A long, long time ago…in a Cracker Barrel far away, I sat down with my Mom and older sister for a parting meal; I was headed for Los Angeles, practically moments after the ink dried on my diploma from The Ohio State University.
What did I have waitng for me in LA? A room with my brother and a mattress on the floor. I had no clients, no job and no formal plan for how I’d navigate the new world of California.
Looking back, it probably wasn’t the smartest idea in the world. That’s what made it perfect.
I punched in the coordinates and saw that my drive was exactly 40 hours. I figured I could make it in under that, and I set off fueled by more energy drinks and cups of coffee than I could count.
I reached New Mexico before deciding it was time to pull over and rest. Thinking I’d just doze for an hour or two, I found a safe parking spot and gave in to the fatigue.
Then, the unexpected happened…
As soon as my eyes shut, a bug decided to fly straight up my nose. The jolt of adrenaline woke me up faster than a 10 second quarter mile, and I drove straight to California.
39 hours, 45 minutes.
“A Man can do anything he sets his mind to do….” – Opa
I pulled into Randy’s Donuts and proudly ordered some of their iconic donuts…my new adventure was off to a sweet start.
In my time in LA, I took my first step out into the world as a young man, budding entrepreneur and enthusiastic optimist. Those days (and nights) were a melting pot of interesting experiences, characters (including Lenny Dykstra) and beautiful moments in the sun with Steve.
Back then, I didn’t care that I was sleeping on a mattress and taking odd web design jobs to pay for my gym membership and gas money. I earned my Gold Card at Starbucks in less than a month, and eagerly pursued every opportunity I uncovered.
I made it habit to be at the gym at 11pm, and I’d work all night once I was finished with my workout. I liked the calm hours on Shenandoah Street; it was the only time it felt like it was at peace – especially living only a stones throw from Glatt Mart…
I had big dreams back then, as many people do who make the pilgrimage to the City of Angels…
Yesterday morning, I touched down once again in LA…This time, things were different. I was different.
Some things never change…and sometimes, everything does.
Over a decade later, I returned to LA with a plan, overbooked appointments with clients, an entire team of talent working while I traveled.
Prior to the trip, I put together action plans for each client ahead of the meeting, and had the team execute them in a strikeforce manner; rolling out solutions in front of the eyes of th client.
It was incredible. Digital rock n’ roll.
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