Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Burnett Jr.
Hi Richard, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a 28-year-old black male, entrepreneur, and active member of Next Generation Pioneers, a nonprofit organization in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is where I was born, I was raised in Seattle, Washington. I am the owner and operator of R. Burnett Brand, a luxury watch company and lifestyle brand founded in 2019. My main focus is on detail and displaying distinguishing quality in every aspect. R. Burnett Brand isn’t only a well-crafted watch but also a lifestyle built on the principle of succeeding beyond measure and breaking through limitations in style.
The birth of R. Burnett Brand happened abruptly. I was fired from my job a week after launching my business. That took a toll on me but through perseverance, I didn’t let that moment define who I am and where God was taking me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The number one challenge I had to face was honestly myself. To elaborate on that, during the time of starting R. Burnett Brand, it was a mental challenge for me. I was at “my best”. I had a great career and I was one of the top salesmen in the region. I was finally able to take care of the people around me and I had the freedom to do whatever | desired but that ended and I hit the lowest point of my life. God decided to take everything from me except for what He decided to allow me to keep. It was extremely difficult and a constant struggle to remain optimistic. Another challenge I faced was finding myself. I didn’t have much of an identity or sense of purpose when I looked in the mirror. R. Burnett Brand has helped me find that. It forced me to dig deeper to uncover the temperament of Richard Burnett Jr and to showcase that as a luxury and lifestyle brand. From there, I poured all of my time, effort, creativity, pain, tears, and struggles into R. Burnett Brand and made it into what you see today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Since 2019, R. Burnett Brand focuses heavily on detail and displays distinguishing quality throughout every aspect. R. Burnett is more than a well-crafted watch, it’s a lifestyle brand built on the principle of succeeding beyond measure and breaking through limitations in style. This ultimately got R. Burnett Brand featured in many notable magazines and platforms such as Visit Baton Rouge, BRProud, 225 Magazine, Baton Rouge’s Business Report, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, Re.engineer, GQ, Tatler, and Hinton. As of 2022, R. Burnett Watches have made it to 43 out of 50 states in the United States of America and overseas numerous times.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
To not be afraid to try new things, not limiting myself to activities and mindsets within my surroundings. Find yourself and success will come knocking on your door. You never know how, when, or what you may find your passion in. I was never a watch fanatic as a kid nor as a young adult until a few months before the birth of R. Burnett Brand but now you can’t get me to stop talking about watches.
Contact Info:
- Website: rburnettbrand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.burnettbrand/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rburnettcollection/
Image Credits
Eric Williams, E-Will Photography. Gevontay Wilson, Goat Group Productions
