My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success

Teresa de Grosbois: Her Failed Africa Charity Opened Unexpected Doors

Author of "Mass Influence"
Episode page with episode, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #173 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Teresa de Grosbois. She is the Founder of the Evolutionary Business Council, an International Speaker and the #1 International Bestselling author of Mass Influence: The Habits of the Highly Influential, which is now a best seller in seven countries.
You can download a complimentary digital version of the book here.
A 4X International Bestselling Author, Teresa teaches marketing courses around the globe to business leaders and entrepreneurs on how to create massively successful word of mouth campaigns.
As the Chair of the Evolutionary Business Council, Teresa leads an International, Invitation-Only Council of Speakers and Influencers dedicated to teaching the principles of success.
In this episode, Teresa tells her favorite mistake story about creating a non-profit organization in Sudan that failed. Why did she “quickly realize this wasn't right”? What did she learn from this and how did that experience in Africa lead to the unexpected opening of doors to better opportunities?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
How did you create 3 best sellers in 8 months?
What if you’re reaching out to influencers and not getting a response?
From the book the book – habits and mistakes people make in trying to influence others
Do aspiring influencers mistake self promotion and bragging?
Should spend more time on building relationships with other influencers?
Never talk about yourself vs. always talking about yourself?
“Influencer” (like social media) vs true influence?
A mistake to think you’re trying to reach “everyone”? Or is “all business leaders at all levels” even too broad to be effective?
What’s the difference between “practicing at business” vs. being “aligned with your passion”?
How common is the mistake of “focusing on how you make money” instead of “the service that you want to bring to others”?
Big mistake — not choosing who you want to play with based on fully respecting that person?
Tell me about the Evolutionary Business Council…
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Jim McCann’s Favorite Mistake in Buying the 1-800-FLOWERS Phone Number

Founder / Chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #172 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Jim McCann, the founder and chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS, one of the first companies to pioneer and popularize the use of both toll-free telephone numbers and Web sites to sell goods and services directly to consumers.
Jim is a highly successful entrepreneur, public speaker and published author with titles including Talk is (Not!) Cheap: The Art of Conversation Leadership) — his passion is helping people deliver smiles. Jim’s belief in the universal need for social connections and interaction led to his founding of 1-800-FLOWERS, which he has grown into the world’s leading Florist and Gift Shop and Celebrations.com, a leading website for expert party planning content and advice.
In this episode, Jim shares his “favorite mistake” story that involves what was otherwise a very good decision — acquiring the 1-800-FLOWERS telephone number. But what was the mistake involved in buying the company that had the number assigned to it? Why couldn't he just buy the number? What mistake led to Jim taking on millions of dollars of debt from that company? How did Jim learn and apply the lesson that “being cheap” and not relying on experts can cause a lot of problems?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Learning to not repeat that mistake around due diligence?
Finding the balance between saying mistakes are OK without just wildly trying things
What the FedEx founder, Fred Smith, said to Jim that turned out to be very incorrect about shipping flowers
Is it a mistake to spend too much time reflecting on mistakes?
Lessons from 10-step programs, remove the shame or embarrassment from mistakes
You were approached to be one of the first companies or bosses featured “Undercover Boss” — Turned it down 3 times — was that a mistake?
Learning about the business? Advice for other leaders about doing this without going undercover?
“A lot of it comes down to culture and leadership”
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Executive Nick Jonsson Hid Behind a Façade of Success, Didn’t Ask for Help

