In this Episode, I discuss the simple fact that we all have the same 24 hours and if you want to achieve your goals and use the "I don't have the time" excuse - then you're not Making the time required to make things happen. Providing free value in your desired direction to get your foot in the door is one way to get what you're after, if you're always in it for Money (24/7) then you'll be discredited as being paid to care. Time Management is also crucial to understand. Which is exactly why I decided to hang out at Chenault Vineyards for this one. Follow @ #ShopTalkGuys
Laura Vanderkam (TED TALK: Gain Control of your Free Time) https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_vanderkam_how_to_gain_control_of_your_free_time Tim Ferriss - Tools of Titans http://amzn.to/2xYCBIP
Alex Becker - 10 Pillars of Wealth http://amzn.to/2wIht9x David DiSalvo - What Makes your Brain Happy, and why you should do the opposite http://amzn.to/2wNwjXm Leonard Mlodinow - How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior http://amzn.to/2xv5YRr
In this Episode, that is split I discuss Why Entrepreneurship Should be Taught in Schools; there are so many factors to consider and so many routes that could lead to an individual's personal success. I discuss this topic coming from a position of having gone through the traditional route and stopping midway to realize that it's not all it's chocked-up to be. I'm coming from the direction that exposes these (Normal Life) issues and discuss beginning down a road toward (Entrepreneurship) indestructible wealth.
In Part 2, I go more in-depth with a personal endeavorDynamic Results- Personal Training Studio, the process of understanding a financial education, What Assets and Liabilities really ARE and MEAN, and provide a few book samples I'd recommend.
Back in April 2017, I had the opportunity to meet with Justin Rudolph of Dynamic Results.
Suffice to say, we'd met here and there at meetings and networking events for the local businesses and Chamber based gatherings; so we were familiar with one another.
I'd come across his card and reached out for a proposition to see how I could help him grow his business based upon where he was in the cycle (his achievements, goals, desires and client base; most importantly: How Hungry was He?).
After listening to him for about 20mins (now I reflect back, it's been 4-5 months and we're going to be starting to grow his business based upon an internal restructuring plan), I knew he was the kinda cat who would appreciate expansion of his brand. I voluntarily met with him for months giving insight and helping him boost his repor with people and become visible by tweaking things. Now we have a calendar schedule for the next 2 quarters, the next year and 3 year plan for branding him and the steps necessary to get him there (including check points, value proposition and requirements).
But for me it all started with an interest in producing a marketing video for a personal trainer to boost their business and to add that valuable diversity to my portfolio of work.
Now/ unlike 4-5 months ago: I'm looking into being an Operations Manager + Marketing Director for him. I feel that him allowing me to represent his brand and our combined hunger to succeed and bring something more to the marketplace is a mutually beneficial partnership; this is the kind of mindset that sets leaders apart from followers.
In the next Post, ShopTalk 15: I actually feature Justin in Part 2 (Entrepreneurship in Schools).
My Short Term list of opportunities was met; not without discourse and challenge though - I didn't expect any different. I did however (at least thought) put myself to believing that I might be able to enjoy some of my short term wins...(yeah wins...). That was a kind of a misplaced expectation.
So where am I currently?
I've got 4 partnerships and 2 small businesses, and lately it seems like, the harder I try and get better feedback - the worse off I'm placing myself. Or maybe I judge my position too brashly; perhaps things are all better from outside my perspective. Having High As Hell expectations for yourself can be very aggravating when you're not hitting your marks consistently. In addition to the fact that I'm branching out on some of the things I'd been putting off for quite some time. Being Conatantly Hungry has it's ups and downs - learning business requires patience, resilience, thick-skin and a solid sense of personal psychology (as well as being able to analyze situations and people).
Of course I'm going to reflect on my daily grind before I discuss anything relative to my project-
a year bald Quarter 2
This quarter was definitely more emotionally charging from a human standpoint. I actually pushed off the 2nd quarters release for an additional 2 weeks and then almost lost track of doing it.
