We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Billy D Nelson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Billy D, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I draw my work ethic from my Father, who served as a strong influence and role model throughout my upbringing. Growing up in a two-parent household, my Mother also played a significant role in our home. However, having a Father figure present had an impact on me, as it instilled a sense of accountability in everything I did. Watching his actions and behaviors, I witnessed his commitment to all of his responsibilities. He would wake up early each day for work, contribute his share to our home, fulfill his duties as a basketball coach, attend all of my school events, and ensure I stayed on track. One memory that sets my father apart from other parents was his habit of acquiring my grades before report cards were issued. This definitely made him stand out when it came to parenting. My father is my ultimate role model, the sole individual I have looked up to. I have never heard him complain about anything, which has taught me to adopt a similar mindset and avoid unnecessary complaints. Coming from a less privileged background himself, he made it a priority to shield me from a similar upbringing. All I can do is express my gratitude for everything he has done and acknowledge his instrumental role in shaping me into the man I am today.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I have been employed full-time at Dell Technologies for the past four years. Throughout my time with the company, I have been fortunate to receive promotions by actively networking with individuals within the organization. However, my entrepreneurial spirit has always been present, waiting for the right moment to take action. In 2020, I finally took a leap of faith and started my first business, “Protekt Your Krown,” a hair care brand offering 100% natural products for all hair types. Planning and launching this business was challenging, especially keeping it a secret from everyone until the official launch. The business took off successfully through pre-orders, and I am proud of this accomplishment.
In 2022, I embarked on my next major business venture, “Underground HTX,” in collaboration with one of my closest friends. It is a premier multipurpose studio located in Southwest Houston, just a short 15-minute drive from the Galleria area. Spanning 1,200 square feet, our studio provides an exceptional setting for a variety of events and gatherings. With three different rooms, it is ideal for hosting memorable occasions such as birthday parties, baby showers, book club meetings, productive work sessions, captivating photoshoots, and podcasts. Our hard work paid off, as we were even granted a special day by the city of Houston.
What truly excites me about all of this is the sense of pride I bring to my family, friends, and community. My endeavors are not just for my personal success but also for inspiring others who aspire to start their own businesses. By sharing my journey, I hope to provide them with a roadmap to success, demonstrating that nothing worthwhile happens overnight. Late nights and early mornings, along with the dedication of blood, sweat, and tears, will set them apart from the rest.
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 qualities that have had the greatest impact on my journey, both in the past and present, are Discipline, Consistency, and Self-motivation. I have embraced discipline as a reflection of my unwavering determination to achieve the desired outcomes. Maintaining consistency has been crucial, driven by my clear end goal and the belief that hard work inevitably yields rewards. Ultimately, my self-motivation has been instrumental in bringing me to where I stand today. It empowers me to tackle any endeavor with unwavering determination, as I rely on my inner drive rather than external sources for motivation, fully aware of the responsibilities I must tend to in my life.
For individuals embarking on their early journey, my advice is to embrace patience. Recognize that success does not happen overnight, and learn to appreciate the journey itself. While there will undoubtedly be ups and downs, such is the nature of running your own business. It is through resilience and finding innovative ways to overcome obstacles that the determined persevere. The saying of early mornings and late nights holds truth, and I wholeheartedly believe in its significance. Lastly, maintaining a clear end goal becomes the driving force that propels you forward endlessly, for there is no definitive finish line. So, remember to be patience, stay focused, and most importantly have fun!
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the past 12 months, I have experienced significant personal growth in terms of developing a stronger resilience towards the opinions of others. During my journey of maturation, I used to be influenced by the opinions of others, allowing them to shape my own perspectives. Moreover, I used to place great importance on the impressions I made on others, often seeking validation from everyone around me, neglecting the most important person to impress: myself. However, personal growth is a gradual and ongoing process that spans several years, and as I grew older, I began to realize the significance of spending quality time with myself and gradually distanced myself from the influence of crowds that no longer excited me.
I can confidently affirm that I have undergone significant personal growth throughout the years, and this is a sentiment shared by numerous individuals around me. Personal growth has been huge for me because I’ve been able to gain a deeper understanding of myself, my values, and beliefs. I’ve became more self-aware, exploring personal strengths and weaknesses, and continuing towards self-improvement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.undergroundhtx.info/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billydnelson/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydnelson/
- Other: Hair Care Brand “Protekt Your Krown” – www.protektyourkrown.com
Image Credits
Photographer – Caleb – trulyy_blessed_
