In this series we will be highlighting burgeoning entrepreneurs in the modern era. These are folks who have taken the risk of quitting or working double to quit their conventional jobs in pursuit of their passions. This is a difficult road that many never find the courage to venture upon, but the rewards are so worth it, and as you know, no risk, no reward, know risk, know reward.
This episode highlights Derrick Casey. If you've never thought that making money online was real, Derrick will change your mind really quickly. Derrick is a proverbial paradigm shifter with a goal of helping as many people as he can use their talents, and their skills, coupled with his knowledge of online marketing to develop new streams of income and secure financial freedom. Glowing with enthusiasm and passion, read on to learn how Derrick is building new and innovative income streams for himself and others.
Tell Me A Little More About What You Do And How You Got Into It
I am an online marketing consultant, mentor and motivator. I simply teach people how to create an additional income online. There's a lot of misconceptions when it comes to network marketing and direct sales. It's not something that you see or hear of everyday. So the perception is that this industry isn't real or it's a pyramid scheme or a scam. Although there are some pretty crazy stories of companies who fall under this category. It doesn't mean that the whole industry is tarnished. And I am determined to show people that what people get paid to do online. We've been doing for free for many years. I've always known about network marketing and I've tried a couple things that didn't work out for me. It wasn't until me and my family moved to Dallas, TX that network marketing became a big part of my life. I began to connect with people who were just like me. Tired of working hard every day. Living paycheck to paycheck just to pay bills. And I started to see more and more people working less hours, making more money, and being able to spend more time with their families. Which sounded way better than working 40 plus hours a week, being stuck in traffic, and living paycheck to paycheck.
Do you Remember Your First Day? What Were You Feeling?
I felt super excited, anxious, nervous. Just full of emotions because I didn't know what to expect. But I knew I wanted the lifestyle of the people that I was surrounded with now. I remember just staring at my computer when I first received my information. And all I could do was smile because I knew I was doing something that could absolutely change my family's life for the better. Then I was invited to my first event. And from that moment on I knew that I wanted to learn more, earn more, and teach others how to gain financial freedom.
What Were You Doing Before? Why Made You Want To Try Something New?
I'm still working a full-time job. In sales, of course. I love what I do, the people I work with and the company I represent. However, I totally understand that these JOBS are not guaranteed. And I am taking a huge risk if my only source of income is from my job. Because what would I do if they were to let me go tomorrow. How would I provide for my family? And this very thing happened to me not too long ago. My job was redoing their budget and decided to let me and many others go just to save money. They didn't care about how I was going to provide for my family. However, due to learning how to generate an additional income online while working my full-time job. I was still able to provide for my family while searching for a new job.
How Do You Balance Your Time?
Working a full-time job, taking care of my 4 beautiful children and wife while running an online business can get a little crazy at times. But I am able to manage. On my way to work, I am always listening to motivational speakers to start my day off right. From Tony Robbins to John C Maxwell. Great way to start the day. I work my typical 9-5 shift. While on my drive home, I am listening to something motivational to help me debrief after a long day at work. Once I get home, my children and wife are waiting for me. So from about 7pm – 9pm I eat dinner with the family, talk about how their day went. Play with my children. Get them in the shower. Read them books. Then put them to bed. From 9pm-10pm I catch up on all of my messages that I received throughout the day. From 10pm-11pm I spend some quality time with my beautiful wife. Then it's off to bed to start my day all over again the next day.
Tell Me About Your Business?
My business is very simple. Since there are millions of ways to make money online. I focus more on teaching people the basics of marketing online via social media. And how to connect with people. Once you learn the basics of marketing online and start to apply what you've learned. Sky's the limit to what you can do and the amount of money you can make in this industry. I decided to create a company called Pyramid Genius. And my slogan is "Changing Lives Financially with these so called Pyramid Schemes". I wanted to create something that created a little controversy but made people more curious about what me, my team, and my company represents. Once people say the magic words "What Do You Do?" Then we got them. Because most people are just misinformed. And my team is excited to break down the value of creating an additional income online. With Pyramid Genius, we love to have fun, make money, and make a difference.
