Interview with Brian of Cheersupnation

This week I’m featuring Brian from cheerupnation.com. Brian has recently started a blog where he publish pictures with photos of kids holding an inspirational sign. The concept is so powerful that I go to his blog every day and every time I need to be motivated.

Oscar: Hi Brian, could you please explain us who you are and what you are currently doing?

Brian: Sure, Oscar. Until recently I was working in Hollywood at one of the big Studios but then let go. Also, my wife and I just had a daughter 8 months ago, so a lot of very fascinating (some would say SCARY) things going on. Clearly, I had to come up with something quick, but I’d also reached that point in my life where I decided I had to start living life. Until then I’d been floating along so to speak looking for my path. They say your path doesn’t go away it just gets buried. Yeah, where?
Joking aside, being let go was one of the biggest blessings in my life. It finally forced me to stop talking about doing something and do it. I’ve always loved working with kids, writing, inspiration, funny videos, that sort of thing, so I thought “That’s what I need to be doing with my life.” Two weeks after being let go, I launched www.cheerupnation.com.

Oscar: How did you get the idea to start this project?

Brian: I wanted to do something BIG with my life. At the same time I grew tired of listening to all the doom and gloom news and accompanying soul drain going on around me. So I thought What would cheer people up? And, more importantly, who am I? Because it doesn’t make a lot of sense to create something that wasn’t in alignment with my true self. But I’ve always been a motivator. And I’ve always loved life and kids because I think they are who we are — until we let social conditioning take over. Secretly, though, we’d all like to be that happy again. And, really, what’s more inspiring than kids? And quotes, people love quotes. So I thought kids + quotes = double the inspiration! Plus, kids because of their inherent joy and love make a great platform to launch a happiness project.

Oscar: Who’s behind this project?

Brian: So far just me and my 6 year old Sony Vaio labtop. That’s not a product plug by the way, just a reminder that ANYONE can start something big if they have an idea and the courage to start. Eventually as I do PAPAintthestreets I will be joined by “roving reporters” who are funny/amazing bloggers I’ve met along the way that fit the spirit of CHEERUPNATION. But right now it’s just me. And I respond to every email. I think it’s important if you’re making something for the community to be a part of that community.

Oscar: What kind of response did you receive so far?

Brian: The response has been HUGE. People love it! I’ve received numerous emails thanking me for putting something positive on the web. I’ve also received emails thanking me because their kids saw themselves on the computer and told all their friends. Everyone thinks (and I agree) that CHEERUPNATION has huge potential. The next ICANHAZCHEZBURGER. Hey, if cakewrecks.com found an audience, there’s room for CHEERUPNATION. Think of all the cheesy Inspirational email FWD’s you get. This is something people actually like passing on — and receiving. (The receiving part being the important part, of course.) :)

Oscar: How can individuals contribute to your project?

Brian: Send in a photo of your kid with an inspirational sign! If you don’t have kids, make some! Joking. But, seriously, tell your friends! Tell your friends’ friends. Tell your friends’ friends’ friends! Also, you don’t have to have kids to enjoy the site. Everyone needs a boost. A daily pick me up. Cute kids with their Jonas brothers T-shirts, their baby teeth falling out, their big smiles just make it easier for us to forget the serious stuff in life for a moment and SMILE. That’s the idea. You smile, I smile, we all smile, suddenly it’s contagious and we’ve started a movement. Keep it going! Our natural state is happiness. Forget the doom and gloom. As the Black Eyed Pea’s sing it’s all about the Boom, Boom, YEAH!!!!" Okay, totally wasted reference if you don’t know the song. But, seriously, let’s have fun — and stay young!
Thanks for the interview, Oscar. And thanks to everyone reading this! SMILE, peoples! I promise it doesn’t hurt.

Oscar: Thank you for your time Brian. I encourage everybody to go to your website right now and enjoy your free content.

Posted on July 13 2009

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