Summary: MIKE ALEXANDER INSPIRES THE GEARHEADS<br><br> <br> Episode nineteen brings the inspiration and life lessons themes.<br> Mike Alexander is the Tim Ferriss of the automotive world.<br> He’s an example of inspiration, dedication and vision. A pioneer in the digital publishing world, he has moved seamlessly to manufacturing some of the most ground-breaking air ride systems. Living proof that hard work pays dividends, he opens up about design, school and instinct. Along the way, he lays out a master plan for making it through work, work, work.<br> …and then we discuss nipples. Like you’d expect any less.<br> THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:<br> <br> * An awkward discussion glides seamlessly into a podcast<br> * Starting with a letter to the Editor of MiniTruckin’ to land that first gig<br><br> – Renting a car a twenty one and holding tripods<br> * The humble beginnings of mini trucks and the lifestyle<br><br> – “Second car poor” lifestyle<br> * The constant shifting of magazine ownership<br><br> – The “perfect 24”<br> * The passion of building a brand<br> * Self employment for better or worse<br> * Shop names in hindsight<br><br> – The value of projecting your business name on your future self<br> * Starting early has value (and impresses Brian)<br> * The digital revolution<br><br> – The politics which prevented growth<br><br> – Missing social media and more by twenty years<br> * Plotting a future, post-magazine life<br> * Rev’d Media, Slam’d Mag and a talent pool of incredible proportions<br><br> – Deliberate quality standards<br><br> – When Jalopnik doesn’t compare<br><br> – The coffee table book of digital<br> * The value and non-value of formal education<br> * Knowing what to apply and when<br><br> – Following your interests; pursuing what you love<br> * Max and Brian’s metaphysical discussions serve as an example<br> * NEVER giving up<br> * Bring passionate enough to get mad at your passions<br> * Balancing character with nervous energy<br> * “Smile at hardship”<br><br> – Working with struggle to forge character<br><br> – Fight over flight every time<br> <br> A VERY NON AIR-FRIENDLY JOKE WAS REMOVED HERE FOR YOUR SAFETY.<br> <br> * The podcast is not sponsored by a condom company<br> * An absolutely terrifying Michael Jackson joke<br><br> – Eric made us keep it<br> * The small business-as-child metaphor<br> * Creative brain equals no sleep<br> * The value of compartmentalization<br> * Koala bears and chlamydia<br><br> – Dancing in a golden shower of bear urine<br> * SEMA insight from every angle<br><br> – Building a vehicle and the challenges presented<br><br> – Cost vs ROI of booth space<br> * <a href="https://roundsixpod.com/2018/07/13/the-strange-thing-is/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sponsorships</a> revisited<br><br> – Representing your sponsor product’s company through your creation<br><br> – Responsibility weighs heavy<br><br> – The importance of effort and how it reflects in all directions<br><br> – “How you do anything is how you do everything”<br><br> – Or “grip the banister with both cheeks”<br><br> – Brian’s lack of a trigger<br><br> – The value of spelling “sponsorship” correctly<br><br> – Sponsorship is the pro-level of building<br><br> – Trade-level value<br> * Mike and Brian plot matching SEMA tattoos<br> * FLO Airride Manufacturing!<br><br> – A bespoke line of air ride systems<br><br> – A unique compressor<br><br> – Billet vs inferior materials<br><br> – Addressing longevity through design<br> <br> <br> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-round-six-podcast/id1331245201?mt=2" style=""></a>
