In this episode of Reach Records, The 116 Life, hosts Ace Harris and Meah Evans sat down with creative CJ King to discuss his multifaceted journey as a musician, entrepreneur, and family man. The conversation explores the various aspects of King’s life, including his upbringing as a preacher’s kid, his “entrepreneurial endeavors including his fashion brand, “In God I Flex”, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Here a quick look at what was discussed:

The Importance of Discipline and Stewardship

Embracing Discipline in Daily Life

King emphasized the significance of discipline in his current season of life. He highlighted how discipline is crucial not only in personal development but also in managing various responsibilities effectively. Here are some actionable tips to incorporate discipline into your daily routine:

• Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve in both the short and long term. Break these goals down into manageable tasks.
• Create a Schedule: Allocate specific times for work, family, and personal activities. Stick to this schedule as closely as possible.
• Prioritize Tasks: Focus on high-priority tasks first to ensure that the most important responsibilities are handled efficiently.

Stewardship of Talents

King also discussed the importance of being a good steward of one’s talents. This involves recognizing your gifts and using them to their fullest potential. Here are some ways to practice good stewardship:

• Continuous Learning: Invest time in learning and improving your skills. This could involve taking courses, reading books, or seeking mentorship.
• Share Your Talents: Use your skills to help others, whether through teaching, volunteering, or collaborating on projects.
• Reflect and Adjust: Regularly assess how you are using your talents and make adjustments to ensure you are maximizing your potential.

Lessons from Fatherhood and Legacy Building

Practical Aspects of Legacy Building

King shared valuable insights on the importance of leaving a legacy for his children, particularly in practical matters like life insurance. Here are some steps to consider when planning your legacy:

• Get Life Insurance: Ensure that you have adequate life insurance to provide for your family in case of unforeseen circumstances.
• Create a Will: Outline how your assets should be distributed to avoid legal complications and ensure your wishes are honored.
• Invest in Education: Consider setting up educational funds for your children to secure their future.

Emotional and Character Development

Beyond financial security, King emphasized the importance of character development and emotional growth. Here are some ways to foster these aspects in your children:

• Lead by Example: Demonstrate integrity, kindness, and resilience in your daily actions.
• Open Communication: Encourage open and honest communication with your children to build trust and understanding.
• Teach Values: Instill core values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility through everyday interactions and discussions.

Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks

Maintaining a Positive Mindset

King highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive mindset when facing challenges. Here are some strategies to stay positive:

• Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflect on the things you are grateful for to shift your focus from problems to blessings.
• Stay Active: Physical activity can boost your mood and help you manage stress more effectively.
• Seek Support: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who can offer encouragement and perspective.

Breaking Down Goals

To tackle large goals, King recommends breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps. Here’s how to do it:

• Identify Milestones: Break your goal into key milestones that mark significant progress.
• Create Action Plans: Develop detailed action plans for each milestone, outlining the specific steps needed to achieve them.
• Track Progress: Regularly review your progress and adjust your plans as needed to stay on track.

The Journey from Music to Entrepreneurship

The Birth of “In God I Flex”

King shared the story behind his clothing brand, “In God I Flex,” which emerged after a cease and desist order for his previous brand name. Here are some lessons from his entrepreneurial journey:

• Adaptability: Be prepared to pivot and adapt when faced with setbacks. Flexibility can lead to new and better opportunities.
• Align with Values: Ensure that your brand or business aligns with your personal values and beliefs for greater authenticity and connection with your audience.
• Resilience: Stay resilient in the face of challenges. Use setbacks as learning experiences to grow and improve.

Balancing Music and Business

King discussed the tension between his music career and his clothing brand. Here are some tips for balancing multiple passions:

• Time Management: Allocate specific times for each passion to ensure that both receive adequate attention.
• Set Priorities: Determine which projects are most important at any given time and focus on those.
• Seek Synergies: Look for ways to integrate your passions. For example, King could use his music to promote his clothing brand and vice versa.

Navigating Faith and Personal Growth

Balancing Faith and Action

King emphasized the delicate balance between faith and action. Here are some ways to navigate this balance:

• Seek Clarity: Regularly pray or meditate to seek clarity and guidance from a higher power.
• Take Initiative: While faith is important, taking proactive steps to improve your situation is equally crucial.
• Reflect and Adjust: Continuously reflect on your actions and make adjustments to ensure they align with your faith and values.

