We were lucky to catch up with Archie “Mr. 180” Jenkins SR recently and have shared our conversation below.
Archie “Mr. 180”, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
After being unjustly imprisoned for a crime I didn’t commit, I found myself facing the prospect of a lengthy sentence. Determined to make a change, I made a promise to myself that if I ever regained my freedom, I wouldn’t revert to my old ways but instead make a complete 180-degree turn in my life. I held on to the belief that there was a higher plan for me, and I trusted that God had a purpose for my life. Upon my release, I found myself at a crossroads, tempted to return to my previous lifestyle. However, through a series of conversations with loved ones and mentors, I came to the realization that the only person I could truly rely on was myself. These conversations served as a wake-up call, forcing me to confront the reality of my situation and the need for a drastic change in direction.It was at that moment that I made a conscious choice to completely turn my life around. I started making a complete 180 in my life, and then I realized I had to stop living for I but for Why. Thats how 180lYfe came about and once I started living it and started putting ym head to the cement on what I wanted.. God started giving me the plan
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi, I’m Archie J. Jenkins Sr. I was born in Sacramento and raised in Austin, Texas. I’m a 34-year-old entrepreneur and have been happily married 5 years with 4 beautiful children. As a kid, I wrote for the Villager Newspaper and had aspirations of becoming a computer engineer. However, life took me in a different direction, and I ended up owning a magazine company. You might wonder how that happened—well, it all started on the set of Black Panther 2 where I had a role. It was there that I noticed the incredible work being done by non A-list celebrities, and this inspired me to create a platform to promote and celebrate them while they are still with us. Throughout my journey, I’ve had the opportunity to meet various celebrities. However, my main focus has always been to support and promote emerging brands and businesses within my community. My passion for photography led me to perfect the art of posing and building people’s confidence through great images. After meeting After 7 and being invited to join them on tour as their photographer, I had the privilege of touring with Stephanie Mills and later with Patti Labelle. This incredible start to my career has kept me going ever since.
Have you ever had to pivot?
As a business owner, you have to always reinvent yourself. I had a clothing store before Covid, and during Covid, there was a drought, so I had to learn to be ahead of the curve and then reinvent. It was after Covid that I started the magazine company, and I have been blessed to have over 50 previous issues, but it came with some major upgrades and huge investments in myself. Everyone can’t go with you as you go to the next level, because not everyone is built for adversity.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Securing funding for my business was a challenge, but my wife and I managed to make it happen. Some days are tough dealing with unpredictable people, but I always ensure that every decision I make is sound. I have four children to provide for, so this is personal for us. Initially, it was tough because I wasn’t making as much money as the banks usually require for assistance. My wife and I had to innovate and adapt to new systems, realizing that we are in our own lane. At times, I felt like I was falling behind when comparing myself to friends or other business owners who seemed to be making major strides, but I eventually understood that I’m following my own path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://180lyfe.com
- Instagram: 180lyfe_180show
- Facebook: Archie Jenkins
- Linkedin: archie j jenkins sr
- Youtube: 180Show
