Personal Story/Journey

When Holly was born, we were living on a houseboat in London. Virgin Records was expanding and I worked from home with a desk crammed between the bilge pump and stairs. It’s hard to raise a family and build a business, but it’s incredibly rewarding https://virg.in/i22 …see more

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I have learned more about what it means to be human from those who volunteer to wear a uniform than from anyone else I’ve ever met. I’ve hugged more people in uniform than I’ve ever hugged in suits. I’ve cried with more people in uniform than anyone in business. To those who spend every single day thinking about and serving others, on this day, we think about you. I offer you deep love and gratitude for your service to each other and to us. …see more

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When Will Smith challenged me to get active, I pretended to do some pull-ups. But this time I did it for real – here’s the proof https://virg.in/iqv

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I started Virgin Atlantic because I was on my way to see my lovely girlfriend (now wonderful wife) in the BVI when I was bumped off a plane & thought there had to be a better way of doing things. I’ve shared my thoughts on my blog of how to turn frustrations into opportunities: https://virg.in/5JT …see more

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100k cycle and swim: completed! I’ve been looking forward to the 100km cycle because I knew it would be the most challenging stage of the Strive Challenge for me. That’s what the Strive Challenge is all about: having a growth mindset (and raising money for Big Change !) It can be really easy to stay in your comfort zone but that’s not where the magic happens. When you reach your limits and you push past them, there really is no other feeling like it. …see more

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I sometimes forget names. In a TV interview years ago Gay Byrne asked me: ‘What have you got written on your hand?’ I sheepishly turned it over to reveal I had 'Gay Byrne' penned on my skin. He was crestfallen! Despite my mishap, Gay is truly unforgettable …see more

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Downloaded Robinhood this morning, transferred $10k from my #BankofAmerica account. Also on @reddit and #wallstreetsbets so I now ride with the herd. I consider myself as an experienced investor so I'm taking it all for a spin. If you are going to pontificate, criticize & editorialize you should do the same. I'll keep you posted!

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One of the most amazing things about being dyslexic is the imagination it gives you. I started dreaming from a young age and then began trying to turn those dreams into reality https://virg.in/58P

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Back in Boston lock-down. COVID-19 second wave? Better to stay home but don't work all day, you will go crazy. Take a break and do something else! #lockdownstories

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A few years ago I traced my roots and was thrilled to discover that I’m actually part Indian. I loved finding out how some of my ancestors on my father’s side moved to India in search of fortune and started their own successful businesses. Wonderful to be joined by hundreds of today’s entrepreneurs to discuss why we should embrace failure: https://virg.in/iHg …see more

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Ever since I was a young boy I have made lists of goals and resolutions. It’s how I make sense of the ideas in my head, the suggestions I receive, and the progress we are making. https://virg.in/5ZS

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The last stage of the Strive Challenge was a triathlon, which pushed me a little harder as I had to swim 1k, then bike 20k and then run 10k (my legs felt a little heavy by the end!) https://virg.in/atr

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I took on the 10 mile hike this weekend for the Strive Challenge to raise money for Big Change . It was a great warm up for what comes next - the 100k cycle. https://virg.in/akJ

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So touched that the Virgin Orbit team chose to honour my mum by writing For Eve onto the nose cone of the rocket – yet another great adventure for mum! It was a wonderful surprise for all of our family, and I want to again thank everyone who has shared such touching tributes to her https://virg.in/j89 …see more

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I love the way the spacewear looks and I love the way it feels. I also love the fact that the next time I put it on, I will be on my way to space https://virg.in/iQw Virgin Galactic Under Armour

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I miss offices. I miss meetings. I miss random smiles in corridors. I miss energy. I miss brainstorms. I miss industry events. I miss snatched conversations. I miss walking around and feeling part of something. I miss team meals. I miss nurturing and being nurtured. I miss Friday feelings, I miss leaving the office. I miss vacations.I miss the richness of living. I miss seeing reactions. I miss it all. And I’m doing fine, but I wonder if in order to cope we’ve all just become rather numb. A little bit dazed. Feels totally nuts that were in this situation. Feels like the rules changed and we’re in a futile purgatory, no logic, no end, no plan. And to speak of this is considered wrong, because these are first world problems and most of us are doing really well considering. But it’s MANY other people I’m worried about, and seriously so. …see more

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In a society hooked on immediate gratification, it’s hard to remember that each of us is on our own timeline. Bruce Deel has the empathy to see the best in every person, and the patience to help them move closer to that ideal version of themselves, in their own time. The stories he shared about his life and his organization, City of Refuge, Inc. , on this week’s episode of A Bit of Optimism are equally gut-wrenching and heartwarming. I’m so thankful to be able to share his work and his wisdom with you. Find it at apple.co/simonsinek or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. …see more

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One of the most resounding lessons I learned from my father was the importance of dreaming https://virg.in/SDf

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My little brother passed away last week. He was 18. Three weeks ago he asked to work for me after he graduated high school. And I said yes & there was nothing I was looking forward to more. To everyone “hustling” out there, please remember this (because it’s way too easy to get lost in the work): - Hustling won’t make you happy. The people (or person) you’re hustling FOR will bring you happiness. Don’t forget that. - Likes, comments, shares, etc... will not help you live a happy life. You need to find meaning beyond that. - Make sure you’re not working so hard to appear happy on social & instead just work to BE happy. - Go home. See your friends/family (if you’re able). Even if they don’t understand why you’re working so hard. I wasted way too many years because I was “working.” There are no words to express this pain — I hope the above hits some of you. Be grateful for the people in your life. Show them love today. Show them love everyday. Because “someday” isn’t always guaranteed. Taking a break from social. 🖤 …see more

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2008 and 2018. I was 23 on the left and just starting my company, Zen Media. I’d just finished graduate school and writing my thesis on Twitter. No one believed social media would be a field. It was early (...very early) days. I could have never imagined the highs and lows which would follow. The following year, Business Week would name me to their 25 under 25 entrepreneurs list. Inc and Forbes would follow suit in the years to come...In the 10 years to follow, I’d write two best selling books. The Zen of Social Media Marketing (4th edition now) and Momentum. Zen Media would grow to be a globally known marketing firm with an enviable client list. I’d keynote at hundreds of events in front of thousands. I’d learn what it means to lead people and make a ton of mistakes in the process. I’d know great love and great loss. But, I’d find that in the depth of winter lay within me an invincible summer. And, I’d learn the most important lesson of all - be grateful for your highs and graceful in your lows. 💞 #10yearchallenge …see more

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These Virgin Galactic VMS Eve flights mean a lot to me. My mum always supported every idea of mine and she lives on in everything we do – after all, you can’t have a mothership without naming it after your mother. Great to see you flying high, VMS Eve. …see more

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25 years ago we thought it would be an exciting challenge to take on Coca-Cola. We eventually failed – but learned a lot along the way https://virg.in/5kV

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Spotted 11-year-old Abraham taking hand-written notes at my talk, and got chance to meet him afterwards to find out what he was writing down… https://virg.in/iLL

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A year ago last week, I graduated from college. That day, I united with my family after the ceremony and asked my dad, “Are you proud of me?” “Absolutely. You graduated from the school you wanted to. But you should never do something just to make me proud. As long as you are following what you want and benefiting you and those around you, I will be proud. You could have not gone to college at all, and I would still be proud” my dad responded. I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have parents that support me in what I chose to do with my education and career. Support systems are vital. #university #graduation #studentoflinkedin …see more

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If you ask for the impossible you might simply find that it is possible! Most would hesitate to ask, this boy got a selfie with the two most powerful leaders in the world. This got me thinking, when was the last time, I stepped out of my comfort zone and reached for the impossible! I think it was when I decided to ask my family to move back to India after 22 years in the US. Love to hear your #ImpossibleMoments …see more

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When I was 7 my parents and teachers didn't think I'd ever be able to read or do basic math, because of my debilitating dyslexia. I was lucky enough to work with an amazing educator who convinced me that my dyslexia was a superpower. My confidence grew, and I realized that the problem wasn't that I couldn't learn - it was that the standardized resources and tools being thrown at me were useless. Once I was able to understand my dyslexia, I was able to master it and use it to my advantage. The same is true for ANY weakness. Get to know yourself. Get to know your faults. Then grab them by the horns, and use them to unleash your full potential. Interviewer: Bryan Elliott …see more

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An incredible act of compassion and a powerful image as Brant Jean forgives and embraces the woman who killed his brother: https://lnkd.in/dvsXkEU #ReadByRichard

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It’s great to see the world waking up to the amazing strengths #dyslexia can give you. Here’s my message for dyslexic children https://virg.in/E9T

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As millions in the US and around the world take to the streets to demand an end to racism and racial injustice against black people in the wake of George Floyd’s brutal killing in Minneapolis, I am reminded of an encounter I learned a lot from more than 50 years ago. In 1967, I was 17 years old and had just launched Student Magazine to protest against the Vietnam War and other issues where I felt young people’s voices were not being heard. I was fortunate to get the rare chance to listen to James Baldwin, the brilliant African American writer and leading public intellectual. I had heard he was staying in London for a few days, so I went to his hotel and managed to secure an interview in his room. The conversation we had feels more present than ever during these days of protest.   “White people do not listen and do not care,” he said at one point, voicing his frustration at the continuing oppression of black people. “What would happen if they did listen?” I asked. “It isn’t me that they have to listen to,” he replied. “It isn’t any black man they have to listen to. It’s their own hearts and conscience.” https://virg.in/psX …see more

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You can't do that, she told me. Cindy was a VP in the Marketing department. I was on my way to see the CEO of HBO, where I worked. You can't do that, she said. You can't just walk into his office! Jeff was my boss's boss's boss's boss's boss's boss. People say "can't" when they have no answer. --- I had an idea I wanted to tell him. If you can make original TV series on HBO, why not do original web series? This was 1995. He said, go for it. I used that first idea to launch my first company. My first clients were AmericanExpress.com and TimeWarner.com . If you can't "can't", then you won't. It reminds me of this amazing football play. This quarterback shouldn't. No he didn't. No he won't! But he did. …see more

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I was sixteen when I had my first steady job and earned my first buck. It was a brutal and humiliating job that truly taught me where power lies. I applied for a job at Magoo’s Ice Cream Parlor because it was located in the mall where the girls tended to gather after school. The first day went well. My scoop skills were sound, and I could say with pride that although it was a busy day and I was new, I kept the lineups short and the customers happy. My second day on the job even busier, but I was faster. During a lull, the boss came to the front of the store. I’ll admit I was hoping for a bit of praise, for being swift, efficient, and a fast learner. Instead, she said to me, “Kevin, there’s some gum in the grout on the floor. Get on your hands and knees and scrape it out before anybody comes back in.” This request stopped me in my tracks. The first thing that entered my mind was that if a pretty girl saw me doing that, she might not talk to me. The second thing that crossed my mind was that I didn’t get hired to scrape gum. “That’s not my job,” I said. “My job’s to scoop ice cream.” Her features twisted into the meanest expression I’d ever seen on a face. Next thing out of her mouth was “You’re fired. Get out of my store.” It was the best thing that ever happened to me. …see more

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I struggled at school, so I explored what I called the university of life. And I’ve never looked back.

