We recently connected with PJ Jenkins, Jr. and have shared our conversation below.
Hi PJ, 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 get my resilience from the foundation my parents laid early in my life. I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age—selling vegetables I grew to neighbors when I was just five. My parents always pushed me not only to dream big but to wake up from those dreams and make them real. They taught me that imagining greatness isn’t enough—you have to show up and make it happen.
Throughout my 30+ year career, I’ve experienced both success and failure, continually making bold pivots into new industries. Today, some might say I’m in the commercial construction industry, but in reality, I’m in the business of people, relationships, and inspiration. Every chapter of my journey has brought invaluable lessons. I’ve been fortunate to build multimillion-dollar businesses, but I’ve also endured the lows of bankruptcy, foreclosure, repossession, and eviction. Looking back, I now see those failures as blessings in disguise. Every setback became a steppingstone, fueling my drive to keep moving forward.
Today, I’m fortunate to have great partners and the privilege of running a compassionate, enduring company where I get to show up every day and inspire others to live in their greatness. The revenue we generate allows me to give back, helping those facing their own challenges and obstacles. My purpose is to inspire, using the strength and resilience I’ve gained from my own struggles to guide others through theirs.
Resilience isn’t just something I possess—it’s who I am. I don’t know how to quit. For me, quitting is harder than trying. My philosophy is simple: it’s always hard, so I do it hard. I thrive on challenges, always ready to overcome them and embrace the next adventure.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Paul Jenkins Jr., but everyone calls me PJ. My life has been built on reinvention, resilience, and never backing down, even when faced with failure. I’ve been at the top, and I’ve hit rock bottom—both are part of the journey. I’m a serial entrepreneur, speaker, author, and artist, but what matters more than the titles is – am I leaving an impact? My passion is being an inspiration and a possibility model for those looking to break free from the fear that holds them back and guiding them toward their own reinvention.
In my speaking engagements, I share raw, real stories about the highs and lows—about failing spectacularly and rising stronger. What warms my heart is when people share with me that it’s my vulnerability that resonates with them, and the reason they finally took the leap to pursue their dreams. It’s not just about talking; it’s about connection, relating, and inspiring action. Whether I’m speaking to university students, entrepreneurs, or creatives, my goal is to leave them ready to take their next bold step. One of my favorite lines is, “F*ck being scared. You just have to do it—scared.”
I’ve had the privilege of working across a range of industries, from producing events for celebrities, launching successful restaurants and nightclubs, to leading and continuing a legacy construction company. Each venture has taught me something new about building brands, creating experiences, and showing up authentically. I’ve owned and designed award-winning restaurants, built celebrity partnerships in entertainment, and now, as CEO of an award-winning commercial construction company, I’m focused on the holistic restoration of my company. It’s not just about transforming the business—it’s about changing lives, focusing on people, culture, and innovation. For me, it’s all about creating something that lasts—whether that’s a business, a community, or a personal legacy.
I’m also gearing up to launch my podcast, Re-In-F*cking-Vent, which dives deep into the gritty truths of entrepreneurship—overcoming obstacles, smashing self-doubt, and thriving through adversity. This podcast is for the wolves and lions—the people ready to push past fear and own their journey. I’m incredibly excited about this.
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from my story, it’s this: you don’t need to wait for the right moment or for fear to disappear. Be scared, be unsure—but show up anyway. That’s where real growth happens.
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?
Looking back on my journey, the three most impactful qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that have shaped my path are resilience, authenticity, and the ability to embrace failure as fuel for reinvention.
1. Resilience
Life will knock you down—often hard and unexpectedly. In my experience, resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about how you rise each time. I’ve hit rock bottom more than once, both personally and professionally, but every setback taught me something critical. For those early in their journey, my advice is to develop resilience through practice. Start by embracing challenges instead of avoiding them. Small setbacks now will build the mental muscle you’ll need when bigger challenges come your way. Lean into discomfort—it’s where real growth happens.
2. Authenticity
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that authenticity is non-negotiable. In every venture I’ve led—whether it’s a restaurant, a nightclub, or my construction company—what has resonated most with people is showing up as my true self. Early in my career, I thought success was about fitting into a mold, playing by someone else’s rules. It wasn’t. When I began embracing who I am—unapologetically—that’s when everything changed. My advice: don’t be afraid to show the world who you are. The more authentic you are, the more meaningful your connections and impact will be.
3. Embracing Failure and Reinvention
Failure isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of reinvention. I’ve failed—spectacularly—but it’s through those failures that I’ve reinvented myself time and time again. The ability to view failure not as defeat but as an opportunity to rebuild is one of the most important skills you can develop. For those early on, start by changing how you view failure. Instead of seeing it as a reflection of your worth, treat it as a steppingstone. The key is to keep moving, learning, and evolving. Reinvention is the heart of progress.
In terms of developing these, my advice is simple: practice, reflect, and stay persistent. None of these qualities happen overnight, but each can be strengthened through intentional action. Stay committed to the process, and trust that even when the path feels uncertain, it’s leading you exactly where you need to be.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, the first thing I do is fall back on my daily success routine. This routine is non-negotiable for me. It’s my armor, my reset button that keeps me grounded and prepared for whatever life throws my way. Every morning before the world wakes up, I carve out time for myself—time to meditate, stretch, and journal. I drink 25oz of water first thing to get my body in motion, and I read from books that inspire and feed my soul and spirit. This is all before I let any outside distractions—emails, calls, texts, or social media—enter my space. I need that time to think, to listen to the universe, and to reaffirm my belief in my abilities. It’s how I fuel my mental strength, and it allows me to face the day with positivity, even when the world is filled with negativity.
That early morning quiet is sacred to me. My wife understands that this routine helps me show up as my best self, not just for my work but also for my family. And in return, I’m able to be fully present and give my best to them.
In addition to my routine, I’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries and curating what I call the “luxuries of life”—investing only in things that give me a healthy return on my time, mental, and physical well-being. For me, this means surrounding myself with experiences and opportunities that allow me to cultivate peace of mind, joy, and personal growth. It’s how I ensure I’m not just moving through life but living it intentionally.
So, when the world feels like too much, I would say this: Create a non-negotiable space for yourself. Establish boundaries that protect your time and your energy. Invest in what fuels you and brings you joy, and have the discipline to stick to it. Overwhelm comes when we let distractions pull us in every direction; peace comes when we control where we place our focus. For me, that focus starts with quiet mornings and investing in a life that aligns with my values.
That’s how I navigate overwhelm.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iampjjenkinsjr/profilecard/?igsh=YXJod25qZzYzbmJ6
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjjenkinsjr?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Ivash Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
