We recently connected with Greg Fobbs and have shared our conversation below.
Greg , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I have lived a life that is a remarkable story of resilience, strength, and transformation.
Having faced unimaginable trauma, including the loss of three siblings, including the devastating passing of a sister and niece, I have triumphed over both grief and alcohol addiction.
When I was 11 years old, my older sister was tragically murdered, and in 2020, my 18-year-old niece was shot and killed in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also, within the past 6 years, I’ve lost a brother to cancer and a sister to addiction, both at age 50.
The roots of my resilience can be traced back to my extraordinary parents Greg Fobbs and Levearn White, as they both are pure examples of strength and virtue.
They instilled in me the importance of serving God and the essence of inspiring others even in the midst of immense sorrow and hardship. It is their teachings and unfaltering spirit that became the bedrock upon which I’ve built resilience and found the courage to transform my life.
Two years sober now, my journey to sobriety has been laden with the pain of losses but brightened by the unyielding support of my loving wife, (Sandra Fobbs) the guiding light of my faith in God, and the fellowship of close friends, mentors, and family who have stood by me like pillars, helping me navigate through the toughest times.
I’ve also found refuge and camaraderie in Alcoholics Anonymous, which has been a sanctuary where I have been able to share and heal. With the unwavering support of two empathetic AA sponsors and the enlightening path of therapy, I’ve learned to grapple with my demons and come out stronger.
My journey is not just a tale of overcoming addiction and loss, but also a living testament to the power of faith, support, and resilience.
My life can be a beacon of hope, showcasing the ability of the human spirit to rise above despair and inspire others to do the same.
I’ll continue to serve God and spread a message of hope and inspiration.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a Bay Area native from East Palo Alto, Ca. I’m a husband to Sandra Edmond Fobbs of 9 years and a father of two, Gregory III (15) and Mael (4). My in-laws, Simon and Marie Aniche Edmond live with us, and we have resided in Lathrop, CA for the past 7 years
I currently devote my time to expanding my brand, “BlackUnicorn” across various social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads, with a prime focus on creating and circulating engaging and insightful content through these platforms.
For those that are curious about why BlackUniorn was chosen as a brand name, “Black unicorns” are said to symbolize strength and power as they can overcome obstacles and lead someone to a powerful and desirable life…
One of the most exciting ventures I have embarked upon is the development of a platform called Zenbe, which is centered around leveraging the capabilities of ChatGPT to cultivate compelling content on LinkedIn.
My business partner, Mark Scott (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phxdev) is the Architect and CEO of our company.
Zenbe accessible at https://zenbe.co/ is essentially a culmination of our passion and extensive experience in technology.
Before diving into the tech world about 13 years ago, my journey began in education, where I served as a Learning Specialist, Boys Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, and Mentor. This foundational phase instilled in me the values of active listening and patience, which have been instrumental throughout my professional journey.
In the realm of technology, I’ve been privileged to acquire diverse experiences ranging from Chief Marketing Officer to Business Analyst, among various other pivotal roles. These positions enabled me to contribute substantially to resolving client issues, managing intricate projects, and fostering synergy amongst different departments to ensure seamless business operations.
What makes my journey unique and exhilarating is the array of operational functions I’ve been involved in. I have been pivotal in the execution of e-commerce and channel sales operations and played a significant role in the acquisition of new businesses. I find it immensely rewarding to develop relationships with a diverse clientele and have had the opportunity to travel extensively for promotions, presentations, and events.
Beyond the experience and roles, what’s truly special is the continuous learning and the ability to exceed in diverse environments, whether team-oriented or self-directed. I feel a profound sense
of accomplishment in not just meeting but consistently surpassing the set monthly and annual quotas and fostering relationships with key decision-makers.
I consider my multi-faceted experience, my unrelenting work ethic, and my impeccable organizational and communication skills as the building blocks that have allowed me to surpass expectations in every role I have undertaken. However, the most rewarding aspect is the connection and interaction with people from various walks of life, understanding their perspectives, and learning and growing every day. It’s these interactions and the constant evolution and learning that keep me excited and motivated every single day.
Whether it’s creating content, solving tech-related challenges, or building relationships, every facet of what I do is imbued with passion and a relentless pursuit of excellence, and this, I believe, is what makes my journey extraordinarily special and exciting!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities below that have helped me in my career and qualities that I’d recommend people to focus on are:
Resilience: I’ve had to gain the ability to bounce back from setbacks and continue moving forward. I’ve also had to cultivate a growth mindset, maintain a positive outlook, and learn from failures.
Lifelong Learning: I continually seek knowledge and remain open to new ideas that have led to personal and professional growth. It’s also been important for me to Invest time in learning and self-improvement, whether through formal education, self-study, or learning from experiences.
Effective Communication: Being able to clearly and effectively communicate ideas is crucial in almost every field. It involves not only speaking and writing clearly but also listening and adapting your communication style to your audience.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
If I knew I only had a decade of life left, it would reshape my priorities and deepen my gratitude for every moment I have. First and foremost, I would spend the majority of that time with my wife and children. They are the core of my existence, and I would want to create an archive of memories that they could hold onto long after I’m gone.
I’ve always had this dream of traveling the world, of exposing my children to diverse cultures, traditions, and histories. I would make it a mission to embark on journeys to different corners of the globe with them because I’d want my children to witness the breathtaking beauty and vastness of our planet. I believe that such experiences can profoundly shape a person’s perspective, teaching them the values of understanding, compassion, and gratitude.
While personal memories with my family would be paramount, I would also be deeply driven to leave a legacy behind. Throughout my life, I’ve always believed in the power of positivity and love. As the time grew shorter, I would want to amplify that message. I’d focus on encouraging communities and individuals alike to foster love and diminish hate. Each person’s light, no matter how small, can make a significant impact in dispelling darkness.
In addition, having worked in the tech industry for quite some time, I’ve seen the underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic communities in Silicon Valley. It’s crucial for these communities to have equal opportunities and representation, not just for the sake of diversity but for the plethora of innovative ideas and perspectives they bring. I would establish programs, scholarships, and mentorships to ensure that more
Black and Hispanic people find success in the tech sector. Their growth would be the growth of the industry itself.
Ultimately, with a decade left, I’d want to immerse myself in the love of my family, see the world through refreshed eyes, inspire a universal movement of love, and help champion diversity in the tech world…
While ten years may sound short, I believe that with purpose and passion, it’s ample time to create ripples that would last forever.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gfobbs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greg.fobbs
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-fobbs/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregoryefobbs
- Emails: [email protected] & [email protected]
- Website: https://zenbe.co/
