Josh Silver is a jack-of-all-trades in Montreal’s social scene; professionally, he’s the front-man for various beverage brands, ranging from Hype Energy Drink to Blue Monkey Coconut Water. What’s his advice for other young professionals? Find out in today’s YPDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
My job consists of me being the “front-man” for our various brands of beverages (Hype Energy Drinks, “Stewart’s” Old Fashioned Sodas, Mark Wahlberg & P. Diddy’s Electrolyte Water Brand called “Aqua Hydrate”, “Blue Monkey” Coconut Water, “Venga” Functional Tea & Juice Infusions as well as several more unique beverage lines.
I take care of all PR, Media Relations, Communications, Sales work, Sponsorship requests, Charity requests, Event Planning, & Social Media… Basically, I’m the guy who shakes hands, and kisses babies.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
One of my inspirations was my brother Jon who started the company from the basement of his house/trunk of his car. I moved back to Montreal from Toronto in the year 2000 after having been in the hotel business and not enjoying it. I jumped at the chance to work with family again as I did growing up when my father had a food distribution business called “Silver Foods,” and coupled with my grandfather, father, and two brothers got the best education one can get outside a classroom. My father had us work on the trucks doing deliveries in all kinds of weather, to destinations across the province first, then we “graduated” to work in the warehouse, then into the front office learning the ropes, afterwards onto sales in the streets, and so on. This took place over many years, and helped make me a well-rounded young man, learning how to deal with many aspects of business, and life. I thank my father for being one of the best life “professors” one can ask for, as well as my mother who continues to always be an inspiration for me, and one of my best friends. She stressed the concept of “3-J United” to us while growing up, a reference to always maintaining a strong bond between the 3 Silver brothers aptly named Jeff, Jon, and Josh. She even wrote about it in her book called “42 Keys to the Second Exodus: Memoir of a Life, the Seeds of Which Were Planted in Egypt and Flourished in Canada.” So as one can see, my parents have played, and continue to play, a pivotal role in my inspiration.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part is waking up and starting a new day realizing how lucky I am to do what I love. I like to make a difference in the world, and connect with people everyday, hence the psychologist in me. I love the thrill of the sale, and the joy of “converting” new fans to our products, events, and in some cases to our city, because being an “influencer” gets me many requests from various people from inside and outside our city about things to see and do, where to go for nightlife, restaurants, shopping, spas, and just plain fun. The most challenging part is giving people the right advice all the time so as to not let them down. I like to please and make people smile, so anything less than that brings me down. Also, just doing business is a challenge in itself, keeping customers happy, picking up new business, coming out with effective marketing campaigns, managing staff, sponsorship requests and basically just always being “on.”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Potentially married, and starting a family with a woman who understands me and my lifestyle, and chooses to run along side me as a real life partner. I want to keep growing as a businessman within my current company, be an even bigger global connector, and be the best darned Montreal social concierge out there, while maintaining the persona of someone who makes a difference in this world. Perhaps a political position/television personality in some capacity, or a role where I can help those in need of assistance. Leaving a legacy to those who follow after has always been something important to me. I see myself as five years more actualized than I am today, having a few more “smile wrinkles” around my eyes, more change in my pocket, and a few more funny and interesting stories to tell for whoever wants to listen…onwards & upwards I say.
What does success look like to you?
A pat on the back for a job well done, knowing that it was only I who could have done what I did the way it was done. Success is the smile on one’s face after having made them feel better about themselves. Success is positivity in attitude and action, no matter what conditions one must deal with. Although I’m not a millionaire by any means, I am a very “rich” man in life with all the love around me, amazing friends, wonderful family, and my good health, coupled with a lot of laughter.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Forming the persona of “Hype Man” 13 years ago, and still keeping up to the standards and expectations of an energized socialite!
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Listen more than you speak, always bring your “A” game, be ethical, fair, and go the extra mile. Promise less while delivering more, because results come from action, not only words. Challenge yourself every day to do better than the day before, and realize how lucky you are to be doing what you are doing; so remain positive and come up with solutions as opposed to problems. Everybody has value and worth, therefore realize what yours is, then shout it out to the world!
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Absolutely! I support special needs charities primarily in cases dealing with “Apraxia,” which is a speech impediment, coupled with a global delay. It is important to me because I have a family member who is dealing with this, yet getting better and better all the time. I support childrens charities a lot because it is important to give hope to small people dealing with big problems. I support education and research for cures leading to cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer’s here in Canada, and also in Israel where there are many leading scientists and doctors making wonderful new discoveries everyday!
What to you is notable?
Notable is having the interest and support of those who are reading about me right now in this article. I truly appreciate random acts of kindness through positive gestures such as a smile, a kind word, a warm hug, and a sense of purpose on this earth. The giving of one’s self to make others happy brings true happiness back to the giver. If you don’t believe me, just try it and see for yourself.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Blackberry! I am a loyal “Blackberryian” until the end…it’s the best for texting because my fingers feel right at home on the keypad, as opposed to some over-sensitive screen. I believe the company who produces Blackberry is going to make a stunning come back, and surprise all the nay-sayers!