One-On-One With World-Class Mentors And Peers
December 15th, 2007As I think back over the last 15 years of opportunities I’ve experienced in watching and learning from great masters, I realize how fortunate I’ve been to learn from, work and train with, and come to know the people I’ve met along the way.
In some cases, I’ve tangled one-on-one in the dojo with internationally acclaimed Vittorio Carelli (Carelli Design and Carelli International) or in the fields of hard grass with the most commanding of martial arts instructors, with Sensei Gregory Hofler (5th Dan, Chairman Tozai Aikido Assoc. & founder, Itamar tactical martial art); while in others I’ve practiced the art of design, customer relations and branding in my small, hometown with locally known entrepreneurs (though equally intelligent and knowledgeable) such as John Flemming (JAM Screen Printing) or Tim Reeser (Ghosttour.com); and most recently with Adam Wiggins (founder of TrustCommerce, Distinctivefabric.com, Bitscribe, and now his latest venture…Heroku).
Still others have included some equally great thinkers and motivators such as Ryan Wartena (co-founder of Nano Sol Systems), Elizabeth Marley (Architectural Consultant w/Farmlab), Blue Cobalt (founder of Dianovo.com), Jim Strickler (founder of RedRox, Cragmaker and the Bouldertron), Garo Kuyumcuovic (founder Rooftop Promotion), and Tristan Edwards (who continues to teach me the meaning of commitment, something I’ve been known to struggle with in most area’s).
Also, a number of my fellow hometown friends, school mates and siblings have met with varying degrees of success and encompass a number of really great qualities as musicians, artists, designers and entrepreneurs: Dede, Jesse and Josh Flemming (founders of The Do LaB), Brent and Chad Hurley (YouTube), Daniel Rattigan (co-founder French Broad Luscious Chocolates), Pierre Pressure (ringleader of The End of The World Tour Circus), JP Ettel and Charlie Fillman (expert laborers and craftsmen), Douglas Reeser (partner in Green Gurus) Ben Wright, Amanda Jayne, Gregory Johnson, Josh Maddox (co-owner of Distinctivefabric.com), and many others along the way.
Each and every one of these ladies and gents are shining examples of what ambition, determination and hard-work can accomplish and I am profoundly proud of all their accomplishments to date and, am equally honored to have known each and every one of them, even if was just to go at it for a few hours on the mat once a week or growing up in attendance together, at the same school.
I just hope that I have or can at some point, return the favor to them all, in this life or another. And, as another friend Ethernight, points out:
“The people you choose to surround yourself with define you.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you to you as well, for being a part of my life and doing so much of what you do for me.