Today we’d like to introduce you to James Bowens.
Hi James, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began my journey at a young age with a well-defined understanding of poverty. I hoped that one day I would create an opportunity for myself and others and ultimately thrive in society. Elementary and High School was a breeze as I was a typical child and later teenager with good grades and a lot of potential. I had a two-parent household and I believe that they put forth their best effort to raise the family that was created by their union.
I embarked on my college journey in 2006 at the University of Maryland-College Park but I became unfocused, and my grades dropped as a result. I was kicked out of college due to my lack of discipline and I became a lost soul seeking to define the person I thought I once knew.
I became affiliated with a church organization in 2007 and although I was exposed to many artifacts that boasted financial success (mansions, expensive cars, custom furniture, top-of-the-line clothing), the church was ultimately disbanded due to financial misdeeds from the heads of the organization. I was living at the mansion in the name of the church at this time and the closer I got to the top, the more I discovered that something was not ethical with business operations. I left in November 2009 with my head hung low and with nothing to my name.
I struggled with obtaining a job at the beginning of the last decade and I was destitute for many years seeking to find an organization that would accept what I had to offer. Despite my monetary challenges, I never let those moments break my spirit, although I came close to folding at times. I realized that was the only thing of value that I had at the time was a hopeful spirit.
I started writing multiple business plans in 2012 along with submitting my resume to a myriad of organizations at the pace of 100 resumes per day. I was determined to either start a business or become an employee with the intent of earning consistent wages.
I went through the ebbs and flows of this process until I had enough in 2016. I woke up one day and decided that I would go back to college to finish my degree and create better opportunities for myself. I needed 100 credits to obtain my bachelor’s degree in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity and I vowed to myself that I would complete this in a two-year time frame. To accomplish this, I attended two colleges/universities simultaneously because I had a goal to achieve. I ended up achieving this goal and subsequently obtained my master’s degree in Digital Forensics and I accomplished both feats in a record time of three and a half years in total.
I also dedicated my life to the gym around the same time that I began my college studies. The gym was my only outlet as I did not have time for anything else in life. As my body began to transform, my mind transformed as well, and I could see business opportunities that I did not see in prior years. I theorized that if I used the same level of discipline in life that I use to go to the gym and transform my body, I would eventually be able to get out of life what I put in using discipline as the vehicle to maneuver through life.
As I continued to progress in the gym, I began training others using the knowledge I gained from using myself as a guinea pig. I gained a certain level of success which provided me proof of concept for what was to come soon.
I am a true testament of using your will to make a way. I moved from the basement of my uncle’s home without any possessions to my name in April 2018 to owning my own home and owning/ operating multiple businesses by the Summer of 2019. The Choose2BeGr8 brand was birthed from my desire become better in every aspect of life and that philosophy and mantra has been infectious amongst those that I encounter.
I also film vlogs along with my workouts due to my TV production background which has opened the door for me accepting the role of a Producer for a short film that I am personally filming and editing in San Francisco, California. This is scheduled for the first week of March. A TV Production company was also birthed from these events because I understand the importance of capturing and manipulating media for the sake of content production and posterity. I am also working on providing affordable rental housing for residents in the San Antonio area.
All the challenges I experienced in life all led me to this moment right here. Voyage San Antonio is the perfect alliance due to the platform it has for telling dynamic stories and celebrating life and success through media. This magazine provides a microphone to those who are willing to share their story and provide a connection for people from all walks of life who all have one thread in common, perseverance.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If a smooth road exists, I never traversed that road. My experience has led me to believe that it is never easy. Anything obtained in an easy fashion can leave the very same way. My road was rocky with logs blocking the road at times and a detour had to be sought out many times. I experienced challenges relating to finances, lack of emotional support from family, friends who part when times get tough, and people seeking to take advantage of me, my knowledge, or my weakened situation. I believe there is not a challenge that exist which also does not have the solution alongside it. Our perspective will determine if we ever come into a knowledge of what the solution is to our issue(s).
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently an employee for the Department of Defense serving as a Database Administrator. I also own/operate a TV Production company as well as a fitness and clothing brand. I am most proud of finishing my college studies in record time with a 3.8 GPA for both undergraduate and graduate studies. I am known publicly for being personable, versatile, and being able to inspire all who lend their ear to my message. I set myself apart due to the vast amount of knowledge that I have and my ability to build businesses in multiple industries at the same time. I am not a “one trick pony”.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are many who played a major role that helped produce the product that I am today. Believe it or not one of my earliest influencers outside of my parents was my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Shirley Jones. She placed me back on the correct path everyday as I went astray in 1996. I will never forget her, and she played a monumental role in my life. I talk to her to this day. My uncle is someone else who played a major role in my development and understanding of how to be a decent man in society and how to take care of your home. I lived with him for about 7 years and matured in ways that I would not have imagined initially. My uncle and aunt are more like my second parents who I love dearly, and I could not complete this without mentioning their names. Lastly, my wife, Suzie. She has been the daily catalyst for my sometimes “forced” growth and development and being married to her has taught me a lot pertaining to life and how to take a family and lead them to the promised land. She puts up with me when others do not have to, and it is an absolute pleasure living life alongside her and operating our businesses together.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesbowens/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/mrjamesbowens
