Live the Dream

Joseph Daniel Markiewicz was born and raised in Rochester, NY.  In 1985 He went on to earn a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Even with a heavy class-load, Joe also played Varsity Baseball for RIT and finished his senior year as the Team Captain, earning First Team All-Conference honors while setting school records in hitting.

Although Joe’s first dream was to play professional baseball, a significant athletic injury prevented him from pursuing those aspirations, so he finished his degree and moved to North Carolina to start his corporate career with IBM. A few years later Joe and his wife Marybeth started their own marketing business, which has expanded dramatically to operate in all 50 states and many foreign countries today.

Career Path

Shortly after Joe began his career in North Carolina, his life began to take a different and unexpected direction from the predictable corporate path he was on. This was initiated through a decision he and his wife made, to begin attending business conferences in order to become more proficient with their newly formed enterprise. At these conferences they had an opportunity to listen to, learn from, and associate with many very successful entrepreneurs. That influence made a big impression on Joe and Marybeth and that experience is reflected in Joe’s belief that people end up in life based on the people they associate with and the decisions they make. It was during this same time that the Markiewicz’s life was radically transformed as they became Christians. It became very clear to Joe why he had been frustrated with the path he was on; he embraced a new vision for his life and accepted that there is a strong purpose behind what he does daily with the life he has been blessed with.

Joe and Marybeth have started two other companies (Markiewicz International, Inc. and Heroic Inspirations, Inc.) both of which involve personal development training, business conferences and offering other business training media to assist business owners with tools, skills, and team building strategies to be more productive in their own enterprises. Joe has served 6 years on the Board of Independent Business Owners Association International (IBOAI), a trade association representing hundreds of thousands of business owners across North America. He also serves on the advisory board for Outreach America, Inc. and Christian Adventures International. In his spare time he coaches competitive youth baseball.

Joe’s work ethic, commitment to rise above mediocrity, and stand against apathy were formed by several role models in his life related to athletics, business, and ministry. His passion for mentoring and leadership development is evidence of his desire to pass on valuable life lessons passed down from his own mentors and learned from his own experiences, to others in the areas of business, athletics, ministry, and family. He enjoys studying American history and speaks openly about his appreciation and love for the Founder’s vision for America and the sacrifices made to protect our freedoms and liberties.

Core Foundations

Joe Markiewicz believes strongly in the power of a dream. By using that power he is able to passionately provide a positive influence to a confused generation longing for direction in their lives. Through the development of a dream he firmly believes that people will discover their purpose in life, and most of all will discover the courage to start a journey to make their dreams real regardless of resistance or obstacles along the way. He lectures frequently on subjects that involve the development of a good self image, character, serving others, goal setting, fiscal responsibility, leadership principles, and success habits.

Joe encourages aspiring leaders to first understand that being a team player is vital to their professional growth and development. To set aside personal quests for glory in order to learn how individuals can play different roles on a team allows everyone to see that a unified team can accomplish much more than the sum of its parts.  Over the years he has had the opportunity to learn from personal experience that anyone can acquire great knowledge of interpersonal skills by observing and serving proven leaders. Here are Joe’s four cornerstones of a successful team:

• A common goal, cause, purpose, or mission.

• A quality leader(s).

• Support players who serve unselfishly.

• Trust.

He has been quoted, “The biggest mistake in life is being afraid of making one” which supports his coaching philosophy of teaching people to refrain from seeking approval or permission from all their peers before passionately pursuing their dream. It has been his observation that too many people are obsessed with trying to please others, avoiding mistakes, or resist standing out in the crowd and being labeled as “different”.  However, Joe is a believer that we are not put on this Earth to fit in and conform but instead we are here to make a difference in this world and find happiness and fulfillment in the pursuit of a worthwhile goal or dream that inevitably lifts up others. He continues to remind people that we are all blessed with unique talents and abilities but many times they will remain dormant unless another caring person comes into their life to help them realize their gifts. This caring person must also show them how to channel these gifts and talents toward a goal or dream without the fear of criticism or lack of support from peers. Wrapping up, Joe subscribes to this key philosophy: To succeed at any worthwhile endeavor in life it takes hard work backed up by a commitment to stay the course despite unforeseen setbacks. In addition, having a strong personal faith will allow you to counter any doubts that arrive when present circumstances are not allowing a quick, easy, or convenient solution.