Ken Shuler is an entrepreneur, investor, connector, strategist, writer, and speaker, driven by a passion for business. He has proven to be a versatile leader with extensive experience collaborating with global leaders and teams. Notably, he excels as a teacher, simplifying complex subjects and presenting them in an easily comprehensible manner. He has a knack for seeing connections between businesses, people, ideas, and trends. Ken enjoys discovering these connections and putting them together to create better outcomes for all.
In addition to his contributions to business, Ken has made a significant impact through his active participation in the non-profit sector.
Ken Shuler’s professional journey extends to noteworthy experiences with the World’s Finest Chocolate company, where, under his leadership, the company achieved record success. This includes reaching approximately $100 million in annual sales revenue, which at the time marked the highest figure in its 50-year history since its establishment. His outstanding communication skills and leadership have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in these accomplishments.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I try to start each day by first reviewing what I want to accomplish when the previous day is over. That way, my mind can be better prepared to dive into what needs to be accomplished. I then grab a great cup of coffee, sometimes with a bit of dark chocolate and cinnamon added, sit down at my computer, and begin checking correspondence and catching up on tasks. I go through an exercise routine that works for me. I enjoy it and do what I can to stay fit before starting my day.
My days often have meetings and Zoom calls lined up, so I schedule my work accordingly. I try to discipline myself to periodically get up and move, do some light exercise, go on a walk if it’s a nice day, and break the focus of sitting at my desk. Throughout the day I typically drink a lot of green tea. Love my Ember cup! Lately, I’ve been on a water kick and trying to drink at least 64 ounces each day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I have creativity in my DNA and love to exercise that part of my brain. For me, conducting a ton of research is critical. I consume information and data from everywhere I can find. It works best for me if I have a few days to work through this process so my subconscious can begin processing and formatting my ideas.
I often get ideas and inspiration at night while I should be sleeping or in the shower. I use a lot of legal pads and Post-it notes to capture my ideas. If all goes well, the inspiration and creativity just come to me and flow out. I can sit at my computer and type for long periods of time until I have exhausted the ideas in my head.
I like to sleep on it and then come back to it the next day to review, edit, update, and improve. If I have the luxury of a few days to do this, it often works best. To me this process is exhilarating, and I marvel at how amazing the brain is.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Of course, I believe AI will dramatically change our world and the technology is mind-boggling. So obviously, I am excited about that. However, I am even more excited about the blockchain and the changes adoption will bring to so many areas of finance, banking, investing, and physical assets.
Along with that, I believe the next few years are going to offer amazing opportunities with various cryptocurrencies. I believe it will be unprecedented. Yes, it will be crazy at times, but that is how progress is forged.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
For me, it begins with a goal and a commitment to accomplish what I set out to do. I am a very self-disciplined person and staying productive has never been an issue. Staying healthy and putting good things into my head, body, and life help a lot in this area.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Enjoy the journey more. It’s so easy to go after something and give it your all. The older I get, the more I realize how short life really is and how important it is to enjoy everything you can along the way. This is still a work in progress but I am getting better at it.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
Personally, it really doesn’t matter if people agree with me or not. I do what I believe is the right thing to do. However, if I had to choose one thing, I suppose it would be the afterlife. I have a very strong faith and have my own beliefs. It seems like there are so many conflicting ideas out there about that.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I am very open to alternative health solutions. It’s my opinion that in the next ten years, the health industry is going to dramatically change for the better in unimaginable ways. So, when I find a new health-related solution that works for me and excites me, I find it easy to share with others.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I find that going on a long walk or bike ride is the best thing for me to do to clear my head and discover solutions to issues that I am trying to solve. I continue to be amazed at how effective this is for me. It usually works like a charm.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I believe in the concept that if you want to do something, find out what others have done to be successful in that area, study it, learn from what they did. I would then use my own knowledge, creativity, and life experience to try and improve or reinvent the concept and make it my own. It’s no fun to just copy what others have done. The fun part is to create something new and different.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I was in an industry that had evolved and matured. It had clearly seen its best days as it was slowly shrinking and diminishing. I was dogmatically committed to finding a way to push through and make it work despite the changing direction of the industry.
I finally realized that it was much better to accept that fact and open my eyes to all options in other areas. What I discovered was that I was much happier and more successful doing something completely different, despite the countless years I had invested in my previous industry. It’s never too late to make changes. Discover what you love and go after it.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Never stop learning something new each day. Pick a concept that you know little about but one that interests or excites you. Commit to digging in and learning about it. Your mind has an endless capacity to learn and grow. This will keep your mind sharp and make you a more interesting person. Who knows what you will discover in this process if you are committed and determined?
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I absolutely love WhatsApp and use it all day long. It is such an easy way to communicate with people all over the world. Many years ago, I avoided it because I did not understand it and had not taken the time to properly investigate it. Now I don’t know how I would function without it.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
I recently discovered a new wearable technology utilizing patches that help to regrow stem cells. I have found it to be brilliant, amazing, and effective. It’s so easy and they work great. I love it.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
I try to keep up with many different podcasts and videos regarding the cryptocurrency markets. I am fascinated by how the industry changes at light speed. It’s impossible to keep up with all of it. Listening to these helps me to keep up with it as much as possible. It has taken me a long time to sort out for myself which ones I find credible and trust. There are a lot of questionable sources out there and I think it’s important for each person to discover which ones they personally enjoy and trust.
One of the many I enjoy and learn from is Mark Moss. He has a great way of communicating with people. I particularly love the detail he provides with charts, data, and details. He is also very good at digging into complex issues and making them easily understandable. I have never personally met him but I believe he is a trustworthy person.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I have loved the movie Top Gun since it first came out in the 80s. There is just something about the storyline, the jets, the speed, the competition, and the music that just gets me. So obviously I loved the new Top Gun: Maverick.