Keith “Mr. D-Mars” davis sr shows how ‘maximizing your own treasure chest’ starts with you
Our motto for the month of January stands on growth, expansion, partnership, and completion. Houston ranks 18 among the top 20 cities in the U.S. for having Black-owned business at 3.6 percent, per LendingTree.com. Those numbers fall behind Atlanta, D.C. and Fayetteville, who’s in the top five.
Not to be deterred, we here at d-mars.com want to remind you as to why you got into business for yourself. Whether you’re in need of a start, a helping hand or encouragement, remember to sharpen these tools.
Growth
With any new year comes reflection that leads to a road of growth – Are you growing alongside the seeds you’re sowing? Has the purpose you set out for being nurtured by you or those in your close surroundings?
“If there is no struggle, there’s no progress,” words delivered by the late social reformer, Frederick Douglas. We all have a struggle in some area, but how often do we take responsibility for what it causes? Are we choosing to stay there out of comfort, or can we let go to expand?
Growth employs an ability to treat each moment not like the day before but with a purpose for better today:
- Learning to better control your emotions and negative thoughts.
- Overcoming procrastination or laziness.
- Being open to learning new things and skills – having a “growth mindset “and finding peace and contentment with things you cannot change.
With MR. D-MARS, growth is a constant fixture in his vocabulary and communication with others. As it pertains to Vaskey Media Group and its long-standing entity, d-mars.com, the Houston native is never shy about conveying a supportive message challenging his employees’ current thinking,
“If God gave you a mind, use it. Use your intellect. Be open-minded to being able to receive it.” He concluded,
mr. D-mars
“They always say, ‘Knowledge is power,’ but knowledge is not power, it’s potential power. It’s real power when you use it. “
With that knowledge you’ve acquired, write that business plan, decide on the legal structure for your company and keep clear records of your profitability.
Expansion
Educator Esther Jno-Charles once said, “What you focus on expands. So, focus on what you want, not what you do not want.”
When we think of expansion, we think of enlargement and growth. However, in what ways is that directed towards the enrichment of our lives? What’s our current focus and what’s being done about it?
Part of our expansion includes defining our future outside of setbacks. It’s where we finetune and describe the life we’d like to live. In doing so, we must become the person who seeks the achievement for our goals. It isn’t just for us, it’s for those around us. What affects you influences those close to you in any environment.
Author Elaine Welteroth simplified the term saying,
“When the world tells you to shrink, expand. “Give more than you must. Make time for what you love. Refine your Inner Circle to place your peace back on the earning block of quality. Resolve your unfinished business. Rethink existing habits and routines. Most importantly, change what you can, not what you can’t control.”
elaine welteroth, author
When we think about commitment, we think of dedication to a cause or faithfulness to an activity of importance and significance. MR. D-MARS has upheld that standard for the past 24 years by keeping an innovative staff filled with creativity while introducing each person to old-school methods that have added quality and practicality for success. That formula alone births its own commitment with gusto.
While commitment may vary in levels given the individual, the benefits of allegiance have its own weight of rewards. The refusal to commit can be consequential, of course, but what it adds is character. It drives accomplishment, requires resolve, devotion and adherence.
People commit for their reasons, not yours. Though that’s out of our control, understanding the vision of those we have close ties to, work or personal, has value. With value is the engine needed for commitment.
And what do we as individuals get out of commitment? Fulfillment, respect, relationship building and achievement. One aspect of MR. D-MARS’ persona is the repetitiveness of one’s commitment and value,
“We all understand that when we have a treasure chest but using it is what’s valuable and important.” He added,
mr. d-mars
“Each one of you is unique and valuable to our department’s running successfully. I’m here but I also want to depend on you to be a beacon so that someone else can look to you for leadership.”
When wanting to expand your industry, trust in your research with these tips:
- New Products for New Markets (age, gender, location)
- Tap Into Different Social Media Platforms.
- Brand Collaborations & Partnerships such as influencers who can boost your audience.
- Location-Based Offers such as drawing in consumers by offering free shipping or discounted products for locations.
- Optimize Your Website by making consumers from other regions of the world feel welcomed to use your services.
Partnership
Civil Rights Attorney Vernon Jordan expressed how partnership and reciprocity go hand in hand amongst community and our personal lives saying,
“You are where you are today because you stand on somebody’s shoulders. And wherever you are heading, you cannot get there by yourself. If you stand on the shoulders of others, you have a reciprocal responsibility to live your life so that others may stand on your shoulders. It’s the quid pro quo of life. We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give.”
verson jordan, civil rights attorney
As Mr. D-MARS embarks on better partnerships with existing clients and making room for more, he’s also growing his commitment to the community, inwardly.
There’s a saying that goes, “If I sang the praises of your hard work, I would lose my voice pretty quickly!” Mr. D-MARS’ demonstration of partnership has included compassion for those he places with opportunity for growth and expansion.
In December, he was joined by veteran employees Kimberly Floyd (Chief of Staff & Managing Editor), Lindsey Ford and Bria Casteel (Senior Project Coordinators), Erick Fontejon (Digital Marketing Manager), Tiffany Brown (Assistant Sales Representative) as they welcomed newcomers Émil Flemmon (Associate Editor) and Willie Jones (Sales and Distribution).
Middle Row: Kimberly Floyd, Tiffany Brown, Kailyn Davis, Erik Fontejon, Bria Casteel, Émil Flemmon
Bottom Row: Willie Jones, Lindsey Ford
Photo + Bruce Bell
However, with new team members comes a time of adjustment and learning; not always an easy feat for some. Moreover, room was given to bring forth a collaboration with likeminded individuals understanding what was and what can be. How are you elevating your current partnerships with people in your family, your community and work establishments? Does who you surround yourself with feel like they’re walking with you instead of behind you?
Adjustment period aside, partnership mobilizes resources for development, assistance, and sustainability. If you still have some connections that deserve your time, your commitment and can challenge you into greatness, that change starts with you.
- Agree on your goals for partner marketing.
- Practice transparency and mutual respect.
- Communicate constantly.
- Set up a business prenup as a cushion for unexpected results.
Completion
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts,” said by Swiss philosopher and poet, Henri-Frédéric Amiel.
The word completion implies fulfillment, accomplishment, execution, and achievement. It ultimately provides us with a realization.
In 2019, MR. D-MARS published “Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest” which went on to receive positive reviews from his community of supporters and those who he has inspired throughout his career. In the book’s preface, he acknowledges friends, family, clients, political and community leaders. However, his humility lies from the growth he received from his mentors.
“I admire all [of my mentors] not for what you have, or what you do, but for using your platform to sow seeds in individuals like me. Not having it all figured out can be a challenge and it is a blessing to have people like you to assure me not knowing it all is a part of the process.”
mr. d-mars
As for his mentees including his current staff, MR. D-MARS said he’s “blessed with experiences.” He continued, “My journey would not be complete if I could not include you in my endeavors to continuously grow and learn. I hope that my leadership has been significant to you, and it inspires you to take others under your wing….”
Predetermination sets the tone of how ideas are executed. Apply that to your plans to achieve goals over a set time and your journey will cultivate your mentors and your pending mentees inspired by your efforts.
We can see how growth, expansion, partnership, and completion has its own cycle. Whether we follow that model, or not, the start of a new year means the completion of 365 days. Now, how do you want to “grow” your business goals on this day?
“We encourage you to look in these areas as you head to the next level. Throughout my 24 years of operations, I understand each category. And with that experience, I want to guide each of you through this new year. It can be done!”
