self reliance | Brandt Edwards

So during last week’s episode of the show, The Porch Reloaded with Brandt Edwards, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jerrod Johnson, Founder and CEO of Bajree Couture. Through the course of our conversation we discussed the formation of his company, the necessary steps taken to make his dreams come true and Black entrepreneurship. There weren’t any groundbreaking discoveries made to change the way business is conducted; no innovations revealed that couldn’t be found at a seminar hosted by your favorite personality; it was real, genuine, authentic dialogue held between two (2) individuals discussing the differences in being self-sufficient as opposed to a “wage slave.” He pointed out that in the Black community children are taught at an early age to attend school, graduate and pursue a career in the workforce. There’s no incentive reinforced by the elder generations to own a business or stray off the beaten path. Mr. Johnson reflected back on the career of his father, stating that while growing up his dad held a high ranking, prestigious position in the Miami-Dade County Public School System earning an exceptional salary. He relayed that his father would frequently come home disconcerted at the end of the work day and at the time he couldn’t understand why that would be the case. The explanation was simple; it doesn’t matter the dollar amount being earned or the title that precedes your name before it’s spoken, as long as you’re employed by someone and aren’t in control of your own destiny, you’ll forever be a slave. Although I had heard this before, I couldn’t help but be taken aback because the lesson was all too familiar. He then punctuated the conversation by asking the listeners this question: “Who do you know that has gotten rich by working at their job every day?” Now everyone has their own interpretation of wealth, but for me I would define it by being debt free, have a Trust (Trust Fund) to past to future generations that accounts for residual income, owning their home (homes) with no mortgage, travel to and fro without the worry of the cost of expenses, etc. Not amassing a fortune like Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Bill Gates, but the ability to live comfortably and have no pressure on their money despite any circumstance. Go down the list of your family members, peers, co-workers. I can honestly say I don’t know any. There are always exceptions; stories frequently emerge where someone invested wisely and turned their meager salary into a half a million dollar nest egg. But for the most part, many of the people I know are one paycheck away from poverty. That’s crazy!!! Furthermore, Mr. Johnson stated that anytime you’re employed by someone, you’re dependent upon them for your livelihood. If you’re fired, laid off or experience some unforeseeable life circumstance, your income is essentially cut off. In which case, most people don’t have a “Plan B” and are reliant on family members or credit cards to maintain their standard of living; or spiral into an abyss of debt, dissatisfaction and depression. What he continued to reiterate was, if you have confidence in yourself and believe in GOD (or whatever deity), why are you dependent on anyone other than yourself to feed your family and earn a comparable wage. And though it makes sense, many people weigh the factors of “Risk/Reward” and are scared to test the boundaries of their convictions. Failure is deflating; and when you involve money, the odds of people being willing to gamble on themselves in the pursuit of independence are greatly reduced. For some, it’s a matter of semantics; making a daily salary, long hours, ebbs and flows, gratification upon achieving success versus stability, pension, and health care. The choice appears obvious but there’s something to paving your own way and having something which is solely yours that you established that’s appealing. At the close, we both agreed that children should be encouraged to pursue the possibility of entrepreneurship and not directed to join the rigors of the workforce; be another replaceable cog in the wheel of industry. “If you don’t build your dreams someone will hire you to help build theirs.” – Tony Gaskins “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

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Look! Yeah, look over there! You see them trying to be different? Who do they think they are? The nerve!!! They have the audacity to go against conventional wisdom, challenge authority and think outside the box. All of our lives we’ve been taught what to do, think, eat, watch, read and listen to. Now here they come with their blogs, posts, uplifting photos; talks of abandoning religion, critical thinking, sacred geometry, life in other galaxies and the “powers that be” trying to rule the world. Yeah right! Ain’t nobody got time for that sh*t! Besides, I have bills to pay, parties to attend and the season finale of “Power” came on last night and it left me in suspense. What’s so special about being different? If I sit right here, go with the flow, everything will be fine. I have a job where my superiors applaud my work ethic. (Oh, that’s right! Haven’t gotten a raise in a minute) Well, at least when I go out I wear the latest trends; I be killin’ ‘em! (Whoa! That person’s wearing the same outfit as me). I’mma go home and watch this ol’ television and catch up on these reality shows. Did I hear about what? They passed what law? There’s a reduction in our pension fund? The government did what? How can that be? Wow…. I just didn’t know.

For most of the general public, that first paragraph explains their way of life; a never ending cycle of complacency; sometimes spanning generations. People figuring they can get by remaining status quo. When you hear someone labeled as a “black sheep”, it automatically gives off a negative connotation. That person’s rebellious; they’re an outcast amongst their family and friends; a loner. Why can’t that person just be different and unwilling to follow the proverbial crowd? If the quote, “Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?” is true, then why when a person ventures to do so they’re mocked and ridiculed? Isn’t that hypocritical? Dare I say, when a person follows their own path, it appears to be the one of MOST resistance. Most people are fearful of change; therefore they feel uncomfortable when you do. Life is ever changing, ever evolving. So when you show signs of physical, emotional and spiritual growth, it appears as though the people involved in your life are reluctant to allow you to reach new heights and plateaus. They’re so terrified that you’ll leave them behind, that they’ll do everything in their power to hold on; even sabotaging your efforts to continue your journey. You can’t allow that to hinder your progress; as we’re all here for a primary purpose. Some people are willing to seize the day; discover and walk in their “divine purpose.” While others play the role of sidekick; following whomever has the “juice” for the moment, living of their achievements. There’s no risk involved, yet they lie awake well into the early morning hours wondering why their lives seem empty, unfulfilled and their souls yearn for more. It’s frivolous for me to belabor the point as to why you should go your way and follow your own destiny. It’s cliché ish. However, from the time you reach an age to apply rational thought and distinguish what role (leader or follower) you want to play in this thing called life, you’ve had the power to control all things. You don’t need books like “The Secret”, or watch videos imploring “Positive Affirmations” to encourage and prod you to take the necessary steps to change your life. It’s merely a matter of being courageous enough to take the risk, brave enough to break the constraints of being a part of the crowd and being willing at times to go it alone. And I do mean alone in every sense of the word. Everyone won’t share your drive and passion; your mind sometimes will be riddled with doubt; there will be days in which you feel unwilling to persevere; where it appears the whole world’s against you, what you stand for and what you’re trying to accomplish. But this I assure you; if you’re willing to endure the challenges and hurdle every obstacle, the rewards are enormous. “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

Follow the Fan Page on Facebook : The Porch Reloaded – Rocking Chair Rebels

Email us: [email protected]

Listen to the show on Thursday nights at 7:00 pm: blogtalkradio.com/antirobotnetwork or www.theporchfellas.com

Brandt Edwards

Tag Archives: self reliance

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