Jacob is a former NFL athlete turned entrepreneur, transformational keynote speaker, best-selling author, and business coach. He is also the co-founder of Varlo, a leading brand in cycling, triathlon, and athleisure fitness apparel. Jacob has faced plenty of challenges – academic setbacks, business hurdles, personal losses, and even homelessness. But with each stumble, he found strength. He learned that failure isn’t the end; it's a stepping stone. As a three-time TEDx speaker, Jacob was also named one of the '40 Under 40' in 2015.

His insights have been featured in Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and Good Morning America. Top brands and institutions like Intel, Meta, LinkedIn, Dallas Cowboys, UPS, Stellantis, University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, and Central Michigan University have been captivated by his talks. Jacob's mission goes beyond motivation.

He promotes a transformative approach to life, advocating for a mental reset and a shift in perspective to discover one’s true calling. His #FailForward philosophy, shared on LinkedIn, through motivational posts, and in powerful videos, has inspired countless individuals worldwide to turn setbacks into strength.

Ready to connect? Text or call me @ 248-805-6093 or email me at jacob@failforwardbrown.com

For speaking inquiries: www.failforwardbrown.com

Jacob Brown

This should ring true both professionally and personally.

Jacob Brown 🎤

When I was 27, I applied for a position I knew I wasn’t qualified for – and I landed it.

It was my "dream job."

This position was a lead role for a very large digital agency and one that I had always wanted to work for.

I had a phone interview on a Wednesday, a face-to-face that Friday, and was made an offer that Sunday.

Yep, Sunday.

I even received my benefits package the same day.

They offered me $30k more than what I was currently making at the time, 4 weeks of PTO, and every other Friday off during summer.

Jackpot, right?

Nope!

That Monday, I received a call that the position was going to be eliminated due to lack of budget.

Thank God I hadn't already put in my 2 weeks.

I was crushed.

But I was not defeated.

Shortly after, I was offered an even better position and life went on.

Moral of the story - fail forward.

Hey, new followers and connections! 🖐

If you’re new to my page - welcome! I’m so glad you’re here, and I want to take a moment to introduce myself.

My name is Jacob Brown 🎤, but you can call me Jake! 

I’m a former NFL athlete turned keynote speaker, leadership coach, and bestselling author who is obsessed with one thing: helping humans lead from within.

Before I ever stepped on a stage, I spent 15+ years as a Creative Director, leading teams, managing pressure, coaching talent, and building culture in fast-moving environments.

Today, I work with:
 ⚡ HR leaders and people teams
 ⚡ Associations and conferences
 ⚡ Organizations in tech, healthcare, finance, auto, manufacturing, education, and many more
 ⚡ Executives and mid-level leaders navigating change, burnout, or culture drift

And I speak about:
 🗣️ Leadership alignment
 🗣️Culture transformation
 🗣️Navigating burnout and disengagement
 🗣️Turning failure into fuel
 🗣️Building teams that actually trust each other
 🗣️Leading with purpose instead of pressure

I’ve been fortunate to share this work with companies like Intel, Meta, GM, UPS, LinkedIn, and the Dallas Cowboys - along with universities, associations, and SHRM chapters across the country.

But more than any credential, here’s what matters most: I care deeply about helping people grow. Not just as professionals, but as humans.

I’m glad we connected.

I’m here to serve.

- Jake

I put together 5 leadership lessons that I wish I knew sooner as a leader.

5 Leadership Lessons I wish I knew sooner

Before you'll ever enter rooms you wish to be in, you must first enter them in your mind.

2026…we're coming for you. Here’s to building powerful rooms together next year.

Sunday evening reminder that you still have PTO left this year - so take it.

Public confidence is found in private discipline.

The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store

CEO, Fifth Avenue and Soho

LIM College

Adjunct Professor

Nam-Stephen Enterprises, LLC

Provide clients with strategic direction and commercial guidance on a project basis. Provide business advisory services to various startup companies and serve as an Expert In Residence at Harvard University’s Innovation Lab.

Executive Consultant - Cannabis, Consumer Goods and Fashion Industry

Harvard Innovation Labs

Mentor - Consumer Products, Retail, Fashion Industry

Community Growth Partners

Chief Commercial Officer

Ascend Group Partners

・One of the first five founding executive team members to drive the establishment of a vertically integrated MSO
・Played an integral role in three successful rounds of fund-raising
・Established the corporate infrastructure for data reporting to establish KPIs and create data frameworks for the organization
・Established creative direction for the retail brand identity that is currently in use and managed multiple creative agencies
・Ideated and developed the company’s first in-house flower and vape brand 
・Managed talent acquisition/hiring for essential retail and marketing leadership roles (vice president and director-level business unit leaders)
・Successfully managed L&D, change management and training of new management leaders from acquired assets

Chief Merchandising Officer

My Career In The Fashion Industry: An Insider's Guide On How To Become a Buyer

In this how-to guide, Penelope Nam-Stephen draws from her own professional story to create a template for a successful entry into the fashion industry. Throughout her career she has served as a mentor, sharing insights with many aspiring buying/merchandising executives. My Career in the Fashion Industry: An Insider’s Guide on How to Become a Buyer summarizes all of the advice that she has shared over the years in one concise book. The easy to read layout is broken down into understandable sections. The illustrations, done by fashion designer and artist, Renaldo Barnette, add visual authenticity as they reflect sketches and mood boards only seen in a design studio.

ISBN-10: 1511857323

ISBN-13: 978-1511857321

http://www.amazon.com/My-Career-The-Fashion-Industry/dp/1511857323

Author

Cache

Strategized and managed the rebuilding of the accessories business with full P & L responsibility. Oversaw design, product merchandising, and buying for handbags, small leather goods, belts, jewelry, soft accessories, and fragrance for 237 North American retail stores and e-commerce.

Vice President of Accessories Merchandising

Juicy Couture

Led the turnaround of Juicy Couture Accessories in preparation for the sale of the brand. Defined and oversaw execution of global product strategies for handbags, small leather goods, belts, jewelry, soft accessories, watches, sunglasses, fragrances, and girls accessories and approved retail assortments for 72 North American retail stores.

Senior Director of Accessories Merchandising and Licensee

Burberry

Directed buying and merchandising of men’s and women’s handbags, luggage, small leather goods, belts, jewelry, shoes, soft accessories, watches, sunglasses, fragrances, and cosmetics for 82 full price North and South American retail stores and e-commerce. Promoted from Buyer to Director in April 2011.

Director of Merchandising - Non Apparel and Licensee, The Americas

Experienced Cannabis and Consumer Goods executive with a demonstrated history of running product lines from end to end including strategy, financial planning, product conception and commercialization, buying and inventory management, branding, pricing, positioning, supply chain, marketing, and P&L management. Established Omni Channel Merchant with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused in Finance and Insurance from Northeastern University. 

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Jacob Brown

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The Battle

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Jacob Brown's LinkedIn Performance

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