Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Flynn.
Anthony, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My mother gave birth to me the summer before her senior year of high school in Memphis, TN. Born in poverty and fighting as a family to overcome those conditions, we eventually rose out and found ourselves on the fringes of where urban, inner-city Memphis intersected with one of the wealthiest communities in the United States. I was bussed to a suburban middle school and got a transfer to attend the feeder high school (Germantown). I took Latin every single year and had to apply to the board of education to provide proof that my zoned high school (Kirby) did not offer the subject.
When it was time to attend college, the history of my background and childhood caught up with me. Though I had the grades and even the encouragement from my head football coach to consider playing ball at Cornell University, I was a kid “from the hood” who had never heard of Ithaca, NY. So, I found myself at a Division 1-AA school (Tennessee Tech) where I signed a full football scholarship.
I showed up on campus and discovered I had a roommate who was still addicted to the streets. He eventually got locked up and did 16 years of Federal Imprisonment time for pushing hard drugs. I realized pretty quickly that staying on campus there and in that small town was not going to lead me to the best outcome for my life. That being stated, I gave up my football scholarship and moved back home to finish out at The University of Memphis. I made the most of the opportunity by going on to become the “Top Student” in my business major (Sales) along with becoming “Intern of the Year” for one of the top internship programs in our country (INROADS). I was recruited by several Fortune 500 companies.
My Bio below speaks to much of the rest of my story:
Anthony Flynn is a Self-Discipline Strategist and Follow-Through expert. As a successful leader in the business world with numerous Fortune 100 giants (e.g. Kraft Foods, RJ Reynolds and 3M) and a pioneering executive in numerous, multi-million dollar non-profit ventures, Anthony has a proven track record for converting ideas and theories to actionable achievements. Anthony has been a featured speaker and voice before tens of thousands of people at Harvard University, Emory University, Georgia Tech, The University of Memphis, Biz1190 (Wall Street Journal syndicated radio show), TEDx, Q Conference and many additional channels that include television, radio, podcasts and keynote addresses.
He has authored two books: The Execution Pipeline: A Step-by-Step Guide to Moving Your Business Idea From Dream to Reality and The Happiness Map: Finding Fulfillment in Life and Work. He is also the founder of The Gifted Education Foundation (www.iamgifted.org) which produces marketplace leaders from low-income communities across America. Anthony graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program in 2017 where he won the business pitch competition for his cohort.
Anthony serves on a number of nationally renowned business and non-profit boards. He also serves as a coach and consultant to a number of high net-worth individuals, companies, professional athletes, small businesses, non-profit organizations and churches. Anthony loves spending time with his wife of 16 years along with his son and daughter. Additionally, he enjoys reading, physical fitness and mentoring emerging leaders. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Sales from The University of Memphis where he graduated as the Top Student in his major and he also holds a Master of Arts in Religion degree from Memphis Theological Seminary where he graduated with honors.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. Over the years, I had to lead a national organization through the worst crisis in its 20-year history during the economic downturn of 2008-2009. I lost my stepfather to a massive stroke on my daughters birthday seven years ago.
Three years ago my mother was diagnosed with and paralyzed by Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome and my brother’s best friend was murdered within 30 days of that incident.
Those are just a few of the challenges I have had to face as I have continued to navigate life and business.
Amazing CEO – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The mission of The Amazing CEO is “to accelerate CEOs and Key Executives.” I speak, coach and consult some of the high achieving executives and their companies.
My Business methodologies are grounded in 5 Pillars of Business:
-People, Product, Process, Pillars (Management, Operations, Marketing, Finance) and Philanthropy
Additionally, many of the executives I work with need support with life outside of work as well. These domains are:
-Personal, Family, Career, Purpose/Spiritual and Community
I am most proud of the fact that the executives I have been working with are seeing substantial results in our targeted areas of focus. What sets our brand apart is the ability to strike a favorable balance in supporting executives in both their personal lives and in their business lives. Along with that comes the aspect of being able to do it rooted in empathy that comes from a place of pain grounded in my personal life journey.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far has been the launching of this company. Most people who come from my background barely make it out the conditions of their community due to drugs, gang, violence, crime, etc. Not only did I make it out, but I have managed to achieve a level of success that has empowered me to win the trust of people as high up as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies… and on a very intimate level.
I consider that a major accomplishment!
Contact Info:
- Address: 885 Woodstock Road Suite 430-198
Roswell, GA 30075 - Website: www.amazingceo.com
- Phone: 402-457-9421
- Email: abonn@amazingceo.com
- Instagram: anthony flynn_ac
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.m.flynn.7
- Twitter: 1AnthonyFlynn
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
