We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nic Brown. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Nic, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think that there’s a common misconception about the security professionals within our community. People see our world filtered through the lens of TMZ, social media platforms, TV, ect that spin the image of what we do on a regular basis for our clients.
The truth is that we are all people too. We generally have to wear our feelings under our uniforms and we have to manage a lot of personalities through each day just like everyone else. For myself, it does not matter what your social standing is, what ideology you believe in or what you even think of me. From the start of my day to the end of yours, all I really care about is the safety of our clients, their crew and anyone within our gravitational pull. We do this work with a smile and we do genuinely care about the wellbeing of others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nic “Machine” Brown and I am a the owner of Golden Arrow Protection based out of Austin, TX. We offer professional security services to clients in film, television and live performance art.
What makes Golden Arrow Protection different is our approach to the work that we do and who we do that with. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked within the entertainment industry for many years before I even thought about doing security. Because of this, I am able to look at things through a unique lens. Instead of seeing what we need for just for our clients, I look at things as a whole. Looking at how everyone’s roles from our venues, transportation services and even fans will play a role in how we will proceed each day.
Because we service so many different types of clients, we also look for people that help bring a fresh and healthy perspective towards what we do. Not for the sake of the money, but for the integrity of our name. It is just as important to me that our clients are just as professional as our own team. Without that at hand, people can keep their money. I sleep better at night knowing that
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Personally, my amazing wife. Her ability to love me, put up with me and still support what I do on a daily basis is nothing short of a blessing. She reaffirms the positive qualities in me that allow me to be at my best and is patient with my negative ones. She is a strong and independent woman who I respect with all my heart. So I do my best to earn her love each day because I like who I am around her.
Professionally, I have to say my team. They see me for who I am. I value their insight and work. Seeing them happy and productive keeps my compass pointed in the right direction. The foundation of good business is not money. Its relationships. I feel I am doing my best when I see how happy we all are at the end of a long day. That speaks volumes.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Well, success is temporary. Its value can vary depending on who you’re asking or how you are looking at it, but generally speaking it’s a merit badge you can pick up, sew on a sash and call it earned, but suffering is the bench mark. Suffering, failure, defeat are unpleasant. And for good reason. Without testing your limits and character, you can not grow. We’re evolving on a regular basis because that is just being human.
Suffering can be temporary too, but for those that learn to overcome it are building what I feel is real success. It teaches us that you had to get real with yourself, your situation and find a way to overcome it. So when you look back at your life and where you are presently, will you remember the pats on your back others gave you or the ones you gave yourself after you earned it?
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think people truly believe that their personal safety is not an issue. I think a vast majority of people think help is always there for them when it’s not. It’s sadly more common to see those that should be of service, pulling their phones out to video a real problem happening in the public instead of taking action to stop it.
The smartest thing you can do is to acknowledge that you are vulnerable and take steps to lessen the blow of that vulnerability. There will always be someone out there that will catch you off guard. How you choose to handle that situation is where real smarts comes into play.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. This is not an industry of much praise. You’re more likely to hear people dumping on you and what they don’t like over hearing praise. It’s the nature of the beast because our job is to filter out potential problems. So we have to say “no” a lot and we have to handle the delivery of that rejection in a professional way. Like I mentioned before, we manage a lot of personalities. The only praise you’re probably going to get is from yourself in the quiet hours once the job is done.
However, those moments when you are with your team and you are all flowing so well, that little head nod, fist bump or whatever it is that you acknowledge in the moment is a wonderful feeling. Words sometimes takes away from the moment. So I look forward to those little things that reaffirm a job well done.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://GoldenArrowProtection.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/machine_bodyguard?igsh=ZnFpeW4wMTVzYWNv
- Twitter: @BodyguardATX
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17rP2fEwWn/