I had a niece born and then 2 weeks later my Grandfather passed away. And as I mention in the Vlog; I've got a childhood friend getting married next month. So hopefully that's the extent of the human condition I experience during this project. Emotions can be quite the driving force between what you feel like doing and not - how you experience and interpret your surroundings (relative to the world at large).
For those not familiar with the concept of EQ (aka: EI: Emotional Intelligence) I would like to advocate you familiarize yourself (Primal Leadership: Daniel Goleman).
Last Month: Early April; something has been eating at me and I couldn't figure out why I had been holding back from asking every bald person in sight about their experiences being bald.
• I reflected on the concept that I didn't want to force people into a reluctant type interview; I'd gain their concent first
• I preferred not to become a public nuisance
• It becomes tedious to constantly seek out the bald, and discuss them. There's really no depth to the approach and it becomes aimless in a sea of social sensationalism.
So, as I maintained my original approach and just interact with people in my vacinity; I woke up on April 3rd and had my epiphany.
"I'm kinda tired of talking with people about what it is to be bald"
Bare in mind that the project has not run it's course; it's into it's 7th month now. I'm determined to make it happen.
Though, as of right this moment - I have poison ivy on my arms and hands. This next shave will have to be done by my wife as I'm not able/ willing to risk getting poison ivy on my head by accident; That's just not something I want to experience. Period.
So as you watch the vlog for Quarter 2 keep in mind that it was a more emotionally charged quarter for me and having had a couple of breakthroughs -
"I'd rather just be bald and live life versus constantly addressing it"
So recently I've partnered up with American Pool & Spa in Richmond, KY.
They're interested in dominating their local space; can't say I blame them.
Beyond simply taking on the role of their marketing director (emails, social media, website); to me if you want to dominate a space you've got to be Hungry and Willing to try new things to grow your client base.
This starts by expanding your ideology for success. For Justin and Myself, we enjoy bouncing ideas back-and-forth on what's the NEXT cool thing we could do for the business?
Needless to say, we fill our pipeline up quick and then implement it too.
As a small media business, this kind of opportunity came knocking at my door and I'd have been an idiot to pass it up.
As I mentioned to Justin
"I've been waiting for a business with the gumption to WANT to Succeed and double, triple and quadruple sales in the next year or two - I'd love to help you guys dominate your market space!"
As we're both inspired by the likes of Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Adam h. Michaels, Tai Lopez, Marcus Lemonis, Mark Cuban and more - we decided to start "The Motion" vlog amid other Marketing Actions!
Check out the Pilot and Let us know your thoughts in the comment section of American Pool & Spa's Facebook page :)
[Join us as we install a HotSpring spa; from beginning to end we show you from a very transparent point of view of how we begin the day, things that can happen, how we handle situations and find solutions.
At the end of the day, we all go through "The Motions" rather it's at work/business or personal life.]
Why competing for shorter attention span's won't work in the long run of Marketing
Every day I get a series of calls, Messages, emails, you name it. Generally there in regards to condensing a story that was produced- with the intent on focusing toward either a niche Group of people, or the general public; hoping that by throwing a bunch of darts one will stick to the board.
The current direction of marketing is oversaturated with the Industry consensus that the average person's attention span is shorter than that of a goldfish. Uniquely enough, The rate of information retention is even worse. Having dealt with this for quite some time; I've often ask myself, and then eventually my clients "if we make the story too short, we can't get all the ideal information in there effectively."
The premise of a desired sales pitch is obvious, The call to action is obvious, but we're not connecting with the audience as deeply in the same way.
This may lead to a couple of sales (which are only comparable in market percentages to that of impulse purchases at a major retailer), but your long run numbers are going to suffer. Which means you'll end up spending more with a cheaper rate of conversion. The problem is you didn't take the time to connect with your audience no matter how broad or narrow that spectrum is.
Now with any market, there's eventually a breaking point, A turnaround point, or a group that does things differently and gains a greater market appeal over shorter period of time because they take the TIME to tell a compelling story. While biting the upfront costs for long run conversion.
Content is key as many people have come to understand, but valuable content is the Holy Grail of Marketing.
When a company or group work with a client that is willing to take the time, energy and resources necessary to tell a good story. Their rate of conversion will ultimately be significantly more than those who tell a quick-cheap-story designed to raise adrenaline.
