Meet Chris A. Woods | Artportunity Knocks C.E.O. & Music Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris A. Woods and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
When my wife Ty and I started Artportunity Knocks in 2007 it was formulated out of our love for the arts, business and impacting the next generation. We took the little resources that we had at the time and provided a safe space and family atmosphere for youth out of our 2 bedroom apartment. We went from 3 students to 30 students in 3 months, proving that there was a need in the community. The gap of the arts being taken out of schools due to budget cut gave us them motivation to not just talk about the problem but become the solution. And to this day the motto is in the fabric of “how” we do business.

Since it’s conception well over 30,000 students in the have been reached by providing access to art based programming during school time and after school time. Giving away 1000’s of school and art supplies, providing programming in dance, drama, vocals, film production, music production & technology, visual arts, culinary, robotics, esports and so much more in areas when there is no arts or S.T.E.A.M. (Science. Technology. Engineering. Arts. Math.) access.

Artportunity Knocks is connected and dedicated to the communities we serve by imparting Love, Hope & Compassion to every student and family.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am what you would call a serial entrepreneur having started multiple businesses some failed, some sold and others still remain. The most successful in impact is the nonprofit called Artportunity Knocks which was birth organically from my wife and I love for the arts. Having a background in music and visual arts as a child would give way to laying the foundation that would later became a social enterprise. I believe my journey in business started from seeing my parents dedicate their lives to companies that didn’t truly value them and their hard work ethic. My goal was to create financial freedom, educate, build a legacy and inheritance for my children and their children. When they died there was no inheritance of wealth to use as seed money, I was starting from scratch.

For 3 years I studied other successful people in business, reading books, taking classes, learning terminology, and piloting my ideas to others while working several jobs using them as what I call “Paid Training”. When I finally decided to take the leap of faith and quit my then night job to focus on the business full-time, it was the time to leverage all my resources and create partnerships with others in the community. Artportunity Knocks was created from a community need and we believed that if it was going to be successful it would take a community effort of support.

Most people see me and my wife Ty success and impact and assume this road was easy. I believe there is no easy road, no one straight highway, or express lane to success without facing detours and exit signs approaching us. I have been homeless but never hopeless, I have been been jobless but never purposeless and I have been encountered with heartache but remained full of heart to leave a legacy for generations. If I quit then I miss out on reaching people who are waiting for me and didn’t know it. Honestly it’s my faith in God and my wife that helps me overcome the tough times and they will come they always do. However, it’s how you respond not react in those seasons that will determine how long you will be there.

What sets Artportunity Knocks apart from others is that there has never been anything like it before it, a place where you can go to find all forms of art in one location and serving the community. The word Artportunity itself didn’t exist before us. The vision is clear; to create opportunities in the arts for all youth.

My story and the story of Artportunity Knocks is still being written but I have dedicated my life to serving others so every business I create has an element of that in it. Even as a music producer there’s always inspiration in the core to inspire others.

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.
Atlanta has some of the best places to visit, being a big basketball fan we would have to see a Hawks game, eat at one of my favorite restaurants The Hard Rock Café, visit the historic Martin Luther King Jr. National Park. Take a trip to the Piedmont park and drink Coca-Cola products from the World of Coca-Cola. Then lace up some roller skates and visit the famous Cascade Skating Rink.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have had countless mentors, supporters, both men and women who have spoke into my life, shared wisdom and finances when necessary but my biggest shoutout would have to go to my beautiful wife Ty Renee Woods. Who you choose to do life with is one of the most important decision you can make. She is not only my wife but partner in business having the fortitutue to keep up with my sometimes out of the box ideas. She stands on her own as do I but we are better together. Her strength and brains alongside her go get it attitude compliments my wisdom, insight and keep moving forward mantra. Our goal in life is to impact millions of lives and show them it’s not where you start but where you finish.

Website: www.artportunityknocks.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artportunityknocks | https://www.instagram.com/alphaknocks

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARTportunity

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/artportunityknocks

Other: https://linktr.ee/artportunityknocks http://www.loveandentrepreneurship.com https://dot.cards/chrisawoods