Entrepreneur Freedom
Entrepreneur Freedom
What strategies do you use to turn negative situations into opportunities for growth?
From a faith standpoint, the Bible says not to take vengeance on those who wrong you because it's not your responsibility. My job is to love and serve people, even when it's hard. The Lord is faithful and will see the end of your story. I believed that deeply.
I was angry and frustrated, but that wouldn't help me. A great friend of mine, Zach Schultz, recommended I read Never Finished by David Goggins. It changed my mindset completely. I read the audiobook in May, and by May 13th, I incorporated Kingdom. The book shifted me from a victim mindset to a victor mindset. I was never truly a victim, but it's easy to fall into that mentality when bad things happen. I learned to turn negatives into positives. Whenever I felt a negative emotion, I would work harder.
Suppressing emotions can eat you up. You have to feel them and then take action. During that difficult season, every time I felt bad, I poured my energy into my work. But by November or December, I realized I needed to forgive and move on. I started focusing on breathwork, exercise, and diet, recognizing how important it is to take care of your body and mind.
I'm glad I chose this path because these challenging moments in a man's life either make or break you. I was determined to let this situation make me, not break me.
What specific mindset shifts are necessary for business owners to move from survival to growth?
It's not about ethnicity; it's about mindset. If you look at the actual statistics in this country, you'll see that some groups, like African Americans, have a higher percentage of single-parent households. But the focus needs to be on changing the mindset of anyone facing these challenges.
Entrepreneurship requires an abundance mindset, not one of lack. Unfortunately, a lack of mindset often persists in minority communities. This isn't just about financial resources; it's also about a lack of knowledge—emotional health, conflict resolution, how to be a man or treat a woman. Many people are stuck in a bubble without access to this information.
In my business, I aim to fill this knowledge gap by teaching people how to enter the construction industry and secure federal contracts. Bonding is directly tied to business growth; it leads to multimillion-dollar profits. To maintain a bonding program, you need retained profits, organization, and profitable projects. There are some excellent agencies in this country, but not enough to meet the need. That's why I focus on helping people develop the right mindset and build profitable businesses.
What strategies do you use to manage overwhelming stress in business?
Remember that everything's going to be okay. It's not the end of the world. Just put in the work, and you'll see results. Take care of your health. Love others deeply, but don't lose sight of why you're doing this. In the beginning, it can be very scary—the fear is real, but it's a liar. Learn to manage that fear better because the stress can be overwhelming.
I believe in working hard, and I have worked very hard, but I did a poor job taking care of myself. Take care of yourself, and your business will take care of you. You can't pour from an empty cup. Like on an airplane, you must put your mask on before helping others. As entrepreneurs, we get caught up in serving others—clients, teammates, even our families—and sometimes forget to care for ourselves. So, I appreciate that reminder to focus on self-care.
What advice would you give to business owners struggling with adversity?
Some people have certain advantages, like growing up in a two-parent household, which is important from a personal development perspective. Boys need to learn how to be men, and without that, they may miss out on lessons essential for success in life.
However, not having those advantages doesn't mean you can be a victim. My perspective is this: it's not my fault what happened in my past or that things didn't go as planned, but it is my responsibility how I react to it. This idea reflects total accountability, as Jocko Willink describes in his book Extreme Ownership. Whatever happens to you isn’t your fault, but how you respond to it is. Every person faces moments in life when they decide how to react to their circumstances.
How can business owners give back to their communities?
I focus on providing free content and serving people. I’ve learned a lot from others who emphasize giving and creating value without expecting anything back. I create a lot of content on a consistent, weekly basis—a weekly newsletter, social media posts, and more. Consistency is key in being present, talking to people, seeing how you can help them, and connecting people who could be resources for each other.
Business is a holistic space where people connect and help each other grow. For example, I might connect someone who just started a construction firm with someone doing $70 million in revenue. The experienced person can offer guidance, share insights, and show the newcomer how to scale. That’s more valuable than any financial bond—it’s an impactful connection and education.
I’m passionate about closing the racial wealth gap in this country. There is a significant wealth gap in minority communities. This isn’t about excluding anyone, but something must change. The way to address this is by helping the underserved win and replicate success. When one person learns and succeeds, they can reach back and help others. Over time, this can close the wealth gap by providing actionable steps, mentorship, and real-life examples of how others did it. My focus has always been on giving and connecting.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
