1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?

Focus. As a self-admitted sufferer of Shiny object syndrome, often I am distracted from the parts of my business I should prioritize to allocate the most precious commodity - time.

2. How did you become a leader of an SME? Can you please briefly tell the story?

Amherst College: English/Sociology double major. NYC – Seth Godin/Paralegal. Temple Law School. Hollywood: Story Department, Paramount, MGM. Fall in love & move to Manchester, England. Start a real estate company. Proud father of twin daughters and a son and realize not happy in career. Beginning a role at a design agency and finding marketing makes me happy. Move to Philly and get a job at a brand marketing agency, before starting nine dots that now focuses on visual content. Add adjunct professor, podcaster and keynote speaker to the fun and games.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Few days the same. Carve time for business development, client, and marketing activity. Review progress of projects to see what needs focus and attention. Spend time with the family.

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

Persistence. Identify what your goals are and then fearlessly pursue them. Ask when you need help. Keep trying. No response is not a NO. Keep asking.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Give and Take by Adam Grant. While Givers are shown to be the most successful, Givers are also the least successful. As a leader you want to give of yourself, but not to the extent that it takes away from your own goals.

6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?

Be Self-aware. Be Patience. Be a good listener. Be curious. You can learn something from everyone. Share what you've learned with others.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader of an SME so far?

For my latest podcast there was a particular guest I wanted to have on the show. It took some time to find out the best way to reach out to them but eventually I found a direct email address. I sent an email and did not receive a response. While I might have simply moved on to another potential guest, I reached out not one but two more times. On the third outreach I got a response and a week later I was recording the first American Ninja Warrior Champion, Isaac Caldiero. No response does not necessarily mean no and persistence can pay off.