After taking a risk and leaving his law career behind, Lou Mongello dives into the unknown to turn his passion for Walt Disney World into an entrepreneurial career with WDW Radio, overcoming fear and imposter syndrome to build a diverse business and a global community.
“I sold my house and moved to Florida to see if I could turn what I loved into what I could do full time – a total leap of faith.” – Lou Mongello
Table of Contents
Taking a Leap of Faith
Going beyond the comfort zone, taking risks, and facing uncertainties are all critical aspects of entrepreneurship.
Taking leaps of faith can lead to personal and professional growth, and the willingness to step outside the familiar is a powerful catalyst for change. Embracing this mindset often results in unexpected opportunities, connections, and personal fulfillment.
The entrepreneurial journey may have numerous ups and downs, but it is the courage to embrace uncertainty and keep pushing forward that ultimately leads to success.
In his interview with Beyond the Rut, Lou Mongello reflects on his transformative journey of leaving his legal career to pursue his Disney passion full-time. Despite facing pushback from friends and personal doubts, he turned his passion into a lucrative business because he was not afraid to take a leap of faith.
Lou’s determination to turn his hobby into more than just a pastime brought him closer to reaching his true potential. His story serves as an inspiration for others who are considering making a significant change and trusting themselves to take that important leap of faith.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Discover how a law professional made a successful leap to a Disney-inspired entrepreneurial journey.
- Unlock the power of fear to push yourself further in your endeavors.
- Uncover the secrets to cultivating a devoted and connected audience for your enterprise.
- Realize the potential behind diversifying your revenue sources for sustained success.
- Embrace the art of putting thoughts into action for consistent growth in your ventures.
Lou Mongello
Lou Mongello is an internationally renowned Disney fan, author, podcaster, speaker, and expert. He was among the first to experience Walt Disney World in 1971 and has since dedicated his career to celebrating the magic of the iconic park and related brands.
As the host and producer of WDW Radio, one of the top 1% of podcasts worldwide, Lou is considered a leader and pioneer in the podcasting industry. He has written several Disney books including 102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World and two Walt Disney World Trivia Books as well as authored seven audio tours of the park.
Lou’s passion for Disney has also led him to found the DREAM TEAM PROJECT, which has raised more than $550,000.00 to send children with life-threatening illnesses to Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
He is frequently featured in numerous media outlets as a Disney expert and motivational speaker and uses his platform to bring “Disney magic” into schools. Through entertaining assembly programs, Lou shows students how to pursue their dreams and passions in order to create an exciting future.
Lou is a living example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and never giving up on one’s goals. He has successfully leveraged social media in order to share his passion for Disney with a worldwide audience and to inspire others to pursue their dreams. His Momentum Retreats help entrepreneurs do the same.
When it comes to embracing the magic of Disney, no one is more passionate or knowledgeable than Lou Mongello. If you are looking for an inspirational speaker that can bring the “happiest place on Earth” into any event, then look no further! Lou is the perfect choice for bringing Disney magic and enthusiasm to your next event.
Chapter Summaries:
00:02:23 – Lou’s Journey to Disney, Jerry and Lou discuss Lou’s background as a lawyer and how he transitioned into his passion for Disney. Lou shares about his initial book about Walt Disney World and the community he discovered through his discussion forum.
00:07:38 – Taking a Leap of Faith, Lou discusses the leap of faith he took in leaving his career and moving to Florida to pursue his passion for Disney full-time. He shares about the pushback he received from friends and the fear he faced when he first started.
00:10:50 – Facing Fear, Lou and Jerry talk about the fear that comes with pursuing your passions and how it can be a motivator. Lou emphasizes the importance of hunger and staying motivated to turn your hobby or idea into an actual business. Jerry shares his own experience taking a leap of faith from his job to pursue his own business.
00:12:22 – Building a Business Around Expertise, Lou shares advice on building a business around your expertise by providing value to other people. He emphasizes the importance of helping others save time, money, and reputation by providing access to your knowledge and experience.
00:14:07 – The First “Aha” Moment, Lou shares his first “aha” moment after receiving a call from someone who wanted to sponsor his show. This was an indicator that there was a demand for his expertise and he started thinking about ways to monetize his content.
00:19:41 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Lou provides advice on overcoming imposter syndrome and pricing your services. He suggests finding a number that makes you uncomfortable and doubling it. Additionally, he advises taking less at the beginning to gain experience and testimonials.
00:22:32 – The Heart of the Business, Lou discusses the heart of his business, which is building a meaningful, engaged community. He emphasizes the importance of expressing love and appreciation for individual members of the community and providing value through content, events, and merchandise.
00:23:50 – Building Personal Connections, Lou highlights the importance of building personal connections with members of his community through social media, email, and in-person events. He shares how engaging with his audience has helped to grow and sustain his business over time.
00:25:05 – Starting an Umbrella Company, Lou shares how his love for attending conferences and networking led him to start LouMongello.com, which focuses on helping people turn their passions into successful businesses through mastermind groups, coaching, and events.
00:26:13 – Overcoming Business Obstacles, Lou explains how being a solo entrepreneur can be challenging, even with a supportive network, and discusses the importance of accountability and mastermind groups. He also shares how he created an event called Momentum to help 50 people move the needle in their businesses.
00:29:43 – Final Words of Wisdom, Lou shares his key takeaway for listeners: believe in what you’re doing and have faith in your passions. He encourages people to take leaps of faith, even when they hit obstacles along the way, and to keep moving forward towards their goals.
Resources
Subscribe on your favorite podcast player.
You can learn more about Lou Mongello’s show, WDW Radio and his speaking and coaching services loumongello.com and wdwradio.com.
Other episodes and articles you’ll enjoy:
The 3 E’s of Career Magic with Lee Cockerell – BtR 330
Dan Cockerell’s 27 Years of Leadership Lessons Working for Disney – BtR 147
How Creating Disney Magic Changed the Life of Jody Maberry – BtR 170
Connect with me:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/beyondtherut
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/beyondtherut
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beyondtherut
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrydugan/
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Transcript
