Jason Pinchoff

Make sure you use your history as a tool to help others.

 

Originally from Hollywood, Florida, Jason Pinchoff knew from an early age that through his passion for style and dedication to hard work, an ethic developed from watching his father, he was going to make a difference. Jason harnessed the power of his mother’s life-affirming approach to adversity and began to change his future. In his 20s, Jason began his career at HQ Creative, an advertising and content marketing-company, where he developed a knack for events, budget management, client relations and multimedia producer and post production supervisor. His career escalated to playing key roles on campaigns for such major brands as iHeartRadio, the Walt Disney Company and The McGraw Hill Corporation. His unique mix of business savvy and street smarts, coupled with his determination to spread the positive outlook that saved him, indicated his next step was that of entrepreneur where he founded A PINCH LIFE a boutique fashion company. A PINCH LIFE’s “I Don’t Do Ugly” anti-bullying campaign combines his love of design and giving back.

Where did the idea for A Pinch Life come from?

For me, everything I do has a personal connection to my history.
I had to grow up pretty quick and was given a heavy reality after being orphaned. It left me with a feeling that whatever I do has to make an impact and hold a value to giving-back.

It took a while, but when I launched the Foundation, in honor of my mom, it was to make sure everyone had someone to talk to. That is the most valuable asset I can give of myself where I know first hand how they are feeling. Being able to bring joy to kids leaves me speechless. I am just grateful I can help where I can.

A PINCH LIFE was inspired because of my Foundation. I saw a need and thought fashion would be a universal language and platform to bring awareness to cancer, but also have a bigger mission that brings joy in hard times. I believe fashion, even something as small as a hat can be a powerful truth.

That is why I created KiDS DAY through the Foundation and have since held 8 KiDS DAY events in hospitals where we give kids fighting cancer hats and paint. It is all centered on the idea of a hat equals “security blanket” to these amazing children. I think our gift is we get to tap into this unknown energy and just for a minute express ourselves and feelings through art with fashion.

Later, I had the AH HA MOMENT remembering back to my mom, father and sister when my mother would get chemo treatments… Her quote while she battled breast cancer when I was a child… “I will not let the ugly of cancer change who I am” so I wanted to take her unbelievable self empowerment and turn it into a movement for all ugly situations we all face at one point in our lives. I launched the “I DON’T DO UGLY” social awareness fashion campaign and it so far has been an amazing energy of real people, sharing real stories, taking selfies and videos holding up signs they make with our #IDontDoUgly slogan around the world.

It just goes to show you, KINDNESS is a beautiful vibe and we all need more of it in our life.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I wake up around 5 am every morning… hit that power button on my coffee machine (which I set up the night before for efficiency) make my bed and start to either turn on the news or listen to music while I go through emails and begin to plan the day. I do this even on weekends or vacation. So I find keeping my mindset in that “hustle” mode is my way to always be ready. I can get a call “hey Jason, so and so is in the studio and wants to chop it up” and I need to be ready in a minute, not 20.

How do you bring ideas to life?

First, I like to overthink every move I believe the idea will need. It’s my proverbial chess game. Once I have the basic foundation, I then jot it all down, research and print everything out… I will literally lay every single piece of paper out to walk through my idea. I am a very visual learner and need to see it all together.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I love how fashion is crossing over into so many different areas of culture and design. To me, getting a collaboration with a company like Nike, you get to explore a history behind something embedded in so many cultures in many different ways– if I can be a part of that trend, it would be one of the coolest honors…

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I set small daily goals… Business can have a lot of unknown elements so when you give yourself “Daily Goals” you train yourself to achieve. Every day small tasks over time have a bigger impact than you might realize.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Spend more time with my family… It’s one of my most absolute heartaches regrets as an adult. As kids hanging with our parents isn’t cool, but when you grow up those are the most valuable assets you will ever achieve in wealth; memories!

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Launching A PINCH LIFE’S I Don’t Do Ugly as a Fashion Social Awareness campaign has been one of those ideas that you either get it or you don’t. What is odd is those who don’t get it right way usually have a negative energy or outlook on certain life situations or having grown up yet.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

There are a few, but the main thing is always take time to appreciate the small life moments. I am learning to take a step back and enjoy the small goals/victories no matter what else is happening. Giving myself that “you did this” gives me the okay that this process is working.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I listen… I observe everyone and listen to everything said! I believe the only way for me to hold any value is to be the most informed and only speak up when I know what I am speaking on.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

My organizational skills are my weak points. I am really good at planning, developing… But all my files and folders and subfolders on my laptop create so many levels of failure… I just wish there was an app or website that just knew how my brain worked.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I thought about developing a personal app that would go through all my contacts, emails, texts and would automatically divide up and label– give me a nightly recap with suggestions to add into address – notes – calendar.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Right before Bitcoin threw the world on its head… It was really fun getting into the digital money. Still got a lot of learning to do, but that’s half the fun. The idea behind digital money just excites me and I hope to be more involved in my future.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Oh My – Grammarly… someone recently turned me onto this brilliant plug-in. Saves me every single day! Thank you grammarly!

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Well, I would highly recommend “Living With Life the Beginning” since its my very personal poetic autobiography I just released. It’s about my first 18 years and how going from everything amazing to left orphaned but unstoppable. It will change your life and inspire you to stop talking and start living!

What is your favorite quote?

“It Is What It Is” I know there is no true pinpoint moment who said it first in history, but the idea behind it can be depicted in many ways depending on the individual.

I always view it in the positive mindset to anything happening that is out of my control. I feel that is more Buddhism, which I do love their point of view on life and inner peace.

Key Learnings:

• We need to be more open to change
• One can learn much more by listening than always speaking.
• Personal time is our greatest wealth.
• Surround yourself with positive individuals.
• Make sure you use your history as a tool to help others.

Connect:

jasonpinchoff.com
idontdougly.com

instagram.com/jpinchoff instagram.com/idontdougly