Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ignatius J. Ignatius was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Akilah Trinay.
Ignatius , can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My mother birthed me when she was 18 years old in the projects of Memphis, Tennessee. Already the mother of a one-year-old, she became a single mother of two. When I was two years old and my brother was three years old our mother began a relationship and began to “shack” with her boyfriend. For nine years their union was completely dysfunctional; alcohol abuse, drug abuse, physical and mental abuse. The boyfriend was an alcoholic, a compulsive-pathological gambler, unfaithful, and a woman beater. He physically, and mentally abused my mother constantly, disregarding my presence. My brother and I were whipped with extension cords, often hungry, and neglected for periods of time. The electricity was turned off on a regular basis, and food was scarce even though we lived in the projects on section 8 allowing the rent to be $10 a month. During this time in my young life, at age 9, I was also introduced to sex by my mother’s friend’s daughter who was a few years older than I was, and by the downstairs neighbor’s son who also was a few years older than I was. My refuge was found in drawing and later writing as well. Being the class clown was an outlet for me also, but it had its negative consequences such as more whippings. Escaping to drawing and writing I created my own comic book because at 10 years old I was a comic book enthusiast. I also put on magic shows and choreographed my own dancing group and put on talent shows. Selling popcorn and freeze cups were some of the ways I made pocket change for myself. Stealing Sunday newspapers from the neighborhood Walgreens and selling them was another way I made money for myself to buy food, my mother’s boyfriend taught me that. Entrepreneurship was a foreign word for me but that is exactly what I had going on. My aunt gave me a diary when I was thirteen years old. At 13 I began to write in that diary every day and graduated from that to writing in journals daily. Despite all the negativity and dysfunction that I faced growing up, I turned it into a positive function. I am a veteran of the United States Army. Also, I am the author of the Now What’s Next?? book series, and the owner of An Aquarius’ Dream Publishing LLC. I am the CEO of MoBetta Baskets LLC. I am the father of three beautiful daughters and one handsome son. Lastly, I am a proud pet owner of two adorable black cats, Wednesday and Winter.
Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
Throughout my life, I have had a multitude of jobs from starting as a crew member at McDonald’s when I was 15 years old to becoming a soldier for the United States Army. Becoming an entrepreneur is one of the best choices I have made as far as a career move. The first real business that I started was Mobetta Baskets LLC. Starting a specialty gift basket business really got my creative juices flowing. It gives me absolute pleasure to produce unique customized gift baskets for consumers and their loved ones. Talking to and listening to my customer’s specific wants, needs, and desires about their specialty baskets sets MoBetta Baskets above the typical standard gift baskets that are sold in stores. The love of writing and creating stories became a no-brainer for me to become an author. As a Black man, father, pansexual, and citizen of the United States my stories are deeper, darker, real, and raw. With my publishing company, An Aquarius’ Dream LLC I am able to take on authors of color who have similar stories to tell of hardships, challenges, and triumphs.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Akilah Trinay and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Akilah.
I will forever be thankful and grateful for Akilah. I was introduced to her last year by my daughter. I went to Akilah with an idea, hopes, and dreams. The only thing I had was decades of journal entries that I inverted into a book that I wanted to get published. She set me up with a consulting contract that I was comfortable with. From there we began to work together towards my goal. Every step of the way Akilah was with me, aiding with an illustrator, editor, and book designer. Guiding me and teaching me the ropes of becoming not only an author but a publisher as well. I had never considered becoming a publisher, but I was excited about becoming one. Our communication was prompt and regular throughout the mission via Zoom meetings, phone calls, emails, and text messages which made me feel secure and confident. Her professionalism, patience, and knowledge, led to my book being published earlier than I had anticipated which was a great accomplishment for me. As long as Akilah is available, I will continue to seek her for consultation for my future projects. Thanks to her I am an official author with one book out and another one coming out this month. Also thanks to Akilah, I own An Aquarius’ Dream LLC, my own publishing company. Forever thankful and grateful.
Instagram: ignatiusj_books
Twitter: ignatiusj_books
Facebook: Ignatius J DaArtist
Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Downtown Memphis book photo by Jonny Delrico Wednesday & Winter (black cats) photo by Ignatius J Forest photo by D. Beverly
