Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?

My family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida after my father abandoned us due to alcoholism. My mom is my hero for getting us out of that situation and moving us to WPB so that she and her parents could raise four kids. They really sacrificed for us and even though we didn’t have much, we had a stable home and lots of love. From that experience, I learned the real meaning of sacrifice for family. My grandparents sacrificed their retirements to take care of their daughter and four grandchildren. To this day I know that my blessed life is the direct result of that sacrifice. 

What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?

Listen. Life is long and it has a lot of ups-and-downs, especially in your career. Find a way to work with people that you love so that you can share this roller-coaster with them. Some of the most important moments in my business have happened while I was alone in a foreign country, or a remote city alone. In these moments I regretted that I decided to “go it alone.”

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

We must be more emotional in advertising. It is such a cliché these days. What makes this bad advice is that the people who most often say this, rarely understand the science behind emotion and aren’t accountable when you use the wrong emotions in your ads and you actually hurt sales. If you’re going to give this advice, you owe it to the person to explain the exact emotions to use and why.

Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?

One of the darkest periods in my life was when I started my company TriggerPoint, which eventually became Mindstate Group. It was a huge leap for me to build a company, and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. All I knew was that marketing was broken and I had a dream (and a code) to replace it with my Mindstate model. I made the BIG mistake of letting others who I trusted change my thinking… and with it my dream. Years later I realized that what I built was no longer my personal calling. It was theirs. I am still recovering from that period. Net: Do everything you can to make sure that you follow YOUR calling, not others. Remember what I said about life and your career? It’s long. Don’t live someone else’s dream. Live yours!

What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?

The constant questioning of “truths.” So a few years ago I bought a series of college textbooks from 1907 at an antique store in Maryville, Tennessee. When I read a book on Economics it was as if it was written by aliens. The concepts in this book are so dated and erroneous. But here’s the thing. Back in 1900, these concepts considered 100%, scientific truth! Whenever someone tells me that something is “truth”, I reflect on these books and realize that our current truths will inevitably be the future’s folly. 

What is your morning routine?

I tend to wake up around 6:15 and stare at the ceiling reflecting on the upcoming day and all that is in front of me. Now I’m smart enough to know that this is NOT a good way to start off my day so I often catch myself going down this destructive path and refocus my mind on creating a list of the things t be thankful for in life. Right in the middle of this routine, I will often hear my son Nicholas starting his breakfast conversation with his mom so I’ll hop out of bed as fast as I can to hang out with him before he runs off for school. This is the best part of my day. 

What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?

I am going to say it’s taking my 3:15 Cappuccino and no this isn’t a misprint. I learned this concept from Dan Pink in his book When. Here’s the idea. Naps are scientifically proven to make you more productive in your career. However, not there is a scientifically optimized way to nap. Here’s my system. 

• 3:15 – I make espresso.
• 3:16 – I sit in my comfy office chair, set my phone alarm for 25-minutes (neurologically, the optimal nap time), shoot my espresso shot, and close my eyes.
• 3:35 – the caffeine from the espresso shot begins to reach my bloodstream. 
• 3:41 – My phone alarm wakes me up perfectly rested AND caffeinated. For the next 3+ hours, I am energetic, amped, and focused. 

What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?

Each Sunday night I review and measure my progress of the previous week’s life and business goals to see where I did well, and not so well. This helps me identify areas to improve and helps me start off my next week with a lot more confidence. 

What book(s) have influenced your life the most? Why?

Outside of the bible, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom to this day is my “go-to” book that I give out. Morrie shows you a life well-lived. A life with purpose and meaning is so much more than the accumulation of assets. If you haven’t read it, it just might change your life. 

Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?

“Send Me. I Will.” This came to me a few years ago when I was looking for a short, meaningful mantra to reflect on while running. I love it because it has a lot of personal meaning underlying it including servant leadership, trust, desire, accountability, focus, and action.