We landed in DFW, posted up at a Best Western in Euless for a few days while securing a warehouse in Grand Prairie and finalizing financing for two pickup trucks. One of our first encounters outside of the hotel was at a local convenience store, where we ran into this sketchy guy named Moe. He pulled us aside and said, “Watch ya back and y’all best stay up out of North Dallas, patna.” We couldn’t help but laugh later — it was so random, but totally set the tone for the wild ride ahead. After that, we got our warehouse, which ended up becoming our home between events. We tossed two twin beds in the spare room, slept with shotguns under the beds, roaches crawling around — it was some real Texas grit. Luckily, the warehouse had a shower, so we managed. We had a mini-fridge and a hot plate, but mostly we were surviving off Denny’s, Cracker Barrel, and Whataburger. Sonny was all about Denny’s, while I was always pushing for Cracker Barrel — endless debates over that.

At 23, I was just a year or two out of college. After a successful internship with Morgan Stanley in Wealth Management, the plan was to go all-in on finance. But I walked away from that path and threw myself into Wild Bill’s, leaving behind the cushy corporate world to sell soda at fairs and festivals. My friends thought I was completely off my rocker.

Those months from September to December 2017 were priceless, traveling across the beautiful state of Texas. We worked event after event in cities you’ve probably never heard of — Flatonia, Madisonville, Chapel Hill, Huntsville, Denton, Waxahachie, Eden, Tyler, Groesbeck, McKinney, Corsicana, and Llano, just to name a few. Each weekend, we hit the road for a new adventure.

One of the craziest moments came in late October. We had a two-event weekend, so Sonny and I had to split up. I found a helper on Craigslist, brought him with me to Czhilispiel in Flatonia, TX, for a chili cook-off right before Halloween weekend. Everything was fine until the end of the event when the dude totally wigged out — threw me up against the trailer and started screaming in my face. It was nuts. And after all that, I still had to drive him five hours back to Dallas. That was one of the most awkward and terrifying rides of my life! Never hired someone off Craigslist again.

In November, we hit the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, where we sold $35–40K in soda and mugs. It was a wild five days of sales, drinking, and partying, especially since the Astros had just won the World Series. The Houston area was buzzing.

After Galveston, we weren’t heading to Nashville for an event — we were going to meet up with the Tennessee Wild Bill’s franchise, who have become like family to me now. We had borrowed one of their wagons for part of the season, and it was time to return it. On the way, though, things took a turn in Fairfield, Alabama. The axle on the trailer we were using broke, and the friction from that caused the floorboard to catch fire. We literally called 911, and the call got routed to the next city over because Fairfield doesn’t even have a police department! No joke. So there we were, on the side of the road, tossing boxes of soda and mugs into the grass while 18-wheelers sped past us. Somehow, a mobile repair guy showed up and jerry-rigged a solution with planks of wood just enough to get us to a Home Depot parking lot. That guy was under the trailer with trucks shaking the whole setup — I thought for sure he was toast. We left the trailer with him, drove on to Nashville, and the Tennessee franchise picked it up a few days later.

When we finally got to Nashville, the franchisee and his family treated us to an unforgettable weekend. They took us to a Guns N’ Roses concert, showed us around Broadway and downtown — it was epic. After that, we made our way back to Texas to finish off the event season before heading home to New York for the holidays.

When I say it’s Wild Bill’s, not Mild Bill’s, I mean it. The stories from 2017 are just the beginning — there’s enough here for a documentary, a book, or even a movie. You could imagine all the stories that have become legend over the years — me, my brother, my cousins, and a bunch of Marines, all involved in this business. We’ve hit cities like Vegas, Chicago, Phoenix, NYC, Louisville, Boston, Salt Lake, Charleston, St. Louis, New Orleans, Jacksonville, San Diego, and so many more. The journey has been insane, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

And to think, I grew up in a super normal middle-class family. We didn’t have the money for fancy vacations, and I never even flew on a plane until I was 18. Now, I’m on a plane every other week, living an amazing lifestyle thanks to Wild Bill’s. The story is still being written, and I’m blessed beyond words.

Anger is an emotion we all experience, and it’s healthy to express it in a productive and positive manner. However, consistent and uncontrollable anger can be detrimental to our overall health and wellness. In this podcast episode, the concept of temperament is discussed.

Psychologists categorize temperament into four types: sanguine (optimistic, active, and social), choleric (short-tempered, irritable), melancholic (analytical, wise, and quiet), and phlegmatic (relaxed and peaceful). Understanding your natural disposition is crucial in controlling your temperament.

