We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Darrius (Dee) Oldham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Darrius (Dee), thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

This biggest risk I’ve took thus far was the risk of changing careers. Athletics were the dominant force in my life for the 1st quarter of it, up to the age of 25 yrs. old. In 2019 I had made the conscious decision to walk away from playing professionally overseas to pursue business endeavors that could not only help myself, but others around me as well. I had a lot of years left in my body to withstand the impact that sports bring on you, however I felt then was the right time to really start building toward something bigger and more sustainable. Sports took me around the world and granted me the opportunity to live in 3 countries at a young age, but there was nothing more the game could offer me other than more money, and it wasn’t about that.

With many confused faces and opinions, I stood firm behind my decision to retire and begin my entrepreneurship journey which initially seem like a terrible idea, even to myself, once I got started. Why? Because shortly after I got my feet on the ground, the economy was hit by a global pandemic known as the coronavirus. (covid-19). Not only was covid in the air, but I had also just purchased my first home at the age of 25 & bills were coming in, I just switched careers and the world is facing a time that none have experienced before. I stuck with my vision and exercised a relentless amount of discipline and seen the pandemic through. My facility maintenance company actually was born in the midst of covid and that is where we made our name and began building elite clientele. Some may tell you Covid was one of the worse times of their lives, however I share how it was the birth of my first six figure business. Every situation in life will always be determined by how you respond to it!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My brand is known as the Oldham Tour which has a mission of changing the paradigm in young men and women to reach past their limits! The name originated from my early on traveling experiences internationally as well as within the United States as I have visited over 55% of the states. Oldham is my last name and “Tour” was a very essential point of my lifestyle that ignited the change in my mentality to reach past my limits and achieve anything my mind was set out to do. Coming from a small town and a single parent household can confine your mind to limited views and resources.

Exploring areas, ideas, cultures, etc. outside of your normal reality is a cheat code to expanding your mind and activating your growth as an individual. There is so much the world has to offer that the right experience can bring something out of you, you never knew existed in you. Regardless of your upbringing and environment, circumstances do not matter. I encourage all individuals to challenge themselves to new experiences as that is what creates a fulfilling life.

With the mission of my brand at the forefront, I have been fortunate enough with hard work and discipline to create two businesses and provide jobs for second chance offenders and people who are seeking employment and life development. My facility maintenance company known as Oldham Tour Enterprise LLC specializes in residential and commercial maintenance. We offer pressure washing, janitorial and remodeling needs in the Middle Tennessee Area. We provide a family feel in our business as we hope that you leave everyday with more than just money earned. Mental stimulating conversations that we can transition into our personal life have seemed to create more change is some of our team members than a paycheck. We care!

My other line of business is in the logistics industry, known as Digital Transportation. We haul dry freight in semi-trucks all across the United States. The mission still applies in this company as well. If you earn a paycheck, provide for yourself/family and develop into a better productive citizen, we have done our job!

At this current time, I am most proud of not only the growth of my two businesses, but my 1 year first published auto-biography book that I released in June 2022 called ” The Game Before The Game.” It is on all platforms for purchase, and I strongly advise you give it a read.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

What I have found to be successful in growing clientele in business is really a simple task, but yet so hard for most to do: effective communication and integrity. Those two principals have been the backbone to both of my company’s success and seem to be a lost value when people are offering a service strictly to earn money. Don’t just get into business and try to chase every dollar. Do right by your customers to the best of your ability. Communicate clearly with your customers and team members, BE ON TIME, and if you will be late, communicate that. A part of communication is also listening closely to your customers request and desires and then communicating with them if you can or cannot achieve that expectation. That’s a part of where integrity kicks in and your reputation can grow or be stunted. I learned early on to “never over promise and under deliver.” These qualities carry the reputation of your business and can bring you clients or keep them extremely far away from you.

Any advice for managing a team?

My advice to anybody who has teammates that work with them in a small business is to always treat them as such. One of my favorite things to say is ” You do not work for me, we work together.” I have seen a lot of people operate a business as a dictatorship and throw their power around on people and I have just never agreed with that philosophy, especially in small businesses. You are only as strong as your team, I cannot be everywhere at once, so we have to build trust and operate on the same page so that the customer receives the same experience, whether I am around or not.

There are times in business where the higher up has to make certain decisions, but I don’t feel it should ever be exposed when it comes to how you treat someone. I am also a hands-on owner as well. I get in the field and do a lot of the work myself, so I am pretty sure that is respected by my team.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.oldhamtour.org
• Instagram: No_1greater
• Facebook: Dee Oldham
• Linkedin: Dee Oldham
• Twitter: Dee_1_Vision
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLpomqXk_cU
• Other: The Game Before The Game by Darrius Dee Oldham – Amazon – Barnes and Noble – Walmart