No, its not a blonde, brunette or even a red-head...its not a world-class restaurant or even a favorite bar. It's a sense of community, a sense of passion and a community's commitment to a common goal. That is why weeks after the inaugural FutureMidwest Conference in Detroit (Royal Oak) Michigan, I am still wildly inspired.

I sat here tonight putting the finishing touches on a plan for a strategic development session I'm facilitating tomorrow, on the subject of cause-marketing, and it hit me that the most appropriate example I could show these students is the phenom that is FutureMidwest. So all of my new Michigan friends, tomorrow a new set of passionate students will know the FutureMidwest movement and they too will be moved by what you and your community are achieving. I should be sleeping at 2AM, but I thought it was time to share my #FMW10 experience....here goes:

I boarded the plane from a speaking engagement for QRCA Seattle at 11:30PM and arrived in Chicago at 5:30AM to catch another plane to Detroit at 7:30AM , finally arriving in Michigan around 10AM. Honestly, I didn't have any expectations, positive or negative. In fact, I didn't really know enough about the Detroit area to have the stereotypical assumptions. All I knew was that a newly formed friend, Damian Rintelmann, pitched a solid idea to me and I was more than happy to see a new place and meet some new people.

Dave Benjamin picks me up at the airport and already I sense a buzz in the air. I began to filter through the Twitter streams and could see the immense back-channeling that occurs with any successful conference (success factor 1). I take that back, getting a chance to meet an awesome dude like Dave is (success factor 1)! Dave is a great guy and doing big things. Ladies, watch out he will someday be the guy that pulls up in the Aston Martin and points to the Royal Oak Music Theater and says "that is where it started".

After finally taking a shower and changing clothes I made it over to the conference site and got checked in. As i walked up to the theater it first really hit me...this is something special. No fancy convention center, no 5-star hotel, but a classic theater with a light up marquee that screams get ready to get your face rocked off!

So, I arrived right at lunch time...my favorite time! I got the chance to meet some awesome people like Adrian Pittman, Shauna Nicholson, Nikki Stephan, Shelli Gutholm, and Kaylee Hawkins. Not to mention seeing Dave Murray again, who I met down at SXSWi this year. Immediately, I felt like I had known everyone there for years and was surrounded by this humongous aura of Detroit-bred pride and passion. It's pretty hard to describe the type of production Adrian, Dave, Ken, and Damian put together. Everything from the sound and lighting to the little effects of having the Great Voice from above (Shauna) throwing some curveballs at presenters.

I got mic'd up and ready to take the stage and then it hit me....this ridiculous rush of needing to give the audience the same type of energy they were exuding onto the stage, and I couldn't help but run up on stage and try to rock it out. So I gave it my all, and had some of THE most fun I have EVER had presenting. The crowd kept the energy high and I felt like I could really just get up there and be me. If you have ever presented, you know what a great feeling that is. Actually, it is pretty symbolic of my experience overall in Detroit.

I was met with a ridiculously appreciated embrace from the crowd, and couldn't help but laugh and smile uncontrollably when I had the chance to read the social stream. I went and sat down for an interview with Nikki and then got to do my favorite part....meet new friends! Though that specific presentation was by far one of my favorites to give, the conversations, jokes, paper rock scissors competitions and stories that followed through the rest of the evening made the experience something unforgettable.

The truth is, Detroit has been rocked hard as of lately. Probably harder than you know, if you are not familiar with the area. But, the REAL truth is that it is changing. Not changing because of a governmental push to gentrify the city, or a local newspaper's initiative to bring new life into the city. It's a movement by the people sitting in the audience of the Royal Oak Music Theater cheering on their friends and colleagues as they all reach toward achieving a common goal. A common goal of change, innovation, rejuvenation and saturation of talent and newly-kindled spirit. It WILL happen. You will look back and see that something truly monumental started right there at FMW10.
It's happening....Are you on board? I am...

Super shoutout and thanks to:
Damian Rintelmann - Thanks for making it happen!
Adrian Pittman - You are THE Man!
Dave Benjamin - Dude, what can I say - he freaking took me to the airport at 4AM!!
Dave Murray - You make the world a happier place my friend!
Nikki Stephan - One of the coolest chicas you will find in Michigan....Promise!
Shauna Nicholson - my nemesis...I mean my friend!! Thanks for breaking the ice!!
Kaylee Hawkins - Thanks for sticking it out and partying like a rock star!
Jane Fader - You are one of the most spirited people I have met!!!
Shelli Gutholm - Gather the troops for a Dallas trip!!
Brandon Chestnutt - next year - FMW high-5 video! Do it!
Becky Johns - Photo-shoot! Let's do it!
Henry Balanon - no hard feelings about SXSWi :) we're all good!
Hannah DeMilta - Great to see you again!! What city is next?
Jacki Halas - Thanks for keeping the conversation going after the conference!
Scott and Scott and the Daggerfin Team - You guys are seriously Rockin' it - I would love to work with you guys on some projects!
EVERYONE else that I #failed to mention specifically!! Please forgive me :(

Thanks for showing me what Michigan is REALLY about!

