200 Episodes In: Mandi’s Biggest Wins, Fails, and Lessons Learned

mgraziano45
5 days ago
4 min read

Welcome to a special milestone episode of Adventures in Business! Amani and Mandi are celebrating 200 episodes and three amazing years of podcasting with a fun twist – Amani turns the mic on Mandi Graziano for an interview that dives deep into her journey, quirky stories, and what she’s learned along the way.

A Life-Changing Leap to San Diego

One of Mandi’s biggest career turning points came in 1999. After a spontaneous, all-expenses-paid trip to Dublin, she made a bold New Year’s resolution: move out of Ohio by the time she turned 25.

With no job lined up, she sent out resumes and only got bites from San Diego. So, naturally, she packed up a 25-foot truck and made the cross-country move. Her boldness paid off – she landed a job at the Sheraton San Diego, launching her career in the hotel industry.

It wasn’t about experience – it was about energy. As Mandi explains, leaders at that hotel saw something in her beyond the resume, and it changed everything.

What Scares Her & What's Next

Even with her success, Mandi gets real about her fears. She admits she worries about not writing all the books she has inside her.

She’s working on one now: Business Bedside Manner. It’s a bite-sized, practical guide for professionals who want to show up better in business, starting with defining who they really want to be.

Lessons from Publishing a Book

Mandi’s first foray into authorship was successful – but not without a few bumps in the road. One big takeaway was that marketing a book is a beast of its own.

“I will never do the marketing myself again,” Mandi admits. “I’ll hire a marketing agency because it's just such a heavy lift.”

While she praises her publisher’s editorial and design support, the marketing was left to her. And while she’s proud of pulling it off solo, next time around she’ll delegate.

Another shift for Book #2? Letting go of the obsession with bestseller status.

“Last time, I got wrapped up in making it a bestselling book. This time, I just want to get Business Bedside Manner out into the world and be intentional about its impact.”

Marketing Yourself Without the Pressure

Mandi’s also known for showing up consistently on social media, and doing it without letting the algorithm get in her head.

Her roadmap for showing up authentically can be summed up in a few tips:

Get over yourself: “I post with mustard on my shirt and no makeup. Nobody cares. Just be your most authentic self.”
Experiment: Try video. Try carousels. See what clicks for you and your audience.
Don’t obsess over numbers: “If it helps just one person, that’s all that matters.”

For frequency, she keeps it simple. Once a day on Instagram, three times a week on LinkedIn, and once per day on TikTok have been working for her. Ultimately, she focuses on giving value to her audience first before trying to sell anything.

From Dark Days to Micro Goals

Mandi recounts a particularly dark chapter in her twenties: unhealthy habits, anxiety, and a sense of being totally lost. But then, something changed.

A chance encounter with some “Stevie Nicks-type” women led to tarot readings, a deep dive into St. Brigid, and shortly after, a surprise trip to Ireland. That was the spark that pulled her out of the darkness and into alignment with a new purpose.

Fast forward to today, and Mandi is healthier than ever, thanks to a personal goal she set for herself called “Best by 50.” As she approaches her 50th birthday, she’s set monthly micro-goals in six areas: spiritual, financial, business, nutritional, physical, and emotional.

The results? She’s down 55 pounds, has her anxiety under control, and is walking into her next decade with clarity and confidence.

What She’s Learned from Podcasting

After three years and 200+ episodes, Mandi has picked up more than a few unexpected insights from the podcasting world:

Why Consistency Matters: “I’m surprised we’re still doing it, but consistency has brought us a real community.”

Resilience in Real Time: Live shows come with surprises, and that spontaneity has made Mandi more confident on stage and in life.

Build It and They Will Come: “We’ve built something people want to be a part of, and they keep showing up.”

Mandi Graziano on Giving Back

Despite running multiple businesses, Mandi is deeply involved in volunteer work, especially through the California Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Foundation.

As a board member, she helps award scholarships to students pursuing careers in hospitality. Last year, the foundation gave out over $165,000; this year, they’re on track to top $200,000.

“It’s one of the most gratifying things I do,” Mandi said. “These students are ready to work. If you want to build the bench of your industry, show up and support them.”

A special shoutout goes to the upcoming gala in October at the Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco. (Get your ticket, network with future stars of hospitality, and maybe even meet Mandi herself!)