Spiritual Entrepreneurship with UGG Founder Brian Smith
Jodah and Dan discuss spirituality, entrepreneurship, and leadership with UGG founder Brian Smith. They unpack his book The Birth of a Brand to explore how Brian persisted despite multiple setbacks to turn the UGG brand into one of the most recognized companies in the world. Brian shares insights about what makes a strong brand, the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur, the life cycle of a new business, the importance of standing up to toxic people in the workplace, and why it's important to trust your goosebumps.
BUY BRIAN SMITH’S BOOK THE BIRTH OF A BRAND
https://www.amazon.com/The-Birth-of-Brand-Brian-Smith-audiobook/dp/B07JDD9HNT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2J0YQ7OTHSP51&keywords=birth+of+a+brand&qid=1676221266&sprefix=birth+of+a+brand%2Caps%2C235&sr=8-1
CONTACT BRIAN SMITH
Briansmithspeaker.com
TIMESTAMPS
00:53 - Brian’s favorite entrepreneur albums
01:29 – Brian on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon
02:52 – Brian on Pink Floyd’s The Wall
04:09 – Brain is preparing a speech on spirituality and entrepreneurship
05:41 – The roots of Brian’s spirituality
06:31 – Brian almost dies in a fire
08:12 – Brian on the importance of listening to your goosebumps
09:50 – Brian on importance of spirituality and making personal connections in business and in the family
12:21 – Brian on how failure doesn’t exist until you give up
14:38 – How your greatest disappointments can become your greatest blessings
15:52 – Importance of persistence in Brian’s story
16:24 – What kept Brian going despite so many challenges founding the Ugg brand
16:48 – Australian’s born with sheep skin knowledge
17:54 – Brian converts a resistant buyer making them try on an Ugg without their socks on
19:07 – Brian felt an obligation get Ugg boots on people’s feet
19:52 – Is an entrepreneur a problem solver?
19:58 - What is an entrepreneur?
20:13 – We all have a calling
21:25 – The entrepreneur takes the unpredictable route
22:06 – You can’t give birth to adults
23:42 – Finding the customer’s objection
24:35 – Nike starting out at the same time as Ugg
27:13 – What is a brand?
29:34 – Importance of authenticity in branding
31:56 – Influencer as marketer
32:18 – Rush Limbaugh as Ugg brand spokesperson
36:50 – Ugg & Nordstroms
40:05 - Capitalization
43:43 – Importance of Inventory financing
46:14 – What did Brian learn about leadership?
49:00 – Business like a growing child
53:59 – Letting go of the details as you advance in your ranks
57:04 – What should entrepreneurs be thinking about today?
58:25 – Importance of having something to build on
59:27 – Things entrepreneurs should do to keep going
01:02:58 – Toxic people in the workplace
01:08:11 – Standing up to toxic people
01:09:52 – Selling Ugg company
01:13:18 – Brian’s life after Ugg
01:16:07 – Contacting Brian Smith
#leadership #entrepreneurship #Ugg #spirituality #business
