The Business Kings of The Queen City

Timothy Fowler of Charlotte, NC, is the founder of Boys To Men Foundation. His organization provides thousands of boys, ages (9-17) who are referred through partnerships with local school districts and juvenile court systems) with positive alternatives and a robust support network. The mentoring program presents opportunities for enrichment, exposure, support, and guidance through group mentoring sessions led by trained volunteers and mentors. They also connect young men with consistent, positive male role models who foster effective relationships, community involvement, interactive teaching, and open communication in a loving and nurturing environment.

Timothy was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He grew up in a household with seven kids and says his father took care of them and ensured they always had a roof over their heads. Today, Timothy is a father of a teenage son, and he has a daughter who attends Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Timothy graduated from Medgar Evers College with a BA in Elementary Education in 1995. He has worked as a Pre-K teacher for nearly 30 years. His first teaching position happened at P.S.190 in Brooklyn, and upon moving to Charlotte in 2005, Timothy worked as a Pre-K teacher at Morehead Stem Academy. Currently, he works as a Pre-K teacher at Highland Renaissance Academy.

Upon graduating from Medgar Evers College, Timothy began a career in education and has served as a role model for young people ever since. In 2008, he founded the Boys to Men Foundation. BTM’s workforce development benefits two groups: It builds character for mentees as they acquire knowledge, skills, and aptitude for gainful employment. It also benefits employers who participate in the apprenticeship program by providing an effective means of communication with a familiar candidate pool, helping to meet their demand for stellar employees.

Timothy’s desire to serve started a long time ago. He shares, “Back in my hometown of Brooklyn, I first noticed the nonexistent presence of positive male role models in underprivileged communities. Out of this need, I started my quest to counsel young teens through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. I was a Big Brother for over five years and worked at the YMCA, and I continue to be active today. As a young male, I would always strive to bring people of all walks of life together. While attending Medgar Evers, I started a program called the Black and Latino Male Initiative. The initiative’s goal was to bring males together to discuss common issues affecting society at that time. When I moved to Charlotte, I continued that initiative by starting the Boys to Men Foundation.”

Timothy understands that he must care about others who need help outside his immediate family. “It’s a selfless act to fight for someone who is virtually a stranger until that relationship unravels. Ninety percent of our boys come from single-parent households. For these young men to have someone they can trust enough and be vulnerable with to reach out when they need help is invaluable,” he says.

Timothy says his life was greatly impacted by his grandmother, who lived in Wilmington, NC. As a young boy, he would travel there every summer to visit her. He witnessed her give back to her community and how she poured into anyone, regardless if they were members of her family. This explains why he loves giving people new experiences and watching them grow. “Every day is different. I always tell my mentees they help me grow just as much as we help them,” he shares.

For BTM, Timothy says operational funding is always tough. “There are a lot of non-profits that all need funding, so it’s a competitive environment. Fortunately, we have cultivated some great relationships with local businesses. Finding good people to help me carry out this organization’s vision and mission has also been a challenge. Yet, we are moving ahead and always looking for good people to help us,” he says.

Timothy says BTM’s goal for the upcoming year is to form more partnerships with local businesses and corporations to aid in their effort to empower young men.

While the Covid 19 pandemic ravished the world, some opportunities were created in response to its madness.

Ronelle Brockington of Charlotte, NC, is the founder of CoviLab, a diagnostic laboratory testing facility that is also based in Charlotte. His company offers Laboratory testing services, including RSV, Flu, Covid, Drug Testing, Urinalysis, Blood Panels, and DNA Testing. They also provide fingerprinting and photography services for Passports and can conduct background checks for employers. Recently, CoviLab launched a medical courier service to assist doctors and labs with transporting their specimens promptly. “Our niche is our turn around time is faster than anyone in our local or surrounding markets. Almost all of our results are the same day,” Ronelle says.

Ronelle is a family man. He is a husband and a father of two boys and two beautiful girls. In addition to being a real estate investor, he is a United States Navy veteran. He has Phlebotomist and Project Management Professional Certifications. Ronelle also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Project Management.

