Kash Shaikh
Kash is an award-winning entrepreneur and brand builder who created two multi-million dollar compani
12/01/2021
Besomebody.
10 years later, and the journey is nowhere near where I dreamed it would be, and exactly where I expected. So far off, and so perfectly placed, both at the same time.
In many ways, it’s much bigger. The impact we’ve made. The lives we changed. The lessons we’ve learned. The businesses we’ve built, rebuilt, and transformed. The growth.
And in some ways, it’s smaller. Larger than the initial vision, but not as grand as it once seemed it would become. Hanging on, but fading back. Less of a signal, more of sentiment.
And that’s probably what I’m most proud of. While the surface has shifted, the spirit is alive and well. The soul is still on fire.
Besomebody was never about WHAT we did, it was about HOW we did it. The way we chose to live, and the passion we poured into that living. It’s always been about belief, and action, and meaning. About helping others while healing ourselves.
And over the last 10 years, through countless experiences and endless ways, we’ve done just that.
For everyone who’s been a part of this journey, however big or small, THANK YOU. I’m so grateful. What a wonderful chapter. Can’t wait to see how the story continues to unfold.
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Besomebody, Inc.
30/09/2020
The pictures change and the palette evolves but the Path is purposefully predestined. .
The latest episode of The Besomebody Podcast is LIVE. We talk about some issues that I’m very passionate about, including the perpetual state of online bullying and harassment. As someone who’s had my fair share of shots fired at me, from our early days in Austin, TX, to our experience, to recently with a fake account posting malicious content, I understand the impact of discriminatory, threatening, and hateful messages. Even as a grown man, it’s tough.
Which is why it’s so scary to think about what kids go through.
The data speaks to the ugly truth. According to Pew Research, 59% of US teens report they’ve been bullied or harassed online. And in a survey by the National Crime Prevention Council, 81% of youth said that their peers cyberbully just because they think it’s funny.
It’s not.
Allison Baker joins me to talk about this issue, as well as her own personal journey to drive Diversity and Inclusion in mainstream marketing. Watch and listen at besomebody.com. 🙏🏼 .
Besomebody, Inc.
10/09/2020
Been an eventful few days working remotely in the Texas Panhandle. Lots of land, lots of wind, and lots of time to reflect.
Three themes have really come to life while out here in between cities:
1. Energy: Nothing is as contagious as the energy of those around you. Both good and bad. That becomes even more clear when you’re surrounded by cattle... And, while we all jump from one video call to the next, it’s important to remember that our tone, our expressions, our reactions, and the entire collection of our non-verbals represent rare opportunities to convey our Energy to our colleagues these days. It’s important we understand that and own that. Today, that little square on your Zoom or Teams or Meet screen is not only your brand, it’s your chance to bring someone up or down. Try to bring them up.
2. Environment: Space and surroundings are important. As offices pulse in and out, and schools shift from virtual to in-person and back again, we need to stay aware of who and what’s around us. Motion creates emotion. Movement fuels creativity. And new angles inspire innovation. If you’re stuck, shift your environment - a few states, or a few steps.
3. Gratitude: Everything is teaching you something. You just have to be open to listen.
Back to Ohio soon. 🙏🏼 .
25/08/2020
Congratulations to our team at Besomebody, Inc. for building a business and culture that enables growth. Ranked #49 on the Inc. Magazine (top 1%) of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Besomebody is #3 in the Media category.
Our focus is on creating and distributing digital content that drives both personal and professional growth. It stretches across entrepreneurship, leadership, and culture.
I’m proud that much of that work has centered on enabling a greater voice for historically marginalized groups, from women in the workforce, to leaders with disabilities, to black & brown businesses.
Very grateful that after lots of work and many years, we are back where we began. A platform of inspiration, motivation, and self-belief, backed by a community who understands that we are all in this together.
We measure growth in a lot of ways at our company, and revenue is only one of them. This year, for all of us, that growth has come from all angles. Some welcomed, some forced, but all meaningful. Together, we continue to learn how to adapt and evolve as people, families, and teammates.
