It is no surprise that this 2023 10X Growth Con speaker was an audience favorite. Cathie Wood is a bold investor whose forward thinking has resulted in a MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR portfolio. But what gave her the courage to go all-in on “unconventional” stocks? 

Today, some of Wood’s investments are the most valuable on the market. Some examples of which are Tesla, Zoom, and Roku. 

However, these stocks were seen as risky or flashes in the pan when Cathie Wood added them to her portfolio. 

In her fireside with Grant, she spoke favorably about the AI revolution and how the only safe investments were nontraditional. 

Let’s look at her journey to become one of the most successful stockpickers in the world… 

How did ARK CEO Dominate Disruptive Innovation?

Cathie Wood was born and raised in Los Angeles. Then, graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science degree. 

One of her college professors was Arthur Laffer — a prominent economist for the Regan administration — who became her mentor. 

“LOOK FOR MENTORS THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO GROW. I THOUGHT I KNEW HOW THE WORLD WORKED WHEN WAS YOUNG, BUT I DIDN’T.” — WOOD ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORS. 

After working with Laffer, the ARK CEO went on to work for influential financial institutions such as Jennison Associates and AllianceBernstein. 

Despite success in these roles, her passion for investing in new technologies was a point of contention. 

“THE MODERN ASSET MANAGEMENT WORLD IS PLAYING IT SAFE WHICH IS A RISK. THAT’S NOT INVESTING IN MY WORLD. I FOCUS ON HOW THE WORLD IS GOING TO WORK. THE TRADITIONAL WORLD ORDER IS NOT GOING TO BE SAFE.”

As a result, Cathie Wood started the Ark Innovation Fund in 2014 which was the foundation of her $60 BILLION portfolio today. 

Want to know what’s inside that gargantuan fund?

What EXACTLY is in Cathie Wood’s Portfolio?

Aside from the three big-name holdings we mentioned earlier, ARK Invest has 537 more stocks. 

Some more interesting names in Cathie Wood’s portfolio include: 

• Shopify
• DraftKings
• ExactSciences Corp
• Teledoc Health
• And, Robinhood

All in all, Wood has become a massive success in being aware of the changing world and being open to change. 

And, THAT is how you continue to 10X your business and life. 

— 10X Growth Conference Staff

>TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR 10X GROWTH CON 2024 NOW HERE<

Disclaimer: This content is intended to be used for educational and informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. You should perform your own due diligence and seek the advice from a professional to verify any information on our website or materials that you are relying upon if you choose to make an investment or business decision. Investment, real estate, and business involve great risk and there is no guarantee of performance or results.

We are not attorneys, investment advisers, accountants, tax professionals or financial advisers and any of the content presented should not be taken as professional advice. We recommend seeking the advice of a financial professional before you invest, and we accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage you may incur.

We absolutely HAD to have ESPN star Stephen A. Smith at 10X Growth Con 2023. He is one of the most well-known — and well-paid — broadcasters. But, the TV icon had to fight for his success. His life and career have been a rollercoaster of highs and lows that rival the sports he covers… 

Sports fans know Stephen A. Smith is not afraid to call it as he sees it. The prolific sports analyst has built his brand on outspoken commentary. 

That delivery style requires a lot of guts — and not many people have that level of courage. 

SO WHERE DID THE ESPN ANCHOR GET THE CONFIDENCE FOR HIS BOLD DELIVERY? 

Believe it or not, Smith partially credits his four older sisters for his strong will… 

Growing Up as One of… SIX!

Stephen A. Smith was the fifth born of his parents’ six children. He and his siblings were raised in the Hollis area of Queens, New York. 

And according to his mother, the commentator “came out of the womb running his mouth.” 

Despite that, Smith claimed that he had a hard time speaking up for himself — or owning his mistakes. 

On “The Tamron Hall Show,” the sports journalist elaborated on how his sisters impacted his character. 

