Phil McKenzie on How Family Relationships Change With Age

In Chapter 2 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are Your Family Relationships Changing As You Get Older?"  McKenzie finds the biggest change is that he is thinking far more about family legacy and the long-term thinking that comes with it.  Seeing parents age and friends go through new challenges motivates Phil to make the greatest positive impact he can in his lifetime. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Learning Work Ethic in an American Immigrant Family

In Chapter 3 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?"  McKenzie learns his work ethic from his parents.  With both parents first generation American immigrants, McKenzie learns from his Mom, from Barbados, and his Dad, from Guyana, as they make sacrifices and do what it takes to raise a family in a new country.  This informs McKenzie's hard work ethic to outwork and outhustle competition and find internal motivation to compete against himself. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Using Positive Thinking to Reflect and Grow

In Chapter 4 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?"  McKenzie finds reflecting on a weekly basis helps him understand what is going right and where he can improve.  He finds taking a positive approach to looking for what went well each week helps him celebrate success and build momentum for his next week. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on How to Better Manage Your Meeting Commitments

In Chapter 5 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage Your Time and Commitments?"  McKenzie learns to make meeting plans with a more restrictive start and stop times.  This helps him better focus on the conversation and allows him to have more meetings. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

How to Manage Work Pressure and Reduce Job Stress

In Chapter 6 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?"  As founder of the Influencer Conference, McKenzie feels internal pressure to succeed and external pressures, including deadlines and goals.  In both cases, he finds better organization helps manage pressure and limit negative job stress. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on What You Learn Bootstrap Financing a Startup

In Chapter 7 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Has Bootstrapping a Startup Taught You About Doing More With Less?"  Bootstrap financing his startup teaches McKenzie to get creative with limited resources.  It forces him not to be lazy and to make the most fewer financial resources, for example when getting publicity and marketing his business. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Saving Money to Start a Business

In Chapter 8 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Has Starting Your Own Business Changed How You Manage Your Personal Finances?"  McKenzie learns to be thrifty and how to save from his parents.  Working a Wall Street job at Goldman Sachs, McKenzie is able to save money that he then uses to start his business. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Iterating a Lean Startup Business Model

In Chapter 9 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How is Your Business Model Evolving as You Gain Experience?"  In three years operating his global event series, McKenzie evolves his business from a vocational-based platform to a values-based platform.  By honing business goals around core values - transparency, innovation, creativity, mindfulness - McKenzie and his team are better able to align operations and strategy to community and partner needs. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on How Life and Career Goals Can Support Each Other

In Chapter 10 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?"  To McKenzie, his personal and professional lives inform one another and thrive off one another.  He brings personal well-being approaches, such as mindfulness and presence, into his work and finds ways for life and career goals to support each other. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Why Patience is Key to Small Business Success

In Chapter 11 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Problems Are You Trying to Solve to Grow Your Business?"  McKenzie finds impatience is the greatest challenge he faces.  The more he wants to do to grow his business, the more resources he needs.  McKenzie learns to set priorities that align with incremental goals and manage that time constraints that come with things like closing a deal and getting paid on that deal. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Rebranding a Small Business

In Chapter 12 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Steps Have You Taken to Build Your Company Brand?"  After three years building his business, McKenzie realizes aesthetic steps were needed - changing the logo, updating branding topography, and redesigning the website.  These updates play into a business model evolution that includes monthly event series, greater two-way communication on the website, and free downloadable knowledge. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Managing Multicultural Diversity for a Virtual Workforce

In Chapter 14 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are You Learning to Work More Effectively With Different Personality Types?"  For McKenzie, managing diversity is more about managing cultural diversity than it is personality diversity.  He finds understanding cultural differences, for example how a Sao Paolo team differs from a Detroit or Mumbai team, helps him better lead and manage teams. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Improving Small Business Strategy Planning

In Chapter 15 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "At This Point in Your Life, Where Are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?"  McKenzie looks for support that will help him better plan longer-term strategy for his organization.  He finds support from his Duke business school network as he sets up a board of advisors to help the business grow. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Finding a Management Style to Lead a Company

In Chapter 16 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Would You Describe Your Management Style?"  Starting his company, McKenzie leads loosely.  Over time, he finds the managerial style that works best for him and his team is more assertive, hands-on, and built on structure and boundaries.  He learns to separate how he works and how he gets motivated from what others require to thrive. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Manager Job Skills That Become Increasingly Important

In Chapter 17 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Skills Are Becoming More Important to You as Your Career Advances?"  McKenzie finds communication skills are becoming more important.  The better he can distill complex ideas into simple, actionable messages, the better he can lead a globally distributed virtual team. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on How to Improve Virtual Team Communication

In Chapter 18 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are You Learning to Communicate More Effectively?"  McKenzie finds he is able to communicate more effectively by communicating more frequently.  Managing a distributed team from over the world, McKenzie finds more regular communication that is visual and verbal helps keep his geographically dispersed virtual team on the same page. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Cathy Erway on How to Improve Your Work Relationships

In Chapter 4 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, writer and healthy food advocate Cathy Erway answers "How Are You Learning to Work More Effectively With Different Personality Types?"  For Erway, it comes down to appreciation.  By finding a way to appreciate, not just tolerate, someone who may think or act differently, Erway finds she can establish a mutual connection that creates a better working relationship. 

Cathy Erway is a Brooklyn-based author, part-time cook, freelance writer, radio host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.

CFO Andrew Epstein on Transitioning into a General Management Role

In Chapter 2 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, charter school CFO Andrew Epstein answers "How Are Your Responsibilities Changing As Your Career Evolves?" Working as a CFO in a charter management organization, Epstein manages a finance and operations team across multiple schools and the overall network.  His responsibilities change most by giving him a global view of the organization and putting good people to work for the organization. 

Andrew Epstein is CFO of the Ascend Learning Charter School Network.  Previously, Epstein was a finance executive at Democracy Prep Public Schools and an operations executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records.  He is a former Teach for America corps member and middle-school science teacher.  He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.