This past week I attended an evening cocktail function at our local university to welcome someone new into their faculty.  As cocktail parties go, it held the usual cast of characters – local community ‘movers and shakers’, ‘centers of influence’ and politico types.  In other words the ‘Suits’.

 Now, I have nothing against ‘Suits’…I simply choose not to wear the uniform or belong to their club.  I had to do it for 15 years in banking and am proud to say that I’m down to only one tie – the red one I wore for my photo shoot – and even that was given to me. (Ever notice how when you’re talking to a ‘Suit’ they keep turning their head from side to side trying to not choke to death on their blasted tie?)  

Instead, I walked in wearing jeans, t-shirt and a sport coat, partly out of rebellion, mainly out of comfort and simply because I have nothing to prove.  And I wasn’t the only one as three other entrepreneurs walked in with jeans on to help balance the room. 

That’s the beauty of running your own gig – you set the rules.  Sure there’s convention and decorum, but we’re expected to stretch and challenge it.  We’re entrepreneurs…it’s in our DNA – or to in the words of my friend Bob Parsons, CEO of GoDaddy.com “What are they gonna do…they can’t eat you”.  So the next time you’re invited to an event, remember to be yourself and make them conform to you.  

Dwain

The Biker Guy

As always – This is just my opinion, I could be wrong.  So, if you disagree or simply want to pile on, please do so either here on the BLOG or email me directly at Navigator@BikersGuidetoBusiness.Com  I look forward to hearing from you.

Being an entrepreneur holidays tend to sneak up on me. As usual, I’m cruising through my month with my head down only to wake up and wonder why the hell no one is working today. And where I normally curse the lost productivity on those off holidays, (President’s day, etc.) – I never, ever forget Memorial Day.

I come from a family of soldiers. My dad drove a tank in WWII and my brother was a gunner on a helicopter in Viet Nam. Both saw their share of action and where my dad said virtually nothing about his time there, I simply know my brother was shot down four or five times and thankfully survived.

As for me, I never served. Just before I turned 18 the Vietnam War was winding down and then President Nixon abolished the draft. So I simply moved forward and fulfilled my dream of bolting small town Louisiana. I never once stopped to understand the incredible sacrifices every man and woman in uniform made so I and countless others could just carry on with our lives without missing a beat.

Well, today I want to openly say thank you to all of the brave men and women that afforded me that opportunity. Without your sacrifice I’d not be able to do what it is that I love…and for damned sure I’d not be able to enjoy the freedom that riding brings.

Ride On

Dwain
The Biker Guy
Dwain DeVille is the author of the upcoming book, The Biker’s Guide to Business which will be available wherever books are sold August 31. If you want to know more about the restaurants and sights he enjoyed in New Orleans, go to his BLOG or email him directly at Navigator@BikersGuidetoBusiness.Com

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In my work with entrepreneurs we’re always talking about how to de-stress and clear our heads.  Some talk of fishing, others golf and others talk of yard work.  And where those weekend breaks certainly help, it’s universally agreed that in order to truly clear your head it takes at least a week away from the office.  Unless you ride of course. 

            This past Wednesday I, along with a couple of my business buddies hopped on our bikes and headed to New Orleans for their inaugural Bike Week.  Kickstands up at 6:00 a.m. we motored a total of 675 miles getting there in 11 hours.  It was a spectacular ride as the weather was totally in our favor and there was a minimum of bugs…the ingredients to a great ride. 

At the 300 mile mark I no longer thought or cared about work as it, instead it was all about the ride and being totally in the moment.  And that’s the beauty of riding in that we always have to be in the moment or else we’ll find ourselves laid out by a crazy cager.  No more work stress or thoughts of how to do things better, faster or smarter.  Just ride.

So the next time you find yourself needing a vacation, just hop on the bike and take a 300 mile ride.  That overnighter will refresh you as much as any week long vacation will.  The only problem is, you might now want to come home…

Dwain

The Biker Guy

As always – This is just my opinion, I could be wrong.  So, if you disagree or simply want to pile on, please do so either here on the BLOG or email me directly at Navigator@BikersGuidetoBusiness.Com  I look forward to hearing from you.

I know there are a lot of Business Bikers out there, most of whom fall into the weekend category.  And where that few hours here and there helps to clear the head and re-center us, a long ride is oh so different and magical. 

This week, two buddies and I rode into New Orleans to attend their inaugural Bike Week.  Kickstands up at 6:00 a.m. we hit the road for what would end up being eleven hours in the saddle covering 675 miles.  Yes, that much time in the saddle covering that many miles is grueling but entrepreneurs love to test our limits.  And there is no better way I can think of to test your endurance than having the wind in your face for an entire day. 

The bright blue sky along with the sights and smells take precedence over everything else and places you totally in the moment as every inch of cobweb and concern goes away.  Your mind begins to run free and you fall into a nice symmetry and flow with the traffic around you.  Truckers honk and kids wave as you pass them because the smile on your face tells them you’d rather be no place other than on this road at this time.

If you’ve not done it, do it.  Get with a buddy or two and plan an interesting 3-400 mile ride from where you are. Pack enough clothing so you can stay at least two days because you need to explore the countryside before returning.  In doing this you’ll discover what it’s like to totally Zen out on a bike and you never know what you’ll see…for the first time. 

And that’s a very good thing.

Dwain

The Biker Guy

As always – This is just my opinion, I could be wrong.  So, if you disagree or simply want to pile on, please do so either here on the BLOG or email me directly at Navigator@BikersGuidetoBusiness.Com  I look forward to hearing from you.