Most people are under the impression that the market demands:
Money now. Results now.
When in fact the brand growing route is:
Story now. Results tomorrow.
When you take the time to connect with people in a meaningful fashion- versus spitting out quick deals, for faster cash. The long run results yield better results.
Building a brand is a lot like farming.
You want to test the soil (market),
you want to identify the season best for your crops (what's trending, what's not),
then you want to prep the land (survey),
you want to plant your seeds (market test),
you want to water your seeds (share results and target audiences),
you want to keep watch over your crop/ maintain (market fluctuations),
and eventually you want to harvest (make sales).
By not following these procedures, reevaluating strategy, identifying
market fluctuations and learning to build a brand; this collection is likely to capsize unsynced companies.
In addition, wasting the client's money at no avail.
So in essence, if you're not taking the time to connect clients and customers in a meaningful fashion. In the long-run, all you were really doing was dancing for goldfish.
And Goldfish don't Blink.
(If you're a blog reader or Vlog watcher: Let me know if you have any thoughts)
So, February was an interesting month. Starting with a solid interview with Comedian Larry Starks, whom I was networked with by Joe Allen (work/travel colleague via Prepspin). So, I'd been trying to coordinate this interview about 3 times; the first was late November after we returned from the Trip to Florida covering basketball for bd Global. The Goal was December.13th; come the day for the interview - I also had intention to shoot the last scene for my short film: LIVE from Baghdad!
That was earlier on in the day. IF you've kept up with the Vlog, that didn't turn out how I'd planned and put me in a rut based on the events of that day.
My drone took off on me due to magnetic interference and on top of that, it landed in a lesser part of town where I was flying it and was then stolen while attempting to recalibrate from a rough landing.
So I rescheduled the interview and then things came up again - work as usual.
So on the third attempt, we got it done. I got a full hour and 20 mins worth of dialogue with Larry and I cut it down to the prime points for the needs of the interview.
You can check out more of Larry Starks on: (StarksTV.com)
From there, I reached out to a group in Baltimore that I'm hoping to work with around mid-summer while I planned being out that way for Beast Coast 2017 (Parkour Event) anyway. I won't disclose whom specifically, but it's a larger project initiative for a small media company to tackle. Maybe not initiative wise; that's simple enough. But the audience I'd be able to reach with the message would be amazing; making that sort of impact on such a large scale would really be something else for sure.
In addition, I'm still training and doing my weekly parkour progressions and working on ShopTalk as well; training my body and mind with different activities to stay focused on the greater long-term game.
I'm also getting way more fluent at shaving my head and can get it knocked-out in about 7 minutes flat now; much better than needing help and branching off on my own at 15-20min shaves.
The Basil Farm is coming along as I've been using every weekend to travel to Waynesburg, KY and get each next step in the process knocked out a little bit at a time. In fact, I'm excited that the last frost is coming soon and I've nearly got the pallet fence completed (heavy winds took out a few pallets this past weekend; we'll get it handled). However, it's coming along nicely. And I've got part of my seeds started in 72 cell starter kits; only have 10% of the basil and all of the tomato seeds started out of 4 types of basil, tomatoes, peppers, onions and radishes.
My Basil Farm is Going to happen. :)
The rest of the month has been training, planning, networking and honing my skills in new facets for delivering more value to the world a little at a time. I'm Hungry! + I get into silly-antics still.
I've made it the first quarter; 3 months of being bald and talking with people, engaging, and digging in like a shovel trying to figure out (at my own pace), what it is to be bald. I admit, my lack of planning has been my core setback in this project, but you can't plan for every aspect of life and my goal was never to be outlandish.
As stated in the very first opening scene of a year bald; I would be continuing my life as normally as ever, with the added addition of I would be delving into (what it is to be bald in society). This has basically caused me to be a catalyst in bringing up the elephant in the room (the one on the shoulders of bald folks who have a deep seeded concern with their bald heads); that's where my goal has become to be an example of what I seek to bring forth in understanding -
Why people feel this way?
What causes them to seek out remedies?
