You ever hit that point where every job rejection, every ignored email, every dead-end conversation starts making you question what you’re even doing? For a lot of people, that’s enough to pack it up. But for Freddy Cruz, that wasn’t the end—it was just the beginning. Freddy didn’t get handed an easy path. He worked as a radio broadcaster, had a solid career, and then left it to find himself staring down a string of rejections so long it almost seemed like a joke. Fifty rejections and still no solid leads. Most people would throw in the towel, but Freddy had other ideas. Instead of sinking into those “no’s,” he bet on himself. He launched Speke Podcasting, carving out his place in an industry where finding your footing can be a hard-fought battle.
Here’s what I took away from my chat with Freddy, two key lessons I think anyone in a similar place can put to work.
Lesson One: Let Failure Teach You, Don’t Let It Define You
Failure isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the best teachers out there. Freddy went through the wringer of job applications only to face over fifty rejections. At one point, he admitted, “I deemed myself unhirable,” which is a humbling thing to hear, especially from someone with his experience. Here’s the thing, though—while failure might kick you around, it has this weird way of forcing you to look at yourself honestly. For Freddy, every “no” pushed him closer to a new direction. He could’ve kept looking, hoping the right job would eventually land. Instead, he used those rejections to create his own opportunity. He didn’t want to keep building someone else’s empire, so he built his own.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Rejection can be a redirection. Each rejection wasn’t just a door closing; it was pointing Freddy toward a door he hadn’t considered yet.
- Value yourself, even when others don’t. Freddy realized he was waiting for validation from employers who couldn’t see his potential. Eventually, he had to start seeing that value himself.
- Self-hire if no one else does. Tired of waiting for a chance, Freddy looked in the mirror and said, “Freddy, you’re hired.” That was the start of something new, something his own.
Lesson Two: Lean Into What Makes You Different
Freddy didn’t walk into podcast production by trying to fit the mold. He wasn’t about to undercut himself just to compete with the cheapest options out there. Instead, he leaned into what made him different—years in radio, a knack for storytelling, and a love for the community. “There’s only one you,” he told me, and that’s something a lot of people miss when they try to blend in. Freddy didn’t try to appeal to everyone; he figured out what made him unique and aimed his services at clients who wanted exactly that. He was never about “just another podcast production”—his approach was all about drawing in people who valued his story and perspective.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Your story is your most valuable marketing tool. Freddy’s years in radio gave him insights that set him apart, and he used that experience as his biggest selling point.
- People buy from people, not just businesses. Freddy realized that his clients weren’t buying a production service—they were buying his expertise and approach.
- Don’t dilute yourself. Freddy didn’t change who he was or water down his approach to appeal to the masses. He found his tribe by being exactly who he was.
Reflections from the Interview
Thinking back on our conversation, Freddy’s story stuck with me because it’s real. This isn’t some success story where everything clicked on the first try. Freddy’s journey has been full of challenges, rejections, and moments of doubt. But he didn’t let that stop him. In a world that loves to package success as some neat, overnight story, Freddy’s story is a reminder that the road to success is anything but neat. It’s messy, full of hard knocks, and takes a lot of grit.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Quit waiting for someone else to give you a shot. Freddy made his own shot, and sometimes that’s all it takes to change everything.
- Stay true to your values. Freddy’s values—authenticity, community, storytelling—shaped his business and drew in the right clients.
- Persistence is underrated. Freddy didn’t stop at the first “no,” or even the fiftieth. He kept pushing forward, and that made all the difference.
- The road is rarely smooth. Freddy’s story is proof that persistence pays off. The path to building something real takes resilience.
- Helping others fuels you. For Freddy, podcasting isn’t just a job—it’s a way to help people share their stories. When your work impacts others, it’s a fuel that keeps you going, especially on tough days.
Final Thoughts
Freddy’s journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes the only green light you need is your own. If you’re feeling stuck, if rejection has started to feel like a wall, take a page from Freddy’s playbook. There’s no perfect moment to start; there’s just you, your experience, and your willingness to get back up every time you’re knocked down. So bet on yourself, dig into what makes you unique, and build something that feels true to you. It won’t be easy, but if you’re up for it, the payoff is worth every bit of the struggle.
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