Check out the audio version of the show on iTunes here and Stitcher here.

 

If you’ve listened to very many of these shows, then you know that some of my favorite stories of startups involve the founder doing something he or she never in a million years thought they’d be doing.  Today’s show with guest Michael Simmons and his company, Oyster, is the epitome of that.

So how does someone who thought they’d spend their life in the military end up running a marketing agency that brings its clients wildly different perspectives on how to market themselves? We find out in this episode.

But first,  today’s show is sponsored once again by the great brewing artisans at Urban Blend.  Located in the West End, they have been caffeinating the startup community in Dallas with gusto.  And if you can’t get to them, they can still get their magnificent coffee to you.  That’s right, go to ubcoffee.squarespace.com and find out how.

And the show is also sponsored by TheSharpGentleman.com - where else can buy awesome clothes, learn how to be the most attractive guy in the room, get pushed into being bold, and even save your marriage - all in one spot?  Blake Hammerton is a powerhouse of manners, style, and charisma - and he’s synthesizing all he is at his site:  TheSharpGentleman.com.

I’ve had the good fortune to visit with Michael on a number of occasions outside of this interview, and he never ceases to impress me with his perspective on not only marketing, but business in general.  I hope you got that same sense about him after this interview.  Reach out to Michael and let him know you saw him on the show. 

And drop me a line at [email protected] or on Twitter @StartupDallasTV.  Let me know what you thought of the episode and what else you’d like to hear about on the show.

Thank you to our sponsors Urban Blend and TheSharpGentleman.com.  And as always, this show is powered by MagicProductionGroup.com, specializing in video marketing and live corporate events.

And if you liked this episode, please make sure you head on over to iTunes and subscribe.  You can also find us on Stitcher.  I’ve got a lot more great interviews on the way.  And please, leave us a review.  It’s a huge help in the show getting discovered and in front of more folks.

Also, if you’re in the Dallas area and you want to meet up, you can join me in North Dallas at the Coffee House Cafe every Tuesday morning for the Dallas Open Coffee Club where my co-host, Aimee Bentson and I host an hour of talking tech, startups and digital lifestyle.  You can find us on Meetup.com and search BigDOCC.  If you’re closer to downtown, this group’s founder, Michael Sitarzewski hosts his Tuesday morning meeting at 1700 Pacific.  Either way, you’ll meet and get to know some great folks in the startup community.

Show notes

Our sponsors:

Urban Blend Coffee

http://www.ubcoffee.squarespace.com/

Twitter @UBcoffee

The Sharp Gentleman - Blake Hammerton

TheSharpGentleman.com

Michael Simmons

Twitter - @mosimmons

Oyster.io

Twitter - @GetOyster

Hayloft

Lean Startup

Shinerstore.com