The Life of a Constant Dreamer

What Day Is This?

2011-10-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

Just a quick check in...not sure what day today is - I think it's day 5 or 6, hell, it could be day 7.

I can't remember.

But, what I can tell you is that we've stayed steadfast. I think I only missed one day at the gym so far - not bad, eh?

I'm using a neat little app called "Lose It" to track my daily calories. It's kinda cool - check it out.

I weighed myself...13 pounds gone. I'll update with the workout regimen I'm doing soon.

Let's gooooo!

Someone Challenged Me...I Accepted

2011-10-11T15:33:00.001-07:00

I tweeted something about how can I lose 50 pounds in 2 weeks. It was a joke - nothing serious. One of my followers issued me a challenge. Since I'm always talking about food and struggling with weight loss, why don't I try it for 90 days and see what happens.

"Try what?" I asked.

They left it up to me. But wanted me to challenge myself in trying to loose weight and maintaining a constant work out schedule. I can dig it, right?

Well, here goes.

90 days from today is January 7th. I'm heading to the gym right after work - I'll take my full measurements and pictures. I won't post the results until Jan. 7th - but I will blog daily (or at least attempt to).

Here goes...

If You're Going To Be Successful, You're Crazy!

2011-07-09T14:22:00.001-07:00

I must admit, I'm not the quickest learner. I think it comes from my stubborn nature. I'm not slow by any means, it just takes me a while to understand something. Once I get it, I've got it.

Sorta reminds me of Temple Grandin - which is now my new favorite movie.

Here stood a girl who saw the world through a different set of eyes. She saw the world through pictures. That's all she knew. It baffled her why no one else understood the same way she did. As you can imagine, it baffled other people why Temple couldn't understand the way 'normal' people did. It took someone special to realize that Temple wasn't crazy, she just saw the world from a different point of view.

It's the same way with insanely successful people. They're gifted with seeing the world from a different point of view. Think about all the business greats - they were this iconic moment in their review of what life means to them where the world was processed by their minds in way that we'll never be able to understand.

If you're daring to be successful, you can relate to this moment all too well. It's the point where dreams are conceived. It's the point where a fire it lit in your eyes. It's the point where your thinking has been elevated to a point that forces your actions to step their game up.

It happens to all successful people.

Like any great thing - there are side effects. One in particular is this. Get ready to be misunderstood! Yes, let me say it again. If you're aiming for success, be prepared for no one to understand you and for many people to think you're crazy.

Personal example time! When I got laid off my job and was interested in starting The Cupcake Gallery, my circle of influence (which everyone has, some larger than others - but that's another post) was somewhat unfamiliar with a cupcake-only bakery. Thus leaving many to think I'm crazy. I want you to understand this - because it's a part of my destiny.

My circle of influence was small that what it is now. I wanted to introduce a new concept. If the first place anyone ever goes to is their circle of influence and none of them have ever heard of the concept, their immediate reaction is to think I'm crazy - which is exactly what happened. They didn't understand what I saw - and quite frankly, they weren't supposed to. Sure, I can cast vision - but it's evident that some still thought I was crazy.

I was on the verge of securing a $5K from a person in my circle of influence. This would have given a very profitable return. I received a phone call that crushed me. She told me she wanted to pass on investing. I'm not sure why she passed, but I'll blame it on misunderstanding. Fast forward 2 years and now we have revenues upwards of 70% than we did 2 years ago and far better than we could have predicted. Success is guaranteed when the chase is for excellence. So, being successful was never an issue - but being understood was.

Think about how crazy we think some of the greatest people are. Kanye West is a lyrical genius. Donald Trump is an entrepreneurial powerball. Lady Gaga is an international superstar grossing millions with just an appearance. Yet, these are the most misunderstood (and highly successful) people of our time.

Just remember, if you're aiming for success be ready to be misunderstood!

-Darius

Lesson Learned: Choose Wisely

2011-06-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

I think it was one of TD Jakes' sermons that said something to the effect of, "if I am your friend, I don't put you on stages you aren't prepared for."

After hearing that line at first it almost seems like he's taking an elitist attitude, as if he admittedly more knowledgeable than his friend. But I spent a little time dissecting the statement and here's what it means to me: seeing as though we both need to admit the truth, I have to speak up when I feel something concerning you, my friend, isn't going right.