Thanks also to our sister company, BSB Group International, for helping us build an ecosystem that can make positive impact the right way. Lots more to do.
On we go. .
Please check out Episodes 20 of The Besomebody Podcast (2 parts!) where I speak with my good friend and early employee of GoPro, Justin Wilkenfeld.
Justin and his team are now doing amazing things at a new company called Kindhumans.
This was such a great conversation we had to split it into two parts! Appreciate you listening and would love your thoughts.
Listen and watch at Besomebody.com. .
22/08/2020
Symmetry meets the sea. .
22/08/2020
Nearly four years in and still building by doing things differently, teaming with the right people, and believing in a shared vision.
Thanks to Colleen Lindholz and the team at for allowing us to push each other to be great. It’s an always-on, never-ending journey, but the pursuit itself is what makes all the work worthwhile.
True partnership means everyone wins - the customer, the company, and the client. When the focus remains on that formula, you can truly create something special. .
20/08/2020
Amsterdam 2012. .
It’s gotta be bigger than money. Or power. Or fame. Or any of the surface level things.
For me, my objectives are clear and prioritized.
1. Make a lasting, positive impact.
2. Create that impact with people I love, respect, and enjoy.
3. Be successful doing it. This includes financial success because I’m a big believer in the benefits of financial independence. But money alone, without the first two, just isn’t enough. If money is your primary motivation, it won’t be enough to keep you focused and driven and relentless during the tough times.
You have to be in it for something more.
What are your top 3? .
14/08/2020
CURRENT OR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS:
You really need to listen to this episode of The Besomebody Podcast. My good friend (and my lawyer!), David Willbrand, drops so much knowledge, insight, and inspiration into one hour of conversation about business creation and personal fulfillment.
David is one of the leading experts on and construction in the world. He's a builder and connector. He combines his passion for helping people with his mastery of corporate law, and he understands the DNA of the most successful young companies.
If you are an early-stage startup or someone looking to make the leap from your corporate job to your own business, I really believe this episode will help you.
We talk about some great advice David gave me (which cost him some money!), we debate if/when you should raise VC funding, and we share some personal metaphors that speak to our view of .
Including dumpsters and raccoons. :)
You can check out the full episode on the link below. And you can watch/listen to all our Besomebody Podcast episodes on besomebody.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other platforms. .
Besomebody, Inc.
Episode 19: David Willbrand, Partner at Thompson Hine LLP, on the Dumpster Fire That Is Your Life, Why Venture Capital Isn’t for Everyone, and the One Piece of Advice He Would Give to Aspiring Entrepreneurs After graduating from Harvard, David Willbrand was tired of working in jobs he hated. He convinced the University of Cincinnati Law school to admit him past the deadline, and spent the next sixteen...
14/08/2020
#49 on the Inc. Magazine list of fastest-growing private companies in America.
Top 1%.
Not gifted or granted. Not coddled or pampered. Not handed down or handed out. This group is hard-earned and battle-tested.
Thank you to our team, our customers, and our partners.
Love what we are building at Besomebody, Inc.. and our sister company, BSB Group International.
After nearly 10 years, Besomebody is back - full circle - focused on creating great content that drives both Personal and Professional Growth.
We are learning, we are hiring, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build. .
See all 39 Cincinnati companies on 2020 Inc. 5000 - Cincinnati Business Courier Nearly 40 Cincinnati companies were named among the fastest-growing in the U.S., making the prestigious Inc. 5000 list.
11/08/2020
Surreal news today.
Besomebody, Inc. was recognized as the fastest growing company in our headquarters city of Cincinnati, Ohio, ranked #1 on the Cincinnati Business Courier “Fast 55” with over 3000% revenue growth since 2017.
Many of you know our story. But for those of you who don’t, 2016 we hit rock bottom. After flying high with a fast-growing mobile app and learning marketplace, we fell on hard times as we tried to scale.
