How does a 19-year-old go from zero business experience to running a six-figure painting company, and then go on to build a thriving career as a State Farm agency owner? In this conversation, Steve Acorn reconnects with John Magoto, one of the top-performing alumni from the early 2000s who helped shape the very foundation of YEAA. They reminisce on John's three-year journey in the program, how he trusted the process even when it felt overwhelming, and why he's still using the lessons of "Eat the Frog" and "Start the Next Day the Night Before" two decades later. John shares how YEAA didn't just teach him how to run a business. It taught him how to lead people, create systems, and develop a work ethic that gave him a massive head start. Now a successful business owner in Denver, John reflects on how those early summers planted the seeds for the freedom, lifestyle, and leadership he enjoys today.     Timestamped Highlights  [00:02] – "It feels like yesterday"—John reflects on 22 years since running his YEAA branch [00:04] – Getting the call in his dorm room: how one phone call changed his life [00:06] – How Scott Snyder "sold the dream" without ever selling [00:08] – Paint cans, ladders, and asking if he could bring his parents to the Award Trip [00:10] – Rookie year numbers: breaking $100K+ in the early 2000s [00:14] – The second-year breakthrough: two vans, paint sprayers, and a killer crew [00:17] – Why John hired a marketing team and prioritized lead flow over painting [00:21] – The power of delegation and the gift of learning what you don't want to do [00:24] – Eat That Frog: the book that changed how he works and lives [00:27] – "Start the next day the day before"—his planning system still used today [00:30] – Work-life balance: is it real? John shares his honest take [00:34] – Building joy into the work: a ladder, a speaker, and friends singing on the job [00:36] – His biggest mistake: waiting too long to let go of the wrong hires [00:38] – His proudest moments: client tears, transformation, and impact [00:42] – Why he chose insurance, and how he became a State Farm owner at 24 [00:46] – Challenges in entrepreneurship: freedom comes after the grind [00:49] – What he tells every young person: "Trust the process, and trust yourself" [00:52] – Advice for new interns in YEAA's 40th year: if you've got the bug, do it     About the Guest John Magoto spent three years in the YEAA program and became one of the top-producing branch managers of the early 2000s. After launching his entrepreneurial career through Student Painters, he went on to become one of the youngest agency owners at State Farm. Now based in Denver, John runs a successful insurance practice, leads a thriving team, and spends his free time skiing, biking, and chasing adventures with his wife and young son. 🔗 LinkedIn     Mentioned Resources Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy State Farm Insurance Miami University of Ohio (John's alma mater)     Important Links Gain real-world business experience, build leadership skills, and create a foundation for future success: YEAA Website Watch our case study: Leaders Across America Find more success stories here: Our Alumni Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Steve Acorn Instagram: @steveacornyeaa      Leaders Across America is an original podcast brought to you by Steve Acorn. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

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