Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Adamo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story begins in Queens, NY, where I grew up from modest means and single parents, but discovered the power of a network, adaptability, and connection from a young age.
Living with a single mother, we moved around almost every year, which meant I was thrown into the mix of making new friends and fitting into new surroundings. I basically felt like the Karate Kid every year we moved.
Due to all of the moving around, I became accustomed to (and enjoyed) changing schools often (2 middle schools, 2 high schools, and even 2 colleges), creating new friendships and learning my way around a new neighborhood’s ecosystem. This is something that I became very good at and has really come in handy in my role of leading partnerships and growth at Where By Us.
Moving around queens allowed me to learn the way of the locals to adapt and understand many cultures, forcing me to blend in, like a chameleon. Queens is one of the most diverse places in the world, as every few blocks, you could basically travel to a new country. I had friends as a young kid from India, Israel, Turkey, China, Italy, Greece, Africa… Living there was kind of like a daily session at the UN. But as kids, we didn’t really understand the amazing lessons we learned from being exposed to all of these cultures.
Thankfully when I was a teen I was able to get out of queens being a decent baseball player, which allowed me to travel the world playing baseball in Junior Olympics in 96 and friendship games in China in 94. Although I would not have had to chance to play on those teams without the devotion of my father to drop everything to make sure I made it to every single game and endless hours of practice.
From Baseball, I took to the role of utility man, which means I was able to play every position, which led to more time on the field and is something that I took into my adult career. Learning to play many roles made me an asset across entire organizations and allowed me to add value above what was expected. This is something that I preach to everyone that I mentor and advise. Be open to trying anything and be outgoing in learning how you fit into different roles. People love solution providers when they least expect it.
For more info on my upbringing:
I recently just recorded a few podcasts, in which I walk through how I put my true passion of connection and discovery into action, which only happened thanks to Miami.
Planted in Miami Podcast: http://plantedinmiami.com/livelikeyoulivehere/
Images here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BWGR-mrhPPq/?taken-by=plantedinmiami
Miami Hustle Series:
https://itunes.apple.com/ph/podcast/044-the-raw-hustle-tikd-p1/id1063224234?i=1000377331314&mt=2
Has it been a smooth road?
Life was definitely not smooth.
Divorces, moving yearly, being over 200 pounds at the age of 12, a close friend dying in the middle of High School, helping my dad through cancer and taking over his job of running his store at age 22. All of this built up the resiliency and grit that has made me the person I am today.
I was cut, not once, but twice from my high school baseball team. I was forced to transfer high schools to find a baseball team to play on, but never actually played more than a few innings.
I ended making a personal baseball tape of myself and mailed it to 100 colleges, on which led to a college scholarship from a few schools to fulfill that childhood dream.
I was the first person in my family to go to college and I ended up excelling in taking tests. I’ve worked since I was 16 to get by and provide.
Life wasn’t easy but I was definitely blessed to have the opportunities that were available. And I made the most out of every single one of them. All through the power of persistence, dedication, and building a network.
This has always been the constant and something that ANYONE can do. Rich or Poor, you can work your tail off and through the power of social and digital, meet and build a stellar network. All you need is a cell phone and dream!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Where By Us and The New Tropic story. Tell us more about the business.
We at Where By Us and The New Tropic help the world’s curious locals understand, explore, and love their cities. Our purpose is to help people live like they live here— and build a model for doing that so we can serve every growing city in the world.
We’re a team of Locals who care about cities and the people who live in them. We want our communities to be stronger, better connected, and inclusive. We want to love and grow the best parts of our cities and understanding how to tackle and solve the challenges.
We put our community members first and above everything else, even profits. We’re proud to help all parts of our city, from the underserved to other media brands. We’re a true community resource that has figured out how to do good and do well.
I personally lead our Growth and Partnerships team and have a knack for wearing several hats and connecting the dots for our company. I’ve always been able to see opportunities and make them work for all parties involved. Kind of like back in my baseball days of playing all of the positions and being a chameleon as a kid while moving around Queens.
Since I was so blessed to have help and opportunities as a young person, I do everything I can to help others and add value through the connections that I have made here. I never expect anything in return, I just do it because it’s the right thing to do and I know how one favor can turn a person’s life around.
I know that one day I’ll able to look back and know that I’ve had a huge positive impact during my lifetime and that makes me feel spectacular. It makes all of the hard work and long hours’ worth it across all of my endeavors.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the world of local business and media all driving towards how much value can you provide for others and being the trusted expert is going to be a huge part of that as everything is leaning towards Hyper Local/word of mouth. With social media and digital making it easier than ever to provide value and access, brands and organizations are all going to have to become more positive parts of society as no longer will the “me first” people/companies be able to get away with what they have for years prior to now.
It’s going to be about total transparency, convenience, and actual connection. That’s what people want and need, and that’s what we provide.
Pricing:
- Locals can advertise in our daily publication for as low as $100 per day.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1951 NW 7th ave. Miami, FL 33136
- Website: www.thenewtropic.com
- Phone: (305) 503-7751
- Email: hello@thenewtropic.com
- Instagram: @TheNewTropic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newtropicmiami/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewTropicMiami
Image Credit:
The New Tropic
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