Candy Valentino and The 9% Edge: How to Create Financial Freedom and Build a Successful Business That Generates Wealth

In this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with the incredible entrepreneur, investor, and author Candy Valentino. Candy takes us on a fascinating journey from her humble beginnings and early business ventures to her impressive success in real estate and the medspa industry. We dive into her formative years, where she learned the importance of financial discipline, smart investments, and the value of appreciating assets over flashy, depreciating ones. Candy also shares valuable insights from her latest book, the "9% Edge," which uncovers why over 90% of businesses fail within ten years and how to tip the scales in favor of entrepreneurial success. Her personal stories about overcoming financial and gender-based challenges are both inspiring and practical. We talk about the importance of understanding financial dynamics, making disciplined decisions, and building businesses that can run independently, offering freedom and a legacy rather than just creating another job for yourself. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that's packed with wisdom, real-world strategies, and a few laughs along the way. As always, I invite you to join us and leave your takeaways and reviews. Let's grow together in this exciting journey of entrepreneurship and personal growth.     About Candy, Candy started her first business before she could legally order a drink. Starting at 19 years old with NO degree, NO corporate background, NO money (and no internet) she began her career in business and investing. She has successfully started, scaled, and sold businesses in multiple industries, in addition to creating a vast real estate portfolio as an investor.  At 26, she founded a non-profit charity and through her business success, she bought and donated a building to the organization. Since then they have saved thousands of lives and was  actively involved, personally raising millions for the charity.  During her two and half decades as an entrepreneur, she has been named to Top Business Leaders 40 Under 40, Top 50 Women In Business, 10 People Making a Difference, Top 10 Business Consultants by Yahoo Finance, and was the youngest female to receive the Governor’s Award in Entrepreneurship in Pennsylvania. More recently she have been selected by Success Magazine as one of just 6 ‘Women of Influence’ and additionally listed as ‘Leaders Who Get Results’ with names like Tony Robbins and Brene Brown.  She is a Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author, business trainer and financial analyst. Get your copy of her newest book, "The 9% Edge: The Life-Changing Secrets to Create More Revenue for Your Business and More Freedom for Yourself"   Here are a few additional resources for you… Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11 Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters. Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here. Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare