Meet James Orsini

We recently connected with James Orsini and have shared our conversation below.

James, 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 as the youngest sibling in a family of 4, I was always surrounded by adults. My oldest sister was 16 when I was born, I had a sister 14 and my brother was 10. You can see by the time I was 7 or 8 my siblings and parents were all adults having adult conversations at our dinner table. I entered school more mature and often more knowledgeable than most others my age. This gave me the confidence to often times “punch above my weight” as they say.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m currently President of Startup Operations for VaynerX. Vayner is a independent Marketing Services company founded by serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk and his younger brother AJ. I joined the company more than 10 years ago and have had 4 titles and played 5 different roles in the hallways. I’ve spent the last 35 years in Public Relations, Branding, General Market Advertising, Mobile Media and now the Digital / Social world. I’m rooted in finance having worked at both KPMG and Goldman Sachs, but operations and profitable growth are my forte. As an intrapreneur my most recent startup, vYve by Vayner, is a professional development, leadership training, masterclass offering for Entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 C Suite executives.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Without a doubt having a working knowledge of accounting and finance has made me a better leader. It has allowed me to help fuel the vision of the bosses I’ve served rather than choke their vision. Empathic, servant leadership has helped to make me a boss people want to work for. Giving my employees a voice and my leadership an ear has made for successful President and CEO roles I have held. Lastly my ability to lead with integrity and honesty has help set an example from the top. I never ask my employees to do something I don’t do. Weather is completing timesheets, submitting expenses or showing up I time, I lead by example.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My mother would always tell me “James don’t be afraid to dream big dreams and always be a leader and not a follower”. I still hear those words today. I’ve become a leader mostly because people choose to follow, not because I tell them I’m the boss and you need to listen. I’m not afraid to stand alone in my beliefs or issues I feel strongly about. My father gave me the liberty to expand my horizons into business. He allowed me to apply to any college regardless of cost (I was on the waitlist for Princeton). He allowed me to move away from the family plumbing business that was started by my grandfather, that my father took over and now my brother has been running. He gave me the permission to spread my wings and fly…

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