30 April 2006
Egypt On Air
Egypt on Air Interviewer: Tito Ruiz Being a Striver who fearlessly tackles a million tasks at once isn't the easiest of jobs but trust that Egypt is a woman who knows how to make it happen. In between playing key roles in pretty much every facet of the entertainment business, Egypt has accomplished more than most would ever dream possible, yet the vivacious vixen reveals to Strive why she's just getting warmed up. Strive: For people who wonder what Egypt does can you please explain? Egypt: I am an actress, television and radio personality, and entrepreneur. Some people may recognize me from my nationally syndicated show "Home Delivery" from the WB, or perhaps from my days on B.E.T. I was a weekend DJ at Power 105.1 and I just joined the syndicated morning show at the station as the co-host with Tigger from BET. I also host an online talk show on WWW.UPN.COM called "Talk Model" and I host a daily video show for AOL called "Top 11 Countdown". I recently had a role in the new Ghostface and NeYo video "Back Like Dat." Strive: How have you done it so well that you're a striver? Egypt: Its funny that you ask how I have done it so well that I am a striver (laughs). I am currently STRIVING to be greater. I am always striving toward greatness. I strive to be a good person at all times, I strive to be a good daughter, sister, friend, and I strive to be the best damn EGYPT that I can be. Its a never ending goal and process. I am the type of person who sets goals and just as i am achieving the goals that i set out, I am already on to setting new goals. So ultimately I am always hustlin'...its interesting, perception that is. People look at me, or anyone in the public eye and say "wow they are doing the damn thing". But in my eyes I am just getting started. I am no where close to where I ultimately want to be. But I do feel blessed for everything that has come my way thus far.
Strive: In order for you to be as ambitious and successful as you are you must have had some strong influences in life. Egypt: The people that influenced me the most...hmm...I guess you can say I always admired OPRAH. I mean she is a beast about her business. My mom, my parents have always supported me. If i called them and said "hey guys I want to be purple tomorrow, they would say go on baby and be purple and we will still love you when you are purple". There are other people in the business that I really admired at one point. You know when you are first coming up, you send emails, letters, cards to people that you would love to work with and learn from. But I have learned over the years to never put anyone on a pedestal because they will ALWAYS fall off. I would finally get the opportunity to work with those people only to find out that they were full of Sugar Honey Iced Tea ( know what i mean). That's the reason I won't name any other names of people that I once admired. I have found that most people talk a good game and portray a certain image, but behind closed doors they don't necessarily practice what they preach. I don't pretend to be something that I am not. What you see is what you get with me! Strive: You started working in radio in your teens so what where some of the jobs that you held before that? Egypt: As a teenager I worked in retail, fast food, I was even working at CHUCK E. CHEESE. I was THE RAT! (laughing). It paid good though! In college I was a maid at NYU guest suites. They fired me because I fell asleep on one of our guests bed. No LIE! it was during finals and I was exhausted. They came back to the room to find me sleep.
Strive: Growing up in Philly were you always on the straight and narrow path?
Egypt: No not at all. I grew up in the hood with my sister and my mother. My
biological father was extremely abusive and he was a drug addict. So my mom
took me and my sister and stepped, basically she ran from him. After a few
years we ended up in Philly's West Oak Lane, which is where I grew up. My
stepfather came into our lives and raised me since I was 6 or 7 years old,
he's a great man. But my life was like and other young, halfway decent
looking girl in the hood, I was getting beat up all the time. Because my
sister had a mouth on her, and she would always put my name in her mouth and
tell other girls 'don't mess with me, I'm gonna get my sister after you.'
And here I come around the corner, walking into a fight that I couldn't see
coming and that's real. I had my hair pulled, my hair cut off, I was
stabbed, jumped. I had no option but to learn how to protect myself, so now
I'm a black belt in Taekwondo. Back then I didn't know Karate, I knew
Kah-ray-zee! I went through those tough times were I had to eat a sugar
sandwich because there's nothing in the cabinet, living off the government
cheese. But it made me who I am today, I'm not starving, I'm by all means
doing well and I'm grateful for it. I made a come up and so did my family...I
don't forget where I came from.
Strive: What advice to you have to give to people who might want to follow
in your footsteps?
Egypt: My advice is to never let anyone steal your joy! Always challenge
yourself, don't get too comfortable. And more importantly, remember not to
compare yourself to others. Be the best YOU that you can be. Compete with
yourself and no one else. Otherwise you will be miserable because no one can
ever keep up with the Joneses.
Strive: Do you have a daily ritual that you follow in order to stay on
track?
Egypt: When I wake up in the morning I immediately go over my list of things to do,
which I write every night before I go to bed. Its like 2 pages long. my list
covers my business tasks, as well as personal, health and family. At the end
of the day I go over my list and make sure I did everything efficiently and
then write another list for the next day. I always ask myself "Am I doing
Enough?" "Am I being lazy?" "How can I make more money?" "How can I make a
difference?" and then I do it!! A wise person once told me that the
difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that
unsuccessful people come up with ideas and think about them forever.
Successful people come up with ideas and immediately put them into action.
