The Secret is You with Chris Cicchinelli artwork

The Secret is You with Chris Cicchinelli

107 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 302 ratings

A dynamic thought leader who relentlessly engineers growth and progress, Chris Cicchinelli is the President & CEO of Pure Romance, the world’s largest in-home party company specializing in intimacy and sexual health. On HIT, Chris shares real-world, no-nonsense advice on transforming your business through innovation, influence, and connection. Chris specializes in motivating business owners and entrepreneurs to crush their goals, love the hustle, and live life by design.More about Chris: Chris joined the Pure Romance team in 2000 and immediately took drastic measures for growth, taking the company from $3 million in revenue to well over $250 million with 30,000 active Consultants all over the world. Chris has been interviewed on Fox Business News, MSNBC, and featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, INC 5000, Smart Business, and Direct Selling News.

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Episodes

SIY #94 Valerie Jacobs on Adapting your brand to Post Pandemic Trends

May 25, 2021 17:00 - 29 minutes - 40.8 MB

Chris Cicchinelli talks with LPK Chief Growth Officer Valerie Jacobs talk about forecasting future trends and then taking action on them. Plus, how she created her own job and persuaded people that they need a trend forecaster.

SIY #93 Mark Schulman on Living to the Beat of Your Own Drum

April 20, 2021 14:00 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MB

Chris visits with rockstar Mark Schulman to learn how to find passion in life. As the drummer for icons P!nk, Cher, Stevie Nicks, and many more, he has learned from strong women. Chris and Mark talk about why attention to details is so important. Plus, how you can ensure you’re on the top of your game EVERYDAY.

SIY #91 The Happiness/Success Connection with Shawn Achor

April 09, 2021 15:00 - 45 minutes - 62.5 MB

New York Times bestselling author Shawn Achor joins Chris to talk how happiness and success are linked. Just think about this, when the brain becomes more positive, your chance of success increases. It’s a science called positive psychology. Chris dives deep into how you can create happiness, the results optimists see, and if everyone can be happy.

SIY #92 The Happiness/Success Connection with Shawn Achor

April 09, 2021 15:00 - 45 minutes - 62.5 MB

New York Times bestselling author Shawn Achor joins Chris to talk how happiness and success are linked. Just think about this, when the brain becomes more positive, your chance of success increases. It’s a science called positive psychology. Chris dives deep into how you can create happiness, the results optimists see, and if everyone can be happy.

SIY #91 The Number One Thing We're All Selling

April 07, 2021 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.43 MB

In life, and in business, what is the number one thing we are all selling? You already know the answer. Chris breaks down how you can move up to the next level with your clients. People ask how he got to this point in his business. He had to learn early on to be grateful and happy which led him to the secret of growing. Plus, what his mom, Pure Romance Founder Patty Brisben, told him that gave him a new outlook on business.

SIY #90 Take Back Your Time

March 31, 2021 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MB

We all have a lot on our plates when it comes to tasks, business calls, family matters. We wake up striving to check everything off your list. But entitled people can get in the way and steal time. Those people, hijackers, contact us because they know CEOs are problem-solvers. Losing that time makes us lose our focus. We all have an inner and outer ring we’re going after. The inner ring is the bullseye of what we’re trying to accomplish. The outer ring is the steps we’re taking to get there...

SIY #90 Take Back Your Time

March 31, 2021 05:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MB

We all have a lot on our plates when it comes to tasks, business calls, family matters. We wake up striving to check everything off your list. But entitled people can get in the way and steal time. Those people, hijackers, contact us because they know CEOs are problem-solvers. Losing that time makes us lose our focus. We all have an inner and outer ring we’re going after. The inner ring is the bullseye of what we’re trying to accomplish. The outer ring is the steps we’re taking to get there...

SIY #89 Making Your Own Luck

March 24, 2021 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MB

To get to the comfortable lifestyle you want, you have to be uncomfortable. If you see Chris in real life, the last thing he wants to hear is how lucky he is. Chris spent 3 years traveling in a U-Haul with his mom to promote the business. Up-and-coming business owners always ask how to get to his level. Here’s how: commit to the process, detach from the outcome. When you do the uncomfortable over and over again, that’s where you see progress. Let’s break down LUCK. L is for love. If you do n...

SIY #88 How to Market your Business During COVID-19

January 27, 2021 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.3 MB

In today’s world, marketing matters. Chris explains the negative and positives of marketing and branding during a pandemic. Now is the time to reassure your customers that your business is doing well and that it is also OPEN. We have to tell the customer what is going on and stay connected with them. One way to do this is by refreshing your products and packaging. During COVID-19, our process has changed. You can’t send a party experience to someone in the mail. Consider how you take an in-h...

