Welcome to the Brand Marketing Podcast, where we talk to local superheroes and hear how they got their start overcame obstacles and used social media to achieve their marketing goals. Here's this week's episode. 

Hi. Welcome to the Brand Marketing Podcast. My name is Cas Thompson Internet. We have on the Philip Bridges.

What's going on, Phillip? What's up guys? How you doing? Everything's all good, man. It's been a, it's been a while and I'm calling you Philip, but, uh, I'll go back, uh, with you as Phil. So what do you prefer for the audience? Phil? Philip? Does it matter? Phil Man, everybody calls me Phil. You know me, so call me Phil.

There you go. Awesome. Awesome. So what, what have you been up to these days? I see that you're in real estate, you're traveling more. Uh, we do have the emerging 100 of Atlanta. I wanna get into all of it. Um, but you know what's keeping you busy. Did I miss anything? No, no, man. You're 

right on point. So I mean, yeah, I'm definitely a real estate agent.

Uh, I've been doing it for five years now. I've been active for four. Um, I've worked on a couple of teams, been pretty successful. Um, you know, being with the emerging 100 has been great too. Being able to help the young black youth here in Atlanta. Um, we have a lot of great missions. We connect with Google, Microsoft, Delta.

Um, it really spanned that community work for our black youth. Nice. Um, outside of that man, you know, I do got a resume business. Um, I do that as well. And traveling is, is guaranteed. That's my outlet. Gotcha. 

Yeah, so let's jump into all that. Cause I want to hear all about it. And one of the things that we do is we try to help as many entrepreneurs and small business owners online and having more than one stream of income.

Nothing wrong with that, and sometimes it's, it's a battle in regards to just bouncing everything. But it looks like you have it all under control. And even if you don't, like I said, it appears that you have it all under control. So we're gonna just walk through some of the tactics. And the things that you use, uh, to just keep a level head.

So let's start off with the emerging 100. I'm excited about this one. Looks like you're helping, um, you know, black men across Atlanta and mentoring. So talk to us a little bit about, uh, the purpose there and the mission. Okay. Okay. So 

just to let everybody know, cause a lot of people don't. It's, we're an auxiliary group for the hundred black men.

Right, okay. Which is, you know, a major organization that goes back to the late eighties. So, uh, a lot of our mission is to help the young black youth to get scholarships, get into internships. We like to pay a lot of attention to our black men or youth. Uh, because obviously there's a lot going on. You have single parent households, gang, right?

Violence that we keep 'em in, that they get into. So we try to, you know, keep 'em outta that. Uh, we partner with Best Academy, which is a, uh, charter school here in southwest Atlanta. And that way we tackle career development, uh, character development. Um, we got their graduation coming up, so we got graduation gifts.

We're taking them out. So that's a big part of it. Right. And then we deal with several colleges here in Atlanta. Um, and that way we work on getting them into internships, learning about life after college, um, you know, becoming a young professional. So we span into all of that while also fundraising to make sure we can offer scholarships from our own organization.

Awesome, awesome. So how did you guys get, well now, how did you guys, but how did you get involved with them? Did they find you, uh, how did this, uh, you know, marriage come to be? 

Um, great question. So one of my great friends from college, he joined back in 2015 and he's went on to do things with a hundred black men.

And he was like, Phil, you're doing so many great things and I have a passion for helping our youth. He said, you'd be great. So he actually referred me in, I interviewed, um, and they were happy to have me. So I'm just glad to be a part of the emerging. 

Yeah, no, it, it seems like I said, I use the word marriage and I use that word on purpose because it seems like, um, just like he said, you'd, you'd be a perfect fit for something like that.

You know, as a black man myself, I try to make sure that I'm helping anybody that comes up under me, and it could just be one year younger than me. Right. I still try to, you know, mentor as many people as possible and show 'em the path because, uh, you know, we have struggles. You know, as it is and as a man, you know, we wanna compound those struggles.

Then as a black man, there's even more struggles, right? And sometimes if I had to go back to talk to my younger self, like I wish I had somebody older to talk to, you know, outside of my father or my big brothers. Um, somebody that was along the same path that I was on just to kind of vibe with and, and check in on me sometimes.

So, love what you're doing there. So talk to me a little bit about real estate. So that had, uh, surprised me a little bit surprised and not surprised because there's a lot of opportunities with real estate, especially in the Atlanta area. But how did you get, um, You know, sucked into the, to the real estate game.

Um, the main thing, to be honest, man and transparent is I wanted another stream of income. Um, so back when I was, you know, working corporate, I was like, Hey, like this is cool, making good money, but I want another stream, right? So I have a real passion for helping people. I obviously being an emerging and I was like, real estate will bridge that gap.

