Eric Lochtefeld is an 8+ figure entrepreneur, investor, and the co-author of Purpose Code, who specializes in helping entrepreneurs find their bliss by serving their true life’s purpose.
Over the last 24 years, Eric has founded or co-founded 20 entities exceeding $250M in revenue. He excels at bootstrapping quality businesses to $3-5 million in annual revenue within 3 years. Out of 20 entities, 13 have achieved 7-figures, while 2 have skyrocketed to 8-figures alone.
More than just a ‘business guru’, Eric had it all— a happy marriage, wealth, prestige and success— yet, struggled for years to find deeper meaning and satisfaction in life.
Realizing he was meant to help others find bliss through their true purpose, he took action, created a retreat company, and made it a financial success. Soon, more doors magically opened, and in 2017, Bliss Champions was born with his partner, Patrick.
Today, Eric’s zone of genius is helping successful but dissatisfied entrepreneurs reinvent themselves so they embrace their highest purpose; becoming potent receivers of wealth, joy and abundant bliss. Possessing a keen eye for extraordinary talent, and a gift that turns anything into a million-dollar success, he also financially invests in clients who can impact the world with their heart’s calling.
Please tell us a little bit about your company – what is Bliss Champions all about?
We run a 6-month mastermind + retreat coaching program for accomplished Entrepreneurs and Solopreneurs. We teach them the Purpose Code. The Purpose Code is a secret code that unlocks your purpose and the secret ambitions and unrealized dreams locked up inside of you in your emotions and subconscious mind. Unlocking your purpose allows you to discover your greatest sense of aliveness. The Purpose Code will give your purpose actual words and bring it forward into your conscious thoughts and with this newfound clarity you will begin to see an infinite amount of opportunities that if pursued, have the potential to bring you great joy and happiness. The Purpose Code will help you pick a specific Bliss Journey aligned with your Purpose and inspire you to commit to beginning and seeing it through. The Purpose Code will prepare you for your journey by giving you a map and the knowhow to navigate your way to success.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
Patrick and I have a tradition of introducing each other, so I will introduce Patrick and he can introduce me.
The best way to introduce my business partner and co-author is this way. If Paulo Coelho, Joseph Campbell and Eckhart Tolle had a child and home schooled him, Patrick Combs would be the result. Patrick is one of our generation’s greatest Master Storytellers. He has shared his stories and strategies with millions of people around the globe for 25 years as a Motivational Speaker, 4x Author, and a Stage Performer. He is one of the only people in the world to have accomplished BOTH a Hall of Fame speaking career and a comedic smash-hit one man theatre show, which is now being made into a Hollywood movie. He is driven to inspire others to follow their bliss, accomplish remarkable things and continually astound themselves, just like he has done his entire career.
The best way to introduce Eric is to name him for what he is, an exceptionally rare and huge-hearted human being. Eric is the consummate entrepreneur. He has founded 20+ companies that drove 1/4 billion in revenue, and exited 7, the largest being for $19 million. Among the many feathers in his cap are co-founding the long running Warp Tour, owning and operating two profitable West Coast Theatres, the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, CA and the Golden State Theater in Monterey, CA. In Redwood City he was integral in spearheading billions of dollars of redevelopment of the downtown surrounding his theatre. In his 30’s, Eric built his first 8 figure business, an international company that placed students into summer housing and their dream internship. His many other businesses have been successful ventures in entertainment, events, personal development, real estate, media, winemaking, and investing. Most recently, he purchased and established a resort in Hawaii called Bliss Island.
Entrepreneur muscles aside, Eric’s most unique quality is his decades-long trail of people who think first and foremost of him as the “boss” that went to great lengths to inspire them to follow their bliss. Through all his business endeavors, since his early 20’s, Eric has lived his purpose which is to help others live theirs.
What are your plans, how do you plan to grow this company?
We plan to continue our successful model of offering a six-month Mastermind + Retreat program to accomplished Entrepreneurs and Solopreneurs.
What was the biggest problem you encountered with your business and how did you overcome it?
Like a lot of companies, the Pandemic threw a pretty big monkey wrench at our business given that a big part of our offering is a retreat that requires travel to Hawaii. We overcame this by increasing the value of our online offerings and creating new stateside retreat opportunities that people would feel more comfortable attending. We were able to pull off two great retreats during the Pandemic when most event companies stayed completely shut down.
What were the top mistakes you made starting your business and what did you learn from it?
We had a rather smooth start-up due to the experience of the ownership group. No real hiccups.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
We are focused on helping business owners reprioritize their careers to put their joy first. That makes us unique as most coaches are simply trying to help business owners grow their existing businesses or increase their happiness. We help people launch Bliss Journey’s with one goal in mind, for them to astound themselves.
What is one thing that you do daily to grow as an entrepreneur?
Every day I speak to other entrepreneurs who are dealing with real time challenges and opportunities in their businesses or industries. This allows me to stay current and learn new things on top of my own experiences owning 20+ active companies.
What are three books or courses you recommend for new entrepreneurs?
This may surprise you, but I would recommend that every entrepreneur first read.
- “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho,
- The great works of Joseph Campbell
- And finally, our soon to be published book “Purpose Code”.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?
This is business #23 for me, so I would instead answer it this way. I wish I knew that I would experience this much joy. I would have told myself to start the business much sooner.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
We hired a fantastic marketing agency called Business Bravery. They helped us develop an outstanding marketing strategy.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
I am a big infrastructure guy, so if I only had a $1000, I would purchase my domain and legally form my LLC to put myself in business as a legal entity.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. — Dr. Howard Thurman
What is your favorite quote?
“If you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”
― Joseph Campbell
How can we get in touch with you?
You visit my website blisschampions.com
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