We were lucky to catch up with Raaquan ‘Ray’ Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ray, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.
Contrary to popular belief; I believe starting a business with family can be a beautiful, and lucrative experience. Truly, what is better than not only one family member achieving generational wealth, but two, or even three? With that being said, I also believe plunging into any business without knowing the weaknesses, strengths, attributes, and history of a partner can be fatal financially, and mentally. Whether they are loved ones or not, if you cannot trust that individual to carry out their responsibilities competently, you may want to rethink that relationship. A mentor once told me, “I was more cautious selecting my business partners than my own wife. Because if it all hits the fan; one relationship can cause me to lose half, and the other can result in a loss of it all.” All businesses are comprised of many components, but ultimately the business must move as one unit in order to execute.
The first major venture I embarked on was in the summer of 2017, and it was with my mother and sister (hence, my bias towards family business). I dropped out of grad school at Baylor University, forfeited my last eligible year of D1 eligibility for the football program, and moved halfway across the country to Reno, Nevada to join what we now call the ‘Green Rush’ (the modern-day ‘Gold Rush of 1848’). Cannabis is a 25 billion dollar industry; and when we founded, Buena Vista Valley Farms (BVVF), we had every intention of our Medical Marijuana Establishment (MME) earning as much market share as we possibly could. Although in 2019, after a couple of years of business development, BVVF was acquired for an undisclosed amount, the knowledge I obtained during the years was priceless. The lessons and business acumen developed there set my foundation. Most importantly, there is no one else who I would want to do it all over again with.
Ray, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Raaquan ‘Ray’ Davis and I am a Serial Entrepreneur, Actor, and Model. Above all of these labels, I am a child of Yah (GOD) and a servant to his people. Cyber Security Sales is my salary and specialty, but I never have and nor do I intend to attach myself to a certain career or sole industry. I am a tech-freak, but I currently am involved in several ventures.
I am a Founder/Chief Operating Officer of BRK Ventures; an internet networking and software technology company based in Dallas, Texas. BRK is the parent company of a native-based social networking meetup application called, RSVP. RSVP is currently Patent Pending with the USPTO and is currently being developed. RSVP will radically shake up the dating/networking application industry by becoming the fastest social networking and connection apparatus known to man. We desire to enable users to meet in real life safer, easier, and more efficient. Revenue for this industry is anticipated to grow 6.8% to 5.9 billion by end of the year as mobile services expand. (BRK Ventures is Currently Seeking Early Stage Funding)
I am the founder of NE2P Filmworks; a film production company based in Dallas, Texas specializing in documentary work highlighting the UNTOLD stories of the UNHEARD. I believe everyone on this Earth has a story, a voice, and a purpose. However, due to centuries of institutionalized inequalities, lack of knowledge, and lack of adequate exposure to the true reality, “Even in America, not everyone has the same opportunity”. Many stories that portray resiliency, triumphant efforts, and overcoming the odds are suppressed forever. NE2P is an outlet for those heroic individuals, hidden in plain sight.
I am a co-owner of Collection of Visuals (COV); a multi-media production company based in Dallas, Texas specializing in media creation where all of the client’s production needs are met; whether they are audio, visual, engineering, mentoring, etc. Collection of Visuals provides teamwork and quality to production while helping clients construct the highest quality for their vision. On staff, we possess years of experience, knowledge, and wisdom on all levels of production. We are currently filming our YouTube web series, ‘COV S.K.I.T.Z, a variety sketch show, and in pre-production for a COV’s very own Sci-Fi Series called, ‘BLXCK FICTION’ that will begin filming at the end of 2022. We all have a burning desire for cinema, and we love collaborating with our clients the most. We are a production company known to test the waters with new experiences, therefore it’s never a dull moment on set.
