The Fire in the Belly
The best advice I ever received was: “do what makes you happy." I heard this for years, before I understood what it actually meant. Here's how I got there.
1980: Born to Bill and Sally Corbin, the greatest parents ever.
1985: Caught my first smallmouth bass—my first lesson in passion.
1986: Chopped down a tree with a hammer—my first lesson in persistence.
1987: Won a roller skating dance contest with a single dance move—my first lesson in marketing.
1990: Covered my entire room and body with Michael Jordan gear—my first lesson in brand experience.
1992: Returned a stolen walnut to the store manager—my first lesson in honesty. Thanks Mom.
1994: Totaled my parent’s minivan—my first lesson in experience.
1998: Set a school record for most losses as a starting quarterback—my second lesson in persistence.
1999: Graduated from Siloam Springs High School—headed west in pursuit of HAPPY.
2003: Graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Fly Fishing. “Do what makes you Happy"
2004: Marketed water rights at the Montana Water Trust—my first lesson in specialized knowledge.
2006: Married Linsey Corbin—my first lesson in love.
2007: Earned a MBA—the beginning of my pursuit to continuously learn.
2008: Failed to launch White River Brewery, and sold the business plan to USC—my second lesson in entrepreneurship.
2009: Failed to launch Brew Solutions, Inc.—my third lesson in entrepreneurship.
2009: Founded Lotic LLC, a water rights marketing and management company—my on-going lesson in entrepreneurship.
2010: Founded Corbin Brands LLC—an umbrella company for all other ideas and branding endeavors.
2012: Closed the doors on Lotic LLC—my fourth lesson in entrepreneurship.
2013: Moved to Bend, OR and shifted all work to Corbin Brands, LLC
2015: Developed a new appreciation and passion for photography.
2019: Founded Hazel & Blue with my wife Linsey Corbin.
My latest quest for happiness is to better understand the role of STORY in the world of digital brand experiences. This path feels better below my feet than any that have come before it.
Why?
Because the fire in the belly burns. To me, this means doing what you love.