Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to A.J. Hawkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
A.J., looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I’ve always been someone who takes pride in my work and enjoys striving for excellence, whether it’s in a professional or personal setting. I developed my work ethic over time. I was raised in a household where hard work and dedication were emphasized through school, structure, and sports. My parents were also great examples of what it looks like to always give your best effort and to never settle for less but to simply work harder.
Coming from an athletic family background that always emphasized hard work and excellence makes it easier to stay focused and committed no matter how long or daunting the task may be. Consistency and repetition are the keys to having a great work ethic and I pride myself on hard work over a long period time to reach my goals.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the Owner of iHawk Media where we “Brand your business through marketing Innovation.” We work with small business to find out the best strategy to move them forward. We are the entire marketing department for your small business. From digital to print we make you look good. No matter the task we are able to get the job done so that the business owner can run the business and not have to worry about making social media post, printing new flyers, following up with clients for testimonials, email marketing, custom mailers, the list goes on.
I have also just completed my drone certifications and now I am adding drone photography and videography to the list. Drone photography has revolutionized the way we capture images. With the ability to capture stunning aerial shots, drone photography has quickly become a popular choice for marketing. The use of drones provides an entirely new perspective to photography, allowing for unique and breathtaking images that were once impossible to capture.
Drone photography can be used for a wide range of purposes, including marketing, advertising, and documentation. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for professionals in many industries, including construction, agriculture, and surveying.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Leadership/Communication:: The ability to motivate and lead a team is crucial for any successful business. A good leader should be able to communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and inspire their team to achieve common goals. Clear and effective communication is crucial for building relationships with customers and employees. This includes both verbal and written communication skills.
Time management: As an entrepreneur, you’ll have to juggle a variety of tasks and responsibilities. Being able to prioritize your time effectively will help you stay organized and focused on the tasks that matter most.
Problem-solving: Running a business can be unpredictable, and you’ll encounter various challenges along the way. Being able to think critically and come up with creative solutions to problems is essential for success.
The best way that I feel you can improve is to continue to learn. Business is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date. Attend seminars, take classes, read books and articles, and network with other business owners to learn new skills and stay on top of trends.It is always important to embrace change. The business landscape is always evolving, so it’s important to be adaptable and willing to change course when necessary. Embrace new technologies, try new marketing strategies, and be open to new ideas.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I would not be able to name just one person that has helped me along the way. I have been blessed with many people in my life that have played intricate parts in molding me to be who I am today. My wife, Michele, definitely has helped me with being better at time management and delegation of different tasks being able to trust people on my team to get things done when I am working on other projects. My parents Aaron & Mia Hawkins, are both business owners and they have shown me the type of balance that is necessary to run a business and to also make time for what is important, such as family and mental health. I have had great mentors such as David Ferebee, of Edit Room, LLC., who allowed me to work on his media team at the age of 12 and has always given me TOUGH constructive criticism along the way that has given me the tough skin that it takes to get the job done. I would also like to thank Glenn & Valerie Morgan of On Common Ground News for allowing me to learn journalism, and what it really means to have a hard deadline. Working those phones and coming up with stories on a local newspaper/editorial level is not for the weak. The media team at voices of Lastly, Robin Ware of The Ware Agency gave me the tools and oversight that helped me tap into finding a way to do what I love so that I never really WORK a day in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: ihawkmedia.com
- Instagram: @ihawkmedia
- Facebook: @ihawkmedia
Image Credits
iHawk Media, LLC.
