Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Out Here In These Streets


By House of HaJ

Pardon the grammatical errors- I'm just flowing.

The phrase "Out Here In These Streets" came to life for me and a good friend of mine while traveling to South by South West in Austin Texas this past March 2013. The festival is a stomping ground for entrepreneurs
, innovators, independent thinkers and creative and technology lovers. People like us just doing our thing...out here in these streets.

In Black culture we identify with the term "streets" as a game, a jungle even at times a matrix; it basically sums up, a very real hustle; whether you're a drug dealer or an entrepreneur.

Several years ago, separately and at different times, me and my friend decided to take a leap of faith and dedicate ourselves to building something, being our own boss, being in control of our time while trying to make this world a better place.

As sexy as that sounds it's not always. In fact at times I wonder if I picked the harder hustle, ‘cause selling drugs has got be easier than keepin' it legal.

There is an illusion to being an "entrepreneur." You actually think you're in control. But you are not in control. I'm not even sure if god is in control. This was confirmed for me just the other day while watching for the first time the movie, Daddy's Little Girl starring Idris Elba. Lou Gosset’s character tells Idris' character at a moment where he’s down and out that's he's going to need the help of “God and two more white people.” That's real.

Most of the time being an entrepreneur is a pride swallowing, ego-deflating journey and that's not even the worst part. The worst part is continuing to actually pursue the damn journey; seeking the word "yes" in a world of "no. " But you do it anyway.
For an entrepreneur knowing and understanding this is what it means to be out here in these streets. Are you out here? Get at me.

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1 comment:

  1. I really enjoyed reading this post. I can relate somehow because I used to feel the same, as I spent so much time learning the 'tricks of the trade' that i missed an important part in starting a business-- learning the actual 'trade'.

    I guess once I realized that, then I was able to handle the overwhelming responsibilities of being an entrepreneur.

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