Name: Ronald D. Simms Jr.
Age: 27
Profession: CEO of Emerge Capital
One Word That Describes You: Transcending
What does being one of the BEMM 100 Men of Distinction mean to you?
Being one of the BEMM 100 means the ability to stand out amongst the ranks, and to be a man amongst men. This is an extreme honor for me to be recognized alongside some of the greatest men in the country and I do not take this opportunity lightly.
What are some examples of how you turned struggle into success?
As a young African American man in the financial services industry there are many struggles that I have faced, and continue to face. When I walk into the room there are prejudices that exist before I even open my mouth, however this is easily overcome by my ability to effectively articulate my knowledge and expertise. This takes a tremendous amount of self-awareness and confidence to look past the prejudice and regain control of the room.
What is an important quality you look for in your relationships with others?
There are three very important qualities that I look for in relationships with others, which are honesty, reliability, and integrity. I am a very accepting person, and as long as you are honest with me I can accept any of your short comings. Reliability is important, particularly in the workplace, because the way our company is structured our team members have unlimited autonomy. I need to know that I can count on you to get the job done. Last, but certainly not least, integrity. I believe a man’s integrity is what defines him to the world. As a man, all you have is your name and your word, and if either is tarnished it is not easy to re-establish.
What are some immediate projects you are working on?
Our goal is to expand our organization nationally. We are looking to hire 10 financial life coaches in each of the nine states that we are licensed in. We are also in the process of developing a new software that will essentially automate the entire financial planning process. More to come, so stay tuned.
What is the best advice you ever received?
“Don’t ever let anyone tell you, you can’t do something. Write a plan and follow through. When you write your plan and stick to it, God will do the rest.”
What is some advice you have for other men who want to make a difference?
Be strong and courageous! There are no limits to what you can achieve.
How do you prep for an important business meeting and/or event?
When I am preparing for an important business meeting or event, I over research the prospect/event. After doing the research I study what I’ve learned until I can speak fluently about the event/individual. Lastly, I arrive to the meeting site about 30 minutes early to scope out the location, get comfortable, and blend into the environment.
As a busy Modern Man, how do you unwind on vacation? Share a story about your best vacation.
My wife and I love to travel abroad. While my wife likes a more authentic experience, I am a fan of all-inclusive. The best vacation I’ve been on to date has to be my honeymoon to Riviera Maya, Mexico. It was everything I wanted! The thing I remember most is our experience on the Jet Ski where I was able to take the Jet Ski around the beach of Riviera Maya.
If you could travel and stay anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
If I could travel and stay anywhere in the world I would go to Fiji. Its half way around the world from where I am located, and the beaches and customer service reviews are absolutely phenomenal.
Anything else you’d like to say?
I would like to send love to my wife, Yvonne who has been my anchor through many different stages of life. She has truly been a gift from God. To my daughter, Fola, and my miracle son, Judah, daddy loves you. As business owners we cannot forget our “why.” Why a person does something is of equal or greater value than what a person actually does.
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