhaps most revolutionary—prioritizing leader wellbeing.

Nicole identifies the healthcare industry's critical blind spot: while organizations invest heavily in patient experience metrics, they often neglect investing in their leaders' development and resilience. This oversight creates a troubling disconnect, as these same leaders manage multimillion-dollar budgets, oversee thousands of staff members, and directly impact patient care quality through their leadership decisions. Her insight that "when we take care of ourselves better as leaders, we're more compassionate with employees, which translates to better patient care" reveals the powerful ripple effect of leadership wellbeing.

Now pivoting toward consulting after decades in operational leadership, Nicole offers transformative advice for healthcare leaders feeling stuck: "Push the pause button. Ask yourself: Why am I stuck? What do I need to learn? How do I show up differently?" This reflective practice ensures that when you return, "the better version of you shows up"—a simple yet profound reframing that empowers leaders to reconsider their purpose and impact.

Nicole's definition of legacy transcends titles or achievements, focusing instead on showing up with intention, honesty, and trust. Her commitment to practicing unconditional love in the workplace—separating people from their actions when addressing challenges—creates the psychological safety necessary for innovation and growth in today's complex healthcare environment.

Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn to follow her journey in nursing leadership and learn how nurturing difference and exuding change can transform healthcare from the inside out.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Follow The Brand! We hope you enjoyed learning about the latest marketing trends and strategies in Personal Branding, Business and Career Development, Financial Empowerment, Technology Innovation, and Executive Presence. To keep up with the latest insights and updates from us, be sure to follow us at 5starbdm.com. See you next time on Follow The Brand!