Meet Andre’ Burgess

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andre’ Burgess. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Andre’, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I discovered a love for music, plants, and art as a child. With roots in the South, I grew up with a family that mostly loved music and gardening. While helping my grandfather tend to his garden, I marveled at the way nature thrived under his care. Inspired, I began nurturing my own small garden, growing a variety of plants and vegetables. Although I worked in the civil engineering field for 35 years, through gardening, I found peace and a sense of accomplishment.

I embarked on a personal journey of self-discovery to further enhance my confidence and self-esteem. That journey included a passion for art, learning to play instruments and playing for a local band. I read books and articles about influential black figures who had made significant contributions to the fields of music and entertainment. Learning about their accomplishments and resilience inspired me to push past my limitations and strive for greatness in what I do best.

In my spare time, I continued to indulge in DJing at anniversaries and birthday parties. DJing requires confidence and the ability to control any situation. I started a collection of cactus and bonsai. The collection not only brought joy but also a sense of purpose. I witnessed how my gardening skills brought people together. My plants always started a lengthy conversation. Being knowledgeable about my music and plants helped my confidence grow. I became more assured in my abilities and recognized the value I bring to the table.

Through dedication, resilience, and unwavering belief in myself, I became an inspiration to others, particularly young black individuals facing similar challenges. I shared my story, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with passion and perseverance.

In the end, my journey led me to become successful in engineering and a respected figure in both the engineering and gardening communities. I found fulfillment in my work, knowing that I was making a positive impact and breaking down barriers for future generations.

And so, the story of Andre serves as a reminder that confidence and self-esteem can be cultivated through perseverance, embracing one’s identity, seeking support from like-minded individuals, and channeling passions and talents into meaningful pursuits. Andre’s journey serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to defy stereotypes and pursue their dreams unapologetically.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started loudbank.com in 2014 as a garden site full of gardening information and product reviews for growers and gardeners. By 2017 loudbank.com had over 27,000 web viewers per month looking for garden information. At that time, a decision was made to turn Loudbank.com into an e-commerce website. A website was created to sell fertilizers, soil, pots, and other garden accessories. In 2019 I quit my engineering job to manage loudbank.com full-time. During my time off, we prepared a Loudbank 2020 Business Expansion Plan, an amendment to the original business plan. The new expansion plan leads the way to our first garden center located at 8445 Natural Bridge Rd. in St. Louis, Mo. We opened for business in August of 2021 and are known as one of the only Black Owned hydroponic/garden supply businesses in the Midwest!

I am a certified Master Gardener. I specialize in growing house plants, gardens, trees, and more. The services we provide are seeding, landscaping and irrigation. LoudBank LLC is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and a Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE). We look forward to working with the commercial growers, schools, multiple municipalities, the Missouri Highway Dept., and The St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District.

I am proud to know that I own a business that has the support of the local community, a business with a product and a service that benefits the neighbors and surrounding areas. The process of gardening is something that gives back in multiple ways. We take it up as a hobby that stimulates our minds and gives us purpose. Gardening leads to movement or exercise for our bodies. Gardening has multiple rewards, as seeing your plant growth is a significant accomplishment and to grow something healthy for you and your family to nourish your bodies is one of the best gifts one could have. Loudbank has the experience and supplies to help everyone accomplish these rewards.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that you need to succeed in business are first, being physically able to handle the task at hand. The second quality is to be mentally able to handle stress when times get tough. And the last important quality is to find and take advantage of the resources to perfect your craft.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Acquiring financing for inventory, advertising, and marketing has been a challenge. The amount to start this venture was less than $100,000. I have excellent credit and assumed that financing that amount would be a small feat, but it was a nightmare. Right before closing on the business loan, my loan officer was terminated or no longer worked for that company. Once this happened, a new loan officer was assigned to my account. This loan officer seemed determined to make the process as difficult as possible with additional information and collateral requests. To keep moving forward with my dreams and goals, I decided to finance Loudbank fully.

After one year in business, the confidence, experience, and determination have increased so much that Loudbank is now self-sufficient and an asset to the community. The next group of challenges for Loudbank is to proceed to the next level. That includes acquiring a budget to market and advertise the brand, increase revenue, and hire staff to expand services.

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