There’s something people don’t tell you about success: it doesn’t guarantee happiness. You can check all the boxes—money, recognition, freedom—and still feel like something’s missing. My guest, Joshua Lee, knows that feeling all too well. At one point, he was running multiple companies, financially secure, but it was all empty. He found himself locked away in his office, wondering why he wasn’t enjoying the success he’d worked so hard to build. He called that office his “coffin,” a place where he felt trapped even though he’d “made it.”
Joshua’s story is a reminder that real success in entrepreneurship isn’t just about financial gain or recognition; it’s about building a life that feels worthwhile. Now known as the “Dopamine Dealer of LinkedIn,” Joshua works with people to create genuine connections and, more importantly, find fulfillment. Here are two key insights from our conversation that might just make you rethink how you’re approaching success.
Time for a Reset: When Success Isn’t Enough
At one point, Joshua was at the height of his career, running over a dozen companies, all financially successful, but he wasn’t happy. He had everything he thought he was supposed to want, but something was missing. That’s when he did something most people would never dream of—he shut it all down. He walked away to find something more meaningful, something that felt right, not just profitable.
“Outside looking in, I was successful. I had multiple companies, a wife, kids, employees… but I was miserable.”
This was a wake-up call for him. Instead of being about money, success needed to mean more. So he hit the reset button, started over with a focus on impact instead of just income.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Money Doesn’t Guarantee Happiness: Joshua had it all on paper but felt empty. Real success isn’t just about the numbers in your bank account.
- Recognize the Signs of Burnout: If you’re grinding every day but feeling drained and disconnected, it might be time to step back.
- Pursue Impact, Not Just Profit: Joshua wanted to make a difference he could stand by, not just add zeros to his bank balance.
Joshua’s journey reminded me that sometimes, in entrepreneurship, we get caught up in the chase. We think if we just hit that next milestone, we’ll finally be content. But when we’re constantly pushing without checking in on our own happiness, it’s easy to end up in that “coffin,” wondering where things went wrong.
Building Real Connections: The Art of Relationships
There’s a big push these days to treat LinkedIn like just another lead-generation tool, blasting out cold messages and pitching to whoever will listen. Joshua, however, takes a completely different approach. For him, LinkedIn isn’t a place for pitching; it’s a place for connecting. His aim isn’t to get clients; it’s to create advocates. He understands that the real value comes from relationships, not transactions.
“I’m not here to get my clients more sales. I’m here to get them advocates.”
Instead of just adding numbers, he focuses on creating connections that last and add value. Joshua’s clients aren’t just there for a quick deal—they’re there because they believe in him and what he stands for.
Watch Joshua B Lee’s Live Interview on YouTube by clicking the image or using this link: https://youtu.be/oJoaGZL0z58
What I Learned from His Experience:
- People Over Profit: Building genuine connections trumps a quick sale. A good relationship today might bring ten times the value down the road.
- The Power of Authenticity: People are drawn to the real, not the polished. Joshua emphasized the importance of showing up as “real and raw versus overproduced.”
- Play the Long Game: Real connections don’t happen overnight. It’s about planting seeds and nurturing relationships, not rushing for immediate results.
This hit home for me. We’re conditioned to believe that entrepreneurship is a numbers game. But, as Joshua shows, real success comes when we stop counting and start caring. In a world full of spam and sales pitches, being genuine can set you apart.
Reflections from the Interview
Joshua’s journey isn’t just about entrepreneurship; it’s about understanding what really matters. He’s someone who has walked away from a conventional definition of success to create something authentic. His story pushed me to think deeper about what we’re all really chasing here.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Value Real Relationships: Connections matter more than clicks or numbers. Building a real network pays off in ways money never can.
- Know When to Reassess: Don’t be afraid to pivot. Sometimes, hitting the reset button is the most courageous move you can make.
- Define Your Own Success: Success shouldn’t be about what society or social media tells you it is. Define it for yourself.
- Work with People Who Care: Joshua’s focus on advocacy over sales shows that when you work with people who believe in you, the results come naturally.
- Tell Your Story: People connect with stories, not resumes. Be open about your journey, and let people in on the ups and downs.
Final Thoughts
Joshua’s journey made me take a hard look at what I consider “success.” Too often, we’re so focused on growth and profit that we forget to ask ourselves if we’re even enjoying the process. His story is a reminder that entrepreneurship should be about more than just making a living—it should be about creating a life you’re proud of. If you’re feeling burnt out, or like something’s missing, take a page out of Joshua’s book. Maybe it’s time to hit reset and refocus on what truly matters.
CONNECT WITH JOSHUA B. LEE:
Website:https://standoutauthority.com/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuablee/
Joshua B Lee NBP Podcast: