We had the good fortune of connecting with M.C. Ray and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi M.C., what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I definitely think asking for help is one thing that every entrepreneur should practice. Oftentimes we feel that we have all the answers. Whether we are coining something new or doing something innovative or fine tuning a universally known process/product, asking for help is something we need to get used to doing. It takes a team.
Be sure to use as many beta testers as you can. While oftentimes it’s great to hear that your family and friends love your product, they are not your, well at least your targeted, audience. You need to make sure a large number of unbiased individuals who don’t really care to spare your feelings, review your product/business. They will give you insight you might not have thought of as well as navigating at a base level marketing to someone who feels your product is not their cup of tea. Seeking opinions outside of your safe space is a habit we should form early on.
Lastly, I would say perseverance. So many people will say no to you before hearing you out, some will hear you out and still say no, and others will hear you out, support, and then still say no for whatever reason, the product/service didn’t fit their needs/standards and that is OK! You must still persevere. You won’t know success if you give up.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I identify as a creative. I think people should seek to express themselves in any way. I work as a finance professional for a major media company so I’m happy to work for a company that values creativity and art as a priority. I am a writer of two fantasy novels, The Unveiled and The Unraveled, venturing into music(singing/writing), a content creator, actor, and hope to be THE mogul one day, continuing to build my brand into an empire. I’ve learned to not let anyone’s opinion change my mind. Living your life based on the opinion of someone else is the worst thing you can do. I’ve seen people marry people they don’t want, work jobs they hate, and purchase things they don’t need to appease people and their worthless opinions. If I end up broke at 50, I rather say “I tried”, than “I wish I had.”
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?
I would take them to Piedmont to “people watch” and eat good food while enjoying the outside. We’d have to go to brunch at 10th and Piedmont for grub and bottomless mimosas. Dancing at any of the local bars in Atlanta, ranging from local dives to the lobby of the W, fully vaccinated of course. Dressing up and networking at Tribeca one night for sure and getting drinks at Rock Steady. Skating at Cascade or Golden Glide, reliving childhood, would be a great time as well. We’d wrap it up with an amazing Sunday Funday day party.
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?
I would like to thank my family, but especially my mother who pours all of her love and support into anything I do, whether she can see the light at the end of the tunnel or not. I would like to thank all of my friends/friend-groups, woodies, Bugans, BALC, and adult friends I’ve met in my young life. They share, participate, model, and volunteer so much to ensure that I feel supported and that means the world.
Website: https://www.jovenelray.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovenelray/?hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcsellin-ray-ii-38225a192
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JovenElRay?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theunveiledseries/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmiinba4ccx5nIpoAB0TAfA
Image Credits
Group Photos: Byron Jenkins Group Photo Edits: Ashley Dunbar