Personal Growth and Integrity

King shared how financial success exposed the need for personal growth and integrity. Here are some tips for maintaining integrity:

• Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your actions and decisions to ensure they align with your values.
• Accountability: Surround yourself with people who hold you accountable and provide honest feedback.
• Continuous Improvement: Strive for continuous personal growth, both in character and skills.

Marketing and Consumer Psychology

Understanding Consumer Needs

King emphasized the importance of understanding consumer psychology and solving their problems. Here are some marketing tips:

• Research: Conduct thorough research to understand your target audience’s needs, preferences, and pain points.
• Solve Problems: Focus on how your product or service can solve specific problems for your audience.
• Engage with Customers: Regularly engage with your customers to gather feedback and build strong relationships.

Applying Marketing Principles

King shared his passion for studying marketing and psychology. Here are some principles to apply:

• Storytelling: Use storytelling to create an emotional connection with your audience.
• Social Proof: Leverage testimonials, reviews, and endorsements to build credibility and trust.
• Consistency: Maintain consistent branding and messaging across all platforms to reinforce your brand identity.

Conclusion

The conversation with CJ King provided a wealth of insights into his journey as a musician, entrepreneur, and individual navigating the intersection of faith, creativity, and business. By embracing discipline, maintaining a positive mindset, balancing faith and action, and understanding consumer psychology, CJ King has successfully navigated various challenges and achieved significant growth. These lessons and tips can serve as valuable guidance for anyone looking to pursue their passions and build a meaningful legacy.

For more insights and to connect with CJ King, follow him on social media and support his brand, “In God I Flex.”

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TIMECODE REFERENCES:

Life and Family (00:00:00) Introduction and discussion about life, family, and gratitude.

Discipline and Stewardship (00:00:26) CJ King talks about the season of life, discipline, and stewarding talents.

Gratitude and Time Management (00:01:19) The value of gratitude, time spent with loved ones, and time management.

Morning Routine and Workday Structure (00:02:24) Details about CJ King’s morning routine and workday structure.

Fatherhood and Father’s Day (00:04:14) CJ King discusses his experience with fatherhood and Father’s Day.

Lessons from Fatherhood (00:04:50) The biggest lesson learned in fatherhood and the importance of leaving something behind.

In God I Flex Clothing Brand (00:07:19) The origin and inspiration behind the clothing brand “In God I Flex.”

Handling Adversity and Creativity (00:10:08) CJ King’s response to adversity and his approach to creativity and problem-solving.

Upbringing as a PK (00:13:15) CJ King’s upbringing as a preacher’s kid and the impact of church life.

Playing Ball and Getting into Hip Hop (00:14:55) CJ King discusses how he got into hip hop during high school and started remixing songs, including an experience performing at church.

Starting Music and College Days (00:16:48) CJ King shares his journey into music, including his early days in college, building his reputation, and the impact of his single “Swerving.”

Growing Up in the Church (00:18:20) CJ King reflects on his relationship with God, sharing his experience of questioning and battling with his faith while in college.

Opportunity at Liberty University (00:20:13) CJ King talks about how Liberty University offered him a full ride scholarship for rapping, leading to a significant shift in his life and career.

Struggles and Independence (00:23:05) CJ King discusses his financial struggles, independence, and the conflict between depending on God and taking action to overcome challenges.

Faith, Works, and Execution (00:24:10) CJ King delves into the delicate tension between faith, works, and execution, drawing parallels between faith and the execution of plans.

Shift to Clothing Brand and Music Tension (00:26:47) CJ King shares the tension and hesitation he felt when transitioning from music to creating a clothing brand, reflecting on the evolution of his creative pursuits.

Entrepreneurial Mindset and Creativity (00:30:26) CJ King’s open-minded approach to creativity and entrepreneurship, encouraging artists to explore different creative avenues beyond being public figures.

The mindset of an artist (00:30:55) CJ King discusses his approach to creativity and his prayer for guidance in pursuing music and other ventures.

Business perspective and growth (00:32:10) CJ King reflects on the changes in his business perspective since starting his brand and the challenges faced during the growth phase.

Lessons from business challenges (00:33:45) CJ King shares the lessons learned from financial challenges, tax issues, and the impact on his business and personal life.

Navigating personal and professional growth (00:36:17) CJ King talks about the difficult decisions and personal growth experienced while managing resources and letting go of certain individuals.

Marketing strategies and insights (00:37:55) CJ King shares his approach to marketing, studying human behavior, and using tactics to drive consumer behavior and engagement.

Personal growth and integrity (00:40:44) CJ King discusses the personal changes and integrity development as a result of the success and challenges faced in his business.

Related Radio Show: 116 Life