Erik Eklund, Founder of BE The BEAT, on Helping Brands Tell Authentic Stories & Facilitating Human Connection

This week on the show we’re joined by Erik Eklund, a story telling specialist, coach, mentor, motivator, and facilitator of human connection. We sit down to discuss the nature of connection vs connectivity, how life experiences can give you an opportunity to shape your future, and how storytelling has followed him throughout his remarkable career.

Erik Eklund helps people live more intentional and mindful lives. His own words, “I promise I won’t go easy with you, but I promise it will be whole-heartedly warming and rewarding experience” are read back to him as he laughs. His positivity is infectious. Born in Colombia and adopted by Swedish parents, Erik’s battle with his own identity and sense of belonging led him to seek and value the nature of identity and storytelling. He’s made an exceptional career for himself in luxury brands and hospitality, and more recently in hosting events and programs in his BE the BEAT series; helping people connect professionally with their peers but also with themselves.

In this episode, Erik holds nothing back as he unpacks the events in his life that may have challenged him initially, but ultimately brought him the clarity and drive he needed to move forward with intent. We tackle some intimate questions about personal motivation and unpack what it means to help someone discover their truest joys and ambitions. He moves on to discuss how his openness and ambition to facilitate connection turned into LinkedIn Local and BE the BEAT, networking and self-betterment in a welcoming environment.