Hey friends — Happy New Year! I hope you’re stepping into this next season with a full heart, a clear mind, and excitement about what’s possible.
This week’s episode is a special one for me because I got to reconnect with a longtime friend in the print world — Joe Manos.
Joe and I covered a lot — leadership, technology, mentorship, money, and the reality of how fast life changes.
It’s a conversation that feels like two old friends catching up… but there are some real lessons inside it that apply whether you’re running a business, raising a family, mentoring someone younger, or trying to build a better life one decision at a time.
Grateful you're here,
Larry
Takeaways You’ll Want To Hold Onto
Great leadership is still simple — but it’s not easy
Joe said something I’ve believed forever: leadership is about people, communication, and expectations.
The best teams I ever had didn’t need babysitting. They had ownership. They had pride. They knew what the customer needed — and they cared enough to deliver.
And Joe nailed a problem we see too often today:
A lot of leaders stare at the P&L…but don’t spend enough time looking outside the building — listening to customers and taking care of relationships.
Find out what the customer wants — and overdeliver.The only constant is change — your reaction determines the outcome
We talked about how fast the world has shifted in 25 years — from analog to digital, from old-school sales to AI-driven tools.Joe’s point was spot on:
Change isn’t good or bad by itself.
It becomes good or bad based on how you respond to it.
And I’ll add this: sometimes the best moves are the ones you make before you feel “ready”. Business rarely comes with guarantees. You take the best information you’ve got, trust your gut, and go.Mentorship matter more than we realize
One of my favorite parts of the episode was Joe’s story about a young diver he coached decades ago — and how she told him years later:
“You changed my life.”
That’s the thing about mentorship… You may never know the impact you had on someone until long after the moment passes.
But if you’re willing to invest your time, show someone the roadmap, and teach them how to read it — you can change their trajectory.
What’s Up Next
We’re kicking off the year with momentum, and I’m excited about the conversations ahead.
In the meantime, if you haven’t yet, go check out the episode — and if it gives you even one good idea, do me a favor:
✅ Share it with a friend
✅ Leave a comment
✅ Or just reply to this email and tell me what hit home for you
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My Book – Business Cards & Shoe Leather
If you haven’t read my book yet, here’s a little about it:
In Business Cards & Shoe Leather, I share how I built a career in commercial printing while navigating the challenges of dyslexia and the realities of being an underdog. It’s filled with humor, hard lessons, and moments of clarity about what matters most: relationships, mentorship, and leading with integrity.
You’ll learn how I co-founded two international business cooperatives and why I believe cooperation will always beat competition.
Got A Question For Larry?
Have a leadership challenge you’re facing? Curious about business, mentorship, or navigating big life decisions?
Now’s your chance to get those questions answered!
Going forward I will be answering real questions from real listeners and fans of the show — offering real talk, practical wisdom, and lessons from a life of experience.
Let’s turn your question into a conversation that helps everyone grow!
Until next time…Make Today Count!