John Bradley "JJ" Jackson

The phrase “Band of Brothers” has always stuck with me. It’s about a team so tight that trust runs deep, egos fade, and everyone’s got each other’s back. It comes from Shakespeare’s Henry V, when King Henry tells his outnumbered troops: “We few, we happy few,

Not all great leaders are loud. Some of the most effective leaders I’ve known rarely raise their voices—or even their profiles. They don’t lead with speeches or slogans; they lead through quiet integrity, steady presence, and consistent action. This is called silent leadership which is a style

As some of you know, I am one of the founders of Titan Angels* (www.titanangels.com) which is an early stage angel (i.e. seed) fund. I am frequently asked about the typical angel investor criteria for early stage startup investing. My experience is that individual investors may have

Now that is a heavy question. Is it not? Yet, there must be some reason that you are here on this planet at this time. This type of question can motivate some to study philosophy and others to enter the seminary. Or, you could consider good old fashioned denial and

I once looked back on my youth in the 1960s and 1970s and thought: “People then had fewer distractions, more community, and a stronger sense of possibility.” It felt like a golden age. But now, after decades of observing change and after watching a powerful video titled “Bigger Homes, Better

Groupthink happens when a group’s desire for harmony and agreement outweighs its ability to make sound decisions. In these situations, people tend to suppress dissenting opinions and overlook alternatives just to maintain a sense of unanimity. The result? Often you get poor decisions made in the name of consensus.

Jane Goodall’s passing gives me pause to reflect on the impact of her work and on our brief encounter years ago. About fifteen years ago, my daughter invited me to an event at UC San Diego celebrating the local chapter of Roots and Shoots, the youth program founded by

Much of my life, professionally and personally, has been dedicated to achievement. I’m a goal-oriented person, and yes, an avid list maker. In fact, I keep lists of lists: to-do lists, bucket lists, Christmas lists. You get the picture. Busy has always felt best. Every now and then, though,

When you write your first check as an angel investor, the excitement is real. You’re backing a founder, an idea, and maybe even the next big thing. But here’s the question that matters most: how do you get your money back, hopefully with a return? When? That’s

You’ve heard of Baby Boomers. You’ve heard of Gen X. But tucked right between them is a group you may not know: Generation Jones.* Born roughly between 1954 and 1965, they missed Woodstock but were too old for grunge. That is so me. I was witness but not

We’ve all been there. Job loss, a startup collapse, the end of a relationship. In those moments, it’s easy to feel like everything is broken beyond repair. The voice in your head whispers: all is lost. I know that voice well. Back in the early 2000s, when the

Ethics is about more than personal gain or what you can get away with. It’s about recognizing that there is such a thing as right and wrong. And our choices affect others. When we talk about “others,” it’s easy to think of family, friends, and colleagues. But ethics

“Dumb” angels aren’t careless. They’re just too narrow. In this case, they only invest in industries they already know by concentrating risk and missing out on bigger opportunities. The risks of staying in one lane: * All your bets rise and fall with one market. * They overlook disruptive startups

America is getting older and that’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity. By 2030, the number of people aged 65 and older will double, creating one of the biggest demographic shifts in history. These aren’t the frail retirees of the past. Today’s seniors are healthier, wealthier,

I am often asked what do startup investors (seed, angel or venture) really want beside a ten to twenty times return on investment in five to seven years? I know that sounds greedy but most of their investments will not succeed. Thus, they need a few of their investments to

"The most beautiful love stories are written by broken people, because they know the cost of love and the weight of loss." - Unknown When someone has been broken by grief, by betrayal, or by dreams that never came true, they carry scars that never fully fade. And

To Whom it May Concern I have been thinking a lot about you since we last met. You are truly a wonderful person and I am honored to know you. I know that you have some tough choices to make. Some choices are black and white, but many are just

Forget the old script: “Go to college and get a job.” That’s yesterday’s plan. Today the numbers now tell a very different story: * Nearly 19% of adults in America are currently launching or running new businesses. Babson Thought & Action * Among 18- to 24-year-olds: about 24% are already

“Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me?” – Walt Whitman Extroverts and introverts bring different strengths to the table, but in business, extroverts often have the edge. Outgoing, talkative people naturally attract attention, build networks, and earn promotions because

Each generation is shaped by the events, culture, and technology of its time. You’ve probably heard the term “Generation X” used to describe the young rebels of the late 20th century. Then came Millennials, a label once new and sometimes controversial, but now widely accepted. Millennials, born roughly between

“As seen on TV” is a marketing label originally tied to products advertised through direct-response television commercials and infomercials in the United States. These ads, often two-minute spots or 30-minute programs, promoted gadgets, household tools, exercise equipment, health and beauty items, toys, and more, with ordering via toll-free phone numbers.

Most of us played rock, paper, scissors as kids. It’s a simple hand game where two players count to three and then reveal either a fist (rock), a flat hand (paper), or two fingers (scissors). The winner is decided by the rules: rock crushes scissors, scissors cut paper, and