How To Host Epic Live Events - Tyler Dozier - Apex

SPEAKER_01 0:04

This is the Beyond the Story Podcast, a show that goes way beyond the story. And now, Sebastian Bron. Tyler, welcome to the show, bro. Thank you for having me. How are you? Good, man. Hey, third time's a charm. We had a couple scheduling conflicts. You never have to deal with scheduling conflicts, do you? Never, not once. Not at all. Like you're like a schedule conflict, uh, like concierge.

unknown 0:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 0:44

Yeah, yeah, exactly. Well, normal's a setting on your dryer, right? You're uh fresh off the uh the jet from Cabo, another uh great mastermind weekend over there in uh Paradise. You know what I didn't realize? Like I saw Stu in there barefoot, you know, had his you know energy drink in his hand, like full-blown beach mode. And you know, ideally, um, you know, that that's the type of setting that that you're in, right? It's kind of a little bit of vacation, a little bit of work, biz, but uh again, created yet another experience over. Now, I haven't seen all of the houses that you guys have rented, but I've seen a you know a number of them over the past year. That place looked absolutely incredible, like the best to date yet. And I haven't seen the other ones. Obviously, you know because you book them, but uh look like a couple good days in paradise, huh?

SPEAKER_00 1:30

Absolutely. Yeah, that house is uh it looks like the the cartel drug lord house. Like it looks like it is so huge and it almost like everything's just concrete walls out there in in Pedregal, um, in Cabo. And so um it looks like some of those hallways, you're like, Yeah, I could kill somebody here, but you know, no, it's a it's a cool spot, um, for sure. Probably a top three house for me, but but probably the best view when it comes to pictures. Um, so how many houses did you guys rent? So we had four for this one. Um, we've typically been floating between three or four for each of them. Um, they're always kind of our sixth star, which is the top of the top that you can get out there in Pedrogal. Um, and then we got one that was a four and a half for our staff. So, you know, slumming it over here.

SPEAKER_01 2:20

And yeah, I was gonna say, where we keep the help. Uh yeah. Yeah. I got a buddy that lives out there, moved out there, left uh Orange County, California about four years ago. Um, and uh it's like a four, he's got like a four, it's like four stories, eight, eight thousand square feet, and you can see whales jumping from his uh from his balcony. So living in paradise down there. So um you and I obviously connected through Apex. Um, you you've got a pretty instrumental role um there with uh with the company helping orchestrate the the numerous events that you guys put on um on a monthly and almost weekly basis, it's seeming like these days. But it wasn't always like that. When you first joined the company had a completely different position. But let's let's back up a little bit more than that. Talk a little bit about your story and where you kind of where your journey began in the world of business and kind of bringing into present day with what you're doing right now.

SPEAKER_00 3:19

Yeah, man, it's a it's a very interesting kind of path there that um I went from making music and running in the concert, you know, uh side of events and whatnot when I was probably about from 15 to 18. Uh, so as a just a young teenager, kind of doing that stuff, getting the not only perform on stage, but get to be the person behind the scenes, seeing how all of this runs and then putting on some of our own small shows. You have to learn some of that. And so um I took that kind of with me. It put me in some really awesome spots and I got to meet a lot of incredible people. I learned so much from it, but it was something that I wanted to get out of right around that age of 18. So um at that point, I jumped into a gym, uh, was always a sports player, active kind of person there. And so um I was, you know, coaching at a gymnastics gym, and that started in 2012, and I was there until 2020, uh, you know, kind of working my way through the ranks till at the point of me running the gym, and um, you know, had about 25 employees underneath me and coached everything. And in that process, I got to start doing a lot more events through them, through birthday parties and parents' night outs or customer appreciations, or um, you know, corporate staff outings, all sorts of stuff there. And I got the take on that myself. It was something that I asked, like, hey, can I can I do this? Can I lead it? Can I lead all the trainings for all the games and whatnot? And so I had that background. Um, and me being stuck at $50,000 a year, I was like, man, this is what it's gonna be. This is like, this is what my life is. And so I told myself I want to get out of events, I jump over to Breakfree Academy. Um, you know, in kind of like a change of life over here, you know, I had a big almost identity crisis because I've been coaching for so long that I was like, who am I? without being known as Coach Tyler. Um, and so I jump into a sales role and I do all right at it. Um, in my first three months, my first month, I sold $8,000 worth of products, second month was 12, and the third was 22. And they're like, Well, why aren't you doing 100,000 with, you know, uh or 300,000 that Drewby is doing this month or that Zach's doing this month? And I'm like, guys, I gotta learn all this stuff. Like, y'all threw me in second week trying to sell stuff. And uh, and so at that point, you know, when they saw Danny, our MC, um, who you know very well, um, he went down. And once he went down, they they didn't want to do it, um, do the MCing side of things. So I jumped up there and kind of played the role that I've always played through a program director as well, which was another kind of side gig that I did for seven summers out of Christian sports camp. I was always the person with the mic in hand, so I was very comfortable with it. Yeah, and once we did that, um, the rest is history, they're like, Oh, he's he's got something here, and I was like, Yeah, and by the way, I want to change this, this, this, and this. And they're like, Well, we found a new position uh for you, and you're gonna be heading events, and the rest is history.

