The JBE is not a rock band, but it could be. If it was, it would be like the Canadian indie band, Hollerado, logging over 12,000 miles of “crap Canadian winter driving in 28 days,” to complete their RESIDENCY TOUR, believing in their music long before anyone knew who they were, epitomizing how far passion can carry you.
Elements of the JBE are deeply rooted in the DIY ethic that infused so much of punk and indie rock from say, 1977, until it changed forever with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in 1992. Music is a big part of the JBE journey, so I wanted to put that out there. How big a part you ask? I once drove 400 miles to Princeton, New Jersey to see Guided by Voices play back in 1994. I also taught myself to play guitar, have done some 4-track home recording, and have always wanted to be a rock star. Not being one has never diminished my belief in the power of music and song (or narrative, for that matter).
Like the DIY music scene, the JBE is about figuring out a personalized and often unconventional way of doing things. Some people use the hackneyed expression, “thinking outside the box,” even though they’ve never had an unconventional thought in their lives.
The JBE is about looking at new ways to see the world, interact, and partner. Over the past 10 years, I have been very successful cultivating partnerships, with businesses, community-based organizations, and nonprofits, libraries. I’ve also written three books and continue as a successful entrepreneur and micro-press publisher.
The JBE values authenticity, books, blogging, stories, local businesses, social media, and a whole bunch of other stuff that you’ll soon find out about by reading my regular blog posts.
The “…learn, unlearn, relearn” tagline on my home page comes from Alvin Toffler. A noted futurist, writer, and global influence, I first discovered Toffler during my 14th year of life when I read Future Shock. I’ve been coming back to his continually evolving work for almost four decades. I’ve also been influenced by the books of Seth Godin if that helps to frame me and my philosophy of life and work.
If you’re ready to choose a different path instead of doing the same thing over and over again (expecting different results), then you’re ready for the JBE.
The 21st century world we live in demands it.
Who is the JBE? from The JBE on Vimeo.