Name: Donovan D. Boyd Sr.
Age: 33
Profession: Author, Marketing Coach, Brand Consultant
Social Media: Facebook: @iam.donovanboyd | Twitter: @iamdonovanboyd | Instagram: @iamdonovanboyd
Interview with BE Modern Man Donovan D. Boyd Sr.
One Word That Describes You: Creator
What does being one of the BE Modern Man 100 Honorees mean to you?
This is an amazing honor for me because I have followed the brand for a long time and I understand the company I am in. This honor lets me know that my work is not going unnoticed and that I must continue my mission because the best is yet to come.
What are you doing as a BEMM to help support black male achievement now or in the future?
I work closely with the local school districts in developing young entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools necessary in starting their own businesses.
What are some examples of how you turned struggle into success?
I mostly struggled with working in corporate America and not fitting the mold of what the ideal candidate looks like to become an executive. After countless disappointments, I decided to take power of my life and work to build my brand as an entrepreneur, business educator, and author.
What is your “Extraordinary Impact?”
My extraordinary impact is that I strive every day to be an example for my children as well as the young adults in my community that despite your circumstances you can achieve great things in this world. My daily mission is to embrace that I am an “AND” being, I work hard to be a great human all while being a father, and husband, and business owner, and coach, and author, and educator, and mentor.
(Photo: James Early)What is an important quality you look for in your relationships with others?
An important quality I look for in others is integrity and honesty, I chose these two because in my field I work with a lot of different people and the biggest opposition I encounter is those not being able to accomplish the things they say they can. So, I encourage people to have integrity in their work and to be honest with themselves on what they can handle.
What are some immediate projects you are working on?
The two major projects I am working on is finishing my new book entitled CLOCK MANAGEMENT: A Parent’s Guide to Managing Family and Business, as well as a Father’s Day Brunch entitled “We Matter: A Father’s Day Brunch Fit for a King.”
What is the best advice you ever received?
The best advice I have ever received is don’t stop being creative because one day, people will understand your visions.
What is some advice you have for other men who want to make a difference?
I will tell people to focus on your why and remain consistent; do not worry about what people say or think and know that the good work that you are doing will not go unnoticed.
How do you prep for an important business meeting and/or event?
In preparation for anything I do, I say a prayer and trust that God will see me through.
As a busy Modern Man, how do you unwind on vacation?
It is very important to be able to unwind and I am extremely blessed that I can even go on vacations because as a child I didn’t go on many. It is so vital that I take at least three vacations a year; one trip we make sure that we take our children on a trip and part of this is because I wanted something different from what my wife and I experienced; two me and my wife take a trip together; and lastly we go on a group couples trip as well. The best memory I have recently was being able to take my entire family to Disney World on an airplane. This really meant a lot to me because my wife had never been to Disney nor did she ride on a plane as a child so to be able to do that for her really meant a lot to me.
If you could travel and stay anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would love to go to Africa and explore the entire continent.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Thank you for this amazing opportunity and I would like to thank my wife for believing in my dreams and being the support system I need on this journey. If you don’t have my latest book, The Brand Playbook, make sure to pick up a copy today.
It’s our normal to be extraordinary. Follow @BEModernMan and join the conversation using #BEModernMan.
Come celebrate the BE Modern Man 100 Men of Distinction at the 2nd Annual Black Men XCEL, Aug. 29 – Sept. 2, 2018, at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.