We were lucky to catch up with Ej Gailliard recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi EJ, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Over the years, you start to go on a search. Each and every one of us has our own respective journey. Most are looking for something that can enhance their current lifestyle. Most of us have our own definition of wealth. It can be money, time, freedom, peace, luxury, anything. Along with that sense of wealth there is a sense of purpose. I found mine while trying to find myself. When I was a kid I always wanted to be a professional athlete or an astronomer. That was my passion, but was that my purpose? No. It took me looking at the generation that is next up to find my passion. These kids need us. They are in a more digital and lazy world. Our youth need to learn to think for themselves and make the right decisions. So while, I was working at Camp Thunderbird at the age of 22, I found my purpose in impacting our youth and teaching them things I wish I learned in grade school.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I was born and raised in Rock Hill, SC. Our city is known for being “Football City USA”. A lot of pro football players came from Rock Hill and surrounding areas, some of which were my teammates. That being the case, we are also known for our entrepreneurs. There are so many small business owners that look for events and ways to connect. Rock Hill and Charlotte has a plethora of these kinds of opportunities. Being on the outskirts of a metropolitan area has its benefits.
Professionally, I have been a day trader for over 12 years and also Co-Founded a software company called VICCCI Protocol along side Robert Lawrence and our Marketing Director Alfonzo Hamlin. We have created several projects utilizing blockchain software like a cryptocurrency on the Polygon Mainnet, a video conferencing platform called VSpaces, an Augmented Reality app called Augmentique, along with several other projects. Our goal is to raise the bar for those who look like us in the tech space and bring awareness to these insights in the community. We have done many classes to our youth and their parents on Artificial Intelligence (AI), IOT devices, FinTech topics, and a wide range of other insights.
There is still so much more that needs to be done in the community. These tech advance are here to stay, but we can still capitalize from how they work rather than being afraid of it.
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?
The three most important qualities are very direct and pertinent to moving forward in anything are:
Communication: In anything that you do, you have be able to affectively communicate what you want to do. This is personal and in business. Doors can open up if you know how to network the right way and properly verbalize your who, what, when where and especially WHY. It helps you to not be taken advantage of. Speak up when something is unethical, let your intentions be clear. A good business person is a great communicator.
Mentality: This can be a wide range of things. The right mentality is healthy for your body, your thoughts, how you speak, how you decide and also how you function on your day to day. These create the right habits in you so that you can take things to the next level in your life. It’s important to be careful with what you are looking at, listening to and thinking about. Thoughts become things. Read your favorite self-help book, exercise regularly, unplug from the social media world from time to time, listen to your favorite enlightening podcasts and free your mind to the right mindset.
Planning/Execution: If you have a dream or a goal, you have to have a vehicle to drive. I’m not talking about a car either! You are the the driver and your vehicle can be a vision board, your phone for notes or even your own daily affirmations. If you are wanting to reach a specific goal, you have to bring it to life by speaking it, writing down, visualizing it, then putting a plan of action in place to see it through while giving yourself deadlines to achieve each task. It makes for a great journey.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My mom was a teacher for 35 years and my dad is a pastor. They both instilled certain wisdom to me that helped me understand what it takes to be a great business person. Although they had these professions, they also worked in the New York Stock Exchange at the same time and also gave me wisdom on how a stressful and fast paced life can consume you. I choose to slow down time by creating habits that will only develop me and other personally. I’ve come a long way since then. My parents have taught me in all things I have to keep God first. Everything else will fall into place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.viccci.xyz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triplecej
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edgailliardjr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ej-gailliard
Image Credits
– The PowerHouse
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