This transcript is from the "Up in Your Family Business" podcast hosted by Todd Rimer, co-owner of Element212. The episode features Kevin and Jamie White, co-founders of Believe Crew, a visionary advisory company that supports leaders, partnerships, and family businesses in realigning their lives and businesses "from the inside out."
Todd introduces Kevin as a grounded, emotionally intelligent leader and business builder, while Jamie is described as a fire-starting, intuitive strategist. Together, they have six children and currently live in Mexico. The podcast explores themes of alignment in business, leadership challenges, and how to reset when everything feels overwhelming.
Kevin and Jamie share their origin story, explaining how the deaths of their mothers from cancer in 2006-2007 started them on their current path. They describe how they were initially disconnected in their relationship and sought help through coaching and healing. Through this process, they developed their own approach that combines coaching and healing elements.
Jamie explains that she was motivated to create Believe Crew after seeing her mother, a business owner, struggle emotionally despite achieving external success. She observed that people often create chaos when they achieve their dreams but don't know how to reinvent themselves. Jamie worked in her family's construction and self-storage businesses, experiencing firsthand the challenges of separating emotions from business decisions.
Kevin describes how he transitioned from working in data warehouses for automotive companies to discovering his spiritual gifts of exhortation (motivating and advocating for people) and healing. He explains that Believe Crew helps people connect to their spiritual gifts and purpose, emphasizing that spirituality is about connecting to one's calling rather than necessarily being religious.
Todd shares his personal struggles as a 55-year-old business owner questioning his legacy, purpose, and whether he's truly following his calling. This leads to a discussion about the loneliness of leadership and how leaders often lack support systems.
Jamie discusses the concept of being a "visionary" in business, explaining that visionaries often doubt themselves despite holding important big-picture perspectives. She notes that in family businesses, there's often a natural division between the visionary (big ideas, culture) and the implementer (day-to-day operations).
The conversation explores how misalignment manifests as exhaustion, health issues, and stress. Jamie shares a story about her 18-year-old son who experienced physical pain until he made the decision to leave his construction job that wasn't aligned with his true calling as an aspiring author and storyteller.
The hosts discuss how fear often prevents alignment, whether it's employees fearing job loss if they train others or business owners fearing industry changes. Jamie emphasizes that true alignment comes from connecting with one's authentic self rather than external validation or predetermined measures of success.
The podcast ends with Todd noting that the conversation will continue in part two.
Introduction to Kevin and Jamie White of Believe Crew 00:00:04
Todd Reimer introduces the podcast and his guests, Kevin and Jamie White, co-founders of Believe Crew. He describes them as visionary advisors who support leaders, partnerships, and family businesses in realigning their lives and businesses, especially during high-pressure situations. Todd mentions that Kevin is a grounded, emotionally intelligent leader while Jamie is a fire-starting, intuitive strategist. The couple has six children and lives in Mexico. Todd sets up the conversation as exploring what true alignment means in business and how to reset when everything feels overwhelming.
Kevin and Jamie's Background and Move to Mexico 00:03:20
Kevin and Jamie share details about their living situation in Mexico, where they moved in June of the previous year. They live in a jungle community on a PGA golf course near Akamal, about an hour and 15 minutes south of Cancun. Kevin describes their community as having cenotes (natural sinkholes), being near a national park, and being known for sea turtles. They mention that five of their six sons live with them, with their oldest son currently in North Carolina. Jamie is originally from Wisconsin, and Kevin is from Iowa, where they previously raised their family together.
The Origin Story of Believe Crew 00:06:23
Kevin and Jamie explain how they started Believe Crew. They mention that the deaths of their mothers from cancer in 2006-2007 played a significant role in starting them on this path. Kevin describes himself as having been a disconnected father and husband. Jamie elaborates that she felt stuck and hired a business coach while they also worked with healers for their relationship issues. Through this process, they created their own version of coaching and healing combined. Jamie mentions feeling called to create an "oasis" that would have served her mother. She also recalls listening to Patrick Lencioni's book "Getting Naked" during road trips, which inspired her with its approach to vulnerability in business.
