PARKER ON TAP - Season One: Big Thoughts From Big Shots
I’m Steve Parker Jr, and I’m your host of PARKER ON TAP. In this 12-episode podcast we engage in lively conversations with people you need to know that are considered the very best at what they do.
Join me in season one of PARKER ON TAP as I connect with Erika Nardini, Frank Abagnale, Wenda Harris Millard, James Bartlett, Jen Wong, Andrew “Hawk” Hawkins, Chi Modu, Carlos Saldanha, Danielle Lee, Anthony Giglio, Ori Eisen and Cathy & Martin Kays. From running Barstool Sports to consulting the FBI on fraud, to being the most prolific photographer in the history of hip-hop, to creating and directing some of the highest grossing films in movie history, to owning one of the top hotels in the world, to engaging NBA fans from the bubble, to operating everyone’s favorite news source, Reddit – I am pleased to share all of my amazing guests with you. We will cover their highs, their lows, what makes them who they are and a few even drop some never before told stories. All Episodes launch March 10th.
So, who am I? I’m Steve Parker Jr., the CEO of Levelwing – an advertising agency fortunate to have delivered over a dozen consecutive Super Bowl campaigns and be recognized as ‘most effective in media’ by a jury of media industry peers. I’d define myself as a lifelong dreamer and entrepreneur that enjoys creating new things and meeting new people. This has led me down an amazing road of experience, lessons, stories and people – some of which I’m bringing to you on this podcast.
You need more reason to listen? Ok, I get it. Just Imagine this…
You grew up in Nashville back in the 70s and 80s when it was still a country town, but your first concert was N.W.A. You attend Harvard, no… make that Western Kentucky University, where every day for four glorious years you are fortunate to experience football royalty – the Harbaugh way. Upon graduation you happen to step into the Internet, just as it is being born – at a Fortune 500 company that wants the 21-year-old you to help figure the damn thing out – the information superhighway that is. So, you do, and you actually deliver some creative things – like live streaming the first birth (yes, a baby being born) on the internet, launching one of the largest healthcare websites on the internet, not once – but three times. You move to New York City and take jobs at two start-ups – both have IPOs, but you don’t make a penny. Then you turn down not one but two jobs at Google in 2000 – consider that a financial error, “turn and cough,” two actually. Shortly after, you start your own start-up which nearly everyone bust your balls for because “it’s a stupid time to quit a job and start a business.” Yet, 19-years later after bootstrapping the business from the ground up, no loans, no investors, no debt and nearly getting KO’d once in the 10th round – you stand proud of building something with great people and great partners and you all still have full control. Along the way, not only do you find your happy, mad, sad, stressed, calm, joyful, unsure, imperfect and absolutely confident emotions in the very bumpy path you are traveling; you also find yourself on the largest of stages… delivering over a dozen Super Bowl campaigns, being named an E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year, co-founding a venture capital firm, swimming in the indoor pool of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s house, helping fund the first studio album for Lil Dicky – Professional Rapper – which certifies Gold, and you meet your wife who’s a real life New York City Ballet ballerina. True story, and you can’t even dance that well. So, that’s you! Well… me actually. But if it were you, you would give a listen to the podcast and most likely share it with others because that is what you do. If you hate it, send me an email and tell me why; because I really appreciate and respect you for reading...