It’s the end of one era for my “friend for life” Brian Kurtz — and the beginning of another.
I’m going to keep today’s issue shorter, but point you to a much longer read from someone who I respect and admire greatly.
From 2005 until very early 2010, I worked at an IT training publisher in Oregon. We had a ton of success while I was there. The company more than doubled. Profits did even better. The owner rode that wave to get a private investment in the company big enough to build the most expensive house in the county. We put them on Inc. Magazine’s list of America’s fastest-growing private businesses. By just about every measure, my time there was a blockbuster success.
And it was a ton of fun. I met my first and probably most formative business mentor there. I learned a ton about marketing and sales, both from study and from application. We ate ample sushi, and other delicious food — and enjoyed a “Silicon Valley” atmosphere, though about 500 miles north.
It was probably the best first and last marketing job I could have ever hoped for.
The atmosphere was fun, flexible, and allowed me room for a ton of experimentation in the name of growing the business.
And yet, by the beginning of 2010, I was overdue to move on.
I had visions for myself that couldn’t be achieved in the business. Partially, I just wanted to be a freelancer. But also, I was a hardcore direct response curmudgeon (already) in a non direct response business. There were things I would have done, were I in charge, that the owner would never touch with a ten foot pole. This was hard for me.
While it was great while it lasted, probably the last two or three years of my time there represented a time of growing apart, even while enjoying tremendous success.
And so when it came time to pull the owner of the company aside and tell him I was moving on, he knew what words were coming out of my mouth before I said them.
He was sad — he was losing a member of his “brain trust” — but he also understood.
Even harder was telling my boss and mentor, the president of the company. Though we’ve stayed connected to this day (he reads these emails)… It marked the end of an era, where we’d spend long hours discussing marketing, business, selling, life, whatever. Of all the good things about that gig, I probably miss that most.
Anyway — when it was time to move on, it was time to go.
And so, I did.
I wouldn’t change the decision to work for that company for the world. And I wouldn’t change the decision to leave, either.
It closed one chapter in my life, and opened another.
I wouldn’t be writing you today if I didn’t embrace the unknown of entrepreneurship and doing my own thing.
I wouldn’t be contributing this value to your life.
And I wouldn’t have enjoyed the amazing ride these last few years have offered me.
It’s with this setup that I share some news that shakes the bedrock of the direct response industry…
My client, colleague, and “friend for life” Brian Kurtz just announced he’s stepping down from his role in Boardroom.
While it wasn’t meant to be so, The Titans of Direct Response has turned out to be the icing on the cake of 34 years on the inside of one of the great direct response Titans of our era.
He published a touching piece today on his decision…
– His history at Boardroom, including the very beginning…
– Incredible lessons he learned from working there, and under the late, great Marty Edelston…
– And what he sees as the next chapter in his contribution to the direct response industry (hint: he says he’s got at least another 34 years in him!)…
I feel blessed to have been involved with Brian for the last couple years, first becoming an acquaintance, then a colleague and friend, and eventually a trusted copywriter and partner to him on a pretty incredible project.
I can’t wait to see what Brian does next. If you feel the same way, make sure you opt in to his list, so he can keep you informed (plus provide a ton of valuable content, week after week).
Here’s to new beginnings!
Yours for bigger breakthroughs,
Roy Furr
Editor, Breakthrough Marketing Secrets
