"Entrepreneurs are born, business owners can be made and/or inherit a business."
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr. Tweet
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr. is a true, modern-day Renaissance Man. There isn’t anything Vid hasn’t accomplished and very few areas in his life where he doesn’t excel. He’s a successful entrepreneur, author, speaker, poet, consultant, philanthropist, athlete and coach. At first meeting, Vid is stoic, serious and unassuming but, get to know him, and he is kind, giving and witty. He has accomplished great things in his life but he will never be the one to tell you that.
Vid’s philosophy is that perseverance, positivity and a heart full of love will enable someone to rise above their struggles and become the instruments to spark positive change.
Vid is the founder and owner of VLB/VBJ Enterprises. When starting the business, Vid’s goal was to establish an umbrella company that incorporated a number of entities all focused on building and growing businesses, consulting, publishing and public speaking.
One of the entities within the VLB/VBJ Enterprises is 4-U-Nique Publishing. 4-U-Nique was founded in 2010 when Vid was in talks with major publishing companies about releasing his first book. The more he found out about traditional publishers and the process of publishing, he decided to self-publish. His company provides authors with quality publishing services as well as the ability to keep their publishing rights, providing them with higher royalties.
Vid has written and self-published three books including, You Ain’t Hungry Until I’m Starving, Getting Out of the Dark and Vid’s Vittles: Daily Vitamins for the Soul. His books aim to bring people together and inspire others to make a change in their lives, in their community, and in the world. He addresses issues that are hard to talk about while helping others to reach their unlimited potential.
Whether he’s talking to troubled at-risk youth or delivering a keynote to corporate executives, Vid is an inspirational speaker who motivates audiences to take action. One of Vid’s many talents is his ability to relate to and connect with people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life.
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Table of Contents
Thank you so much for giving us your time! Before we begin, could you introduce yourself to our readers and take us through what exactly your company does and what your vision is for its future?
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: VLB/VBJ Enterprises, LLC. was created as an umbrella or a series for companies like 4-U-Nique Publishing. I wanted to establish a company that ventured into, Real Estate; Public Speaking; Investing and Building Businesses; and Consulting. I patterned VLB/VBJ Enterprises after what Magic Johnson has done. He and I are both motivational speakers; as well as we are about building up communities. My goal with this company is to build communities up while delivering positive messages and helping others reach their potential and accomplish their goals.
Under VLB/VBJ Enterprises, LLC, 4-U-Nique Publishing, LLC was formed. Both companies have helped dozens of people make their dreams become a reality. VLB/VBJ Enterprises, LLC is involved with 5 different charities and organizations, assisting in community events, fundraisers, and speaking engagements.
4-U-Nique Publishing, LLC was created when I was in talks with a major publishing company about releasing my first book “You Ain’t Hungry Until I’m Starving.” The more I found out about traditional publishers and the process of publishing, I decided the self-publishing route was a better option for me. When I went the self-publishing route, I realized how challenging it is to find a good and affordable editor. With this knowledge, I set off to create a publishing company whose focus is on providing authors with various quality publishing services; as well as allowing them to keep their publishing rights and providing them with higher royalties than other publishing companies.
4-U-Nique Publishing, LLC has been successful in helping several authors reach their goals of producing printed books and ebooks by providing them with publishing services. 4-U-Nique Publishing is home to several award-winners and bestsellers.
My vision for my companies’ future is global expansion, innovation, becoming a household name, and providing resources and help to disadvantaged communities.
NO child ever says I want to be a CEO/entrepreneur when I grow up. What did you want to be and how did you get where you are today?
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: When I was a kid, I wanted to be an engineer like my dad and a pro basketball player. Magic Johnson and my dad were who I aspired to be most like when I was growing up.
How did I get to where I am at today? It’s complicated. When I was in 6th grade, I noticed how the adults that I observed dreaded going to work every morning. I said to myself that I never wanted to do anything that I didn’t like. This was the beginning of my desire to eventually become an entrepreneur. I knew even if I became an engineer or an athlete, I would someday start my own business.
Writing and becoming an author led me to where I am today. Through my writings I was able to help people. The idea of helping people aspired and inspired me to start companies that would help people of all backgrounds. Thus, leading the formation of VLB/VBJ Enterprises, followed by 4-U-Nique Publishing.
Tell us something about yourself that others in your organization might be surprised to know.
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: Humbly speaking I think that people inside my organization (and many outside of it) would be surprised to know how talented and funny I am. I believe this would be so because I am very quiet and private. One can say I am aloof. I do not like to talk about myself, nor do I like to talk about my accomplishments.
Many readers may wonder how to become an entrepreneur but what is an entrepreneur? How would you define it?
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: An entrepreneur is a visionary, an innovative person whose mission is to help people. Thus, creating a business or businesses, ventures, or innovative ideas to come up with much-needed solutions for certain issues. To me an entrepreneur is totally different than a business owner. Entrepreneurs are born, business owners can be made and/or inherit a business.
What is the importance of having a supportive and inclusive culture?
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: To be successful in anything, one needs a supportive community. We all need help. We all need people who believe in us and our mission. The saying, “it takes a village” is true. Being in a supportive and inclusive culture is key to achieving the goals you want. This culture can push you when you feel like giving up. This culture/community is who you can go to to bounce ideas off or to get inspiration.
How can a leader be disruptive in the post covid world?
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: I believe that one can be disruptive by staying ahead of the trends. Be innovative and understand where the world is going and what present and future issues need to be solved.
If a 5-year-old asked you to describe your job, what would you tell them?
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: I tell them that I run companies that help people’s dreams come true.
Share with us one of the most difficult decisions you had to make for your company that benefited your employees or customers. What made this decision so difficult and what were the positive impacts?
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: The most difficult decision I had to make was letting go of control and trusting others. I am a perfectionist, so I like things done as I want them. Due to this, I would wear too many hats within my companies. Well, a person can only do so much and there’s only so many hours in a day. Once I handed over responsibilities to my staff, the company grew. My work/life balance became better. The staff’s moral was better, and they made me aware of the blind-spots within the company.
Leaders are usually asked about their most useful qualities but let’s change things up a bit. What is your most useless talent?
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: My most useless talent is being a perfectionist. It tends to hold me back and it also rubs some people the wrong way. I can admit that I can set unreasonable goals and standards for people.
Thank you so much for your time but before we finish things off, we do have one more question. If you wrote a book about your life until today, what would the title be?
Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr.: “The Tales of a Man Who Know Little but was Blessed with a Lot.”
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr. for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Vid Lamonte’ Buggs Jr. or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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