SPEAKER_01 6:13

Yeah, because there wasn't, it was just kind of everybody's combined effort before, right? Like, let's put the event together. There was no like one specific, you know, events person, you know, and then get thrown into the mix, even though you have experience with the mic, like being thrown in cold to the mix to go like fill an MC rule, not the easiest task in town, uh, by by any stretch of advanced. So talk about like a live audition. And then you're like, oh, by the way, now that I got that, now that I was able to step up in that, now that I've got everybody's attention, um, here's some things that I think we can do to improve the whole process. And now you guys are doing what you you told me. We were together a couple weeks ago in uh uh Fort Worth, Texas. Another uh our great our final fly-in of the uh of the year, unfortunately. I wish there were more of them. Um well, there is, but you need to talk to Zach or Juby. Um uh but uh you were saying they're like what up to like what 36 events? No, no, Danny said he does 36 events a year. Yeah, how many guys are you guys doing? That's about how many of you guys are doing?

SPEAKER_00 7:10

Yeah, that's about right. Um, now that doesn't include event days. So, like for me, I can say, Oh, I do 36 events, but whenever I count y'all, uh I'm every day is a new event, right? I can't sit there and be like, Well, day one of entrepreneurs is done. Let's we're done here. It's like, and not try the next day and not set up a different experience the next day and whatnot. So um, for y'all, you know, every day that y'all are here, when y'all are here quarterly, it's a two-day event. So that's two events uh each time that y'all are here. So we do a little over right, right. Yeah. So so we do a little bit over uh 55. Um, and to close out the year is kind of where it gets real busy for us. Um, you know, so last week we were in Cabo, the week before that we were with y'all. The week before that we're um flying Friday for our executives. This week is Apex Evolution with the Green Brays and Navy SEALs. Uh, the week after that, I'll make it.

SPEAKER_01 8:04

I'm gonna go on record. I'm gonna go on record. I will go on record and say that I chickened the fuck out this weekend. Oh man, I did, I did. So that means I'm I'm fully committed next year. I got I gave myself my good cool. You got you got one one one skip it, and then next year we're in. Especially you read uh Doug Mitchell's post this morning. Yep, that scared the ever living bejesus out of me. So I was like, Well, I man, I got a storm coming. I mean, I yeah, I got a bunch of excuses over here.

SPEAKER_00 8:33

You could run away from the storm and just come to the store.

SPEAKER_01 8:38

You could run out of one storm and into another one. Yeah, absolutely. No, I I'm excited to see uh what the experience is. Yeah, I remember last year too. I was like, this is crazy. And Stuman's going too, isn't he?

SPEAKER_00 8:50

Uh yeah, he'll be out there briefly. It is his birthday. So um, really, my goal for all these events was try and remove Stuman as much as possible from them.

SPEAKER_01 8:58

Yeah, yeah, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. We like to torture, we like to get tortured with leadership. Speed of the leader, speed of the pack, Stuman. Birthday, no birthday. Fuck your excuses, dog. Come on. Yeah. Uh but I he came out there last year. I remember. Sorry. No, I remember like that was one of the things I was like, wait a second. Like, he's going. Like, there's there's something to really be said with the whole idea of like, hey, yeah, we're creating this, but I'll also be out there, you know, in in I had no idea how intense it was until I read Doug's post.

SPEAKER_00 9:31

Yeah, I it it gets pretty intense. Uh, I'm not gonna lie, but um, everyone that you talk to, you know, if you talk to Pedro or if you talk to Doug, those guys are like, it literally changed my life.

