Pastor Cedric S. Allen with Career Club Networking Group

Intro: [00:00:05] Coming to you live from the Business RadioX studio in Woodstock, Georgia. This is fearless formula with Sharon Cline.

Sharon Cline: [00:00:19] And welcome to Fearless Formula on Business RadioX, where we talk about the ups and downs in the business world and offer words of wisdom for business success. And today in the studio, Oh, I’m your host Sharon Cline, I should say today in the studio we have the host of I think you’re considered the host of the Career Club Networking Group, director of communication for Compass Prep Academy and Emmy award winning CNN journalist. Welcome. Among many other things, I had to choose. Welcome to the show, Cedric Allen. Hello.

Cedric Allen: [00:00:48] Hello. I just the the main one’s Pastor. Everybody goes like where it’s the first date. But they did this long parade keeps going.

Sharon Cline: [00:00:57] I should I should have said pastor first.

Cedric Allen: [00:00:59] Oh, well, does it matter if it. It doesn’t matter. It’s just just you know, it’s just one of those things where I talk to people and it’s just that’s where all the core of all these other things come out of. So it’s one of those things where, you know, it’s just somebody said, you know, what are you going to do with the director of communications part it it’s like it’s just helping people.

Sharon Cline: [00:01:18] So it’s interesting because you do help people in many different ways, not just pastor, but I can see how that can be sort of like the foundation of what where you shoot off from, right with that, Would that be right? Right. All right. So your senior pastor, Shepherd, director of communication and certified LinkedIn expert. Yeah. You’re you train people on LinkedIn as well as Zoom.

Cedric Allen: [00:01:38] Right. And I also help them with their LinkedIn profiles and company pages and showcase pages. So a lot of businesses have been helped in in the area here in Woodstock. A I always make sure I get a amp, which was basically a amp, you know, painting and flooring they’ve had. I’ve worked on two of them, maybe working on a third one. Thanks, Mr. Handyman of Canton and Woodstock, several other businesses that are out there, just Rhonda Brodsky’s Legal Services. You know, it’s just. Just just part of to do is just help it. Just make the community better.

Sharon Cline: [00:02:13] Well, I like that people come to you to say, help me make myself better, help me present myself in a business way better, because a lot of people don’t know exactly like I’ve done my LinkedIn, but it’s probably been ten years since I’ve even looked at it. You know, you’re kind of like it stays where it is. I feel okay, but I have changed some, so I imagine it would be great for me to look at kind of the different ways that I can make it look better and sound better and present myself better, I guess.

Cedric Allen: [00:02:38] Yeah. And I offer to do those things is one of the things like when Mr.. Handyman of a cantor in Woodstock, he was a very deep i.t. Professional, but then he started doing things like, you know, woodwork and all these other things that would fall under handyman. And he said, you know, let me do that. And it’s now turned into a very lucrative business. That’s a running joke between David and I who’s the owner of that business of. So, you know, he’s just like he comes in, he doesn’t meet maybe a meeting phone call, give him a phone call. Phone call, you know, from either the crew or somebody. I look at what he does and it’s a great feeling because, you know, he’s there to help and do those kind of things.

Sharon Cline: [00:03:19] So and all those phone calls are because you you know, potentially because you were able to help him get further along. Right. So that must be very satisfying for you.

Cedric Allen: [00:03:27] Yeah, it’s one of the things that different way of helping ministry doesn’t replace the main parts of leading shepherd and preaching, teaching and just being there for people and equipping people. But there’s also the thing of while you’re out there, okay, what’s the other skills? As you know, LinkedIn was one of those I picked up as I was in career transition, coming out of Liberty University and coming out of seminary. I know some people that know me, so there’s a running joke called Cemetery, but it’s a seminary. And then, you know, using look at those skills. And then just as I started to learn LinkedIn and they said somebody came to me said, a guy named Chris, I think you would be good at this. I’m like, Really? I mean, you know, I do the other stuff, but it’s like, okay. And it just became a thing. I started to teach and just help people, assist them with their LinkedIn’s. And I’ve gone through LinkedIn and just little things. And then even now there’s things each week I just go like my joke of, They’ll change something up, I’ll have to get some Mexican Coca-Cola, Here’s your sugar and it’s sugar cane. And just start because they’ll change up. They’re trying to be more innovative. Microsoft bought them for let me see if I can remember 5.2 or somewhere. Right. They’re really harder than that billion dollars.

Sharon Cline: [00:04:41] Microsoft, LinkedIn. I didn’t know that.

Cedric Allen: [00:04:43] Pay attention. So they bought LinkedIn. And from that point on, since then, they’ve just been modifying and growing it. You’ll see the more integration of Microsoft products and also something like LinkedIn learning. If you’re trying to learn a skill or understand certain things in business, whatever it is, LinkedIn learning has this. I’m not being paid by them, but maybe this should be a hint. And and they have these all these different skills you can learn, you can help get better with your Excel, you know, even get a little certificate, which is the LinkedIn learning thing, which you’ll have it down at the bottom. And it just shows that you’ve got a mastery or you understand it at some point. So even things like this, what we’re doing with radio and TV, granted it’s not the professional, it’s not like what I did in my undergrad at Morris Brown College. But you learn these skills and then you can go from there and get around people that can help you sharpen your skills, help you with your creativity a lot better, all these other things and just even techniques.

