Meet Antavious TJ Grier | Founding Owner & Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Antavious TJ Grier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Antavious TJ, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
To answer this question I have to start at church. I have been in church all my life. I am one of the youth ministers at my church. I believe that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. My life has been full of people telling me I cannot accomplish something and I would not accomplish something. From the doctors telling me I have a learning disorder and I’ll never be equal to my peers at a young age to being 19 and a doctor telling me I wouldn’t live pass 2 more weeks because my heart would explode. Also, corporate executive saying I cannot be in certain roles due to lack of experience but they want me to train the person in that role. People telling me I am too small to play football, too slow to run track too nice to wrestle but yet I have succeeded in all aspects of being told I cannot and I will not.

My prayer to God has always been put me in a position to help others reach goals the world said they could not. The hookah business is only one piece to the overall master piece God is painting in my life. One Goal is a restaurant chain. The people I hire are the ones that do not have the connections to make a call and get the big jobs, that mother that cannot go back to school just yet but still want experience, that person with a record due to one bad decision but nobody will give them a chance so they forced back on the streets. I did not start this business to make me rich with money. I started this business for God to make me a vessel to reach the people he need me to reach to show them they dreams can come true and to watch God work through me to help you. It can be accounting, operations management, customer service management, HR, sales, graphic design, cooking and many more roles and experiences we helping our team gain. We are a family first team second and the future business leaders of the forgotten but saved.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
If you don’t learn anything from me please learn that the lord is my shepherd and I know not lack. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Also remember Goliath was defeated with 5 smooth stones by David.

I am 32 years on I have my own town house, car, business and career. To me that does not mean I am successful that just means I have stuff. Success is determined by how happy you are. Money and stuff will never equal happiness. It was not easy getting to where I am. I was bullied, talked about, ruled out by family, friends, teachers and doctors, I have been suicidal, broke homeless, locked up and lied on. The one thing that never changed is the Grace of God. In the bible 5 is the number of Grace. In David and Goliath when it comes to my life I am David and all my circumstances, trails and tribulations are represented by Goliath. All I had to do was throw the grace of God on it and watch the blessing flow. My success and my happiness came when I started to stop being God over my situations and through grace and mercy on it while I sit back and let the shepherd lead. Yeah that has been times when I did lose faith a little but can you watch me get dress and not be offended. I realized I am more then a Conqueror. However, there are people who going through stuff I been though and do not know that. I got to where I am in life by helping others and giving to others. Getters and givers. If you have a need sow a seed!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a week we would sit down and make a list of places to take him: 1. Sunday Brunch at Forks and Flavors
2. Karaoke at Fire restaurant and lounge on Tuesday
3. Hiking stone mountain
4. Planet Fitness three times that week to get a work out in.
5. Church on Sunday
6. My mom house so he can come visits her
7. titos on friday night
8. Phenomenal Seafood on Thursday for the best seafood in Atlanta
9. Breakfast bar for breakfast
10. Flying biscuit for breakfast
11. Bando for a dope hot dog
12. Pull up on my sis Alexia and Aaliyah
13. knowing up we a catch a falcons, braves or hawks game depending on who playing that week

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The First and main person I have to give credit to is God. This was not accomplished by my might or my effort but by all the doors God keeps opening for me.

I have to think my mom for the level of support both mentally and emotional that she showed to keep me a float when I was weak

MAYJOR SHOUTOUT to my Blu and White Family. I am a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Have to also thank the FINER Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. They have been big Supporters in my journey to success and the success of others.

Antonio Gee a man of many talents and ideas as been the best mentor and friend I could of never asked for but always needed.

I have to think my family. Remember relatives are not always family. Antonio Grier Jr, Aaliyah Wright and Alexia Wright. These are my siblings. We may not talk every day but their grind and their success and their passion keeps me motivated to keep pushing and breaking all generational chains that keep our family down. Big shoutout to Crystal Wellington she came in like a wrecking ball and destroyed all my bad habits to take the business to the next level. Also shout out to Sky, Mari, Bianca and Khadijah. I put a lot on these young ladies everyday because I see the potential they have to be great in the world. I do not want nothing from them but to see them reach they goals and succeed. Special shout out to two amazing women that at different times after I started this business has been by my side and helped in ways nobody would ever know. Shoutout to Corvette and Shout out to Najzaya.

Instagram: Kingdomofhookahs & eye_am_the1

Facebook: Babyblu Grier & Facebook.com/kingdomofhookahs

Image Credits
Photos taken by Blue Crisis