Run Athletics saw mild success, fortunately we were presented with an opportunity to build a brand on television. Based on MTV's Runs House viewer audience, and Vanessa and Angela's eagerness to be in the fashion business, I decided creating Pastry Footwear was the way to go. We successfully built a $60 million dollar company in 2 years.
While Run Athletics/Pastry was on autopilot, I decided to work with Rev Runs middle son Diggy, whom was in pursuit of a recording contract. Within 6 months of dropping a free mixtape and two videos (produced by myself), my strategy landed Diggy a record deal at Atlantic Records and management by Violator.
While Diggy pursued a life in touring, I continued working, pursuing new collaborations and business opportunities. Closing deals started to feel like 2nd nature. I've been submerged within urban culture the majority of my life. It was time to challenge myself, get out of my comfort zone. I wanted to shake things up, be able to open my palette, learn new things, meet new people. Managing Rev Run on Kid Rock's "Rock n Roll Revival Tour" was the answer.
Kid Rock's tour taught me a valuable lesson: Successful entrepreneurs should understand the difference between a good business relationship with celebrities versus having celebrity friends. Friends are cool to have, but business people understand the importance of having celebrity friends with regards to growing a business.
Having successfully tackled a decade of fashion and music with the Simmons family and consulting some of the nations greatest athletes and entertainers, I now find myself independently pursuing Series Development for television. As coincidence would have it, my first unscripted show, about future millennials under my tutelage, was sold to MTV.
Although my first shot out the gate worked in my favor, pitches with other networks did not go so well. I had no professional experience in developing shows, which made things difficult, but not impossible. So by taking my time, and talking to likeminded individuals, I was to able to find a way to utilize my resources and begin turning my ideas into actual products that could work on the web.
Throughout the journey, I continuously remember to give back what I've learned to the next generation. I've chosen to mentor middle school children in Harlem, NYC. "Leaders don't create followers, they create leaders."
And so I continue on. In the words of Marc Jacobs "Lets do what we love and a lot of it"
RASHEEDYOUNG1@GMAIL.COM
@RASHEEDYOUNG
(203) 518-4287