Ronelle says, “We started CoviLab at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. I owned a clothing company, but the pandemic shut down online clothing distributors. Most of them were located in China. My distributor couldn’t make clothes, so I asked him to make masks. We started selling cloth masks and KN95 versions to people who couldn’t get them but wanted to pay for them. We also gave some away for free to healthcare workers. After seeing how covid was spreading, I knew I wanted to help more. I started to obtain certifications in the healthcare industry, and with experience, I decided to start my own lab. We chose the “first ward” uptown area of Charlotte because it’s one of our city’s most historically black areas and where our services are most needed.”

Ronelle says nothing makes his heart smile more than helping senior citizens determine why they feel ill. He gets the same enjoyment when a traveler comes to see them at the last minute because of CoviLab’s proximity to the airport and ability to produce rapid results. He also finds inspiration in waking up another day and having another chance at life. “Another day to breathe. Another chance to go get it right,” he says.

Word of mouth has been the biggest impact on Ronelle’s business so far. It has allowed CoviLab to penetrate the market for half the spending costs compared to its big-box competitors. Ronelle says his ability to get results out fast makes the difference. “Operating in the medical field is not easy. Our goal was to get the word out to everyone. Many of our marketing efforts were being flagged and canceled online because it entailed covid testing. We had to find ways to overcome those challenges. I believe that in business and life, you will face challenges daily. It’s all about how you respond to the challenge,” he shares.

The future plans for CoviLab are to further the connections made with its nonprofit arm, “Covilab Community”. This program serves the elderly, immuno-compromised, and underserved communities of Charlotte by donating high-quality KN95 masks and home covid testing.

Ronelle’s advice to others who may follow a similar path as he has is very clear. Proper preparation. “If you properly prepare for whatever you want to get into by educating yourself, all that’s left to do is jump. Some people are afraid of the preparation. Some people are afraid of the jump. If you jump before you are properly prepared, you will fall almost every time. Preparation is the first step. If you properly prepare and still decide to take this path, then it’s meant for you,” he says.

Micheal “Big Taj” Jones is a king amongst kings in the queen city of Charlotte, NC. He is also a man of many talents. On one level, he serves as a celebrity freelance barber; on the other, he is a comedian, host, and film and tv show producer.

He was born in Monmouth County Red Bank, New Jersey. He attended school in Tinton Falls, NJ. While in high school, he enrolled in Monmouth County Vocational for Auto Mechanics. He also attended Freehold Vocational School and Asbury Vocational School and studied Cosmetology. Currently, Michael is a Full Sail University’s Online Digital Cinematography student.

In 1999, he transitioned to Charlotte, mainly due to family members already living there. He shares, “My Grandfather, Kingdom Reevey and Roberta Hart Reevey lived in the Hidden Valley community in Charlotte, and that is why I came here.”

As a master barber, Michael uses his creativity to make others look good and feel great about their appearance. Using his other talents, he has formed ALC Entertainment. Launched in Cobb County, GA, in 2007, ALC Entertainment, his company offers styled haircuts and beauty supplies. He also provides celebrity-style haircuts and is known for entertaining his clients while cutting their hair. “I am a comedian, and my barbershop helps to prepare me for the stage and when it’s time for me to host,” he says.

Michael says what he loves most about what he does is making others feel good about themselves. That is, with a haircut, by purchasing his products, or while being entertained by him on stage. He says real-life experiences inspire him, and that raw, explicit comedy keeps him balanced. He also acknowledges his father. Ronald Jones for helping shape him into the man he is today.

Being an entrepreneur has its perks, and it also has its share of challenges. For Michael, he identifies one that could cripple any business if left unattended. “People steal items as if cameras don’t tell the whole story. This is why I have my alarm systems in place, such as ADT, CPI, and RING. I also allow the local Sheriff’s Department to do their job,” he says.

As Michael looks forward to the future, he has set some pretty exciting goals. Besides cutting hair at 34th Design Barbershop in the University area of Charlotte, he plans to open an event space and open at least two more within the next three years. “I would like to open as many rental spaces as possible,” he says. He also plans to perform comedy karaoke all over Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Adrian Sloan is a business, not just a businessman. He is also someone who doesn’t accept no for an answer.

The Salisbury, NC, native is a serial entrepreneur, having several businesses and brands credited to his name. He is also a father to four amazing and beautiful kids; Kazai, Adriana, Dezaiah & Kadrian. While the business and the successes he’s enjoyed may appear to drive Adrian, he shares the opportunity to pour into others and help them realize their genuine potential is the true reason.

