In this episode we discuss: -the importance and how to build a community -the mindset and strategy needed to build your own business while working full-time (sometimes multiple jobs) and having your family -why your passion and purpose is so important -the power of collaboration and the right mindset to have to go with it -the fear of regret -favorite Disney theme parks, restaurants, foods and more – AND SO MUCH MORE! Listen in, subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts, and let us know you listened.
Connect with Lou: https://www.wdwradio.com or http://www.loumongello.com
Check out the first of Lou’s many books on Amazon (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3KzIIr2
From Lawyer to Disney Entrepreneur: Lou Mongello on Community, Momentum, and Building a Business Without Regret
We’re talking with Lou Mongello—and if you’ve listened to the podcast before, you’ve definitely heard his name. I attended his Momentum Retreat in October 2022, and ever since then, I’ve worked with him as a mentor and coach. His story is going to absolutely blow you away.
Lou, welcome! You’re not the first man on the show anymore (you’re like… man number three or four 😂), but you’re still top five.
Meet Lou Mongello: The Short (But Powerful) Origin Story
Lou shared the “very, very short version” of a long story:
Once upon a time, he was a lawyer in New Jersey, always in service-based work. He also had a computer consulting company on the side.
He’d been a Disney fan since he was a kid, and he had an idea to write a book—specifically, the book he wanted to read. He never imagined it would become anything beyond that. His goal was simple: get a publisher… and make his parents proud seeing it in Barnes & Noble.
But then things evolved.
Lou started podcasting in 2005, and within a couple of years, a community began forming around his work. That’s when he realized something big:
Maybe he could turn this thing he loved… into the thing he did.
So he sold his house, moved to Florida, and took a massive leap of faith. And it worked.
Lou has been doing what he does full-time since around 2007—and he shared a line that hit me right in the heart:
Success isn’t measured in dollars and cents… but in levels of happiness.
And if that’s the barometer, I consider myself very successful.
(Okay, excuse me while I go reflect on my entire life. 😅)
How It Went from “Book” to “Full-Time Business”
I asked Lou how he made the leap from lawyer/computer consulting to Disney entrepreneur.
His answer: it was a snowball effect.
He started with:
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the book
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a basic website
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being active in online spaces (before social media existed!)
He explained that back then it was all about discussion forums and bulletin boards—and he saw there was a real Disney community online. So he created his own discussion forum in January 2004.
He said turning it on and having even 29 people sign up was a moment that mattered. Because that community grew… and grew… and grew.
Then podcasting came along in 2005, and Lou jumped in quickly (tech nerd vibes, in the best way). He believed audio could convey emotion better than writing—and it became a major catalyst for growth.
But what really pushed him into the leap?
The “Fear of Regret” (Not Fear of Failure)
Lou said he didn’t take the leap because he was fearless.
He took it because he had a different kind of fear:
the fear of regret.
He didn’t want to look back 5, 10, 20 years later and wonder:
“What if I had tried?”
And y’all… that framing is so powerful.
Because there will never be a “perfect time.”
But regret is heavy.
Why Lou Is Obsessed With Community (And Why It Works)
We talked about one of Lou’s greatest strengths: community-building.
Lou said community has become a marketing buzzword, but for him it’s not a strategy—it’s the heart of what he does.
While many people chase the next follower, the next like, the next viral moment…
Lou focuses on the people who are already there.
Because on the other side of every username is a real person giving you their most valuable commodity:
their time.
And when you truly care about your community—what Lou calls “caring at scale”—you don’t just build members… you build evangelists.
People who genuinely love what you do and want to bring others into it.
And he’s right: it hits different when someone else tells a friend:
“Hey, you need to be part of this.”
How His Community “Self-Regulates” (Yes, Really)
One of my favorite parts of this conversation was when we talked about his Facebook group.
Lou shared that the reason he’s never needed heavy moderation is because people join the community for the right reasons. They’re not just popping in for a freebie and leaving chaos behind.
They join because someone told them:
“This is warm, friendly, welcoming, and drama-free.”
And if the wrong person wanders in? It’s like walking into a party and realizing…
“Wait, I’m in the wrong place.”
They usually leave on their own.
Lou does have a free resource for his newsletter (like “102 Things to Do at Walt Disney World at Least Once”), but the community itself is built on connection and belonging—not transactional marketing.
He also shared something I loved:
Facebook groups (vs. pages) give everyone an equal voice.
The Monthly Meetups: “Not So People Can Meet Me…”
Lou’s Meet of the Month started in January 2008/2009 (and yes, that’s a LONG time).
And the reason he started them? This part was so sweet:
He didn’t start the meetups so people could meet him.
He started them so he could meet them.
Because when you create content, you put it out into the world and you wonder:
“Is anyone listening?”
Meeting people face-to-face made the community real—and it helped members build real friendships too.
Lou described himself as a “handshake and hug kind of guy,” and honestly… that checks out.