Author of Executive Loneliness
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #171 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Nick Jonsson, joining us from Singapore.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains a brief mention of a death by suicide. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).
Nick is the co-founder and Managing Director of one of Asia's premier networking organizations, Executives' Global Network (EGN) Singapore — a caring peer group community providing hundreds of executives a safe haven to share their challenges, receive support, and learn from each other.
His passion for mental health awareness through his very lived life experiences paved the way for Nick to author his first #1 international bestselling book, published in April 2021— Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety and Depression in the Modern Business World.
In adjunct to his book, Nick has also created a more easily accessible and less formal online community, where executives and business leaders can connect, learn about and reduce the risk of burnout and isolation, with www.Leaders-Anonymous.com.
In this episode, Nick shares his “favorite mistake” story about keeping emotions in — hiding behind a facade of success and waiting too long to ask for help. Why did he struggle with alcoholism and depression, even as he became more successful in his career? What finally prompted him to look for help? What did he learn from these experiences and how has it inspired him to help others?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
“It’s lonely at the top” — How is executive loneliness different to everyday loneliness that any of us may experience?
Loneliness in that feeling of loneliness? Executives' Global Network (EGN) Singapore — “Confidential peer networks” — available in the US and other places
Difficult for execs to ask for help before hitting rock bottom?
“Smiling depression”
“Insecure overachievers” — inner insecurity
His LinkedIn post that went viral
Impact of Covid times? 2019 - 30% 2020 - “had doubled to 59% saying there was executive loneliness”
Difference - introverts vs. extroverts?
Introverts — more comfortable in isolation doesn’t mean it’s good for us
Are there any cultural challenges when it comes to talking about executive loneliness? Are some countries where E.L. is a bigger problem, or countries where it’s not addressed?
If I was an Executive experiencing loneliness, or I was a friend or family member of someone who I suspect might be experiencing executive loneliness, what’s an easy ‘next step’ for me to take?
How might we bring this up if somebody seems like they need help?
How might we recognize signs of E.L. in ourselves or others?
Tell us about the networks — EGN and Leaders-Anonymous are different
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Erin Joy Averted a Huge Mistake By Making a Pandemic Pivot

Episode page with video, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #169 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Erin Joy.
As the founder and executive consultant behind Erin Joy Business Coaching & Consulting, Erin uses over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship, roundtable facilitation, business strategy, and executive coaching to help fellow female business owners launch, propel, and grow their companies.
Erin has hosted over 300 roundtables, 200 group coaching calls, 70 live events, and 1000 online events, and the company continues to serve over 60 clients.
Erin is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Business Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology to enhance her ability to connect with and support women in business on both a professional and emotional level.
She is also the host of a new radio show and PODCAST: “Erin Joy Talks Business.” She has released an anthology of advice from women business owners titled The Anatomy of Accomplishment: Your Guide to Bigger, Better, Bolder Business Results.
In this episode, Erin shares her “favorite mistake” story about a “huge mistake” that she avoided by making a pivot before it was too late. She was looking to franchise the roundtable side of her business — how did she discover this would have been a “heavy lift” (and an expensive one at that)? How did she pivot and what happened?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
What does it mean to be a “business psychologist?”
Business is about making predictions… and testing… you have 25-year plan? How specific are the details of that plan? Is there wiggle room?
What can we do to be more resilient and better adjust to what life and business throws at us?
“Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs”
Video you posted in 2021 — “A time to give up control” — when is that necessary for a business leader and how can they do that?
You work mainly with women leaders and entrepreneurs — are there mistakes you help them avoid in career transitions? Or setting them up to learn from them?
What do we need to be doing to build the next generation of women as leaders?
Tell us about the podcast — what topics do you cover? What sort of guests do you have?
Find Erin on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
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MIT Professor Arnold (Arnie) Barnett’s ”Obnoxious” Media Mistake Got Him A Lot of Attention

Episode page with video, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #169 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Arnold (Arnie) Barnett. He is the George Eastman Professor of Management Science and a Professor of Statistics at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Barnett holds a BA in mathematics from Columbia College and a PhD in mathematics from MIT. His research specialty is applied mathematical modeling with a focus on problems of health and safety.
Cited as “the nation’s leading expert on aviation safety,” Barnett was recognized with the 2002 President’s Citation from the Flight Safety Foundation for “truly outstanding contributions on behalf of safety.” MIT Sloan students have honored him on 14 occasions for outstanding teaching.
In this episode, Arnie shares his “favorite mistake” story about blurting out something to a New York Times reporter who called to get his comment about a US Airways crash that had occurred earlier in the day. Even though he regrets saying what he did, it gave him a reputation for being “willing to talk straight” which led a torrent of requests to speak and to be interviewed in venues ranging from radio programs to NBC's Today Show.
We also talk about questions and topics including:
1994 US Air had a number of crashes – a “temporary spasm of bad luck”?
The NY Times article he was quoted in — the “mistake”
The word “amazing”: “causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing”
Lesson about talking with the press?
Are we bad at estimating probabilities in general?
Bad at estimating the risk of driving vs. flying?
You wrote an opinion piece in late March 2022 titled “Don’t end the mask mandate for US airlines”
“ending the requirement now would be a serious mistake.” —> why did you say that then and do you still say that now?
I saw you give a talk about this — is the Electoral College a mistake? Is it a mistake that can be fixed?
A simple fix for gerrymandering?
“MIT now has a reputation of being very much woke”
Tell us about the Leaders for Global Operations program… you are a popular internship and thesis advisor. Why do you like working with LGO students?
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The Firecracker Who Was Too Bold in a Relationship and at Work: Genesis Amaris Kemp’s Favorite Mistakes