What have they been lead to believe about baldness, by media, marketing, philosophy, business, social influences; you name it.
So, to move forward - I could write up a massive dialogue. OR I could just show you my point.
In this episode, I discuss every entrepreneur's dream: Doing what they love for a living, every day.
However, I happen to notice that many people who do happen to be independent business owners, family owned practices, or even small collectives of individuals often Fail to Fly.
They set their sites too low or even worse; they only do enough just to get by, and paying their bills Alone leaves them feeling a sense of accomplishment to where they want to celebrate every Friday and Saturday at the bar.
This type of limited thinking is exactly what causes businesses to shrivel up and die in under 5 years.
Due to lack of Expansion. Lack of Hunger. Lack of Obsession.
I reference: Grant Cardone's (Sell or Be Sold) + (Be Obsessed or Be Average)
I also pull from: Robert Kiyosaki's(Rich Dad Poor Dad)
In addition I reference an interview with Equity Group Investments CEO: Sam Zell discussing his early entrepreneurial discovery of supply and demand and cross reference his exposure to Economics and his business development while in College.
And finally I cover a presentation given by Peter Theil (co-founder: Paypal) as he spoke at Stanford University in 2014; his presentation titled: Competition is for Losers
As always, my goal is to enlighten, encourage and put out realistic information to spread positive vibes wherever my work happens to go.
If you enjoy the information I'm curating; have questions or ideas for future ShopTalks.
Shoot me an Email: ThreeGinsMedia@gmail.com
or message me on Facebook (#ShopTalkGuys)
And the title doesn't even describe 1/4th of my projects.
I'm Obsessed. I don't apologize.
But I will prioritize better this year; who knows maybe I'll get lucky and get a few more haters :D
I had a guy attempt to down talk me in my business expansion ideas and I bought him an extra coffee to go. I want him to remember the generosity of the guy he shit-talked, because at the end of the day, my goal will be to hire him.
I've maintained (a year bald) project integrity, though January has been a very inactive month. Mostly behind the scenes work and attempting to make bigger things happen (asAdam h. Michaels says: There's a lot of un-amazing things that take place in business that lead to the achievements stage of every series of seemingly Amazing feats). Having a slow month is really just a time to keep grinding, remind people of who you are and when they're ready to make something happen - they'll remember you.
I just wrapped up with a local furniture revamp and antiquing shop called: Cottage on Main
The kicker is that I started working with them on what was the verge of them moving from one location to another; an expansion. Massive expansion. A street side mom n' pop shop to a Large House/ Mansion; depending on how you look at those structures.
I had been working with them since July 2016 and we wrapped up 2 weeks ago (January 2017).
Their goal was to showcase the progression of their shop and the changes the business has progressed through. Overall, the Dedication and Perseverance of these ladies astonished me and I was pleased to help tell their story. In addition to the four spots we produced; we're already looking into 3 more commercial spots and some new marketing tactics as well. Really excited to continue working with them.
In addition to a year bald and my client work for 3Gins; I've always got personal projects on the sidelines that I'm ready to start planning, coordinating and producing when theres a little free space on the calendar. But to be totally honest, I also don't enjoy free space in my calendar. Boredom breeds the opportunity for old bad habits to get back ahold of me and I don't have interest in anything that's holding me back from being on fire. I enjoy being active, providing information to people and creating my own stories and path. I believe that's the concept of being an Entrepreneur; if not just a heavily marketed term for Capitalist.
The month before I started working with Cottage on Main, I was out at Beast Coast 2016 and being introduced in one fail swoop to the Amazing Community of Parkour - I got to travel to Washington D.C. and meet some of the top athletes of this practice; which would become an official sport only days before a Documentary I was producing on it was released (Good Timing).
Flashback: April 2016: I'm sitting in my office at my old apartment and taking notes down in the middle of the day regarding my agenda. I was working on editing a beer review show I was producing called Brewmergency. I took a break and was looking about my notes; suddenly amid a clutter of notes I kept writing down the word (Parkour).