Stephen A. highlighted two specific lessons the Smith sisters taught him… 

“NUMBER ONE, THEY IMPLORED ME TO KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN I OPENED MY MOUTH… NUMBER TWO, NEVER BE FEARFUL TO ADMIT WHEN YOU’RE WRONG.” 

Later, these lessons would aid the “First Take” host when he faced major obstacles. 

The first incident was in 1991 when Stephen A. Smith earned a basketball scholarship…

Then, broke his leg in his first semester. 

After that setback, the outspoken commentator discovered his natural talent as a sports writer. 

As a columnist, Smith was free to express his uncensored opinion. His unique style was getting everyone’s attention  — including ESPN. 

By August 2005, the athletics analyst was working for the famous sports network. Unfortunately, his career with ESPN would have an infamous end. 

At least, that’s what happened the first time… 

Second Time’s the Charm for Stephen A. Smith at ESPN

Two years after his first show, “Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith,” was canceled, ESPN chose not to renew his contract. 

Smith was devastated, and it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. He had just become a father. 

“I WAS HUMBLED BEYOND BELIEF AND WAS QUESTIONING MYSELF IN A LOT OF AREAS.”

As a result, the TV personality did a lot of self-reflection… 

Also, he realized he had been playing the game all wrong. 

During his first time at ESPN, Stephen A. Smith admitted that he wasn’t educated in the television business.

On Day 2 of 10X Growth Con, Smith explained that he had to learn the revenue and ratings system. By doing so, he was able to get his job back in 2011 — and a higher salary. 

And, this strategy continues to pay off… 

10X Superstars KNOW Their Worth

In short, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has had extreme ups and downs throughout his career. However, his confidence — and the statistics to back it up — are what keep him on top. 

“WHAT I’M FOCUSED ON IS WHAT I’M WORTH, AND THAT’S WHAT GIVES ME PEACE OF MIND.” 

For that tenacity alone, we would consider the ESPN anchor a 10X Superstar. It was incredible having him on our stage. 

If you are interested in seeing the 10X Superstars we bring to our next 10X Growth Conference, secure your seats here. 

— 10X Growth Con Staff

Disclaimer: This content is intended to be used for educational and informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. You should perform your own due diligence and seek the advice from a professional to verify any information on our website or materials that you are relying upon if you choose to make an investment or business decision. Investment, real estate, and business involve great risk and there is no guarantee of performance or results.

We are not attorneys, investment advisers, accountants, tax professionals or financial advisers and any of the content presented should not be taken as professional advice. We recommend seeking the advice of a financial professional before you invest, and we accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage you may incur.

On the third day of the 10X Growth Con 2023, an epic meeting of TWO power couples took place on stage. Grant and Elena Cardone sat down with Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely for a candid interview. The couples discussed how to simultaneously build a great business AND marriage… 

From the outside looking in, Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely are an unlikely pair… 

Sara is the founder of Spanx and Jesse is a former rapper who made millions renting private jets to A-listers…

BUT AFTER 15 YEARS OF MARRIAGE AND FOUR KIDS, THEY ARE CLEARLY DOING SOMETHING RIGHT. 

For that reason, the Cardones and the Itzlers swapped strategies that made them the power couples they are today. 

But, that meant that the spouses had to be honest about the obstacles they faced… 

2 Power Couples Answered the HARD Questions at 10X Growth Con

To begin on a light note, Elena and Sara made humorous remarks about their husbands’ quirks.  

But, they quickly began addressing the real issues they face as power couples — and their solutions. 

After admitting that he was not the best at communicating often enough, Grant asked Jesse… 

When do you prioritize your relationship over your business?

It is difficult enough to run multimillion-dollar ventures that require attention day and night. 

So, when do power couples know they need to make time for one another?

Sara and Jesse figured out a simple method to indicate when something needs to take priority…

THE ITZLERS RATE EACH SUBJECT ONE THROUGH TEN. AND IF IT IS BELOW A SEVEN, THEY LET IT GO. 

This allows them to address their businesses and relationship most effectively. 

