#8: The Birth of a Brand with UGG Shoes Founder Brian Smith
Sep 15, 2015
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In this podcast, Nathan R Mitchell interviews Brian Smith, Founder of UGG shoes. They discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, adversity, and the journey of building the UGG brand. Topics include starting small, overcoming obstacles, building a team, merging companies for financial stability, and the role of luck and karma in success.
Importance of perseverance and taking risks in entrepreneurship.
Finding purpose and aligning work with values leads to greater happiness and fulfillment.
Lessons on adapting, embracing uncertainty, and reframing failure for entrepreneurial success.
Deep dives
Brian Smith's passion for entrepreneurship and his journey with UGG shoes
Brian Smith, the founder of UGG shoes, shares his passion for entrepreneurship and the journey of building a successful brand. He highlights the importance of perseverance and taking risks, sharing anecdotes from his own experience. He emphasizes the need to find a balance between practicality and chasing dreams. Smith also discusses the challenges he faced in financing and growing his business, and how he eventually made the decision to sell the brand. His story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles and pursue their goals with determination.
The power of purpose and finding happiness as an entrepreneur
Smith discusses the significance of finding purpose as an entrepreneur and how it contributed to his success. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's work with their values and passions, and how this can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. Smith shares personal anecdotes that highlight the rewards of pursuing entrepreneurship with purpose and dedication. His insights motivate and encourage entrepreneurs to find their own unique purpose and create businesses that reflect their values.
Lessons learned from the ups and downs of entrepreneurship
Smith shares valuable lessons he learned from his entrepreneurial journey, including the importance of perseverance, embracing uncertainty, and reframing failure as a learning opportunity. He emphasizes the need to adapt and evolve in a constantly changing business landscape. Smith also discusses the role of luck and preparation in entrepreneurial success, sharing stories of unexpected opportunities that propelled his brand forward. His insights inspire entrepreneurs to approach challenges with resilience and maintain a growth mindset.
Building a team and the importance of strategic hires
Smith reflects on the process of building a team for UGG shoes and highlights the importance of strategic hiring. He explains how he made hiring decisions based on the specific needs of the business at different stages of its growth. Smith shares his belief that the first hires should be individuals who can free up the founder's time, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks. He also emphasizes the importance of identifying areas of the business that need improvement and hiring individuals with the skills to address those areas. Smith's insights provide valuable guidance for entrepreneurs looking to build high-performing teams.
The power of karma and the inspiration to help others
Smith discusses his belief in the power of karma and how it has influenced his entrepreneurial journey. He shares stories of unexpected opportunities and fortunate encounters, which he attributes to the positive energy he put out into the world. Smith also expresses his passion to help others, particularly individuals in their 50s and 60s who are looking for new ventures and career paths. He introduces his new project, a membership website aimed at providing resources and connections for individuals in this stage of life. Smith's commitment to making a positive impact and his focus on lifelong learning inspire others to embrace new opportunities and continue growing throughout their lives.
Nathan R Mitchell, founder of Clutch Consulting, and Certified Member of The John Maxwell Team, interviews Brian Smith, Founder of UGG shoes, and author of "The Birth of a Brand - Launching Your Entrepreneurial Passion and Soul." Listen in to Leading With Purpose – Empowering Talk Radio, as Nathan and Brian discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, adversity, and much more...
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