By Martin Ramirez/ reporter
South students learned the value of owning their own businesses Feb. 23.
Bogdan Sierra Miranda/The Collegian
Jamie Grant, owner of the JDG Wealth Management Group, visited South Campus for Black in Business with the Fort Worth Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to talk about managing a business and understanding what it takes to be successful.
“I truly believe in order to be free in life is — to have your own business,” he said.
Surrounded by a group of students and teachers, Grant told his story from growing up in southeast Fort Worth to his life now.
When Grant began college, he had no plan in place. A friend had died the previous week, and he decided he needed to leave Fort Worth. In his first semester, Grant had a 1.7 GPA, which placed him on academic probation.
While washing his clothes at a laundromat, the owner consoled him and advised him to read a book every day. He also gave Grant a partial scholarship for economics, and in his second semester, Grant became an economics major.
“Reading is the most important thing to learn,” he said. “I encourage you to get mentors in your life. … Strive to find those who will pull you to your potential.”
Grant continued to give advice on how to be successful. He stressed the importance of being emotionally intelligent, journaling and being consciously competent.
“Being consciously competent, you’re able to do anything by teaching yourself how to perform,” he said. “You need to know the basic steps to do something.”
Grant asked the group if they knew the difference between performing and giving a performance. Though he agreed with their responses, he gave them his answer.
“I showed up, I did the work, pay me. That’s performing,” he said. “I showed up, I did the work and did extremely well, better than anyone else and I can measure it. … That’s giving a performance.”
He also encouraged the audience to start keeping a journal, explaining that the most successful people document their process.
“Journaling is very important,” he said. “Write down what you did when you got your biggest check ever. Write about your worst day ever.”
Another piece of advice Grant gave was to shadow people to see the backside of a business and how it works. This way, someone can see if it’s what he/she wants to do and then figure out the workings.
During a Q&A, one student asked about managing a business. The Nigerian-born student said he attended to learn how to better handle his own small, social media-based business.
“I mean, I already started, but I need to be more professional,” he said.
Grant provided his contact information in case they needed advice or had questions.
“I am who I am because of my neighborhood,” he said.
His three firm beliefs include family, intellect and legacy, Grant said.
“Making it, to me, is being able to help others and give back to your community,” he said.
Grant said he became a member of the board for the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce to make a difference in his community. He wants people to be able to “work, live and play” where he grew up.
“I love helping people,” he said.
