Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaun Gold.
Hi Shaun, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been an entrepreneur my whole life. By the time I was eighteen, I had already had an e-commerce business as well as an educational assistance business. I fell in love with the idea of throwing parties so that is what brought me to Miami where I attended the University of Miami for the sole purpose of taking over nightlife. I spent fifteen years in the Miami nightlife scene where I worked with top brands and some of the highest grossing nightclubs in the world. It was during this period that I began guest lecturing at universities, writing my books and screenplays, and consulting for startups. It all resulted from a crazy idea that no one believed in but me. I tell everyone to always go after their crazy ideas as you never know where they may lead you.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If the road you are on is smooth, you are most likely on someone else’s. Seneca wrote that it is the rough road that leads to greatness. This holds true today. My struggles included starting from a blank canvas. This meant no connections, no resources, no funding, and no support. But it is the blank canvas that holds unlimited possibilities! It was a matter of perspective.
No connections?
Then there was no chance of ruining any relationships.
No resources?
I had to rely on resourcefulness.
No funding?
There were advantages to be being broke.
No support?
There wouldn’t be any pressure from others to succeed.
Understand that there is no easy way from the earth to the stars and no one can walk the road of life for you. It is up to you.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the true definition of a polymath. A serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, guest speaker, advisor, super-connector, Jeopardy player (where I high-fived Alex Trebek on air), screenwriter and former nightlife ninja. Any single one of these would set me apart from others, but all of them together? It is a unique and powerful combination.
I currently work with and advise several startups. My feature film is currently being shopped and I continue to speak on panels and at universities. My latest passion project is the YouTopian Journey, which is a comic book for mental health, motivation, and inspiration. Readers can follow on both Substack (https://youtopianjourney.substack.com/) and Instagram @youtopianjourney.
I am proud that I never conformed to what society or my peers said I had to do. Instead, I paved my own way and walked my own path.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I don’t use apps and while I have appeared on multiple podcasts, I never listen to any. I am a true bibliophile. While it is difficult to narrow down my favorite books, I recommend the following for anyone looking to become stronger, smarter, and better:
Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for All and None by Friedrich Nietzsche
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Man’s Search for Himself by Rollo May
The Courage to Create by Rollo May
Lucky Or Smart by Bo Peabody
Barking Up The Wrong Tree by Eric Barker
The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Balthasar Gracian
The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
Pricing:
- My substack is free to subscribe to.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@shaungold.com
- Website: www.shaungold.com
- Instagram: @youtopianjourney
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaun.gold.1/
- Twitter: @iamshaungold
- Other: https://youtopianjourney.substack.com/
