The NoDegree Podcast – No Degree Success Stories for Job Searching, Careers, and Entrepreneurship

• From Sales Rep to CEO in 18 Months: Johnny Page's lessons to GET PROMOTED | E214

  Johnny Page shares his journey from working as a straight-commission sales rep to becoming the CEO of SaaS Academy. He talks about the importance of taking risks and learning transferable skills, as well as the mindset of treating the company as one’s own. He emphasizes the importance of taking initiative, building trust, and exhibiting leadership before earning a title. He also discusses the value of working with people and organizations that align with your values and goals. He outlines his transition from sales to leadership roles and the responsibilities that come with it.Key Points DiscussedTaking risks and learning transferable skills can lead to opportunities for growth and advancement in a company.Treating the company as your own and going above and beyond your role can build trust and open doors for leadership positions.Solving problems and finding ways to eliminate waste in your role can demonstrate your value and contribute to the success of the company.Building strong relationships with founders and key stakeholders can create opportunities for growth and influence in the company.Transitioning from sales to leadership roles requires delegating responsibilities, managing through data, and focusing on achieving outcomes through other people.Promotions and titles may not always be formal, but the responsibilities and influence of a leadership role can be earned through consistent performance and contribution.Positioning a company for sale involves strategic decision-making and aligning the team to maximize value and attract potential buyers. Take initiative and show leadership before earning a title.Build trust and work with people and organizations that align with your values and goals.Don't be afraid to ask for what you want and negotiate for equity or other opportunities.Believe in your value and the impact you can make in an organization.Timestamps00:00 Introduction: Becoming an Entrepreneur Without the Traditional Risk03:20 The Value of Commission-Only Jobs in Building Entrepreneurial Skills08:01 Transitioning from Sales to Leadership: Delegation and Data Management16:44 Building Trust and Relationships for Career Advancement19:09 Transitioning to CEO: Shifting into Team Building Mode23:16 The Natural Progression to CEO: Leading and Making Decisions23:38 Taking on More Responsibility at Silver Track26:02 Transitioning to a New Role After the Company Sale27:22 Becoming the CEO of SaaS Academy31:05 Transitioning to a Leadership Role at SaaS Academy36:47 Becoming the CEO of SaaS Academy42:02 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities and Taking InitiativeSupport/Contact Johnny:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypage/Website: https://www.thejohnnypage.com/Books and resources mentioned in this podcast:Resume course: https://bit.ly/podcastpca Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed Connect with us on social media!- Instagram: @nodegreecareers- TikTok: @nodegree Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, or drop us a review on Apple Podcast. Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at NoDegree.com.

  --------  

  46:48
• Had encounters with the law? A look at Fair-Chance Hiring & Opportunities | E213

  Jonaed interviews Khalilah KO Olokunola, a senior advisor for TalentNova and founder of Reengineering HR, about skills-first hiring and navigating the workforce for justice-impacted individuals. They discuss the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals in finding employment, the importance of community support, the impact of Ban-the-Box policies, and the skills and certifications that justice-impacted individuals possess. They also explore the process of building confidence, the rights of justice-impacted individuals in the hiring process, and the future of fair-chance hiring. Khalilah shares insights into TalentNova, a platform that provides career tools and resources for justice-impacted individuals.Key Points DiscussedJustice-impacted individuals face unique challenges in finding employment, and community support is crucial in navigating the workforce.Ban-the-Box policies have been instrumental in giving justice-impacted individuals a fair chance at employment by removing questions about criminal records from job applications.Justice-impacted individuals possess valuable skills such as resilience, loyalty, teamwork, and leadership, which can be translated into the workplace.Listing jobs and certifications obtained while serving time can help fill employment gaps and showcase relevant experience and skills.Building confidence during the job search process is essential, and it can be achieved through community support, self-reflection, and positive language.Seeking out community-based organizations that provide resume assistance, interview coaching, and other resources can greatly benefit justice-impacted individuals.Knowing and exercising one's rights in the hiring process, such as when to disclose criminal history, can help level the playing field for justice-impacted individuals.The future of fair-chance hiring involves collaboration between employers, community organizations, and technology platforms to create opportunities and remove barriers for justice-impacted individuals.TalentNova is a platform that offers career tools, including resume and cover letter builders, interview courses, and coaching, to support justice-impacted individuals in their job search and career advancement.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Fair Chance Employment 03:03 Understanding Justice Impacted Individuals 08:40 The Impact of Ban the Box Policies 10:20 Uncovering the Hidden Skills of Justice Impacted Individuals 19:10 Building a Supportive Community for Successful Reentry 26:50 Career Growth Opportunities for Justice Impacted Individuals 31:28 Talent Nova: Career Tools and Support for Justice Impacted IndividualsSupport/Contact Khalilah:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalilahequipsWebsite: https://reengineeringhr.com/Books and resources mentioned in this podcast:Resume course: https://bit.ly/podcastpcaTalentNova: https://talentnova.com/Dress for Success: https://dressforsuccess.org/ Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed Connect with us on social media!- Instagram: @nodegreecareers- TikTok: @nodegree Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, or drop us a review on Apple Podcast. Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at NoDegree.com.

