TONY’S IMPACT TO ME
Yesterday marked one year since you physically left us…
Tony changed my life. I never told him this, but I considered Tony a mentor long before I got an opportunity to move to Vegas in 2018. An opportunity that came because of his creation, Brand Aura. ← Layers!
In the 2.5 years I lived in Vegas, I grew and learned SO MUCH; not from just the business side, but as a human. The group of people Tony & the Ferguson’s kept around were such beautiful human beings, all with their own unique story. The collisions I had in that short time resulted in me meeting and building relationships w/ some remarkable humans- humans that include Lil Sara @ (who was only 7 when we first met, and who turned 10 yesterday- Happy Birthday Sara). At 7, Sara aka DJ Sadako spoke and articulated better than most 40 year old's. This is because of the community she grew up around/in. We become what we see- a mix of the people we spend the most time with.
When I left LA for Vegas, my focus was to be the dumbest person in the room, and if I wasn’t, I was in the wrong room. I succeeded in that intention, and for this, I grew! The biggest thing Tony gave me was belief. Tony helped me see me, believe in myself. He helped me see myself in a different light. Our last one on one conversation was over 4 hours, and as I remember it, we only went to bed because it was after 4am and we had early wakeups, just a few hours away.
We are all sponges, but the older we get the “harder” our sponge gets; well this is the case for most, not me. I’m like a brand new, dry sponge, and I use every minute as an opportunity to learn; and, Tony had a lot to teach. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Tony wasn’t the only teacher, everyone around him was. I’ve learned so much from Tyler, Tracy, Mike, Brian, Danger, Sara, Kodi, Justin, and many more.
I’ve never said this publicly, but there were many times I would “agree” w/ people when Tony would do something “crazy” (a system or his way of doing something). They might say, “oh it’s Tony, he’s weird about the way he does “this” or “that”. I’d agree, while in my head I’m saying, “not only do I get his thought process on this, I do the same thing/something similar”. See, I understood Tony and I believe Tony understood me. Like me [to this day], I don’t think Tony felt people “understood” him. This takes a toll on one’s mind. When I was in the company of Tony and his community, I felt more “understood” than I have EVER felt in my life. One day I will build a community of like minded people with the goal to leave this world Better; using our time here to make an impact for Better.
Back to the feeling “understood”, Tony thought BIGGER. He has and continues to inspire me to think BIGGER. Tony changed my life by also helping me see it was okay to “Be More Of You”. This and all the other things you have done for me & the world is why I will do everything I can to carry the torch you started. I will do my best to make that torch shine brighter and impact as many people as possible.
Thank you for everything Tony.
ps: I STILL SEE YOU, and THANK YOU for that.