Sharon Cline: [00:05:44] It’s nice that it’s a resource online as well.

Cedric Allen: [00:05:46] Right. And if you’re wondering, well, I don’t have do I have to buy LinkedIn to do it? I said, Well, it is part of premium, but once you buy LinkedIn learning itself, you get on premium. It just depends what level of business. Hr, recruiter, career, whatever it is. Or here’s a little inside tip, and I do this on Fridays at a career club on Zoom on the Apex Christian Singles Ministries allows us to use that just you don’t have to be Christian or single to be there. Just somebody in career transition that LinkedIn learning you can use you actually get if you have a library card. Now, I know Sequoia has not have one of these, but if you’re full you can get an out of area library card and do it that way. But it’s just easier to go through the app if you got to.

Sharon Cline: [00:06:30] Well, that’s cool. Can you tell me a little bit more about Career Club and what that what how that applies to like your ministry?

Cedric Allen: [00:06:38] Well, career club is just another thing of just reminding people they have value and worth and they don’t have to be put in a box, but we help you think outside of the box. So I tell people that I joke with it. Your family members, they love you so much and you love them, but they can’t really be your accountability partners. They can interview you. They help the job of your memory, but then they can pray for you and do all the other things. But you need to be somewhere where you can find out where to get plugged in quick to get back to where you need to be for. Or even give you possibilities.

Sharon Cline: [00:07:11] So this is people in career transition.

Cedric Allen: [00:07:13] People in career transition, and sometimes since recently, since the recent trend. People that maybe think about a business or if they if you know, most of the people we do, they may be in transition but they’re also have a business or idea. And they might need to go somewhere. Maybe they need to have the know about Navy and other aspects of some are married, maybe some of the things that the Iraqi economic development here in town, commerce, whatever it is that gets them to that point to meeting people and also gets a chance at being a great environment that they feel supported. I’ve met so many people that have come in when they first came in as a business, they were just like, I don’t know what to do.

Sharon Cline: [00:07:58] Yeah, where do you start?

Cedric Allen: [00:07:59] Where do you start? Am I going to be clear enough? You know, Am I nervous? I don’t know all these people. And if it’s a bigger group, sometimes they feel intimidated or I have to talk into a microphone. Nobody told me this, whatever it is, and you’re trying, but most of the groups around this area are so comforting. They care, They help train, but it’s not like a traditional enough. I guess. B and I, Benny has his purposes and they offer training, but it’s a little different. And where it’s not a structure, but it’s more of individual saying, okay, getting you to clarify what you’re trying to do. Okay, what’s your message? What what are you thinking? How do you approach how do you use the skills you do have and maybe grow some more skills? And then where do you go? That was always the thing where, especially in career transition and helping people, they will stay more in what we call job seeker or career seeker mode versus you also need to hit other networking events, even the business ones where you can be an asset to that person or even say, Oh, I want to work in government. Well, have you been to a government event? Have you been to sort of like in Woodstock locally in town, or have you been to those places where they’re doing things? One of the craziest things right now at the circuit just down the street, I know we’re in Vegas, which is a great place as well as I do open things as well. But at the circuit there’s a thing called free coding. There’s a group that’s a made up group that meets at the circuit about how to learn how to code for free.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:37] You’re encouraging people to almost act like they’re in the industry already before they’re actually in the industry, like exposing themselves to.

Cedric Allen: [00:09:46] Right? Because I asked people, What do you do? What do you want to do? That thing you love to do? You have a passion, but you want to get paid for it. Let’s be honest. Some people, we we want to do that because Kovic showed us that you can’t take that risk. You know, you don’t have to do that and hear me out here. Right. But we still need businesses to hire people because they’re small businesses. Remember, McDonald’s was a small business. Wendy’s was a small business that became a bigger business. So your local space business like a pie bar. It’s become this big business reformation that’s big in town. How many relocations do we have? Like two big ones. They started.

Sharon Cline: [00:10:30] They started as just one.

Cedric Allen: [00:10:31] One? Yeah. So as you grow and that’s what we want growth. Now, I know most people will say just a small know you are on the global stage to be an asset. So going back to all these different things, that person trying to figure out where they are because you know, leaving out a CNN when I worked there for eight years and this is how the reporting comes in, you start asking the questions, you start getting the drive. And yes, it does wear on you. And trust me, for those that are in that transition or even in business, the grind does get to it’s how you refuel and how you take the time. Sometimes you just need to say, tap out. I need help. Sometimes it’s tap out, I need a break, and sometimes we’ll push ourselves. I was joking with our director of academic affairs over at Compass Prep Academy and I was joking text. I said, You better eat something. You better have some lunch today because she’s always thinking about the students and things we have to get done. But you always need to take care of yourself as well. And she did get her lunch today. I did. So, you know, her husband brought her lunch.