We even had a blessing, turned curse, turned blessing with an unsuccessful, heavily dramatized and heavily rerun appearance on .
To put it simply, we got knocked out. And I was beaten and embarrassed.
But after spending a couple days reassessing my purpose and reaffirming my commitment, I picked myself up, spit the dirt out of my mouth (but never forgot the taste), and started building again.
Pivoted the company to focus on skills training and content. Stopped chasing venture capital funding and instead focused on business fundamentals. Created value and a clear point is difference. Prioritized speed and quality and relationships.
So many lessons over the last 3+ years, but the results come from a familiar recipe: belief, hard work, and resilience.
Sometimes you forget your story isn’t just narrative or folklore. It’s real. It happened.
Very grateful to our team, customers, and partners. And to our sister company BSB Group International for enabling us to create an ecosystem devoted to personal and professional growth. We’ve come a long way, and we’ve got a long way to go. And, really, that’s the biggest lesson of all.
I hope that wherever you are on YOUR journey, you keep going too. .
09/08/2020
I’m staying at a place called Under Canvas, in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Beautiful part of America. .
1. Imbed yourself into your client’s company and culture so you learn anything and everything about the people, business, and industry.
2. Become indispensable through a “whatever it takes” attitude that drives great work at greater speed.
3. Assert strategic, values-driven and principle-based ownership over as much of the work as possible so you can ensure what we call our Triple Win: Win for the Customer (end user value), Win for the Company (business revenue) and Client (team member recognition and advancement). If we execute our Triple Win for our partners, then we will win as well.
That’s our recipe for success at BSB Group International. Simple, but hard as hell to execute.
See you on the battlefield. .
07/08/2020
Stop chasing and start creating. Give yourself the power to build. .
06/08/2020
Might be time to quarantine myself at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas again. 🤔🙃😷 .
Perfect day to reminisce with my brother, Tai Morshed, about being a young kid in Houston, Texas, searching for a role model to relate to, and finding one in the great Hakeem Olajuwon.
We all want to find heroes who share parts of our own story, and who’ve walked part of our own path. When we see our own strengths and mirror our own struggles within someone else, we instantly connect. And when that person is pursuing greatness, we’re immediately inspired.
Thanks for sharing your passion and your mission, Tai. Eid Mubarak to you and to everyone else celebrating around the world. 🙏🏼 .
ONE Championship
Houston Rockets
Besomebody, Inc.
BSB Group International
31/07/2020
Keep going... .
28/07/2020
So pumped to have Tai Morshed, VP of Digital Partnerships at ONE Championship, on The Besomebody Podcast this week!
Tai and I went to school together at The University of Texas at Austin and have stayed in touch ever since. He’s led some outstanding work for fast-growing startups and big companies (like Dell and Adobe) and now is helping tell the stories of the amazing athletes and fans of One - Asia’s largest sports media property.
Our Besomebody team has a long history within the Mixed Martial Arts scene, so it was really cool to see what Tai and his team are building in the land where it all began. This picture is from my visit to One Championship’s Global HQ in Singapore last year. Hope to be back again soon.
You can listen to Tai’s episode at besomebody.com, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Appreciate your support! ☝🏼🙏🏼🤘🏼 . Besomebody, Inc.
So grateful for the opportunity to be building Besomebody, Inc. again as a global content platform.
When our company faced some tough challenges back in 2016, I shifted the focus from Growth to Profitability, and - while it was the longer and harder route - it enabled us to build the right foundation for a successful business.
Four years later, after ignoring the norms of traditional lore - “raise money”, “bring on VCs”, “scale fast” - we built a company (and now two, with BSB Group International) on the basics: value, service, speed, and great work.
Today, with a lot of grind behind us and much more ahead, we are back focused on GROWTH.
Full circle.
And this time, that focus is right where it should be: on you. Your personal and professional growth as a leader, businessperson, and friend.
There’s a common DNA within our community. We want to do more. We want to reach more. We know we have much more to give.
