We recently connected with Kevin Mokoli and have shared our conversation below.
Kevin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
My mission is to cultivate wealth to pour back into the community. I’ve created brick and mortar businesses as well as digital spaces where people can express themselves through art, music, fashion, business endeavors, and many other talents. The Local Seat and Sweet Lips Cigar Lounge are both places where the space influences conversation amongst strangers and friends. People can network and learn from the different events hosted at these venues.
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?
I have always had a passion for music and technology. I started djaying and coding since I was in high school. I’ve taken my djaying seriously and became a major tour dj as well as premiering on many platforms that elevated my credibility.
Using the entertainment plight, I was able to create venues, applications, and more to help build brands and improve the quality of life in the cities that I have been in. Influencing the culture of Houston with my brands has been amazing for the multitudes of people that now have jobs and opportunities to elevate themselves.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Being genuine to people and present for them to get whatever questions they have a concern about answered is huge. You don’t need to drain yourself with everyone’s personal problems, but we as a people owe to one another to share opportunities that don’t fit us and pass them to the next. Connecting dots will propel you and the people around you. Everybody doesn’t have the same opportunities as I do, and it’s important to understand that.
Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?
The pandemic was a crazy time. I didn’t receive any PPP loans or financial help from the government. But I always told myself that every business I open needs a rainy day fund or leverage and access to funds. Luckily, I was able to strap up my boots and make it through the pandemic with only 2 lost ventures. I try to save at least 20% of profits for investing and saving now.
Contact Info:
- Website: kevin.mokoli.com
- Instagram: djbananaz
- Twitter: djbananaz
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thelocalseat/ https://www.instagram.com/sweetlipscigars/ https://komaksolutions.com/