The Seven Mountains
of Influence: Business featuring Quintus and Karen McDonald
By Jahzara Bradley
(This interview has been previously published in Back2Eden News Mag)
I had the
opportunity to interview Quintus and Karen McDonald about business. They
accommodated their schedules to assist me with this interview which is greatly
appreciated. They were real and down to earth. Quintus formerly played in the
NFL for the Indianapolis Colts and Karen works in Corporate America. The
McDonalds are successful in business because their focus is not making a
dollar but they realize when they serve and minister to others their blessings
come from that.
Jahzara: What does it
mean to you to be an entrepreneur?
Quintus McDonald: To
me an entrepreneur… it is a bit more than a business owner. I have found you
have to blaze your own trail, your own path. I often think of people who are
buying into a business who has a proven method. My perspective of an
entrepreneur is one who has stepped out on faith and built something at a grass
root level.
Karen McDonald: The biggest thing that it means is time
freedom. I am really big on spending time with family and our church family and
being an entrepreneur gives me the ability to have that time freedom.
Jahzara: Tell me a little bit about your background, work experiences and then how did you get
into entrepreneurship?
Quintus McDonald: I posted a caption delivered on Instagram.
Once upon a time, I used to drive across the George Washington Bridge in Spanish
Harlem to deliver cocaine. I started selling drugs in high school. They called
me the Candy Man. I have never talked about this publicly. I am now able to
give back to people who have walked down the wrong path. I did not sell drugs
when I was in college nor when I was in the NFL. At a point in time, I became
my best client. I gave my life back to Christ. I actually gave my life to
Christ as a child. In the 10th grade, I gave my soul to the
adversary. 2007, I gave my life back to Christ and came out of the jungle.
2007, is when I started the entrepreneurship.
I started I AM
Recycling LLC 2007. I partnered with a group in Indianapolis with a group, We
POWER. We would do what we call “Lunch and Lead” at Cosco in Castleton through
a relationship with the general manager there.
The one thing that I take from the streets that I hold dear is
entrepreneurialism. It is about building solid relationships. Both parties are
bringing something to the table as well as receiving from the table.
Karen McDonald: I
entered corporate America back in 1993, it wasn’t rewarding. I felt like something
was missing. I was introduced to entrepreneurship via Primerica. I started with
that back in ’93. From there I always wanted my own. So in 1997, while still
working in Corporate America, I had a child and I recall my mom was sick and my
manager was not accommodating to me. I needed to get the afternoon off. She
stated that she had to go to the doctor with her child [adult child.] It almost
felt like an ultimatum. At that point, I knew I needed a plan B. That was like
the turning point for me.
Jahzara: What keeps
you energized and motivated? The opportunity to help people.
Quintus McDonald: With the consulting company, putting
together marketing plans. If you visit http://nittanysportshuddle.com/
you will see our platform which is
integrated into social media as well. I am excited to be in a position to help
people brand. It is exciting to find ways and means to help our clients meet
their goals.
I AM RECYCLING LLC- we help people. We help people with
their energy bills, petroleum bills. I get energized when I see an opportunity
to help people. Maybe I was their first choice but if [I was not and now they
are coming to me] then it is good that I was able to help them. Service…being
able to serve is what really energizes me.
Karen McDonald: I think the fact knowing that I helped
someone with my massage practice and with wellness. For me it’s not about the
money but hearing my clients say that the feel better. Hearing my clients
excitement is so rewarding.
Jahzara: So, Quintus,
I think I know what you’re going to say but I have to ask you… what kingdom
principles are connected to business?
Quintus McDonald: Service.
Jahzara: I thought
you would say that, Quintus. Karen, what kingdom principles do you feel are
connected to business?
Karen McDonald: Integrity. Every business should have
integrity as its foundation.
Jahzara: Quintus,
what words of advice or encouragement do you have for believers related to
business?
Quintus McDonald: Integrity. Keep integrity. Acting and
living a life of integrity is important. Working and helping from a place of
honesty and integrity is key. Stand by your numbers. Don’t bow down to
pressure. If you know that your product is worth what you say it is, stand by
it. Don’t give in on prices. You know what you’re worth stand on it and stand
firm on what you believe.
Jahzara: What
foundational scripture(s) do you use for your business?
Quintus McDonald: Matthew 26:33. That is the foundation of it all. I
really like Proverbs 3:5-6. God gives me the vision, the vision comes. I call
that my dance. When I allow God to lead the dance, there is much less
turbulence in my life. I rest in that. The aforementioned are two of the many
scriptures. Matt 26:33 speaks loud and resonates with my spirit. His will is
for me to serve on this earth. My gifts and talents are limited but I try to do
the most with the capacity that I have.
Karen McDonald: Every day I start with “I can do all things
through Christ which strengthens me.” So I am like He has given me this vision
so I know that I can do it.
Jahzara Bradley is an authorpreneur as well as creativesseur.
She is the author of the series My Love Won’t Last Forever, Crazy Faith, The
Diva’s Dating Assessment Tool Girl, PLEASE!, Never Would Have Made It: A
Testimony of What God Has Done in My Life. She is the Awesomely Amazing hostess
of the radio show, Awesomely Amazing which is hosted on Josi’s Inspirational
Network on Thursdays. Connect with Jahzara at https://www.facebook.com/jahzarabradley.
Visit her website to experience
Tranquil Bliss https://www.tranquilbliss.net.