So I took the test, got my license. And the funny thing is I had a client straight out of the gate, um, that I played basketball with, and once I was able to help him get equity out of his home and then purchase a new home and how excited they were, I said, oh, I can do this every day. Um, so I joined a great team.

I joined the taking the town team with Terrence Stevens and he was my mentor and kind of got me started on the path. So he taught me everything I know and as we've learned to deal with clients and, you know, from our long history of work, you know, customer services, key to everything. Um, so just being able to help people get into homes and to find out, even in our own black community, a lot of people don't know that they're ready to buy home.

Right and have everything they need, but they think it's such a rigorous process. Right. Um, so that was kind of my passion. Then I have a true passion to help build out communities. To help our community as far as the black side of it. So, um, it's just, it's a touch on everything. And as you know, um, or people out there don't know, you know, real estate and insurance are the two best ways to become

income. Itt done, can't I do it? That's the, I guess the financial piece, but the main piece is helping people and bridging that gap for our community to get more real 

estate. Gotcha. Okay. Yeah. So, uh, as you answered that question, you hit on three or four things that have come up, you know, already twice in this podcast, and I want to tap into them.

So you used the word passion, you talked about helping other people, right? You talked about community, um, but you also used the word mentor twice, right? So, um, you know, your brother or partner kind of helped you out with. You know, emerging 100. Then you had a mentor over at the real estate. So how important is it for you throughout the many things that you're doing, entrepreneurial, you know, spiritual, physical, just in your life as an entrepreneur, how important is mentorship to you?

Oh, 

I mean, it's probably right up there next to work ethic and, and actually take an action on what you wanna do, right? Because you can read a book, you can learn and grow the experience and make mistakes over a long period of time. Or you know, you can have somebody kind of negate that for you by showing you what they've done, how they've been successful.

And I'm just a big believer, man, nobody came in this game or anything that you do, any industry on your own. So it's always good to have somebody strong, you know, that you can rely on, get feedback, right, and just minimize the mistakes. So anything I go into, I always try to get a mentor or somebody who can you.

Yeah, now. Great answer, man. I love it. I'm a big proponent of mentors too. I think, um, like you said, anything you could do to the gate or just come up with shortcuts or avoid struggles, obstacles that other people have gone through, um, if you're offering it and it's a good relationship, why not take it? Um, so along the lines of struggles and obstacles, you know, you started out your real estate career right outta the gate, you know, you had that first client.

Um, but as you transitioned, what are some obstacles that you ran into and how did you overcome them? And are you still overcoming them? 

They don't stop just cause you make a few sales now. But, uh, yeah, I would 

say main obstacle is, yeah, the main one. Now I was gonna say, uh, yeah, just the main one. Cause it sounds like there's a lot of them.

Every time I talk to real estate agents, they're like, oh boy, my head is about to bust with all the problems I got. 

Right? I'm like, yeah, but I'll tackle the main one. So the main one coming from a corporate background to entrepreneurship as you may know yourself, is you work nine to five. You can do a lot of work or do a little work.

And that same check is coming every two weeks. You're unemployed in real estate until you close a deal, right? So the main obstacle was after I got that first client, I'm like, oh man, I'm just gonna keep getting fed clients because I'm gonna keep making money like a corporate job. But then it slowed up tremendously and it was to the point where, okay, well get more clients.

How do I keep, you know, filling this gap of, you know, bridging, uh, my talents in real estate. And it was a struggle, but you, I had to figure out how to get new leads, how to, you know, build those relationships. I already have to be interested. Um, and a big component for me was putting myself out there, right?

Being on social media, letting people know what I.

I'm great at what I do, but I don't want to shout out to the whole world, just I'm a low kid guy. Right. Um, so those, those are my biggest obstacle. And how I overcame it was once I got hold of getting leads and learning how to foster relationships with strangers in the real estate side, it revolutionized how I can really gain clients and move forward.

Um, and the social media part and being visible, um, I just had to get over it. Right? I played sports in school. I've been like, Mr. Senior, I'm in a fraternity, so I've. It's on me to put myself out there. So now, as you may know, follow me on Instagram. I'll put more information out there, put more stories, and we gotta connect too, um, even on that piece.

But, so social media and, and definitely getting clients was a big, I guess, shift because it's not just gonna come to you like a regular job, you gotta go get it. And once I learned that, um, it changed how I could do things 

in real estate. Yeah. Perfect, perfect. Now you hit it on the spot even before we started the podcast.

And I know for the listeners you're gonna be itching to hear what I gotta say, but uh, we had talked about something private. Cause I'm, as much as I'm online, I'm online and I'm online every day and I'm online everywhere. There's still things that I choose not to share. And I think that, um, you know, as business people, we should be.

