We recently connected with Patrick Stephens and have shared our conversation below.
Patrick, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from a variety of sources. First and foremost, I believe life is beautiful. And not necessarily because of all the good—a large part of my perspective comes from all the bad that has occurred. The bad moments provide lessons, learnings, and growth. Having that outlook when facing challenges, knowing that something positive will come from everything, is a tremendous help in keeping a positive mindset. In the moment, depression, sleepless nights, strain on relationships, financial setbacks, etc., are all short-term occurrences on the path to becoming a better person. That after-effect, that growth, is how I stay positive in the moment.
Second, I’ve been fortunate to communicate, engage, and build relationships with a diverse set of people in my life due to the amount of traveling, moving around, and networking I have done. I find that my greatest hurdles in life, or the moments that have brought me the most conflict, have come from the actions of others. I’m sure many people can resonate with that. However, my many experiences meeting a variety of people have led me to believe there is more good out there than bad. So, when I’m wronged by someone in a situation that might typically bother someone else, I rely on my optimism and understanding that one person’s actions won’t hold me back. There are far more good people out there—people I can work with, rely on, and keep moving forward with.
And lastly, I have found peace and optimism through my habits that bring me balance—specifically, waking up early, meditating, stretching, exercising, eating single-ingredient meals, and free reading. That combination of habits, practiced consistently, is like the fuel to my optimism engine.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m the founder of Moving Day Consulting, a culture marketing and talent partnerships agency based in Los Angeles. My career has been built on representing world-famous talent and securing impactful brand partnerships on their behalf. Now, I want to bring that expertise, network, and insight to brands looking to capitalize on utilizing musicians, athletes, celebrities, and creators to grow their brands.
What excites me most about my business is giving brands the opportunity to work with their dream brand ambassadors, discovering the most effective ways to structure talent-brand partnership deals, and providing them with the confidence that I always have their best interests in mind.
I saw a significant gap in the entertainment marketing agency market when I was working as a talent manager. First, the exorbitant amount of money these agencies were charging brands to execute partnerships wasn’t in the best interest of the brand. On top of that, brands were paying these agencies that often staffed people with zero entertainment experience.
This led to inefficiencies, bottlenecks, missed opportunities, and a general lack of understanding about how to execute effective partnerships. Additionally, these agencies often relied on working with other agencies rather than having the direct network I bring to the table. My connections allow me to go straight to talent and work directly with their managers, cutting out unnecessary intermediaries.
What also sets me apart is my role as a strategic advisor, not just an extra set of hands to execute. Part of my competitive advantage is knowing how to speak with talent and their managers, presenting offers that appeal to talent while keeping the brand’s interests top of mind. I help brands evaluate when and how to execute partnerships for maximum relevance and impact. Often, brands make decisions without fully evaluating their goals or the best path to achieve them—that’s where I step in, offering advice that aligns their objectives with the lens I work best in.
And so far, the model has proven to be useful. The testimonials and partnerships I have secured for my clients have left them very happy and give me confidence that my strategy will work for many brands if I continue to work hard.
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?
The three qualities/skills that were most impactful in my journey were…
1. Take on Responsibility Early
At the start of my career, I would take on projects that weren’t asked of me—often things designated for someone above me in the organizational chart. This approach did wonders for me because it showed I was willing to go above and beyond, and that extra effort resonated well with senior leadership. On top of that, if I failed or got something wrong, there wasn’t much backlash because I wasn’t expected to take on those tasks in the first place. Over time, these actions became second nature to me, and I believe they’re a big part of why I had the confidence to start my own business—I got used to biting off more than I could chew and figuring it out.
My advice for people early in their journey is to take on a project someone above you was assigned. Do it quietly, and when it’s ready, present your work to your senior. Start with something small, gather feedback, see how they react, and keep doing it. If your boss doesn’t respond well to your initiative, try doing this for someone else outside your team. It shows you mean business, and people will welcome your efforts. If anyone feels threatened by you or asks you to stop, ignore them. Focus instead on all the other people you are impressing—those who will vouch for you when you need their support. Think about the experience you’re gaining, the skills you’re building, and how top of mind you’ll be when a role needs to be filled or a promotion is up for discussion.
2. Provide Value While Networking
I love meeting new people. Some may view my approach to networking as unnecessary at times, especially if it’s with someone who might not provide a direct benefit to me. But honestly, that’s a flaw I’m happy to live with. I’ve made it to where I am today because others were kind enough to take my call, so I feel a responsibility to pay that forward whenever I can.
My advice for networking is to come prepared to every call. Set a goal and focus on providing value. I think too many people treat introductory calls too casually. If someone you admire is generous enough to give you their time, make the most of it. Impress them. Bring ideas to the table, and don’t be afraid to offer your network to them. I connect people within my network all the time, even when it’s not requested, because that genuine effort to help others always comes back to you.
3. Practice and Study from Others, Focus on Strong Relationships
It’s clear in every career who the standouts are among your peers. These are the people you should study and build relationships with. They are the ones who can help move your career forward. If they are admired by others, earning their respect and approval can be incredibly beneficial.
My advice is to take note of their interests and build rapport in a genuine way. Are they Dodgers fans? Occasionally look up what’s happening with the Dodgers and share your insights. Do they love a particular band? Keep track of when the band releases new music and discuss their latest song. Are they into a specific fashion brand? Send them pieces you like when a new collection drops. There are countless ways to win someone over authentically.
Once you’ve established a baseline of trust, dive into their process. Ask thoughtful questions, like how they handled a specific situation at work that you observed from the sidelines. Keep the focus entirely on their actions and strategies—avoid gossip or speaking negatively about others. By doing this, you’ll not only learn from their experience but may also gain an ally and mentor who can play a significant role in your professional growth.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is a brand that has an established consumer base and is experiencing growth. They recognize that working with talent (musician, athlete, creator) could amplify their brand awareness, drive sales, or elevate their creative direction, but they may not have the internal resources or expertise to make it happen.
Typically, these clients have small teams and need additional support without overburdening their marketing department. They’re looking for strategic advice on which talent to work with and want someone who can sit with their team to brainstorm, construct a tailored plan, and collaborate with talent to truly fuel their growth.
Before going directly to a talent agency—with its limited talent roster and lack of strategic planning—or an entertainment marketing agency that may be expensive, inexperienced with talent, and cut into the campaign budget, they come to me. I offer the expertise, strategy, and network to ensure the partnership is impactful, efficient, and aligned with their goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.movingdayconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklstephens
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/stephenspatrick
- Twitter: https://x.com/readmoretolearn
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklstephens
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