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My Life Lessons - The BurgeCast cover art

My Life Lessons - The BurgeCast

My Life Lessons - The BurgeCast

Written by: Jeff Burgess
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In 1979, Jeff Burgess was a 22-year-old college dropout drifting through life in a haze of beer, weed, and dead-end jobs. He was the "town clown" with an undeniable work ethic but no clear direction. Then, on a lazy Sunday afternoon, his father called him home for a talk that would shake him to his core: "You have a gift, and I cannot allow you to waste it anymore. It’s time to get your shit together."

From that moment, everything changed...

… and change it did!

Armed with a relentless drive, a knack for problem-solving, and a newfound determination to make something of himself, Jeff set out to prove his father right. Within two years, he skyrocketed from warehouse worker to Vice President of Sales at a booming tech company. By the time he retired, he had built a global business supplying surveillance video recording appliances to both the most iconic and the secure sites in the world.

It Worked for Me is the inspiring, no-nonsense story of how an underachiever transformed into an industry leader—one who thrived not by playing it safe, but by embracing risk, trusting his gut, and always finding a way forward.

Amongst the Five-Star Amazon Reviews…

"Jeff Burgess’s It Worked for Me is one of those rare books that manages to be both deeply personal and universally relatable. What stood out most to me was the way Jeff lays bare his journey—equal parts grit, intuition, lucky breaks, and yes, even a bit of dumb luck. He doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges, but he shows how persistence and openness to opportunity can make all the difference.

What makes the book especially refreshing is his humility. Rather than presenting his story as a straight line of accomplishments, Jeff acknowledges the twists, turns, and unexpected detours that shaped his path. That honesty makes the victories even more meaningful.

And I must give special kudos for the way Jeff consistently praises and credits his wife throughout the book. It’s clear that she’s not just a background figure but an essential part of his story. That kind of recognition adds a warmth and authenticity that makes the book resonate even more.

If you’re looking for inspiration, practical wisdom, and a reminder that success often comes from a mix of hard work and serendipity, this book is a must-read. Highly recommend it."

Angela T. Verified Amazon Purchase

"It Worked for Me isn’t your typical business book—it’s a story of raw perseverance and self-belief from someone who built success without shortcuts or a college degree. Jeff Burgess writes with so much honesty and humor, taking you from the chaos of getting fired to the clarity of founding a multimillion-dollar company.

What makes this book stand out is how personal and practical it is. Every story carries a takeaway: how to lead with integrity, turn rejection into motivation, and believe in your own potential even when no one else does. Jeff’s lessons apply far beyond business—they’re lessons for life.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, this book will remind you that passion, persistence, and people skills will always be worth so much!

Klaro, Verified Amazon Purchase

 Economics Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • How I Built a “Business Within the Business” and Turned Partnerships into Millions

    How I Built a “Business Within the Business” and Turned Partnerships into Millions
    Jun 13 2026

    Most salespeople sell what the company gives them and call it a day. Jeff Burgess built an empire inside someone else's infrastructure.

    In this episode, Jeff shares how he turned third-party manufacturer relationships into a self-sustaining sales force, using his employer's accounting, warehousing, and marketing as the engine while doing what he did best: selling. From managing the State of Texas contract to moving over $4 million in Unisys PCs in a single year, this is a masterclass in seeing opportunity where others saw a fad.

    The secret? Two rules he learned early and never abandoned: Know Thy Customer and Know Thy Competition. While others raced to the bottom on price, Jeff was selling value, longevity, and trust. Any schmuck can win on price. Jeff was never that schmuck.

    This is the story of how thinking sideways, building relationships before you need them, and refusing to take no for a final answer can turn a single idea into millions.

    To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today! Now also available in audiobook format.

    100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

    Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

    Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • Why Old-School Business Values Beat Modern Corporate Culture Every Time

    Why Old-School Business Values Beat Modern Corporate Culture Every Time
    Jun 8 2026

    Before Google. Before Zoom. Before Dropbox. Business ran on something no algorithm has ever replicated: the human handshake.

    In this episode, Jeff Burgess takes a hard look at what the digital age quietly stole from the art of selling. From studying packing lists in a warehouse to flying cross-country for a single meeting, Jeff traces how genuine preparation, face-to-face presence, and earned trust built a career that no search engine could have shortcut.

    This isn't nostalgia for nostalgia's sake. It's a sharp reminder that the habits that made great salespeople great — knowing your customer cold before you walked in the door, respecting their time, shutting up and listening — are rarer than ever and more valuable than ever.

    Technology was supposed to enhance the human element. Instead, it replaced it. Jeff argues that the ones who win today are the ones who never let it.

    To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today! Now also available in audiobook format.

    100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

    Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

    Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • How My Dad’s Simple Rules Built a Lifetime of Character and Respect

    How My Dad’s Simple Rules Built a Lifetime of Character and Respect
    Jun 1 2026

    The most important lessons in life rarely come from textbooks. They come from watching a man live by simple rules and never break them.

    In this episode, Jeff Burgess reflects on the steady example set by his father. Tell the truth. Take responsibility. Respect others. Do not cut corners. These values were not preached. They were demonstrated consistently and without compromise.

    From sobriety and accountability to tough love and second chances, this story shows how one pivotal conversation changed a young man’s direction and how those same principles later shaped a company built on trust and respect.

    Character lasts longer than success. Integrity outlives money. The greatest gift a father can give is not comfort, but clarity.

    To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 Now also available in audiobook format.

    100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

    Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

    Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
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