We speak a great deal about black money, and ways the tools for financial empowerment. One person who has achieved all of these objectives is Fenorris Pearson, CEO of Global Consumer Innovation, Inc. Fenorris has a long history in corporate America, learning the game inside and out. After years in industry, he struck out on his own and hasn't looked back. AOL Black Voices had a chance to catch up with Fenorris for an exclusive interview:

1. What do you do for a living and how did you get there?

I am the CEO and owner of Global Consumer Innovation, Inc. (GCI), which is based in Austin, Texas.
While I have been very fortunate, I have never just sought success for its own sake. My goal and dreams have always centered around using my success to also be beneficial to others. My success in corporate America was the springboard that made it possible for me to form my own company, but the path has not always been very easy. I have been blessed to hold two senior leadership positions at Fortune 50 companies before the age of 40. Those two roles provided me with the credibility that has helped pave the way to starting my own company. I have had a great deal of success and failures, and I have learned from those failures. If you show me a successful person that has not failed, then I will show you someone who is really not successful – they are just smoke and ashes.

2. Tell us about your company: How many employees do you have, where do you operate, what do you sell and who do you sell it to?

I am the CEO and owner of Global Consumer Innovation, Inc.(GCI), which is based in Austin, Texas. I started this company this year. Currently, we employ approximately 300 team members who are incredible contributors, very talented and committed to the mission of this company. Along with our marketing partners, Global Hue, GCI's corporate mission is to consistently deliver and integrate market-moving ideas that drive new revenue for growth-oriented corporations. We do this through the talent of a team of committed individuals who are experts in the field of innovation and marketing.

GCI is all about innovation. Our business is based on our belief that the way most companies develop products and services for their consumers is fundamentally flawed. These companies give consumers what they think they want, and operate on a 'build it and they will come' philosophy. This is why so many companies have lost millions of dollars on products and services no one buys. GCI is about providing concepts and services that are driven by the consumer. The consumer knows better than the technology or engineering people experts employed by these companies to create new products for consumers. We realize there is gap between what companies attempt to tell consumers they want and what they really desire. As part of our Innovation Services offerings, we help companies design products and services based on what consumers say they want. We call this disruptive innovation, and we have very smart people that help drive this process for our clients. We are all about the consumer.

One area of our business that I believe truly differentiates us is our understanding of innovation from the perspective of a multicultural consumer base. We do this through our Multicultural Services offerings. Multicultural individuals (African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics) represent the fastest growing consumer base, and represent billions of dollars in buying power. This group should not be taken for granted, and GCI can help companies view these groups in a different way. These consumers are not mainstream, yet companies tend to treat them as such. We have avenues in place that allow us to have dialog with these groups, and we can share this information with companies and help them develop products, services and marketing messages that can effectively meet the desires of these groups. So basically, we take our understanding of Human Factors, help companies identify their problems in terms of innovation, and develop ideas for products or services that are driven by the consumer.

We also help entrepreneurs to package and develop their ideas to be presented to major corporations or taken directly to market. We help these clients target and develop more effective marketing campaigns, or more effectively validate market opportunities. Most of these companies do a great job understanding the financial aspects of their businesses. However, they often do a poor job of determining whether a customer will pay for their product or service. So basically, we help by looking at their ideas through our processes and helping them figure out if they are making the right investment. Our goal here is to help them avoid very costly mistakes.

We help companies realize that they have to be focused on an innovation culture in order to succeed. Most companies are focused more so on running the business as opposed to growing the business. Too often, may executives say they don't have time to think about growth. This is a poor excuse for leadership. Leaders are paid to win, however if you are only focused on running your business and not growing your business, you let both your shareholders and your employees down.

In a nutshell, I believe that innovation is the great problem solver. It enables companies to become more proactive and grow their businesses beyond the current set of products or services they offer, and allows them to compete more effectively in the marketplace. Our core leadership group has a combined 100 years of experience. One member of our leadership team was Vice President of Marketing for Motown Records. We have a team member who worked at 3M for 28 years. Our other members have held leadership positions at ATT and Accenture. My background includes positions at both Motorola and Dell. I am not afraid to surround myself with the best talent. I am passionate about teaching others about leadership, and this is reflected in yet another offering of mine entitled, 'Play the Game at the Top' This three part series will introduce you to concepts and practices that will help you become what I call the 'Consummate Executive'. Visit our website at www.corporateclimb.net, and you can learn more about this series and how it can help you view leadership in an entirely different way.

3) What is the most difficult thing about being a Black man in corporate America?

