From Dreamer to Doer: How to Persuade People to Support Your Biggest Ideas

Last winter, I found myself standing before a colossal, derelict brick building, its windows boarded up like sealed eyes. I was with three friends, deep in an industrial district far from the city’s trendy heart. The structure had an air of forgotten history, a monument to better days long past.

Two of my friends, Ryan and Michael, were scanning the building with a mixture of scrutiny and sheer optimism. They were seriously considering buying it. Fresh out of college, they had already carved out a successful real estate business by purchasing properties that needed care, renovating them, and flipping them for a tidy profit. Their track record was strong enough that they had even secured backing from a local firm for larger, more ambitious investments like this one.

My other companion was Brandon Adams. Like me, Brandon wasn’t involved in the real estate venture; we were simply along for the ride. We had all met for coffee earlier, and when Ryan and Michael mentioned they were going to check out this mammoth building, our curiosity got the best of us.

As the real estate duo began brainstorming—discussing funding for a massive renovation, dreaming up a co-working space, or even an innovative entrepreneur community with sponsored events—something shifted. Brandon, who had been a quiet observer, suddenly jumped into the conversation, his eyes lighting up with the same fire. He began rapidly building on their ideas, painting a vivid picture of what could be.

That moment perfectly captured the essence of who Brandon is. While I’m an entrepreneur myself, my brain instinctively defaults to logistics, risk, and potential roadblocks when faced with a challenge like a three-story abandoned building. Brandon’s mind, however, launches straight into the stratosphere of possibility. He doesn’t see obstacles; he sees opportunities.

You might call him a dreamer, but that label would be incomplete. Unlike the countless “idea guys” who never move past the whiteboard, Brandon possesses a rare and powerful talent: he actually makes things happen.

Turning an Impossible Idea into a Landmark Event

While the fate of that brick building is still undecided, let me share a story that showcases Brandon’s ability to transform vision into reality. The first time I met him, he shared a goal that sounded, frankly, audacious. He wanted to create a massive, high-profile convention for young entrepreneurs. The catch? He wanted to host it in our relatively small city of Des Moines, Iowa—not exactly a global hub for tech and business.

My mind immediately started cataloging the hurdles. This wasn’t just a small meetup; it was a full-scale convention. The logistical mountain seemed insurmountable for someone just a couple of years out of college with no event-planning experience. A flood of questions emerged:

• Securing Speakers: How could he possibly convince famous, high-demand speakers to travel to Des Moines for a brand-new event with zero track record?
• Funding and Venue: Where would the significant upfront capital come from to book a venue, pay for marketing, and cover speaker fees before a single ticket was sold?
• Logistical Nightmare: How would he manage travel, accommodations, catering, scheduling, and the hundreds of other details that make or break a large-scale event?

Despite these daunting challenges, Brandon moved forward with unshakeable confidence. And this past April, the Young Entrepreneur Convention (YEC) launched its first, wildly successful event. The results were staggering and spoke volumes about his tenacity and skill.

The Incredible Success of the Young Entrepreneur Convention

Here’s a snapshot of what Brandon achieved against all odds:

• Massive Attendance: Over 500 aspiring and established entrepreneurs from across the country attended the inaugural event.
• World-Class Speakers: The speaker lineup was incredible, featuring names like Kevin Harrington (an original “shark” from Shark Tank), UFC legend Ken Shamrock, and Jeff Hoffman (the founder of Priceline.com).
• Crowdfunding Power: Brandon launched a crowdfunding campaign that successfully raised over $16,000. This initial funding not only provided crucial capital but also served as powerful social proof, which helped attract and secure much larger corporate sponsorships.

The success of YEC wasn’t just a one-time win. It became a powerful catalyst. The extensive network Brandon built while organizing the convention opened doors to entirely new ventures, including the development of an upcoming TV show. This is precisely why I wanted to feature him. Among everyone I know, Brandon is a master at forging meaningful connections and persuading influential people to believe in and support his huge ideas.

In our conversation, we delve deep into the strategic moves that made YEC a reality. More importantly, Brandon shares the foundational work he did during and immediately after college—the deliberate steps he took to build relationships and lay the groundwork that ultimately allowed his ambitious vision to come to life. He proves that success isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a possibility mindset combined with relentless execution.

Things Mentioned in This Episode:

• Brandon’s podcast
• Keys to the Crowd
• The Freedom Journal
• John Lee Dumas’ podcast
• Young Entrepreneur Convention
• Jedi Council podcast episode
• Think and Grow Rich
• ArcticStick
• Ambitious.com
• Ambitious Adventures Kickstarter splash page
• Brandon’s website
• Brandon’s Twitter
• Brandon’s Instagram

Want more cool stuff? You can find all sorts of great tools at my Resources page.

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