Elena in particular loved that approach. But in addition, she wanted to know how the pair kept the romance alive… 

How do you make sure you’re not neglecting your partner? 

Both Itzlers agreed that regularly checking in helps make your spouse feel valued. However, they cautioned to not just make them transactional… 

For example, tell your significant other you love them as opposed to if they remembered to take out the trash. 

On top of that, Sara added that the couple is aware of each’s love language, and expresses appreciation that way. 

With that in mind, Jesse says they are extremely aggressive planners. That way the two get quality time together and with their children. 

Between these words of wisdom, the Cardones and Itzlers shared anecdotes that kept the attendees laughing. 

Nonetheless, Grant and Elena asked for one more tip from them to share with the 10X Growth Con crowd… 

Final Advice from Our Power Couples

To wrap up their conversation with the Cardones, Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely had two different sentiments…. 

WHEN HER [SARA’S] STAR SHINES, I’M HER BIGGEST CHEERLEADER. YOU HAVE TO VALUE WHAT YOUR PARTNER VALUES. — JESSE ITZLER 

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF LAUGHTER IN A RELATIONSHIP. — SARA BLAKELY

At the end of the day, both of our power couples affirmed that marriage, like anything worthwhile, takes hard work. 

That is why the 10X Growth Conference is about expanding your business and life. You can join us for the 10X Growth Con 2024 here. 

Be Great,

10X Growth Con Staff  

Disclaimer: This content is intended to be used for educational and informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. You should perform your own due diligence and seek the advice from a professional to verify any information on our website or materials that you are relying upon if you choose to make an investment or business decision. Investment, real estate, and business involve great risk and there is no guarantee of performance or results.

We are not attorneys, investment advisers, accountants, tax professionals or financial advisers and any of the content presented should not be taken as professional advice. We recommend seeking the advice of a financial professional before you invest, and we accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage you may incur.

During this year’s 10X Growth Conference, we featured seasoned experts — including this 20-year journalism vet. But who is Megyn Kelly REALLY? 

What are her accomplishments?

Where did she develop her unique broadcasting style? 

Keep reading, because we’ll answer those questions and more in this article…

Who is Megyn Kelly?

A quick Google search of Megyn Kelly’s name produces some interesting results, to say the least…

Her name appears alongside former presidents, European dictators, and huge stars. 

But to understand who she really is, you have to go back to the beginning… 

Early Life and Education

Megyn Kelly was born in Illinois but was raised in the suburbs of Albany, New York. 

Growing up, the future “Today Show” host admits she was a wild child. She threw parties when her parents were out of town and snuck out of the house. 

But all that changed when Kelly’s father passed away suddenly when she was 15 years old. — ten days before Christmas. 

The journalist said this in a letter to the DailyMail regarding the impact of that tragedy… 

IT WAS A SUDDEN HEART ATTACK, AND IT CHANGED MY FAMILY FOREVER. MY LAST SIGHT OF HIM WAS OF HIM SITTING ON THE COUCH, LOOKING AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

From that point on, young Megyn buckled down. She went on to study political science at Syracuse University, then go to Albany Law School. 

Yet after practicing law for a while, the newscaster found she was unhappy in that field…

I LEFT LAW AFTER 10 YEARS BECAUSE IT WAS TOXIC BUT THEN WENT INTO MEDIA WHICH IS HORRID.

Nonetheless, Megyn Kelly has stuck with the media for the past two decades — although it is “horrid.”

Maybe that is because of her incredible success in that industry from the start… 

In-Your-Face Broadcast and Media Career

If you asked, “Who is Megyn Kelly?” in 2003, the response would be the most promising new reporter in Washington D.C. 

As a journalist for ABC, Kelly covered major stories such as Sandra Day O’Conner’s retirement from the Supreme Court. 

Later, CNN president Jonathan Klein expressed his regard for her. 

[MEGYN KELLY] IS THE ONE TALENT THAT YOU’D WANT TO HAVE FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. 