That makes more sense, right? It puts the responsibility on the friendship, and not the friend.

Herein is where I failed.

If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would have chosen wisely. Not to say that I have complete authority because I'm choosing, but, I would have used the friendship for what it was worth.

I know you're like, "what in the heck is he talking about?" Well, it goes like this: I had a business idea. I decided to include two close friends. We found out we couldn't all agree to work together - too many people in charge. I break free. They feel abandoned. No one communicates. Now we have strained friendships and a strained business relationship.

Here are 5 tips to help you choose wisely:

1. Make sure your business partners have the same eye prescription as you. Your destiny was designed specifically for you and not everyone can see the same vision you see. Be sure to join in w/people whose vision aligns with yours.

2. Be sure your business partners have their own vision. I think business partners are like stops on a road trip - you only make them when necessary. Make sure your business partners are on a journey themselves. If they're not, then scoot over - because they're going to bum a ride off of you to your destiny, not theirs.

3. Can You Play Well With Others? That's a tough question to ask and a tougher question to answer. I've learned that unless I'm the boss, it's very difficult for me to succeed in my entrepreneurial goals. That doesn't mean I can't work with other people. It means that it's my goal and my vision - I need to get to it the way I see fit. Other people won't be able to understand that. But then again, that's why we have so few Russell Simmons, Donald Trumps, and Oprah Winfreys in the world.

4. Be Prepared to Stop! If you move quickly (like I do), working with business partners will make you have to slow down and stop - all the time. Remember, when you're flying solo, the only explanation you owe anyone is yourself and your customers. So, if you think it, you're able to put it into action because you have no barriers or obstacles besides yourself. When you have business partners (that aren't psychics), they don't understand what's in your mind unless you stop to tell them...all the time. Just be prepared to stop...frequently.

5. Never Have A Plan B, Always Have Modifications to Plan A. Having a plan B is like planning to fail. Who does that? If no one does, then why have a plan B? I think you should know that with anything, the end is going to come. To that regard, have a plan of action ready for when the business partners are no longer there. Separation is guaranteed whether it be voluntary or involuntary. It's bound to happen. Depending on others, especially when they have an expiration date, is never the way to go.

Have a spectacular holiday,

-Darius

Hey, Hey, I'm Here!!!

2011-06-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

Whew...I've been gone a while. Not exactly sure what happened there. I guess life, lol. It sorta has a way of sneaking up on you.

Let's play catch up real quick.

1. Everyday Fresh Online! It's a new online grocery store concept. Almost finished with it. You'll (folks in the Chicagoland area) be able to get groceries, meats, and produce at a reduced price...right to your front door.

2. The Lunch Machine! In full effect - daily. Gourmet soups, a full salad bar, cupcakes, and drinks...all house-made. Whew. It's like throwing a catering party every day. Be sure to follow on Twitter (@EatBetterLunch) or Facebook (The Lunch Machine)

3. Living Social! We ran a deal - it did well. Something like 1,150 of them. Swamped...to say the least.

4. LocalHolla! Needs a bit of revamping and a relaunch - stay tuned for details.

5. Getting Fit! Here we go again, right? 6 day a week workouts, 1 hour of cardio, 30 minutes of strength training, modified eating habits - I'm serious this time. It's only 4 days into it - lol - but I need to have dropped 5 pounds over the full 7 day period. Stay tuned to see if it worked.

I think that just about sums up where my life is - see, kinda busy right?

An Interview...A Really Good One

2011-05-10T09:31:00.001-07:00

So I was interviewed by Kizzy over at The Random Alignment of Life and when I tell you she totally nailed this interview...she did. It's a good one and you should read it!

It had been seven days since an unrelenting tornado, walked down a highway in St. Louis, MO destroying homes, families’ lives and businesses, when a ray of inspiration was smuggled into the city by way of train.

The city was trying to find its way out of an unprecedented storm that crippled even its mighty International Airport, when Darius T. Williams arrived quietly amidst the aftermath. He didn’t arrive on a missionary agenda, but to find retreat and relaxation away from his busy life.

When I first met Darius, it was in Chicago, IL at a mutual friend’s poetry performance. Unassuming, Darius took command of the stage, performing, “You Should Let Me Love You” quickly becoming a crowd favorite. My first impression was Luther Vandross, mixed with Barry White; his voice filled with such passion, raw sincerity, and humbled assertiveness. Romantic unicorns danced through my head as my best friend and I waited to meet Darius. Before we could finish praising him for his performance, he said, “I do cupcakes!”

I was confused. I tried to understand the relevance of cupcakes to such a powerful poetic performance. The weekend ended with me understanding what Darius meant by, “I do cupcakes!”

When he said he was coming to town, I could not help but ask him to be the first person I interviewed for “The Random Alignment of Life” blog. It was cosmic, it was destiny, and it was a random alignment of life that brought Darius to St. Louis on that weekend to be my first inspirational interview for the blog that was built to inspire, motivate, and encourage everyone!

Darius and I chatted before the interview began, him sharing with me his first interview experience and his tattoos that reinforce his dedication to his dream!

Kizzy: Sooo, thank you so much for agreeing to do the very first interview for, “The Random Alignment of Life” Blog!

Darius: You’re welcome, you’re welcome. {He smiled}

Kizzy: You were born and raised in Chicago?

Darius: Yes, Chicago, born and raised.

Kizzy: What side?

Darius: West side of Chicago!

Kizzy: Oh, ok, I know a little about Chicago. I lived there for a while. What kept you from not falling into the circumstance so many other young African American males on the Westside of Chicago fall into?

Darius: A combination of things, there was a strong religious upbringing of course; my grandmother was a very spiritual lady. I’ve always been a dreamer, too, a thinker, so I dreamt how I wanted my life to be. I knew where I was. I didn’t like my current situation, coming from an abusive home, so I dreamt. I knew I had the power to change my circumstance. Having the power meant I could change how my life ended up, so I dreamt on what that would be like.

Kizzy: You dreamt cupcakes? Why cupcakes?

Darius: I don’t think there was ever a defining moment where I said, “I want to cook or bake cupcakes.” When it’s always there, when you’re created to do something, be someone, it’s always there inside of you. You always know it and you just do it! I’m a foodie; I’ve been cooking since I was seven, so I just did it.

Kizzy: What was the first thing you cooked?

Darius: It was what I thought was chicken, but to come to find out it was turkey! Sooo, I’m the first person to ever fry turkey. I almost burned the house down, but it was fried turkey. {We both laughed} It’s only now, that I’m going back to define that dream of “cooking” and what it means.

Kizzy: So turkey to cupcakes, how did you start, The Cupcake Gallery?

Darius: On a whim and a prayer, working a perfect $ 85,000 job as the Corporate Payroll Manager, I got laid off.

Kizzy: $85,000? {I was thinking, $85,000 American Dollars! WOW!}

Darius: Yes, but I kept getting laid off. I thought I was a failure. I’d wonder, “What’s wrong with me, why do I keep getting laid off, I keep getting fired?” I really couldn’t understand it. Retro, I realize I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. Especially with payroll being, A, B, C type of structure and I’m a creative dude, so it wasn’t the right place for me from the beginning. I’ve always cooked, so I started cooking. I could feel it in the air, I knew something was brewing, I just wasn’t sure what. I just knew I had to write it all down. I started the Everyday Cookin’ {we said it in unisons}, blog! I did it, but I didn’t have any idea of what would happen. Eventually though, I started getting a crazy amount of hits to my blog every day, like a 1000 hits, people all over the world! I’d have posts with like 400 comments! Crazy, people tuned it for me, to see what I was cooking.

Kizzy: Wow, 400, so how did the buzz grown for the blog?

Darius: It’s one of those things, if it’s meant to be, you put it out in the universe and watch it manifest. You water it right and watch it grow! I didn’t have a formula. I knew I was sooo passionate about it, that I had to put it out in the universe, so I did. Anyway, one of the comments on the blog, was like, “Where’s the dessert?” I thought, I’m not a dessert dude, but what the hell, I’ll make some cupcakes. The first cupcakes I made were red velvet, Jan 26^th.2009. A few friends came over; they tried the cupcakes and were like, “These are the BEST damn cupcakes we’ve ever had!”

Kizzy: So, what ingredients did you use, what box?