I had been putting it off for sometime (Imagine that a procrastinator; hell it's like I'm doing my taxes or something...), so I decided I had been postponing it or far too long; I was curious about Parkour - I knew nothing about it and I was looking to change that. I wrote down on each side of the word on the note: (Find - Group). It read (Find Parkour Group) and so as I stood there for a moment in my office just staring at the note - I kind of came to and realized, I guess this is the part where I actually get on Google and look this up huh...
I didn't find anything right away, I got distracted by pictures. But once I regained Focus, I found myself on a discussion forum reading through old posts for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Interestingly enough, there was a link embedded in one of the comments.
Once I clicked it, it took me to Kentuckiana Parkour on Facebook. I was both excited and skeptical; what if I found a group that was no longer active? As I started to scroll the page I noted a post from only 3 days prior that mentioned an open gym on Friday; I believe I reached out to them on a Tuesday or Wednesday and very uncertain of what I was really after when contacting the group.
So after a couple minutes of thought, I realized that there were no videos discussing the In's and Out's of what Parkour actually was - so when I first reached out I was only planning on getting a rundown and maybe creating a short explanatory video for beginners.
After 20mins; Marcus Sumner responded to me and his group was down with the idea and forwarded me a link to their Documentary that they had created the previous year from the event Beast Coast 2015.
The Documentary was still nothing I had planned to do at this point; it would come across the following week when I was visiting my folk's place.
Marcus called so we could arrange a meeting for my visit for the initial project concept and after about 40mins he had discussed Beast Coast (the annual event), that there was a supportive community of athletes, worldwide traction being gained monthly for the practice and so-on.
He wanted to meet up with me so we could discuss it further and so I could get started with training, because Honestly - I was really digging what Marcus was selling. I wanted to know more and how I could get involved.
I began documenting the meet-up and training on my smartphone and once we got through the process of planning, coordinating, traveling and just my immersion into Parkour, I was sold.
Parkour was definitely something I wanted in on. The Documentary was really not a planned thing; I just knew that I was compelled to collect footage of everything going on around me and whatever came of it would need to be something that told my introduction story as well as what I would want to see if I were in my shoes 7 months earlier without a clue.
So what's interesting is that the day after it's release, I was ready to move onto the next project I've been working on since May 2016; yeah, last May-July was a busy month for me. I started a handful of projects that had been getting postponed due to client marketing needs; as I really regretted telling Marcus for a couple of months after Beast Coast 2016. I had to focus on the paid work first because that was my income stream.
Of course, now I'm looking into at least 5 income streams and the goal is to have the necessary bills (aka: monthly crap bills) covered by one avenue of income - where as one of my other streams can fund the things that are more valuable to my time investment.
No one wants to work themselves to death on one job to pay reoccurring bills to barely get by - That's a load of horse shit and it's been marketed (along with many shitty ideas and investments) to the lower and middle class from the day their born until they day they die.
Myself, well. I plan on making a difference and a dent in the universe.
So picking up on December (16-20) for the second/third vlog installment of that month.
We went to Las Vegas, Nevada to cover the Play4Kay charity event atT-Mobile Arena and stayed at the New York, New York. As Travel commenced at the Airport in Louisville (Louisville International Airport); we began by getting our luggage checked and boarding passes.
I had one bag that I had intended as my carry on; it was too big and I had forgotten about the personal item option (which can be a backpack). So I removed the empty backpack from the bag I had and stuffed it full; leaving the additional bag less than half full. In addition, I ended up kicking it into the metal measuring unit they use for conforming your bags (honestly the damn thing is really small altogether; they use those standards to encourage you to spend more money just checking your bag in with them for under plane stowage. I don't trust that option much anymore).
So after kicking my bag to conform to their tiny standards and it being approved. I go through the security check (to liquids, gels and aerosol); good-bye coffee, heads have gel, body spray, toothpaste. Because I forgot about their requirement to only bring piss sample size bathroom utilities or risk a good latex-probing if you give them lip. I do love the TSA. Sometimes I feel like they purposely agitate people because they've developed a sick sense of humor and want to see someone go apeshit and get tased, tackled, and probed in a cold sterile room.
