How Learning From Failure Makes You Stronger - Lauren Serota

In Chapter 7 of 18 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, interaction designer and researcher Lauren Serota shares why failures are more meaningful learning experiences than successes. Failure is a preparation and learning mechanism she uses to continuously improve. Serota notes the value learning how to get out of a bad place, be it a bad day or a dark life moment. She finds it more educational that simply doing something right. The more wrong things you do, and the more times you identify the right way to do things, the more success you will have. Ultimately, learning from failure makes one stronger. Serota shares a lesson learned from her parents' marriage. Serota is an interaction designer at frog design - http://frogdesign.com - and a professor at the Austin Center for Design - http://ac4d.com . She earned her bachelors degree in industrial design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

How to Harness and Refine Ambition as You Mature - Bijoy Goswami

In Chapter 1 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, leadership philosopher Bijoy Goswami shares what his getting easier and harder in his life. Experience has taught him how his life works in nine year cycles, with two years discovering the next phase and seven years acting on it. This part, Goswami notes, is what is getting easier. The more challenging element is being able to bring together the cycles, the models, and the ambitions under one life umbrella. This continues to challenge him as he ages. Goswami lives in Austin, TX, where he develops models, including MRE, youPlusU, and Bootstrap, to help others live more meaningfully. He teaches his models through community activism, lectures, writing, and online communication. Previously, he co-founded Aviri Software after working at Trilogy Software. Goswami graduated from Stanford University, where he studied Computer Science, Economics, and History.

How to Break Out of a Comfort Zone and Learn New Things - Bijoy Goswami

In Chapter 2 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, leadership philosopher Bijoy Goswami shares how he breaks out of his comfort zone. He does this by embracing activities and experiences he normally would not seek. This may mean attending movies he knows nothing about or going to events or conferences not directly aligned with his career or personal interests. The different environment provides the intellectual stimulation he then uses to develop and refine his interests and ambition. Goswami lives in Austin, TX, where he develops models, including MRE, youPlusU, and Bootstrap, to help others live more meaningfully. He teaches his models through community activism, lectures, writing, and online communication. Previously, he co-founded Aviri Software after working at Trilogy Software. Goswami graduated from Stanford University, where he studied Computer Science, Economics, and History.

How International Upbringing Benefits Child Development - Bijoy Goswami

In Chapter 3 of 15 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, leadership philosopher Bijoy Goswami shares his personal experience in answering what are the benefits of an international upbringing. At its core, it teaches both the diversity of experience and the commonality of experience. Born in Bangalore, India and raised in Hong Kong, he learns to see people as individuals and not as races or nationalities. He also learns to appreciate where he lives, for example the United States, by gaining perspective living abroad. Goswami lives in Austin, TX, where he develops models, including MRE, youPlusU, and Bootstrap, to help others live more meaningfully. He teaches his models through community activism, lectures, writing, and online communication. Previously, he co-founded Aviri Software after working at Trilogy Software. Goswami graduated from Stanford University, where he studied Computer Science, Economics, and History.

What Makes Relationships Last a Lifetime - Randall Metting

In Chapter 1 of 11 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, brand marketer and Austin on-air radio personality Randall Metting discusses his parents marriage. Married over 40 years, Metting's parents teach him the importance of open communication.  He applies this in both his personal and professional pursuits opening up life's possibliities.  Metting is a brand developer focused on the intersection of luxury goods, professional sports, and charitable cause sponsorship and promotions.  He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR Radio Austin.  He earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida. 

How Parents Become Role Models and Inspire Family - Randall Metting

In Chapter 2 of 11 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, brand marketer and Austin on-air radio personality Randall Metting shares how his parents each became important role models in his life.  Metting notes his parents beliefs and actions both impacted his personal ambition and goals.  From effective communication and kindness to watching his dad develop a music career, Metting learns to apply the lessons in his own life.  Metting is a brand developer focused on the intersection of luxury goods, professional sports, and charitable cause sponsorship and promotions.  He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR Radio Austin.  He earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida.

How to Celebrate Father's Day and Create a Tradition - Randall Metting

In Chapter 3 of 11 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, brand marketer and Austin on-air radio personality Randall Metting shares how he has built an annual tradition celebrating Father's Day with his dad.  The two take annual trips to big sporting events, including the College World Series, to celebrate "manly moments".  He reflects back on his "first game" with his father, a Texas Longhorns football game when his mother was nine months pregnant.  Metting is a brand marketer focused on the intersection of luxury goods, professional sports, and charitable cause sponsorship and promotion.  He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR Radio Austin.  He earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida. 

