Hello, hello! I’m Mike O’Day. Glad you found your way here.
Now about me. I'm a storylover with a producer’s spirit, drawn to the intricacies of business and technology and cultures and people. My own compass of “interesting” drives both my curiosities and ambitions.
The current main focus for me is weaving together a uniquely structured media company—one part creative services, one part owned publications.
(While this takes shape, open to select consulting opportunities.)
Updated June 3, 2024
More substance below…
The Future I Currently Believe In
(subject to change with new information)
The world will be even more globally connected—but with increased emphasis of hyper local communities. A global culture will clearly emerge. Distinct local cultures will still thrive. Double the fun.
The trend of entrepreneurship will increase and better support networks will exist so the independent will feel less alone.
Small groups will more easily be able to coordinate and share resources, capabilities, and organize to better compete against larger corporations. The market will accept these entities as normal.
More high quality stories will be produced and distributed. One example, it will make financial sense to develop featured films for smaller audiences. Green-lighting a project will become a personal choice. Tech advancements help bring us there. More creative possibility and opportunity for more people. *Some exceptions and limitations will still exist.
Social media is just now reaching maturity, Instagram didn’t exist in early 2010. We have been in a period of increased emotional turmoil and conflict, partially caused by this new internet frontier, but this will past in time. More people will learn to properly use and navigate the tools at hand, as well as understand the pitfalls. Previously unfamiliar cultures and group will blend in positive ways, which will become better for more people.
The best is ahead for humans.
Personal Manifesto
Look for the counter moves, there often lives the best opportunities.
The ripple effects of small things make a big difference.
Be kind, for a happier world, and for a happier self.
What you look for is what you see, it’s what shows up, it’s what you get.
Be open to the unexpected. Many of the best things can’t be predicted.
Find fluid/flexible structure (see above but need some degree of focus and constants).
Learning is a forever game.
The bigger risk is oftentimes not taking the risk.
Don’t be afraid to reinvent oneself, starting over can be long-term energizing and fulfilling.
When between two options, pick the bolder one.
Sidequests of Note
Produced an art exhibition during Art Basel.
Owned professional football team for a season (personally had a highlight play).
Spoke at a blockchain conference (speaker & interviewer).
Helped facilitate an art collaboration with Paulo Coelho (sorta) that culminated in a Portugal castle exhibition. Wrote about it here.
Lived in Mexico City for six months, I’ll be back (might be there now!).
Sponsored a charity hockey game in Norway, hosted by Henrik Lundqvist (while consulting for a fashion brand).
Surfed one time, and it was indoors.
Interviewed Caleb Simpson. Wrote about it here.
First travels to Europe, went to Poznan, Poland.
Lived in a New York City art studio.
Helped shape a novel beer company.
Interviewed inspiring entrepreneurs, handful of different formats and reasons why.
Hosted a Purple Door dinner party series, a memorable production.
Countless others, longer stories for another time.