Inside a Billion Dollar Empire with Elena Cardone

Those who still believe that business and finance is a men’s world definitely have to meet THE Elena Cardone. Read below to see how you can get inspired to build your photo booth business.

It’s no understatement that Elena is a true icon for the modern-day woman. Apart from being a leading superstar featured in front covers of prestigious magazines, did you know that she’s also an entrepreneur and investor who runs multiple multimillion-dollar ventures?

She is absolutely unstoppable with her husband Grant Cardone. Together, the power couple successfully built up a real estate portfolio worth over 1.5 billion dollars!

And when you’re the queen of a billion-dollar empire, people would likely assume a cold heartless leader whose eyes are always fixed on staying on top. Nothing else. However, Elena is nowhere near these stereotypes.

As an ambitious lady boss myself, I admire her raging passion in leading conversations and workshops envisioned to empower women and push them to fully thrive in their roles.

It’s getting quite obvious how much I love Elena, huh? Just imagine how ecstatic I was when I got the chance to do a one-on-one interview with her!

Come join me in this blog as I round up all of Elena’s expert tips for fast-tracking your success. Straight from the brilliance of an empire builder, let’s explore what it takes to manage people, businesses, and personal relationships all at once while still staying true to your life’s purpose.

#1: Amplify your commitment to your dreams

There’s a noble principle behind the branding of Elena and Grant Cardone’s hosted conferences – The “10x” principle.

It’s basically a multiplier. Elena shared how important it is for you to take ten times the actions of what you thought would get you to where you want to be. If you’re a 10x believer, settling should never be an option.

Instead, each day should be a testament to how relentless you are in going after your goals and reaching your potentials. Limits? Boundaries? They only exist for you to surpass.

#2: Realize that seeking help is not a weakness

Pop culture has made us believe that you can only choose one between love and career. Let Elena and Grant be the living evidence against that myth.

Their secret for keeping a stable relationship in the middle of their billion-dollar empire? Finding no shame in depending on each other.

It’s awesome how they see their business as an avenue to nurture their love. Guided by their aligned purpose and mission, they always find ways to help push each other towards milestones. Elena shared how each win, no matter how big or small, drives love into their relationship.

To back that foundation up, the Cardone couple also built a team that served as their solid support system. This strong network alleviated much of the daily stress and allowed them to focus on things that they’re good at.

#3: Get to know your team as actual people

From an outsider, Elena and Grant’s team barely seem like they’re at work. They exude this fun, happy aura of a tight family.

But beyond the love and warmth, Elena emphasized that it’s their people’s discipline and trustworthiness that make their empire sustainable. This requires bosses to hold their organization to the same level of ethical standards they impose upon themselves.

Reality check, not everyone has the gift of reading recruits’ souls with a single glance. Here’s a quick list of questions Elena considers when vetting who deserves to be in her inner circle:

What do they stand for?
What ethical and moral standards do they value?
How do they treat other people in their life?
What do they usually watch and post on social media?
Are they courageous enough to not tolerate any ill-will towards you?
Would they rather spread or address rumors?
Do they have vices you have to watch out for (e.g. alcoholism)?

#4: Draw the line between work and play with your staff

Especially for nurturing leaders, it’s always a challenge to balance friendship and business relationships with your inner circle.

In the case of Elena, she noticed how it’s even rare for them to be friends with people that they have absolutely zero professional connection with. The power couple’s circle is usually comprised of like-minded investors or employees.

Instead of taking on the burden of balancing work and play alone, Elena values finding people who are able to make the differentiation in the first place. Members of their core team hold themselves at such a high accountability and are extremely professional.

However, she recognizes that there will always be awkward moments when an employee would approach you with a personal issue you want to take no part of. After all, you often prefer to maintain that professional barrier.

Elena recommends to develop the ability to confront such scenarios with open, strategic communication. By cultivating safe spaces for expressing raw feelings, leaders get to cultivate a healthier working environment.

#5: Learn how to strategically handle red flags in your photo booth business

As the protective queen of their billion-dollar empire, Elena has the duty to weed out problems that can be potentially damaging. She has this belief that even the smallest red flags can morph into colossal issues when left unhandled.

In managing conflicts, she emphasized the importance of setting internal controls and procedures. Who is the right person to raise the problem to? Who has the skills to handle it best?

The rule of the thumb is that not everyone needs to know everything. If it could be resolved at a department level, then there’s no need to raise it immediately to the highest boss.

Dealing with red flags is especially difficult when it involves people. In fact, Elena thinks that the biggest issues a business will face will stem from within. Not from competitors or other external factors. You might even have the dilemma of having to let go of an employee who you really like as a friend. However, you’d have to prioritize the greatest good for the greatest many.

Well, that’s the duty every business leader takes on every day – make hard decisions and face its backlash. Expect to make a lot of enemies as you build your empire!

#6: Do not downplay your own worth

When asked what’s the one thing she would change if she could change something today, Elena got emotional and vulnerable. You’d see the passion in her eyes as she explained how she wants to erase the invalidation and nullification women struggle within our society.

What saddened Elena is that it isn’t just misogynistic men who are to blame. Ladies themselves unknowingly drag themselves down.

Take for example how some would describe themselves with “I am just a mother,” as if it’s an apology and that what they do is worth nothing. Elena wanted women to take up space and claim that their role is worthy of honor and respect.

What’s next?

It’s probably clear by now what made me look up to Elena Cardone so much. I can proudly shout that she’s my role model who never fails to get me hyped up for work and for life!

In case you want to explore more of her wisdom, here are some highly recommended references and links you got to check out:

Grab a copy of Elena’s book

Elena authored “Build An Empire” where she detailed the importance of envisioning, creating, and defending your personal empire. It’s all about taking ownership and control over the life you’re living today, including the following brilliant discussions:

Creating clear and sustainable goals
Staying on the same page as your significant other
How to get what you want and never settle for anything less
Achieving freedom by rejecting norms

Even better, it’s hardcopy is absolutely free! You just have to pay for shipping costs. Go visit Elena’s website and grab yours pronto. It’s also available in an audiobook, e-book, and even a Spanish version.

Wondering how amazing this book is? Well, I myself have two copies – one exclusively signed by Elena and another filled with notes and highlights.

Enroll in Elena’s Build an Empire University

If you think you still can’t get enough, consider taking Elena’s full course on how to build an empire. With its whopping 75 segments, you’ll get a premium training for cultivating a superb career, marriage, and life. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the discussions:

How to expand your empire and create a legacy
How to improve your relationship with money
How to defend your empire against enemies
How to find the man or woman of your dreams

Watch out for 10x Conferences

My husband and I attend the last three 10x growth cons hosted by Elena and Grant Cardone. Superb speakers. Quality networking opportunities. Safe spaces to be vulnerable. If you want to have your mind blown and come back home with your passion ON FIRE, you definitely have to attend the next one!

Elena is planning to host the 10x Ladies’ Conference by the end of 2021, and expect that it will be a massive, international con for powerful women to meet and learn to take on important roles in their communities.

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