In this series we invite you to meet and learn from thinkers, doers, and believers who find success by actively living in the grey.
Jason Kanner has loved fashion for as long as he can remember. Coming from a very lower middle-class family he remembers saving up money week by week just to buy issues of Vogue Italia. At age 27, he took that passion/obsession, combined it with his experience and founded Soul Artist Management, a New York-based agency that represents these prominent and highly recognizable talents such as Tyson Beckford, Marcus Shenkenberg, Cory Bond and Chad White.
Jason’s company motto is “management with heart” because his aim is to make sure that his staff and the talent he signs are not treated like they are just another number. Whether it is Super Bowl parties or Thanksgivings at Jason’s home with the models and the other Soul staff, or their summer weekend getaways and vacations, the models, Jason and the rest of the Soul staff are like one big happy family - there is no line between work and play.
What does living in the grey mean to you?
I do what I love and I make it a point to integrate that joy and passion into my business and also my private life.
Do you have a boundary between work and life? If so, how do you define it?
I’ve worked as an Agent my entire adult life so a large number of my friends are also in my industry. I run a very family orientated business, my two sisters actually work with me, so I could say that there are a few boundaries of course, but there is a lot of grey.
Who is a mentor of yours and why?
Bethann Hardison. Bethann is a breathing example to me of living in truth, fighting for what’s right and not caving to the political side. She has been an inspiration to me for almost 30 years.
What’s the first thing you read in the morning?
CNN.com, NYTIMES.com, WWD and of course all of my emails from Europe.
What are three things you make sure you do every day?
Weigh myself, exercise for at least an hour and have a good laugh.
Do you have a motto?
“Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop”. It’s my personal affirmation that I have used in the past 18 months during my weight loss program.
How do you ensure your intentions become actions?
By actually doing them and leading by example even when it’s difficult.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
I have two: #1: You spend more time with your staff usually than your own family, so be sure to treat them well. #2: Always sign your own checks.
Meet more members of the Live in the Grey Community:
- Sara Boucher, teacher
- Tim Sparks, filmmaker
- Jeff Raider, co-founder of Harry’s and Warby Parker