Today, we are interviewing Javez English, a young entrepreneur who started at the age of 16 years of age. He opened a sneaker store called Thekikback in his local hometown when he had turned 21 years of age.
1. Please tell us something about yourself.
I am now 23 years of age. I run a very successful business that has a robust and talented team of 15 employees with over 3,000 customers locally and up and down the east coast.
2. How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey?
I used to collect sneakers and always had a passion for sought after sneakers growing up. I wanted to provide sneakers at a fraction of the cost to my friends, which then grew into my entire customer base.
I used to do meetups and drop-offs to my customers whenever and wherever they needed me to be. I was there on call at any time of the night. Growing my customer base into being able to open up a brick and mortar location, we no longer have any space at. Thekikback is growing at a fast rate in which I wasn’t even able to prepare for.
3. Who are your role models?
My role models are my 15 team members (employees). They are the ones who motivate me each day, and seeing them work hard for Thekikback team motivates me to not let them down. This helps me to push the company to levels it has never seen before with hopes that it can bring a better position for them in the near future for themselves.
4. What inspires you?
My family inspires me to be the best version of myself. I don’t want to let them down just as much as my team. I want to be able to show them that I can do anything I put my mind to.
5. Please tell us about your company.
I am the CEO and founder of the company Thekikback which is a resale sneaker store in which we offer buy sell and trades in-store and online. We sell sought after sneakers such as Jordans Yeezy’s Nike basketball sneakers and more. We have an event in which we have a huge sale every 4 months at our instore location where our customers will sleep outside in tents for as long as 2-3 days in advance. By the time the release date comes on Saturday at 12pm, we have over 100 customers lined up to purchase the amazingly priced shoes.
We have now moved this event to online due to the coronavirus, and our customers love it because everyone has a chance to purchase discounted sneakers. The sale that we normally do 4 times a year is announced to happen every week.
6. What’s your most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience is when I had my grand opening release at my brick and mortar location. This was a result of my hard work paying off.
7. Which social media channels work best for promoting your work?
Instagram, and Facebook.
Post our sale of sneakers, customers can shop and dm us frequently as well as see the new sneakers we get in.
8. What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Being able to become patient and wait for things to grow as well as having a solid support system from my parents. Having a brother practically as my business partner is also a big help when it comes to running a business that is growing really fast so, I would like to thank him.
9. What keeps you going when things get tough?
My team keeps me going because I don’t want to let them down as well as wanting to see them enjoy life the way I do
10. Any message for our readers.
Thekikback is looking at the bright side during the COVID 19 pandemic.
11. How can people connect with you?
They can connect through our Website, Instagram or Facebook.