Features

Perspective: Jamahl King

Jamahl King
President/CEO
S.T.E.P.S. (Striving Towards Excellence with Perfection in Sight) Event Planning
Atlanta GA


Job History
I've been a cashier at both Wendy's and White Castles.
I spent time as a sales associate at Rich's.
I interned at WSB-TV here in Atlanta.
I was in small business sales with MCI.
Then I started S.T.E.P.S.

What are you currently working on? Your day-to-day responsibilities?

My biggest project now is producing S.T.E.P.S. 8th Anniversary Tour & Gala in South Africa. Coordinating operations internationally is definitely a trying task but when I first got the idea to host our anniversary gala in South Africa I knew that whatever it took, it was going to be phenomenal in the end. I've had the pleasure of seeing, first-hand, the beauty of Africa and I would love to be able to share that experience with those that have worked so hard alongside me to make S.T.E.P.S. possible.

What inspires/motivates you?

The thing that most motivates me, is knowing that I have a responsibility to my family and my community to do the very best that I can do. Establishing and operating my own business meant showing everyone how capable and committed I was. Now, I've devoted myself to doing something positive for young people that aren't aware of just how attainable dreams are.

What are your biggest challenges or the downsides of what you do?

Thankfully, I've yet to encounter any major downfalls with my business. I experienced many of the same challenges that other small business owners are faced with when starting a company. But once S.T.E.P.S. gained ground, it's managed to maintain a reputation for excellence in service. Of course, with each event, I have to work harder to make it just a bit more creative than the last, but I enjoy doing that so I really consider it more of a test of my ingenuity than a challenge.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

Balancing my personal and professional life has turned out to be much less problematic than I thought it would be when S.T.E.P.S. was first established. I have great working relationships with my staff and other business partners so whenever work needs to be done it's the joint effort of those I consider to be like family to me now. Knowing that I've had a hand in producing a great event, I have just as much fun as the event participants. I genuinely love watching people have a good time, so being in an industry where I can serve my clients well and attend a great party at the same time, is definitely working to my advantage!

What career achievement are you most proud of?

Working with greats like Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Keith Sweat, Jagged Edge, Jamie Foster-Brown and our other well-known clients has definitely been a reward of the job. But, the fact that S.T.E.P.S. has been flourishing for 8 long years is a feat in itself that pleases me. I could have long ago relinquished myself to the fact that African American males are not expected to have the passion and instinct it takes to make an entrepreneurial business enterprise work. I love being an exception to the rule and I'm grateful that I'm in a business where I love every minute of what I do.

What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from it?

With any new business, there are certain tricks of the trade that you must learn from experience. I feel stronger knowing that, though I've stumbled at times, I managed to remain committed to what I initially set out to accomplish. I'm happy that the small mistakes I've made, have allowed me to become a better businessman and more appreciative of the position that I am in.

Was there ever a time where you thought you might not succeed in what you're doing?

Early on, I was shown what a fulfilling experience owning one's own business can be. My mother, younger brother and I are all successful entrepreneurs. It was truly a blessing to be apart of such a driven family. Watching my mother set goal after goal and work to attain them let me know that it would never be a matter of whether or not I would succeed merely how I would use my success to help motivate others.

Guiding principles?

It's my company name and it's an idea that I've chosen to live my life by. I wake up every morning knowing that I'm ,b.Striving Toward Excellence with Perfection in Sight!

Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?

My birthday is December 6. I was born and raised in Hammond IN and I'm a proud Tiger after having attended Morehouse College!

Message Jamahl King and tell him what you think

Ray Tamarra

« Survey Says #12  Echoing The Birds & The Bees (West Coast) #6 »

The 2-Way

Replies: 8

Archives: