00:00.780 --> 00:02.280 Johny Fernandez: All right, you guys, welcome back. So we are 00:02.280 --> 00:05.100 here with Thomas Long, he is one of the contestants of Equipping 00:05.100 --> 00:08.550 The Dream. Thomas, Welcome to Miami first and foremost, and 00:08.550 --> 00:13.140 welcome to, I'm excited to have you live here. So Thomas, you 00:13.140 --> 00:16.230 were one of the contestants of Equipping The Dream. People got 00:16.230 --> 00:18.540 to know you, they got to know you, as you know, the family 00:18.540 --> 00:22.650 guy, you know, you came in with experience from the actual 00:22.650 --> 00:24.960 business. He had been doing it for about a year and some 00:24.960 --> 00:28.680 change. So first question is why did you end up signing up for 00:28.680 --> 00:29.700 this experience? 00:30.750 --> 00:34.110 Thomas Long: When Josh and Will initially contacted me, you 00:34.110 --> 00:37.020 know, that they were under the guides of training. So sure, 00:37.050 --> 00:40.020 I'll give her some free training that for sure, take a road trip. 00:40.320 --> 00:43.470 And then once they told us what really was going on, I mean, who 00:43.500 --> 00:46.680 who wouldn't want to take in part with something like this? 00:46.680 --> 00:48.090 Yeah. Good stuff. 00:48.120 --> 00:50.580 Johnny Fernandez: Yeah. So let's talk about your experience. I 00:50.580 --> 00:55.020 mean, we saw a lot of different emotions that we, you know, it 00:55.020 --> 00:59.130 was stressful, you know, it was competitive. You know, it was 00:59.130 --> 01:03.090 pretty much down to the wire during some days, you know, you 01:03.090 --> 01:06.750 were competing with with RJ and, you know, things got very close. 01:06.750 --> 01:09.480 So when you look at it now, and when you look at the show, 01:11.040 --> 01:14.310 what's your overall takeaway? I mean, it was literally a roller 01:14.310 --> 01:15.360 coaster of emotions. 01:15.720 --> 01:19.650 Thomas Long: Yeah, it was a very intense week, I look at other 01:19.650 --> 01:21.390 people's lives, different now in reality, you know, when you're 01:21.390 --> 01:23.850 looking at reality TV show, I think the whole week that was 01:23.850 --> 01:26.940 really about just getting to know others, you know, business 01:26.940 --> 01:29.520 is important. But I mean, what eight or nine of us were 01:29.580 --> 01:32.340 together all week, didn't know each other from scratch, became 01:32.400 --> 01:35.400 colleagues and friends and had good moments and fired up 01:35.400 --> 01:39.930 moments, and so my takeaway is just get out there and try 01:39.930 --> 01:41.340 anything if you get the opportunity. 01:41.460 --> 01:44.520 Johny: So something in the training that specifically stood 01:44.520 --> 01:48.930 out to you was that they had told you that you should do more 01:48.930 --> 01:52.290 videos online, you know, you should use that as your as a 01:52.290 --> 01:54.360 brand new source. And you've been doing that, because I've 01:54.360 --> 01:56.970 been following you online. So and I know that's something you 01:56.970 --> 01:59.100 had shared with me that it's a little uncomfortable for you to 01:59.100 --> 02:01.770 do, because you know, you we're like I don't know, like it's, 02:01.920 --> 02:05.340 it's, it's not normal for people to just tape themselves on a 02:05.340 --> 02:11.250 phone. So how is that experience been able to like maneuver and 02:11.370 --> 02:13.740 pretty much push you forward when it comes to your training 02:13.740 --> 02:15.690 and in business and stepping out of your comfort zone? 02:16.590 --> 02:18.960 Thomas Long: Great question. I appreciate it. I don't mind 02:18.960 --> 02:22.170 public speaking. I just was not familiar with the whole camera 02:22.170 --> 02:26.850 thing. So that week, in New Hampshire, I got over the camera 02:26.850 --> 02:29.910 fright. Like I've, I mean some kind of fear. I have no fear. 02:29.910 --> 02:32.970 Now. I've done a bunch of videos, I want to get my message 02:32.970 --> 02:36.720 out there still defining what it is. But yeah, I mean, I'm, it's 02:36.720 --> 02:39.420 just camera, be real and screw up and people are okay with 02:39.420 --> 02:39.690 that. 02:40.080 --> 02:42.180 Johny Fernandez: So I know one of the things that they had to 02:42.180 --> 02:44.760 talk to you about is your voice when it comes to training, you 02:44.760 --> 02:47.850 know, just phone training, phone advocacy, that was something 02:47.850 --> 02:50.460 that they trained you on specifically during the show. 02:50.550 --> 02:53.070 How has that been now that you went through that training, and 02:53.100 --> 02:54.660 go back calling, how is that? 02:55.320 --> 02:59.130 Thomas Long: It's