Guest Speaker: Mike Arzt
Mike Arzt is an entrepreneur, adventure photographer, and longtime EO member whose career began the same way many meaningful journeys do—without a clear plan, but with a powerful pull. As a young adult, Mike wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, but he knew one thing for certain: he loved sliding on snow. So he pursued that passion relentlessly, “like it was his last meal,” trusting that commitment and curiosity would lead somewhere worthwhile.
One of Mike’s favorite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a simple story about a young man on a grand adventure to pursue his destiny. The book deeply influenced how Mike thinks about life and work, especially two themes that continue to guide him: when presented with two paths, the easier one is often the wrong one, and once you identify your mission and share it with the world, the universe has a way of conspiring to make it happen.
Those ideas helped shape some of Mike’s biggest decisions. After landing what many would consider a dream job at Burton Snowboards—traveling the world with elite riders—Mike made the difficult choice to leave comfort behind and pursue an entrepreneurial path. His journey led him through media and snowboard companies where his growing skills in photography, videography, editing, and producing became increasingly valuable. Over time, that collection of skills and experiences culminated in the launch of The Public Works, a creative agency now more than 20 years in the making.
Twelve years ago, Mike joined the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and found a community that matched the level of passion he had long believed himself to possess. His personal mission has since evolved into what he calls “the business of fun,” a philosophy rooted in creativity, curiosity, and blurring the line between work and play.
In A Student in the Art of Living, Mike reflects on building a life and career fueled by passion, continual learning, and the courage to choose the harder path. His story resonates deeply with young adults and entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty, questioning their direction, or searching for permission to pursue what truly excites them—even without a perfectly defined roadmap. Mike remains profoundly grateful that he can still tap into the memory of being a young adult infatuated with snowboarding and daring to believe that passion could become a career—and discovering, years later, that it did.
Guest Speaker: Mike Arzt
Mike Arzt is an entrepreneur, adventure photographer, and longtime EO member whose career began the same way many meaningful journeys do—without a clear plan, but with a powerful pull. As a young adult, Mike wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, but he knew one thing for certain: he loved sliding on snow. So he pursued that passion relentlessly, “like it was his last meal,” trusting that commitment and curiosity would lead somewhere worthwhile.
One of Mike’s favorite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a simple story about a young man on a grand adventure to pursue his destiny. The book deeply influenced how Mike thinks about life and work, especially two themes that continue to guide him: when presented with two paths, the easier one is often the wrong one, and once you identify your mission and share it with the world, the universe has a way of conspiring to make it happen.
Those ideas helped shape some of Mike’s biggest decisions. After landing what many would consider a dream job at Burton Snowboards—traveling the world with elite riders—Mike made the difficult choice to leave comfort behind and pursue an entrepreneurial path. His journey led him through media and snowboard companies where his growing skills in photography, videography, editing, and producing became increasingly valuable. Over time, that collection of skills and experiences culminated in the launch of The Public Works, a creative agency now more than 20 years in the making.
Twelve years ago, Mike joined the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and found a community that matched the level of passion he had long believed himself to possess. His personal mission has since evolved into what he calls “the business of fun,” a philosophy rooted in creativity, curiosity, and blurring the line between work and play.
In A Student in the Art of Living, Mike reflects on building a life and career fueled by passion, continual learning, and the courage to choose the harder path. His story resonates deeply with young adults and entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty, questioning their direction, or searching for permission to pursue what truly excites them—even without a perfectly defined roadmap. Mike remains profoundly grateful that he can still tap into the memory of being a young adult infatuated with snowboarding and daring to believe that passion could become a career—and discovering, years later, that it did.
Mike Arzt is an entrepreneur, adventure photographer, and longtime EO member whose career began the same way many meaningful journeys do—without a clear plan, but with a powerful pull. As a young adult, Mike wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, but he knew one thing for certain: he loved sliding on snow. So he pursued that passion relentlessly, “like it was his last meal,” trusting that commitment and curiosity would lead somewhere worthwhile.
One of Mike’s favorite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a simple story about a young man on a grand adventure to pursue his destiny. The book deeply influenced how Mike thinks about life and work, especially two themes that continue to guide him: when presented with two paths, the easier one is often the wrong one, and once you identify your mission and share it with the world, the universe has a way of conspiring to make it happen.
Those ideas helped shape some of Mike’s biggest decisions. After landing what many would consider a dream job at Burton Snowboards—traveling the world with elite riders—Mike made the difficult choice to leave comfort behind and pursue an entrepreneurial path. His journey led him through media and snowboard companies where his growing skills in photography, videography, editing, and producing became increasingly valuable. Over time, that collection of skills and experiences culminated in the launch of The Public Works, a creative agency now more than 20 years in the making.
Twelve years ago, Mike joined the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and found a community that matched the level of passion he had long believed himself to possess. His personal mission has since evolved into what he calls “the business of fun,” a philosophy rooted in creativity, curiosity, and blurring the line between work and play.
In A Student in the Art of Living, Mike reflects on building a life and career fueled by passion, continual learning, and the courage to choose the harder path. His story resonates deeply with young adults and entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty, questioning their direction, or searching for permission to pursue what truly excites them—even without a perfectly defined roadmap. Mike remains profoundly grateful that he can still tap into the memory of being a young adult infatuated with snowboarding and daring to believe that passion could become a career—and discovering, years later, that it did.
