I am a serial entrepreneur. For those of you out there that cannot relate, let me simply say that this has nothing to do with Captin' Crunch, Cheerios or Mini Wheats.

It means that I am the etemal optimist, I never run out of ideas and I never run out of energy. Here is my story... oh and as you're reading... remember what my mentor once told me: "you are never as perfect as when you're writing your own bio."

 

After a series of moderately successful lemonade stands from the youthful age of six, I started my first employee-driven business, a catering company, while still in college. In 1989, I founded Drasnin Communications, a national public relations firm based in San Diego. In 2002, I launched Foundation Makers, a marketing firm targeting professional athletes.

 

I started my PR career in Los Angeles, relocated to San Diego in 1989 and decided to take a chance. In the early days, I worked out of the cabana in the backyard of my home with only a computer and a fax machine. Within a few years, I was running a nationally-recognized and highly awarded agency. While few would have believed that a medium-sized entrepreneurial venture could handle Fortune 500 clients, we more than handled the big shots, we made them media heroes. My company was soon playing in the international PR sandbox and landed such high-profile clients as Debbi fields of Mrs. Fields Cookies, American Express, General Electric, Eisenhower Medical Center, Hang Ten, Ken Blanchard, DC shoes and others.

 

In 2005, after sixteen successful years, I joined with another nationally-recognized agency and did new business development for the firm. In that same year, Foundation Makers expanded its reach beyond professional athletes and began establishing non-profit foundations for business municipalities and families.

 

My approach to business and life is to focus only on those areas where I am skilled and passionate. I was born a natural communicator and I have spent my life establishing and nurturing relationships. In the past 25 years, I've built a nationwide network of investors, media, business executive and professional athletes.

 

I embrace technology and believe that anyone can become wildly successful with only a Blackberry and a laptop.

 

I am humbled to have been nominated for Emst & Young's Entrepreneur of the year and Brooks Brothers' Man of the year. I am slightly bitter that I won neither award but wrote the supporting material for two of my clients who did win. Only kidding... kind of. I donate hundreds of hours of service to promote small business and entrepreneurship. I am also a frequent speaker at marketing seminars, universities, business groups and associations, where I contribute by sharing my experiences with others.

 

Philanthropy has become a driving force in my recent past. My wife and I have established our own community foundation and I have encouraged my clients to get involved in outreach programs including environmental causes, supporting the arts, and assisting those in need. I have served on a number of boards including the Salvation Army and the Young Entrepreneurs Organization. I am an active board member of the San Diego Wholesale Credit Association, the San Diego Executives Association and the Chairman of the Board of the Black Mountain Ranch Community Association (a non-profit organization representing nearly 6,000 home owners in San Diego's north county.

 

I live in San Diego with my wife, Gwyn, and four year old twins Aaron and Sophie.