We were lucky to catch up with Rey Grandoit recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rey , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I learned two things from my parents that have been integral to my life. It all started when I watched my immigrant Haitian father Jean go to work every single day without taking a vacation. His perspective was that he had a responsibility to provide for his family and to make an honest living. The people I saw in the inner city were people who sold drugs or scammed to make money, so he taught me “Integrity”.

I watched my mom cook and feed people who came over to our apartment as a child. To me, it seems unnecessary to feed everyone? However, I learned valuable lessons from mom, such as “Empathy”. The way my mom treated people continues to grow my love for people!

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?

A dream was born from a thought. My dream was designing clothes that represent style, “Grand Style”. When I started my apparel business it was successful as a youth, I created a tee shirt in high school and pre-sold the design to 80% of the school for the house games, which was an intramural basketball game.

After the game, a star was born, I knew anything was possible. I saw the possibilities were endless. Companies began to contact me for custom branded apparel and I also continue to create my own apparel as well. The main question was how are you doing this? Which really was meant, how are you doing this in a wheelchair? Which birth content creation of the how, when and why.

Own Your Inspiration products are merchandise and we provide motivational speaking services.

The problems we solve for our clients: Middle school, High school or College–the stories are all too familiar.

…Students wrestling with anxiety and depression.

…Struggling to find the inner strength to deal with even the slightest of setbacks.

And others crumbling under a mountain of social pressures.

At college and career institutions, it’s more of the same–mental health issues, financial distress and even homelessness.

The outcome is certain.

Students either act out, check out or drop out!

And as for you, educators? Well, it’s hard to teach, discipline AND motivate when you’re struggling to stay motivated, yourself

Motivating students is a big burden when educators alone are left to carry it. Rey’s not asking you to lay down that burden. He’s simply here to lighten your load.

The most proud moments is when we are inspiring students to keep going and growing in their educational and life success. and what are the main things we want our potential clients to know is that we care about our future which is our students.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I need more and more, is something I learn in school and society. Now, I understand, Less is more !

I have learn how to work with what I have rather than what I want or feel I need.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

This brand was birthed from the life experiences and challenges encountered by Reynald Grandoit, also known as Rey. He became paralyzed at the age of 14 years old from spinal
bacterial meningitis. From one adversity to the next, Rey made a decision to take ownership
of his life and keep going so that he could stay alive.

The culture that Own Your Inspiration creates is a community filled with love, laughter, fun,
and respect. OYI believes in serving with excellence and integrity. This organization is on a
mission to positively impact and empower generations to come.

Own Your Inspiration is owning what is inside of you. Inspiration means ‘in spirit’. When you
know what is inside of you, you are capable of doing what God created you to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ownyourinspiration.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownyourinspiration/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ownyourinspiration12
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/own-your-inspiration/about/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OwnYourInspiration

Image Credits
Melanie Grandoit