Sometimes the hardest moments reveal our greatest blessings. From the comfort of my wife's camper instead of the school bus I planned to sleep in, this episode takes you on the raw, unfiltered journey of a small business owner fighting for survival at the Skowhegan State Fair.

What does it feel like to open your booth in 95-degree heat, wait five hours for your first sale, and end a 10-hour day with just $120 in your pocket? I'm holding nothing back as I share the mental battle between the demon whispering "give up" and the angel reminding me why I started. Every entrepreneur knows this struggle—watching your savings dwindle while bills pile up and wondering if you're crazy for believing in your dream.

But amidst this struggle, unexpected blessings emerge. Friends driving hours to transport my camper without being asked. My 18-year-old new friend Isaiah working the night shift at a dairy farm, then volunteering at my booth during the day. When a young man with a severe cut stumbles through the fairgrounds, Isaiah's EMT training proves more valuable than the actual first responders who arrive late and unhelpful.

This episode evolved in real-time over two recording sessions, allowing you to hear my optimism in the morning transform into raw vulnerability by day's end. It's the most transparent I've ever been about my faith, my fears, and the divine timing that keeps me going when logic says quit.

If you're facing your own seemingly impossible challenge, or if you've ever wondered what keeps a small business owner fighting when the numbers don't add up, this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear today. Sometimes the village that supports your dream becomes the greatest blessing of all.

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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!

We explore the transformative impact of appreciation in both personal and professional settings while preparing for a new adventure at the Skowhegan Fair.

• Appreciation makes a significant difference in how we feel about our work and relationships
• A stark contrast between DJing at an unappreciative biker bar versus a 9-year-old's birthday party
• Living in a school bus for 11 days at Skowhegan Fair while missing family milestones
• The "crunch season" of running back-to-back fairs and managing inventory/finances
• When employees feel valued, they're more motivated to perform and go the extra mile
• Appreciation strengthens bonds, improves communication, and reduces conflict
• Expressing gratitude helps build resilience during difficult times
• First-time events often yield first-time results, but create foundation for future growth

If you want to show your appreciation for the podcast, please share this show with someone you know. Help it blossom, help it grow!

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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!

Faced with balancing career and family, DJ Keith makes a life-changing decision to step away from his longtime gig at Bentley Saloon to focus on fatherhood and more profitable ventures.

• Reflecting on a successful final "Mullets and Daisy Dukes" night with strong crowd participation
• Struggling with staff tensions around playing past the scheduled 11 PM end time
• Entertaining an enthusiastic bachelorette party that inspired extending the night
• Delivering an unplanned, emotional farewell speech announcing retirement from bar DJ work
• Facing mixed reactions - support from those present versus misinterpreted rumors after
• Choosing to prioritize time with 10-month-old daughter Paisley over late-night gigs
• Maintaining wedding and event bookings that offer better compensation for less time
• Having a reconciliatory conversation with venue management after the announcement
• Reflecting on the balance between good parenting decisions and professional business practices

I need your help deciding: Was my impromptu retirement announcement good parenting or bad business? Share your thoughts with me and let me know what you would have done in my shoes.

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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!

The journey to Syracuse Nationals wasn't just another road trip – it was a testament to resilience in the face of adversity for Loud Proud American. What began with a production nightmare when our custom racing t-shirt design arrived completely wrong quickly cascaded into a series of challenges that would test our limits.

Picture this: six hours on the road in 100-degree heat with a temperamental air conditioner that alternated between cool and hot air every 20 minutes. Our 10-month-old daughter experiencing her longest journey yet in our converted school bus. Then suddenly, a rough patch of Massachusetts highway sends our entire merchandise display crashing down, with clothes and products flying with every bump thereafter. This was just the beginning.

Upon arrival, the hospitality of Paisley's godparents Lance and Jen became our saving grace. Their unwavering support, along with our entire Syracuse family, created moments of joy amidst the chaos. But business challenges continued as powerful winds turned our setup day into a battle against the elements, and our booth location kept us isolated from the main flow of foot traffic at this massive event.

Yet within disappointment lies opportunity. During slower periods, I discovered a vendor using a souvenir trailer that sparked a vision for expanding our business model. Despite not meeting our financial expectations, we still made money, gained invaluable experience, and set ourselves up for greater success next year. Most importantly, we created precious memories with our daughter while pursuing our entrepreneurial dreams.

The hard truth I've learned is that your first attempt at anything in business is often your worst. But rather than being discouraged, I've returned home more determined than ever – already securing another new event opportunity before even recording this podcast. This will be our most uncomfortable year yet, but discomfort breeds growth, and I'm steadfast in my belief that pushing beyond our limits will ultimately lead to breakthrough success.

What challenges are you facing in pursuit of your dreams? Remember, tough times come, but tough times pass. Don't let distractions derail you from your direction.

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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!

Resilient optimism isn't just a trendy concept—it's the beating heart of entrepreneurship. After exploring this powerful mindset last week, we immediately faced the perfect opportunity to put it into practice at our first fair of the season.

The results? A much-needed victory that confirmed we're trending in the right direction after a challenging start to the year. Every single day of our four-day event outperformed its counterpart from last year, and our brand-new "Midnight Hammer" t-shirt design debuted with such success that people throughout the fairgrounds were stopping each other to ask where they got their shirts.

Behind this success lies the complicated reality all small business owners understand—the constant juggling of production demands, inventory management, and cash flow challenges. From the irony of needing credit card sales for next-day inventory purchases (and receiving only cash), to vehicle troubles appearing just before a major road trip, the obstacles never stop coming. What makes this journey sustainable isn't the absence of problems; it's the support system and mindset that helps us overcome them.