SIY #87 MLK Inspiration

January 19, 2021 21:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MB

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” - Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived an amazing and inspiring life through his actions and speeches. Chris talks about the 10 things that this civil rights icon lived by that we should replicate in our daily lives. For example, as an adult it can be hard to dare to dream. But, if you don’t dream, then you’re risking not getting ahead in ...

SIY #86 How to play BIG & Wining the social marketing game

January 13, 2021 15:00 - 14 minutes - 19.3 MB

Chris is speaking to everyone who says, “I am an entrepreneur.” He breaks down how to avoid 8 mistakes. Ask yourself, what is it that you’re truly going after? This way you can improve every day and people around you can see how excited you are to do business. What you’re selling matters, but also find a way to know and love your customers. 10% of sales come from products and 90% come from marketing. Set yourself up for success by surrounding yourself with people with the same mission. Micha...

SIY #86 How to play BIG & Winning the social marketing game

January 13, 2021 15:00 - 14 minutes - 19.3 MB

Chris is speaking to everyone who says, “I am an entrepreneur.” He breaks down how to avoid 8 mistakes. Ask yourself, what is it that you’re truly going after? This way you can improve every day and people around you can see how excited you are to do business. What you’re selling matters, but also find a way to know and love your customers. 10% of sales come from products and 90% come from marketing. Set yourself up for success by surrounding yourself with people with the same mission. Micha...

SIY #85 Developing a Winning Mindset for 2021

December 29, 2020 15:00 - 19 minutes - 26.5 MB

Chris breaks down how you run into 2021 with a new vision. We have pivoted due to the pandemic, but now we have to try harder. The greatest way you’re going to make a different is with your attitude. How you respond to difficult circumstances will determine how far you go in life. Attitude comes from different things, like home life, background, or environment and your mindset affects everyone around you. What you are thinking about is what you are bringing about. If you talk like a loser, y...

SIY #83 Success is all about Discipline

December 10, 2020 06:00 - 15 minutes - 21.9 MB

Commit to finding pleasure in discipline. Discipline is the bridge between what you say and what you go out and actually do. To do this, quit arguing with the plan. Many people hire a trainer and then argue with them. If they ask you to do 12 reps, you don’t just do 8. Don’t just get through the workout, get something from the workout. Will you continuously learn what’s out there? Focus on education that will fill you with an optimistic attitude. Read books. Listen to podcasts. Watch TedTalk...

SIY #84 Overcoming Distractions

December 08, 2020 17:00 - 8 minutes - 11.9 MB

Don’t let concentration go out the window. Take these next 10 minutes to listen to Chris’ advice on overcoming distraction. The first and most important step: turn off those notifications! It will take you 30 more minutes to get re-engaged in tasks. Hear why Chris creates a playlist when focusing on a task. Another step to increasing concentration, find someplace that is yours. When you’ve been sitting for a while, get up and move. This stops you from drifting away into laziness. Take care o...

SIY #82 Mastering Your To-Do List

November 25, 2020 06:00 - 10 minutes - 15 MB

Raise your hand if you never finish your to do list! Chris Cicchinelli gives us quick tips to get things done. How to set realistic expectations for projects and, ultimately, your business. The Secret is You with Chris Cicchinelli

SIY #81 Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

November 17, 2020 18:00 - 18 minutes - 25.2 MB

Chris Cicchinelli took Pure Romance from a $1 million company to a $400 million company. Along the way, he saw failure, but also success. Now he’s taking what he learned to help you! How you can live by the mantra living uncomfortable will give a comfortable lifestyle and how he sees fellow CEO Gary Vaynerchuk live by that mantra. Plus, why it’s important for you to know your value! The Secret is You with Chris Cicchinelli

SIY #80 New Name! Starting Productive Debates

November 11, 2020 06:00 - 23 minutes - 32 MB

We’re pivoting! Chris Cicchinelli made the most of the shutdown and wrote a book called The Secret is You. In this episode, he breaks down the ways you can have a healthy, productive debate. As a business owner, he tells us how to get our points across without arguing.

HIT #79 Accepting Rejection

July 14, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 12 MB

Rejection is not failure. Chris explains how you can make rejection the fuel you need to succeed. Don’t take ‘no’ personally, and make it an opportunity to improve.

HIT #78 How to Become Your Most Important Asset

July 07, 2020 05:00 - 14 minutes - 20 MB

Grab a pen and paper and take some notes! Chris has six simple steps you can follow to reach your goals

HIT #77 Refocus with the 90 Day Challenge

June 26, 2020 16:00 - 10 minutes - 14.4 MB

Now is the time to focus. You don’t plan for bad things to happen, but it’s outside of your control. You can hatch a plan now. Chris breaks down how you can use 90 days to reach your goals.

HIT #76 The Recipe for a Great Leader

May 12, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 12 MB

In times of crisis, teams depend on a leader to guide them. In this episode, Chris cooks up 6 key ingredients that make a great leader.

