Cathy Erway on Learning Passions From Role Model Grandparents

In Chapter 1 of 20 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, author and food writer Cathy Erway answers "What Were Your Grandparents Like and How Did They Influence Your Development?" Erway shares how one grandfather shared his appreciation for music and writing poetry with his grandchildren, influencing their artistic education path. Her other grandfather showed Erway an appreciation for having a passion for cooking and gardening.

Cathy Erway is an author, food writer, freelance copywriter, radio show host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy. Her second book, "The Food of Taiwan: Recipes From the Beautiful Island" is a cookbook featuring Taiwanese recipes ranging from homestyle dishes to street food favorites. Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  Erway earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College. 

Cathy Erway on How Fourth of July BBQs Build Family Traditions

In Chapter 2 of 20 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, author and food writer Cathy Erway answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental in Shaping Who You Are Today?" Erway shares how every Fourth of July her family and neighbors would come together for a barbeque to make large meals together. She shares how each year had a different theme and how Fourth of July BBQ food would be more than hamburgers and hot dogs.

Cathy Erway is an author, food writer, freelance copywriter, radio show host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy. Her second book, "The Food of Taiwan: Recipes From the Beautiful Island" is a cookbook featuring Taiwanese recipes ranging from homestyle dishes to street food favorites. Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  Erway earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College. 

Phil McKenzie on How West Indian Grandmothers Inspire Family Values

In Chapter 1 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Were Your Grandparents Like and How Did They Influence Your Development?" McKenzie shares how his West Indian grandmothers shaped his family values, teaching him to appreciate life and also what it means to be a committed caretaker in a large family. Being around them gives him the confidence to aspire high and develop a strong sense of ambition.

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss influencer culture. Previously, he led an influencer marketing agency and was an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co. He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on How Brooklyn Builds Character and Confidence

In Chapter 5 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What is Your Comfort Zone and What Do You Do to Break Free of Living in It?" McKenzie shares how growing up in Brooklyn during the 1970s and 1980s taught him to adapt and be comfortable in new situations. He takes this Brooklyn mindset with him wherever he goes and shares how it helps him appreciate diversity and connect with people in new places all over the world.

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss influencer culture. Previously, he led an influencer marketing agency and was an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co. He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Mike Germano on How Parents React to Becoming Grandparents

In Chapter 4 of 23 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, VICE Media Chief Digital Officer Mike Germano answers "How Have Your Parents Transitioned into Becoming Grandparents?" The oldest of three siblings, Germano is the first child in his family to have a baby. His parents, both Italian-American, react with joy and pour their love into their new grandson.

Mike Germano is Chief Digital Officer at VICE Media, a global youth media company based in Brooklyn, New York. Germano joined VICE Media via its 2013 acquisition of Carrot Creative, a social media agency he co-founded and led as CEO. 

Matt Curtis on Family Values Role Model Grandparents Can Teach

In Chapter 2 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, Matt Curtis answers "What Were Your Grandparents Like and How Did That Infuence Your Development?" Curtis shares how his paternal grandfather taught him the importance of taking care of yourself and then taking care of others. His Irish maternal grandparents teach him a hard work ethic and to make it a point to be honest and do the right thing.

Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was deputy to Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He has represented the City of Austin at the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. In 2011, Curtis joined the Harvard Kennedy School Urban Policy Advisory Board to work on national best practices facing American cities. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas. 

Bijoy Goswami on Why to Get Eight Hours of Sleep Every Night

In Chapter 8 of 17 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, community leader Bijoy Goswami answers "What Role Do Habits and Routines Play into Your Pursuit of Living a More Fulfilled Life?" Over his life, Goswami finds adhering to sleeping eight hours a night helps him stay fresh and healthy. He notes how getting enough sleep is as or more important than having a healthy diet and exercising regularly. He shares how he shifted his behavior from childhood early wake-ups to adult life as a late person who sleeps in before starting his day.

Bijoy Goswami is a writer, teacher, and community leader based in Austin, Texas. He develops learning models to help individuals, organizations and communities live more meaningfully. Previously, he co-founded Aviri Software after working at Trilogy Software. Goswami graduated from Stanford University. 

