<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Rochester Business Connections Episode #151 with Jesse Cruz.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Have you ever experienced stage fright? That sudden wave of panic just before you face an audience, when your heart races and your mind goes blank. It can make even the most prepared person doubt themselves, yet it’s not a sign of weakness.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Today, Jesse Cruz shares tips on how we can deal with stage fright. Jesse Cruz is an internationally recognized, award winning speaker, best selling author, and coach specializing in speaker development. He is also the founder and CEO of </span><a href="https://mergeworldwide.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Merge Worldwide</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">One powerful lesson Jesse shared came straight from his military experience: “Mission First.” This principle isn’t just for the battlefield; clarity on your mission and the people you’re serving is the foundation for success, both in business and when stepping up as a speaker. Keeping your mission in mind ensures that every decision and action moves you and your audience forward.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">According to Jesse, your phone should be your stage. It doesn’t matter how many followers you have; it’s a great starting point. You can go live on any of your social media platforms, for instance, once a week. Always look at it like a stage and never forget to put your audience at the center of your talk. Jesse also shares actionable tips on how to choose a topic and manage being on a physical stage.</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">During this episode, you will learn about:</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[00:00] Trailer</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[01:29] Communication leadership in the military</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[02:37] Keynote speaking</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[05:53] Knowing your audience</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[07:32] Signature talks</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[11:21] On the spot workshop</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[13:44] How Jesse got into communication</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[15:42] Rejection</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[18:24] Finding your tribe</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[22:50] Playing small</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[26:11] Don’t mute your voice</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[26:58] Criticism</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[30:32] Your phone, your stage</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[33:18] Getting on a physical stage</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[38:54] Connect with Jesse Cruz</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Facebook: </span><a href="https://web.facebook.com/jesse.cruz.5/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://web.facebook.com/jesse.cruz.5/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">LinkedIn: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-cruz-133714164/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-cruz-133714164/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[41:58] Partner with Jesse</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[42:58] Choosing a topic</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Key Takeaways: </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">• I believe if you want to go faster, you hire a master that can help you and has already walked the path that you've been on. ~Jesse Cruz [04:34]</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> • Sometimes speakers get on stage, and they want to make the talk all about themselves, and it's not really helping. ~Jesse Cruz [04:52]</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> • “Not every stage opportunity is your opportunity.” ~Jesse Cruz [07:48]</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> • When someone's building out a signature talk, they want to focus on the universal principles that most humanity can agree upon. ~Jesse Cruz [09:44]</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> • “Never take criticism from someone you wouldn't take advice from.” ~Jesse Cruz [27:51]</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> • The people who are actually very successful, their criticism does not come from a place of envy or hatred. If they were to give you criticism, it's constructive criticism. ~Jesse Cruz [28:14]</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> • “When you are building a business, don't listen to the people closest to you. Listen to the people closest to your goal.” ~Jesse Cruz [28:55]</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> • “You actually have a stage in your pocket everywhere you go, because you have a phone.” ~Jesse Cruz [30:49]</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> • “You don't have to have this crazy inspiring story to have a great message to share.” ~Ben Albert [40:46]</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> • “Painful lessons usually turn into profitable lessons.” ~Jesse Cruz [43:59]</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">People Mentioned and Other Resources:</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1. </span><a href="https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/ericamallett/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Erica Mallett Episode</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">: </span><a href="https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/ericamallett/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/ericamallett/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Keep In Touch with Jesse Cruz:</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Website: </span><a href="https://mergeworldwide.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://mergeworldwide.com/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Facebook:</span><a href="https://www.kateeckman.tv/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jesse.cruz.5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.facebook.com/jesse.cruz.5</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">LinkedIn: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-cruz-133714164" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-cruz-133714164</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jessecruzspeaks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.instagram.com/jessecruzspeaks/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">—</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow Balbert…</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Facebook:</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/realbusinessconnections" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> www.facebook.com/realbusinessconnections</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Instagram:</span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/realbenalbert/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> www.instagram.com/realbenalbert/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">LinkedIn:</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/realbenalbert/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/realbenalbert/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Website: </span><a href="https://www.realbusinessconnections.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">&nbsp;https://www.realbusinessconnections.com/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;–</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">RBC is made possible by</span><a href="https://balbertmarketing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> www://</a><a href="http://balbertmarketing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">balbertmarketing.com/</a></p><br><p><br></p>