They say behind every successful person is a strong support system, and often, that support system begins at home. As Father’s Day approaches, we have a unique opportunity to celebrate the exceptional dad who not only conquers the world of marketing but also conquers our hearts.
Have you ever imagined yourself in a bustling boardroom filled with sharp minds and creative ideas?
Rethinking Fatherhood in the Marketing Industry
The marketing industry is gradually redefining traditional gender roles, allowing fathers to play a more active role in their children’s lives. Companies and organizations are recognizing the importance of supporting working fathers by offering parental leave, flexible work hours, and dedicated spaces for childcare. These initiatives promote a healthier work-life balance and contribute to a more inclusive work environment.
Related: Influencer Marketing for B2B: Tips and Tricks
Featuring Two Exceptional Father Influencers: Matt Bailey and Shawn Nason
In this Father’s Day article, we feature two inspiring marketing influencer’s dads:
- Matt Bailey, who gave up and sold his agency business to invest more time with his daughters. Matt’s decision to take paternity leave and actively participate in his children’s upbringing not only enriched his personal life but also influenced his professional journey.
- Shawn Nason, amidst the high-stakes discussions and power-packed presentations, this remarkable individual has managed and maintained a secret superpower – being a father.
Here are the insights of our featured dad influencers:
Embracing Fatherhood while Thriving in Marketing: How Have You Seamlessly Integrated Your Role as a Father Into Your Professional Endeavors?
Matt Bailey:
Socrates said, “The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing.” That describes my role in attempting to integrate my part as a father into my professional endeavors.
My job, as a father, is to invest in my wife and daughters. Nothing I could build would last longer than the impact I would leave on my daughters’ lives. At that realization, I immediately left work and went home to be with them, deciding later that week to sell my agency business.
Being asked to write about being a father makes me reflect on the times when I wasn’t so exceptional. There is never a seamless integration. It’s messy and complicated. And that’s OK because that means that you are struggling with the right things.
Instead of just building the careers of others through my training, I try to spend more time building relationships with each daughter. Encouraging each one of them in their talents by not only investing money in their interests, but attending, coaching, developing, and cheerleading. I’ve learned that it’s the everyday, simple things that mean the most; being there when they get a personal best race time, driving them to events that are hours away, or apologizing when I’ve done something wrong.
It makes for a messy schedule; it’s tiring and sometimes I grumble. Sometimes there is harmony, but that’s usually the exception. But nothing replaces the joy in my girls’ faces when dad is there to celebrate their victories, or just being there for them to talk, vent, or cry.
Shawn Nason:
Integrating fatherhood into professional endeavors involves flexibility, setting boundaries, prioritizing, delegating, open communication, leading by example, and self-care. Being flexible with work schedules and exploring remote options allows for quality family time. Establishing clear boundaries helps separate work and personal life. Identifying priorities and delegating tasks alleviates pressures.
Open communication fosters understanding and support. Leading by example instills values in children. Taking time for self-care ensures better management of responsibilities. Every individual’s approach may differ, but these strategies help seamlessly blend the roles of a father and a professional.
Lessons in Work-Life Integration from Matt Bailey: How Are You Able to Manage and Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance?
Matt Bailey:
I haven’t always been able to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I was driven to build my marketing agency and was very successful. But to accomplish this, it took long hours at the office and weeks away from home speaking at conferences and events around the world.
I remember the day that I was reading an article about work-life balance. While more than 10 years ago, the details are still fresh in my mind. I realized at that moment that all my work won’t impact the people who are closest to me and depend on me the most. My family was the only people in this world who would truly value and appreciate my time.
What’s the secret to a harmonious personal and professional life? I found that when I invested more time into the lives of my family and was more interested in them and their needs than the needs of my clients, they were much more supportive of my work. Having that support makes the work balance easier and more efficient.
Being a husband of 26 years and father of 4 young women – and an entrepreneur? I don’t know much, but I’m always learning.
Shawn Nason:
This answer will almost match exactly what I wrote above. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance involves prioritizing, setting boundaries, and self-care. By identifying key priorities, I ensure that important aspects of my personal life receive adequate attention. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal time helps me create separation and dedicate quality moments to family, hobbies, and relaxation. Additionally, prioritizing self-care activities, such as exercise and rest, enables me to recharge and approach both work and personal responsibilities with renewed energy and focus.
Getting to Know These Exceptional Father
Matt Bailey:
Matt Bailey has become a legend when it comes to training people with digital marketing strategies that bring results. He is also a founder and lead instructor of SiteLogic. His objective is to educate marketers on discovering effective strategies, comprehending the underlying reasons for their success, and harnessing the obtained data to generate increased revenue. Just like what he values in his professional development, “always be learning.”
Matt started his entrepreneurial journey in 1997 by establishing an online real estate business. After selling that venture, he entered the field of enterprise software sales, focusing on international accounts. Eventually, he founded his own marketing company, SiteLogic, in 2006.
Matt has also authored these 3 books:
- Internet Marketing an Hour a Day
- Wired to be Wowed
- Teach New Dogs Old Tricks
In his personal life, Matt enjoys the tranquility of Ohio with his wife and four incredible daughters, indulging in hobbies such as beekeeping and reading over a cup of coffee.
You can catch Matt Bailey at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbaileysitelogic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbaileys
Shawn Nason:
Shawn Nason is a remarkable individual who has made a significant impact in various fields. As the founder and CEO of MOFI, a bestselling author, and a former Walt Disney Imagineer, he is known for his unwavering commitment to creating transformative relationships with everyone he encounters. Shawn possesses a unique gift of discernment, allowing him to walk alongside individuals and organizations, assisting them in connecting with their deepest passions and overcoming their greatest challenges. His approach is rooted in encouraging genuine presence, authenticity, and empathetic leadership.
With a strong desire to challenge the status quo, Shawn empowers change-makers to invest their hearts into their work, while also emphasizing the importance of humanizing the overall experience. He is a sought-after speaker and host of The Combustion Chronicles podcast.
He authored 2 books:
- Kiss Your Dragons: Radical Relationships, Bold Heartsets, & Changing the World (2021); and
- The Power of YES! in Innovation (2017)
You can catch Shawn Nason at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasonshawn/
Website: https://shawnnason.com/
What I Think: Inspiring the Next Generation
One of the most remarkable qualities of these marketing influencer dads is their ability to inspire the next generation. They know how to go beyond their professional accomplishments to instill in their children a love for creativity, entrepreneurship, and the power of effective communication. Matt and Shawn are shaping the future of marketing by nurturing their children’s interests and encouraging their unique talents.
What I Think: Leading by Example
This exceptional marketing dad understands that true leadership goes beyond the boardroom. They lead by example, teaching their children the importance of being humble, sympathetic, gracious, integrity, and perseverance. These qualities not only contribute to their success in the marketing world but also serve as a foundation for their children’s personal and professional growth.
Learn from the 4 Fathers Who Shaped the Evolution of B2B Marketing
Wrapping Up
As Father’s Day approaches, we honor the exceptional dads who not only excel in the marketing industry but also conquer our hearts. The marketing industry is evolving to support working fathers, offering parental leave and flexible work options.
In this article, we highlighted two influential marketing dads: Matt Bailey and Shawn Nason. Matt’s decision to prioritize his daughters led him to sell his agency business and invest more time in their lives. Shawn, a former Disney Imagineer, seamlessly integrates fatherhood into his professional endeavors. Both dads emphasize the importance of relationships, everyday gestures, and being present for their children. They lead by example, challenge norms, and inspire the next generation.
These exceptional fathers remind us that success extends beyond the workplace, making a lasting impact on their families and shaping the future of marketing.