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Meet Aria, the Indian flying icon who will be appearing on Virgin Atlantic 's planes soon (and is based on my great-great-great-great grandmother)

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I remember my first financial meltdown. I was 23. I’d invested my whole salary - $25,000 (half of it debt!)- in a mining company on a “hot tip.” It tanked within two days. Since then I’ve learned to be a little more scrutinizing about what I invest my money in, while also following my gut. People told me I was a mad man for “investing” in a $30,000 watch! But guess what - that watch was worth TWICE what I paid for it almost the second I walked out the store. And I looked good too. #sharktank #investmentadvice …see more

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The year was 1959. This is a story of #entrepreneurship , #courage , and self-reliance. The one which proves anything is possible once you decide to do something about the situation. The story of 7 women without any fancy #education , not only improved their own lives but gave livelihoods to many other women and built an empire worth Rs. 1600 crore …see more

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A moment I really enjoyed last year was surprising more than 800 start-up founders. I joined a Virgin StartUp Meet Up to chat to Simon Sinek Inc. about how we can stay optimistic even in the middle of uncertainty and challenges:

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The Boeing 747 is a plane that holds a special place in my heart – the Queen of the Skies started Virgin Atlantic and has taken us on so many adventures over the past 36 years https://virg.in/Dyu

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This #WorldDyslexiaDay I want to take a moment to share a message of hope and encouragement: https://virg.in/E9T Made By Dyslexia

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Lovely to speak to Jake, who has just found out he has dyslexia. We talked about how it feels as I really struggled with my dyslexia at school & I encouraged him to keep chasing his dreams and to use his imagination at every opportunity. https://lnkd.in/dxQQKyd @MadeByDyslexia …see more

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Meet Emily and Rupert – the founders of Roundwood Gin and Virgin StartUp alumni. During #COVID19 , Emily and Rupert quickly started producing hand sanitiser at their distillery to meet the needs of key workers. Holly Branson reached out to Emily to hear more about their journey, and here’s what she had to say: https://virg.in/G25 #BusinessAsUnusual …see more

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Screw up an order? Piss off a customer when you’re having a bad day? Shit happens. Every business makes mistakes! It’s how you handle them that makes or breaks a business. Thanks for the words of wisdom, Wicked Good Cupcakes !

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Abraham said he isn’t an entrepreneur yet – but he wants to be. I told him you’re never too young to start, and he let me add my own note in his notebook too

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My dyslexia has shaped Virgin right from the very beginning - it helped me think big, but keep our messages simple https://virg.in/iNo

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The simple daily practice that saved my life. #DailyPractice #Health #Life #Improvement #Career #WorkLifeBalance

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2020 has been a brutal year for the wine industry. I know I'm living it. Fires destroyed crops, smoke tainted juice and #covid shut down restaurants, bars, airlines and many points of distribution. Still many of us were able to grow our businesses by making the great digital pivot and selling direct from our wineries in #california to our customers in over 40 states, and maybe win a few awards along the way! #innovation #entrepreneurship #digital #marketing …see more

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Testing this morning for the #coronavirus Now I know the angst a #pregnancy test must invoke! I was freaking out waiting for the results. Outcome? No #covid19 and I'm not pregnant! We will not be able to go back to the new normal until these tests are available to everyone, everywhere, anytime! …see more

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I took this image from the center of #Greenland while working on the documentary series #ProjectEarth for Discovery Inc There was no life there, not even a single insect. We were completely dependent on helicopter food drops. Once it stormed for four days in a row and we were cut off. This picture happen an hour after the storm broke. The human guiding in the chopper looks so fragile and insignificant on the vast moonscape of ice. …see more

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In an attempt to better understand the feelings surrounding the events of the past week, I reached out to friends to have necessary and sometimes uncomfortable conversations. One call was to NFL Hall Of Famer Curtis Martin. We talked about the lessons he’s learned and shared insights that can help us get through this together. Listen at https://bit.ly/2Y98SaE …see more

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Twenty years ago my sister and our family suffered a tragedy that we don’t talk about very often. She wanted to talk about it with the hope that it helps someone. I think it will help a lot of people. This is… A Bit of Optimism: apple.co/simonsinek

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I was a bad boss. 😞 It’s true. ✖️I lost great team members. ✖️I didn’t realize everyone isn’t driven by the same things. ✖️I made a ton of mistakes. In my defense, I was 23 and had never been responsible for a team before. I was an entrepreneur - not a manager. My heart was in the right place but I didn’t know HOW to be a good boss. Contrary to what most people believe, good leadership ISN’T innate. It is LEARNED. Thankfully, I learned. ✔️I mended relationships with my team members. ✔️ I started to understand - and honor - that not everyone wants the same things. ✔️I started to listen. ✔️I showed my appreciation rather than assumed it was a given. ✔️I put the WE before ME. To every leader out there - it is YOUR job to make sure you are learning, growing, and being an inspiration to your team. You work for them, not the other way around. If you have issues, your team has issues. It is YOUR job to become a better leader every single day. You owe your team that because everyday they show up to fulfill YOUR vision. It’s the least you can do. …see more

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Very moved watching #JustMercy , which tells the true story of the brilliant human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his effort to free Walter MacMillan who was wrongfully sentenced to die in 1988: https://virg.in/5pQ

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Our #heritage is who we are and what we are made of. We must protect it to protect our deepest core of self. Now more than ever, we need to #support our artisans. Be the guardians of the rich heritage; it is our responsibility to preserve it for our #future generations. One of my most cherished possession is a handwoven cotton Benarasi saree with a rich border. It is a simple saree but was very expensive, and I had bought it directly from the weaver. Over the years, it has given me so much inner #joy , each time I wear it, I smile, I feel the connection to the artist who put so much effort to make this. What is your most cherished heirloom for you? …see more

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I remember asking Dave what flying SpaceShipTwo was like as soon as he got out of the spaceship on his first spaceflight… “It is like nothing else in this world” https://virg.in/R44

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When we started Virgin life was all about hand-written letters, calling advertisers from phone booths, and running across town to speak with bands and banks… https://virg.in/isB

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My own journey in business and that of many others I’ve come to know over the years has made me wonder: if we could fall through the grid and succeed nonetheless, just how many other talented, driven and smart kids must have fallen through as well, but perhaps lacked the support and the right circumstances to ever live up to their true potential? https://virg.in/iDU Big Change …see more

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Holly shares the lessons she learnt from growing up with a serial entrepreneur for a dad https://virg.in/RNY

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Over the years I’ve had to make a conscious effort to put my health and fitness first (after all, you only have one body, so it makes sense to try and look after it!)

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Feeling alone: Saddened to read about the tragic death of CCD owner V. G. Siddhartha. I didn’t know him well, & like others, I too wondered how to make sense of this news. Who among us hasn’t felt lonely in our burdens & responsibilities at one time or the other? What stops us from giving in to despair, despondency & lose the will to live? Something snaps & you see no hope or future. Research shows that the majority of people are glad to be alive if they can get past those difficult moments. We don’t know what the soul suffers when a person dies. But we know that the people left behind are anguished for life with guilt, regret, & unresolved questions. V. G. Siddhartha, the founder of CCD, was a first-mover in the India coffee chain opportunity. But no matter how hard you work, the realities of building a successful business are soul crunching. Even with success, factors like changing markets, competition, profitability, debt, & investor pressures are ever-present. When the pressure gets too much, talk to a counselor; learn anxiety management tools; lean into your inner circle. Don’t take your life. Don’t leave behind a circle of grief. My heartfelt condolences to Siddhartha's family and friends. May his soul rest in peace. …see more

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Sindhu Gangadharan 's corporate journey is inspiring. Some women defy the notion of limits. Can women have it all? This is a perpetual question discussed at length through all ages. What do you think holds you back? For me, if I decide to pursue something, nothing holds me back. Our mindset is our biggest strength and biggest limitation too. #InspiringPeople #WomenLeaders #WomenInBusiness …see more

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The unforgettable Gay Byrne: my thoughts on the legendary presenter and our name-written-on-hand incident https://virg.in/ihf

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Just a little reminder for the UK. For some lockdowns mean a little more time with the kids, a bit more working from the spare room, a bit more cosying next to loved ones. Perhaps time to tidy the house or plant bulbs or start a new craft project in the workshop. Another box set to gorge on TV. For others they mean the removal from life of seemingly absolutely everything they live for, the destruction of their livelihoods, sudden removal of any hope for the future. The chance of feeling alive vanish until a time they can't imagine. They mean day after day spent alone, or trapped with abusive partners, time away from dying loved ones, or people they planned to marry trapped in other countries. They mean lost dreams, lost deposits, lost savings, people dying alone, and funerals where people never get to say goodbye. They mean unemployment for years to come, crippling anxiety, the need to give up on dreams. They mean suicide, mental health issues, substance abuse issues. They don't mean a lost year, they mean a widespread massive loss of ANY sense of meaning or purpose or routine or belief in the or their future. So if you're in the former, please think of the latter and spare your virtue signalling. If in the latter, hang on in there and feel free to DM me. …see more

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As part of Black History Month, Virgin Limited Edition 's Chuks Nwaobasi shares his powerful, personal story of experiencing racism in the UK https://virg.in/ahh

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I have a confession... Shark was never my first career choice. When I grew I wanted to be one thing. A rockstar...on the cover of the Rolling Stone, baby. This week I got a little closer to my dream, sitting down with Gus Wenner - CEO of Rolling Stone. We're talking about building brands, the music industry, and everything in between. On this week's episode: "How has digital media changed the music industry?" "Has COVID-19 killed the future of live music?" "How to play the guitar when you can't read music," and more! https://lnkd.in/ebRg2JP …see more

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I have been going to the office since July for about 2 days a week. Here is why: 1. I miss the office 2. I miss the snacks in the office 3. I miss the people in my office 4. I miss the ease of communicating ideas face-to-face 5. Most importantly, I don't want #covid19 fear to stop me from getting on with #life . How 'homesick' for the office are you? #WorkFromHome #India Image credit: WhatsApp/Source unknown …see more

