EPISODE 2 REPLAY | Designing Success Through Discipline with Andy Manz
Andy Manz
Steven and Ron sit down with entrepreneur Andy Manz to unpack more than a decade of lessons from building a high-performing business rooted in discipline, trust, and long-term thinking.
13 Years, Zero Plan B, and a Secret to Selling in Any Market
What does it take to walk away from a stable career and bet everything on a magazine concept in a brand-new city? In this episode of Share the Lifestyle, Steven and guest co-host Ron Kolb sit down with entrepreneur Andy Manz, a now-publisher who has spent nearly 13 years defining the standard for success at City Lifestyle.
From selling his musical instruments at gas stations to stay afloat to setting company-wide sales records, Andy shares the raw, unfiltered story of his journey.
"Service is something you do for somebody, and hospitality is how you make somebody feel. We are in the hospitality business, and that’s about making people feel a certain way." — Andy Manz
Show Notes: This conversation is a masterclass in entrepreneurial grit, community building, and the sales habits required for long-term sustainability. Andy Manz discusses his transition from the high-stress restaurant industry to becoming one of City Lifestyle's top-ranking publishers. We dive deep into the "50/50" rule of publishing: 50% is the ad, and the other 50% is the relationship and value you bring to your partners. Andy reveals the "non-negotiables" that kept him at the top, including his commitment to face-to-face meetings and his "Midwestern grit" inherited from his family. We also explore the personal side of his story—rebuilding after losing his home in the devastating Marshall Fire and how that shifted his focus from material possessions to family experiences.
Key Topics: -The Power of Trust: Why following a proven process to a tee is more effective than trying to "reinvent the wheel" in a new market. -Relationship-Driven Sales: How Andy leveraged a passion for Land Rovers to sign his very first deal on Halloween night in 2012. - The "Push Away" Technique: Using exclusivity and high standards to turn prospects into loyal partners. - Hospitality vs. Service: A deep dive into making clients feel valued rather than just performing a task. - Winning the Day: Andy’s daily routine, including his experience with 75 Hard and the importance of a "locked-in" morning.
Chapters: [00:01:18] The First Deadline: Texting prospects on New Year's Eve. [00:05:43] From Restaurant Partner to Publisher: Drinking the "Kool-Aid" of local marketing. [00:10:41] The Early Struggles: Selling a mandolin at a gas station to bridge the gap. [00:14:22] The Magic Number: Why 10 face-to-face meetings a week is the golden rule. [00:18:22] Halloween 2012: The story of the first Land Rover deal. [00:27:03] Persistence Pays Off: How Audi finally bought the back cover after a year of "No". [00:30:58] The Helicopter & Silver Oak: Setting the bar for client events. [00:42:04] Personal Growth: How 75 Hard changed Andy's perspective on discipline. [00:47:01] Competition & Drive: The motivation behind the rankings. [01:08:29] The Marshall Fire: A life-changing event and the shift to "simple living". [01:21:45] Long-term Success: The secret to high renewal rates and the "waiting list" strategy.
