2014 Year in Review (My Blueprint)

BYODFAM!!!! Aww man last post for 2014! What a journey it's been thus far. It's only right I do a recap of this year. Like I always say to know where your going you have to know where you been. So real quick:

Jan-May 2014- Working 90 hours a week trying to figure out life. Making money but feeling there is more to life then clocking in and out. I remember watching the owner of the car dealership I worked at walking around to each building and speaking with all the staff. Then I realized this is his dream. And I was hired to further his dream. Reminded me of the saying "if you don't chase your dream you will be helping someone else's  dream come true"

June 2014- Vacation to California that helped me put my ideas into a brand:Be Your Own Dad. BYOD for short where we use our struggles to motivate us to go further in life. Growing up without a father helped me push myself to accomplish my goals. (Hence how I came up with the name) I know others can do the same. 

July 2014- Created the website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube channel for the brand. Took the opportunity to give back to my community and sponsor the T+T Summer Basketball League that I am involved in.

 

August 2014- The brand was recognized in my city's newspaper for "Providing Positivity" to my community through the basketball league.

September 2014- Move to Calfornia from Boston to pursue my dream in being a TV personality.

October 2014-Create the #BYODFAM on Instagram where one person can help the other. We can motivate each other by sharing similarities in our posts. Created the Vine profile as well. 

November-Sponsored a local hometown friend in pursuing her dream in becoming a beauty pagent winner. She received Top 15 & won the Mrs. Congeniality Award. 

December 2014- Expand the audience of the #BYODFAM through Instagram. I must lead by example by pushing myself daily and growing with my brand physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

So as you guys can see it's been an exciting year for the brand. Also, exciting for myself as well. I'm anxious for what 2015 has in store. I have a few things planned so far. Most excited for BYOD to travel to my origins of Haiti to give back and learn more about my culture. Plan on documenting the trip so it will be a story to remember!

I wish everyone a Happy New Year! And hope you watch me grow in 2015. My words of wisdom to you is to be patient and continue to put in the work. Rome wasn't built in a day. I'm grinding and working on myself daily. I want you to do the same!

Left: September 2014 

Right: December 2014

"Keep grinding boy your life can change in one year"- J.Cole

Website: http://www.beyourowndad.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/beyourowndad

Youtube Channel: Jimmy V/Be Your Own Dad 

Twitter, Instagram, and Vine: @beyourowndad

-Jimmy V aka MR.BYOD

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

The Christmas season is upon us. The joy of giving is in the air. Aka swiping your credit card left and right Buying things we damn well know we cant afford lol. But, Christmas isn't about us, its about others. Being able to purchase gifts for others to see them smile is a great feeling. Not everybody has the funds to purchase gifts. You know the materialistic gifts. Doesn't mean you don't have something to give though....

We're all looking to further ourselves in life. To get to where we want to be....we must know how to get there. That's why asking questions and speaking to the older generation is very important. The older generation is filled with experience and advise that can benefit the up and coming generations. So while you are unwrapping your gifts this week make sure to thank who ever gave you the gift. And ask them a question that can benefit you and possibly push you a step closer to your goals or dreams. I'm not going to talk your ears off so want so wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As far as the brand Be Your Own Dad I wanted to do a toy drive for this holiday season. This brand is all about giving back. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to this year so for Christmas 2015 that is a goal I want to accomplish for the brand. Like I mentioned earlier since I couldn't provide gifts I want to share some advice. Which is believe in yourself and any idea that you may have can be made into existence.

If you missed the December Inspirational Story of the month check it out below:

Don't forget:
Every inspirational story submitted to JVrules2000@beyourowndad.com will be reviewed by me. The story that moves me the most will be the winner for that month. As well the person that submitted the story will be awarded with a $20 dollar gift visa card. All you have to do is make a video no more than 90 seconds introducing who your are, where your from, and speak about a struggle you have or had and how you turned that negative into a positive. At the end of the video say the phrase "I am Be Your Own Dad". This way on one hand the viewers of the video can be motivated and on the other hand the person that submitted their story can be rewarded!!!