Adrian attended North Rowan High School in Salisbury. He has received a two-year Degree in Business Administration Marketing & Retailing. He also attributes his business success to mentors and coaches and the live business experience; some things he says have helped him learn the art of business.

Adrian has been in business for over twenty years. One of his brands, Elite Financial Services, LLC, launched in 2015, with Adrian working with other Fortune 500 Companies in upper management positions. During this period, he launched a start-up company and became a licensed financial advisor in 2010. He says, “I decided to put all my skills together to start my own Financial Services company that would allow clients to receive business consulting for their brand and have access to sufficient insurance and investment products; these are necessary tools to build a sound financial portfolio.”

Some of the products and services Adrian company offers are Business Consulting, Marketing Strategies, Financial Advising, Insurance Products, Universal Life Products, and Fixed and Variable Annuities. He also says the opportunity to help others is what he loves most about being in business. “I enjoy seeing business owners explain their vision and seeing their bellies burn when they explain the vision for their business. I also appreciate the opportunity to present a business strategy of how we can accomplish their goals. Once their business is optimized at the level they desire, their expressions are priceless. It always feels good helping clients accomplish their goals and dreams,” he says.

Adrian says he is inspired by freedom and knows his life is created from his thoughts and actions. “Everyday, I execute my plans knowing that I enjoy the freedoms from 20 years of business dedication.”

The legacy of his father, Adrian says, has impacted him more than anything. “I find comfort in knowing that I had to put my work in as he did to ensure my children would be willing to carry the legacy forward in the same level of excellence and honor that I did for him,” he says.

Business has been challenging at times, and Adrian says learning how critical proper business infrastructure and tax implications are to his corporation is one challenge he had to learn to overcome. “I learned from mentors how to set up my corporations, build business credit, and leverage expenses inside of a proper business trust to handle business taxation. I had to learn that maximizing your business earnings comes from structure and taxes, not just from managing profit and loss statements.”

As he prepares for his future, Adrian hopes to continue to build digital automation for Elite Financial Services so that he will be able to take on more clients. He plans to execute additional financial literacy workshops and Q&A sessions to help consumers understand updated financial strategies. He also plans to serve more youth programs so that the next generation understands how to properly position their future for financial success and avoid the pitfalls of the education gap in the traditional education system.

JD Davis is the owner of Please Believe Fitness. Based in Charlotte, NC, Please Believe Fitness began with words JD spoke to himself. “If you don’t truly believe that you can accomplish what you set out to do, then there’s a strong likelihood that you probably won’t be able to.”

JD is a native of Charlotte and has served as a Certified Personal Trainer for over 20 years. He is a father of two grown young men, Donte and Tre’, and he has two beautiful grandkids; D’Mani and Donte’ Jr. JD’s career in the health and fitness industry began as a response to his being overweight. He says, “I knew I needed to make some changes in my life. S, I purchased a good pair of running shoes and started running on my lunch breaks at work. I only had 30 minutes to get it in, so I would sneak out a few minutes early to change my clothes. I would run my entire break, change back into my work uniform, and sneak back into the building about five minutes late every night,” he says. With consistency, he lost weight very quickly, but a fire had also been ignited in JD to learn more about the human body and help other people reach their weight loss goals.

After being laid off from his job, the idea to start his own fitness company came about. That is how Please Believe Fitness came to life.

At Please Believe Fitness, JD offers HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and will soon include FITRANX in his arsenal. FITRANX is a standardized training system used to gauge one’s current fitness level. He also offers nutrition assistance to all of his clients.

JD says he loves the daily interactions with the people he works with. “My “Believers” give me life! They inspire me to continuously learn and educate myself to be the best for them and provide the best possible service. I love changing and impacting lives and assisting others in accomplishing their goals.”

The future for Please Believe Fitness is limitless, and JD says while he can predict the future, he plans to continue to impact people’s lives and change the world, one pound at a time. His advice to others who may want to experience a lifestyle change as he has is this: Once you start something, don’t give up until it’s yours. Learn and study all you can and surround yourself with people who will support whatever you’re attempting to accomplish.

All Photos Provided by Todd Youngblood Photography

www.toddyoungblood.com