Most entrepreneurs don’t fail from lack of talent — they quit in the middle… right before it starts working.

If you’re building a business and you feel stuck, tired, or unseen, this CEO Lounge episode is for you. Derrick and Joselyn break down the middle season of entrepreneurship — the nights no one claps for, the discipline it takes to keep going, and how to protect your entrepreneur mindset with weekly wins that stack into real momentum.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ How to stay motivated when results are slow
✅ Why “applause” is a trap (and conviction is the fuel)
✅ The 1:00am grind story that built the foundation
✅ How to set weekly goals, celebrate wins, and avoid burnout
✅ How to know if you’re in a breakdown… or on the edge of a breakthrough

📌 Want more CEO Lounge clips + the full episodes? Subscribe today!

—

CHAPTERS

00:00 Protect your mindset in the middle
00:55 Welcome + why “the middle” matters
03:55 “Nobody claps for the nights you don’t quit”
06:05 The 1:00am office grind story (what people don’t see)
10:40 Leading without applause (conviction vs attention)
13:15 Why most people quit in the middle
15:35 Weekly wins: how Derrick stayed motivated
17:45 Rewards, discipline, and celebrating progress
20:00 Leading yourself before leading a team
30:05 Applause vs conviction + “breakdown or breakthrough?”
36:25 Someone is always watching (even in the unseen season)
41:35 Fatherhood + “no turning back” mindset
42:40 Redefining success: time, freedom, and peace
44:25 If you feel unseen: what to do next
50:20 Audience Q: What do I focus on first? (and when?)
52:35 Audience Q: Mindset + gratitude in the middle
58:00 When plans take longer than expected (resetting)
1:00:14 Closing encouragement
1:00:38 Bonus: 12:20am “this is what it takes” clip

—

#EntrepreneurMindset #StartupLife #BusinessOwner #Leadership #CEO

How do I get clients? It’s one of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask — and the answer isn’t always what you think.

In this segment from Episode 2 of The CEO Lounge, Derrick Thompson explains why networking events didn’t bring him his biggest clients — and what actually did.

Instead of chasing handshakes and business cards, Derrick built long-term growth through:

• Personal introductions
• Relationships built over years
• Being seen doing the work
• Consistency, credibility, and trust

You’ll hear how former coworkers, community connections, and people who witnessed his work ethic became the gateway to his largest clients — often years later.

This conversation covers:

• How to get clients without relying on networking events
• Why visibility matters more than pitching
• What to do if you don’t have clients yet
• How donating work strategically can open doors
• Why relationships outperform cold outreach over time

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I get clients?”, this segment reframes what actually works.

The CEO Lounge is your blueprint for success — real experience, real strategy, and real lessons for entrepreneurs building something that lasts.

📌 This clip is from Episode 2 - You’re NETWORKING WRONG: How Real Business Connections Actually Happen | CEO Lounge Ep. 2

🎧 New episodes drop the 1st and 3rd Fridays
🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 How Do I Get Clients?
00:09 Why Networking Didn’t Bring My Biggest Clients
00:25 Where My Top Clients Actually Came From
00:45 The Power of Personal Introductions
01:03 Why Long-Term Relationships Win
01:21 Why Business Cards Don’t Build Trust
01:49 When Networking Events Disappoint
02:12 Being Seen Doing the Work
02:34 What to Do If You Don’t Have Clients Yet
02:58 Why Donating Work Can Open Doors
03:18 Relationships vs. Cold Outreach

If you’re constantly chasing new clients, this might be the real reason business feels harder than it should.

In this segment from Episode 2 of The CEO Lounge, Derrick Thompson explains why the best referral source you’ll ever have is the client you already have — and why desperation quietly kills deals before they even start.

Clients can sense confidence. They can also sense need. And when you’re “thirsty” for work, it becomes a turnoff — even if your service is excellent.

In this conversation, Derrick breaks down:

• Why referrals outperform traditional marketing
• How happy clients become your strongest sales team
• The hidden danger of chasing every new opportunity
• Why desperation repels the very clients you want
• How confidence and consistency create inbound demand

If you can master getting your customers to talk about you, you won’t have to market nearly as hard — they’ll do the work for you.

The CEO Lounge is your blueprint for success — real conversations, real experience, and real strategy to help you grow the right way.

📌 This clip is from Episode 2 → You’re NETWORKING WRONG: How Real Business Connections Actually Happen | CEO Lounge Ep. 2

🎧 New episodes drop the 1st and 3rd Fridays
🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Why Your Best Referral Is Your Current Client
00:18 How Referrals Create Effortless Growth
00:36 Why Happy Clients Sell Better Than Ads
00:59 “If Clients Talk About You, You Don’t Have to Market”
01:10 The Biggest Mistake in Business Relationships
01:16 Why Desperation Turns Clients Away
01:37 Confidence vs. Need in Sales Conversations
02:04 Why Chasing Clients Signals a Bigger Problem
02:26 The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Most people don’t struggle with networking because they lack effort — they struggle because they’re doing it wrong.

In Episode 2 of The CEO Lounge, Derrick Thompson and co-host Joselyn Flores break down why traditional networking advice fails entrepreneurs — and what actually builds real business relationships.

If you’ve ever:

• Left a networking event exhausted with nothing to show for it
• Collected business cards that went nowhere
• Wondered why some people always get the call back

This episode is your blueprint.

Instead of chasing contacts, this conversation dives into:

• Why real networking rarely happens in crowded rooms
• How timing, value, and intention matter more than small talk
• A real story of how one fundraiser conversation turned into a high-level business connection
• When to follow up — and when not to
• How to add value first without sounding salesy or desperate

This isn’t theory. It’s real-world strategy from entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses through relationships, trust, and long-term thinking.

The CEO Lounge is your blueprint for success — designed to help aspiring founders, startups, and seasoned entrepreneurs make smarter moves without wasting years learning the hard way.

🎧 New episodes drop the 1st and 3rd Fridays
📅 Episode 2 is live now
📌 Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next

🔑 KEY TOPICS COVERED

• Business networking strategies
• Entrepreneur networking tips
• How to follow up with executives
• Relationship-based marketing
• Building trust in business
• Startup mistakes in networking
• How to add value before asking

If this episode helped you rethink networking, drop a comment below or share it with someone who needs to hear this.

Welcome to the very first episode of The CEO Lounge — Your Blueprint for Success.

In this powerful introduction episode, 30-year entrepreneur Derrick Thompson and co-host Joselyn Flores break down the foundational lessons every new and aspiring entrepreneur needs. From mentorship to managing risk to knowing when (or if) you should leave your 9–5 job, this episode sets the tone for what The CEO Lounge is all about: real talk, real strategy, and real guidance.

If you're thinking about starting a business, stuck between comfort and calling, or trying to understand what it truly takes to become a CEO — this episode gives you clarity.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• How to choose the right mentor
• Derrick’s #1 piece of advice for new entrepreneurs
• How to know when it’s time to leave your 9–5 job
• What real “risk management” looks like
• The mindset and traits real CEOs share
• Sweat equity vs outside funding
• How to build relationships that move your life forward
• How to deal with setbacks and failure
• Why sacrifice is essential
• How to price your work properly
• Why Plan B can actually sabotage your dreams
• And how to test if your idea is a hobby or a real business

New episodes drop 1st & 3rd Friday of every month at 7 PM EST.