Jim Manley is the founder of Manley Creative, a Phoenix agency that breathes life into brands through authentic storytelling. “We’re truly passionate about what we do, and I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built and the core values we’ve instilled.” Learn about Jim Manley…
Follow at: @manleycreativeteam; @LinkedIn
Hometown: Carlinville, Illinois
First job: After I graduated college, I didn’t have a real plan of what I was going to do, I just knew I wanted to tell stories. I moved to Phoenix with practically nothing but my guitar in hand and got a job as a photojournalist at a television newsroom.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Raising my three sons. Two of my boys are grown, out of the house, and manage their businesses. They told me they decided to become business owners after watching me start and grow Manley Creative, one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever had. My youngest is 10, and it’s been so much fun to go back and do it all again. With, of course, much more wisdom this time around.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: From a business perspective, navigating through the Great Recession 2008 and the pandemic were undeniable hurdles. But, the biggest obstacle I’ve overcome, which was also my greatest lesson, was losing my shoe in the middle of an 8th-grade cross-country race and still finishing first place. I certainly wasn’t the best runner in the race, and I had over a mile to go without a shoe, but somewhere between the obvious discomfort and the finish line, I decided that I was going to win no matter what. It was the first time I realized that if I shifted my mindset, I could achieve something that nobody thought I could do.
Someone who inspires you and why: While I’m fortunate to be surrounded by people who inspire me daily, my dad and mom have influenced me the most. They were both educators. My father was a guidance counselor, teacher, and basketball coach; my mother taught preschool. They instilled in me at a young age to treat everyone with kindness and to be stewards of your community. My mom is retired now, but her zeal for life and passion for learning new things has not slowed down.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: While I’m a CEO and business owner, I’m a storyteller at my core. To succeed in each role, you must acknowledge you can’t do everything alone and surround yourself with a team that is equally passionate about what they do. Find mentors you can trust and resolve to the notion that you’ll always learn new things as this industry evolves. I’m still learning and seeking advice from people doing it well.
Favorite quote: “Nothing survives but the way we live our lives.” —Jackson Browne
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I’ve lived in Phoenix for so long and love the city so much that most assume I grew up here. I’m a kid from the country. I grew up in a small town in Illinois surrounded by the wilderness. Most of my childhood was spent fishing, boating, and enjoying the outdoors.
What makes someone fabulous: Someone who continually shows empathy and desires to change the world positively is fabulous.