We had the good fortune of connecting with Koby Fleck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Koby, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?

Being willing to do what other people won’t and self-motivation are both habits that have helped me to succeed.

When I first started in the talent business working at a management consultancy, I wanted one of the top keynote speakers, Jim Stovall, to mentor me. Jim gave me a list of ten business books to read and invited me to come back after reading them. When I finished reading the books, he told me that he had shared the same assignment with hundreds of people over the years. Then he said, “You’re the first person that completed the task; so yes, I’ll mentor you.” The willingness to do what other people wouldn’t do opened the door to an opportunity and a life-long friendship.

One of my friends who is an astronaut likes to say, “You’ve got to dig in the dirt.” He’s referring to rolling up your sleeves and doing the work that other people might not want to do because it’s either uncomfortable or challenging. I’ve always been drawn to that type of work. I believe when you’re willing to do the work that others won’t, it provides the opportunity to expand your personal scope of competence and can create social good as well.

Growing up, I observed my dad’s work ethic. He worked hard, didn’t complain, and found joy in what he did and the people he worked with. His example had an immeasurable influence on my own habit of self-motivation. People talk about leadership, but I believe it starts at the top and by example. For me, my dad was that example. As leaders, we set the tone. Even in marriage, my friend Jim Stovall says, “If you want to find the right person, be the right person.” Simply focusing on improving ourselves first, discovering what ignites us internally, and stretching ourselves when opportunities present themselves can all work together to create the person and life that each of us really wants.

 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our speakers agency works with renowned keynote speakers, authors, and celebrities within Texas, nationwide, and the world. These are highly motivated individuals with unique knowledge, abilities, and achievements. They are great examples to learn from. Their knowledge is generally accessible through their books, podcasts, or keynote talks at events and meetings. I learned this firsthand over the course of my initial two years in the talent business. In that timeframe, I read about two hundred of the top business books available. Back then, I simply wanted to learn from great minds. I understood that being an avid reader gives professionals a unique competitive advantage. Over time what you’re reading will compound in your head, leading to more ideas and more success – personally and in business. I didn’t know then that the keynote speaker agencies I would launch in the future, Crown Speakers and the Texas Speakers Bureau, would give me the privilege of working with many of the same authors whose books I had read earlier.

This month, a Dallas-based client complimented us by saying, “Your agency is not transactional.” Then they asked, “What is your mission?” I replied, “To focus on the long-term relationship with each client engagement.” This long-term goal guides our daily actions with our staff as well as the organizations and the talent we serve. The nature of a competitive marketplace seems to push businesses to focus on the short-term and to be transactional. Simply keeping this concept in our minds as a daily guidepost has had a positive long-term effect. In fact, we’re happy to say that our first customer is still with us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

The Dallas-Fort Worth area has a lot to offer. We’d frequent the Lower Greenville, Uptown, Bishop Arts, and Oak Cliff Districts throughout the week. They have fantastic coffee shops and many dining options. Each district has its own kind of creative and artsy energy that can be felt in the daytime and in the evenings.

DFW has many options when it comes to outdoor recreation. White Rock Lake is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, especially in the mornings. It’s the perfect, scenic place to take someone paddling, running, or cycling. Cedar Hill State Park, Cedar Ridge Preserve, and Eagle Mountain Park (in Fort Worth) are also great places to go hiking, biking, or to enjoy water sports too.
For my friends who appreciate art, we could visit the Dallas Museum of Art, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Kimbell Art Museum (in Fort Worth). The Dallas Arboretum is a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy with friends, too.
With an abundance of shopping in Dallas, we would check out some of my favorite places, such as North Park Mall and Highland Park Village. For more boutique and small business options–my favorites can be found in Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, and Oak Cliff.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area has an incredible selection of professional sports teams. We would have a fun time attending a game, whether it’s the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, or the Dallas Stars, just to name a few.

After a week of having a great time in the Dallas-Fort Worth area experiencing the cool districts, the food scene, the outdoor recreation, the nightlife of the city, the shopping, and the people, my friends would be thinking about their next visit already.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Shoutout to everyone that starts the day with a positive attitude and shares it with others regardless of the circumstances. I’ve been surrounded with a great deal of positivity in life and try my best to give it back. My wife, family, and friends have helped guide and support me. My grandfather nudged me in the right direction and let me find my path. When I started a business in a tough market, my grandmother would write me a daily note of encouragement, just like she wrote to my dad every day when he was deployed overseas. My mom and dad have been great encouragers. My sister has been a great friend. One of my heroes, Charlie Munger, taught me how to think more rationally and make fewer misjudgments in life through his talks and writings. Warren Buffett says that Charlie Munger “has the best 30-second mind in the world. He goes from A to Z in one go.” I’d say the same of my wife, Jamie. Her quick mind, business savvy and diversity of thought helps me make better decisions. Her love, steadfast nature, and lighthearted humor help make our married life even more fun and meaningful. The business industry I’m in affords me the opportunity to work with positive people that I enjoy, from our staff to our talent and clients. Special thanks to my long-time colleague and friend, Braylyn Yancy, for the key role she plays at Crown Speakers and for being someone I can count on over the years. Finally, for timeless encouragement, I suggest the book “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale. I read it every year, and each time I read it I get something new.

Website: https://crownspeakers.com/

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Youtube: https://youtube.com/@CrownSpeakers

Other: https://www.texasspeakersbureau.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@TexasSpeakersBureau

Image Credits
Photo 1) Headshot; Photo credit (c) Jamie Fleck.
Photo 2) Bean Gill Keynoting the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Luncheon at the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel; Photo credit (c) Canon Sawyer.
Photo 3) Work photo; Photo credit (c) Jamie Fleck.
Photo 4) Bob and Kelli Phillips, Texas Country Reporter book signing at the Texas Home Builders Convention; Fort Worth Convention Center; Photo credit (c) Fort Worth Convention Center.
Photo 5) LaDainian Tomlinson & Koby Fleck; Fireside Chat with L.T. at a Corporate Event at the Omni PGA Golf Resort in Frisco; Photo credit (c) Jamie Fleck.
Photo 6) Molly Bloom & Koby Fleck; Molly keynoting the THCA Conference at the Hyatt Regency Dallas; Photo credit (c) Jamie Fleck.

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