How Much Time Per Week Would You Say You Dedicate To Your Work?
I dedicate approximately 10-15 hours a week to my business.
What Else Do You Like To Do With Your Free Time?
In my free time I love spending time with my family. Getting out of the house and going to do something fun. I also love playing basketball when I can. I also love playing piano and making music with my children. But my new found passion is becoming a motivational speaker. I love connecting with new people and learning about their journey. And inspiring them through my own life experiences. It's such a great feeling when people come across my videos and hit me up saying thank you for content that I share every day. I am just enjoying life and want to give back. Oh and I love to cook in my spare time. Preferably on the grill.
What's Next For You?
Becoming a motivational speaker. I love inspiring people. I want to be on the big stage in front of thousands of people. Sharing my story and impacting lives. I have so much to offer and so much to give. God has blessed with the opportunity to connect with people on so many levels. And it's time for me to put it to use.
Any Advice For People Wanting To Follow A Similar Path?
In order for things to change. You have to change. And to have things that you've never had. You have to do things that you've never done. It's inevitable that we will all die some day. It's what you do with your time while you're on this Earth. What legacy will you leave behind for your children to follow. If you want something bad enough. GO GET IT!!! Once you realize that no one on God's green Earth can stop you from being great but you. That's when life will begin to make sense. You are more powerful than your mind let's you believe. You're time is NOW. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Right NOW!!! Time to take action. And make it happen!!!
Interested in learning more and working with Derrick? Click here...
Artificial Intelligence
Looking for a job? In addition to encountering those annoying never-ending job interviews you may find yourself face-to-face with an artificial intelligence bot.
Companies worldwide increasingly use artificial intelligence tools and analytics in employment decision-making – from parsing through resumes and screening candidates to automated assessments and digital interviews. But recent studies claim that AI does more harm than good.
While AI screening tools were developed to save companies time and money, they’ve been criticized for placing women and people of color at a disadvantage. The problem is that many companies lack appreciable diversity in their data set, making it impossible for an algorithm to know how people from underrepresented groups have performed in the past. As a result, the algorithm will be biased toward the data available and compare future candidates to that archetype.
The City’s Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT) law is designed to offset the potential misuse of AI and protect job candidates against discrimination. It was enforced on July 5th, 2023 in New York City - with other cities and states expected to gradually follow suit. Employers must now inform applicants when and how they encounter AI. Furthermore, companies have to commission a third-party audit of the AI software used, and publish a summary of the results to prove that their systems aren’t racist or sexist. Job applicants are able to request information regarding what data is collected and analyzed by the AI. Violations of the law can result in fines of up to $1,500.
Replacing Human Hiring Decisions
However, should a job applicant want to opt-out of such impersonal judgement by a bot, the new law's scope is quite limited.
While the law specifies that instructions for requesting an alternative selection process must be included in the AI screening disclosure, companies aren't actually required to use other screening methods. Not to mention that the law only applies to AI in hiring and not any other employment decisions. It also wouldn't apply if the AI, for example, flags candidates with relevant experience, but a human then reviews all applications, making the ultimate hiring decision.
Some civil rights advocates and public interest groups argue that the law isn’t extensive enough and that it’s even unenforceable. On the other hand, businesses say that it’s impractical, costly, and burdensome, and that independent audits aren’t feasible.
Responsible use of AI in hiring
Although this law may be a good first attempt to assign more regulatory guardrails around AI, it remains to be seen if it ensures the responsible use of AI in hiring processes. At the end of the day, perhaps recruiting talent should remain a human-made decision.
The good news is that AI can help companies without harming potential job candidates in many ways – such as connecting new employees with internal organizational information and company benefits during onboarding. Or helping employees to do their jobs more effectively rather than replacing them.
Jobs don't have to be miserable!
Though the wave of tech layoffs and the threat of a recession has overshadowed yesteryear's news of the great recession, everywhere you look, employees are asking for more — and getting it. Although this time of uncertainty could have given employers back the power, it's still in the hands of the workforce.