How Community Diversity Creates Austin City Culture - Randall Metting

In Chapter 9 of 11 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, brand marketer and Austin on-air radio personality Randall Metting shares how living in Ausitn has taught him about what makes communities work.  After relocating from Atlanta to Austin, Metting embraces the diverse communities shaping Austin life.  He sums it up with a coffeeshop analogy and the mixed backgrounds all part of one scne.  Metting is a brand developer focused on the intersection of luxury goods, professional sports, and charitable cause sponsorship and promotion.  He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR Radio Austin.  He earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida. 

How Local Radio Stations Help Keep Austin Weird - Randall Metting

In Chapter 10 of 11 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, brand marketer and Austin KGSR on-air radio personality Randall Metting shares how local radio stations contribute to the city culture.  The city motto "Keep Austin Weird" is reflected in how radio stations strive to craft differentiated local experiences that make city living more rewarding.  Metting is a brand developer focused on the intersection of luxury goods, professional sports, and charitable cause sponsorship and promotion.  He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR Radio Austin.  He earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida. 

How Bone Marrow Donor Helps Child Fight Cancer - Randall Metting

In Chapter 11 of 11 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, brand marketer and Austin on-air radio personality Randall Metting joins the National Bone Marrow Program and donates his bone marrow in a stem cell transplant operation.  Metting takes action after seeing friends and family suffer from cancer.  The transplant experience inspires him to contribute to multiple cancer charities, including the Austin-based Livestrong Foundation.  Metting is a brand developer focused on the intersection of luxury goods, professional sports, and charitable cause sponsorship and promotion.  He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR Radio Austin.  He earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida.

How Starting a Company Teaches Humility - Dan Street

In Chapter 1 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, software entrepreneur and Loku founder Dan Street shares how he has embraced the challenges starting a business. He notes the lifestyle changes associated with becoming an entrepreneur - constant focus on the business, less sleep, and less social time. He finds meaning in learning the ropes - hiring, raising capital, and learning all aspects of the business - as he works on his vision. Street is the founder and CEO of Loku, previously known as Borrowed Sugar which develops Internet software to strengthen local communities. Previously, Street worked in private equity at Kohlberg, Kravis, and Roberts (KKR) and management consulting at Bain & Co. He earned a BA in music and business from Rice University.

How to Manage Lifestyle Change Becoming an Entrepreneur - Dan Street

In Chapter 2 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, software entrepreneur and Loku founder and CEO Dan Street shares what getting easier and harder as he builds his company Loku. He focuses on some of the lifestyle challenges that accompany starting a company. This includes finding time for social activity, eating healthy, getting exercise, and perhaps most importantly setting expectations with friends and family. Street is the founder and CEO of Loku, previously known as Borrowed Sugar, which develops Internet software to strengthen local communities. Previously, Street worked in private equity at Kohlberg, Kravis, and Roberts (KKR) and management consulting at Bain & Co. He earned a BA in music and business from Rice University.

What are the Challenges Going into Business With Friends - Mike Germano

In Chapter 2 of 16 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, social media expert and Carrot Creative president Mike Germano shares the big challenges starting a business with close friends.  He notes how the hardest part is when personal things come up that force you to choose between being a business partner and a friend.  It runs counter to focusing 100% on the business but Germano notes that friends all come first and that long-term it is best for everyone involved.  Germano is co-founder and president of DUMBO, Brooklyn based new media agency Carrot Creative.  Before Carrot Creative, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

How Getting a Dog Improves Quality of Life - Tricia Regan

In Chapter 1 of 10 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, filmmaker Tricia Regan shares how getting a dog has changed her life. Her puppy creates a positive environment at home, around neighbors, and with friends. It also teaches Regan responsibility. In the first few months, the new responsibility triggers Regan's maternal instincts. Over time, she trains her dog and finds a new companion. Regan is an Emmy-Award winning filmmaker. She directed, produced and shot "Autism: The Musical." When not shooting documentary films, Regan has worked as a director, producer, and writer at ABC, NBC, FOX, and Lifetime. She earned a bachelors from Binghamton University and masters from New York University.

Fabian Pfortmüller on How an Entrepreneur Creates Rules for Success

In Chapter 9 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, community builder and entrepreneur Fabian Pfortmüller shares how he is learning to define success and failure. He finds failure is about delivering mediocre results or doing something irrelevant or mismatched to what someone wants. This frames his view of success, which is less about quantifiable success and more about surrounding yourself with those you love. Pfortmüller is co-founder of Sandbox Network (www.sandbox-network.com). He also co-founded an innovation think tank, Incubaker (www.incubaker.com), and is part of the group's first spin-off, Holstee (www.holstee.com), an apparel brand for people who would like to wear their passion. Pfortmüller graduated from Columbia University and its School of General Studies.

