THE ROCK: Why is entrepreneurship
so important?
ALEXIS/SOLE: Entrepreneurship is important
because it is what allows business to evolve and create new markets.
It promotes creativity and diversity.
THE ROCK: What is your mission
in the arena of entrepreneurship?
ALEXIS/SOLE: My mission is to create
opportunities for blacks to make their dreams come true. My goal is
to have every person working with me to one day have his/her own firm
or business. It's not about them becoming rich, but them doing what
they want and love to do. Something they would do for free, just for
the love of it.
THE ROCK: What is the upside
of owning a business?
ALEXIS/SOLE: Independence. You have the
freedom to be as creative or as common as you like. Also you create
your own rules. I hate the way some businesses operate and I can control
how I do business.
THE ROCK: What is the downside?
ALEXIS/SOLE: The downside is the amount
of hours you work. If you want the success you have to put in the
work.
THE ROCK: What is your best
advice to someone who wants to start a business?
ALEXIS/SOLE: Have a plan B. Always keep
the faith that things will go according to God's plan, but make sure
you have options.
THE ROCK: What is your best
advice to someone struggling to maintain a business?
ALEXIS/SOLE: My advice is keep pushing.
Sunshine always follows rain. Struggles are just a means to keep you
humble, and preparing you for a future success.
THE ROCK: How important
are partnerships in business?
ALEXIS/SOLE: Partnerships are priceless.
Not, only partnerships but relationships are important too. Keep your
options open and seek opportunities to build diverse relationships.
Normally others are willing to help with a project if the focus and
visions are clear.
THE ROCK: If you could
change one thing about your business, what would it be?
ALEXIS/SOLE: If I could change one thing,
I would have a larger staff. I have a great dedicated staff, but it
still isn't enough to do everything we visioned. There is strength
in numbers.
THE ROCK: What three words
best describe you as a businessperson?
ALEXIS/SOLE: Three words...1. Resourceful
2. Flexible 3. Determined
THE ROCK: What attribute(s)
is needed to become a successful businessperson?
ALEXIS/SOLE: Determined. Business is
tough, people with let you down...people will not believe in you.
The important thing is to be determined to succeed. When one door
closes another one really opens, just be determined to see the door.
THE ROCK: What defines success
in America?
ALEXIS/SOLE: What defines success in
America, is the image of success. Success is a multi-facted state.
Sometimes it's measured in money, but many portray the image of wealth
but don't really have what the image shows. If a business goes bankrupt,
the leader is no longer successful, but deemed a failure after riding
high on success. While some may feel I am successful by publishing
SOLE, I feel I have yet be successful. I know the potential and power
of the things I am doing, and I won't be successful until I reach
the heights I seek.
THE ROCK: What advice would
you give to the youth who have an interest in entrepreneurship?
ALEXIS/SOLE: READ! In the time it takes
to complete a college course you can read 25 books about what you
like. If you have an interest in cars, read about cars. Obtain all
of the knowledge you can so that when the opportunity appears you
are prepared. By the time an entrepreneurially spirited kid gets to
college age he/she is full of ideas and all college should need to
do is lead the kid to whatever his/her destiny is. Don't base your
loves and like on money, it'll come.
THE ROCK: What is your driving
force to success?
ALEXIS/SOLE: For me I'm pushing to succeed
to have a voice. Not just a business voice, but a voice in the community.
A voice that is needed, respected and valued.
THE ROCK: What other things
keep you driven other than success in the business world?
ALEXIS/SOLE: I also coach girls youth
basketball for the Lady Lions in Baltimore, the the kids keep me balanced
because I need to be a good role model. I used to value things as
wins and loses, but they've taught me to measure things in terms progress.
Have I improved? Have I helped someone else improve? Am I showing
them the right way to live their life? Just being someone that helps
others as well as helps herself.
THE ROCK: If your best friend
ask you for advice in business, what would it be?
ALEXIS/SOLE: Be prepared for anything.
What you are doing now will be useful when you move on to something
different, everything is connected.
THE ROCK: And, if that same
person ask you for an idea for a business venture, what would it be?
ALEXIS/SOLE: Real Estate, always a market
there.
THE ROCK: Additional comments:
ALEXIS/SOLE: Always be flexible, you'll
never be bent out of shape. Some days will be good and some days will
be bad in business, but maintain your faith, don't panic and enjoy
the ride. It's ok to sit on the pity pot at times, just make sure
you flush when you get up. Celebrate the small victories and party
for the milestones.
THE ROCK: Thank you!