Darius: Box? No box baby. If I’m going to do it, I’m going to be true to who I am. I’m a foodie, I cook, remember, so I knew like what ingredients were needed to make it rise, I adapted some recipes and my red velvet cupcake were born. Before I knew it, people were on Face Book like, “I want to place an order” and I was shocked, didn’t really know what to do, because I had been putting food up on the blog for a year, no orders, but they wanted cupcakes? I had no idea, how big the cupcake world even was, I didn’t even think people were serious. The first order I sold, it cost me 30 dollars to make them and I charged her 12, so I paid her to take the cupcakes. The word got out and for 60 days straight I didn’t do anything but make red velvet cupcakes.

Kizzy: So you were never professionally trained?

Darius: No, never professionally trained, I made the cupcakes, I put them out there, and people started ordering them, at some point I got flyers together, got me a website, then realized I should start making more than just red velvet. I’m not a fool, a many of things I may be, but not a fool I am not! I had complete strangers coming to my home for cupcakes, I thought that was cool. Then at some point it became too much, I was working a full time job, commuting a total of five hours a day, I turned my stove off. Time went by then my barber convinced me to turn it back on. So I’m baking again and June 15^th I got laid off again. I started to think about what I was going to do with myself, my life. I took some time to think about it all, figure my life out. I then thought, why not cupcakes, so I put the status out there on face book, “Hey I’m looking to open a cupcake shop, who wants to invest?”

Kizzy: So that’s how you got your start up, from Face Book? Wow social media. Do you think your transparency through social media, helped you with financing?

Darius: Absolutely, look back in the day with yahoo messenger; you could be anyone you wanted to be. Face Book changed that; you can’t hide who you are anymore. Your true character is reflected in social media today. In order to be successful in social media, you can’t hide. I allowed my character to show, even when I had some maturing to do, some growing to do, I put it out there in the raw. People became vested, I guess. Wait right now, in this moment, you make it seem like everything was amazingly easy, like a fairytale. I don’t see it that way. Yes, I had people from Face Book invest 13,000 into the startup, but my balance sheets said I needed 45,000. As I was going through it, the mountains seem so much harder, higher to climb!

Kizzy: What kept you climbing?

Darius: It was the vision, in my head. At some point, the tenure of the scenario changes from “I have to succeed for myself” to “I have to succeed for others”. Now what’s happened is people are tuned in, and you become a breath of hope, a breath of inspiration. Too much is given, much is required, so at some point I had to except the challenge. My Face Book posts had to become less and less sillier, I had to make conscious decisions, because my life is my life, but really it isn’t my own any more. So that’s how it all happened, note the dates, they’re really important. January 26^th, I made my first cupcake, June 15^th I got laid off, August had an investors meeting, again, what do I know about an investors meeting, I’ve been broke my whole life! I went to the meeting, got some money coming in and November 7^th I opened the door. Now that’s going through it all, Chicago politics, Chicago City Hall to get a business license, take classes all that. November 7^th, doors open!

Kizzy: That’s a lot, amazing. Do you have a support group? Tell me about them?

Darius: It’s hard, it’s hard. I sooo get Kanye now, I so get him. He said “The higher you go, the less you have around you!” Nobody sees it the way you see it, that vision. A vision is based on a dream and at some point, you have to say, I can do it! You create the vision, and then start putting steps behind it. The problem is you’re the only one who sees the vision, the dream. Everyone else around you is going to say, it’s impossible, you can’t do that, what about this, what about that. That’s my support, the dream! I do have some friends who’ve been there; no one will be there 100% of the way. You’ll have people who’ll be there 70%, 80% but no one will be able to be there 100%. So, if you’re doing this depending on a support system, then don’t do it. You have to rely on yourself, you have to be self-motivated. Listen, yesterday at work I was almost at the point of losing it, losing it. I thought if that doorbell rang one more time I was going to scream! I was so overwhelmed, but who can I talk to about that. Someone said to me, just cut the orders off at a certain time, turn the oven off! Like, you can’t do that…McDonalds, you can’t go to McDonalds and they tell you, oh we don’t have any more Big Macs, we stop making them at 3pm today. No one gets it, how hard this can be, but I have to say, the benefits, the benefits of doing what you love, chasing your dream, that’s what makes it all worth it!

Kizzy: Ok, you have Everyday Cookin, Local Holla, The Cupcake Gallery and Uptown Pie Company, what’s next for Darius?

Darius: So much more…

Kizzy: Oh, don’t let me forget you were on Cooking with Sunny Anderson recently?

