Starting Over From Scratch - The Building of a New Brand / How to Recognize Opportunities

Mark Rodgers, The Curator and mastermind of the DaVinci and Michelangelo Exhibitions for North America for over 10+ years, describes the process of taking him from being one of the largest real estate developers in the Midwest in 2008 - 2010, to literally and economically being "wiped out" by the bank foreclosures in one of the largest real estate meltdowns in US history. By investigating, recognizing opportunities, and taking a huge chance, Mark, through alliances and previous business contacts, was able to represent, create and market the national touring exhibition of the DaVinci Machines and Michelangelo Exhibitions from Florence, Italy that has toured the US since 2011. 

Pulling from his experience at CBS Television, Mark personally designed the exhibition layout of the DaVinci Machines and Michelangelo Exhibitions. From his experience as National Sales Manager of New Business for Hertz Rent-a-Car, developed the marketing and wrote the DaVinci Machines Guided Tour that guides exhibitions patrons through the exhibition. The guided tours became so popular that those tours were produced into a multi-media performing arts theater production that made its major theatrical debut at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota, FL in 2014. “The DaVinci Michelangelo Experience” Theatrical Production was signed and represented by the internationally renowned theatrical booking agency Columbia Artists Theatricals in NYC. The multi-media production made its Off-Broadway debut on August 15th, 2019 in NYC and continued for over 100+ performances. In 2022, The DaVinci Michelangelo Experience Theatre Production was nominated by Broadway World for Best Play, Best Actor, Best Direction, Best Lighting, and Sound. The theatrical production continues today.   

The takeaway from this presentation is for the individual to recognize opportunities and pull from their past experiences and relationships to build a new rewarding life.