54. On Following Your Own Path & Success for the 99% with Dominic DeMarco
Overview
In this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by my good college friend, Dominic DeMarco (who you’ll hear also goes by Mimo in friend circles), who is a small business owner and an adventure traveler who successfully hiked the 2100 mile Appalachian Trail, hiked the 2600 mile Pacific Crest Trail, and bicycled the 4000 mile TransAmerica Bike Route.
I wanted to have Dominic on for 2 reasons: 1) I want to learn from people who have engaged in activities that require endurance and resilience and understand if there is learning from those experiences to apply to how we might lead more sustainable lives+work; and 2) Dominic followed a non-traditional career path from early on and now runs a successful small business.
In this conversation, we hear life lessons from Dominic’s long-distance treks, a redefinition of success for the 99% of us, the importance of embracing a growth mindset and “micro-tries” as adults, and what it takes to carve out space for yourself if you run a business.
Mimo - thank you so much for being on and being willing to share your personal experiences with us. So many good gems in this conversation!
More about Our Guest
Dominic DeMarco is the Managing Director of DeMarco IP, a full-service patent search firm serving patent attorneys within law firms and corporations worldwide. They offer services including patentability and novelty, surveys and collections, clearance, infringement, right to use, freedom to operate, (in)validity and opposition searches. Dominic is an expert patent searcher, search manager, and now also trains searchers.
Dominic is also an adventure traveler. He successfully hiked the 2100 mile Appalachian Trail, hiked the 2600 mile Pacific Crest Trail, and bicycled the 4000 mile TransAmerica Bike Route. He also developed a great deal of character in attempts to hike the 3100 mile Continental Divide Trail and to bicycle 3000 miles across Europe.
Topics Covered
We start by learning what brought Dominic to even consider first hiking the Appalachian Trail, his first thru-hike, and how it was his desire for internal validation, not external, that pulled him towards this goal.
We hear how for Dominic these travel adventures served as an opportunity to challenge himself and build his confidence and character; how not prepping led to great learning for future attempts; how important planning was to his success over the long haul, along with external community support; how pushing his limits and failure led him to build resilience.
Early on he knew he wasn’t wired for and ready to jump into a traditional role and chose something different for himself. Support from his family gave him resilience and not being pressured to follow traditional norms helped him follow his own path. He also recognizes that having the privilege of leaving college without debt was a huge enabler.
What also supported his ability to be flexible with his lifestyle and find consistent work when he needed it was being great at his job and being someone people like to work with. Such great counsel! As his old boss told him after hiring him back multiple times, “You’re so good and people like working with you. You can get away with murder!” So now, this is one of Dominic’s guidance to others: be good and be good to work with. These two things go a long way!
I LOVE how Dominic talks about how he thinks of success. He notes that in the U.S. the definition of success is anchored in capitalism, and social norms present capitalistic achievements as success. Only 1% of the population achieves what gets presented to us in the media and broader social narratives. He articulates, what about the remaining 98-99% of us? He would advise to find success in what puts a smile on your face, what makes you happy.
What does Dominic know on the other side and what would he share as wisdom if you want to follow a non-traditional path yourself at any age? Embrace a growth mindset and be willing to try.
One thing that comes through in this conversation is how following a non-traditional path and finding happiness in a holistic life is not easy, but it’s possible. Having support around you, embracing failure as learning, and leaning into growth can all help us find our way.
And what’s his one unlock for being able to find better life+work integration in running a small business? You have to build trust with those on your team and allow for things to not be perfect.
Resources Mentioned
Find Dominic and DeMarco IP: https://www.demarcoip.com/
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54. On Following Your Own Path & Success for the 99% with Dominic DeMarco
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