Episode 222 Compassion-Driven Marketing with AJ Adams

John talks with AJ Adams — author of The Bible Business Blueprint, founder of the Gospel Patrons Community, CEO of Thousand Hills Consulting, marketing expert, speaker, coach, husband, and father. Through his company, AJ helps people grow their businesses and give generously to make a positive impact in the world. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Welcome notes and AJ's bio [02:16] - AJ's background [03:58] - Discovering the power of public speaking [05:27] - Transition from ministry to entrepreneurship [06:51] - Financial struggles and turning point in his life [10:33] - Helping people through his business [13:00] - Prioritizing mission and culture in business [14:45] - Launching Thousand Hills Consulting [18:39] - The formula for making money without taking advantage of people [19:53] - Relationships are the true currency of business [22:43] - Jesus was the greatest marketer [24:40] - What is marketing and why is it important? [26:46] - Compassion-driven marketing [30:08] - Transforming transactional marketing into transformational marketing [31:24] - Proposing to his wife on their first official date [33:42] - Immediate sales pitches on LinkedIn [36:06] - Example of Hitch movie for building relationships [37:43] - Creating  genuine relationships on Facebook [39:00] - Toxic masculinity vs. true masculinity [40:03] - Being a fierce protector and a gentle lover [42:25] - Why most men are afraid to stand up for what's right and face criticism [45:31] - How AJ improves his significant relationships [49:36] - Importance of communication in relationships [51:29] - AJ's definition of success  [51:52] - #1 daily habit  [52:30] - Best advice AJ received [54:32] - Book recommendations [56:02] - Wrap up NOTABLE QUOTES: "Behind every great success story is an even greater backstory." "You can bring the passion for helping people together with the desire to earn an income, and your business can become your ministry." "Serve your way to the sale." "If your hands are too clean, you're not getting in the trenches with your customers. If your hands are too dirty, you're too far in the trenches, and now you'll drown with them instead of helping them." "You don't create trust. People give us trust based on the value we've delivered." "Relationship is the true currency of business." "If your clients come to you because of money, they're going to leave for the same reason. So there's got to be more behind it than that. You've got to have more to offer than just what you charge." "True masculinity is loving one woman, loving your family, being tender with your family, and being a fierce protector." "True masculinity is not toxic. It's being tough but tender." "If you want to avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing." "Truth inherently is offensive. And if you don't agree, that's fine. The truth does not require your endorsement. It's still true." "An easy life makes a weak man, but a hard life makes a strong man." BOOKS MENTIONED: Acts of Solomon (https://a.co/d/evxbmet) B.O.S.S. Moves: Business Mastery Secrets from a Million Dollar Round Table by Myron Golden (https://a.co/d/e5pgoXU) PODCAST MENTIONED: The Mark Driscoll Podcast  USEFUL RESOURCES: https://ajadamsofficial.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/imajadams/  https://www.instagram.com/imajadams/ https://stan.store/imajadams https://www.youtube.com/@ImAJAdams https://x.com/imajadams  https://www.facebook.com/theajadams/ CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://thejohnhulen.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen  Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/johnhulen   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen     YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX_NchE8lisC4NL2GciIWA  EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/