We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tyler Fisher a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tyler, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I’ve always been ambitious, rooted from my mother and humble beginnings in poverty and homelessness. I always wanted to be successful in some form and believed that success starts in the mind. However, for a time I created the notion that football would afford my family new opportunities beyond our homeless and poverty background. I whole-heartedly gave my life to the sport. However, during a scrimmage game, a week before my high school senior football season, I broke my fibula and tibia. During seven months of rehab, depression, and identity loss, I began to write about my experiences. I turned to storytelling to create a new vision for my reality. Although my chances of attending college on a full athletic scholarship were diminished, I still had the ability to reach people with my story. I realized that I was not the only athlete going through adversity and injuries. I saw a greater purpose in my writing and went on to self-publish three books. The first book was called Cardiac Cardinals about my football adversity and finding purpose through pain. I had the opportunity to encourage others instead of just making it about me. After graduating college this past December, I can now say that I have not only persevered but have been able to accumulate 10 scholarships before graduating.
My next self publication was a children book about gratitude called Fried Chicken & Yams. Through a scholarship I won from McDonald’s I was able to donate 650 copies to C.C Spaulding a elementary closest to our university campus.
When I self-published my third book STAYFAST, I wanted it to have a positive impact on the readers’ potential to achieve. STAYFAST is an acronym for staying Focused, Ambitious, Solid & True. The book can be used as a tool to build a success mindset.
I loved fashion and loved literature so I made a pivot to expand my brand into clothing. With every marketing content or product I want to inspire my audience to reach their fullest potential no matter the circumstances by STAYING FAST.
Tyler, 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 got into writing my first book by using writing as therapy and wanting to tell my story with others. In self-publishing Cardiac Cardinals my first book, I understood that I wasn’t the only ex-athlete that has gotten a season ending injury. A lot of times as athletes and African Americans we place our worth in what we can do and produce. My first book is a liberation book from this idea. My next self publication was a children book about gratitude called Fried Chicken & Yams.
When I self-published my third book STAYFAST, I wanted it to have a positive impact on the readers’ potential to achieve. I wanted to solve the problem of personal potential. We all are uniquely made and its up to us to live the version of our best self. STAYFAST is an acronym for staying Focused, Ambitious, Solid & True. The book can be used as a tool to build a success mindset to dwell in your fullest potential everyday.
With every marketing content or product I want to inspire my audience to reach their fullest potential no matter the circumstances by STAYING FAST.
I am most proud of my ambition to not give up. My path may have been re-routed but I have been able to preserve by optimizing every opportunity big or small. Earning 10 academic scholarships was a gift to myself to show that my perseverance will win in due time.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I never saw my self as an entrepreneur even though I always thought entrepreneurially. Pivoting from books to clothing was huge for me. I wanted to expand my message in my books so I believed that to be the best way. Also a lot of people my age did not read books so I wanted to innovate anyway.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The Way of a Superior Man, STAYFAST, Atomic habits have been instrumental in my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stayfast.shop/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLriHwADlP4/?igshid=MjkzY2Y1YTY=
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tyler-fisher-222166180_nccu-eaglepride-eaglepromise-activity-7005721964879233025-uAtC?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/mWcs1iVHGaU
Image Credits
The images with the white shirts is IG@coreybphotography. The other images are @cameronelyseproductions