Q&A with John Palumbo

John Palumbo is a wizard of forward thinking. His everyday is an explosion of possibility. He invents new ways to think about old and new things. His mind churns and churns thoughts of how to market the things we buy and use. But he is not the way you might imagine a marketing person. He is more of Tom Hanks in BIG. He is unabashedly child-like and explorative. John started his own marketing empire a couple of years ago. He has and will continue to change the face of the way we see our everyday things. He inspires me. I think he will inspire you, too.

John's quote:

"vision without activation is hallucination" --albert einstein

John says:

"in my business (as in many) great ideas are a dime a dozen. it's the
ideas that can truly be executed that lead to success. so, we provide
clients with ideas, insights and inspiration...and go one step further
to show them how they can really get them done and the impact they will
have on their business

I think you're always nervous and apprehensive when you are going to
put yourself out there and try something new. however, the thing that
motivates you to give it a shot is having that gut feeling that you are
doing something that makes sense. if you believe it...others will too.
energy and enthusiasm are contagious. when you meet someone that is so
passionate about something they are doing....you want to get involved.
steve jobs is a great example, isn't he. the guy gets up on stage and
is so freakin' passionate about this new phone that does this and
that...and we all go crazy and line up for the damn thing. let me say that again
-we LINE up for it...a phone! are you kidding me?

one more thing...never...never...never.

..ask people if they think your
idea is a good one. that is the kiss of death because 9 times out of
10
they will shoot it down. it has nothing to do with them being cynical,
etc. they just don't share the same passion you do...and human nature
leads us to "poke holes"...not "fill them"

bob dylan did an interview with 60 minutes a while back and was talking
about "destiny." he said he knew that he would become who is he today
but
he NEVER told anyone about it because they wouldn't get it. simply
put,
they would burst his bubble. his advice - you'll FEEL your destiny at
some point...you'll literally picture it in your mind...but don't ever
tell anyone about it. your destiny is a personal thing.

I know that sounds all heady and this or that...but when you break it
down
to its essence it's really great advice. if you have an idea...go and
do
it. pull the fucking trigger and make it happen. if it doesn't work,
so
be it...at least you tried"