Erving’s entertainment management company has been thriving and he’s added two new acts to its roster. R&B singer Mario also released an album in October 2009, which reached No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Erving says his sneaker collections, Jhung Yuro and Caesar Lunix, are still thriving with the volume of shoes being sold steadily increasing. He also expanded his Atlanta-based gym, adding on to the space in order to host spectator boxing matches.
Erving is also stepping into the academic arena with Street Smarts, a line of urban-inspired school supplies, complete with pens, pencils, and book bags. With four animated characters associated with the line, Erving is looking to get kids excited about things like class assignments and homework. He is optimistic that this new venture will resonate, adding, “[Street Smarts] is an attempt to try to make school cool.â€
Erving’s tip for young entrepreneurs: A lot of times [young people] are their own trendsetters. Being young, you have a pulse for what’s hot and what’s not working, and it gives us an advantage. So follow your passion and pursue what you like.