Chasing the American Dream: My Journey as an Entrepreneur
I want to take you on a journey through my pursuit of the “American dream” and how it has shaped my life as an entrepreneur. From my college days of DJing and playing basketball to climbing the corporate ladder and eventually starting my own multi-billion dollar construction consulting company, DeVore Capital, my experiences have been both challenging and rewarding. Join me as I reflect on my path, the lessons I’ve learned, and how it has influenced my entrepreneurial journey. In this blog post, I will talk about:
- College Days: DJing and Basketball, but Longing for More
- Climbing the Corporate Ladder: Entering Corporate America and Career Growth
- Burnt Out and Seeking Change: Recognizing the Need for a Shift
- Embracing Entrepreneurship: Starting DeVore Capital and Pursuing the Dream
College Days: DJing and Basketball, but Longing for More
In college, I was passionate about DJing and basketball. I loved the thrill of spinning tracks and shooting hoops, but as I approached graduation, I felt the pressure to pursue a “real” job. So, I made the “grown up” decision to drop both my hobbies and entered the corporate world.
Climbing the Corporate Ladder: Entering Corporate America and Career Growth
My first job was with a 50 billion dollar engineering and construction company, where I started working on the construction of power plant projects in Texas. Despite being fresh out of college, I was able to solve financial problems and quickly climbed the corporate ladder, earning a six-figure salary in no time.
I eventually worked on a few high-capital projects that exceeded over $2 billion and made a name for myself. Throughout my entire corporate career, I worked for companies in the energy, construction management, aerospace, and healthcare fields. Throughout that time, I gained skills in project management, negotiating billion dollar contracts, financial modeling and business case development, and operations.
On paper, my experience was impressive, but deep inside, I knew I had an entrepreneurial spirit yearning for more.
Burnt Out and Seeking Change: Recognizing the Need for a Shift
Even at the onset of what would become a budding corporate career, I knew deep inside that one day I wanted to have my own business. I didn’t quite know back then what business I would start. But it didn’t keep me from making a vow that after 10 years working as a professional I would then have the experience to pick my entrepreneurial endeavor.
As the years began to pass, I became burnt out from the corporate grind. By 24 years old, I became married and bought my first house, feeling like I was checking off all the boxes of the “American dream”.
I found myself working in DC for a Fortune 500 construction management firm. I dipped my toe into entrepreneurship and started a side hustle in network marketing and did that hardcore for about a five year stint. This experience gave me a strong foundation in leadership, personal development, and growth as a person. It awakened my inner entrepreneur and made me realize that I was destined for more than just the corporate world.
Embracing Entrepreneurship: Starting DeVore Capital and Pursuing the Dream
Over the second half of my 15-year corporate journey, I worked in the aerospace industry for a multi-billion dollar government defense contractor. Coupled with other entrepreneurial hustles, I started a digital magazine and built a real estate investment portfolio. With the latter being put on pause with a move to Los Angeles for my last corporate role, which was a finance role for a Fortune 500 healthcare company. After another job burnout, I finally decided to take the leap and quit the corporate world to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. With renewed passion and drive, I moved to Jacksonville, bought a house, and moved to a more family-friendly area with great schools. I started DeVore Capital, a multi-million dollar construction consulting company.
Starting my own company was not without its challenges, but it has been an incredibly fulfilling journey. I’ve been able to create my own path, make my own decisions, and truly be my own boss. I’ve grown both personally and professionally, and I’m proud of the impact I’m making through DeVore Capital.
The Bottom Line
As I look back on my journey, I’m filled with a sense of gratitude for the opportunities, challenges, and growth that have come with pursuing the “American dream”. From stepping out of my comfort zone to chase my entrepreneurial aspirations to making bold moves, such as starting my own company and building a successful career.