"It's Christmastime in Hollis, Queens/ Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens/ Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese/ And Santa put gifts under Christmas Tree"-RUN-D.M.C

"It's Christmastime in Hollis, Queens/Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens/Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese/And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees - See more at: http://www.fuse.tv/2012/12/20-best-christmas-rap-songs-all-time#sthash.9kj3nNxa.dpuf

"It's Christmastime in Hollis, Queens/Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens/Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese/And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees" - See more at: http://www.fuse.tv/2012/12/20-best-christmas-rap-songs-all-time#sthash.9kj3nNxa.dpuf

"It's Christmastime in Hollis, Queens/Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens/Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese/And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees" - See more at: http://www.fuse.tv/2012/12/20-best-christmas-rap-songs-all-time#sthash.9kj3nNxa.dpuf

Website: http://www.beyourowndad.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/beyourowndad

Youtube Channel: Jimmy V/Be Your Own Dad

Twitter, Instagram, and Vine: @beyourowndad

-Jimmy V aka MR.BYOD

Self vs Everybody else

I'm gonna step away from the brand and speak what's on my mind real quick....

In the world that we live in today everybody is for self. Looking to better themselves and their personal group or family. Hey can't blame them. We all need food to eat. We all need a roof over our head. I want my children to have better opportunities then I've had. Much like the royal family. There name is carved in rock pretty much and every child that is conceived from that family branch is going to be set for life. Opportunities before they even say a word. It's crazy. But, one person in their family had the courage to do it for the generations to come.

So what about the family that doesn't have anything. Struggling to survive. Education is out the question because clean water isn't even promised everyday. What about them?

You know we have the power to help each other but we are so internally selfish that we don't want to use it. Like these blogs for example. Why not write a blog post about the path the CEO of a Fortune 500 company's took to get him/her to where they are. The CEO would share some ideas but not willingly to give up everything...why? Because they want to secure their families future. If you teach the student everything the teacher isn't needed anymore.....

Instead people use their blog posts to write about fashion, cars, the latest trend, all stupid shit that's not moving us forward as people. Why can't we focus on lending out a helping hand compared to the hottest Jordan out or the latest celebrity scandal. Hey I'm guilty im eye-ing the new Jordans coming out before Christmas. But, I would rather help the next family go from having dirty water to clean water before I have new sneakers that I will eventually stop wearing at some point in time.

In this current world everybody is waiting for the next big thing. Then take that and make "their" version of it and make money. Much like a parody when some event happens. You know...take the idea, put a spin on it, stamp your name on it, then reap the benefits.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is where is the originality at? Where is the "ima let that person create that and I'll go create my own thing". Then share it with people so they can create their own. But, we're all focused on self that we forget about everybody else.

Just my thoughts this week. Keep it real everybody.....O yeah my latest webisode is below. Please watch, comment, and share!!

Every life story submitted to JVrules2000@beyourowndad.com will be reviewed by me. The story that moves me the most will be the winner for that month. As well the person that submitted the story will receive a $20 dollar gift visa card. All you have to do is make a video no more than 90 seconds introducing who your are, where your from, and speak about a struggle you have or had and how you turned that negative into a positive. At the end of the video say the phrase "I am Be Your Own Dad". This way on one hand the viewers of the video can be motivated and on the other hand the person that submitted their story can be rewarded!!!

"First things first Rest in Peace Uncle Phil, for real you the only father that I ever knew" -J.Cole

Website: http://www.beyourowndad.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/beyourowndad

Youtube Channel: Jimmy V/Be Your Own Dad

Twitter, Instagram, and Vine: @beyourowndad

-Jimmy V aka MR.BYOD

Creative Ideas

My most recent idea for the development of the brand came about from a question that's been haunting me the past month: how can I get inspirational stories? Besides the blog and webisodes the inspirational stories are going to move and motivate people. Because the truth in the stories are going to be a way to relate to the brand as well as the person sharing the story. In some ways the inspirational stories is the gas pedal for this car. I began strong in the summer by being able to find stories but as we end out 2014 my luck is running out. One thing that i've learned with developing a brand is you have to constantly be creative. Think of new ways and methods to create ideas and concepts. So I came up with the idea to start a contest.

