Baby Got Backstory

BGBS 007: Brian Smith | UGG | Living Joyously As a Tadpole

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What do goosebumps, surfing, Pink Floyd, and sheep have to do with building a billion-dollar brand? Well, for UGG boots, just about everything! You see them everywhere – the beach, mountains, cities – wherever there are chilly feet. The fashionable and functional UGG brand was founded by 70-year-old Brian Smith, who has a youthful spirit and infinite wisdom. Brian’s success in building a brand is a mix of philosophy, mysticism, business acumen, and emotion.

You’ll Learn…

  • Growing up in Australia, Brian was into surfing and sports, not shoes; never thought he was going to be an entrepreneur
  • Brian’s tenacity to never give up on things; he was good at a lot of things, but not the best at anything
  • Power of Song Lyrics: Motivation to get up and do something
  • One time after surfing, Brian put on his sheepskin boots from Australia and realized that they should be the “next big thing” in America
  • You can’t give birth to adults; every new business has to go through stages: Conception, birth, infancy, youth, teenager, and maturity
  • Send the right image to your target audience; make customers want something
  • Quit or Not Quit: Took years to earn just a small salary from the business
  • Overcoming his fear of sales and rejection; realized they weren’t rejecting him
  • Dreams going down the drain that led to blessings; enjoying what you do, not working hard, making lots of money, and having fun
  • The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live every day happily
  • Goosebumps: A decision that’s in alignment with what you’re supposed to do gives you a spark of spirituality to let you know you’re on the right track
  • Have faith and take action, even if you don’t know where you’re going; don’t give up when desperate
  • Sometimes staying in the game is more important than dominating the game to ultimately be successful

    • Resources

    Brian Smith

    The Birth of a Brand

    UGG

    Oprah’s Favorite Things

    Quotes by Brian Smith:

    “One thing that I had when I was a kid that sort of led to why I became what I did, is that tenacity to never give up on things.”

    “I was never interested in dropping everything else. I was really good at lots of things, but not the best at any.”

    “You can’t give birth to adults.”

    “The fear of rejection was really, really

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    Baby Got BackstoryBy Marc Gutman
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