  --------  

  37:12
• 12 Lies About College–Robert McGraw (EP90 Republished)

  Many people he knew struggled to pay their mountain of debt. Although Robert McGraw graduated from college, from experience, he recognized that there was a lot that was wrong with the process of deciding to go to school.Listen in as he and Jonaed discuss his book, 12 Lies About College, and and why following your passions can sometimes work against you.Support/Contact Robert:LinkedInBooks mentioned:12 Lies About CollegeWant to get in touch with NoDegree? Listen to more podcast episodes here.Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with our CEO Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn. (Yes, he answers messages. Even if it takes some time to respond.)Connect with us on social media!LinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterTikTokRemember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at nodegree.com. Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed Connect with us on social media!- Instagram: @nodegreecareers- TikTok: @nodegree Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, or drop us a review on Apple Podcast. Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at NoDegree.com.

  --------  

  41:53
• How a Dyslexic Introvert Became a Microsoft Cloud Architect | E211

  From janitor to Cloud Architect at Microsoft, Reginald Davis’ journey shows the power of taking risks and believing in oneself.In this episode, he talks about being an introvert and his school experience as a dyslexic kid and the support he got from his mom and teachers. Tune in as he shares practical tips he used to boost his communication skills and how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot have helped to ease the stress of writing for him. He also emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding.Key Points Discussed:Dyslexia can present challenges in writing and communication, but with practice and support, individuals can improve their skills.Having a supportive network, including teachers, parents, and mentors, is crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving success.Believing in oneself and taking risks can lead to long-term career growth and opportunities.It's important to focus on one's strengths and find ways to excel in areas where one has natural abilities.Navigating the workplace as an introvert can be challenging, but preparation and self-reflection can help in overcoming these challenges. AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can greatly assist individuals in improving their writing and communication skills, allowing them to overcome challenges and build their personal brand.Empathy and understanding are crucial in supporting individuals with different struggles, and private conversations can be more effective in offering help and support.Surrounding oneself with good people and focusing on personal growth are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving success.Podcasts like DEM Tech Folks provide a platform for inclusive and authentic conversations about diverse experiences in the tech industry.Timestamps00:00 Reginald Davis' Journey: Overcoming Dyslexia and Introversion03:20 Strategies for Improving Communication Skills06:14 Understanding and Working with Learning Disabilities07:08 Recognizing Strengths for Success10:34 The Power of Problem-Solving Abilities22:42 Breaking into Microsoft: Experience and Support23:29 Taking Risks and Betting on Yourself25:24 The Power of AI Tools26:15 Authenticity, Diversity, and Inclusivity in the Tech Industry29:03 Empathy and Understanding: Supporting Others33:26 Building a Personal Brand and Inspiring OthersSupport/Contact Reginald:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-j-davis-mcsa-mct-itil-prosci-970ba77/ DEM Tech Folks: https://linktr.ee/developeverymindBooks and resources mentioned in this podcast:Resume course: https://bit.ly/podcastpca Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed Connect with us on social media!- Instagram: @nodegreecareers- TikTok: @nodegree Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, or drop us a review on Apple Podcast. Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at NoDegree.com.

  --------  

  47:22
• From His Living Room in Lagos, Nigeria to Olympic Table Tennis Champion | EP210 (EP62 Republished)

  The youngest of six siblings, Olajide Omotayo‘s love for the game started at the age of nine. Years of training paid when he won the Men’s Singles at the 2019 African Games. As current Champion of African he competed in this year’s Tokyo Olympics.Listen in as he shares his story with Jonaed.Want to get in touch and/or support Olajide?LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitterWebsite Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed Connect with us on social media!- Instagram: @nodegreecareers- TikTok: @nodegree Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, or drop us a review on Apple Podcast. Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at NoDegree.com.

  --------  

  39:09

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About The NoDegree Podcast – No Degree Success Stories for Job Searching, Careers, and Entrepreneurship