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

Hi Durrell, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to start an organization that provided opportunities for the less fortunate. Also wanted to give youth athletes a plan of success without Sports. Lastly I wanted to show the power of community support, with investing in our future community leaders, it gives us a social equity that will pay off for there future later.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is called Brand Of A Champion. This is a organization that focuses on minority youth athletes and our goal is to provide a community of successful professionals around them to guide them and almost guarantee a successful outcome. What separates us from other businesses is that we have experienced professionals that can provide the instructions to get you from point A to point B. We also have a professional team to balance the youth in each aspect of there field, academically, socially, physically, financially, psychologically. We’ve built this business over 10 years with research -programs & community events to which we’ve gained the validation of our peers. It was definitely not easy at all. The most challenging part of it all was being excluded from certain groups because of what you stand for. But like I tell our athletes, thousands followed to get feed but only 12 stayed to be lead; when you’re doing right there’s usually never a large following. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life is that persistence beats resistance every time. Some thing I would want the world to know about my brand is that a the gift is in giving. We will continue to produce a system of successful citizens & we will continue to grow.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We definitely take a hike up the mountain in Sweet Water. We will definitely catch a sporting event with all the professional teams in Atlanta there’s always a good games to watch. One of my favorite restaurants is Mary Macs Tea Rom. For after dinner we would hang out in the Battery area with all the cool bars.

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?
A lot of my recognition will go to the community leaders, teachers, coaches in my community. My mother grandmother cousins & sister have all played rolls in my first steps of success.

Website: Brandofachampion.com

Instagram: @brandofachampion

Linkedin: Durrell Steen

Twitter: @brandofachamp

Facebook: Brand of a champion

Youtube: BOAC Channel

Image Credits
Sanya Richards Ross Aaron Ross Kandi Burruss Kenya Moore

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