From Far Rockaway to Sales Stardom: Mike Roth's Journey of Resilience and Improv

Send us FAN MAIL text, include your cell# for a replyThey say the best tales come from the heart, and mine is no exception. Settle in as I, Mike Roth, trade the interviewer's mic for the hot seat, with Wayne Richard leading the charge. From my humble beginnings in Far Rockaway to the vibrant pulse of Miami, I unravel the threads of my family tapestry, complete with the legacy of my father's leather business. Memories of high school band days and backstage drama antics stitch together the rich fabric that formed the backdrop to my career pivot, from engineering to the dynamic dance of sales.Strap in for a thrill ride through the highs and lows of my sales saga at Telex. It's a chapter rife with legal battles, vast territories, and the glitzy grind of client schmoozing—a nod to a relative's tenure at the helm of Hewlett Packard. You'll discover how a twist of fate with a Wats box at NYU not only saved our payroll but also served up a masterclass in resilience. Navigating through the early days of my engineering aspirations to the cutthroat sales floor, I share the valuable detours that rerouted my professional destiny.When the curtain rises on The Villages chapter, laughter and loss dance a delicate duet. Acting and improv taught me life's script is often improvised, a lesson I carry into the sales strategies that once seemed as improbable as a multiplying machine gone rogue. Meanwhile, my podcasting odyssey in Cincinnati spotlights the unscripted symphony of local business leaders' stories, continuing to echo success. So, join me for an episode that harmonizes the unexpected melodies of life, where every note promises to entertain, enlighten, and inspire.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to the Open Forum Podcast00:57 Support the Podcast: How You Can Help02:38 Meet Wayne Richard: A Backwards Interview03:05 Mike Roth's Early Life and Family04:39 Educational Journey and Early Career07:24 Transition to Business and Sales12:04 Life at Telex and Beyond15:08 Reflections on Career Choices17:42 Arrival at The Villages17:55 Discovering The Villages18:29 Magic Tricks and Sales Training19:50 Journey to The Villages21:49 Improv and Acting Courses25:14 The Business of Improv29:20 AI in Improv33:10 Podcasting and Reflections Become a Supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974255/supportVillages Vitality Listeners, I've got some good news for you. In season 8 most new episodes will released as both audio & video versions. Videos on Apple Podcasts, Busssprout.com and YouTube. If you're listening via our Buzzsprout feed, you can ask questions via the Fan Mail button or leave me comments as a text or in our new feature, you can send it as a voicemail. If you'd like a response, make sure you leave your name, email address and cell phone number.Support the showVillages Vitality Senior Life Unscripted is Produced & Directed by Mike RothA new episode will be released most Fridays at 9 AMDirect all questions and comments to [email protected] you know a someone who should appear on the show, please contact us at:  [email protected]