Like many of you parents out there, since COVID-19 hit I’ve been trying to get and keep my mind right. I decided I would look for opportunities within the COVID crisis to shoot my shot and interview people like Mark Cuban and Seth Godin.

But then George Floyd happened and I’ve been crying a lot lately and I know a lot of you out there aren’t doing ok.

I reached out to renowned psychologist, Dr. Nekeshia Hammond to get some tips about what Black parents can do to manage racism for themselves and their children.

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Black people are not even safe from the harassment of the Karens and Amy Coopers of the world while minding our business in our own homes.

Sunday evening I dropped my kids back at their mom’s house and hit the patio for a glass of wine, a cigar, and to listen to music, as I regularly do, and do so conscientiously so as to not disturb the neighbors in my townhome community. I’ve been doing this without incident for years. 

My relaxing moment was abruptly interrupted though when my girlfriend came outside freaked out to tell me that someone was banging on the door. Not ringing the doorbell, but banging on the door.

I went to the door, then this happened:

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Like many people, I’m pissed off about the senseless death of George Floyd. Today, in response to my frustration about not knowing how I can keep my Black son from getting senselessly murdered by the police, a white friend on Facebook asked me what she could do to help protect our children.

I thought about this and I have three tips for white people that could help my Black son and Black boys and men everywhere from being brutalized and murdered by the police.

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Yesterday I posted on social media that I was excited after I got rejected when I sent a cold email, and based on how it resonated with a few people I decided to share it on the blog.

I sent the cold email pitch to the Entrepreneur Magazine editor-in-chief; it was a Father’s Day story about my new foundation for ParentPreneurs, but he passed on it.

This is a screenshot of his rejection email to me:

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I have a real treat for you today. As I start up the new foundation to give grants and resources to ParentPreneurs, I’m featuring remarkable people on the blog.

There are not many people more remarkable than Seth Godin!

A little back story before I get to the interview with Seth. A few years ago I got an email from Seth Godin when he was on my business website and it wasn’t working properly. When the email came thru I pinged him back and I was like, wait, is this THEE Seth Godin?

He was like, “Yep, it’s me.” Needless to say I was completely embarrassed. Seth was gracious then and he is gracious today by agreeing to answer five questions to inspire you guys in life and in your business.

Below are Seth’s answers along with my occasional $.02.

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We are in the middle of a pandemic, life will not return to “normal.” Now is the time to do the things you are afraid to do.

Now is the time to reach out to the people on your wish list of impossible people to contact.

If not now, when?

As my friend, Paul C. Brunson says, go ahead, shoot your shot.

I took my shot a few days ago. I sent a cold email to Mark Cuban to see if he would let me interview him for the ParentPreneur spotlight series on this blog. And you know what?

He said, yes!

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Today I have an inspirational treat for you. I was listening to a live video from Chozen Media, Liberty White, and T. Adeola Osinubi in which they talked with Joshua Reid, an entrepreneur who is a new parent. And featuring remarkable ParentPreneurs is kinda what we do here.

Joshua has a wonderful story of authenticity, persistence, resilience, vision, and humility. Here are some of the highlights of the conversation and why you should watch the interview.

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As I work on starting a foundation to provide grants and other resources for ParentPreneurs, I will regularly feature inspirational people who are parents and entrepreneurs.

Like many of you during the Coronavirus lockdown, I am taking the time to meet new people and develop meaningful relationships. A good friend (who will be on the blog soon) recently introduced me to Walter Bond and invited me to join Walter’s now closed LinkedIn group.

Walter is a top keynote speaker, former NBA player, and author of the book,
Swim!: How a Shark, a Suckerfish, and a Parasite Teach You Leadership, Mentoring, and Next Level Success

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It’s coronavirus. It’s social distancing. We are home. And our kids are home.

I just wrapped up a virtual workshop with Atlanta Tech Village, Atlanta’s premier tech startup community. The topic was how to effectively run your business and manage your kids and yourself during social distancing.

The tips are helpful for corporate folks at home with the kids, too.

Enjoy!

How To Effectively Be a ParentPreneur During Social Distancing via @jamesoliverjr @ATLTechVillage. #mompreneur #parentpreneur Click To Tweet

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I hope you and your family are staying safe during social distancing with the coronavirus.

Parent + Entrepreneur = ParentPreneur

I am a ParentPreneur. Many of you following my blog know my story, but for those of you who don’t here’s a quick recap.

In 2013 my twins were born three months early & weighed only two pounds, two days before I started a tech startup accelerator to launch my business, WeMontage.

All while living 1,000 miles from family.

Here’s a pic of my son, the first day he was born.

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The ensuing journey of being an entrepreneur and a parent came with a unique set of obstacles, many of which I didn’t expect. And unless people are ParentPreneurs themselves, they can’t necessarily relate.

ParentPreneurs have to be both present for their children and their spouse if they are married, and there is unique financial pressure to provide for the family. The financial piece is particularly acute if the business they run is a start-up trying to get traction in the marketplace.

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