Today marks the 6th year of my column and series Behind the Brand so I'm feeling reflective and thinking about all of the amazing people with whom I've had the pleasure of spending quality time.
At the risk of sounding braggy, it is a truly impressive list and I can say that I'm further on my way of becoming who I'd like to be after these six years. If the saying,
"You are the sum total of your relationships"
is true, then I don't mind being a little bit like Seth Godin, Sir Ken Robinson, Daymond John, Bethany Hamilton, Gary Vaynerchuk, Arianna Huffington, Rainn Wilson, John Paul DeJoria and a hundred other incredible people who have been on the show.
The reason why I started this column and series to begin with back in 2010 had everything to do with me feeling uneasy and uncertain about my future. We were in the throws of the recession and most of my friends were out of work or seriously struggling.
I felt disconnected too...
Disconnected from people, resources, money, ideas, inspiration, expertise--you name it. I thought, "If only I could get access to all of those things in one place..."
After voluntarily leaving a big job at a Hollywood studio to start my newly-formed production company, I had the lights, cameras and the desire to hustle my face off.
I started reaching out to the influencers and experts I thought could help me learn how to be successful. I got a lot more than I expected and decided to make the content free for anyone. I continue to publish video episodes and a write-up in places like Huffpo and my Youtube channel.
I felt disconnected too...
Disconnected from people, resources, money, ideas, inspiration, expertise--you name it. I thought, "If only I could get access to all of those things in one place..."
After voluntarily leaving a big job at a Hollywood studio to start my newly-formed production company, I had the lights, cameras and the desire to hustle my face off.
I started reaching out to the influencers and experts I thought could help me learn how to be successful. I got a lot more than I expected and decided to make the content free for anyone. I continue to publish video episodes and a write-up in places like Huffpo and my Youtube channel.
I now have a collection of videos rivaled only by HUGE networks with big dollars...
I film each episode with a small crew and without too much preparation. We don't send questions to our guests in advance. The reason for this is to create more authentic, spontaneous answers and to keep things conversational.
My goal is to have the lights, camera and crew fade into the background so that it feels like my guest and I are the only ones in the room. This format seems to help people open up and feel more at ease, bearing their soles at times, and talking about past experiences.
For me, the most valuable asset or the ROI of this journey has without a doubt been the relationships and the personal mentoring that takes place with each episode. Although I have 10+ years experience in client and agency-side brand strategy and marketing, I play the part of the learner and try to ask the kinds of questions I personally want to know.
It's been an amazing ride and at the same time, we're just getting started. If you are reading my stuff for the first time, welcome!
If you've been with me for a while, thank you! In either case, thank you for your time and attention, it means the world. I hope you find value here in the conversations, stories and case studies we feature. I look forward to hearing from you if you'd like to reach out.
Leave a comment below or tweet me @BryanElliott. Watch more great episodes in the series here.