One of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made in life has been to blindly chase after success (or fame, fortune, money, achievements). Anytime you want to achieve something, like success, you first need to know deeply what you’re actually trying to get.
To be successful, you need to start with the end in mind and define what success means in business, health, love, family, and life overall. And I mean go deep: create a story, a vision, of what that looks, smells, feels, and tastes like.
My definition of success is flexible and ebbs and flows over time. But one measure is paramount: the answer to a simple question, Am I happy? Happiness, for me, comes from financial security, a healthy body, a curious mind, deep friendships, engaging projects, and committing to audacious goals.
I’m an investor, advisor, and CEO with a passion for helping fellow entrepreneurs achieve their goals. After almost 20 years in digital media and advertising, including roles at Yahoo! and Basis, working with hundreds of agencies, publishers, and platforms and thousands of media and ad executives, I moved into the role of investor.
Today I partner with agency owners as we acquire, merge, and grow businesses, helping legacy owners realize their greatest dreams in an exit. Through a merger or acquisition we can solve most business challenges faster and shave two to five years off the process. But it all requires high trust, strong communication, and some risk-taking.