We take chances and we go for it. We fail, but we pick ourselves back up. We believe, but that belief doesn’t box us in. We’re confident, but our scars gift us humility.
We push each other. We hear each other. We care about each other.
And that’s why, I believe, we will create something great.
Check out The Besomebody Podcast on besomebody.com and all platforms. And please stay connected on social for news about more Growth Content coming soon.
Thank you for all your support over the years. Means a lot. We are building this together. .
21/07/2020
Punta Cana or Paris?
Carlos Taveras DEFINITELY has a point of view. 🙂
And, more importantly, he has a well-traveled understanding of the importance of purpose, values, and principles that's shaped his choices and guided his path.
Carlos and I had such a great conversation on the latest episode of The Besomebody Podcast. He shared his inspiring journey across three world-class companies - P&G, AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson.
Today, as the current Head of North America Communications for Johnson & Johnson Vision, he and the J&J team are shedding a critical light on the importance of eye health and education.
Most of us don't think about taking care of our eyes, and optometrist visits are often not on our to-do lists. It's gotten worse due to as non-emergency procedures have been postponed, in-person appointments have been canceled, and screen time is up nearly 70%.
Great perspective from a seasoned leader in the space.
Thank you for sharing your passion and knowledge with us, Carlos. Inspired by your journey and proud of your growth. What a ride it has been since our early days in the P&G Pavillion!
Please listen to Carlos and all our other great guests on The Besomebody Podcast at besomebody.com, or any platform. Thanks as always for your support! .
Kash Shaikh
Besomebody, Inc.
BSB Group International
Episode 17: From Punta Cana to Paris to the Florida Peninsula, Carlos Taveras Has Never Backed Down From a Challenge; Today, as Communications Leader for Johnson & Johnson Vision, He's Setting His Sights on Helping Americans See Episode 17: From Punta Cana to Paris to the Florida Peninsula, Carlos Taveras Has Never Backed Down From a Challenge; Today, as Communications Leader for Johnson & Johnson Vision, He's Setting...
Ninety-five degree Saturday afternoons are welcomed sights in this world. Plenty of sun and space to workout your body, mind, heart, and spirit.
Push your body to train your mind. That’s the real muscle we are working. Mental toughness and hard-earned tenacity is more important than ever.
Speed your heart to slow down your spirit. That’s the real purpose of movement. As our heart rate increases in both pace and rhythm, our soul begins to float above the fray.
Now is the time to connect all four. We will need them all for the battles ahead. .🙏🏼🤘🏼
Podcast night! My favorite!
If you haven’t listened to The Besomebody Podcast, please download and subscribe for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify podcasts, or besomebody.com.
We talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, and culture with some of the best leaders in the world! Thank you for your support. .
16/07/2020
Dreams aren’t free. There’s always a price to pay. There’s a cost for ambition and excellence and achievement. There’s a tax on personal growth. And, without a doubt, sacrifice, and struggle, and suffering, take a tumultuous toll.
But we pay our dues and spend our time to protect our greatest bounty: Belief.
We do it because we believe.
And then, all the other rewards - passion and purpose, creation and joy - can come to fruition. Then the sum of our expense make sense.
But the only way we will ever be able to settle the score, is if we are willing to pay the price. .
15/07/2020
The sale is a living organism. .
13/07/2020
“You know it’s a good day when you created something from nothing.”
Thanks very much to the Cincinnati Business Courier for the feature.
And thanks as always to our BSB Group International and Besomebody, Inc. teams for working so hard every day to build, rebuild, and create. .
At , we don’t want a lot of clients.
We are not playing the quantity game. We want to go deep and wide with partners we believe in - people who share the same values and live a similar mission. People who are passionate, driven, and team-first. And, most importantly, people who work hard to do great work, for an even greater purpose.
We focus on them. .
Enjoyed speaking with the Cincinnati Business Courier yesterday. We touched on many topics, but one of my favorites was “what do we look for when hiring” at Besomebody, Inc. and BSB Group International.
