Paul Shin has likely eaten lunch at 90 percent of the restaurants around the valley (don’t quote us on that stat) with new friends and colleagues. He’s known for being the best lunch pal and for his role as founder of Tacos Together — a group that’s all about giving back, fostering real connections and always eating tacos. Paul is the designated Happy Valley bestie, meeting up for lunch with hundreds of professionals around the valley to talk life, charity and business. Paul and the Tacos Together team have broken two world records (one being the largest rugby scrum on the Real Salt Lake field, all to raise donations for a Make-A-Wish friend) and served over 1,000 Utah families with Operation: Santa’s Stash this past Christmas. Paul loves big and gives freely.
Fully Booked Wake up at 6 a.m. Cold shower and lift (it’s not a lot, but just to get the blood flowing). Morning is family time. Quick meditation before my first set of calls. Calls, meetings and tacos throughout the day. I try to help make dinner. No phones or emails from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Mini date night — something as simple as watching a show together.
Hero’s Journey I almost took my life a few years ago. A startup I was working with failed, and I lost my identity. It helped me learn a lot. I learned that we all matter. I learned that I had value to offer this world that wasn’t tied to a job or a title. I learned to love myself and to be more comfortable in my own skin.
Character Backstory I have a wife and four kids. I love longboarding. I recently found out I like brussel sprouts. I have wrestled a tiger.
Daily Underscore I’m convinced the best music is from high school/early college. For me, that’s punk: Yellowcard, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, New Found Glory.
Vital Title “Leadership and Self-Deception” by The Arbinger Institute comes up a lot for me. This book helps me remember that it’s not about my ego, it’s about winning as a team.
Storybook World Is there one that’s pretty much our world, but less inflation? The problem with most of these worlds is that there’s a bad guy. If I lived in the world of “The Hobbit,” somehow an Orc army would end up in my backyard — I just know it.
Sequel My co-founder and I are investing in growing connectd.ai, an app that uses AI and personality profiles to match attendees, sponsors and events. The ultimate goal is to make human connection easier for all.