T-M-I from T-I-M

The No Blah-G Zone: Justin Lassen

About 2 years back I was working with an early stage video game company that had a pretty cool concept.  One of the individuals on the team asked me to speak to a friend of his who was scoring (or writing the music) for the video game.  In short order we were having in depth discussions about the meaning of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, the indelible nature of memories, the confusing reality of how our world takes beautiful souls like Gandhi, MLK, John Lennon, etc. by force (ironically out as I was weeping in front of Extreme Pizza of all places!) and many other deep worthwhile topics.

Justin Lassen has opened my worlds in ways that I never dreamed possible.  He's completing his second symphony in Budapest titled A Suite of Grimm in the Mind of the Darkly Inclined.  He's an acclaimed remixer having worked with worldwide known super groups like Nine Inch Nails and Linkin Park.  We exchange our art regularly.  He sends me a song, I send him a poem.  We both feel comfortable sharing our honest points of view about each other's work.

The great thing about it all is that my friendship with Justin has a sturdy foundation of honesty.  Sometimes it takes a while to understand where we're coming from (noir symphony composer and MBA from Wharton are not necessarily...well normal I guess).  That's the beauty, we're both comfortable with that.  We share how it feels if we get uncomfortable with feeling abnormal patiently letting the other person express.

The last twist to our relationship is that we've never met in person.  We've exchanged emails to fill a novel and have had a few lengthy phone convos.  Yes, I know, it's not normal but that's us.

Justin Lassen steps into The No Blah-g Zone.

The No Blah-G Zone: Paul Witkay

About 5 years ago, Randy Williams, founder of the Keiretsu Forum gave me the opportunity to start my business, working with start-ups getting financing. Randy is not only a genuinely compassionate person and super savvy business person, he also is the best networker I have ever met (I refer to going to Keiretsu Forum events as “networking on steroids”.) In one of my first few visits to Keiretsu I met Paul Witkay, founder of The Alliance of CEO’s.

The Alliance is a group of 250+ CEO’s that meet in groups on a regular basis in which CEO’s of companies of all types share real-time challenges they are facing, usually in the context of business (a shared language and passion). Paul is passionate, polished and entrepreneurial. I didn’t have to dig deep to realize he is also curious, honest and compassionate. I had the distinct pleasure a couple years back to have an extended breakfast with him wherein we cemented a strong relationship based on mutual respect.

I’m very direct and curious. It is rewarding to know Paul because he doesn’t sweat my technique while also having his own opinions about things that we discuss (whether we ultimately agree or not). I find it inspiring that as a passionate leader of an organization of passionate leaders humility guides him to success, and he’s a cool dude to boot! And in the midst of his swirling centrifuge of a professional life, I’m honored that he took the time to help me share him with you.

Paul Witkay steps into The No Blah-g Zone

 

The No Blah-g Zone: Bob Bozeman

    A few years ago, I had the most valuable orange juice of my life.  It cost me $1.50.  It was valuable because I drank it while I spoke with Bob Bozeman.  I've been in the start-up, angel, vc world for about 5 years now. 

    I met with Bob a few years ago and learned a bit about how he and a 3 others started The Angel Investors, LP.  The information that's available on the site stuns me every time I look at it.  They were first investors in a few well known world changers (most notably Google) and a number of lesser known investor pleasers.

    I am still a little confused as to why their story isn't better known.  But since it's not, the interview focused, relatively, more on his business philosophies.  What's great about Bob s that those philosophies are directly related to a way of life that I vibe with (the best way I can describe it is fearless humility).

    I love entrepreneurs and have a rule that I work/interact with people I like.  I like Bob.

    Bob Bozeman enters The No Blah-g Zone.

The No Blah-g Zone

Last week I had an idea.  I know tons of people who I think have great stories that I want to share.  I tend to share portions of them, one off with friends or associates. 

I decided to start interviewing some of my "peeps" if you will.  I want to help you get some sense of what it's like to know them.  Generally speaking I will:

• If I don't see their name enough or at all, I will tell some of their story and comment as I'm moved to.
• If there's a ton out there already, I will try to focus on what's not out there.
• Oh....and I'll ask one question every time:  What advice would you give to my 5 year old (or however old she is) daughter?

I will talk to people in business, entertainment, medicine, government and, actually just about anywhere, as long as I think it might be interesting to you.  It's interesting to me that I sent out a request to 5 people and within 24 hours two agreed.

Ben Casnocha, who fittingly, was the one who got me into blogging and Bob Bozeman (who is interview #1) who was a part of a extraordinarily successful angel group several years back.  Both are extremely busy.  Both are friends and business associates. 

They really don't have any reason otherwise to be a part of it (after all it's brand new...) but they still did.

I realized after deciding to do this, that to a certain extent I am stealing Ben Casnocha and Chris Yeh's SV Junto where subject matter experts (in SV Junto's case business people) talk about subjects outside of their day to day expertise (non-business issues in SV Junto's case).  They do groups, I do individuals (interviews that is...)

Further, I am showcasing my ability to copy things by creating "The No Blah-g Zone" like Bill O'Reilly's No Spin Zone.  The reasons I called it that are that it's downright snappy and because I'm committed to avoiding political correctness, which divides not connects us.

In case you're wondering, I'm at peace with my lack of creativity.....

Part of why I'm doing this, I think is because I love writing and while I'm not the best of all time like whoever wrote the Bible (sorry bad example) I am gifted at it.  I know that the my gift for writing will find the words inside of people who are meant to share them (whether I know them or not).

If you have suggestions I'm open.....