Jimmy Lynn on what went into his decision to stay in Our Town after grad school ~ "When I was coming out of AU after grad school, a couple mentors pulled me aside and said, you think you might need to move to New York or LA? I wasn't sure. And they said, you might be a small fish in a big pond. Why not stay here in DC where you can be a big fish in a medium sized pond." Jimmy Lynn, Entrepreneur, Servant Leader and Georgetown Professor and host Andy Ockershausen in studio interview Andy Ockershausen: This is Our Town. This is Andy Ockershausen. And this is such, I say this in all sincerity, a great, great opportunity and a pleasure to talk to a friend for many, many years. At one time, a big part of WMAL radio. Things have changed, Jimmy. The big days that you and I grew up are gone. But to have you in this studio to me is special and Jimmy Lynn, welcome to Our Town. Jimmy Lynn: Thank you, Andy. It's so great to be back to see you. To see Janice. To be back at the studios from back in the 80s when WMAL and Q107 were the kings of media. Andy Ockershausen: Jimmy, at one time we were the kings of media and we're still ... And Janice is the queen of media now. Jimmy Lynn: We know that. Andy Ockershausen: But Jimmy, if you recall, and I know you do, you got started in the business here. You were fortunate at the time as I was, because I started as you did. I started at the bottom and worked my way down. And you have done so much with your life and I want to talk about it but your DC career, to me, is special. You're a local guy that grew up here and made something out of being a local. Doing Business in Our Town – Big Fish, Medium Pond Jimmy Lynn: Yeah. No, that was very important to me. When I was coming out of AU after grad school, a couple mentors pulled me aside and said, you think you might need to move to New York or LA? I wasn't sure. And they said, you might be a small fish in a big pond. Why not stay here in DC where you can be a big fish in a medium sized pond. And you and Charlie Brotman told me the importance of networking and relationship building, shaking hands, and once you look someone in the eye to do business. So they said stay in DC. You're going to make friends. You're going to business together. You're going to celebrate together. You're going to go to funerals together. You have a chance to become the old boy network which you and Charlie were. Andy Ockershausen: Well, Jimmy, you're so right. And I had an opportunity yesterday to talk to a bunch of young people in something called Leadership Greater Washington. I happened to be one of the founders of the organization in 1986 and '87 was our first class. Nothing has changed, Jimmy. That's over 30 some years ago and it's still networking, getting around, connect the dots. There's no secret to be a success. Show up. Return your phone calls. Andy O, Jr. Jimmy Lynn: I don't think I've told you this but a couple of people have told me, Jimmy, you have one of the top five or top 10 rolodexes in the DC business community. And people used to call me Andy O, Jr. I always took that as a big compliment because you were the most connected guy in town. Andy Ockershausen: Well, because, I still use the old Rolodex. I can't use this thing that you have, Jimmy. And Janice does it. Ken does it. But I'm a dead duck. I can't do it. But my Rolodex is important to my life because I pop up names on there that I haven't talked to in years and suddenly there they are in my Rolodex. And people use me for references and I appreciate it so much. But Jimmy you learned the lesson. But learning it is one thing, executing it in which you did, your career, I never understood what a double alumnus is. American University Communications and Marketing Jimmy Lynn: I went to American University. I have my Communication degree as undergrad and then MBA in Marketing. Andy Ockershausen: I went to American University myself when I was an intern at WMAL.
Jimmy Lynn is an entrepreneur, college professor and servant leader. He’s spent a career in communications and marketing and a lifetime giving back to the community. He and Andy revel in each having the biggest “rolodex” and how that helps them connect the dots all for the good of the Our Town community. Be inspired to do good while listening to this interview. Following is a summary of what you’ll hear:
• Doing Business in Our Town – Big Fish, Medium Pond
• Andy O, Jr.
• American University Communications and Marketing
• Surround Yourself with Good People
• The Importance of Internships
• On the Greater Washington Sports Alliance and Olympics
• On the Importance of Giving Back to the Community and Board Service
• Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School
• Co-Founding Kiswe with Jeong Kim | Mobile Video
• Teaching at Georgetown University and the McDonough School of Business
• On AOL Sports Team | Built Largest Internet Sports Site in World
• WMAL | Tony Bennett and Marvin Hamlisch
• Community Service and Mentoring
• “Playing It Forward” Georgetown Hoyas’ Women’s Basketball Day Camps
• Professional Sports in Our Town Involved in Community
• Interactive Mobile Video | Kiswe
• Always Innovating - From Home Team Sports to AOL
The entire transcript for this podcast episode can be found on our website here:
https://ourtowndc.com/jimmy-lynn-entrepreneur-kiswe/
A special thanks to Our Town sponsors Attorney Mike Collins, The Eric Stewart Group, Tony & Joe's Seafood Restaurant and Nicks Riverside Grill.