Madeleine Vite of madphoto.com created all the photos below :
Our 234th Dad in the Limelight is Brian Chossek of
Garlic Gold. I want to thank Brian for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing him with all of you.
1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)
I’m a 36-year old social entrepreneur who bypassed Wall Street and other traditional MBA opportunities to help start businesses that make a difference. I’m also the proud father of a 10-month old and proud participant in the life of my fiancee’s 17 and 21 year-old daughters.
Since 2003, I’ve served as President of Seven Oaks Farm, where we make and market break through, certified organic, consumer goods products including our Hand Crafted Gourmet food line, Garlic Gold. In addition to my efforts at Seven Oaks, I serve on the Board of a variety of non-profits, including the World Business Academy, a 25-year old organization seeking to understand and clarify the role of business in society and create a vision of businesses being a vehicle for societal betterment and other lesser known, but equally important non-profits. I dedicate a percentage of my time, on a pro-bono basis, to other entities and individuals working to make a difference.
Since as early as 2003, we were identified as a Top 20 Organic Company and subsequently profiled in the NY Times and other publications due to our track record of success, social mission and break through products. Most recently, we’ve begun transforming the personal care and products industry with a break-through product, Aloe Cadabra, one of the first certified to new organic standards for body care products. As a result, I’m frequently contacted by entrepreneurs and others to offer insights and expertise, a wonderful opportunity, but, another time commitment.
2) Tell me about your family
My fiancee and I have a beautiful blended family with our 10-month old baby boy, my fiancee’s amazing 17 and 21 year old daughters, and our “adopted Daughter,” Yomiko, who helps us care for Hudson. Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to get to know each other, welcome our 10-month old to the family and make sure everyone has the opportunity to follow their own path’s and dreams.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
Patience and time. In a small growing company where I wear many hats and a new, growing family, time is always short and things needing attention, long. Each person in our family deserves time, energy and attention, as does the company and the people we’re blessed to have work for us. Having the patience to provide that time in a caring and compassionate way, when pulled in many directions, and having the discipline to focus on the most important things, whether at home or the office, are the greatest challenges I face.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
Trust yourself and your ability to handle more things than you’ve ever imagined: You have the ability to rise to the occasion when it presents itself!
Flow with and embrace the responsibilities, opportunities and new things you face ; and
Remember to say thank you and share your affection for those that are most important to you. They are your support system!
5) Seeing that you (or your position) are in the limelight, how have you come to balance parenthood and outside life? If you are currently not in the limelight per se, please still answer this in regards to how you balance parenthood and outside life.
The most important things for me are to identify the most important things that require ME, surrounding myself with good people and delegating those things that don’t require me, making a conscious effort every day to remind myself of what’s most important to me and being willing to let go of perfection and the desire to do “everything.”
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
That your life will never be, “normal,” again. Expect and embrace the unexpected. It only (often) comes around once. Don’t miss the big moments with your family. Big moments at the office will come around again. And, try to maintain your compassion and empathy for those around you, even in the midst of the most challenging, busy times.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
It’s the most amazing experience I’ve had and caused me to grow more than I ever have in a short period of time.
What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
Watching our family come together – 17-year old and 21-year old embracing their new younger brother. The rush of emotion and elation that comes from watching your children experience joy and the return of the sense of wonder that comes from watching a baby experience things for the first time.
If you have any questions for Brian, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!
Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!
