What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
I believe entrepreneurs have a certain spirit about them. For me, that spirit came from my father, who has always encouraged and motivated us as kids with his own family businesses and ideals. I learned early on, that working for yourself often yields a better return, simply because you know your own value. It’s understanding your natural gifts and abilities and using them to work for you.
As an entrepreneur, what keeps you motivated?
Motivation comes from within, it’s that never satisfied feeling and belief that you can always do more. My motivation was understanding my purpose. Everyday and every moment has a purpose, no matter how big or small, every moment counts. Personally, it has been more about just being able to accomplish my goals despite what it took to do so. From exercising to modeling, to starting a small business fresh out of high school to surviving a nearly fatal gun shot wound to my head. I believed in myself, I believed that it could be done. I learned at a certain point that working for someone else did nothing to help me accomplish my own dreams. So I decided to turn my passions into something that would not feel like work. I knew I was making the right decisions when things started falling into place.
How and why did you get into modeling?
I actually started modeling after winning a local competition in Kansas City as a teenager. At first it was just something to do. I only recently began to aggressively pursue that path as an adult after realizing that modeling was a platform to get my message of encouragement out to people. After spending many years away from the camera, I went to college, ran my businesses, and even worked in corporate America until I understood what my purpose was and how to use it.
What was so intriguing to you about cars to have you establish a business with it as your focus?
I grew up loving cars. I can’t remember a week that went by without me building model cars, or racing go-carts, or hanging out at local car shops working on cars with my dad. I actually built my first real car before I could actually drive. It was something about figuring out how things worked, if man built something, what was stopping me? Growing up, my dad always had projects for us. It was his way of teaching us how to problem solve, how to listen and observe, and as a tool to believe in ourselves. My brother, Cortland, and I started Midwest Kustoms Automotive when I graduated high school, after I survived a nearly fatal carjacking. It was our way of turning a tragedy into something positive. The Firebird Trans Am that sits on our show room floor is what triggered the concept. The Firebird, like a Phoenix rose from the ashes and became something new and powerful. Together we restored it as a testament to our survival. We realized going into business was something we were destined to do.
If you could have any car in the world, what would it be and why?
Any car in the world, there are so many to choose from. I have always loved the 1960s era of Aston Martin. Something classy, sleek, exotic and rare
What was the most difficult situation you had to overcome?
I would say the hardest thing was learning to love myself after my incident. Believe it or not there is a whole survivors complex that I struggled with for years. I refused to get in front of the camera, I struggled with my handicap and the fact that my face was no longer the one I recognized. Even learning to be alone at night in a city I was afraid of, took time. Every day was a new hurdle to overcome. But overcoming them enlightened me to the purpose of each event in my life and understand it’s reasoning.
What has been your most proud moment?
I am proud of every moment of every day. Being able to truly appreciate how beautiful life really is. My life could have ended at 16, but there was a greater purpose in what I was destined for. I know that every moment counts and serves an opportunity to learn and evolve. I have had so many amazing moments I could never have dreamed of having.
Given your diverse nature and skill set, who are you when no one else is around?
I’m naturally a quiet and reserved person. I can really appreciate the little things. I love working with my hands and being creative. I’ve often stood in front of my fireplace and painted paintings or built things like water fountains and doghouses and even designed a few shirts and hats. I love art and architecture. There is so much beauty around us. I am always inspired to create.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself continuing to grow. I have so many community outreach ideas and programs that I would love to start. Using everything that I have worked to build as a way to reach people. From automotive trade schools and golf programs to getting people motivated through fitness and fashion, I want to do the impossible. I understand that everything in life is supposed to work together to reveal your destiny and I am prepared for mine.
What would you like your legacy to be?
I want people to look at me and know that anything is possible. I’m a natural motivator and I love to encourage anyone I encounter. Life is about living and making a difference in people’s lives. I thrive off knowing that my energy can be in a sense immortal. There were so many times that I wanted to give up, instead I pushed on and believed in myself and the gifts I was given. I knew I had a purpose, but never knew exactly what it was. Now that I know, there is no stopping me.
