Grant Lawson is the Lead Crowdfunding Strategies at InventureX, a firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs raise the funds they need to launch a product or service on crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo. Mr. Lawson boasts a diverse skill set that ranges from marketing and business strategy to writing and leadership.

We recently sat down with Grant Lawson after reading his feature on Rookstool Interviews to discuss some of what has turned InventureX into the success it is today.

1. Tell Us About A Person or Business Organization You Admire. How Has Their Influence Made an Impact on Your Style and Approach Toward Success at InventureX?

I tend to appreciate “idea people,” because they have the unique ability to envision tomorrow’s world today. I find that it’s easiest to connect with this base by reading as much as I can and dabbling in writing, giving you a strong knowledge base and an outlet that creative ideas can flow through.

I incorporate this strategy when working with prospective clients at InventureX. If I have a great marketing idea during one of my creative brainstorming sessions, I absolutely share it with every entrepreneur I feel it may benefit. Likewise, staying well-read helps me keep up with the latest industry trends.

2. What Makes You Effective and Most Happy When Leading Others on Your Team?

I feel that groups work best in a collaborative environment, so I’m at my most effective when our group is having a nice discussion without any clearly defined “leader.” I love using the IdeaScale platform because it allows individuals to share any ideas they have without regard for its immediate reception in a room full of people.

I also feel that effective communication skills are essential in the modern world, regardless of career choice. To that end, I’ve been involved with a group called Toastmasters over the years that helps keep my public speaking skills sharp.

3. What’s One of Your Favorite Books You’ve Read More Than Once?

I have two for you: Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuk and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Both are marketing books with an emphasis on maintaining the right frame of mind. It is so easy to be thrown off track even if you know exactly where you’re going, so having a constant reminder to stay on course has been enormously beneficial to me.

4. With Respect to Being in a Leadership Position at InventureX, What Are Some of the Challenges You’re Faced With?

The purpose of InventureX is to help entrepreneurs launch successful crowdfunding campaigns to get their ideas off of the ground. Unfortunately, not every idea we hear is a good one, nor is every good idea a fit for our service. One of the hardest parts of my job is telling entrepreneurs that we realistically cannot help them after they decided to take the time to contact us.

Of course, I need to do it. If we start taking clients just for a paycheck rather than truly sharing their vision, we would be no different from the nine million other digital marketers out there. The fact that we truly believe in every company we work with gives us a competitive advantage.

5. How Has the Professional Development You’ve Done on Your Own Had an Impact on the Growth of InventureX?

That is an interesting question! Honestly, my professional efforts are tied to InventureX to the point that I’m not sure I’ve done anything outside of it. I love writing, but I incorporate that work into InventureX. I love fitness, largely because it improves my self-confidence so that I can succeed for InventureX. I’ve also gained experience with valuable tools such as ClickFunnels and Crazy Egg, but again that was through InventureX.