I have been very fortunate in having the opportunity to do quite a bit of speaking and guest lectures lately and a few common themes have sprouted in terms of Q&A regardless of the topic I am presenting:

1) How did I get my start in Market Research and Entrepreneurship?

2) When do I sleep?

3) What motivates me?

1) The first question is really one of my favorite questions to answer.  I pretty much love answering any type of question, as I think it is the REAL value of any presentation.  You disseminate your information and then after the audience has a chance to relate it to their own personal situation, they get a chance to ask the thing that will really have an impact on what they walk away with from the presentation.  Back to the answer..

The homepage briefly talks about my background but it was really a chain of fortunate events that led me to qualitative research….I do not think very many people REALLY set out pursuing qual research, it just sort of finds you.  Through college, I worked my way through school playing the saxophone in various jazz, rock and cover bands.  I’m in the process of writing a post about how Jazz is truly the way I honed my entrepreneurial skills but for now, just know it was a huge part of my life . 

One of the holiday gigs I got booked for was the YMCA of Arlington Chairman’s Round-table Dinner.  There, my band was fortunate enough to be seated at the same table as the Director of Marketing and I began to strike up conversation.   In conversation, she mentioned the YMCA was launching their first marketing internship program and asked me to apply.  After the traditional interviewing process I was selected for the internship, where I met a friend, Amy, who is a moderator for a large research firm.  She is the one who shed light on the world of qualitative research for me and encouraged me to take my entrepreneurial goals via the route of market research.

Amy introduced me to Jessica Josset, the President of Fieldwork Dallas, a well-known and highly regarded market research facility in Addison TX.  I was clear and up-front with Jess about my goal to become a moderator for a small firm and I saw Fieldwork Dallas as a valuable step in helping me achieve this goal.  I knew if I worked hard enough and proved myself, Fieldwork was the best place for me to meet the company I wanted to work with. 

After about 6 months, my hard work had paid off when I received a call from Jess letting me know she had just recommended me to one of our best clients, Dave Gustafson.  He was looking to expand his business and wanted to meet me!  Dave flew down from PA and the interview process began.  After a few weeks of due diligence, I had accepted an offer and made arrangements to make the move to PA.  Working with Dave at D. Gustafson & Associates, is where I really immersed myself into the world of qualitative research.  I was mentored and shown the ropes, while Dave still empowered me to help shape the direction of our business.  This was a huge point in my career and the pivotal piece of what has guided my trajectory thus far.  Getting the opportunity to work with a company that has helped over 10 of the top 20 Pharma companies in the world and sink my teeth deep into every aspect of the research process was a rare opportunity and one that I am thankful for every single day! 

As things started to shake up economically, we began to not only enhance our business within the Pharma/Healthcare market, but also look for ways to diversify our business.  Early on in joining DGA, I had posed the question about our sole focus on Pharma and to me, this was the perfect time to expand our scope and reach.  I began formalizing my previously intangible thoughts about consumer research and Spych was born.  Literally from a blue Mead spiral notebook, nothing fancy, just simple and straightforward, I drafted our business model, strategic plan and thoughts on market entry.  Over the course of a year, this plan would be molded, polished and pressure-tested for validity.  I’m now sitting on a train on my way back to my house in PA to pack up, load the moving truck and head back to TX where Spych lives as boutique research firm specializing in youth and young adult consumer segments! 

 
2) The answer to the second question, when do I sleep, is an easy one.  Generally, I sleep from about 2:30 AM to 6AM, give or take about 2 hours depending if I am “at home” or on the road for research.  Pleasantly coined at SXSWi this past year, “I’ll sleep when I’m 30.”  It’s no secret that I work long hours, but the truth is I absolutely love what I do, and running a successful business takes every second of the hours that I put in.  I think sometimes, we have this view of executives as spending the 9-5 on the phone and then Friday’s on the golf course.  The most successful businessmen/women I have met across the globe are those who put in the hours consistently.  This does not come without sacrifice, and another post will follow talking about the sacrifices of being a successful entrepreneur.

