EP 314 - Believing Is Seeing (Edge of the Napkin Series #12)
Paper Napkin Wisdom
There’s a phrase we’ve all inherited without ever asking whether it serves us: “I’ll believe it when I see it.” It sounds reasonable. It sounds mature. It sounds like the responsible stance of someone who has been around long enough to be cautious. But anyone who has ever built something meaningful — a business, a team, a movement, or even a new version of themselves — knows the truth beneath that old saying: “Seeing” has never created belief. Belief is what creates the ability to see. That’s the heart of today’s napkin thought:...
info_outline
EP 313 - Listening & Learning with Shivani Dhamija
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Shivani Dhamija, founder of Shivani’s Kitchen — a culinary brand rooted in authentic Indian flavors and fueled by a passion for empowering others through food. From her humble beginnings selling spice blends and sauces at local markets in Nova Scotia to building a thriving food-manufacturing business, Shivani’s journey is as flavorful as her recipes. At the heart of her success lies a simple napkin message: “Listening & learning.” Two small words that capture a massive truth about...
info_outline
EP 312 - Build for Value — Not for the Hype: How some AI Companies are Winning, and others aren't (Edge of the Napkin #11)
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Edge of the Napkin #11 There’s a feeling that sweeps through every era of innovation — that electrifying sense of this is it. The next big wave. The one that’s going to change everything. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives into what happens when high-expectation innovation collides with reality — when the future we bet on becomes today’s proving ground. The AI boom, once the unstoppable tide lifting every boat in sight, is now pulling back. Markets are correcting. The water is getting choppy. And what’s being revealed isn’t failure — it’s truth....
info_outline
EP 311 - Dr. Jenny Hoffmann: Open Up! Lead with Curiosity, Empathy, and Connection
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Today on Paper Napkin Wisdom, we welcome Dr. Jenny Hoffmann, a leader in health-tech innovation who currently serves as Executive Director at the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC). With a rich background in healthcare strategy and technology deployment, Jenny has spent her career bridging clinical insight with entrepreneurial energy, helping organizations turn innovative ideas into meaningful patient-outcomes. In this episode, we dive deep into how leaders can lean into vulnerability, curiosity, empathy and connection — the key themes captured on her paper...
info_outline
EP 310 - Make Believe: The Stories Entrepreneurs Tell Themselves (Edge of the Napkin #10)
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Make Believe: The Stories Entrepreneurs Tell Themselves (Edge of the Napkin #10) Every entrepreneur lives inside a story — the question is, who’s writing yours? If you’ve ever had a morning where nothing goes right — you stub your toe, drop your keys, spill coffee on your white shirt before 8 a.m. — you know the script that starts to play in your mind: “It’s gonna be one of those days.” And somehow, it is. Everything that follows seems to prove the story true. But the opposite happens too. You walk out the door feeling light, ...
info_outline
EP 309 - Jon Rosemberg — Survival Is Instinct, Thriving Is a Choice
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When you meet Jon Rosemberg, you immediately sense two things — depth and discipline. He’s a behavioral scientist, author, and executive coach who has spent years exploring how we, as humans, can move beyond mere survival into a state of thriving. His work combines neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience, and it’s reflected powerfully in his new book, A Guide to Thriving: The Science Behind Breaking Old Patterns, Reclaiming Your Agency, and Finding Meaning. On his paper napkin, Jon wrote just seven words: “Survival is instinct, thriving is a choice.” At...
info_outline
EP 308 - Flexibility Is the Only True Hedge – Edge of the Napkin #9
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In a world where volatility has become the norm — prices swing, markets shake, politics polarize, and technology rewrites the rules daily — one question stands out for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone simply trying to navigate life: How do we hedge against uncertainty? Not with gold. Not with cash. Not with control. But with flexibility. That’s the essence of this week’s Edge of the Napkin. On my napkin, a single word runs across the center: RISK. Below it — Rigidity → Fragility. Above it — Flexibility →...
info_outline
EP 307 - Simone Kelly - Build a Business You Love (But Not Your Hobby)
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When Simone Kelly first began helping families navigate the complexities of senior care, she didn’t just build a company—she built a movement. As the founder and CEO of Seniornicity, Simone’s mission is rooted in empathy, connection, and empowerment. Her company bridges the gap between older adults, families, and trusted care providers, making it easier for people to age well, together. But the napkin she brought to Paper Napkin Wisdom goes deeper than business strategy—it’s about protecting your passion and preserving your peace. “Build a business that you love,...
info_outline
EP 306 - HOW? The Freedom to Create the Future - Edge of the Napkin #8
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Sometimes, the smallest words hold the biggest weight. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives deep into one of the most overused — and misunderstood — words in leadership: “How.” We use it constantly. We think it’s helpful. But as Govindh reveals, how can be both the key to progress — and the invisible wall that keeps us from growing. We say things like: “That’s not how it’s done.” “That’s not how we do things here.” “Let me show you how I want that done.” “We tried that how before...
info_outline
EP 305 - Solve a Real Problem. Make It Beautiful. Care Like Hell. - With Nancy Johnston
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When you meet Nancy Johnston, you can immediately sense the combination of depth and purpose behind everything she touches. She’s the founder and CEO of Truuce, a company built around reimagining human connection, well-being, and design in the modern world. Her leadership bridges the emotional and the practical — weaving care, creativity, and clarity into every solution she creates. In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Nancy shares a simple but transformative philosophy written on her napkin: “Solve a real problem. Make it beautiful. Care like...
info_outlineEvery once in a while, a Paper Napkin Wisdom napkin shows up that makes you laugh, makes you think, and ultimately stays with you long after the conversation is over. Episode 296 with Jimmy Park is one of those. This episode was recorded in 2017 but never released—until now, as we approach our 300th milestone. Pulling it out of the archives feels especially timely, because Jimmy’s message is universal, evergreen, and deeply practical.
