Hi Patrick , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your story and experiences with our readers.
So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I think I get my resilience from my previous failures. My resilience stems from a belief that challenges are opportunities for growth. Every misstep has been a stepping stone, each failure a lesson in resilience woven into the fabric of my professional journey. These experiences haven’t defined me; they’ve refined me, equipping me with the grit and wisdom to navigate any obstacle with grace and determination.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Co-Founder of a business that I founded alongside my wife, called Togeth3r. Togeth3r is a content-driven commerce platform featuring a curated selection of the best DTC brands. It’s a hub for products & brands with their stories, their missions, and their commitment to progress.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are…
- Adaptability and resilience: The ability to learn, adjust, and bounce back from setbacks is crucial for navigating the ever-changing landscape of life. This involves cultivating a growth mindset, being open to new experiences, and developing coping mechanisms to deal with stress and adversity.
- Effective communication: The ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively is essential for building relationships, influencing others, and achieving your goals. This includes active listening, strong written and verbal communication skills, and empathy for understanding different perspectives.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving: The ability to analyze situations, identify problems, and find creative solutions is valuable in any field. This involves critical thinking skills, analytical reasoning, and the ability to think outside the box
For somebody early in their career or looking to improve on any of these skills, I’d recommend developing your questioning skills and learning to approach opportunities from different perspectives. Don’t be afraid to challenge assumptions and think differently about opportunities.
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?
I’m truly blessed and so grateful for my parents. I think the most impactful thing they did for me is not a single act, but a continuous symphony of growth. They didn’t pave my path with ease, but instead, equipped me with a compass and a map, urging me to carve my own. Their most impactful gift wasn’t a lavish present or a sheltered life, but the unwavering challenge to become the best version of myself, every single day.
Their challenges weren’t harsh demands, but open doors of possibilities. When I aced a test or won a sports game, they’d celebrate with me then ask, “Do you think you could have done better?”
They held up a mirror of potential, reflecting not flaws, but potential.
This wasn’t just about academic pursuits or athletic endeavors. It was about courage, too. They built confidence by letting me stumble, knowing I’d find my footing. They taught me to embrace responsibility, to own my successes and failures, knowing both were stepping stones on a grand journey.
I think the impact is woven into the fabric of my being. It’s the insatiable curiosity that keeps me exploring, the drive to push boundaries, the unwavering belief that there’s always more to learn, more to become, and more to give. They raised a spirit that embraces challenges, a heart that finds joy in the climb, and a soul that yearns to leave its mark on the world.
So, if you’re looking for a single impactful act, it wasn’t a grand gesture or some life-changing gift, but a thousand tiny nudges, a million whispers saying “you can” that transformed into a deafening roar of “never stop trying.” That’s the legacy my parents gifted me, the most impactful thing they ever did, forever grateful and forever challenged.
Contact Info:
- Website: togeth3r.com
- Instagram:@togeth3r
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/pjo