I am also a Founder/Owner of Mr. Oz’s Water Ice: a start-up ice cream and frozen desert mobile truck and restaurant business located in Dallas, Texas. Our specialty is Philadelphia Style Water Ice. Water ice is similar to shaved ice and Italian ice, but more satisfying. It’s creamier than shaved ice yet icier than Italian ice. And we intend to use all-natural ingredients. Besides serving the cities around the Dallas metroplex with frozen treats, we plan to aid the community as well. Our initiative for Mr. Oz’s Water Ice is to hire troubled, abandoned, and at-risk youth around the metroplex. Providing opportunities for adolescents who need a mentor, a second chance, and the ability to learn skills about business. (Mr. Oz’s Water Ice Currently Seeking Seed Funding)
Over the past couple of years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to model for some local brands, and small businesses, as well as act for various projects for Collection of Visuals. This Fall, I will be walking in the Dallas Celeb Fashion Award show in August at The Statler in Dallas, Texas. The show is commemorating Serena and Venus Williams and paying tribute to the late greats, Virgil Abloh and Andre Leon Talley. The show will be directed by Isacc Birdlong.
Have you ever had to pivot?
When Yah (GOD) says it is time to go, you cannot stop what is destined for you. You can only FEEL the spirit move you! I am a Baylor University Alumnus, Fall of 2016. One of the main reasons I chose Baylor was because of Art Briles. In Spring 2016, I earned my starting spot for the 2X back-to-back Big XII Champs, the Baylor Bears. Ironically, our Head Coach Art Briles was forced to resign in the Summer of 2016, due to allegations that have been investigated, non-publicly dispelled and found to be untrue. I say ‘non-publicly’ because even in light of articles and reports being released stating, that Briles was cleared of any inattention or wrongdoing, and that the staff and football team were all scapegoated, there has been no mainstream media coverage in our defense. But please believe me, when I say lives were affected.
“…the university states on the record there is no charge or allegation that Coach Briles failed to cooperate with any investigation… On the public record from the beginning is the growing recognition that the entire university, indeed all institutions of higher learning, were experiencing a wave of accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior.” “… at Baylor 100 allegations had been made, with eight being against football players, and five player’s brought to Baylor’s Board of Regents…” “Most shocking in light of the current sensitivity to race, all five of the players brought to the Board’s attention were Black, and there are a number of officially recorded comments from Pepper Hamilton lawyers asking why so many players were black or saying things that are unacceptable in today’s environment and should have been a red flag even in 2015.” (Williams, John, E. Alston & Bird-Briles Report PG.1-2, 12/9/2020)
Everything happened so abruptly and unexpectedly. With the absence of our leader, players who transitioned to the next level, and those who transferred to escape the storm being sanctioned down on the program, we found ourselves with 7 wins, including a bowl game victory. Pretty average compared to what could have been. 2016 revealed to me, that I want to be in business, but not the industry of using my body more than my mind. I fell out of love with football…
In the Spring of 2017, after an intense off-season of grinding, reflecting, and being slated as a starter for spring ball, I voluntarily walked away from what I had known and done for 17+ years. And for 3 months I was paralyzed with anxiety and nervousness about what the next step in life was. I felt as if I were playing basketball with two left feet, and trying not to travel. After leaving Baylor University with a degree and a semester of grad school under my belt, I was blessed with two options. A sales job at a good company based in Dallas to begin gaining work experience or join a start-up halfway across the country legally cultivating and selling cannabis for a Medical Marijuana Establishment start-up. It took guts, and grit to embark on such a risky endeavor. But I say, more often than not, take the risk. But only a calculated risk, is a risk worth taking.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Every entity I am a part of; every member knows their role. This is integral when it comes to management on any level. When everyone is focused on their job, completing their task, and responsibilities in order to not fail the team, beautiful things will and can happen. The only way an individual can know their role is through transparent and consistent communication. There are some individuals who possess an acute sense to know what must be done. But even then; they must operate within their own role to maintain synchronicity.
Ups and downs, come and go. That is business, and more importantly, that is life. But the morale of the team is the fire that keeps the group warm on a cold night. The only way to maintain morale and warmth is through trust, team unity, and mutual respect amongst one another. Can I trust you to handle business, can I lean on you for stability when times get rough, and can I respect you to treat me like you would yourself or your own? It’s a beautiful thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://collectionofvisuals.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soo_rayy_j/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/raaquan-davis1994-creative
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LLCooLRaaYY
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyUMwNVPdAun2i9ANkUp9A
- Other: https://linktr.ee/rayjdavis https://www.twitch.tv/llcoolraayy
Image Credits
AMuze Photography Angel’s Palace LLC Pastel Playground