Every life story submitted to JVrules2000@beyourowndad.com will be reviewed by me. The story that moves me the most will be the winner for that month. As well the person that submitted the story will receive a $20 dollar gift visa card. All you have to do is make a video no more than 90 seconds introducing who your are, where your from, and speak about a struggle you have or had and how you turned that negative into a positive. At the end of the video say the phrase "I am Be Your Own Dad". This way on one hand the viewers of the video can be motivated and on the other hand the person that submitted their story can be rewarded. As I approach 2015 i'm trying to try new things to continue to spread the brand. I hope the contest will help that. I mean who doesn't like free money anyways.....

On a personal note things are looking up my way. I've been working and finally getting into my comfort zone over here on the west coast. I've been reading, practicing my craft, and lifting pretty much everyday. I beat myself if I don't do one of the three because I know there is someone out there working twice as hard. I only let myself down if I don't put in the work.

O Yeah the new J Cole Album 2014 Forrest Hills Drive dropped and I've been listening to that so much that my ears may bleed lol. But, seriously his album is another piece of motivation for me. He shares his experience of both sides of poverty and wealth. And he keeps it real. No overly hyped bars to confuse you. If you haven't heard the album yet you better stop what you doing and go check that out. You know it got leaked a week before so you already behind lol Until next time BYOD Fam!!

"No such thing as a life that's better than yours"-J. Cole

Website: http://www.beyourowndad.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/beyourowndad

Youtube Channel: Jimmy V/Be Your Own Dad

Twitter, Instagram, and Vine: @beyourowndad

-Jimmy V aka MR.BYOD

The secret of your Ego!

Opening up yourself to a cold world isn't easy. People like to use your negatives and struggles as self improvement tactics. Its like hearing another persons' problems make them feel better. Ain't that some shit! This world is so bad that people need to degrade others to make them feel better. But, this is BE YOUR OWN DAD and we're turning those negatives into positives. My latest read "The Power Of Now" by Eckhart Tolle has taught me the power of the ego. We all have a ego and we are constantly feeding it everyday. Whether its buying material things to impress others or making up stories to appeal as if there something better than they are.

If you let go of your ego you become bullet proof when it comes to negativity. For example, when your with your friends or people in general and someone tries to joke on you, let the joke go. Don't give a response to it. Don't laugh. Don't try coming back with another joke. Just let the joke pass by. If you don't show a response to it aka if you don't let your ego feel offended by it the joke has NO power! The ego is so powerful within us that we don't want to feel degraded. The ego has us so caught up that when someone tries to rash us we feel some certain way to defend our ego. We can't just let things slide. I'm telling you next time a person tries to joke on you just let it go.....watch how your attitude will be after. You will feel like you just found a $100 dollar bill.

In my latest webisode "J Vs. MR. BYOD" I try to share the side of two stories. J is a young brother caught up in the drug game. He doesn't have much hope for the future. MR. BYOD is another young brother who attempts to help spark a fire into J. He knows J is capable of great things because he has motivation to wake up early to serve his clients. We all need to encourage each and everyone to chase what they believe in. If we don't chase our dreams we can't change the world. Just think if Steve Jobs didn't chase his dream I wouldn't be able to type this blog.

"You know that it's the ego, That's constantly polluting my consciousness, So ingrained in my brain that I can barely even acknowledge it"-Macklemore

Website: http://www.beyourowndad.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/beyourowndad

Youtube Channel: Jimmy V/Be Your Own Dad

Twitter, Instagram, and Vine: @beyourowndad

-Jimmy V aka MR.BYOD