been a game changer. Literally, I have, like 02:59.130 --> 03:01.680 every one a couple of things going on. But the way I talk on 03:01.680 --> 03:05.730 the phone, it is better. And as far as equipment financing, I 03:05.730 --> 03:09.840 get I get applications. I just just talk to these, talk to 03:09.840 --> 03:12.090 people like they're your friend and ask them would you like to 03:12.090 --> 03:15.690 see what you can qualify for today? Yeah, it's been 03:15.870 --> 03:18.360 incredible it was that simple all along. I just didn't know 03:18.390 --> 03:19.080 how to do it. 03:19.440 --> 03:22.530 Johny Fernandez: So what was the biggest game changer for you in 03:22.530 --> 03:25.890 regards to what you learned and bringing it back home? What is 03:25.890 --> 03:29.610 the thing that clicked in your mind? That made you say, when 03:29.610 --> 03:32.790 you got home like, yeah, I can do this? And why didn't you 03:32.790 --> 03:33.150 quit? 03:33.930 --> 03:34.770 Thomas Long: I'm sorry. What was that part? 03:35.050 --> 03:40.120 Johny Fernandez: changer what was it that made it click and 03:40.120 --> 03:41.920 then why did you keep pursuing this? 03:42.770 --> 03:47.510 Thomas Long: The game changer was giving it my all for a week, 03:47.750 --> 03:51.020 because we all work. But do we work that hard all the time. I 03:51.020 --> 03:53.960 don't. But it was so intense. And just like, wow, if I can do 03:53.960 --> 03:58.340 that once in a while that can change your life. And I don't 03:58.340 --> 04:01.610 want to give up. I didn't give up because I mean, if those guys 04:01.610 --> 04:04.490 can do it, I can do it. Again, practice, practice, practice and 04:04.490 --> 04:08.060 put in the work, the work ethic. It takes a lot of work. That was 04:08.090 --> 04:10.940 shocking how much work it actually takes to get these 04:10.940 --> 04:13.160 people signed up and to finance with you. 04:13.550 --> 04:16.190 Johny Fernandez: So talk to me now after the show's done. And 04:16.190 --> 04:19.730 after everyone went home, do you talk to any of the contestants? 04:20.210 --> 04:22.400 Thomas Long: We stay in touch via text and so forth. 04:22.460 --> 04:25.580 Everyone's busy, you know, promoting, promoting the show. 04:25.760 --> 04:28.700 It's easy to get on the rabbit trail of social media. You got 04:28.700 --> 04:31.160 to put your phone down and go to work. But yeah, we stay in touch 04:31.160 --> 04:33.800 and everyone's we haven't had dinner yet, but yeah, we're 04:33.800 --> 04:34.790 gonna visit while we're here. 04:35.000 --> 04:38.210 Johny Fernandez: That's awesome. And then in regards to you know, 04:38.240 --> 04:41.780 the person that won the show that the competition, did you 04:41.780 --> 04:43.040 say contact with that person? 04:43.490 --> 04:46.730 Thomas Long: Yeah, just on the group. I was able to meet that 04:46.730 --> 04:49.400 individual here today. And it was very Yeah, I mean we're 04:49.400 --> 04:52.070 great. Good stuff. Good stuff. Good people. 04:52.070 --> 04:52.960 Thomas Long: I don't know if everyone realizes we did not 04:52.960 --> 04:54.295 Johny Fernandez: So what was the hardest part of the whole of the 04:54.295 --> 04:54.341 know what was going on until really noon or one on the first 04:54.341 --> 04:57.008 whole experience? I mean, that was an experience that was 04:57.054 --> 04:59.674 intensively sweet. It sounded overwhelming. What was the 04:59.720 --> 05:00.750 hardest part, for you? 05:00.750 --> 05:10.210 day, even when we got there, there's not a great wealth of 05:10.210 --> 05:13.540 information that you all provided. So it was like it was 05:13.540 --> 05:18.370 a little bit crazy to not know until literally, you're on the 05:18.370 --> 05:24.040 phone. That was shocking. You guys, kept it yes, very sneaky, 05:24.040 --> 05:24.670 but it worked. 05:25.990 --> 05:28.630 Johny Fernandez: And then let's talk about the big blow up that 05:28.630 --> 05:32.740 happened on the show, you know, things were intense. And you 05:32.740 --> 05:36.310 know, there was a part of the show that, you know, was a 05:36.310 --> 05:39.430 little bit of a blow up moment. And you were involved in that. 05:39.490 --> 05:40.060 What happened? 05:40.930 --> 05:44.920 Thomas Long: I don't really know. Just just got emotional, 05:44.920 --> 05:48.940 fired up. I watched yes, the shows out. I've been watching 05:48.940 --> 05:52.450 the show. I was pretty, still still smiling and stuff. I 05:52.450 --> 05:57.310 wasn't you know, wasn't fighting mad, just, yes, I want to do my 05:57.310 --> 05:57.820 best. 05:58.540 --> 06:02.200 Johny Fernandez: So you're a reality TV show superstar now, 06:02.830 --> 06:05.830 when your family saw the show, what did they think? Do they 06:05.830 --> 06:08.620 even know what was going on as the week progressed? 