Clay Ostrom: Branding Expert on Making Your Entrepreneurial Dream a Reality

There isn’t an exact formula for success, but it definitely takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Every career journey is different and there will be challenges along the way, but that is okay! Every bump in the road will help you grow personally and professionally. 

 In this episode of Finding Career Zen, host Pete Newsome interviews special guest Clay Ostrom the owner and of Map & Fire. His company is a very successful branding agency located in Los Angeles, California. They have worked with brands like Google, Emory University's Goizueta Business School, Eating Europe, and many more. But how exactly has he managed to achieve all this success? Could it be his internal drive or his development background?

 Clay had big career goals at a young age, and he thought obtaining a computer science degree was a great way to get started. From beginning his career as a developer, then designer, and eventually a brand strategist, Map & Fire was born.

There is more to business creation than you think. Clay says you have to “dig deep” and “connect.” Unpack more about the meaning behind Map & Fire and Clays career journey by tuning in to this episode of finding career zen.

Career Advice:

1. Decide where you want to work and who you want to work for. The salary and benefits will always be important, so make sure you focus on your connection to a mission and the search for meaning in your personal life as well
2. Don’t feel restricted by a specific path. Just because you graduated with a degree in a particular field doesn’t mean you have to hold back from exploring other career paths. What you are passionate about today shouldn’t limit your future interests. 
3. Work hard. Of course there are people born gifted with certain skill sets, but with enough work and effort, you can become skilled at any craft. You just have to be willing to put in the time. 
4. Success is personal. You have to determine what you want and what satisfaction is to you. Find the purpose you believe is worth getting up for. 

• Additional Resources 

Contact & visit Clay's website: https://mapandfire.com/clay-ostrom-brand-strategist-founder/

Check out this interview from VoyageLA: http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-map-fire-torrance/

Connect with Clay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayostrom/

Follow & Tweet: https://twitter.com/clayostrom?lang=en

Go read some of these stories: https://campfire.mapandfire.com/