Three things:
1. Passion: on fire for the opportunity.
2. Coachability: awareness and openness to learn.
3. Cultural Fit: shared values and aligned principles.
If you have those soft skills, then we begin to evaluate your technical skills to see where they can best be leveraged.
And if you’re short on technical skills but overdeliver on our “Top 3” above, we will invest the time to teach you. .
10/07/2020
Very grateful for this "40 under 40" award and recognition.
The recipe is simple, but most people don't follow it..
VISION, BELIEF, and WORK.
That's it.
See it, believe it, and work for it.
Be one of the few who follow those steps... And no matter what, keep going.
I got a chance to share some thoughts in a Q&A session with the Cincinnati Business Courier this week. Please check it out on the link below.
Thanks as always for all of your support - means a lot. Thank you! .
Besomebody, Inc. BSB Group International
Besomebody Inc.'s Kash Shaikh says first job at Gallup taught him art of persuasion - Cincinnati Business Courier Kash Shaikh, 40, is founder & CEO of Besomebody Inc. and BSB Group International.
09/07/2020
Marketers, if you haven't had a chance to listen to The Besomebody Podcast yet, this is the episode to get you started.
Rex Jackson has done it all in the brand management space. And he's done it on the biggest of stages.
Beginning with the most iconic brand (Tide) at the world's second-largest CPG company, P&G; continuing at the world's largest full-service restaurant company, Darden, on American favorites Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse; and expanding at LEGOLAND Florida, part of Merlin Entertainments, the world's second-largest Visitor Attraction operator... Rex has played the role of incumbent, challenger, and innovator.
And through it all, he's led with a great sense of purpose and an inspiring set of values. Grateful to call him a friend.
Today, he and his team are in the midst of reopening and rebuilding their theme park in the height of the pandemic, setting the standard for safety, service, and experience. Great case study and tons of learnings.
Thank you for sharing your insight and journey with us, Rex. Appreciate you and hope to see you down in Florida again soon! .
Episode 16: Riding the Rollercoaster: Rex Jackson, General Manager of LEGOLAND Florida, on Rebuilding the American Theme Park and The Magic of Resilience Rex Jackson has known action and adventure for two decades, beginning with his early days as a store manager at pre-Netflix Blockbuster Video. Since then, his wild ride has taken him...
Three parts of the perfect apology:
1. Ownership: Admit it.
2. Sincerity: Mean it.
3. Action: Don’t do it again.
.
05/07/2020
Forever a work in progress, but always a work of art. Imperfectly beautiful and unquestionably blessed. Have a safe and happy 4th, everyone. 🙏🏼💥🇺🇸 . .
04/07/2020
“Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The pledge has been broken.
No matter which way you look, the “indivisible” Republic is undoubtedly divided. The country has been smoldering for centuries, simmering for decades, and split for years. Today, those cracked and crooked pieces are on fire. And the heat from the flames can be felt on the faces of all Americans, of all colors, and every walk of life.
As the majority of this nation marches toward a truer future, we all must confront a tragic past. We need to seek, succumb, and understand. We need to wash out the parts of our history that leave us embarrassed and unproud, while retaining the bounties and bruises of all that’s been done and undone. We need to come face to face with our own imperfections and look our collective prejudice in the eye. We need to make amends for the shortcomings of past generations by becoming forces of good, grace, and action.
We need to admit.
We need to acknowledge.
We need to acquiesce.
And then we need to return to a rebuilt table.
Allegiance is earned, not given. And the only way a citizenry of disparate parts and disjointed history comes together is through a renewed commitment to correcting the tenants that move us all forward.
Liberty and justice for ALL.
Until we honor that mandate, we will always fall short. We will always play small. And we will never be fully free.
To undivide the divided, and make indivisible again, for the first time. That is our challenge. That is our opportunity. . . 🇺🇸
There are only two points that matter: The Moment and The Vision. What you’re doing right now, and the bigger picture that you’re working toward. Don’t get too attached to the phases and places in between.