It’s important to note that these temperaments are not mutually exclusive and people may have a mix of characteristics from different temperaments.

Episode 077 of The Motivation Movement titled “Temperament: What It Is & Why It Matters” includes a quote from Balzac, the famous French novelist and playwright: “Temperament is the thermometer of character.” It suggests that a person’s temperament, or their emotional disposition and response, can be used as a measure of their character. In other words, the way a person reacts emotionally can reveal a lot about their personality and the type of person they are. This quote is emphasizing that temperament is an important aspect of personality and an indicator of character.

The episode goes on to share a story about a boy with a bad temper and how he learns to control it. The story illustrates the detrimental effects of having a negatively inclined temperament and the importance of controlling one’s emotions to avoid negative situations.

The episode concludes by providing five actionable methods for managing one’s temperament:

1. Become aware of your temperament and understand your triggers, reactions, and expressions of anger and other negative emotions.
2. Take responsibility and use “I” statements to avoid placing blame on others.
3. Use humor appropriately to bring levity to a stressful situation.
4. Practice mindfulness and self-reflection to gain a better understanding of your emotions.
5. Seek professional help if you are struggling to control your temperament.

In conclusion, managing one’s temperament is crucial for overall health and wellness. Understanding your natural disposition and using effective techniques can help you regulate your emotions and avoid negative situations.

Ep. 077 of The Motivation Movement Podcast — “Temperament: What It Is & Why It Matters”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thug-life-mentality-lessons-learned-from-tupac-shakur/id1090692055?i=1000504535925

Connect w/ the Author/Host: https://mruddo.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mruddo/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mruddo/

One of the key principles highlighted in the book is the concept of “extreme ownership.” This means taking complete responsibility for what is happening, what has happened, and what will happen. It’s the leader’s responsibility to make sure the team understands their instructions, 100%, with no questions asked. The leader must also make sure they fully understand the mission passed down to them from their superiors. Leaders ask questions and don’t communicate without having all the facts, information, and details clearly and concisely laid out. Rather than searching for fault, leaders should look for the lessons to be learned. Extreme ownership drives accountability and generates personal investment in a project or mission. It also forces leaders to take action and doesn’t afford them the opportunity to complain.

“A leader must be attentive to details, but not obsessed with them. They must be strong but have endurance. A leader must be humble, but not passive. They must be close to subordinates, but not too close. A leader must exercise ‘extreme ownership’ but employ ‘decentralized command’. They must have nothing to prove, but everything to prove.” — Jocko Willink

Another important principle highlighted in the book is the importance of teamwork. Being a SEAL is synonymous with being a solid team player. There is no such thing as a bad team, just bad leaders. When selecting candidates for the SEAL program, a huge emphasis is placed on teamwork skills. Collaboration is heavily favored compared to individual performance. A good leader can help a good team become great, and a bad leader can lead a good team to failure. This concept is examined when Jocko and Leif explain the SEAL’s intense BUDS test, which is the Basic Underwater Demolition Seal Training. Time and time again, when led by an inept leader, the teams almost always failed. However, when a more competent, capable leader took over the program, the teams started winning various events like the speed or endurance races.

In conclusion, the book Extreme Ownership provides an in-depth look into the leadership principles that have helped the Navy SEALs succeed in some of the most challenging missions in war. The principles outlined in the book, such as extreme ownership and teamwork, can be applied to any business environment or organization to reach similar levels of success. The book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their leadership skills and achieve exceptional outcomes.

Ep. 064 of The Motivation Movement Podcast — “Lessons Learned from Extreme Ownership”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thug-life-mentality-lessons-learned-from-tupac-shakur/id1090692055?i=1000504535925

Connect w/ the Author/Host: https://mruddo.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mruddo/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mruddo/

Tupac Shakur, widely known as one of the most polarizing figures in rap and hip-hop history, has left behind a wealth of wisdom for fans to learn from. From his revolutionary background to his larger-than-life personality, Tupac lived life with a sense of urgency and inspired many with his words and actions. As a huge Tupac fan, I’ve been listening to his music and watching his interviews since the age of 12, and have learned valuable life lessons from the late rapper.

One of the most important lessons Tupac taught is the importance of change and self-improvement. He encourages listeners to embrace change that leads to personal growth, even if it means leaving behind certain people and places. In the song “I Ain’t Mad At Cha,” Tupac talks about the changes in his own life and the lives of his friends and family, and reassures them that no matter where they end up, he still supports and cares for them.

