In this concise interview, Professor Pete Alexander hosts entrepreneur Kevin Palmieri on the Winning at Business and Life podcast, using a rapid‑fire "6 questions in 7 minutes" format. Kevin introduces himself as the host of Next Level University, COO of Next Level Podcast Solutions, speaker, and coach for early‑stage entrepreneurs. He shares what energizes him – witnessing real, immediate changes in people’s thinking during coaching sessions. His core business advice emphasizes building genuine, one‑on‑one relationships rather than focusing solely on metrics. He differentiates passion from profit, urging leaders to pursue what they love, arguing that profit follows sustained passion. Kevin recounts his first job as a gas‑station attendant, highlighting lessons about money, sales, and the danger of letting a job define one’s identity. He promotes his platforms (Next Level University, Next Level Podcast Solutions) and provides contact details (Instagram @neverquitkid, website nextleveluniverse.com). He also recommends fellow business leader Alan Lazarus as a future podcast guest. The conversation blends personal anecdotes, actionable advice, and promotional information, offering listeners concise insights into relationship‑focused leadership and the value of passion‑driven entrepreneurship.
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This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast, where business leaders share their insights. It is 6 questions in 7 minutes because successful business leaders are busy and rarely have more time to spare. So let's get to it. Question number 1: In a few sentences, please tell me who you are and what you do.
I am Kevin Palmieri. I am the host of Next Level University as well as the COO of Next Level Podcast Solutions, as well as a speaker and a coach for early entrepreneurs.
Kevin, it's so great to have you on the show, and I can feel your energy already.
I appreciate the opportunity, Pete. I'm very much looking forward to it, my friend.
Uh, question number 2: What is something that makes you smile and/or laugh about working in your industry?
Oh my goodness. One of my favorite things that makes me smile is the fact that I can actually see change happening in people's brains when I talk to them about a certain thing or I help them with a limiting belief. It's the feedback. The person-to-person live feedback is unlike anything I've ever experienced, and it is truly addicting.
I love it. I love it. And I can hear the passion in your voice with that too. It's great. Question number 3. I have a fictitious book with all the answers for business. What chapter would you think most companies should read?
I would say most companies should read the chapter on building relationships, like building real relationships and not worrying as much about the numbers. I think we live in a place where perception is super important to the masses. But if you can build a one-on-one relationship with somebody behind the scenes, I think that goes way more, way deeper and way longer than just a number on a board somewhere.
I like that too, because it is, it's building that relationship as opposed to just thinking that you're part of a mailing list, for example. So it's, it's really insightful. Question number 4: Other than the generic work harder, have a great attitude, and care for customers, what advice would you give to other business leaders?
I would say pursue your passion. I think that a lot of people get into business to make money, and I think people get their P's mixed up. We, there's a big difference between profit and passion. I think if you chase your passion long enough, you'll figure out how to make a profit and you won't end up the person who is doing something they hate to pay the bills.
I love that too. And yeah, when you, when you're pursuing your passion, it doesn't feel like work as well. Am I right? Absolutely.
It took me 2 years to make money as a podcaster, but it was the best 2 years. I'd rather do that than go work at a, you know, an old job, which I know we're going to talk about here.
So Oh well, we're getting, we're getting close, but we have question number 5 first. And question number 5 is, what other business leader like yourself would you like to acknowledge and invite to be on my podcast?
So I would give you a warm introduction to Alan Lazarus. He is the co-host and he is my business partner as well, so he'll drop a ton of knowledge as well.
Perfect, I'll reach out to him. Thank you for that. And now our final question, question number 6, please tell me about your first job.
My first job, I was a gas station attendant in a very small town. And I learned a lot of lessons. I think one of the biggest lessons I learned was not to allow your occupation to become your identity. I was embarrassed for a long time because I was the townie gas station guy. But I learned so much. I learned about money. I learned about sales. I learned about building relationships with clients. It taught me so many things.. And I think if I look back retrospectively, I can actually see those lessons where at one point I was kind of embarrassed.
That's really interesting and insightful because, yeah, I wouldn't have thought about that because, you know, I remember back, you know, in the Stone Age for me, you know, there still were gas station attendants when I was first driving cars. And, you know, I never thought that the person who was pumping my gas or let's say washing the windows and stuff, I never looked at them and said, oh my God, I can't believe you're doing this. Right. It was because it was the kind of jobs that I had at that age as well. But it's interesting that I like how you made that connection. So it was really good. I appreciate that too. And Kevin, thank you so much for being on the show. How could people find you?
So if you go on Instagram, I'm @neverquitkid, and then we have Next Level University, and our website is nextleveluniverse.com, and we'd love to have you.
Perfect. This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast. Thanks for listening.
