Ken Rochon, Jr., PhD AKA Dr. Smiley is an entrepreneur, humanitarian, and internationally known author and speaker. He is the co-founder and visionary at The Umbrella Syndicate, a company the offers marketing solutions and services. His main focus in life is Amplifying Goodness with his nonprofit The Keep Smiling Movement where he honors leaders making a positive impact in the world. He focuses on influencers who inspire HOPE. Rochon also has authored 33 books on a multitude of topics to include children, linguistics, marketing, networking, and travel.
Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?
I am an army brat who lived in France, Germany, India, and all over. ☺ I have many stories and they are in the travel books I have written.
What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?
The importance of partnering with Accountants, Lawyers, and IT people in business.
How to automate, build email lists and monetize.
Investing in things I believe in… Apple, Amazon, Tesla, and even bitcoin.
What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
No really relevant… I am an outlier and don’t really pay attention to the ‘mob’
Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?
Embezzlement and losing 90% of my staff (10 people walked). Determination and 3 years to rebuild and redefine a simple word… ‘Partnership’
And recently the pandemic… losing 99% of my events and income and shifting to publishing and legacy work.
What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?
- Choosing God
- Creating a Purpose Driven Life and staying faithful to it.
- Having a son, and holding myself accountable for inspiring him every day.
What is your morning routine?
I get up between 2 am and 4 am and organize my thoughts, make my list of who I will serve, and what are the biggest accomplishments I must make to move forward. I write for books I am either the author or co-author of, and build my directory of leaders I wish to work with… and send at least 10 but typically as many as 50 touches a day to people I haven’t talked to in a while and wish to either reengage or just remind them I am thinking of them.
What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?
Getting up at 3 am and focusing on what must be done with a list and actions already in motion. I typically knock out half of my day with the most needed communication by 6 am.
Taking a nap around 1 pm for at least an hour to refuel my body and mind.
Writing on index cards people I want to focus on, and updating the cards with more info… birthday, where they live, how I met them, etc.
What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?
Go to bed early if you are not accomplishing things that must be done. You wake up refreshed and focused on the tasks at hand.
Pray often, especially when you rest (go to bed).
Ask yourself powerful questions before you go to bed and allow your mind to create powerful solutions.
Write a book every year.
Tell the people you love them often and show it with actions.
What book(s) have influenced your life the most? Why?
ALL books by Tim Ferris – Scientifically explains the human behavior condition for success
ALL books by Malcolm Gladwell – Scientifically explains the human behavior condition for success
Go-Giver Series by Bob Burg – Philosophy for Contribution with a brilliant narrative and storytelling.
Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?
“Look for the Good in People and You WILL ALWAYS find it”
“Whether you think you can or can’t, you are right”
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
“My life is my message”
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel only see one page.”
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