But what made her stand out from the crowd was Megyn’s brand of asking frank and hard-hitting questions. 

The most notable example of this is with the 45th President of the United States — Donald Trump. 

Kelly questioned the former president about his controversial past during a debate in August 2015. 

This was something Mr. Trump did not appreciate at the time. As a result, there was a feud between Kelly and him for nine months… 

Ultimately, they buried the hatchet due to the President’s respect for her authenticity. 

Others seem to appreciate this about Megyn Kelly as well. Her recent accomplishments include:

• Was (and is) one of the top podcasters in the world. 
• Named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World”
• Interviewed Vladimir Putin 

However, that is only the tip of the iceberg… 

Find Out Who Megyn Kelly REALLY is at 10X Growth Con 

At the end of the day, the answer to the question, “Who is Megyn Kelly?” is multifaceted. 

She is an established broadcasting authority who pushed boundaries and built her business on who she truly was. Kelly went even more in-depth about that and more in her full interview with Grant at 10X Growth Con. 

Check back here for more 10X Growth Conference speaker profiles and event updates. 

Be Great,

10X Growth Con Staff 

Disclaimer: This content is intended to be used for educational and informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. You should perform your own due diligence and seek the advice from a professional to verify any information on our website or materials that you are relying upon if you choose to make an investment or business decision. Investment, real estate, and business involve great risk and there is no guarantee of performance or results.

We are not attorneys, investment advisers, accountants, tax professionals or financial advisers and any of the content presented should not be taken as professional advice. We recommend seeking the advice of a financial professional before you invest, and we accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage you may incur.

A major highlight on Day 1 of 10X Growth Con was accomplished author and public speaker, Stedman Graham. During his insightful keynote, he broke down the fundamentals of his concept, “Identity Leadership.”

When the famous educator stepped onto the stage, he emphasized that the most important part of the 10X Growth Conference was the word “growth.” 

But how can you flourish if you don’t know who you are? 

“IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHO YOU ARE, THE WORLD WITH PUT YOU IN A BOX.”– STEDMAN GRAHAM AT 10X GROWTH CON

Graham shared that he struggled with identity growing up. He had two special needs brothers and was African American in an underprivileged area. 

Those circumstances caused him to feel anger and rage because society labeled him with their preconceived ideas….

“IF YOU TURN YOUR POWER OVER TO SOMEONE ELSE TO DEFINE YOU, THEY’LL ALWAYS DEFINE YOU AS LESS THAN THEM.”

So, Stedman decided to discover himself, which resulted in finding the way out of his self-imposed boundaries. 

Then, the Identity Leadership expert told the rapt audience how he did it.   

Stedman Graham’s 10X Growth Con Success Formula

After his compelling preamble, Stedman Graham disclosed a secret about prospering at 10X Growth Con… 

“THE PROCESS OF SUCCESS IS THE SAME FOR EVERYBODY.”

And, he outlined all nine steps… 

1. Check Your I.D

In this first step, Graham challenged all of us to dig deep into who we are at our core. He also prompted us to answer questions like…

• What are your values? 
• Which subjects are we passionate about? 
• How do those passions drive you? 

Finding clarity on those points is important. Mr. Graham spoke of it as your “foundation.” Nonetheless, Identity Leadership is built on one leading themselves first. 

Accordingly, the bestselling author had us turn our sights to a destination next. 

2. Create Your Vision

The second step of Stedman’s success formula was to align who you are with where you want your gifts to take you. 

His reason is that it creates a strong success-driven mindset. 

“POVERTY IS HAVING NO VISION OF WHO YOU CAN BE.”

However, it wouldn’t be the 10X Growth Conference without a call for massive action… 

3. Have a Plan

At the 10X Growth Con, Stedman Graham encouraged a large level of activity — but along a planned course. 

The prolific educator spoke on how having a plan for your efforts maintains focus and motivation. 

