In this Business Blast episode, host Tyler Wagner interviews Lawrence Simon, a business and leadership speaker who proudly identifies as a college dropout. Lawrence shares his personal story of being denied re‑entry to college, the emotional fallout, and how he leveraged mentorship and networking to rebuild his path, emphasizing a "never give up" mindset. He highlights networking as the most valuable cross‑industry skill, advises his younger self to cultivate patience, and defines happiness as rooted in fulfilling relationships rather than material wealth. Lawrence recommends John Maxwell's Failing Forward, noting its lesson that most failures stem from quitting rather than defeat, and cites Abraham Lincoln's quote about power revealing character. He concludes by directing listeners to his Instagram handle @theinfluencer__ for ongoing entrepreneurial insights.
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Alright everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Business Blast podcast. I'm your host Tyler Wagner. Today I have Lawrence Simon with us. He's an up-and-coming business and leadership development speaker, career strategist, and founder of a growing enterprise. Also a proud college dropout. So welcome to the show, man.
Thank you, Tyler, for having me. Sounds great, just like how I had you write it.
Yes, absolutely. I like the college dropout part. It's a good part. So the first one I got for you, Lawrence, is what is the best story from your life that has an underlying valuable message?
Wow, is this the first question, Tyler?
Yes, we go deep quick.
First, I just want to say thank you again for having me on the show. And pretty much, I just want to tell you that what I'm about to tell you as far as my story is based around 3 words of never give up. And basically, I just want to bring you back throughout my career and pretty much tell you how I got started. So basically, you know, I was— There, after finals week, currently I was living with my sister at the time in her living room, and I had gotten a letter back from my college saying that I couldn't return back. And man, it was very hard for me during that time frame, and I just didn't know exactly, you know, what I wanted to do. I told my family, a lot of my family just was not against it. They told me to go back. And really, I just was lost for words. Fast forward a little bit on, I talked to the director of financial aid about appealing to go back to school, and she denied me. She told me I couldn't come back. Pretty much when you get that, it totally hits you hard. I lost weight, was stressed out, just didn't know what to do with my life. Fast forward on from that, I met my direct mentors and also networked and went through a couple more opportunities as well that really brought me here today. So that's really why, you know, I'm saying never give up because, you know, the fact that I was booted from college really turned out to be a blessing, which is why I'm here with you today. Sharing value on your podcast and pretty much helping the entrepreneurs who are listening to this as well to never give up on your dreams and hopes. You know, you never know what you'll come across.
Absolutely, man. And the next one I got for you is, what is the most valuable piece of information we should know that's within your expertise or industry?
The most valuable piece of information I would say is It correlates across all industries, Tyler, and it's pretty much networking. How did we get here today, me and you? It's because of networking. I believe network is your network, network, excuse me, and networking is key. You'll find out that as you go along through your entrepreneurial career as well, the more, the more you, the secret to living is giving. The more you give to people, The more you network through your actual network there, you'll start to see opportunities come from really anywhere. And I just believe that that is the most valuable piece of advice I can give across all industries it applies to.
And if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?
Wow. I would say is to have a lot more patience. A lot of times we like to run into things, we like to do a lot of things too quickly. And, you know, we should have more patience and more diligence, you know, just wait a little bit more. Gary Vee always talks about it, he always says patience is key. And sometimes you're just a little bit early in the process. I just try to take that same advice too.
I feel it. And then kind of a little bit going down a different path, in your opinion, what is the key to happiness?
I believe the key to happiness is the art of fulfillment. A lot of people think that when you're successful, you know, you got the Benjis, you got the Rollies. A lot of, 90% of the population thinks that that's what makes us happy. When in all reality, it's actually the relationships And the art of— the secret art of fulfillment through those relationships that really make you happy. It's not the cars, the houses, the homes, none of that. It's the relationships. So relationships, I believe, is the secret and the key to happiness. Family. Having that bond, that unity as well.
And then what is the best book that you've read and what was the number one thing you learned from that?
I was waiting for you to ask me that. So I stumbled across it. I'm always in Barnes Noble. I mean, probably every day after work, I'm always there. Failing Forward by John Maxwell. And it reads, 90% of all those who fail are not actually defeated. They simply quit. So basically what that statement is saying is that a lot of people they just quit. They just quit on themselves, they quit on their dreams, and they just stop going, which is, in my opinion, it's absurd. And it's probably one of the benefits, I believe, of me dropping out of college too, as well, because I had to build so much tenacity in order to really keep myself positive going through those negative periods of time. So I believe that that's probably the best book, and it's a real good teaching moment. I really recommend it, "Failing Forward," you guys, John Maxwell.
And then what is your favorite quote and why?
Favorite quote? I have a bunch of quotes written down. Give me a second. I have like tons. Uh, let's see. This would be the easiest question, but it's actually the hardest because I have tons of quotes.
No, no, you're good, man. Share a couple if you want.
Yeah, yeah. It's one by Abraham Lincoln, and it's very powerful. It says, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Ah, I like that.
Yeah, that's sick, brother. Well, listen, thank you for coming on. The last one I got for you before we let you go is, where can our audience best find you online?
Awesome, man. So I'm really available on social media. Uh, for right now, Instagram is my main focus. So if you guys want to keep up with me throughout my entrepreneurial career as well, while I'm developing too as well, cause I'm always in this stage of growth. Um, you can find me at theinfluencer__ on Instagram. Perfect.
Thank you again for coming on.
I love you, man. Thank you for having me.
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