Meet Martin Berrios

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Martin Berrios a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Martin with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I would have to attribute my work ethic to my late father. When I was very young he owned a produce market in Puerto Rico. At a very early age I would get to see what entrepreneurship meant. Years later when we moved to New York City he not only held a day job as a construction worker but he frequently did odd jobs on the weekends as a handyman, mechanic, painter and more. Once I got older he would take me with him to help. While this was the last thing I wanted to do on Saturday mornings as a teenager I later recognized he was showing me what it meant to work hard and more importantly to always have a side hustle.

To this day I maintain several sources of income. This not only has afforded me the opportunity to work on some amazing projects but also an avenue to provide opportunities to my inner circle.

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?
I am an award-winning marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience within the entertainment, consumer packaged goods and telecommunications industries. I have contributed my unique skill set to a wide ranging number of products and programming at Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Coca-Cola, Ralph Lauren, Muscle Milk, Proctor & Gamble, Bai Brands and most recently T-Mobile. Additionally I have contributed content as a content curator for several high profile publications including AllHipHop.com, Scratch Magazine, Elemental Magazine, Urban Ink Magazine, Black Men Magazine, Fuego Magazine and HipHopWired.com,

In 2010 I launched Flawlesscrowns.com; a leading gentleman’s lifestyle destination. Since its inception I have curated all the content and editorial direction. I additionally I oversee the website design, functionality, advertising programming, brand partnerships (i.e. EA Sports, Don Q Rum, Crown Royal, adidas, etc.) and event activations. In 2019 I launched my boutique agency Flawless Crowns Group which focuses on offering brands tailored strategies to achieve cultural relevance.

After the brutal killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor in 2020, I dedicated myself to empowering people of color. Since then I frequently consult Black and Brown businesses free of charge. In July 2020 I helped establish The Dorothy P. Jones Britton Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance to college-minded 11th and 12th grade Black girls in pursuit of higher education.

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 think resiliency is a quality that is crucial to have regardless of your path in life. My motto is never give up. There have been countless times where I was knocked down but I still got up. Turning those losses into lessons have made me a better person, husband, father and executive. Chances are you won’t grow when you are comfortable.

Another important quality to have is patience. When I was in my 20’s I expected certain things to come my way just because my peers were making headway in their role but life doesn’t work like that; especially in corporate. Success isn’t overnight and when you do become successful you have to work that much harder to hold on to it. But if you continue to plan your work and work your plan good things will happen.

Lastly, I would advocate to always conduct good business. This means doing good work and keep a clean name. It is a small world and if your peers speak good things about you it is bound to eventually propel you into even bigger opportunities.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’ changed my life forever. Reading this story left an indelible impact on me that is at times difficult to explain but I will try. In my opinion his legacy is synonymous with evolution and heart. There were several defining stages in his life; all which I could relate to personally. Additionally, he put his life on the line for his people. He was truly a remarkable figure that inspired me to seek purpose. Once I finished it I was in awe and knew I had to do more with myself. To this day he is one of the most influential people in my life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
@iammartinjean

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