There aren’t many people who can say they’ve shared stages with the legendary Richard Branson and Gene Simmons, but for Gair Maxwell, who has devoted his career to decoding how legends are made, it’s all in a day’s work.

A brand strategist, author, and keynote speaker, Gair is passionate about helping entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations create iconic, memorable brands—whether they’re selling cars, brewing beer, or attracting tourists. In Big Little Legends (November 9, 2021), he takes readers on a rollicking journey through brands small, large, and strange, sharing real-life stories of everyday leaders who created extraordinary brands to reveal exactly how they did it—and how you can, too.

Read on to learn more about Gair and the insights he has to share about what it takes to be a legend!

Which three words best describe you?
Curious, energetic, optimistic.

What is your book about?
Big Little Legends is about how small- to medium-sized companies or organizations can build their own legendary brands in much the same manner as legends—from Apple to Led Zeppelin and Disney to Jack Daniels!

What is the last book you enjoyed?
The Guns at Last Light by Rick Atkinson. It’s an incredibly detailed and researched account of the Allied advance through Europe following D-Day.

Who is your favorite author?
Steven Pressfield for The War of Art and Paulo Coelho for The Alchemist.

What is the most unusual job you’ve had?
Pumping gas at a busy highway truck stop.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken?
There are three, actually: Italy in 2010, Maui in 2014, and Scotland in 2017.

Where do you find inspiration?
In the music of Van Halen, World War II documentaries, and being alone in nature with our three dogs.