Sharon Cline: [00:11:44] So balance.

Cedric Allen: [00:11:46] Balance. But it’s one of those things of getting balance and getting help where you need it. And you’ll be surprised how many people are willing to help you. And that struggle and journey to get to where you are as a business or even individual. Some of the things where the churches were, that place and due to other things, the churches still can be that place. But there’s also I’ve seen a lot of it where that networking group becomes the only place because depending on the circumstances of what happened with the person or how they got to this part of transition.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:21] It’s nice to lead you. Yeah, because I feel like not everybody has an open heart when they’re talking about career and religion or sort of how that plays together. Some people just want to talk about their career. That’s like their focus. But I imagine that’s a challenge to kind of make it sort of like an open platform for anyone.

Cedric Allen: [00:12:40] Well, usually, and it can be, but it’s usually at times that God will open it up because usually I tell people all the time we don’t it’s not a even when I had my talks with Apex about doing this on a Zoom, we were the first one still up after COVID. We just kept going and everybody else took about about a month or so. Yeah, but it was one of those things where you just talked to church. What are you looking to do? Okay, I’m looking to do this. This. This God shows up. He’ll show up if he wants to. Monday Night Football proved that one. He could show up at any time. Anyone You got prayer in the middle of game here? I’m like, This is Monday night. Yeah, but prayer just happened in the middle of a game that stopped the game. But, you know, the main thing is to talk to a person. Okay, Now there might be times I go like, Well, I don’t know if that’s going to and it could be on anything. Sure, but.

Sharon Cline: [00:13:32] But you give them direction and you give them practical knowledge because it can be overwhelming. That’s what we talk about here on Fearless Formula, the exact same thing, how someone has an idea and it may just be or a dream and what are the things that keep us from following them, You know? And I also wanted to ask you, with your journey, which is extensive, it’s like amazing. All of the different things that you’ve listed on LinkedIn, even on your Facebook page, I’m like, Which one do I choose here? But I like that you talk about being in the journalism and that now when I try to imagine the transition from journalism to where you are right now, I’m like, What was it that kind of got you out of that and into such a helpful and sort of community based ministry?

Cedric Allen: [00:14:19] Well, it’s one of those things. It’s one of those that it takes a lot longer to talk about. But I joked with somebody recently, I said. Think of Hulk and Banner.

Sharon Cline: [00:14:31] Which one are you right now?

Cedric Allen: [00:14:34] The Fuzed part of it, which is the whole Professor Hulk kind of thing, where it’s for those that don’t understand comics. Look at the last Infinity War endgame movie. You’ll see Hulk there and he’ll talk about putting the two together. Well, I was coming out at that point, but I could see long term where God was saying that part of chapter was ending. And we’re going to take what you know here and move it there, because I’m one of those guys that would not only stay on the news desk, but I would go out with the crews. Right. And that was always at the beginning because I figured you got to know both sides of this thing. And it helped me tremendously. But it was a time that on certain things were getting out the way I could see looking back, God was moving some things out of there. Gotcha. That’s I won’t say that’s for me. If you want to believe that’s your own decision, it’s your decision. So before everybody goes.

Sharon Cline: [00:15:26] It’s your decision, has their own journey, and that’s yours.

Cedric Allen: [00:15:29] But if you got guilt right now, there’s something else you got to do.

Sharon Cline: [00:15:33] That’s a different show altogether.

Cedric Allen: [00:15:36] I’m available for that talk, too, anyway. But it’s one of those things as I’ve gone through and it hasn’t been easy because you don’t see yourself goes back. It’s some affair and then some of it is just like, You’re going to do this and you’re looking at God like. Wrong guy. Wrong, wrong.

Sharon Cline: [00:15:55] Guy. So you had these feelings of. Of feeling like you needed to transition out of journalism and go toward more this more of this as a ministry.

Cedric Allen: [00:16:02] Well, it was really a longer part. And the funny thing is there was only 4 to 5 people that saw this before I did, because I’m not even looking at I was glad I was one. My joke is I really this was glad to be saved. That’s it. That’s all. I was like, okay, I did. This second time was a real thing, you know? I was glad to be saved. I had nowhere. I remember talking to a relative passed on last year, but I said, You’ve known me all my life. When have I ever wanted to do that? First she said, Well, well, you were here. I was like, Yeah, but go from the beginning and go to now. When have I ever wanted to be a pastor? She’s like, Never. I said, Exactly. This was a totally out of the blue to me was like, Really? Really? And it’s even I have a day today. I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t know what we’re doing. How how is this going to work out? But it’s been for me, it’s been a faith for I want to say this has been a faith walk asserting I have no clue what’s going to happen next or what the craziness or who I’ll meet on this thing.

