エピソード

  • I'm Not an Engineer, I'm Not a Salesman—I'm a Problem Solver. From a sourcing manager at SpaceX's Starlink division
    2025/07/05

    In this episode of VoQuest, host C.W. Elliott sits down with Grant Booker, a sourcing manager at SpaceX's Starlink division, to explore what it's really like working at one of the world's most ambitious companies. Grant shares his non-linear journey from struggling through college engineering courses to landing his dream job at the company launching 82% of all mass sent to orbit.

    Discover how Grant overcame imposter syndrome to thrive in SpaceX's high-performance culture, where every employee is held to an incredibly high standard in service of making humanity multi-planetary. Learn about SpaceX's rigorous 6-step, 3-month interview process, including an hour-long presentation to an 8-person panel of engineers and directors.

    Grant reveals the key mindset shift that changed everything: instead of trying to find his identity as "an engineer" or "a salesman," he focused on core values like problem-solving and serving others. This values-based approach opened up possibilities he never imagined and ultimately led him from selling packaging materials to SpaceX to managing procurement for satellite components.

    Get an inside look at how Starlink actually works—from the 7,000+ satellites in orbit serving 6 million customers to the laser technology that can hit a pancake-sized target 3,000 miles away on something moving 15,000 mph. Plus, hear about Starship, the 330-foot rocket designed to run on fuel that can be manufactured on Mars.

    Key Topics:

    • Why values matter more than passion in career planning
    • How to overcome imposter syndrome in high-achieving environments
    • The importance of becoming as valuable as possible in any role
    • SpaceX's mission, culture, and incredible launch statistics
    • Practical interview tips for competitive companies
    • Building experience and networks while in college
    • Why being comfortable with discomfort is essential for career growth

    Recommended Resources:

    • "Atomic Habits" by James Clear
    • "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins
    • "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
    • Cal Newport's books: "How to Win at College," "How to Become a Straight A Student," "So Good They Can't Ignore You"
    • Jim Rohn's "The Art of Exceptional Living"
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    1 時間 8 分
  • Stop Chasing Skills, Start Building Character: A CEO's Hiring Truth
    2025/06/13

    In this episode of VoQuest, host C.W. Elliott sits down with Christopher Jones, CEO of Liberty Technical Solutions, to explore what really separates top performers from the rest. Christopher shares his journey from homeschooled student to tech company CEO, revealing that success isn't about having the perfect skills—it's about developing the right "DNA."
    Discover why Christopher passed up candidates with master's degrees for those who simply showed up on time and engaged well. Learn how a frisbee thrown over a neighbor's fence led to a half-million-egg farming operation, and why the "little things" like taking notes and following through are actually the biggest differentiators in today's workforce.
    Christopher breaks down his philosophy of pursuing the top 1% in everything, from redefining business-class IT support to building systems that create delightful customer experiences. Whether you're starting your career or looking to level up, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on networking, skill development, and the pursuit of excellence.

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    58 分
  • Sales as a Superpower: Andrew Davis on Growth Mindset, Soft-Skill Mastery & Building a Career in Tech Ops
    2025/06/06

    From homeschool football fields to leading U.S. Sales Ops at video-conferencing innovator Neat, Andrew Davis has taken anything but a straight path. In this candid sit-down with C.W. Elliott, Andrew unpacks:

    • What Sales Ops really is—and why it sits at the intersection of strategy, data and people
    • Moving from Fortune 500 giant to 350-person rocket-ship (and how he knew it was time)
    • The “acres of diamonds” hiding in purposeful networking—and how to start while you’re still in school
    • Growth-mindset vs. fixed-mindset, extreme ownership, and other guiding principles that shape top performers
    • Why the best salespeople are relationship architects—and why everyone (yes, everyone) should learn to sell
    • Leveraging AI to crank out a business case in 30 minutes instead of a week
    • The boredom litmus test: signs you’re ready for the next challenge (and how to position yourself for it)

    Whether you’re a student plotting your first move, an early-career pro hunting your next promotion, or a founder seeking to build an all-star sales org, this episode is packed with actionable insight on mindset, soft skills and intentional career design.