 

3) As for my motivation….well, for me there are two main faces of motivation that get my blood flowing.  I was at a DFW AMA event last week where I am participating in a mentoring partnership program as a mentor and one of the protégé participants asked me what things motivated me most.  I thought it was a great question, as I think you can tell quite a bit about a person by the things that motivate them.  One of the things that motivates me most is an honest and sincere giving, with nothing expected in return.  Having lived a small portion of my live in airports and hotels these past few years, I have found them to be great people watching spots.  If you are looking for it, you can see some amazing acts of kindness.  Whether it is helping an international visitor with directions, offering to stand on the subway to let someone more in need take the seat or even just small token conversations that make someone’s day a bit brighter, for me that is motivating for me to pursue my passion.

The other is simply music!  If you want to talk about pure drive, to me, music is the epitome of passion.  I have been blessed to meet, and in many cases, play with some absolutely phenomenal musicians.  In every case, they were some of the most passionate and motivating people I have encountered.  Nothing can change my mood and get me going like a great song.  When I am writing, whether for business or pleasure, there is always music in my ears, often jazz.  This is inspiration for the title of this post.  One thing I truly miss about the pre-itunes era is the liner notes and lyrics.  If you go back to some of your favorite CDs (Or records :) ) and read through the lyrics of some of your favorite songs, you can truly see how they are “Life’s Transcripts”.  Some sing about lost love, the best day of their life, growing up, or a new-found love interest.  I think the best musicians are the best storytellers.  Sometimes it is with words, other times it is through the saxophone, drums or guitar.  Either way, it is the one who best conveys their story that connects with the audience and causes us to dance in our car or sing out loud. 

So, sing loudly, dance like nobody’s watching, be willing to give up that extra hour of sleep and find someone that will show you the ropes while still letting you drive your own growth!

So, it is almost 3AM and I was in another one of my late night/early morning productivity bursts, when I started Facebook chatting with my friend Misty (@Chi_Mist) from Chicago about her current job search and interest in working with the Chicago Blackhawks.  The question came up, “What do you think about sending a letter to them?”  Instantly a story came to my mind about my cousin, Matt, and after our conversation I realized it would be valuable for others to hear it as well.  So here it is, a TRUE story about passion, sports, and following your dreams.  Perfect for the likes of Ryan Stephens (@RyanStephens) and Gary Vaynerchuk (@GaryVee).

My cousin, Matt, is from New York and grew up a HUGE Mets fan.  He knew everything about the Mets, inside and out. In 1990/1 Matt was working for the department of defense in DC, avidly keeping up with the Mets, as always, and they were playing quite poorly.  In a state of complete frustration with the way his beloved Mets were performing and relying on the fact he heard the team’s Owner read all of his mail, he wrote a very comprehensive letter to the Owner of the NY Mets.  This letter basically laid out all of the things Matt thought the Mets were doing wrong, including why they should fire their current manager. (Keep in mind, Matt really knew the game and had legitimate explanations for his criticisms)

To Matt’s surprise, he received a letter back from the Owner with explanations and rebuttal to Matt's points and a thank you for taking the time to write.  Additionally, the offer to meet in-person was made to Matt for the next time he was back in NYC.  A few months later they fired the manager and things started to change for the Mets.  Around that time Matt had planned to visit family back in NY and thought it would be the perfect time to write back and request the in-person meeting.  A meeting was arranged for a slot of 15 minutes and Matt was set to meet with the Owner of the NY Mets!

The meeting turned into a long conversation where the owner began opening up to Matt about different issues and Matt even went on to speak with the VP and other members of the Met’s administration.  Matt recognized the perfect opportunity and asked if any positions were open within the organization.  There were no available positions but the Owner mentioned the commissioner of the MLB was asking each major league team to submit a representative as a candidate to represent the MLB in promoting baseball’s debut in Barcelona for the 1992 Summer Olympics.  He asked Matt if he wanted to be the representative for the NY Mets.

Matt went on to be selected for the position and was in charge of promoting baseball in Barcelona for the 1992 Olympics, helping to ensure its success.  All starting with a passionate letter!

Now, this is a true story, and there are some things you should consider:
1)    Matt is extremely intelligent - graduate from Duke and appear on Jeopardy and come very close to winning intelligent. (His brother also appeared on the show at a different time)
2)    He really knew baseball, specifically the Mets, inside and out which allowed him to draft compelling insights and thought-provoking statements
3)    He was full of passion for something he loved!
4)    He showed up in-person
5)    He had a bit of luck and timing on his side

Will everyone that writes a letter to a team’s manager or a company’s CEO obtain his or her dream job?  Of course not, but if you are extremely knowledgeable, passionate and show why YOU matter, you have a much better chance!  So, study harder, sacrifice more and follow your passion!  Maybe a little luck will come your way too :)