Richie Frieman
Personal Branding By A Professional Wrestler: The Best Business Lessons I Learned Came From Men In Spandex
Growing up, I always wanted to be a professional wrestler. I know a lot of kids say that when they are little but eventually they grow out of it - but not me. The summer before my senior year of college (Univ. of Maryland - College Park), I figured I would stop thinking about it and just do it. A training school opened up in my town so I signed up - and the rest is history. At 5'5" and 155 pounds (I once weighed 165 lbs.), pro wrestling wasn't exactly what people thought was the best occupation for me to pursue. Rightfully so on the exterior but anyone that has ever stepped in a wrestling for a real match, has nothing but 100% focus, determination and heart invested. When I decided to go through with pro wrestling, it was my passion and motivation took me there. After all, when you work out for hours a day, shave your chest (and arm pits), fake tan, squeeze into a pair of spandex trunks, with your body covered in baby oil to fight a guy who outweighs you by a good hundred pounds - all by choice - you have to be dedicated! Eight wonderful years I spent weekends driving up and down the Mid-Atlantic area wrestling as "The Thrill From Israel" Buster Maccabi, having the time of my life every second. And despite what I learned at college and the "real world" about business, nothing was more valuable than what I learned in the ring.
The lessons I learned helped shape and mold me into a much more confident, secure and creative entrepreneur which ultimately led me to start my internet magazine, www.PensEyeView.com two years ago. PensEyeView.com has featured over 450 interviews with a different artist, musician, and visionary from all over the globe - a different one every 48 hours in only two and a half years. Along with running columns on Food, Style, Tech and Reviews we reach search out to feature the most talented people in the world. So how do sweaty behemoths in spandex who want to kick the crap out of you teach you anything about business - let alone one that deals with artists? Well, let's just say there's more to pro wrestling than you think…
I have 5 Key Lessons I would like to share at the event. Trust me, no other business speaker will have advice like I do.
About Richie Frieman:
I am the president of the award winning internet magazine, PensEyeView.com which features a different, unique and talented artist/musician/entertainer/visionary etc., every 48 hours. PensEyeView.com also features running sections on Style, Tech, Reviews and Food & Dining. Since it's inception in April 2007, PensEyeView.com has featured different artists from five continents, and over a dozen countries - a new one every 48 hours. Featured artists and individuals have been seen in some of the most prestigious galleries in the world, shared the stage with some of the biggest musicians in the business and worked with some of the most talented actors and visionaries in Hollywood. PensEyeView.com has featured over 450 consecutive features - every 48 hours, without missing a day.
Prior to PensEyeView.com (and during) I have been a professional wrestler for eight years, known as "The Thrill From Israel" Buster Maccabi. A seasoned artist and columnist, I am established in the fields of journalism, graphic design, illustration, sculpture, painting and comedy. I have illustrated two children's books and wrote and illustrated a rhyming picture book entitled "Terple". I am a music columnist for The Jewish Times, the nation's largest Jewish heritage magazine. I am also a Laureate medal winner for the 2008 Computerworld Honors Program for www.PensEyeView.com. I have been featured in HOW Magazine, Certified Magazine, The Baltimore Examiner, Lucy Magazine, The Jewish Times and Under 30 CEO Magazine, regarding my work as an artist. I am also a National Indie Excellence Finalist. As well my work and reputation earned me the title as one of the 35 Under 35: Finest Young Professionals in Baltimore for 2008.
What does PensEyeView mean? Regardless of the profession or medium, it all starts with a pen, a paper and a vision. You can stare at the paper all day, write and draw until your hand cramps, rack your brain for answers but once the pen hits the paper, your heart, soul and vision is shown right there in ink. At the end of the day, you can't deny what you wrote. You can't hide from those raw emotions. It is that vision that we developed PensEyeView.com
