E26: From Rock Bottom to Sobriety with Russ Perry from Design Pickle and Sober Entrepreneur

Pawn Leaders

Russ Perry joins us on today’s episode of Pawn Leaders. Russ is the founder of Design Pickle – the #1 unlimited and flat-rate graphic design service in the world. Design Pickle was launched in 2015 and has achieved unprecedented success. Russ is also the author of the Sober Entrepreneur, a book that speaks about his journey from rock-bottom and his commitment to sobriety. He is a certified trainer with Wake Up Warrior and enjoys traveling with his wife and 3 daughters.

[02:44] Russ looked at where he could provide value where there’s a gap in the market

[03:33] Design Pickle is 1 price, with two (2) plans; $370 and $995 plan

[05:23] Being able to take the designing off business owners’ plate so they can focus on the operations of the business makes Design Pickle amazing

[06:09] “The worst part as a business owner is when you’re not being proactive with your marketing and communication because you think it’s too expensive…it’s too much work”

[07:19] Becoming an entrepreneur means that you have to be addicted to that business

[07:51] Russ, at 22, became addicted to launching and growing his business, which in turn led to him pushing away his family and becoming isolated

[09:05] The isolation led to Russ having an affair

[09:49] “The patterns of our past, or the patterns of our industry, don’t have to become our patterns”

[09:55] Sober Entrepreneur was written so that business owners could learn from their mistakes and also getting sober after being addicted to a substance or a business

[12:42] Realize that you’re not alone on the path of addicts trying to get sober

[13:17] Be strategic about dealing with the stress by replacing bad habits with healthy habits

[15:34] Becoming sober is a life-changing experience

[16:41] Design Pickle was launched 14 months after Russ became sober. During the sobering process, be reflective and meditate about what you want in the future

[18:56] How does somebody know that they’re an addict? Addictions are where a lot of your time, money and energy are being spent. If they are leading you to a better life, there are no worries. However, distractions and stress are red flags.

[22:42] In order to have a lasting marriage, Russ had to eliminate alcohol from his life to build trust

[26:16] Legacy makes you think more logically when making decisions

[28:07] How important was coaching to you to create the man you are today? “Coaching was an accountability mechanism for me to level up as a leader, communicator, and teacher, which I could do in my own business”

[30:34] Managing your long-term vision with clarity and lining them up with short-term actions is important

[31:19] Journey to sobriety:

1. Get into a support group
2. Be committed to your reason for being sober

[33:36] There will be free books at soberentrepreneur.com

[35:47] Follow Russ on Instagram @russperry