Ask Kevin: Advice for Entrepreneurs

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From time to time, I’ll gather questions from social media followers and answer them in short videos. In two recent clips, I offer some thoughts that might be helpful for entrepreneurs.

The first one centers on what advice I might be able to provide to would-be entrepreneurs.

And the second video discusses a skill I believe is critical for entrepreneurs to possess.

Entrepreneurs: Learning & Growing

Knowledge, as they say, is power. For most of us, we carry in our pockets the key to an endless supply of information. I’m grateful for technology, which offers me the ability to expand my mind, learn more about the world around me, and gain new perspectives.

I’ve always been excited about learning, which inevitably leads to growth. When meeting with entrepreneurs, a frequent question I’m asked is: What are you reading?

Often, I’m alternating between two or three books at a time (if interested, I invite you to take a look at a few books I’ve talked about in the past).

In the last several years I’ve looked for additional ways to feed my brain. I’m sure many of you reading this have as well.

One way is by turning my car into a rolling university (longtime USANA Associates will remember this concept, though the medium has changed—no more cassette tapes ???? ).

On my way to and from the office, I’m using the Audible app to listen to educational and uplifting material (here’s a short video about one of my latest listens).

Podcasts & Vodcasts

Podcasts are another popular avenue for education, inspiration, and motivation (I’ve mentioned USANA’s Let’s Go! podcast in previous e-newsletters). And last fall, USANA Chief Sales Officer David Mulham published a vodcast (video podcast) series centered on achieving success.

The Driven with David Mulham series is available to watch on YouTube (so this one is more suited for when you’re not driving) and features in-depth conversations with several dynamic leaders.

Each episode offers an array of fascinating life—and business—lessons that can help drive you toward success, whatever that looks like for you.

Guests who appeared on the Driven with David Mulham podcast

A version of this article initially went to e-newsletter subscribers on May 19, 2022. I invite you to subscribe.

5 Steps to Lead a More Balanced Life

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Leading a balanced life, I believe, is critical to overall health and well-being. In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, I shared five steps to increase harmony and balance in our lives.

Surveys show that pandemic-induced anxiety and depression levels increased by 25 percent globally in 2021. It’s vital that we support mental health.

Some mental health aspects are highly vulnerable to environmental influences. The pandemic has certainly levied an unprecedented effect on workers. I’ve adopted five practices that consistently bring a more balanced approach to function at higher levels.

???? Listen: Also in May, I visited with Kelly & Company to talk about “Five steps for improved outcomes during National Mental Health Month.”

5 Steps to a Balanced Life

1. Maintain social support

Even in today’s hybrid working environment, staying connected to a network of people, groups, and organizations that are supportive and fun is key to good mental health. This includes friends, neighbors, volunteer opportunities, church, book clubs, support groups, community events, and extended family members.

2. Find an enjoyable hobby

I’ve been fortunate to perform with country star Collin Raye’s band, playing at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and sharing the stage with Brooks and Dunn, Keith Urban, Diamond Rio, and many others. Not only is music my passion, but I’ve found it’s a necessary outlet for mental balance, and that people benefit by doing hobbies they love.

3. Eat nutritious foods

Experts agree eating plenty of vegetables and fruit, with lean protein and moderate carbohydrates is ideal for most people. Because health begins at the cellular level, good intake naturally results in a good output.

4. Manage demands of the day effectively

Leading a global company can bring high levels of nonstop stress. In my quest to live a life in harmony, a habit of setting clear priorities in the greater context is one secret to regulate personal energy, cope with stress and avoid a multitude of problems.

5. Exercise regularly—and know when to rest

Exercise, as we know, is important for good health. But relaxation and adequate sleep are as important for stress management and overall mental health. Each person must identify their personal sleep needs but getting seven to eight hours of sleep has greatly improved my ability to handle daily challenges.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on May 2, 2022.

Catching Up with Kevin: Reflecting & Looking Ahead (April 2022)

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Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk about various topics that have been on my mind lately. This exercise of reflecting and looking ahead is something I like to do regularly.

