This should be interesting
There’s a surreal quality to it all (I just interviewed (and found out that I was hired) on Friday), but I fully expect for this to be a transformative experience. The gang of troublemakers (Lauryn, Amber, Alex, Michael, and Amy) I get to work with is amazing. I hope you get to meet them.
Let’s back up a bit
I saw Seth’s post about looking for accomplices the other day and decided to throw my hat in the ring. The application was fun and interesting, and this is one of the things that encouraged me to apply.
I got an email on December 13th from Seth asking if I could come interview in New York a few days later and after I let out an uncharacteristic shriek in my car, I managed to compose a coherent email response in the affirmative.
The interview process itself was non-traditional and a lot of fun. I’m not sure how much I can share publicly about it, so I’ll err on the side of caution and just let you know that I didn’t have to make up any ridiculous answers about where I see myself in five years.
Seth who?
It has come to my attention recently that there are persons living on earth who have not heard of Seth Godin (smile). I explained to my parents that in terms of influence and relevance, he is to marketing what Oprah is to television. Bestselling author, speaker, and agent of change summarizes what he does, but there’s much more to it.
Knowing what I know about Seth however, I suspect that he’d be much more interested in you knowing that he cares very much about you living life on purpose, doing work that matters, and spreading important ideas. You can start with his latest book if you’d like. I have an extra copy if you want it (seriously).
Two fun facts about Seth: 1) He publishes at least one post a day on his blog, which is perhaps the most popular blog in the world that’s published by one person. 2) He cooks his wife dinner every night, and sometimes it’s good (his words, not mine!)
You can read more about Seth in the November issue of Fearless Magazine.
Gratitude
For those of you who don’t know, I quit my corporate job in April to freelance fulltime. I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out a few people who have been instrumental in me making that leap:
The first has to be my Auntie, friend, mentor, fairy blogmother, and business partner Pam Slim. I won’t wax sentimental in this post, but I haven’t met many people like her (nor am I interested in sharing). Keep an eye out for us in 2011.
Mike Schinkel singlehandedly jumpstarted my transition into fulltime freelance WordPress work by making a few key client introductions, inviting me to speak at a conference that he co-organized, and keeping me in mind for proposals and projects that have come up.
So what now?
The next steps involve finding an apartment in NYC, letting my clients know what’s going on and what to expect, and spending some time with my family in Florida for the holidays before taking flight.
I have no idea what the next six months will hold, but I’m going to give ‘em all I’ve got. Thanks for joining me on this adventure. And thanks for taking a chance on me, Seth.
{ 79 comments }
Willie –
Wow! Congrats! Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.
All the best,
– Daniel
Thanks Daniel! I love that you used HTML to sign your name :-D
Wow, Willie. What a crazy awesome opportunity! Congratulations, man. You’re gonna do amazing things. I can’t wait to read all about it.
Nickomundo! Thanks my friend, I appreciate that.
Willie – That’s so exciting! Congratulations! In reference to your “is this real” comment — having lived in NYC, I can tell you it doesn’t always seem real! :-)
Enjoy every minute – it’s sure to be an experience like none other!
Heh, I’m on Cloud 9 and I don’t plan on coming down any time soon. Thanks very much for being a great champion of the snake oil I’m peddling ;)
Beside myself with joy is an understatement on this one. There are some people on your life path that you are destined to meet, and you are one of them in mine.
I am in awe of your skills, drive and confidence, but what will makes you a true Linchpin (in the words of Seth) is your tremendous heart.
Get every last drop out of this amazing opportunity — it will alter the entire course of your life.
With beaming auntie pride,
-P
I’m gonna give it my best, Pam. Thanks for being who you are.
Pam, I couldn’t agree more. Willie is an awesome individual and I am happy to say I know him! I can’t wait to see him dominate this project :)
Wow, all that from sending one email message! Fortune favors the bold. Congrats and keep posting from NYC. I guess seeing Seth at the Rialto a few months ago made an impact, eh?
Jeff
Indeed it did :) Didn’t anticipate working with him after the event, but I’m willing to be a little flexible :-D
Willie, congratulations!! What an amazing opportunity. Pam was telling me about you recently and based on what she said, I’m so not surprised by this – you are going to rock Seth’s world Willie Jackson! :)
Alexis
One day I’m going to be able to afford to pay Pam a healthy retainer for her Willievangelism ;)
Thanks Alexis, I’m excited.
Congrats, homeh! You first appeared on my radar in 2010, and honestly, you’ve had as potent a trajectory as anyone I’ve met this year.
I’m not surprised to see that you’ve landed such a kickass gig, and I won’t be surprised to hear that you were instrumental in the success of The Domino Project when all is said and done :D
2010 has been an interesting year for sure man, I appreciate the kudos. I wonder if I’ll be able to get http://www.thedominoproject.com on Thesis…you know where my head is ;)
YES. Get them on Thesis, and I’ll get The Domino Project a link from the DIYthemes.com home page :D
WOW! Good for you! Love the speaking tour with Pam Slim what a great combo with the adventures with Seth. From IT to big adventures and changing publishing – congratulations!
