My first recollection about business was my mother telling me I could be anything I wanted to be. That statement gave me a drive to excel and succeed.
The Beginning
I started my first business when I was in 7th grade. It was a production company called C.A.R. Productions. The local middle school was brand new and no one knew how to use the lights and sound equipment in the auditorium. Thanks to some training I had received as a kid, and the fact I got to use the auditorium that summer for an art project. I, and a few of my friends, got picked to run the equipment. Sounds small, but we were hired to do all of the shows that rented the space, and the seed of entrepreneurship was planted. Throughout my teens and professional life, I strive to find a need, research that need, provide a service that fills that need and build a system and business around it.
Career
God has blessed my career over the years. I have been in rooms - and sat at tables I was not qualified on paper to ever sit. I have not always been successful, I have failed many times, but I have learned the foundation of leadership and success. That is, every failure can be a success if you learn from it. I am a dream pusher (thanks Pam Perry). I push people into their dreams. I am a strategists and a fixer. If that is what you need on your team - Give me a call.
Here is the professional bio -
J. Richard Byrd is a man that loves God, music, and business. He is a highly sought after consultant, speaker, and business coach, specializing in urban marketing, business development, leadership, and church growth. He has served as a guest lecturer, panelist or workshop facilitator in such prestigious places as, UCONN, Boston College, Eastern Connecticut State University, St. Joseph’s College, Wesleyan University, Conference of Churches, Ignite Charlotte, Local Bar Camp, and many others.
His company, RealSource Marketing, LLC has designed and consulted some of the largest ministries and companies in the country, such as, Yolanda Adams, Crystal Aiken, Dr. Jamal Harrison-Bryant, Dr. Rita Twiggs, Rev. Tony Lee, Dr. Frank M. Reid III, Ja’Rule, William Murphy, BlackGospelPromo.com, The Joint College of Pentecostal Bishops, Bishop J. Delano Ellis, the late Bishop Kenneth Moales, Bishop Iona Locke, Dr. Cindy Trimm, Bishop Clifford “Technorev” Frazier, and Pastor AJ Wright, just to name a few.
It is as a business man that Mr. Byrd has garnered some of his greatest accomplishments. As a principal and COO of the Walker Group of Companies (an entertainment and real estate powerhouse), Mr. Byrd has worked with and advised some of the greatest legends in the entertainment industry, including, Jamie Foxx, Africa Baambaataa, Dr. Bobby Jones, Donald Lawrence, rapper DMX, Hezekiah Walker, Freddie Jackson, Dr. Shirley Caesar , Twinkie Clark, Forbes Magazine, Foxwoods Casino, and many more.
Mr. Byrd’s past and present clients have garnered over 19 platinum records, 40 gold records, and millions of dollars of sales. As an associate producer of the Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel, Live at Foxwoods Series - as seen on the Word Network, Mr. Byrd’s television work can been seen in over 54 million households across the US.
Mr. Byrd is an accomplished composer and songwriter, whose credits include scoring plays and musicals across the country. Mr. Byrd has performed for heads of state and many luminaries.
Mr. Byrd is the lead pastor of The Experience ( http://www.theexperienceclt.com/ ), a church plant opening in late 2011 in the city of Charlotte. Mr. Byrd is married to Yvette Byrd. The couple have five boys, and currently split their time between North Carolina and Palm Beach.