I also happen to lose my toothbrush on the way out of Vegas's Airport TSA because it was too sharp; and when I mentioned that the pen in my pocket was more likely to be a weapon, the Officer didn't really seem to mind the pen (has he not seen any prison movies? Pen's are like ShankMaster Gold).
Beyond my experiences in the Airports however, the trip itself was pretty decent minus the cramped space you get shuffled into for about 4-5 hours. I happen to meet a guy named Dave who sat right next to me on the plane; whom I then got to interview, while the gentleman on the end seat wanted nothing to do with me (I love you too, ya beatnik).
We had a good 20minute discussion about Dave being a traveling rep for a company and not having been home in about 3 months; so he was eager to get back and spend the Winter Season with his wife in Vegas. My short adventure, however was only beginning.
I would proceed to attempt shaving with Hotel shower gel and conditioner- in spite of the TSA's theft of my bathroom utilities. This didn't work out. It was awkward. And I would end up traveling up the Strip to an overpriced CVS to get a tiny sample size of Barbasol for $5 and toothpaste sample size for $3. These items would end up working a lot better than attempting to use anything from the hotel; they should, I paid for them.
On the way back we stopped at a Strip-Mall Casino, looked about the shops, the local fashion and a couple eateries. Way to Expensive for young budgeted travelers. Even the propositioning from local Tier-One talent was out of range (not that it was relevant; but it's interesting to check the local prices of comfort foods). I did however play a Penny-Slot for the novelty of the Casino Experience; it was short lived having only invested a dollar- to see how the machine worked. Comical Disappointment ensued and I learned how quickly you can lose money in a Vegas Casino (slot-machine).
I returned to the hotel to finish shave #15 shortly after.
The following day I got up early to mozy around the area about the hotel vicinity; there's a lot to see in Vegas for a first timer who had no plans. I suppose that's where Lego Man comes into play, the Brewhaus experience I just cut out entirely, random tourists activities - though I added in the ice skating rink outside the T-Mobile Arena.
Continued–––––––––––––––––––––––
The last night in Vegas was pretty decent; I lost a little bit more at the Casino - no biggie.
The idea is not to take any more with you than you are prepared to lose; I had more beer with me than cash in my pocket.
So because I enjoy interacting with strangers and don't mind helping folks with general stuff; I was donated a box of beer by someone who had a truckload of it for a larger party. Funny thing was that I was leaving Vegas early the next morning and I wasn't in a huge party mood myself.
I took the beer down to the casino and tried to give it away; most people thought it was a scam...Imagine That...
Though I did perch myself in a spot and handed it out to a few people (still reluctant because people aren't used to charity; especially in a place designed to shake you of all those loose wages you bust your ass for). But I had pretty solid conversations with all sorts of people; I wasn't allowed to have my camera out in the Casino though - Policy. I tried a couple times and upon threats of being kicked out (of the very hotel I was staying at; I made my decision to stay in the warm, sleazy, drunkin, gamblin atmosphere), thus I put my camera away.
We left early the next morning, I can't remember much specifically. Just losing my toothbrush, giving away a bunch of gatorades and just being ready to GTFO of Vegas.
I returned home just in time to go to a Christmas Eve party with the family.
It's always interesting to see how people have changed over the course of our annual meetings; the only way I'm normally able to keep up with people is to showcase my life in progress. Otherwise I might miss out on some form of face-to-face.
Again, just enjoying the family without too much video recording; it was fun as a kid because it wasn't what I did on a general basis for a living - home video ideology changes as you grow up. Especially if you work with technology everyday for a living.
I got to visit my Grandpa and gauge his reaction to my baldness; he was giddy about it because he always though he would be the first, and he's 93 with just a thinning hairline.
We celebrated the oncoming 2017 at our friends place; the Holidays have become so booze filled and I'm not the hardy-partier I once was. I've found myself susceptible to heartburn when I drink rums and whiskeys lately; really not a fun experience if you've never had heartburn. Drink water/milk to eliminate this issue.
So, without giving away too much else; watch the video.
