Meet Habib Dokou | Financial Professional

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

Hi Habib, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Growing up in Redtop which is located in Tacoma Park, MD I wasn’t always focused on the right things. However, being very intelligent and always seeking knowledge, I knew that my life was destined to be more than the stereotypes of the inner-city violence and drama that surrounded me. To be honest, sometimes, my abilities were placed into the wrong ideas. For a long time, I went through a lot of trials and tribulations. But no matter what I was doing, I was always searching for bigger and better. The losses that come with the growing pains of life forced me to want more.

Being included in 1% of the population and having financial stability was always my ultimate goal. I knew I didn’t want to work for anyone and by becoming an entrepreneur, I could help my community with vital information while also helping my family. Through proper mentorship and redirection, I took what I learned from the streets and getting in trouble during most of my youth and turned it into positivity.

Victory was a neighborhood friend I considered to be like a cousin. We were really close like blood brothers and were both very ambitious. Up to the point of his death, we made some of our dreams come true. When I started my business, I wanted to encompass all of his energy and my intelligence, so that is how VictoryMastermind came into fruition. Not only does his legacy live on through the name of the business, but paying homage to him is the respect, I give to someone who lost their life way to soon.

What should our readers know about your business?
VictoryMastermind is a consulting business that assist individuals with financial services in the area of personal finances and funding. Because financial literacy is essential to our quality of life, VictoryMastermind was created to assist lower income individuals and young adults in the inner city be more prepared with their finances when they enter the real world.

We have efficient and effective tactics that produces results in a short period of time and that’s what sets us apart from any other consulting business offering the same services.

I am extremely proud of myself for coming up with an idea, setting goals, sticking with a plan, and implementing it into a business. Literally, creating something out of nothing is that thing people call “manifesting.” I am proud for keeping my word to myself and to my cousin.

The entrepreneurship journey is all about how much you are willing to invest in yourself. I took classes, conducted countless research on the industry I was embarking, and I made it happen. The process wasn’t hard or easy. It’s all about following through. I believe that I am headed in the right direction and know that this is the 1st step to being in the 1%.

Once you are dedicated & determined, you don’t see challenges or problems, you just work through it.
I was always told that I was destined for greatness, and I believed it.

The biggest lesson learned was tenacity. I started my business when we went into a global pandemic. I knew that as long as I followed through on completing all the goals, I set out for myself, I would be creating a recession proof business. As long as I have my laptop, I can service individuals and generate revenue.

Trust me this is a success story in the making.

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 personal life, I live in the moment, so whatever the vibe calls for is what I do. With that understood and because I am an introvert, everything would be planned out with precision. Although I have a spot in Atlanta, I am from the DMV area and that is where I conduct most of my business.

On Sundays in the DMV there is always a cook-out or block party happening so we would hit that up, hang out, listen to some music and I would just have him get acclimated to the city by kicking it with some of my folks. With reservations at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center we would spend the week there.

Monday, I would call my girl up – tell her to bring a couple of her friends so we could have some female companionship for the whole week. I would have them to meet us at Milk & Honey for brunch, because it is one of the best brunch spots in the DMV. Once we are done eating, we would then head to the National Mall and check out the National Monuments. We would take a walk around the lake, enjoy the scenery and then hop on a tour bus to receive the full experience of DC. After enjoying the site and the city while capturing moments with videos and pictures we would have dinner at the hotel and end the night at the casino in the Gaylord.

Tuesday we would grab some breakfast at the hotel and ride out to the National Aquarium. After spending the whole day there, we would be sure not to miss our reservations at Flemings for dinner. From dinner we would hit up the Wharf,
and take a stroll on the Boardwalk and then end the night by taking a boat ride on the Potomac River.

Wednesday, we would check out the National Museum of African American History Culture and the Gallery of Arts. As an intellectual, I love learning about new things and being in positive environments where my mind can continue to expand. Next, we would then go to City Center DC which is a high-end Mall. My girl loves shoes and bags, so I would have to stop there and cop her something and because I like quality retail, I would treat myself to something high end as well. Known to be “the best comedy spot in the nation’s capital” our next stop would be DC Improv Comedy Club. After laughing at a few jokes, we would end the night with dinner at DC Ebbitt Grill. The food is torch! (i.e., The food is amazing).

Thursday – We would hit up Shenandoah National Park where we would hike and enjoy the nature trail. Once leaving there we would stop by Ben’s Chili’s Bowl, which is a pillar in the DC area. After that, we could spend the rest of the day in Georgetown. We would then make our way over to China town/U Street. You have not experienced DC until you visit U Street. Not so much my thing, but from what I hear locals and tourist love this area. There are endless clubs, bars, and nightlife. I am not a night life person, but I would sacrifice this one time just so everyone else could enjoy themselves.

Friday – We would check out of the Gaylord and check into the Water Gate Hotel. It is a 5-Star luxury hotel in the DC area that is known for great food, plush rooms, and excellent customer service. The ladies could enjoy some self-care at the Argentta Spa which is located inside of the hotel. Then we would hit the Pentagon City Mall just because he is a tourist and would probably want to visit it. We would end the night at Chesapeake Bay which is a strip of really great restaurants. Captain White Seafood City has some really great seafood, so we would probably end up there for dinner.

Saturday-we would get up around 5am and take a road trip to Rhode Island. There is a seasonal restaurant called the Nordic Lounge that I would want everyone to try.

Sunday-Everyone is on their own!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
“For the cause, I’ll take a lost to be the boss…”

Mr. Allan Lucas Jr. aka “Doc” was an intricate part of my life. As my mentor, father figure, big brother, and best friend, he taught me so much over the past six years. Learned behavior is real. He taught me how to be a man, what real relationships look like, how a business should be run, and how I should move as a young black male in this America.

My entire ideology came from him giving me access to his world and the way he moved. As an accomplished, successful, over achiever, his insight provided me with the KNOW HOW especially growing up in the DMV. Being able to attend banquets with millionaires and people that I didn’t have direct access, afforded me insight at a very young age to be better. Many of my peers weren’t given access but when individuals are given access to either people or money, it normally changes the trajectory of their life.

He meant a lot to me.

One of the most important things he taught me through his wisdom is the quote above and the 6P’s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

Website: www.VictoryMastermind.net