Thanks Lisa! I’m excited to hit the road with Pam—the message needs to be spread.
Congratulations. What a spectacular opportunity for you. I will be at Seth’s January 9th publishing workshop. I think even a one day workshop is a great opportunity.
I look forward to hearing in your blog all about your experience.
Awesome. And thanks! I guess that means I’ll need to write more frequently, eh? ;)
Godspeed and god bless. Continue to be a “Christer” in the new year and I’m glad to have known you!
LMAO.
BWJ,
I am so unbelievably happy for you. You are living proof that only you are in charge of your own destiny…….what an inspiration to us all! I can’t wait to see where you are a year from now. Best of luck!
~Nina Bina
P.S. Now we are only 2 hours apart instead of 22…..we need to meet for lunch :)
You got it, Nina—I look forward to connecting with my peeps on that corner of the nation…starting with you!
Thanks for the kind words.
Funny where opportunities spring from isn’t it? I always enjoy looking back at the tipping points of my life and oddities that have brought me to where I am today. I’m sure you are feeling the same way about right now!
Best of luck to you in the Big Apple. Not sure if you know about Fear.less (www.fearlessstories.com) but I know Ishita Gupta works with Seth on this project and she’s a great person.
Indeed Jason, this will likely set off an exciting chain of events. I actually am familiar with both fear.less and Ishita. A++ :)
Thanks man.
You have worked hard to get where you are, enjoy every minute of it!
Thanks brother, I’m enjoying it already :)
Willie,
I wish you the very on this experience. Congratulations!
If there is someone that can work with Seth and come up with few new revolutionary ideas, it is you.
Have wonderful holiday and an increadbly excting new year.
Ivan
Ivan! Thanks very much for the kind words. Happy Holidays to you and yours as well, my friend.
I’m not one bit surprised. Super proud of you man!
Thanks Mani! I appreciate it.
*wild applause*
Wow, Willie. Congratulations!!!
Thanks so much, Catherine.
Awesome and congratulations! Very excited for you!
Thanks my friend. I’m excited myself :)
Very proud for you Willie, you have set goals that many wouldn’t choose to face and did the work to align success to happen. I am so very pleased for you!
hugs
Sweetie
P.S. I’m in NYC a good bit with my clients there, hope to see you soon!
SWEETIE! As always, your kindness leaps off the screen in a near-tangible way. Thanks very much for the kind words, and I would love to connect when you’re in the city.
I am so happy for you! Can’t wait to read future posts about this new adventure. Congrats!
Sherry
I guess that means I have to write some, eh? >:o) Thanks Sherry!
I told you you’d do BIG things…I’m not surprised in the least. Seth will be blessed to have you. Let’s talk next week and strategize….KC
You did indeed call it, KC—thanks for being in my corner. Looking forward to connecting.
Willie, all I can say is congratulations. You should sign your name “…more to come!” because you’ve definitely been one of those guys that I’ve come to always ‘expect more’ from. Though not expressed, you never ceasing to amaze/wow me with your personality, choice of words and overall attitude to what you enjoy doing. Keep up the good work.
You’re the best, Natasha—I appreciate the kind words and vote of confidence…more to come!
(did I do it right? ;)
Wow!!! That is awesome times 100.
Take that shtuff (was gonna say something else, lol) and run with it.
Congratulations!! Can’t wait to see where it leads you. :)
You should always speak freely with me :) Thanks Naomi! No idea where this will lead, but here goes nothing (everything).
Congratulation Willie,
Always believed in you and your future success. You are truly inspiring figure. Keep reaching out to the stars.
Good luck and keep me posted.
Cedric
Thanks brother, you have indeed been a longtime supporter. The respect, as you know, is mutual :-D
This is beautiful!!! So excited for what’s to come.
Ps – “he is to marketing what Oprah is to television” – BRILLIANT. That you for that sound bite. My grandma will get it now. :)
That’s an accurate and accessible analogy, no? Hopefully it resonates with your people like it does with mine :-D
Wilie, congratulations! It’s fun to watch your destiny unfold. I’ll keep watching; think you’ll love NY!
I love it already! Thanks so much, Julie.
Willie,
Its obvious that you’re going to do big things. I make that statement independent of any connection to Seth Godin.
The fact that you have this opportunity just strikes me as a byproduct of your hard work, positive attitude, and willingness to help others. Congrats bud!
Very kind of you to say that Adam, thanks very much.
Congrats bro! This is awesome! Bigger and brighter things are in store for you. Enjoy this experience.
Thanks Milton!
