Meet Buck Davis | Speaker, Consultant & Founder of u_mttr; apparel

We had the good fortune of connecting with Buck Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Buck, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Freedom. I wanted to be in control of my time, my product, and my income. In a previous career I was an employee and I was not in control of my schedule, what we created, or my salary. While I had (and still have) tremendous respect for the person I worked for (and our products), there was a deep desire to be in control of my professional evolution. Even if it meant I made less money and worked more hours.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m a workshop facilitator, coach, and keynote speaker. I’m passionate about helping people and organizations become more inclusive, happy, and resilient. My career began with a focus on diversity and inclusion training and has since evolved to include delivering keynotes on topics like happiness, resilience, and psychological safety—areas where I believe people can benefit from strengthening their skills. I find plenty of opportunities to practice resilience in my own life, and I draw a lot from my own experiences and challenges to make my content relatable for my audiences.

What sets my work apart is my commitment to grounding my insights in evidence-based research, making sure my advice is not just meaningful, but also deeply credible. Clients value the blend of inspiration and science that gives my talks substance and impact.

After earning an MBA and an MS in Professional Counseling, I started out as a contract trainer, delivering other people’s content. At the time, large companies were looking for contract trainers to lead their workshops, so it was the perfect opportunity to test whether this career was the right fit for me. With little debt and few bills, the financial risk was minimal. If I earned $750 for a training, it covered my bills for the month—my business had virtually no overhead and I was living very cheaply.

I worked hard to become really good at workshop facilitation, and clients started noticing. As I gained experience, I also began to see ways to improve the trainings I was delivering. I created my own programs and eventually sold one to a large company. That was the moment I felt I had truly launched my own business.

From there, I began asking clients for referrals, and because they were pleased with my work, they happily recommended me to their colleagues. As time went on, people transitioned to new companies—and they brought me with them. It became clear that when you do work that delivers real impact, people want to share it.

Growing the business required a lot of work. I was constantly on the road, never turning down an opportunity, often traveling to multiple cities in a single week. I knew it was important to always show up with a smile and deliver an exceptional experience, even when I felt a little weary.

I soon realized that in order to get repeat business from clients, I needed to expand my offerings. I started with diversity and inclusion workshops. Then my focus shifted to happiness—a topic I was passionate about. My core goal has always been to help people be happier at work, and who’s happier at work than those who feel included? Offering trainings and keynotes on happiness was the next logical step.

As clients wrapped up their diversity training, they often asked, “What else do you have?” My response was always, “What else do you need?” If they weren’t sure, I would create offerings based on my own interests and ideas, some of which would align with their specific needs. The relationship was key—I prioritized understanding their unique goals, and they trusted me to deliver impactful, practical training. Corporate training often comes with low expectations—I think employees have sat through a few too many boring sessions. I used that to my advantage; my sessions stood out for being fun, engaging, and actionable, which helped me win more business.

Growing the business came with its own set of challenges—things like accounting, IT, graphic design, copywriting, and scheduling—areas I knew weren’t my strong suits. That’s when I found resources to support me. It was often frustrating and time-consuming but when I found the right person, it was worth the investment.

Every challenge and success has taught me something valuable. While there have been many lessons, here are the ones that stand out:

The power of a handwritten note. It may seem old-fashioned, but nothing beats the impact of opening an envelope and reading a heartfelt message. While email is convenient, it rarely leaves the same impression.

Kindness matters. You never know who might connect you to your next big opportunity. Be kind to everyone you meet—on airplanes, in restaurants, the movies, the sidewalk. Yes, even the annoying ones.

Give freely. Share your knowledge without expecting anything in return. If someone wants to do what you do, help them. There’s enough opportunity to go around, and generosity has a way of repaying you.

Build resilience. Stop the unproductive mental chatter in your head. If there’s a problem, fix it. Don’t waste time dwelling on “what ifs” or “should haves.” Focus on solutions and keep moving forward.

Your network starts NOW. The people in your circle today can open doors tomorrow. Some will land in amazing positions, and if they like you, they’ll take you with them. Once, I met someone at a party who later put me on CNN—an opportunity that changed everything.

Focus on forward. Anticipate where your industry is heading and what your clients will need down the road. When COVID hit, all my in-person trainings and keynotes vanished almost overnight, leaving me uncertain about the future of my business. Luckily, I had already started experimenting with virtual training for clients with remote teams. That small step gave me invaluable exposure to the systems and tools needed to deliver my work online. When the world pivoted, I was ready.

Celebrate others’ successes, no matter how small they may seem to you. Even if you’re having an amazing year, stay grounded. Cheer on the friend starting a candle business at the local art fair or taking the stage in a community play. Your encouragement fosters goodwill, strengthens relationships, and invites positive energy into your life.

My business has always been about sharing insights that improve both work and life—creating better workplaces that contribute to better lives. At my core, I’m a teacher. Whether through an inspirational video, an online course, or a live keynote, my goal remains the same: to provide people with practical tools to bring out the best in themselves and those around them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
With my work, I’ve had the opportunity to travel all around the country. I’m often asked, “Of all the places you’ve visited, what is your favorite city?” I’m lucky to be able to say I live in it: Atlanta. The city’s brilliance is driven by the diversity of its people, which leads to some of the most interesting and delicious places to check out. When my friends come from out of town, there are a few spots and experiences that are always on the itinerary.

We start with a lychee martini at E Ramen before making our way to Eight Sushi for a Shinobi roll. If we’re craving a burger, we head to The Optimist. There’s nothing quite like sitting at the bar with good friends and an Optimist burger (and fries) in front of you. The servers are as warm as the complimentary buttery, salted dinner rolls. While The Optimist is known for its seafood, the burger is an unexpected standout—arguably the best in the city.

The cheesesteak at Woody’s on Monroe Drive is the perfect way to refuel after a stroll through Piedmont Park. When we’re in the mood to relax, people-watching at Colony Square’s outdoor space is always a good call. And for a cocktail with a view, the patio at the Bellyard Hotel can’t be beat—it offers the ultimate skyline backdrop for a toast to good company.

If there’s an artist we’re eager to see, a performance at City Winery provides an intimate and memorable experience. For big entertainment and larger-than-life shows, the State Farm Arena is the place to be. If you can, splurge on a Diamond Deck parking pass—it’s the best way to ensure a smooth entrance and exit.

With Atlanta’s mild climate nearly year-round, it’s easy to embrace everything the city has to offer—even if that means simply unwinding on a cozy balcony or backyard.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout is wholeheartedly dedicated to the women who have been my greatest supporters, mentors, and problem-solvers throughout my life. It begins with my mother, who encouraged my sisters and me to study music, instilling in me a comfort performing in front of audiences. Then came my middle school teacher, Mrs. Goin, who not only placed me in front of large groups but continually championed me, helping to build my confidence. In high school and college, my female friends became a constant source of inspiration, paving the way for the remarkable women I encountered later—female executives and hiring managers who opened doors as I launched my training and speaking business. There are far too many extraordinary women to name individually, but if they read this, they’ll know they were the special ones who opened those doors.

Website: https://www.buckdavis.com

Instagram: @buckdavis

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buckdavis/

Twitter: @talktobuckdavis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/personalBuckDavis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BuckDavisWatch/featured

Other: www.shopbuckdavis.com
@umttrbybuckdavis