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My little brother would have graduated high school today. A part of me feels so guilty. For being the older brother & for being alive. He was so much smarter and so much more talented than I am. I spent so much time working for a better life for myself and the people I cared about... and I neglected my relationship with one of the people I loved most. If you’re working right now — tell someone you love... that you love them. I promise that’s one thing you’ll never regret. I miss you every day little brother. I’ve become a better person because of you. I promise I’ll make you proud. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

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Lovely to meet the team behind Change Please and hear how Tom went from homeless in London to a head barista and trainer:

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I started saying “NO” to people who weren’t right for me. I started saying “NO” to everything I didn’t want to do. I started saying “NO” to mindless meetings, mindless events, mindless people who were bad for me, mindless food or alcohol, mindless anger and regret. Mindless TV and news. I started saying “NO” to colonoscopies and other things related to painful medical experiments. I listed all the things I could say “NO” to and I still do. When you have a tiny tiny piece of shit in the soup it doesn’t matter how much more water you pour in and how many more spices you put on top. There’s shit in the soup. I had been saying YES to the wrong things for 20 years... http://bit.ly/2id5A4r …see more

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I have many investments in the gifting and #wedding space. The #Covid19 pandemic has devastated these industries, cost billions of dollars and millions of jobs and now practically no weddings. It's not right. On Friday I became ordained and on Saturday held my first Virtual Wonder Wedding. Congratulations Ian and Erica. Love always finds a way! Thank-you Honeyfund.com, Inc. FairyTail Pet Care …see more

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Playboy wasn't part of her plan... She wanted to act. But they told her: "You're branded as playmate, so that's what you are." She didn't give up. In this interview  Amanda Cerny tells me her secrets to becoming a social media influencer and the #actor she's always wanted to be. She taught me how you can CHOOSE YOURSELF: http://apple.co/1ewcX8D …see more

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Years ago Mark Burnett hired my daughter Savannah O'Leary to be a production assistant on the set of Shark Tank set. I thought the brutal hours (wake up 3:30am and 12 hours days) would de-glorify the film and television production business for her and set her on a different career pursuit. I was wrong. She caught the bug and has been working in film ever since. Yesterday the New Yorker publisher her latest work, a short doc called #GoneViral about the Ken Bone phenomena that occurred in the last election. I hope you enjoy it, its so timely. I'm a proud dad! …see more

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Unemployment caused my disability and I desperately wish more people understood the debilitating consequences of burnout before it's too late... The stress of not knowing where your next meal will come from, how to keep the heat on, forgetting the taste of fresh produce living off of canned goods, and the other added pressures of caring for a newborn... When I lost my vision from severe optic neuritis I was scared, but when I lost my ability to walk I was absolutely hopeless. How would anyone want to hire me like this? Was my professional career completely over at 25?! Stress devoured my immune system. I'll never be the same... but I count my blessings habitually! Eternally grateful to have recovered my sight in one eye and humbled by the mobility challenges. But it's all a little too late and there's no cure. So if you're reading this, PROMISE me one thing... The next time you become overwhelmed by external pressures, pause and breathe. Prioritize yourself because we are delicate creatures. Remind yourself that there is ALWAYS a special place for you, regardless of endless obstacles in your way. If you can relate, please contact me. You are not alone. We are stronger together ❤ #careers #disability #burnout …see more

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Rather than wanting to go to university, I told a potential business partner as a teenager: “Let’s get out there, let’s get going!” Sounds about right

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From crashing bikes into rivers to childhood businesses selling budgies and Christmas trees, from rationing tea to running Virgin Records – remembering a wonderful lifetime of adventures with my dear friend Nik - https://virg.in/5fw

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Looking back at my earliest memory, my greatest ‘aha’ moment and most memorable meeting I’ve ever had: https://virg.in/5H3

♥ 2155 · Comments 78

I lost my little brother 4 months ago. Feels like yesterday. Also feels like years ago. Tomer Yogev explained grief to me in an interesting way. He said: Imagine a box. And in that box you have a huge ball. That ball is grief. Every time that ball hits a side of the box it will trigger something in you: anger, sadness, guilt, etc. And as time goes on, that ball will get smaller and smaller. Hitting the walls less and less. But it will never go away. I’ve been fascinated by grief lately. Because it’s changed the way that I view things. It’s changed a little part of every bit of me. 1). I care if people like me. For the longest time I said I didn’t. But now, I really don’t care to let the opinions of others effect me. 2). I’m more passionate. About everything. 3). I’m more cognizant of how others feel. 4). I realized that I got stuck in who I thought I was. And I kept myself from allowing myself to grow into who I am supposed to be. 5). I realized business doesn’t care about your feelings or your life. So if you’re able to, build (or work for) a business that does. Death is a weird thing. I don’t like talking about it. Tearing up about it as I’m writing this. Just want to say thank you. For the support. So much love for all of you. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 2031 · Comments 316

From a low income & immigrant background to UC Berkeley to tech to Forbes 30 Under 30. Fun to be back in Boston again this year! I can say hands down that higher education, relationship building, and hustling have been and still are catalysts for all my career growth thus far. This is what I call the American dream and social mobility at their fullest. I'm incredibly blessed for all the support from these amazing individuals in my life and career, Jenny Rooney Kevin Young Sonia Sng Doreet Jehassi Kyle Wong Kathryn Bader Debra Goldentyer Janet Balis Steve Olenski Zsolt Katona Maya Pope-Chappell Itamar Orgad Ashley Whitlatch ! …see more

♥ 1929 · Comments 62

#IrrfanKhan was one of the few actors who took risks and shaped alternative cinema. He was a master of his craft. I particularly loved his role in Hindi Medium. I haven't had a chance to watch English medium yet. His untimely death makes me realise how life is unpredictable. It makes me introspect,"Have I used the time given to me on this Earth wisely? Am I making choices that leave no regrets?" May your soul #RIP Irrfan. You will be remembered fondly through the life you have lived. …see more

♥ 1839 · Comments 63

Wonderful being back in Mumbai – really does feel like the city of dreams. Talked about the importance of embracing failure and bouncing back with Anand Mahindra at Virgin Atlantic ’s Business Is an Adventure event https://virg.in/iHg

♥ 1789 · Comments 47

It’s a Sin: What a moving, poignant depiction of what many gay men went through during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 80s. The scenes set in Heaven bring back so many memories of that time https://virg.in/9wG

♥ 1770 · Comments 134

#SharkTank season 12 premiers tonight on ABC. We filmed it in a "bubble" made possible by the incredible staff of the #LasVegas #VenetianHotel So what do you do when you are living in a lock down? You write country songs! I busted out my new song "Dagger" on Good Morning America …see more

♥ 1747 · Comments 92

A tribute to the epic Karl Lagerfeld who passed away yesterday. More than fashion, I believe he really understood branding. He revived Fendi in the 60’s and Chanel in the 80’s, and his best work was his own eponymous line which I was lucky enough to wear on camera and off. I’ll share my thoughts soon on what we can all learn from his life and work. #karllagerfeld #fashionicon #brandinggenius …see more

♥ 1725 · Comments 65

Our spacesuits include a special pocket over the heart to hold personal mementos - I will use mine to take photos of my family up into space https://virg.in/iQw Virgin Galactic Under Armour

♥ 1706 · Comments 85

The New York Times devoted an entire cover page to list names of 1000 #COVID19 victims. (1% of the current COVID death toll in the US). By putting names to a number we acknowledge their life. They are more than a statistic. They are people who are loved and mourned and will be missed. …see more

♥ 1699 · Comments 50

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru devo Maheshwara, Guru sakshat, Param Brahma, Tasmai shri guravay namah. As kids, we repeated it because we were made to. Older now, I understand how much the many teachers and mentors take us under their wings and shape our life. I would be nothing without the people who gave me so much with the generosity of spirit. Acknowledging all the #Gurus in my life, thank you. I am grateful for my meditation practice that allows me to see myself more clearly each day and be a bit better daily. I will be forever grateful to Daaji ( Kamlesh Patel ), my Guru, for guiding me and many others in the #Heartfulness journey. #HappyGuruPurnima …see more

♥ 1695 · Comments 39

I went to a protest yesterday. I had to sit down because I had mixed feelings. Initially it was a bunch of people (not of color) taking photos of their signs and letting people know where they were. Which made me angry. And when everyone gathered it was a predominantly white crowd. And for the first time in a long time I realized how exhausting it is to be black. I never thought I'd live in a world like that where I would see people that didn't look like me... fighting for me. "Good" isn't the right word... but I felt hopeful. The amount of people that reached out to me to ask questions after my recent posts... the amount of people that shared... the amount of conversations. I'm hopeful. For the first time in a long time. I don't believe there should be a reward and I don't believe people are doing this for a reward. The reward is the change. But from this 26 year old kid from Minneapolis, MN... thank you to everyone that is stepping up. Thank you to everyone that is uncomfortable and figuring it out right now. Thank you for speaking up. Thank you for LISTENING. ILY, #justQ 🖤 #BlackLivesMatter …see more

♥ 1681 · Comments 123

I'm all about saving money, but I'll spend on the right item if it's a good investment. This is another piece of wisdom I learned from my mom, Georgette! What are YOU saving up for?

