We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Maynard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.
Michael, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I was told by one of my early mentors that “creativity doesn’t mean a thing…unless it solves a problem.” So unfortunately I deal with “problems” on a daily basis. Many might say that they have met some incredibly creative people…but have they? let’s not confuse engaging, charming, and entertaining with true creativity.
Creativity truly travels it’s own road.
Perspective is the key driver to keeping creativity alive. With perspective you can create your own paradigms that then provides the path for creative development. Let’s not forget that the word creativity is from the base “create”….and again to create a solution, an approach, or something that inspires is the fruit of creativity.
So address your problems, tasks, concerns, and decision making with creative solutions…weather your own, or your employees, clients, target market, avatar, etc.
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 am a seasoned professional in the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) industry….specific to supplements and personal care. I left Corporate America at probably the worst time (2008…remember the crashing economy), and then launched a sports nutrition brand in mid-2019 (we all know what happens in 2020).
This whole period we never missed paying staff, vendors, or debtors. The debtors was an easy task….we never sought capital or other leveraged monies. Just credit cards and sound judgement!
Our company is passionate to develop products and solutions for athletes. Many not consider themselves an athlete, but if you are training 3+ days a week, the you are an athlete… you are competing with yourself!
With my CPG background, it was easy to realize that my company will never be the largest, most advertised, or top-of-mind company. So we focus on the one thing we can be: The best!
All of our products are science based, protected by patents, and deliver a real measurable outcome for athletes.
(www.ohmino.com)
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
For my journey, I could have never made with out strong will (some call it a chip on the shoulder), wisdom (not always my own…but though active acquisition), and a certain expertise that I have developed over a few decades….which leads me to the quality of “do the work”….”don’t give up”…”be humble.”
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Scaling from a “niche brand” to an emerging/top-brand. I don’t want to say to is easy to create a million dollar brand…but it can be done…I’ve done it. However, without debt, investors, or a significant cash flow of advertising was chest funds, taking a brand to the next level is a huge task.
Growth for growth’s sake is a folly that I have personally wasted too much time. Embrace what and where you are, develop a winning profit stream via analytics and dare I say creativity), and then add some muscle and moxie as components for growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ohmino.com
