Made of More 02-18-26 Real World Selling, Resilience, & Relationships with James Hayden

In this episode of Made of More, host Chris Erdmann sits down with sales leader and author James Hayden, to explore the intersection of personal resilience and professional success. Hayden shares his unique backstory—from being adopted and raised in a remote Alaskan village to growing up around the space program—and reveals how early family challenges fueled his entrepreneurial fire. The conversation dives into practical business strategies, including the psychology of "push-pull" sales dynamics, the critical importance of pre-presentation agreements to protect intellectual property, and how to stay ahead of the curve by embracing AI. Throughout the discussion, Hayden emphasizes the philosophy of "Made of More"—optimizing one's life through ethical practices, deep relationships, and the willingness to learn from failure. About the show: Made of More is a radio show / podcast that shares the powerful, personal stories behind the entrepreneurs of the greater Seattle area and beyond, individuals who have built meaningful businesses and experiences not just to better their own lives, but to positively impact their communities, families, and the world around them. This show isn’t just about what they’ve built – it’s also about who they are as people. We explore their journeys of inspiration, adversity, risk, and resilience. We dig into the pivotal moments, the challenges that shaped them, and the drive that pushed them to step outside the box and do something different. These are people who are made of more. And so are our listeners. Each episode is an invitation to connect more deeply; not only with the story, but with the mission behind each business. Whether it inspires you to chase a dream, break your own mold, or simply experience and support these ventures in a way that speaks to you, Made of More reminds us that greatness often begins with a story worth telling.