If you subscribe to my YouTube channel or follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you likely saw the following video. However, if you haven’t yet seen it, I invite you to watch it.

In it, I share my thoughts on several topics, including…

????  Priorities for 2022

Probably USANA’s biggest investment (outside of our compensation plan) is in technology. We’re always looking for ways to improve our customer experience through technology. Offering a world-class customer experience is our goal.

Another area of focus is listening to our customers. The more we listen and the more we are aware and gain data and information, the more responsive and better we’ll be to serve the needs of all those who interact with USANA.

????  Environmental, Social, Governance Efforts

Solar panels and xeriscaping are two examples of USANA’s early efforts to be an environmentally sound corporate citizen. And those projects happened years ago. Our diversity as a company is important to us as well. We created a committee at the Board of Directors level to oversee and monitor our commitment to environmental, social, and governance initiatives. Every quarter we follow up and review our progress.

????  Grateful for Our Employees

We have some of the finest people I’ve ever met working here at USANA. They’re dedicated, they care, and they’re true to the vision of the company. Excellence is one of our core values and I see them striving for excellence. As I’m reflecting, I feel very fortunate to be at the head of so many great people that are at the heart of USANA.

????  A New Self-Care Routine

Self-care has been a focal point for me personally. Something that I’m doing that I haven’t done in the past, which has really seemed to be helping me, is every single morning my wife and I meditate. It helps us set our day. We also talk about our day ahead so we can follow up with each other in the evening. It’s a way for us to connect in a different way than we ever have.

Thank you for following along here, and I appreciate all the kind words and the interaction on my social sites.

Asia Pacific Virtual Convention: A Spectacular Show

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In a way, last month’s Asia Pacific Virtual Convention (APVC) kicked off a year-long celebration. Since 1992, USANA’s worked to create The Healthiest Family on Earth. And now, as the company commemorates 30 years, we’re laser-focused on that global mission.

“Rather than treating the symptoms of poor health, I wanted to be part of the solution,” Dr. Myron Wentz, USANA Founder, said in his opening remarks. “Our vision is to change lives for the better. The vision of yesterday serves as a path for the future.”

And that’s what we continue to focus on at USANA as we look to the next 30 years and beyond.

An Electric Atmosphere

Though we couldn’t meet in person for APVC, I could feel the energy from health entrepreneurs who tuned in virtually. Thank you to everyone who made the event special.

For those who invested in themselves, I hope you found it as motivational and inspirational as I did. From the kickoff “Wake & Shake” segment to the Future Lab to the leadership discussions to the phenomenal keynotes, the Asia Pacific Virtual Convention packed a lot into a few hours.

Coming Up: Global Convention

My sincere thanks to the many employees who worked so hard to make this virtual event such a success. But there’s nothing quite like being at a USANA event in person. I’m thrilled that we’re planning to return to an in-person event for our 30th Anniversary Global Convention in August.

And I hope you make plans to join the rest of the USANA Family as we look back on our first 30 years and look ahead to the next.

Register

Let’s celebrate 30 incredible years! Join the #USANA Family for our 30th Anniversary Global Convention, either in person or virtually.

  • Join us for a phenomenal few days of inspiration, learning, and celebration.
  • Create memories to last a lifetime as we recognize you and everything you’ve achieved.
  • Power your entrepreneurial mindset with engaging workshops, energizing speakers, and an electrifying party three decades in the making.

SAVE THE DATE: Aug. 17-20, 2022 (in Salt Lake City… or virtually).

Learn More and Register.

What Two Beatles Taught Me About Love and Respect

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April 2 is national “Love Our Children Day” in the United States. And it’s a perfect reminder to show love and respect to everyone we encounter from adults to children.

Ringo Starr, one of my lifelong idols, is one of the most gracious celebrities I have ever met.

A few years ago, I was backstage before a Ringo Starr concert with a group of fans waiting to meet the world-famous Beatles drummer.

