Les Brown, You Gotta Be Hungry

I

Not long after launching Jim Rohn International in 1993 I met one of the most inspirational speakers of all time, Les Brown.

 

Les showed up at my office one day wanting to know more about all I had been doing as a seminar promoter and then later partnering with Jim. Les invited me to dinner with his then wife, the iconic Gladys Knight. Then a few months later Les and I did a powerful event together, Music and Money,  that included the legendary Billy Preston (Nothing From Nothing and You Are So Beautiful).


Les’s story is amazing and filled with lessons! 


Shortly after they were born in a poverty-stricken Miami neighborhood, Les and his twin brother were adopted by Mamie Brown, a kitchen worker and maid. Because of his hyperactivity and nonstop talking, Les was labeled “educability mentally retarded” and placed in special education classes in grade school and throughout high school. After he graduated he became a city sanitation worker in Miami Beach, but he had always dreamed of being a disc jockey. At night he would take a transistor radio to bed where he listened to the local deejays. He created an imaginary radio station in his tiny room using a hairbrush as his microphone as he practiced and introduced records to his ghost listeners.
 

One day Les boldly went to the local radio station during his lunch break from mowing grass. He got into the station manager’s office and told him he wanted to be a disc jockey. The manager looked at the disheveled young man in overalls and a straw hat and asked, “Do you have any background in broadcasting?”
 

Les replied, “No sir, I don’t.”


“Well, son, I’m afraid we don’t have a job for you then.”


Les thanked him and left. The station manager assumed that he had seen the last of this young man but underestimated the depth of Les’s commitment to his goal. For Les, it wasn’t just about wanting to be a disc jockey; he wanted to buy a nicer house for his adoptive mother. The disc jockey job was merely a stepping stone to his goal.


Mamie Brown had taught Les to pursue his dreams, so he was confident he would get a job at that radio station despite what the station manager had said.


And so Les kept going back to the station every day for a week, asking if there were any job openings. Finally the station manager gave in and made him an errand boy – with no pay. He fetched coffee or picked up food for the deejays who could not leave the studio. Eventually his enthusiasm for their work won him the confidence of the disc jockeys who would send him in their Cadillacs to pick up visiting celebrities such as the Temptations and Diana Ross and the Supremes. Little did any of them know that Les didn’t even have a drivers license.


Les did whatever was asked of him at the station–and more. While he hung out with the deejays, he’d mimic their hand movements on the control panel. He would stay in the control rooms until they asked him to leave. Then, back in his bedroom at night, he practiced and prepared himself for the opportunity that he knew would present itself.


One Saturday afternoon while Les was at the station, a deejay named Rock was drinking while on the air. Les was the only other person in the building and he realized that Rock was drinking himself into trouble. Les stayed close, walking back and forth in front of the window in Rock’s booth. As he prowled, he said to himself. “Drink, Rock, drink!”


Les was hungry, and he was ready. When the phone rang, Les pounced on it. It was the station manager, as he knew it would be.


“Les, this is Mr. Klein.”


“Yes,” said Les. “I know.


“Les, I don’t think Rock can finish his program.”


“Yes sir, I know.”
 

“Would you call one of the other deejays to come in and take over?”
 

“Yes, sir. I sure will.”
 

But when Les hung up the telephone, he said to himself, “Now, he must think I’m crazy.”
 

Les did dial the telephone, but it wasn’t to call in any other deejays. He called his mother first, and then his girlfriend. “You all go out on the front porch and turn up the radio because I’m about to come on the air!” he said.
 

He waited about 15 minutes before he called the general manager. “Mr. Klein, I can’t find nobody,” Les said. Mr. Klein then asked, “Young man, do you know how to work the controls in the studio?”


“Yes sir,” replied Les.
 

Les raced into the booth, gently moved Rock aside and sat down at the turntable. His moment had come and he was ready! He flipped on the microphone switch and said, “Look out! This is me LB, triple P – Les Brown, Your Platter Playing Poppa. There were none before me and there will be none after me. Therefore, that makes me the one and only. Young and single and love to mingle. Certified, bona fide, indubitably qualified to bring you satisfaction, a whole lot of action. Look out, baby, I’m your lo-o-ove man!”


That day Les wowed the audience and his general manager and from that fateful beginning, Les went on to a successful career in broadcasting, politics, public speaking and television. And Les has wowed me and audiences many times over.


Thank you Les Brown for setting such a remarkable example to us all of persistence and having a dream!
 

To listen to the full podcast episode I did with Les go to KyleWilson.com/Les-Brown 

To check out clips on IG go to https://www.instagram.com/kylewilsonjimrohn/ and Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/KyleWilsonMarketing


Grab your paperback version of Success Habits of Super Achievers featuring Les Brown, Darren Hardy, Brian Tracy, Denis Waitley, John Assaraf, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Tom Ziglar, Mark Victor Hansen, and more – Click Here 

 

Learn More About the Kyle Wilson Inner Circle Mastermind https://kylewilson.com/mastermind/


As my 18-year business partner, mentor, and friend Jim Rohn would tell me, let’s do something remarkable!

