Meet Brian Dougherty

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brian Dougherty a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brian , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Growing up with two older brothers and supportive parents, I always had a strong sense of self-confidence. My parents were always there for me, and my brothers pushed me to give my best. But it wasn’t until I became a Navy SEAL that my self-confidence and self-awareness truly blossomed. In the SEAL teams, I learned the true power and benefits of failure and the importance of picking myself up every time I was knocked down. When you combine that mindset with genuine self-awareness and put it into practice, you start to see amazing results—sometimes even beyond what you imagined.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I grew up in Colorado, studied finance, and started a career in multifamily real estate after college. However, at 29, feeling unfulfilled, I decided to join the Navy and become a SEAL. Fast forward, and not only did I become a SEAL, but I’m also a father of two and the owner of Declan James Watch Co. At Declan James Watch Co., we design and craft beautiful, high-quality timepieces that stand the test of time. Our watches are passed down from generation to generation, each telling a unique story. We believe in honoring those who came before us and those who will come after, and our watches are made with that philosophy in mind. In short, I’m building a legacy my kids can be proud of. As a veteran, it’s important to us to donate 10-15% of our sales back to organizations that serve veterans and their families. Currently, our organization of choice is the Navy SEAL Foundation.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, my journey’s three most impactful qualities were resilience, self-awareness, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Life throws challenges at you, and how you respond to those challenges defines your success-defines you. In my journey, especially as a Navy SEAL, resilience was vital. The ability to bounce back from failures, learn from them, and keep pushing forward was crucial. For those early in their journey, practice resilience by stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing failures as learning opportunities. The more you face adversity, the stronger and more adaptable you become. Don’t forget you only fail if you give up!

Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and motivations is essential. It wasn’t until I joined the SEAL teams that my self-awareness truly blossomed. Self-awareness is about being honest with yourself and continuously reflecting on your actions and decisions, which helps you grow. To develop self-awareness, stay humble, seek feedback from others, and make time for regular self-reflection.

A commitment to continuous learning, whether in finance, real estate, or becoming a Navy SEAL, was always at the forefront and went hand in hand with resilience and self-awareness. Curiosity and openness to gain new knowledge have always been vital to my success. For those starting, don’t be insecure if you don’t know something; we all have to start somewhere. Commit to learning what you don’t know by reading, seeking mentors, and always being willing to do so. Embrace a growth mindset where you see challenges as learning opportunities rather than obstacles.

I advise those early in their journey to cultivate these qualities actively. Take on challenges, reflect on your experiences, and never stop learning. By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to navigate your path and achieve your goals.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

What has been most helpful in overcoming challenges for me is positive self-talk and the belief that I can do anything I set my mind to. My mind is my super strength, and I realize I might not get it on my first attempt. Still, with positive self-talk and a can-do mindset, I look at challenges and what most people might think is a problem as an opportunity—an opportunity to learn something new, solve a problem, and do something different.

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