We’re delighted to have Jayson Gaignard back on the Business of Meetings podcast today.
Jayson is the founder of MMT and the author of Community Made: The Truth About Success and the Relationships That Create It. Eric had the privilege of reading Jayson’s book, which includes many of the lessons he learned about relationships, community, and success.
Stay tuned for more!
Jayson’s Journey
Jayson dropped out of high school and started a service-based business before pivoting to online e-commerce, which he grew to about $7 million a year over four years with no outside investments. After seven years, he realized he didn’t need to impress anyone, so he scaled it down to zero. In August 2012, things beyond his control left him in debt. So he began hosting dinners that brought fascinating people together, which eventually led to MMT and building communities. In 2023, he started putting his lessons in writing, which led to his book, Community Made.
Community Made
Jayson’s book, Community Made: The Truth About Success and the Relationships That Create It, centers on three areas: finding your people, investing in your people, and asking for help. Asking for help was pivotal to his personal growth, so he also explores why people avoid it.
Transactional and Transformational Relationships
Jayson explains the difference between transactional and transformational relationships. Transactional relationships can help you reach a specific goal, while transformational relationships are based more on shared values and wanting to spend time together. He believes you need to be intentional about the people you bring into your life and the energy you invest in those relationships.
Building Community
Jayson’s approach to community is based on careful curation and creating an environment where people can be authentic and vulnerable. The right people, shared values, trust, and confidentiality are essential to creating a community where members can support one another.
Success and Comparison
Jayson discusses how success can affect relationships and create comparison and envy. He believes you need to be genuinely happy for other people’s success while remaining focused on your own path rather than measuring your life against someone else’s.
Technology and Connection
Jayson believes technology and AI can strengthen communities by helping people find others with relevant experience and expertise. However, technology cannot replace the value of being together in person, which remains central to building meaningful relationships.
Preparation and Mentorship
Jayson also discusses the importance of preparation, especially when having meaningful conversations with other people. He credits mentors and friends who believed in his potential and encouraged him to think bigger.
Bio:
Jayson Gaignard is an author and community builder who has spent more than a decade creating high-trust communities and experiences for entrepreneurs. He is the Head Curator of MMT, one of the world’s most exclusive entrepreneur communities, and was named one of Forbes’ “Top Networkers to Watch.” His work explores what happens when you bring the right people into the right room—creating opportunities, ideas, and relationships that can transform businesses and lives. Jayson’s work has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, and Tim Ferriss’ Tools of Titans.
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