♥ 1657 · Comments 198

While cleaning out a shed on our cottage property I came across a box of old college memorabilia that had been sitting there since the 1970. Many generations of field mice had wintered in it and it was full of excrement. I was about to heave it into the dumpster when I noticed a roll of super 8mm film sitting at the bottom. It was my long lost first production I had made for my film101 class. It looked destroyed but I sent it to #digmypics to see if they could restore it. I remember the professor told us we needed to explore the topic of mental health for our first assignment. There was a lot of drinking and recreational drugs around my dorm and a fair amount of anxiety, depression and alcoholism to go with it. I don't think that has changed much on any college campus. In retrospect I wonder if this topic stayed with me because when I was approached to be an early investor in a start up that wanted to explore the use #psychedelics as medicine for mental health, I dug in deep and made it a core holding in my venture portfolio. As we approach the end of #2020 #MindMed $MMEDF has become my best performing investment for the year. Talk about foreshadowing! Enjoy the movie, I think my roommate did a good job in his first major role. #mentalhealth #venturecapital #psychedelicmedicine …see more

♥ 1598 · Comments 129

I've messed up. Because I haven't shown what it's really like owning a business. Here's "my" reality of being an entrepreneur. ✅ I've had two failed businesses. In 2018 my power was turned off multiple times because I wasn't making enough money. Early 2019, I slept on my office floor for 2 months while we got our company off the ground. ✅ My company has grown quickly. And it's been amazing. But 2019 was also a rough year. I skipped pay multiple times. ✅ I had to walk miles to meetings because I totaled my car and didn't have enough money for Lyft. ✅ I rented out two of my apartment rooms at $500 a month each. It allowed me to live rent free a lot of 2018 while I focused on building my company. ✅ I've been called a 'n***er'. Laughed at during the first pitch event I ever went to. Friends turn into enemies. Fellow creators turn on me. Don't become an entrepreneur because of what it looks like. This is the worst thing I've ever done in my life. But it's also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. And I can't imagine doing anything else. I'm a business owner because of the freedom. Because it fuels my curiosity. Because it allows me to empower others. Share this video with someone that needs to see this! 🎥 #justQ 🖖🏾🖤 #entrepreneurship #business …see more

♥ 1584 · Comments 355

I told this story on QVC. I found some forgotten barrels of 2006 and 2007 of red Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon. 2006 and 2007 were near perfect growing years. We discovered the stash after acquiring the winery and blended this limited amount. If you have never tried a 2006-2007 Walla Walla  I doubt you will ever find it again. https://lnkd.in/es52raV …see more

♥ 1516 · Comments 97

Humble beginnings, high achievements. Makes you think hard about the importance of self-belief and hard work. What was your first #job ? Mine was a teaching assistantship for $700 a month and I somehow managed to still save money each month and I was happy. Didn’t think I lacked anything I needed. #Success #Entrepreneurship …see more

♥ 1500 · Comments 139

I met Gary Vaynerchuk tonight! 😍😍😍 3 Years ago I quit my job to do this entrepreneur thing. And I owe a lot of that to Gary and his content. I fell on my face over and over again. From: - Not having enough money to buy a $0.99 chocolate bar. - Renting out my spare bedrooms to make rent. - Struggling to get clients. And this past year has been absolutely amazing. From: - Signing a contract to be on an Amazon Prime TV show. - Speaking at large events. - And the growth of my company. - Getting to wake up and do what I love every single day. Stuff like this is totally surreal for me. Thank you for lighting the way. And thank you for the hug. Appreciate you dude! #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #entrepreneurship #GaryVee Quentin Allums …see more

♥ 1481 · Comments 302

My business partner was my old college roommate. Six years ago I wanted an internship that I was under qualified for. Izzy told me to apply. I did. And heard nothing back. Izzy was at a networking event that they hosted, he talked to the guy that was hiring, and the next day I got an interview. I ended up landing the internship. When we first started someone asked, “why are you two going into business together?” Aside from the fact that he crushes it, that’s why ☝🏽. Surround yourself with people that have your back. Happy birthday dude. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #entrepreneurship …see more

♥ 1469 · Comments 133

They fired me. They fired me as CEO. Then they fired me as a board member. Then they took away my shares. And now none of them ever talk to me. I started the company, I had the initial idea, I raised $30 million for it from A+ investors (i.e. “rich people”), I bought two companies for it, I hired the first 50 employees, and then I was shown the door. The reason? I was a bad leader. . . . #leadership #writing #entrepreneurship #lifestyle …see more

♥ 1407 · Comments 117

"You're my best friend,"​ a client of my web agency once told me in 1996. "You're mine!"​ I said. But I was lying. I hated him. I hated every client. I was afraid the client would fire me if I wasn't his friend. I made every decision out of fear. I wish I hadn't cared what people thought. Getting respect is more important than being liked. #lessons #dondraper #entrepreneur #writing …see more

♥ 1402 · Comments 84

We all have different deal breakers when it comes to dating, but if there's one that everyone should have regardless of age, sex, or religion - it's DEBT.

♥ 1382 · Comments 121

When I was 20 a woman came into the gym that I was working at. Long story, but she ended up telling me things like: ✅ You will be making minimum wage for the rest of your life. ✅ You'll never be as successful as me. ✅ Colleges shouldn't waste scholarship money on people like you. ✅ Etc. I want to thank that woman. Because it was in that moment that I decided that if she is what "success" meant... then I didn't want it. If I had to put other people down to make myself feel big then I didn't want it. I quit that day and found a social media internship a few weeks later. The rest is history. Define your own success. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #StrangeOnPurposePodcast #Business 📸 Justin Jackson …see more

♥ 1366 · Comments 203

I met a girl in an elevator and asked her out on a date. This was between marriages. The first thing she asked me on our date was, “How much are you worth?” I had made and lost millions but nobody knew at that time what I had. I lied. I said, “a million dollars”. But I was worth less. “Not good enough,” she said. Still, we dated for awhile but then it ended. Like most things, it ended horribly. I had made and lost so many times at that point that I had to ask myself: “Why can’t I keep the money?” …see more

♥ 1342 · Comments 242

It took me quite a long time to develop my voice, now that I have it, I am not going to be silent" - Madeleine Albright. I can relate to this. In the early days of my #career , I was plagued with doubts or shyness to speak up for fear that others might not listen to me. In fact, it is surprising how many of us are afflicted with this. Over time I trained myself to speak and make my #voice heard. If you are one of those people who feel you are marginalized, don't be afraid to #speak up, it doesn't matter if you are heard or not, eventually, your voice will cut through the cacophony and you will be heard …see more

♥ 1339 · Comments 66

Most companies give 3-5 paid days off after a loss of a loved one.... My brother passed 4 months ago – I am my own boss & have a team of 7 not including myself... and it was hard going back to work. It was hard getting back in the swing of things. I can't imagine going through that as someone without the privilege that I had. I can't imagine not being able to explore my emotions and the changes that I've gone through. I've spent a lot of the past 3 years talking. Which I'm fine with, so long as it's helping people. I want to spend more time creating and exploring anything and everything that interests me. And right now the correlation between my recent success & grief is fascinating to me. So, I'm creating a short film around grief and the way that it changes people. If you want to be a part of it, shoot me a message. I start filming next week. I have mad love for all of you. #justQ 🖖🏾🖤 #business #entrepreneurship …see more

♥ 1331 · Comments 265

I haven't been able to record any videos since my brother passed away. Not because I'm not capable. But because I've struggled with what it is that I truly want to create. And I guess through this I’m learning that I’ve been riding a wave. Nodding my head. Creating videos and content. Speaking to crowds about things that they want to hear. And somewhere along the line I stopped speaking my truth. I stopped having things to say. I’m done letting people in that I don’t care for. I’m done saying yes to things that go against my beliefs. I’m done going through the motions & dimming down so I don’t make other people uncomfortable. I have things to do. And things to say. We all do. Don’t wait for something like this to happen before you wake up. #justQ 🖖🏾🖤 #personalbranding #entrepreneurship …see more

♥ 1321 · Comments 325

I am grateful for my education in India. First, college was fun not stress filled. The friendships I #education #success built then were simple and still sustain after all the ups and downs of life. And while there are many things to improve in Indian education system, a middle class student like me could have never afforded expensive college. For my 4 years of engineering in Osmania, i might have paid a total of INR.5000, that is less than $100. Our success depends on so many supporting dots, if i didn't have affordable education, where would I be today? …see more

♥ 1316 · Comments 70

Thank you, Riyadh, for the most thrilling and inspiring week - filled with entrepreneurship, innovation, and wonderful people. I have never in my life met so many entrepreneurs from so many different countries in one room! I wasn’t sure what to expect visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time, but I’m leaving feeling transformed by the brilliant and generous people I’ve met, the ideas they’ve shared, and the experiences we've had together in beautiful Riyadh. The future is bright if we continue to support young innovators and entrepreneurs across the world! 🌟 #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #ewc #ewc2019 #globalbusiness …see more

♥ 1309 · Comments 45

My best friend is in a medically-induced coma, and today is his sixth day on a ventilator. He has a very small chance of survival. If he does survive, I’m told that he will never be the person he was before he was intubated. I am sharing this with you because my best friend from childhood, my true brother from another mother, was a complete coronavirus denier. He truly believed that the severity of the disease and the scope of the problem was being “hyped” for political reasons. My friend is not a stupid person; quite conversely -- he’s a brilliant doctor. What he had was a political ideology, and he chose political rhetoric over science. Please don’t make the same mistake. #coronavirus #science #covid19 …see more

♥ 1297 · Comments 173

As a young child, my imagination was fired up by reading about #EdmundHillary and his success in being the first to climb the #Everest . And since then, around 5,780 people have climbed Everest. People who achieve #extraordinary things also pave the way for others to follow in their path. …see more

♥ 1276 · Comments 23

From breaking world records to driving a tank down Times Square, Holly reflects on her teenage years with the #VirginFamily : https://virg.in/RNY

♥ 1276 · Comments 44

I have been a fan of M.S.Subbulakshmi. It is why I recently picked up the book. I highly recommend it if you are interested in the evolution of Carnatic music. In fact, I highly recommend it for anyone. She took extraordinary risks, excelled at her craft, remained untouched by fame and fortune. Ultimately, it is a #story of #triumph against odds because you #believe in your #instincts and pursue your #dreams . #WeekendMusings …see more

♥ 1275 · Comments 46

I recorded 500+ videos before anyone took notice. That's how it works. They won't notice the hours you put in right away. The pain. The struggle. The failure. The anxiety. Or all of the times that you contemplate quitting. They won't care. Not until you win them over. And that's the thing... no one owes you a view. No one owes you a like. No one owes you a share. No one owes you support or a follow. You have to earn that. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #entrepreneurship #business 🎥 Ken K. …see more

♥ 1268 · Comments 220

Things I explored in my 20s: • Learnt things that weren’t core to my career • Experienced different cultures • Polished my speaking skills • Outdoors, trekking, camping, backpacking • Personal finances • Learnt swimming • Lived in many places, learnt to make new friends • Gained confidence to speak up • Learnt to take risks • Learnt to start a company, an NGO • Spent hours at library immersed in reading #PersonalDevelopment #Motivation #Life …see more

♥ 1258 · Comments 41

Occasionally I get to meet someone whose story absolutely inspires me. Quilen Blackwell is one of those people. He was on the path set for him - good grades, good college, good job - but he decided to follow his own path and his journey was filled with far more difficulty than he imagined. Only through faith, conviction and the generosity of strangers was he able to rise up and become the successful social entrepreneur he is today - serving the community that took care of him. Listen at apple.co/simonsinek or anywhere you get your podcasts and learn more about the Chicago Eco House at chicagoecohouse.org …see more