Sharon Cline: [00:17:06] But you have a sense of being on the path that you’re supposed to. So it.

Cedric Allen: [00:17:09] Works out. Yeah, I’m on the path, but trust me, there are those. And folks, if you’re a business owner, you know those those nights, 1 a.m. the 4 a.m. those unclean conversations where you are just like. Just like, I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. Why did I even get in this? Why am I dealing with this individual? What is going on here? Let me tell you something. If I could just be just a little encouragement. Yes, it’s going to hurt. But if you stick to it and you’re going to stick to it, you’ll get through it. I’m not going to say you’re going to have your nice big balloon and a big old smile all the time because. Like if it matters. Yeah. If it matters, it’s going to be hard. Even though I just, like, I don’t really want hard, even even hours. I just want to do this way. I want to go that way.

Sharon Cline: [00:18:01] Just no one wants difficult. But I like that notion, though, that you feel like you’re not you’re not just doing this on a wing and a prayer. You actually really do have support. You have people around you that you work with that are by your side, which we talk about on Fearless Formula a lot, that surrounding yourself with the right people can bolster you and kind of allow you to face the uncertainty with a little bit more certitude.

Cedric Allen: [00:18:28] Yeah, And there are times where you’ll sit there and you’re going probably be the only one in the boardroom or the only one that’s with business. Everybody will not get this, especially being a pastor. Now everybody’s going to get especially family at times and you have to take that walk. And the better analogy for those that are not getting it, Indiana Jones Temple and Indiana Jones in the Last Crusade. And he’s got to walk across a bridge that he cannot see, drove, does started like he can’t see this thing. But he’s got to believe by faith he could do it. Why? Because he the more important thing was saved. Dad. Right. So you’re walking across this thing. Whatever this business or idea, you may be totally standing out there at the beginning or different types of. Is this where I need to be? And those are the tests of life. And there are some days you just go like, Hey, I can’t redo. Call me later. And then some days you’re going to walk through that whole thing.

Sharon Cline: [00:19:29] Would you say those are the most challenging things for you as you’re helping people, not just being a pastor, but also helping people in their career transitions and trying to get them to believe in themselves? Like, how do you work around that?

Cedric Allen: [00:19:46] You just be as honest as possible. Try talking to a group of kids, young people, about their beliefs in God, and some of them don’t believe the same thing you do, or they believe part of this. But that. But this. And you still have to take the hand and go. Okay. And you even ask the tough question. So why you don’t believe this and be willing to hear to answer and be, you know, open because they you know, at that stage you’re they’re thinking there’s people that are good Christians, that they still struggle with some things at times. Doubts from the enemy, we would call it in Christianity or those fiery dots and arrows. But whatever that what you want to call it that walk through of man, I don’t know. Did I do the wrong thing? Did I just was this cold pizza and Froot Loops in the morning or. I don’t know.

Sharon Cline: [00:20:40] But kids are honest, aren’t they? Like, I believe that they will tell you flat out you’re wrong, you know, easily. Like I don’t believe that.

Cedric Allen: [00:20:48] Which sometimes is very humbling and didn’t. Also, as parents, we have to be careful how we react to it. And whenever I have kids, it’s going to be interesting because I have to and I tell people I can’t be the news guy that’s in the thing, because if you saw that guy, you run.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:04] Well, you have to tap into a different part of yourself, I imagine. News guy as opposed to Pastor Guy.

Cedric Allen: [00:21:10] Well, News Guy passed the guy I didn’t teach your guy. How do you kind of do that in a way that allows because these young people like we allowed them to grow and they have to agree it’s it’s like I told them yesterday, I think it was you got to have your own faith. This is your favorite. It’s not your mom. It’s not your dad’s. It’s not your family. It’s not who you community. It’s not your political party. It’s not who you vote for. It’s not any of these things. You have to build. You have to this has to be your favorite. When we were talking, this was a discussion and just you have to decide. You have to see what’s out there and say, day for business. You have to decide what is going to work for you. Because I could give you 15 financial plans, I could give you all the business plans, I could give you all the experts, I could give you all the resources. But. Just like I’ll go scriptural here. Just like with Saul’s armor, David wouldn’t like day to fit for me. Just give me a sling and a rock. I could do business.

Cedric Allen: [00:22:14] So as the new business owner or somebody who’s, you know, you might have to modify as you go through this, but. Remember why you started. I think sometimes we forget that for me it’s a piece of scripture that says, okay, this is where my direction goes for you. It may be that moment that you just helped this person or you did your first repair or you’re out there first sale or one person was talking about to me recently, they saw their name on the door of whatever they do. And that was the cool mile. Those are the moments you have to remember because and you could testify to this if you’ve ever been in news, folks, and people have done this a long time, you remember the nightmare shows you will still wake up remembering these nightmare shows. You will think you have gotten over it, but you remember every little part that done wrong. Even if you didn’t do wrong, you will remember this because it will bug you. We’re stuck in the negative. I say. I’ll say it’s from the garden, but still. But the thing is to remember the good things.