06:09.050 --> 06:12.230 Thomas Long: Yes, they did. I gave them updates. They love it. 06:12.260 --> 06:15.050 My wife's in sales and business. My son loves business and 06:15.050 --> 06:19.340 finance. So they're just, they just had no idea what really 06:19.340 --> 06:22.550 went into this business. So we watch it as a family. And they 06:22.550 --> 06:26.030 were like, wow, Dad you did good. So it's been nice. 06:26.060 --> 06:28.370 Johny Fernandez: So from the time that the show wrapped up 06:28.400 --> 06:31.670 until now, how much business have you gotten? Like kind of 06:31.670 --> 06:32.510 walk us through that. 06:32.810 --> 06:35.030 Thomas Long: I have taken what I learned from the show and really 06:35.030 --> 06:37.970 trying to apply it in all my businesses. So like my phone 06:37.970 --> 06:41.330 etiquette, we've had a very good couple of months financially, 06:41.480 --> 06:44.810 not all of that was in the equipment financing space, but 06:44.810 --> 06:48.350 it's part of the package. And then I think just understanding 06:48.350 --> 06:51.440 whatever you're doing, again, that work ethic, you know, you 06:51.440 --> 06:55.580 could sell burn handles, but if you do it and work it that hard, 06:55.700 --> 06:57.260 you're going to you're going to be successful. 06:57.470 --> 07:00.200 Johny Fernandez: So Will and Josh they invested a lot of time 07:00.200 --> 07:03.200 in you and in the other cast members, what do you have to say 07:03.200 --> 07:03.590 to that? 07:04.430 --> 07:07.160 Thomas Long: Thank you. They're great. We stay in touch. You 07:07.160 --> 07:09.740 know, they have their programs that they're showing here today. 07:10.550 --> 07:13.070 Yeah, talk to them if you want to get in this business, and 07:13.070 --> 07:14.600 they will assist you for sure. 07:14.690 --> 07:17.690 Johny Fernandez: And what was overall the life changing a 07:17.690 --> 07:21.500 piece of advice that you got from that experience, that you 07:21.500 --> 07:22.010 carry on. 07:24.020 --> 07:27.320 Thomas Long: To be real with people, cut out the nonsense, 07:27.320 --> 07:28.550 and just relax, a little bit. 07:29.120 --> 07:31.370 Johny Fernandez: And then anything you want to say to the 07:31.370 --> 07:32.810 other contestants that aren't here today? 07:33.920 --> 07:36.590 Thomas Long: If you're watching, it's been a pleasure to know 07:36.590 --> 07:40.070 them. I love them. I think we'll be in this business together for 07:40.070 --> 07:43.010 a year, decades. So see what the future holds. 07:43.010 --> 07:45.640 Johny Fernandez: And then if anyone watching has not been 07:45.640 --> 07:48.400 able to tune into the show or hasn't seen the episodes, we've 07:48.400 --> 07:50.260 shown the trailer a couple of times, what do you have to say 07:50.260 --> 07:50.710 to them? 07:52.240 --> 07:56.440 Thomas Long: Six episodes wealth of knowledge humor, intensity, 07:56.950 --> 07:59.200 check out the show on your lunch break, use it as a training 07:59.200 --> 08:00.760 session at the office. 08:00.810 --> 08:03.420 Johny Fernandez: So last question your kids when they saw 08:03.420 --> 08:07.500 their dad on TV as a reality show contestant What did they 08:07.500 --> 08:07.950 say? 08:10.260 --> 08:12.319 Thomas Long: We kind are like that anyway home little bit 08:12.366 --> 08:15.174 dramatic. We dance, we sang, we carry on we do. You know all 08:15.221 --> 08:17.936 that stuff anyway, there was just a camera in front of you 08:17.983 --> 08:20.885 this time, but it was real, they appreciated that it was their 08:20.932 --> 08:23.880 dad and he was just being their Dad you know didn't know didn't 08:23.927 --> 08:25.800 put on a show or anything for that week. 08:26.270 --> 08:27.901 Johny Fernandez: If we asked him to come back for season two, 08:27.938 --> 08:28.680 would you come back? 08:28.740 --> 08:30.880 Thomas Long: I would. I would. I might negotiate you know, like a 08:30.921 --> 08:33.020 million dollar rate or something per day, but yeah. 08:33.020 --> 08:35.476 Johny Fernandez: We'll sign off on that. All right, Thomas. 08:35.535 --> 08:38.928 Thanks so much. Great seeing you again. Have fun and we'll 08:38.986 --> 08:42.379 definitely, you know, hopefully see everyone together soon 08:42.438 --> 08:44.310 within the next couple of hours. 08:44.310 --> 08:44.850 Thanks, Johny. 08:44.850 --> 08:47.526 No problem. Thank you, Tom. All right you guys Thomas Long from 08:47.569 --> 08:50.160 Equipping The Dream and we're gonna cut to a commercial break 08:50.203 --> 08:51.690 right now. We'll see you guys soon.