The WDW Radio Running Team: Community + Purpose
We also talked about the WDW Radio Running Team, which isn’t just about races—it’s about giving back.
Lou told the story of how it started:
Years ago, he joked he might do a half marathon… and someone laughed at him.
So he was like:
“Okay buddy. Game on.”
He ran his one and only Walt Disney World Half Marathon (in terrible cotton shirts… never wear cotton to a race 😅).
But the bigger thing that grew from it?
People started thinking:
“If he can do it… maybe I can too.”
And then came the charity component.
Lou’s dad had been sick, and while Lou was writing his book, he spent a lot of time at Sloan Kettering and saw pediatric cancer patients. He wanted to support kids through a wish-granting organization.
So the team partnered with Make-A-Wish.
And the impact?
The WDW Radio Running Team (now hundreds of members worldwide) has raised over $550,000 for Make-A-Wish.
Not about numbers for ego—numbers for impact.
How He Managed Time When He Was Doing Everything
I asked Lou about the season when he was:
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a lawyer
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running a computer consulting business
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writing a book
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and becoming a dad (his daughter was born in 2003)
So… how did he do it without burning out?
Lou was honest:
Time is everyone’s enemy.
And if you want to build something as a solopreneur, you have to make sacrifices.
For him, it looked like this:
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writing from 10 PM to 2 AM
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not spending evenings on the couch
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giving up downtime, social time, and convenience
Because the question becomes:
How important is this thing you say you want?
He also shared an example about someone wanting to write a book but “not having time”—and Lou’s response was simple:
Get up 45 minutes earlier.
Protect the time.
Do the work.
Not glamorous. But effective.
Does Lou Outsource or Delegate?
I asked if he outsources, delegates, or repurposes content.
Lou laughed and said:
“Do as I say, not as I do.”
(Respect. 😂)
He shared that it can be hard to let go after doing things a certain way for 20 years, but he does get help with:
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blog writers
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newsletter editing
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some support tasks that free up mental space
He also dropped a great tip:
If you need help, look inside your community first.
People who already know you, trust you, and love what you’re building may be excited to help—you often just have to ask.
The Origin of Momentum Weekend (And Why It’s Limited to 50)
We talked about Momentum Weekend, and I loved hearing the “why” behind it.
Lou said he loves conferences, but he noticed something:
You go, take amazing notes, feel inspired…
Then you go home… and real life happens.
And you never implement.
So he created Momentum as a different kind of experience:
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limited to 50 people
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focused on connection and implementation
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where you actually do the work in the room
The goal is that you leave Sunday night in a different place:
not just mentally… but in your business.
And yes, Lou keeps it at 50 intentionally—even though people tell him he’s “leaving money on the table.”
Because money isn’t the why.
Transformation is.
Collaboration Tips That Actually Matter
Lou gave some of the best advice on collaboration—especially in a crowded online space:
He said it matters who you collaborate with, because:
Who you get in bed with is a reflection on you.
(Yes, he said it like that. And yes, it’s true. 😅)
He cautioned against choosing collaborators only by follower count. Instead, he looks for:
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good people
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aligned values
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a solid “why”
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integrity and track record
His other big collaboration tip?
Flip the question from:
“What’s in it for me?”
to:
“What can I do for you?”
Give with no expectation of return—and the long-term dividends will come.
Disney Rapid-Fire Questions (Because Obviously)
We couldn’t end without Disney questions.
Favorite restaurant + dish:
The Boathouse (Disney Springs)
Lou swears he’s never had a bad meal there—and recommends the Coriander Tuna.
(Also: I still haven’t eaten there, and apparently we’re fixing that. 😂)
Favorite Walt Disney World park:
Magic Kingdom has his heart, but he says Tokyo DisneySea is the most remarkable Disney park anywhere.
Favorite resort:
Wilderness Lodge (especially because it doesn’t feel like Florida)
and he also loves Riviera.
Favorite park snack:
A classic: popcorn on Main Street while people-watching.
Favorite guest he’s ever interviewed:
Julie Andrews.
And he got emotional telling the story—because when he told his mom, she really got it.
He said Julie Andrews was exactly as wonderful as you’d hope:
graceful, kind, and magical.
How to Connect with Lou
Lou shared where you can find him:
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Disney side + WDW Radio: wdwradio.com
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Business/entrepreneur coaching + Momentum: lumongello.com
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Social: @LouMongello
Momentum Weekend is held in the fall (end of September), tickets go on sale soon, and yes—there will be an early bird option.
Also, Food & Wine Festival season… so there’s a method to the madness. 😉
Final Takeaway
Lou’s story is proof that you can build something incredible from a passion… but it takes:
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consistency
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sacrifice
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community
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aligned collaboration
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and a willingness to choose courage over regret
If this episode inspired you, screenshot it and tag Lou and me on Instagram—we’d love to re-share and cheer you on.
And as always… go create your magic. ✨