Sharon Cline: [00:23:21] Good moments, the things that you accomplished. Yeah. It’s so much easier for me to think about the things that I didn’t do correctly, though. Well, it’s like the story of my life.

Cedric Allen: [00:23:28] Maybe I need to talk about this part. A story When 911 happened, all the networks got together in the evening and they made a couple of decisions. One of the decisions they said, stop showing the building fall because we got it. We don’t need to be. We were already at the point where need to be. We need to become back.

Sharon Cline: [00:23:51] Up, build, build up the the positive story, the repair.

Cedric Allen: [00:23:55] Well, not even just we’ve we’ve seen it. We’ve hit bottom. We’ve seen we don’t need to dwell on it. Like I will tell people when they walk into career club, we’re not here to build a ziggurat, a city, a WWE, a WTA, a impact wrestling universe out. I’d leave it to those guys and sometimes they don’t get that right. But we try to keep it out of the negative zone and keep it in a positive zone. Yeah, there’s going to be days. I say we don’t deny stuff happen or you’ve been mistreated or whatever is going on. But let’s try to be positive. Even myself, in the past couple of months, I’ve had to kind of catch myself because you could be physically hurting and I’ve dealt with physical pain. So little things, once that pain gets out the way. And that’s a health thing. Yeah, I know. Saying goes back to the lunch. I know what as well. Well, you got to eat something. I’m going to eat something when I get out of here. Try to rest a little bit wherever I can. But it’s that thing of. Time for you. Because if you’re not you, it’s. You hear people say and you’re like, Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get the bumper sticker. Give me a t shirt. I’ll do it later. Because you’re trying to build this thing that it’s not a monster, but it’s part of you. You have a thing for it.

Sharon Cline: [00:25:12] Whatever. Yeah.

Cedric Allen: [00:25:13] Dream that big dream. It could be everything from being on radio to whatever you’re baking or whatever you’re producing, whatever that is. Or it could even be your role in politics in trying to be a positive light in a world that’s just because you got enough to live in. There’s there’s a reason why people in wrestling like the good guy.

Sharon Cline: [00:25:38] Well, if you’re just joining us, we’re speaking to Cedric Allen. He is the host of the Career Club Networking Group and he’s the director of communications for Compass Prep Academy, which I wanted to talk to you about. Tell me about Compass Prep Academy.

Cedric Allen: [00:25:51] Compass Prep. Well, I’m going to have my part in here because I want to make sure I got all these things. We are a learning community where a hybrid from pre-K to 12th grade. We are the place that, you know, we say, Do you go to college? Yes. You can even do a enroll with us. But also it’s also a place that said, wait a minute, maybe college is not your fit.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:17] It’s not for everyone.

Cedric Allen: [00:26:18] Not for everybody. And that’s a good thing. Maybe you need a trade, maybe whatever that is. And so we ask for career counseling and coaching. We also do distance learning for students on the go. We had a student that they go around and they do competitions well. We allowed them to do it and we give them their work early and then whatever. They don’t finish, they finish when they come back. We don’t they don’t have to worry about missing so many days.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:43] Got you.

Cedric Allen: [00:26:44] Or it could be now, because all these inflation and all the things with the economy, I really need to kind of I got to pull back on some things or well, we have long distance learning, so we’re fully accredited. We’re part of the National Honor Society. Just this this year we’re featured as one of the The Atlantic magazine, as one of the only one in Cherokee County that was featured, as, you know, just a private, affordable private school. And that’s where we are, very affordable. But we allow for students to grow up and be who they are. So it’s one of the it’s that kind of atmosphere I’m just making. And we also do accreditation and transcript services as well. Academic coaching.

Sharon Cline: [00:27:29] Did you create this?

Cedric Allen: [00:27:30] No. This was done by our founder, Laura George, who a mama G we call her, and also Denise Rudolph, who is the director of academic affairs talk to call Denise. She just said, just say call Denise. If you have any questions, call Denise.

Sharon Cline: [00:27:48] What I love, though, is that I can see how you can affect these children from kindergarten all the way to graduation. But then you have this other part of your life, this career transition, help for people who maybe just graduate and don’t really know even where to go if they don’t want to go the college route, which not like we said, not everybody does. It’s not for everyone. Right. But also you’ve got these relationships with people, right, that after, if they do go to college, can come to you for help. So you really do from fifth grade, fifth, I mean, five years old until, you know, now you can really be affecting people’s lives.

Cedric Allen: [00:28:20] Right. And it’s also something that was kind of weird. The US Army. There was a gentleman that was in the US Army and the Cars.com and the DOD. They came together and said, we need a better system for training our soldiers and also storing this information once people move on or resign or whatever, or retire. And the gentleman took it from basically from scripture that this whole thing of a lifelong learning from where God takes you from that point, or Christians will say from the point you come in and I was starting to young people about this point, you come free and God takes you where you are and takes you to where you need to be. So it’s one of those things that we’re all going through, some kind of lifelong learning. They call it a system of knowledge network, lifelong learning for the Army.