In addition to: Being Bald and trying to document life + arrange new opportunities. I still produce ShopTalk when I'm able. This recent ShopTalk is centered around the concept of Failures (owning failure and the value of failure); there is quite a significant benefit to having failed at things. And I've failed at quite a bit. Not gaining traction with ideas or having them shot down and sending you back to square one, is also a form of failure. Failure doesn't always have to mean bankruptcy or things breaking. Simply not achieving a set goal or meeting expectations is also a form of failure. In this latest ShopTalk, ironically - my camera stopped recording part way through on my first attempt to shoot it. Honestly though, the 2nd take was better. I got to take a look at the lighting, scene and just my overall address in general. I originally shot it inside and there was a ton of background noise, I didn't use an additional audio recording device and I wasn't pleased with the angle. And though on my 2nd attempt I sat outside on the only chilly day all week, I held a firmer conviction to get it done right versus suffice with an OK Final Product. My overall goal is to get better at producing these talks so they can be used as a reference. I was inspired by: Adam h Michaels (Facebook) and also enjoy Chase Jarvis (Facebook) In this latest discussion, I go over the Value of Failure. Why it's beneficial to fail and learn from your failure versus being consumed by it. Paying Attention to your surroundings. Putting in the Grind and Hustle to get what you Want. Not settling, but expanding upon your goals. And I pull references from; David Green: CEO, Hobby Lobby (More than a Hobby). Gary Vaynerchuk: CEO Vaynermedia (#ASKGARYVEE). Janet Holloway; Leadership Coach: Women Leading Kentucky (A Willful Child). In addition to talking about the 16th President Abraham Lincoln.
The first two weeks of the New Year have been a roller coaster of stressing factors for myself and to be 100% honest I wasn't entirely sure where to hold my Focus. Independent Projects, Client work bouncing around, maritime interests growing, community involvement branching out, opportunities popping up, people in varying levels of response to me and trying to manage bills, lend + borrow money and on top of it all just grow as both an individual and a business.
However, when I just took just a few minutes out multiple times in a day I started to find my Focus again. I got to work with catching up on all the loose Vlog material I'd collected during December and I plan to release that in 4 posts. Additionally, I cut a chunk of the overall material out because it wasn't relevant to the stories I'm looking to tell or showcase.
Vlogging has become a unique new task for me; I know it's not mandatory that I do it. But I'm stubborn and I don't enjoy quitting. I've come to schedule an allotted time to do it on a daily basis or re-schedule it if I'm busy.
As well, being bald hasn't changed me too much in the first 3 months. Yeah, the first quarter (of the project) is already up. And over the Holiday season, I devoted 2 straight weeks toward my Parkour 4 Everyone Documentary, soon to be released once I get final feedback from everyone involved in helping me produce it. I'll include a Teaser (Parkour 4 Everyone)to that below within Dec. 8-15 Vlog.
•I actually had a nightmare recently that my hair wasn't going to grow back. Then the week following, a dream that I couldn't shave it ever again; it just wouldn't shave.
So clearly from a psychological perspective I'm internally conflicted about the presence of my hair; as well, I've started to really despise hair restoration product commercials and ads.
They don't really have any juxtaposition in my life or biology currently, but living without hair on purpose has really placed me on-edge with the existence of these products; which are designed to find a temporary cure (Confidence Booster) for an issue - that is just playing the role of an Emotional Hi-jacking by the Cosmetics Marketing Industry.
(Vlog Dec.8-15)
Vlog Times: I was looking for new opportunities online around Mid-September/ Early October while digging around on Indeed, Monster, Career Builder (I really enjoy keeping my options available or working travel-prone fields), I applied to be a Wine-Ambassador. Seriously didn't think I stood a chance in hell of achieving this; I can look over at my Old 502 Winery hat reflectively now. It took about a month before I heard back from them after the initial interview because of internal position changes; I emailed them back and then called because I was still interested to hear the results of my interview. BOOM! The interviewer enjoyed my personality and spunk (What's ironic is that I nearly passed up on the interview because I went to the wrong place twice and I figured that by the time I would arrive on location - the interviewer would have traveled back their main office).
