Meet LeShawn Woods | Entrepeneur

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

Hi LeShawn, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I’ve never been afraid to fail, and I have failed often. Not to sound cliche, but I learned from each failure. I was able to create a system from the successful parts of each experience that allowed me to create a system that I put in place no matter the venture that I enter, I’ve learned over the years that when a business fails to succeed it isn’t because the idea was flawed or the person that started the business wasn’t passionate or intelligent. The business usually fails because there was no structure or infrastructure put into place to ensure success. I am now able to take idea from dream phase to profit phase because of the system that I am able to replicate.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Several years ago, I decided to try my hand at writing a film script with a partner. After completing and sharing it, we received a fair amount of interest. But I stepped away from the project. I wasn’t comfortable with my knowledge or really lack of knowledge of the film business. My fear was that someone could and most likely would, take advantage of my lack of knowledge. So, I shelved the project until I had a better handle of the business. I was able to get into the Film business through the transportation department as a driver. My hope was that I would be assigned a detail that included transporting film directors or producers and from there I would be able shop my script directly to decision makers. However, that’s not where I ended up. I was started off into a vehicle called a fuel truck and that’s when my career in the film industry truly began.

Driving that fuel truck was a training ground for me. For a few years I watched and learned that behind the scenes is where I wanted to be. My business is the largest minority owned transportation equipment business in Georgia. It didn’t take long to pivot from transportation rentals into fuel distribution. I was told by several film industry veterans that my fuel distribution venture wouldn’t work – however, today several production studios buy their fuel from me.

I leave no stone unturned, I own the trashcans, the chairs, tables, extension cords, you name it. My actions have never gone unnoticed, and I soon became the studio director for the West End Production Park. One of a few African Americans to hold this position. I recently took on the position of transportation coordinator. Which was an honor to be able to work with and serve my teamster brothers and sisters and to bring some of the biggest productions to screen. I just recently finished several shows at Tyler Perry Studios as the transportation coordinator and recently ran for office and lost a close political race last year. But I have no plans on slowing down and I am eagerly awaiting my next opportunity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well-being older, my itinerary maybe somewhat dull. I love to eat, socialize and people watch, I would definitely start off in my own backyard and get in some hiking and jogging through Stone Mountain Park. Atlanta has an endless list of nice bars and restaurants but for me Hal’s steakhouse is a must if you want to get a feel for the Atlanta scene with a clash of fine dining and networking, There is no such thing as a person who lives in Atlanta and doesn’t network, Finally, You have to go to an Atlanta Hawks game to see why we have all the nicknames, Hotlanta, Motown of the south, and my personal favorite – The Hollywood of the south. Statefarm arena is a who’s who of everything that’s trendy in Atlanta all converging at once.

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?
Like most young men, I found myself in college. I grew up in a house with my mom and three sisters, so going to college and joining the distinguished fraternity of Phi Beta Sigma helped shape me into the man that I am today. The bonding, fellowship, and loyalty is unmatched. I am able to tap into a network of men, men that I call my brothers, to help guide me, bounce ideas off of, give advice to, or receive advice from. This network that I am able to tap into doesn’t just stop with the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma, but I’m proud to say that my reach extends to the brothers of the other black fraternities that I once called my rivals.

So, I’d like to shoutout the brothers from Phi Beta Sigma, Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi. and Alpha Phi Alpha.

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