Sharon Cline: [00:29:07] Sustainment Knowledge.

Cedric Allen: [00:29:08] Network, not Knowledge.

Sharon Cline: [00:29:10] Network. Interesting. I never heard that.

Cedric Allen: [00:29:12] Yeah, it’s what it was what they did at the beginning of it in 2006, where I was with them to build this network because people were coming there and you just can’t yell at somebody for not knowing what they’re doing. So how did they do it? Well, they can go on for them. They could go online. It was the beginning parts of e-learning. So it was all these things that, you know, looking at. If I go back as a pastor, I will say so your pastor, shepherd, prayer warrior, healer, that’s kind of what I say.

Sharon Cline: [00:29:40] Warrior, inhaler and shepherd.

Cedric Allen: [00:29:43] Got you. But it’s the main parts that we’re all being. Shepherd We are pouring to somebody we could do, like the Apostle Paul would say, you know, Jesus came under Jesus, but I’m teaching, but I’m also pouring into. But then I had a Barnabas that poured into me. So you’re always pouring in that knowledge and training and strength and continuously going.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:05] So what sustains you? You’re giving out so much to people.

Cedric Allen: [00:30:09] That’s the times where I got to step back and then God will sometimes go. And Captain, a couple of nights ago, if you need to go to bed. I have so much that you need to go rest.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:19] Is it a challenge that way? I mean, especially with we talk about this on the show a lot, 24 seven information, constantly having access and access.

Cedric Allen: [00:30:28] But there’s just that go and if you have. Some of the things that you can tell. I use the wrestling analogies and it’s that whole thing. I have the killer instinct to drive. Jordan has it, LeBron has it, even though they.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:45] Never rest, do they?

Cedric Allen: [00:30:46] Well, it’s just that I got to be there. Kobe had it, you know, that drive Magic had it, Bird had it. All these guys had it. And when they have this kind of thing, you just don’t want to let go off the gas too much. You just don’t want to put the brakes on. You want to be ahead If you drive, if it’s an honest competition, that’s what you do.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:11] So it’s like you don’t you you live, eat, breathe, sleep. This sort of drive to continue forward. Is that how it is for you?

Cedric Allen: [00:31:20] At times it is. A point guard goes.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:23] Take a.

Cedric Allen: [00:31:23] Break.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:24] Take a break. Sometimes I think when I get sick or something, it’s almost like, yeah, that’s cause you need to stop doing this or that. You know, I have to.

Cedric Allen: [00:31:31] Fire.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:32] You. It’s so true, isn’t it? It’s like this. This feeling of not being able to like, are. You’re going to miss out if you don’t take this opportunity, You’re not going to move forward like it’s always there. I guess the way I look at it.

Cedric Allen: [00:31:43] That and also helping. Because helping can be also. Everyone else thinks of. Och, I can stand back. I met one lady more in a Christian room. She talks about wanting to be there for people when she can’t. It just feels like it’s poison or just a weight and it could turn to something else because you’re not allowed to do what you’re called to do. A depression sets in and you have to be careful of that. But also working yourself, running yourself, working yourself around yourself. When do you rest? When you take that break and you kind of have to know yourself. But. You also have to have people around there that know you.

Sharon Cline: [00:32:28] That can encourage you to take a break.

Cedric Allen: [00:32:30] Yeah. And also. Kind of just feel like, man. Let’s take a break. You know.

Sharon Cline: [00:32:36] I do. I think that’s actually really important because it’s very easy for me to look at. If I don’t take this opportunity, I’m not going forward if someone needs help. I very rarely say no. And there does feel like if I’m saying no, I’m actually out of alignment with what I think I should be doing. You know, really? So like, am I being selfish or am I taking care of myself? Like, which, you know, there’s a negative connotation with taking that selfishness, but taking care of yourself is like a positive thing. So I’m wondering what that’s like for you.

Cedric Allen: [00:33:07] It’s sometimes it’s just there are days that he just says, I need to go. I need to do this. It interface. You go, All right, I’m going to do it. You got to you got a straight for me because I’m about to go like, boom, I’m done.

Sharon Cline: [00:33:23] So for some of it’s faith.

Cedric Allen: [00:33:25] Mostly for me. It’s faith. It’s just that’s for me. Everybody. Like I said, make your own decision. So from there. But for me, it’s safe and. Because there’s days I go like, That’s it. I’m out. I need you. But he’s always good at all, right? I’ve. Ray. True.

Sharon Cline: [00:33:50] You have you have a track record of having help, you know, and support. So I think that’s wonderful, though.

Cedric Allen: [00:33:56] Yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:33:57] So if you were to talk about someone who’s sort of your ideal client, who would who would how would you describe your ideal client?

Cedric Allen: [00:34:08] You know, it’s the funny joke, everybody. And. Look at some of the mentors I’ve had my grandmother, my mom, my two aunts, my uncles, even even my nephew or cousin, he’s going to go like really? Sort of. I’ll give you a little bit.

