About Me and Why I Created Authority Owl

The name of my site, Authority Owl, sounds presumptuous, if not self-serving. In fact, it’s a misnomer if you factor in the number of times my affiliate campaigns have not met my expectations.

But through adversity and disappointment comes learning and breakthroughs. I’m still experiencing these Aha moments and the site is the culmination of my findings through success, but also insight I’ve gained from my so-deemed failures.

I’m not a guru, but then, I don’t think anyone is. Affiliate marketing, like all marketing endeavors, can be a moving target and yesterday’s heralded genius may be tomorrow’s struggling entrepreneur.

Conversely, and I hope I fit into this category, past cluelessness can lead to present clarity, and perhaps future mastery. (There are no guarantees, of course.) 

But I promise, unlike many other sites in the affiliate marketing niche, Authority Owl will be an honest recount of the knowledge base I’ve gained during the many years I’ve been in the field.

Admittedly, I wasted years on the sidelines.

I refused to take action until I mastered affiliate marketing.

Inactivity and consumption of information over action is a cardinal mistake. Please don’t make it.

We learn to walk, and then run, with stumbles along the way. Expect the temporary crashes down to earth, and let it propel you forward where you can then stand on your own two feet, while reaching for the stars.

There is no substitute for direct action. You will learn the most by embracing the learning through doing concept.

And you will gain a sense of gratification as you find your way. Even when stormy clouds of frustration appear, the sun often shines through enlightenment.

I hope you’re passionate about the field as it will serve as a motivating force, especially as you encounter hardships.

Always know your why! 

Why do you want to become an affiliate marketer? If you know the answer to this question and feel ardent about your rationale, this will serve you well in the future.

For me, spending time with my family is my why. The autonomy of self-employment is a close second explanation.      

On a personal level, I’m happily married and have been so for decades. Where does the time go? My wife is an elementary school teacher, providing instruction, guidance, and direction to young, impressionable children. This is not her job, but her passion. She continues to make a positive difference in the world–the same type of influence I can only hope to exert.

I’m also the proud father of two of the greatest kids on earth.

My oldest one is studying to be an occupational therapist and is now trying to make all these important decisions that can affect the rest of his life. Regardless of which direction he chooses, it’s a relief to know that he possesses the introspection necessary to blaze a path that is right for him.

My youngest child is on the autism spectrum. He is another hero in my life, exemplifying the will and incessant desire to overcome obstacles.

My wife and I were once told that he would never learn to speak. In fact, one neurodevelopmental specialist asserted, “You better get him ready for an institution because that’s where he’s going.” Every day, my verbal son is proving that doctor wrong.

He has come such a long way since his autism diagnosis, although I realize there is much more work to be done to get over that steep developmental mountain. He continues to do his best, despite shortcomings, and is a constant example and reminder to me never to give up. Miracles can happen if we’re open to them.

I’m now open to the limitless possibilities afforded to me by the affiliate marketing field. I’ve studied affiliate marketing since 2007, but it’s only in the last seven years that I’ve taken meaningful action.

I’m not sure if all those years of inaction reflected fear of failure or success, or a combination of both.

I have related it to a negative mindset, stuck in the belief that I was not worthy enough to achieve success or that other people deserved it more than I did.

Perhaps my perfectionism also got in the way. In my self-critical mind, I never knew enough, even after years of study, to launch any affiliate marketing campaign.

Well, those days are over! I’m now embracing the learn by doing mantra, and small successes propel me forward. Mishaps and failures along the way are instructive, too.

I realize mistakes are enlightening, frustrating… but eye-opening. I will not let fear, apprehension, doubt, negativity, and perfectionism stop me from achieving my goals.

Yes, there are days of regression where I feel like waving the white flag of surrender. But with a small measure of positive affirmation, a dash of visualization, and an endless supply of inspiration, I’m never going to retire from this field.

I’m not here to establish myself as a guru or know-it-all. I’m here as an honest, hard-working individual that continues to look for win-win solutions.

For example, I’m hoping that you will find my affiliate marketing information thought-provoking and helpful. With reciprocity in mind, I hope to be rewarded with your support.

I’ve already met so many wonderful people in the affiliate marketing field. It’s amazing to get to know people from all corners of the world just by connecting through cyberspace.

I’m grateful for their friendship, encouragement, and support. I, too, hope to contribute to this global affiliate marketing community and network.

So who am I? People have described me as sincere, caring, compassionate, determined, persistent, and diligent. They have also characterized me as too sensitive, worried, and future-oriented (not enjoying the present enough). Both types of characterizations seem accurate.

I suppose the goal is to continue to strengthen my positive attributes and mitigate the negative ones.

I hope to get to know more about you. We each are weaving our own life story and I look forward to connecting with you, even in some small way, via the world wide web.