So now, I've begun to represent Old 502 Winery. Which for myself, being a closet-wino in a Bluegrass Community has been one of the sweetest things I could have on my plate. Besides making one of my maritime projects a full-time gig. •a year bald, ShopTalk, Proofed Cuisine, Brewmergency, Basil Patek's (in the works): pick one, I enjoy doing a ton of things and I just recently started doing Parkour because I don't enjoy gyms; traditional gyms are boring honestly, I enjoy the Urban Gym (The World in our Playground). So fast forward to Louisville, I meet with the Assistant Director, take the tour, get the rundown of the wine, behind the scenes, expectations, flavor profiles and later that same day I'm an Ambassador; I talk wine, I sample product, I talk to people and have a good time. Wine brings out the fun in people. And there I was having a blast in a corner liquor store in Eastern Louisville. Later that same evening after I pack up, I headed over to the Southwest Center to meet up with my buddies from Kentuckiana Parkour, whom I'd only met 6 months prior and shot a documentary with back in May-June out in Washington (prior to this trip, I'd met with them once or twice and talked to them online a bit). I'm really just a people person and I fuckin' love adventure.
While at the Parkour Gym for 3 hours; by the way, keep track of time - Parkour is fun, but it's also a full body exercise. The time slips away and then in the morning your body hurts. For myself, as I've not built up that sort of stamina yet, I was sore to say the least.
A couple of days later I'm back in the Richmond/Lexington area and I have plans to go shoot the final scenes for a Short Film I've been working on (LIVE from Baghdad) + a Promotional piece for a Church (I can use the same drone footage: Great!). But life can't be that easy on Steve. No. Shortly after the drone goes up, it malfunctions (keep in mind I updated the software just the night before and turned it on to test it out: All Good), I have two functions I can do once the malfunction hits - Down and Right. So in lieu of hitting a crowd of people, I send it toward the Ghetto of town. And besides a rough landing and a re-calibration that gets cut short because some guy ran over to turn it off and take it...The rest of the day was pretty smooth minus the 3 hours of stress, driving through the ghetto looking for a clue. Here's a clue, get drone insurance. Two days later one of my Beard Club Brothers passes away and later that afternoon I receive an award for being an asset to the community. How am I feeling right now. Mixed. The following morning I decided to shoot a different style ad for 3Gins Media for the coming season; I tend to have a pretty solid client-to-colleague conversion rating. Again, I care about the people in my network; people are a greater asset than constantly focusing on a paycheck. I've thought this way since I started my own business on the premise that I hated the previous leadership in the jobs I had worked and bet I could do it better given the opportunity. I was right. And I learned a lot in the year and a half I've worked for myself. I encourage anyone to start their own business, you'll be surprised at that you'll gain internally as a person.
In the Vlog however, because of my storytelling style focusing on the not-so-glamorous aspects of my life as I live it - Bald. While in front of thegreenscreen I was working on this ad and I got interrupted from above; perfect time for someone to be starting to work on the roof at the new place. Following up later that afternoon at Kroger where my buddy De'von works; we used to work together about 6-7 years ago at a food court on EKUs campus. Back when I first got ahold of the concept if hating a job so much that you decide to be fuckin' awesome at it. Because you want people to be sad when they see your triumphant ass walk out the door. It happened, and I was proud. Then it was followed by the traveling gig shortly after. Anyway, De'von is a hardcore poet; he is very deep emotionally and spiritually, the best kind of philosophical voice to have on your side; I used a clip from a project I produced for him because he has been a shoulder to lean on and I wanted to pay that back to him somehow. And before we wrap on what's going on and what to expect in the next Vlog, which is a (carry on, because I made it work). I got to go to Vegas on a workcation and I have a need to have fun wherever I go, no matter how people around me feel about it. I would recommend you give The 4 Hour Work Week a read. I really enjoyed it myself and because I produce ShopTalk on Facebook (#ShopTalkGuys), I'm always sharing my finds across multiple sources in a short talk. I've provided the link to where I got it down below; and if you use the Google Chrome Browser: install Honeyto your toolbar. It seeks out the best deals for every online retailer and gives you the option to save. Try it out and let me know your thoughts :P
