An Inspired Chat with John Locke

We recently had the chance to connect with John Locke and have shared our conversation below.

Hi John, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Lots of terrible people are vastly intelligent, many awful people have lots of energy and are even charismatic, but integrity is never for sale, and not everyone has it. So many people put money or status above everything, but integrity is everything, it is something that endures. If your integrity is for sale, you don’t have integrity.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Lockedown SEO started in 2012 doing web design and development and helping businesses across the country with all kinds of things. There’s very little I haven’t done at one time or another. Since about 2018, I’ve focused the company on SEO and getting businesses meaningful traffic and leads, because that’s what business owners care about the most, and it’s the goal of good web design. One thing that we do right now that most of our colleagues do not is stay away from AI or shortcuts, and focusing on human centered content and design. Right now, I’m focused on helping businesses in blue-collar industries like manufacturing, equipment supplies, and contracting.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
When I was a kid, I loved stories, I loved reading books, collecting comics, hearing song lyrics and stories in music, I loved stories about my favorite athletes. I think books, poems, music, even a brand story can be incredibly powerful, if it’s real, if it connects with people, if it inspires them to be a better version of themselves.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that things are going to get better, and believe in yourself, and absolutely don’t hold onto people or things which don’t serve you anymore. There’s no benefit in that, and you’re so much better than some of the situations you’ll go through later.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Networking with “important” people in your industry is the way to be successful. I’ve found it’s better to be valuable to your customers and get word-of-mouth referrals from real business owners and not industry influencers. A lot of what you see is manufactured friendships.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My passion, my curiosity, my thirst for knowledge and truth, my talents, may ability to adapt, my ability to discern, my courage, my beliefs, my fears, my resolve, my drive, and my integrity.

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