Enterprenuer
Dr. Brian Agnew is the C.E.O. of Sphinx Minerva Group, a boutique leadership, and management consultancy firm.
Dr. Brian D. Agnew is the Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner of the company and an experienced leader in campaign planning and crisis management.
About Brian Agnew
Brian Agnew has a background in diversity, inclusion, and economics.
He has had the opportunity to manage dynamic teams of finance, communications, and fundraising professionals to extraordinary success.
They raised more than $100 million to improve the quality, accessibility, and quality of higher education in the United States.
Dr. Agnew graduated from the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management (I.E.M.) post-doctoral I.E.M.ogram.
He is a doctoral candidate in organizational leadership at Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information.
His research focused on the effectiveness of presidential administration at higher education institutions.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Utica College and M.B.A. in Business Management from Syracuse University.
Dr. Agnew was an adjunct faculty member at Montclair State University.
He has also taught courses at Utica College, Rutgers University, Yale University, and Rutgers University.
His lectures often cover leadership effectiveness and the impact of equity diversity and inclusion, fundraising, and the future of higher education.
He was the inaugural Fellow of Rutgers University’s Pre-Doctoral Leader Development Institute.
Apart from his professional achievements, Dr. Agnew has received numerous awards,
- Diversity MBA Magazine’s “Top 100 Executives Under 50”
- NAACP “W.E.B. DuBois Leadership Award
- NJ Biz “Forty Under 40 Award”
- Network Journal “Forty Under 40 Award”
- Mohawk Valley “Forty Under 40 Award”
- Utica College “Young Alumni Award”
- Congressional Citation for his community.
His community involvements are deep as he has served on the STATE Theater Board of Trustees, New Brunswick, NJ, and as a trustee of Alpha Alpha Lambda Scholarship and Education Foundation.
The Department of Defense has awarded him three times as a Civilian Honorary Commandant for Joint Base McGuire Dix – Lakehurst.
Dr. Brian Agnew, a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is a competitive volleyball player and a volunteer firefighter captain in Piscataway, NJ.
He has received Meritorious Service Awards and Meritorious Service Awards for rescue operations during Hurricane Irene and Sandy.
He currently lives in New Jersey, a proud father and husband.
What is the story of Sphinx Mineralva Group?
SphinxMinerva Group was established to assist both for-profits and non-profit organizations with developing strategies that will move them and their leaders “Surviving To Thriving.”
Our clients come to us because they want to overcome obstacles or create designs that will help them be the best.
Our goal is to partner with our clients to promote organizational success in all areas of their business.
Our areas of expertise include Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and Organizational Effectiveness.
We also have experience in Emergency Management and Preparedness.
Fundraising Leadership and Integrated Marketing & Communication.
How do you stay productive?
My days are always productive. My day starts with reviewing my day’s schedule.
I am passionate about what I do and want to make meaningful connections in my community—giving back and being critical of charitable parts.
Sphinx Minera group is my primary role. I also have several other functions, including being an educator, motivational speaker, author, volunteer firefighter, and author.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I enjoy having collaborative discussions with my colleagues.
You can spark a fire in your team when you have an idea you love and present it to others.
The team-driven culture at SphinxMinerva Group gives life to your vision much better.
What’s your favorite trend?
The company behind the brand seems to be getting more attention from consumers.
Businesses that go above and beyond to ensure equality and inclusion are appreciated.
Companies will understand how important these issues are if greater awareness and appreciation are.
What habits make you productive?
It is a daily habit for me to keep my promises.
It is important to me that I am trustworthy.
I am committed to my job, love what it does, and am devoted to the work.
What’s your advice for the Noob?
Find your “True North.” It was something a mentor told me once, and I didn’t know what he meant.
Your True North is your centering force when things don’t go as expected.
Some people have their True North in family, religion, exercise, or reading.
Whatever it is for them, lean in when you need to be your best self.
It was a great mentor who explained it to me, but I wish I could have had that opportunity earlier in my life.
What is one thing we can all agree on?
Motivational speaker and motivational speaker, my ability to remain positive in any situation are unmatched.
Today, many people are so stuck in a negative mentality that they spend much time thinking about it.
It doesn’t take a lot to be positive, they believe.
It’s easy to make small changes in your thinking to help you overcome the more significant obstacles.
Before you know it, you can become a positive thinker.
What do you recommend as an entrepreneur?
Volunteer. Volunteer firefighting is hard work for me.
However, I feel uplifted when I do so. It doesn’t matter what charitable cause you are interested in.
I urge you to make time to volunteer for it. VolunteeringC.E.O your local community is a must-have for entrepreneurs.
Building strong communities is key to entrepreneurship.
Volunteering in your local community can be a great way to help others.
You will also grow as an individual, which will help you become a beC.E.Or leader C.E.O.E.O…
What’s your rich strategy?
We are committed to community outreach and have attracted new customers.
Word-of-mouth referrals have helped us gain clients.
It is vital to have a good reputation and be active in your community.
Apart from work, I do a lot more volunteering—volunteer firefighter.
I also participate in youth mentoring programs.
It is a rewarding experience to help others succeed.
This attitude and commitment are reflected in the company.
It is why we have such positive client engagement.
How do you overcome Failure?
The acquisition of another business was the most disastrous.
This was the moment that had the most significant impact.
After being excited about the merger, we did our research and got to the closing.
However, we discovered that the other party had failed to complete a significant piece of the puzzle.
We had all the assurances and a signed contract that the other party would handle it.
However, the deal was canceled after that.
Although disappointing and costly, I learned that failure is not the best thing.
I learned many things about contracts, raising capital, and investor behavior.
It also taught me how to bounce back from failure as an entrepreneur.
This experience taught me a lot about myself and helped me to learn from my mistakes so that I am ready for success when (not if!) another opportunity arises.
Can you share a business idea?
The pandemic presents many opportunities, which has led to many professionals shifting to work-from-home.
Remote work will become the norm in some industries, and very little preparation will create effective structures/systems/processes.
Many of us took place at the dining room table and set up our laptops, hoping it would take a week before we were back there again. But it was a year later.
My business idea is to offer professional coaching in “Productive Work From Home Techniques.”
This is not general advice but specific industry-based executive coaching to ensure success in this new environment.
What’s your recent best buy?
Amazon was the best place to spend $100 recently. I bought a variety of books there.
All of them were recommendations from friends and colleagues with one goal: to improve my mental health.
It is essential to take a moment to breathe in the fresh scent of the grass and listen to the birds’ songs.
You can also turn off your phone, read a book that takes your imagination to a new place, spend quality time with family, and find your spiritual center.
You will be able to relax and be more productive in your business.
What are your favorite Softwares or Apps?
Asana is a great task management software.
It can organize information, assign and track tasks, improve team collaboration, and keep you on time.
Which book would you recommend?
You are going For the Gold: How To Become an Academic Fundraiser Jeffrey L. Buller Ph.D.
This book is an excellent resource for those who work in higher education, but not necessarily in development.
Buller and Reeves state that you are a fundraiser f you work in higher education regardless of your title or job.
This book is an excellent resource for understanding the fundamentals of building relationships.
What’s your favorite quote?
“The ultimate measure for a man’s character is not his position in times of convenience and comfort, but how he responds to challenges and controversy.”
Dr. Martin Luther King
TL;DR by Brian Agnew
Your ideas will come to life when you have collaborative discussions with your team.
Be a good example and keep your word.
Find your “true North.”
Volunteer often.
Don’t let others’ negative behavior bring you down.
Keep your focus on the essential things and persevere.