Other fans were nervous, and the lady next to me was hyperventilating because she was about to meet an idol—one of the Beatles. When Ringo arrived, I was first in line, and he smiled, gave me a big hug, and talked to me while looking directly at me. He focused on me and made me feel loved and respected, like I was important. That is a feeling I will never forget.

Years earlier, I saw Paul McCartney on stage for a pre-concert soundcheck and noticed that Paul approached every band and crew member. He hugged them and asked how they were.

I could tell Paul knew them personally and cared about them. Those acts of love and kindness by two of the world’s most famous musicians give a remarkable lesson for us all. In this day when so much is in turmoil, we need to show love and respect for others around us.

Love, Relationships

In All the Right Reasons, I write about what I call The Dorothy Principle. In essence, it puts relationships at the top of the priority list.

People have told me the Dorothy Principle has made an instant impact on their lives. I learned long ago that treating others with the utmost respect and kindness is a key to success and makes life more harmonious for everyone.

To illustrate the Dorothy Principle:

On a pop quiz, a college professor asked: ‘What is the name of the woman who cleans this building?’ and emphasized that nothing is more important than relationships.

The class was blank but soon learned the cleaning lady’s name was Dorothy. So I have dubbed that value the Dorothy Principle and have tried to put relationships first in everything I do.

I apply the same principle as Chairman and CEO at USANA Health Sciences.

I urge all of our Associates domestically and internationally to treat others politely with kindness. Learn their names, acknowledge them as you pass by, and step outside of your own issues to be genuinely respectful to everyone.

I believe those simple patterns of behavior can make us all more civil and lift each other to higher levels of harmony in life.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on March 31, 2022.

Designed to help others find keys to successful careers and life, All the Right Reasons reveals 12 principles for living a life in harmony. All proceeds from sales of the bestseller are aimed at feeding two million meals to hungry children. Available on Amazon, each book sold provides 40 meals through The USANA Foundation.

USANA Athletes Stand Atop the Podium ????

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When one group encompasses all of USANA’s core values, it’s difficult to fail. USANA Athletes is one such group.

The worldwide contingent of USANA-sponsored athletes checks all the boxes. Community, Excellence, Health, and Integrity are USANA’s core values. And they are four values that I believe are critical to achieving greatness.

Throughout the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, USANA Athletes skied, soared, skated, and slid their way to success.

I invite you to read Allie Henderson’s comprehensive recap on What’s Up, USANA?

USANA Athletes 2022 Winter Games - Featured

USANA Athletes: By the Numbers

Nearly 150 USANA-sponsored athletes competed in Beijing in February. All told, the athletes from six different countries won 21 medals. The haul included eight gold medals, eight silver, and five bronze. As Allie Henderson, USANA’s athlete communications manager, writes: “If USANA were a country, its sponsored athletes and partners would have tied for fourth for the most gold medals and fifth overall.”

That’s an impressive feat!

Here’s a rundown of the athletes who competed in Beijing.

USANA Athletes - List of Competitors

And here are a few individual highlights, courtesy of What’s Up, USANA?

  • Natalie Spooner won her third consecutive Olympic medal (and second) gold as part of the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team
  • American aerialist Ashley Caldwell qualified for her fourth consecutive Games and picked up her first medal—a gold!
  • US Speedskating, USANA’s longest-standing partner, won three medals in Beijing. Erin Jackson won gold in the women’s 500m. Brittany Bowe and Joey Mantia each earned a bronze medal.
  • US Ski and Snowboard finished with 14 podium appearances, including five gold medals
  • Korean short track speed skater DaeHeon Hwang won gold (1,500m) and silver (5,000m relay)
  • America freeskier Alex Ferreira earned bronze in the men’s halfpipe

Follow Along

USANA’s teamed up with world-class athletes for more than two decades. And 2022 marked the sixth consecutive Winter Games in which we’ve been able to cheer for Team USANA on a world stage.

I encourage you to follow USANA Athletes on Facebook and Instagram — @USANAathletes — to keep up with these incredible individuals and teams.

Images and information courtesy of USANA Health Sciences

4 Steps to Get Motivated & Achieve More

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Successful people do a good job of getting motivated to take action each day. With the right inspiration, I have seen that anyone can become more productive.

Earlier this month, I shared thoughts on how to “March Forth on March 4.” Here are four key steps to help you achieve more.

Get Motivated to Achieve More | Kevin Guest

1. Get Motivated: Find an Activity That Energizes You

Use music, books, quotes, or movies for motivation. Maybe you have a certain movie scene or song that motivates you. For someone else, it might be a favorite quote. Inspirational videos found online only take a few minutes to watch. The key is to start and end the day with something that inspires you to take action.

One thing that can energize you is a good exercise routine that increases your heart rate and sends oxygen to your brain, which will refresh you, help you think more clearly, and feel more like doing your work.

2. Get Started Early in the Day

I’ve found if you can accomplish something worthwhile before 9 a.m., you’ll be motivated to do even more during the rest of the day. If you fail to do anything substantial by noon, you might feel bad about how you’ve wasted the morning.

Often, you won’t feel motivated in the afternoon and will likely stall progress by putting things off until later.

As I write in my book, All the Right Reasons, I took this approach before performing at Grand Ole Opry with country star Collin Raye.

I arrived in Nashville early, interacted with country music idols, and had a great experience when I went on stage. That was a complete turnabout from my first Opry performance. All this was because I was early and prepared, which put me in a calm frame of mind.

3. Break Goals Into Attainable Steps

Dividing bigger goals into a series of small steps is a huge secret to success. What’s more, accomplishing goals rapidly motivates you to the next one. I’ve also found it’s key to celebrate and reward yourself for a job well done, and with small steps, rewards come often.

4. Nothing Changes Until Your Behavior Changes

Visualization and positive self-talk have their place, but they’re only effective if your behavior changes. You can wish your way to make a million dollars by aligning with your values, but it won’t happen unless you’re consistently doing something different. That’s the key to real change.

Most of all, I know life is short, but it’s long enough if we don’t waste time. Simply put, we can accomplish a lot between now and the end of our life if we respect and make the most of our time. It’s easy to put things off until tomorrow, but there are only so many tomorrows left.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on March 3, 2022.

Designed to help others find keys to successful careers and life, All the Right Reasons reveals 12 principles for living a life in harmony. All proceeds from sales of the bestseller are aimed at feeding two million meals to hungry children. Available on Amazon, each book sold provides 40 meals through The USANA Foundation.

2022 USANA Asia Pacific Virtual Convention

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Asia Pacific Virtual Convention 2022 Logo

We are less than two weeks away from the 2022 USANA Asia Pacific Virtual Convention. If you’ve followed along on my social sites, you’ve already gained a glimpse into what this incredible event will entail.

I sincerely hope you are registered.

I believe attending events such as these is critical to realizing your full potential. It’s valuable if you’re a USANA business owner. But it’s equally valuable if you’re looking to improve your career, your emotional intelligence, or even your overall happiness.

Supercharge Your Entrepreneurial Vision

The Asia Pacific Virtual Convention live stream aims to teach, inspire, and empower you with actionable insights and key takeaways. Immerse yourself in live and on-demand presentations and workshops hosted by industry leaders, USANA executives, and leaders throughout the Asia Pacific markets.

The can’t-miss event will feature…

  • Impactful keynote addresses
  • Extensive workshop training
  • Recognition
  • Business-building sessions
  • A look at the future of USANA
  • Exclusive product discussions

Asia Pacific Virtual Convention Keynote Speakers

The virtual keynote stage welcomes two outstanding individuals.

Michelle Yeoh is recognized as one of the greatest and most successful actresses from the East. The former Bond girl is best known for her roles in John M. Chu’s romantic comedy, Crazy Rich Asians, Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Rob Marshall’s Memoirs of a Geisha.

James Clear is the New York Times bestselling author of Atomic Habits. An inspirational speaker and Habits Academy mastermind, James is a personal development authority. Driven, focused, and committed to helping others reach their full potential, he illustrates the profound benefits of small habits, decisive decision-making, and continuous improvement.


