John Bradley "JJ" Jackson

Excellence in Entrepreneurship

I was honored to be nominated again for the 2026 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards by the Orange County Business Journal. Recognition like this is appreciated, but it also makes me reflect. Entrepreneurship is not theory. It is messy, uncertain, and often uncomfortable. It is about seeing something others do not,

Beware of Shiny Objects

“Shiny object syndrome” is a behavioral and psychological tendency to chase new, exciting, or trendy ideas at the expense of current priorities. It reflects a loss of focus that leads to abandoned projects, wasted time, and a failure to execute on long-term goals.* It is true that startups must be

Stay in Your Lane Bro*

“Stay in your lane.” We’ve all heard it. Usually as a warning to don’t overreach, don’t meddle, don’t pretend to be something you’re not. Be real. In business, there’s a lot of truth in that. The best companies I’ve seen including startups, growth-stage,

More Cowbell: Be Remembered

In one of Saturday Night Live’s most quoted sketches, Christopher Walken demands, “I’ve got a fever. The only prescription is more cowbell.” It’s funny because it’s absurd and memorable because it’s bold. That’s the lesson. In today’s crowded marketplace, most offerings are fine.

Startup Founders Must Pivot Early and Often

James Joyce once wrote, “There is no past, no future; everything flows in an eternal present.” While he was speaking philosophically, the idea applies surprisingly well to startups. (Okay, I had to read Joyce's books in college). Many founders begin with what they believe is a brilliant solution.

Now Is the Time

There is no perfect time. Whether to start a company, to pivot, to call an old friend, or to launch the idea sitting in your notes app, now is best time. Someday or later may be the most expensive words in business or your personal life. Years ago, I worked

Fight, Flight or Pause?

We’ve all felt it. The tight chest. The quickened pulse. A colleague challenges you publicly. A partner crosses a line. A client acts unfairly. You get a disturbing email. In personal life, someone disappoints you deeply. Adrenaline and cortisol flood your system. Heart rate rises. Muscles tense. Fight? Run

Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey

“Righty tighty, lefty loosey.” You may have not said it recently but the moment you grab a screwdriver, it’s there. No analysis. No hesitation. Just turn right to tighten, left to loosen. That little rhyme is doing the heavy lifting. It’s saving you brain cells. We like to

Trust No One

In the early 90s, The X-Files made paranoia fashionable. You may recall the protagonist Fox Mulder’s password was “TrustNo1”. I think it perfectly captured the mood of the show. Today, it feels less like television and more like a personal cybersecurity policy. For example, today wire fraud is common.

2026: The Year of the Fire Horse

February 17 , 2026 begins the Year of the Fire Horse. It only shows up once every sixty years or so I am told. In Chinese astrology the "Horse" represents independence, movement, and forward momentum. Add "Fire" and everything accelerates. Passion rises. Change speeds up. Stability gives

Who Can We Trust?

A common definition of trust is when you rely on the integrity, strength, or ability of another person. It’s an expression of confidence in others. At times, we just trust others; many other times, trust has to be earned. Trust is a choice. Why are we so stingy with

Some Assembly Required

Every once in a while, you walk into a job or a business where everything works. The systems are solid. The people know their roles. The culture more or less supports the mission. Those situations exist, but they’re rare. Most of the time, a new leader or owner steps

Only the Paranoid Survive*

“Only the paranoid survive” is one of those business clichés that gets quoted a lot and understood a little less. It came from Andy Grove, the former CEO of Intel, and it was never meant to be about fear or anxiety. It was about staying awake when everyone else starts

Splitting the Difference Can Leave Money on the Table

Many of us have heard the classic orange negotiation story, but it is worth revisiting because it captures one of the most important lessons in negotiation. The difference between what people say they want and why they want it. The story usually goes like this. Two sisters are in the

Aggressive* Offers in Negotiation

Most people are uncomfortable being aggressive in a negotiation. They worry about offending someone or killing the deal. So, they open politely, soften their numbers, and hope to meet in the middle. That usually costs them money. An aggressive offer is not about being rude or unfair. It is about

Failing is Good

Failure is for losers or so I used to think. It scared me. I avoided risky ideas, second-guessed myself, and felt embarrassed when things didn’t go as planned. I was educated and trained to avoid risk by my teachers, my family and my community. I was told risk is

Letting Go

"You have to accept the fact that sometimes you are the pigeon, and sometimes you are the statue."  - Claude Chabrol Transitions, retirement in my case, sneak up on you in ways no amount of planning can fully prepare you for. The truth is I have had a

Can a Cat Change its Stripes?

The saying that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior has been around for a long time. No one can point to a single originator. It lives in psychology, in coaching, in counseling, and in business. Most experts add an important qualifier. They say the past behavior must

What We Focus on Expands

I have always believed that our attention shapes our reality. Whatever we choose to focus on has a way of growing larger and taking up more space in our lives. That simple idea is captured in the phrase "what we focus on expands". If we focus on problems,

Is Friendship In Decline?

Something is changing in America. A generation ago, most of us had several or even many "close" friends that we saw often. We met them at work, in our neighborhoods, at church, or through our kids. We gathered for dinner, talked on the phone, or helped each other

Startup Updates to Investors

If you have just raised early stage funding, congratulations. You now have people who believe in your vision. But now comes an important part of your job as a founder, keeping your investors informed and engaged. Regular, honest updates build trust, show discipline, and make it easier to get help

"Social Engineering" Attacks Are Getting Smarter

I almost got fooled recently. Okay, I did get fooled. A message popped up on LinkedIn from someone I knew years ago. It even showed a conversation thread between us that looked familiar. The person asked for a quick favor which included a request for my cell phone number to

I Am Not Yoda

I am not Yoda. (He might say "Not Yoda, I am" or "Yoda I am not") But I am, in my own way, a disciple of Yoda. I listen. I read. I reflect. I advise. I’ve learned that wisdom doesn’t come from age or

Lost Boys: Helping Young Men Find Their Way

After more than twenty years teaching college students, I saw a quiet change. To be blunt, increasingly young men seemed muted and uncertain. They were bright and capable but unsure of who they were or where they fit. Lost. Scott Galloway, in his book Notes on Being a Man, describes

The Rise of Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs

There’s a quiet revolution happening in the startup world. More founders who think and learn differently are stepping forward and reshaping what it means to be an entrepreneur. These are the neurodivergent entrepreneurs defined as people with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and other cognitive differences. They are building companies in