LOVE WHAT YOU DO!

When I have a chance to really sink my teeth into my work over at URock Marketing, L.L.C. I really LOVE WHAT I DO!  From planning Community Parties to Inspiring a room full of leaders and teachers. I need to share this, I am so excited to share this, hopefully it will inspire you!

Recently I have been battling with the self-questions; "Am I doing the right thing?  Is UROCK doing what it is suppose to? Should I give up?"  Serious.  The UROCK-guy, Mr. Overly-Optmistic was asking the universe those exact questions, in the hopes to receiving, if not the whole answer, a few hints.  Well here is this for a reply I received: Yesterday I booked UROCK's first college Dream Board Party for their entire freshman class and minutes ago I just booked & confirmed a UROCK Dream Board Workshop at Winnacunnet High School for all their teachers and peer leaders.  I feel blessed to do what UROCK does and to love what I do!  You should too! DREAM BIG, it's the best!  Lastly, do not give up, you could be moments away from the next big thing! 

On Wednesday, August 20th UROCK will join forces with The Warriors of Winnacunnet (17 Teachers, 34 peer leaders) and lead them in a UROCK Dream Board Workshop! "Inspiring Others To Inspire Others" ...A Dream Come True! 

Growth & Development...

#normal {filter} #natural {feeling}  

6/27/14: Found this on my Friday work day! 

This message is directed for the Seacoat community that I have been blessed to have met over the past 3+ years. To all my Portsmouth friends "that feel like family" sending wishes containing an abundance amount of positivity each of your way. Let us acknowledge all of us are "going and growing" -- we all should love more and stress less. Respect the growing process and don't ever feel you have to rush.

Reflecting on my special work day I had yesterday... I took time to soak up the atmosphere and everyone I interacted with in some way, I applaud you, us, the universe; as we all continue to "go & grow" ... We all have successes and pains, happiness and sadness, but must we continue to see the beauty and power that lies beneath the importance of self- growth & development.  We all go at our own pace. 

As we all know, particular days life can be hard.  Every day can't be beautiful, but there is always a bit of beauty in everyday. 

I Live A Creative Life...

"I live a creative life, and you can't be creative without being vulnerable.  I believe that Creativity and Fear are basically conjoined twins; they share all the same major organs, and cannot be separated, one from the other, without killing them both. And you don't want to murder Creativity just to destroy Fear!  You must accept that Creativity cannot walk even one step forward except by marching side-by-side with its attached sibling of Fear."  

-Elizabeth Gilbert

                                               Turn Fear Into Fuel.  Tap Into Your Creative Soul.

Today's blog is EXACTLY what has been on my mind ever since my last post and this one is delivered by the words of famous novelist, Elizabeth Gilbert.  The best selling author of "
Eat, Pray, Love", as well as "The Signature of All Things", and more. 

Her elegant words have beautifully described what my UROCK mind thinks on the daily and this power paragraph was such a breathe of fresh air for me.  Gilbert puts my thoughts perfectly on paper.  From day one when I founded UROCK Marketing and moved my life and career to this incredible mini-city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire my goal, my mission, My Dream was to start an extremely unique business in a very creative way.  Well, it's been a 2year+ grind, but now this Seacoast Community is starting to catch on, beginning to embrace it and it fuels me everyday to keep the dream alive!  Even if I have to build my business one #UROCKparty at a time.  I refuse to lose. Am I scared? Sure!  Am I afraid people won't understand what I am trying to do?  Absolutely!  But here is an inside look at how this Chief Igniter operates, the thrill of the unknown, the power to control your own destiny, and people that tell me I can not, I should not, I won't --- only FIRES ME UP MORE!  So I choose Elizabeth Gilbert to explain where I am coming from and hopefully it will help you in your life, in your journey.  Maybe this is something that you had on your mind. If so, remember do not lose faith or belief in yourself.  Embrace Fear. Let Go and Know!  Come to the realization that this is all part of the journey and take a moment during our busy lives once in awhile to look at your reflection and say out loud, "UROCK!"  #selfconfidence #creativity #fear #dream #UROCKparty #yourfuture 

View fullsize

This picture was captured at the last dream board party at Ambrosia Gardens, as I walked by one dreamer he had these cutouts organically scattered on the table and that light bulb sitting on top of the UROCK logo of course caught my eye and (creative) soul.  

Drive Up, Batter Up.

Back up to Skowhegan, Maine where my good buddy and former college teammate Jesse LaCasse (la'case) owns and operates his own business. Master Turner of LaCasse Bats.

He makes baseball bats! He is a beast of an entrepreneur. The time it took me to depart UROCK's Headquarters, this freak of nature built a forest of home run lumber sticks! 

This man puts in the work! Now I'm ready to join him. #UROCKbiztrip. Preparations, Planning, and Executing this GRAND SLAM OPENING!

