John DiJulius: Finding The Gift In Every Situation
Episode 3 of the Up2 Podcast features entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and customer service expert, John DiJulius. Host, Adam Kaufman and DiJulius share a long friendship which is evident as they discuss business, perseverance, and motivators alongside countless book and podcast recommendations. The conversation with DiJulius is unique and candid providing listeners a preview into strategic business strategies and growth.
DiJulius is captivating with his vast experience as a public speaker and a gift for sharing authentic stories about curves in the road he needed to navigate during his lifetime. Receiving recommendations every year to retake school years, DiJulius frequently mentions how he could have never predicted the path and accomplishments of his career and life's journey. The surprises in his life continued to be a theme throughout as he mentions a value he lives by early in the episode.
“Find the gift, personally and professionally.”
This simple phrase evokes the positivity that shines through DiJulius as he and Adam continue the conversation. John DiJulius is the founder of a well-known salon, John Roberts Spa. He and his late wife founded the business in the early 90s without any experience, but instead with inspiration to create the ultimate customer service experience for their clients.
“We created a day in the life of a customer...we wanted to give her that 60 minute escape to rejuvenate her, to want to be superwoman again. She's given and given and given...That was our motive.”
This phrase, ‘a day in the life,’ is what built DiJulius’ second business, The DiJulius Group, a customer service and consulting firm. Adam queries John on a compelling point: the salon was not focused on competition against other businesses, but rather how they strive to be the best part of a customer's day.
DiJulius also reflects on working with some of the most highly-regarded corporations in the world, consulting with customer service benchmarks like Disney, Starbucks, and the Ritz Carlton.
“Customer service is a long term game. So you go back to that, whether you train your new employees or your existing employees on better soft skills, empathy, compassion, great service recovery when you drop the ball or you don't won't matter this week; your sales will still be the same. And now in six months it'll be a freight train.”
As Adam does in most episodes, he ignites a conversation of wisdom guests live by. DiJulius shares his.
“I have a phrase on my mirror and my wall in our office and it's what I want my legacy to be, to live an extraordinary life, so countless others do.”
DiJulius reminds himself of his personal and professional goals and uses those as a controller of his actions toward his legacy.
John DiJulius had much more to share about his practices and goals. Adam and DiJulius share a special conversation about his family, other business endeavors and more. Click here to listen to the full episode on the Up2 Podcast or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.
Click here to read the full episode transcript.