Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rodney Stokley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Rodney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.

I would certainly want my children to join my business. I want them to join simply because I’ll feel like it’s a legacy thing going on. You’re already proud of your children for growing into fine adults and doing their own thing, however it’s more rewarding when they grow up and want to take over the mantle. I think most family businesses have a problem when it comes to family because most family want something for free or things handed to them. When you earn anything it’s better for morale than just being given it. I’ve watched generational businesses blossom because the family sticks together and that’s what I want for my children to do. Stick together, Grow together and be successful together.

Rodney, 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?

I’ve always loved writing. So naturally when I fell into writing poetry and escaping my reality for a brief moment in time I started writing stories that captivated me and made me feel like I was watching a movie instead of reading. I started R. W. Stokley & Co., LLC to release my own stories but as I grew in popularity I started publishing others as well. I didn’t want to stop there I wanted to have sounds and I’m an avid music lover so intertwining the books and music together was like adding milk to your cereal. I wanted a place where people can feel free creatively. I wanted to have a place where you can vent your frustrations artistically without judgement and that’s what we offer here. We learn and grow together by helping each other express what we couldn’t speak.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

It’s a funny story actually. I was sitting on my bunk in prison and I had a friend of mine go get some lottery tickets with numbers I was dreaming about. Ironically the same time I ran to the phone to call them to ask them to go donut for it was the same time I was seeing in my dreams. They didn’t believe me and told me I was crazy them numbers aren’t going to work. I said try me it’s only a couple of dollars neither one of us is going to miss. Well, lo and behold those numbers were a hit and not just any hit but a big hit. I hit for $6,500 and shocked my friend. I then had called my son’s mother and asked her to get the paperwork ready I’m about to start another business and 4 years later my business is still going strong.

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

I’m sitting in prison with all of these odds stacked against me. It’s prime time pandemic and everybody telling me it’s not a good idea and I’m waisting money. I said I’m a street dude with book smarts i know what the people want and the people around me needs an outlet and this is going to be it. I went with my gut and it worked out not just for me but for the people I needed to reach.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @waynealmighty