We were lucky to catch up with Roger Starkweather recently and have shared our conversation below.

Roger, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you ever had an amazing boss? What did you learn from them? Maybe you can share a story that illustrates the kind of boss they were or maybe you can share your thoughts on what you think made them an awesome person to work for?

Mentorship is everything.
As I’ve grown older, like fine wine, this statement has become increasingly true. Looking back, I vividly remember Erik, my first true boss—the one who took me under his wing and shared marvelous secrets of life. These nuggets of wisdom were ostensibly meant to improve my sales abilities in the business of selling rubber stamps, but they ultimately reinforced the importance of showing up authentically.

In many situations, I learned to prioritize others and solve problems more effectively than most. Erik’s guidance gifted me with unbridled confidence, and I eventually became the top performer in the company, even taking over his job.

What began as kind advice blossomed into a lifelong mentorship and a cherished friendship that endures to this day. Erik’s love for my ultimate well-being was like a set of guardrails, guiding me back whenever I might have veered off course.

Now, as a mentor myself, having traveled many journeys, I reflect on the kindness and unconditional love inherent in mentorship. True mentors give because it’s in their DNA. They share to make a difference, to leave things better than they found them. The profound gratitude that arrives when you connect and make a meaningful impact is both priceless and infectious.

Pay it forward—always.

Roger, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I entered my current business not by accident, but through a thoughtful layering of interests and fascinations. These deliberate actions, combined with a desire to leave things better than I found them, have allowed me to live a rewarding life running my businesses.

Some key elements of this journey were about taking risks, learning from mistakes, accepting accountability, and continually leaning into my inquisitive nature. I achieved all this by embracing the act of being in service.

Today, I co-run a successful brand and marketing agency with my best friend, Steven. What started as mutual respect for each other’s talents evolved into a bold decision: “Let’s quit our day jobs and set up shop.” After collaborating for a decade, we developed a scalable business plan and opened our doors just two years ago. Today, we have dozens of satisfied clients and reliable, happy contractors who support our vision of “Branding for the Greater Good of Humankind.”

Our company, ANEWBrand, serves nonprofits and marginalized businesses that create meaningful impact. We support those who typically wouldn’t fit into a large agency workflow. We are nimble, authentically approachable, and blessed with years of experience from past large agency work. We passionately provide best-practice advice that matters, and we are unapologetic about creating unique differences.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Be Kind! Kind to yourself, kind to your clients, kind to the world. Kindness is free, and there’s a lot to pass on. Oh yeah, we have two ears and one mouth for a reason – use them accordingly. The other golden rule is “mean what you say and do what you mean”. and one last thing, we taught our kids this one, “Never throw anything”

I’ve been blessed to reside in one community giving back and sharing openly. Consistency matters as this builds trust. Having a solid foundation, when buying anything, is an undeniable truth.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Trusting myself and loving others is only achieved by loving yourself.

As children, we are often instructed to love others, to help out, and to be of service. Yet, we are rarely taught the crucial prerequisite: that genuine love for others begins with loving oneself. This foundational element is frequently overlooked, creating a significant gap in our understanding of compassion and connection.

I learned this profound lesson later in life, but as the wisdom goes, it’s never too late to understand true self-love. The power of self-acceptance brings an undeniable energy that naturally attracts and inspires others. This inner spark ignites remarkable outcomes of personal alignment and transformative growth.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is simple yet profound: “To thine own self be true!” When we honor and love ourselves authentically, we create a ripple effect of genuine love that extends far beyond our own boundaries.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anewbrand.co/
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/rogerstarkweather

Image Credits

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