SPEAKER_01 9:42

And Pedro's going again, isn't it?

SPEAKER_00 9:44

Yes. So he's gonna be doing the same role, he's gonna be running the same role as as Doug. So he'll be helping out again, kind of being like one of the team leaders since he was part of class one. Um, we thought it'd be really cool to kind of honor those guys to that took the chance on us to be part of you know the future. And uh and they get a whistle. Uh they don't.

SPEAKER_01 10:04

I feel like I should definitely add that into the budget, though. I think they all need a whistle and a and a clipboard. I don't know what the fuck goes on the clipboard, but it just sounds like you know just to throw it down, you know, just to throw it on the ground. I can imagine. I'm talking shit all the way out there, blindfolded on the bus. I get thrown into some cold water, I'm bawling my eyes out for an hour. I got a drill sergeant screaming at me. Yeah, I can see it now. So um I'm I'm I'm gonna wow, way out of my comfort zone. We're working through some stuff on that one. Um so um Wayne, what so we got the we got Apex Live coming up in uh in November. Um and then uh you guys got one more cabo trip for couples at the end of the year.

SPEAKER_00 10:47

Yeah, so um, so yeah, it's it's this event this week. Uh next week is the relationship uh-based uh Flying Friday. So they get to bring their spouse or their business partner uh there. So we kind of build together on goal planning, planning end of year, um, relationship stuff. The week after that is Breakfree Academy Live, which is throwing it way back to Ryan's oldest event uh that he he's run, and he hasn't done one since I believe 2019. So we've got that one, and then we've got our Las Vegas pop-up on October 20th. Um, and then it's free week, and then yes, it is our uh Apex Live, which is our awards show. So we like to, you know, obviously honor the people that are within Apex and recognize them for the work that they've done and the live changes that they've made. Um, and then from that, you know, it's it's end of year stuff, like trying to bring some money into the company, honestly, and uh planning for the next year and planning a Christmas party, which is always fun. So uh we got a little bit on our plate, but we're in that home stretch. And then we got about a month of you know, no events, which which is always nice. It allows us to shore up more of the systems side of things um in the business, which is needed always. Tyler, what's the worst part of the job? That's a good question. Man, I've been doing it for so long that um for me, it's the early mornings, late nights um for some of these, you know, and not necessarily on the event day. Event day is probably our easiest part of it. Um, a lot of it comes down to in preparation for some of these bigger events or some of these new ones because we're constantly changing. And nothing's like the only thing that's turnkey for us is really Flying Fridays and Apex Entrepreneurs. We have a format, we like to stick to it. It's pretty easy there. Everything else, you know, one you're in Cabo, one you're with Green Berys, one, you're in Las Vegas. Like there's so many variables in those. And so when you do that, you put in a lot of time and into your preparation. And with that, um, it's not uncommon for an event planner or coordinator to run a week, two weeks around MDM time, three weeks straight of like 20-hour days, at least five days out of the week, um, where you're just constantly talking to a hundred different people and trying to keep up with every conversation that you have. Um, so that's probably the toughest part. I think it's one of those things that you just accept as part of uh what you do and you get to see the awesome payoff at the end. And so it makes it all worthwhile. But that's probably what I would say is most difficult.

