You continue to explore

Insiders are usually hard-wired for self-preservation — once they reach a certain level, long periods of smooth sailing can lead to complacency. Coming up with ideas that disrupt requires unlearning “how things are done.” Even if you aren’t an immigrant or an outsider to your industry, there are ways you can challenge the status quo.

Having an outsider’s perspective has allowed me to keep asking the question “What else is there to explore?” Twelve years later, I not only have sold more than $60 million in art inventory while operating with minimal overhead costs, but I’ve had the exciting opportunities to curate exhibitions in three continents, collaborate with world-famous artists and create and host my own TV series, among many other exciting projects.

Sometimes groundbreaking ideas come out of situations you encounter daily. What could be done better? Where can a middleman be cut? Leave all your assumptions, hard knowledge and biases at the door. Ask yourself why something has to be done in a specific way. How many other ancillary areas can be incorporated into what you offer? Does your idea violate the laws of nature? Is it illegal? Usually the answer is no, which means you can keep exploring and eventually, disrupting.