Perhaps the most profound aspect of this particular fair was the emotional journey it represented. Standing at the same fairgrounds where I spent my childhood watching my father and uncles race, now without them but with my own daughter experiencing it for the first time, created a powerful connection between past and present. There's something humbling about watching other families live out what was once your childhood, realizing that the people who were fixtures of that place are largely forgotten by the current generation.

Despite the challenges, we're expanding into new markets, taking risks on events outside our comfort zone, and seeing the results in growing sales figures. Most importantly, we received the best news possible—my daughter's clean bill of health from her neurologist after our frightening hospital stay months ago. This reminder of what truly matters puts all business challenges into perspective.

Want to support small businesses creating American-made products with purpose? Follow our journey, check out our designs, and remember that everyone struggles—the difference is whether you choose to go through it or grow through it.

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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!

Ever feel like you're drowning in challenges while trying to stay positive? That tension between acknowledging reality and maintaining hope is exactly what this episode explores through the lens of resilient optimism.

We dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey — not the glamorized social media version, but the raw reality of sitting in 95-degree heat for hours to make $40, losing $1,200 worth of merchandise before a major event, and somehow maintaining belief that better days are ahead. These aren't just business lessons but life lessons about how we face adversity.

The distinction between blind optimism (naively ignoring problems) and resilient optimism (acknowledging challenges while maintaining confidence in your ability to overcome them) frames our conversation. As Winston Churchill wisely noted, "Success is moving from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm" — a perfect description of the entrepreneurial mindset required for long-term success.

What makes this approach so powerful isn't just feeling good — research shows resilient optimism leads to improved performance, greater satisfaction, better health outcomes, and enhanced wellbeing. It's a mental framework that allows you to navigate difficulty while maintaining forward momentum.

The beautiful thing? Resilient optimism isn't something you're born with — it's a choice and a muscle you can strengthen. Even the most pessimistic person can make a decision to approach challenges differently starting tomorrow. What we focus on expands; what we appreciate appreciates. Are you ready to transform your relationship with obstacles by viewing pressure as a privilege and problems as opportunities? Listen now to discover how.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!

Breaking a streak of bad luck doesn't require perfect circumstances – it demands a perspective shift that transforms how we experience life's inevitable challenges. As I celebrate the milestone of 260 episodes spanning five consecutive years of Share the Struggle, I find myself reflecting on a chaotic 24-hour period that perfectly illustrates this truth.

From malfunctioning equipment and surprise mortgage payments to vehicle breakdowns, the universe seemed determined to test my resilience. Yet through each frustrating moment, I discovered pockets of gratitude hiding in plain sight – the blessing of finding mechanical problems before they stranded my family on a lengthy road trip, meaningful conversations that might never have happened otherwise, and precious moments with my daughter that I'll cherish forever.

The hardest lesson I've learned since losing my father is captured in a simple phrase: "What I wouldn't do to do something I didn't want to do." Those frustrating chores and difficult interactions I once dreaded with him? I'd give anything to experience them again. This perspective has transformed how I approach daily challenges, reminding me that today's annoyances might become tomorrow's cherished memories.

We often postpone our happiness with phrases like "I'll be happy when..." or "I'll enjoy it when..." – dangerous mindsets that defer joy to some idealized future that may never arrive. Life doesn't have to be perfect for us to enjoy it. Perfect doesn't exist. The key is finding ways to celebrate milestones and count blessings even in imperfect moments.

Whether you're facing your own streak of bad luck or simply navigating life's everyday challenges, remember that the choice is yours – you can go through it or grow through it. Struggle becomes strength when we approach it with gratitude, perspective, and faith. As we mark five years of this podcast journey together, I'm grateful for every listener who has shared in the struggle – and the growth – alongside me.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!

Ever notice how that familiar routine you once loved suddenly feels like a prison? That's exactly what hit me this week as I found myself sweating in my garage, recording this episode while contemplating one of life's hardest truths: I've outgrown my comfort zone.

After 13 years of entertaining crowds at Bentley Saloon's bike week—hosting pinup contests, DJing events, and building my brand—I faced an uncomfortable realization. What once felt like my safety net had transformed into a source of restlessness and anxiety. Despite the amazing memories, loyal customers, and friendships formed (including meeting my daughter's godparents!), something had shifted. That nagging feeling of boredom wasn't just fatigue; it was my inner voice screaming that it's time for change.

The signs were everywhere. Declining attendance at motorcycle events mirrored my declining enthusiasm. I was stepping over dollars to pick up dimes, clinging to guaranteed income while missing bigger opportunities. My loyalty to familiar routines had become chains rather than support. This episode breaks down the telltale signs you've outgrown your comfort zone: boredom with once-loved activities, stagnation in skill development, fear of trying new things, and that strange anxiety that creeps in during familiar situations.

Making this decision wasn't easy. Leaving behind guaranteed events means stepping into uncertainty. But growth demands discomfort. As I shared the vendor confrontation that ended with my now-infamous line "You want to help me? Get the f*ck out of my tent," I realized something profound—I'm ready for new challenges, new stages, and new opportunities to serve my business and family better.

What security blankets are you clutching that might actually be holding you back? Remember, feeling restless about once-beloved activities isn't failure—it's evolution. Your potential exceeds your current circumstances, but only if you're brave enough to step into the unknown. Subscribe to the Share the Struggle podcast and join me as we navigate this journey of growth, authenticity, and self-discovery together.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
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Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
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Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!