I don’t do what I do for money or respect or recognition. Not really.

Don’t get me wrong: I like those things—and I definitely won’t turn them down if you offer them—but they’re not what drives me.

What drives me is this: There’s a war going on.

It’s a war between small businesses and giant corporations.

It’s a war between determined founders trying to make things happen in the real world and the juggernaut companies trying to squeeze them out of the market so they can make an extra buck.

It’s a war between the small business owners working overtime to keep their employees paid while corporate executives sit in a boardroom contemplating what percentage of their workforce to lay off so they can juice their bonuses.

I’ve done work for plenty of big companies over the years—Walmart, Microsoft, Motorola, Disney, Yahoo, Monster, and others—and they all left me feeling empty. Landing those big-name client projects is a great ego boost, but that’s about it.

Instead, my favorite clients have always been the hundreds of small businesses I’ve worked with over the years. I love helping a struggling business turn things around and really thrive. I love what it does for their people, and for the community around them.

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s probably this:
I’m using every scrap of knowledge, experience, and insight I’ve gained over two decades in the C-suite to teach founders how to fight and win this war.

I really believe that guiding small businesses to success is one of the best things we can do for families, for the economy, for society, and for the future of humanity.

So that’s exactly what I’m doing.

If you’re looking for something to copy and paste, here it is:

James has 28 years of experience in the marketing industry, including running a successful marketing agency for 12 years, and he’s been in C-level roles (CEO, CMO, CTO, & CPO) for more than two decades.

He has a keen insight into helping companies connect with their audiences on a deep level by crafting customer-centric marketing distributed through efficient marketing engines.

James has worked with clients like Disney, Microsoft, Walmart, Motorola, and Yahoo, but his real passion is helping growth-stage companies thrive.

He has spoken at more than a hundred events, written countless blogs and articles (including several for Inc magazine), and projects he’s worked on have been featured in U.S. News & World Report, Fast Company, Business Week, Entrepreneur, The New York Times, AdAge, TechCrunch, and NPR.

“James is an expert brand strategist and marketer, and design is an integral part of his approach. I’d listen to him, if I were you.”
—Francine Hardaway (CEO, Stealthmode Partners)

Happily married with three kids (7, 17, 21)

Live in Phoenix, Arizona (the town of Gilbert, specifically)

Born in Miami, Florida but have lived all over the country (and have visited almost every state in the U.S. at some point).

Hobbies & interests include screenwriting, fiction writing, filmmaking, video production, photography, cartography, vexillology, linguistics, conlanging, history, and philosophy. (Yes, I know I’m super cool.)

I started college when I was 16 and was later named one of the top 20 junior college students in the country.

Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees was topping the charts when I was born.

I grew up with my father being a small business owner, so I always thought of that as being more “normal” than having a traditional 9-to-5 job.

I’ve actually seen a UFO. It wasn’t a flying saucer or anything, but it was a really weird thing in the sky—seen by several people around me as well—and decades later I still have no theory or explanation for what it was.

The lawyers for rapper Jay-Z threatened to sue me because he had a company with a similar name to mine. I sent them an email back that said “No.” and never heard back.

In the early days of my agency, Motorola hired us to design a software platform for them, and we met with them in a home garage we were using as an office at the time, complete with a card table for a desk.

I’m an INTP on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator:

INTPs, often called “The Thinkers,” are analytical and innovative individuals who excel at understanding complex concepts and systems.

They possess a natural curiosity and a strong desire to uncover underlying principles, which enables them to approach problems with logical reasoning and creative solutions.

Known for their intellectual depth, INTPs thrive in environments that value critical thinking and open-minded exploration.

Their ability to dissect intricate issues and generate insightful strategies makes them valuable contributors in any professional setting.

(That’s pretty accurate, but I swear I’m more fun than that makes me sound.)

Here are my top scores from CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder):

Strategic: Excel at quickly spotting patterns and envisioning multiple pathways to reach a goal.

Futuristic: Inspired visionary who energizes others with forward-looking ideas.

Achiever: Driven individual who finds satisfaction in working hard and accomplishing tasks.

Arranger: Skilled at organizing resources and adapting plans to achieve maximum efficiency.

Analytical: Logical thinker who thoroughly examines all factors influencing a situation.

(I guess that explains how I wound up an executive, entrepreneur, and consultant.)

On the True Colors personality profiling system, I was a very solid Green.

The True Colors “Green” profile describes analytical, visionary individuals driven by intellect. Natural problem-solvers, they explore ideas, understand complex systems, and seek innovative solutions. As independent thinkers who value knowledge, they excel in strategic planning and guiding growth, making significant impacts through their insights and expertise.

(At the company where I took the True Colors test, it was really interesting to see how each department had a dominant color type. At the time, I was a director in the Product department and was surrounded by other Greens.)

The Harry Potter system is probably the best known of all personality type tests, so I might as well throw it in here as well. I’m in Ravenclaw.

Ravenclaw House embodies wisdom, intelligence, and creativity. Its members are intellectuals who cherish knowledge and learning. They are innovative thinkers who enjoy exploring new ideas and solving complex problems. Their curiosity and sharp minds enable them to provide insightful perspectives and excel in academic and creative pursuits.

(Everyone knows Ravenclaw is the coolest.)