What motivated you to write The Essence of Inspiration: The A-To-B Steps To A Richer Life?

I wanted to write something where people could define what inspiration is to them. We scroll or come across something that motivates us but at times that moment is so short lived and at times no action is ever taken when that spark is given. So my aim behind writing the book was to inspire and give people definite steps on how to scale their lives.

You spent the first five years of your life in Tennessee. Do you have memories of the state? Do you ever get back?

I spent my younger years in Tennessee in which I remember all of it. Going to preschool, getting in trouble as a young kid and my family’s move to MN was a journey. I do go back to Tennessee to visit. My entire family lives there as I have fallen in love with the Midwest and Minnesota.

How important is cultivating a positive attitude and leading an authentic life to your approach to business and life?

It is very important it is the core to whom I believe I continue to grow into. Being true to whom you are is the only power we truly have to express ourselves in the way we choose to express. So I do my best to be a bridge for others who at times struggle with being authentic.

What role does meditation play to your wellness?

Meditation is an everyday task. To find ways to practice intentionality has become a key to producing my happiness and keeping me Balance as I strive to do things I’ve never done before.

You’ve had stretches in your life when you’ve been homeless. What did you learn about yourself during these times?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned being homeless is the universe, God, whatever you want to call it, is always present in times of struggle and misery. I kept my faith things and people would assist in which people did and I have always thanked and given credit to all who have given me the guidance I desperately needed in my younger years.

You wrote that your food budget was sometimes as low as $7.40 for a month for groceries. Did that experience give you empathy to people who experiencing food insecurity?

My very low financially budgeted food budget helped me be mindful of my spending but also be very relatable to those who struggle with finances and have a lack of food. It has given me a more of empathetic approach toward life as I strive to assist people who are less fortunate.

You had a birthday on the day George Floyd died. Are you optimistic real reforms will be implemented as a result?

When George Floyd was killed it was a turning point for me to continue to do the work that needs to be done when we speak of reforms. I am optimistic that the world will work in the favor of the people but I am also realistic to know it may not be in my lifetime where people accept people from all walks of life.

You started your sales career at age 15 selling phones and tablets off Craigslist. Now  you run Optimum Outreach, a telecom brokerage firm. What about this category excites you?

What excites me about Optimum Outreach is we are a telecom brokerage that assists businesses with their phone, TV and Internet services. But we are much more than that. We also do homeless survival kit drives for the community, we donate to nonprofits and we also do food and suit giveaways to the community; we have an upcoming event where we will be feeding families and giving 150 suits to those in need and food up to 10,000 pounds to the community. We are more than a business with a big heart. We aim to make a huge impact in the world.

You’ve talked about how Mary Dingmann of Elements Of Success has been a valuable mentor to you. What are a couple things she has taught you?

Mary is an amazing woman and teacher of the power of positive thinking. The lessons she taught me have been everything that I am to the core. Some of the lessons I teach people are the reframing of one’s mind, scaling one’s life with affirmations and why being positive isn’t just a way of thinking. It’s a lifestyle.

You’re renowned for your skill at personal branding. What is one thing each of us can do that we’re not doing to further our own personal brand?

I encourage people when it comes to their personal brand define how they want to be perceived in the world. I like to tell people The World Views You How You View Yourself? Have you taken an honest look in the mirror? The moment we are able to address what we suppress we then become who we are striving to be overnight. Your brand is what you enjoy, and I’ve been blessed to follow my passion in empowering others in discovering their passions.

What’s next for you?

My big goals include 30 apartment door units by the age of 30. I have a big goal in real estate, I have more books I’m releasing, and our plan with Optimum Outreach is build the business to a point where we are able to bring in more people who can assist in our journey while changing the world in the process. I have a goal to have a real estate portfolio of more than $400 million by 2033. So as I continue to network and build my empire the goal has always been to retire my mother, get her into a home and travel the world with whomever the universe brings into my life to create those experiences with.