Meet Jimmy Rumsey | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jimmy Rumsey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jimmy, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea for my business when I was on my path to redemption. I have always wanted to go back to my community and help the at-promise youth. I got this opportunity when I started working as a Restorative Practice Intervention Specialist in 2017, I had landed my dream job! In 2015, I started writing my book(to give hope and inspiration to others), this started after I received an email about an article written about the Hot Years in the city I grew up in and my story was somewhere in that article. I emailed the officer who was highlighted in that article, my email read: Killer Korner Survivor, he responded, and I shared what I have been up to over the years. He knew me from those years, and I expressed how I changed my life and wanted to give back to the community. He asked to do a follow-up article and I shared my story, from there doors began to open. I would do speaking engagements and share my passion, for wanting to work with the youth. I started writing my book in Hawaii while visiting my daughter, who was attending college there. I completed my rough draft in Hawaii, and everything began to fall into place after that.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My dream was to someday give back to the community that I took so much from. After growing up in and out of incarceration from age 11, to being shot at point-blank range in the face and nearly losing my life at 21, I had to go through a process of healing. At that point in my life, I was in a cycle of gangs, and incarceration and did not value my own life. From 1997-2017, my process of healing was not easy, I struggled to financially provide for my family due to a lack of education, a criminal record and becoming disabled. I overcame these challenges by making better choices and putting my family first. After I had children I told myself it wasn’t about me anymore, but about them. I did my best to love and support them. In 2017, when I found Project Kinship, they hosted healing circles where the community came to talk about their traumas, there was no judgment and all walks of life participated.
I learned when you talk and express your traumas, that’s when the healing can begin. This was new to me and a much healthier way of dealing with my issues rather than suppressing them. I just held in my traumas and dealt with them, but in reality, those traumas were dealing with me and it led me to become toxic to others.

It was in 2015 when I started writing my memoir, while working on it I was still dealing and healing from my past, this book was a blessing because it helped me express my feelings and emotions. This was a difficult process to relive the traumas that I had tucked away for so long. In the end, it brought me a lot of healing and closure to be able to put that into words. It took me 7 years to complete and I recently published on January 10, 2023, my book Slim Chances: A True Story of Struggle, Hope, and Forgiveness. It is my hope my book will continue to inspire others. I believe, no matter how difficult things may get, hope is on your side, don’t ever give up, anything is possible!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love all things beach (not so much in the water, just like being near the water) and the coast, no matter if its day or night, especially the west coast and living here allows me to live near my favorite paradise, I love palm trees, sunshine and all the beautiful views that come with it. I would and have taken friends to San Diego, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Newport Beach, Los Angeles and all the way up to San Francisco. My wife and I are foodies and love beach towns, so we always go to some of our favorite spots, we love variety, but some of our favs include ETC sushi, Baja Fish Tacos, Cream Pan, Leaf and Cream Tea, Ike’s Place, Bear Flag, Adonis, Taco Mesa, Nook, King Taco, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, Dragon House. We love downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp, Long Beach for nightlife. We will check out local bars. There is more but this is where I frequent the most and love being on the west coast, especially Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My story would not be what it is today if it weren’t for the loving and compassionate people I have encountered along my journey. First and foremost, my wife Tasha has always been by my side and in my corner rooting me on. She has supported me through my path of healing. Although the odds were stacked against us, we persevered and made it through the storms of life together. I am so grateful to have her as my wife and best friend. The next person who deserves recognition is my father-in-law Mr. Patterson aka Pops, he has shown me nothing but compassion throughout my struggles in life. He has always been there accepting me and welcoming me into his family. He always treated me like a father should treat a son! Even through my darkest of hours, he has always been there to help me. He has played a major part in my transformation. Last, but not least Project Kinship, gave me the opportunity to work my dream job, by helping at-promise youth through Restorative Practices, this is a place for community, compassion, and hope for people in need of support. I have been working with this organization since 2017 and I am honored that they took a chance on me.

Website: slimchancesbook.com

Instagram: @jimmy.slim.rumsey

Facebook: @jimmy.slim.rumsey

Other: slimchancesbook@gmail.com