Today we’d like to introduce you to Hotep.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a shy New York kid who was born in the 70s, grew up in the 80’s, and relocated in Atlanta to attend Morehouse College in the early 90s. As a result, I benefitted from: the progress made during the civil rights movements, the birth of Hip-Hop music, and the prominence of Pro Black/African consciousness in American culture. This timing and setting of my early years were the perfect combination for me to become an entrepreneur.
As much as I am a creative, entrepreneurship was a natural fit and necessity for me to express my truest and most authentic ideas. I HAD to become an entrepreneur simply because I couldn’t allow myself to be in a position where I needed to seek other people’s permission to make my visions a reality. Add the fact that I am a hustler, educator, (and now a father) and boom…that’s how I got here!
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Nah, it hasn’t been and still isn’t easy. My journey is that of the person who could never FIND a way…so he MADE a way. In short, no one gave me nothing! This forced me to rely a lot on myself. I had to learn how to do a lot of tasks myself that people would normally pay someone else to do. In the end, this slowed down the growth of my ventures, but it also made them more profitable because I had less overhead. It also made me a beast when it comes to business!
I believe God made my path difficult so I could turn around and make it easier for others. He knew that the educator in me would compel me to teach all that I had learned. That’s why I wrote The Hustler’s 10 Commandments and formed Hustle University.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
Today I spend the majority of my time running my educational consulting firm, Make A Way and creating content for young children for Black Education Station. The latter is my favorite because it allows me to pour all my vision and creativity into media that my 2 sons can enjoy.
Among other things, I have written books, produced cartoons, written songs and developed video games. I own 100% of all my publishing, copyrights and trademarks.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
1. Healthy relationships with positive and productive people will be the biggest key to your success or failure.
2. Never let someone tell you “no”, that can’t tell you “yes”!
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
I define success as the ability to set and achieve ones goals. If a person is able to do both…they are successful.
What’s next for you?
The next chapter of my life is dedicated to building strong children. First starting with my own, and then helping others do the same. As an entrepreneur coach and advisor to school leaders, I’ve seen firsthand that the biggest problem people face is not a lack of knowledge, resources or money. It’s their lack of healthy social and emotional skills. These skills are normally and best developed between the ages of 0-5. But too many parents either are not aware of this fact, or they don’t know how to help nurture these skills in their children, so they grow into adults with mental health disorders that hinder their ability to be successful at anything.
The great Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” I agree. So now, I invest my time and energy in creating empowering content for children.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
The best way to reach me nowadays is here: https://buildingstrongchildrennow.com
