Finding Your Purpose with Shawn Stigler

In today’s episode of What Didn’t Kill You, I’m joined by Managing Partner of the Colorado branch of law firm Michael Best, Shawn Stigler! Shawn also leads Michael Best's Venture Best program, focused on supporting high growth entrepreneurs. Shawn has had a very entrepreneurial path as an attorney and is no stranger to the struggles that are presented when working in a team environment. 

We discuss what motivated him to make a start in law, lessons he learned throughout his business relationships, as well as some background on his time volunteering in life and death situations through Grand County Search and Rescue. Shawn shares his personal philosophies that he’s adopted throughout his career and gives some industry insights into the pitfalls and successes of the work he’s been exposed to.    

Our perception of the world is a reflection of our values and way of living. Being able to view even the darkest of times as something we can learn and grow from is a unique capability and one that is not born overnight. Shawn is definitely a guest that we can all take something away from, due to having such a unique perspective in his business life.  

If you’re interested to learn more about Shawn’s journey, then tune in to Episode 3 of What Didn’t Kill You!

Some Questions I Ask:

• Could you tell me a bit about what you do? (1:16)
• How did you make your start in law? (3:43)
• What gave you the confidence to start your own enterprise? (11:47)
• What was the separation between you and your business partner like for you? (15:56)
• Was joining Search and Rescue your first experience dealing with grief? (24:58)
• How does your experience seeing so much loss within Search and Rescue affect your approach with clients? (30:37)
• How do you navigate the pressures of needing to meet people’s needs during tough times? (35:18)
• Did the challenges you went through in your first company influence your decision to join a larger firm? (40:19)
• What would you say your purpose is? (50:17)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• A brief background on Shawn Stigler (1:28)
• How Shawn discovered his motivations for pursuing the path he sought out (9:39)
• What Shawn’s first six months of starting his own company looked like (14:53)
• Lessons Shawn learned from separating with his business partner (17:35)
• Shawn’s experience in Search and Rescue (20:33)
• My perspective on my personal loss and how grief has shaped our lives (28:45)
• Shawn’s perspective on success and failure from a business standpoint (43:09)

Connect With Michael Silverman:

• Instagram

Connect With Shawn Stigler:

• Venture Best - Shawn’s Profile
• Venture Best - Company Website
• LinkedIn

Resources: 

• Book - “Start With Why” Author, Simon Sinek
• Book - “The Infinite Game” Author, Simon Sinek
• Book - “The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building A Business When There Ar