“GROWTH IS WHEN YOU KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING. YOU’RE THINKING ALL THE TIME. YOU’RE A LIFELONG LEARNER. AND YOU’RE CONSTANTLY IMPROVING.”

At the same time, Graham also suggests making another set of guidelines as you travel the road to success… 

4. Know the Rules of the Road

Stedman Graham wanted to hammer home the point of knowing yourself. 

With that in mind, the fourth step of this process is to define what you are willing or not willing to do — based on your core values — to achieve your goals. 

Adding your beliefs to an action plan ensures you stay authentic as you progress… 

Even when things get uncomfortable. 

5. Step into the Outer Limits

Mr. Graham also informed all those at the 10X Growth Conference that being genuine doesn’t mean being complacent. 

He explained that there could be no growth if you wake up each day and do the same thing over and over. At some point, you have to do something differently if you want different results. 

Therefore, do what makes you nervous, take risks, and try new endeavors. 

Otherwise, step five will be incredibly difficult…  

6. Pilot Change

It is no surprise to any of you that even the best-laid plans need to adjust and pivot sometimes… 

Stedman Graham acknowledges that. Additionally, he says embracing changes — as opposed to resisting them — is how the most powerful people in the world get there. 

Being flexible is what creates long-standing legacies like Apple or Coca-Cola, but those powerhouses didn’t get to that level alone… 

7. Build Your Dream Team

The first six actions of Graham’s formula were to get you on solid footing. Next, he wanted us to expand our impact by enlisting others to accomplish our mission. 

However, those people must be on the same page. 

Having more players on the field gets you winning faster — something Stedman learned from his basketball days. 

But now you have a team under you, it’s time to step into the leading part of Identity Leadership…

8. Win by Decisions

At this stage, you’ve achieved clarity on who you are and have a team of like-minded individuals. 

That is a lot of responsibility!

Stedman Graham acknowledged that and leaned in on making good decisions based on your long-term vision and principles. He asserted each of these choices will accumulate to great things. 

“HOW DO YOU GET TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN? IT’S A SMALL STEP EVERY DAY.”

With that, let’s move into the final step…

9. Organize and Use Relevant Information  

The last strategy of success that Stedman wanted to share with the 10X Growth Con audience was staying focused as one worked toward their goals.

In the same manner, the public speaker wanted to ensure that we used all of the resources and information available to us as we moved forward. 

All of these steps were valuable in and of themselves, but Graham decided to give us his secret ingredient… 

Stedman Graham Emphasizes LOVE at 10X Growth Con

Like anything worthwhile, Stedman Graham disclosed that becoming successful at anything requires love. 

“LOVE IS THE MOST POWERFUL WORD IN THE WORLD. THE POWER OF ORGANIZING LOVE IN YOUR LIFE WILL TAKE YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.”

In the end, Stedman Graham’s message for those at 10X Growth Con was to be true to ourselves, use our resources, and follow our passions. 

That being said, be great — it’s who you are,

10X Growth Con Staff

Disclaimer: This content is intended to be used for educational and informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. You should perform your own due diligence and seek the advice from a professional to verify any information on our website or materials that you are relying upon if you choose to make an investment or business decision. Investment, real estate, and business involve great risk and there is no guarantee of performance or results.

We are not attorneys, investment advisers, accountants, tax professionals or financial advisers and any of the content presented should not be taken as professional advice. We recommend seeking the advice of a financial professional before you invest, and we accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage you may incur.

To conclude our series on the 2023 edition of the 10X Growth Con, here is our recap of Day 3. Even though it was the last day of the event, it packed a MASSIVE punch… 

February 16 was the last installment of the largest business and marketing conference on the planet. 

Day 1 and Day 2 set the bar extremely high. However, for the 10X Team, that meant that the only option was to end bigger and better… 

Strap in for all the highlights from the exciting finale! 

Epic Day 3 for 10X Growth Con 2023

Kicking off the final session, the President of Grant Cardone Enterprises, Jarrod Glandt, welcomed the virtual and in-person attendees back to the event. 