Kyle

Kyle Wilson’s Inner Circle Mastermind 

I have the most amazing Inner Circle of entrepreneurs, professionals, small business owners, and real estate investors. We have 14 live events to choose from in Dallas and SoCal, monthly Masterclasses and bi-weekly Marketing calls with world-class guests including Brian Tracy, Les Brown, Denis Waitley, Mark Victor Hansen, Bob Burg, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Tom Ziglar, Todd Stottlemyre, Lisa Haisha, Glenn Morshower who’s been in over 250 movies and shows, and more, Kevin Eastman, Lalah Delia, as well as hundreds of hours of content in a members site, plus a private members Facebook group. More details here https://kylewilson.com/mastermind/

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Kyle Wilson, Founder Jim Rohn International, YourSuccessStore, LessonsFromExperts.com and KyleWilson.com, Founder Jim Rohn International, YourSuccessStore, LessonsFromExperts.com and KyleWilson.com

What Others Are Saying About Kyle

“Kyle, thank you for our partnership and friendship. Friendship is wealth and you make me a rich man. Love and Respect!” Jim Rohn, Iconic Philosopher & Speaker

“I guard my endorsements carefully. Regarding Kyle, he is simply a marketing genius! No joke. Kyle was the wizard behind the successful business of my mentor Jim Rohn. Every marketing dilemma I have ever had Kyle has given me the brilliant and elegant solution on the spot. Kyle’s consulting has saved and earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.” Darren Hardy, Former Publisher SUCCESS Magazine

“I have worked closely with Kyle Wilson for 20 years. He is one of the best all-around marketers, promoters, business-builders and entrepreneurs in the business today. We have generated more than a million dollars together.” Brian Tracy, Int Speaker & Author

“Kyle Wilson is brilliant and so very knowledgeable and an icon in this industry. He was the power behind Jim Rohn. Kyle is my longtime friend and someone I have a great deal of respect for.” Les Brown, Iconic Speaker and Author

“Kyle is a valued friend, a marketing superstar and one of the most knowledgeable people in the personal development industry.” Robin Sharma, Author of Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

“I’ve known and worked with Kyle Wilson for over 20 years. Kyle is the ONLY person that ALWAYS under-promised and over-delivered every single time my dad Zig and I worked with him. He is a valued friend and some one I have great admiration and respect for!” Tom Ziglar, President of Zig Ziglar Corp

“Kyle is one of my old and dear friends and one of the smartest marketing guys I have had the opportunity to work with. He is the scrappy marketing guy. What I mean by that is, there are lots of guys who will put out business plans and do all kinds of nonsense and swing for home runs. Kyle is the real deal and finds ways to create product, add value, help people, build community, he’s unbelievable.” Eric Worre, Author of Go Pr

