I just got back from Tampa, Florida, hosting an Inner Circle mastermind with good friend and member of the Florida House of Representatives Ryan Chamberlin.
It was a room full of entrepreneurs, business owners, professionals, and investors.
Inner Circle members Ron White spoke on memory, Clair Hoover on investing, CPA Mike Pine on turning your tax burden into investments, and Bhavika Chauhan on building your brand and message.
Ryan interviewed me about my 18 years with Jim Rohn and asked if we could do a deep dive into The Wheel!
Below are some of the key takeaways from the interview that I hope you can benefit from and specifically about the 5 keys to the spokes on your marketing wheel!
In 1993, when I began working with Jim Rohn on a handshake, I developed a simple business model that would ultimately change the trajectory of my business.
I called it The Wheel.
That model helped us build a multimillion-dollar business. It’s also a model I’ve coached and shared with Darren Hardy, Robin Sharma, and hundreds of other entrepreneurs.
What’s The Wheel?
Picture a wheel with a hub in the center and multiple spokes extending outward. Each spoke represents a product, service, or way to attract customers. Ideally, some spokes accomplish both.
Jim at the time had five spokes: books, audio programs, one-day seminars, two-day seminars, and speaking engagements.
My goal was simple: Most important get people onto the wheel, then deliver value, build trust, and develop relationships that compound over time.
I call it fishing versus hunting. Instead of constantly chasing customers, you focus on how to attract the right customers with your spokes (products, services and customer acquisition) , serve them, and generate referrals and repeat business.
So one of the big questions and decisions every business must make are what spokes on the wheel should they have. And believe me not every opportunity deserves to become (or stay) a spoke.
Here are my five criteria for determining whether something is a good fit to be a spoke on The Wheel.
1. Does It Support My Core Business?
Before partnering with Jim, I was promoting seminars and putting thousands of people into rooms, and I was constantly approached with opportunities. Some were great opportunities. But that didn’t make them great opportunities for me.
My good friend Darren Hardy shared on our podcast interview (https://kylewilson.com/darren-hardy/) that one hard NO can eliminate a thousand weak YESes.
Remember, every new one-off can take 6–10 times more of your effort, time and energy than something you’ve already developed a system for.
Today, my Inner Circle masterminds, books, podcasts, and events all support one another. Each spoke strengthens the others.
The lesson: Just because something can make you money doesn’t mean it is the best use of your time and focus.
2. Is It Strategic? Will It Knock Down Other Dominoes?
I’m always asking: What one thing could create the greatest long-term impact?
When I created the little Jim Rohn quote book, it was to empower our advocates to share Jim’s message as a gift. Before I ever created it I could clearly see our customers buying 10, 100, 1000 to give out and them saying, “Have you heard of Jim Rohn? This guy changed my life!” They would show their favorite quotes and then hand it to them. In the back was our catalog and information on ordering more copies.
There was an art and science behind every aspect of its creation.
The result? Over six million copies distributed. Our phones started ringing with orders and countless new people getting on the wheel.
One little book was knocking down dominoes with a product to sell that was giving out by the thousands and new customers buying products and attending our events.
The lesson: Focus on activities that create opportunities long after the initial investment.
3. Does It Leverage Your Secret Sauce?
Everyone has a unique genius, something they’re especially good at.
One mistake entrepreneurs often make is creating products simply because they think they’ll sell, rather than because they have something exceptional to offer. When you leverage your secret sauce and bring something special to the marketplace, people naturally will then refer others and come back for more.
Selling is only part one. The real magic happens after the sale. Extraordinary value creates testimonials, referrals, repeat customers, and advocates.
The lesson: Build your spokes around your unique strengths and what you can authentically deliver.
4. Who is your customer avatar? Does It Attract Your Ideal Customer?
Knowing who you can best serve is a HUGE part of marketing.
For me, that’s often students and fans of Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Darren Hardy, Denis Waitley, and personal development.
My friend Phil Collen, guitarist for Def Leppard, has spoken to my Inner Circle, appeared in my books and podcasts, and invited me backstage numerous times. It’s been an amazing friendship. But I’m not building my business around the rock music industry. I know my core audience and where I can provide the greatest value.
The lesson: Focus on people you enjoy, understand, and can genuinely help. Often, we’re best equipped to help the person we once were.
5. Does It Align With My Long-Term Goals?
You can be incredibly busy, make good money, and still be building a business—or life—you don’t want.
I created my Inner Circle because I wanted to spend time with great people, develop deeper relationships, and have meaningful conversations.
I wanted a business built around things I genuinely enjoyed. And that’s what it’s become.
Too many entrepreneurs chase tactics and opportunities without considering where it will ultimatly lead them.
When you’re clear on what you want, saying NO becomes easier.
The lesson: Be intentional about the business you decide to build that will support the life you want.
Final Thoughts
I also look for spokes that can become recurring, digital, automated, scalable, or evergreen.
AND become great at one thing before adding more.
You don’t need a dozen spokes. You need a few great ones that work together and compound.
After more than three decades, I believe this more than ever: You don’t need more opportunities. You need the right opportunities that are in alignment!
Make sure you are building a wheel that compounds versus constantly starting over!
And remember, going deeper with fewer people beats constantly chasing more.
Kyle
Invitation to Work Directly with MeJoin Me in My Next Book!
Just as I’ve published books with Jim Rohn, Denis Waitley, and a who’s who of celebrity authorities—including Darren Hardy, Les Brown, Brian Tracy, Mark Victor Hansen, Phil Collen, Chris Gronkowski, Tom Ziglar, John Assaraf and many more—I want to offer you the opportunity to join me in my next book project.
Or, you can have me and my team help you with your own book.
To learn more, go to http://kylewilson.com/bestseller and fill out the brief application at the bottom (or email me and share more about yourself). After I receive it I will send you a link to schedule a call to discuss all the specifics and if it will be a great fit for you and me.
I hope to share your story with the world!
Kyle Wilson
Founder Jim Rohn International, YourSuccessStore, and KyleWilson.com