The original Young Hustler made hefty claims about the day in store for them… 

However, Jarrod wanted everyone to get into the warrior spirit first…

Joe De Sena Advocates for the “Spartan” Way

With that, Joe De Sena — bestselling author and founder of Spartan and the Death Race — took the 10X Growth Con 2023 stage on Day 3.

Joe started by making everyone in the crowd do burpees…  

Once everyone had their blood going, the Spartan Fit author spoke on the attributes it takes to succeed in any endeavor, such as:

• Commitment

• Integrity 

• Resiliency

Of course, De Sena wouldn’t be a man of his convictions unless he challenged the audience once again. This time, he invited all of the attendees to take part in his physically challenging Death Race so they can discover what they are truly capable of. 

After all, sometimes you need to have someone else push you to reach your full potential…

Power Couple Q&A with Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely

The old saying goes, “It takes one to know one.” 

With this in mind, both Grant and Elena Cardone sat down with high-profile couple Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely to discuss the business of marriage — something that is easier said than done. 

Jesse is a former rapper who earned billions of dollars renting jets to the A-list…

Sara is the innovator behind the biggest thing in women’s undergarments since control top pantyhose… 

Not exactly the classic love story.

While they may not make sense on paper, their marriage continues to go strong. The affluent pair attribute this to being attentive to one another as well as being on the same page.

“In a business, you have a mission statement,” Sara shared with Grant and Elena. “Everyone is aligned on the shared values of that company. In a family, that doesn’t really happen a lot. [So Jesse and I decided] Let’s make a mission statement for our family.” 

Both couples shared incredible techniques that keep their businesses and marriages on track. At the end, the overall message is that with love and communication, anything is possible. 

After they parted ways, Grant surprised the audience. He took a moment to share trailer videos for several of the new shows being produced at 10X Studios, a project that GC is very proud of. 

Nonetheless, he is even prouder of the next speaker whom he ushered into the spotlight… 

Sabrina Cardone Is Changing — Are You?

Through Grant’s prevalence on social media, millions of people have watched his daughter Sabrina grow up. 

During her 10X Growth Con 2023 speech on Day 3, Sabrina acknowledged that she is not the same person as even this time last year. 

However, as she finds herself as a young woman, Sabrina doesn’t understand one thing about some adults — their fear of change. 

“Change happens whether you want it or not. Why do you fight it?” Sabrina Cardone asked the audience. 

With that, Sabrina challenged everyone in the room to roll with the punches and continue their personal development. 

This is the exact principle that led the last speaker to earn the nickname, “The Greatest of All Time…” 

10X Growth Con 2023 Takes It to the End Zone with Tom Brady on Day 3

If you thought the event had big names before, Grant made sure he got one that would blow your mind… 

The seven-time Super Bowl champ, Tom Brady. 

GC and Brady talked about he went from being the dead-last draft pick to being at the top of his game. 

The former quarterback also thanked his parents for never stifling his dream to be in the NFL. 

It was apparent that Brady truly loved the companionship and challenge of football in the way he talked about it. 

Empowering everyone with the tools and motivation to win in their business and life is what the 10X Growth Conference was created to do. So, it was incredible to end the event with Tom Brady’s inspiring story and insights. 

Until Next Year

This concludes our recap for Day 3 and the entire series for 10X Growth Con 2023. 

We hope you enjoyed it and we can’t wait to see you all again next year!

>> Spots for 10X Growth Conference 2024 are already available here! <<

Disclaimer: This content is intended to be used for educational and informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. You should perform your own due diligence and seek the advice from a professional to verify any information on our website or materials that you are relying upon if you choose to make an investment or business decision. Investment, real estate, and business involve great risk and there is no guarantee of performance or results.

We are not attorneys, investment advisers, accountants, tax professionals or financial advisers and any of the content presented should not be taken as professional advice. We recommend seeking the advice of a financial professional before you invest, and we accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage you may incur.