Asia Pacific Virtual Convention 2022

Let the event ignite your passion to pursue your entrepreneurial spirit.

Register Today

Please visit the Asia Pacific Virtual Convention website for complete details. It’s your guide to a one-of-a-kind event that could help propel you to even greater heights.

I look forward to seeing you virtually later this month. #LiveUSANA

Greater Harmony Leads to Increased Productivity, Happiness

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Last week we celebrated Valentine’s Day. February, in general, focuses on love. Therefore, I believe it’s the perfect time to increase our respect and harmony in all aspects of life. I’ve seen firsthand that when harmony is high, productivity rises, and happiness is at record levels.

My parents Francis and Venus Guest on their 50th wedding anniversary.

My parents, Francis and Venus Guest, on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Many readers know that I grew up in Montana. It’s there that thanks to my parents’ example, I witnessed the importance of love and harmony.

In the ways that really count, my parents were truly extraordinary. They lived their lives serving and teaching others. Virtue meant something to my mom and dad, and threads of love, kindness, hard work, and integrity wove the strong cords of character in their lives.

My parents’ lessons, both spoken and lived, shaped the man I have become and the person I still hope to be. My success has been, in great part, because I try to remain true to the values my parents taught me.

A Life in Harmony

As I write in my book, All the Right Reasons, putting our core character traits into action is what it means to live a life in harmony.

In music, harmony happens when notes blend so it’s pleasing to the ear. Whether someone performs in a band, a choir, or an orchestra, nothing is quite as exhilarating as achieving perfect harmony with fellow musicians.

In life, harmony means living a consistent and honest arrangement of your values. And then solidly committing to living those values day in and day out.

Each of us experiences defining life moments when choices align with destiny and catapult us in an unanticipated direction. These moments can paralyze us, or they can transform us. They can profoundly reshape us for the better, leaving us with fresh insights, new goals, and strengthened resolve.

With your values defined, love, kindness, and respect for others, especially now, will foster harmony in relationships that literally enriches life and makes it more rewarding.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Feb. 7, 2022.

Designed to help others find keys to successful careers and life, All the Right Reasons reveals 12 principles for living a life in harmony. All proceeds from sales of the bestseller are aimed at feeding two million meals to hungry children. Available on Amazon, each book sold provides 40 meals through The USANA Foundation.

Since 1992: USANA Celebrates 30 Years

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It doesn’t seem that long ago that USANA celebrated its 20-year anniversary. And then came 25 (and with it, a world record). Now, as we enter 2022, USANA is poised to set a mark that relatively few companies attain. Oh, what a difference USANA’s made in its first 30 years.

Here’s a short trip down memory lane…

Since 1992, USANA’s vowed to create The Healthiest Family on Earth. It started with Dr. Wentz’s vision and now envelopes everything we do in two dozen markets around the world.

As we approached 30 years, I’ve expressed my gratitude for what the USANA Family’s accomplished in its first three decades. But, even as someone who’s been fortunate to work with USANA since Day 1, I’m especially excited about what the next 30 years—and more—entail.

30 Years: A Big Milestone

USANA Founder Dr. Myron Wentz

USANA Founder Dr. Myron Wentz

As I mentioned in an interview on the Driven with David Mulham video podcast, there aren’t many companies that get the opportunity to turn 30. It’s been a privilege and a blessing for me to watch the company grow.

What started as a microbiologist’s idea is now a global enterprise. Right now, I truly see the vision of creating The Healthiest Family on Earth happening.

The positive difference we’re making around the world is incredible. Our worldwide team of dedicated health professionals is helping so many individuals. And The USANA Foundation is bringing much-needed access to quality nutrition across the globe.

Living a healthy lifestyle, I believe, is critical to happiness. This notion of health is so much more than what we put into our body. It’s also what we feed our mind and our soul. USANA, therefore, is in an endless pursuit of health in all aspects of life.

I’m excited for what the future holds, and I’m grateful that you’re joining me on this year-long journey to celebrate 30 years of USANA.