[quote style=”boxed”]The time is now, don’t wait to do something you love. Do it now. Ask yourself, “What am I waiting for?”[/quote]
Anna and Ken Boynton of Message Glue are communication consultants who create content, produce creative, and coach human executives to be better presenters. They know the onstage world well, having written and performed custom music, videos, presentations and comedy for too many companies to count. They’ve traveled the world acting, singing, and/or directing, licensed original music to films and TV, recorded 5 CD’s of original music, and directed 2 award-winning short films (one featured at Sundance). They’ve won awards for acting (Jeff Award), writing lyrics (Emmy), announcing (Mercury), acting for corporate video (Telly), & writing for corporate communications (Golden Quill).
What are you working on right now?
We just finished a presentation for Microsoft’s global sales meeting, and are now working on a presentation for an author whose book is just released. We’re crafting and coaching a company looking for funding, and getting the word out with some web media for a startup. Also, coaching speakers for a TEDx event and about to launch a Speaking Basics workshop to help people of all skill levels feel more at ease speaking in front of others.
Oh, and writing songs with my daughter and picking some tunes for our band.
What does your typical day look like?
Ken: Up early. Yoga. Check the email. Write. Record audio or schedule production. Media creation (videos and slides). Dog walking. Wine drinking. Guitar playing.
Anna: Dog walking. At the computer. Meetings and meetings. Yoga. Dinner with family and often friends. Some excellent Sci-Fi. Listening to guitar.
3 trends that excite you?
K: Social media, simplifying messages and the slow-but-steady demise of “corporate speak.”
A: A rediscovery of community. The awareness of the importance of a balance of health and work. Leopard print.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Every idea can be presented in a compelling way. Humans have responded to great stories since the dawn of time, and every idea leads to a story that has a human, emotional element that can be illuminated. We find ‘em and illuminate ‘em.
What inspires you?
Ken: My wife. My daughter. Great writing. A great song.
Anna: My husband. My family. Dogs. Anyone living in the fullness and vibrancy of their life’s force.
What is one mistake you’ve made, and what did you learn from it?
Ken: Giving untrustworthy people the benefit of the doubt. I’ve learned that no matter how much potential I see in someone, they may not see it in themselves.
Anna: Not trusting my gut. When I haven’t listened to that, I’ve ended up in situations that take too much energy and time to unravel.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Ken: If you connect emotionally with an audience, they will trust you and follow you.
Anna: Breathe.
What do you read every day, and why?
Ken: Too much email. The New Yorker. And Rolling Stone. The latter two remind me that art goes on and writing can take its time. Also, the cartoons keep me sane.
Anna: The New Yorker. Cesar Milan newsletter. The New Yorker, which stimulates my intellect and takes me into experiences I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. Much of what Cesar writes about not only pertains to dogs, but also applies to people. Most of the messages about being calm, assertive, focused, living in the moment…these are all essential to being a good leader, a good speaker and a good human.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read, and why?
Lead From the Heart by Mark C. Crowley. It proves that we all thrive when we’re respected and encouraged.
What is your favorite gadget, app or piece of software that helps you every day?
Ken: My macbook pro-with Keynote, Microsoft Word (and Final Draft when I write for video).
Anna: The iPad.
Who would you love to see interviewed on IdeaMensch?
Mark C. Crowley, author of Lead From The Heart
Megan Gaiser, Chief Strategic Creative Officer for Her Interactive
What’s the most exciting thing about your work?
When we help someone connect their messages and delivery to the very same internal qualities and talents that make that person unique, it’s magical.
After 2 near-death experiences, what have you learned?
Ken: To make every second count, and that nothing is really worth getting too stressed about.
Anna: And the time is now, don’t wait to do something you love. Do it now. Ask yourself, “What am I waiting for?”
Connect
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Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.