Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jake Ross of Boston

Jake Ross shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Jake, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
It’s tough to say exactly what a ‘normal’ day looks like because I live my life “week to week.”

Here’s a 23 year old CEO day by day breakdown by week:

General Wake Up Time: 8:15AM

– Monday: Calls in AM, Focus Time in PM, Gym, TikTok Scrolling/Movie

– Tuesday: Sales Calls in AM, Client Calls until 2PM, Focus Time 2-6PM, Fun Activity for Evening

– Wednesday: Calls ALL DAY! Usually a work event at night

– Thursday: All Day = Focus time, then Gym at night

– Friday: Calls in AM, Focus Time in PM until late evening (~8PM)

– Saturday & Sunday: Off or Optional Work

Bed Time = 11:00PM (yes, I get a lot of sleep – it has to be a priority)

And then repeat the next week! I’ve basically been doing that exact schedule for about 3 years.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Well, you might know by this point that my name is Jake, but I will reintroduce myself haha! I grew in up in a small town in Massachusetts and always had the entrepreneurial spirit. I started first business in elementary school: I sold friendship bracelets that I would make in my room. I’d run off to the local pool with my “portfolio” and ask people if they wanted one (or had any special requests). Unfortunately, not long after, I would be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Steven Johnson’s Syndrome where I would be hospitalized for 2 months, stitches in my eyes and blisters all over my buddy. Despite the pain, it was the spark of my 2nd venture: JR Sports Cards. I would buy and sell sports trading cards online and create YouTube videos to help collectors on a budget, which amassed 11.5k subscribers. Finally, by the time I got to college, I had the itch to take that marketing expertise and help other firm’s build their community… so I did just that.

That was the dawn of Build You: a luxury LinkedIn Content & Media Relations agency for founders, executives and companies to activate their network and increase brand awareness.

In short, we write LinkedIn Content & Land News Features for Founders, Executives and Companies.

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?
It was definitely being hospitalized with my autoimmune disease in both 5th & 7th grade. As I mentioned a bit earlier, I was diagnosed with Steven Johnson’s Syndrome, which is basically an allergic reaction to pneumonia. It can get pretty gruesome… I had stitches in my eyes to save me from going blind, a feeding tube to get me nutrients, and a catheter to help me use the restroom.

It’s hard to explain the feeling of an experience like that. It’s so much “terror” all at once at such a young age that you almost become numb to it. That said, it was one of those “this will never happen to me” experiences. It’s made me extremely conscious of how I spend my time knowing that could end in the matter of minutes.

It was also the catalyst to prove to myself that entrepreneurship is worth the risk. Why not go down trying instead of not trying at all?

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
It always gets better.

I am going to use one of my favorite clichés: Entrepreneurship is a Roller Coaster.

There are so many GREAT days, but almost as many “bad” days to go right along with it. That’s the beauty in it. I’ve learned that even when I am feeling at my lowest of lows, it will get better. That hope keeps me going. Time does heal everything, to a certain extent.

This same principle stands true even within 24 hours. You can be having bad morning at 9AM, but by 9:05AM it could be the best morning ever.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
My team’s ideas.

I didn’t build my company alone. Not even close. Just last month, there was over 645 hours of logged work across our agency. That in itself proves that I rely on their ideas the most. There’s so much work that I am not part of every single day, and my team consistently delivers at a high quality for customers.

In addition, anytime I am problem solving, I always bring in the team. We’ve all dedicated our lives to serve our clients and grow this business. It’s a no-brainer to trust them. Plus, I hired them too haha.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
“He gave 100% effort into everything he did.” – someone when I am gone

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Jake Ross, Build You Marketing

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