Name: Xavier Peoples
Age: 34
Profession: Entrepreneur
One Word That Describes You: Risk
What does being one of the BEMM 100 Men of Distinction mean to you?
I count it as an honor and a privilege to be recognized as one of BEMM 100 Men of Distinction. I am honored when I am recognized for anything, big or small, but to be honored by BE is really special because BE has been a stalwart to black business in America.
What are some examples of how you turned struggle int0 success?
I have many examples of struggle but there is one in particular that stands out. I once invested in a concert tour that I thought would sell out in every city. It was an eight-city tour. The first two dates went great, I made a profit and I was thrilled. The remaining six dates were terrible. By the end of the tour, I depleted my savings to $0 and had $78K in credit card debt. At the time, my wife was seven months pregnant with our daughter. After being depressed for about two weeks, I got off my couch and got to work. The success is that I didn’t stay down for long. I got up every day, put deals together, and paid of my credit card debt in seven months. What I learned from that experience is that it’s not how you fail but it’s how you come back from your failure that really matters.
What is an important quality you look for in your relationships with others?
I simply look for people who are going to do what they say that they are going to do. There have been too many times when I have come across people who overpromised and underdelivered.
What are some immediate projects you are working on?
Currently I am building out a new restaurant that will be open by the end of summer 2016 and working on a website and app called GottaStayWoke.com. This site is a marketplace for independent conscious T-shirts designers to get there designs and messages out to the masses.
What is the best advice you ever received?
If you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. Find your passion and stick with it until it bears fruit.
What is some advice you have for other men who want to make a difference?
My advice is to just do it. Many people are ready, willing, and able but the only thing that is keeping them from making a difference is application. Just do it!
How do you prep for an important business meeting and/or event?
First, I do all of the pertinent research. I then envision the meeting or event, literally picturing who I think will be in the room. I am a visual person so I have to see it. From there I make my notes and practice.
As a busy Modern Man, how do you unwind on vacation? Share a story about your best vacation.
I unwind by spending time with my wife and three kids. We love the ocean so we take trips to the beach to get our feet in the sand. The best vacation is any vacation that my wife and I can go alone. Recently, my wife and I had the opportunity to take a trip to Napa. We had a blast!
If you could travel and stay anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? I would travel to back West Africa. I have had the opportunity to visit Nigeria once and would love to see the beauty that the other countries have to offer.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Dr. King once said that, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’ In life and in business this is a question that you should ask yourself every day.
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