From Gen-Z's boundary setting and penchant for quiet quitting when they're being under-recognized, to labor unions and even the WGA writer's strike, we're in an era where workers can make demands about how they work — and where they work. And for many people, they want to work from home.
For many employees, full-time remote work offered newfound flexibility to work around their schedules — whether it be picking up kids from school, or working when they feel most productive. Many employees seized this freedom to escape big cities and relocate and prioritize their quality of life. Remote work lovers are demanding offices remain closed or requesting it as a benefit or work option. And if their company insists they return? Many would rather look for new jobs in the flourishing remote-first corporate environment.
However, some missed the structure of the office and its offers of accountability, collaboration, more amenities, and . . . friendship. But not all companies are created equal. Some hope to lure employees back by upgrading the office experience. Turns out, the millennial start-up with that Day-Glo ping-pong table and IPAbeer-on-tap isn’t actually the dream if it comes with a toxic work environment (we’re looking at you WeWork). As companies add in-office perks, employees are requesting more support, boundaries — and even arrangements like the four-day workweek.
For the best of both worlds, companies are adopting hybrid systems. However, reports from CNBC and BBC imply that this may be a taxing option. Having one foot in the office and the other in your office kitchen is far from ideal for most employees, research says.
LinkedIn’s 2022 Global Talent Trends report reveals that of the 500 C-level executives surveyed, 81% said they’re changing workplace policies to offer greater flexibility.
But according to CNBC, “emerging data is beginning to show that hybrid work can be exhausting, leading to the very problem workers thought it could solve: burnout. More than 80% of human resources executives report that hybrid is proving to be exhausting for employees. This is according to a global study by employee engagement platform TinyPulse. Workers also reported that hybrid was more emotionally draining than fully remote and more taxing than even full-time office-based work.”
BBC agrees, reporting: “Emerging data is beginning to back up such anecdotal evidence: many workers report that hybrid is emotionally draining … Workers, too, reported hybrid was more emotionally taxing than fully remote arrangements – and, concerningly, even full-time office-based work. Given many businesses plan on implementing permanent hybrid working models, and that employees, by and large, want their working weeks spent between home and the office, such figures sound alarm bells. But what is it specifically about hybrid working that is so emotionally exhausting? And how can workers and companies avoid pitfalls so that hybrid actually works?”
“Overall, human resources executives thought that hybrid and remote work were the most emotionally exhausting for employees, but that wasn’t the case,” Elora Voyles, a people scientist at TinyPulse, told CNBC.
So with every employee having various experiences and opinions about what works best for them and their lifestyles, it makes sense that people are job-hopping to suit their newfound preferences.
Frankly, some are job-hopping to enhance their compensation. Statistically, most people realize their greatest salary increases when they move from one job to another. Remaining at the same company for years and years often limits how much you can make as your career advances. One popular female finance guru, Cinneah El-Amin told Afrotech: “I am a staunch advocate for more women to job-hop, to get the money they deserve, and to stop playing small when it comes to our careers and the next step in our careers.”
The research supports this, with Zippia claiming: “Generally speaking, a good salary increase when changing jobs is between 10-20%. The national average is around 14.8%, so don't be afraid to ask for a similar increase. At a minimum, you should expect a wage growth of at least 5.8% when you change positions.”
However, a job search can be daunting, despite the potential benefits. But if you can land a role in a new company — and potentially boost your salary while you’re at it — you will challenge yourself and constantly keep learning. LinkedIn Learning, for example, is one platform that can help you level up your skills and give you an edge to land the job.
LinkedIn Learning allows you to take advantage of the moments that truly matter. It offers courses on subjects that will carry you through every step of your career. Their instructors have real-world experience.
Check out the LinkedIn Learning Pathfinder and it will generate a custom list of courses based on what you want to achieve. Learn more about recent top career development goals and acquire the skills to help you reach them.