SPEAKER_01 13:22

We gotta get you a squad. It's already starting to grow a little bit. You got your team growing too as well. But I I foresee, you know, 10 Tyler's 10 deep, you know, uh, which is you know, because there's so many, so many logistics, and you've got to, there's so much to uh uh to you that you've gotta leave room for um with like margin to be able to like knowing shit's gonna change, something's gonna fall through, a caterer's not gonna show up, something's not gonna fire on time. So there's always got to be that, but it's kind of cool that you know this this thing went from everybody's all hands on deck. Let's just figure out how to get these events going, or you know, stu what based on Stuman's experience to you now, you know, being able to do it. I remember the second to last fly in, you had Bailey run that whole entire thing, which was was one of the best experiences. I was kind of spoiled because I was in the office for the first two. And then when we got went to the hotel, um, you know, I take take the elevator home for two nights. That's always a good time. And of course, you've got everything. So I it was it was uh it was a different experience, uh, you know, but it's fun to watch, you know, the team grow and that that it continues to remain a top, you know, a top priority for you guys. I do a lot of events as well. And I I know that the reason that people hire a good keynote or a comedian or whatever it might be is to leave some sort of lasting you know impression based on the attendee having an experience. And you guys really make sure. And again, you've got to, you know, you have clients to retain too. That's the membership, that's the people that are actually showing up. If it's the same mold, same song and dance, same speakers, people automatically their brain automatically defaults to wow, I was just there last I went last time and it, you know, they do the same shit every time. Uh and I that's really what I noticed. And I, you know, obviously commend you and you and the team on, you know, continuing to keep that at the forefront as a priority, um, because it's so, so valuable and important. Last uh the last line was specifically uh exciting slash nerve-wracking with Danny and his fucking crazy ideas, but um, I had a good time being able to get in there and uh, you know, first first crack at being able to just pour into my peers, uh, which was really the goal, uh, to be able to know that I'm growing with this community and as part of this community and trying to leave my own lasting impact in this community. And I feel like I'm just getting started. I feel like I'm just now um, you know, getting into now where I feel like I'm part of the Apex family, not a member. I feel like I'm part of the Apex. And I I think that's what this is all about. We get to do business together. Uh sometimes we get to build relationships together, but most importantly, we get to do life together. And it's so um vital. Uh, you know, talk about it. Like I, you know, I grew up in church, you know, youth groups and the whole nine, right? They always talk about community and fellowship and all this other crazy weird words, right? And doing life together. Um and not that that's wrong or I disagree with any of that, but this is really the true example of doing life together because you know, being part of Apex is about becoming, you know, a great human being, continuing to becoming or aiming to do that, and then also doing something great uh, you know, in life and in your business. So uh I'm just grateful for the community, dude. I think that uh, you know, we're we're just getting started. You know, Stuman already says, you know, he uh uh started and runs the uh the largest mastermind in existence. And those are some pretty powerful words. Um, but I firmly believe that that's exactly what's taking place because a lot of these things come and go. You know, I heard of a just sort of another one just got shutting down because they had a great, you know, nine, 10 year run, and they all everybody's doing different things, etc. like that. So it's really cool to see um, I think Apex can be around for a long time. Um and it's not just you know, because Stuman's in the mix. I think you guys are really strategically, like you said earlier, I'm trying to remove him from every piece of the equation as possible. Um, you know, the idea is like eventually it's like, hey, dude, the more that they're not in the office or around, the more we grow and the better things are. That happens eventually. You get to a certain point where things are at. So um, I'm sure you share my excitement on you know what's happening with the Apex fam and where things are headed. And uh, you know, I'm just stoked to be in the mix.

SPEAKER_00 17:30

Yeah, dude, we're super excited about it. Like, honestly, we the whole goal is as you said, kind of take Ryan out of it and build y'all up to where you know y'all are the faces of it. So, you know, at some point, Danny was talking about it last week. He's like, hey, we're gonna need more MCs, you know what I mean? Like, what if that at some point we can fish into the barrel of Apex and utilize people like you? Like, hey, we're doing a chapter in uh a chapter event in Florida. We're gonna get all of our Apex people and the people in y'all's circles around there. This is the format that I need y'all to run it by, and you're gonna be the person that MCs it. So, you know, and then you're getting to be a leader in that community, uh, as you know, you've already grown into um and a lot of people already know you, you know, very well within the community. But um, we want to do that. We feel like that's where we're most powerful. We're most powerful because of the people that are within these rooms and in these groups, not because of Ryan. It's not the Ryan Stuman show, it's not the staff, it's not you know, Jerby Wilson. Like all of us play a very big part, but we're nothing without y'all, is the honest truth. And so um we're always trying to figure out like who can be the next person that's already in our community to step up and provide value to our people in some way, whether that is the entertainment or it's you know, business development or it's personal development, like who is that person? And uh, and I think that's where a lot of these masterminds start to falter is that they want it to be, you know, the creator wants it to be their show. Yeah. And for that person to grow, they can't continue to be, you know, the the star of the show. They have to build up the other people around them. And if you're not building your people up, then you have nothing to fish from. You're like, okay, well, I made my money, but no one else in our mastermind really got any better in life. Their lives didn't really improve that much. So uh I have no one to to elevate because I didn't elevate them enough. And so we want to elevate y'all so that y'all can honestly take on some of the work that we do. But um, we're excited about how we're growing and the speed that we're growing. It just comes down to us continuing to provide those experiences and that service. Um, because if we don't do that, you know, very easily we can lose some of the the luster that we do have.