You know, intentional with what we post and make sure that it's connecting. Um, because, you know, it's, it's, it's okay to talk about everything but not everywhere. And you have to be, yeah, you gotta be aware also that, you know, the people that are following us online, they're not always, um, you know, friends right out of the gate sometimes they're just learning to see who you are and what you could provide for them.

So they, they might not be ready for that piece of the journey. So, I, I totally get it. I totally get it. Um, yep. So the, the other word that popped up, uh, a couple times too was multiple streams of income. So you were very transparent and I thank, thank you for that about hey, starting real estate because one of the things that was gonna provide for you outside of the community building and, you know, just grinding was, hey, it's just more money.

Right? Um, so when you think about that, And you also think about your other multiple streams of income, like how does it balance out? So, um, you know, you're traveling more, you have the, the resume company. How do you just manage your time and what do you have to do? Help us out there, especially for new entrepreneurs.

Um, sometimes we will consult with clients and they're like, Hey, I, I got, I got personal. I'm, I'm going to church. I got three kids, right. I'm doing all this. And some of us actually still work. Nine to fives and half, you know, corporate jobs. Um, you know, what's the one tip that you'd give to people that are just trying to manage their time?

Man, I would just say don't sleep. I don't sleep at all. Don't sleep. Yeah. Yeah. But 

no, I'm just playing. I wasn't, it'll mess up. Yeah. Um, you really have to, one thing I learned the hard way, um, to be honest with you, is I, you have to block, right? So, and you have to be okay with saying no. One thing I learned, and this is kind going back to maybe dating, right?

No girl wants to thirsty out, right? The guy that's calm, cool. He got something going on. She's like, all right, let, let attract to him. But in business and time, right? Most people think when they get started, oh, I gotta answer everybody, I gotta.

You're running a business. If Chick-fil-A is closed on Sunday, you're not getting a Chick-fil-A sandwich, right? Right. But guess what? They're still bringing in billions of revenue. The other, you know, six days of the week. So one thing I'll tell all new entrepreneurs, yes, you will have to work hard to build your brand or build your business, but keep in mind too, you're running businesses and especially if you're doing multiple things like me, you may have a corporate job or multiple streams, you have to time block it.

Um, so for example, just kinda give you a smooth day. You know, I get up at six, I go hit the gym right away. Uh, when I get back, I have like a smoothie or some breakfast. I go check my emails from eight to 10. It's all about real estate. Checking up with my clients, looking at new deals, things of that nature.

10 to 12. I'll check on my resumes. 12 o'clock I'll grab some lunch. And then from one to five, I either plan out personal relationships like I need to do, hey, let meet with this person to talk to them about future real estate needs. Do some ing and work on my personal brand, but, Some days are more hectic than others and you have to be okay with, and this is seven days a week.

It isn't eight to five Monday through Friday, and you get to chill all weekend. I can have a chill weekend in my weekend. It's busier than somebody's nine to five. Right? Right. So I would just say time blocking. Don't be afraid to be like, no, I can't do this today. Let's link tomorrow. It won't hurt your business.

If anything, it'll help cause it shows you're doing something and customers wanna be around the business that's thriving, not somebody who's there all the time. I 

agree with you, you gotta stay busy. Um, but you know, staying organized and just having your routine set up, um, the one thing I'm gonna employ you on is the fact that, you know, you wake up in the morning and you know, you already know what you have to get done and it's blocked out.

Like you said, time blocking. I use my Google calendar for that a lot, so if it's important to me, I'm putting it on the calendar and that's gonna help me use technology. To, you know, stay in front of my routines. Um, so I'm gonna take a commercial break real quick cause we don't talk about diet and exercise at all on this podcast, but, uh, one of the things that, yeah, but one of the things that you mentioned was, you know, making sure that you, you're finding time for the gym, um, as an older black man.

I'm not gonna tell you my age, but I'm older than 45, right? And things are starting to catch up to me. Now, what would you again, tell anybody that's younger than 40 that they just need to keep up with? Uh, you know, in order to, you know, ho honestly help their business. Cuz you have to be healthy to be wealthy, right?

So you're gonna have to keep your, your body in check, right? So what are, you know, two or three essential things that you should do for the people that are not, you know, gym rats or anything like that. But what are some things that we can focus on right now to, you know, keep, keep in check. Okay 

man. I think I'll say, man, I'm a big proponent of staying healthy.

Cuz to your point, I want be here to enjoy the wealth that I built. Exactly. I sick saying, oh, I, I Anywhere thing. If you're not gym rat, if you're not in. Um, I would say just start by walking. Um, I've done so many research on, you know, things you can do that's not strenuous, but would help your heart rate.

Would help your blood flow, right? If you just 10. Run a few laps or you know, anything that's physically moving you every day, even if you do yoga. I started doing yoga. Oh. And it changed, it changed the game, right? So I would definitely say, even if you're not a huge, um, a huge gym rat, just start walking. Um, and when I was trying to lose.

