Today we’d like to introduce you to Raun Shephard.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
At the age of 18 years old, I reached a point in my life where I didn’t like how my life was going but didn’t see it ever changing. So, one night, I decided I was done with it all. Fortunately, a voice within told me to hold on, and I listened.
The next day, I found a book that my dad’s coworker gave him. It talked about the laws that govern life and how to go from imagination to reality. Around the same time, I learned how to learn, manage myself, and lead others.
From there, I was exposed to marketing, sales, and systems thinking. Over and over, I constantly implemented what I learned. Before I was 21, I had an organization that spanned five states in the US and two provinces in Canada.
Through proven frameworks, systems, and coaching, I had success across numerous industries – insurance, oil & gas, construction, demolition, and coaching.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
One hurdle that continues to pop up is ignorance. The challenge is… you don’t know what you don’t know. Fortunately, when I was 18 years old, I had mentors that sold me on the power of reading. They told me that I could spend $20 and buy 20 years worth of wisdom.
Once I was exposed to great information from books, training, and coaches, the next major challenges were bad habits, being uncoachable and unwilling to change. At the root, all of those things were tied to my identity, even though they weren’t working.
By choosing to be rich over being right, I was able to release old ways of doing things. The change got me to experience new, better results.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I specialize in systems thinking. Many entrepreneurs see an area that needs to be addressed and start making changes. Unfortunately, they don’t consider how the changes fit or don’t fit the other areas of their company.
I help them identify industry-wide best practices and begin incorporating them in sales, marketing, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). The competitive edge after that is identifying what to change to blow past the competition.
The ability to say everything I said is easy. The ability to isolate each part and build a system that works together is something totally different. Even if they copy the best, few people know what to tweak or when to tweak it…
My brain happens to be wired to do just that. My competitive advantage is that I’ve done it so often, in different industries, that I’ve been able to confirm some core business success principles.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Start by being honest about where you are and what you know. Next, identify where you want to go – what it looks, sounds, and feels like. The gap between the two will be made up of two things – things you need to know and things you need to do.
To compress time, identify best practices for whatever you’re looking to do. Learn and immediately apply what you learn. Evaluate and adjust as needed.
Much of success is repetition of sound principles and practices long enough to produce the desired results and scale them.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Two decades ago, I came up with an acronym for success: Service Unlimited Customers, Creating Exceptional Success Stories. The essence is serving the masses and helping them win.
When clients win, they are happy to refer others to you and sing your praises. From there, it’s rinse and repeat.
What’s next for you?
I’m a serial entrepreneur who’s looking to make income and impact at the same time. I anticipate more books, courses, and coaching as time allows. The most important part of my legacy are the organizations I impact – mine and those of my clients.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
My website is BecomingOurBestDaily.com. I can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.