Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua ben Judah.
Hi Joshua, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started when I was in high school (my family will say it was when I was a toddler if you let them tell it). I remember talking with some of my peers about future goals and school pursuits. I was in the top ten of my graduating class and my naive vain self was spewing out, “I’m going to retire by the age of 33! I’ll graduate with my first bachelor’s by age 21, my second degree by 25, then my masters at 28, and maybe I’ll get my doctorate before 30 if I have time in between my world touring.” I had my whole life planned out. Little did I know what was around the corner for this curriculum vita.
My professional corporate career started when I was fifteen in the title insurance industry, and I have been working ever since. I switched between fashion design, retail, fitness, and entertainment, until landing in design and technology. I was always entrepreneurial at heart. I remember my younger self asking my mom to take me to the store to buy candy and then I would invite my friends over so they can buy it and any other items I was willing to part with at the time, for a price of course. Even in class when I was in high school, I would have my candy sales to raise money for trips. My teachers got so used to it that they just let me have a few minutes before class to get my sales out of the way so I wouldn’t interrupt the lessons. I did not like not being able to do something, so I would figure out a way to accomplish what I set my sights on no matter, how difficult, or how long it took. As you can imagine, that got me into a lot of trouble. While in undergraduate studies, I produced a full-on concert to raise money for mission work in Liberia. I used my senior project for my music degree (degree number one) to do so. Well, I had no clue what that entailed and had to figure it out. I wrote songs, composed scores, and instrumental duets, choreographed for a dance group I helped co-found on campus, got sponsorships, commissioned artwork, produced a CD and DVD, started a modeling career, and became a talent manager for that endeavor…I got a “B” for the project.
I became a fashion designer during my high school years. I needed a prom suit so I designed my own and my date’s dress. Well, word got and I started designing for my classmates, and then a tailoring company saw some of my designs and hired me to be an in-house designer. They paid to have my prom suit made because I brought them so much business. We won “best-dressed couple” at prom that year” (I was hoping for Prom King, but at least I was a part of the prom court with my friends). Immediately after getting my BA in Music my modeling career took off. Well, that’s just a fancy way of saying I started getting paid work, which really came in handy when I moved to Italy for interior design school. Prior to that though, I graduated with my second bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering right at the peak of 2008’s real estate crisis. It wasn’t until around 2013 that I would start working as an engineer and in 2015 I would start getting paid like one.
However, everything really changed in 2015 when I moved to Texas. That move brought me closer to my mentors and helped bring much-needed stability and foundation to my life. It was not until 2016 that I officially launched the different business ventures that I now oversee and run today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Let’s talk about it!
Growing up I was left to myself most of the time. I rarely got into any type of trouble, was well-behaved, and did very well in school. The issue though, I was left to myself. This “being alone’ became a “companion” of mine throughout all my academic career and friendships. This was a product of growing up in a family where if your parents did not work, you did not make it. So, my parents worked long hours and were gone most of the day, and my siblings and I had to make due until they came home. Well, I am the youngest of my siblings, and was quite annoying.
Needless to say, I grew up to be a “weird” young man in the sense I did not subscribe to many of the socially accepted character traits during any stage of my teenage years, young adult life, and even now into my “grown man” era. Early on in life, this led to many confidence issues and doubts that further produced cyclical moments of depression, self-induced isolation, and numerous fears, which influenced me to be a chameleon in public (somewhat of a people’s pleasure).
Though my parents are still married, I did not have a relationship with my father who was very much in the house and a part of my upbringing. I tell people now that just because your dad is around does not mean he is present. My parents rarely asked me questions about my interests and pursuits. There was a kind of perception that “I had it all together” because outside looking in people could not see any family dysfunctions or signs of depression or anxiety. I smiled a lot and did not complain, and kept to myself. I always kept a high-energy appearance and was always the life of the party. Needless to say, this did not produce any real long-lasting friendships. I became the guy that was “good for {fill in the blank} ” when it best served other person’s needs.
My undergraduate college years were horrible…horrible. I failed most classes and had to repeat them at least two or three times. As “smart” as I was on paper, I struggled to execute and apply what I knew and the things I learned. It would not be realized until later on in life that this was associated with an internal lack of confidence. It took a couple of decades of facing root issues in life, prayer, and lots of pruning and maturing to finally start living.
As it relates to business pursuits, I had to learn everything through trial and error. There were many people who communicated their support and intention to help guide and mentor, but their follow-through got lost in the mail and I have since moved from that last known address. Needless to say, that is more than twenty years of trial and error. However, that’s not necessarily and bad thing. Things were not handed to me; I know the value of hard work and how important working smarter vs. working harder is.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are here to lighten the load off your shoulders. Our firm is all about first-time quality, honesty, positivity, and professionalism. Our first priority is always the interests of our clients; providing capability, adaptability, and scalability. Since 2007, we’ve been serving loyal clients in the Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth area – get in touch to start enjoying our services today. JBJCREATIVE LLC has a growing global network of highly skilled business professionals and organizations capable of tackling virtually any business need. We work with Entrepreneurs just starting out, small businesses, and Corporations. We specialize in Business Structuring, Branding and Marketing, Leadership Development, and Project Development.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
The Standard is Glory by Yisrael ben Avraham The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins
Proverbs by King Solomon
Contact Info:
- Website: jbjcreative.co
- Other: lckershop.com
Image Credits
Hector Alfonso Torres
Laretta Houston
IGFA Solumn LLC
Fil48 Studios LLC
Raijour Fashion Inc.
LCKERSHOP
