We were lucky to catch up with Ivan Thomas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ivan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

There are several factors that make a person successful, but I think the most important factor is having knowledge of self. The vast majority of people in the world lack knowledge of self, and instead focus much of their attention on trying to become who media and society tells them to be as opposed to becoming who they are designed to be. They don’t truly know themselves.

I believe that every person on earth has gifts and a purpose. Your gifts are what you are naturally talented in, and your purpose is what your life is intended for. Most people do not understand their purpose, so they are not only misusing themselves, but they are allowing others to misuse them. This will keep them from being successful. Success is subjective, but I believe that in order to be truly successful, you must have a sense of purpose, which allows you to be your most valuable. Successful people bring great value. In addition to that, focus, dedication, resilience and consistency are crucial for success.

Ivan , 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 am a visionary. an entrepreneur, celebrity publicist, author, and international motivational speaker who goes by the nickname “Mr. Defy Gravity.” I am the President and CEO of a PR and brand management agency, Intrigue Media Group, owner of a credit repair and consulting company called Credit Savant LLC, and the founder of an international motivational movement called Defy Gravity International.

I started off in the PR industry about 15 years ago after graduating from Howard University. My dad, who was also a Howard alum left his career as a journalist for various newspapers and started his own PR company. After graduation, I worked with his company for about six years before launching my own company, Intrigue Media Group in 2014. Since then, my agency has become highly sought after by entrepreneurs, big companies, non-profits and celebrities nationwide who are looking to elevate their brands, generate press coverage, establish powerful strategic partnerships, and be positioned at events and on other platforms. I have been fortunate to work with some of the most influential people and organizations in the world.

In 2020 I launched my company Credit Savant, and wrote my book Defy Gravity: Unleashing Your Greatness Within during the pandemic. I experienced a lot of growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, but I recognized how a lot of people were living in fear and doubt. They were getting furloughed, losing their jobs and unsure about their futures. Entrepreneurs were struggling to maintain their businesses. Because of this, I was inspired to motivate and empower others to find solutions for their challenges, to think boldly and fearlessly, and to launch their dreams into reality. I started my motivational platform, and since then I have spoken to thousands at schools, conferences and community events both nationally and internationally. I plan to have one of the most powerful motivational movements in the world, impacting 1 billion people before my time is up! It’s a tall feat, but I don’t know how to think small.

One thing about me, I am extremely creative and I have great vision. I excel at connecting people, identifying opportunities, and finding solutions to problems. That is why people call on me for my services, and for my advice and counsel. I show people how to defy gravity in life and business. That entails not only being wealthy financially, but wealthy mentally, spiritually and physically. As a husband and father of three, I’m all about succeeding in all aspects of life.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Prior to starting my first business in 2014, I was in a place of frustration, confusion and even anger. I was unfulfilled and unhappy with where I was in life, and although I knew that I had a purpose, I wasn’t sure what it was. I had sacrificed my time and efforts for others, and did not feel like it was reciprocated. I was a single parent with a young son, struggling financially, and I even lost my car. However, the most powerful thing that I ever could have done for myself was to blame myself. I told myself that I was in the predicament because of me, and only I could get myself out of it. No one else was going to take the blame for me not achieving my goals, and I was the only person who could provide the life that I desired for myself – no one else.

So, I made a choice. For an entire year, I dove into every book I could get my hands on dealing with success, motivation, entrepreneurship and self-help. I watched countless motivational videos of successful individuals, observed their mindsets and habits, and studied how they elevated themselves to levels of massive achievement. I decided that I would do the same thing. I had gifts, I had a purpose, and I had things to say.

So, I launched Intrigue Media Group in Palm Coast, Florida, a town that definitely was not the best market for a PR agency. I had about $2500 to my name. Still, I went to every entrepreneur event, even if I had to walk or ride my bike. I visited colleges and universities like Bethune-Cookman, St. Augustine College, Valencia Community College and University of Central Florida. I volunteered to speak to students, I met entrepreneurs and turned them into my clients. I was still not making money, but I felt empowered knowing that I started my own company and was attracting some sort of businesses. In 2015, I married my wife, Autumn (Mrs. Defy Gravity), we moved to the Atlanta area, and 9 months later we had my daughter.

I had to take care of my wife and kids on my earnings alone from my company, which was still growing. It was very difficult, but one of the most educational and impactful periods of my life. That is when I truly recognized what I was made of, and that I could do anything that I put my mind to. I realized that I was powerful enough to pay myself. Eight years later, I am running multiple businesses, impacting thousands of people and I have even retired my wife from her career in healthcare to join the family businesses. Anything I put my mind to, I achieve.

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

Like everyone, I definitely had to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the pivot resulted in that year being my most successful year as an entrepreneur up to that point. As I mentioned, my first business was my PR agency. However, with the pandemic confining people to their homes, many of my clients were unable to afford my services because their businesses were forced to close, events were no longer happening, and they were not prepared to deal with the changes they had to make.

But, instead of succumbing to the circumstances, I got busy! I invested my money to learn the credit industry and launch my credit business. People were seeking to improve their finances during the pandemic, so I made money repairing their credit so they could achieve their financial goals and keep their heads above water. Additionally, I wrote my first book. and started my motivational brand. I was never into posting a lot on social media, but I started creating content on a consistent basis. As a result, other successful entrepreneurs who saw the pandemic as a way to distance themselves from the competition, discovered me from my content. They reached out to my PR agency and before I knew it, I was recouping my PR clients. I was already accustomed to doing much of my work virtually, so there was very little adjustment necessary on my part.

My decision to remain proactive and my ability to be creative and solution oriented allowed me to bring value to others and weather the storm.

Contact Info:

• Website: intriguemediagroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrdefygravity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intriguemediagroup/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-thomas-1965b115
• Other: Defy Gravity Book – https://www.amazon.com/Defy-Gravity…/dp/B08B39MR8W

Image Credits
Intrigue Media Group