Love at a luncheon

I made my shortest trip yet to Cleveland—about five hours on Ohio soil—to deliver my first keynote address. It was for a lovely luncheon sponsored by a small business resource organization called the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE). I was told they are part of the largest Chamber of Commerce in the country. I was also told to try the cheesecake, but didn’t have a chance. (I prefer chocolate anyway.)

Like any public speaker, I adjust my presentation approach depending on the audience. With Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman, I emphasize the Jewish aspects when speaking at a Jewish museum or school and emphasize the Cleveland connection at Cleveland venues. I even pitched a science museum a talk on the scientific side of Superman. (They said no. Good thing. I have a feeble grasp of science.)

The COSE angle was Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster as small business owners—or perhaps it’s more accurate to say home-based entrepreneurs since they (famously) did not retain full ownership of Superman.

A smaller first for me at this event: After the talk, I did a book signing and a woman asked me to make out a copy for her husband Frank. I usually sign "Best, Marc Tyler Nobleman” but in her book I absent-mindedly signed "Love, Marc Tyler Nobleman." I offered to fix it but she and I decided it would be funnier to see if he even notices. Love ya, Frank.

Check out the sharp artwork they used to promote the event.

last three images courtesy of Kurt Shaffer Photographs