A couple of people around the webiverse, such as Gary Veynerchuk, have brought up the idea of personal branding as of late. It has really got me thinking about mine. As I look around mostly in the world I see so many people trying to fit themselves into an identity that just seems odd to me. Against their nature sort of thing. I hope it’s not because now I’m old and closed-minded. Those are things I rail against on a regular basis, but who knows maybe I am becoming a curmudgeon. I guess I should explain a little. This topic has been noodling around in my head for about a week and I guess I was just looking for inspiration. Anyway, I was getting gasoline here in rural Florida just outside of Tampa and this kid drives up in a big hoompty blasting his hardcore music. I dunno, to me it just seemed…. stupid. He has no idea of the trials that the rapper was spewing. Hell, the rapper more than likely has no idea of the trials he was rapping about. Sure, at one time it was the poetry of the streets. Now, it’s just another easily marketable type of music. Sorry. It is.

Anyway, this made me wonder how I see myself and how others see me as well. For more than a decade now, I have been “Steve the DJ” or “DJ Steve” or whatever name that was thrown on me to differentiate me from the ‘other’ Steve’s. That has really been it really. Other than that I was “Kristen’s husband, Steve”. Other than that, I don’t really know what I was. Since I am no longer the latter, I don’t really want to be the former either. I have done it long enough. It has run it’s course. Now it’s time for something new. What, I’m not completely sure. I have some good ideas. All based in this space. So what am I now? Just another webspace wannabe? Perhaps. But it’s time to create my new dream. Stake my claim. Plant my flag. Mark my turf. (I can’t think of anything other cliche’s.) Take my passions and combine them in a way that’ll blow your mind. (At least for a minute anyway.) I think I like this for my personal brand: Ultimate Steve, Emperor of the Omniverse. Hey, I gotta dream big!