Mike VeeckMike Veeck is a nationally renowned speaker, entrepreneur, college professor, marketing, promotions and advertising expert as well as an owner of six successful minor league baseball teams.

This is Mike Veeck. 

Mike Veeck is a nationally renowned speaker, entrepreneur, college professor, marketing, promotions and advertising expert as well as an owner of six successful minor league baseball teams, including the St. Paul Saints.

If you are old enough to remember KC and the Sunshine Band, you might know of a particular promotional event that hastened the end of the disco craze. The Disco Demolition promotion, July 12th, 1979 at the Chicago White Sox vs Detroit Tigers double header.  If you aren't quite to my advanced age or need a refreser, take a quick look at this Youtube video. As interesting and memorable as this is, it certainly was the beginning of a tough stretch for Mike.

As my business and my portfolio career continue to evolve, yesterday I took my first stab at reporting for the local paper. My first assignment - cover a seminar called "Fun is Good" featuring Mr. Veeck.

Feeling pretty solid on the photography side didn't quite ease my anxiety about actually writing a story for the paper on this event, but there I was, determined to do my best.

As the event gets started, I'm working the back of the room with a long lens so that I am not distracting from the presenter - just like I would have done in the past at weddings. However, much to my alarm, Mike Veeck points back at me and says "Are you taking photos of me?"  Of course, I nod my head yes and he immediately calls me to the front of the room.  So much for being inconspicuous. As I am coming to the front, he plops down on his knees so I am taking a photo from above him to make sure his chin looks good.  Ok, this guy is funny stuff.

What followed was three great hours of Mike Veeck and his co-presenter Fran Zeuli talking about making sure there is fun in the workplace and in your career and in your life.  Even better, when the presentation was done and everyone else left, I got to sit down to talk face to face. Interview style for my big article.

I got a ton out of it, but more so for me as a creative than anything I put in the article. Tons of validation for me as I embrace the concept of portfolio career. Turns out Mike Veeck is the perfect example for making a portfolio career work.  He "gets" the challenges that a creative like me struggles with.

End of the day, I get the first step toward one more element of my portfolio career by adding "reporter", but I also got to be inspired by a guy who has overcome challenges that put some of my darkest moments to shame.  I immediately began to read his book and you can be sure I'll be trying to learn more.

Yup, a funny thing happened at work today.

PJ