Q&A
WITH HOUSTON BUSINESSMAN
CRAIG JOSEPH AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What was life like for you as a child growing up? BUSINESSMAN CRAIG JOSEPH: I had a normal childhood growing up; although I was around our family business the majority of the time -- simply because I was raised by my grandparents. My mother lived next door to my grandparents, so I would spend the night with her on occasions. Growing up in the inner city was not as challenging as it is today. Everybody for the most part looked out for everybody; even in the absence of parents. But living with my grandparents was just what they wanted to do. Thus it kept me mainly around the restaurant and instilled a lot of values in me. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What did you dream of becoming as you were a child growing up? BUSINESSMAN CRAIG JOSEPH: As a child growing up I want to become a civil engineer. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Did you achieve your childhood dream, or did it evolve into something different? BUSINESSMAN CRAIG JOSEPH: No, I didn't achieve that dream of becoming a civil engineer; because in the late 70's the engineering market was going down. And I prospects of getting a job as an engineer was slim to none. So, I decided to become a Houston Fire Fighter in 1980. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your mission in life? BUSINESSMAN CRAIG JOSEPH: My mission in life has always been to serve. Serving people has always been a passion of mine. As a matter of fact: that has been a family tradition for us. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Do you have a recent accomplishment you would like to share? BUSINESSMAN CRAIG JOSEPH: Some of my recent accomplishments have been being selected in the top 50 Black Professional & Entrepreneurs; my retirement from the City of Houston Fire Department after 34 years of service. I’m also proud and blessed to continue be affiliated with TIRR
Memorial Hermann. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your outlook for 2015? BUSINESSMAN CRAIG JOSEPH: My outlook for 2015 is to take Houston’s This Is It Soul Food to a much higher level. Perhaps franchising the restaurant or even relocating to another city. I also would like to start a mentor program to train new business owners, passing the business on to my son (Christopher). I am attending the Goldman Sachs 10 Program to increase my knowledge of operating a business. AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What advice would you give to someone out there striving to achieve their dream? BUSINESSMAN CRAIG JOSEPH: The best advice, I believe, is to have commitment and dedication to your business. Never give up; because a door is close in your face. If one door is closing, go to another and try and try again. WD-40 didn't accomplish their goal until after the 39th time. That's how it became WD-40. I was turned down 8 times, but I kept on trying. Eventually the door will open. If you don't continue to try, how would you know whether or not you can do it? No one likes a quitter. There is greatness on the inside of all of us. We just have to expose it. God didn't make us a “good people”, He made us a “Great Nation”. There is “GREATNESS” on the inside of each of us. So always remember Joshua 1:8 – “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” So, put God first and you can't help but to win!
ON THE COVER BUSINESSMAN CRAIG JOSEPH – Craig Joseph is a well-known successful businessman who owns one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in the Houston area.
INTERVIEW