Audrey French on Making the Most of Time Spent With Grandparents

In Chapter 9 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, new mother Audrey Parker French answers "What Were Your Grandparents Like and How Did They Influence Your Development?" French shares how she made the most of time spent with her grandparents who have passed and her living grandmother who is now a great-grandmother. French finds her grandparents are able to share stories about her own parents lives that gives her a better sense of family history and family values.

Audrey Parker French is a new mother living with her husband and son in Austin, Texas. Before leaving work to focus on family, French co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm she helped grow to #144 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies and then sell to General Catalyst Partners. She graduated from Wake Forest University. 

Audrey French on Why to Carry on Family Christmastime Traditions

In Chapter 11 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, new mother Audrey Parker French answers "What Family Traditions Do You Feel are Important to Carry on to Future Generations?" Getting married introduces French to husband's family Christmastime traditions, including decorating the Christmas Tree and watching "It's a Wonderful Life" together as a family. She and her husband look to carry on these Christmas traditions while also doing the same with daily traditions such as having family dinners to talk about the day as a family.

Audrey Parker French is a new mother living with her husband and son in Austin, Texas. Before leaving work to focus on family, French co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm she helped grow to #144 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies and then sell to General Catalyst Partners. She graduated from Wake Forest University. 

Courtney Spence on How Grandparents Instill Family Values

In Chapter 1 of 20 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, nonprofit CEO Courtney Spence answers "What Were Your Grandparents Like and How Did They Influence Your Development?" Spence shares how her grandparents passions for politics, love of family, and life of civic duty and World War II military service shaped her parents and her own values.

Courtney Spence is founder and CEO of Students of the World, a nonprofit empowering a diverse network of student and emerging filmmakers to apply storytelling skills in purposeful work. She is also the Founder and CEO of CSpence group, a creative agency building millennial-focused content and programs for brands. Spence earned a BA from Duke University. 

Courtney Spence on How to Be Intentional Keeping Family Traditions

In Chapter 4 of 20 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, nonprofit CEO Courtney Spence answers "What Family Traditions Do You Feel Are Important to Carry on to Future Generations?" Spence shares how she is making a priority not only to carry on holiday family traditions such as Easter Egg Hunts but also weekly family rituals such as Sunday night dinners and special occasion meals such as steak and twice-baked potato night.

Courtney Spence is founder and CEO of Students of the World, a nonprofit empowering a diverse network of student and emerging filmmakers to apply storytelling skills in purposeful work. She is also the Founder and CEO of CSpence group, a creative agency building millennial-focused content and programs for brands. Spence earned a BA from Duke University. 

Randall Metting: How Holidays With Grandparents Shape Family Values

In Chapter 1 of 16 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, Randall Metting answers "What Were Your Grandparents Like and How Did They Influence Your Development?" Metting reflects on holidays spent with his grandparents and their influence on family holiday traditions. As a child, Metting remembers traveling over the holidays from Georgia to spend time with his grandparents in Texas. He fondly recalls the general atmosphere of having the family all together for the traditional Texas Longhorn game against the Texas A&M Aggies.

Randall Metting is a brand development and marketing manager at Dulce Vida Spirits in Austin, Texas. Over 17 years, he has built brands in spirits, luxury real estate and lifestyle, music, and sports industries. He has been a radio personality at KGSR Radio and a marketer at a hyperlocal startup acquired by NBC Universal. Metting earned a BA in Advertising from the University of Florida and started his career at The Coca-Cola Company. 

Randall Metting on How Role Model Father Inspires Marketing Career

In Chapter 2 of 16 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, Randall Metting answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental in Shaping Who You Are Today?" Metting shares how his father Roger Metting exposed him to the world of music and hooked him on live performance, including an early Bruce Springsteen show in 1978. From there, Randall's father supports his interests in branding and promotion and, as the music industry changes, pushes Randall to pursue a career in agency and event management companies.

