What if losing half your business in a betrayal led you to make $120,000 in 60 days on a platform everyone ignores?
In this episode, Anthony Simonie shares how being adopted by his grandparents literally saved his life and how that experience shaped everything from his approach to entrepreneurship to his decision to adopt both of his children, Miles and Daisy. After his nine-month-old son Miles stopped breathing and Anthony performed CPR not knowing if his son would survive, his business partner exploited that crisis by drawing up a fraudulent amendment that gave away half of Anthony's half of their seven-figure business.
That betrayal could have crushed him. Instead, it led Anthony to discover LinkedIn's hidden goldmine. Within 30 days, he generated $60,000 in new business plus $60,000 in recurring revenue, for $120,000 total. He did it again the next 30 days with the exact same numbers, proving it wasn't luck but a duplicatable system. Now, having helped over 1,000 clients leverage LinkedIn to build databases of affluent prospects, land strategic partnerships, and get booked on podcasts, Anthony has turned relationship-building into a science.
Anthony reveals why his five-foot-tall Italian grandmother's persistence shaped his entrepreneurial DNA, how his daughter Daisy (his niece whose parents both committed suicide within five months) is now thriving, and why Tim Tebow's words hit him like a lightning bolt: "You can be successful without having any significance."
[00:05:40] Raised by Grandparents, Saved by Adoption
Adopted and raised by grandparents, literally saved Anthony's life
Grandparents stepped up when they should've been enjoying retirement
Both of Anthony's kids (Miles and Daisy) are adopted because adoption was a blessing for him
Five-foot-tall Italian grandmother wouldn't let anyone leave without a meal, haircut, and promise to go to church
[00:07:00] Learning Entrepreneurship at Craft Shows
Grandmother was an artist making ceramic and wooden crafts
Anthony helped her set up and break down at craft shows
Watched her overcome challenges as they came
She taught persistence and perseverance that stuck with him forever
[00:08:00] The Pharmaceutical Sales Path
Finished high school, walked onto college baseball team (paid for school for couple years)
Became pharmaceutical sales rep like his stepdad, seemed like helping people
Got job at Schering-Plough, did well but wasn't happy
Started learning pharmaceutical goods may not be so good for us
[00:10:00] The Foreclosure Cleaning Business
Buddy said "We've got this little side business cleaning out foreclosed properties"
At first thought "I don't think I wanna clean houses"
Had moment of "I'm just done" with corporate job
Started business, expanded from Missouri to Los Angeles (brother in charge), then Phoenix
[00:11:00] The Dan Kennedy Event That Changed Everything
Same friend took him to Dan Kennedy marketing event in St. Louis
Eyes opened watching people make money helping others understand their business
Friend said "Why don't we do it together, you be the face"
Anthony had already turned cleaning business into real business with systems
[00:11:40] First Year: Over $1 Million
Partnered up, grew business in first year to over $1 million
Had to learn everything: copywriting, email, webinars, buying traffic
At first loved the money, but then started receiving messages from people he was helping
"You saved my marriage. You helped save me from losing my home." Hundreds of them.
[00:12:40] When It Became More Than Money
First time felt complete: "This is so much more than just the money"
People appreciate you, like you for what you're doing to help them
Attorneys, physicians, everyone was losing businesses during that time
Learning how to make income by doing something in large demand that people didn't know existed
[00:15:40] Losing Everything
Was the beginning of everything falling apart
Used to a certain quality of life, now worried about son and business blows up
Lost interest in the business, couldn't do it anymore, business died
Partner had franchised business to double dip, his franchise failed too
[00:17:20] LinkedIn Saves the Day
Anthony: "LinkedIn? Are you trying to help me get a job? I'm not looking for a job"
Took skills he'd learned and applied them to LinkedIn platform
Created an offer, first 30 days sold $60,000 plus $60,000 recurring = $120,000
Thought maybe he got lucky, then did exact same thing next 30 days with same numbers
[00:18:20] Helping Over 1,000 Clients
Realized he had something duplicatable
Close circle started asking what he was doing, started sharing it
Years later, helped over 1,000 clients leverage LinkedIn
Building databases of affluent prospects, referral partnerships, getting on podcasts, strategic partnerships
[00:19:00] Every Successful Entrepreneur Has Been Crushed
You're gonna have ups and downs in business
If you have fortitude to stick it out and learn from challenges, you grow
When you talk to people at measurable level of success, all have been through steep challenges
Sometimes way worse than Anthony's experiences
[00:23:40] Not An Agency, Highly Customized
Not a one-size-fits-all agency approach
Very highly customized and specific strategy depending on who you are, what you offer, who you serve
Usually at capacity, takes on one or two new clients per month
Recently launched "done with you" program to teach people how to run the play themselves
[00:28:40] The God Thing
Anthony and Jill were thinking about adopting again
Friend sent invitation to dinner for adoption agency
Right during that timeframe, all the tragedy happened with Daisy
"It was a God thing... put on our hearts for specific reason: to step up and take care of Daisy"
[00:30:40] Tim Tebow's Words: Success Without Significance
At mastermind, got to watch Tim Tebow speak
One thing stuck: "You can be successful without having any significance"
Never heard it phrased that way before
If all entrepreneurs adopt that mindset, we can change the world better than any politician
[00:32:20] Starting the Real Estate Fund
Works with lots of real estate syndicators and operators
Asked: How else can I serve these people outside of helping them make more money?
Started real estate fund to protect capital and provide hedge against inflation
Helps people grow their capital while protecting it
[00:35:00] Nobody Is Self-Made
Doesn't believe anybody's self-made
When people say "I'm a self-made millionaire" they're not being honest
Even just your mother deciding to go through with birth, that person helped you
There's abundance of opportunity, money, success out there for everybody
[00:40:20] Remember Why You Do What You Do
We live in world that's so distracted, separated, at odds
Take time every day and remember why you do what you do, who you do it for
What's the purpose, what's the passion, how does it impact world around us
Entrepreneurs can change the world, but it starts under our own roof
[00:42:40] Turn Off The News for 30 Days
Challenge: Turn off news for next 30 days
Watch how your mind clears up and you start focusing on things that matter
You'll become more productive, have more pep in your step
If you're business owner, you need that clarity to continue with what you're compelled to do
KEY QUOTES
"You can be successful without having any significance." - Tim Tebow (as shared by Anthony)
"I don't believe anybody's self-made. Even just your mother deciding to go through with the birth, that person helped you." - Anthony Simonie
"We as entrepreneurs can change the world in my humble opinion, but that starts with us. It starts under our own roof." - Anthony Simonie
CONNECT WITH ANTHONY SIMONIE
🌐 Website: https://www.anthonysimonie.com
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.simonie.1
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonysimonie
📄 Free LinkedIn Profile Guide: https://foundmoneypartnerships.com/linkedin-profile-secrets-guide?fpr=kevin93
