A Heroic Keynote

Kevin Brown wows the crowd at MVP 2023 would be happy to know there were no mess-ups to be found. How do we know? Because over the course of the next hour, Kevin Brown would do no less than change more than 6,000 people’s lives.

Through a series of questions and answers, Brown turned commonly held notions on their head. He upended the definition of a hero. He told us thinking outside the box wasn’t right. He dismantled what we thought we knew to make space for what we were about to discover.

How do we define a hero, anyway?

“Some people say it’s ordinary people who do extraordinary things,” Brown said. “But I don’t think that’s it. I don’t think there’s a person in this room doing ordinary things. No, ordinary people doing extraordinary things isn’t how to define a hero.”

The crowd grew silent. Then what— or who—is a hero?

“Heroes are extraordinary people who choose not to be ordinary,” Brown explained.

Kevin Brown appeared on the Sales Convention stage wearing a bright, colorful pocket square and a hint of a smile. He held tight to the lapels of his perfectly tailored suit and joked about how his wife told him not to mess up the keynote speech he was about to deliver. But his wife

“When you look in the mirror, do you see yourself or the people who helped you become you?” Brown asked the crowd.

He said we are the sum total and byproduct of the people who pass in and out of our lives, and it’s up to us to be the hero of our own story … and theirs

“We grow up and the box conforms us,” Kevin said. “People start to say, ‘Think outside the box,’ and that makes no sense. The game is played in the box. It’s why we’re drawn to certain people and certain leaders because they don’t lose their ability to decorate the box. They show up every day and splash their uniqueness on the box and that’s why [life] looks different for them.”

The story changed direction, and Brown began to talk about customer service. “Nobody notices normal,” he said. “Nobody notices when the people you serve are satisfied. But ‘satisfied’ is code for ordinary and organizations chase it like gold. You want enthusiastic ambassadors for your brand. Satisfaction makes people ordinary.”

And who would’ve thought he’d prove this point with Mickey Mouseshaped apple pancakes?

Years ago, Brown, his wife and his son—who was diagnosed with autism—took a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. When they got there, they went to the Disney restaurant for breakfast and a waitress appeared at the table, asking for their order. “Apple pancakes,” said Brown’s son Josh, to which the waitress quickly said that there were no apple pancakes on the menu. They spoke to the head chef, Chef Bea, who asked what else she could make.

The next day, Josh wanted to return once again to the same restaurant. This time, when he ordered apple pancakes, Chef Bea said, “Coming right up!”

How? After the conversation the day before, she’d gone to the store directly after work and purchased all the ingredients just in case Josh came back. And as the story goes, he did.

Josh went to that restaurant every single day of the entire trip, and on his next visit to Disney, returned again, near-famous among the staff for his apple pancake request. After meeting Josh, Chef Bea was inspired to launch a menu for kids with special dietary needs, and more

In Your Words

Every year, we survey our attendees to ask what they thought about specific components of Sales Convention. Here are some of the responses we received about Kevin Brown:

Kevin was probably one of the best inspirational speakers, from the heart, I have ever heard. Very meaningful and present.”

I’ve been to, watched and read many motivational speakers but none come close to how Kevin moved all of us to see and hear!!! Life changing.”

I must say in my 32 years in [real estate], I have never been more profoundly touched by any keynote speaker as much as Mr. Kevin Brown … his story and message broke my heart, rebuilt my spirit and rejuvenated my commitment to be a better, more exceptional ME!!!”

Outstanding and motivational presentation from beginning to end! … Now, my day begins with me asking myself: What can I do to add value to the people I serve?” than one million children were served through that initiative.

At the end of the keynote, the entire audience erupted into applause, jumping to their feet for a standing ovation. Kevin looked at the crowd and smiled just as he did at the beginning of his speech before offering a final reminder: “Remember, the world needs your hero."

WOW, just wow. The most impactful, powerful and actually life changing keynotes I have ever heard. People could not stop talking about it … Who does that about a keynote? And as I was eating by myself at Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant in the hotel, I met a teacher from L.A. who … taught [children with learning disabilities]. I talked about Kevin and his different approach and way of thinking. He got goosebumps ... He went on the website and wants to incorporate this with his kids. I was in the moment and had a very special moment with a stranger in my circle. Thanks Kevin!”