Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jerris “QuickThePoet” Evans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jerris “QuickThePoet”, appreciate you joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?
The most important lesson & experience that I’ve learned as a business owner (Founder & CEO of FLO’etry FLO4me Ent., LLC, Quick2love Foundation, Inc [501c3], & MOM Special Needs Services, LLC) was to never take an opportunity for granted.
In the Spring/Summer of 2002, after a stellar hall of fame/all-American football career as a mighty Griffon of Missouri Western State College/University), I signed a contract in the NFL to join the Chicago Bears first – then the New York Jets. It was truly a childhood/life long dream opportunity come true. It was one of my top 10 happiest experiences of success encountered in life.
While with the New York Jets there was a misunderstanding between myself and another player on the team during the early part of practice. Once practice was over, the misunderstanding eventually transferred to negative energy shared between my position coach and I. That discussion ultimately transitioned into being the primary reason of why I was released from the team all together. 15 years of hard work to make it to the NFL had come all to an end in 15 minute window of an avoidable misunderstanding of all parties involved.
What the dream experience taught me was [as quoted in my life story poem ” #goneandbackin60seconds ” ] “The same place that taught me how in a blink of an eye you can lose it all – facing 24 of the darkest hours of life I’ve ever experienced in life … just after losing it all. I REMEMBER IT LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY.” In addition, what it taught me most of all was that EVERYONE must always have a major back up plan. What I didn’t realize was that from the age of 10 (when I was in the 3rd grade) Poetry & Spoken word had always been my back up plan dream come true.
The very first poem I started to write upon my release was #goneandbackin60seconds. What I didn’t realize was that would not only unknowingly take me over a decade to truly complete & master, but it would become my life branding image of the character that would ultimately push all of my businesses to successful venturing life forms. From 2002-2007, I worked my craft (while also being a 3rd member of the rap/hiphop/neosoul/rnb group “SouthPaw”) a few different jobs (primarily working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car).
Around the year of 2006/2007 I took a chance based on a very good friend (Akil Blake’s) advice to join him at a poetry and spoken word event (where I met HBO Def Poet Asia Samson) called “MellowMondays” (Hollywood, FL). That chance meeting turned into a work ethic like no other (performing on average 4-7 nights per week for 4 years straight). When Mellow Mondays closed in 2011, all of the previous hard work gave me the confidence and strength to start my very own poetry & spoken word showcase – “FLO’etry Sundays” (1/8/2012). The very first show soldout… & literally went on one of the most successful South Florida showcase production run’s spanning (10 different local venues in South Florida) from 2012-2017. That success turned into a new dream shot to increase the growth of the show by signing showcase term agreement (2014) with the world famous Broward Center for the Performing Arts to produce the very first #megaflo “AnniFLO’etry” (1/2/2015). It was another sold out huge success.
Present day, that lesson learned from my NFL experience has given birth to all of the following:
– (4) MegaFLO’s per Year.
– (3) The owner of 3 businesses.
– (2) Master’s degrees completed/continued
– Consistent bookings nationally/internationally
– Considered one of the very best multi-talented poets/spoken word artists
– Motivational Speaker & Life educator
& much more.
The moral to my short story experience – “Keep going… & you watch what happens when you keep going. KEEP GOING.” ~ Jerris “QuickThePoet” Evans.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a born and raised Fort Lauderdale native. I made it into the business thanks to the consistent positive and motivating support of my family & close friends. I told them my goal, & they did everything they could to positively keep me focused. They never let me settle for less than giving my best. Giving up was never an option.
Thanks to my friend Akil (who introduced me to Asia Samson), it turned many more dream come true opportunities and counting. What I help solve or support with artists globally abroad is using my life story & experiences to help them pursue their dreams. Regardless of their dream pursuits, I help inspire them to keep going. All 3 businesses (FFEntLLC, Q2LFInc [501c3] & MOMsns) offer something for everyone to positively gain inspiration from.
I provide numerous options for showcase experience/development/life elevation (www.flo4me.com):
#annifloetry / January / WINTER Anniversary celebration showcase of all events.
#futurefloristicfunclusion / Mar-May / SPRING children all-inclusion event.
#flopocalypse / July / SUMMER Poetry/Spoken word showcase.
#flotheloveofmusic / October / FALL Music/dance/singing/multi-talent showcase.
What I am most proud of is witnessing all of the showcases and events grow into my positive life brand. As big and popular as the shows are in South Florida, they offer so much more by way of motivation for the community. They bring people together. UNITY, PEACE & HAPPINESS ARE THE ULTIMATE GOAL.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is knowing how much my story (and ongoing actions) inspire so many people in a positive form. Though my mother passed away a few years ago (2021), her impact on me primarily is positively impacting people globally abroad. This was the dream from the beginning for me when I were pursuing my NFL dreams. I just never knew it would poetically turn into the amazing new life that I have now.
I’m inspired to keep going because my story is truly about so much more than me. It’s about EVERYONE that I come in contact with. My global impact is in a very important and positive place. By all positive means, I must do my very best to protect that energy around me.
The megaFLO’s have become one of the most successful poetry/spokenword/live entertainment artistic experiences presented at the world famous Broward Center attracting #flonatics from globally abroad.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The primary goal and mission driving my creative journey is to positively impact as many people as possibly can. Regardless of the direction, that is my ultimate goal… to make sure that my 2 primary life quotes & surrounding energy are spread across the universe for the betterment of all mankind:
“Peace is power. Power is peace. Peace is possible.” ~ Jerris “QuickThePoet” Evans.
“Can you imagine what would happen if everyone lived for the best interest of everyone that exists on this planet? I can clearly see the light…” ~ Jerris “QuickThePoet” Evans.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flo4me.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quickthepoet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quickthepoet
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerris-evans6166b7126
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/quickthepoet
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@quickthepoetqtp6464
- Other: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]