[quote]Never waste a problem. The same challenges that you are facing someone, in fact many people, are also facing or will confront one day. Take the knowledge you have gained and package it as a solution and sell it in the marketplace.[/quote]
Determined to make a difference in the lives of others, Rob Roots wrote his first book, Falling Isn’t Failing, to empower youth and young adults. Energetic, thought provoking and entertaining, Rob is one of the more dynamic speakers emerging from his generation today.
Autobiographically written, Falling Isn’t Failing, details Rob’s struggles including experiencing the divorce of his parents, being left back, getting in numerous fights in and outside of school, getting kicked out of school and going to jail. Yet, in spite of all these challenges, Rob reveals how he managed to take control of his life, graduate a year early from high school with academic honors and go on to attend college.
Rob Roots believes people have the power to create their own destiny. He knows from personal experience that anything is possible in life when you embrace accountability and hold yourself to a higher standard.
Rob Roots’ message is one of hope and faith. He shows youth and young adults the importance of choices and gives them the keys to overcoming a fall and achieving success. An entrepreneur, speaker and entertainer, Rob uses his life experiences as a source of inspiration and as an example of what’s possible.
What are you working on right now?
Since the release of Falling Isn’t Failing last summer, numerous schools, churches and youth organizations have contacted me to speak and to purchase my book. The speaking opportunities have opened the door for me to share my other passion: music. I am developing messages and putting them to music so I can connect with youth in a medium and genre they respond to and enjoy. In addition, I am attending Full Sail University online, studying music, business and production.
Where did the idea for Roots Media and the book, Falling Isn’t Failing, come from?
I have always loved music. In fact, music is my first love. I have been writing, performing, producing and recording since I was in middle school. While writing a track in Miami with Mark Roofe, R-Kelly’s former producer, I was inspired to go beyond lyrics and share my life experiences in the form of a book. Once I started writing an outline for the book, I saw how my story could help youth and young adults avoid or overcome some of life’s challenges. Roots Media was born and Falling Isn’t Failing was written and published under the mentorship of my father, who has been a successful author and speaker for more than 10 years.
What does your typical day look like?
Even though I work and attend school from home, I still have to wake up early in the morning to make calls, check emails, practice speaking, work on my music projects, do homework, study and make time for my personal life. On a personal level, I have 2 little brothers who are doing great. I want to be sure they stay on track so I help them with homework and spend quality time with them. It’s a full day, but I still make time for my girlfriend who has been my biggest supporter and best friend.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
I am excited about the power of the Internet. The Internet allows anyone with an Internet connection to learn more in a few hours than previous generations could learn in months. This has enabled me to go to school online and manage my business from the comfort of home. Furthermore, with a minimal investment, a startup can build a global business and compete with major corporations. The most exciting part for me is that I believe this offers struggling families an opportunity to succeed.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
My worst job was being a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Functionally, the job is noble. It was my responsibility to help the helpless. To put it nicely, among my duties, I cleaned up elderly people after they relieved themselves. During one of these cleanings, I had an elderly man curse me out and threaten me because he wanted assistance from someone from his own race. I did my best to be understanding, but lost my cool and politely told him off. When my supervisors wanted me to apologize, I refused and resigned. This experience taught me three lessons: 1) even though people need your help, they do not always want it, 2) the famous saying, “it is not what happens to you, but how you respond” is on point and 3) if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would be more focused in school and more committed to following the rules. I have been fortunate because I was able to turn my experiences into learning lessons, as well as into a business; but for many this is not the case. Most people end up in dire situations.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Learn. The value of learning and discovering new ways to do things more efficiently and effectively cannot be overstated. I read, attend seminars, watch webinars and meet with mentors about my business and related businesses. I even study things that on the surface have nothing to do with my business in order to discover ways to be different and more creative. When you stop learning, you and your business will stop growing.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Never waste a problem. The same challenges that you are facing someone, in fact many people, are also facing or will confront one day. Take the knowledge you have gained, package it as a solution and sell it in the marketplace. We are in the information age. People and companies pay for solutions. It is a great way to make an impact–and impact drives income. The more people you impact, the more income you will make. It can be in a speech, book, training session or in a song. This is the essence of high paid consultants; they sell solutions to problems.
What are your three favorite online tools and what do you love about them?
- WordPress because it allows you to develop content-driven websites for free, which is a great way to share information, brand yourself and grow your business.
- Facebook because it opens communication and is a convenient method of connecting with everyone, including friends, celebrities, business owners and politicians.
- YouTube is the ultimate way of branding yourself and a cool way to make money through views.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
A book I recommend is Permission to Win by Ray Pelletier. This is a great book to help motivate and inspire you to be the best you can be and never let anything stop you. That’s why it’s called permission to win.
What’s on your playlist?
Coldplay, Kanye West, Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, Fabolous, Drake, Tity Boi, Dwele, Fly Leaf, Maroon 5, LMFAO, Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Jay-Z, JadaKiss, Biggie Smalls, OutKast, Will Smith, Beyonce, Musiq Soulchild and more.
If you weren’t an author, what would you be doing?
I would be confused because fortunately for me, I am doing exactly what I want to be doing. I do not have any other aspirations because I designed my life to live in the moment and in this moment, I am fulfilled.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
Brendon Burchard because he always has great advice and tools to help you expand your business.
Les Brown because he always has something inspiring to say to help you through the day.
Diddy because he is always doing something cool in the industry.
Who is your hero?
My dad is my hero. I grew up with him in the house until I was 10 years old. When my parents divorced, I knew he was devastated because he missed me and my 3 siblings. Still, he has always been there for us, even though we live hundreds of miles apart. He has been my dad, friend and business mentor.
What are you scared of?
I am scared of heights. That’s why I rarely fly in planes.
Connect:
Rob Roots Website: www.RobRoots.com
Falling Isn’t Failing Website: www.FallingIsntFailing.com
Rob Roots on FaceBook: Rob Roots
Rob Roots on Twitter: @RootsRob
Rob Roots on LinkedIn: Rob Roots
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.