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Imagine a Compton kid who got into skateboarding as an alternative to gang life in South Central, L.A., when it wasn't cool for black kids to skate. But he is pretty good with his board, takes that skill, builds on it, and goes from novice to pro in three short years. This man is no myth. His story is a reality. Meet Terry Kennedy, aka TK, a skateboarding pro and entrepreneur whose real story seems more like fiction than fact.
Kennedy recently gave an interview to BlackEnterprise.com in which he talked about how following his love for skateboarding positively shaped his financial destiny. For a 25-year-old man, Kennedy certainly has sharp business acumen. When it comes to finances, he makes sure that he pays Uncle Sam first. Kennedy also invests in real estate and protects his investments by retaining a good accountant. (A lot of people have lost sleep -- or even their fortunes -- due to an unscrupulous accountant.) Having a good financial foundation helps Kennedy maintain an independent source of financial security as he continues to build his brand by strengthening relationships with his present endorsers. Kennedy is also working on developing his own business opportunities, using the knowledge and wisdom of others to help him grow.
For example, mentors in the apparel industry showed Kennedy how important clothing is to skateboarding culture. Kennedy was a willing pupil and always ready to learn the business so that he could have greater creative freedom. Once he had a working knowledge of the skateboarding apparel industry, he was able to contribute to the design and craftsmanship of products for his own enterprises.
I must say, Mr. Kennedy, I am impressed and grateful. You didn't let your
humble beginnings hold you back; rather, you let those experiences propel you toward greatness. By sharing your story of triumph with the masses, you have proven that nothing is impossible when you are doing something that you love -- even if it does not seem like a "black" thing. Also, it is refreshing for a celebrity to reflect on the work that goes into building a brand. Oftentimes the life of a celebrity, especially an athlete, is glamorized to the point where the lifestyle overshadows the practice, sweat and pain that went into creating the success.
I would be remiss not to mention Kennedy's success in an industry that is not dominated by African Americans, skateboarding. Just like the Williams sisters in tennis, athletes like Kennedy show our versatility by walking the road less traveled. I find pride in seeing us excel in different sports and industries, and then leveraging that prowess to build a marketable brand. Even in Kennedy's success, he stayed true to who his is as an African American man.
I believe Kennedy's advice is transferable to any industry:
Become a fan of it. Learn it, study it. And allow yourself to grow from it. Network in the industry by going to skateboarding shows and competing. Get comfortable with your skating. Put together two minutes of video of your best stuff and present it to a company where you think it would fit. Do everything you can do on your own to gain exposure. (Black Enterprise)
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TK admits that his network opened doors for him to develop his skills and gain further exposure. Speaking of exposure and brand extension, we will be able to see more of Terry on his upcoming BET reality TV show this fall. Now how is that for flexing your business and marketing muscles?
Comments: (7)
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By: angelo young on 10/13/2010 1:26AM
this is for terry kennedy u say u tryin to help black people wel im tryin to talk to u about me so hit me up at my email angeloyoung10@yahoo.com my name is angelo but evernody call me leelo
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By: Ms Jones on 10/21/2010 10:21PM
Terry, my payer is that you read this email and respond. My mother is having a problem with my brother who is seventeen and a junior in high school.We see that he is headed in the wrong direction because of bad decision making. He is in a place where he feels that he has all the answers. He is an awesome skateboarder and admire you to the up most. Would you please find it in your heart to reply via email and advise my mother and I of some direction. occupidevessel@netzero.com. Our father is deseased, we believe this is a part of his issues please help thanks in advance.
Mother & daughter of a "loving son and brother"
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By: Elaine Wilson on 12/02/2010 9:27PM
My six year grandson has been interested in skateboarding since he was three. I bought him his first skateboard for Christmas of '07. He loves everything about the sport and I would like to know if you could email him at this email address and give him some advice. he sneaks and watches your show on Tuesday nights and he says he wants to be like you when he grows up. nanwilsonelaine@yahoo.com. His name is "Jay"
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By: dezmin lane on 12/10/2010 1:55AM
hey terry. man i wish you would get this message...I'm a skater just like you, got my mind on skating and skating on my mind. its all i do. We come from the same backround, i grew up in east side san jose, not as bad as compton, but i've been stabbed and shot at. my grandma supports 5 grown adults in her house wich she rents, she dont need that im tryna make it. i know i gotta be pro and ima help her get her own house. my dad's bank account is in the negative. we're tryna figure out what we're gonna eat. man i cant afford a camera to get sponsored i know i can though i cant get to any contest if i tried. im tryna make it in life though. however i can
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By: selwyn La Grone on 2/02/2011 3:19PM
hello mr. Kennedy. It was sooo nice reading about a young brother doing well. I too have gone outside the box.I am a trainer of racehorses here in california.I am wondering if you would like to learn something new and exciting! ?. It was invented as the sport of kings,and out of our reach for such a long time. now we have the wanna be visible celeb's and the ball players, but not many real people of color that truly see it as fun and rewarding. just one outside the box-er to another. think about it, and please follow my career as i follow yours. thanks, selwyn.
