Challengers Rise.

Over the past few centuries, this country has faced its fair share of challenges. And the past few months have certainly been no different.

When handed such a challenge, you have two choices. You can spend weeks, months, and years crippled by the fear of what those challenges could mean. Or, you can see those challenges for what they really are: an opportunity. An opportunity to rise. An opportunity to shine. An opportunity to grow, in ways you never imagined. This is the unwavering call of the challenger. It’s why we chose the name David&Goliath for our agency. Not because it was catchy or clever, but because it defines who we are as an agency and, more importantly, who we are as people.

For seventeen years we have seen our share of challenges. And each and every time, we did the unthinkable. We chose not to run, but to face them head-on. To embrace them with every fiber of our being. Because that’s what challengers do. And we became better off for it.

So, what do you do when three of your partners walk into your office and tell you they’re leaving to start their own venture?

You take a deep breath, count to five, and then you remember who you are. You’re a challenger. And that seventeen years ago, you did the exact same thing that they’re doing. You left an amazing job to strike out on your own. Something like that takes courage.

Then you remember your core philosophy is all about being Brave. Embracing change. And living your truth. As a challenger, you start to look around for the opportunity the universe is presenting you. You quickly realize you don’t have far to look. This agency is filled with wonderfully talented, inspiring, purpose-driven people who have been chomping at the bit for a chance to rise. A chance just like this one.

That’s when you realize, the “opportunity” you’ve been looking for is staring you right in your face. Within the walls of your agency is a proven leader. He has been a CCO and has run his own agency. He is driven to do amazing work and came to the agency because he believes in its purpose. He, too, is someone who is looking for the chance to rise.

Not long after that, you get a call from an amazing strategic leader who also shares your philosophy for life and business. A person who has created work that’s the envy of the industry. And it just so happens that he’s available and ready.

If that’s not the universe talking I don’t know what is.

Suddenly all these blessings start to fall into place. Before you know it, more and more likeminded people are finding you instead of you finding them. Turns out you’ve been building momentum all along. You’ve made countless promotions over the past six months, rewarding people who have gone above and beyond to make the impossible possible.

You look back at the nonprofit you started a year ago to inspire tens of thousands of people all over the world to be Brave. A mission that started with the people in your agency.

You created an agency initiative for interns that provides them with the love and support they need to help them confront their fears and become better for it.

You created the Ten Brave Ways as a filter to find the right kind of people and clients who share the same philosophy. You believed in it so much that you painted it on a wall for all to see.

A very famous challenger brand’s CEO named Steve Jobs once said, “You cannot connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking back. You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something. Your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.”

Kinda says it all, doesn’t it?

So whether you’re a CEO trying to get your company to aspire to something greater, or you have a product searching for a way to make the world a better place, you don’t get to where you’re supposed to be by being crippled by fear.

You get there by stopping, taking a deep breath, and remembering who you are. You’re a challenger. You embrace the challenge for what it is and know that it will only lead to greatness.

Because challengers don’t sit on the sidelines.

Challengers don’t rest on their laurels.

Challengers rise.