Deep Thoughts, with Chad Clark
As we mourn the loss of our general, we are all left with the same question... Whats next? I have been thinking about this since I heard the news of his passing, and while there will never be another energy, light, force, and human like Vidal, we can't believe that this is the "end" of the craftsman. I hear leaders say that the next "Leader of the Industry" will be a Justin Bieber type, all personality and show, because the future of our industry is feared to be left in hands of the "NOW NOW NOW" generation. I must respectfully disagree. At this point, we are NOT going to change the game inside of what he built. the laws and fundamental of our technical craft have been discovered, and will continue to be the core foundation of how we approach the craft for decades to come. (IDK about you, but Im NOT cutting hair w Fire, hahaha) but I digress, because we can't change the game in that regard, the next revolution is going to be inspired by the idea that we CAN make the tread on the tire better, stronger and more efficient. We can make it last longer on the road, handle better, and get us from point A to B faster. But this is only the surface. Over my years in the industry, I have observed the leading brands, stage artists, mentors, leaders, call them what you wish. And the one thing I feel they all have in common is that THEY are successful. THEY build and focus on their name, with an army of drones that blindly believe that if they do what they are told they MIGHT be able to one day stand at the tool bar on the show room floor and watch the leaders on stage, while they sell the goods the companies brand package and sale. I did it myself for many years. But I believe the revolution will come from a place of Individual celebration of the artist themselves. Oliver and I built OC not to showcase ourselves, but to bring together the gleams of light left in the industry that are self motivated, savvy in business, hungry to grow, share and learn, AND master their technical abilities and service skills as well. Again, not a new idea, HOWEVER, the success of OC comes from the independent stars we bring in, build up, and give a platform to that once was only available from the P & G, Paul MItchells, Toni & Guys etc, the conglomerates w the money. We build these people up not to be the best for OC, but the best for themselves. This selfless, nurturing, and guiding approach is something that I feel is forgotten. Its not about the big name on the podium guys, its about YOUR name. Vidal, Paul, Anthony Mascolo, Robert Lobetta, Robert Cromeans, I could go on and on, they didn't build their empires by blindly following the flock, but by forging their own ways based on their undying ability to never compromise, lead from the heart AND the mind, and do it with love. Call me crazy, but I fell like this is where we will see the next movement in the industry come from. The Independent Artist, that was been trained to be a self made machine, so when they step on a stage w OC, or by themselves, the strength in their message comes from their own journey. Not from a cue card. Not from someone else's beliefs. But celebrating the artistry of the individual, making the people around us amazing, and allowing these amazing stars to use our platform we've built TOGETHER to change how we share information, the way we are perceived by outsiders of the industry, and the unity we will bring to the game. I know this is a long one, but it's been very heavy on my mind since Vidal left this place to move onto the next. We will make him proud, we will show him its not a forgotten cause, and that Rome can be rebuilt. Takes one man to lay the first brick. I think we can build it together. for ANYONE that took the time to read this rant, thank you. I respect admire and love the pioneers that have brought us to where we are now, but I firmly believe that we still have something to offer this industry that comes from passion, love, and lifting others up around us, not just following the flock, breaking their wallets to receive the information, and helping them attain the individual success WHILE being behind a team, not ONLY being on a team. BE your own entity. And see where it takes you. Your influence is stronger that you think, you just have to leap. Big Love, and much respect to ALL OF MY PEERS. c
