Putting My Reputation On The Line

Marc W. Halpert's last posting on Connect2Collaborate told us to "Punch Above Our Weight" and in order to "tell my career story", I needed to write an article. I have taken millions of babysteps to get where I am today and as The Grateful Dead sang "What A Long Strange Trip It's Been". So, buckle up and here we go.....

I was born in Brooklyn in 1952, grew up in Bayside, Queens until 1968 and then my parents bought a house and we moved to Glen Cove on Long Island. Mom's family were "artists", they were in the millinery business creating custom women's hats for some of NYC top designers and department stores. Mom loved to create art and to perform. Even in her late 80's, Mom likes to "sing in the chorus". My dad's grandfather was in Finance until the Great Depression at which time, he pivoted into Office Supplies & Printing. My grandfather and my dad were both in the Printing fields. I grew up in Printing Plants and in Hat Factories. I learned about both industries, from the ground up. I worked hard and learned by being observant. I loved the arts. I enjoyed drawing and creating. I,too, had a great voice and loved to harmonize. I sang in large choruses. I learned to play several instruments, started playing in bands in my early teens. Not being a great lead guitarist, I switched to playing bass. I was pretty good and never had a problem playing with good bands. We played at local dances, parties, in clubs, county fairs and for a few years, every weekend at The Pines Hotel in the "Catskills". Once again, I pivoted and switched to live music & tour support. Producing many shows at Queens College, going to school to get certified in Recording Engineering, owning a rehearsal studio in Manhattan, doing live sound for bands & clubs and then going out on the road on some major tours. I loved it all, but when I was introduced to "recreational drugs", my world changed from "Can" to "Can't". I fell to great depths and when I hit bottom, I had the courage to summon up all of my remaining strength and climb out of the situation that I had placed myself in. I made a 110% effort to work with my dad and together will built one of NYC's premier bindery facilities - M&M Bindery. Working with my father was another "major obstacle" for me to surmount. Dad & I competed with each other and did not get along. Dad was a "leader by example" and not my "mentor". When I started working with Dad, there were no computers, cellphones, fax machines. The internet was just coming into it's own. Things were moving from "analog" to "digital". Dad was "old school" and had no desire to move into "digital", but I realized that it was either "pivot or pound the pavement". I gained the knowledge needed and then the 40 years of experience to get to where I am today - A ROCK STAR!

Looking back, I am grateful that my dad forced me to become self-reliant. At the time, I was scared and it translated into anger. As I "grew up", I was able to convert that anger into energy and successfully build my own business, stay married for 32 years, raise 2 amazing children and feel good about myself. I am not perfect and I am always looking for ways to be a better person, husband, father and business owner. I volunteer, I mentor, I network, not for self-gains, but to help others who would benefit from my help.

Yes, when it comes to Printing & Promotional Products, I am a Rock Star! If you need help on those subjects, Ask Me Anything. If I do not know the answer,I will go out of my way to find it out for you, and for me! I am always Happy To Help!

Feel free to connect with me via the web - steve@isaacsonassociates, and visit my website where we showcase over 1,000,000 ways to Get Noticed + Be Remembered - www.isaacsonassociates.com. We will Exceed Your Expectations.