049: Fueling Creativity: Lessons Learned From Building The BPN Media Team
Jan 15, 2024
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In this episode, Nick sits down with Jordan Utter, the first creative hire at BPN. They discuss the early days of building the company, the importance of passion in creativity, and the impact of the mission on their work. They also talk about adapting, building a media team, and the unexpected career paths that can arise from following one's curiosities. They reflect on their journey, leadership lessons, and their excitement for the future.
Open and honest communication is crucial in determining the best fit for each individual's strengths and goals.
Embrace challenges and chaos to foster personal and professional development.
Effective communication and understanding are essential for successful and harmonious environments, both personally and professionally.
Deep dives
The Evolution of a Creative Director
Initially hired as the VPN media director, Jordan's role expanded as the creative team grew. However, he realized that his true passion lay in leading and creating rather than managing. This led to a transition back to working as the creative director for Nick's content. The evolution of Jordan's role taught him the importance of open and honest communication in determining the best fit for each individual's strengths and goals. He also learned the value of being patient and celebrating achievements rather than constantly seeking more.
The Importance of Adaptability and Ownership Mentality
Working in a startup environment required Jordan to be flexible and adaptable. He embraced the challenges and recognized that everything was working for his personal and professional growth. Additionally, the ownership mentality instilled in the team fostered a sense of responsibility and dedication to the company's mission. Jordan learned that challenges and chaos can lead to personal and professional development, and that maintaining a positive mindset and understanding that everything is ultimately working for good can bring peace and joy in difficult times.
The Dangers of Making Assumptions in Leadership
Reflecting on past mistakes, Jordan and Nick realized the importance of open communication and mutual understanding in leadership roles. Instead of making assumptions about what employees want or need, it is crucial to have conversations and ensure that everyone's goals and preferences align. This lesson applies to both personal and professional relationships, highlighting the significance of effective communication and understanding in fostering a successful and harmonious environment.
The Power of Going Back to What Works
The experience of transitioning roles and reevaluating priorities taught both Jordan and Nick the importance of going back to what works rather than chasing trends or expectations. Realizing the need to align with their core values and authentic selves, they made adjustments and refocused on the aspects that brought them joy and fulfillment. This lesson also translated to the approach taken by BPN as a brand, leveraging their unique strengths and returning to the foundation that made them successful in the first place.
The Importance of Stepping Back and Gaining Perspective
In our day-to-day lives, we often get caught up in the details and the constant problem-solving, which leads to little progress. To make real progress, it is essential to step back and have a bigger picture perspective. By strategically assessing the puzzle pieces of life, we can make meaningful strides towards our goals and create something unique and significant. While taking the well-paved path may seem easy, it often leaves us feeling empty. Embracing the challenges and chaos of forging a new and original trail leads to growth, fulfillment, and a brand that stands out.
The Long Journey of Life and the Importance of Adapting
Life is a long journey filled with ups and downs, and it rarely goes according to plan. Instead of seeking immediate gratification or fixating on reaching a finish line, it is crucial to embrace the process and focus on the bigger picture. Adapting and staying levelheaded through failures, hardships, and successes are key to long-term growth and fulfillment. Building a business, creating meaningful work, and living a purposeful life require a strong foundation, a willingness to navigate storms, and the understanding that it is a continuous journey with no definitive end. Finding joy in the unpredictability and remaining steady amidst the highs and lows empower personal and professional growth.
Today, I’m sitting down with my close friend and BPN employee #5, Jordan Utter. Jordan was brought on at BPN in 2019 as the first creative hire. We’re sharing stories about the early days and what it took to build not only a company but also a brand fueled by creativity. We’re talking about lessons learned, creating out of passion instead of following trends, how the mission impacts your work, and everything in between. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!
