Taking the Leap

Jeff Wayne is the President and CEO of Max ERC Refund and comes from a family of serial entrepreneurs. He is the owner and operator of multiple Cycle Bar franchises, Max ERC Refund while he and his family have owned and operated 23 businesses. He is the former President of Dynamic Rehabilitation. He graduated from Michigan State University and was a member of the Young President's Organization (YPO) for Greater Detroit.

Show Notes

Jeff Wayne is the President and CEO of Max ERC Refund and comes from a family of serial entrepreneurs. He is the owner and operator of multiple Cycle Bar franchises, Max ERC Refund while he and his family have owned and operated 23 businesses.  He is the former President of Dynamic Rehabilitation. He graduated from Michigan State University and was a member of the Young President's Organization (YPO) for Greater Detroit. 

Show Notes:
  • (03:00) - What mountain climbing teaches you about yourself and life. 
  • (09:00) - What is the "long gear" in mountain climbing and life? Why is the mental approach so important in life?
  • (17:00) - The start of Durakon and DuraLiner and a family business legacy! Watch the Super Bowl ad here.
  • (22:00) - How to go "All In" with educated and calculated bets in life.
  • (23:00) - Jeff explains why you want your sales team to make a ton of money...its obvious, but many don't understand it.
  • (26:00) - Jeff talks about how he is mentoring his daughter Madison Wayne and her four businesses in Scottsdale, Arizona. Check out Icon Itinerary for your next trip to Scottsdale!
  • (33:00) - Advice to parents raising children. Jeff discovered he did not want to work for someone else in life.
  • (39:00) - John James - Detroit Businessman, Army Veteran, YPO member, and US Congressman.
  • (43:00) - A watching "Top Gun" on Kilimanjaro.  
  • (55:00) - Lia Wayne CEO and Founder of Top Gun Talent and Jeff Wayne CEO and Founder of Max ERC Refund.
  • (1:03:00) - All of Jeff's businesses are people and service-centric. What has he learned to have success as a business leader?
    • Jeff is building most of his businesses via Zoom and not face-to-face today. This is a big change from the past.
    • You have to find a way to stand out! Make a connection.
  • (1:10:00) - "Business is easy... it's all about relationships. People will do business with people they like, and people like people who are like themselves. The key is finding commonalities and areas of mutual interest to build rapport and trust!" 
  • (1:15:00) - Jeff gives insight into the white-collar and tech recession hitting America in early 2023.
    • Working at a large company is not safe. This will lead to more entrepreneurship in America.
  • (1:21:00) - Jeff asks an incredibly important question for entrepreneurs. "What do you find attractive about entrepreneurship? What do you want?" This will change over time based on your goals and experiences. At this stage of life, Jeff wants flexibility!
  • "I want FREEDOM!"
  • (1:25:00) - We are going through a great REIMAGINATION of work in America!
  • (1:29:00) - Don't measure yourself on old metrics of success.
  • (1:31:00 ) - AI & ChatGPT and the changing landscape of work.
    • Why deep domain experience is not as important as breadth/range of experience today.
  • (1:38:00) - "You can't be an entrepreneur and be dystopian. Entrepreneurship requires you to be optimistic!"
  • Book Recommendation
    • Good to Great 
  • (1:42:00) - If Jeff was asked to give a State of the Union Address to the American people, what would he say?
  • "On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, at the dawn of decision, sat down to wait, and waiting died!" - George Cecil 

Creators & Guests

Host
Robert Dickie
CEO, Author, Entrepreneur, Investor
Producer
Mitch White
Freelance Audio Engineer, 2011 Recording Connections Certified Audio Engineer
Designer
Tristin Dickie
Nashville Fellows Program 2022, Marketing Assistant for Affinity Technology Partners, Professional Photographer freelancer. Go VOLS!

What is Taking the Leap?

Taking the Leap Podcast hosted by Robert Dickie III discusses changes in our global economy impacting the way we work and live. For young professionals starting their careers, mid-career professionals navigating changes and late-career professionals thinking about starting an encore career, Robert and his guests discuss the global economy, technology, workplace developments, and all the latest changes impacting our professional lives.