Lifestyle

Justin J. Allen: The Ability to Find Business Opportunity in Everything

Published

4 years ago

September 7, 2021

Recently, we had the unexpected pleasure of sitting down with one of our favorite entrepreneurs on the scene today, Justin J. Allen. For those of you just now hearing about Justin, he founded his first LLC back in 2013, in the world of executive security services, and has since managed to build it into an uber-impressive multi-million-dollar company. Not only that, but Allen also now helms a successful sports agency, in the form of DA Method Sports Agency, a related fitness clothing brand, DA Method Apparel (along with his business partners Darryl Wilson & James “AJ” Mason), and is preparing to launch his own barbershop, Premier Cutz, and adjacent bar, the Premier Lounge.

And in our little sit-down, when we asked him what his secret skill was, Justin correctly pointed at the ability to “find business opportunities in everything”. And judging from his impressive catalogue of successful business ventures, we can safely say he wasn’t kidding. While it’s true that the very concept of entrepreneurship speaks of versatility and adaptability, it’s still rare to find an entrepreneur with so many successful businesses in so many different areas of work. So, it’s fair to assume Allen does indeed possess a sixth sense for sensing business possibilities, one that he’s keen on sharing with young entrepreneurs in need of guidance.

According to Allen, he’s always been an entrepreneur at heart, though naturally, he too went through his fair share of disappointment, bad jobs, professional conflicts, and so on. And during that time, as well as in the first years of his career as an entrepreneur, he learned the importance of having a role-model. Someone there to guide you and steer you in the right direction. Not tell you where to go, because at the end of the day, being an entrepreneur isn’t about that, but rather, about finding your own values and your own path.

That’s what Allen is now looking to do for young entrepreneurs in need of a mentor – provide a helping hand, a word of advice, or even some guidance. And while a sixth sense for business opportunities can’t really be grown, it can be nurtured and developed, under the careful, watchful eye of an experienced mentor like Allen. It’s one thing to realize what businesses have potential and which don’t, and it’s nothing short of remarkable. Still, that’s not all a young entrepreneur will need to succeed in this world. They will also need help identifying what matters to them and finding their true entrepreneurial path.

Now, having established multiple successful businesses of his own, Justin J. Allen is in a place from which he can focus on giving. Naturally, he confided in us, he’s still got his eye on his own development and journey as an entrepreneur, but he has also reached a place in his career where he can help other individuals start their own business, and why not multiple businesses, like him. To show them, perhaps, that yes, entrepreneurship is a hard road, but that’s one of the things Allen loves best about it.

“Your level of success depends on you and how much work you put in. You can create your own schedule. You can decide what business you want to create; you have the ability to provide opportunities for people, The challenge is to stay current with the times.”

Lifestyle

Powerful Corporate Gifting Strategies to Build and Strengthen Business Partnerships

Published

1 week ago

April 15, 2025

Michelle Langton

If you want to build and strengthen business partnerships with your clients and top investors, there are a few key steps you must take. One essential strategy is corporate gifting. This simple act goes beyond building a partnership. It will also increase your customer retention rate and promote your business even beyond the shore of your country.

But before you consider gifting any item, there are some strategies to put in place. This will ensure your gift makes a lasting impression and resonates well with your clients. Below are powerful corporate gifting strategies to build and strengthen business partnerships with your clients and top investors.

Choose a Personalized Item

Rather than choosing an ordinary gift for your clients and investors, opt for a personalized item. Customised corporate gifts such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, and bags create a stronger emotional connection than generic gifts. They also leave a more lasting impression than most other gift types.

Imagine how investors and your clients will feel when you beautifully inscribe their image or favorite quotes on a T-shirt. Of course, they will feel valued, appreciated, and ready to invest more in your business.

Consider Their Culture and Background

As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to be culturally competent and sensitive. Your gifts should resonate with your clients’ and investors’ cultural backgrounds. Otherwise, they may be quickly discarded or overlooked. If your investors and audience are predominantly of Black heritage, consider giving them a custom T-shirt featuring a map of Africa or inspirational quotes from iconic Black leaders.

Their religious beliefs are also important. Specific religions may find some images or symbols inappropriate. For instance, if you’re giving a gift to a Muslim investor, avoid designs that include images like pigs, as they are considered offensive in Islamic culture.

Consider a Functional Gift

You should also consider the gift’s functionality. A gift that can be used every day will be more valuable than an impractical one. Even if the gift is expensive but doesn’t have any functional purpose, it won’t serve the purpose it was intended for.

Instead of purely sentimental keepsakes or abstract gifts, consider practical items like pens, notebooks, backpacks, coffee mugs, umbrellas, or water bottles. Just make sure the gift is well-designed and features your brand logo and identity. This not only increases brand visibility but also helps strengthen the connection between you and your investors.

Tie it to a story

Tie your gifts to a story to make them more memorable and emotionally meaningful. For example, if during your business’s early days, your employees always worked tirelessly day and night, you could opt for a custom hourglass. Clients and investors who receive such a gift will appreciate your business’s journey of patience and perseverance.

Offer Quality Gifts

Gifts given to investors or clients who have significantly contributed to your business growth should reflect their value. They shouldn’t be cheap or low-grade items. The gift doesn’t have to be trendy or widely popular, but it should come from a reputable and high-end brand. This will give your gift more credibility. Besides, the recipients will feel comfortable to use the gift among their colleagues.