Hello!
Hey there, I’m Rob—professionally known as Dr. Robert Urban, though you’re welcome to roll your eyes at the “Dr.” part; my wife does it all the time. My life’s journey has been anything but dull, full of twists and turns that have shaped me into the man I am today.
I was born in Savannah, Georgia, and raised between there and Charleston, South Carolina. It was a quintessential Southern childhood—think collard greens, bacon, and a steady supply of sweet tea.
At 17, the day after graduating high school, I stepped onto the yellow footprints at Parris Island, ready to start my journey as a Marine. Clad in green and brimming with youthful grit, I spent the next decade navigating the rugged terrain of duty and discipline. The camaraderie and lessons I learned during my time in the Marine Corps couldn’t have come from any textbook. I loved it so much I planned to retire at 37 and spend the rest of my days fishing, camping, and living the simple life.
But life has a funny way of reshuffling your plans. After a severe shoulder injury, my military career was cut short, and I was honorably discharged. I swapped my combat boots for sandals and moved to Florida, where a new chapter began. I explored different jobs in marketing and writing, all while diving into Earth and Environmental Sciences. Somewhere along the way, I earned my Ph.D., started a family, and juggled the beautifully chaotic balancing act of life.
In 2011, I took a leap and founded my own digital marketing agency, PaperBoat Media, which I still run today. Fueled by endless curiosity, I’ve spent years unraveling both the mysteries of ecosystems and the complexities of business. I like to think of myself as a modern Renaissance man, albeit one with a penchant for dad jokes.
Speaking of jokes, humor is my not-so-secret superpower. Life’s too short to take everything seriously, so I aim to inject a bit of laughter wherever I go. That humor eventually made its way into my writing. What started as a bucket-list project—a single book—turned into an Amazon bestseller in the Family category for eight months straight. Fast forward to today, and I’ve written eight books (five of which became bestsellers). I write about relationships, funny life stories, random musings—whatever strikes my fancy—all with the goal of making people laugh.
These days, you can find me soaking up the Florida sunshine in Deland with my amazing wife and our three kids. My wife is a high school teacher, our oldest son is 19 and out making his way in the world, and our 9-year-old twins keep our home a delightful whirlwind of chaos and laughter.
Every day feels like the next chapter in a never-ending adventure—one filled with jokes, discoveries, and moments I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Rob Urban