We’re looking forward to introducing you to John Jackson. Check out our conversation below.
John, 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. Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I like the Rumi quote, “When you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” To me, it suggests that strategy and planning can be overrated. Strategy is about options and choices—sometimes there are many, sometimes few. Planning implies that the choice has already been made and that all we need is a roadmap. But this is flawed thinking, because most strategies and plans are based on where we’ve been and what we already know. That assumes life is predictable and that we already know what’s best. In my experience, life is far more improvisational, with much still to discover and learn. The lesson? Start walking. I guess this means I am wandering.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Professionally, I am Professor Emeritus at Cal State Fullerton, specializing in New Venture Creation and Launch, Entrepreneurial Marketing, and Commercializing Technology. Known affectionately as “Professor JJ,” I bring practical marketing and sales experience from my years in both Silicon Valley and on Wall Street. I’m also an angel investor and the founder of Titan Angels.
Personally, I’m a lifelong horseman, a devoted dog lover, and I share my office with an Amazon parrot who has strong opinions about conference calls. I’m a husband, father, and grandfather, and I’m currently writing my autobiography to help my children and grandchildren understand me—and my journey—a little better.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I was born in 1955, and as a young teenager I was deeply influenced by Bobby Kennedy’s presidential campaign. He spoke to justice, equality, and compassion at a time when the country was divided. His opposition to the Vietnam War echoed my own feelings, and his call to bridge divides and care for those on the margins shaped my sense of what leadership should be. His assassination was a painful reminder that progress is fragile, but it cemented my belief that standing up for peace, fairness, and human dignity is worth the effort, no matter the cost.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I had a paint horse named George for 22 years, and most people will never understand the bond we shared. Yes, George was special. Besides the show work you might remember, he was a true all-around horse—he worked ranch roundups, brandings, and ropings; led parades; carried flags; chased bulls; navigated trails across the state; taught countless greenhorns to ride; crossed rivers; jumped fences; and tackled any obstacle without hesitation. He was utterly fearless and never had a sick or lame day in his life.
Once, while riding mountain switchbacks, the trail gave way beneath us. We both fell, and I was knocked unconscious. When I came to, George—his face bleeding—was calmly standing beside me as if to say, “Get up, you big baby.” That was him: completely trustworthy, loyal, and entirely in sync with me. I rode him without spurs and with a loose rein—he always knew his job, no correction needed.
He was a legend in our local horse community, and I am not exaggerating. To say I miss him is a vast understatement. George wasn’t just a horse—he was my alter ego. My family and friends know about George but they are unaware about the one in a lifetime connection that we had.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I do my best to be honest and transparent; the truth is empowering. Mark Twain said, “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything,” and that has always resonated with me. As a business executive, facts were essential for good decisions, while politics only wasted time. As a professor, I believed feedback was a critical learning tool. In my personal life, meaningful expression has always included honesty. Short of being insulting, I tell the truth. So yes, my public self is a real version of me.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in small, fleeting moments such as riding my horse, walking my dog, having coffee with my wife on the patio, or sharing dinner with my kids and grandkids. These moments are a kind of respite for me. I know I have a tendency to stay too busy, and sometimes I neglect to fully appreciate them. But when they happen, they bring me back to what matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.johnbradleyjackson.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbradleyjackson/
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