Aydika James here, M1000 Communications Samurai.
My March 2011 kicked off with a bang and just got “bangier” as the month progressed—because I had the joy of meeting so many of YOU at Yanik’s Underground 007. Once again, I came home wildly inspired and fired up with ideas and insights—and most importantly, with a deeper sense of who Mavericks are and the phenomenon that brings this amazing group of individuals together. Like Yanik says, it really is the “Maverick DNA”—a shared set of values, spirits and perspectives ties us all together, regardless of age, style, location and industry (and most Mavericks have a handful of each).
“Think like a genius, build like a powerhouse, give like an angel, party like a rock star.” Yup: I think that just about sums up every Maverick I’ve met.
So before I get too mushy on you (and hoo boy, could I), I’m gonna let the other Maverick1000 members take it away with their highlights from UG7. But one last thing I have to say before I go:
The Dan Sullivan Exclusive Pre-Day seminar really left a huge impact on me—on the way I think, make choices, and recognize my goals and achievements. I couldn’t speak more highly of the experience. Putting what I learned from Dan into action this month, combined with the ideas and insights shared by each of you…well, all I can say is: wow. Talk about covering some serious ground in my life.
I also appreciated Dan’s compassion for the—er, “ADD” tendencies of many entrepreneurs, when he included mini-stretch sessions into his full-day presentation. (I’m hyperactive yes, but in this case, I really just got a kick out the view…)
…….In any case: Thank you Dan. Thank you Yanik. Thank you every Maverick1000 member out there, for grabbing the bull by the horns to live life to the fullest—and inspiring everyone around you in the process. I can’t wait to meet you all.
And now Mavericks: Take it away.
—Aydika, M1000 Communications Samurai
PS: Got something to say about this article? Leave your comments in the “Reply” box below!
Valerie Young, Maverick1000 Member #33
As I take notes, I always star items I want to take action on—and I came away with 32 stars! The biggest marketing “Aha” was from Derek’s presentation, when he talked about some of the things that no longer work in online marketing. Big note to self: Change Change Change!
What I love about UG7 on a personal level is that it feels like a big reunion of friends. This was my 4th year, and every year I walk away with new ones.
— Valerie Young www.ChangingCourse.com
Jimmy Sweeney, Maverick1000 Member #21
(aka: “The UG7 Booth Babe”)
I’ll remember this weekend for a couple funny moments. Dori Friend took out about 15 of us in a Hummer limo (destination censored), including Mavericks Mike Geary and Drew Regitz (M1000 Member #3 & #83), among the crew. We get back at 3:30am, and the first person I see outside in front of the Gaylord is Brett Fogle (M1000 Member #71). I’m like, “What are you doing here/up?” We hung out in the lobby until the first speaker was on stage. Or close to it. The employees in the lobby were very nice and never said a word. They like the money Yanik brings here…and I think we were fairly entertaining.
And I will always remember this weekend for “WINNING!”…as so many of us couldn’t stop quoting the “Sheenisms” all over the news, following Charlie’s tweets in the sports bar and laughing our asses off., etc. Mike Hill (M1000 Member #17) had no idea about Charlie Sheen because he lives in Montana, so I handed him my phone to listen on, and his reaction was pretty good.
Oh yeah—Craig Handley (M1000 Member #69) slapping a big green Irish top hat on my head on the dance floor out of nowhere was pretty good… and here’s Yanik’s bro Adam in the middle of the competition looking beyond cocky. I predicted he’d win again and he DID! 🙂
—Jimmy Sweeney (…but you can call me Booth Babe)
Dori Friend, Maverick1000 Member #125
Biggest UG7 take away for me was getting unfiltered feedback from a customer who didn’t know I was the one he was talking about! (priceless). Biggest laugh: Seeing Chris Zavadowski’s face when the people I hired to act like the ABC Police asked him if he had a permit for Power Hour! ROLF (priceless)
Most exciting moment: I can’t talk about that one! 😉 — Dori
Mike Cline, Maverick1000 Member #61
I’d have to say that my awkward 7th grade slow dance at Casino Night with Susan Bratton was a good laugh. We tried to make it “extra 7th grade”—it was great. Meeting this woman Aydika James was quite inspiring as well; over the top Asian-American life seeker—and let’s not forget that while the porn industry may have killed itself monetarily, it’s still 25% of all internet traffic. The “Ah-ha” question is: How does one leverage that super cheap traffic? — Mike
Douglas Doebler, Maverick1000 Member #35
Awesome bonds and connections. Okay, so I know Mike Cline, M1000 Member #61 from the Maverick trip to Haiti, and Gerald Romaine, M1000 Member #34 from the Maverick trip to Aspen. So I had sushi lunch with them at UG7. I sat with them for one hour and listened intensely, as these guys talked about some really high level IM advertising stuff. After lunch I thought to myself, “Crap —I don’t think I even talked— these Maverick guys are so high level smart!” — Doug
Chris Zavadowski, Maverick1000 Member #4
Random Underground 007 Memories…
