Maverick:  it’s a word that being tossed around a fair amount these days.  The mainstream media began calling John McCain a “maverick” several years ago, as a result of his tendency to buck party lines.  At the time, it was a compliment.  Now, however, as McCain seeks the White House, the media appears to be redefining their use of the word.

The New York Times published an article on their web site, seemingly to this end.  The article traces the history of the word:

In the 1800s, Samuel Augustus Maverick went to Texas and became known for not branding his cattle. He was more interested in keeping track of the land he owned than the livestock on it…  unbranded cattle, then, were called “Maverick’s.” The name came to mean anyone who didn’t bear another’s brand.

Interesting.  So what about your business?  Are you a Maverick?  Or do you seek to ride the coattails of another brand’s success?

As business owners, we should all be Mavericks.  Stop chasing someone else’s cool…and just be your own version of cool.