The photo I captured was right when I arrived, unstaged, Jesse just casually pointed over to them. I immediately ran over to capture this pic!  

Jesse said, in his modest/jolly-happy-go-lucky demeanor accompanied with a deep Maine I Love Life chuckle, "Just a few I got done. Well,.. this is stage number 7 of  an 8-stage process." 

I was blown away!  

LaCase added  "Bello, you get to put the finishing touch on them!"

Jesse you're about to hit a home run this weekend! Proud of you and honored to be here for this milestone. Let's rock this GRAND SLAM OPENING!  👊⚾️🎉

#SwingLaCasse #SwingHarder #MadeInMaine #CustomMade

It Takes Teammates To Win!

The vision of UROCK Marketing was born in my mind in 2007.  It became a reality inside the State House of New Hampshire on November 18, 2010.  I ignited the company on January 15th, 2011 in front of a college audience of 200+ campus leaders for the very first #UROCKtalk.

It's been a 3+ year grind. p until the second day of this new year, (Thursday, January 2nd, 2014) that morning, it all came to me.  I woke up, lying in bed, eyes wide open, and mind racing --- I immediately sprinted across my bedroom floor directly into my home office and started erasing my giant white board that held last year's ideas (I of course snapped a quick iPhone pic before erasing those grand ideas,... not going to lie, I paused a second longer and thought of what Instagram filter would be cool and be the perfect fit for what I captured?)

I quickly re-focused into the tangible world and said out loud, "New Year, New Plan, New Results!"  I began writing enthusiastically scribbling and writing some more! I caught myself changing each dry-erase marker color every moment I got excited with the next BIG IDEA! Within minutes the white board that is easily 6-feet wide and about 3-feet tall was filled with UROCK's 2014 Gameplan! I stepped away, admired my morning creativity, and the most peaceful feeling ran through my body… I was starting to get it!

ith my new found small business discovery/re-structured game plan, I headed downstairs of my downtown loft swung into the kitchen and started up the tea kettle for my morning green tea.  As the water boiled, I sat down on my couch, flipped open my iPad and thought to myself, what website should I head to for an extra shot of inspiration?  Then all of a sudden I went to a negative thought (which only happens probably twice a year).  Keep in mind at that current moment it was January 2nd, that only leaves me with one more negative thought for 2014.  

I cashed in as the tea kettle began to whistle, out loud I yelled at myself with a demanding tone, "Nick, if you're not online, you're not in business!"  I followed that up with conviction, my body language became very dramatic and I abruptly went to my trusted journal and wrote down, "By the first quarter of this new year (2014) I WILL have a UROCK website!"  It was a SMART Goal.

Photo captured at the Alpha Loft in Downtown Portsmouth during a #UROCKtalk in 2013.  I was co-presenting with a former teammate in the advertising field, who I call the Guru of Twitter and good friend, Mr. Don Perkins.

For a young small business Newpreneur in this mini-city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which sometimes feels like a mecca of the smartest, brightest, sharpest, web developers, web designers, and kick ass marketing agencies, this was an extremely intimidating task that lied ahead for me. However, I tend to never back down from a challenge, it only strengthens my motivation.  Whenever I am faced with a challenge, my mind tends to revert back to my baseball diamond. ¨Baseball is more than a game, it serves as a Training Field for Life.¨ ~Kenesaw Mountain Landis

I played 4-years of D3 College Ball, coached 3 years at the D3 level as well, and I have learned first hand that it takes teammates to to win! One of my most prominent quotes comes from an Author/Entrepreneur I admire, Mr. Mac Anderson. He stated, "Teamwork Makes The Dream Work!"

That was it.  I needed to find trusted teammates that believe in my Grand Vision of UROCK's Mission.  UROCK has grand plans and BIG DREAMS.  UROCK has the desire to inspire and we want your dreams to come true!  Everyone UROCK works with, we want you to live the life you want to live. UROCK wants to bring your vision to reality.

I have been so blessed to build such a healthy network here on the Seacoast every since I moved here.  In fact the first morning I woke up as a new New Hampshire resident inside my downtown loft was also on a January, 2nd, the year was: 2011... I guess there is a trend forming here, the second of January is an inspiring date for me.

Starting UROCK Marketing has been by far the most challenging task I have ever taken on in my professional world.  At times it has been a grind, for the most part when I am fully immersed within a UROCK event, meeting a new potential client, making a positive impact in a small local business owner, it has been a true joyous journey for me.  Recently, in front of a crowd of my closest Portsmouth circle of friends, I was called out and on the mic, over the speakers, I was told; "the best is yet to come!"  TRUTH. I am now starting to figure it out!  

It takes teammates to win.

Three teammates that have lifted me up and who are the three people I instantly thought of when I wrote the title of this initial launch blog is; Jesse LaCasse, Jessica Todd, & Brian Capobianchi.  Their dreams are coming true and I am honored to work so closely with these SuperStars!