Strive: What makes Egypt stand apart from others in the industry?
Egypt: The thing that sets me apart from others in the industry is that I
MARKET MYSELF. I used radio as a springboard to catapult me into TV, Magazines,
film, Internet. etc. I never put my eggs in one basket. I am the only female
personality in NY that rocks the club!!! I don't mean to sound arrogant but
I can say that very confidently. That is my niche and I know no one else can
take that away from me. They call me the CLUB QUEEN because I am a beast on
the mic.
Strive: You always have something new in the works, so can you tell our
readers what they can look forward to? And how they can support you?
Egypt: I have calender coming out at the end of the year for 2007. I just shot 2 pilots for new TV shows so hopefully they will get picked up and I wrote my own show that I am preparing to pitch. In addition, I am auditioning for films and I have an indie film we are shooting in MAY. I just signed a contract to be the spokesperson for PZI jeans. They are a hot new jean brand made for women small in the waist and big in the booty. I'm on the air from 6-10 a.m., so make sure to tune in. And My new website is up at EgyptOnAir.com so check it out. Thanks for the love!
Article written by tito@strivemagazine.com (one of the best in the business) Egypt's P.R. Representation Katrina at Kat Walk Media (much thanks girl)
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Barshem
Barshem Releases Ghettonometry
May/27/06 23:30 | Music | Permalink
Longevity is one word that best describes Barshem's career. If you have have seen any Tupac movies, look at the credits and you'll notice Barshem as his double. Even better, ask Wyclef or the Wu-Tang clan who this man is.
We came back around the block to interview Barshem in order to follow-up on our Striver's latest efforts in the past year. Little did we know after receiving the congressional medal of honor he has risen even higher to release his latest album Ghettonometry.
STRIVE: Whats the latest with you Barshem?
Barshem: From our last interview I have been meeting with new business partners. Learning more each day about the music industry and my position as a C.E.O. for my label, B & B Records, as well as an artist.
STRIVE: What knowledge have you gained in pursuing your goals.
Barshem: I learned a tremendous amount while raising funding and working towards releasing the album. I have learned ways to strategize and broker deals that get me more for the dollar. I have learned marketing and what to do in order to get you that exposure for the lesser buck. Most importantly, I have learned more on when to pursure opportunites and when to hold back... there is nothing worse than wasting your time in business.
STRIVE: A year has passed and you are still going... that's persistance. What does the word persistance mean to you?
Barshem: Persistance means "Never Give Up" and "Getting The Job Done". When i do fail the most important thing I can do is learn from my mistakes.
STRIVE: Have you had any ups-and downs lately... What are they?
Barshem: Yes, I had some lowpoints. But then again, that's the balance of life... Taking the good with the bad.
And my lowpoints have stemmed from having great expectations form my consultants and employees. For instance: Folks have come into my office with a resume of a class "A" and a gametalk of what they can do and what they have done in the music industry, what company they use to work for and the artists they have promoted. I, of course, put them on my team only to find later they haven't done half of what they have noted. Lesson: check backgrounds as much as possible.
STRIVE: Any new mentors?
Barshem: My mentors have been constant. However, everyday its something new they teach me. My business partner Allen Boxer is a perfect example. He's been in the stock market game over 30 years. He pitches his ideas to me every single day. And everyday I learn more from Al on how to walk, talk and act like a businessman. You see... I'm from the hood and he's from the wall street neighborhood.
STRIVE: What's your key to success?
Barshem: My keys to success are prayer and determination. "NEVER GIVE UP"
STRIVE: Who are the people who have helped you this past year?
Barshem: Many, many folks: Allen Boxer, Sherry Cook, Leonard, Jo Ann,
Dallas, Timbo King, Scientific, B & B records my label, Kenny, Kimball, My mother and Family , Everybody that help me and supported me on this project and "Big Up" to Strive Magazine. (Google-these folks)
STRIVE: What can Strivers do to help you?
Barshem: Buy the album and listen and fall in love with hip-hop all over again.
Much Love, Barshem
May/27/06 23:30 | Music | Permalink
Longevity is one word that best describes Barshem's career. If you have have seen any Tupac movies, look at the credits and you'll notice Barshem as his double. Even better, ask Wyclef or the Wu-Tang clan who this man is.
We came back around the block to interview Barshem in order to follow-up on our Striver's latest efforts in the past year. Little did we know after receiving the congressional medal of honor he has risen even higher to release his latest album Ghettonometry.
STRIVE: Whats the latest with you Barshem?
Barshem: From our last interview I have been meeting with new business partners. Learning more each day about the music industry and my position as a C.E.O. for my label, B & B Records, as well as an artist.
STRIVE: What knowledge have you gained in pursuing your goals.
Barshem: I learned a tremendous amount while raising funding and working towards releasing the album. I have learned ways to strategize and broker deals that get me more for the dollar. I have learned marketing and what to do in order to get you that exposure for the lesser buck. Most importantly, I have learned more on when to pursure opportunites and when to hold back... there is nothing worse than wasting your time in business.
STRIVE: A year has passed and you are still going... that's persistance. What does the word persistance mean to you?
