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This November, salon owners will see just how Wahl combines these aspects seamlessly with the kind of positive energy that changes minds and opens hearts. But he isn't coming to Nashville just to ramble about feelings or fuff: Wahl paints a dynamic picture of how you can unlock you true potential for success in business. In an exclusive Smart Tan Magazine interview, Wahl discusses his journey through the business world, the art world, and what to expect when he rocks your world at the indoor tanning industry's largest trade show. The Painter, The Speaker, The Man The thing that makes Erik Wahl such a dynamic corporate speaker is his frsthand transformation from business into a uniquely creative entrepreneurial headspace. As a partner in a corporate frm for eight-years, he ran the same rat race many business owners face, valuing dollar signs over ideas and potential. Wahl channeled his approach in his new book "Unthink: Rediscover Your Creative Genius." Widely acclaimed, the book challenges readers to throw away their preconceived notions, channel the power of their creative mind and enjoy superior performance. "I lived the frst 30 years of my life trying to get to the next rung, the next promotion, the next paycheck. It was all about consuming to be bigger, faster and stronger," says Wahl. "I didn't pursue creativity through my business career because I thought, 'How am I going to get a better promotion or more customers through cre- But he isn't done pursuing his artistry by any means. When ativity?' I wanted return on investment and exact dollar amounts." we asked him what his favorite pieces were, he unexpectedly answered, "The ones I haven't yet created." Everything he has It wasn't until the dot-com bubble burst that he started to change his done is a symbol of what he is capable of, but he strives to thinking and his life. After his business went into fnancial free-fall, achieve more and disrupt the boundaries of how people perceive Wahl began to reinvent himself through art. As a result, he found art. To this end, he recently carved a 10,000 sq. ft. Mona Lisa in himself redefning the archetypes that had controlled his career: the dessert outside Los Angeles. His new concepts of leadership, success and creativity developed into a unique message that now inspires leaders across the coun- "There were helicopters, cherry pickers, bull dozers and dump try. Quickly dubbed as a business guru, he took to the road and trucks," says Wahl. "And in three days we had created a viral became a sought-after name for corporate speaking events. story about how creativity expands our potential and blows the doors off business as usual." WHY NASHVILLE? To be thrown into something you've never done and talk to that many people, it really breaks boundaries. I loved all the different sessions we went to and seeing so many people fghting for the same thing. - Amanda Barber, Fabutan Sun Tan Studios With a long list of speaking engagements behind him, Wahl fnds his inspiration in others. The spark of a new idea and the passion to connect in new ways engages him to push harder than ever. The Art of Business After working with names like FedEx, AT&T; and Frito Lay, it's become strikingly clear that creativity is the factor that unites pioneering minds of industry, while the lack of it links so many failures across every market. Once a novel skill, innovation is now vital. As the nature of business, marketing and consumer spending change, Wahl helps companies redefne their world through combining a keen sense of awareness with imagination. SmartTan.com ❘ SMART TAN MAGAZINE 44 the picasso of productivity Ashley lAAbs Editor, Smart tan magazinE It might be easy to think of this year's Smart Tan Downtown keynote as an artist, a public speaker or an entrepreneur – but "or" is not a word that suits Erik Wahl well. More aptly described using the word "and," Wahl melds these aspects of his career into a compelling strategy that has inspired multi-million dollar ideas for large corporations like Microsoft, Disney and NBC.