My great college buddy and former college teammate, Jesse LaCasse (Master Turner and Owner of LaCasse Bats) who provided me with UROCK's iPad2 and UROCK's newest Google Chromebook that this blog was built on, he is well on his way and the growth and development of his small business is strong as the wood he crafts into homerun machines. Custom made wooden baseball bats from his backyard of trees in Skowhegan, Maine, quite impressive.  He is busy turning trees into baseball bats and turning a lot of heads in how much work he is doing building his business. The Boston Globe took notice and took the drive up 95North to capture this Bat Making Man.  Jesse, UROCK and I will see you this weekend for your GRAND SLAM OPENING!  

My dear friend and terrific neighbor, Ms. Jessica Todd of jessica todd who inspires me everyday with her independence, the culture she has built at her establishment. This salon is a touch of Manhattan right inside our mini-city of Downtown Portsmouth.  Jessica motivates me everyday as she continues to build her brand and leads a team of extraordinary women. I owe an immense attitude of gratitude towards Jessica and her staff for believing in UROCK and for hosting that past two January Dream Board Parties. A young Jess Todd was at the very first UROCK Dream Board Party held at Le Club Boutique/City Shoes, owner Cathy Reddington gave UROCK it's start in Portsmouth and I will never forget that. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of 2011.  My goal was to have 12 people there, the twelfth person to arrive that special evening, was my new friend and neighbor jt! She walked in, on a mission to put her dreams on a board, 'turn her ideas into cash' 'entrepreneur' 'be a change' 'take the leap' 'start her own salon' …. less than 8 months later, Jessica Todd became a small-business owner in a BIG WAY!  Her Grand Opening of jessica todd was on October 5th, 2012 and the salon was packed!  Since then she and her team have never looked back! Only going forward in a big way.  UROCK is so thrilled and honored to call jessica todd a partner.  Thank you Jessica, your establishment is where the passion for hair design lives and it shows!  You are a true artist, a balayage badass, and an incredible leader in this community.  Your future is as bright as your branding wall inside the salon. Boom! Keep making it great!

And to my newest Seacoast Friend, Brian Capobianchi.  Known coast to coast, meaning… WORLDWIDE. He is known as "bcap."  This true artist of free thought music is the smoothest lyricist in the industry. No doubt! His creativity and dedication to his craft is awe-inspiring and I can not wait to see what this future holds for him, for us. Everyday, every performance, he gets better. His voice and lyrics are captivating and his talent is extremely versatile. Brian and one of his business partners who is one of the best DJ's in the game, Ryan Obermiller, together the dynamic duo make up, DATACET (Pronounced: day'tah'set).  DATACET has performed as the headline musical performance for three different UROCK events.  The past two Dream Board Parties and the One Year Anniversary of jessica todd. Anytime UROCK plans an event with a business owner immediately bcap's name is brought to the table. Although his newest album is entitled, HIDEOUT, this artist will be seen and heard all over the world, follow him now you will be impressed. http://www.bcapmc.com/tour/  -- You will be moved. I also owe him a huge thanks because he did all the heavy lifting in building and launching www.urockmarketing.com. Being able to catch an inside look at what Brian can do as an musician, as an artist, as a graphic-designer, now website creator, and overall leader in our community is quite impressive. He pushes me to be better. I just hope UROCK can catch up with him. Mr. Capobianchi is well-traveled, tour dates galore, and is currently sitting on the brink of something very exciting! Thanks bcap, UROCK!  Keep bringing your words to our world, you are making an amazing impact. Music Changes Everything and you my friend are a game changer.

This is just a glance at three rockstars that believe in me and helped me to keep the UROCK Dream alive and have assisted in building the UROCK Brand. My advice to all, Dream Big!  Do not let anyone tell you that you can not achieve your dreams, or that your dream is too grand.  UROCK Marketing wants to help everyone's dreams come true and help enhance the lives of everyone they come in contact with, I believe UROCK can do it.  From childhood I owe it to my Wonderful Mother, she instilled in me, You can do anything, you put your mind to."  And it was just today that my wonderful Mother sent me a text that instantly went up as UROCK's Facebook status: "sometimes you have to jump just to see if you can fly!"

From my Mother, to my close-knit family and hometown friends, to the three super stars I mentioned above; Jesse, Jessica, Brian, and the rest of URockstars this is for you, I do what I do for the dreamers, and I get by with a little help from my friends…
 

Here's to family, friends, and fellow entrepreneurs: All of us stepping up our game in 2014.  UROCK is ready to do it. I'm online, I'm in business, it takes teammates to win, I like my chances, because I think I am surrounded by a DREAM TEAM!  

Make 2014 Your Year that changes your life. UROCK's Chief Igniter, -Nick Mirabello

1st blog post of my UROCK Journey, 3/17/14, cool.  CHEERS!