HIT #76 The Recipe for a Great Leader

May 12, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 12 MB

In times of crisis, teams depend on a leader to guide them. In this episode, Chris cooks up 6 key ingredients that make a great leader.

HIT #75 Increase your Motivation

May 01, 2020 17:00 - 11 minutes - 15.2 MB

Simplification can increase your motivation and brighten your future. Chris breaks down the ways you can find inspiration and build your business.

HIT #74 The Michael Jordan Mentality

April 28, 2020 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.3 MB

Treat every sales call like it’s the first time they see you in action. Play every game like it’s your last. Chris talks about reacting to failure and how it can impact your business, so you can be like Mike. 

HIT #73 Succeeding on Social Media

April 07, 2020 05:00 - 10 minutes - 4.26 MB

You have access to the entire world thanks to the internet. Why not take advantage of it? In this episode, Chris gives 5 lessons that you can use to improve your presence on social media.

HIT #72 Staying Focused Under Pressure

March 30, 2020 14:00 - 10 minutes - 14.7 MB

Your home is filled with distractions. Kids don’t have school, your TV blasts the latest update on COVID-19, and your phone lights up with all kinds of notifications. Chris breaks down the 7 things you need to do, so your business doesn’t crack under pressure.

HIT #71 Take Control of Your Life

March 24, 2020 19:00 - 11 minutes - 15.8 MB

Coronavirus may have canceled sports, school and going into work, but don’t let coronavirus cancel the rest of your life. Chris talks about the most important thing to keep your business on track so you can get in the arena and complete. 

HIT #70 Getting What You Want vs. Earning What You Deserve

March 10, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MB

The currency of life isn’t money, it’s choice. In this episode, Chris talks about putting choice into your own hands by working hard enough to earn it. Life is designed to give you what you deserve, not what you want. Are you giving effort or excuses?

HIT #69 Second lap of 2020: Are you in the lead?

March 03, 2020 06:00 - 17 minutes - 23.6 MB

The 2nd quarter of 2020 is on the horizon. Can you say the same about your goals? Defining success in the new year is easy but maintaining that path throughout the year can be a different story. It’s time to check in on your progress, your discipline and most importantly, your mindset.

HIT #68 Creating a 20/20 vision of abundance

February 26, 2020 02:00 - 10 minutes - 14.4 MB

You’re either working towards success, are successful, or have given up. Where do you fall? In this episode, Chris talks about creating a clear vision of abundance and being an active participant in attaining it. Because, you can’t participate in the cause without participating in the effect. Are you ready to go for the goals?

HIT #67 Success is Self-Defined

February 18, 2020 06:00 - 14 minutes - 19.5 MB

Success isn’t celebrity status or an impressive job title, it’s a culmination of attitude, skill and knowledge. Most importantly, success is whatever you want it to be. Stop asking others, “what is success” and start asking yourself, “what does success mean to me?”

HIT #66 Living with — and fighting for — CHANGE

February 11, 2020 06:00 - 8 minutes - 11.5 MB

Living with change isn’t enough… we need to FIGHT for change. In today’s episode, Chris talks about how he and Jess are turning their mission with the Living With Change foundation up a notch. How can you join their fight? Hit play and find out!

HIT #65 Success starts with an MVP mindset

February 05, 2020 15:00 - 6 minutes - 8.4 MB

Patrick Mahomes shows us what can be possible when you make your emotions work for you—not against you.

HIT #64 A Branding Breakthrough lesson from Justin Timberlake

January 29, 2020 16:00 - 18 minutes - 25.7 MB

Your brand isn’t the products you sell or the logo you wear, it’s YOU. Your actions, your values, and your impact on people. Justin Timberlake has been building his brand since childhood and after meeting him, it shows. You don’t have to be a pop star or even a CEO because in today’s world, someone is always watching. How would people describe your brand? 

HIT #63 Josh Guttman of Kable Staffing

January 21, 2020 14:00 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MB

Chris welcomes Josh Guttman to explore how quickly a business should grow and why giving is better than receiving.

HIT #62 Barefoot Wine Founders Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey

January 14, 2020 17:00 - 32 minutes - 40.6 MB

Chris talks to Barefoot Wine Founders Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey.

HIT #61 Top 5 ways To Make The Most Out Of 2020

January 07, 2020 21:00 - 15 minutes - 21.8 MB

Everyone knows the new year is the time to make the changes you want to see in your life, your career, and beyond. Make sure you're giving yourself every opportunity to succeed with Chris’s five tips on having the best year yet!

HIT #60 The art of leading leaders with Tony Munafo

December 30, 2019 17:00 - 30 minutes - 42.1 MB

There’s a reason ProLink Staffing was named one of the best places to work in Cincinnati; It’s Tony Munafo, its Founder and CEO. Tony’s commitment to empowering his employees with training and mentorship is evident by the growing success of the company. Entrepreneurs— take note!

