Interview with Peter Shankman

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I had to move to San Francisco before I finally got to meet Peter Shankman in person! Peter is the human equivalent of the perpetual motion machine. Consequently, it’s really a challenge to pin him down in one place long enough for a conversation! On the other hand, this is a person who will never reqret not having done everything on his life list. So, in the space of a few weeks at the end of 2007, we met in New York a few days before his girlfriend moved in with him and his two very pudgy cats and again, at a fabulous cocktail party Peter threw at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco for “interesting people I know.” I was flattered to be included and thrilled to meet the really smart, really engaged “interesting” friends of Peter Shankman. You can bet there was some seriously fun networking going on that night.

Peter is the epitome of “put your money where your mouth is” promoting himself early on with outrageous stunts that put him on the map as a master publicist. He’s used these talents to build and sell several companies within a few short years as well as make his clients very happy with the results of his efforts. His book, “Can We Do That?” is a great account of some of his PR escapades and tutorial on how to promote your own company. His blog is www.shankman.com. You can reach Peter by email.

The Interview

1. Please tell us a little about yourself and your entrepreneurial endeavors.

I run several companies at any given time. I'm a public speaker. I'm an author. I'm on the boards of several companies. I don't sleep much. I fall out of airplanes and run marathons for "downtime." It's a good way to be - for me.

2. What do you think is the single biggest reason you have followed an entrepreneurial path? Was there a signature event as you were growing up that set you on this path? Are entrepreneurs born or can it be learned?

ADD is the single biggest reason. I've always been different, non-traditional. That got me in a lot of trouble growing up, and got me beaten up on a regular basis in school. Once I became an adult though, it was all about utilizing that non-traditional thinking to do my best work. It's so worked in my favor. I'm very fortunate.

3. What do you think are the qualities/characteristics that make entrepreneurs different? What makes entrepreneurs different?

RFK had a great quote about what makes some people different - I think it applies totally to entrepreneurs: "There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not."

4. Do you think entrepreneurs network differently? What do they do differently? What lessons can others learn from entrepreneurs' networking techniques?

Good entrepreneurs are ALWAYS Networking. Everyone I know of who is also a successful entrepreneur realizes, like I do, that ANYONE is a potential person to get to know. Airplanes. Barber shops. Supermarkets. Why not? You never know the next person you're going to meet.

*NOTE: Peter actually started, built up and quickly sold a company called Airtroductions, TripLife, that helps people find compatible seatmates on upcoming flights.

5. How have you seen the entrepreneurs networking at various events? What have you found to work well, as an entrepreneur when networking? What caveats can you offer? What's unique about networking from an entrepreneur's perspective?

Smart networkers walk in, scan the room, and then make target points of who to see - BUT - they also are open to meeting new people. You never know who the next person is going to be connected to. Also, smart networkers and entrepreneurs know that it's not about what someone can do for them, but rather, what they can do for someone else. Karma will always come back to you.

6. What's the "successful" model?

The successful model is what works for you. Honestly - there is no successful model for everyone, as everyone is an individual - best bet: Find what works for you, use it, but don't close yourself off to new ideas.

“It’s just nice to be nice” says it all.

'Til next month!
Lydia

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