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen: How do you define and measure success in what you do?

Fabian Pfortmüller: I really believe that as I get older I start to better understand what success really means to me. Success used to be very easy quantifiable in terms of numbers, you know? And that was the first measurement of success but as I start to gain a little bit of experience step by step I would say I get a better grasp of what success means and success obviously has to do with motivation, what really motivates you in the end and for me, right now it is really about being my own boss, being able to shape my own environment.

Being able to say ‘Okay, I designed my life and how I run my life’ and then be surrounded and be with the people I really love that’s really what counts and if what you create actually is valuable and it’s being used and [laughs] and is in that way successful that is great, but right now that for me is even secondary.

Already having that environment and living like that is worthwhile in itself and I believe when it comes to success on a project level there’s two things which I can say what is failure for me, maybe that kind of as the contrast to success is delivering something that is mediocre and delivering something that people don’t want and don’t need. And as a consequence success is delivering something that people really need and want and not just doing a good product but doing really the coolest product and the best product out there, whatever it is, I believe that’s success.

Fabian Pfortmüller on What is the First Step to Living Your Dream

In Chapter 7 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, community builder and entrepreneur Fabian Pfortmüller shares how he encourages others to take the first step to living their dream. The first step is that taking action on a dream means you cannot fail. He finds the fear of failure holds back people from acting on dreams and pursuing their respective passion. He lives his own dream by asking himself often what is success. Pfortmüller is co-founder of Sandbox Network (www.sandbox-network.com). He also co-founded an innovation think tank, Incubaker (www.incubaker.com), and is part of the group's first spin-off, Holstee (www.holstee.com), an apparel brand for people who would like to wear their passion. Pfortmüller graduated from Columbia University and its School of General Studies.

Transcript:

Erik Michielsen: When you advise others to live their dream what do you advise they do to take the first step?

Fabian Pfortmüller: So, I meet a lot of people and I always encourage them to live their dream and I think many people say ‘Yeah, you know I’d love to’ I mean who wouldn’t want to live their dream, right? And what I try to convince them of as a first step is that they can’t fail. I really believe so that – I think that especially applies to us being here in the US and in Europe and… the fortunate environments that we have that we have many people we have to do with and that might not apply to someone who is in India and has nothing to eat but most people I deal with in my daily life, they can’t fail, they have food, they have shelter, they have good education, usually they have enough money, there is no struggle for survival and seriously realizing that, incorporating that and acting upon that I think is one of the most important first steps, because I believe that’s what holds a lot of people back is kind of a very deep down sense of ‘I’m totally utterly going to fail and I’m going to end up on the streets’. If you tell them, ‘Look, you’re not going to be that successful in the first few years and so-‘ I think people can deal with that, people can deal with that but deep down they have to have the fear that they always dreamed of being an artist but perusing that is going to bring them out in the streets and I believe that’s wrong.

Erik Michielsen: How are you living your own dream?

Fabian Pfortmüller: Asking myself very often what I want and what really drives me, what is success? Having that question very close to me and asking it very, very regularly that helps me to live my dream. Because in order to live your dream you need to know what your dream is and one of the qualities of life, maybe in general but particularly in my life, is that it goes on very fast and things come up and they’re very noisy and they speak to you very loud voices that sometimes the important things get pushed backwards you know? And keep them very close to… the forward part of your brain so to speak I think that’s what helps me to live my dreams. In a practical sense it is by doing what I love kind of working on Holstee, working on Sandbox and being here in New York you know, that’s my dream right now.

How Curiosity and Momentum Enable Career Vision - Michael Margolis

In Chapter 12 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, storyteller and entrepreneur Michael shares how momentum and building exit, or escape, velocity pair with lifelong learning and curiosity to help him define and measure his success as a storytelling evangelist. Margolis Margolis is the founder and president of Get Storied (http://www.getstoried.com), an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative. As a consultant, educator and writer he uses storytelling to create more effective branding, innovation and culture change. Margolis earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University.

How to Reinvent Yourself and Make a Successful Career Change - Michael Margolis

In Chapter 11 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, storyteller and entrepreneur Michael notes what role reinvention plays in creating and executing a career change. He notes how reinvention and career change is about moving from an old story to a new story. The inherent challenge here is not finding the new story but creating a story about your transition others can believe and support. To do this, Margolis recommends using your past to legitimize the future. Margolis Margolis is the founder and president of Get Storied (http://www.getstoried.com), an education and publishing platform dedicated to teaching the world how to think in narrative. As a consultant, educator and writer he uses storytelling to create more effective branding, innovation and culture change. Margolis earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Tufts University.