Mocha Market: Business Directory

Howard C Young, III

         

HYIII:I am an alumni of the University of TN –Knoxville. It was while in College that I had one of the most important interactions with the Lord. I learned that it wasn’t about me or my education or my connections or my ability to speak. I learned that I would be NOTHING without God. I know that sounds cliché or standard Christian talk, but I truly learned the meaning. Until College, my life was fairly easy. I was considered an above average student, I lived in a middle class, prosperous area of town and was taken to church regularly by my parents. At this time, I knew of the Lord, but I didn’t truly understand who He was in my life.

Growing up, I was like most spoiled children (I didn't really appreciate my parents). I lost everything thinking it was about me, but when I realized my inabilities and inadequacies outside of the Lord, I repented. Through my repentance, God showed me that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

MM: So when did the entrepreneurial bug bite you?

HYIII: From the womb! I didn’t know any other lifestyle. Everyone in my family works and everyone in my family has a side ‘hustle’ that they did trying to prosper. I was always taught by my parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts to not only work but also learn (so you can be your own boss). I saw my grandmother with her Avon business. My aunts and uncles have numerous businesses including a car dealership, an auto repair shop, barber /beauty shops, and several restaurants and BBQ Pits. So, I really didn’t know that a bug bit me. I just thought that's what you do.

MM: What were some of the challenges that you faced in starting your companies? How did you overcome these challenges?

HYIII: Fear. After falling so fast and so hard, I was scared to move from my comfort zone. I didn’t care if the opportunity to own a larger house was in front of me. I was just happy to have any roof over my head. I didn’t care if someone was giving me the opportunity to drive a better car. I was just grateful the Lord provided me a car to drive. After college, I lost my house, my car, my jobs and my friends (or those who I once thought were friends). I was scared to move and just wanted to stay still, because I felt if I stayed still, then I wouldn’t fall any further.

I overcame FEAR when I truly said “It’s not about me, but about YOU, Lord”. That statement cleared up everything and pushed me and my fears out of the picture. After I removed myself from the equation, things started adding up and moving forward.

MM: So what's the story behind Yes Lord Radio? When was it started?

HYIII:Yes Lord Radio was another part of the equation. While working in Nashville, TN at the Cathedral Of Praise Church Of God In Christ -(under the leadership of Bishop Jerry L. Maynard, Sr), I was taught to ‘maximize my potential’. Bishop Maynard poured God’s life-giving word into me and strengthened me at one of my weakest times. He was the instrument God used to get me to walk again and not live in fear. I didn’t even realize that I was walking in prosperity again ,because it happened so smoothly with the Lord. I started doing little graphic projects at the church, that lead to projects for friends and family. Those projects lead to the opening of HowYoung Creations in 2000. Soon afterward, I closed HowYoung Creations to join with a fellow church brother who had a graphic design business, too. Unfortunately, we split and went our separate ways when he moved out of Nashville, but we remained close friends.

To make this long story less long – my former business partner and I both had enough of saying “No” to the Lord. I can’t tell his testimony, so you will have to get that in another article. But, we both said “Yes” to partnering and starting an internet radio station because we were both designing so much work for Gospel artists who always complained about radio stations not playing their music. The rest is history. Yes Lord Radio was born during Stellar weekend of 2010.

MM: What makes Yes Lord Radio different form the 100's of other internet radio stations?

HYIII: The all around excellence that you see (from the quality of the web page design to the diversity in music, to the genuine love from our staff). The difference between Yes Lord Radio and most other internet stations is that we are not radio trained and schooled. We come in as two graphic designers who love the Lord and are just allowing the Lord to lead us. We’ve learned to say, ‘Yes, Lord’.

MM: I saw that you are nominated for a Stellar Award for Internet Station of the Year That is a great achievement. Where were you when you found out about the nomination?

HYIII: I heard that we may be considered during the Stellar Nominations Show that was held in mid-October in Nashville, TN, but, we weren't 100% sure until the ballot was released. People from everywhere started contacting me!

MM: Who are your favorite artists (any genre)?

HYIII: Any genre? LOL. I love music of all types. I love choir music such as James Hall, Ricky Dillard, Hezekiah Walker, and the TN 4^thMass Choir. I love singers like Beverly Crawford, Micah Stampley, Deitrick Haddon, and Chrystal Rucker. But, I also like Prince, T.I., Usher, Dolly Parton (yes – I love Dolly), Kirk Whalum, Taylor Swift, and Jill Scott. I love jazz, country, gospel, R & B, and pop. I even like to listen to orchestra music. I LOVE MUSIC!

MM: So what are you listening to in your car? What's in your Top 5 play list?

HYIII: This really changes every month, so by the time this article is published it will be different.

1. James Hall and the Voices of Citadel (who will be one of the many guests at our anniversary celebration during Stellar weekend).
2. Tonex (older stuff) - I don’t approve of the lifestyle decisions he has made, but that doesn’t take away from the message and the sound of his music.
3. Darrell Petties because I have to support TN artists.
4. San Franklin  -  If you haven't heard of him, you want to add him to your collection now!
5. Aaron Mason  - (same as above) If you haven't heard of him, you want to add him to your collection now!

MM: What's next for Howard Young, III? New projects, events, etc,

HYIII: Just moving forward with my companies and partnerships. I own HowYoung which is the parent company for HowYoung Creations, HowYoung Productions, and I’ll Do That. HowYoung Creations is my web and graphic design company. HowYoung Productions is my event planning company. I’ll Do That is my personal concierge service company. I also co-own Yes Lord Radio with my partners Mr. & Mrs. Rodrick Warren. The next step for Yes Lord Radio is a 2^ndstation. We plan to launch an all Gospel Hip Hop and Christian rap internet station in 2011.

MM: If you could give one piece of advice to someone that's thinking about starting their own business, what would it be?

HYIII: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God". You will truly have some ups and downs, but you have to trust God. When you turn your life over to him, you'll see that he can run your life much better than you can. Because there is no failure in God and I am in Christ, there is no failure in me. So, my one piece of advice is JESUS. Please have CHRIST in your heart and allow HIM to order your steps.

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