That statement by Robert Redford has been pinned near my work spaces since I tore it out of INC. Magazine in September 2003. I remember reading that article and having a Eureka moment when I read what Mr. Redford said - out loud, for everyone to read. I had thoughts of photo copying it and mailing it to several different people. I wanted to triple-circle the line with a marker and color it in with a highlighter and say - ‘Look here! This is you! You're dumb! Robert Redford even said so!’ - Fortunately, I never did that and just pinned it on the wall instead. There are more than a dozen pin-holes in the torn out page and there will be dozens more. That line “...its because they lacked a creative, imaginative approach,” is my permanent reminder of what separates one type of business from another. -The ‘dumb one’ being the ‘other.’

I have actually come to realize that it is not always ‘dumb,’ but simply a lack of understanding, ability and knack for having a creative, imaginative approach.

Two years earlier I walked away from a steady paycheck to pursue a vision that had been tempting me for a long time. I drove away in a very used car and started applying for night-time bartending jobs. I have never looked back or had a second of regret.

During that first year ‘on my own’ I learned more about courage, discipline, responsibility and integrity than I had ever learned before. I also learned about humility and gratitude. All of these words are also pinned to the wall where I work. They are no longer just words, but the foundation for everything I do. I believe they are what keep me from being ‘dumb.’

My career has been a meandering one, but with a purposeful flow. After graduation I took a job as a journalist for a local paper and it wasn’t long until I was free-lancing; the beginning of what would become a common ‘free-lancing’ theme for my career path.

While free-lancing as a travel writer I was introduced to photographer Rob Bossi, well known for his work with clients such as L.L. Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports, Timberland, Gortex, Lands End, Eddie Bauer, Merrel, Eureka, Moss, Nikon and Target, as well as, a variety of editorials and published stock images. The two years I worked with Rob allowed me to continue writing, but also understand the visual arts. It wasn’t long before I was aligning tag-lines and catch-phrases with the images I worked with every day. There were many times I was also sitting around camp fires with art directors and writers from some of the biggest companies in the world.

Having continued working on personal projects during that time, I was presented with the the opportunity to work as the Director of Marketing for The Music Hall, the fifth oldest performing arts theater in the country. That was my chance to combine writing with art and it proved to be one the best opportunities and jobs I have had. My responsibility was not only promoting the historic theater, but the performers and performances including Bruce Hornsby, Harry Belafonte’, Spalding Gray, St. Petersburg Ballet, Twyla Tharp, Eartha Kitt, Joshua Redman, Poncho Sanchez and David Grisman and a final performance by Marcel Marceau.

From the action packed stage of The Music Hall I stepped through the front door of an advertising agency and right out the back door. I did this consecutively during what I now refer to my as my ‘dumb’ years. The years that give Robert Redford’s quote personal relevance.

My final ‘corporate’ job was with what is now called Brand Partners. Brand Partners was a good experience due to some friendships and connections I developed. However, I was already ‘lost’ to an entrepreneurial calling. This, of course, had been a calling since the first lawn I got paid to mow, the first paper I delivered and the first side-walk I shoveled.

None but ourselves can free our minds.
Bob Marley

Vision is the art of seeing what is
invisible to others.
Jonathan Swift

If life gives you limes, make margaritas.
Jimmy Buffett

Basically, everything I try to do is
to present an alternative to what
somebody else is doing.
Matt Groening