Mannnnn it is amazing how much a year of being associated with you how much you have changed (in a good way)
You’re going to love New York City and I hope you’re in an Empire State of Mind! :)
I am proud of you – a little sad that you are leaving Atlanta but hey you got to flap your wings so you can soar higher! Now I have a reason to come to New York City more often!
A great opportunity and a only a fool would pass a chance of a life time to work with the amazing Seth Godin! I hope you become a published author down the road.
Team Willie Jackson all the way! Thanks for allowing me to be me on your blogs whenever I comment. That Air Trans was of epic level – but it taught me there is a better way to rant and rave but utlimately I have learned I am either the problem or the answer and I decided after that to be the solution!
One thing I will promise you – I will continue to paid it forward because your soul really have touched my mines by being so helpful, honest and straightforward with me!
Cheers!
I know you aint going to disappear but you will be busy and I know I can always tweet you or inbox you!
Merry Christmas bro!
This comment just made my day. Thanks Duane.
Oh My Gawd! Dang Willie, I was just getting to know you…and all of the brilliant pieces that make up the incredible, super-smart whole…I don’t know what to say! Congrats!!! Seth has made a very wise choice in hiring on such as yourself, get me an autograph, and tell him I like his haircut.
All the best to you in NY my friend…you are going to LOVE it!
You got it! Thanks so much James, I’m really humbled and stoked and like eleven different things at the same time.
Woohoo! Go Willie :D
I’m not the least bit surprised that you bubbled to the top! Seth is a lucky fellow to have you. And the publishing industry definitely could use some love, so bring it on…
CRYSTAAAAAAAAAL! Where have you been? Thanks so much for the kind words—I can’t wait to lend a hand with this project.
Willie, you suck. Pam obviously likes you better, so you suck.
Still, I’ve got to admit that she has excellent instincts about people, and then there’s this whole Seth Godin thing. He must have asked you that classic interview question “What is your greatest weakness?” to which you, of course, replied, “Well there’s the kryptonite thing.”
Seriously, felicitations on your newest accomplishment. I feel sure you and I will meet someday, so I take back the “you suck” thing, I guess. ;)
Go get ‘em.
Ha! Two of the most common questions I get are along the lines of how I make a living with no business website or services page, and how on earth I know Pam “so well” :-D
…to which a reply with a smile and a Kanye Shrug ;) I have no idea how you’re so intimately familiar with what was asked in the interview, but you’re spot-on and I ask that you keep it quiet moving forward :)
Cheers Andy, thanks very much.
Wow Willie!! I’m just seeing this now…but wow. How exciting. Can’t wait to follow your progress. And I’ll be able to say I knew you when….we’ll miss you in the ATL.
Thanks so much, Julie. I’ll be around :)
Congratulations dude! Smiled ear to ear as I read this. Seth’s great and I’m sure the experience is going to be amazing. Cheers to rockin’ it in 2011!
Thanks very much, Ricardo—I’m already floored with how much I’ve learned.
What a beautifully written post – I’m a complete stranger to your blog and have not had the pleasure of interacting with you yet but just saw a tweet from Lewis Howes and followed it here.
I’m a huge Seth fan and am still amazed at people who’ve never heard of him and I’m super jealous (in a great way) of your opportunity to work on this project with him. Huge congrats to you – what a lifechanging start to 2011.
I was just excited when he returned my emails and commented on my blog, you get to hang with genius.
Can’t wait to hear all about it.
PS Pam Slim does rock this world
Natalie
Very glad you clicked through to my corner of the web, Natalie! Thanks for the kind words.
Seth is a very special person—it catches a lot of people by surprise when their email gets returned. You wouldn’t typically expect for someone in his position to be so accessible, right? Pretty cool.
All the best for 2011!
AWESOME! Congratulations!
Thanks Jamie!
Hi Willie- I enjoyed your talk at the Business of WordPress Conference in Atlanta and just read this post.
I wish you much success with this new opportunity- so encouraging to hear about!
Best,
Joe
Thanks so much, Joe. Much has changed since that conference :)
Congrats, Looking forward to seeing you! :)
HI Willie,
Just back to catching up on friends blog and yours, as usual, stands out a mile. Congrats on the new venture. Last time I spoke with Seth we where taking the piss out of a kid called Logan who had no idea about the movie “Logans Run”. Kids, sheesh.
Enjoy NY!
Regards, Andrew / Smoothape.
Howdy my friend :) You’re very kind, thanks Andrew. I’m sure I’ll see you up here or down there this year—I’m not finished with Atlanta yet!
Hold down the fort.
Ah, Atlanta is doing well, so much so I have changed my focus. Just back from Hong Kong and a great meeting with all our marketing guys from Asia Pacific. Such a great playground…
Willie, congratulations to you. You are a great guy & me & the girls know that you will make it big time in your life.
Be Blessed in all you do Willie. We are proud of you.
Ms Wiggins
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