Meet Paul Long of Fundamism

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Long.

Hi Paul, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My first job following graduation from the business school at UMKC was as an underwriter for Farmers Insurance. I worked in a contact center tasked with fielding calls from frustrated customers or agents who needed help. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a desire and an affinity for creating moments that help others through difficult times.

I carried that same energy into my customer and peer interactions challenging myself to solve the puzzle of how to get the person I was talking with to smile. “I’m terribly saddened to hear you’re having such a bad day. I pride myself in helping others get a little closer to where I am when we get off this call than when we first started. So how can I help make your day just a little bit better?”

Following my hire date in 2004, I climbed the ladder within our organization working as a trainer, supervisor, training manager and director of call center operations. Tasked with the performance management strategy of 2500 employees and having everything that I had convinced myself would make me happy (great salary, amazing benefits, title, opportunity to create cultural change), I found myself lacking fulfillment. I was stressed, overwhelmed, and wasn’t living up to my responsibilities of being present as a father or husband. In tears, I approached my wife, Melissa, one day expressing my discontent.

“Paul, the world needs Fundamism but no one needs it as much as YOU. I encourage you to find a way to create the fulfillment you seek,” Melissa said. I gave my two weeks notice shortly after. Fundamism can be defined as a deliberate approach to personal and professional fulfillment. We live in a society that appears to be consistently seeking fulfillment from others or material things. True fulfillment is created from within. What if you could identify true fulfillment, felt empowered to create it, and embraced joy through the process? At its core, helping individuals and organizations through the process of answering that question is what I do now.

I am a keynote speaker, consultant, author, podcaster, and master of shenanigans. Leveraging The FUNdamentals Of Fundamism, I help people around the globe create more meaningful interactions, listen with intent, embrace awkward moments, channel their energy, lead with kindness, challenge monotony and be the change they wish to see in this world. Rather than waiting for others to create fulfillment for them, I give people the tools necessary to create it for themselves.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Is the road ever smooth? My trade is speaking and connecting with audiences in a meaningful, memorable way. Being a solopreneur means that I not only have to be great at my trade but adequate at marketing, sales, accounting, logistics, and everything else needed to run a successful business.

When I was first starting out, I had access to limited resources and couldn’t justify the cost of outsourcing the tasks I wasn’t good at. The result? I stretched myself too thin. I’m not great at a lot of things. Math, managing my schedule, and attention to detail are just a few of those things. However, I believe I am a great speaker. When I realized that the best thing I could do for my business is crushing it on stage, leaving audiences with a memorable experience and tactical things they could apply to improve their quality of life, business exploded.

Of course, there were times that were more challenging than others. Large credit card debt, transitioning from live events to virtuals in the midst of an international pandemic and finding a world-class accountant were all perceived roadblocks at various times in my career. We made it through those challenges and we’ll power through the next ones, as well.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a speaker that helps organizations empower employees to improve their overall fulfillment both at work and home. Through very specific FUNdamentals, I teach how to create meaningful interactions, differentiate service and/or sales, and become more impactful leaders.

My brand is one that exudes FUN, joy, and happiness with our goal being to encourage people to focus more on “what’s GOOD” as opposed to what isn’t. Through my speaking, online learning platform (Fundamism University), books, and additional resources, I arm people with the tools necessary to improve their quality of life.

I’m proud of the fact that Fundamism is unique and recognized for helping organizations and individuals create a better, more fulfilling experience on this Earth.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My wife, Melissa, has been one of the most impactful advocates in my life. Without her support and guidance, I wouldn’t have had the courage to pursue this dream.

My friend, Deia Starr Rank consistently challenges me to get better and her belief in me provides motivation to find additional ways to offer value to others. Angela Cox with the Midwest Speakers Bureau took a chance on me years ago and has been the catalyst to much of my success in speaking. She’s booked me for 100+ events over the years and I would not be where I am today without her.

Lastly, Rod Johnson, a former mentor and Senior VP with a fortune 300 company took me under his wing and encouraged me to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

Pricing:

10K + travel expenses per speaking engagement
$14.99/a month or $135/year for my online course
$14.95 for the Fundamism: Connecting To Life Through F.U.N. book (forward by Travis Kelce)
$24.95 for the What’s GOOD?! Fundamism/Charlie Hustle collaborative t-shirt

Contact Info:

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pauljlong.com, www.fundamism.com,
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fundamismpaul/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fundamism
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fundamismpaul
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/fundamismpaul
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fundamismpaul/