♥ 1247 · Comments 39

My little brother would have turned 19 today. This is one of the only photos I will ever have of him & I as adults. The morning after everything happened I drove back to Minnesota. I stopped to get coffee early. The world just looked different that day (and has ever since). People looked different. Not better. Not worse. Just different. It was like every day up until that point was lived in black & white. And for the first time I was seeing color. The meaning behind the expression on the barista's face. The man sitting in the back corner typing profusely. The person in front of me impatiently waiting to order. They all had lives. I didn't know the context of theirs. And they didn't know the context of mine. But the signs were there. The body language was there. And neither of us said a thing about it. "Hey, how are you doing?" the barista muttered. "I'm doing okay. How are you?" I responded. "Good. What can I get you today?" __ I see the flaw in that now. It's okay to not be okay. It's okay to say it out loud. It's okay to say it to strangers. To friends and family. It's okay. Happy birthday buddy. Thank you for showing me what it's like to live in color & for pushing me to do something meaningful with my life. I miss you. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 1228 · Comments 172

Last week I linked up for a long chat with George the Poet. George and I met through Big Change, an organization working to do something we both care about: to transform the potential of education so that it's really about learning, not just school. #NewEducationStory Big Change …see more

♥ 1213 · Comments 51

Took on the TEDx stage. �� I also had the opportunity to thank several organizations who gave me a chance on stage, fueling my career from zero to infinity as an immigrant: Apple ( Kevin Young ), Forbes ( Jenny Rooney , Steve Olenski ), and LinkedIn Publishing ( Maya Pope-Chappell , Daniel Roth , Chip Cutter ). What a remarkable experience to share the designing of a purposeful personal brand from zero to infinity. �� Thanks for the amazing and memorable event, TEDxBerkeley! …see more

♥ 1197 · Comments 61

I have nostalgic memories of the Indian Railways from my childhood. At the end of the school year, we would go to our grandfather's village to spend the summer vacations and have carefree time on the farm. The simulation of this state-of-the-art sea bridge looks fabulous! Being built in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, its #construction would enable the trains to operate at higher speeds. If completed successfully, it will be an #engineering marvel. Kudos to Indian Railways! #India #WeekendMusings Piyush Goyal Video Credits: Ministry of Railways- India - https://lnkd.in/eK_b2Ss …see more

♥ 1178 · Comments 68

Rising early feels daunting to most people. In my 20's, not getting 8hrs of sleep used to be a crisis, but now I average 5-6 hrs. Rising early at 5:30am does help me focus better without distractions & gain control of the day. I can prioritize multiple tasks: some quiet time for meditation, yoga/exercise, setting up the day's agenda & addressing critical emails. Is rising early a secret to success? I am not sure. But what I do believe is that the course of our lives is determined by how efficiently we utilize our time. …see more

♥ 1177 · Comments 48

This is so poignantly written from the heart, and since I grew up in very similar circumstances, it was so relatable to me. Had to share it. #happyfathersday

♥ 1162 · Comments 33

I learned about #ChadwickBoseman ’s death at the end of a 17-hour day, after covering the 57th Anniversary of the #MarchOnWashington . It was also near the end of the longest August I’ve endured for some time. Not only has #COVID19 worn all of us down, but I spent the month mourning my oldest sister Julie, who would have turned 70 on August 17th. Colon cancer was the only thing strong enough to kill Julie. She was my “life mentor,” and also my superhero. So as I spent last weekend continuing to report for National Geographic , two powerful engines fueled my journey. I can’t wait for Julie to meet #TChalla . #WakandaForever #RIPChadwickBoseman #BlackPanther #hero #rolemodel #inspiration #globaldevelopment …see more

♥ 1162 · Comments 27

When Thanksgiving and Christmas come around, I think back at how a Bloomingdale's seasonal gig set me up to be an NYU professor. For those of you still working towards your careers and figuring it out, sometimes you must shift gears to gain perspective and skills. Happy Holidays! …see more

♥ 1143 · Comments 71

I started saying "No" to people who weren't right for me.  I started saying "No" to everything I didn't want to do. I started saying "No" to mindless meetings, mindless events, mindless people who were bad for me, mindless food or alcohol, mindless anger and regret, and mindless TV and news. I started saying "No" to colonoscopies and other things related to painful medical experiments.  When you have a tiny piece of shit in the soup it doesn't matter how much more water you pour in and how many more spices you put on top. There's shit in the soup. I had been saying YES to the wrong things for 20 years. I started saying "No" to the bad things, and the "Yes" started to compound every day. It compounded automatically, the way interest does in a non-US bank. Now I'm free. I dumped the old soup. Now I can finally drink from the soup I just cooked.  (Full article: http://ow.ly/GeZD30hcU28) …see more

♥ 1120 · Comments 137

2019 was the best & worst year of my life. - I lost my 18 year old brother. - We found our core team of 7 people at UMV that I hope to build upon in 2020. - Started dating my girlfriend. - Signed a contract to be a part of an Amazon Prime docuseries. - I spoke at Inbound 2019. - I launched my new Gaming/eSports podcast: Humans that Game. - Moved into a bigger office. It’s crazy how our years are just condensed into lists. 365 days turned into a few bullet points. Just want to say thank you to every human (and animal) that’s been there for me. I wouldn’t be able to do the things that I do without you. Thank you. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #business #entrepreneurship …see more

♥ 1117 · Comments 126

What is the real India? On my recent trip to the US, I was surprised to get many questions about 'Made in Heaven'. I was surprised that people in the US had watched it on Amazon Prime. Questions were about marriages, gay rights, lifestyles. Is this the real India? Contrast with the movie 'Article 15', is that the real India? I think India is full of contrasts. We have to build bridges to understand the realities of the many Indias. My takeaways from the movie 'Article 15': 1. Bringing any change starts with tolerance and empathy. We can’t bring change, especially behavioral and cultural, by sitting comfortably in urban India. 2. The concept of the bottom of the pyramid gets quoted so often as a market opportunity. But to create solutions and impact, you have to experience the reality. Love to hear how you see the reality of India. #WeekendMusings …see more

♥ 1112 · Comments 76

I walked into my office yesterday to grab something. Before walking out I paused and looked back. It was the first time, since the day we moved in, that I took the time to feel grateful for everything we’ve built. My office. My employees. My conference room. My podcast studio. My new wood floors. A lot of us have gotten so lazy. So complacent. We call ourselves “entrepreneurs” and it’s times like these where we find out who and what we really are. What we’re really made of. I thrive in chaos. I was born in it. If you’re reading this, now is your time. I’ll see you on the other side. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 1105 · Comments 141

I don’t like getting all preachy on here but I still think the greatest possible advantage you can have in life is knowing your parents/parent believes in you. A distant second is knowing they care only about your happiness....Whatever that entails. Anyway. I just got this urge to say this. I meet a lot of people who make me realize that this isn’t a common background and that I’m very lucky. …see more

♥ 1092 · Comments 75

As a black entrepreneur, I shrugged off race for a long time. But, people like me do not have the privilege to “ignore” what is happening right now. I have a business to run. I have bills to pay. I have responsibility to the people that follow me… but it’s impossible to think about anything else right now. If I can use even a portion of my influence to bring some change, I know that I have to. I WILL NOT ignore the state of the world. If you have questions, ask. If you need resources, ask. If you want to help, ask. We are all in this together. Period. And if you don’t view it like that then I’m going to ask you to unfollow me. Because I’m tired of living in a world that values assimilation over diversity. I’m tired of living in a world that kills for differences. I’m tired of living in a world that would rather take comfort in privilege and division, than be uncomfortable while progressing. Ignoring is a privilege that I do not have (and many do not have). I don’t have all of the answers. I don’t speak for all black/brown people. But I do hope that social can be a place in which we can discuss and grow. I will do my best to continuously show up, educate, etc. in any way that I can. #justQ 🖖🏾🖤 #BlackLivesMatter …see more

♥ 1085 · Comments 126

Happy New Year! Instead of having resolutions, I recently encouraged friends and family to set themes for the New Year. Unlike resolutions, themes are purposeful in that they are not tied to an action or outcome. One of my themes for 2016 was knowledge building. In that capacity, I picked up reading. Instead of boxing myself to reading a number of books or pages a month, the theme of knowledge building allowed me to read for the purpose of enjoyment and development. Through this theme, I've read over 15 books in 2016. Here's the full list. �� What are your themes for 2017? And share this booklist with friends. Also like me on Facebook: https://lnkd.in/gHgtVMT …see more

♥ 1079 · Comments 81

Selina shares her experiences of being an #LGBTQ + person in the workplace and why she’s glad to work for a business that shares her values https://virg.in/Ga6

♥ 1064 · Comments 59

My company closed its doors this October. My little brother passed away last October. It's been a crappy year [for many of us]. But also a year of deep discovery. When our company closed down I decided to step away from our company podcast as well. It's been awesome to see Izzy make it his own and I'm excited to see where he goes with it. But, over the past few months I've been working on a podcast of my own. I’ve never given my all to anything creatively. My attention has always been split between trying to grow a company, clients, employees, etc. This is the first time where I am pouring everything that I have into a project. My entire life I have been taking in depth notes about the things going on around me. I was a big Kobe Bryant fan. As a kid I would watch his games, his moves, his style; take notes and go to the court and try to implement what I was studying. As an entrepreneur I was the same way. Obsessive. I dive deep into things that most people don’t even pay attention to. It’s just who I am. This show is a way for me to do that. I’m having conversations with people, dissecting those conversations, and turning those into a piece of art. Show just went live on iTunes! https://lnkd.in/gQ2mUWT #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 1049 · Comments 260

Looking back at my school years and how #StudentMagazine became my education: https://virg.in/itE

♥ 1049 · Comments 37

When I graduated high school, college was the expected next step. For the past four years, I have had friends attend classes with me. I’ve had friends drop out to start their own companies. And, I’ve had friends succeed and fail at turning their education into work opportunities. What I learned is that college isn’t for everyone, but the  University of Southern California was the best option for me. People have different paths to success, and each has its own unique pros and cons. I wouldn’t want my little brother to feel pressured to do something just because his friend, his brother, or older sister did it. You have to do what’s best for you. #education  #graduation …see more

♥ 1048 · Comments 96

Steve #Jobs parting note was a masterclass. This is how it is done even when others wrong you. I would wish any parting to be both amicable and dignified. #Management #Entrepreneurship …see more

♥ 1041 · Comments 40

I started my first company out of college. And I failed. Miserably. Burned through my savings, my relationships went to shit, my team fell apart. I was renting out my extra rooms in my apartment just to stay afloat. And now things are going well on attempt #3. Two years later I’ve spoken on large stages, I have my TEDx coming up, was named 25 under 25 in Wisconsin, and my company is growing quickly. It would be easy to say that the most rewarding moment was that when I look back I could say that I did it. Or that I proved people wrong. But that wouldn’t be true. I think the most rewarding moment for me was 1). when I realized that someone like me was capable of being successful and 2). when I realized that I’m nowhere near done yet. There is no such thing as “making it” and I don’t think there should be. As you grow and evolve so should your dreams. But if you haven’t already know this 1). someone like you CAN be successful and 2). you’re nowhere near done yet. Just keep working and putting yourself in positions to grow. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 📸 Justin Jackson …see more

