From Trainer to CEO: Building Skills, Businesses & Impact

📌 Episode Summary:
In this inspiring episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Erin Alli and Sharon Savage sit down with Bernie DeSantis—Owner of Insignia Training Partners and founder of Growth Mode Engaged—to explore his journey from mortgage banker to leadership trainer to business owner. Bernie shares how he transitioned from corporate burnout to entrepreneur, what it really takes to run a business, and how listening, mentorship, and passion drive lasting success.

You’ll hear about:

• How Bernie unexpectedly became a leadership trainer (hint: ropes courses and SWAT team simulations!)

• The leap from contractor to business owner

• The overlooked workload behind virtual events (36+ hours!)

• Why networking is more about relationships than transactions

• The mindset shifts and habits that support sustainable growth

• His personal mission in suicide prevention and mental health awareness

Whether you're a small business owner, facilitator, or someone scaling up your skill set, Bernie brings refreshing honesty, tactical insight, and heart to the conversation.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform:
🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mastering-business-skills/id1817446208
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3pA7iQAoo2gvhBGnjPpIr8
🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzFg-Yn62awp-lzhJ_5blXg

Connect with Bernie:

• Insignia Training Partners: https://insigniatraining.com/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/badiii

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