Meet Ivan Cloyd

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ivan Cloyd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ivan below.

Ivan , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from watching my mother raise two boys as a single mother. Her strength and determination showed me the power of perseverance and unconditional love. Growing up in the streets of Washington DC, I faced numerous challenges and dangers, but these experiences only fortified my resolve. Escaping death and overcoming adversity have given me a unique perspective on life, enabling me to withstand hardships and keep pushing forward.

This resilience has been instrumental in my journey towards owning a TV network and building a $100 million real estate development company. My ability to take blows and keep moving forward is a testament to my strength and determination. My story is a powerful reminder that resilience is born from both the love and struggles we experience.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Building a Real Estate Development Company in Washington DC, and Prince George’s County, Maryland, has been a deeply fulfilling journey for me. I find it imperative to ensure that people have a place to live while also fostering equitable communities with jobs and green spaces for everyone to enjoy. This mission drives every project we undertake, from residential developments to commercial spaces.

Simultaneously, I’m also building a TV Network, which, admittedly, is no easy feat. However, this dual endeavor allows me to fully unleash my creative potential. Whether in real estate development or the TV Network, I find immense joy in the art of creation. This passion for art helps me focus on the process and sequencing of my work, rather than just the end goal of success.

Balancing these two ventures is challenging, but it’s this very challenge that fuels my creativity and drive. By integrating art into both fields, I can maintain a holistic approach that not only aims for success but also enriches the communities we serve.

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?

In my journey to succeed in business, I’ve identified three key skill sets that have been instrumental. The first is **hard work**. Hard work ensures that you truly know your industry inside and out, and it eliminates the temptation to take shortcuts. By putting in the effort, you build a solid foundation of knowledge and experience that sets you apart.

The second skill is being **tough**. Toughness, to me, doesn’t mean being aggressive. It means having the resilience to withstand pressure and challenges until things ease up. It’s about staying the course, even when the going gets tough, and maintaining your composure and determination.

Lastly, it’s crucial to **keep an open mind**. An open mind allows us to continue learning from others, especially in areas where we need more help. To truly benefit from this, one must get over their insecurities and emotions that don’t serve them. By embracing new ideas and perspectives, we can grow and adapt, which is essential for long-term success.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past 12 months, I’ve been deeply immersed in the dual challenge of building a real estate development company and launching a TV network. The complexities of financing both ventures have been particularly demanding, as each requires its own distinct capital structure. Borrowing $100 million is no small feat, and raising capital has proven to be a tedious yet invaluable learning experience in understanding how to finance a business effectively.

In real estate development, securing funding involves a multifaceted approach. You need to engage with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), local government bodies, investors, and banks. Each of these entities plays a crucial role in bringing a project to fruition.

On the other hand, launching a TV network demands a different set of financial strategies. Here, venture capital and angel investors are essential, and you still need to navigate regulatory requirements and work with the government.

While these challenges can be daunting, they also present incredible opportunities for growth. By studying and understanding the intricacies of each sector, I’ve been able to navigate these complexities more effectively. This journey has not only expanded my knowledge but also reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability in achieving long-term success.

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Ivan Jose Cloyd

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