Exploring Life & Business with Jesse Rhodes of Mr. Rhodes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Rhodes.

Hi Jesse, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Philly. Then I moved five times, career moves primarily between New Jersey, Arkansas, and Minnesota, which eventually led me to the west coast. I have explored various business and corporate spaces, but have always been driven by my passion to connect with my community and serve those within it. LA is a love destination. The city, the culture, the vibe – my family is here, my heart is here. I love how much energy exists in LA and how the diversity of people who live here have impacted that energy. I want to further my role in the creation of that energy by expanding my network and business in LA. I think that everything I have created within my business, Mr. Rhodes, LLC, has a place in Los Angeles – from talent management to speaking engagements and community-supported vibes within the bar and lounge arena. I’m so excited to continue connecting with like-minded folks in LA and beyond.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life has its flow of ups and downs, but if you allow gratitude to persist and trust in yourself, you will always find your way. As a business owner, specifically with my bar and lounge, I experience numerous challenges every day. My approach is to see each challenge as a lesson and pivot to find the necessary solution. I also often struggle to find balance in my life. It can be challenging to feel like I am giving each of my endeavors adequate time and energy while also ensuring I make time for friends, family, colleagues, and of course time for myself as well. It is often easier to solve issues that arise in a business setting than it is to juggle all of the ventures that make me who I am. However, I have found that as long as I continue to make time to appreciate all of the successes, connections, and opportunities that come with the life I lead, I am able to find joy through the challenges.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mr. Rhodes, LLC?
I am an inspirational speaker, talent manager, and social entrepreneur with a passion to inspire, engage, and invest. I value the arts and creativity, managing a variety of artists, including singers and multimedia visual artists. I recognize the power of an awakened consciousness, inspiration, intentionality, and an overall sense of humanity – values of which all of the artists I work with embody. Much like myself, the artists I manage, project a clear message and make time to give back to their communities. Additionally, I conduct extensive humanitarian work with Love Orphanage in Haiti in partnership with We The Village Organization and also volunteer with several foundations, including Wonder of Women International, which focuses on serving Black women and girls, among others. I am invested in the community and passionate about investing in the youth, leveraging my network for the purpose of community care. I also organize and support fundraising projects for organizations such as After School All Stars (Seattle) where I serve as Board Chair of NABA Inc., Wonder of Women (International), and more.

I am also a conversationalist and panelist, bringing thought leadership with high energy to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and community outlets locally, regionally, and internationally. My approach unifies and serves our communities and generates traffic in purposeful ways to charities, products, services, and social platforms. As an advisor, thought leader, and in many cases, board member for these and other active organizations, I seek to provide opportunities for underprivileged communities and individuals while simultaneously learning and growing alongside these groups.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
So much of who I am today comes from how I was raised. I was the eldest of two, so I pushed my limits with everything when growing up. I also felt it was important to be a leader and protector for my younger sister and that led me to really see myself as a leader throughout life. I was fortunate to have the love and support of my parents, and they helped me maintain the mentality that when it came to any challenge or opportunity, it wasn’t about the “can I?” but rather “how will I?” I live by this statement I created in my youth “The power of vision drives me forward”, which to me means seeing the possibility first, and let that be the fuel to figure out the path and details. This perspective has shaped my sense of adventure, and that element of my personality has fueled much of the success I have experienced. During college, I started up two organizations and was the first black student at my college to lead the campus activity board. I also hosted our school first ever poetry slam.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mrrhodes.net
• Instagram: @mrjesserhodes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MisterRhodes
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrrhodes/
• Twitter: @mister_rhodes
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MisterRhodes 

Image Credits
Devona Brewer https://www.instagram.com/legacyphotographyandevents/?hl=en