We had the good fortune of connecting with Francis Ford Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Francis, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work life balance has been extremely dynamic. Since college, I have been used to traveling to NY and Los Angeles frequently for runway shows and castings, but now that I work in tech it’s a lot more convenient. Aside from waking up 3 hours early, I actually just celebrated my promotion to Senior Management in Mexico, and LA.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I can definitely thank my village. Their support encourages me everyday to realize their potential. Networking is key, is not about how many people you know, but about leveraging those relationships with authenticity and trust. Something i’ve learned is understanding that having a business like my store “Kenswear.com”, can help you to appreciate your routine. When i work for myself it makes me respect my personal time for the gym, to eat, go out, etc… because I look forward to the time to enjoy not working.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite places to go in DC is Sequoia for brunch at the waterfront. It’s great food, and great mimosas. If you catch me there on a Sunday, say “Hey!”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom, Torrie, and my late-grandmother Jeanita have always been two of the most influential people in my life. Encouraging me to be resist stereotypes, but also encouraging me to embrace being a proud black man.

Website: kenswear.com

Instagram: thelivingkendoll

Linkedin: Francis Ford Jr.

Twitter: Thelivingken

Facebook: Morris Ford

Youtube: jeezitsjr

Image Credits
Bryan Jones @blackbelt_jones

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.