I struggled to come up with a topic for my second blog. I wanted to provide a number one business tip. I searched throughout the internet researching several business tips, but could not find one that I could make personal to my audience. So, I stepped back from “Mr. Computer” and asked myself, “If I am just hanging out with my friends talking about business success, what would I talk about?” Then, I remembered this Bible verse.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. – Romans 8:28
This is the perfect topic!
I could just tell the story of my current success. It started after college when I obtained my first job as an engineer. Life was great and the pay was equally great. I traveled 100% around the United States on the company’s tab. During this time, I was still figuring out ideas on how to create my own real wealth. I tried everything from Data Backup Services to Multi-Level Marketing. I even invested in starting a day care center like my dad. Nothing panned out for me, … but hey, at least I tried! A couple of years later was the start of my storm. The telecom industry began massive layoffs after September 11, 2001. I was laid off from my job and there was no other engineering company hiring in my field. I remained unemployed for 7 months until I received word that an old college friend, Trinard Franklin, was starting his own company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Well, I didn’t have to be a really smart engineer to figure out that I needed to get back to Louisiana. As an IT Consultant, things were starting to turn around.
We were profitable during our first year of business.
I learned a lot from Trinard about business operations and sacrifice. In order to contribute the most to the business, I focused on my strength consisting of web design, hosting and digital marketing. It wasn’t easy, but with hard work, we were able to grow our business from a two man shop into an office building housing 7 employees. After a few years, I decided to return back to college and obtain my master’s degree in engineering. I finished my masters program in two years. I was offered a position with a great company in Tucson, Arizona and an opportunity to attend LSU’s PhD program. However, I chose to move to the desert.
I know what you are saying … THE DESERT!
I asked myself the same thing the entire time I traveled on the plane to my new home. It’s funny how things turn around. I started Studio Green, L.L.C. a month before moving to continue offering web services, not knowing if success or failure was ahead of me. Since being in Tucson, I have met great mentors and other successful business owners. On average, my client base has tripled every year since I began the company. The irony of this story is that the business I am starting to be successful in is the same thing I loved to do for free. I would probably not be where I am now if it had not been for all the past struggles, failures, and let downs. I probably would have been content with my 9 to 5 job. It was my biggest confirmation that all things really do work together for good to them that love God!