Brian Swanson - Finding Purpose from Shared Joy

Brian Swanson never had a childhood dream of becoming an entrepreneur. His path to business ownership began after retiring from the Air Force in 2009, when he discovered an opportunity that aligned with his diverse skills and experiences. While his early careers took him through construction, computer management and the financial worlds, it was books like "Who Moved My Cheese?" that provided inspiration to venture into entrepreneurship. "It's a book that you can read today, and you're not going to get the exact same thought process as you got yesterday,"

Brian explains about his favorite motivational read. "It really brings out where you are in the moment." When Brian took over GalaxyFest in 2015, he faced immediate challenges. Potential sponsors dismissed the event as "nothing but a bunch of geeks living in their parents' basement." This misconception became a driving force behind his determination to transform perceptions while creating meaningful experiences.

What keeps Brian motivated isn't necessarily grand ambitions but rather the joy he creates for others. "What I do, especially with GalaxyFest, is a matter of people being happy," he shares. This focus on community impact has become his defining purpose. Through his entrepreneurial journey, Brian has redefined his understanding of success.

Rather than chasing universal approval, he now recognizes that success comes from the accumulation of small victories and the ability to shape perceptions. His experience demonstrates how entrepreneurship can transform not just a business but also the entrepreneur's own definition of fulfillment.