CYLS 117: The HBCU Journey From Tech Starups to Entrepreneur and Marriage with Thomas Teel

About our Guest:

• Thomas Teel is an Ad tech professional from Jamaica New York who is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, startup aficionado, technologist, entrepreneur and all around gentlemen. Thomas has worked with top companies such as Indeed Inc as well as the largest advertising agencies on the planet. Working with NewME Accelerator Thomas has helped to consult incredible minority entrepreneur's that have raised millions of dollars and also consulted small businesses as they enter the digital age. 


 

Episode Summary

• In this episode Thomas discusses the power of attending an HBCU, remaining authentic while black in the corporate space and transistioning from corporate to entrepreneur and back to corporate. He also shares his strategies to getting out of his own way and setting himself up for success through taking initiative.


 

Insight from this episode:

 

• How being from a tough neighborhood has helped Thomas endure the ups and

   downs of his career

• Secrets to a how a village can help shape the trajectory of your life
• The advantages of having early access to technology and
• Secrets to the importance of the HBCU experience
• Eye opening experiences and networking of HBCU’s
• The power of initiative and things coming full circle
• Tools to set yourself up for success
• Insight into the power of ad tech
• Secrets to navigating marriage and choosing the right partner
• Secrets to getting out of your own way

 

#1 Understand where you want to be and that nothing should stand between you and where you want to be

#2 Thomas is super competitive

#3 Be Authentic

 

Quotes from the show:

 

“I’m really comfortable shaking the ceo’s hand because I’ve met much tougher guys in the streets” - Thomas Teel Episode #117

 

“I think the most important thing for me to do as a black professional… is to let someone else know you can be Cool, Black and Succeed” - Thomas Teel Episode #117

 

 

“When you’re looking to work in tech you need that credibility in saying that you started something on your own A. to really fit in the culture because everyone else has done that and B. so that you can have a proper conversation about something that you don’t know how to do” - Thomas Teel Episode #117

 

 

Goal Setting Methods/ Measurements

• Watching his bank account on a quarterly and weekly basis

 

“You can literally create the life that you want if you are willing to put the work in” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #117

 

 

Resources Mentioned:

• http://www.Evernote.com
• http://enfluencemedia.com/
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/abstract-square-podcast/id1363807675?mt=2


 

 

Favorite Book:        

7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen Covey

Favorite Quote:

 

“Between stimulus and response there is space. In that space is our power to choose ourresponse. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”           - Viktor E. Frankl


 

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

 

1. be your authentic self
2. reflect and look back
3. find someone that you can confide in as an entrepreneur


 

Stay Connected:

 

Create Your Life Series:

 

https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/

https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/

 

Kevin:

www.kevinybrown.com

www.instagram.com/kevinybrown

www.twitter.com/kevinybrown

www.facebook.com/kevbrown001

 

Guest Name:

www.enfluencemedia.com

www.Instagram.com/twteel

www.twitter.com/twteel

 

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