Barshem: Persistance means "Never Give Up" and "Getting The Job Done". When i do fail the most important thing I can do is learn from my mistakes.
STRIVE: Have you had any ups-and downs lately... What are they?
Barshem: Yes, I had some lowpoints. But then again, that's the balance of life... Taking the good with the bad.
And my lowpoints have stemmed from having great expectations form my consultants and employees. For instance: Folks have come into my office with a resume of a class "A" and a gametalk of what they can do and what they have done in the music industry, what company they use to work for and the artists they have promoted. I, of course, put them on my team only to find later they haven't done half of what they have noted. Lesson: check backgrounds as much as possible.
STRIVE: Any new mentors?
Barshem: My mentors have been constant. However, everyday its something new they teach me. My business partner Allen Boxer is a perfect example. He's been in the stock market game over 30 years. He pitches his ideas to me every single day. And everyday I learn more from Al on how to walk, talk and act like a businessman. You see... I'm from the hood and he's from the wall street neighborhood.
STRIVE: What's your key to success?
Barshem: My keys to success are prayer and determination. "NEVER GIVE UP"
STRIVE: Who are the people who have helped you this past year?
Barshem: Many, many folks: Allen Boxer, Sherry Cook, Leonard, Jo Ann,
Dallas, Timbo King, Scientific, B & B records my label, Kenny, Kimball, My mother and Family , Everybody that help me and supported me on this project and "Big Up" to Strive Magazine. (Google-these folks)
STRIVE: What can Strivers do to help you?
Barshem: Buy the album and listen and fall in love with hip-hop all over again.
Much Love, Barshem
Nook Designer Architect
Nook Will DuBose A Designer on His Way
I recently caught up with Nook to interview him in the midst of his Herculean schedule as a teacher, designer, entrepreneur and mentor. For those of you that read every week and do not know Nook, he is the man behind STRIVE. He hails from Chicago and the University of Michigan. Strangers are drawn to him because of his infectious smile and sense of humor. His friends love him because he is so generous and so humble. I love him because he let me sleep on his couch before I had a place to stay in New York.
He has been an architect, teacher, promoter, t-shirt salesman, stand-up comedian, interior designer, calendar model, and magazine founder just to name a few of his occupations. However, there is so much more to him, so that is why I was excited that he was finally ready to sit down and do an interview. Studies at Oxford, Professor at Pratt, practicing designer, now television. Mr. DuBose tells us how it all happened.
STRIVE: What are your 3 lessons for success? Or what is your recipe for success? NOOK: My recipe for success consists of: continuous effort and unshakeable persistence. You may not know how to do it. You may even be the worse. But I have seen folks try hard at something for years and they always come out with unbelievable skill and know how. STRIVE: How do you enjoy your days off when you’re not "striving"? NOOK: as Dhani Jones noted, there never is a day off. Whether it’s a thought, intention, or an action, I will not stop STRIVING, I will not stop the flow. Even while I sleep, good comes my way. I have been fortunate to have countless blessings. Would not want to stop that. STRIVE: What signifies a Striver to you? NOOK: A person who wants more and acts on it. STRIVE: Who influenced you the most in your career/life when you were starting out? NOOK: My family is amazing. My mother’s creativity, honesty and spirituality influenced me to want to do right, do more and be my best ME every minute, every hour. STRIVE: What jobs did you hold before you became successful? NOOK: I was always successful. However, I did work at Burger King in high school, the mall shoe store, I drew pictures for money in the park.
STRIVE: What is success to you? NOOK: It’s waking up everyday. That’s where it starts for me. STRIVE: What advice would you give others attempting to make their dreams come true? NOOK: Never stop, never get tired. STRIVE: "Making IT" is not definitive, yet when will you consider yourself as having made it? NOOK: Every night when I go to bed, every morning when I awake I feel like I have made it. STRIVE: When you are hiring new talent, what do you look for? NOOK: Honesty Eagerness And Determination of Self (only a few will know what this means) STRIVE: What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning and what is the last thing you think of at night. NOOK: When I awake I think of the day that I will be creating for myself: I ask God for my miracles and I ask that he brings them in such a way that I am amazed when it happens. When I go to sleep I think about some of what I intend to do and all the good that's happened in the last day. STRIVE: What do you know for Sure about life? NOOK: Based on everything I know… Life is Energy. I pray that everyday I tap into that energy to stay alive. STRIVE: What role do relationships play in success? NOOK: A major role. With positive relationships you can do anything. My girl Teja has been a major help in giving me the support, the love and motivating words to keep pushing. STRIVE: How did you get started? Is this something that you always wanted to do? NOOK: Started drawing as a little boy and learned that I was good at illustrating my thoughts. Next thing you know I am walking across the stage as the only African American, Master's Graduate in Architecture (in a school of 40,000 plus students). STRIVE: Do you see any changes or patterns in the industry and what is your opinion of that? NOOK: I’d rather show you the changes rather than just tell. Stay tuned to what STRIVE will be bringing to you in the next few months. Our staff is bananas with talent. article by Jibreel Lockhart jibreel@strivemagazine.com