Sharon Cline: [00:34:28] You can be inspired by lots of people.

Cedric Allen: [00:34:30] True. And even now, just people at school, Compass Prep and all the people I’ve met in networking. So a lot of people. But if you say my audience, my audience is really everybody. It’s the person that’s sitting on the side that’s scared to get involved with the networking group. As a person that’s there and wants to walk out because they keep showing up during panel events and you go, hang in there with me. It’ll be cool. Just know what day is. You come. And if you’re looking for a desk, just hang out afterwards. It’ll be fine. The person that’s just first time. Or just they’re at a point or business and they haven’t got that idea. Or you give them an idea and they go. I hadn’t thought of that. That well well.

Sharon Cline: [00:35:24] That’s where that’s satisfying, isn’t it?

Cedric Allen: [00:35:27] That’s the fun thing when it connects where you have a specialty or something. And I go like, why don’t you call this guy or that guy? Because that would fit what you’re doing. One person I was talking to him about, you know, it’s a new year. How about a new you? You know, something of that nature that makes it.

Sharon Cline: [00:35:45] Inspiring.

Cedric Allen: [00:35:46] Yeah, inspiring. But also it fits your wheelhouse and you’re helping people. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s. I’m here to help. When I look at a person’s reflective profile, doesn’t matter if it’s an individual, a career individual, a career transition or business person, or even the business itself, I’m looking at how can I help them reach better, be better, be a better audience, and be more credible? Because look at their profile, look at things. And they hadn’t thought about it. They’ve been this way, that way. You know, it’s a funny joke. You get into business sometimes and say they tell you you need their this and you’re like, you’re like, No, maybe you need this one, this one, this one, this one. And then let some other people have to dabble in that one. But you don’t probably need to be everybody. Yeah. And every I call it the Wal Mart effect. Kfc is eliminating some things pretty, you know, good stuff. But I think they got to a point like, wait a minute, we’re a chicken stock. Yeah. Chicken? Yeah. Why are we trying to t why don’t we try to do a burrito chicken? What are we doing here? I thought it would be a good idea. Well, we overdoing it here. Just. Just just stick to. Chicken cooked chicken sandwich, fried chicken. She just.

Sharon Cline: [00:37:04] I like that, too, because it does feel like sometimes we do have too much information coming at us in too many choices. So it’s nice because I get overloaded. So I love the notion of someone coming in and kind of helping to pare down where my brain goes at 20, 24, 7 million miles an hour. So I love that you’re really interested in sort of paring down people’s goals and exactly where their strengths are, as opposed to you need everything. You need everything to be able to compete today.

Cedric Allen: [00:37:33] Well, it’s great day for education through all these other things. People will say, Here’s a box. Sometimes I’ll give you a box because that’s all they know is, here’s a box. I’m like, okay, that’s great. That’s fine. That box doesn’t work for me. So what do I do with this box? Well, that’s all we have. Box from education all through it, we’ve we’ve done this. And unfortunately, even the young people were the first one to figure out this box don’t work so well. So can can we cut. Can I cut some holes in a. But you can’t cut two holes in the box. Well, what kind of holes in the box can we put? Take the lid off the bottle. You can’t take the lid off. No, we take the lid off the box. So in your business, not. Not everything’s going to work for you. So. Or even in life of I’m going to try this. Well, okay, that might not work for you, but just be careful before we don’t want you to come back like the box hurt me. Yeah, I know, I know, but. But even in business, it’s one of those things of looking where to go. And then. For those that you might need the traditional, say, network group, any group. Nothing wrong with it. That’s where he excel. Other groups. Well, I need something a little bit more freeform, but they’re going to help me out with stuff. But I understand what I’m doing, but I need to have something a little bit more fun, a little bit more loose. I am not this person. I’m just. I’m just. This is what I sell. This is what I do.

Sharon Cline: [00:39:03] And you help people get there.

Cedric Allen: [00:39:04] Yeah, and that’s the thing. It’s being the bridge. Because all of us has to go over a bridge at some point. And, you know, coming from you know, I still remember that day at the Canton Business Club. And they’re they’re not playing me to say it. But I walked in there. It was a January. It was, I think a year after COVID. And it was they had 15 new business owners at the thing, just 15 new out of blue. I just started a business. Covid happened. Da da da da. I just started a business. And I knew right there, I said, Well, and you want to see how many more businesses they are. Take a minute. We are out on the street. A red light. Don’t be too distracted because it is Atlanta and even Cherokee County. Don’t be too sorry. And start counting how many new business ventures you see. And you’ll be like, Wait a minute. I never see. I never heard of them. Name them. Them. The. You’ll be shocked because a lot of people took the risk and said, you know what? I think it’s the time to do it. If I don’t do it now, I’m going to try. Now, you may talk to them a little bit and say, Is it hard? Yeah. Is it a bit painful? Yes. Do you love it? Oh, yeah. Because I finally get to be me. And so the risk. I know there’s high risk, but.