Another important lesson Tupac taught is the importance of unity. He often spoke about the importance of coming together as a people and making changes in the way we live and treat each other. Before his passing, he even tried to bring together rival East and West Coast artists with a project called One Nation. Additionally, he helped broker a peace deal between the Bloods and the Crips in South Central LA in the early 90s, using his Thug Life Code of Ethics as a governing “constitution” of sorts for the hood.

Tupac also emphasized the importance of having a positive attitude and keeping a sense of humor, even in difficult times. He often had a big smile on his face in pictures and would go to great lengths to uplift others. For example, in 1993, Tupac received a letter from the parents of a dying boy named Joshua who said it was Joshua’s last wish to meet Tupac. Tupac flew to Maryland to meet Joshua and took him to the movies, bringing him joy in his final days.

In conclusion, Tupac Shakur left behind a legacy of wisdom and inspiration for fans to learn from. His emphasis on change, unity, and positivity can benefit anyone, regardless of their profession or background. As Tupac himself stated in a quote, “I don’t want to rule the world or change the world, but I guarantee you that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”

Ep. 085 of The Motivation Movement Podcast — “Thug Life Mentality — Lessons Learned from Tupac Shakur”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thug-life-mentality-lessons-learned-from-tupac-shakur/id1090692055?i=1000504535925

Connect w/ the Author/Host: https://mruddo.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mruddo/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mruddo/

As Vironika Tugaleva states, “When someone is cruel, harsh, mean, to not take their words personally is one thing, but to hear the silent cry within those words is another. This sort of perspective can not only liberate us from crippling self-doubt in the face of criticism, it can also liberate us from automatically becoming blind participants in the interaction patterns that the cruel person has become accustomed to — a favour we do for the other person as well as for ourselves.”

Unconsciously, we often assume that what someone else says or does is targeted specifically at us. We assume that someone else’s thoughts and opinions about us reflect our behavior or the kind of person we are. But, this is not always the case.

When someone is cruel, harsh, or mean, it’s important to not take their words personally. But, it’s also important to understand that these actions may be the result of their own issues and needs. This perspective can liberate us from self-doubt and criticism, and also help us to avoid becoming blind participants in harmful interaction patterns.

Here are a few ways to stop taking things personally:

• Don’t jump to conclusions: when people make decisions or assessments about you, it’s rarely about you. It’s usually about them and their own issues, needs, and desire to control you or a situation.
• Let things go: Reflect on distressing experiences as lessons on how to be better and how to navigate tricky circumstances. Holding on to distress does more harm to you than to the other person.
• Don’t take things personally, use them to grow and evolve: Instead of letting others make you irritated or sour, use their actions to help you grow and evolve.

It’s important to remember that you are not the center of the universe, and that not everything is about you. Taking things too personally can be emotionally draining and counter-productive, so try to keep in mind that criticism may not always be a personal attack. Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Ep. 095 of The Motivation Movement Podcast — “Don’t Take Sh*t So Personally”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-take-shit-so-personally/id1090692055?i=1000510818163

Connect w/ the Author/Host: https://mruddo.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mruddo/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mruddo/

Hi, my name’s Michael Russo. I am a self-motivated and socially responsible, published and award winning entrepreneur. As a business student earning a degree only 25 miles from New York City, I had full intentions of working on Wall Street or in a Big Four accounting firm after graduating from Molloy College in May of 2016. That’s what the majority of my graduating cohort is doing now, but I’ve found myself in a totally unexpected and unique (to say the least) situation. Almost a year later now, I am selling sticky notes and donuts. You’re probably wondering now, “How the f**k did that happen?” Well, let me tell you.

It all started in my junior year when I was in a Business Management class focused on Entrepreneurship. Long story short, my professors in the class became my mentors and collaborators; I interned for one professor at his start-up tech firm and the other professor ultimately invested in my future ventures. They pushed me to form a Start Up Club at school, enter business plan competitions, execute on this idea I had called Sticky Quotes, network my tail off and not be afraid to go off the beaten path. I ended up leaving a “promising” internship at Morgan Stanley that same year to pursue this path we call Entrepreneurship.

Sticky Quotes was my first venture, started in early 2015. It’s pretty simple, I create sticky notes with pre-printed inspirational quotes designed to motivate people when they least expect it, even in the most random of places. I entered in a business plan competition in college and won first place ($5,000). This allowed me to fully launch and validate the business, helping to ease the pressure of starting a real job search during college because I had a potential winning idea on my hands. Sticky Quotes started selling fast on Amazon and my Shopify store, and even in ~20 independent gift shops along the East Coast. As I entered my final semester in the spring of 2016, Sticky Quotes was sustainable enough to the point of convincing myself that Wall Street and the Big Four accounting firms weren’t the only paths available.