SPEAKER_01 19:50

Yeah, there's always new way, there's always a that's the beautiful part about masterminds too, is it there's always a new wave of people coming in. There's always a new wave of people leaving too, which is totally okay too. I mean, that's all part of the game uh as well. If you want to be here, great. And if you don't, that's okay too. And everybody's wished, you know, the best. But there's constantly new faces showing up. I'll never forget when I first found out about Apex, I was like, What is Apex? What is it? And I had heard of Stuman just briefly. Um, but then I started following, kind of tuned in because I would hear oh, Apex, Apex, Apex, Apex. And I was like, it's funny how the word travels really quick. And then when I finally found the opportunity, I'm like, I how do I does anyone have it? Is there like a is there like a cheat code or like a coupon code or like something I need to like? But uh, you you know, you you you ask around enough, and I finally uh it was wild. A lot of people like started recommended, they're like, You need to join Apex. I'm like, cool. Any clue how?

SPEAKER_00 20:38

Like, no one could they're like, it's there's a riddle that you're gonna have to do. Yeah, absolutely. And uh we'll talk to him, he'll be in a poncho.

SPEAKER_01 20:51

Oh man, well, it's good stuff, dude. And you and I have been able to uh continue to build a great relationship together, too. I look forward to doing that. I'm uh I'm a huge fan of the work that you're doing there, having been on both sides and on your side, uh a lot more than uh than the attendee side, really understanding that man, this stuff is not an easy task to go put on and to be able to pull off uh what appears to be seamless to attendees, right? Um, is is no easy task. So I just wanted to encourage you, brother, on on the work that you do. Um, it's I consider you a friend and a brother, man. And I uh any, as you know, anything that I can do to support you uh from my end, um, I'll I'm just a phone call away always, but I just wanted to I wanted to get you on the show. Just want to tell a little bit about your story and talk about you know what you do and and and why you're doing it as well, and just encourage you as well. So I appreciate you. I know you're a busy guy, so getting on uh getting on your calendar is not the easiest task.

SPEAKER_00 21:42

We're back at it, man. We got a a full day here. We've already gotten the see the new venue and everything. We did that uh early this morning and uh they blew out all the walls, and they're starting to put together our auditorium, which is exciting. Um in the new building, yeah, yeah. Putting an auditorium in the building, yeah, yeah. So that's uh we'll be running some events out of there.

SPEAKER_01 22:04

Um, you know, I don't want to get ahead of things. I don't want to get ahead of things, but I'm gonna rock the ever living shit out of that new stage in the building.

SPEAKER_00 22:11

There you go. I love it. Yeah, we're excited, man. It's uh it's it's uh big moves, big moves are happening, and so um, dude, once we get it done, you're gonna be blown away by this place. So we got to do a lot of that interior design and looking into it, and it's like one of those places that is just a content city with every wall, you know, all the different designs and the murals and everything that we have planned for that, even the the stuff like the carpet and uh the soundproofing and some of the studios and whatnot, like it's all very creatively done, it's all very aesthetic. Um, and so we want to, you know, provide a place that other people can run their events too. And so we're excited for that upcoming and they are moving so stinking fast. It is um outstanding. It seems like I don't know, we closed it only less than a month ago, and they're already, you know, almost in a sp in a spot where we could be working out of it. Um, so it's zooming, it's coming up quick.

SPEAKER_01 23:07

That's great, man. I can't wait to see it. I'm really, really excited for that. And uh again, it's a privilege to be part of the community. So, well, thanks again, brother. Appreciate your time. You know, keep rocking and rolling. Look forward to seeing you. I guess I'll be back out there in uh uh in November. Well, let's go. Absolutely. Unless, unless, of course, Stuman calls me uh for his uh two-day workshop. You hear me, Stuman? Um uh but uh thank thanks again, brother. I appreciate you, man, and uh look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for having me on. Appreciate you, sir. You got it, brother. Until next time, friends. Thanks so much for tuning into this episode of the Beyond the Story podcast. Be sure to appreciate it. If you haven't done so already, make sure you subscribe to the show. This way you'll get updates as new episodes become available. If you feel so inclined, please leave us a review. Be sure to appreciate it. Signing off from the podcast, launchlab.com studios. We'll talk to you next time.