Darius: That was so cool! The executive producer who produces these amazing shows like, Rachel Ray and others asked me to stick around and tape a show with just me and Sunny! Oh my gosh, I was like wait, me, me? This amazing producer, who’s been producing all these shows for years, knows my name! That’s why I’ll fight through the tears! Moments like that you can’t pay for. Who knew, who knew, I’d have the opportunity. I’m also going back to the Food Network studios; we’ll see what happens with that. I’m also starting, Everyday Fresh online. It’s like an online grocery club! Since I’m in the food industry, I get food considerable cheaper than everyone else, so it’s a place you can order food, not get ripped off and have the food brought right to your door. Local Holla, is the response to Groupon missing the mark on certain social economical markets. There are some other things in the works. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Kizzy: Tell me who’s your inspiration?

Darius: Different people for different things, right now, cooking wise, it used to be the greats like Paula Dean. Right now I’d have to say my friend Sunny Anderson. I connect with her immediately, her style, her story. Sunny also fought and defied odds to be on the Food Network Channel. My friend, wow, who would have thought I would be able to even call her my friend, ten years ago. Then there’s Kanye, Jay-Z, people who come from really interesting back grounds and are the great of the greats. The things Kanye can pull out of the air are amazing. The punch lines Lil Wayne comes up with are amazing. Creative stand point those people, then from a business, people like Zig Zagler, John Maxwell, Less Brown, people like that.

Kizzy: With all that going on, all the amazing things you’re doing, why do you do poetry? Why take the time out to write poems and perform them on stage?

Darius: There’s a piece of me that enjoys the challenge. Again, I’m a creative person, so I like it. I love the challenge of telling a story, getting the audience to understand it, that’s what I enjoy about poetry, being creative.

Moving Forward...

2011-05-06T12:35:00.001-07:00

Let's hope this Groupon issue is now behind me. Nah, forget it - I'm putting it behind me - let's move forward. Tons of great things to report.

Had a chance to get-a-way to St. Louis this past weekend. Lovely place to visit - and good food too. Here's what I ate...in pictures:

Dumplings from Fridays...very good!

A little Steak & Shake - what's an out of town trip complete without it?

Pappy's Smokehouse - a St. Louis MUST

Crab cake from Bristol's Seafood Grill

Salmon over a leek & potato gratin w/caramelized leeks on top

Catfish, mashed potatoes, & broccolini

Chicken & Waffles from Lola's

Amaretto French Toast from Lola's

So, I ate...and ate good - as you can see.

NYC, is up this coming Sunday. I'm heading there for Cooking For Real & Sunny Anderson. Getting to tape yet another episode w/her is gonna be super fun! I can't wait for that.

Then it's another quick get-a-way to Memphis next weekend. It's a road trip, so Lambert's is a stop I'm going to make. If you haven't heard about throwed rolls, well, you've just not lived - lol.

I'm also still taping in my free time - so check out my new video on YouTube. It's fish...pecan crusted salmon, herb & marcona pilaf, and a ricotta pea puree...super easy!

-Darius

My Response to Groupon

2011-05-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

As you all may have heard, Groupon has decided to cancel all of our deals with their company. This comes at an unfortunate time for many of our customers. The only thing I can do at this point is apologize for what an inconvenience this has been for you guys. Please know the reasons for the deals being canceled are completely out of my control. Had I continued to partner with Groupon, the outcome would have pushed my company to a limit that would be detrimental. My focus has been, and always will be, on the integrity of the product I put out. Nothing else matters to me and if I can’t promise my customers the stellar product they’ve come to rely on again and again, then nothing else should be priority.

Because I’ve built The Cupcake Gallery & Uptown Pie Company brands on transparency, please allow me this moment to continue. No one is perfect and no one gets it right 100% of the time. I set out on this journey of becoming an entrepreneur when my back was literally against the wall. I’ve shared my story over and over again, so those that have been following my Facebook and Twitter journey are aware. After being laid off and having nothing but a dream and a few thousand dollars, I set off to do something that most never do. I made my dream a reality.