Randall Metting is a brand development and marketing manager at Dulce Vida Spirits in Austin, Texas. Over 17 years, he has built brands in spirits, luxury real estate and lifestyle, music, and sports industries. He has been a radio personality at KGSR Radio and a marketer at a hyperlocal startup acquired by NBC Universal. Metting earned a BA in Advertising from the University of Florida and started his career at The Coca-Cola Company. 

Hattie Elliot on Ways Childhood Play Teaches Entrepreneurial Spirit

In Chapter 1 of 15 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Hattie Elliot answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental in Shaping Who You Are Today?" Elliot grows up with supportive parents who encourage her to be creative, focusing less on TV and more on arts and crafts projects, baking, cooking and finger painting. Growing up around boys teaches Elliot to be tough. Time spent climbing trees, building sandcastles, and wrestling shape her creative entrepreneurial spirit she later embraces as a business owner.

Hattie Grace Elliot is the founder and CEO of The Grace List, a social networking company that creates destination events and experiences to forge lasting personal and professional connections across its young professional members. Elliot graduated from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she studied economics, philosophy, and politics.

Hattie Elliot on Learning Work Ethic Studying Least Favorite Classes

In Chapter 2 of 15 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Hattie Elliot answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?" As a creative child, Elliot has a difficult time with science and math in school. She learns a work ethic by studying hard to do well in these subjects that do not come naturally to her. Elliot uses this approach later in life an entrepreneur, investing time to learn hard subjects like budgeting and financing that also do not come easy but, once learned, help her be a better business owner.

Hattie Grace Elliot is the founder and CEO of The Grace List, a social networking company that creates destination events and experiences to forge lasting personal and professional connections across its young professional members. Elliot graduated from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she studied economics, philosophy, and politics.

Anatole Faykin on Giving Yourself Permission to Pursue Your Passion

In Chapter 12 of 16 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, Internet entrepreneur Anatole Faykin answers "What Informed Your Decision to Return to School and Pursue a Bioscience Masters Degree?" Mid-career, Faykin rethinks his career trajectory in entrepreneurship and online marketing and revisits his childhood passion for science. He rethinks his career and chooses to pursue a graduate degree in biosciences to do what has always felt natural and made him feel happiest, learning life science and studying biology.

Anatole Faykin is an Internet entrepreneur and digital marketer exploring new career options. A passionate world traveler and problem solver, Faykin plans to return to graduate school to earn a biosciences masters degree. Previously, Faykin has started multiple companies, including Tuanpin, a Shanghai startup he sold in 2011. He holds an MBA from NYU and a BS in computer science and biology from the California Institute of Technology.

Michael Olsen on 3 Ways Parents Instill Positive Values in Children

In Chapter 4 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, management consultant Michael Olsen answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental in Shaping Who You Are Today?" Three childhood experiences shape Olsen's view of the world. First, his parents teach Olsen the importance of travel, culture and inclusiveness. They do this by taking him to Europe as a 9-year old and, every Christmas, inviting people from different cultures to the Olsen family dinner table. Second, his father gets him involved in local Rotary Club events, specifically an annual pancake breakfast fundraiser, which teaches him the value of community service. Third, his parents show him the value of education by not only pushing him to value education but also by constantly learning and leading by example.

Michael Olsen is a management consultant at Accenture. Previous to Accenture, Olsen earned dual MBA and MPH degrees at Emory University in Atlanta. Olsen earned a BA in symbolic systems from Stanford University and spent the next five years founding an IT consulting company, Redwood Strategies. 

Bryan Law on Succeeding by Impact You Create Not Money You Make

In Chapter 3 of 23 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, business strategist Bryan Law answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental in Shaping Who You Are Today?" Born in South Africa, Law strives for ways to give back to the African continent in his work, from management consulting to starting a school in Angola. He finds a role mother in his mother as she shifts from an attorney career to helping abused kids. This teaches him to value impact over money.

Bryan Law is a Principal in the Global Business Strategy Group at Google and a board member at Angola University. Previously, he was a manager at Monitor, a management consulting firm. He has worked in consulting roles at Watson Wyatt and Mercer. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business and a BA from Georgetown University.