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"I guard my endorsements carefully. Regarding Kyle, he is simply a marketing genius! No joke. Kyle was the wizard behind the successful business of my mentor Jim Rohn. Every marketing dilemma I have ever had, Kyle has given me the brilliant and elegant solution on the spot. Kyle’s consulting has saved and earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years."
Darren Hardy
Former Publisher SUCCESS Magazine
"Kyle, thank you for our partnership and friendship all these years. Friendship is wealth and you make me a rich man. Much Love & Respect"
Jim Rohn
(1930-2009), Internationally
Renowned Speaker and Author
"Kyle Wilson is brilliant and very knowledgeable and an icon in this industry. He was the power behind Jim Rohn. Kyle is my longtime friend and someone I have a great deal of respect for."
Les Brown
Iconic Speaker and Author
"Kyle you were a master to work with when filming and producing at my house. Also, Helen and I have toured and done so many 'meet and greets' and have had all kinds of cool activities and opportunities on the road, but last year at your house at the Inner Circle Mastermind ranks at the top as one of the all time best experiences we have ever had on the road. At your house the people and the love was so amazing. We are use to doing all the giving, but that day we felt loved and cared for. It was just an amazing experience! We still talk about it to this day. It is at the top of our tour memories from over all these years!"
Phil Collen
Lead Guitarist, Def Leppard
"Thank you Kyle Wilson for being such a magnificent leader and creating a powerful, humanitarian thinking group of leaders. You’re such an amazing human being. Always inspired by who you are!"
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Host Amazon Show, Producer,
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"I have worked closely with Kyle Wilson for 20 years. He is one of the best all-around marketers, promoters, business-builders and entrepreneurs in the business today. We have generated more than a million dollars together.
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"If wanting to break into the speaker, author, marketing world, no one knows and does it better than my 10 year friend, Kyle Wilson. He is responsible for millions of people having access to the brilliant wisdom of Jim Rohn and so many other business thought leaders. He attracts the best people to his Inner Circle, something I'm proud to be a part of. I’m also excited to be working on a new book with Kyle, Lessons From Sports. Honored by his friendship."
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7x Emmy Winning Broadcaster,
NBC Sports Dallas/Ft Worth
"Kyle is one of my old and dear friends and one of the smartest marketing guys I have had the opportunity to work with. He is the scrappy marketing guy. Kyle is the real deal and finds ways to create product, add value, help people, build community, he’s unbelievable."
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Founder of Network Marketing
Pro and International Best-Selling
Author of Go Pro
"Kyle Wilson, single handedly changed the way I look at life! And the way I participate in my own! Kyle's wisdom, loyalty and commitment to seeing people soar is unmatched in the industry. He is a spring board, sounding board and ultimately a launch pad for anyone committed to pursuing their deepest dreams and ultimate goals! He is the most authentic mentor, friend and business parter I've ever had. I'm so thankful I ended up in your sphere 'KW,' Kyle Wilson.”
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TV & Media Host, Speaker,
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"Kyle Wilson is the man! When I made the decision to transition from my 15 year MLB career to being a speaker, best-selling author and business consultant I researched and then sought out the man who has been behind such iconic speakers as Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy and many others. Hiring Kyle as my coach has been one of the smartest decisions I made.
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Author of Relentless Success,
15 Year MLB Pitcher
and 3x World Champion
"Kyle is a valued friend, a marketing superstar and one of the most knowledgeable people in the personal development industry.
Robin Sharma
Author of The Monk Who
Sold His Ferrari
"Kyle can I thank you for something and congratulate you in the same breath? I've done easily 500 interviews in my life. This has been my favorite one. One that went on and allowed that deeper dive because that's one of the things that time limits can rob us of. And I thank you for that because it's been very healthy and very cathartic. And you kind of brought me back in touch with how ready I am to get back on stages. I'm ready."
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Actor in Over 250 Movies and Shows
"Kyle is one of the wisest and most brilliant marketing consultants in the world. He is the man behind the great marketing of Jim Rohn International and so many other personal development legends. He is not only someone I’ve enjoyed collaborating and working with for over two decades, but is also a close and valued friend. I recommend Kyle without equivocation."
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Co-Creator of World’s
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Chicken Soup for the Soul
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Mom & Dadpreneur
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Best-Selling Author The Little Red Book of Selling
"I've known and worked with Kyle Wilson for over 20 years. Kyle is the ONLY person that ALWAYS under-promised and over-delivered every single time my dad Zig and I worked with him. He is a valued friend and someone I have great admiration and respect for!"
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President of Zig Ziglar Corp
"Kyle's Inner Circle Masterminds have been some of the most enlightening events I've been a part of. I've met so many incredible people outside the world I live and work in. It is the pinnacle of places you can go to upgrade your network. Plus, Kyle's coaching has helped me create and additional six figure side income that allows me to impact more people."
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2x Grammy Winner,
Billboard #1 Producer and
Song Writer of the Year
"When I met Kyle Wilson I had been speaking professionally for 12 years and my biggest ‘achievement’ was $60,000 in debt to the IRS, a truck I prayed every day would start, and a simple 6 CD memory training set. Kyle coached me to market that CD set and in less than 12 months my IRS debt was gone and I was speaking in Australia, Bangkok, Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia and all over the USA with the biggest names in the speaking business. It was almost magical how Kyle took my business from giving speeches in the back room of an IHOP restaurant to audiences as large as 8,000 in what seemed like overnight. I can honestly say that Kyle Wilson was not a major factor in turning my business around. Kyle Wilson was THE factor. I can’t strongly recommend his wisdom, knowledge, business mind or who he is as a person enough."
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Best-Selling Author of
Black Belt Memory,
2009 & 2010 US Memory Champion
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Jeanette Ortega
Best-Selling Author of
The Little Black Book of Fitness
& Celebrity Fitness Trainer
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Host of EOFire Podcast with
over 100 million Downloads
"Anytime I'm in a conversation with Kyle Wilson, I always take my notepad out and start taking down notes cause there's so much to learn. Kyle it's a real honor for me to know you."
Bob Burg
Speaker and Best-Selling Author
of the Go Giver
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Featured on ABC’s Hit TV show
Secret Millionaire &
Founder of Big Money Speaker
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Speaker, Passionista, Founder of
Rising Tycoons &
#iStartFirst Bossbabe Bootcamps
"From the moment I met Kyle realized that he was a unique individual. In life their is 'talent' and then behind that 'talent' there is always the business savvy behind it. We say that when the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear. Kyle Wilson IS that teacher and that consultant....are you ready? Kyle, I know our best work is yet to come. Thanks for the friendship and expertise."
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PGA Tour Mentor,
Speaker, Author
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Best-Selling Author The Angel Inside
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# 1 best selling author
and Tedx speaker
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(Business) Managing Director,
(Military) Colonel, USMC (Ret)
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Dr. Stormy Hill, OTR/L
Entrepreneur, Author, Educator, Mom
"Kyle you have greatly influenced my life and career. You and Jim made a perfect team with a legacy that will continue to change lives more than any otherthought leaders with timeless wisdom."
Denis Waitley
Author Psychology of Winning