We had the good fortune of connecting with Jon Antonucci and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jon, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
SML Consultive was born when I was working as a corporate trainer and recognized the dire need we had as an organization to empower our front-line leaders for success.
My efforts to find relevant, engaging materials for our team leads and supervisors was met with abysmal results and I knew that I had to create the solution I was seeking.

As I learned more, it became extremely evident that the gap in that company was common in almost every organization I encountered. The sequence seemed to be the same in every place…
1. People were hired.
2. Some (usually 10-15%) did exceptionally well.
3. Those who excelled were (logically) promoted.
4. Very few were being empowered to effectively fill the roles of leadership that they were being given.

So, I decided to leverage my 20+ years of leadership experience to solve this problem and create organizations that are stable and resilient—and GREAT places to work!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As an Entrepreneur, my career has been storied and diverse.

Like many with such a spirit, I am, in many ways, a “Jack-of-all; master-of-none.”
Probably the only thing I’ve put in my 10,000 hour in on is public speaking and teaching. Because of this, I have been so priviledged to be a part of so many people’s journeys!

Along my path, I have worked in: Landscaping, Sales, Retail, Night Clerk, Coach, Sensei, Corporate Trainer, Director, and MORE!
All of these and more have taught me so much, and mose importantly, the people I met along the way have been such a boone to my being! No part of my path has been “easy”, but it has ALL been worth it!

SML Consultive is the culmination of everything that I have experienced in my life. It is my effort to share my gift with the world and to give to others what I know they can use most. I certainly do not have all the answers. But that is OK. The answers I DO have, the lessons I HAVE learned, the gifts I HAVE received: I can share with others who are in need.
We serve “Forgotten Leaders”—the front-line leaders that are leveraged with an immence weight of responsibility but are provided almost no empowering tools or training. We seek to empower leaders to be the change they seek in the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Phoenix is a vast and diverse place with options for pretty much everyone.

I think that is the coolest thing about PHX. There is not just one or two things to do, there are literally hundreds.
Want to be active, Try Ape Index or Bam Kazam.
Want to be tranqile, Try the zoo or the Japanese Gardens.
Want to be Artsy, Try First Fridays.
Etc…Lots to do for anyone!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am a firm believer that we are ALL turtles on fenceposts.
If you don’t know what that means, I would ask you if you have ever seen a turtle on a fence-post?

If you have, I guarantee it did not get there by itself.
Similarly, I feel that I have not gotten to where I am on my own.

Despite a great deal of discipline and diligence, there have been countless individuals who have impacted my jounrey and helped to pave my path. Some are aware of their involvement in my life. I would recognize, Josh A. Jack T. (RIP), Kevin P, Bob S., Steven S., Brent G. and many others in this catagory.
There have also been those who were impactful and did not know it. Among these might be: Dale Carnegie, Stephen Covey, John Maxwell, and many others.

But, if I am going to give credit in a single direction, I have to give the praise to God, Who’s grace has been so abundant in my life, and whose favor seems to follow me everywhere I go (no matter how little I deserve it)!

Website: https://www.servantmindedleadership.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantmindedleadership/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sml-consultive/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantMindedLeadership

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sml-consultive-phoenix

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@servantmindedleadership

Other: https://asba-go.mentorcloud.com/profile/basic-view/130239/
https://phoenix.myhuub.com/members/7b742b18/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.