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By: JR Burt on 3/05/2011 5:50PM
Hello Mr. Terry Kennedy,
The purpose of this letter is to request your help; I feel that if anyone out there in the media can help me is you. My name is JR Burt; I’m a retired Marine, father of three adult daughters, (29, 26. &20 years of age), husband with only one wife in my life for 33 years and still having fun dating each other. I’m also the president of the Swansboro Beauty Pageant (first Black African American), here in Swansboro, North Carolina. Swansboro is about 12 miles outside of the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I‘m also a board member of the Swansboro City Planning Board (first Black African America), and of the Swansboro Area Development Foundation, Inc (also the first Black African American), with is a non-profit organization.
My career is that I’m a Artist, my main media are oil painting and charcoals. As the president of the Pageant, the committee and I are trying to raise funds for the construction of a Recreation Center here in Swansboro with a skate board park for the youth in the surrounding areas, our youths are skating around in the store parking lots, and or causing problems and are being harassed by the police.
You should be able to go online to http://sadfnc.org and visit our site. The third picture that will appear is the committee presenting our first check of $16,000 dollars to the city for our first payment of the $500,000 that we are to match grant for the Recreation Center. I am the third person on the left, the black male.
What do I need help with? I’m trying to put on an event in own town title “Boarding in the Park”, with Terry Kennedy, Tony Hawks and ????, July 2, 2011. I’m hoping for a big fund raising event, you see this is the first time someone is attempting to hold an event as this in our town. I strongly feel that if we can get your support (a huge celebrity), someone that can be the center piece of the event in order to get some sponsors to support us. Also I’m hoping that you can convince Tony Hawk and another Pro. Skateboarder to come along so that you guys can be the three Judges of the event. I really believe that this will bring in a large audiences, the people around here loves you and Tony Hawks. We all here watch you performed on your reality show, which I loved. I look at my wife and said, “There’s our miracle, riding on that board”. So this is why I writing you, because from watching you, I know that you have a presence with all kind of top name skateboarders and other individuals that can help us out here. We need someone with a hue heart, because we are not in the position to pay hue fees. We can pay for a hotel rooms here for you guys, and shower you with our love, and keep you’re full of good Southern cooking and the best seafood and Bar-B-Q in the southern part of North Carolina, and blessing for helping us out. If we can get the sponsorships, then we may be able to support you with other funding, I‘m sure you know how all that stuff works. As crazy as this may sound, I’m for real, we need help. Sir my wife and I would love to have you here as the main event host of the show. The people here in Swansboro are a diversity type community. About 60% of our youth (male & Female) are skateboarders.
I guess you can see where I‘m going with this, I know this is a stupid idea, and it sound like I may be crazy myself, but all I have is a blessing, a pray, and a big dream to make this happen for the children here in my community. I know GOD did not put this idea in my head just to bother you, just so I can look crazy. GOD spoke within me and I’m going to find a way to make this happen, whether it turns out big or small. I guess when the Wright Brothers here in North Carolina mention the idea about flying, I'm sure they were call worst names, "smile". Please get back with me though a email or a phone call, or have someone from you administration office, to contact me please, no matter whether you can help or not, at least I know that I got this letter to you and that’s all I can do with what I got. If you are interested then we can set up a contest where the kids can do some simple trip, by their age group and win some trophies and get an autograph for you and Tony Hawk are whoever you can convince to come with you, if you can bring Justin Bieber, if you can make this happen, Mr. Kennedy we need help and I’m not shame to beg. Well that’s all I got, and I will pray that you can help, so think about it please. Thanks for your time and patience. I hope this isn’t the worst request you have gotten, if so I’m sorry, very sorry, but what do you do when it all are nothing, or your back are against the wall?
Thanks you for your time, and I wish you to continue to be BLESS.
JR Burt (Junior Burt) HM: (910) 325 - 6224
drawing227@yahoo.com CELL: (910) 459 - 2629
President, Swansboro Beauty Pageant 2011
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By: Leroy Rangel on 6/29/2011 7:46PM
ayy wassup dis one 4 Terry kennedy, ima young rapper from the south "Texas" i use to skate but not no more, but ever since then i been reppen DGK, i always thought it b kool 4 DGK to have a rapper and sport the DGK in ma lyrics or at least do a song you could use..., im pretty good check out ma youtube leroyrangel903, u gna like it
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