Author of the book Chocolate Drop in Corporate America: From The Pit To The Palace.
Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake168
My guest for Episode #168 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Genesis Amaris Kemp. She is a Creative Content Writer, Author, Self-Development Advocate, Visionary, Inclusion and Diversity enthusiast, and (I love this) a “Firecracker, and a force to be reckoned with.”
She is a woman of color, a trailblazer who wants others to live out their dreams, goals, and visions.
She’s the author of the book Chocolate Drop in Corporate America: From The Pit To The Palace.
Genesis has been featured on four dozen-plus podcasts, and magazines, and then decided to finally start her own podcast, GEMS with Genesis Amaris Kemp.
In this episode, Genesis shares her “favorite mistake” stories about being too bold. Why did her now-husband break up with her four times? Why was she told to stop being so bold at work? Was there a double standard for a woman of color? What did she learn and how did she adapt, while remaining true to herself?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man — relationships book, Steve Harvey
Working in oil and gas – male dominated
Double standard for women? More so as a woman of color?
You write about choosing a major (and changing majors) — tell us about that thought process.
In your book, you talk about having 3 job opportunities… it sounds like you chose what was the best for the long term (not just the highest pay in the now). What led to that decision?
What led to you writing your book?
Mistakes related to DEI — that organizations make or that individuals make?
Tell us about your Podcast:
Dad - victim of a medication error while a patient… paralyzed
Prompted her to talk about the grief journey… into a microphone
Find Genesis on social media:
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
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Shutting Down a Business Was the ”Best Worst Thing” That Michael Buzinski Has Done

Marketer and author of "The Rule of 26"
Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake167
My guest for Episode #167 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Michael “Buzz” Buzinski, the President/CMO of Buzzworthy Integrated Marketing.
Buzz is a lifelong entrepreneur, digital marketing thought leader, and best-selling author of his book The Rule of 26 For Service-Centric Businesses: Three Steps To Doubling Website Revenue. Check out his book's website.
Dubbed a “visionary marketer” by the American Marketing Association, Michael’s sole mission is to reduce the prevalence of entrepreneurial poverty in the US. Michael is a 10 year Air Force Veteran who now mentors other vetrepreneurs through “Warriors Rising”, leads marketing workshops for the Small Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center in multiple states, and has presented marketing workshops for multiple Universities.
In this episode, Buzz shares his “favorite mistake” story about “the little coup” that took place at his previous company when he went on a trip to Italy to serve as a videographer instead because he had nobody else to send. While he was away, the electicity went out at the home office because somebody didn't pay the bill. Young employees “thought the company was going out of business” and that led to a lot of chaos… and his eventual decision to break up the company. Why was the the “best worst thing” that happened to Buzz and how did he move forward in a better way?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Why do you say you’re a failed musician? What happened?
Starving artist or musician… What does this phrase mean?
What is the rule of 26?
Digital marketing mistakes??
Newest mistake that you’ve found?
Tell us about Warriors Rising
The only three key performance indicators (KPIs) you need to track when marketing your website?
How to get a free copy of his book:Get a copy of his book, The Rule of 26 on Amazon in eBook or paperback.
He will send a free signed paperback copy to any listener who purchases his eBook from Amazon if they email him at buzz@buzzworthy.biz with a screenshot of their purchase and the address they want the book sent to.

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“Little Failures” Author Alisha Wielfart’s Failed Yoga Studio Was Her Greatest Learning Experience

Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake166
My guest for Episode #166 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Alisha Wielfaert, a leadership, creativity, transitions and resiliency coach for women.
She started her career at an over one-hundred-year-old insurance company. She moved on from that. Along the way, she started studying yoga at the Asheville Yoga Center not just as a physical practice but as a spiritual path. She opened a yoga studio… and then sold it…
Alisha is also the author of a book that’s just been released, titled Little Failures: Learning to Build Resilience Through Everyday Setbacks, Challenges, and Obstacles.
Enter to win a signed copy!!
She is the host of a podcast, The Yoke and Abundance: Wise Women Podcast and her company is called Yoke and Abundance.
In this episode, Alisha shares her “favorite mistake” story about opening a yoga studio that “did nothing but lose money” as it went into bankruptcy. Why was this her “greatest learning experience” but also the “most shameful” that has happened to her? Why did the business fail and what lessons did Alisha learn that she has (and will) apply to other businesses?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Passion plus seeking for purpose in life
Bootstrapping was a problem – couldn’t fully commit
Lessons for when you became a coach?
Do the failures help you be a better coach?
The Dropout? Elizabeth Holmes
Other thoughts or tips on how to analyze or process our failures?
People who are successful after failures do what things?
How to not get stuck in the grieving and processing time?
Fear of mistakes — Atelophobia is an obsessive fear of imperfection
Do you see a difference between “mistakes” and “failures”? Let’s explore that…
“Planning for failures” in the writing and release of the book?
You write about the idea of “Failing out loud” — the implications for women and minorities?
TEDx talk – founder of Girls Who Code (Reshma Saujani)
Tell us the story behind the name of your company, Yoke and Abundance?
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Entrepreneur and CTO Mark Herschberg Believed a Promise That Wasn’t in Writing

Author of The Career Toolkit.
Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake165
My guest for Episode #165 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Mark Herschberg, the author of the book The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You. Learn more at his book's website. This is Mark's 300th appearance as a podcast guest!
From tracking criminals and terrorists on the dark web to creating marketplaces and new authentication systems, Mark has spent his career launching and developing new ventures at startups and Fortune 500s and in academia.
He helped to start the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program, dubbed MIT’s “career success accelerator,” where he teaches annually.
At MIT, he received a B.S. in physics, a B.S. in electrical engineering & computer science, and an M.Eng. in electrical engineering & computer science, focusing on cryptography.
At Harvard Business School, Mark helped create a platform used to teach finance at prominent business schools.
He also works with many non-profits, including Techie Youth and Plant A Million Corals. He was one of the top-ranked ballroom dancers in the country and now lives in New York City, where he is known for his social gatherings, including his annual Halloween party, as well as his diverse cufflink collection.
In this episode, Mark shares his “favorite mistake” story about being promised something by board members that was not put in writing. What happened when a new CEO came in? Why was he fired from the product and engineering teams? What adjustments did he make to his approach with later companies?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Was not spending on tech another short-sighted decision?
Book — lots of examples of mistakes in the book and the class he teaches
Tell us about the book?? The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You. — not just about new graduates?
Networking mistakes – he met Tim Berners-Lee and blew the opportunity to build a relationship
What are some of those essential networking skills?
Is it a mistake to sign confidentiality or non-compete clauses?
Negotiating mistakes? Don’t name a number first?
Ethical situations?
Your top 3 Halloween costumes?
Find Mark on social media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
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Founder & Author Melissa Drake Didn’t Pursue Things That Brought Her Joy

Author of The Orgasmic Entrepreneur and more
Episode page and links: https://markgraban.com/mistake164
My guest for Episode #164 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Melissa Drake. As the founder of Uncorped Influence, Melissa helps like-minded businesses and individuals find creative solutions and go further than they thought possible.
Melissa is the author of three books:
The Orgasmic Entrepreneur: Discover the Sweet Spot of Love, Sex, and Business by Simply Being YOU,
Sacred Medicine Integration: A Companion Journal Supporting Ceremonial Medicine Experiences
TranscenDANCE: Lessons From Living, Loving, and Dancing
She's also a TEDx Speaker with 25 years climbing the corporate ranks and a decade of entrepreneurial experience. Her TEDx Talk, “The Dance of Collaboration,” presents fresh insights on the benefits of collectively beneficial collaborations.
In this episode, Melissa shares her “favorite mistake” story about the pattern of “not taking care of who I am as a person, not pursuing the things that bring me joy.” How did she come to see this pattern? Are mistakes like this just “part of the process” or are they to be avoided? How does she make sure she doesn't fall back into that trap?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Were you sort of going through life in autopilot?
Finding the fix — looking within or to others?
How to make sure you don’t fall back into that trap? As easy as avoiding a corporate job?
When things aren’t going well — double down? – Or rest, take time?
Did you have any fear that your book title would be a mistake?
Is it a book for women? No
New path started in 2015, laid off from insurance industry, “kick in the pants” she needed
Why was “the ability to truly be me” so important to you?
Freedom of expression is one of your most significant values
Correlation or causation? — finding “the link between achieving sexual satisfaction and attaining strong business results.”
Find Melissa on social media:
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
Instagram
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