The Struggle is Real
The Trials of a Middle–Aged BIPOC–Owned Multimedia Production Company Startup has been an interesting journey to say the least. As a biracial man in America, I am no stranger to the paradox of being loved and hated for the same thing. We are creatures of habit, often placing things into preconceived boxes of Good or Bad, Black or White, Smart or Dumb. While one can hope that one day we will rise above this restrictive categorization, it is sadly a reality we must face in our current society. In 2016, this mindset seemed to become more widely accepted and was often blatant in its lack of respect for differing opinions. My journey as an entrepreneur has been met with the same level of inconsistency and intolerance.
My vision for a more interactive and exciting way of understanding the world around us is often met with confusion and skepticism. It can be disheartening to feel so misunderstood, but I believe that by documenting my experiences I can help future generations to learn from my struggles. To make matters worse, I often encounter those who want to jump on board with my business, but lack the necessary understanding or patience to truly contribute. I have had to go through the process of building trust with people, only to have it all collapse in a matter of minutes.
This has taught me to be prepared for the unexpected and to act quickly in order to protect the integrity of my business. I take to heart the words of my mother, “It is better to be safe than sorry.” It is no wonder that 85% of businesses go under. Being a successful entrepreneur requires immense effort, dedication and the acceptance that there will be times of difficulty. However, this is all worth it in the end to see the fruits of your labor. Through my experiences, I have learned to stay resilient in the face of adversity and to remain true to my mission.