♥ 1030 · Comments 143

I recorded 500+ videos before anyone took notice. That's how it works. They won't notice the hours you put in right away. The pain. The struggle. The failure. The anxiety. Or all of the times that you contemplate quitting. They won't care. Not until you win them over. And that's the thing... no one owes you a view. No one owes you a like. No one owes you a share. No one owes you support or a follow. You have to earn that. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #entrepreneurship #business 🎥 Ken K. …see more

♥ 1027 · Comments 149

The recent news of suicides due to financial stress, such as the one by the German finance minister and others, made me rethink the importance of putting problems in perspective. For e.g, it was reported that 'His main concern was whether he could manage to fulfil the huge expectations of the population, especially in terms of financial aid. He clearly couldn't see any way out. He was desperate, and so he left us.' But everyone who knew him thought he was brilliant and most capable of doing his job. So #perspective and getting help when we feel hopeless is very important. And #communicating openly, without self-judging ourselves harshly, is also an important life skill, saying what you feel & being open and vulnerable is a survival skill everyone should embrace. However, hopeless the situation seems, there is always something that can be done differently. The latest research suggests some people are having low self-esteem staying alone. Many fear layoff & salary cuts as well. Whatever the reason, there is a stigma when all of us face problems in life and need support from time to time. Glad to also see several mental health solutions, like Wysa, InnerHour, Cure.Fit ; growing in India to provide support in a caring, objective & anonymous way. #WeekendMusings …see more

♥ 1014 · Comments 66

A PERSONAL NOTE: Folks, after close to 12 years, I have left Mint, with which I had been associated from Day 1 as part of the core editorial team that founded the paper. I had the privilege of working with some of the best minds in journalism in India and overseas. My weekly column, Banker's Trust, first appeared on 5 February, 2007, the second edition of Mint. It ran till 30 September, 2018. During this period, only twice I took break --once in August/September 2007 when I had a serious, life-threatening accident and, the second time, in early 2012 when I took a two-month `book leave' to write my first book, "A Bank for the Buck". HT Media has been an amazing employer which had given me freedom to do a lots of things beside journalism -- writing books, public speaking, running a weekly episode on banking and finance on a TV Channel. Over the last 12 years, I have written at least 700 pieces of Banker's Trust, some of which have been compiled in the form of a book, "From Lehman to Demonitization", a Penguin Random House publication. I will continue to chronicle the enormous changes that Indian financial sector has been undergoing. Till such time you find my column in media, do look for it on my website www.bankerstrust.in Good Bye. Au Revoir …see more

♥ 1000 · Comments 116

I wish I had known these 12 rules to avoid going broke when I first made money. Or when I next made money after going broke. Or when I made money the time after that. Or the time after that. Many people say, "I learned the hard way" and they are proud of that. I am not proud. Maybe I can help someone learn the easy way. Many people say, "You have to pay your dues". No you don't. The dues are free. But they never tell us this. In any case, this brought back a lot of bad memories but hopefully it will help others create some good ones. #entrepreneurship #finance #economy #wealth #rich #broke #failure #investing …see more

♥ 995 · Comments 142

Artists are original, sometimes esoteric, but they have a vision, an idea. This is the story of a retired man with an idea to paint, but on excel. He started off with this small idea and now makes art masterpieces on excel. Also, it is truly inspiring to see, that #art can be a possible use case of a product as serious as Excel. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Every artist was first an amateur." #WeekendMusings Video Credits: https://lnkd.in/efDcmrd …see more

♥ 994 · Comments 42

This is how I landed my TEDx talk 👇 I didn't focus on TEDx. I became an entrepreneur instead. My first company failed, so did my second, but my third is thriving. Through all of that I documented everything and invested in my personal brand. - I told my story. - Built a community. - Established my own lane. If you're wanting to land things like TEDx, focus on building a brand. Because that's social proof that you will take with you throughout your entire life. I'm not saying you need to quit your job and start a business; rather take the time to invest in your brand and share your story. That's when the magic happens. Companies die. Industries change. But personal brands live forever. #justQ 🖤 …see more

♥ 979 · Comments 167

I have often spoken on the importance of other hobbies and interests, especially when you have a stressful #job , which is really all #startup founders and investors. I was always a city girl, but I have become an avid gardener over the last two decades. I get almost the same thrill when I grow something new as when one of my portfolio companies does well. At the core of both is enjoying the process of nurturing a seed and seeing it bloom. Gardening is an excellent hobby. 1. It reduces stress taking you closer to the roots of nature 2. It teaches you the value of patience and relationships in the most natural way 3. It requires you to problem solve, figure out the root cause, experiment constantly 4. When you get a big crop of produce, you get to #share and give it away Any others who share the passion for gardening? #WeekendMusings …see more

♥ 977 · Comments 87

I never wanted to be seen as a black entrepreneur. I never wanted race to be a part of my story. I just wanted to be an entrepreneur. I didn't want to be the best "black" entrepreneur. I wanted to be the best. The older I get... the more I see the flaw in that thinking. The more evil that comes to light... the more I change. The older I get, the more I realize that it is my responsibility to embrace everything that I am. For all of the others like me growing up with crap circumstances & hearing things like: "Odds are you'll be in jail." "You'll be making minimum wage your whole life." "Don't be angry... you might scare people." Growing up, seeing people cross the street when they see you coming. People refusing to shake your hand. Wondering if your life is in danger because of the color of your skin. I have been a full-time entrepreneur for coming on 4 years. I'm praised for doing cool things. For being an amazing person. And yet I've neglected this. I am so proud to be who I am. To be where I'm from. To be what I am. And I promise that I will use my platform to bring, to be, and to encourage change. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 960 · Comments 141

I’m 26 years old and I am not an expert. I’m not really sure how I could be at this point. Up until a few years ago I always had a chip on my shoulder. ✅ Prove to all my haters that I could build a successful company. ✅ Prove to the world that I was good enough. ✅ Prove to myself that I knew what I was doing. And so a lot of that took the form of creating content centered around tips, and how-to’s in business (even though I really didn’t understand the business that I was in yet). For young (and all) people: it’s okay to not be an expert. It’s actually quite liberating and frees you up to become one. Think like an artist. They create. And create. And create. Until someone notices. And then they share the how-to’s of their “business”. It’s why [for the most part] I stick to sharing what I’m doing. Not what I think others should do. Just something to think about. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #entrepreneurship #business …see more

♥ 959 · Comments 229

I want to be honest with you. 👇🏽 I quit my full time job when I was 22 to start my first company. I had no plan. And I guess long term that worked out for me. But where I wish I could go back and reframe my thinking is this: I thought it was wrong to build something on the side. I thought I would lose respect if I took a part-time job (even though I was struggling to keep the lights on). I looked down on people that didn’t jump all in. Which was SO naive of me. I thought building a business was easy. Because the people I followed kind of made it look easy. One of the things I struggle with most as a creator & entrepreneur is showing the reality. I don’t show: ✅ The boring stuff. ✅ Us getting ripped apart by our business coach every week 😅😭. ✅ How much work actually goes into this. ✅ The many mistakes we make. ✅ And I could go on and on. Thank you Cory Savage for prompting this thought. And thank you i.c stars for asking me to do the commencement speech this year. 2020 I want to spend more time talking about (and showing) the stuff that many of us tend to avoid. What do you wish you knew when you first started? #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #business #entrepreneurship …see more

♥ 958 · Comments 166

I’ve made and lost millions several times. I didn’t do it just once, which might be luck or it might not be. I can tell you in each case how I went from scratch to millions. And I’ve interviewed hundreds of people who have made and lost millions and gone on to achieve peak performance in their lives. But I’m going to stick to my own story. Specifically: four times I started from $0 and made millions... http://bit.ly/2u1616A …see more

♥ 932 · Comments 49

It’s been rough jumping back into business/creating since my little brother passed away. I’ve been in this weird mode of rediscovering myself again. I woke up at 2am two weeks ago to record an episode of my new podcast. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Something I want to create that would make my little brother proud. I miss him. Immensely. It’s been over a month since he passed and it still doesn’t feel real. The last time I saw him we played video games for 3 days straight. We were going to start a team together one day. He was going to work for me next year. A week back I got so caught up in my own thoughts. 💢“Everyone has a podcast now.” Hell, I already have one with my company. 💢“I don’t know enough about the space.” 💢“I’m starting from scratch.” 💢And so on. Then someone reminded me why I’m doing this. 1). To learn. 2). To have fun. 3). To do something my little brother would have been proud of. That “why” is everything. So here I am, flipping an aggressive middle finger to doubt and doing what I want to do. Humans that Game was just approved on iTunes (it’s also on Spotify & more). A review and rating would mean the world 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽. https://lnkd.in/dkDiqmy #justQ #entrepreneurship #esports …see more

♥ 922 · Comments 147

I had a lot of daydreams as a kid. I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to interview people. I wanted to call up my heroes and talk to them. I also wanted to be an astronaut. Be president. Be a football player. And be an eccentric billionaire who peed in jars and had super long fingernails. Some daydreams come true and some don’t. But I still have lots of daydreams. I want to write a novel. I want to continue calling my heroes and interview them. I want to make people laugh. I want to help a lot of people. I want to write every day. These things excite me. I write down my daydreams all of the time. Then I write down my 10 ideas of the day. “10 ways I can be an astronaut”. “10 ways I can help Amazon”. Etc. Combine your daydreams. “10 ways I can write about astronauts”.” Or…”ten ways I can make money writing about games I like to play.” Here’s how to start: http://bit.ly/2wI7wbT …see more

♥ 914 · Comments 51

I turned 25 today and I just wanted to say this. One of the things I’m most thankful for is my team. We are one of Milwaukee's fastest growing startups, completely bootstrapped, and less than a year old. A common thread that I notice in all of my team members is that everyone has a level of obsession for their craft. I used to be a collegiate track athlete. After every competition I would dissect my triple jump performance. And that's something that I have brought into entrepreneurship, content creation, and speaking as well. - I define my standards of success - I dissect the performance on camera/stage based off that criteria - Take notes, make tweaks, and then move onto the next performance. Just something to think about for those of you that are trying to improve on camera/stage/storytelling/etc. Thank you for all of the birthday wishes, messages, and thank you for existing! #justQ 🖤 …see more