We often inadvertently create mental barriers because we want things to work out a certain way, at a certain time. But that’s not how it works. The universe is infinite. There are infinite ways to arrive at your desired destination. So when you lock yourself into a certain path, you undermine that infinitcy.
Most things will not turn out exactly like you planned. But if you stay present and grateful in the moment, and remain faithful and focused on your vision, you’ll get to where you want to go. .
A little behind the scenes from our shoot last night at Besomebody, Inc.
We shoot 2x a week: Thursday’s after a full work day, and all day Sunday.
It’s a lot of extra work, but it’s a whole lot of fun. I look forward to each shoot. Our guests have been incredible. So proud of the lineup of leaders we are fortunate to connect and reconnect with from all industries, backgrounds, and walks of life.
Last night we spoke with Kunal Merchant, Product at Facebook. Kunal and I went to school together at The University of Texas at Austin, and - along with some other amazing leaders - we founded the first South Asian fraternity on campus (and one of the first in the world).
Kunal reminded me that our experience was like building our own startup. Vision and ideation; product development + product-market fit; recruiting and hiring; fundraising; building culture and scaling.
I honestly never thought of it that way. Incredibly insightful perspective by Kunal.
It’s crazy how many things life teaches us long before we are prepared to understand. If we are open and aware, we start to connect the dots and uncover the threads as we grow.
Thanks again for a great show, Kunal. People don’t know we came from the “projects” of Student Organizations! Hustling and flyering and grinding to build something special. That’s what it’s all about.
Episode airs later this month.
You can listen, watch, and subscribe to The Besomebody Podcast at besomebody.com. .
01/07/2020
Everyone sees the rise and everyone sees the fall. Only a select unselected few see the work before, after, and in between. .
29/06/2020
Sending lots of love and many thanks to my brother Alex Walk as he starts the next chapter of his life. So many great memories and unmatched moments over our 2+ years together, beginning with the first visits to our initial office and reaching to all corners of the country. Stadiums, Skylines, and yes, even Simple Farms. What a ride.
Thank you for your work, passion, and belief, brother. We will miss you at Besomebody, Inc. and BSB Group International but know we will see you around (a lot!). Wishing you all the best as you carve out the next exciting piece of your journey. 🙏🏼 .
29/06/2020
I met Jerry Porter more than a decade ago while working at P&G on the Tide brand. He's always had a commanding presence - perfectly balancing global business acumen with small-town common sense and a genuine care for people.
When I left P&G for GoPro in the company's early days, Jerry always stayed in touch.
Then, in 2013, when I began the journey to build Besomebody, Inc. into a community-driven content platform, Jerry was one of the first to wish me well.
In in all the years that followed, as our community grew, our product took off, our product stalled, our company struggled, our company staggered to our feet, our company stood tall again, our pivots moved us closer and closer to where we needed to be.... Jerry was always a supporter, an advocate, and a believer.
You always remember those people. The one's who check in when times are good and who show up when times are bad.
Thank you, Jerry. Appreciate you.
Please take a few minutes to listen to this episode from The Besomebody Podcast, as Jerry shares his lessons from an amazing 33-year career. We talk travel, culture, racism, and the common traits that unite us all. .
Episode 14: What Every African American Has Experienced - Jerry Porter, Vice President at Procter & Gamble, Shares His Journey of Travel, Connection, and Perseverance Born in small town Tennessee, at a young age, Jerry Porter went from working across the country to living across the world. His time as an R&D leader at the world's largest CPG company ...
You gotta move.
Even in this new world of restriction, constriction, and constraint, you can’t stay still.
Motion creates emotion.
Travel awakens awareness.
Movement allows you to elevate.
So, while we all have limits on our ability to explore - whether due to global pandemics or personal circumstance - none of us have an excuse not to move.
Go as far as you can each day, and you’ll begin to see things from a different perspective. .
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