In brainstorming topics for this Publisher's 2 Cents, I was asked what I have learned since starting brass. When I couldn’t think of anything that would fit on one page, I decided to share a few quotes I’ve learned from, and what they have meant to me while growing brass.

"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."
Albert Einstein

What this means to me: Sometimes you have to make a decision in life and in business because it is right; not because you can quantify or justify it to someone, but because it just is.

"An overburdened, overstretched executive is the best executive, because he or she doesn't have the time to meddle, to deal in trivia, to bother people."
Jack Welch, former CEO of GE

What this means to me: I tell myself I'll sleep in my next life, which is only half-joking. It is physically impossible for me to know everything that goes on at brass, so I have to rely on our staff to help run and grow brass.

"The ones who started out to get rich were the ones who never did."
Joshua Newman, Filmmaker & Entrepreneur [in reference to entrepreneurs]

What this means to me: Believe in what you are doing, because when stuff really hits the fan, that’s the only thing that is going to keep you going. People can sense authenticity and passion by the look in your eyes.

"The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible – and achieve it, generation after generation."
Pearl S. Buck

What this means to me: Inexperience may be a young person's greatest asset; it allows us to achieve new and incredible things that others may never consider, let alone attempt.

Do you have a favorite quote that has inspired you? Send it to me, along with why it’s inspiring, and we'll do our best to squeeze it in the next issue.

Bryan Sims, CEO