♥ 913 · Comments 262

In 2016 I told myself that I would never work for anyone else again. Life has changed so much for me in the past year and a half. Lost my brother and decided to close down my company. Two things that were interwoven in my identity. And with that, I’ve changed quite a bit. I feel like every week for the past 4 years I’ve read a post about someone quitting their full time job to follow their dreams/become an entrepreneur/etc. I’ve always loved those. But, I’m doing the opposite. I just joined Lewis Howes & Greatness Media . It’s something I couldn’t have predicted but I’m deeply excited for. He’s someone that I’ve followed, studied, and learned from. I love the mission & vision for the team. For as much as I come from chaos and change — I’m learning that these “promises” that I’ve made to myself have been a way for me to maintain control. A way for me to stay in my comfort zone. So, this is me — “quitting” entrepreneurship to follow my dreams of being the most badass version of me. Thank you all for the support over the years. It's been a wild ride. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 907 · Comments 215

Yes. I'm differently-abled and a proud advocate. No, you usually can't tell unless you see me walk or read. Because of this, it can be challenging to push inclusion, awareness, acceptance and accessibility forward. Today I had the pleasure of joining representatives from the great state of Wisconsin as Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order to push diversity and inclusion forward. This is one step forward in the right direction to combat bias through education, support and training initiatives to come. The differently-abled community is an untapped market of adversity warriors that often have an outstanding EQ and issue resolution skills, overcoming challenges daily. If you're serious about inclusion and diversity or you have a personal story with discrimination and accessibility issues, connect with me today. Please connect with Deborah Davis for more thought leadership in the differently-abled community. #diversityandinclusion #inclusion #inspiration …see more

♥ 899 · Comments 178

I found a Sony MD Data disk that I recorded in my home office in Chestnut Hill Boston in 1989 on a #Steinberger graphite guitar. It freaked me out because I don't play like this anymore. This track has a 1970's #PinkFloyd vibe. Maybe I need to go back to the dark side! …see more

♥ 888 · Comments 84

The hardest thing I’ve ever done was speaking at my little brothers funeral. It’s something you never think you’ll have to do. I’m more focused now than I ever have been when it comes to my business. But getting back into the swing of things for content creation has been odd. I have so much content backed up: videos, photos, etc. And none of it sounds like me anymore. None of it feels like me. I can do so much better. And as I re-find myself, I just want to put this out there for other creators...👇🏽 Don’t let what you created yesterday get in the way of what you want to create today. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #entrepreneurship #content …see more

♥ 881 · Comments 152

For me, 2016- (the start of) 2020 was an epic story: ✅ Quit my full-time job to start a company. ✅ First company failed. Burned through funds, had to rent out my extra rooms just to pay rent, power was turned off a few times. ✅ Recorded videos documenting my thought process through everything. ✅ Eventually people took notice of my videos. I helped a lot of people grow in the same way that I did. ✅ I was homeless for a handful of months. Slept on my office floor. Sometimes Airbnb's or hotels. ✅ Launched a new company with a friend and two semi-strangers and we grew really quickly. Made a lot of mistakes. Make a lot of good decisions too. ✅ Spoke on stages like VidCon, TEDx, and INBOUND. ✅ I can now be tied back to the inception of a lot of LinkedIn influencers. This year has not been ideal. It wasn't a part of my plan. At the beginning of the year I felt like I was about to jump on a launch pad into a new universe. Now it feels like the next chapter... maybe even a new book. The more we linger on the old bullet points, the more we keep ourselves from creating new ones. I don't entirely know what the next chapter looks like. But I know it's going to be a good story. And that's all we really are anyway — stories. "Let's just make it a good one, eh?" #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 873 · Comments 131

"One year of experience at Amazon is like 3 years of experience anywhere else". It's true. The skills I learned there, including writing in a data-driven fashion, will serve me well for the rest of my career, and in life.

♥ 871 · Comments 20

I made over 500 videos before anyone noticed. And that's how I know I love it because I have always created regardless if anyone was watching or not. There was a time where I had nothing to my name. I wasn't eating. I wasn't taking care of myself. And video was the thing that got me out of that and I know it can be incredibly beneficial for others as well. For anyone on the fence about creating here's why I do it: I make videos for the following reason: ▪️ It propels my business forward. ▪️ It allows me to tell my story, build social proof and brand equity. ▪️ To leave a blueprint for anyone that follows in my footsteps. ▪️ Because I love it. Why do you create video? Let me know, #WhyVideo and nominate others to join the campaign. I'm nominating Fabio , Shay , "SAM LISTER" , Chantel . #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 864 · Comments 185

I used to suck on camera... like really bad! 😂 So I gave myself this rule: always finish the take. 🎥 Here's why: ✅ You don't get a redo when you're on stage. ✅ You don't get a redo when a stranger wants to shoot a video with you. ✅ You don't get a redo when you're pitching investors. It made me better on camera. But it also made me better on stage and better in conversations overall. Because you always have to find your way back to the point and finish the thought. If you want to improve, stop giving yourself redo's. Finish the take. You can always shoot the video again if you don't like it. #justQ 🖖🏾🖤 #business #entrepreneurship …see more

♥ 859 · Comments 182

Did I ever tell you about the time I almost lost everything I had in Vegas?? Yep, even Mr. Wonderful has made major money mistakes.

♥ 854 · Comments 33

Staff Sergeants Ben Brednicki and Matt Macky are Pararescue Jumpers in the US Air Force. Considered a branch of special operations forces, PJs are an elite group whose entire mission is to save lives. Both Brednicki and Macky have seen multiple tours of combat and experienced the stress and horror of combat medicine. They were kind enough to sit down with me to share how they deal with the stress and stay mentally fit with the hope that some of their training and lessons will help a new breed of combat medic - those who have fought and are still fighting on the front lines of our civilian hospitals during this global pandemic. If someone you know is front-line worker, share this with them. Ask for help. Be there for each other. Never cry alone. …see more

♥ 853 · Comments 32

While at Microsoft , I had five personal encounters with Satya Nadella: 1) I accidentally ran into his office during a call with Wall Street analysts 2) Three months later, in an elevator, where he asked me if I was the person that ran in his office. He simply asked if it was important and whether I still needed his help 3) When I "mistakenly" parked in the Microsoft Giving Campaign spot that he bought for charity :) 4) At a HiPo luncheon, where we chatted for 30 minutes about an initiative I was leading 5) Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 10:46 AM, the day he became CEO of Microsoft. I sent him a congratulatory email that, among other things, had this direct ask: “Empower the engineers, enable us to deliver faster and better, break down the bureaucratic barriers that keep us from executing” On quite possibly the most consequential day of his professional life, Satya responded, a mere *six minutes later*: "Thank you…… and thanks for the feedback…. Also I would ask you to give yourself permission to lead/push as well…. thanks" Are leading with empathy/focusing on employee psychological safety effective? Look at Microsoft's stock price (congratulations on a stellar quarter!), innovation, and employee morale since Satya became CEO. The results speak for themselves #leadership …see more

♥ 850 · Comments 17

I just had my second TEDx curation meeting for the talk I'm giving next year. One of the first things I told them was, "I'm in a bit of an existential crisis right now." I don't want to be motivational. I don't want to have a traditional story. One of the curators told me, "even just listening to you just now I felt motivated. And hearing you talk about your subject I was inspired." And it made me realize that 1). it's okay to be motivational. 2). I was once a person that needed to someone to show them the way. And to neglect that would be to neglect the people that are walking in the same shoes I once was. It's not our job to decide what people take away from what we share. But it is our job to share. One of my favorite movies is 'Remember Me'. And there's an awesome quote that goes something like this: There will be times when we feel insignificant. Times when we are told we are insignificant. But it's still important that we take action, because we are always causing ripples in the universe whether we realize it or not. (with my own spin). Keep making ripples in the Universe. #justQ 🖤 …see more

♥ 842 · Comments 178

I just did my first TEDx talk! 😍 Which is crazy to me because I literally puked in the bathroom a few minutes before my first speaking engagement a little over a year ago. And now, nerves don't effect me because of this 👇🏽 I learned this from Kobe Bryant and people like Michael Phelps: When Kobe was still in the NBA he created this on court persona, the Black Mamba. Off the court, Kobe had to deal with everyday life issues. But on the court, Black Mamba's only focus was dominating on the court. And having that mental separation, and focus, is something that's helped me as an athlete, musician, and now as a speaker. 1). Having a routine that helps me get into my zone. 2). Creating a persona that reminds me that it's okay to be nervous. Because the minute that I step on stage the nerves will turn into focus. 3). When it's time to perform, just hit "play" on your tape. The tape being all the preparation you've had up until this point and the routine that you've perfected (Michael Phelps does this). That's why nerves no longer effect me. What's your prep look like? #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 840 · Comments 181

From several terrifying experiences on my record-breaking balloon expeditions, to a bumpy paraglide landing on the 2019 Strive Challenge last week - I still think you should never look down https://virg.in/iGd

♥ 837 · Comments 47

Yesterday was the first time I stepped on a stage since my little brother passed away in October. 🎤 🖤 This photo kind of explains how it felt. Like who I used to be finally faded away and gave way to who I’ve become. Someone came up to me after and said “you said more to me in 10 minutes than I heard all day.” And that is all that matters. That I speak to the people that I need to. That I impact the people that I need to. And not change for those that don’t like me. I’m in a good place. Weird place. But good place. Creating & doing what I want. Hopefully at the end of it all I’ll be someone my brother would be proud of. So if you’ve stuck around this far. Hey. It’s nice to [re]meet you. I’m just Q. And if you just started following me... hey. It’s nice to meet you. This is going to be fun. 🖖🏽🖤 #justQ #business #entrepreneurship 📸 Ken K. …see more

♥ 828 · Comments 117

It happened by accident. Dr. Seuss got annoyed. Very. Annoyed. Ted Geisel saw an article saying that kids were illiterate. Schools were failing to teach kids to read. #drseuss #lifestyle #writing #problemsolving …see more

♥ 827 · Comments 54

We are all very different, but what I miss most about the old normal is literally every .single. thing. Not for everyone but for many, it’s every part of life that is missing. The beauty of snatched random smiles from strangers, the energy of a packed tube train, the vignettes of life at train stations , the feeling of hopeful excitement in airports. The drama of those running late for the theatre. The Echos of laughter down alleyways in city centers , groups cheering on teams, awful parties, terrible experimental theatre, tantalizingly bad first dates where you wait forever for them to arrive , spontaneous dinner parties, nightclubs that won’t let you in, but you argue with, meetings that could have been emails , birthdays celebrated at work, random encounters backstage at events, jetlag , near constant jetlag, I miss it all. It was exhausting, expensive, inefficient, it wasn't perfect, but It was life, the life we all choose. And I miss it . Every part of it. The 4am wake up calls, the commutes, the stress, another hotel bed , another lost room key, another Uber , and the moments you’ve been more tired than ever , I miss them all …see more

