March 4, 2025
Episode 214 – Joe Norelli – Fearless and Fully Committed
“Don’t be afraid of failure. Do your research, take your shot, but don’t be afraid of failing. If you fail, maybe analyze it, what did you do wrong? It’s not necessarily that you were an idiot, or you didn’t know what you were doing. Don’t fear failure and don’t fear trying again.” – Joe Norelli
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- Joe Norelli started his first venture in 1992 which brought him from New York to Florida for the second time and he hasn’t looked back. He is the founder of 35 Technologies Group, a manufacturing company that specializes in defense and aeronautical systems. Joe currently owns 17 separate ventures, including manufacturing companies, real estate, a winery in Calistoga, CA and stock in a vodka company.
- Beyond his professional endeavours, Joe has committed his resources of time and money to philanthropic efforts through the Norelli Family Foundation (founded in 2013) with its primary focus “All About Kids.” Joe recently teamed up with rock legend Alice Cooper in support of his philanthropic passion – Solid Rock Teen Centres. Together with other rock icons they have produced and released a children’s album, Solid Rock Revival.
- On this episode of The Everyday Millionaire Joe and Patrick get into purpose, identity, resilience and recovery, leadership, golf, and cars to name a few! Joe shares two main turning points in his early life that drove him to pursue his own ventures and quickly realized his own solution-based action was the key to fulfilling his vision and purpose. He simply isn’t built, like many are, to live within structures. Joe’s hard work and commitment to accountability have provided a legacy for his core team and his family, and he shows no signs of scaling back. Joe concludes with the philosophy he lives by and encourages others toward.
- Show Notes
- [00:42] Patrick introduces his next TEDM guest Joe Norelli.
- [02:25] Joe and Patrick get rockin’ with their conversation. Joe starts by explaining what he does in the world of manufacturing and who they primarily serve.
- [04:12] Reconciling his business with what his systems are used for.
- [07:25] Joe shares two main turning points that took him from feeling satisfied with a corporate 9-5 lifestyle to a desire for something more.
- [12:12] On a journey that started in Florida with Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets into the role of reluctant salesperson, Joe shares the story of how he got started in the electronics industry, what led him back to his home state of New York, then over to Florida once more. Joe learned that his forward momentum was reliant on his autonomy and solution-based action.
- [17:50] Nature or nurture? Joe tells the story of his first step into the art of delegation and what gave him the confidence.
- [21:41] Joe shares what drives him to do what he does. Giving back has always been a big component of his life.
- [26:21] The orchestration behind Joe’s success. He has consistently surrounded himself with smart people.
- [29:40] Joe’s future vision for 35 Technologies Group doesn’t seem to involve scaling back!
- [30:55] Patrick and Joe share their views of “retirement,” purpose, handling the ups and downs, and effective use of time.
- [38:03] Joe describes the evolution of his leadership style, his commitment to the business and responsibility that comes with what they produce.
- [42:29] Building a culture of accountability started with Joe. He demonstrates those qualities to stand as an example of the expectations he holds for his core team.
- [45:05] In Joe’s view, most people need to live within structure but there are those who simply can’t, it’s too confining and they are driven to build something beyond those limitations.
- [46:23] Has Joe experienced any close calls where the business or projects were at risk of falling apart?
- [49:39] Resilience and recovery. Joe shares his experience with fearlessness and overcoming unfavourable outcomes.
- [52:23] Joe and Patrick riff on identity crisis when we come to the end of a self-defining career.
- [55:36] With a shared love of golf and rock ‘n roll, Joe and Alice Cooper connected and have teamed up to expand Alice’s philanthropic efforts to support kids and teens through their Solid Rock Teen Centres and the production of two rock albums.
- [60:05] A bona fide car guy, Joe talks about some of the special cars he has acquired.
- [63:39] Joe shares the philosophy he lives by and encourages of others.
- Selected links and people mentioned from this episode:
- 35 Technologies Group
- Norelli Family Foundation
- Alice Cooper
- Solid Rock Revival
- Solid Rock Teen Centres
- Rock for Children
- Connect with REIN Canada
- REIN Canada
- [email protected]
- REIN Channel
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