Want to learn about what I do when I am not creating media or showcasing talented people?
Check out this excerpt from an article our friends at FLUX Live released about me.
Humble Pie
I used to wait tables at a 24-hour restaurant. I sold breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a lot of pie. Essentially, the very first job I had at the age of sixteen was my very last full-time job, having stepped away to become my own boss at the age of twenty-six. I worked for a few different restaurants; went from being a host to server and trainer, but what I did to make money changed very little during those ten years.
What had changed, was me. I did some major growing up—I made decisions that took me from a self-centered teen, to a self-motivated and ambitious young adult. The biggest and most impactful decision I made was to finally get serious about taking mentorship. But I had to eat a big slice of humble pie before I was ready to listen.
Hungry for More
Even though I had started seeking out business opportunities while in community college at nineteen, it wasn’t until twenty-five that I figured out that if I truly wanted to succeed in any endeavor, I needed to get around people who had success, and hope that it would rub off on me. I knew, that if someone would show me what to do, I could become a high achiever in anything I pursued. I had the drive—I just needed someone to point me in the right direction.
Thankfully, I had built relationships with some very successful families over the years, and I set my ego aside to follow their game plan. And it paid off—I focused my efforts for about eleven months, and then stepped away from being a full-time pie-slinger for good. It took commitment and dedication, combined with a season of self-education and personal growth. But today, I have more control of my time than I ever thought possible. Now, I choose when I work and who I work with, not because I have to work, but because I want to.
Tasting Fame
The selfish teen I used to be had a deep-seated desire for fame. And truly I believe that desire is in all of us. We all crave recognition by parents, peers, or fans—to know in our hearts that we matter. That desire to be known, to be loved and respected by people we love and respect connects us all.
There was even a point at which I pursued fame in Hollywood and found a harsh, superficial world that lacked the meaning and success I so desired. What I thought I wanted did not taste as sweet as I imagined. Through much self-reflection I realized that wanting to matter, and to be loved and respected, was not so much a desire for personal success, but a desire for significance. My mentors mean so much to me and all those they coach because of the significance of the impact they’ve made in peoples’ lives. And I am so grateful to be following in their footsteps.
My greatest joy comes from giving others their time to shine. There is no deeper or richer way to live than to offer others an opportunity to be honored, and so this is the heartbeat of the work that I do.
David, Jeremiah (age 19) and Tracey
Offering Opportunity Instead of Onion Rings
It is true that I started my own company to pursue my passions in the entertainment industry. But I am so grateful that I was able to redirect my energy into a more purposeful pursuit. The business development wing of my company is centered on the belief that we are all created to do something special and worth celebrating. Whether it’s showcasing artists and performers, academic experts, or individual entrepreneurs, people who are living life fully as their authentic selves have a great story to tell. I want the world to hear their story. My mission is to bring those stories to the center spotlight and give achievers and over-comers a platform to impact people’s lives in ways they never thought possible. Because these individuals found solutions despite all odds, they inspire others to be solution seekers too.
When I tell people that I’m a digital entrepreneur, their first response is usually, “what’s that?”. Digital entrepreneurs draw upon business techniques, and leverage technology to find solutions to problems. This concept may be applied to a variety of organizations with different sizes, aims, and beliefs.
Because values drive my business decisions I consider what I do to be a social enterprise. In a nutshell, it’s a business model that puts people over profits.
Even though we see examples of social enterprises like TOMS Shoes, or Benefit Corporations like Kickstarter raising billions of dollars to help people fund projects and start businesses, most people who have no business background are still trying to wrap their mind around the concept. Left and right, companies are learning how to elevate people and profits in a way that is sustainable for both.
Describing myself as a digital entrepreneur comes as a surprise to most people because, to the general public, I’m known for red carpet events, TV shows, and the world of entertainment. But the reality is that the majority of my income comes from my entrepreneurial endeavors—today entertainment is my side hustle.
It is because of my digital assets that I can dabble in the media business on my own terms. If a script or project doesn’t resonate with me, I simply turn it down. I no longer have to sell myself to the highest bidder or take any gig, but I get to work on passion projects and even donate my time and talents for causes and charities I believe in.
Jeremiah in uniform back when he was a food server
A Life Full of Flavor
I’m forever grateful to the families that stepped into my life and saw potential in me, even as immature as I was when I started my company. By offering me an opportunity to educate myself and think outside the box, I was able to carve out a creative, non-traditional life that humbles me. Each day that I get to wake up without an alarm clock, I remember that without people who were willing to take me on as their student, I would still be asking people if they want ketchup with their fries.
Instead, I get to know people’s real desires—I get to ask them how I can help them reach their full potential. I get to give them a platform and make their inspirational stories known. To lock arms with other social entrepreneurs to solve some of the problems that we face in our world today—this is what I know is my purpose on this planet. To live life authentically and intentionally, to impact others in a positive way: I can’t think of a better way to live. It is the ultimate lifestyle. Humble Pie may not be good when you’re eating it, but lessons learned can lead to some pretty tasty adventures!
Explore more of what Jeremiah David Stroup has been up to on the projects and news page and at www.fluxlive.com.
Watch his recent Television interview: Click here
