Patrick Ortman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Patrick, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
I work with a lot of c-suite level people at brands and I work with ad agencies. One of the most surprising things I’ve learned about my customers is that they’re not really paying me for my expertise. They’re also not just paying me to just solve a problem or deliver a deliverable. Sure, your expertise matters. Solving the problem matters. Delivering the deliverable- it all matters. But a lot of times what most matters to them is you taking this thing off their plate so they can concentrate on all the other things they need to be doing. I spend a lot of time building trust by taking care of details they don’t need to be bothered with. And I create a project management style that suits THEIR needs. Not just mine.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Patrick Ortman, I run LA and NYC’s Froth & Fur. We make cool stuff that helps bold brands stand out. From all kinds of production to AR/XR apps and 3D anamorphic billboards.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
My ego. I’m not really getting rid of it. But for most of the things I do, the ability to take your collaborator’s ideas to the next level is far more useful than demanding that I get my way all the time.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
One of my favorite songs is by Bastille called Blue Sky and the Painter. There’s a line in it: “Would I be who I am without the sadness in me?” No, no I would not. And wow have I been through stuff. I’m naturally drawn to people who have been through stuff, too. They’re more interesting. More human. More relatable. Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey got it right. He’s still worth a read. I think my first AD still has my copy of that book, I love lending books to friends, doesn’t matter if they come back or not. Pass it on, you know? But yes. I believe that without the scars and wounds, the triumphs don’t matter. I’m more into appreciating the struggle. Because let’s be real: the highs aren’t what matter most. It’s the strength of your character. Your willingness to get up again and go back at it after life knocks you down. These people are my heroes.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Anyone who stands up and speaks truth to power.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I don’t want a legacy. Legacies are bullshit. Most of us are completely forgotten within a couple of generations of our deaths, and I’m all down for that. I just want to do my best to be a good person and help those around me. Maybe I’ll get lucky and be able to help leave the world a tiny bit better than it was. Hopefully I don’t contribute to burning it all down. In the meanwhile I hope the stories I create make some people smile, laugh, hell… maybe think a little. We are all stardust. Be excellent to each other and party on, dudes.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://froth-fur.com
- Instagram: @frothandfur
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickortman/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
