Entrepreneurs, innovators and artists rule the world.
Yet few people even know the actual definition for the word:
Entrepreneur: A person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk. [Random House Unabridged Dictionary]
To me, that’s the definition of living. Of being relevant professional and as a brand. Of offering value and more than what’s expected.
When I first read that definition, this described:
- the first time I asked a girl out for a date,
- or asked for a raise,
- or spoke up in a meeting, challenging who I thought was the leader, and shared my vision of how things should be different.
As Entrepreneurs, We Must Lead
A case in point is what I’ve done since January 1st:
- I’ve been the Keynote speaker at an international Entrepreneur’s Convention
- Released a remarkable new 3-minute video that redefines R.O.I. and clarifies what kills creativity
- Have signed up our first client from Germany
- Moved into our new offices
- Branded (naming, design, brand strategy) a brilliant new line of brands from Italy
- Did a BLAB event with social influencer Mark Fidelman and social media guru Justin Matthew
- Secured a weekend-long convention as the Keynote speaker in Taiwan speaking to over 400 business people
- Interviewed Shark Tank star Daymond John about his new book, The Power of Broke, and how he turned pennies into billions
- Isolated the 4 Devils of Branding
- Worked with the terrific New York letterpress printer on our new set of business cards (shown below) and
- Being presented with a medallion from Daymond John for Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship.
And that’s all before Valentine’s Day!
Entrepreneurs — Why Nobody Gives a Sh*t About Your Brand
So, I was excited when I was presented with the honor of speaking with Ande Lyons who is an inspired leader for entrepreneurs.
Just the other day, we spent almost an entire hour talking about:
- waking up in the morning
- the only workable definition of branding
- knowledge vs. rules
- the power of authentic entrepreneurship
- branding for the legendary Joanna Vargas
- tattoos
- being “dangerous”
- what to do about committees (and how they kill businesses faster than a roomful of politicians), and
- what to do with people who try to convince you that their opinion of you is more valid than your opinion of you.
So without further adieu, grab a coffee, a comfortable seat, some colleagues and — here it is: Why Nobody Gives a S#!+ About Your Brand
After this talk, many people from Ande’s fantastic community started to comment, tweet, and share the video.
One of her listeners created a tattoo on Google+ which inspired me to create this tattoo:
Now it’s your turn to lead and inspire.
What are you going to do?