It started with an Empty Range…
Back in 2012, I was your average military member, living a semi-normal life. On my third marriage with 4 children (from my second marriage), my new bride (who happened to be my first wife) was pregnant with the “Wonder Twins.”
At this point of my life I started a few of businesses, which failed.
Although, I achieved my childhood dream of becoming a Navy Chief Petty Officer. I knew I wanted to become a successful entrepreneur.
Failing towards success…
I always felt the need to do something great. Earlier in my career I was med-dropped from Navy SEAL training, which turned out to be my biggest failure. As I mentioned before, my previous business ventures turned out to be failures as well. Network marketing, small business IT service, I even dabbled in financial services…all of them failed.
From 2007–2012, I was teaching self-defense and coaching CrossFit part-time. Yet, I couldn’t get a steady flow of people interested in having me as an instructor or coach. I got some good testimonials, but no real revenue. My coaching skills were good, but my marketing and sales skills sucked.
The Nevada Debacle…Here comes the empty range…
After launching my firearms training business, I was asked to put on a 1 day training in Pahrump, Nevada. So I drove from San Diego to Nevada (a 6-hour trip). It was scorching hot and we were in the middle of the desert.
I arrived to the range, one guy showed up, and my staff of two people. I still taught the class, but mentally I was crushed. This was the moment I realized, “If you build it, they will NOT show-up.”
After the Nevada debacle, I decided to become obsessed with Direct Response marketing.
“Omari, Marketing is blue-collar work”…
“Marketing is blue-collar work…”, I heard this from my marketing mentor, Henry Evans. Basically, he taught me that marketing is a day-to-day function.
In my effort to become a nationally recognized personal defense instructor, my journey took a sharp turn towards becoming a direct response marketing consultant. Using what I learned from books, courses, and conferences, I reached a decent level of success as a firearms trainer.
Shifting towards become a marketing consultant had its ups and downs. Yet, I felt a glimmer of hope after helping a client make 6-figures in 5 days.
The evolution…
Below the surface of becoming a marketer, I learned it less about the product or service. It’s more about the customer’s dreams, goals, and challenges. Now I find myself not being just a “marketer”, but more of a problem solver (I prefer the title, “Partner in Growth”. The bigger the problem I solve, the more revenue I can make, and the happier the client.
After being a full-time consultant and freelancer for the last 4 years, I’ve evolved. My goal has changed from wanting to be a master marketer to becoming a true entrepreneur with a team, a purpose, and a mission.
The mission is clear, to help 1,000 businesses double in revenue. Why? Because more successful businesses equal more impact. It’s less about my personal success, but more about how I can help others succeed.
I know if I can help others, my dreams, goals, and vision will be fulfilled. And, when I pass…I can pass fulfilled in every way.
