Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven James.
Hi Steven, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Started my first company at 16, grew that thru highschool and college. Sold that to private equity at 22. Graduated from MTSU with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Bought a van and travelled the entire US during covid (46 states). Moved to Tampa for a year while trading full-time. Moved back to Nashville to take over a giftcard tech startup called BizGift. Ran that for a year and a half. Left to start a high-end cedar fence/exterior company called Cedar Boys. Sold that to my partner and pivoted into exports, then payments. Eventually landed full-time into tech. We have a incubator that disrupts entrenched monopolies offering subpar tech solutions to markets for egregious prices. You can see the whole timeline here: https://www.stevenjames.bio
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?
Smooth as broken glass! I’ve seen it all. Been scammed, stolen from, partnerships fall apart, employees stealing, damn near every close call imaginable.
At 20 one of my employees rolled one of our pressure washing vehicles. We had a contract to clean the garbage trucks here in town, one employee crashed 3 of them together, you name it; it happened.
Entrepreneurship is a painful road full of trials and tribulations. I learned everything the hard way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love photography, poetry, and live music (I’m not a musician, yet). I see business as a creative outlet for me. I love finding talented people and organizing them around a shared c0mmon goal. I’m a natural networker/friend maker. Currently launching Symphony Five (affiliated with Symphony Six) a networking group for ages 25-35 here in Nashville.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Living in a Guatemalan orphanage for 2 weeks.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stevenjames.bio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenjames615
- Other: https://www.duckducksign.com, https://www.docusuck.com, https://roladexter.com, and https://www.myvenuepulse.com