HIT #59 What the tech?! Tech-forward strategies for entrepreneurs and business owners

December 24, 2019 06:00 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MB

For over 25 years, Sound Concepts CEO McKinley Oswald has been moving businesses into the fast lane by improving their technology strategy. Chris and McKinley break down the importance of forward-thinking implementation and deployment, and the strategies that could make or break your business!

HIT #58 Britney Ruby Miller, President of the World-Famous Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment

December 16, 2019 18:00 - 35 minutes - 48.2 MB

Chris sits down with Britney Ruby Miller, President of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, Cincinnati’s preeminent restaurant group which manages a portfolio of high end steakhouses widely regarded as among the best in the nation. She heads an organization of 7 steakhouses in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee and leads a team of more than 700 employees. Leading a successful organization is important to her, but perhaps one of her most unique gifts is that she helps people become better versions of ...

HIT #58 Cooking up success with Britney Ruby Miller

December 16, 2019 18:00 - 35 minutes - 48.2 MB

The title of a leader isn’t something that’s passed on, it’s earned. Chris and Britney Ruby Miller discuss the obstacles of taking over the family business and proving themselves as leaders despite of it.

HIT #57 Are Millennials Professionally Stunted & Are They Behind The Sex Recession?

December 10, 2019 06:00 - 17 minutes - 24.8 MB

Are people having less sex? LPK’s Chief Insight Officer, Valerie Jacobs, is back to talk about the “sex recession” we’re living in. In an age where sex is more open and acceptable, why are younger people having sex less? Chris and Valerie explore the reasons for the recession and the impact it has on our culture.

HIT #56 Reaching out: The real impact of inclusive company policies and diverse teams

December 03, 2019 06:00 - 30 minutes - 41.5 MB

Celebrate diversity! Chris talks with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Vice President of Inclusion, Mary Stagaman, about why it’s important to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workplace. Mary talks about the community benefits of diverse organizations and brings hard-hitting facts to the table about the real bottom-line benefits of inclusive hiring practices.

HIT #55 Self-empowerment through self-management with Andrea Owen

November 26, 2019 12:00 - 30 minutes - 42 MB

Put yourself in the driver’s seat! Chris and Suzanne meet with Andrea Owen, a life coach and business owner with years of experience in life management. Andrea explains the importance of self-reflection, the strategies for recovering from disaster, and when and how to listen to your “inner critic.”

HIT #54 Lights, camera, hired! How to “cast” the best candidate for the job

November 19, 2019 06:00 - 22 minutes - 31.2 MB

Are you casting the right people to fill your organization’s roles? Chris takes a backstage look with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s own D. Lynn Meyers on the psychology of casting. Chris and Lynn pull back the curtain on why you should try taking a casting director’s perspective when looking for your next perfect candidate.

HIT #53 Trendspotting: riding the wave before you get beached!

November 12, 2019 06:00 - 35 minutes - 49.3 MB

Business trends are fickle, powerful, and might seem unpredictable, but to LPK’s Chief Insight & Innovation Officer, Valerie Jacobs, they’re too important to ignore! Chris and Valerie explore trend behaviors and trend cycles—why is innovation so important for businesses today, and what in next in our fast-paced, digitally-connected world?

HIT #54 Self-empowerment through self-management with Andrea Owen

November 12, 2019 06:00 - 30 minutes - 42 MB

Put yourself in the driver’s seat! Chris and Suzanne meet with Andrea Owen, a life coach and business owner with years of experience in life management. Andrea explains the importance of self-reflection, the strategies for recovering from disaster, and when and how to listen to your “inner critic.”

HIT #52 From frustration to financial freedom: The skills you need to “make it” with Brad Nelson

October 30, 2019 18:00 - 21 minutes - 29.9 MB

Financial consultant Brad Nelson knows what it’s like to start from the ground up. Brad’s own journey from overwhelming debt to financial independence is the foundation of his work as a personal finance coach. Chris and Brad discuss how you can battle financial obstacles (really!) and how you can develop the skills (and habits!) you need to be truly debt-free!

HIT #51 Like a BOSS with Lindsay Wagoner: The daily struggle to succeed as business owner

October 29, 2019 05:00 - 16 minutes - 22.7 MB

From paycheck-to-paycheck to serving on the Pure Romance Senior Board of Directors, Lindsay Wagoner has seen and done it all. Chris and Lindsay crack the code on owning your own business—discussing the hardest obstacles you’ll face and the incredible heights you can reach if you’re willing to put in the work. Are you ready to get your hands dirty and do what you’ve gotta do to succeed?

Guests

Andrea Owen
3 Episodes
Carrie Wilkerson
1 Episode