
A game-changing piece of advice
I am not stupid. At least I don't think I am.
I do try to listen to what others have to say and when someone gives me advice, I usually take it.
I have these two men in my life that are mentors. They are the two men throughout the world that I hold in the highest business esteem. Yes, the world. Not just Australia, but the world.
Their names are Jack Cowin and Peter Ivany. If you don't know who they are, Google them. It will be well worth your while. They are not your average 'smart cookies', they are briliant businessmen - beyond the brilliance of anyone else I have ever met (and I have met people worth hundreds of billions of dollars and spent quality time with them). I think these two guys are better.
I do try to listen to what others have to say and when someone gives me advice, I usually take it.
I have these two men in my life that are mentors. They are the two men throughout the world that I hold in the highest business esteem. Yes, the world. Not just Australia, but the world.
Their names are Jack Cowin and Peter Ivany. If you don't know who they are, Google them. It will be well worth your while. They are not your average 'smart cookies', they are briliant businessmen - beyond the brilliance of anyone else I have ever met (and I have met people worth hundreds of billions of dollars and spent quality time with them). I think these two guys are better.
For one, they care. They may be paving their way into the billionaire hemisphere - and good on them for doing that - but their number one priority is family. They have beautiful families... inside and out. They have married perfect women who are smart, stunning and bring a lot to the table. Their kids, who are no longer kids, are all successful in their own right and they have the most interesting, diverse personalities. If you were holding a dinner party, these kids deserve their own place at the table no matter what relationship they have with their more highky regarded fathers.
It's the kind of setup dreams are made of.
I met both of these people when I was in my twenties. I was green, eager to learn, excitable, fascinated by life, adventurous, and super keen to do something amazing in business - but I didn't quite know what that was.
My skills are in marketing: strategic marketing, investor relations, public relations, social media, marketing automation - all for companies that are incredibly unsexy. They are B2B types in technology, biotechnology, digital, medical, logistics and manufacturing. You get the picture I am sure.
Over the years I have grown significantly and I would attribute much of that to the people I meet and my travels. The things I am constantly exposed to and the people who have achieved more than I ever even want to achieve are inspiring to say the least.
I am 42 years old next Friday and gosh my life has gone by so quickly. Yet now is the time for reflection and a bit of self-love - not the weird kind.
Which brings me back to my mentors, who have given me some great advice recently. Firstly, Jack said that I would be best served by using my already existing resources in Australia to grow here rather than expand internationally. He was right. I was wrong. I just wanted the adventure and to see where I could take the business. It worked in many ways - mostly financially. But that kind of lifestyle is a huge stress on your personal life and living in hotels really sucks.
But smart men like Jack know that if you scale your existing resources and focus on bringing in more clients, you will ultimately achieve greater profits and a better overall business with less stress personally and professionally.
Then of course the legendary Peter Ivany, (I call him that because his story is inspirational and I can't wait for you to read it in the next edition of Marketing Eye magazine), gave me some insight into how important it is at my age to put "Fuck You Money Away". Sorry for the language but it is exactly what we call it in entrepreneurs speak.
I spend so much of my own money on the business and this phenomenal life that I lead, that I am probably not putting enough away. What if I was hit by a bus - something that I need to think about. Sure I would have money, but is it serious enough to last a lifetime in the lifestyle that I have become accustomed to.
I am developing some serious technology right now and to do that I need to use up a lot of cash. I am going put a bit of my own money in, but I will also go out to investors - which is scary in so many ways. It puts me in front of people in a way that I haven't had to do previously.
I would like to thank Peter and Jack. Thank you for your inspiration, time, and excellent advice. I am taking it and making changes where they need to be made.
There are no new company-owned offices being launched from this point forward.This means anyone out there who wants to own a Marketing Eye license anywhere in the world - it's yours. Contact us today.
It's the kind of setup dreams are made of.
I met both of these people when I was in my twenties. I was green, eager to learn, excitable, fascinated by life, adventurous, and super keen to do something amazing in business - but I didn't quite know what that was.
My skills are in marketing: strategic marketing, investor relations, public relations, social media, marketing automation - all for companies that are incredibly unsexy. They are B2B types in technology, biotechnology, digital, medical, logistics and manufacturing. You get the picture I am sure.
Over the years I have grown significantly and I would attribute much of that to the people I meet and my travels. The things I am constantly exposed to and the people who have achieved more than I ever even want to achieve are inspiring to say the least.
I am 42 years old next Friday and gosh my life has gone by so quickly. Yet now is the time for reflection and a bit of self-love - not the weird kind.
Which brings me back to my mentors, who have given me some great advice recently. Firstly, Jack said that I would be best served by using my already existing resources in Australia to grow here rather than expand internationally. He was right. I was wrong. I just wanted the adventure and to see where I could take the business. It worked in many ways - mostly financially. But that kind of lifestyle is a huge stress on your personal life and living in hotels really sucks.
But smart men like Jack know that if you scale your existing resources and focus on bringing in more clients, you will ultimately achieve greater profits and a better overall business with less stress personally and professionally.
Then of course the legendary Peter Ivany, (I call him that because his story is inspirational and I can't wait for you to read it in the next edition of Marketing Eye magazine), gave me some insight into how important it is at my age to put "Fuck You Money Away". Sorry for the language but it is exactly what we call it in entrepreneurs speak.
I spend so much of my own money on the business and this phenomenal life that I lead, that I am probably not putting enough away. What if I was hit by a bus - something that I need to think about. Sure I would have money, but is it serious enough to last a lifetime in the lifestyle that I have become accustomed to.
I am developing some serious technology right now and to do that I need to use up a lot of cash. I am going put a bit of my own money in, but I will also go out to investors - which is scary in so many ways. It puts me in front of people in a way that I haven't had to do previously.
I would like to thank Peter and Jack. Thank you for your inspiration, time, and excellent advice. I am taking it and making changes where they need to be made.
There are no new company-owned offices being launched from this point forward.This means anyone out there who wants to own a Marketing Eye license anywhere in the world - it's yours. Contact us today.
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comments ( 2 )
Christina
23 Aug 2015This was so inspirational! It's always nice to hear something so humbling from someone who's so successful. I have never really had mentors, people to help pave my way in the world professionally. Of course I have my parents but there's so much they can teach me before I have to find my own way to learn on my own. It's incredible to see how mentors can come in any shape or form and give such helpful and insightful advice.
ReplyEven in such successful business people, it's good to hear that family comes first and even top entrepreneurs know to put your personal health and life before business. What a great way to priorities life. It just really makes you think.
Michael Moffitt
22 Aug 2015Good for you Mellissah! If you ever want to know what it's like to work with a real trusted business CPA and advisor, look at our website: msm-cpa.Com
ReplyBTW, we are Atlanta based, and I have seen you walking your dog in Buckhead.