We were lucky to catch up with Bryan Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bryan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

This is an interesting question on so many levels. But it’s also a question that needs to be asked because there are a lot of people that strive to want to start a business because when you look at things such a social media or you hear about all the success stories you tend to not get enough about the trials and tribulations and when you do get those stories you get the surface and not the real issues experienced. For me I’ve always had a burning desire to be in control of my time especially as I continue on this journey and the next stage of my life. This point in time for me is the most important. I’ve struggled with having great ideas and at times so many would come to mind I wouldn’t know where to begin. Then it would feel like time is just wasting when I either don’t get started or never completed an idea. The most trying thing I’ve experienced with running this mentorship programming is always feeling like other saw the same vision that I saw. The support wasn’t always where I thought it would be. I tend to put on people what I feel I would do in a similar situation. I’m big on supporting others and I’ve always thought I’d get the same in return and when I didn’t, I struggled with it. You must understand that your dreams and aspirations are yours and no one else’s. You must prepare your mind to understand you may go into this alone and a lot of people won’t support it until you’ve shown proof that what you’re offering works and works as a benefit for them. During those times you must constantly remind yourself why you started in the first place.

Bryan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I moved to North Carolina in the summer of 2016 as I was preparing to have my second child with my lovely wife. We had moved here looking for a fresh start from New York City, Queens to be exact, shout out to the home team. There was a point in time in my life where I felt I didn’t have an understanding of what my purpose in life was. A lot of things that I thought I was set up to be or do didn’t pan out that way. I had given up on many occasions but when bringing children into the world you must understand that it’s no longer about you. What am I setting them up for, what am I preparing for them to make their journey easier when they are ready to step out on their own. I was inspired by my shortcomings as weird as that may sound. Where I fell short, inspired me to want to make sure when I saw those in similar positions that I was in, I wanted to be the voice letting them know this is what we should and shouldn’t do. Mentoring was something I’ve never really experienced and realizing what I lacked is where I wanted to make sure others didn’t. I wanted to be that voice that I never heard. I wanted to be that guide that I didn’t have a times. In partnering with a childhood friend with a link minded idea we formed what we know today as RESPECT THE JOURNE. JOURNE is an acronym which stands for Joining Others Under Righteousness Nobility Equality. We are a youth mentoring program based in Durham North Carolina utilizing the foundations of basketball and teach how it goes hand and hand with life and the benefits of taking what you learn on the court and utilizing it off the court.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

So like I specified the biggest thing for me has been the lack of support. So I’ve questioned is this what you really want to continue to do. You’re pouring out so much and trying to pour out so much within the confines of what you can do but it doesn’t seem to be reciprocated in the same way. But again you must have that conversation with yourself and assess are you forgetting why you chose to do this. In my case it’s the constant reminder from the kids of how much the appreciate the efforts that have been put forth. I can remember a situation recently where one of our kids had an event they really wanted to attend but his mother had a prior engagement to be at and couldn’t bring him. He felt confident enough that he could reach out to me (Coach B) and that I would be able to get him there. The appreciation shown fr0m and his mother that I was able to stop in and help, was overwhelming. In those moments it’s a constant reminder that it’s bigger than me. There is a reason why God put this on my heart to do and that’s to serve and serve where I can. I believe this is the reason I was created to give back because that’s the only way we move forward by pulling each other along the way. My hands are made for helping.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Within any business you create the purpose of that business is to be successful regardless. One of my biggest pros but also cons is believing I can bring along everyone. I’m someone that likes to be put in a position to help others also be in position but it’s important to really assess who you’re bringing along for the ride. Not everyone wants to see you succeed especially if it’s deemed better than them. Not everyone shares your same passion and reasoning for why you do what you do. Figuring out the right company to keep is a major thing when it comes to running a business. Who is here to catch me when I fall and put me right back up on stage to say keep going. Who deserves for me to do the same for them. Who’s here to weather the storm and reassure that we are going to get there despite what other naysayers are trying to put out into the atmosphere. The toughest thing you will ever have to do is be straight forward, because you don’t want to hurt the feelings of the people you care for and love and you don’t want to ruin relationships that you hold dear, but there are times where those relationships maybe what’s holding you back from moving forward. I’ve had to assess that for myself and coming to the realization that in order for me to step into the uncertainty of my purpose I have to leave the cycle of my comfort.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rtjthebrand.godaddysites.com/non-profit-organization
• Instagram: @BLegendary1 @Respectthejourne @TeamJourne
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-smith-a7a969b3/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf90M7xmA1-SPXZBEQX4QRA