Mike Germano on 3 Criteria for Investing in Entrepreneurs

In Chapter 18 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "What Has Being an Entrepreneur Taught You About Investing in Entrepreneurs?"  Before he even looks at the business idea, Germano looks at three things.  First, he looks at the major personal relationships in an entrepreneur's life, in particularly their life partner.  Second, he looks at how they handle money.  Thirdly, Germano looks at the team. 

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Mike Germano on Why Brands are the New Venture Capital Investors

In Chapter 19 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "Why Do You Believe That Brands Are the New Venture Capital Firms?"  Germano finds there are progressively more ways for entrepreneur designers and developers to find money.  What Germano thinks is key now is distribution and he finds large brands have this distribution and also have innovation constraints.  With their innovation needs, access to investment capital, and distribution, Germano sees brands as the next generation of venture capital firms. 

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Mike Germano on Planning Family Goals at Age 30

In Chapter 20 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "What Steps Are You Taking to Do What is Best For Your Family and Your Future?"  Germano talks about the work he is doing to be a more attentive husband and to take better care of his own health.  He notes how this will become increasingly important as he and his wife have children and start a family. 

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University.

Phil McKenzie on How Family Support System Helps You Manage Stress

In Chapter 1 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "Where Has Your Family Been Most Supportive in Your Career Development?"  He finds support in his family's encouragement and how it has helped him stay positive.  Being reassured by his parents provides a stress outlet that helps him fight through the entrepreneurial struggle. 

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

Phil McKenzie on How Family Relationships Change With Age

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

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

Phil McKenzie on Learning Work Ethic in an American Immigrant Family

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

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

Phil McKenzie on Using Positive Thinking to Reflect and Grow

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

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

Phil McKenzie on How to Better Manage Your Meeting Commitments

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

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

How to Manage Work Pressure and Reduce Job Stress

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

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

Phil McKenzie on What You Learn Bootstrap Financing a Startup

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

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

Phil McKenzie on Saving Money to Start a Business

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

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

Phil McKenzie on Iterating a Lean Startup Business Model

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

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

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

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

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

Phil McKenzie on Why Patience is Key to Small Business Success

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

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

Phil McKenzie on Rebranding a Small Business

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

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

Phil McKenzie on How to Find Speakers for Your Next Event

In Chapter 13 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Steps Do You Take to Source Conference Speakers and Curate Conference Panels?"  McKenzie finds he and his team are able to find speakers and curate panels and keynote ideas first through curiosity.  By identifying what is important across different communities they are able to find inspirational sources and then look for previously unseen connections between these sources. 

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

Managing Multicultural Diversity for a Virtual Workforce

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

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

Phil McKenzie on Improving Small Business Strategy Planning

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

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