Alan Mercer’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Alan Mercer shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Alan, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I get up around 6:30 in the morning and the first thing I do is take my dog, Ace for a walk. After that I make coffee and sit at my desk to look over anything that may have happened overnight. I have a few responsibilities on line and then I walk Ace a second time before it gets too hot. After that I run errands like shopping along with any appointments. That takes up 90 minutes right there.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have been taking photos and creating images for over 40 years now. I’ve become known in certain circles for my style of photography and digital image making. I work mainly with artists and creative types. I spent 13 years in Los Angeles working with the top people in their fields.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
That happened when I was in grade school and I won a First Place Ribbon for a drawing I made. Everyone was impressed and was so nice to me. I realized then, that would be my identity.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I had thought about giving up my dreams many times over my younger life because often progress was so difficult. At times I hurt from all the disappointment and rejection, but I somehow always found the energy and the drive to start again and I have been so glad I did. It took me several years to really start feeling successful and worthy.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I do my best to keep the public version of myself the same as the private version. I guess the public version of me is a little quieter than the private version. I have strong opinions that I do not always share in public.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am most definitely doing what I as born to do. I was told to do so many other things and I just couldn’t relate. Also, my profession is so difficult, you can only do it if you feel you have no other choice.

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