We recently connected with Bob Hogan and have shared our conversation below.
Bob, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My strong work ethic comes from my parents and Midwest upbringing. My father sold residential real estate for over 40 yrs and was quite good at it. I grew up in a family of ten kids and all of us worked at an early age for extra spending money and to save for college.
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 spent over 40 years in sales and marketing. Twenty-five of those years were managing radio stations and their sales teams in cities across the U.S. I then spent 10 years at Amazon.com working for its IMDb division and starting its advertising business. Most recently I worked as VP of Sales for Streamline Publishing, which produces two of the most popular art magazines in the world, Plein Air Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. When Covid hit, I decided it was a good time to officially retire and focus on my art, which I had dabbled in throughout my life. My acrylic painting style explores local color while incorporating a slight contemporary edge to landscapes, wildlife and the iconic regional beauty of the Pacific Northwest. You can view my work at bobhoganart.com.
I also illustrated a best-selling children’s book, The Tortoise from Anacortes, with my wife Claudia, who authored it.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First would be persistence. Whether in sales or painting, my persistence to overcome adversity, not take no for an answer, and keep improving has probably been one of my strongest attributes.
Second would be creativity. I’ve always been blessed with creative, “out of the box” thinking whether it was in sales, marketing, or in strategies for getting my artwork in front of the public. For example, in addition to showing my art in traditional galleries, I also show my work at hotels, title companies, restaurants…places that are a little out of the norm yet reach the public.
Third would be my ability to network. I’ve always made it a priority to stay in touch with friends, family, and past work associates, whether it was sending birthday cards to them, catching up by phone or reaching out via social media. But it takes discipline and prioritizing it as part of your everyday habits.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
While I have several mentors that I have learned from throughout my life, without a doubt I’d have to say my wife of 41 years, Claudia, has been the foundation of my success and development. She has always provided me with support, honest feedback and perspective, whether it be my career or my artwork. Claudia has motivated me to always better myself no matter what passion I pursue. She supported me throughout my careers and multiple geographic moves while also maintaining her own careers.
Contact Info:
- Website: bobhoganart.com
- Instagram: bobhoganart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobhoganart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoganlink/
- Other: bob@bobhoganart.com, bob@hoganlink.com