♥ 824 · Comments 123

I used to tie my self-worth to the company that I worked for. Then I started my own business for the first time. What it showed me is this: I wasn’t useful yet. I didn’t deserve success. I had built my name and network on the backs of the companies that I worked for. And the minute I stopped working for those companies it was like starting all over. No one wanted anything to do with me. And when I go to events now, it’s always weird that people want to talk to me. That they get excited simply that I am present. Someone told me yesterday “the man in the black hat... anyone ever tell you that your hat is intimidating?” When did I become someone that people look up to? I built three companies... one of them happened to work. I understand my significance (and insignificance). But what blows my mind is how MUCH we idolize others and how poorly many of us treat ourselves. A gateway to doing great things is self-love. Because often times the only thing separating the people that do “great” things is the fact that they love themselves enough to give themselves permission to do those things. In other [totally unrelated] news... this is Sam Lister . Mad proud of this guy. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 #business #startups …see more

♥ 815 · Comments 104

You were born for more... and if you still don't believe that, just look around. This world is absolutely overflowing with magic. With autumn leaves turning into firey shades of yellow, orange and red, the world we live in is magnificent! This weekend we said farewell to Grandma Soumis while the angels painted the forest in a rainbow of fire overnight. We were reminded of the legacy our family leaves behind and the gift of life we were handed. A gift of endless opportunity and the ability to do or be anything we set our hearts on... So... When you feel small, ❤ remember how special your story is. 🧡 embrace your struggles and adversity. 🤎 learn to love each twist and turn. You were built for more, and better yet, you DESERVE more... So go get it! And don't forget to enjoy the colorful ride along the way 😉 #success #growth #chantelshares …see more

♥ 808 · Comments 91

Having set the world record with Per for the first ever Transatlantic and Pacific crossings in a hot air balloon, I know only too well how challenging these attempts can be. Debbie and Mike are very brave taking on the exciting adventure of a transatlantic balloon flight and I’m sure their efforts will inspire people around the world. I wish them every success for their flight and are delighted that Virgin Atlantic is helping them https://lnkd.in/dvnHR_Q #Balloonthepond …see more

♥ 806 · Comments 27

I have one bag of clothes, one backpack with a computer, iPad, and phone. I have zero other possessions. Today I have no address. At this exact moment I am sitting in a restaurant and there’s no place for me to go to lie down. https://lnkd.in/exkuG9Z …see more

♥ 805 · Comments 185

I answered this question on 40. I hope nobody ever feels like a failure at 40. It's a horrible and sad feeling. The question was: "I feel like a failure at 40. How do I start over?" My answer: https://lnkd.in/eMPsZEB (teaching my daughter how to fly when I was age 40). …see more

♥ 798 · Comments 57

When I first started writing my book, Indistractable, I had trouble staying on task, and at first, I blamed technology for distracting me. But then I noticed that even when I got rid of the tech gadgets I thought were to blame, I would find other things to grab my attention. It wasn’t until I dove much deeper and began to ask myself why I was shifting my attention that I realized the root cause. I learned that all too often, the cause of distraction isn’t what’s happening outside of us but rather what is happening inside of us. Distraction and procrastination aren’t evidence of a character flaw or moral failing. They also aren’t caused by some evil plot by tech companies. Rather, they are caused by our inability to deal with uncomfortable sensations like boredom, stress, and anxiety. What do you think? How do you deal with uncomfortable feelings? Do you escape them with distractions? #Indistractable #EmotionalState #Tech #Distraction …see more

♥ 786 · Comments 88

Yesterday I shared an experience of mine that ruffled some feathers and I had absolutely NO idea until a stranger brought it to my attention. The issue? This person approached conflict by attacking me. It was completely inappropriate and reinforced the importance of eloquence and grace when delivering feedback. I wanted to take this opportunity to... ➡ Apologize if I caused any pain - that certainly was NOT my intent as someone who encourages inclusion, inspiration, and empowerment, living through adversity. ➡ Emphasize the importance of feedback and to step up with grace and heart when you see something that seems a bit off. 9x out of 10, when something offends you, it's out of IGNORANCE, not HATE. It's IMPERATIVE to keep this in mind when you approach someone who has offended you. Take the opportunity to EDUCATE them and GROW together. Remind yourself that we are ALL brothers and sisters of the human race, no matter what differentiates us. We have TOO MUCH HATE in this world. The moment we start to work together to SOLVE problems we'll grow as a community and combat negativity and mental illness. Be the difference and speak up - but do it with heart❤ #Inclusion #Feedback #Leadership #Storytelling #Success#ChantelShares #Management …see more

♥ 783 · Comments 297

I had a conversation with one of my employees last week that went something like this 👇🏽 Me: I am the lowest paid employee. Along with all of the other founders. I understand the game. I understand that from a business perspective it would be smart to let everyone go and to skate by until this is all over. I get that. But that would also defeat the purpose of why we did this in the first place. For you. And for people like you. I’m not going to pay myself. Founders aren’t going to pay themselves. Because you all mean everything to us. And we’re confident that together we will figure it out. But I need to know that you’re with us. I can’t promise that we will be a company three months from now. I can’t promise that paychecks will come in on time anymore. But I can promise that we got you and we will figure it out. Them: I am with you for as long as you'll have me. I'm here for a reason. I’ve never done this before. I’ve never lived through a pandemic. I’ve never had a business during a crisis like this. There is no rule-book. People may look at me like I’m an idiot. Hell, I might look back and think I was an idiot. But I know that I will never regret taking care of the people that matter to me. Because business is family. And family is everything. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 782 · Comments 148

People often say, “If I could tell my 30 year old one piece of advice I’d say nothing because I needed to learn all of those mistakes.” That’s fine. It’s beautiful and true. But if I had to tell my daughter advice, I don’t want her to make the same mistakes I did. I tell her:  http://bit.ly/2yUiCL5 …see more

♥ 782 · Comments 50

I wanted to raise some money. My neighbor said, “Meet my boss. He runs a hedge fund.” I met the boss. He gave me the tour of the office. Everyone was buying and selling stocks. Then we sat in the boss’s glass office. We could see all the employees and they could see us. He sat down. “So, tell me, James. What can I do for you?” . . . #writing #judging #lifestyle #billionaire #characters …see more

♥ 771 · Comments 29

‘Oops, I hired a wrong person!’ We all have that moment sometime or the other in our career. As a VC, it may also extend to investing in the wrong company. I feel responsible when I make a wrong hiring decision – for the employee as well as for the organization. I have come to realize that direct acknowledgment is the first step towards taking corrective actions. The next is salvaging the situation. Is the person - Competent? Motivated? And a good culture fit? What is the gap? I am usually willing to have a direct and honest discussion about my concerns. Sometimes they receive it poorly. Other times they may shed light on why they are struggling, that might point to a mutual solution. Generally, if they are not a culture fit, it is hard to fix. I typically want to resolve that quickly. If they are not motivated, it is important to understand what is holding back that might be helpful. In the case of incompetence, can they do a different role or learn on the job? If a person is highly motivated, I am willing to give more opportunities to see if I can help them succeed. …see more

♥ 761 · Comments 27

Woke up to the very sad news of the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A brilliant jurist, a champion of equality, a warrior against injustice and an inspiration for so many, she leaves behind her a much-admired path of transformation that she, herself, stressed has more to go and must be pursued further. May she rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. #ruthbaderginsuburg #supremecourt #rip …see more

♥ 760 · Comments 48

Kevin Otiende , reading your story of humanity and selfless generosity has blessed my entire month of birthday celebrations. I vow to adopt your energy and willingness to go the extra mile to help those in need. Bless you. #compassion #leadership #education #youthdevelopment #Kenya …see more

♥ 755 · Comments 95

I spend 7-8 hours per day on Zoom meetings and it creates digital fatigue. I chuckled that Eric S. Yuan, CEO of Zoom, faced Zoom fatigue! 2020 has really made me realise the challenges of #WorkingAtHome . #MentalHealth …see more

♥ 751 · Comments 30

Days like this are the worst for creators. 👇🏽😥 We recorded 10 or so videos yesterday and I barely got through a single take. That hasn't happened to me in a while and I'm supposed to be a "professional". It's so easy to get in your own head. So easy to get frustrated. But regardless of where you are at in your life, you're going to have those "off days". This is what I do: 1). Breathe. Remind yourself your human. Most of the time "Done is better than best." 2). Remember why you create in the first place. 3). Get after it the next day. You don't have to be perfect. Just keep showing up. #justQ 🖖🏽🖤 …see more

♥ 750 · Comments 187

If you’re subscribed to this newsletter you probably already know where I come from and what I’ve been up to over the past few years. Long story short: we grew quickly, failed a lot, learned a lot, and our team was crushing it pre-Covid. So coming to terms with the fact that it’s all coming to an end has been difficult for me to deal with because a lot of energy, sweat, tears, and hair loss (lol) went into that business. I’m not the type of person that dwells on things. I never really have been. But this has been hard for me to shake (hence my three month absence from writing these). I guess the beautiful thing is that I haven’t been sitting idle. I’ve just been quiet on social media. I’ve been thinking a lot about brand, what I want to do next, and who I want to be next. It's good to be back. I missed y'all. #justQ 🖖🏾🖤 …see more

♥ 747 · Comments 263

Since the lockdown, I have been on habit #transformation mode of binge reading and experimenting. I wanted to test #IntermittentFasting since so much has been said about it these days. All I can say is it works! It worked far better than I expected. Like any #habit , when we make a positive difference in one aspect of our life, it has cascading benefits in several aspects of our lives. …see more

♥ 745 · Comments 62

My six year old daughter asked me, “What’s so great about the United States anyway?” And I didn’t know what to say to her. I’m from the US. But there’s many problems in how the US plays out its role both at home and in the world. How to answer about a country that engages in horrific wars, had slaves, has a 15% poverty rate, and yet has always called itself “the land of opportunity” and with reason. There are really two question: how do you define “world power” and is this a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe it’s better to be a small power and still have lots of wealth and conveniences (think: Luxembourg). First: are we a world power? Yes, the United States is by far the biggest world power and nobody is close... http://bit.ly/2vkUoca …see more

♥ 741 · Comments 329

“Playing with your kids will make you feel better,” my mother told me. My grandmother told me, “Play with your daughters. It will calm you down.” I had been depressed for precisely 19 months at this point. I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning. I was four months away from going broke. I would walk my daughter to the park after the market closed. Her tiny legs would get tired as the sun left one purple blister still in the sky. Can I reach back in time right now? #writing #lifestyle #relationships #regret …see more

♥ 737 · Comments 97