MONEY MAN
Why talk at people when you can talk to them? It was that very question that inspired Bryan Sims, 21 year old CEO and founder of brass|MEDIA Inc., to publish brass, a money magazine circulated to over 100,000 young adults across the country. Sold and distributed through over 60 credit unions, the magazine serves as an invaluable resource to connect unions with their younger members. When it comes to servicing and targeting Generation Y, Brian is the undisputed leader, taking initiatives to spread fi nancial education to youth as young as high school students.
What makes you the "Money Man"? The fact that we don't talk about money, we talk about people's lives, and then how money affects it. It doesn't matter whether you're a CEO or an artist, money has a role to play in everyone's lives. We just try to provide an entertaining source of information.
What's it like starting your own company at such a young age? It's like leading a double life. One day I'm in New York speaking in front of hundreds of executives, the next day I'm back on campus playing flag football with my buddies. The strangest part has got to be employing my dad, people always trip out about that one.
Do you feel like people don't take you as seriously because of your age? Yes and no. I'm a big believer that one's biggest strength is one's biggest weakness, and that is definitely true when it comes to my age. Anytime we're out with clients I'm the butt of the jokes. But then again, my age also allows me to go where others can't, and this sets me apart. Because there aren't any other 21 year old CEOs around, people know who I am.
What's the best advice you've ever been given? By whom? Why? I have two pieces of advice I like and tend to repeat a lot. The fi rst is one my dad says, which is, "Do more good than bad." Both in publishing, and in life, what one person likes, another one will dislike and you will never be able to please everyone. But, if when your time is up, you've done more good than bad over the course of your life and with the things you've accomplished, you can't ask for much more than that. The second piece of advice was relayed to me by Josh Newman, a movie producer we interviewed in New York. It was, "The ones who started out to get rich were the ones who never did." It was in reference to people who start companies solely for monetary purposes. Your chances of succeeding are much less than if you're doing something you love and are passionate about. That's where the money goes.
Where do you see youth culture 10 years from now? Entrepreneurial. Anytime you have Eminem rapping about being an entrepreneur, you know things will change. Other than that, I don't think it's possible to predict that far out. I do fi nd it interesting that the people who grew up listening to Rock & Roll having their parents saying it's the devil are now the parents saying Hip Hop is the devil. I hope I'm not one of those people.
Boxers or briefs? Briefs every time.
Hair product that makes you look that good: American Crew Pomade.