Have you ever avoided pivoting or changing the direction of your business, because you feel like it’s a sign of failure? Or because you’re feeling fearful of the unknown or how difficult it could be? You’ll be inspired by Elzie Flenard, otherwise known as The Mayor of Podcast Town.
Elzie is an entrepreneur, podcaster, teacher, and creative, and he’s sharing how his diverse experiences led him to start Podcast Town, how he realized Podcast Town needed to pivot and grow to stay authentic to how he wanted to help people, and why self-work is so important for business growth. Read on to be inspired and motivated to make a change in your business!
Meet Elzie Flenard
Elzie D. Flenard, III, also known as “The Mayor,” is a multifaceted entrepreneur, creative thinker, and dedicated family man with a fervor for igniting the spark of enterprise in others. Born in Chicago, IL and raised in the small town of Mounds, Illinois, Elzie’s humble beginnings have shaped his approach to business and life, teaching him that no matter where one comes from, success is within reach.
As the founder of Podcast Town, and author of Flame Starter, Elzie has carved out a distinctive niche in the business world. His entrepreneurial journey, which has seen him work in roles as diverse as janitor, fast food worker, electronics technician, electrical engineer and operations manager, has honed his business acumen and leadership skills. Today, he channels these experiences into his work, helping other entrepreneurs chart their paths and realize their dreams.
With a passion for the power of voice, Elzie uses his platforms to uncover, cultivate, and broadcast voices that need to be heard. As the host of the Journey To Mastery podcast, he has engaged in conversations with some of the brightest minds globally, disseminating their wisdom to his audience. His love for audio extends to music, having written, produced, and released around 20 songs, further showcasing his creative prowess.
Beyond his professional achievements, Elzie is a devoted husband and father. His family serves as his grounding force, offering him constant support while keeping him rooted in his values.
In everything he does, Elzie’s mission remains steadfast: to change lives through enterprise. His work embodies the EMIT Principle (Education x Motivation x Inspiration = Transformation), providing practical insights for high-achieving entrepreneurs looking to elevate their performance and light their flames. With his blend of authenticity, creativity, and innovation, Elzie D. Flenard, III truly personifies the spirit of entrepreneurship.
From Aspiring Musician to Business Owner
Elzie’s journey has led him on many paths before he founded Podcast Town. He went through different routes, from dreaming of becoming a professional musician, to electronics, to almost joining the army, to being determined to excel in college.
He earned his degree in electronics and went on to launch ventures like a record label, a music production company, and even a minor league basketball team. But juggling an 80-hour workweek took a toll on his health and relationships. He started a podcast to learn directly from business owners, and then Podcast Town was born.
Pivoting and Honesty in Business
So many business owners look at pivoting in business as a sign of failure. But Elzie takes pivoting as a sign of a triple threat and heading in a new, better direction.
He realized that the way Podcast Town was growing wasn’t aligned with his values, direction, and what he truly wanted. So Podcast Town is currently going through a pivot right now to better help business owners and podcasters. Elzie explained how important it is to continually stop and reflect over what he truly wants to make sure his business is aligned – because as you grow, your purpose is going to grow.
The Ever-Evolving Entrepreneur
Elzie explains that one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is adapting to change. Many seasoned entrepreneurs run their businesses the same way they did 10 or 20 years ago, but they don’t account for how they’ve grown as individuals and how the world around them has evolved.
“It’s scary to think that what you’ve built might not sustain you for the next five years,” Elzie says. Elzie talks about the “mastery circle,” as a continuous cycle of learning, mastering, and beginning again.
We definitely agree on this one: Growth is a never-ending journey.
Embracing the Pain of Growth
Change and growth are uncomfortable, but they are necessary for success. Elzie says that it’s not the change itself that people resist—it’s the pain and uncertainty that often accompany it.
When you’re called to serve at a new level, it’s painful… but if it wasn’t, everyone would do it. The key is staying connected to your core identity and purpose, and staying aligned with those.
Aligning with Authenticity
There’s a social media expert who predicts that by 2025, brands will need to humanize their presence to succeed. Elzie agrees and says, “When you know who you are and what you stand for, you become unstoppable.” Doing the real work on yourself is going to be a huge gateway to success in 2025.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Elzie Flenard on his website, podcast, and LinkedIn
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