Before I get into my next venture, All American Donuts, I’m going to shamelessly promote my podcast I’m relaunching really soon. This content is relevant though and chronologically necessary, I promise. So, right before I graduated, I started a podcast called The Motivation Movement, in March of 2016. Naturally, it was only right to start this new project because I always bite off more than I can chew. But, I’d rather choke on greatness than swallow mediocrity, right?

I had invested all the money I had in Sticky Quotes, final exams and presentations were rapidly approaching, I was getting all of my graduation requirements in order and had no swipes left on my meal plan. I was literally eating a diet composed of Fig Newtons and fruit snacks (thanks Mom), and was drinking 2 pots of coffee a day (there’s people at Molloy who can vouch for this). It was also my first semester being a Resident Assistant in my dorm.

The podcast only lasted about a month and a half, but it meant a lot to me. It was an outlet for me to speak my mind, and served as a platform to inspire people. Recently, my thinking has been: no more excuses, time to get back at this. So, in the coming weeks, get ready for a steady stream of 5–10 minute motivational podcast episodes, a few a week. Still working out all of the logistics, but stay tuned for new updates, topics, guests and more. Podcast promotion over, promise!

I ended up graduating college on time with a double major in Business Management and Philosophy, cum laude. My professor from Entrepreneurship class invested in Sticky Quotes and it was off to the races. Predominantly an e-commerce business, the drivers behind Sticky Quotes success are social media and guerrilla marketing. People love inspirational quotes, and love sharing them, in person in random places and then on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. A typical day for me consists of engaging with my customers directly on email and social media, working with retailers for product development feedback, sourcing and creating inspirational content to share with my audience and basic functions such as financial records keeping, public relations and more. Another component of Sticky Quotes is our custom sticky note business. Instead of just boring yellow sticky notes with a company name on them, we create content driven, branded sticky notes that inspire and engage employees, customers and everyone involved! Currently developing product packaging and a display stand to enter the physical retail space (big box), launching at the National Stationery Show at the Javitz Center in NYC, May 21st — 24th! Come visit Booth 1114 if you’re around!

Just as we entered 2017 I had the opportunity to start a new business, All American Donuts. All American Donuts is a mobile donut cart business serving public and private events. We bring our awesome mini-donut cart machine to street fairs and weddings and make delicious donuts on site! My investor in Sticky Quotes (also my Entrepreneurship teacher from college), is also my partner on this venture. Consistent with our branding (All American), our mission is to employ and train Military Veterans to operate our mini-donut carts and eventually become franchisees running their own business! Spring and summer of this year will be our first season in operation, where our goal is to test different size venues and private events to gain data to evaluate which channel is most profitable and sustainable for our company.

Similar to how I never thought I’d be selling sticky notes and donuts when I was a college student, I’m not sure what the future holds for me. I know I will continue to pursue Entrepreneurship, always aim to innovate and just be creative. The self-actualization aspects of being an entrepreneur are most the most important part of what I do, as cheesy and cliché as that sounds. Being able to take an idea and manifest it into reality is what I believe people were meant to do, whether it’s writing a book, painting a picture, creating a song or a business. That process is definitely a passion of mine, which is helpful in achieving my goals. Being hands on, in control and engaged in all aspects of the business, even just the small things, is very rewarding to me. Finding the right people to collaborate with and delegating work, analyzing your strengths and weaknesses, are again, very challenging, but rewarding actions.

This was my first post on Medium. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting a ton of content. Here are just a few of the articles I’ll be releasing soon:

• Plagued by Procrastination
• You Are Who You Spend the Most Time With
• Learning From Other People’s Mistakes
• The Allegory of the Cave
• Say Yes More Often
• Expect the Unexpected, and More
• How to Fail Hard and Fail Fast

In honor of my first post, and in appreciation of you taking the time to read this post, here’s a discount code for Sticky Quotes. Use discount code SMILE30 for 30% off!

Be sure to check out my podcast! The Motivation Movement is about inspiring people when they least expect it. So, if you’re down to spread good vibes, you’re in the right spot my friend! LET’S GO!

Recent College Grad Ditches Wall Street to Sell Sticky Notes & Donuts was originally published in Ascent Publication on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.