Jimmy Park is a longtime New York business connector and member of Gotham Networking. He has spent years helping entrepreneurs and professionals build stronger relationships and find opportunity in unexpected places. True to his work and his life, Jimmy’s napkin is not polished or corporate—it’s raw, funny, and real:
“Stay happy when you step in dogshit.”
Turning Life’s Messes into Lessons
At first glance, Jimmy’s napkin might sound like a joke. But as he explained, it’s anything but. Every entrepreneur and leader will eventually step into their own version of “dogshit.” Mistakes, setbacks, bad timing, or just plain bad luck—it’s inevitable. You can’t control everything, no matter how good your planning is.
And here’s the wisdom: if it’s unavoidable, why waste energy being angry? You’re still left with the same mess on your shoe. The only real choice you have is your attitude. Do you stay upset and let it ruin your day, or do you laugh, clean it up, and keep moving?
Jimmy framed it as both a personal philosophy and a leadership tool. By accepting that problems will happen, you reduce the emotional drag of surprise. You stay grounded, positive, and solution-focused—even when things get messy.
The Illusion of Perfect Planning
One of the most striking points Jimmy made is how often entrepreneurs believe they can plan their way out of problems. Leaders pour endless time and energy into scenario mapping, safeguards, and contingencies. And yes, preparation matters—but it doesn’t guarantee immunity from chaos.
Sometimes life just throws “dogshit” in your path. A competitor undercuts you. A deal falls through at the last minute. A trusted employee makes a mistake. You can’t prevent every mishap. But you can prepare your mindset. Jimmy’s napkin reminds us that resilience is less about prediction and more about reaction.
Humor as a Leadership Tool
Another layer in Jimmy’s wisdom is humor. His napkin makes you laugh because it’s so blunt. But that’s also the point—humor disarms negativity. When you approach an obstacle with a smile, you reduce tension for yourself and for those around you.
Leaders who use humor in tough times often keep their teams more motivated, more creative, and less anxious. Jimmy’s perspective shows that humor isn’t just a coping mechanism—it’s a strategy for keeping morale intact.
Acceptance Creates Agility
There’s also a subtle power in the word “stay” from Jimmy’s napkin. It’s not just about becoming happy after something goes wrong. It’s about staying happy—maintaining a baseline of positivity that isn’t easily shaken.
That mindset creates agility. Instead of spiraling into “why me” thinking, you pivot quickly. Instead of being paralyzed by anger, you make faster decisions. Staying happy doesn’t mean ignoring problems—it means not letting them control your energy.
5 Key Takeaways & Take Action Items
-
Problems Are Inevitable, Not Optional
-
Take Action: Stop wasting energy on wishing things were different. Build routines that help you reset quickly when setbacks occur.
-
Your Reaction Is Your Power
-
Take Action: When something frustrating happens, pause and ask yourself: “What’s the most constructive emotional response I can choose right now?”
-
Planning Won’t Save You From Chaos
-
Take Action: Reframe planning sessions to include mindset prep. Ask your team: “How will we stay positive if this goes wrong?”
-
Humor Lightens Heavy Moments
-
Take Action: Use lighthearted language in team meetings when addressing mistakes. It shifts the atmosphere from blame to growth.
-
Stay Happy, Don’t Just Get Happy
-
Take Action: Develop rituals—gratitude journaling, short walks, music—that help you hold onto a baseline of happiness, even when the unexpected hits.
Jimmy Park’s napkin is as memorable as it is practical: “Stay happy when you step in dogshit.” It’s a vivid reminder that leadership isn’t about avoiding problems—it’s about choosing how to show up when problems inevitably find you.
As we approach the 300th episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, revisiting gems like this feels like the perfect way to celebrate.
Now it’s your turn: what’s the “dogshit” moment in your journey that taught you resilience? Write it down on a napkin, snap a picture, and share it with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom. Because the world needs your wisdom too.
About Jimmy Park
Jimmy Park is a longtime New York–based business leader and connector, known for his work within Gotham Networking, one of the city’s premier business communities. Through his career, Jimmy has built a reputation for bringing people together, creating opportunity, and sharing practical wisdom shaped by both success and setbacks. His approach is straightforward and authentic—finding humor and lessons in life’s unpredictable moments, and helping others see that resilience and connection are at the heart of leadership.
🔗 Learn more about Jimmy through his Gotham Networking profile.
Why a 2017 Conversation Matters Today
You might be wondering: why release a conversation from the archives now? The answer is simple—Jimmy Park’s wisdom is timeless. Recorded in 2017, this napkin was shared before the world experienced a global pandemic, before market turbulence redefined how leaders think about uncertainty, and before so many of the challenges we now see as “normal.”
And yet, the lesson holds just as true today—maybe even more so. In a world where disruption, volatility, and unexpected setbacks are everyday realities, Jimmy’s advice to “stay happy when you step in dogshit” is exactly the mindset entrepreneurs and leaders need. It reminds us that no matter how advanced our planning tools get, no matter how fast the world changes, our real competitive edge lies in how we respond when things don’t go our way.