We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Desmond Wiggan Jr. . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Desmond below.
Hi Desmond, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I want to say it’s in my blood. Being of Jamaican descent, I draw my resilience from the stories and experiences shared by my grandmother and father, who faced numerous challenges and managed to overcome them with incredible strength. Their tales of starting anew with nothing but the clothes on their backs inspire me to believe that I, too, can triumph over any adversity. Their resilience serves as a constant reminder of the human capacity to persevere.
Moreover, I acknowledge my privilege of having access to multiple college degrees, a strong support system, and an exceptional network. This awareness reinforces my resourcefulness and humility in seeking help and guidance when needed. I understand that there are open doors available to me, and even if they may require effort and persistence to unlock, I am determined to keep knocking and never give up.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Sure, well I’m Desmond, I am an Entrepreneur, Business Strategist, and Global Citizen, deeply influenced by my cultural background and driven by my desire to leave a meaningful legacy. My journey began as a student-athlete at Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU in North Carolina. Upon graduating, I had a brief career in Corporate Sales, before making a pivotal decision to pursue my Master’s degree in International Business from Fort Hays State University. It was there that I spent two transformative years studying abroad in China, which would in turn help to shape my perspective, and jump start my current startup journey.
During my time in China, an unfortunate experience of being stranded with a low phone battery in an unfamiliar place sparked the initial idea for my company. This idea eventually materialized into me founding BatteryXchange Inc., a technology company that is revolutionizing communication and connectivity for partnerships across industries and regions.
Currently, BatteryXchange is focusing on building relationships within the healthcare industry. We not only provide essential connectivity services during emergencies, but also give a voice to emerging health systems throughout the community.
Folks should also know that being a trailblazer in this space is an honor for me. As a young black entrepreneur in the tech-enabled hardware field, I recognize the rarity of individuals who resemble my background or share my experiences. When I find myself navigating in parts of China where it is unlikely for the local community ever to encounter a black man, yet alone doing business, I embrace the responsibility of leaving a lasting impression that challenges stereotypes and shapes positive narratives about my people.
Overall, my story revolves around my passion for entrepreneurship, my dedication to making a difference, and my commitment to leaving a mark on both the business world and society as a whole.
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?
I’d say the three skills that were most impactful in my journey were resilience, having humility in leadership, and being adaptable.
Throughout my journey, I’ve faced various obstacles and setbacks. However, I’ve always found a way to persevere and make progress for our business, even when faced with limited financial resources or a lack of media attention. I’d advise those early in their journey to find what works for their business and consistently take small steps toward growth. Be persistent and learn from failures. Your failures are always opportunities to refine your strategies and move forward.
One of my strengths has been recognizing and attracting exceptional individuals to join my team. As a leader, I understand the importance of allowing these talented individuals to take the lead and make their own contributions. Embracing humility means accepting that I don’t have to know everything and trusting that I have provided the necessary resources for my team members to excel in their respective departments. My advice for those starting is to foster a culture of collaboration and empower your team members to lead in their areas of expertise. Encourage open communication, value diverse perspectives, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Throughout my journey, I have experienced both successes and failures. I have encountered various challenges, including raising and losing money and navigating the impact of events like the Covid pandemic. Throughout it all, I have learned to adapt and adjust my approach accordingly. I encourage all early-stage entrepreneurs to embrace adaptability and approach change with an open mind. Be willing to let go of ideas that may not be working and be open to new possibilities.
These qualities have helped me navigate challenges, build successful teams, and even adjust to unforeseen circumstances. Remember, success often comes from a combination of these qualities and the willingness to adapt and evolve along the way.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I believe the answer to this evolves over time. In the early stages of building something, you often have to wear multiple hats and be competent in various areas. This allows you to gain a broad understanding of the business and identify your strengths. As you experience success and the company grows, it becomes crucial to focus on your superpower, go all in, and delegate tasks that are outside of your expertise.
For example, in my journey, I initially had to be well-rounded and handle various aspects of my company. However as the company progressed, I realized that my superpower lay in things like effectively communicating the vision, cultivating a strong organizational culture, and securing resources to scale the company.
Once I recognized this, I made a conscious decision to lean into my strengths and invest my effort in areas where I could have the greatest impact. And by doing so, I am able to provide the leadership and strategic direction needed to drive the company forward, while at the same time, I surround myself with individuals who possess different skill sets and superpowers that compliment my own.
This approach has allowed me to create a cohesive team where each member can focus on their areas of expertise and contribute to the overall growth of the company. By empowering others to lean into their superpowers, we’ve fostered a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Ultimately, the key is to find a balance between leveraging your strengths and addressing areas where you may be weaker. While having a well-rounded understanding of the business is important, trying to be exceptional in every aspect can be overwhelming and hinder overall progress. By focusing on your strengths and empowering others to contribute their own expertise, you can create a stronger, more dynamic organization.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.batteryxchange.co
- Instagram: @worldwidewiggs_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmondwigganjr/
- Twitter: @worldwidewiggs_
