Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Crosby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Justin, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Great question! I believe it all comes down to the generational influence. My grandparents epitomized a strong work ethic, dedicating their lives to work, which they passed on to their ten children, and numerous grandchildren. This tradition continues, even in my three-year-old daughter, Carson Olivia, who already comprehends the importance of tidying up after herself. Of course, there’s my mother, raising four children single-handedly, ensuring we all received an education, sending all four of us through high school and three of us college. I consider myself fortunate to have grown up in Aberdeen, Mississippi, where a hardworking culture was all I ever knew. This upbringing has shaped me into the executive and business owner I am today.
As a Regional Manager at Telecom Service Bureau, I emphasize to my team the significance of setting the example we wish to see in our markets. Additionally, as a co-owner of Amazon Freight Partner, Higher Level Logistics LLC, our ownership group engages in every facet of our business, from interviewing and onboarding to hands-on tasks like inspecting trucks and undergoing the same training we require of our drivers. In Dovenity Ventures, LLC my real-estate company, I’ve painted, drilled and cut the yards of my properties. My online t-shirt company “Solid”, I design and model, edit and promote my product also. Most importantly with the Dream Commission, from fundraising to setting up chairs and breaking to stages of events, I am present and ready to help.
In essence, I live by a familiar adage that encapsulates it all…”If you don’t work, you don’t eat”… and I am determined to provide everything needed for my wife, daughter, and myself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a kid from small town Mississippi, I witnessed most of my generation walking one of two paths. Go to college, get a degree and try to make something of yourself, or go into the work force and attempt to survive. I chose college, but still found myself working paycheck to paycheck trying to exist. A career in Telecommunications would launch me into a 15-year career with some success. However, in that time, I’d become passionate about learning from those I served. Each and every piece of my portfolio was birthed and developed for former employers, customers and friends who shared the most value commodity in the world, knowledge.
Helping launch the Dream Commission really brought everything together for me in the course of my life and career. Listening to the masses who have had dreams of making it but no reality to experience and seeking resources for them is so rewarding. Even to the point where now my dream is to grow and expand my platform to speak nationally to audiences and connect them with those who will share their experiences like so many shared with me.
Next would be my lifestyle brand Solid. Being a larger guy (Six feet, eight inches), I’ve always dealt with how people perceived me. Working with my partner who has a women’s line (Thicc Chica) we’ve been able to help heal one another and those who support our line. I’m so excited for the new 2024 line coming out featuring our new “Vintage” tees!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to changing circumstances was crucial. It’s essential to remain resilient in the face of challenges and adaptable when circumstances demand a shift in direction. Next I’d say embracing a mindset of continuous learning and self-improvement played a pivotal role. Being open to new ideas, seeking knowledge in diverse fields, and staying curious were key. Within that point, even learning to understand and accept being wrong and then being educated in the right way or path. Finally, cultivating strong relationships and networking proved immensely valuable. Building a network of mentors, peers, and industry professionals provided support, guidance, and opportunities I could not have imagined.
Keep in mind that achieving success frequently involves a path with both highs and lows. Embrace the obstacles, maintain your perseverance, and continuously seek growth. Every encounter, whether favorable or unfavorable, plays a role in shaping your progress and personal advancement throughout your journey.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my mother did was drive me to college with my younger brother, get me moved in, drove me to Walmart to buy a few things, bring me back to campus, hand me $80 dollars and went home! From that moment I had her prayers, a listening ear and council, but I was expected to make it work. She never moved me in or out of a dorm or apartment again. I at 40 years old have so much respect for the means she raised me, and I have carried that mentality every single day since that moment. Many of life’s decisions stand alone, and my mother wanted me to be a man who made and stood by his own choices. This upbringing has supported me; now, among CEOs, business partners, investors and company presidents, I remain unwavering, as I’ve faced tougher times that have fortified my resilience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @DreamSummittMemphis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thicc.chica
Image Credits
image credits: Brandon Burnside