The level of success I have experienced and at such a young age is rare among any ethnic group. Being African American, there is a tendency for people to think I am sell out, or that I did not get to where I am today by hard work. Also, I have learned to watch myself carefully around how I mentor and to whom I offer the mentoring relationship. I truly believe that you can make it by being yourself and not selling out yourself or others. I am true to who I am and to my values. You can believe me when I say that I do not have to change my voice to make myself fit in! So people will have preconceived ideas about you until they meet you and get to know you. When most people get to know me and realize that I came from a humble background from a family of ten, they see the real me, and the real me is pretty transparent. So the hardest thing about being successful for me has been the dichotomy between who you are and what people perceive you to be, and the fact that others will often try to take advantage of you!

4) What is the greatest benefit of being a Black man in corporate America?

The greatest benefit is the fact that I am in a position of influence and can help others. Giving back is critical to me and my career satisfaction. I would be less than truthful if I said that I am not more partial to helping out other African-Americans, but I try to help wherever I can.

I want to see others advance. I am not particularly proud of having been one of two or three African American executives in the companies I have worked for. I attribute my success to my hard work, and I would like to see more minorities reach this level of success in Corporate America.

As someone who has worked closely with Michael Dell, for example, I have enjoyed positions of influence that have allowed me to right certain things that I knew were wrong. I have been very blessed that I have been able to make a difference via the positions I have had.

5) What is your investment and wealth building philosophy?

I think minorities feel that if we have a good salary and bonus, the company is good to us and we are happy. I have seen so many minorities and women who think like this. The reality is that when you work for a corporation, this mindset is destructive because you get boxed into a way of thinking that is not beneficial to long-term investment. You stop seeking proactive ways to build your wealth outside of what the company offers you. Wealthy people do not think this way. I come from very humble beginnings, but I have been saving money since I was in the 11th grade. My father was a man who did not finish high school, but he taught me to always save money for a rainy day. So many of us get comfortable with the limited opportunities to save via a corporate job.

Again, this is not the way to create wealth. Even if you work in Corporate America, you can still enhance your wealth building capability. The more strategic side of my investment strategy has always been to create wealth by maximizing my salary, stock options and signing bonuses. For example, when you are negotiating your salary package, focus on restricted stick as part of your package, not stock options. This is something that minorities need to understand better. When you are thinking in terms of salary negation, it is best to be clear about just what you bring to the company, and how that company can expect to profit by your work. There are many other ways to enhance your salary and overall earning potential. The key is to think outside of the box, and seek good advice. I actually have always had my attorney review all offers before I accepted them in an effort to make sure I am maximizing all avenues available to me.

I also seek opportunities that allow me to make money in my sleep – in other words, passive income. More importantly, I realize that while money has allowed me to provide a certain lifestyle for my family, it doesn't solve all of our problems. The best thing about having financial stability is that it allows you to help others.

6) How many kids do you have and how do you teach them about money?

I have two boys...Nicholas, aged 9 and Fenorris Jr., aged 11. One of the financial philosophies I teach my boys is that if you are going to spend a dime, then someone should be giving you back a dollar. If you are going to invest and spend your money on someone, make sure you get a return on your investment.

I also teach them the value of money I also try to help them understand the consequences of making a particular choice about spending the money they have. Our kids don't often see the adverse effects of using money poorly, such as having bad credit. I teach them that their decisions about money can impact them for the rest of their life. I try to make them think about the purchases they make and whether or not that purchase is beneficial to them
They work for their allowances, and they also know they have to save a certain percentage of it. I don't just give them money or things because I can. As they get older, I will teach them about investments. Even at their young ages, I share information with them about some of the investments decision I make. I believe we should talk to our kids about this when we can, because it is important that they understand what is going on in the household and what it takes to run it.

Finally, I think we should talk to our children about the importance of choosing a life partner wisely, and encourage them to learn about their financial habits. More marriages end because of financial issues, and we can help our children avoid this pitfall. Even though I do not have daughters, I would drive this message home even more if I did!

7) What advice do you have for other young people who want to be successful like yourself?

I always encourage young people to be honest about who they are and what they want. This is the first step to believing in yourself and knowing who you are and what you are worth.

I often ask this question to people - how much do you cost?? In the world of work, some financial rewards come at too high a cost. Money can cost too much! If you do not know your worth, then you are prone to do things for money that could be inconsistent with your values. You can gain money, but you lose your soul. In my opinion, gaining money this way is not worth it.

I would also tell young people that having success will change you, and will make you do things you never thought you would do if you are not grounded. So knowing who you are and what you value will be very important as you become more successful.

Finally, believe in the power of your own dreams. Work hard, but love what you do.

8) Is there anything you'd like to add?

I hope you will visit Global Consumer Innovation at www.globalconsumerinnovation.com and to learn more about professional development www.corporateclimb.net.

If anyone is interested in having me come speak the contact number is 1.800.838.8152 and email address is bookings@ascendantstrategy.net