Russ Hedge, Inspiration Specialist, Coach & Motivational Speaker
Russ Hedge is a positive force in today's busy, hectic, and often negative business environment. He is a master connector, working in marketing and sales for over 30 years.
He has been recognized as a Top Salesperson in multiple industries for his skills in Networking and Connecting! He is also a licensed minister and has served in worship ministry for over 30 years.
Russ loves to encourage, inspire, and make people smile. He has been married to his beautiful wife Leah for almost 33 years and has two adult children Kyla and Connor, and a daughter-in-law, Gabby.
His goal is to add value to people by encouraging and helping them to live a more engaged and positive life. Russ lives each day with a positive attitude and is passionate about life.
Russ is available for one on one or team coaching, consulting, and motivational speaking events. He coaches groups looking to be inspired and move forward in life with a positive attitude and gain an adventurous spirit!
“Reach out to others and build a community for you to support, learn from, and so you will have support from them when you need it. Giving and helping others to succeed will always come back to you and make you successful. When you make a difference in others, you create a life worth living!”
Russ Hedge
You can get in touch with Russ through his website (www.russhedge.com) and schedule a time to chat or by email (russ@russhedge.com). You can also, check out his video/podcast "Marketing with Russ... aka #RussSelfie," available weekly on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and most podcast platforms. Russ has also just launched his new book "Befuddled? Live the Life You Choose!".
Tell us about your current role and what you like about your career/role or areas of focus.
I am an Inspiration Specialist, Coach, Motivational Speaker, Podcaster (Marketing with Russ… aka #RussSelfie), and Author of the book (Befuddled? Life the Life You Choose!)
My role is to help people and inspire them to be better. I teach people how to Network and Connect, drawing great people into their life and business—helping them to attract new customers and thrive and grow!
What inspires you, motivates you, helps you to make each day count?
My faith in God and my family. The opportunity to meet and help people and to learn new things!
I am a very positive person, and the ability to encourage and help others drives me.
Outside of your professional work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
My family is #1 and spending time with them. I have a Beautiful wife Leah, of 33 years, and two adult children, Kyla and Connor. I also like spending time with my friends and encouraging and helping them.
I love sports and music. I played sports all through school, coached my children, and now enjoy watching. I have been involved in music, drama, and production since I was young and my family is very musical. As a worship pastor for over 30 years, I have enjoyed music in church and my wife, and both my children have done the same.
When it comes to your life chosen career, is there a phrase, quote or saying that you really like?
I have many, but two quotes that stick out are "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." - John Maxwell and "Good and done, is better than perfect and not done." - Unknown
I believe we need to care for people and move forward in life and get things done, and we can't do that if we don't get started.
What are you most proud of in your life?
I am most proud of my family and the accomplishments of my wife and children. They have done so much and stood strong for God and their morals and values all the way through!
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
That I got to choose the life I lived!
I thought I had to conform to what the world tells us we are supposed to do. I have found that place over the years, and now I am truly living the life I choose to live! 😊
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles?
John Maxwell would have to be #1. Also, Bob Goff, Simon Sinek and Ed Mylet.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
I really believe in local business and local chambers. There are so many in the Willamette Valley, where I live, that care about the customers over their product or service, and that is what I believe is the right way to do business.
Two national businesses are Royal Caribbean Cruises and Holiday Inn Express. In my experience, they go way above and beyond for their customers and create a true experience.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
"Just get started and figure it out along the way!" If we don't start and take one step after the other, we will never accomplish anything.
What drives or motivates you each day in a work environment?
People!
What are your thoughts on the future of social media?
I plan to be in the lead of a positive takeover. I want to spread light and joy to people all around the world. Social media is an awesome connection point and how we use it is up to us.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
Facebook! I have grown and learned the benefits of Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Youtube as well.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever been a mentor to anyone?
Yes and Yes. I actually have several mentors and choose to learn and grow daily.
I have mentored several people over the years and still seek those I can help.
How do you network? What is your prefered way to network?
That is constantly changing these days. My preferable and best way is Face to Face! I seek out and belong to several organizations in which I network.
Online with social media is excellent in combination with Face to Face. Most of my networking these days is on Zoom or similar video platforms.
Technology has given us the opportunity to network around the world, and I have formed several friendships with people around the US and abroad! Very Exciting!
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work?
If it is truly your passion, get started now! Learn and grow as you go! Don't be afraid of failure, but as John Maxwell says, "Fail Forward".
Just keep going and don't worry about making mistakes, because you will. Reach out to others and build a community for you to support, learn from, and so you will have support from them when you need it.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of a strong foundation or support community. Friends and true connections help build confidence, and that is what people need to succeed.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience?
True success is creating significance in your life. Giving and helping others to succeed will always come back to you and make you successful. When you make a difference in others, you create a life worth living!
What skills do you feel have helped you to become successful?
The skill to not worry and let go of my failures—also, people skills, and an ability to connect. It takes work, but we can all do it. I am a true community builder!
Is there anything new that you are working on or involved in that you would like to share?
I just finished my new book "Befuddled? Live the Life You Choose!" and I am working on uplifting others, creating worksheets and a workbook that goes along with my book. I am also working on new creative ideas for my Podcast, 'Marketing with Russ… aka #RussSelfie'.
I am always working on ways to help my clients to connect better and develop networking skills and thus their business.