Meet Ray Barlow | Humanitarian, nonprofit founder , professional boxer, hvac technician

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

Hi Ray, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thoughts about my reasoning was, That I once experienced being less fortunate and homeless for a period of time. I also from then on after recovering from financial instability understood how most of us Americans are but a paycheck freeze away from facing homelessness in a sense. Like think about it. If our waves of incomes just ceased in every way how long could we last comfortably until we can’t any longer.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My nonprofit is about helping and empowering anyone in need. Mostly those that come from the less fortunate society of things.

I’m most proud of the fact that when I set out a mission I get it accomplished. And in a respectfully and upright way. Integrity is big for me. Many lack it now days.

I made it this far by just being consisting and just working with what I have until more starts to flourish. Also just by being genuinely good to people with no intent of alter motives.

To me the word easy is all perspective. In a sense, to answer I would say yes and no. To say the least, if things were “easy” how appreciative of the out comes would we truly be? If things were easy everyone would do it , right?

When challenges presents itself I simply tough it out. Easier said than done but how I see things. What’s life without challenges? What fun and excitement would that be ?

One of the main lessons I learned from things with the nonprofit is how important it is to always see things in a positive fashion. Mentally inclining my mind to endure adversity of any aspects. Everything is mental before anything else. Everything is about perspective. Glass half full , half empty. I perceive things as that I’m just glad to have a cup.

What I would like the world to know about me is that I am and always forever will be a fighter for a greater way bc of living in all aspects for me and others. The brand and my story all falls under that umbrella. Also, that mistakes don’t have to keep us where we are from the mistakes we may make in life . Things are always subject to change. Those changes could be progress with the right decisions.

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.
I’m an Atlanta true native so I could take them around Atlanta. From the cool night life to so many great hidden gems to the most popular .

I would first show them to some of the nature parks that run off the Appalachian mountains and Chattahoochee river . Like the bamboo forest and high falls state park or yonah mountain. I could show them of course our well known strip clubs. Magic City, Blaze, and Onyx . I could take them to the the more family friendly things like the Illuminarium , the illusion museum , the Van Gogh experience , six flags , white water and the sand box VR. The food places I would take them to would be the Marietta diner for sure. Then maybe the fried green tomato , Benihana , pho 24 ,Ruth Chris , and I would have to take them to the true culture of the inner city like American deli , Tassiliis raw reality, and Atlanta fish and grill . Then I would finish things out with us a good boat rental at paradise boat . The Alatoona location , the Oconee location , and the lake Lanier location. lol I can take them on a true adventure . Those were just a few .

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 first like to shout out my Mother Tonya Barlow for being my stronghold. Even in situations when I used to push her away. My uncle Sylvester Lawson and Darryl Brown for being upright male figures in my life. My grandmother for teaching me old school etiquettes and old school love. My cousin Ameer Nelson for always believing in me. And my cousin Travis for just been the great dude I see him as.

Website: https://ABWBarlowfoundation.org

Instagram: A.b.w1 & got_it_manifested &barlow_hvac_& betterworld_universe

Youtube: ABW Ray Barlow