We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cole Cipriani a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cole , appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

As a young entrepreneur in my twenties, I’ve discovered that success is LESS about avoiding failure and more about LEARNING through it. My journey has been a testament to “failing forward,” embracing each setback as a stepping stone toward growth.

I spent five years in corporate America, two of which felt stagnant like I was going through the motions. During that time, I learned one of the most critical lessons of my career: leadership can either propel you to new heights or hold you back in ways you never imagined. Unfortunately, I didn’t know my worth or how to align myself with a leader who shared my values, and that cost me valuable time and opportunities.

That experience sparked something in me—a desire to change the narrative, not just for myself but for others navigating their careers. It was that desire that led me to embark on my OWN entrepreneurial journey, where I could help others avoid the same pitfalls.

Most people don’t know their true value, which leaves them VULNERABLE to working with leaders who don’t align with their goals or values. This misalignment often leads to wasted time, lost opportunities, and frustration as they struggle to find clarity in their careers.

My challenge for you… Think about the time lost working for a company where you felt unseen or unappreciated. Imagine the regret of realizing you stayed stagnant for years when you could have been THRIVING. The longer you remain unaware of your unique strengths and values, the harder it becomes to break free and find the career path that truly fulfills you.

That’s why I’ve launched my own career/network coaching business—to empower professionals to take control of their journey. I work with individuals to uncover their unique value, teach them how to network authentically, and guide them in identifying leaders and opportunities that align with their goals. My mission is to help others avoid the mistakes I made and set themselves up for long-term success, starting today.

If I could change one thing about my personal experience, it would be starting this journey sooner. Failing earlier would have given me an even longer runway to learn, grow, and thrive. But here’s the beauty of being in my twenties: I still have time to embrace every challenge and fail forward daily. My goal is to help others, no matter their age or stage, make better, faster decisions so they can maximize their potential and create careers they’re truly passionate about.

Remember folks, if you AREN’T learning or earning… find a place, or better yet, a LEADER that will help you get there!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Let me tell you something—what I’ve built, everything I’m doing, started because I hit a corporate wall. I spent FIVE years in corporate America, and for two of those years, I was STUCK. Not growing, not learning—just going through the motions and calling it “success.”

Here’s the truth: YOUR LEADER MATTERS!! The wrong leader can DRAIN your energy, WASTE your time, and leave you questioning your worth. But the right leader? The right leader can unlock your potential in ways you didn’t even know were possible.

I decided to stop waiting for someone else to lead me and take control of my future. That’s when everything changed. I left the corporate world behind and started MY OWN career coaching business—not just to create a path for myself, but to help others do the same.

Here’s what I do: I help people figure out their VALUE—because if you don’t know your worth, you’ll settle for anything. I teach them how to NETWORK the right way—because opportunities don’t just fall into your lap. And most importantly, I show them how to align their skills and values with a career (or even business opportunity) they’re actually EXCITED about.

What sets me apart? I’ve BEEN THERE. I’ve felt stuck, lost, and unappreciated. And I’ve fought my way OUT of it. I’m not just here to give advice—I’m here to be the PARTNER who pushes, challenges, and gives you the tools to WIN.

What am I most proud of? It’s not the business I’ve built…yet. It’s the people I connect with and for some, I’ve helped transform. Watching someone go from feeling completely stagnant to OWNING their career path and chasing their dreams? That’s what fuels me.

I am currently establishing the branding of “Cole the connector” as I can assure that I have connected many people over the past couple of years and will continue to do so until the good Lord calls me home.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty by strategically leveraging LinkedIn and Instagram, each serving a distinct purpose.

LinkedIn is my go-to for professional connections. It’s where I provide VALUE through thought leadership, share industry insights, and celebrate other people’s wins. I make it a point to engage with my network consistently—whether it’s through personalized messages, endorsements, or participating in discussions on topics that matter to my audience. LinkedIn has allowed me to maintain credibility and build trust in a professional setting. Very active on there.

On the other hand, Instagram is all about COMMUNITY!! This is where I connect on a more personal level, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of my life, inspirational/ encouraging content, and engaging stories that resonate with my audience. Instagram helps me foster authentic relationships, creating a space where people feel included, valued, and motivated.

Again, both are important in their own ways, but LinkedIn is more B2B and Instagram is more B2C.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What’s helped me build my reputation within my own network is simple but powerful: treating people with the UTMOST respect and genuinely taking the time to get to know their personal stories.

When I meet someone, it’s not just about what they do—it’s about who they are, what drives them, and where they want to go. From there, my mind works like an on-call Rolodex, almost instantly identifying people or opportunities they’d connect well with. It is truly a gift from God.

That ability to make meaningful introductions and create win-win connections has set me apart and strengthened my reputation as someone who genuinely wants to see others succeed.

Respect, relationships, and results—that’s the foundation of my approach. My values are: Christ | Community | Connection | Collaboration.

With this in mind, I am equipped to do what I do best… Connect.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cole.the.connector/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colecipriani/

Image Credits

Syd Schantz with Inked Image – https://www.instagram.com/inked.image

Abhik Gandi with abhikgandhi.photography – https://www.instagram.com/abhikgandhi.photography