Some entrepreneurs have to go through life the hard way to find the road they’re meant to take, and Nehemiah Davis is definitely one of those. Born in the rough streets of West Philadelphia, this young serial entrepreneur has not just helped himself but helped a lot of others in his community as well. Life didn’t start so well for young Davis, however.
A Troublemaker and Drop-Out
Davis grew up without a father figure in his life since his dad went to prison when he was two. Raised by his grandmother and mother, he would have several run-ins at school, which would eventually see him kicked out of high school and then kicked out of college some years later. He struggled to get and hold down a job, but despite all of this, he knew that he was meant for more.
At age 21, Davis decided that enough was enough and that his life had to change. He made up his mind to find the right route to being the successful man he knew he could be. He would have to overcome his fear of failure and embark on a project that would see him become the entrepreneur we see today. Like so many other young business owners, he was fighting against the tide.
The Fruit Truck That Started It All
Davis’ road to glory began when he turned 19, and the entrepreneurial itch caught him. His mother, Myra Grant, helped him secure a loan to get and run a fruit truck. With some effort, he was making a bit of money, but his mother was adamant that, since he was now earning, he should give back to the people of the community. That spark lit a torch that would illuminate Davis’ business’ philanthropic arm and catapult the young man into the spotlight.
His mother took $50 and bought ingredients that she and his sisters would use to make sandwiches to give to the homeless. This act of kindness brought him to the spotlight of local news agencies, and his public profile grew. Since then, his dedication to giving back to the community has been a core part of his business ethic.
Multiple Businesses Borne Out of One
Throughout his tenure as an entrepreneur, Davis has founded and held title of CEO for three businesses. Daviso Junk Removal, Myra’s Vitamin and Herbal Wellness Center, and Neo Daviso, the clothing arm of his company. The young man sets his sights high and knows he can achieve what he believes he can.
He is also committed to organizing business seminars and setting up free expositions for other small business people to get the exposure they need. By staying firm and persistent, I am able to influence and reach my peers,” Davis says. “I became a role model because I didn’t have one growing up and I knew how much it would have assisted me if I would have had one.”
The Push Most People Need Is To Start
Davis thinks that his biggest and most influential decision was to start doing what he was doing. Part of the reason he sponsors the small business expositions is to encourage others to start and do what they’re good at. The interaction of new business owners with those who are more experienced is a breeding ground for good ideas that could benefit the entire business community.
Davis says that many people his age want to start their own businesses because they want financial independence or because they want to work for themselves. While both of those are excellent goals to work towards, Davis says that many don’t think about what it takes to own and run a business to get to that point. “Entrepreneurship it’s great, you do get freedom but it’s not all about freedom,” he advises. “You’re going to be broke. Some days it’s going to be hard work and you’re going to want to quit. The important thing is that you don’t quit because if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.”
A Digital Entrepreneur for a New Age
Davis’ brands are not the typical business storefronts that you’d expect. If anything, Davis embraces the culture of the internet and uses it to enhance his brand visibility in front of the largest possible audience. His journey to being a successful businessperson started with a physical business and a slew of jobs that he failed at but learned from.
One of his jobs at a private airport introduced him to people flying on private jets, making him realize that this sort of wealth was not only possible but within his own reach. He set out to learn and came across e-commerce and social media marketing to grow his brand presence. However, it was one more element that came into the picture that took his business to massive heights.
About midway into his journey into digital entrepreneurship, he recognized the usefulness of a sales funnel. Davis had seen the concept before and recognized it but only realized how useful it was when he was already working through his own business. With his knowledge of sales funnels and upsells, he quickly reached and surpassed the targets he set for himself. The guiding principle he uses for all his business approaches is that people will buy once the value is there.
Inspiring Others Through His Efforts
When asked what he wants to achieve from his business efforts, Davis says he likes inspiring others and being someone they can admire. “The impact that I’ve had thus far is great, but I’m looking to expand and touch more people,” he’s stated.
The Future Looks Bright for Nehemiah Davis
After winning Steve Harvey’s State Farm Good Neighbor Award in 2015, Davis has been keeping a lower profile. He’s still a standout entrepreneur in West Philadelphia, and his businesses continue to thrive and grow as he gives back to the community through his foundation. This is just a lull in the splashy life Davis has planned for himself, and we’re likely to see more from this young man before too long.