Sharon Cline: [00:40:28] But you’re there to support. You’re there to help, kind of. You’re the you’re an expert. So you really do have the ability to give people more of a certitude when they’re trying to decide where they want to go. And that is valuable. Very valuable for people, I think.

Cedric Allen: [00:40:43] Well, it is, but it’s really sometimes it’s just them. Sometimes you just sit there and go like, okay, it sounds like you want to do this. Okay, let’s try this. And they just sometimes it’s just. I just need a. Yes, just old joke. Wife talks to the husband. Husband’s like I’m about to. It’s like, No, no, I’m just venting.

Sharon Cline: [00:41:05] Just venting.

Cedric Allen: [00:41:06] And then sometimes, okay, I do need you to do or I’m going to do this. I just need to hear. I’m not crazy. So your support, you’re still go look, look and say, Yes, you are, but we’re going to do this. You’re crazy still. That had nothing to do with you. You’re just still, you know, joking, but joking. But still.

Sharon Cline: [00:41:28] That one is out there, though, that wants to get in touch with you and is is someone that could really benefit from the services that you provide. What’s the best way that they can get to you?

Cedric Allen: [00:41:36] Well, they could find me on LinkedIn as Cedric Allen, and you’ll see me up there, and that’s the easiest way to do that. Linkedin, LinkedIn. I just love going through that and just, you know, just remind me where I met you or where you heard me from in this case, because I will get so many requests of, Oh, what is that? This has no offense. It’s just like, Go. I saw through my LinkedIn, just like you would search through your friends and just your Rolodex and business contacts as well. But those would be the things in that aspect of just of just and just people that just need that person to just say, I’m not going to say I’m going to kick start you. I’m not going to hit you. I’m not it’s not going to be Peloton. It’s not going to be anything else. It’s just more of. Let’s have a conversation. Let’s talk and see where you are, because you might not be too bad as bad as you think you are, and you might be on the right track, you just might need just a little. As I used to tell this, I don’t need to pimp your ride. But you may need to come in, may need to change tires, maybe put some air in them, may need to get some windshield wiper fluid. We may need to just tweak the temperature in the car a little bit. Maybe you need to clean the inside. I don’t know. We don’t know until you get there.

Sharon Cline: [00:42:58] But let’s take a look.

Cedric Allen: [00:42:59] Yeah, but let’s not put the whole. Okay. All right. And then, you.

Sharon Cline: [00:43:03] Know, because overhauling pimping someone’s ride is like a really big change that some people are not prepared for. That’s scary in itself.

Cedric Allen: [00:43:10] Or here’s the thing. I think we’re starting to realize that as a society, it may not be needed at all. You may be the person. Just just adjust the GPS. Turn on the GPS. Here we go. And they’re off to the races versus somebody you do might have to go. All right. We’re going to start from a point because you’ve never done this before. Where do you go to? How do you go to who you talk to? How do you talk to? What are these things you need? And that’s a lot of things are the career transit even in a business, because you could be just one step of. Well, okay, I’ll just say there was somebody that was in town looking at something and I could tell. Part of me almost want to say, you need a guide on this, don’t you? And they’re like, Well, I said, well, talk to this guy. This guy is too. Blah, blah, blah. Talk to him. You might be able to get somewhere. And they were like, Oh, okay, so helpful.

Sharon Cline: [00:44:06] And I mean, I love that kind of about your spirit that you really do have a notion of we help each other. And because I think the same, we are here to help each other get through it, whatever it is. But you actively do things and have your business associated with helping people. And so that’s like such a nice reflection of your spirit. Thank you for doing that.

Cedric Allen: [00:44:25] No problem. I’m just really here to help. It just ends up it’s other things I just call it. It is a ministry.

Sharon Cline: [00:44:32] It is a ministry and you are a pastor. But where are you a pastor? I didn’t even ask this.

Cedric Allen: [00:44:35] Well, right now I’m just my own bro or God Ministries. And just probably looking into at some point getting building for the thing and just starting. It’s not a thing, but it’s just a ministry.

Sharon Cline: [00:44:48] Yeah, but that’s where it starts, right?

Cedric Allen: [00:44:49] Right. And I also teach at First Baptist Atlanta on Sunday, so that’s wonderful.

Sharon Cline: [00:44:55] So I love that people can be able to find you if they need you. And I think it’s just, like I said, so heartwarming to know that you really do care about what people’s lives, how they’re living them and whether they’re happy with them and the ways that you can affect them and positively. Thank you for doing that. It’s really been fun to chat with you. I mean, I feel like I could have chatted with you about a thousand different things, but I really appreciate the time that you’ve had with me today. Thank you. Thank you for coming. No problem. And thank you all for listening to Fearless Formula. I’m Business RadioX and again, this is Sharon Cline reminding you that with knowledge and understanding, we can all have our own fearless formula. Have a great day.