I remember looking at the space we currently occupy and realizing how much of a dump it really was. I laugh now as I reflect. I even remembered the day we finally opened the doors. I literally had $25 dollars to my name, which I had to use to make change for the cash register. It was so bad, we didn’t even have a display case. Even the furniture was horrible – the coffee tables, lamps, and bookcases all came from my living room. But, that day in Novemeber 2009 when we sold out of everything we had and I reflected on how I had been laid off just 5 months earlier, I knew I was on the right path. It’s interesting, because I never saw The Cupcake Gallery (and our horrid space) as what it was. Rather, I saw it as what it was going to become. As I made friendships, greeted repeat customers by name, and even celebrated a few children’s birthdays with cupcakes in the shop, that reaffirmed the potential of a place like The Cupcake Gallery in Uptown. Today, that’s the type of dream I still hold on to.

In closing, I want to say thank you to the people that have continued to support The Cupcake Gallery and Uptown Pie Company. Your support means more to me than you can imagine. Your support reaffirms for me what’s possible with a hard work and persistence. I laugh because I know people have a love/hate relationship with us. Either you love our cupcakes, or you hate them…which I can respect either way. Please know that I do everything possible to ensure our products are fresh, made with love, and top notch. I will continue to hold true to the values I believe in. You can continue to expect nothing but great cupcakes, pies, twinkees, and cakewiches from The Cupcake Gallery and Uptown Pie Company!

-Darius , The Owner

Flashback Friday

2011-04-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

How so? Because I've got two ipods going at the same time - one playing an old school R&B mix and the other playing the Luther Vandross playlist on Pandora.

Why?

Because it's raining and super gloomy outside. Know what that means? A PERFECT TIME to catch up on some baking. I'm restocking pies left and right. Yes, in addition to creating and envisioning - I also do the work. Lots of it!

It's a good feeling too. I remember a few years back where I'd work barely 7 hours in Corporate America - didn't want to give them much more than that. Now, a 12 hour day is a short day for me. And you know what - I can't complain one bit! I really can't.

Lots of interesting things coming up real soon. LocalHolla is one of them. We'll talk about that soon. Also, CCV is having a dandy little workshop - I'm on the panel. That should be interesting! I'm joined with some really cool people - Cleetus Friedman who owns City Provisions here in Chicago and Dominc Melone from Frontera Foods. Definitely going to be a great event.

Oh, and I'll tell you about StreetFood Artistry soon too. Looks like I've been added to the host committee.

Oh, and one more thing - St. Louis - look out - I'm headed there next weekend for some well needed R & R...Pappy's Smokehouse WILL DEFINITELY see me!

-Darius

Defeat All Odds: Your Life Depends On It

2011-04-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

One day I'll tell my story in full. Just know it's a bit involved, moving, and inspirational. You'll get glimpses from it through this blog. But for now, let's get to the point.

From the beginning, I believe our life's story has already been foretold. There's a force that's bigger than us all that's sorta aligned the cards to be played in a certain order as it pertains to our life. I submit wholeheartedly to that theory. If you were to truly see the way my life has begun to unfold, you'd subscribe too (well, that's if you already don't).

Truth be told, if you were to see the events all aligned in one row and then place a bet on the next move to be made, I'm sure you'd think you were making the right choice. Let's see; grew up a kid in the inner city of Chicago, never addicted to too much of anything, finished college late, fully developed a passion even later, learned work ethic the hard way, laid off, unemployed with a dream and a hobby, opened a cupcake shop, made a pie, it was good, opened a pie shop, and we're here today.

There's much more, but you get the general idea.

If you were to read each action, without reading the next one, and guess what was next, you'd be dead wrong. That's the way it's supposed to be.

The lesson here, it's simple, whatever you do...defeat the odds.

Sure, life is already pre-planned for you. Sure, you've got your hands full with trying to figure it out. Sure, no one will understand your next move anyway. Even more reason, to do IT, and then defeat the odds other people put against you.

I was told by a good friend that they had to defend me about a year ago. There was a mutual acquaintance who thought going into the cupcake business was a huge mistake for me. This mutual friend admitted that I didn't know I was doing because the industry was a fad and that I wouldn't last. Imaging finding this information out a year later - after it was said. But, that's a year later of increased revenue. A year later of building dreams upon dream. A year later of realizing my goals and setting trajectory based upon my passion. It's been a full year later and I'm still defeating the odds.

Sounds good, but let me say it this way. Other things in life tend to want to define and place limitations on your abilities and your potential. It's a natural thing for people to immediately judge or analyze you. Let that be the case. As a matter of fact, if you expect it, it can't catch you off guard. Be confident and secure in who you are and what you plan to do. Once you do that you MUST defeat all odds because your life depends on it!

-Darius