At one point I was a little chubbier than I am now. Um, I started walking a lot, then I started running, and once you see the results, it, it changes everything. It makes you want to be healthier, you feel better. Um, so yeah, I would definitely say walking and just being active, whether it's outside. So, 

Now that's a, that's a good one.

Especially in this new, you know, post pandemic world that we live in. A lot of people got used to just being at their desk in front of computers all day. And um, it seems as though people have forgotten what outside looks like. So you're right, just get, getting up, moving around, staying, getting more active, less sedentary, walking, uh, definitely helping.

So as we wind down, right, We've been talking to a lot of entrepreneurs, a lot of small business owners, a lot of solopreneurs, people that are running their business online, but you're also helping people, um, optimize and maximize their resume. So these are people that, you know, still work. They're still in the workforce.

So tell me, you know, who's an ideal candidate for somebody that needs their resume? Just, you know, again, optimized. 

You know me, I'm, I'm similar to you at a younger age, so if you are in college to 85, if you're still working, I can help you out. And the reason I say that, cause even being a recruiter on the corporate side, I've helped students in emerging 100.

I do resume workshops for college students looking to get internships, but I've also helped be. Uh, CHROs, I've helped, uh, the everyday professional who's looking to get that next promotion. Um, so anybody who's looking to start a career, literally from outta college, if you're deep in your career in le in leadership, I can help you optimize to get to that next position, that promotion, or just get to 

a different company.

Love it. Love it. And final question of the night, uh, before we wrap up. You've been traveling a lot too. I see the whole, uh, you have a whole brand surrounded or, uh, you know, focused on, you know, being locked up and, and traveling. So what has traveling taught you? Um, you're doing the resumes, you're helping your community, you're helping people find homes and in making their lives better.

Uh, how do we circle all this or tie this all back to travel? Oh 

man, that's a great question. Traveling is what started it all, to be honest. Um, that's my figure. Uh, my, I'm gonna say, yeah, my first time, uh, outta the country long distance was to South Africa, um, about five years ago, and traveling opened my eyes to show there's so many other opportunities.

And you know, honestly, as a black man, we don't travel a lot. Right, especially outside of the country. Um, so once I got a taste of a different culture, how people operate, to see the different ways, you know, they live their lifestyles, it influenced me to just go harder here in America so I can get outta the country, if that makes sense.

Um, and traveling does teach you a lot of discipline and humility because there are a lot of beautiful places in the world where beaches and, and all these great natural resources, but the community may be hurting or they may be poor. So you come back to America and you have all these freedoms.

Capitalistic, you know, society, things and everything going on, you had, we're winning over here, right? But it just shows that there's so much more out there that will teach us to be better people, different cultures, different uh, perspectives. And it really changed my mind. So I'm a lot more humble. I'm a, I have a lot more humility, but it always shows me that, hey, to be able to explore those sides of the world, I gotta hustle and, and grow here.

So, Travel is kind of, traveling, is really like the, the spear of when I look at my computer every day and I say, man, I don't feel like talking to this client, right? I don't feel like typing up this resume, but when I get that check, I can fly to Ghana, I can fly to Europe, so we're gonna grind and get it done.

So travel is really like my big, I guess, motivation because I love, you know, being outta the country. 

Phil, I love it. You're doing a lot. You're helping the community, giving back your time, helping families, getting to new homes, helping families sell homes that need to be sold to level up. Um, you're staying physically healthy, you're traveling, you're doing it all.

And I want you to, I want you to know that, uh, I appreciate you just taking the time out of your time blocked today. Like this was time block. That's what I'm talking about. That's what I'm talking about. But still taking time out. You know, I, I look at it as, you know, something that I'm always grateful for cuz people are busy.

Um, but if there's anything or any place where people could reach out to you for any one of these things, if they just wanted more help. If they wanted mentorship, they're looking for a home. If they're, again, emerging talent and they just need help as a young man and just want somebody to talk to, maybe they want to tap in what's the best one place or one location.

Or even I said one, but it could be more. But how should they get in touch with you? I would 

definitely say go to my Instagram page V Phillip Bridges. I keep it simple. Um, that is my business page. Um, I also have a personal page locked and traveled. Um, and those are gonna be the best ways. On my real estate page, I have my phone number, my email, and I'm always active on there.

So even if you shoot me a dm, I'll respond and we can connect. So, um, I'm always available to the people. 

I appreciate it people. This has been the Brand marketing podcast show. I appreciate you guys being on peace and we'll talk to you next week. 

Thanks Will. Thanks for listening. The Brand Marketing podcast is produced by GladMash.

To get access to more brand marketing tips, visit www.brandmarketingblueprint.com