Unsure what to do and how to start your job search? Let LinkedIn Learning be the first step you take in the path to a new and improved career.It's Southwest Companion Pass Season. Here's Why It's The Best Flight Deal on the Market
Southwest Companion Pass
There’s all this talk about solo travel. And for good reason — no wasting precious time waiting for others to get their act together, take the plans out of the group chat and actually buy the tickets. Going solo, you can be spontaneous. You can plan your trips according to your precise tastes. You can hop on any flight and fly awayyyyyy.
But what if each time you flew you’d get a free ticket? That’s what you get with the Southwest Companion Pass.
Award status, upgrades, lounge access — there are many perks in the frequent flier game. But one of the coveted holy grails is the Southwest Companion Pass.
What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Companion Pass is part of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program. You get to choose one person to be your “companion,” and they fly with you for free (plus some taxes and fees) on every flight. That’s right. Two for the price of one. That’s half off each ticket if you split it! Whether you’re flying with a partner, family member, friend, or anyone else, they can tag along for free.
And it gets better: once you earn the pass, you can reap the rewards for that full calendar year … AND the next. That’s why people go mad trying to earn a companion pass during the early months of the year. The sooner you qualify, the longer you can use it.
There are also no blackout dates. There are no limits. And if you didn’t purchase the ticket (think: work travel, your companion, or a generous benefactor), there are no restrictions! As long as you’re the one on the plane, your companion can also … be on the plane.
You can also switch out your designated companion 3x a year. So, no need to stay in a relationship simply to get the most out of your companion pass! Ghost and fly away — with a whole new companion!
If this sounds too good to be true — it’s not. But there is one small catch. It’s kinda tough to earn this mega reward.
How to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass?
You can qualify for the pass in one of two ways:
- Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights
- Earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
Clearly, this is no small feat — especially if you’re trying to qualify ASAP.
So how do you actually earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
Don’t worry, there’s a path to earning this amazing reward without climbing on 100 flights or spending an exorbitant amount of money.
Earning 135K reward points may seem completely impossible, but it’s easier than it sounds. Simply sign up for a Southwest Credit Card and turn those spending habits into a rapid rewards account. Through the Rewards Priority Credit Card, earn points when using local transit and commuting, plus score major points and miles whenever you spend.
Stay with me here. This is not some scheme to get you into credit card debt. Many airline cards come with potential savings, giantic rewards, awarding you points, and cashback with every purchase you make that can be redeemed for travel. And often they can come with passive sign-up bonuses. If you spend a specific amount of money within a certain timeframe of opening the card, you can be in for a windfall of points.
Now that’s where the companion pass comes in:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
- Southwest Priority Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- Southwest Performance Business Credit Card
Southwest has three personal cards and a business card. Each of these cards offers rewards between 30K-80K points. In the past, people could open two cards and get a bonus that granted enough points to almost meet the minimum. However, with new restrictions on personal cards, you can only get one bonus every 24 months. Boo!
However, this doesn’t apply to business cards. If you’re eligible, have good credit, and not likely to spiral into insane credit card debt, you can open a business card and a personal card, and accrue 100K+ points. The Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card will get you points after you spend money in no time.
Now to earn the rest of them.
The secret to gaining these credit card points is to plan your card sign-ups around big purchases. Just before a recent move, I opened a card . . . and the rewards came rolling in — a small balm to ease the pain of how exorbitant moving can be.
Put everyday spend — especially big purchases or bulk items — on your Southwest credit card and watch your award points quickly add up. Typically, you earn 1 point per $1 spent on your Southwest card and 2 points per $1 on actual Southwest purchases.
But there are other ways to earn points, including:
- Flying Southwest: Booking travel on Southwest earns more points. The cost of this travel will be worth it with your companion pass
- Shopping from Rapid Rewards Partners: Purchases with Southwest’s “Home & Lifestyle” and “Shop and Dine” Partners also earn Companion Pass qualifying points. While you shouldn’t make gratuitous purchases, browse Southwest’s partners to see if you could earn extra points for items you'd be purchasing anyway. All this, simply from enrolling in their Dining Program and shopping with their partners.
So there you have it! And since it’s almost Spring, get to earning and soon you’ll be flying two for the price of one!