The Need Believe Crew Addresses 00:10:07
Jamie explains that she saw a need for Believe Crew based on her mother's experience as a business owner who achieved external success but struggled emotionally. She describes how her parents had achieved all their personal goals by age 30 but things started falling apart emotionally because "their nervous systems weren't regulated to accept the next version" and they didn't know how to reinvent themselves. Jamie worked in her family's business after her mother's passing, taking over her mother's office, and found herself facing similar challenges. She mentions that in business, particularly in male-dominated industries like construction and self-storage, there's often pressure to "keep emotions out of it," which wasn't working for her.
Spiritual Gifts and Believe Crew's Approach 00:13:38
Kevin explains that Believe Crew focuses on helping people work with their "spiritual gifts." He clarifies that spirituality isn't necessarily about religion but about connecting to one's purpose and calling in life. Kevin shares that his spiritual gifts are exhortation (motivating and advocating for people) and healing. He explains that Believe Crew helps people tap into their spiritual gifts and intuition, connecting these to their business activities. Kevin emphasizes that they believe everyone has the answers inside themselves and that their approach starts with what's already working for the individual.
Todd's Personal Leadership Struggles 00:20:11
Todd shares his personal experience as a 55-year-old business owner questioning his legacy, purpose, and whether he's truly following his calling. He describes having a recent "meltdown" where he questioned what he would leave behind if he died today and whether he's doing what God intended him to do. Todd expresses that while he has many blessings and is grateful, leadership can be lonely because leaders make sacrifices and often have no one to talk to about their struggles except perhaps their spouse. He mentions that he's "going through something" though he's not sure it's a midlife crisis.
Kevin and Jamie's Response to Leadership Challenges 00:23:37
Kevin responds to Todd's vulnerability by offering two perspectives: first, that entrepreneurs often don't retire until their 80s because their business becomes their lifestyle; and second, that entrepreneurs are usually already doing something close to their gifts, even if they have questions about themselves. Jamie adds that part of the loneliness of leadership comes from wanting others to see and validate one's vision. She explains that she's learning to be okay with her own vision without needing approval from others, and to create space for her own thoughts. She mentions that surrounding herself with intuitive people who are willing to speak truth helps combat loneliness.
Understanding the Role of a Visionary 00:30:16
Jamie explains what it means to be a "visionary" in business, referencing the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) concept of visionary and integrator roles. She describes how in family businesses, there's often naturally one person responsible for big deals and culture (the visionary) and another responsible for day-to-day operations. Jamie shares her experience implementing her father's visions in their family business, noting that visionaries often doubt themselves despite holding important big-picture perspectives. She emphasizes that visionaries need to value themselves and understand that "holding the vision high" is valuable work in itself, rather than feeling they need to be involved in every operational aspect.
The Impact of Technology and Time on Leadership 00:41:15
Todd discusses how technology has changed the pace of business and created constant demands and changes. He shares his experience of putting his phone away during vacations and noticing how time felt different without technological distractions. Jamie responds by emphasizing that Believe Crew helps people create sacred space and recognize its importance. She notes that when creating something new, space is essential, and references their move to Mexico which required letting go of many possessions. Jamie also discusses how AI and technological changes are raising questions about fulfillment and meaning, suggesting that the future of business may become more about finding fulfillment in who you are rather than what you do.
Understanding Alignment and Misalignment 00:51:00
Todd asks Kevin and Jamie to explain what alignment is, what misalignment looks like, and how to become aligned. Kevin begins by describing entrepreneurship as a growth path where one chooses to see their potential. Jamie explains that misalignment often manifests as exhaustion and health issues, sharing a story about their 18-year-old son who experienced physical pain until he made the decision to leave his construction job that wasn't aligned with his true calling as an aspiring author and storyteller. She discusses how fear often prevents alignment, whether it's employees fearing job loss if they train others or business owners fearing industry changes. Jamie emphasizes that true alignment comes from connecting with one's authentic self rather than external validation or predetermined measures of success.
Todd mentioned he needs to determine if Element 212 is his true calling and purpose. 00:23:24
Jamie suggested creating space (physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually) to allow new ideas and alignment to emerge. 00:44:41
Kevin recommended entrepreneurs focus daily on whether they're in line with their vision rather than getting overwhelmed by technological changes and demands. 00:40:33
Jamie advised leaders to embrace their role as visionaries and understand that "holding the vision high" is valuable work in itself. 00:33:26
Todd committed to tapping into his God-given talents in hospitality and hosting if his current business becomes obsolete. 00:50:00
Jamie suggested surrounding oneself with intuitive people who are willing to speak truth to help combat leadership loneliness. 00:29:24