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    1 時間
  • Intern to Deal-Maker: CW’s Crash Course in Ethical Selling, Hustle & Humble Curiosity
    2025/05/29

    In this deep-dive follow-up, co-host Gerti flips the mic and presses C.W. Elliott for the granular play-by-play listeners asked to hear:

    • How a chance encounter waiting tables became an internship, a full-time role, and a seat at the ownership table
    • Why CW’s first attempt to cold-sell a complex SaaS product flopped—and the discovery-driven sales process that finally worked
    • The pivot from one-off web projects to buying entire web agencies (14 acquisitions, ~750 clients) and the genius deal structure that paid for itself in 30 days
    • CW’s “three pillars” for career momentum—Integrity, Work Ethic, Humble Curiosity—and how anyone can apply them today
    • Practical tips on ethical selling: value-based discovery questions, avoiding price-race traps, and turning frustrated prospects into lifelong referrals
    • Why hitting walls (and asking experts) beats waiting for the mythical “perfect plan”

    Whether you’re hunting for your first internship or steering a growing book of business, this episode blends real-world sales lessons, acquisition strategy, and character-driven career advice that scales to any industry.

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    42 分
  • From Custard Scoops to Creative Strategy: Brandt Raymond on Building Brands, Soft-Skills & Self-Made Momentum
    2025/05/22

    Brandt Raymond may have started by running frozen-custard machines at age 17, but today he’s the behind-the-scenes force that edits every VoqQuest episode and consults businesses on branding, web design, and digital growth. In this candid return visit, Brandt and C.W. trace the winding (and often messy) road that took him from …

    • training teenage coworkers at Andy’s Frozen Custard
    • hauling sheetrock and leading a five-man construction crew at 19
    • mowing lawns, freelancing websites, and even making paracord bracelets
    • to landing (and keeping) clients by offering strategy first and deliverables second.

    Along the way they unpack:

    • Why “just do something hard” became Brandt’s personal launch button
    • The power of humble curiosity—and how it landed him mentors and paying projects
    • Soft-skills that beat software: trustworthiness, clear decision-making, and relentless follow-through
    • Lessons learned from failed mentorship attempts and missed meetings
    • How Brandt balances freedom, integrity, and real revenue as a one-man creative consultancy

    Whether you’re a student, a side-hustler, or a professional retooling your skill-stack, Brandt’s story proves you don’t need a flawless plan—just the courage to start, learn, and iterate. Tune in for practical takeaways, honest missteps, and a reminder that meaningful careers are built brick-by-brick, client-by-client, and relationship-by-relationship.

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    50 分
  • Why VocQuest Exists: The Calling Behind the Platform
    2025/05/08

    In this special role-reversal episode, VoQuest founder C.W. Elliott steps out from behind the mic to share his own journey of building the very platform you're listening to. Interviewed by Gerti, he unpacks how growing up in a hardworking homeschool family, grinding through lawn jobs and late-night startups, and taking wild leaps of faith eventually led to a mission-driven vision: helping young people discover their true vocation. C.W. shares lessons on grit, business ownership, mentorship, personal development, and why “figuring it out” is rarely a straight line. This raw, honest conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling called to do more — but unsure where to start.

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    56 分
  • From Homeschooler to Six-Figure Coach: Nathan's Journey Through Faith, Failure, and Finding His Voice
    2025/04/29

    In this inspiring episode of the VocQuest Podcast, C.W. Elliott sits down with Nathan, a once-introverted homeschooler turned music producer, business coach, and thriving entrepreneur. Nathan shares his unconventional path—from playing college basketball to building a successful consulting business helping producers charge premium prices for their craft. Together, they dive into powerful topics like overcoming failure, the value of mentors, the difference between persuasion and manipulation, and how wisdom in business often starts with learning how to learn. If you're a young adult figuring out your future, this episode will challenge your assumptions and equip you with real, actionable insights. Tune in for mindset shifts, hard-won lessons, and a faith-driven perspective on success, money, and service.

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    47 分